tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48886609856614888022024-02-20T07:55:46.860-08:00LuminaNeo-Victorian*Boho Celestial*Other Worldly ARTiFactsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-35546377510211979322016-01-07T16:29:00.002-08:002016-01-07T16:49:45.588-08:00The Muse's Slap!<span style="font-size: large;">Soooo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Just when I thought I would just give up assemblage, the Muse had other plans...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">She smacked me silly and was like "I curse you to use all the beads you have amassed over the past 3 yrs! Thou shalt not let them sit and waste away!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So here I am doing crazy assemblage...not only just vintage, but putting my spin with my new acquire enamels skillz and other blah blahs...that I just don't wanna be talkin' about right now...</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V13MO_UZcEw/Vo76YDYYIOI/AAAAAAAACVU/ZwjMckSs4fc/s1600/DreamerEarrings4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V13MO_UZcEw/Vo76YDYYIOI/AAAAAAAACVU/ZwjMckSs4fc/s640/DreamerEarrings4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.romantiquesoul.etsy.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">The Dreamer</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So the links won't work for a while cauze I haven't listed any of this just yet, I just put my shop as a link for now...I just figured you'd want to know what I've been up to and be the first to know....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you remember those trims I bought back in August that I mentioned in my last post eons ago? Yep those are the exact ones...I told you I was gonna cut up a pair...so I just did pair them with this salvaged feathers...</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qzis6y6dz4/Vo78k0hzMXI/AAAAAAAACVs/nwK_NJbpWoE/s1600/Sparrow%2BFlight%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qzis6y6dz4/Vo78k0hzMXI/AAAAAAAACVs/nwK_NJbpWoE/s640/Sparrow%2BFlight%2B3.jpg" width="532" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then I also decided to use another pair of feathers in this handsome couple too... I put some of my enamels pins that are transparent rose, but you can't see too well in the pictures because I go crazy with effects and stuff... but o well...also you can't see those charms that I've made either...sort of see them with fine wax, glitter and iridescence and fine resin...I made those copper things yeah... more pics on Etsy, so you can see them better...they're like a silverish white, kinda hard to put in words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ok, I got a little tired and I don't know if these are the best pictures I can get out of these...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next are better cause they're the first ones I actually worked on...</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07WXsRTJ19s/Vo79BvaF1XI/AAAAAAAACV0/ix7fjTvU4mM/s1600/Warrior%2Bearrings%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="491" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07WXsRTJ19s/Vo79BvaF1XI/AAAAAAAACV0/ix7fjTvU4mM/s640/Warrior%2Bearrings%2B3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and also I've been playing with Photoshop and old props a hekk of a lot more...I know it's not all perfect, but you get the point... B&W...I think I'm diggin' these sepia tones more.... I hope you dig 'em too...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, those beads you see, they are from GreyBird studio on Etsy...I don't have a whole lot from her shop, because if you haven't noticed, she doesn't make beads that much anymore and her jewelry has skyrocketed in price and so have her occasional beads...like OMG wow! Good for her! I feel like my prices could be a little higher...the making, the photographing, the editing...holy crap! So much effort...and since I wanna paint too, it's hard to find the time to do it all!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G0tP_vIoQJ8/Vo8CrnehSDI/AAAAAAAACWo/exq4ceW67lQ/s1600/Fireflies%2Bearrings%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="592" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G0tP_vIoQJ8/Vo8CrnehSDI/AAAAAAAACWo/exq4ceW67lQ/s640/Fireflies%2Bearrings%2B5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.romantiquesoul.etsy.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Fireflies</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seriously though, I see so many artisans on Etsy with these gorgeous pictures, gorgeous items...it's like perfection!...and they they have like 6 kids! But HOW??? I just feel accomplished if I can produced half of what they make...I feel like I'm either constantly at the bench, the craft table, in front of a canvas or doing P90X3 ( on day 5 - yeah, my ass has gotten too big, so I have to work out this year...resolutions anyone...more like get yo' ass up and do it!) Anywho...these have citrines and some awesome beads from Naos Glass...they are just spectacular...camera can't quite catch 'em...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5Y_nYmc-5k/Vo7_3hXn3TI/AAAAAAAACWU/v7_BHqFk60k/s1600/BloodoftheAncientsEarrings4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5Y_nYmc-5k/Vo7_3hXn3TI/AAAAAAAACWU/v7_BHqFk60k/s640/BloodoftheAncientsEarrings4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.romantiquesoul.etsy.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Blood of the Ancients</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ok, maybe I do watch some shows...namely iZombie and now Banshee is a new one I watch...still watching Angel and Buffy, cauze for reasons I couldn't watch 'em when they came out...and now they're on Netflix! Friggin' Netflix...I blame you for loosing track of my evenings!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No seriously peeps, I've been winding down though, now that Downton Abbey is gone...there's a new show coming out...Shannara...Fantasy, Druids, elven supermodels...I feel trouble coming...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, where was I? Blood of the Ancients...all I gotta say, I've been watching too much vampire stuff and reading Anne Rice again...so you get it...those enamel micro cups are mine and yeah, they have mica, Ragged Robyn's and BHClaysmith's masterworks and some bells, cause I want jingles...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All right, I virtually talk too much...will work at keeping these entries shorter...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and if you're reading, thanks, I'm exhausted...gonna go work on that painting...</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-69459635933042626332015-08-21T23:34:00.001-07:002015-08-21T23:42:05.799-07:00Hello from another galaxy...<span style="font-size: large;">Gosh! It really has been a while, hasn't it?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What has happened in the past two months? A whole lot...I feel like I live in another galaxy lately O_o</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have some bad news unfortunately and some good ones, so let's get the bad ones out of the way...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My 23 year old cousin died suddenly in a car wreck. It has been devastating for the whole family, and it has brought us closer together in a way. It never quite hit me as hard before...I had friends die, I had other family members pass away, but...He was just too young...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I still remember him being 5, that is the picture I have of him in my mind, and his life passed me by, because I didn't see him around much these days. I suppose it is normal...we grow up, we all go our separate ways and yet this was a warning.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, a warning, to really appreciate what we have on this Earth, from the small flower in front of our house, to our husbands, parents, siblings, daughters, sons, uncles, aunts, cousins , friends, cats, dogs, pythons... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't have any grandparents anymore, they have departed as well and I miss them everyday, with my cousin as well, I still miss even my mom's friend that used to make me smile when I was 4 years old and that passed away over 30 years ago from cancer...yes, that feeling never ever goes away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Times like these are a curse and a blessing at the same time, for we find closeness in darkness and never ever have I cherished my family as much as now, I don't want this feeling to ever ever go away, as it also has brought me to the conclusion that the only thing I can really do is live my life at its fullest...for all that have passed, for Blake, who did not get the chance to experience all that I have experienced...This life is a gift, and it is precious and I thank God for giving me a chance to live it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now with the good news - I have some new work! I'm sure you've seen it if you've visited me on Etsy...well it's bangles, and I think they are awesome, I love making them, especially when I need to give my mind a rest...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztjsikRHink/VdgPOLuGe3I/AAAAAAAACO8/eQAv92UHQq8/s1600/Earthen%2BPath%2B%2BBangle%2BStack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ztjsikRHink/VdgPOLuGe3I/AAAAAAAACO8/eQAv92UHQq8/s640/Earthen%2BPath%2B%2BBangle%2BStack.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/244566764/earthen-treasures-artisan-tribal-gypsy?ref=shop_home_active_4" target="_blank">Earthen Treaures</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> So also you may have noticed the whole month of July, I was well...not there, because I wasn't here, meaning I went to visit my dad and my family in Italy. It's always so good to see them. My aunts, uncle and cousins are awesome and my dad is the sweetest being on the planet.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_u1t-L3rR4/VdgPR9VTg-I/AAAAAAAACPE/qEDTA6eqARY/s1600/Purple%2BHaze%2BBangle%2BStack%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_u1t-L3rR4/VdgPR9VTg-I/AAAAAAAACPE/qEDTA6eqARY/s640/Purple%2BHaze%2BBangle%2BStack%2B6.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/244468725/purple-haze-artisan-tribal-gypsy-beaded?ref=listing-shop-header-2" target="_blank">Purple Haze</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've also been picking up pencils and sketching peeps again, as I'm reviewing human anatomy, learning some animal anatomy and taking an oil painting course on line... I just finished the sketch for my first painting which I hope to transfer and so a first layer tomorrow...it all depends....</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MYy67uyoNKQ/VdgPYxiRScI/AAAAAAAACPM/GbYQkcJDCTE/s1600/unTeal%2Bthe%2BEnd%2BBangle%2BStack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MYy67uyoNKQ/VdgPYxiRScI/AAAAAAAACPM/GbYQkcJDCTE/s640/unTeal%2Bthe%2BEnd%2BBangle%2BStack.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/244471795/unteal-the-end-artisan-tribal-gypsy?ref=listing-shop-header-1" target="_blank">UnTeal the End</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I would like to have a website with some of my Art running by the end of the year, but I'm not sure I can quite get there... I have been listing most of my antiques on <a href="http://www.romantiquesupplies.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy</a>, a TON of them...I actually decided to take a break from it the past couple of days...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So today I went thrifting instead, in search of something interesting...I wanted to find textiles, but all I could find were these doilies and antique beaded trims (I'm gonna keep one and break it apart and list the other two) and this comb with a silvered neato case that I've already opened to cut up...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been playing with resin and cold enamels (those are surprises I'm finishing up so no peeking!)...here's a little thing I'm doing...I found this Japanes Shogi screen paper a while back and I've decided to resin coat it and then put some of those glass beach pieces I got for the Fanciful Devices tutorial Starry Shards. I'm done with some of those too...I'll show a picture later and possible sell some in my <a href="http://www.romantiquesupplies.