Whimsy Wednesday! Starting Out Slowly...

Hello Everyone!
Welcome back to Whimsy Wednesday!

This is my first day back to the Intertubes after a week away! Whew!  There is a lot going on this summer!

I'm pleased to say that the lovely creation below was adopted at the CONvergence Art Show!  

Title: Home is Where the Heart Is

Congratulations to both person and creation!

YAY!

I'm slowly easing back into the swing of things after the unpacking and etc. and thought I'd show you a few of the things I'm up to as that happens!

These are a few photos of a mini picket fence that covers one of the window on our house. 

These were painted white (of course!) some time ago, and are sorely in need of another layer of paint protection!

I do so love to paint and really enjoyed doing something creatively-mundane outside in the sunshine!  It is also addicting to see something be transformed by something as simple as a coat of paint!

Here is the "After" photo!

As the painting progressed, ideas for more colours and images popped to mind.  I'd love to be able to paint more complex things on that wonderful backdrop of white, so we'll see what grows into completion!

In the meantime, the paint will be allowed dry overnight and be treated to the same brilliant white to the other side.

I hope your summer is fabu and I'll see you on Friday!
Whee!
Ciao!

Whimsy Wednesday and Fini Friday! A Special Selection!

Hello Hello!
Welcome to a dual edition of Whimsy Wednesday and Fini Friday!
Just a little housekeeping detail: I'll be on blog-vacation after this post!  I'll see you again next Wednesday!
This post is all about some of the hand-picked Sprite Creations that are awaiting adoption in the CONvergence Art Show over the long holiday weekend!
This convention is a fund-raising event for a non-profit organization that you can learn more about here.
So, let's get started!
Title: Co-Exit, With Chocolate!

Ingredients: lead-free pewter, Czech glass, Jeweler's bronze, Artistic wire, aluminum, copper.
I had so much fun creating this bracelet! The charms, from left to right are: something that reminds me of a temple bell in some exotic land, the yin-yang (a symbol of balance), a lotus flower with a star above it (lotus flowers are sacred to Buddhists), the Tree of Life (sacred to many forms of Pagan and Old World belief systems), spirals and stars (sacred symbols in all aboriginal legends across the globe), Celtic-style cross (an ancient mix of Christian and Pagan/Nature-based Worship), and a chocolate Kiss! Yup! There is the chocolate! Need I explain the whimsy in this piece?
A few other tidbits(HA!)...Copper has been a sacred metal in cultures that span the globe. The lock and key clasp includes a heart-shaped key. This symbolizes the key to living harmoniously with all belief systems is through an open heart. And finally, the colours used to suspend the charms match those associated with the seven Chakras of the body.
So! That's my suggestion for world peace - an open heart and chocolate!

Title: Elvan Fire
Ingredients: Popcap Pendant (Swarovski Crystal, paper, hand-coloured non-toxic resin, popcap), Earthenwood Studio gear link (ceramic, USA), lead-free pewter (USA), light bulb pendant (Zoa Art, USA), anodized aluminum, metal.
The firey teardrop in the Popcap Pendant is a Swarovski crystal!  The gear link is hand-crafted by Melanie of Earthenwood Studios! I love her work!  The light bulb pendant to the left of the Popcap Pendant is from Zoa Art in South Carolina (USA)! I adore the work of this husband and wife team so much! It is sculptural, architectural and sensual all at once!  This necklace creation is Elvish, Steampunk, Dieselpunk and absolutely unique!  The pendant, link and clasp are secured with jumprings woven in a mobius or infinity chainmaille weave using golden yellow and true red colours!  There is definitely a story to this creation! I can feel it!

Title: Her Majesty's Money 

Ingredients: Resin-encased (hand-coloured and painted with non-toxic resin) faux paper currency, Swarovski crystals (Sapphire and Crystal), Czech glass, Jeweler's Brass, surgical steel earwires(gold-plated). 

The idea for both of these creations was to pair them with Swarovski crystals in colours of jewels worthy of royalty. Gold, too, is always favored by the wealthy. And that is metal colour common to these two creations. 

