I have been shopping on Etsy...

This is Paprika a darling little cat with her own personality, from here. Is she a gift? Or am I spoiling me?

Hand knitted cotton dish cloths, no chemicals, no plastic, no middle man eating up the profits. So I got a practical and useful bargain from here.

Pot holders, do you see my sad, faded and frayed old one in the middle? I bought it 20 years ago! I went to grab a pretty one from a chain store shelf a few weeks ago and stopped myself. If something is going to be in my home another 20 years I like the idea that it is a one-off made with care and in fair trade conditions. I got these ones here.

More Steampunk Earrings

As I post these I am chuckling to myself at the contrast between the grunge metal appearance and the Dancing Ladies a few posts back. I was over-the-moon when the two pairs of Dancing Ladies I listed sold fairly quickly - just love the thought of someone on the other side of the world wearing my art.

In case you are wondering the background here is a rusty old enamel tin I have sitting on my deck. It has holes in the bottom, and until now has been of no use other than holding the odd incense stick - and yet it is a favourite of mine.

CIF Received and Elegant Ladies

I recently took part in a Create it Forward (CIF) hosted by the wonderful Steph from Belgium. Last week (yes, I am running late to post) these wonderful items arrived. A pendant that made my heart sing - that spoke to where I am; and the most comfortable bracelet in the whole world.

I have worn both of these pieces almost all week.

These elegant ladies dancing in a row make me smile; tiny antique dolls heads, vintage swarovski crystals, pretty beads and perhaps a little lace.

I am enjoying creating.

Perhaps they will sell from my Etsy, never mind if they don't , I will let them dance in my cave...

More Pins and Some Help Please

I have had a lot of fun putting together pins this week, soldering jump rings to pen nibs, pouring some resin, twisting wire and running my fingers through my button stash. I used some vintage fold-over connectors at the top of this pin, and a less ornate one on the pin below. Does anyone know what their correct name is? Or where I can get more? I really like these!

These owls have been a part of my stash for a long time too, but finally they have a home and nests of their own.

Another of my favourite components is the little fuses with brass ends, I pull them apart add vintage text (usually encouraging scripture) and then solder a jump ring to the top.

I wore this pin to work earlier in the week, some of my students (mostly boys) had a wonderful time passing it around and trying to identify all the components. Friends have been uncomfortable with the name I gave these pins; junk pins. A comment from a delightful, and almost illiterate, teenage boy that 'You tell a story with this Miss, unna?' has changed their name to 'Story Pins'.

Jewellery and Rain

The rains have arrived very late here in Western Australia, but the heavens are making up for it now. We have had three freezing cold days with winds and flooding rain, days where my face feels cold each time I stick it outside and all four fur-babies jostle for places in front of the heater. Nights where I cannot turn over without disturbing at least one fur-baby snuggled as close as he can get. Normally I would whinge about the cold, and the wet, but our farmers have been so desperate and the season change so late I am joyful, grateful that we are not to have a drought.

An added bonus is the wild weather is just perfect for creating (and even doing school work). The last two junk pins sold quickly, the one above was started at the same time. I have been making earrings and hat pins too. I love hat pins, they are perfect for holding my scarves in place as I dash between classes - arms full of books, and the inevitable hot tea. I made some traditional ones with bright beads last week, and this week I have made the steam punk version below.

Little Bits

I had accidentally squeezed out too much paint when doing my faces so painted some Collections Elements core board frames, then I wanted to make something to go with Mum's purchased Mother's Day gift; the first notepad/journal was born.

Somehow I kept going, painted backgrounds, fabric from the old peg bag, and delicious buttons, each one a source of delight as it was selected from my stash. The end result a handful of little books. I have kept a couple for friends, the rest are now for sale on my etsy.

I am living a soap opera...

...and someone forgot to pay me, no really it feels that way.

It was 2.00am Wednesday night (that makes sense to night owls, for the rest of you 2.00am Thursday morning) I sat on my bed, laptop on, room lit up, Archer snoring, curtains open - enjoying a warm breeze. There were lights on in four other rooms (I figure after the story is told you won't grouch too much about my lack of environmental awareness) when I heard a "Ping!", just a little ping. It passed through my head, "Silly Charles, what are you doing now."

and then,

the lone footstep... imagined? ... Archer still snoring ...

the neighbours dog goes ballistic, I run to the dining room, see my car lights flash in the carport below, dash to the lounge ...

in time to see my car head off out the drive-way. My bag, purse and the biscuit tin (the illusive ping) with it. Next morning I find the biscuits in the drive-way, I wonder why they wanted my tin?

The collage/assemblage of four mini canvas is a gift for a kind friend, you can click on it for a close up. It is relevant because people have been so very kind. So many friends offering money, bringing wine, biccies and other treats. One car loaned already and another promised if need be. So many wonderful e-mails and phone calls, I wonder that everyone is not sick of the drama that seems to follow me...