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Supplies Shop</a> . I think I'm gonna have to foil em or something later cause they are so transparent, I need more dramatic effects... I'll play with them tomorrow as they are still drying - yes it takes forever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So moral of the story, I got charged to live my life more productively and I decided, I don't care what I do...jewelry, Art...why just not both? I like both of them, I just switch as I please...why not? It keeps me on my toes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ok, it's 2 am...time to wrap up...btw if you wanna see an awesome show, watch "The Returned" on Netflix...it's a slow burn, but it's so....French and awesome! FYI...it's a little creepy, but good!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">LOVE EVERYONE YOU CARE FOR DEEPLY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and well, now some puppies, just cause... happy puppies, curious puppies, crazy puppies, spinning puppies... O_o I like puppies ok?</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-83356025902081690782015-05-27T19:16:00.002-07:002015-05-27T20:15:33.746-07:00Rainbow drops and lollipops! Zombies!<span style="font-size: large;">Actually I don't know how lollipops got in my mind! Oh I know! My husband brought me a big ass bag of Jolly Ranchers a couple of days ago and I've been eating them non stop...I'm just not going to talk about the consequences, just cause ... it's better not to...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I digress...So this week I became a bit of an insomniac and I don't know why, but my husband has been the same. The poor thing has to work to, and I mean a real job, not like mine where I can work at 4 am...which is what I have been doing....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So when I take breaks with making jewelry, art etc. my hubby and I love to watch shows...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Game of Thrones, the Big Bang theory, the Bates Motel, just to name a few! Thank God Downton Abbey is ending, because I love that show and it is so addictive! I could binge watch it all day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what else can I binge watch? How about this little show called "iZombie"... I'm not a big fan of Zombies normally, BUT, this show is so friggin' good! I love the main character, the story, and it is morbidly funny...granted, sometimes it gets a little graphic, but I guess since I was a Pre-med minor in college and I actually had to dissect a couple of animal brains, I guess it doesn't bother me that much...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I guess if you have the time and are not too grossed out, check it out! I have to thank my friend Angela for this, but hey! I am really really grateful...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So between, the insomnia, brains and Jolly Ranchers, I've managed to make a few earrings this week... these are the cheaper budget earring, but don't you think for a second that I'd use junk...oh no! All of these have authentic vintage rhinestones and high quality components...so how about some eye candy... really...I think all these jolly ranchers make me wanna make edible jewels...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/234977180/nouveau-rainbow-drops-vintage-style" target="_blank">Nouveau Rainbow Drops</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then again, I did watch 4 seasons of True Blood and brain squashing on Game of Thrones...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/234945453/golden-era-vintage-style-assemblage?ref=listing-shop-header-2" target="_blank">Golden Era</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I guess zombies should be good...plus these zombies are smart and not mindless like most...I like that! I love when a show has a fun take on classic spins...</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pKjIRb0c4fA/VWZ4v7BrvqI/AAAAAAAACHg/s1dzmyWbta0/s1600/Petit%2BFleurs%2BEarrings%2BBF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pKjIRb0c4fA/VWZ4v7BrvqI/AAAAAAAACHg/s1dzmyWbta0/s640/Petit%2BFleurs%2BEarrings%2BBF.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/234975254/petit-fleurs-vintage-style-assemblage?ref=listing-shop-header-1" target="_blank">Petit Fleurs</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So anyways, next week I plan to have some Boho stuff done, I'm getting kind of the feeling that I need to switch gears...I don't think I'm going to make brain earrings or anything...I'm not much of a oddity fan... I'm a fan of unique, but I don't think I'll ever quite go there... rustic boho is probably as far as I'll go...I'm hoping to open a new shop with metal smithing work soon, but I'm not ready, so for now I'll stick to this! and cool rock n' roll zombies...you gotta see the show to see what I mean...</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-71433806305748198062015-05-18T16:22:00.002-07:002015-05-18T20:07:24.655-07:00I'm back! I'm still making some stuff...<span style="font-size: large;">Heya peoples!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sort of back! I finally got to sit down and assemble a bit at some point between reviewing anatomy, taking business classes and sketching, not quite full force yet but a little.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is raining right now, and I keep wanting to take pictures of cool stuff I got recently that will be used in up coming assemblage and some of my metal smithing, but I keep encountering rainy days or just plain laziness...sigh! One day I'll conquer this unspoken disease called procrastination...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So between all these classes (including still metal smithing -after this one I'm going to take a break from it and do things I want rather than a bunch of mindless boring assignments) I sneak in a bead a or two once in a while and pull out my treasures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've already posted a pair of earrings an hour ago, but I figured I'll give you a sneak peak of a couple of more creations to come out later on tonight, when I finish editing, pricing etc...you know, the less fun part of artin'</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/233865445/salvation-vintage-assemblage-earrings?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank">Salvation</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DqFXZhBQbkc/VVpscIdRFNI/AAAAAAAACDE/0bjHx02z3Co/s1600/Sacred%2BDroppers%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DqFXZhBQbkc/VVpscIdRFNI/AAAAAAAACDE/0bjHx02z3Co/s640/Sacred%2BDroppers%2B5.jpg" width="508" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/233899402/sacred-droppers-antique-assemblage?ref=listing-shop-header-0" target="_blank">Sacred Droppers</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I decided to simplify my earrings a bit and my designs in general, just cause I figured, less is more sometimes, plus when you deal with ornate parts to begin with, you generally want less. Here's a tip...LESS is MORE in this case...you wanna highlight the beauty of these mini works of Art and not detract from it with fussy designs...quite honestly I'm a bit sick and tired of seeing vintage assemblage as a big mess of junk...sometimes it works, but most times it doesn't...trust me on this one, less is better, especially when it comes to your ears, they will thank you for this design principle...it's also a functional thing....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I did sort of the same with my necklaces, but not really...one of them is ornate, but NOT over the top ornate...it's important to strike that balance...think of it as a pulling between forces that work together to breathe life into your piece... </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86_1DteCSTQ/VVpuHypTh1I/AAAAAAAACDQ/4vvABA0v5Zc/s1600/Good%2BLuck%2BChuck%2BNecklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86_1DteCSTQ/VVpuHypTh1I/AAAAAAAACDQ/4vvABA0v5Zc/s640/Good%2BLuck%2BChuck%2BNecklace.jpg" width="386" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/233874345/good-luck-chuck-antique-assemblage?ref=listing-shop-header-1" target="_blank">Good Luck Chuck</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I just friggin' love these mother of pearl horns...they are so hard to find, but whenever I can find one for a decent price I'll grab it! They symbolized good luck in the Victorian ages and I think they can still work their magic...the pictures really don't do justice to this necklace, yes, after 3 years I'm still trying to figure out the best setting for my cam...even Photoshop sometimes doesn't help, then again, I'm not much of a photographer, even though some peeps think I'm great...I'm decent at most...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EkLoH9HEmXs/VVpvdlqcGoI/AAAAAAAACDk/krIRiy2a5ww/s1600/Lost%2Bat%2BSea%2Bnecklace%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="530" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EkLoH9HEmXs/VVpvdlqcGoI/AAAAAAAACDk/krIRiy2a5ww/s640/Lost%2Bat%2BSea%2Bnecklace%2B5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/233891025/lost-at-sea-antique-assemblage-necklace?ref=listing-shop-header-0" target="_blank">Lost At Sea</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KpgJ5vA7GEs/VVpvlpcz5lI/AAAAAAAACDs/D6M6wjr5pAk/s1600/Lost%2Bat%2BSea%2Bnecklace%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KpgJ5vA7GEs/VVpvlpcz5lI/AAAAAAAACDs/D6M6wjr5pAk/s640/Lost%2Bat%2BSea%2Bnecklace%2B2.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I suddenly remember why I don't like to use ornate background either....I can't water mark shit, excuse the French...I tried to put my logo and it just wouldn't work in this picture...I love how the picture (and the necklace of course) turned out, but I just couldn't find any place to stick the words in...oh well... Do I obsess much over these sea horses? I am CONSTANTLY searching for these and maybe once every 2-3 years I find one or two...I just can't help it! They are so darn pretty...and then that gold filled lavaliere watch fob is to die for...Hurray for the Victorians...they are my faves... I also forgot to take an additional picture to show what I did to the back of the lavaliere so it will be a surprise!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So any who, at some point soon I will share something other than jewelry on here...I hope you enjoyed the "pre-release" of my stuff...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, btw...I usually don't do this, but Go See MAD MAX! It is so awesome I had to see it twice and I'm planning on getting the DVD once it's out...Post apocalypse has never looked so perfect! Holy crap this is Oscar worthy! The world is so...ah! And Charlize Theron is a shot of adrenaline! DON'T watch the long trailer if you can help it! I hate these new trailers...they give out too much!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-90177424779267036032015-03-26T23:19:00.002-07:002015-05-18T20:30:17.446-07:00Hiya! Change of Plans...<span style="font-size: large;">Hi guys,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">so I have kind of huge news...it could be good or bad depending on how you want to interpret it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After much speculation and introspection, lots of thinking, lots of <a href="http://programs.marieforleo.com/" target="_blank">B-School</a> worksheets I have finally decided to put jewelry, especially assemblage jewelry on the backseat and concentrate on my so long paused Painting career.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think when I started assemblage it was to escape my gruesome daily job, and I never felt like painting anymore because I was gone 3-6 days at the time...the few times I would try to pick up a paintbrush I would feel lost from where I started because weeks or months would go by before I would have the time to try again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Needless to say, it has been a VERY long time since I've put any paint on canvas or heck even seriously sketched. I've done a few doodles for jewelry and the occasional half human drawing, but never anything too serious since my collegiate years.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I felt for so long like it was a pity to waste all these skills I learnt over the years, and I also felt the passion for life I had back then leaving me while working a job that was not meant for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well 5 months ago, I took that leap of faith and let go of that job to continue my career as a jewelry designer, but I still felt as if something was missing...