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Button Swap Blog Hop
Good Morning! Welcome to the Button Swap Blog Hop! Thanks Cindy for hosting! I have quite a journey to share, with interesting results - so refill your beverage and let me tell you the tale...
I got gorgeous buttons from my partner Sandi Volpe. I knew right away the button she cast was the star; organic shape, interesting design... I sort of see a female partial figure in there! I couldnt get to work until Thursday - yes, 2 days ago - but I knew exactly what I wanted to do...
The buttton was going to be "set" in Faux bone, creating a frame and a backing structure. Wires running through the shank in the back woud form prongs over the edges of the FB to secure the button.
(Do you see the female form? Are those breasts? They also look like owl eyes...)
Way too much color at first - I knew I would sand it back to a minimun, the antique look I desire.
There it is! Button set - front and back views. I inscribed the words "Bandia taobh istigh" on the back, Gaelic for 'Goddess inside you'. I cant NOT see the female owl faced woman at this point in time. She is there every time I look.
The problem? I dont like it. The button is deep, and currently sits up too high. The copper prongs are too visually busy and distract from the button, and I want it to be all about the button...
Here is where the FB piece is going. This is another gorgeous antique button from Sandi. Framed and cushioned with leather, it is 'glued'. (Shh dont tell. I almost NEVER use glue.) The plan here is a bracelet, triple strands - the leather, 2 strands seed beads and the clasp as shown. That is as far as the piece has gone for now...
Back to button #1. (Love the alcohol ink fingernails!) I have deep copper bezels from Nunn Designs, and I have been waiting for the right thing. This may be the right thing.
On the left: set into epoxy putty. On the right: collaging in a plastic lens for the back, *text and a feather.
Left: painted and distressed epoxy and tentative dangle choices. Right: Similar treatment to epoxy, lens in place.
*Caillech-oidhche is one Gaelic name for the owl. It literally translates as " Crone of the Night" a reference to the Goddess the Cailleach - a crone, or aged wise woman; a Scottish goddess of winter, storms, stones. Since I was seeing a female form and an owl this dual reference sprang to mind. Owls are seen as symbols of wisdom and far-seeing/perception; both attributes we gain as we mature into wise women ourselves.
This is as far as I have traveled. I am sorry to not have a finished piece, but I am sure you can appreciate the trials and tribulations. I am very happy with where this is headed. If I had planned the lens from the beginning I could have set it into the epoxy earlier. Now I will have to set it in and camoflauge the adhesive as a separate step. I had thoughts of collage and resin directly into the back over the epoxy putty but wanted to be more finished for today...
Please take a look at my colleagues - who may have finished pieces for your viewing pleasure! (The list is alphabetical, names do appear twice. ) I loved this challenge - I had a secret stash of buttons I could share with a new freind, and it has definitely inspired me to stop hoarding and start integrating them! Especially my collection from my Grandmother. I think it would please her!
Thank for stopping by, happy travels!
Angie Blasingame and Billi R.S. Rothove
Billi R.S. Rothove and Angie Blasingame
Birgitta Lejonklou and Pam Farren
Bonnie Coursolle and Tania Hagen
Brenda Salzano and Hope Smitherman
Cece Cornier and Jeannie Dukic
Celeste Thurston and Christine Damm
Christine Damm and Celeste Thurston
Christine Stonefield and Dana James
Cilla Watkins and Lori Bowring Michaud
Cynthia Machata and Julia Johnson
Dana James and Christine Stonefield
Diana Ptaszynski and Erin Prais-Hintz
Emma Thomas and Rebecca Anderson
Erin Prais-Hintz and Diana Ptaszynski
Erin Siegel and Sharon Borsavage
Holly Westfall and Sally Russick
Hope Smitherman and Brenda Salzano
Jeannie Dukic and Cece Cornier
Jenna Meyers and Kristi Harrison
Jenna Tomalka and Karen McKillip
Jenny Davies Reazor and Sandi Volpe
Julia Johnson and Cynthia Machata
Kalaya Steede and Kylie Dickman
Karen McKillip and Jenna Tomalka
Karen Mitchell and Renetha Stanziano
Kay Thomerson and Shannon Chomanczuk
Kim Roberts and Partner unable to participate at this time.
