Creating to her heart's delight

Day3: What words or phrases do you find inspiring and why?

2011-01-17T08:28:00.002-05:00

Day3: What words or phrases do you find inspiring and why?

"A creative mess is better than idle tidiness."

"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home."

"Two people are needed to make a painting...
the artist, and someone else
to hit him on the head with a hammer
when the painting is finished."

"Without art, the crudeness of reality would make life unbearable."

Day 2: What colors are meaningful to you and why?

2011-01-16T08:27:00.000-05:00

Day 2: What colors are meaningful to you and why?

Pink, green, blue and black. I don't know why. I just like them.

30 days of creativity- Day 1

2011-01-15T11:46:00.003-05:00

What the heck. I'm following along with craftcritique.com and doing 30 Days of Creativity.

Day 1: When you were a child, how did you express your creativity?

I drew on the cardboard that came in my dad's shirts from the cleaners. I used crayons, pens, pencils and glued on whatever junk I had around the house as well... for instance, cotton balls were snow. I drew and painted something all the time. I also liked to decorate my room but my mom was against that. She did however encourage my artistic angst.

What in the world

2011-01-15T11:40:00.003-05:00

I was inspired by something i saw at Dollar Store Crafts blog and headed to the thrift store. I bought a silver plated saucer and promptly filed the handles off it. Found a green glass thingy which looks like it used to be the top of something and picked up a pilsner glass. The bottom of a silver plated drink coaster has some nice green leather on it and I like that battery operated push light thingy too. At the moment, I'm playing around with a finish for the outside of the silver saucer. I spray painted the inside black and copper leafed the outside but not loving it. I copper leafed the inside of the glass saucer thing and liking that. So far, I've spent a couple of bucks.

My son and I are in crafty mode. Wait till you see what we did with a uke we bought at the thrift store.

This is my dining room table. We're eating in the kitchen for the time being...

Can you guess what this stuff is going to be?

Back in business?

2011-01-13T09:00:00.007-05:00

Despite the pain, I am making stuff. Here's some of it
I bought a ton of watch parts from the Waltham Watch Co at a flea market in New Hampshire in the fall. Got pretty involved with that. I have also inherited tons of tatting and lace from relatives that I'm beginning to drag out of cartons. I plan to dye some of it too.

I amassed a ton of interesting garments from the thrift store. I plan to dye and alter them. I also have a bunch of old clothes that are too big so I'm experimenting with dye and bleach. I was particularly obsessed with long line bras and bleach tie dye. I dyed some bras, but never got around to embellishing them because of the pain in my arm. Today I see the pain doc, so let's see what happens with that.

Stay tuned for more.

Okay. I'm Back.

2011-01-12T07:20:00.002-05:00

update:

So I got really depressed after I lost my best friend and then lost my creative edge about 2 years ago... and that was the end of that

Then I had gastric bypass surgery in March 09 and lost my fat... I also noticed that I stopped posting right around the time of the gastric bypass.

I still hung out with the polymer clay crowd and went to workshops and retreats although I never finished anything...

then I got a new best friend ...

I got obsessed with Dia De Los Muertos

I got re-involved with astronomy and music performing...
then I started amassing craft supplies and jewelry supplies...
then I discovered thrift stores...

then I discovered the joys of getting rid of junk via eBay... Made room for more junk

I still can't find a job that pays more than minimum wage, so I won't be working. I can save more money than what I'd earn working by not buying stuff OR I can earn more money selling old stuff on eBay than what I'd make in a minimum wage job.

MWAH!

RIP Senator Edward Kennedy

2009-08-26T08:09:00.003-04:00

Edward Kennedy passed away after battling brain cancer for a year at age 77. He will be remembered as the greatest US Senator. Kennedy was elected to the senate in 1962. He truly believed in what he stood for unlike most Senators who act according to what is most politically expedient. He will truly be missed. More

Wire Crazy

2009-03-04T08:32:00.002-05:00

I got carried away with the wire winder thingy yesterday. Trying to keep my hands busy since I quit smoking, you know.