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I could never get the satisfaction that I had before making Art on canvas. Sure, I like making jewelry, especially now that I've been taking a few metal smithing courses, but I realized as I was doing the first worksheets of B-school that I did not LOVE it....I LOVED painting, I LOVED drawing, I could always get lost in the process and never realize how many hours I was spending in front of a canvas, it was like magic...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I decided to go back to it intentionally and fully, professionally this time, to keep myself in check, to improve, to really paint like the old masters like I've always dreamed of.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Screw it how long it will take, I will enjoy the journey, as long as I have a roof over my head and food, I will be fine, God always provides.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So you might ask "But what happens to everything you've worked for?" Well, it will always be there to be picked up occasionally, but I'm going to be listing a lot more on <a href="http://www.romantiquesupplies.etsy.com/" target="_blank">RomAntique Supplies</a> than <a href="http://www.romantiquesoul.etsy.com/" target="_blank">RomAntique Soul</a> for now, and that's ok...I have a lot of antiques and vintage to share for others to collect, to love, to reuse and whatnot...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I'll be putting more stuff on there and the rest of the time, or I should say most I will be patiently retraining myself with a pencil, a brush and oils by taking some courses and ferociously practicing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just to be on the safe side, I'm even setting up a website, as Marie had us do, to hold myself accountable...still working on it, but you can go there if you'd like and subscribe to my e-mail updates. The site will open late Fall when I will have more to offer to the eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So go to <a href="https://alessandrafryzel.com/" target="_blank">Alessandra Fryzel Fine Arts</a> and please go ahead and subscribe if anything for moral support at the moment. I will have a clearer plan and a grand opening in the Fall, but it would be great to share with you guys, it really would warm up my heart and hopefully I will be able to pay it forward. I have a charity in mind that really holds my heart, but more on that later...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For now I leave you, but I will return, with different work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't forget to check the supply shop regularly as I will have items that I cherish on there as well in due time. Know that when you buy something you're supporting my art supplies for painting and my dream and for that thank you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love everyone!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Will see you all in the Fall and perhaps I'll drop a line on here at some point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Alessandra.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-81310442379037627832015-03-04T15:35:00.001-08:002015-03-04T15:55:11.318-08:00Insta-gratitude...and B-School<span style="font-size: large;">A quick post...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I finally decided to give Instagram a try, and I gotta say, it's kind of fun...sure it's gonna take a while to build up a following, but if anything it's just chill. Meaning I don't have to write a ton of stuff to make a point...just put the picture up, title and a few hash tags and BAM! It's done... ok, I do like to play with the filters...but really, isn't it the best part? - Thanks Marina from <a href="http://www.fancifuldevices.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fanciful Devices</a>, you finally pushed me to get an account so I could follow you :) -</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyways, guys the big news is that I ended up joining <a href="http://marieforleobschool.com/" target="_blank">B-School</a>, and yes I did use quite a bit of my savings to do it...it was e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e! More than I could really afford, but my gut said do it. Basically I figured I could pay 20 times as much for an MBA or I could take it this year and take it over and over every year at no additional cost if I need to.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So far, it hasn't even started and I already have a ton of prep-homework to do...it's def no joke! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It really is already forcing me to really rethink what I'm doing. I've been feeling torn and aimless and now I have to write lists, fill out calendars and commit to stuff...time to be a big girl! No excuses!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yBFZVndwzk/VPeVNaonESI/AAAAAAAAB-4/VGAmPYuZG6c/s1600/Caballitos%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yBFZVndwzk/VPeVNaonESI/AAAAAAAAB-4/VGAmPYuZG6c/s1600/Caballitos%2B2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Plus one neat thing that happened as I was signing up and worrying about spending the amount, a lady bought stuff from both of my shops (Thanks Melissa!)...so isn't that like the Universe trying to tell me something? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I'll check in back next week, hopefully share new pieces and perhaps talk about my school progress and if I can get some pictures this coming up weekend, I'm going on a short trip with my sis to Charleston (I love that place!), I'll definitely post them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy the week and thank for checking in.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">*Last minute edit: I forgot to mention...I've been hoarding a ton of stuff over the years, it's time to really let go some of it...so visit my <a href="http://www.romantiquesupplies.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Sister Shop</a> if you want beads, antiques, vintage randomness...I should be posting weekly, so keep checking...some hopefully tonight.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-81227621367206632252015-02-24T13:00:00.003-08:002015-02-24T13:00:37.113-08:00Create-a-Ton<span style="font-size: large;">Hola everyone!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I've finally found a bit of time to create, in fact I sort of had a "Create-a-Ton" this weekend. I felt so guilty and stressed about not making stuff for a while that I made quite a bit...and I still have stuff in the making as well. I pretty much decided that I'll have to start working on it every day for at least 4 days a week and then the other three days will be devoted to painting (more on that later).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I decided not to share everything at once, so for now here are three pieces that will be on Etsy later on tonight. I will also try to keep on posting new de-stash and items on my other site <a href="http://www.romantiquesupplies.etsy.com/" target="_blank">RomAntique Supplies</a> so keep on checking...I have a ton to go through, but tax filing duty calls right now, so that will have to wait...</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xf4XjON9-0Y/VOzepF7Ur3I/AAAAAAAAB7M/twbSsI0OmY8/s1600/BeFunky_Ecumenical%2B5.jpg%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xf4XjON9-0Y/VOzepF7Ur3I/AAAAAAAAB7M/twbSsI0OmY8/s1600/BeFunky_Ecumenical%2B5.jpg%2Bcopy.jpg" height="640" width="490" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I almost forgot...I did not win the B-School scholarship mentioned in the previous blog - I also took down the video, cause reasons... :-P </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0dgs3lHIyPs/VOzfV8SsaxI/AAAAAAAAB7U/buI47BfshjE/s1600/BeFunky_Spirit%2BWarrior%2B4.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0dgs3lHIyPs/VOzfV8SsaxI/AAAAAAAAB7U/buI47BfshjE/s1600/BeFunky_Spirit%2BWarrior%2B4.jpg.jpg" height="515" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Remember that thing about being all a wallflower and shit? Well, yah...then... I tend to disappear on the wall again...but eventually I will gather up the courage to just at least film my hands doing stuff on camera, just not my face...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1Rx8QZGriI/VOzgXSTOgEI/AAAAAAAAB7k/E4sFonmIM3Q/s1600/BeFunky_Ajna%2B5.jpg%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1Rx8QZGriI/VOzgXSTOgEI/AAAAAAAAB7k/E4sFonmIM3Q/s1600/BeFunky_Ajna%2B5.jpg%2Bcopy.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and I just keep doing my funky thing and loving it, even though I'm also working on metal-smithing and yes I know, I've procrastinated in sharing the few things I've made, but soon, I promise...as soon as the weather clears up...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So yesterday the sky cleared up for like 3 hours and I took pictures for about 2& 1/2 cause God knows when I'll get that chance again...WTF you guys? This is Georgia! Not Chicago! I can't even get my house warmed up enough...I feel like I live in an Igloo...actually I think those are warmer cause you light a fire...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On that cranky note, I should be back at the end of the week with a couple of more things...for now enjoy and these should be out this evening!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's supposed to snow on Wednesday... This is me after doing Zumba and Pilates yesterday -------------->>>></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-53925494256379373662015-02-17T19:46:00.001-08:002015-02-17T20:33:25.459-08:00Choke a Flower! Wait...What?<span style="font-size: large;">Hi guys,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">it's me, I'm still alive! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I realize I haven't been much active lately on my sites, groups or blog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had 3 rough weeks, I'm still working on a partial house reno, that I haven't been able to complete, cause my poor hubby broke his foot and was out for a while. He needs some rest, so it will be a while before he can be back on his feet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm still working on some stuff and the weather has been so crappy I have not felt like taking pictures of completed items. My head is a bit all over the places. I'm still taking metal smithing classes, working out not as regularly as I'd like, but I've resumed yesterday...it has been a little tough balancing a bit of family trouble and trying to get my business going...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">However I did manage to enter a video for a scholarship for <a href="http://marieforleobschool.com/" target="_blank">B-School</a>, a business school for novice and not so novice entrepreneurs lead by business and Internet guru <a href="http://www.marieforleo.com/" target="_blank">Marie Forleo</a>. I love her show and follow it weekly and religiously, but yet I have not got down quite the way on how to make this now full time business go...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I definitely need to post more often, and it means make a lot more stuff... I hope to find some balance and formula soon or God help me...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyways, I'm going to make this little entry short and to the point. If you feel like supporting my application for B-school, please visit this very short video (it had to be 90 seconds, that's part of the rules) and give it a like, share on FB, twitter, your mama or whatever! Shout a comment, watch my silly ass trying to speak English and scratch your heads about what I just said...watch me choke a flower and make a total fool of myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/TcO9YHhDGL8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TcO9YHhDGL8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Btw this is my first video ever, I'm like the epitome of a wall-flower, so this was really really really hard for me to want to publish, but...it's done, and I'm proud of at least trying...Enjoy and see you soon with some fab jewels! I'm also thinking about starting some tutorials on the Tube...so if you think you can follow me in this vid, there might be a small hope that I'll be able to make myself understandable enough for my tuts!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks in advance peeps! Much love :)</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-68073477621400707092015-01-25T21:54:00.003-08:002015-01-27T09:22:24.506-08:00Rin Tin- Tin! Studio!<span style="font-size: large;">Ok, I don' t know what else to title this, as it is sort of related, but mostly not!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been kind of busy this month as my hubby and I are finally turning the ex-garage, turned into a living room/dog room/ art room, into...a STUDIO! Yay! