Starting a Collage Series

Day one. Not much to look at but I'll be spray painting it this afternoon.

Funny.

The darker and grayer it gets outside...the brighter and lighter my colour choices get inside.

Russian Dollies

I love these Russian dolls.

I bought them in Alaska in May and have been moving them all around the house looking for the ideal place to photograph them.

I want to do something with them...I just don't know what that will be yet.

Is This An Antique?

I bet this image looks very funny as a sidebar?

Yup. Found at an antique market. Mother Earth.

Good to see some x-rated folk art on a grey rainy Sunday. This is my idea of a Sunday funny.

We planned to go to some outdoor markets today but since it was already raining by 9am, we thought it might be nicer to go to an indoor market we like near Waterloo.

I found this amazing length of big brass beads. I wonder what this was used for. It definitely is not a belt...way too heavy. Ideas?

The beads are amazing though! I'll do something with them for sure!

Speaking of beads...look what my beading gang was up to this week!

Strands of Beads Melissa shows off her new lunar phases and compass rose designs

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean reviews Wirework, a new book by the famous Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Searching for some new inspiration? Lorelei's got just the place for you to find it!

Jean Campbell Ink: Eureka! Beading in the fresh air clears the mind, bringing fresh creativity

Humblebeads Heather sketches out some new designs using this summer's hottest color.

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva A trip to glass city doesn't go as well as planned. Yet Cindy finds inspiration and few new tools!

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi hand felts a pretty bead from wool roving.

Beading Arts Cyndi's initial thoughts on working with the new Copper Clay. There will be lots of projects coming this summer!

Barbe Saint John Read Barbe's interview on the Objects and Elements blog

Art Bead Scene The Trendy Bead shows off wood filigree pendants.

About.com Jewelry Making Take these quick polls about wearing and making jewelry. Which are your favorite pieces?

A Bead A Day Lisa shares her selection of summery pink beads and crystals. The "Watermelon Crawl" bead mix is sure to conjure up visions of a family picnic on a warm summer day!

Vintage Scrapbooks

I know it's hard to imagine that the 50's is vintage for a few people. But these scrapbooks are about 60 years old now. I am so happy that people kept cards in these inexpensive scrapbooks in the 50s. People placed a higher value on a store bought card. They were meant to be kept...not tossed. I have my Mom's wedding card scrapbook. It looks just like this one. I plan to keep it always.

This scrapbook is an Ebay find. It just arrived in the mail and my Mom was with me when I opened it. She loves to look through these scrapbooks too...but inevitably I hear the sound I know is coming whenever she flips through these collections.

SIGH.

She just doesn't know why the children of these folks didn't hang on to the scrapbook.

As you flip through the pages you see the anniversaries, birthdays and Christmas cards these two people bought each other. There are also clippings and programs for theatre nights. It really is a record of the happy times in their life.

For me...the book is just a fabulous resource of 50's illustration. As a card maker, I never get tired of seeing cards from other eras. Who knows, a few of my cards might end up in a scrapbook too.

The Bowl Hair Cut

When I saw this old box at the antique market I flashed back to the idea of a "bowl hair cut." I guess Moms used to put a bowl on a child's head to act as a template for cutting it all the same length. I have no idea why the company claimed that these clippers would make "happy friends everywhere." But I believe in making friends happy...so this little photo is a keeper for sure.

A Fabulous Felted Bead

The sun sure made it easy to take a close up of my latest little project.

A few months ago my friend Sharon decided to ship me all her felt and felt supplies. Yeah for me! The wool roving she had purchased was just stunning. I am lucky to have it.

This wool roving really caught my eye. The colours were identical to a bead I really like. I also had in my stash these "change a bead posts." The top ring unscrews so you can change the beads you want to wear anytime. These posts are particularly good for one of a kind glass beads.

I decided to make some felt beads. I rolled some of the roving into a small ball.

Then using a felting needle I quickly felted the ball into a nice and thick bead. Now I know there are many ways to create felt beads....especially using wet techniques. But you can felt wool with just one single felting needle. I did work on a felt brush. It was a lot easier than constantly poking my fingers.

I loved the colours that appeared during the felting process. It looks like it is marbled!

You would be surprised as to how thick a needle felted bead can be. The hardest part of this project was getting the ball onto the bead post.

I almost left the beads alone...but really, I was enjoying my little project. I pulled out a few beads for a little more embellishment.

This project took under 30 minutes! I was thinking how cool it would be to make a Christmas colours set next.