Kristi Harrison and Jenna Meyers
Kylie Dickman and Kalaya Steede
Linda Djokic and Patty Gasparino
Line Labrecque and Teri Baskett
Lori Bowring Michaud and Cilla Watkins
Marianna Boylan and Tracy Statler
Mary Harding and Stacie Florer
Maureen Baranov and Tracy Bell
Melissa Martin and Theresa Fosdick
Michelle Hardy and Peggy Johnson
Nicole Valentine Rimmer and Niki Meiners
Niki Meiners and Nicole Valentine Rimmer
Pam Farren and Birgitta Lejonklou
* Pam Ferarri and Stefanie Teufel (will share their reveal on a later date)
Patty Gasparino and Linda Djokic
Peggy Johnson and Michelle Hardy
Rebecca Anderson and Emma Thomas
Renetha Stanziano and Karen Mitchell
Rose Binoya and Shanti Johnson
Sally Russick and Holly Westfall
Sandi Volpe and Jenny Davies Reazor
Shannon Chomanczuk and Kay Thomerson
Shanti Johnson and Rose Binoya
Sharon Borsavage and Erin Siegel
Shirley Moore and Veralynne Malone
Stacie Florer and Mary Harding
* Stefanie Teufel and Pam Ferarri (will share their reveal on a later date)
Tania Hagen and Bonnie Coursolle
Teri Baskett and Line Labrecque
Theresa Fosdick and Melissa Martin
Tracy Bell and Maureen Baranov
Tracy Statler and Marianna Boylan
Veralynne Malone and Shirley Moore
Friends, fae, family... faces of Spoutwood
I didnt know what I had been missing until I found it. When I did my first fantasy/fairy themed event - I was overjoyed at the sense of community. I had found a tribe of people from all geographic locations, all walks of life, all ages, that were like me. Artists, performers, dancers, musicians... people that live a creative life, work at their passion, follow their bliss... (Not to sound trite - its true.) A tribe of people where many of us share similar spiritual beliefs, are inspired by similar experiences, where you can discuss folklore and myth more easily than current events. Here are people that keep a hold on that joie de vivre...that ability to play, celebrate...and its a place where all are welcome.
It was wonderful to spend the weekend at Spoutwood with my friends, my tribe...
Thank you! Until next time...
A few my favorite things... Artists work from Spoutwood
At Spoutwood Faerie festival - there are so many talented makers, artists, craftspeople, performers, artisans... there is no way I could give you an overview. Let me give you a series of pictures to highlight a few of my favorites, my friends and neighbors...
Gorgeous parasols...
Butterfly Bones - resin at its finest, many organic materials. Stellar display! (Shop here.)
Wing and Talon Leather - I was glad to get to meet and hang out with Donovan, my neighbor. He is a gifted artist, and makes the most exquisite masks. All by hand, hand tooled, hand painted, no assistants - his vision, his creativity. Those barrettes made me want to grow my hair long. Seriously. ( Shop here.)
Echo and Wild Jewelry - Confession - I own MANY of Jeannie's pieces. I tend to purchase a new one each year at the MD Rennaissance Festival. I have been acquiring them for years... Over the last few years we have become friends as well. Her vision and her spiritual outlook mirror mine, she works in sterling, I work in clay...
Molly Stanton of Elven Elysium. Its polymer. Look again, believe me. Gems, cabochon set, beaded stands, dangle... Molly is a gifted sculptress; you should see her figurative work!
Dancing Pig Pottery - another artist who I know from attending the MD Rennaissance Festival - I got to meet Virginia at Wicked Faire in February. Isnt it ironic that the potters always get along famoulsy, even when doing work as varied as hers and mine? I now have a fantastic mug of hers for my morning coffee! ( shop here.)