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yep, that's right! I finally will have a dedicated space for my Fine Arts and crafts...a long awaited dream of mine! Don't get me wrong, we don't have a big house at all...just a little 1970s dingy ranch with three bedrooms, all pretty small and definitely the storage space is outdated for the kind of stuff that is made these days...BUT...we are still using the ex garage as a studio!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You see, both my hubby and and I are making Art of all sorts...and we thought...you know...we really don't need this space as a living room...there's the other room at the entry door that would be a smaller cozy space to watch TV</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OeTLBa9W3rw/VMXRUahMJ1I/AAAAAAAAB4k/P95Voto4EAI/s1600/Tin%2BEarrings%2BRow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OeTLBa9W3rw/VMXRUahMJ1I/AAAAAAAAB4k/P95Voto4EAI/s1600/Tin%2BEarrings%2BRow.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many of you don't actually know that I am an ex-painter, painter again wanna-be, so I will need the space most definitely! I paint big and when I mean big, I mean pretty darn BIG...if my canvas is not at least 2 ft to start on one side, I am not a happy camper...</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VfnfBVURyEc/VMXR3LUkvyI/AAAAAAAAB4s/Jn6UTEW5k38/s1600/Tin%2BEarrings%2Bgroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VfnfBVURyEc/VMXR3LUkvyI/AAAAAAAAB4s/Jn6UTEW5k38/s1600/Tin%2BEarrings%2Bgroup.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I suppose it is pretty surprising for someone that works in jewelry scale...but...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_mhXjmq7S7k/VMXSOkbqhhI/AAAAAAAAB5E/QGRhuS8xa-w/s1600/Yellow%2BTin%2BEarrings%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_mhXjmq7S7k/VMXSOkbqhhI/AAAAAAAAB5E/QGRhuS8xa-w/s1600/Yellow%2BTin%2BEarrings%2B3.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">I really think it's great that way, after all switching sizes forces the eye to readjust...think of it as a workout for the eyes...close far, close, far, detail, step back, large shapes, tiny shapes...you get the idea...trust me, eyes can get pretty darn tired of doing just one thing...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Plus, I like the switching, it is exciting...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Anyways, as you can see at the moment I'm still playing with jewelry possibilities...cutting up those tin boxes again and playing with low temperature solder, while I keep honing my skills in silver smithing...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You guys! Guess what I got for Christmas...A super duper HOT rolling mill! A friggin' Durston! I'm so excited I could tear the roof! And...my husband got a little kiln, so I can make enamel stuff and ceramic beads and pots! I'm in heaven! I couldn't ask for anything better....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I just ordered and received a bunch of enamel powders...let the playing begin! Well after we finish the studio thing...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So much to do!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so little time!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">More to come in the next few weeks my dears! In the meanwhile, happy creating and daydreaming ;-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Better go to sleep, I've had a hekk of a day...and these will be published tomorrow on Etsy for really reasonable prices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Arrivederci!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-44949176769656747472015-01-09T16:08:00.002-08:002015-01-09T16:08:08.562-08:00Post Holidays Hibernation<span style="font-size: large;">So apparently the Holidays took quite a toll on me. I'm not used to eating so much, so I had to cleanse for an entire week and let me tell you, it was really not easy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I went a whole week juicing and eating greens, very little fruit and lots of avocados. That is it. Avocados. Avocados. Juice. Cold veggie soups. Avocados. Green Smoothies. Even for a vegan this is a bit much sometimes. So I hibernated for a couple of weeks to recover from the Holiday craze...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And my goal is to have energy to make my Art, especially since I'm spending a pretty penny on courses to increase my metal smithing skills...for now I keep doing what I know how to do...</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FgRqUKF-N9s/VLBnbHvLjEI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/B41F3ZPp4XA/s1600/BeFunky_Romantic%2BGypsy%2BBangle%2BStack%2B4.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FgRqUKF-N9s/VLBnbHvLjEI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/B41F3ZPp4XA/s1600/BeFunky_Romantic%2BGypsy%2BBangle%2BStack%2B4.jpg.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bangles are always fun and I decided to be more generous when adding charms and such...I've gotta admit, I'm pretty pleased with how these turned out, I feel like I'm getting a hang of the so coveted Boho style which is still dominating the upcoming Spring fashion...</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eYAdQ34_tpY/VLBn7cJWFDI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/8kX6hVM_NH4/s1600/Romantic%2BGypsy%2BBangle%2BStack%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eYAdQ34_tpY/VLBn7cJWFDI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/8kX6hVM_NH4/s1600/Romantic%2BGypsy%2BBangle%2BStack%2B2.jpg" height="392" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I also decided to keep practicing soldering with a torch, so the thin bangles you see are made from scratch by moi! They have a bit of a rustic quality to it, so I didn't clean them up greatly, but I decided to leave the imperfect qualities of the joining process...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RMD3sAFaStg/VLBpvRS1y-I/AAAAAAAAB30/vwpyHxutRHc/s1600/BeFunky_Gypsy%2BVows%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RMD3sAFaStg/VLBpvRS1y-I/AAAAAAAAB30/vwpyHxutRHc/s1600/BeFunky_Gypsy%2BVows%2B3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You guys have no idea how happy I am that bronze and brass are having a big comeback! I love the warm hues of these metals...I find these are so much more interesting than gold and paired up with oxidized sterling and steel, they are just divine! Look how much pearl luminous this stack is...I just love it! It has mystery and romance...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Both of these stacks have a sensuous appeal to them, so perfect for the gypsy folks like me out there!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ok I'm not exactly a gypsy, but I consider myself a nomad as I've moved all over all my life and had a job that entail traveling...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gjI6rd3c7_I/VLBqAKk1csI/AAAAAAAAB38/MfMZ63H4UI4/s1600/BeFunky_Marie%2BAntoinette.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gjI6rd3c7_I/VLBqAKk1csI/AAAAAAAAB38/MfMZ63H4UI4/s1600/BeFunky_Marie%2BAntoinette.jpg.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I suppose since I've quit my job, I feel blessed and cursed at the same time...I'm still trying to get the hang of my schedule, but I'm not quite there yet, however I will work as hard as I can to make a routine happen, especially since one of my aims is to go back to grad school to get that so desired MFA of mine...lots to do on my portfolio, especially since I plan to enter the TA program to pay for tuition...we shall see...I'm still reading Artist as Brand.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I actually was planning on slowing down on the jewelry, but I just can't seem to....</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IgBneJRRq5I/VLBq1mBXv1I/AAAAAAAAB4I/eyEWxrqYPp8/s1600/Marie%2BAntoinette%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IgBneJRRq5I/VLBq1mBXv1I/AAAAAAAAB4I/eyEWxrqYPp8/s1600/Marie%2BAntoinette%2B5.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Especially when I find pendants like this one... I just can't help it! The antiquity is calling to be revived once again...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sort of pulled into two direction in my jewelry making....the classic and the grungy rustic look. I decided to stop thinking about it and do both...screw themes, it's already hard enough to create...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">However I am giving it my all...these designs are thought out, ever changing and redone until I'm fully satisfied...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One thing is for sure though, I'm not giving up and I'm also mixing it up to come up with a variety of prices. I used to think "affordable", now I think "attainable" but "precious"...perhaps the formula is not all quite there, but I need to make a buck without underselling as I do spend quite a bit of time on these pieces...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks again for stopping by for my occasional rambling, hope to see you on Etsy or maybe in person someday soon...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Merci Beaucoup!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-49426381577911693142014-12-13T16:01:00.002-08:002014-12-13T16:03:06.112-08:00Many Thanks, Special, Heart Filled, Elephant ghosts....and..."Breaking Bad"<span style="font-size: large;">Hello pretty people!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It has been a while since I've posted on here...blame it on the classes I'm taking, the turkey (or tofurky in my case) and the laziness and procrastination! What a wonderful Thanksgiving soup that would make! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">All right, all right, how has everyone's Thanksgiving been? Mine was yummy thanks to my Italian parents (yes, I'm bragging about their amazing cuisine). They are so sweet! Every time I go over they make adjustments for my vegan lifestyle, I'm so blessed and lucky! Despite all that Sergio (my stepdad) knows how to cook anything! And when I say anything, I mean ANYTHING!!! The man's an impromptu genius...give him a carrot and he'll make it amazing! He must have been a French chef in a past life...or hekk, Italian...the authentic cuisine from my native country is off the wall! Don't believe it? Go there and try it for yourselves ;-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what have I been up to...well for one thing, I've been binging on "Breaking Bad"...yes I know the show is over, but guess what? I don't have to wait a week to know what happens next, because it's all on Netflix!!! That show is kickass! The acting, the story, the drama...all unbelievable! Yes kudos to the writer for keeping me distracted!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other than that...I've been throwing pots and cups non stop in Atlanta at <a href="http://www.spruillarts.org/" target="_blank">Spruill Center for the Arts</a> with my hubby...we actually made so much little stuff, we are going to give it away for the Holidays to family and friends. I will post pictures later, last class is tomorrow, so we have to get our butts in gear and finish up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then there's this stuff:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">little elephant earrings made out of cracker jack from Japan, probably from the 1930s or so...these little fellas have seen better days as they probably used to be coated in a pearl wash and used to have solid trunks and legs and tails, but no more! I still couldn't pass them up! So cute!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I've made some Holiday Jewelry and some sold out already:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Rhinestone ball earrings went pretty quickly and the other sparkly ones are still on the market...and they are full of garnets and quartz galore...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then for those that love MM like I do...there are these simple beauties...I've been trying to make lighter earrings, not just in weight, but also appearance...I'm basically trying to up-cycle in more modern and streamlined designs...so...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPzdMq15gXE/VIzP_R0krOI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/xnib2a8GaP8/s1600/Lil'%2BRelics%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPzdMq15gXE/VIzP_R0krOI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/xnib2a8GaP8/s1600/Lil'%2BRelics%2B7.