Of course, the Queen Mother (featured on this faux bank notes) would have Diamonds (the closest Swarovski gets to diamond is crystal) and Sapphires! Also, whilst there is some 'frippery' to the design, it remains elegant and simple. 

Just like the Queen would want! 

Title: Investments 

Ingredients: Resin-encased (hand-coloured and painted with non-toxic resin) faux paper currency, Swarovski crystals (Ruby), Czech glass, Jeweler's Brass, surgical steel earwires(gold-plated).

These bank notes focus on a gentleman of stature and repute and so the creation needed a bit more lavishness and adventure! I wanted the earrings to be elegant, yet "dripping" with rubies" (which is the colour of the Swarovski crystals, by the way!). 

Also mixed in the design was the desire to convey a more inquisitive, and worldly mindset (indicated in the metal wire-work and mixing of metal tones). 

These are for those who seek their fortunes in the world, rather than those who rule the world with their power and fortune. 

And I've one more creation to tempt you with (though there are more Sprite Creations and so much more fabulous art in the Show!!!!)....
Title:  Keyper of Time
Ingredients: Gold vermeil, hand-crafted porcelin, old watch parts, hand-crafted brass, vintage glass and chain, metal.

 This necklace is a mix of found objects and objects d'art!  I'd been looking for a design to show off the vermeil box and oval bead and come upon this idea for something Steampunk Royalty would wear!  Mixed into the golden palette are many tiny watch gears, some lovely, textured and patterned porcelin ceramic links from Earthenwood Studio, Swarovski crystals and more!

The colour palette is classic and rich, yet this is an intriguing tapestry of subtle textures and contours!

And there you have it! 
The end of this post and the start of my vacation!

If you're intrigued about CONvergence, click here for more details. 
I'll  see you next Wednesday!

Ciao!

Fini Friday! Ideas in Motion!

Hello Hello! 

Welcome to Fini Friday! 

I hope your week has been fabulous so far! 

This post is purely about ideas! 

 I've others percolating in the background as well, yet these are the those that took their growth a bit further today! 

I've had the basic idea and materials for this creation for some time. This idea is centered around the gorgeous natural tigereye pendant, wrapped in sterling silver, and the hand-rolled copper beads that you see to the right. Added to the mix more recently are the petite, twisted link sterling silver chain and scattered here and there are various accents and charms that may (or may not) be in the final design.   This is intended to be a lushly-spare design...lush in that it will likely be multi-strand, yet spare in that the focus needs to always be on that stunning gemstone pendant!

The second idea I've to show you centers around the Popcap Pendant created with hand-coloured, non-toxic resin, Swarovski crystals (Fire Opal), a vintage crystal and scrapbook stickers (in an old-fashioned playing card design).  Though suspending the pendant from that unusual and fabulous chain would be quite enough... I'm pondering the possibility of drawing in some colour (with the coloured jumprings in accent colours), adding whimsy with the jolly roger flag or horse shoe charms, and/or perhaps the old game token...finished with toggle clasp, which echoes the shape of the pendant.  The filigree might find it's way in there... only time will tell!

As we come to the end of this Fini Friday, let me give a  little heads-up...

I'll have Sprite Creations in the CONvergence Art Show over the July 4th weekend! 

If you'll be there, stop on by and see all the fabulous, fabulous art! 

If you're intrigued about CONvergence, click here for more details. 

The CON is members-only, however it is no problem to register at the door! 

See you Friday! 

Ciao!

Whimsy Wednesday! The Fae and the Moonlight!

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to Whimsy Wednesday!

I've a little bit of whimsy to show you today involving the Fae, moonlight and magic!

Working Title: The Fae's Moonlight Lanterns

Ingredients: Swarovski crystal (Purple Velvet and White Opal), glass, Bali and Sterling silver.

The lanterns might look familiar!  If they do, you've seen them over at this Fini Friday post!

I adore this colour of blue and these immediately called to mind lanterns that Faeries would use as they weave their way through the forest landscape and between the luminous moonbeams!

The purple velvet Swarovski crystals are reminiscent of the beautiful velvet depths of a forest eve.  The white opal Swarovski crystals are the exact colour of moonlight, don't you think?

