Clearing out

I'm a total pack rat when it comes to supplies for my various interests...especially vintage items. I really need to clean my stash of treasures that, though they're really nifty, I'm unlikely to ever really use. Right now, I’m making room for all of my jewelry work and jewelry supplies, so all of the vintage patterns and fabrics in my Etsy shop are priced to MOVE (most of these are priced $3 and less)! Order 6 or more patterns and shipping is free.

Nice to wake up to!

I just received an e-mail letting me know that Phoo-KEY is one of the featured artworks of the day on the Milliande Art Community. Nifty!

Upcoming shows

I’m officially registered for exhibit space at the art shows at both WindyCon and Midwest Furfest.

Now I just need to buckle down and produce some work! *laughs*

New bits

I posted several items in my Etsy shop the other day, both my own work and vintage stuff. I figured that I'd share some of my own shiny makin' results:

Unusual cuff bracelet of a bronze finish repurposed vintage casting and vintage button. An adjustable brass chain with lobster clasp keeps it secure. Fits up to a 9 inch wrist comfortably.

A repurposed openwork brass medallion focal is accented with raku pottery beads, spring green jade, filigree brass, glass, and brass chain. Measures 19 ½ inches long (excluding clasp). Focal measures 2 ½ inches in diameter.





The eye of a peacock feather, pressed in a glass and silver finish frame, makes a striking focal for this choker. Accented with glass and freshwater pearls, silver finished findings, and reclaimed faceted glass beads. Toggle closure. Measures 17 inches long (excluding clasp).




Repurposed large brass finish floral focal with rhinestone inset, accented with glass pearls in violet and green, faceted glass beads, aurora borealis crystal beads, and brass findings. Measures 18 inches long, excluding toggle clasp. Focal measures 2 3/8 inches in diameter.





Reclaimed crystal chandelier pendant, soldered into a focal, and paired with triple strands of iridescent blue-violet-green seed beads. Silver finish lobster clasp with extension chain. Measures 17 ½ inches long.

Anybody going? Anybody want to go? I'm thinking of doing Metra/CTA to the event on Saturday the 12th, so I'd be more than happy to schlepp some Wisconsin folk along or meet up with localish peeps at the fair.

Slideshow of recent work

Find more photos like this on American Craft Guide Community

Arrival on BlogSpot!

I’ve been doing the “hobby artist” thing for a number of years, creating various things as the mood has hit me. Technically, I’ve never really grown out of that childhood desire to create art projects. The projects have just gotten bigger.

For the last couple of years, I’ve been destashing unused supplies on Etsy, mostly vintage patterns and fabrics since my interest has shifted away from textiles. I haven’t really done much in the way of selling my own work in that forum, though. Technically, I haven’t really made an epic effort to sell my work at all. Most of my pieces were made for my own collection or to be gifted to others. This is changing…

Earlier this year, I did my very first show, the art show at CapriCon. Mostly I did this to prove a point to Storm and Mocha. If I had the courage to exhibit…they could too. Out of the 15 pieces that I had exhibited, 12 sold, with 3 of those going to the live auction on Saturday night. Pretty nifty for a first attempt…especially post-Holidays and in a depressed economy!

Since then, I’ve been trying to fit in more time in my makeshift studio. It’s been a nice break from the stress of my day job and the 2-2 ½ hours daily of commuting time that entails. I’m starting to experiment with integrating vintage/found components into bead embroidery and I have a bunch of lampworking supplies that I’m interested in learning how to use. It also looks like I’m going to have plenty of time to learn new techniques soon. The latest round of downsizing occurred at my day job yesterday and I was among the newest batch of displaced staff. The idea of having more time to devote to my art is actually helping get me through some of the anxiety over this.