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This "Heart Filled" necklace with sacred heart, steel cut beads and my handmade organic chain segments in the back is coming out tonight... I'm really digging these linear designs...however... I still love the not so linear...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I think these also look great stacked up with other chains and necklace...these other two are still available, but I could see all of these being worn by themselves or with really petite long chains...what do you think?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then I made an ultra special necklace, every once in a while I pull out my precious stack that I've collected and so jealously held on to...but it was worth the wait I think...this one is a bit on the pricey side, but totally fair for a heirloom piece...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjxZ-azIhb8/VIzRg-7Zn7I/AAAAAAAAB2k/fbh_ctOXjrA/s1600/An%2BImmaculate%2BHeart%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjxZ-azIhb8/VIzRg-7Zn7I/AAAAAAAAB2k/fbh_ctOXjrA/s1600/An%2BImmaculate%2BHeart%2B5.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This beauty is over 100 yrs old, and comes from monastery in France, I bought it from a trusted seller that makes frequents trips to France and to its stunning flea markets...since I can't go there myself anymore, I'll just have to find this items in other ways...don't you love the cracked heart, the gemstones and my little experimental rustic soldered circle? So pretty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for stopping by and just in case I don't post again for a while (but I might soon to show the ceramic stuff before it goes away forever), Merry Christmas!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-75314159532988030232014-10-31T15:35:00.000-07:002014-10-31T15:35:53.322-07:00Dia De Los Muertos<span style="font-size: large;">So it's finally here! The scariest night of the year! Or the funnest if you're like me and love it!</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Despite my love of Halloween I never could bring myself to make Halloween inspired jewelry. I guess pumpkins and black cats are not my forte, but then...I just love skulls! Especially Tibetan skulls in rosaries. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of days ago I also watched "The Book of Life", and my only regret is not watching it sooner! This animated movie is spectacular and absolutely creative! I especially loved the depiction of "La Muerte" or Death...so pretty! I went home and wanted to make sugar skull jewelry!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Oh wait...I don't make sugar skull jewelry..but I do make other jewelry...so this is what I came up with, something so colorful and not my usual I almost punished myself and took it apart....well then I said screw it! I actually love the results and I will wear this stuff if no one else wants it! Especially the necklace...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9KOqjSrRpY/VFQLQ9x5ZJI/AAAAAAAABzs/vHX9ZBNik2o/s1600/La%2BMuerte%2BEarrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9KOqjSrRpY/VFQLQ9x5ZJI/AAAAAAAABzs/vHX9ZBNik2o/s1600/La%2BMuerte%2BEarrings.jpg" height="640" width="524" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/209264584/ofrendas-vintage-assemblage-day-of-the?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank">Ofrendas</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aren't these cute? I found these at a flea market and I've been itching to use more milagros in my jewelry. After all I am half hispanic and I love Frida Khalo, so these are sort of a tribute...</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/209259248/dia-de-los-muertos-vintage-assemblage?ref=listing-shop-header-0" target="_blank">Dia de Los Muertos</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I went totally nuts with carnelian, topaz and all sorts of candy colors...sort of a medley of the spirit of Mexican festivities and well...the candy that you get on Halloween ;-) Yum...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'Tis the night...I wonder if I'll get trick or treaters...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll be concentrating more on metal-smithing and painting for the next couple of weeks, so I might take a little break from Etsy, since I've been working on it constantly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">See you ghouls! ;-)</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-73760094547629134882014-10-21T16:22:00.002-07:002014-10-21T16:22:55.800-07:00*****Star Struck*****<span style="font-size: large;">Good news peoples!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've finally managed to finish a few pieces and well, there are a few that are still very in the raw, but that's just how it goes in the world of creation sometimes...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At least I got out of the slump I was in, good grief I didn't think I was gonna come out of that one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well it has been sort of a roller coaster of ups and downs like I've mentioned in the previous post but, whatever, I figured I'd just better make something regardless of what happens. I also decided that it is time to get a move on and start working out a bit, so I went for a walk yesterday with the hubby and the puppies just to get moving. I'm retarded, I should have done that quite a while ago...that little half an hour walk made me feel infinitely better...I think the hubby told me a quadrizillion time to start moving and I keep rebelling, but really...as much as I hate to admit it, he's right this time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I'm gonna subscribe to a gym that is a town away from mine, because it's the only gym that has this amazing super-built, flexible awesomeness instructor yoga taichi pilates lady named Deena. You see, I used to be super in shape a couple of years ago, until I moved where I currently inhabit and then I tried to find another Deena, and all of them couldn't hold the candle compared to her and I stopped exercising (poor excuse I know, but now I won't have one)...so screw the annoying drive (20 min. or so), I'm gonna have to go back there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now that I've vented a bit...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gFjql9DsHvY/VEbcFtsXUtI/AAAAAAAABtc/IlWKSGVJKpc/s1600/BeFunky_Victorian%2BFirmament%2B3.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gFjql9DsHvY/VEbcFtsXUtI/AAAAAAAABtc/IlWKSGVJKpc/s1600/BeFunky_Victorian%2BFirmament%2B3.jpg.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I've been busy being contemplative and staring at the sky...especially at night. Then it occurred to me that I had a TON of star themed little collections...especially mother of pearl stuff...I can't stop getting mother of pearl stuff, so be prepared for a future avalanche of items made of this materials. I figured, while I'm still honing my metal-smithing skills it won't hurt to keep designing and hopefully selling a bit...even though I keep going back and forward with pretty romantic stuff and more masculine rustic thingies...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_eQIX3FhTE/VEbb68HUMBI/AAAAAAAABtM/mT6J7-xOb78/s1600/Starlight%2BEarrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_eQIX3FhTE/VEbb68HUMBI/AAAAAAAABtM/mT6J7-xOb78/s1600/Starlight%2BEarrings.jpg" height="640" width="502" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These were acquired last week when I went to <a href="http://www.scottantiquemarket.com/" target="_blank">Scott's Antique market</a> in Atlanta...that place is so overwhelming it is insane! But it has the best selection of pretties I've ever seen...a lot of them are so expensive, but every once in a while you find a seller or two that are decently priced or that are willing to give you a discount, so I had to snatch these. ( I might share piccies, next time I end up there for your sheer curiosity)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> ok these are not mother of pearl, but they are so special...They are these amazing little Victorian brass buttons that I've been hoarding for almost 2 years! And guess what? They are also from Scott's! That's what actually happens when you start cleaning your studio and realize that you have a lot of stuff and decide to do something with it! My collection of buttons is a bit crazy, so you're gonna see a lot of buttons reworked into jewels for a while, I hope you like them as much as I do...</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NpvlO37Ul0/VEbe-qTHKzI/AAAAAAAABto/AIMeITjAYHI/s1600/BeFunky_Star%2BStruck%2BBracelet%2B4.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NpvlO37Ul0/VEbe-qTHKzI/AAAAAAAABto/AIMeITjAYHI/s1600/BeFunky_Star%2BStruck%2BBracelet%2B4.jpg.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I also forgot about this other couple of things I got at Scott's once again! This Amazing Star of Bethlehem brooch (perfect for the upcoming season) and yet another special Victorian steel cut button that I got there also (I swear, when I say that place is crazy cool and overwhelming, I am not kidding, go read Yelp! reviews...ignore the haters too).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In other news, crafty news, I've purchased this really cool tutorial from my jewelry making comrade <a href="http://fancifuldevices.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fanciful Devices</a>. The girl is so fearless with her making, I really admire her stuff and her fun personality...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So basically these are in progress, I will probably employ a few in my jewelry making, but I have a feeling most of these are gonna end up in my supply shop for someone else to use...as much as I'm enjoying soldering them, I'm not quite sure they are my style... but what the hekk! I like trying new things and I feel it was money well spent (her tut is available for purchase on her <a href="http://www.fancifuldevices.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy</a> site, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/206057519/starry-shards-iridescent-soldered-beach?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">here</a> if you'd like to try it out).</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rOGplWH6Ehs/VEblbYgCVKI/AAAAAAAABt8/H3LW-rLShA0/s1600/Star%2BShards%2BWIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rOGplWH6Ehs/VEblbYgCVKI/AAAAAAAABt8/H3LW-rLShA0/s1600/Star%2BShards%2BWIP.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm very SLOW at making stuff...love the subtle iridescence of these, albeit they are still needing additional soldering (that's a soldering board in the background btw) and patina... I'm also working on a "crazy chain" for class (will share later on, I promise...with a mega-fest of other things like ceramics and things from the previous classes).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anywho, the star themed jewelry will be available on Etsy tonight, and I'm trying to figure out if I have time to stick a skull rope necklace in there before Halloween, if not, oh well, I'll probably still make it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for following my weekly to biweekly yapping! I hope to start including some freebie smaller tuts starting next year...Sharing is caring!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">whoa... this one reminds me of my Peki and my Lab...</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-2740836226289407842014-10-18T12:14:00.000-07:002014-10-18T12:17:27.758-07:00Scattered Brain, Things All Over, Summersaults in my room!<span style="font-size: large;">Hi guys,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">it just occurred to me that I hardly ever talk about what I go through sometimes...dry spells!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, even since I've quit my job, I've had sort of a desperation factor going on. I really haven't been able to create a whole lot because for some reason I got down a bit. I think it's a combination of seasonal change and a bit of desperation. Sometimes I just feel like I'm in the wrong track, and that no matter how much I try I faulter...but who doesn't? I mean, I'm sure other people feel the way I do and they are just better at covering it up. I guess I don't really want to. The purpose of me creating and blogging is to share myself with world, but it would be dumb to assume that I'm always happy, nobody is that! Yes, I'm sure that even the most spiritual people do feel inadequate sometimes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately this time is passing, because as clique´as it sounds, it does pass...so after a couple of weeks of doubting etc, I'm back at the table and bench (well I've been taking metal smithing despite this crazy time). I guess I just needed a breather, a respite, but I decided to stop stressing and read my books instead. I'll work hard, but the rest I really can't control, until I learn how to market properly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So in the meanwhile what have I been doing? Well I've been cleaning my house, and there's a lot that is still left to do, but I'm doing it in baby steps with the help of my hubby.