I'm getting ready to have gastric bypass surgery on Monday so blogging may be pretty light for a while... but then again, I may make stuff in the meantime.

Had such a wonderful time making polymer clay beads last week and want to make more... we'll see!

Cabin Fever Clay Festival

2009-02-27T17:16:00.008-05:00

I had the most fun at the Cabin Fever Clay Festival this past week in Laurel Maryland. Most of all, I learned some amazing new techniques. As per usual, I didn't finish any projects but I bring you some of what is in various stages of completion from a few classes I took. I still have to find the rest of the incomplete stuff as I unpack.... I know... I know...

This picture doesn't do these pendants any justice. I must finish one of these as a necklace that matches the silks that teacher, Julie Picarello gave us. I call this, A River Runs Through It... very original.

Nan Roche brought fabulous Japanese molds and we made some pretty spectacular creations from the molds. I think this looks like wood.

This lotus pod mold is rather large but it really looks like bronze, doesn't it?

That's gold leaf on black clay. I like how it looks and feels.

These were really fun beads to make in Sarah Shriver's class. I really have to do the technique again at home to get them the way I want them, but overall, I was very pleased with the technique and want to do it again.

My most favorite beads were the Big Amber Beads taught by Tori Hughes. I think these look very real and straight out of Africa.

I suppose if I took more than 5 seconds to set up shots and set up the camera correctly, I could get better photos of the class results, but those of you who know me, know that this is the best you're going to get.

Cabin Fever Clay Festival

2009-02-21T09:40:00.001-05:00

I'm off to the Cabin Fever Clay Festival in Laurel, Maryland.

See you on Thursday.

Bling!

2009-02-05T12:00:00.001-05:00

Bling is made of polymer clay imprinted with rubber stamps and embellished with pearl powders.

Dreaming of Spring

2009-02-05T10:18:00.001-05:00

Earrings

2009-02-02T08:43:00.003-05:00

I had a particularly awful weekend, so I attempted to create some jewelry. There are about 7 pieces in various stages of construction. The only things I finished were these 2 pairs of earrings.

Birdies Are In Style

2009-01-24T09:53:00.001-05:00

I revamped a necklace of my mom's from about 30 years ago. It had adorable sterling birds and tubes. I added some turquoise chunks.

Primitive Necklace

2009-01-18T15:16:00.000-05:00

White branch coral and some sort of silvery beads from Africa.

Dead Art: Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

2009-01-09T15:13:00.003-05:00

Brass Buddha Necklace

2008-12-28T08:40:00.004-05:00

The year comes to a close with my thinking about all the bad things that have happened to me that I suppose I deserve. You always get what you pay for. Nothing happens for no reason. I may be so consumed with my latest heartbreak that I cannot even think straight, but I do know that the universe is paying me back for any heartbreaks I may have caused. I guess it's just something you have to learn to live with.

I made this necklace as a christmas present for someone who always says that karma is a bitch.

Silver and Turquoise Heart

2008-12-27T09:59:00.002-05:00

This silver and turquoise heart represents my broken heart held together with tiny silvery strands. The bird represents the song that is still locked up there.

Christmas Bling

2008-12-26T06:50:00.001-05:00

It wouldn't be christmas if I didn't hang some sort of bling from my neck despite the fact that we spent the day on my uncle's dock in our jeans. This necklace actually did look good with the velvet shirt I wore for the occassion.

Bead Space

2008-12-22T11:20:00.006-05:00

Just set up a Bead Space site. It's just like My Space but is for jewelry makers and beaders. In just a short time I have made a bunch of friends on there. My musician friends over at My Space haven't all been this swift.

Since it's time for the holidays, my creativity has been frozen. Probably has to do with a severe case of SAD, but I'm hanging in there regardless.

I need some good luck so I present some lucky bracelets. I feel that lucky bracelets are for agnostics like me looking to cover all bases.