If you are in WA my car is a burgundy Holden Viva, 2008 model (you will remember it is just six months since a careless driver ran into my other car and wrote it off), my number plate is PL764, and Archer would like his car bed back too.

On another note, don't the pegs look fantastic? They are just 1" long, I rusted some years ago and when they ran out I looked everywhere for them. Now I have five bags, and I am going to share, I rusted the whole lot and will pop some in my Etsy store soon.

Tape Measure Journals

I managed to catch a few last rays of sunshine tonight and snap pictures of these journals. I really like using old measuring tape in my art, an addiction that began after Leighanna sent me about 12" of dirty old tape in a parcel of treasured rust. I eked that piece of tape out until I had my own collection (the bottom picture shows just some of my tape).

I made all of the covers (the backs are just plain tape) for these journals back when Dawn visited in early July. Then bored with using rings to bind and not wanting to use one of the more time consuming binding methods for my humble note pads and journals I ordered a Zutter (the thingy you use to punch these fab' rectangular holes and bind with wire).

Then finally this week it was time to play. The top journal features a beautiful rusty drawer plate (thanks Dawn), the second was an experiment using copper tape and patina. The book above has a photo of Ernest Hubbard in 1868, I don't know him, but I did not like finding him at the tip shop - where he had been rescued from a recycling bin. The copper clover leaf folded over the clock bezel is not as bright in 'real life'. This bottom journal seems very 'neat' compared to others, I used all the same tape and an Making Memories frame on this one. The frame was a shiny pewter colour and the metal number two was a gold colour - so I am very grateful for the action of sandpaper and patina! It is also the only journal not to include one of myfavourite embellishments - screw brads. I rust them thirty or forty at a time and still never seem to have enough :)

I have some of this tape for sale in my Etsy, it funds the habit! I can't use the 20 or 30 meters in a roll and like to have a variety.

Back to the mundane, dishes and marking. Enjoy your week!

Tassel Dolls with Secrets

I adore all the doll parts that are being rescued from the grounds of old doll factories in Germany, the idea of recycling and repurposing parts which have been under ground and long forgotten gives me pleasure.
These tassels feature heads which I bought direct from Germany. None of them are perfect, they would not pass the quality inspections of 2008, and yet they are beautiful. Their skirts are made of fibre, ribbon, fabric and trim from my collection and hidden within each are secrets. Secrets stamped on sterling silver charms or wrapped around hand rolled paper beads. Little jewels, glass beads and charms are stitched so as to be hidden from the casual viewer and yet visible to those who get to know the lady well.
The four above have all gone off to dear friends, and there are two more for sale on my Etsy. I have five more heads and another theme in mind, so perhaps I will play with them tomorrow.
I am off to my second birthday party for the day - male again, so no chance for pretties, but nice to relax with friends.

Earrings Galore

I have quite a few projects 'on the go' at the moment but it seems the only thing I can finish is earrings. I love the teeny tiny ladies watch faces I have used for the five pairs above and the way their little hands swing lightly below. I have listed one set on Etsy, if you would like any of the others listed please let me know.

The cog and wheel trees were also fun to make and are surprisingly light weight. I wonder if the watchmakers of old would approve of the recycling that occurs with the creation of steampunk jewellery.

The bird earrings have so many 'almost too good to use' components, blue mother of pearl fetish beads, sterling silver hand made nests, and glass leaf beads.

It has been a totally relaxing weekend full of friends, sleep, creativity, sleep and did I mention I caught up on some sleep, LOL.

Enjoy the week!

What a week!

Thank you so much to everyone who left kind comments on the last post. Unofficially I have heard my car is a right off but still no paperwork, and it seems to have consumed a lot of time in the past week. I am so blessed to have Mum's car now for up to a month if I need it.
It seems that once again the only haven from the busyness of life has been my art room.
I stepped away from my usual colours for the top junk pin and enjoyed the experience.

This one is more muted, but oddly it wasn't until I named them for Etsy, 'fairytale' (or escape) and 'peace' that I realised they were actually therapy - constructed prayers for my life.

This and That.

I seem to be drifting at the moment art wise, I have some tough decisions to make with work and some personal challenges and while art is my respite I just can't seem to focus long enough to complete a large project. This week yielded a couple more pairs of earrings, I like these the contrast between the mechanics of the watch and their delicate structure. I am can make my own ear wires now so am using up the sterling silver ones I bought last year. These will be for sale on my Etsy very soon.

It was time to boost my card stash too. The top ones feature lots of 'little bits' off my desk mounted on inchies, then on backgrounds made from the skeleton leaves I collected below the lemon tree. I then coated the whole lot in my beloved shellac.

I don't remember who the little boy on the chair is by, but the other stamps here are Lost Aussie by the very talented Marie.

The wind is blowing and rain hitting two sides of the house, I can hear the trees and it all seems to mirror life at the moment -and yet I am enjoying the storm outside.