What Catches My Eye

A few weeks ago Jen had a lovely post featuring all her great finds from a day of junking.

The pig in this picture she posted caught my eye. I didn't think too much about it...but I came back for a second look before emailing Jen to see if the pig was for sale. I just thought I might need it. It was for sale! I asked her to mail it to me. (I am still waiting for her invoice so I can pay - thanks Jen!)

I had plum forgot about the pig until this little box arrived in the mail.

My pig...plus a few lovely extras. Isn't mail just great? Jen always sends the best packages! One day I am going to be at the Milkhouse in person!

Embellishment Time

I am just getting myself sorted for the next card making run. It will be mostly Christmas themes for the rest of the summer but I will be doing all-occasion too. These tiny Monet painting bezels are current favorites. I am torn between using them on cards or keeping them all together on a book. Decisions, decisions.

Monday Start Up

I am posting this doll image for no better reason than to say...you are creepy. I don't think I would sleep a wink if this doll came home with me. But I always love to see an antique doll positioned amongst other antiques on a table. I wonder if people actually do that at home.

I got an amazing book in the mail last week. I stumbled upon it on Ebay and made my first "Make an offer" which was accepted. I really didn't think it would so I am still surprised to own this album. It is huge....over 18 inches tall.

The ornate letters inside are all hand coloured. It is truly an amazing find.

I am way behind on my blog reading and posting.
I owe quite a few hellos and comments and hope to resume normal computer work this week. It is a new day, a new week and the sun is shining.

Fabulous Flowers

This is a photo of a flower arrangement that meant a lot to me.

I hope you all had a nice weekend. Here are my fabulous beading links for the week!

Carmi's Art/Life World A vintage comic book becomes the inspiration for a necklace.
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles A new shipment of copper blanks has Melanie plotting for some metal playtime!
Art Bead Scene Kandinsky inspires this month's challenge. The ABS editors suggest a selection of their handmade art beads for a Kandinsky inspired jewelry piece.
Barbe Saint John Barbe reviews Ancient Modern Polymer Clay book.
Jewelry & Beading Auntie's Beads provided wonderful copper beads and findings so Cyndi could create this necklace!
Katie's Beading Blog In need of a speedy bead? Check out this quick and easy jewelry idea!
Snap out of it,Jean! There's beading to be done! Pink, gold,and cream! Jean creates a lovely necklace and earring set featuring a beautiful Russian hand painted focal from Artbeads.com
Strands of Beads Melissa shows off her work in progress - an eerie lock and key design
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Andrew shares a new necklace design. Check it out!

Vintage Comic Book Love Necklace

A few weeks ago I found this comic book at an antique market.

I couldn't resist. I had to know what happened.

The story is all about a high school couple. It's a classic tale. Girl ignores boy because he appear to be poor and nerdy. Turns out he is smart with artistic parents. All parents are thrilled to be at the wedding of two nineteen year-olds right after graduation. Hmmmm. No college for her I bet.

I cut out the images of the story I liked best. Who could resist the wedding kiss?

I had no idea what sort of week I would be having. In an effort to get some things back to normal I decided to paint some more wood and then glue these images in place. A small coating of resin made the wood pieces look finished.

This afternoon I just connected everything. Did I mention how much I love Beadalon Links? They made putting this together very simple.

Our Thanks

Thank you for your messages.

We know our loss is felt very deeply by all companions to four legged children. We appreciate all your thoughts, prayers and sentiments.

This is going to take some time.

My Sad News

We lost our best friend Shamus yesterday.

The second half of our hearts are broken.

For thirteen years we were the proud parents of two golden retrievers. We can't imagine two more loved creatures on this earth. Losing them both in under a year is really hard.

Shamus really was the funniest, prettiest, quirkiest puppy ever. Never a dull moment.

Officially named World Peace.

He really was that for us.

Found

I know I know.

So cute. I love these new additions to my stash.

One devil came with a sticker reading " Please, please be my little devil." The other devil has a sticker saying "PSST: Don't forget the marshmallows."

Wood Pendants

My samples on Thursday featured some plain old stickers on wood. I completely forgot that I ordered these little wooden beauties on Etsy. They are paper images glued to wood and then cut out. They arrived Friday and I have them on display in the studio. I want to make something with them this week if I can. The gentleman who makes them has a laser cutter. I am liking wood more and more! The laser costs about 10,000+ so I don't think it will be a tool I invest in...not this year anyway!

Here is what my beading gang was up to this week!