Wrist Cuff Weekend

2008-12-16T09:22:00.006-05:00

A few cuffs made by Liz and Toni K. over the weekend.
Modeled by Toni K.

Sacred Heart of the bottle cap on grandma's embroidered doily cuff. Denim band.

Tie Dyed trim from Aunt Ann's inheritance cuff with button from mom's button box cuff.

Faces cuff with Aunt Ann's lace and Darbella Designs face cabs.

Faces cuff in all its glory.

Little lace skull cuff.

Antique Keys Necklace

2008-12-13T11:21:00.001-05:00

Picked up some old keys and an old keyhole at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market last Saturday. They've been screaming to be chained up for a necklace ever since. Whew.

such a groovy bead

2008-12-09T10:19:00.002-05:00

The picture on the jasper bead reminded me of the time I spent in the wilds of Arizona- in the petrified forest or the painted desert, or both. It screamed for some pearls and semi-precious beads as a bezel.

I'm a huge, huge fan of picture stones, beads and cabs.

Ho Ho Ho

2008-12-08T15:34:00.000-05:00

Swarovski Christmas Tree Earrings.

Day of the Dead Charm Necklaces

2008-12-08T15:33:00.001-05:00

I couldn't wait to string up these Day of the Dead babies from Silver Crow Creations, one of my favorite online places to shop.

They look nice worn together or separately.

One is the MINI HAND-PAINTED CERAMIC DAY OF THE DEAD MARIPOSA BEAD
and the other is
MINI HAND-PAINTED CERAMIC CATRINA BEAD

They come in different colors. They are on this web page at a mere $2.85 each.

Thinking of Spring on the First Snow Day of Winter

2008-12-07T07:25:00.001-05:00

Eyelash yarn, glass beads, leaf and flower beads make for warm and fuzzy neckware.
Click for larger view as always.

"Steampunk" Fish

2008-12-05T09:51:00.004-05:00

Inspired by Christi Friesen's steampunk critters
I tried my hand at a fish using black Fimo clay, bronze powders and stuff from my stash including old watch parts, tiny beads and brass filigree. Not bad for a first try. It's inspired me to try some other things with a lot of old jewelry I've collected. Stay tuned.

Charming Necklace

2008-12-04T07:31:00.001-05:00

Fleur de Lis Necklace

2008-12-03T17:22:00.001-05:00

Made this one for a friend of mine for Christmas. It's made of brass and copper with vintage looking charms based on old school tattoo art.

Time in a Pendant

2008-12-02T08:56:00.003-05:00

The time pendant was made by dumping some watch parts in a brass bezel and then pouring Judi Kins Amazing Glaze over it. I baked it in the oven until the glaze melted and now there's a smooth as glass finish on it.

I think the embossing powder is a great idea for sealing these bezel pendants. It works much faster than 2 part epoxy resins and the one part gloss sealers. I didn't have to worry about dust and ripples on the surface because there was no waiting time for anything to dry.

Before: Jewelry display

2008-12-02T06:36:00.006-05:00

Yikes, what a mess and this is just a small detail of the room that is my supposed studio. It's such an ordeal to get something off these displays that I mostly don't even bother to wear any jewelry. I'm having a lull in my creative mind, so it's probably time to revamp my room and organize my stuff. I dare not show photos of all the storage boxes and bags of stuff on the floor that came home from the stores and never made it into a drawer or on to a shelf. More before and after pictures will come... maybe.

For inspiring ways to store and/or display your stuff at home, Jennifer Perkins has 4 blog posts on this exact topic. How Ya Hangin'?
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV

Another Completed Bag

2008-11-23T11:24:00.004-05:00

Isn't it odd that I made jewelry and bags and I don't wear bags or jewelry?
What is up with that?

I fell in love with this Birdie Sling by Amy Butler pattern and ordered it despite my dwindling funds. I had the very textural fabrics in my stash. It's kind of weird that it's November 23rd and the temp is below freezing and I made such a summery bag. Guess I'll be all set to shop on aa tropical vacation this winter. I wish. It has 2 roomy pockets which didn't photograph well because of the wild tie died/quilted fabric I used in the lining. So you won't be seeing those pics.

