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My little journal

in

this book

To Kerin Gale

THANK YOU

and

great projects!!

Happy Holidays!

Victorian Biker Collection?

That may be the best description for the jewelry I've been working on.

This cross was inspired by a victorian necklace.  It's made from steel.

Victorian steel cut

More victorian steel

future bracelets

the softer side of steel

seems to be a steel theme

i believe i mentioned obsessed in a previous post

And yes, I do ride and have the required leather jacket and chaps

but . . . . . .

these are my biker boots.

One for Me One for You

 

Love My Art Jewelry

Have you checked out this new blog Love My Art Jewelry.   Run by a group of generous artist, full of great information, and a giveaway.  Hop on over and check them out.  You won't be disappointed!

A closer look

Printed muslin - the base layer of the cuff.

The second layer of fabric is a loose weave cotton

I used silk thread on the top and white bobbin thread underneath

The bobbin thread does show a little on the top so next time I'm using matching thread.

Coating both layers of fabric with a diluted fabric stiffner (it smells like regular white glue) and quilting gloves

made it much easier to control when doing the free motion embroidery

I started sewing some  beads on with waxed linen thread - hoping some dust and dirt will stick and give it that been around a while look

however, some garden dirt might be in order

It should be done this weekend.  I'll post some more pictures when it's finished.

Hope everyone is having a great week.

a

P.S.  To print mulin - iron freezer paper to your fabric and run it thru your printer (old quilting tip)

Where did summer go?

I can't believe it's fall already or that its been WEEKS since my last post.

I've been inspired by Renate to do a sneak peek.

Well, not exactly a peek, it's a full on picture.

There has been some wrist cuff envy going on here so again . . WHY NOT? 

Some vintage seed beads to add around the text

and a crazy closure

then wearing it for awhile to make sure the crazy closure isn't tooo crazy.

The free motion embroidery was a lot of fun and WAY different than anything I've ever done with the sewing machine.

More text and embroidery will  be showing up in the future pieces.

This weekend is my last show for this year.  The weather is supposed to be great AND it's in my hometown.

Hoping you all have a great weekend!

obsessed

"to think about something unceasingly or persistently; dwell obsessively upon something"

Yes, it's true, I've been obsessed the last couple of weeks.

Not with a piece of jewelry. 

My Booth.

Some observations from the last show.

The name of my blog? etsy shop?

yep

romantic decay

When we attached the sides to the booth what did i see?

WHITE PLASTIC

It screams decay doesn't it?!

I used tags to display my earrings.

Did I mention the heat index was 105 degrees with 999% humidity

They were folded over in a couple of hours.

And then there is attracting people to your booth.

I use a dressmakers form on the outside which people would stop and look at, but not wander in.

Solutions?

20 yards of tulle to drape and soften the plastic.

5 lbs. of rebar wire

6 days of twisting, bending, looping, wrapping

36" of quirky

my husband calling me "obsessed"

My earring chandelier.

(indoor pictures are awful)

This will be hanging in the back.

I hope it works.

I would hate to have to grab people by the ear and drag them in :)

Now back to the jewelry obsession!

Grace

I wish the photo captured the true color.

When you anneal old metal you never know what it will look like after all is done.

This was a great surprise.

The words in the bezel are

"elegance or beauty of form, mannor, motion or act"

Try as I might, I could not get the patina I wanted on the links.

Heat - nope, liver of sulpher - nope, satin finish another no.

Now they look a little wonky (technical term) which seems to

fit most of my work.

I'm getting ready for another show this weekend, and of course way behind.  Trying to tweek my booth,

have enough jewelry for a two day show and figure out how to stay comfortable when the heat

index will be of over 100 degrees.

I'm sure there will be some great stories.

See you next week.

yes, no, maybe so?

send her off on a challenge

Just for Fun

the links spell out

"runs with scissors"

i'm having a hard time taking a good picture of her

notice where i placed the camera

most of the 50 something neck is covered

the expression on my face  . . .

are you really going to post a picture of yourself?

it may be gone in a couple of hours

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Where has the time gone?

Thought I would dust up on my bezel making

 Made over one hundred jump rings

 Made over one hundred links

Practiced my riveting

Scored some cool stuff

And the best part . . . Dad was in town for three weeks.  Lots of family time.  Hope you all are having a great summer!

P.S. what is up with blogger this has been the most frustrating post I've ever done!

Sneak Peek

  At one of the ideas that has been rolling around in my head. 

                                         I thought

make my own book chain.

Easy right?

Took FOREVER!

But . . I see a few more in the future.

i blame barbara

         for one more addiction, that's my story and i'm stickin to it

I couldn't wait till my husband came home from work to set things up properly, so I used my acetylene/atmospheric torch.  The colors are a little muddy and a bit of a challenge with only one hand, but not to bad.  I may have to break down and use some color in my work!
                                                

Workin on the Chain Gang

My thoughts are jumbled. Words not happening.

The voices (ideas) are all talking at the same time.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Brave Woman

If you haven't seen Barbara Lewis studio post check here http://www.paintingwithfireartwear.com/ and enter her give away. I can't imagine having to pack up my studio Cleaning it took forever and yes, the work table is covered already.  It has been fun messing it up.

All Clean or This is as Good as it Gets

I've spent the last couple of days cleaning the studio and thought I would post some pictures so I can remember what it looks like when it's clean. 

                Presenting the studio - formally known as the Living Room.

What I see when I look up from the work table.

What everyone else sees.

By 8 o'clock tonight there will only be a 12" x 12" place that's free of clutter.

Magical Indeed.

What does your studio look like?

My First Show

How did it turn out?  zero sales.  I should be in a funk, but I'm not.  I had a great time.  BOTH of my daughters where there to help.  It's a rare occasion for us to have that much time together.  I met several artist who suggested shows where my work would sell.  Lots of compliments and encourgement. 

And a swap.  The young lady showing her ceramics didn't sell anything either, and she really wanted these earrings

and i really liked this vase. 

You know the rest of the story.

I should have some updates on my found object projects soon.

Have a Great Day!!