Wednesday, March 21, 2007

On My Desk

I have stuck to my goal of a little art each day, but other than a few cards have nothing finished to show.
I found these rusty 'feeler gauges' in the shed on the weekend. I had wandered down looking for things to make into an altered art necklace. My Dad always gave me tools for looking after my car when I was younger, and too poor for paid services. I felt a little sad when I saw that these had gone rusty. However, I had been planning to make another assemblage as my one made in Michael's class is looking a little lonely on the wall.
A little time in the bathroom with a Dremel and cutting disk and I have the tobacco tin cut ready to insert them. Just waiting for the liquid nails to adhere the washer and metal cap to the base.
I asked Dad on Sunday if he minded me using them - turns out he 'gets' my assemblage work and is collecting stuff for me - yippee!
I have also begun teaching myself to solder, And while there are a lot of improvements needed - I can see the tape shape too much (any suggestions?) and attaching a jump ring is a major exercise - I can see potential. I am waiting on some silver wire and chain to arrive then I will make some of these up into jewellery.

15 comments:

Doreen G said...

You sure are the clever one a soldering iron eh!
These little charms are wonderful

Arty Lady's blog said...

Looks great to me. I recently bought a soldering iron as I also wanted to try this, but have no idea how to do it. Soldering the ring has me stumped as well!

carmel said...

Your soldering looks pretty darn cool Julie. I found you needed to brush a bit of liquid flux to the jumpring to help the solder to flow around it and to coat the ring itself. I think the more you 'play' with it the solder takes on a more gritty appearance,looses the glossyness. And the iron looses it's heat so it needs time in the stand to come back up to the temp required. All the fun of playing, also love your fabric ATC's, gorgeous images. Hugs, Carmel xxx

Dot said...

You were obviously very inspired by your class by Michael de Meng!

I really admire how you bravely try different ways of arting. I am too nervous to use a Dremel tool or do soldering.

But love seeing what you come up with!

I think it's wonderful that your dad ' gets' the whole assemblage thing. So nice when family members understand your art. And want to support you.

The charms are fabulous. Like the ones with the tree images the best. But they are all gorgeous!

Thanks for your lovely comment you left on my blog today. I am in a real ATC ' mode' right now. And I will certainly spank that little kitties paw for giving so many of us a fright (she is so nonchalant about it , like nothing happened!).

Love you missy moo xoxo

Janet said...

You are just amazing! I'm always so inspired when I visit here. You make me want to try so many new things....not it will be soldering! I love your art and the "no-fear" way you go about it.

Anonymous said...

LIke Janet, I admire your "no fear" way of going about your art. I tend to dither, place and then re-place!! I buy the tools I need but often dont try them (waiting for the class). Well done Julie... I am going to try and be more like you and just get in there and have a go. Your soldering and assemblage work is fantastic.
Cant wait to meet you in June!!!

Judy said...

Soldering looks really good. Good on you for trying. I did some soldering in Sally-jeans workshop that I took in Italy but it was not for pendants. michael and i were supposed to solder something for our collaboration but we didn't get the chance in the end. we used a small blow torch instead of an iron - so now i have both but need some time to practice too.anyway here's a link for you, go to the bottom, it explain the process in detail.
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/cp.html
ciao

Gypsy Purple said...

What a lovely blog you have

One Crabapple said...

oh you look like you are doing really really well to me. I saw some great tips on the Volcano Arts website...try there.

Wow to all this wonderful artwork !
So great that you are getting in a little everyday.

Love, S

Ev said...

Love the necklace charms Julie, and as soon as I saw those feeler gauges I had ideas in my head so I am looking forward to seeing what you do with them. I need to get of the computer (stop procrastinating) and just get on with some art.

Dawnie said...

Love the soldering my lovely. The irregular shapes are FABO.Love to see what you do on your Assemblage(Im saying this in my best aussie twang, MDM would cringe)

Just want to say again that I just ADORE my fabric ATC.Ive started to paint some fabric for a crack at it myself.Once again you have inspired me. Many thanks for sharing JH.You are so talented and I just love your style.

Hugs
D xxx

Melissa said...

You are so cool.

I needed some inspiration today!! Thanks!!

Lisa said...

How fun! One of my favorite lessons as I began to live in my 40s has been that I can learn! I can learn NEW things. Life gets better every day.

dogfaeriex5 said...

i have some awesome instructions that are so easy to understand that i would love to copy and send you if you like.. i got the booklet when i took soldering lessons..the insructions are perfect..let me know, like dotee i adore you work...you can so tell there is heart in each piece!
xox~kim

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

I just love that you are trying and succeeding at all these new things. I never know what you will be doing next, that's the beauty of your art!
XOXO