I'm trying very hard not to buy fabric and to use up what I have. Anyway, I think I'll vacuum the dining room floor today and put away the sewing stuff for now and take out the polymer clay since receiving these 2 books in the past 2 weeks: Polymer Clay and Mixed Media, Together at Last by Christi Friesen and The Art of Polymer Clay Millefiori Techniques by Donna Kato. I have taken classes from both of these amazing ladies and can't wait to dig into some new projects.

Favorite Necklace

2008-11-21T11:10:00.002-05:00

This is my favorite necklace. It features some charms from Green Girl Studios, silver beads, fire agate, coral and turquoise along with some shell disks. It looks fabulous on black, brown and denim. Actually it looks fabulous on anything. (click for larger version.)

Eye pendant

2008-11-21T11:06:00.004-05:00

After my mom passed away and I had the fun job of cleaning out the house in order to sell it, I came across a set of match boxes that had lenticular eyes and lips on them. I cut out an eye and glued it in this brass pendant. It's really quite eery when it winks at you.

Thinking about what to do with the lips. It'll come to me.

copper and brass pendant

2008-11-21T11:05:00.002-05:00

Some of this pendant was made in a class on Saturday. I cut out the copper and put rivets in it.
It features some brass and copper doodads I had kicking around in my stash.

Silver Wire Bracelet Class

2008-11-18T13:03:00.003-05:00

This morning I attended a class where we made these charming but terribly easy to make silver bracelets with sliders, pearls and crystals. It was a lot of fun and very rewarding considering we were finished in an hour.

La Vida Pendant

2008-11-16T09:05:00.004-05:00

I took a class with my favorite teacher, Linda Twohill at Beads N Stitches in Hicksville, NY yesterday where we played with brass and copper. We drilled, etched, riveted, domed, stamped, cut and made several pieces. My favorite part of any class with Linda is using her awesome tools. This was my favorite piece. There is a little cup for holding a magic crystal or something interesting. It's about the size of a quarter. It's also pretty obvious that I am not well practiced in stamping on metal, but I kind of liked the funky way it came out nevertheless.

As much as I enjoy using the torch, cold connections are a lot of fun. I still need a lot more practice using rivets and grommets/eyelets on metal.

Vintage brooch from old jewelry

2008-11-14T11:12:00.001-05:00

This artist wants to clear off the dining room table and turn the house back into a house, but I still have sewing to finish and pillow covers to make. sigh. The holidays are coming and I would like to be able to invite people over without being embarrassed about the mess in the dining room that has spread to the kitchen and the living room.

Looking forward to getting back into jewelry making and diving into my box of vintage jewelry, watch parts, old charms and findings. (I already have a work area away from the living areas of the house.) Tomorrow I'm taking a little metal smithing class at my local bead store for fun and inspiration. God knows I already have all the supplies here at home... but I like the social aspect of a class and to learn from someone else.

I made this brooch from a bunch of old earrings I picked up at tag sales or inherited. There are a few other doo dads in there that I bought. I think it's kind of fun.

And yet another jeans bag

2008-11-14T10:59:00.005-05:00

I'm trying to get these out of my system, but I think I will keep making them until I come up with one I am thrilled with.

This one has some nifty flying hearts and a really long frayed strap so that I can wear it under my coat. There's plenty of room for a small wallet, some keys and other junk.

The back sports a little pocket for maybe the cell phone.

Denim Rose Purse

2008-11-13T09:54:00.001-05:00

I got the idea from a designer bag to make a rose out of fabric. Since I am in 'old denim jeans' mode and in to making small bags for when I go out at night, I sewed a denim rose on to a back pocket from some jeans I have ripped up. The rose part makes 2 exterior pockets on the purse which comes in very handy. It's lined in pink cotton.

I used a waistband from a pair of jeans to make the clasp...

... and sewed the waistband to the back.

