Steampunk

I’ve finally settled in, in fact I’ve gone off at a good pace.  After returning home to the U.S. I have approached a couple of boutiques and I have been selling wholesale.  I am working with old watch and clock pieces, I am very inspired by some local steampunk groups. 

I am also very inspired as the clock ticks down on an Ebay auction… remember the budget, remember the budget….

Actually it’s been a good learning experience for me.  I’ve never had to work so hard to make sure that my cost and margins were so tightly under control.  I’ve also never worked in such a way, batches of jewelry to try to make sure I’m paying my self a reasonable hourly wage.

I also pay close attention to what else in the boutiques are selling, and I ask lots of questions.  Shop owners are different, some will tell you too much and some have no desire to enlighten the potential competition.

Below are some of my new line, enjoy!

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Still in Rags – Art Doll

I love Jane Austin and this is my version of a period costume.  She is an art doll I displayed at an Embassy Art show this last weekend.   I call her Still in Rags.  Her outfit is complete upcycled upholstery and drapery fabric.  I did a lot of hand sewing to fit it to her and add the wonderful ruffles.

Upcycled Art Doll

I also used my heat gun to melt the fabric into the interesting shapes in her skirt.

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Art Doll Quarterly- Upcycled Geisha

The magazine is out.  I love the photos that Stampington took and included, the doll looks so nice!  I was flattered to be asked to include the doll in the Artist’s Emporium as well.  If you’d like to purchase her and make a nice donation to Art for Heart a portion of the proceeds will go to charity.

Thank you all for your visits, your kind comments, I feel very blessed.

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Spring is here

It’s fall here in Brazil, we’re getting colder at night and still I just can’t accept it.  With Easter just a week or so ago I can’t seem to reconcile myself to this side of the Equator.  So in my home it’s spring and we’re making little pastel houses and decorating eggs with vintage trim.

The little houses are upcycled cardboard with vintage lace.  I’m still at work on the birds who will live in these sweet little homes.

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Upcycled Wildlife

upcycled wildlife

In our backyard we have all kinds of butterflies.  But for my girls they never hold still quite long enough.  So I’ve been using our old aluminum cans to add more butterflies into their lives.

WARNING – cutting aluminum is dangerous, I use a pair of leather gloves.  Also, we keep them in sight but out of reach, they are too sharp for little fingers.

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Great News

Guess what, I’ve gotten some great news lately and my upcycled geisha doll will be appearing in Art Doll Quarterly‘s May 1, 2009 issue. I just can’t wait!

Art Doll Quarterly is published by Stampington & Co. and I love, love all of their books, in fact I’m really excited about their Green Craft magazine that will come out in late Summer. Have a look at the site and if you’ve got green crafts to share, send them in!

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Owl

I like buying patterns from Etsy and using my own collection of old and worn out clothing to make new stuffed friends. She is made up of a great lumberjack shirt in orange that I just couldn’t part with.

Hoot!

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Decorating for the season

We are away from home and family this holiday season.  It’s always hard for me this time of year – I know exactly what I am missing.  Somehow the weather just doesn’t feel like Christmas, growing up in Colorado I need at least a little snow to feel like I’m ready for Christmas and New Years.  As far as I know, Brazil doesn’t get snow, even during the ‘winter’.

To make the house feel a little more festive and to help break out of my little funk I’ve done some decorating.  On Saturday my husband helped me make some paper stars from old wrapping paper and hang them from our absolutely horrific light fixture.

recycled wrapping paper stars

We also hung up some of our old Christmas cards.  I punch some holes in the top corners and then string them up around the house.  Most of the pictures have lovely winter scenes and snowy mountains.

Happy Holidays!

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Silk Flower Hair Pins

I found a new use for my silk fabric sample books.  I saw some of these chic little silk flower hair pins over on Etsy the other day and decided to try my hand at them.

To begin I cut out some circles, three of varying sizes works best and makes the flower look really pretty. My largest circles are about 1 inch across.

Then with a candle you learn how to pass the edges of the circle through the flame until you’ve got a slight singe on all of the raw edges. This will be a learning process, be patient and cut a few extras so you have some practice circles.

Next take some thread and secure all the circles together and add a center bead.  Pass through the flowers and bead twice before attaching to the hair pin.

Add the hair pin and wrap 4 times, tie a good square knot and glue.  I used a multi-purpose glue that is more gel than liquid, that way it doesn’t leak through the fabric and stain the flower.  Once you’ve got a good secure attatchment to the hair pin clip the threads and wear.

This little project is good for head bands and little clips as well.  This is such a great way to use up some scraps you might have around your house.

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Dinner and Dancing

stepping out

Right before we left the states I did some shopping at some of the Virginia thrift stores.  I came up with a silk wrap shirt and some great satin shoes – under $20 total.  They made an appearance last week as I dressed for the 233rd Annual Marine Ball.  The necklace I made from some of my thrift store beads as well as some cardboard and paper.  I had a great time, my date is a hottie, we ate and visited and did some dancing and our Marines won an award!  Great, great night!

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