Friday, April 23, 2010

Just Playin' Around...

So, here we are at the end of the week and I'll be heading out soon for the rest of most of the afternoon and evening! Stop by Spirit River if you are in the Anoka, MN, USA area! I'll be there from 4-8pm. You'll find mine and other jewelry, oil, soap, paintings, and other handmade art creations, books, a guest speaker and a beautiful, relaxing environment.

Here is a peek at what I've been playing with lately!
I've been on the road alot and so I've been playing with wire. So, here is a quick photo of those wire creations! Some rings and a few simple earcuffs peeking out from the back there! It is my intention to play with earcuff designs until I can perfect some more elaborate and beautiful options for you-all!

Here 'ya go!



Have an excellent weekend!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

New Things to Play With!

I've had a pretty busy weekend and week so far with an unexpected development early last week. The mother of my best friend from college passed away suddenly early last week. I was able to arrange to be at the funeral proceedings last Friday, which took place in Red Wing, MN. I arrived in Red Wing with enough time for a brief visit some of the old pottery factories and antique shops. Here are some pictures of the Shinies! I came home with!



And a closer look at that fabulous medallion!


I think those buttons will make sweet little rings and that medallion has ideas swirling in the back of my mind!

The shell dish that you see is something I picked up over the weekend. I think it will make a great display for rings, pendants, earcuffs... whatever!
Stay tuned to see what grows out of all of this!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Commissions!

What have I been up to, you ask?

Commissions!

Here!
Look!

Leather, sterling silver and MOOD BEADS!


The second necklace has a removable pendant.
The first photo is of the necklace all together.
Amber, Hematite, Sterling and plated Silver, pewter.
The second is of the separate pendant.





MMMmmmm... glowly amber!!!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Display version 1.0

I had the sewing machine cabinet polished and ready to go, but decided to leave it sit and air out for a few more days. I really don't want any of my creations to smell like furniture polish!
However, I wanted to have something on display at the new shop I mentioned in the original post. So... I took an old typing table (you know, the ones with the fold-up wings? Yeah.. this one has the original wood wheels-hee!) and draped some beautiful, brilliant floral fabric over it, added some greenery (my company is Sprite Creations, after all!) and filled a vintage jewelry box with my creations.
Ta Da!
Here it is, at the shop!



If you are in the Anoka, MN, USA area, stop by Spirit River and check out all the hand-made awesomeness!! You'll find oils, hand-painted feathers and art, jewelry, candles, bath goodies, photographs, and so much more!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Progress on Display...

So I went out to visit the sewing cabinet armed with an oil-based polish, rags and water. I wiped and cleaned and polished. And then oiled various parts of the wheels and treadle so that they spin freely. I'm pleased with the results!!
Here she is!


Isn't she a beauty?

I'll apply more coats of oil polish tomorrow and let that bone-dry wood soak it up!
I'll give it a day or so to air out and then start playing with display arrangements.
See you soon with more updates!

Monday, April 5, 2010

On Display...

I have an opportunity to place some of my creations with a shop that opened earlier this year and I am excited about that! This place has grown by leaps and bounds so far and I'm looking forward to seeing that growth continue! However, that means that display space (tables, cases, etc.) is limited, unless I furnish it, 'cause there is just not much for furnishings yet.
So, I'm taking this as an artistic challenge! I walked around and refreshed my memory of what we have in storage and was reminded of the treadle sewing machine cabinet you see below.



"She may not look like much, kid, but she's got it where it counts" - Han Solo.
The sewing machine is gone and I was originally planning to put a piece of marble in that void and use it in our kitchen. In the meantime, I'll use it as a display! It needs a little cleaning and a bit of love, and I think it will make a fabulous "table".
I've already been rummaging through my collection of bowls, trays, etc. for ideas on how the creations will be displayed atop my unique stand.
I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Friday, April 2, 2010

There can be only one!

Actually, there can be many rings but only one of each design!
Now that I have your attention....
I wanted to show you some of the rings that I created whilst I was away from home on Wednesday!
I am a bit sad as I wasn't able to take pictures of two of them. One was a commission for a new-found friend that I created while at the home studio, and the other ring was adopted by this same friend within an hour after it was created! YAY!

The first ring was an iridescent blue fish on silver-colored tarnish-resistant wire. I am so pleased with this as the fish is able to flip freely back and forth on the ring structure so he looks like he's swimming on my friend's finger!
The second ring is an abstract wavy pattern on a blue-so-dark-it-is-purple wire. The interesting thing about this ring is that when I was coiling the wire on both sides, the tension was such that the portions of the ring immediately around the bead mimiced the wavy pattern! Very Cool!

Now that I've described those rings that I have no photo for *sad face*... I'll show you the photo of the remaining new creations. I hope you like them as much as I do!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Whew! Busy Week!

This week has been extremely busy for me, chalk full of lots of travel and time away from the Interwebs! I'm pleased to say that the MN Shadows Faire was a success this past weekend both financially, in making new contacts and developing deeper relationships with those I already know and in terms of feedback.
This was a bit of a new set-up for me. We brought the canopy framework for our outdoor tent, but strung Christmas lights around the top instead of the fabric canopy. It looked very Spritely and I am very pleased with it!! Now I just have to find a photo of it to show you!!!

In the meantime, I'll leave you with a photo of a very happy Creation and person, who found each other at the Faire this past Saturday!
Meet Poppy, who is happily bringing home the necklace creation "Earth and Sky"!



YAY!!!