Like I said - just a few, a little eye candy for you! These artists are all creating their work themselves, 100% hand made. In the days of collectives, and corporate entities disguised as handmade artist/craftspeople - its nice to support the real deal! (That last comment refers to a recent Etsy scandal...)
Snippets from Spoutwood - or a glimpse into Faerieland...
Looking for the One Crayon Color Blog hop? Click here!
I was away this past weekend. To a show in rural Pa, and to FaerieLand...
It all starts with lifting and toting, travel and chores...
But with this view from my tent - with every glimpse the mundane Muggle world slips a bit futher away...
You catch a hint of movement from the corner of your eye. Simply the stream gurgling along, or was it a small fae flitting by? A goblin amidst the greens?
The Maypole rises amidst the trees of Spoutwood Farm.
And magic awaits in every nook and cranny...
Four legged creatures show their true colors:
Spread your wings - as the Fae come from near and far to play today.
( Above photo - Twig! The ever charming celebrity fae ambassador. )
Stay tuned tomorrow - a few of my favorite things!!
Happy May Day! (News from the studio of Jenny Davies-Reazor)
Looking for the One Crayon Color Blog Hop? Click here!
(My Spring newsletter, complete with images. May seem a bit more formal in tone... But it does have all the scoop regarding where I will be when!)
Happy May Day! Welcome Spring!
What a wonderful season when Mother Nature puts on her best floral finery and entices us to spend time with her out of doors! I hope you are enjoying the season, rain and shine, wherever you are. Things have been busy and bountiful and blossoming in the studio as well. I am happy to announce 4 new tile designs, and a new ceramic pendant design. I have been balancing my time between my two studios: spending time glazing and firing in the ceramics world and making mixed media magic happen in various forms!
I created a series of new mixed media collages for a show at Caffe Gelato, a local restaurant. I am pleased with the results - they are a departure from my recent collages. These are smaller, more streamlined. I focused on color and composition and simplified the symbolic content.
"Tree of Life" collage. 12" x 12" Mixed media on canvas.
I have continued my “Return to Metals” as it seems to echo in my head. While I have been creating jewelry since I was a teen, I concentrated in metals and painting in college. The metals where pushed aside by a love of clay for many years, and now they are returning to the fore. Clay is not going anywhere! But I am enjoying working my collage aesthetic into small intimate wearable pieces.
Pre-Raphaelite inspired window pendants - stamped copper, brass/nickel silver, mica, gems...
And tis the season of shows and festivals as well. Let me entice you with some local and regional offerings. Please visit the linked sites for detailed information, and I hope to see you out and about this Spring!
May 2012 - Caffe Gelato, Newark DE - ongoing exhibit on mixed media collages with Betsy Molina Mortenson
May 4-6th - Spoutwood May Day Faerie Festival, Glen Rock PA - The East Coast’s oldest and most magical Faerie Festival! Set amidst the rolling hills, streams, and forest glens of Spoutwood Farm this weekend festival is a haven for creators of fantasy and folklore inspired art, craft, wearables... And fantastic music! Read a review of the festival at: “Open, Gates of Faerieland”.
June 2 - Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival, Elmer NJ - this day long concert/faire/festival is a wonderful event. Support the arts in south Jersey! Great music and a beautiful setting. See the website for ticket info and this year’s line up. ( Trivia: I taught jewelry making at Appel Farm’s Summer Arts Camp for 2 summers after college.)
June 15-16 - Chester Co. Craft Guild Spring Show, Downingtown, PA - A new show for me! Local artists and artisans working in a variety of mediums, contemporary and traditional crafts.
Color Hop
What color would you choose?
Welcome to the "One Crayon Color Challenge".
I confess- I love crayons. Especially Crayola, smell them! They have a unique aroma that will instantly transport you... To elementary school, to sharing a box of 64 with sisters...but I digress. This creative color hop, hosted by Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime is all about color. And I agree- what an evocative vehicle for color!
When I signed up, I selected GREEN. To me this offered myriad possibilities within the monochromatic color scheme. My first, and immediate association is with forest and trees, a canopy of branches, Nature's cathedral arching over one's head. I selected one of my original Dryad pendants. ( She has since been redesigned, and is more willowy. And yes, there is a bit of brown...)