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started going through things in the studio and letting go of some items that no longer serve me, and there are quite a few more on their way into my supply shop in the next month....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a few things if you haven't seen them:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cameos...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Necklaces...</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rI4gSA-alaw/VEK7YHYMjUI/AAAAAAAABsY/M6XPj6ZyrTs/s1600/Baroque%2Bwhite%2Bpearl%2Bstrand%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rI4gSA-alaw/VEK7YHYMjUI/AAAAAAAABsY/M6XPj6ZyrTs/s1600/Baroque%2Bwhite%2Bpearl%2Bstrand%2B2.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NgMkrp8ww8/VEK7b6E0_gI/AAAAAAAABsg/GsHdJXLEpvc/s1600/Peach%2BPink%2Bpearls%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NgMkrp8ww8/VEK7b6E0_gI/AAAAAAAABsg/GsHdJXLEpvc/s1600/Peach%2BPink%2Bpearls%2B2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l5G4pfC638I/VEK7eO47iwI/AAAAAAAABso/T13ariatZK8/s1600/Pink%2BFreshwater%2Bpearls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l5G4pfC638I/VEK7eO47iwI/AAAAAAAABso/T13ariatZK8/s1600/Pink%2BFreshwater%2Bpearls.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pearls...lots of these to come out too...these are my first and they are freshwater, but I'll have a few glass lots listed too...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You get the idea, so come on by the shop and see if there's anything that interests you. I should be hitting around 100 items by mid next week and I aim for 200 by the end of Nov. *God help me*</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by and don't forget the coupon at the top of the shop page, it's a 10% off everything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I should have a couple of designs up by the beginning of next week, so I'll probably write soon again ;-)</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-32624255895563357262014-09-30T16:18:00.001-07:002014-09-30T16:21:30.378-07:00A Rush of Pretty to the Head...<span style="font-size: large;">Hi people!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope everyone had a good couple of weeks! I've been SSOOOO busy ever since I quit my job with bureaucratic steps to get my business going. After a lot of thinking, talking to a CPA and infinite meetings with my hubby, we decided to both go with an LLC...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is a bit more expensive, but if anything goes wrong with the business at least no one will go after my house, savings etc...it gives more protection.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well so, after this little lesson, let's move on! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I'm now taking my third BEGINNING metal smithing class over again, because they wouldn't let me take an intermediate at the new place at this time - oh well, I guess I'll get the basics down like a flippin' pro!-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm also taking a class with the hubby, ceramics, and let me tell you, when they say "oh, it will come back to you, and it's like riding a bicycle blah blah blah", well, they are lying!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't been in front of a wheel in 10 years and guess what? Nope can't throw a straight small cylinder worth a squat! It's fun though, it's challenging and I'm up for a little challenge. Plus, that's my hobby, no way I plan to turn that into a profit...I already got my hands full with jewelry and painting -well that one I haven't quite picked it back up yet ^_^; and I'm supposed to have an Art progress day with friends soon- that's ok...they know the whole shananigan!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Despite all this beating on metal and trying to become a serious metal smith, every once in a while the "Pretty sparkling things fairy" hits my head with her heavy star wand, so I had to appease her an make pwetty stuff...not grungy metal masculine rough jewelry that I wanna make...noooo...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So she told me: "You've been watching so much Downton Abbey, I wanna see Pretty!!!" and I tried to be smart and told her "Yah, but I've been watching Carnivale" and she was like "I don't give a damn!"... so she gave me a rush of pretty to the head with her wand again...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So basically moral of the story my little fairy muse demanded I make pretty non pretentious earrings that are Downton themed so I did....</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D2FcPH0yVWU/VCs0ivMX_JI/AAAAAAAABpw/yh6ngHiAnL0/s1600/DA%2BEdith%2BEarrings%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D2FcPH0yVWU/VCs0ivMX_JI/AAAAAAAABpw/yh6ngHiAnL0/s1600/DA%2BEdith%2BEarrings%2B3.jpg" height="640" width="488" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> So these are the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/205462915/edith-downton-abbey-inspired-earrings?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank">Lady Edith</a> ones, green because she seems to exude that color and wear a lot of it</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XkUr1CMEDJ8/VCs0r7fhSOI/AAAAAAAABp4/mI0p2KVIxUw/s1600/DA%2BRose%2BEarrings%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XkUr1CMEDJ8/VCs0r7fhSOI/AAAAAAAABp4/mI0p2KVIxUw/s1600/DA%2BRose%2BEarrings%2B5.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then these other are inspired by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/205445226/rose-downton-abbey-inspired-earrings?ref=listing-shop-header-0" target="_blank">Lady Rose</a> so what better than a really feminine color for her...like...rose?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">These are all vintage Swarovski btw, fancy...no they really are beautiful in person though...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">more Downton Ladies in the making...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I guess the problem originated with me feeling stuck in a rut, so since I have a ton of beads, findings etc that I collected over the years, why not use them?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Of course this kind of jewelry doesn't really fit in <a href="http://www.romantiquesoul.etsy.com/" target="_blank">RomAntique Soul</a> so I decided to throw it in my <a href="http://www.romantiquesupplies.etsy.com/" target="_blank">supply shop</a>, which by the way, I've been filling up almost every day now...my goal of getting to 200 items before Xmas might actually be achieved sooner than later... yippie!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I also decided that my budget jewelry ($30 and below for earrings to give an idea) will go in my supply shop also, so that' why my other shop is a bit empty.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">New stuff is to be worked on soon...at the moment I'm almost done with a commission, just thinking about final touches and checking for symmetry etc...so hopefully it will all work soon ;-)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh yeah...I moved some earrings, re-took pics and added similar ones to the supply shop...I think I'm happier this way, I really want to reserve my main shop for assemblage and metal smithing, no simple sparkle girly stuff there >:-( </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm a bit crazy with categorizing, my hubby gives me a hard time...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So these have also moved to the supply shop: (here' me picking them up and moving them-I'm such a dork!-</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">and I guess I like these lucite etched things so much I got some others a while back, probably will make more if they sell well...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJJueDG0vWk/VCs4PwzSppI/AAAAAAAABqc/KEPYoldZD7I/s1600/Creme%2BBrulee%2BArabesque%2BEarrings%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJJueDG0vWk/VCs4PwzSppI/AAAAAAAABqc/KEPYoldZD7I/s1600/Creme%2BBrulee%2BArabesque%2BEarrings%2B4.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I just thought these might be cute stocking stuffers for Christmas...and I like them... these two are bigger though...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I saw so many cute colors in these I'm thinking of buying more, but I first have to work on more serious stuff for now...we shall see....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyways, that's all folks!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't it crazy how all the Holidays are just around the corner? The older I get, the more seem like time is slipping by... at least I'll get to spend a Christmas with the fam, which I haven't done in 8 years!!! You know what? I really don't miss my old job at all...is that bad?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stay warm and cozy, I love this time of the year! ;-)</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xWSE9vZJhRU/VCs5-mjBucI/AAAAAAAABqo/SNnyyjVDt_Q/s1600/dog_and_pumpkin_hd-1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xWSE9vZJhRU/VCs5-mjBucI/AAAAAAAABqo/SNnyyjVDt_Q/s1600/dog_and_pumpkin_hd-1024x768.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-70373525619409932482014-09-16T16:29:00.001-07:002014-09-16T16:29:43.052-07:00A mini-blog, A New Full Blown Adventure<span style="font-size: large;">Hello, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I just wanted to give the good news for those of you that are not on my other social networks or for those that are solely focusing on my little blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'VE QUIT MY JOB!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I've done it! Am I nervous, am I excited, am I broke? Yes to the first two, I don't plan to be to the last.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to focus on my jewelry and Art business, it's not gonna be easy and it will be probably a bit obsessive for a while. I know most of my friends told me I should take a couple of months off, but honestly I plan to take a week, and I have not really done it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I've been photographing a lot of my vintage items to sell on my shop <a href="http://www.romantiquesupplies.etsy.com/" target="_blank">RomAntique Supplies</a> and posting them right away, not wasting time and I've been making more jewelry - that I have not photographed yet, and I'm currently working on my 3rd commission for a jewelry piece...yes my friends, I am not resting! I will be resting after the Holidays for a bit, but until then there is much to do!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At first I was a little bit frazzled and for a couple of days I felt a little empty. I was expecting my previous boss to be like "no, don't leave!", but then reality hit: I'm not needed because there are 20,000 of people like me in that company! I am incredibly replaceable there. But you know what's not replaceable? Do you know what the world can't have without me? MY creations!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Whatever they will be, they are mine and solely mine! NOONE else can make EXACTLY what I make, because they come from my perceptions.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So now I'm out of that rut, working on my inner self and my outer self as well and expanding it and connecting it to the outer world. That's right! My voice may be the only thing that remains of me one day and I'm not ready to give it up!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I suggest if you're stuck...JUST DO! Don't worry about what happens next, worry about what happens now, cause that's the only thing you can really control! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, don't you think for a second that I'm calm...not at all! I have all kinds of butterflies taking my stomach over! Am I scared? Yes! Am I gonna let fear win? Absolutely not! I'm working daily to fight it! I just lift my middle finger up to it! Even if it's gonna take some time to completely kick it in the ass!