Works in Progress: scrappy evening bag

2008-11-09T10:49:00.005-05:00

Not sure what has possessed me to work on this bag for days and days and days. It's made from hubby's old jeans, my aunt's old lace and ribbons, mom's buttons and some funky brass charms. The strap will be made from the waistband of the jeans. This bag is not fully embellished yet. I think it will be over the top. why not? The next one will be different.

Below is the back of the bag that utilizes some lace that I painted, some brass charms and a weird ribbon I made on the computer.

Below is a closeup of the front of the bag. I don't know where I got the picture, but I printed it onto silk fabric. That lace there must be 50 years old. It's pretty fragile.

As always, click images for larger picture.

On the sewing table: inherited

2008-11-08T10:01:00.000-05:00

Bored with the colors of old and new lace, I got out my fabric paints and attempted to change all that.

I inherited a bunch of neat handmade lace from my friend's mom. It's just beautiful and of course, I am dying it when I feel the need.

I inherited my mom's ginormous button tin and there are quite a few adorable buttons for embellishments that I've separated from the rest. I am particularly tickled by anything with rhinestones in it.

My aunt was a dressmaker and made bridal gowns. I was lucky enough to inherit some antique lace and trims from her. The crazy thing about that particular inheritance is that some price tags are still on her sewing supplies and she paid like 19 cents for many beautiful yards of lace. It's quite fragile now though.

When I was going through my mom's sewing basket I was also amazed at how inexpensive notions were 40-50 years ago. Can you imagine spending 10 cents for dozens of snaps? Or 12 cents for a dozen needles? I am using the stuff now. It's pretty cool to dig through what's left of other women's lives of sewing and mending.

I suppose that one day, someone will have my enormous stash. God help them.

Finished red bag

2008-11-06T12:56:00.003-05:00

This latest bag features sample fabrics from a home dec swatch book and ready made fringe from the sewing store.

Red patchwork bag in progress

2008-11-02T08:24:00.003-05:00

These very sturdy scrap fabrics from home dec sample books are being tested in a simple design I came up with. I think the bag is screaming for a gusset and/or some fringe. So today I'll be taking a trip to my friendly fabric store to see what they have.

We haven't been able to eat at the dining room table in weeks. I wonder why.

Work in Progress:Tapestry bag

2008-11-02T08:18:00.004-05:00

This was a practice project because I'm planning to sew a very large tote bag from the same fabrics. I bought a number of home dec sample fabric books from eBay and just love the tapestry samples even though they are tough to sew on my portable sewing machine. This bag is something I've been working on for a couple of days and it uses fabric samples. It still needs a bit of tweaking, but I think I would use this bag over the winter.

Note to self: Cut out the lining before sewing the bag together. Boy it's tough to get it right otherwise.

click for larger image

Dia De Los Muertos

2008-11-01T14:27:00.004-04:00

My son and I crammed as much Mexicana we could on this fisher price truck we found at a garage sale for a fabulous Day of The Dead Shrine-mobile.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T09:28:00.001-04:00

Envelope bag class

2008-10-29T17:12:00.003-04:00

Had the most fun making this envelope bag today at Gone Sewin'. I used Alexander Henry fabric from my stash. The best thing about the bag is that in addition to it being roomy, it has a big envelope type pocket on each side as you can see from the lower picture where I flipped it up.

It starts out as a 38" square and is folded and manipulated into this wonderful bag. I can't wait to use it although it doesn't go with any of my winter coats which were brought out of storage this morning. It may have to wait until spring. I think I'll make one in darker colors for the winter.

Day of the Dead Bag

2008-10-29T09:30:00.003-04:00

I had some fabric left over from covering my dining room chairs and thought it would make a fab little bag. I added some beaded embellishments to jazz it up a bit more, as if it wasn't show stopping enough.

Today I am taking a sewing class at Gone Sewin' to make an Envelope Bag. I have the most adorable Alexander Henry fabric with birds on it in aqua and orange. Hoping I won't mess it all up.