I think I saw Sally say that the challenge was open to ANY medium. Hope so- I was recently doing a new series of mixed media collages for a local show. So...Arbor Vitae
The collage is multiple layers of papers, both solid colors and decorative patterns. The base is a small stretched canvas, that i have altered. The text is from Encyclopedia Brittanica- my mother's childhood set actually. There are layers of printed leaves and stenciled patterns in thin acrylic and glazes creating depth and interest.
The niche seen from the back- it is constructed of book board and set into the canvas.
I would love to hear your thoughts. The piece is quite a small detailed treasure, the dryad pendant measures 1.5" tall. It was a pleasure to me to think outside the box, even though that resulted in my working inside the box! Please stop by my friends' and colleagues' blogs as well. I look forward to seeing their colorful creations. I do wonder if anyone else went off into mixed media territory ...
Treasures delivered...
Over the last few weeks the postman has been steadily delivering magical packages to my door. Well, my mail box anyway. Thought today was a good day for "Show and Tell".
First up - Staci Smith. Her shop is chocked full of goodness. She works in a variety of materials: fabricating components and jewelry, sculpting in polymer and bronze clay, silks, sea glass... but thoughout maintains her sense of style. It's gypsy/folk/tribal/boho if you ask me. And I quite like it! We had a chance to trade...so I selected the "Moon Baby" focal and she selected other treasures to surpirise me. (Sorry for the pix. The moon baby and discs on the lower left are a dark peacock patina that is gorgeous in person. )
Then there arrived a sweet package from Australia! I have followed the blog and shop of Penny at Sparrow Salvage for years. She has a finesse at upcycling materials that never ceases to amaze. Her style is very gypsy/tribal/boho and I have wanted a piece forever. Recently Penny had a series of traumatic events in her life and I was happy to help out with a purchase, however small. Check out her shop, make a purchase, show some support for a fellow self-employed jewelry artist!
They are definitely shoulder dusters! I look forward to wearing them at my next festival!
Imagine my luck - when I won a give away. You know the type - like our FB page... Secret Scents is line of perfume lockets by Mystic Memories. I was familiar with them because my friend Brigid Ashwood is one of their featured artists. So I left a comment, and Fortune smiled... Its really a lovely piece and smells fantastic. I like the idea of wearing it choker length on velvet ribbon. Suits the locket well. And great packaging too!
And last - but definitely not least: BUTTONS! Cindy Wimmer (Sweet Bead Studio and ArtBliss) is hosting a button challenge blog hop. I am partnered with Sandi Volpe - who treated me to this lovely package...
and this treasure trove of possibility. Vintage buttton covers, tiny antique buttons, lovely earthy colors, and the sculptural button bottom right? She cast that one. I see a female form in there. Its calling my name.
The hop reveal will happen here and on my colleagues blogs on May 13th. Stay tuned. I have ideas flitting around my head. The possibilities are endless, really.
There IS one more thing I wanted to mention in this epic post. Sandi and I have nearly met... We both attended ArtBliss workshops last year, hosted by Jeannette Ryan and Cindy Wimmer. (Yes, the button hop Cindy.) This weekend long art/jewelry retreat is held in Northern Virginia/DC in late September. This will be its third year. It is a great weekend of learning, sharing, immersion, socializing, creating, and camaraderie. I have made great friends there that I look forward to see every September. If you are interested in lampworking, metal smithing, polymer... check out the classes. Registration is open!
A glimpse of Austin. (Time Flew - continued.)
As promised - the catching up. Let me entertain you with a few snapshots from my recent trip to Austin. I had a wonderful time hanging out with family and did get to hit one or two of my favorite spots on South Congress...
Uncommon Objects. Mecca. Antiques, found objects, downright junk. If I had a wish - it would be to have permission to take pix inside.
My loot. Enameled watch faces, a buckle to cast, a watch free of insides, full of possibilities...
And a tiny late 1800's pocket dictionary...