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the only life we got and we should live it like we want to, as long as the end result is to do be well intentioned towards others and then expanding to help them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That is after all my ultimate goal. So I'm gonna share with you resources I'm using to get myself together again:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.marieforleo.com/" target="_blank">Marie Forleo</a> - this woman is amazing! She has so many resources to get your business going and thriving. I am ADDICTED to her videos, so many to watch I have to limit myself to a couple a day because I have to do other things, like create!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Steal-Like-Artist-Things-Creative/dp/0761169253/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410909572&sr=8-1&keywords=steal+like+an+artist" target="_blank">Steal like An Artist</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Show-Your-Work-Creativity-Discovered/dp/076117897X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410909570&sr=8-2&keywords=steal+like+an+artist" target="_blank">Show Your Work!</a> - two amazing little book gems that will help you realize that those are necessary steps to really succeed - I'm still reading these in small trips to BnN. Why buy them when you can read them for free while sipping on a Soy Latte?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/May-Cause-Miracles-Guidebook-Unlimited/dp/0307986950/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410909774&sr=1-3&keywords=gabrielle+bernstein" target="_blank">May Cause Miracles</a> - I started this book today, it's been sitting on my iPad, because I could never do it traveling all over the places while working...well now I can :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I'm ready for this adventure and I'm going to get to the point where I'm fully in control...the road ahead is long, but one thing I have it's time now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">New Work in the making :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">-Feel like sharing what are you up to with your creative journey? Leave comments, I love them!</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-79633365151191656092014-08-28T18:57:00.000-07:002014-08-28T18:58:11.427-07:00The Last Breath of SummerHey everyone,<br />
as Summer comes to a conclusion, I get nostalgic and I have to make something Summery...<br />
So I finally go to sit with my soldering gun and play around with it for a change (I decided to leave the torch alone for another little while)...and I got to make this bangles from this tut from Tracy di Piazza...the woman is phenomenal...if I could do an apprenticeship in metal smithing...well she would be my teacher choice!<br />
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Anyways...A few weeks ago she de-stashed some strips on her shop and I jumped immediately to grab 'em...since I was too afraid to cut my tin boxes...but oh no more sir! <br />
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The addiction is on... the cutting shall begin!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hwET62h4QRI/U__bJ5ZzyfI/AAAAAAAABmg/RXpUJXDuR10/s1600/Indian%2BEmerald%2BBangle%2BBracelets%2BSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hwET62h4QRI/U__bJ5ZzyfI/AAAAAAAABmg/RXpUJXDuR10/s1600/Indian%2BEmerald%2BBangle%2BBracelets%2BSE.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
So these were the first I made and they are a little less refined than the others, so I may go back and retouch them a bit, some of the edges are still a little too sharp for my taste...these were the "ugly" tin of the group...ugly!? well compared to the others, which were older vintage tin strips that turned into this...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_iQijHoB1o/U__bv-6cg8I/AAAAAAAABmo/SkjhldH4KHE/s1600/Birds%2Bof%2BParadise%2BTin%2BBangles%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_iQijHoB1o/U__bv-6cg8I/AAAAAAAABmo/SkjhldH4KHE/s1600/Birds%2Bof%2BParadise%2BTin%2BBangles%2B3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aTiQ6eFIzG0/U__b397KB_I/AAAAAAAABmw/1UDwZ3vRSaI/s1600/Oriental%2BGarden%2BTin%2BBangles%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aTiQ6eFIzG0/U__b397KB_I/AAAAAAAABmw/1UDwZ3vRSaI/s1600/Oriental%2BGarden%2BTin%2BBangles%2B5.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Can you tell the latter two are my favorites?<br />
Anyways, yeah, so now I'm addicted and I thinking about soldering this in all sorts of ways, and suddenly I'm getting attracted to pewter...oh goodness, it looks like sterling will have to hang on for a bit, also because it is so expensive...I have a major thing coming up, so keep tuned!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a6zV_22kJto/U__ckzAO8DI/AAAAAAAABnA/JuOv4Nl-PKM/s1600/Tin%2BBangles%2BStack%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a6zV_22kJto/U__ckzAO8DI/AAAAAAAABnA/JuOv4Nl-PKM/s1600/Tin%2BBangles%2BStack%2B5.jpg" height="520" width="640" /></a></div>
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Let's just say that I will be able to post more often even on the blog...and I'm not sure if that's a good thing...I can write much more than I can talk, so y'all won't get me to virtually shut up...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B29wR1qqHio/U__cqgzm8-I/AAAAAAAABnI/7N6irYEz7QA/s1600/Tin%2BBangles%2BStack%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B29wR1qqHio/U__cqgzm8-I/AAAAAAAABnI/7N6irYEz7QA/s1600/Tin%2BBangles%2BStack%2B4.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyways, one last note...you may want to start following my page on facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RomAntiqueSoul" target="_blank">RomAntique Soul FB</a>... I will have a giveaway there, because I can't seem to gather enough readers on here...partially because I just don't post often enough...<br />
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So go there, follow me and keep tuned...you might want to, so perhaps you can get you a Christmas gift for your best friend!<br />
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Until the next time my friends...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-63603220978789869962014-08-13T18:46:00.000-07:002014-08-13T18:46:44.899-07:00Luminosity of the Soul - What Dreams May ComeHi everyone,<br />
I would like to take a minute to remember my childhood Hero, Robin Williams.<br />
<br />
He was as close as a father figure as a movie star could ever be to me. His tragic suicide left me at first in shock, then deeply sad and most of all contemplative for the past couple of days.<br />
The death of a Legend is always something hard to swallow, but when it is someone that has been present in your childhood almost weekly, with every movie or show he made, it is even more so (Yes I grew up watching Mork everyday, he kept me company while I colored my Disney coloring book)...<br />
One of my favorite movies of all times with him was "What Dreams May Come". This movie was breathtaking with all of its visuals, but it couldn't have ever come alive the same way without him.<br />
I really hope Robin found peace, the state of mind that he has deserved for so long, and that his soul may rest in the beautiful heavens portrayed by that very movie. His gift was so great, the gift of his presence was, that he couldn't have possibly known how many people are touched by and mourn his death. It is a tragic loss for us all. <br />
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I will never forget you oh Captain, my Captain. I will never forget all the laughter and tears you gave me, in a world where we are becoming so desensitized by the media, it is a real treasure to have felt all of these emotions you were able to arise in us, your audience. Thank you so much for the gift of your very own existence.<br />
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I hope this is what you're experiencing right now:<br />
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On that note, I would like to share the pieces I've worked on this week, they are simple, but they helped me realize that simplicity is what is needed to nourish our souls.</div>
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I especially thought of the idea that our soul is everlasting and infinite and this notion gave me comfort...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iGQx8rsWZuY/U-wPUfooB_I/AAAAAAAABis/_2ggOAgOn6Y/s1600/Luminescent%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iGQx8rsWZuY/U-wPUfooB_I/AAAAAAAABis/_2ggOAgOn6Y/s1600/Luminescent%2B7.jpg" height="640" width="521" /></a></div>
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I like to think our soul is pure and luminescent at its core, just like this medal, unperturbed by our less happy thoughts and shining from within our hearts. If I could wish for the color of my soul to be, it would be this luminous white with shades of light blues....<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Az65jkXjmRw/U-wQKKPqy0I/AAAAAAAABi0/-MqRL58OvlQ/s1600/Shield%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Az65jkXjmRw/U-wQKKPqy0I/AAAAAAAABi0/-MqRL58OvlQ/s1600/Shield%2B5.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I would also hope my heart would be as untainted and as strong as a shield because it is filled with God's presence and love...after all He is the ultimate Shield for our hearts and souls...<br />
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Somehow I feel Robin's death also reconnected me to the notion that life is short and it should be lived at its fullest and it should be a testimony of God's work. <br />
It doesn't really matter what you believe in, I just think that you should be the best that you can be, and do what brings love to you and other folks...I'm still of the path of figuring it all out, but I am committed, I want to walk that road so badly, I would do anything to find it, so I keep searching and praying. But I keep searching and also making and doing, because I know that's the only way I can find the right track...<br />
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But at the end of it all, Love persists....Love is the only thing that really matters...my favorite chapter from the Bible I Corinthians 13 describes that very notion...so I will love those around me, even when I don't feel like it, I will find a job I'm absolutely crazy about, so that love can expand onto others, and abandon the one that is not my calling...soon, very soon, one day soon. I know I will know when the time is right, because His Spirit will guide me...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggSz-u9tHps/U-wSrvgK4_I/AAAAAAAABjM/5l1h-5uGvfc/s1600/Small%2BNecklaces%2BGrouping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggSz-u9tHps/U-wSrvgK4_I/AAAAAAAABjM/5l1h-5uGvfc/s1600/Small%2BNecklaces%2BGrouping.jpg" height="640" width="454" /></a></div>
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Please my friends, don't ever give up on Love, don't ever give up on Life, because it is the greatest gift we have, yes even the pain is a gift, because without it we wouldn't understand the happiness we pursue...</div>
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But if you ever feel too much pain, always turn to someone you Love, tell them, because God will speak to you through them...</div>
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Hang on...hang on... Love will prevail.</div>
