Something for me and something for you...

It is lovely to have time to create and nothing I “have to” make. This necklace has been in my head for months, an old wall hook; rusted and left, some washers, sari silk, an owl in resin, a bullet casing (thanks to one of my students for that), vintage beads and carved cinnabar all combined with copper, brass and steel.

I couldn't resist wandering around the garden and taking pictures of this piece in different lights, on different backgrounds, it has been so, so long since I made a feature piece of jewellery such as this.

I always enjoy the contrast between strong and delicate, old and new, salvaged and made. I think this one is for me.

The old water tank, above had been put out for roadside collection, I rang my brother and convinced him I needed it; is to become my herb garden, a job for next week.

I have cleaned up my garden a lot this past week and been amazed by the number of nests tucked in bushes, obviously my purr-babies don’t scare the birds away. This nest really made me smile, authentic twigs, insects, and leaves on the outside and green acrylic filler on the inside – another contrast.

The magnetic post it-note holders were an eye opener. I was attempting to make something using found objects for a possible class and bemoaned my attempts. Until I realised the only objects designed for art were the Collection images I have had for many years, and five split pins.

All of the other items are salvaged and re-purposed.

I will send one of these pieces (your choice) to the first person to identify all the non-paper elements. Good Luck!

Craft it Forward and a Treat

I made three of these 'junk' pins this week- so nice to have my fingers fiddling with little pieces again. I have listed two for sale on Etsy.

Steph is hosting a Craft-it-Forward on her blog, and I am in awe of the diversity and talent she demonstrates in her jewellery making. I could not help myself I had to participate.

The rules are quite simple.
The first five people to respond to this will get something handmade by me. There are some restrictions, though:

1. You must be willing to blog about Crafting it Forward
2. You need to make something for 5 people
3. Leave me a message with your intent to participate
4. Then leave me another message with the link to your blog post

I will take your color preferences into consideration and am also willing to make it for someone you love and send it to them in your honor as a gift from you.
Not so long ago I ordered something from here. I can't show you what because they have not gone to their final home yet - but they are beautiful! Wonderful! Perfect! And they were packaged in the little box to the bottom left of this picture. Their creator is a friend of mine and opening this order felt like a surprise birthday party for me - lots of wonderful treats. I am so looking forward to showing you what I bought, but for now I think I will indulge in cookies and hot chocolate....

WooHoo and BooHoo!

Woo Hoo it is time to announce my blog winners, well actually that is the Boo Hoo - blogger is not letting me upload pictures this week and so my announcement is overdue. But with no further ado, congratulations too:

Doreen and Kelsey!

OWOH Winners

What fun this OWOH give-away has been. I have so enjoyed visiting blogs, signing up for give-aways and the thrill of 'meeting' so many new people through comments left on my blog. Thank you so much to Lisa for organising this truelly global event.

I asked three children in my class their favourite numbers today and the reponses were used to pick the winners in this order.

First (the Gold Junk Pin) goes to Julie at fabulous finds studio
Second (the little Copper Junk Pin) to Sammy at sammystuff
Third (the Pearl and Sterling Silver Earrings) to Kathy at kathys quilts

I have left all these ladies comments on their blogs.
Thank you so very much to everyone who stopped by.

One World One Heart Give Away

The lovely Lisa - Oceandreamer has organised this blogwide event for the second year running. Everyone who participates will be giving something away on their blog. To participate, all you need to do is leave a comment on THIS post. If you have a blog and want to give away something, or if you just want to meet the other participants and have a look at their giveaways click here. Have fun blog browsing and meeting new people.

There will be lots of fabulous, creative items being given away. You never know, you might just win something!!!

What IS ONE World-ONE Heart?This is a world wide blog giveaway event.Lisa's original idea was to bring bloggers from around the world together - people who might ordinarly never get the chance to meet!Not only may you win a prize, but it will help us to interact and discover new friends.

I love working with metal so have decided to give away a little copper, gold and silver. I made the earrings especially and the pins are some I have pulled from my ETSY.

Good Luck.

Pay it Forward

"I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don't know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog." is what I read on the talented and kind Gunnel's blog a few weeks ago. Yesterday this lovely quilted Christmas card arrived in my mail box - despite the fact I was fourth to comment.
Now I make the same commitment to you - I think it will be some of the ATC's from the same series as the one above which will wing their way to you.

And the winner is...

What a delight this give away became, I "met" so many nice people and found some delightful new blogs to visit. I also found some wonderful people who read my blog quietly. The randomly drawn winner of my OOAK junk pin is one of those ... Congratulations to Julie Q.
If anyone else would like to purchase a pin please visit my ETSY store, or ping me an e-mail. I was going to illustrate this post with steaming cups of hot tea, or the bingo game I used to draw the winner(after all I did ask about your favourite drinks - and thank you I did get some good ideas), but ... I was out gardening on Saturday and dear Archer was sending me MAD - he kept disappearing down the street. After collecting him for the fourth time and with storm clouds gathering I dropped him into the green waste bin. Just 5 minutes, I said.

Archer has such a good time tromping down the prunings and checking out the rest of the street, in fact he may have imagined this game of hide and seek was completely for his benefit, we managed to fill the bin before the rain came down.The little man almost fell out of the bin turning to pose for the photo above.

At the end of the morning's work Charles, who had observed the entire process, wanted to know why Archer was so tired.

Congratulations again Julie.

Give-Away and Goodies

Lately I have been reflecting on the goodness of those who surround me, the kindness and generosity. I have wanted to host a give-away here for a while, so last night I gathered some of the treasures already spread over my desk, took a pause from making bracelets and allowed my mind to wander. To wander over all the wonderful people, known and unknown, who surround me. And as I did I made this junk pin. Of course the knots are those learnt in Nina's class this past March, the fabric bead my attempt at those Nina and others do (I would like to have a lesson in this one - but I think mine look OK), the treasures I have collected in recent years, the top charm includes the word art, and the long bead is one of those I wrapped and dipped in shellac. If you would like to win this pin simply leave a comment below - and for fun, tell me your favourite hot drink ... I will do the draw on Sunday night (Aussie time).

This journal was my Mystery Muse gift from the talented and oh so kind Jane - she really has the knack of felting and not over doing it.

My Dad bought these stones back form a recent trip to the Kimberly in Western Australia. No they are not ancient arrowheads, but rather river stones from the Mary River. He wondered if I would be able to use them. Likewise the rusty tin of cold branding numbers below, given after a trip to a farm sale some time ago. I have used them to stamp with, and think eventually they will end up in a piece of art work or two.