Tomorrow - I will show you what I have been frantically working on since I got back...
Time Flew. Had fun.
Oh heavens a week ago today I was home from Austin. Home late Wednesday night actually. Since i got home - its been a frenzy. Spoutwood May Day Faerie Festival is right around the corner. I need new collage/mixed media work for a local show, to hang on April 30th. The tax man was insisting we file his papers on time. Class to teach, chores...So I endeavor to catch up, and present a slide show of scenes and cuteness from Austin, Easter, and my lil nephew...
Above the clouds...
Underfoot in Dallas...
Good Morning! I am introduced to bunny and Gabba. ( Yo Gabba Gabba for you old fogies.)
Walking Pablo.
Easter Flowers...
Easter eggs!
Drawing...
More drawing... on the iPad...
Cars!
Alright - guilty as charged. I took adorable pictures of my nephew Jack and very little else. I did leave the house, see flora and fauna, hit a few favorite stores. Let me save those for tomorrow.
I know Lucy - I am sad I live so far away too!
Bloom and Grow - Suburban Girl Design Team Spring Challenge
Good Morning! I am pleased to welcome you to the Spring edition of Suburban Girl Studio's Design Team Hop and Reveal. I was thrilled when Diana asked me to be on her design team. She and I totally hit it off, and have so much in common - including the fact that we make ceramic pendants, charms... So why be on her team? Her work is lovely, and totally different from my own. What a creative 'shot in the arm" to be sent lovelies in the mail and get to make jewelry with them! And to be in a sisterhood - the Design Team...I know - all you bead/jewelry colleagues out there know of what I speak. Had to put it in context for the Muggles. So this is what I unwrapped from the postman...
Uh - pink? orange? Not Jenny colors. Excellent. Like I said - not like my work... And look at the gorgeous lampwork bead! A challenge bonus from Jan - from Molten Mayhem and fellow design team member...Going to think on this a bit...
OK - thought it over, sketched it out as I always do. My personal challenge was to use metal. Metal smithing was one of my two areas of concentaration in art school. (With painting the other) But teaching art full time, living in rental apartments right after college - not a torch friendly lifestyle. I am thrilled with the new equipment available in the metals world and glad to have a chance to dive back in...Sorry, I digress. I decided to tab set the flower in copper and use the words "Bloom and grow" on the border. ( I use text frequently in my work) And dont miss those glass headpins from Sue at Sue Beads. They were very inspirational in the design plan...
The cast of characters; Jan's bead, Czech glass leaves and flowers, assorted silks and suedes...
Ready, set, go! To me the antiqued copper gives an earthiness and grounds the vibrancy of the glaze color.
There it is! Set ceramic flower with a frenzy of floral inspired goodness hanging below. The flower centers are the SueBeads glass head pins - just the right color pop and size. It is long, and there is a lot going on visually so I decided to keep the rest simple. Those clasps? No, thank you. I made them to correspond with the piece - but wont need them now. Worth a try...
Top row: I tried wide silk, and thin suede. Nope.
Bottom: Chain - yuck. Need a green element. The winner - fairy silk from Marsha Neal Studios!
(Sorry for the wet hair/just out of the shower shot. Had to take the picture minus dog hair...)
I would wear this short, with a v-neck. Thats my style. But with the silk you could wear it long as well. What do you think? I would love to hear from you before you click away to visit my bead sisters on the design team... Thanks for stopping by!
Diana Ptaszynski http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com/
Jenny Davies-Reazor http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Kristen Stevens http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/
Jan Onipenco http://moltenmayhem.typepad.com/
Marla James http://marlasmudmoments.blogspot.com/
Sandra Basara Miller http://www.sandra5461.blogspot.com/
Michelle Buettner http://misheldesigns.blogspot.com/
Etsy
Flickr
Suburban Girl Studio Design team
Kristi Bowman's End cap blog hop
One Crayon Color Challenge
Sweet Bead Studio Button swap
ArtBliss 2012
Sketchbook Challenge
Bead Soup Blog Party