Betwixt and between all of this is gorgeous, subtle Silver!  Often thought to enhance intuition, I wrapped the sterling silver wire (with Bali silver accents) around and about to echo the shape of the moonlight as it drapes itself across the forest and the gloaming.

This creation is more than a bit romantic, captivating, and mysterious...perfect for the Fae and the night!

I've an idea to combine these into a mixed-media art creation, so stay tuned for that!

Just a little heads-up...

I'm have Sprite Creations in the CONvergence Art Show over the July 4th weekend! 

If you'll be there, stop on by and see all the fabulous, fabulous art! 

If you're intrigued about CONvergence, click here for more details. 

The CON is members-only, however it is no problem to register at the door! 

See you Friday! 

Ciao!

Fini Friday! Momentos and Forging Ahead!

Hello Hello! 

Welcome to Fini Friday! 

I hope your week was fabulous and that your weekend looks to be even better! I've a few souvenirs from CONvergence to show and tell and a creation still growing to share with you today! 

First! The momentos!! 

  On the right, you'll find a paper Tardis!This was left in one of the room parties and I happily gave it a new home!  I have also now discovered a nifty new website!!! 

The pattern for this is free and downloadable at Cubeecraft.com! All of the patterns are created for the standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper, so these are ready to be cut out and assembled and Voila! Your very own Tardis!! Or Yoda! Or....well just go take a look! 

The other two bits will be incorporated into jewelry or a creation of some sort.. I'm just not certain what yet.... 

The guitar pick was actually used by Prince and was given to me by the gentleman the musician gifted it to. I was given the honor of hearing the story behind this guitar pik and will use that as part of the inspiration for weaving it into a creation! YAY! 

On to a creation in mid-growth! This is part of a "Pay It Forward" challenge on Facebook that artists chose to take up a while back. The first five folks that responded to the artists' status declaring their intent to create and send out free art into the world are supposed to receive that free art. I'm a bit late on the creation of these and I thought I'd show you this first creation-in-process...

It is to be a bookmark/necklace combination and has the fairy as the clasp. I'll be certain to show you what it looks like completed! 

That's it for this Fini Friday post! 

Have a lovely weekend! 

Ciao!

P.S. Wondering where to find me in July?  

Check out my event schedule below!

Tuesday, July 17th from 3-4pm (CST, USA)

BlogTalk Radio Interview with Cheryl Patton!

Messages From the Faeries #9!

July 28th and 29th     Saturday 10am to 7pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm

Bean Factory Artist Market

J and S Bean Factory

1518 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, MN (USA)

Transition Tuesday...Music to Ease Back into the Everyday...

Hello Everyone! 

You may have noticed that I was on vacation for about a week and so there was no Magical Monday post! 

I'm back from participating in CONvergence and it was a blast!!! I am one of many who help organize this convention throughout the year and it is always fun, heart-warming and a bit nerve-wracking to see it all come together. And then it does, in wonderful ways and becomes is simply fun! 

Sleep, as with most awesome events, is in short supply... mostly because no one wants to miss a single moment of such interesting stuff and so I'm easing into my everyday world with a post full of beauty and music and the awesome-ness that people can create, if they are of a mind to. 

But first! A very important date in Geek History (Future?) that slipped by unnoticed as I was  prepping for CONvergence!

From the Back to the Future movies... 

I'm sad to say that I don't see any hoverboards around just yet... Boo!!

And now, for the music! I have one photo and two videos for you! 

First, the photo!

  

This is a project in Paris where pianos are placed all over the city so as to encourage citizens to play music more often!  Nifty!!!! 

And then the videos! Fun with Your Cello! 

I love the look of joy on this musicians face!!! 

And finally.... Ode to a Flashmob!

 Clicky! 

This flashmob orchestra was orchestrated by the Banco Sabadell of Spain in celebration of their 130th anniversary. 

Very cool. 

And with that, I bid you Adieu and will see you on the morrow for Whimsy Wednesday! 

Ciao!

Whimsy Wednesday & Fini Friday! Heart and Play!

Hello Everyone! Welcome to Whimsy Wednesday and Fini Friday!!!

I have a fun batch of creation-goodies that I am pleased to show you today! 

I finished a deceptively simple creation at my last show and wanted to present it to you-all now!

