My Dolly and Me-Part 1

I recently purchased the book “Taking Flight”

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and was inspired by several art pieces.  Within the pages are gorgeous step by step instruction to paint reflective self-portraits.   Throughout you’ll find thought provoking prompts to help you escape fears into your true artistic self.  I was wowed by the various ways to draw/paint/create female faces.  And while each artist held her own style the portraits looked as though they were family.  They each had almost the same modern folk artsy feel.  Each contributing artists used a different medium to create her masterpiece.  Some used acrylics, others oils, some  paintbrushes, some pens and others their fingers, etc.

I made my first attempt at a human face on a note card size paper.  The result.

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Then I decided to attempt to make the same style/look in 3-D.  Here is what I’ve come to so far…

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Of course they both need quite a bit more work to finish them up.  But the process has been so enjoyable I wanted to share where I was so far.

Domino Pendant Handmade Jewelry-Phase Two

These handmade jewelry pieces are moving right along.  The resin is dry and the foil is wrapped.  All that’s left to do is solder, add the bail, rhinestones & chain.

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The Alice Set has a real rustic grunge look to it.   While the Marie Set is elegant and graceful.

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And the Marie Antoinette Clothespins came out perfectly.  I’ve already received quite a few compliments on them.

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I can’t wait to use my set to hang laundry.  I love the smell of air dried laundry.  I’ve specially treated and sealed these so the colors won’t run as they’re used with wet garments and sheets.  These are truly functional art.  They’re meant to be used and enjoyed.

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You can find them in our Shoppe under Home Goods/Clothespin Art.

Spring into Some Changes Coming Soon

This past week I started on some new projects to add to our collection of whimsy. My brain is in hyper overdrive with creative ideas which means I’ve been pulling a lot of almost all-nighters making sure I get all the ideas down and trying different things out.

Here’s a sneak preview of some of the things that’ll be arriving soon…

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2 Domino Pendant Series

  1. Alice in Wonderland Theme (8)
  2. Marie Antoinette (12)

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Beaded Bezel Pendants

Also Coming

  • Gift tags in more shapes and sizes
  • vintage button cards
  • handmade note cards
  • Image Clothespins (we’re finishing up the Marie Antoinette series right now)
  • scrabble tile pendants
  • fabric gift pouches
  • aprons
  • and so much more

Some of these items are new ideas while others we’ve put on the shelf for awhile as we moved over to our new site and made different upgrades.  They’re ready to come out of retirement and we’re ready to make room for them.

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You may have noticed we rearranged the Categories of our Shoppe website.  We wanted to give you the opportunity to be able to shop by your favorite theme (aka Alice in Wonderland vs Vintage) and/or by the type of product you’re looking for (ie rings vs thumbtacks).

What else is there to watch for…

  • Alice in Wonderland Digital Art Kit,
  • more free images & twitter buttons
  • an improved website/blog newsletter
  • and more creativity projects.

She wore a plate around her neck…

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She always wore plates around her neck… just because she could.

And it’s finally warm enough for me to make her a few more pieces.  Since the tools to create this piece require lots of cold water and they tend to spit that water everywhere you tend to get all wet.  Perfect for hot summer days.  A little more miserable during the cold winter months.  But yesterday was a lovely warm day to work with them..  I was still wearing a sweater, turtleneck and my work “overshirt” (to keep the glass pieces from sticking into my clothes-works kinda like an apron but I don’t have an apron so I use one of brother’s old workshirts.  ok enough babble) but I didn’t have to wear gloves on my hands or a hat on my head.

I’m not quite sure what inspired me to make this piece.  Perhaps it just seemed obvious… straight cuts into the edge of a plate will always form a fairly nice collar shape.

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front view

You can find this piece & other plates to wear in our shoppe.

Or… you can create your own.  Click here for details.

Three Bracelets Waiting…

for some handmade charms to adorn them.  The first is waiting for charms which should arrive around the first week of Feb. or so.   They’ll be coming from the  I.C.E. Valentine Charm Swap and some very talented charm artists.  The second will feature several charms I’m making for a charm challenge I am hosting.  And the third will feature several Alice in Wonderland charms.

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Each bracelet was handmade using the sturdiest of jumprings and heart shaped links.  A small heart shape toggle clasp finishes each piece.  And while they actually look quite nice plain I can’t wait to get some lovely charms on them.

I wasn’t actually planning on making these.  The idea came this afternoon as I was waiting for guests to come for New Year’s Dinner.  I had cleaned up for the day and was just about to sit down to do “nothing in particular” when I spied a small tin out of place.  It was more “stuff I’d forgotten about”.  But what great timing.

Valentine is right around the corner and here was a small tin filled to the brim with tiny hearts.   So I poured them out on the “barren” table wondering what I should do so I wouldn’t forget about them again.   Then the idea crossed my mind “they’d make a cool linked chain”.  And voila…

I’ve got a few more bracelets that are “in process”.  You may have noticed I tend to start several things at once.  This usually happens because I’ll open a box and see a ton of potential.  Before I lose the idea I put it in motion.  On the other hand I don’t like to rush.  I find the more time I spend on a piece the more lovely it is in the end.  And that’s what this is all about…sharing lovely things.  But anywho…I’m babbling.

Happy New Year!!!

I can’t believe I’m still up.  I got all caught up on working with some projects I started earlier this morning.

Here’s a quick sneak peak of some of the things in the works…

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and in these wonderful towers of bowls and plates are more projects either almost ready to go or in the works.  This is a photo of my think tank center.  Below them are 2 units that hold various baubles from jewelry pieces, to watch parts, buttons and more silverware pieces.candleholdertowers

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