Art Bead Scene In this economy, everyone is asking the advice of economists - ABS has brought in The Bead Economist with advice on how to get art beads on the cheap.
Carmi's Art/Life World A little wood, paint and stickers helps Carmi to recreate a native art inspired pendant.
Jewelry & Beading Cyndi has decided that this summer is "The Season of Metal Clay"! Check out these inspiring metal clay sites.
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean has a sparkly Swarovski bracelet in July's BeadStyle magazine! Check it oooout!
Strands of Beads Melissa shows off new jewelry designs using Soft Flex Trios wire
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Andrew announces a NEW design competition to celebrate Cynthia's new book, Enchanted Adornments.
Rings & Things Blog They are sorting out coin pearls on the Rings & Things blog. Who doesn't like coin pearls!?
A Bead A Day The featured bead for the week at the Bead A Day weblog is from Whimsy House, and "whimsy" is the perfect name for these colorful beauties.
Barbe Saint John Barbe just got a pile of cool looking bezels in and has some great design ideas rolling around in her noggin.

Going The Extra Mile With Packaging

I try and buy something from this artist every year during my spring trip to Paris.

While I know this is something I could make myself...I love to support other srtists too.

This little heart sat in the hand painted green box and called to me from the window.

You can see that the artist hand stitched with gold thread the words "Coeur D'Amour" which means "heart of love."


The box is lines with a few really pretty hearts and some white mesh. A beautiful presentation.

Yellow Skunk Cabbage

I took a few dozen photos of this plant in Alaska last month.

It was all along a trail we walked.

It was so strange to see this shocking yellow in the dark green forest.

I finally found a guide who told me it was Yellow Skunk Cabbage...a name easy to remember.

Aparently the bears eat it when they wake up in the spring. I don't think it will make it into my perennial garden. I would probably trip on it and release the skunky smell.

Inspired by Native Artists

I love the blues in this pendant.

This necklace is inspired by my Alaskan trip last month.

I saw so many amazing pieces of native jewelery. We did purchase a few, but there was one piece I had to leave behind because it was unfinished.

It was a small piece of lightweight hand carved wood. Simple but expensive. The artist had embedded gold and abalone shell into the design. It was a square and I couldn't get the idea of the light weight wood out of my head.

When I came home I looked for some native imagery in my stash....there were a few. Then I needed to find some wood. Easy to do. I thought I would only make a square pendant.....but that would be impossible for me to leave alone. I knew there would have to be a dangle.

On the weekend I found this strand of hand carved wood beads. I almost missed them because they were in a very dusty old plastic bag. When I got them home I realized they were lovely. Perhaps they might have been used for a rosary.

I painted these two sets to match the pendants I was working on. I wasn't sure if I would like the results, but last night I wired them together and then let them rest over night.

I painted my wood base gold. Sure, the natural wood might have been nice.....but I love shimmer. I also decided to cover my native stickers with resin. They didn't look very interesting just sitting on the wood. Under the resin however, they looked fantastic! I also placed a few of the stickers in gold bezels.

In the end, I made two pendants. Red and Blue. I managed to combine the wood and the gold bezels.

My pendant doesn't look anything like the one I saw in Alaska....but it certainly is inspired by it. I think I really like wood now!

I am especially pleased that I was able to work on these around the studio clean up!

Major Progress With Studio Re-Vamp

The "after" picture. (see yesterday for a comparison)

Now it looks like something had been done about the mess!

I got rid of sooooooo much stuff. Shamus finds the new spacious environment very calming. He is usually too skittish to come in here! Now that there is room to breath and walk about...he can relax.

Walk in closet.

Now a walk in storage space. Whew.

It's amazing how different things can look after a few days.

Just some more purging to do tomorrow and I'll be ready to start a whole slew of new work Monday!

My Studio Gave Me Up

This is the "before" picture of my main art studio.

I bet a few of you are thinking it doesn't look too bad.

Just a little busy from various "in progress" projects.

I could probably live with it for a few more months....but there was something really nagging at me.

Do you see that pretty paper hanging on two doors?

It's the portal to my own personal hell.

Behind those doors is where I have managed to shove everything for the last three or four years.

If you have a place to hide all your junk...your studio always looks pretty neat.

My pantry closet finally had it's day in court though. Overthere Boy went to look for a flash light during a blackout a few weeks ago...and almost killed himself because he didn't realized the "step-in closet" did not actually allow for any stepping in. I was caught finally.

You can't just clean out a closet without the whole house being effected. There seems to be a mess everywhere I look right now, but I am starting to see some progress. Maybe by Thursday I will be able to post some photos showing a real change around here.