 Title: Brilliant Heart I

ngredients: Swarovski crystal heart, ribbon trim (with sequins), lead-free pewter, metal, Fray-Check.

This is the perfect creation for a bride, to complete a costume, a shiny gift for a Faerie and all of those who dream the fantastic!  This is up for adoption in my Etsy shoppe now!

This next bunch of photos is a collection of creations that I created with hand-coloured resin and other found objects...

The collection of creations is in the photo on the left and includes tie tacks, a dragon button, a cross pendant and, again, a camera-shaped tie tack!

I used a few different techniques to embellish these objects.  I hand-painted the hand-coloured resin on all of this, but there are a few more layers of things happening on some of these.... I dotted opaque red pigment on the round tie-tack on the left, then wiped it off and then sealed that in with a golden glitter-tinted resin.  This same tinted resin was used to seal the old watch parts (in 2 layers!) on the black cuff links shown in the middle of the group photograph.  I love how the Emerald Green colour filled in all the detail of the Dragon button! And, a final bit of whimsy is the camera-shaped tie tack, included in a more detailed shot on the side....  This, too, was hand-painted resin with the golden glitter resin.  It is a beautiful detail that adds a subtle elegance and bit of play to this creation! 

I hope you had as much fun perusing these creations as I did in creating them!

Just a little FYI: I'll be on vacation at CONvergence the rest of week! 

(Maybe I'l see some of you there?!)

One last little note...Magical Monday will likely be on Tuesday of next week! Ciao!

Fini Friday! Molds, Keys and Treasure Bottles!

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to Fini Friday!

I've been having fun with creating with resin and I'll show you what I've been up to!

Last Friday I blogged about making molds from old keys.  Today I'll show you the first prototype from those molds!

The coloured resin keys on the top right.  I think these are good first attempts.  As you can see, however, the larger of the keys will need some cleaning up and may need to be mounted in some way so as to be more durable.  The smaller key and mold required little clean-up and will make good pendants. 

I also spent some time with a good friend and fabulous costumer this weekend who was gracious enough to share his mold-making skills and expertise with me.  I have a few new techniques to try in both creating new and better molds and creating molds that will allow my resin creations to become three-dimensional!  YAAY!! Stay tuned for that!

This next series of photos are Treasure Bottles that I've been creating over the space of a few weeks.  The final bottles have three layers of hand-coloured resin in them!  The photograph on the left is at the finish of the second pouring or layer of resin! That's how I am able to give the look of the various materials being suspended in glittery water or air or etc.! 

What is in there?  As of the second pouring; a goldstone star, a wrench charm, and Fire Opals!  The bottle on the left also includes a bead shaped like an orange!

The photograph on the right includes the third and final resin layer, which includes a pearl for each bottle.  The bottle on the left includes a shell, while the bottle on the right contains a tiiiny, little pinecone (yup! a real shell and pinecone!)!

I also painted on a bit of the (non-toxic) resin on and around the cork for each bottle and they are secured with star-shaped silver spacer beads above and below the cork!  These really should be quite durable!  The metal is sterling silver.

So, there you have it!  A little of what I've been up to in the studio this week!

Just FYI, I'll be combining Whimsy Wednesday and Fini Friday next week as I'll be at CONvergence most of the week!

Maybe I'll see some of you there!

Ciao!

Whimsy Wednesday and Fini Friday!

Hello Everyone!!!
This is a one-size-fits-all post for this week as I'll be celebrating the 4th of July weekend at CONvergence
I've two creations to share with you today! Both are awesomely whimsical and a bit geeky and are finally done after swimming about in the primordial soup of creation for a while...
Both focals are 4GB" Flash drives that I have "artified" (my own word for it!) with hand-coloured resin, old watch parts and other nifty stuff!
Let me show you!!!
First, the Whimsy!!
Title: 21st Century Punk Fairy Accessory
Ingredients:4GB Flash drive, cloth flower and butterfly, Swarovski crystal, Vintage German glass, hand-coloured resin, Czech and other glass, recycled chain, aluminum, metal.


