Interrupting regularly scheduled post

with a progress poll. I've been really making an effort to get in shape and I've created a progress blog elsewhere but I'm taking a moment to solicit comments on whether improvement has actually been made. I'm attaching March's photo with Monday's progress pic. In case it's difficult to tell Monday's pic is the dress in pink. :)

Thoughts?

Pink Box

This one has been on the desk for a while just waiting for it's own post! I had been working on this one for probably 3 months as I was just never happy with it. It was bland and empty but I didn't want to do too much so finally I just grabbed my charcoal pencil and went nuts! The top was clearly my attempt just to see how the pencil would work versus paint and I love the result. I'm not sure if comes across in the photos but it's really hard to tell what was supposed to be there compared to what would be there "with age". These pieces really are much more fun to think of as something I would've found in an old attic somewhere.

p.s. I have a giant shipment of doll heads coming pretty soon and have no idea what else I could with them! My husband is growing very concerned. :)

Art filled week

It was a lovely art filled week. First I received this lovely ribbon from Maija and it looks gorgeous next to the other sparklies and goes especially well with the collaged spoon as this was another gift from this incredible artist. We did a swap based on our mutual adoration of all things doll part related and I just love it! Perfect colors and image - seriously, I couldn't have imagined a better piece to have as inspiration in the studio.



















Yesterday, Suzanne, Jen and I packed up and headed west to the Main Street Art Festival in Ft. Worth. It was incredible weather with the perfect temp and slightly cloudy so only a tiny sunburn this year. We saw some amazing art including these wind catchers that were spectacular with the most incredible glass. We also found a woman who makes unbelievably intricate etchings on copper and then creates prints from them. Everyone found several pieces that had to come home with us. I think one may have to head into the office with me just to keep some things that are lovely around at all times. It definitely makes the space much more inspirational.




Our next excitement is heading to New Orleans in May for a girls weekend in honor of Suzanne's birthday. Clearly more fun is ready to be had by all!

All about the necklaces

I've been working on these two pieces for months now. The components were just sitting on my desk and I would do a little wire work between working on other things but I finally got them both finished with photos! The steel on the aqua piece was not my favorite to work with but I think I finally got the hang of it and love the combo of textures between it and the thin silver. The vintage clasp is slightly twitchy but I love the little detail it brings to the overall necklace.

The black retro style necklace was made using a charm I made last year and added the patina to the solder. I also had these odd Bakelite style beads that I wanted to use on the perfect piece. I'm not sure the charm = perfect but the combo is definitely right for me. I love all the vintage Bakelite pieces from flea markets that are considerably out of my price point but I can dream and put my handy pliers to work. Also, if anyone knows where I can get more of these black rectangular beads let me know. I can not remember where I got these and even though, absurdly, I keep my supply invoices just for this reason, these little babies slipped by my strange OCD behavior this time.

Doll Shrine - no more peekaboo

This is the finished doll shrine that's been sitting on my desk for weeks waiting for her close up. In case you're wondering, I filled the bottle with teal ink so it's almost an etch-a-sketch shrine. :) If I had to play favorites with all the shrines I've made recently, this is it. It's girly, covered in doll heads and pink with glitter sparkles. I did notice a speck of something on the INSIDE of the glass but I can't bring myself to rip off all the solder and foil then re-foil, re-solder and then re-patina. I'm learning to live with and love imperfections.

Last week's doll box

I think Dollhouse has made a bigger impact than I thought. I'm hooked on the doll boxes! This one has been in progress for a while but finished last weekend. I just got behind on the posts. You can see one of the doll shrines I made peeking from the corner she also needs pics and then a post. I've gotten a little behind in all of my fun art stuff including blog updates. Turns out, there are only so many hours in a day. Who knew!

This weekend I'm playing catch up on all my art projects including some fun ATC swap action, a charm exchange that I want to get ahead on and a commission from my friend Suzanne. I know exactly what I want to do for all of them now I just have to "make it so"... such a geek. Since I've already outed myself, I just finished the latest in the Kate Daniels series and it was awesome. My husband jokes that I read to fast to get my money's worth but the truth is I read them too quickly and get impatient for the next installment. Luckily, my book buying habit keeps me well stocked!

Happy Saturday and I'm sending you good thoughts that you're having some incredibly beautiful spring weather too!