Trying Something New

Lady in Pink

I recently came across the Legend of the Christmas Spider.  What a wonderful story!  I looked up the story on the internet and found a myriad of spiders.  So many that, I, too found a bit of inspiration and decided to try my hand at making a few.

The one at the top of the page is my Lady in Pink.  She is so delicate and feminine.  I could see her gracing a Steampunk wedding reception table.  Could you just not see her sitting atop a delicate lace tablecloth?  Or maybe next to the guest book as she greets the friends of the happy couple?  Or perhaps this little lady will gently stand in a bouquet of feathers and flowers?

Ming Dynasty Lady

My next creation is Ming Dynasty Lady. When I was going through my stash of beads I found this beautiful large blue and white bead.  It's not really from the Ming Dynasty, by the way! But, I also found the blue fabric "bead"...could I mix the two, I wondered? Won't know until you try it.  So, I used a head pin that I thought would suit it as well some Lapis Lazuli.  She looks so elegant, doesn't she?  I see her on a mantle sitting besides an Alabaster vase, perhaps?

Coppersmith

My third creation is Coppersmith.  I used some Mookite as part of the leg assembly.  When I was done with this spider, it reminded me of copper.  I could see her sitting on top of a shelf as she watches the journeyman hammering at his latest creation.

These little ladies were so much fun to make, I think I will make more and maybe some spider earrings.  After all, Halloween is coming up very soon.

Inspiration....Lost

Blushing Bride

So, here it is, after midnight on August 16th...I'm cross-eyed from looking at Pinterest.  I'm usually not at all daunted by miles of fabric just lying around or a myriad of beads in every imaginable color and shape.  But, here I sit and I've got to say...I've got nothin'!

I am not, by any means a neat crafter, artisan...call it what you will.  I am quite messy.  By the time I finish one of my projects, my little area looks like a tornado whirled through.  I thought, "Well, maybe, if I clean my little area, I will be inspired.  Or, if nothing else, I'll be able to see the six foot table that was playing hide and seek with all the beads, threads, ribbons, handmade flowers, etc."

So, I spent the better part of a day doing just that.  I sorted.  I organized.  "Wow, there's my cutting mat."  The more I cleaned, the more I found.  "There's that ruler!" Amazing what you can find when you de-clutter your work station.  My grand children were laughing at me while I was discovering all of my "new found" items.  But, any of you out there that are not neat when you work will understand the sheer excitement of the disclosures.

It does sort of amaze me how one minute you can be smokin' hot and be so productive that you impress yourself and the next minute you are dry as a bone.  Where does that spark go?  Does it mean that you have reached the proverbial end of the line?  What do others do when they hit this brick wall?

I did get a bit of inspiration as I was straightening out my work space...so I will start there.  It's just a nucleus of an idea...but I'll take it.  I'll run with it and see where it leads.  I certainly have the supplies...or at least, most of them.  For, as you all know, you can never have enough beads or fabrics or paints!


"Never give up on what you really want to do.  The person with big dreams is more powerful than the one with all the facts."  Albert Einstein

Treasures Amidst the Sea Glass

Summer, Time and New Projects

Summer Romance

I cannot believe that it is already August. Where the heck does the time go?  Although I am still waiting for Summer to get to New Lebanon, NY.  You know the "Dog Days of Summer".  Today, August 3rd is my grandson's birthday.  He is all of eight and more tech savvy than his tender years would show.  He is a little man full of contradictions.  He cries some days if you look at him cross eyed.  And some days, he looks at you with a serious look as he gestures with his hands and says, "Technically Grandma it's..."  It is fun watching these little transformations take place.  Keeps me on my toes and life is certainly interesting with two little ones around.

The Craft Show is still progressing, albeit slower than it was last month.  I've made more phone calls and found out prices from everything to extra tables for vendors to rent to port-a-potties.  So many details!  I started writing things down on a little tablet and soon progressed to a 3-ring binder. I had to get organized to keep everything together.  When I did secretarial work I had my own filing system; however, in a small apartment with small children around, my old system did not work.  I must admit that this system works much better.  Maybe there's something to being organized. Although, I've always been a firm believer, in the saying, "...a clean desk is a sign of a sick mind!"  

Ice, Ice, Baby!

I've decided that my shop on Etsy needed some fresh items. You see, my goal, is to have an eclectic boutique. I am sort of odd that way.  I do not just want to make jewelry pouches, or hand knitted wire bracelets, I want to make all sorts of other things.  So, now I am working on fabric flower bouquets.  I love Steampunk.  I am enamored by this fashion statement.  So, I have been making all sorts of different fabric flowers.  (Plus, it's a great way to use all those fabric scraps that I knew would come in handy one day)  I have done loads of research on the internet on the various ways of making fabric flowers.  I've made some from satin, some from ribbons, some from burlap, some from lace.  I have tea dyed some to make them look weathered...still debating whether I like the look or not.  I have experimented with gauges of wire to see which hold up the best.  I have beaded and made my own brooches, since the ones online seem to cost a fortune.  My bouquet is almost ready to be put together!  I've watched a dozen videos on how to make a fabric bouquet and believe me, it's not as easy as they make it seem online.  Dexterity is not a problem I have, but sometimes I feel as if I'm all thumbs. But, determined, I am.  I'll get the hang of it.

Ballooning