I even hung a little chain on the side so as to secure the cap in case it falls off!!! AND you can use that little clasp at the bottom of the cap to hook the cap to the chain up above when using the flash drive!! The cleverness abounds!!! *grin*


Title: FlashBack
Ingredients: 4GB flash drive, old watch parts, sterling silver, Swarovski crystal, hand-coloured resin, glass, recycled chain, metal.


Annnddd one more view.. again with the cleverness that is the security chain and clasp of secure-ness!


Fell in love with one or both of these? Know someone one or both of these would be perfect for?
These will be for adoption at the CONvergence Art Show starting Thursday!

Maybe I'll see you there!

Whimsy Wednesday!!

Hellooooo!!!!
In preparation for the Art Show at CONvergence , I've been ripping keys off of keyboards and drilling and so forth so as to create jewelry!!!
I think we can see the obvious correlation with whimsy right now, can't we? *grin*

So! Without further ado, here are three pairs of earring creations for your perusing enjoyment!

Title: Destruction!
Ingredients: repurposed laptop keyboard keys, blue goldstone stars, anodized aluminum, copper, sterling silver earwires.


Title: Old School
Ingredients: repurposed IBM Keyboard Keys, anodized aluminum, sterling silver earwires.


Title: Rebooting the Space Age
Ingredients: repurposed Laptop keyboard keys, anodized aluminum, surgical steel earwires.


Stay Tuned for Fini Friday as I have much more to show you!!!
Ciao!!!

Whimsy Wednesday!!

Hello!!!
I can't believe we are at Wednesday already!!! I am happy to say that our mini-heat wave is over and we are back down to mid-70 degrees (fahrenheit) for our high temperatures! Whew!!! I'm a fan of open windows and fresh air much more than air-conditioned air!

I've gathered materials and am busy on several creations that will be shown at CONvergence Art Show! I'm really excited about these projects they give me an opportunity to stretch my creativity!
I have the first of the creations to show you today!!!
I think the whimsy will become obvious when you see it!

Title: Rebel With A Cause
Ingredients: Repurposed Die Cast Metal Millenium Falcon, thrust needle bearing, roller bearing, repurposed clock part, repurposed chain, permanently coated copper wire (USA), anodized aluminum, lead-free pewter.


And a close-up on that fabulous ship!!
Top:

Underside:


The ship is copyrighted 1996 and, of course, all rights are reserved by LucasFilm Ltd. and Galoob Micro Machines.

Is this not made of Awesome and Win?
Yes!! The antenna dish and laser cannon on the top of the ship and the laser cannon on the underside of the ship are moveable!! The ship rests on it's permanently engaged landing claws, which are coated with rubber and actually quite stable and comfortable.

Hee!! I had a lot of fun imagining how I would suspend the ship and what I would do with it and now it is finished!!!!
YAY!
See you on Friday!!!

Secret Projects and Signing Off For a Bit...

Hello!!!
I'll be working on a few Creations to be at CONvergence, but most of the next few days will be in personal preparations for the convention. I've so much to do, but I wanted to share a few things before I sign off for my "working" vacation (and returning to the Interwebs next week)!
My friend Todd Murry has been building a Predator (remember that Predator movie with Arnold Schwarzenneger? or Aliens Vs. Predator?) costume for months now and I was so pleased when he asked me to assist him in the project. It has been absolutely AMAZING to see how this costume has come together!!! He needed Predator Dreadlock beads and commissioned me!!
They were a lot of fun to create and because of the hand-made (hand-texturing and 'carving') nature of each bead, I was pleased to be able offer Todd something truly unique. I think they turned out quite well!
Below are photos with a good view of one of both the movie Predator's Dreadlocks

and
Todd's Predator mask with Dreds!

And, to wrap this all up, here is where you can see me or my Creations at CONvergence :
Art Show (Thursday through Sunday)
Artist Alley (Friday and Saturday from 1pm to 2pm)
and Hither and Yon!

If we don't have a chance to visit during CONvergence, don't forget the upcoming Shadows Faire , which is the very next weekend!
Come on down and visit myself and the many other fabulous vendors there! There will be all sorts of Intuitives, Alternative Health Practitioners, Hand-crafted oils and candles, and much, much more!
I hope to see you soon!!!
Have a Fabulous Independence Holiday Weekend!!!!