Loteria bag

2008-10-28T07:17:00.001-04:00

This loteria fabric bag I whipped up is screaming for glitter, buttons, beads and whatever do-dads I have in my stash. Stay tuned.

Fine Silver Perfume Pendant

2008-10-25T13:23:00.002-04:00

I created this fine silver pendant in a class with Hattie Sanderson in Texas.

We impressed a design from a texture mold into the PMC and used a drinking straw to raise up the interior of the pendant. We did the same for the other side. It's quite a conversation piece when worn.

Love Birds

2008-10-24T10:44:00.000-04:00

Experimenting With Printing On Fabric

2008-10-23T08:36:00.003-04:00

For this quilt block which has yet to be embellished, I printed a couple of tombs from a New Orleans cemetery on silk (Jaquard product) and am now in the process of adding scrappy bits of fabric and antique lace. Then I will do a bit of embroidery and some beading. This will be part of a series of blocks that will comprise a wall quilt or perhaps pillow tops, depending on my mood. Or maybe it will become a bag. Stay tuned, but do not hold your breath.

Hobo Bag

2008-10-21T11:27:00.002-04:00

Tried my hand at a hobo bag this weekend. I got the pattern here and it totally rocks. I'm sure by the time I make myself a second one, I'll be pretty good at it. My sewing skills are still rather rocky.

New Market Bag

2008-10-18T11:05:00.003-04:00

What a great way to go green.

I made this market bag for my friend yesterday with skull lace fabric I bought a year ago at Joann's. I backed it with hot pink cotton and lined it in black. It has a lovely feel to it and it sparkles in the light.

Enamel on PMC

2008-10-17T07:22:00.006-04:00

I took a class in Texas last year where we mixed enamel in with silver clay, PMC, but I didn't like the look of it. So I took another class with another teacher where we put enamel over the PMC and was able to save this little flower pendant from never being worn.

We then made these nifty silver hearts with enamel.

The wire wrapped pendant phase

2008-10-16T12:03:00.007-04:00

Here's a few things I made when I was obsessed with wire wrapping.

This one is also part of my obsession with turquoise and coral.

I thought this picture jasper bead was screaming to be wired up at the time.

There's no need to stop there.

Silver wire wraps

More at flickr
As always, click image for larger view.

The start of apron mania

2008-10-15T08:48:00.004-04:00

I never wore them, but maybe now I will. aprons. I'm such a slob and my clothes get wrecked when I cook or work in the garden, so it would be a good idea to wear an apron, but these are too pretty to mess up.

I'd like to get into making more artsy and funky aprons but I haven't made an apron since 1960 something in my first sewing class. So before I get all artistic, it's time for the basics. The first one made without a pattern is my faux poodle skirt pink apron. It features a cute little poodle I picked up at Joann's in the iron on decal section. Too cute to actually wear for cooking. Maybe I'll have to hostess a dinner party or something.

This is the second apron I made without a pattern. It's a full length job that features cocktail waitresses.

as always click for larger picture.

Today I am going to a rally at the park across the street from me to see Crosby and Nash. Woohoo!

The Sewing Disease Kicks In

2008-10-13T09:33:00.005-04:00

I thought that only beading was a disease. But being the bipolar gal that I am, now I like to sew. I have a huge fabric stash because like beads, I can't help myself when I see interesting fabrics which I am saving for when I get good at it. Right now, I'm not that good at it and I intend to make art quilts because I have so many vintage scraps in my stockpile, but for now I am practicing with less wonderful fabric and making useful items now that my money went down the tubes thanks to the Republicans.

On Thursday evening before I went to the tiki bar for happy hour, I took a class at my local Joann's to learn how to make this table topper. It was supposed to be 2 colors, but I kept screwing up and since they didn't have more of the fabric squares I was using, I had to pick different ones to complete it. I should have taken a picture of the back of it, which is quite lovely and makes this reversible.

