Spring Trunk Show!

Spring is here and Blue House is kicking things off with a trunk show featuring local artists!

Get to know some local artists and help support handmade. Show is Saturday, April 30th from 11:30-3:30. I hope to see you there!

My Set Up (& more) at Craft Revival

Craft Revival was so much fun!

I got to meet some fellow Etsians in person and of course meet some new crafty peeps. I didn't have much time to wonder around, so my only regret was not meeting more vendors (and probably buying their stuff).

Here are a few shots of my table, there is a lot going on visually since I shared a table with another vendor;

Ok, so one more regret, wish I woulda shot more photos with my new awesome camera! But hey, being busy was not such a bad thing. All in all it was a great time and I got a lot of love and support from my friends and fam. Thank you to everyone who made this an amazing and memorable first show.

Red Horn Coral Necklace

This is the first of a few sneak peak posts of some of the work that will show up at Craft Revival. 

I absolutely love this necklace, and so does Brian. In fact, he was trying to convince me to keep it! Bad Brian- I'm already tempted, like I need encouragement! 

I was really happy with the effect of the Liver of Sulfur, this I what I use to oxidize the silver and give it that antiqued look. 

Initially, I said this was Dino Bone, but a good friend of mine informed me it is Red Horned Coral. 

Make A Custom Journal

In preparation for my first show, I wanted to make a hand-made guest book. 

Check out the post over at A Blue House Blog for the full tut and pics along the way!

Sharing some Goods

Recently, Brian and I went to 30x30 at the Ann Arbor Art Center. The idea was to give 30 artists 30 canvas and have them complete 30 works of art in 30 days. Pretty intense if you ask me!

Each artist donates their time and ability and each piece sells for $40. The best part is the profits help send kids to art camp. Yay! Everyone wins! I thought I would share my finds from this show. They are all quite different from each other.

I'm going to start off with Brian's pick's (we had to restrain ourselves to two picks each!) The first painted canvas we bought is by Ryan Wiess;

It's hard to see in this photo, but there are some really cool textures and details. Here is an up-close view of some of what I mean. To me his work to me is young, vibrant, and  playful.

Brian really liked the detail in the the painting and the layers of this next piece (I am sorry to say I don't know the artists name!).

Again, there is great detail and layers in this canvas painting, and up-close view...

I liked the abstract nature of this painting, it leaves the content to be decided by the viewer;

 In the foreground I see the remnants of burnt tree trunks. The green specs in the background the trees that escaped fire (or maybe are being engulfed- hence the yellow 'hill'?)

It reminds me of visiting Yellowstone as a kid and seeing the fire decimated forests. What do you see?

After buying 3 pieces thought I was done...but then I spotted another artists' work that stood out. I bought a fourth piece and had to restrain myself from perusing other works. This last piece was the only one we purchased that didn't use canvas.

It is a block print on wood and uses other media as well;

Here you can see some of the up close texture and mixed media;

Several wood cuts were used to create the layers in the hot air ballon. I love wood cut prints! So much so that I asked Anastassia Fulmer (the artist) if she'd be interested in hosting a tutorial. So stay tuned (though this wont post till my show is over and school settles down for Anastassia).

All in all it was a good time, and we plan to attend next year! 

Delicate Druzy

This may look familiar if you read my previous post. I have finished all the sanding and filing on this one an without further adieu, the druzy agate pendant.

Side views...

In my original post I mentioned that this stone reminded me of something delicate. So I used this idea, this feeling, to make a bird cutout on the back.  

These pictures really do not do this stone justice. The colors are somehow off, this looks a bit too yellow...but for now they will do. 

A Preview of some Unique Pieces

It's been a little quieter than usual around my blog, I know. I have been busy in my studio (and not so much busy with my camera).

Although I've started (or even completed) construction on many one of a kind pieces, not one is complete yet. Not really surprising given the amount of finishing each one takes...but I thought I would share a preview of some of the stones I'm using.

You may recognize this fossilized coral from an earlier post.

I decided to make a pendant with the matching stone. I am using an interesting but uncomplicated bail and a simple cut out because this stone is just too cool to hide it's wonderful detail. I am also going to use patina (as I did with the ring) to give it character and interest. I'm thinking I will also oxidize the chain and clasp for congruity.

This is a druzy agate. 

A side view...

It has beautiful subtle greens and happy yellows with a few spots of orange. The abundance of tiny crystals has a wonderful sparkle. This stone makes me think 'light' 'airy' and 'delicate'. It is also translucent, so I wanted to do a cut out on the back. You will have to wait and see what I came up with!

A while back I bought a few jasper pieces from my local bead shop. You may recognize this one if you follow me on FB;

Another view...

This is also jasper...

...and it's shape also reminds me a little butterfly happily floating around. So it too is destined to have it's very own butterfly cut out.

You may recall this bracelet I made using a fossilized dinosaur bone;

This specimen of dino bone is quite different. It is a rich red with a really cool stripey pattern.

I've started construction and decided to make this into a necklace as well.

Stay tuned for the finished pieces, I will hopefully roll them out soon.