One Thing Leads to Another...

Life is very much like a Fixx song right now!
Minneapolis Pride is over and it was a weekend of mixed experiences. We tried out early set-up this year and that went quite well! Very pleased with ourselves, we went on with our errands and evening plans. Then the storms came through and, given the reports we received, we started to worry. So, we drove back to Loring Park to check on the tent and canopy. To our relief, ours was standing strong!
Pride was a lot of fun despite the weather, which continued to be very changeable. So changeable that all the vendors were told to clear the Park early, due to severe weather!
Sunday's weather was absolutely beautiful!
And lots of fabulous people!!!
A BIG THANK YOU to EVERYONE who stopped by to say HELLO!!!,give hugs, compliments and just chat for a bit. I was very proud to be a part of this Diversity Celebration.
Sadly, Sunday ended on a sour note. It appears that two necklaces and a pendant walked away during the last few hours of the show. All I have to say about that is to quote a friend and fellow artist when she mentioned a special hell for those that shoplift from Artists and Artisans. On the bright side, this led to brainstorming new booths arrangements that might actually cut our set-up and tear-down time considerably while providing more security for the creations. That would be a blessing!

So, here are some photos from the weekend!







By the way: For those of you who inquired about me quoting costs for some of the materials I've used in my creations, please contact me privately for that information. Thank you.
And! The Next BIG THING: CONVERGENCE!!!!!
I'll have some of my creations in the Art Show, as always this year, but I have NEWS!!!
For the first time, I'll be in Artist Alley this year!!
Come on down and see me Friday from 1-2pm creating Jewelry and Saturday at the same Bat Time and same Bat Place doing Faerie Tarot Readings!
I've been pondering what exactly I might do for these demonstrations and I'll be at the Alley with my Dremel, drill bits and laptop keyboard keys in hand!!
And since there really is no better way to demonstration Faerie Readings except to have one done, that's what I'm up to on Saturday.
If there is a creation you've seen as of late that you'd like to purchase at CONvergence, please contact me and I'll make certain to bring it.
And now... on with the preparations!

Cats at CONvergence Art Show & Upcoming Shows

Here is a picture of two Rainbow Cats bracelets that I created during Pride. I am pleased to say that both have found their people!
The bottom bracelet, Rainbow Cats with a Twist, was adopted at the CONvergence Art Show and is now happily home with it's person!

A little more information about these bracelets:
The cats are ceramic 'buttons' that were custom-made at my request and are no longer available, as the artist is moving in new and different directions.
I've been having a lot of fun with the colored jumprings and delving more into chain-link and chain-mail.


My next show is the 2009 Coffee Crawl, Saturday, July 25th from 10am to 6pm at the J.S. Bean Factory in Saint Paul, MN.
Come on out and support your local, independent businesses and artists! Sip a good cuppa from a local coffee shop while browsing art from indie artists. Stop by and say Hi!

Another Town and One More Show...

as Yes would say.
Pride went well. This was my biggest show in terms of people numbers and was my best show yet. I am happy to say that I was blessed to meet many good, interesting people and we all seemed to have a lot of fun.
I learned a lot about packing up, setting up and tear down.
This was the first time I used the canopy with the sidewalls and the entire tent performed like a champ!
Sunday was very, very windy, with rumors of other vendors tents being blown away, literally.
I am very fortunate in having a partner with a mechanical genius! With some of his ingenuity and ratchet-straps, the tent was proof against the rough winds!
We'll remember that technique for the other outdoor shows I have this summer.
It was good to spend time with other vendors, some I knew previous to the show and new vendors that I had the privilege of meeting at the show.
Also: With help from my family, I had a fabric banner to display at my tent! It turned out beautifully and really seemed to catch folk's attention!
Here is a picture of my booth with the fabulous banner!


And now: I am at CONvergence at the Sheraton in Bloomington. I am merely a participant, not a Dealer. Though I have entered seven creations in the Art Show.
If you're going to be at the convention, stop by, check out the creations and bid on them if they suit your fancy!
We may actually bump into each other at the convention and please do say HI!
If you won't be there, then have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!