Spoons, Treats and Blogarithm

Altered Teaspoons

I recently hosted an altered teaspoon swap on INKrediblyRt - look at the wonderful collection I have ended up with. The first two are my own, then their spoons by Peta, Nikki, Kim, Kylie, Carmel, Jane and Dawn. I do apologise for the quality of the photo - they dance and sparkle in real life.

This darling bird pin was purchased from Moorhouse Moorhouse on Etsy. I know I will wear it a lot with my winter jumpers. The wonderful wire necklace is from the very talented Carmel, a one-for-one swap.

I know I got e-mails saying blogarithm was changing owners, but despite my best attempts at searching my trash files and haunting my inbox I don't seem to have heard from the new people. Does anyone know if I was supposed to do anything? I like my daily digest of updated blogs and am hoping someone can tell me how to keep them coming.

Dots and Dashes

on etsy

What a busy few weeks it has been. The space bar ceased functioning on my laptop and I attempted typing using.in.place.of.space. - it sent me crazy. So eventually I gave in and sent the computer off to be repaired. I felt like I had lost an arm and yet I thoroughly enjoyed the extra creative time.

These earrings feature Watsonia bulb bases and watch cogs. I was very pleased when I made my own ear wires for these ones and have given a couple of pairs as birthday presents this week.

On Friday morning Phantom walked in with his front leg sticking out at an odd angle. A quick call to work and off to the vet we went. Phantom is the easiest cat imaginable, as the vet manipulated and felt the leg he pressed his head deeper against my neck and purred loudly. It was dislocated and there was a puncture mark so it appears the poor little man (umm...8kg and verrrrry long) had been attacked. No scratch marks on his face this time which was a change. He is such a good cat and has happily taken his medication morning and night while rubbing his face against me.
I spent the weekend sharing this cosy one roomed cabin with three friends. We were at a Christian Women Communicating International camp held just half an hour away on the coast. The speaker was wonderful - funny, entertaining and yet she gave plenty of inspiration and encouragement to take away and mull over. We laughed a lot, ate too much amazing food and celebrated the birthdays of two of my room mates. Bliss.

Colour Change

I recently purchased a fabulous painting from the very talented Leighanna
and will post a picture of it soon. Leighanna included some extra treasures including the old wallpaper I have used for this journal. What a lot of fun I had playing outside of my usual sepia and rust tones.

I filled the inside with different papers, glassine envelopes, card, joss papers, dictionary pages and more. If pink and grey are your colours you will find this one on Etsy.

This Week's Creations

House Journal - on Etsy
Cat Notepad - Winging its way home soon.

Despite being back at work full time my nights are still fairly free - no marking yet! I have had a wonderful time playing and meeting a New Years Resolution; to use up some of my stash and to make some of the many kits I have been given. The books used some of my chipboard and other bits and pieces.

This little green pincushion was to be an apple in it's original kit form and had one orange segment. I decided I wanted a more traditional look and went all green with cute little patches and buttons. The pincushion is just for me - for some reason I have never had one.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Limbo

I seem to have wandered in limbo for the last few days, starting new projects when I should have been finishing old ones, reading chapters from several different books and sitting, just sitting. It has been for the most part a pleasant limbo, with the odd moment of anxiety thrown in. Just now I have realised it the transition, after six blissful weeks of being full time ME and part-time teacher the roles are to swap. Back to work I go tomorrow and become the full time teacher, and somehow this year that seems like giving up myself.

I am not sure if that is a good thing, a bad thing, or just a, well – thing. But it is there.

These little Danglies/Pendants/Tassels/Key Ring/Thingies were finished this week. Two are in transit and one is hanging happily from my spare key. I have also added some more shellac journal packs to my Etsy and put some cauliflower soup on for tea, so I guess I have achieved some small goals.

Rusty Experiences

Address Book on Etsy

I had not created a thing for over a week between my trip away and waiting for my fingers to heal. Last night I headed into the art room and sat and stared at my desk a little hesitant at first, lots of ideas in my head, in the end I played with what was there - some papers and buckles I had rusted over the last few weeks.

Hanging Note Pad - Going home later in the week.

I have had a few people ask me how I achieve my rusty colour and wondered how to answer. I seem to use a lot of different methods to achieve the same shades of colour on different surfaces. For example, paint, shellac, bleach and vinegar, salt, Haymes Paint Effects, water pastels and coffee. Sometimes I combine multiple techniques. Often I am surprised by the colours that result.
ATC: But thousands die, without or this or that. Die and endow a college or a cat

~Alexander Pope~
Harvey is doing as well as can be expected. He spends most of his social time with Archer so perhaps I will let Archer fill you in later in the week. I don't think he is sad but he is still very serious and and bewildered by each new experience. Today I vacuumed for the first time since he arrived ... he is still under my desk recovering.

ATC: One of the most striking differences between a cat and a lie is that the cat only has nine lives.

~Mark Twain~