Gosh, with all the scraps I have from my sewing disasters and successes, I tried my hand at some crazy quilting over the weekend because crazy is right up my alley. I never officially learned how to do it, so I made it up. That was probably the original point of crazy quilting. I used a pattern I found online at BH&G for the 2 smaller bags and made up my own for the larger bag.

Since I love making jewelry, I intend to try my hand at some fabric cuff bracelets that use beads and other kookie findings I have kicking around my mess I call a studio. Stay tuned.

When I find just the right fabric, I want to make this purse.

Polymer Clay Pendant

2008-10-08T21:29:00.003-04:00

What possessed me to make a whole lot of little polymer clay pendants with bronze powder escapes me. I was experimenting. They look good strung up on antique brass or copper chain though. I have dozens of these.

My sewing machine broke so I brought it to an authorized Brother sewing machine repair place. The guy told me that I had a cheapo machine (I know, that's why I bought it) and he almost sold me another one but they cost over $1000 these days and I lost a bundle in the stock market and don't feel like pissing away that kind of money. So I told him to fix mine. I brought it home yesterday and it sews like a dream. I made an apron and a pocket book. There's a quilt I have to finish for a baby but that's what broke my machine in the first place. I think the machine is too delicate to handle quilting. Tomorrow night is another sewing class where we are learning to make Dresden Plate quilted table toppers. I'll take pictures.

Result of Bangles Class

2008-10-05T13:44:00.002-04:00

On Saturday, I took a class at BeadsnStiches where we made some sterling silver bangles. We got to play with hammers and flames which is always a great favorite of mine.

There are lots more photos at my slideshow which you can find on the sidebar. Enjoy.

PMC Results

2008-10-03T22:32:00.002-04:00

I'm really into precious metal clay (PMC3) and made a couple of pendants of pure silver with neat texture molds and cutters.

There's more to come after I photograph them.

Tomorrow I am taking a one day silversmithing class just for the heck of it. Can't wait to see what I come home with.

Shrine crazy

2008-10-02T08:19:00.010-04:00

There are so many little shrines in my house, I can't keep track of them all. Here are some and there are more coming.

My shrine to Hawaii with tourist candle inside.

Devil woman shrine.

Crafty chica-esque mermaid shrine made with card from the Crafty Chica collection and various goodies from my craft stock pile.

Ikea shadow box with cake decorations and dazzling papers and knick knacks from my junk drawer.

Oh No! Anima sola doll in box

Darbella's mermaid looks great in this painted tin nicho

This glittery shrine was made from Crafty Chica's wood frame, glitter and papers. The little dead couple was picked up in Arizona. I'm beginning to get the hang of working with glitter. Liking it.

Some necklaces

2008-10-01T10:58:00.001-04:00

I started these a year ago, but finally got around to finishing them recently. As always, click for larger picture.

I just love these picture jasper beads. Chunky jewelry is in style now. I finished it just in time.

This is a polymer clay cross I sculpted and finally got a chain for it.

Yay. Hand colored Catrina pendant on nifty beaded necklace. So hip!

I bought this white coral because it looked like teeth. The silverish beads are from Africa.

The mermaid beads are from Green Girl Studios. The beads are silver, fire agate, shells, coral and turquoise. The clasp is sterling silver and turquoise. It's a bit heavy, but very summery and chunky enough to be stylish.

This guy was screaming for this necklace made from polymer clay amber beads and other beads from Africa.

This sodalite necklace has a reversible soldered pendant I made. I thought Frida looked so Virgin of Guadalupish, I couldn't resist!

Results of class with Christi Friesen

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I made this necklace during and after a polymer clay class just last week with Christi Friesen at Darbella Studios in New Hampshire.

Christi taught us how to make hibiscus and I couldn't resist sticking a little skull in there... for Halloween, you know.

That's a stylized peacock, a la Christi

As always, click picture for larger version.

Sewing Lessons Results

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click for larger version

I took 2 classes at my local Joann store. Made this snappy wall quilt and quilted tote bag with sugar skull fabric. Next week, we are making a quilted table topper. Can't wait.