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And with these abstract and yet solid thoughts...I wish you a wonderful week...may your souls find that Love, always...</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-46637766154921448142014-08-06T18:48:00.002-07:002014-08-06T18:54:16.254-07:00Midas Touch<span style="font-size: large;">So, hey! I'm still here, yeah...well, I haven't been cause I've been dragged by my work company out of the country...A LOT! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I tried to kick and scream and say no, but it just didn't work, so they dragged my ass out there as they are doing it again tomorrow afternoon/night. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes guys, I don't get to Europe until the wee hrs of the morning there and the middle of the night here on the East coast...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Just to give a clear idea, I get to Italy at 9 am which is 3 am for us...which makes it to where I don't get to bed till like 10.45-11 am...so 5 am!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Blah! I usually can't get up till 3 p.m. there or even 4...a girl gotta get some sleep. Then I get to do the trip all over again the next day...ah the glamour! So just a clarification here : I am not going on vacation every week, I'm actually working my little behind off (and hey I've lost some poundage, so I really have...)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ok granted, it's awesome having dinner there, I found my favorite vegan restaurant ever! It's called <a href="http://www.mudramilano.com/4/" target="_blank">Mudra</a> and it really is the most awesome restaurant on Earth! They got that stuff down!!! So I don't care what the rest of the crew does, I go there almost every week, it's my little reward for the long haul... Ok, so I will eventually post pictures, but I'll have to ask permission first...and of course...I will post also pics of the city...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And now enough with the whining! I finally get to share some stuff I made over the last couple of weeks ( I have more, but this is what I photographed for today) Took me forever to do anything, I had to just do it a little at a time...you know how you want to finish your vision and you just can't??? It sux...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So Midas touch, here's why...</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nl36qIrSGts/U-K1MGH-0II/AAAAAAAABdw/qkVGOtLTwhM/s1600/The+Golden+Rule+Earrings+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nl36qIrSGts/U-K1MGH-0II/AAAAAAAABdw/qkVGOtLTwhM/s1600/The+Golden+Rule+Earrings+2.jpg" height="640" width="510" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I went a little crazy with Gilder's Paste above, but I feel my inner Klimt is resurfacing... oh and hey! I totally forged those crazy frames...they kind of look like ribbons...sorta of a happy accident if you wish...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_k2-Ov3wc60/U-K1X4un1OI/AAAAAAAABd4/J9LS9oNDeV8/s1600/New+Slang+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_k2-Ov3wc60/U-K1X4un1OI/AAAAAAAABd4/J9LS9oNDeV8/s1600/New+Slang+5.jpg" height="482" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like I'm not happy if I don't start dipping everything in gold leaf...well bronze leaf to be exact...I think i like that is more muted and less in your face that the gold... yes, I did finally pick up the hammer and the soldering iron... I can use a torch, but not for this, unless I want to burn the mother of pearl to a crisp...I'm not sure how that would smell, but I'm sure it wouldn't be pleasant...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_peVQ7NL_r4/U-K2ELKz3lI/AAAAAAAABeA/r21fzvNnFlQ/s1600/Amber+Gypsy+Earrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_peVQ7NL_r4/U-K2ELKz3lI/AAAAAAAABeA/r21fzvNnFlQ/s1600/Amber+Gypsy+Earrings.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I promise I actually worked on pictures a little for my listings, but these that didn't go up on <a href="http://www.romantiquesoul.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy</a> kind of escaped me...these items are not up yet, but will be tonight, hopefully... I absolutely love these last ones...so delicate..</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-foKMb-qmzN8/U-K3XfevNWI/AAAAAAAABeM/N2BN5Xz88Vk/s1600/Amber+Gypsy+Earrings+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-foKMb-qmzN8/U-K3XfevNWI/AAAAAAAABeM/N2BN5Xz88Vk/s1600/Amber+Gypsy+Earrings+4.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Honestly though I could not come up with an inventive name for these last ones...oh well! They just are that, whatever title they have on Etsy...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm just glad I finally go to finish something! It feels like I never would! The good news is that next week I'll have 12 days off!!! The bad news is that I'll have to work a butt-load at the end of the month. I'm thinking about going to a bead show next Saturday & Sunday and work for them to get $240 worth of beads for free...sounds pretty sweet to me....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyways, I hope everybody has a great weekend and I'll keep you posted on my next venture soon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ciao, ciao!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wOfv_xSikc4/U-LZxHvX4fI/AAAAAAAABec/H6QoBRfhupI/s1600/Golden+Collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wOfv_xSikc4/U-LZxHvX4fI/AAAAAAAABec/H6QoBRfhupI/s1600/Golden+Collection.jpg" height="508" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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bye bye!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-89359879088560759602014-07-13T08:44:00.000-07:002014-07-16T10:14:08.872-07:00Blog Hop - My Artistic Ways<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So darling <a href="http://www.shipwreckdandy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shipwreck Dandy</a> invited me last week to answer four questions in this thing that is called a "blog hop". They are questions regarding an artist's work and ways of working, so thank you for the opportunity! It's a good exercise for myself as well, as I put in words what I do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here's some of her work:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_yrohzNBFY/U8KjOIWzICI/AAAAAAAABcM/Q0kMuhMJSfw/s1600/Shipwreck+dandy%2527s+beads+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_yrohzNBFY/U8KjOIWzICI/AAAAAAAABcM/Q0kMuhMJSfw/s1600/Shipwreck+dandy%2527s+beads+2.jpg" height="138" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3eyWpIfeNI/U8KjQp7eEAI/AAAAAAAABcQ/_SEoc6G-xcE/s1600/Shipwreck+dandy's+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3eyWpIfeNI/U8KjQp7eEAI/AAAAAAAABcQ/_SEoc6G-xcE/s1600/Shipwreck+dandy's+beads.jpg" height="172" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">What Am I Currently
Working On?</span></b></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I’ve currently engaged so many media I’ve lost count, but I
will start with the newest medium: polymer clay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I’ve started experimenting with polymer clay starting last
month and I’m currently working on some beads.
The goal is to produce authentically rustic beads that are nature
oriented. I’ve got to admit: Poly Clay
is HARD!!! I can’t believe all these artists that make beads work so hard and
charge so little! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Anyways, here’s some in progress, mostly attempts...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8CkQy1z0pEs/U8G7hL35ShI/AAAAAAAABbA/ktJo4e71yJc/s1600/IMG_2159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8CkQy1z0pEs/U8G7hL35ShI/AAAAAAAABbA/ktJo4e71yJc/s1600/IMG_2159.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I’m also working on reorganizing my supplies to post on my
supply shop. It’s an ongoing process but
I’m really behind, I really have quite a stash, and it doesn’t help that I get
sentimentally attached! I’m a bit of a
glass fanatic, especially vintage beads and I don’t often use them either!
What’s wrong with this picture?! But
they are so pwetty….</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here's a peak...just a peak of my vintage stash...MINE!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IcFu1rvi9A0/U8G8cQAEBmI/AAAAAAAABbM/t8cIu-f8704/s1600/IMG_2158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IcFu1rvi9A0/U8G8cQAEBmI/AAAAAAAABbM/t8cIu-f8704/s1600/IMG_2158.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I suppose jewelry-wise, I’m in the same boat:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I’m working on something rustic and organic like this at the moment...(in progress with others)</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVQ_Z0JyaiY/U8G9bZkD-VI/AAAAAAAABbY/wA2Y8yJp2HY/s1600/IMG_2156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVQ_Z0JyaiY/U8G9bZkD-VI/AAAAAAAABbY/wA2Y8yJp2HY/s1600/IMG_2156.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zKKxDSJqqI/U8Ki26UgDUI/AAAAAAAABcA/RVX2evfmOFI/s1600/IMG_2155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zKKxDSJqqI/U8Ki26UgDUI/AAAAAAAABcA/RVX2evfmOFI/s1600/IMG_2155.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">How does my work
differ from others of its genre? </span></b></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This is kind of a hard question to answer, so I’m going to
answer it bluntly: it doesn’t. Why would I say such a thing? Well, simply put as my sculpture professor
said in college “nothing is truly original, every art piece out there is based
on previous works”. I feel that is very
much true: whether you have looked at someone’s jewelry, painting, sculpture,
vase or whatnot chances are you have been somewhat been influenced by it. So in a sense I think we assimilate previous
work in our mental repertoire and somehow have that in the back of our mind at
all times. It’s not necessarily a
question of straight up “copying “ but it is just that it’s inevitable: I’m
looking daily at other people’s work I like and thinking “uh, I wanna try
that!”. I think it’s ok as long as you
incorporate ideas into your own style and meaning. I feel a style it’s something that just
develops on its own. So does my work
differ from others of its genre? Not particularly. Do I have a style of my own? Yes, but it’s
hard to pinpoint and describe, because it is a collection of interests,
influence and well…life experiences!</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">Why do I create what I do? </span></b></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Creating makes me happy and it frees my mind. It’s a
necessity, a way of living. Every time
I’m in front of a canvas or soldering a link, I feel closer to God, as He is
the ultimate creator. I also find it
very therapeutic and meditative. I think
human beings are inherently creators and denying that truth within us makes us
feel depressed. I believe if everyone took the time to create whether it’s a
piece of Art, a garden, a dish, the whole world would be a better place…as
cliché as it sounds it is indeed something I believe to be absolutely true…</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--dFyM816wzE/U8G48yeuxjI/AAAAAAAABa0/k6M8mGclnOs/s1600/meditation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--dFyM816wzE/U8G48yeuxjI/AAAAAAAABa0/k6M8mGclnOs/s1600/meditation1.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">How does my creative process work?</span></b></span></b></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Oh gosh! How doesn’t it work? If I could summarize it in one
word, it would be “through experimentation”…that was 2 words, wasn’t it?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You get the picture… ¾ of the time I change my work halfway
or when I’m close to finishing. Although
this may be a frustrating process to most, it’s essential in my work. Mistakes are left or corrected depending on
my personal aesthetics (don’t ask) and they play a main role in the outcome of
my work. This extends to all media:
whether it is spillage in a painting or a miscast in a sculpture or a crooked
link in a necklace, I feel all of it is not accidental, it is not to be hated,
but embraced.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My favorite professor in college, my Painting professor,
made sure I understood this very early in my artistic career: one of the first assignments she gave us was
a drawing assignment where we were forced to draw a still life she set up in our
classroom one day, only to come an change it the next with the same objects but
different positions. She would make us
erase everything that changed positions (“knock it back” she would say) and
re-draw it. The outcome would be this
quite messy drawing that had “ghosts” of chair legs, boxes, dolls and whatnot…</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Imagine all that, I just wanted to cry, because it wasn’t
“perfect” to my eyes. In time I learned
to appreciate the beauty of these “ghosts” and “mistakes” as I realized they
made the composition intriguing and organic.
I’ve been in love with “accidents” ever since. Handmade is human,
handmade is imperfect, handmade is organic, handmade is life itself…</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">OH YEAH! I also scribble and doodle a lot for inspiration...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qg6Ma7jchY/U8KdJSINRwI/AAAAAAAABbw/qeQ3QscYV7s/s1600/IMG_2162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qg6Ma7jchY/U8KdJSINRwI/AAAAAAAABbw/qeQ3QscYV7s/s1600/IMG_2162.JPG" height="400" width="340" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0sKYJ1wWH3U/U8KctPOAe9I/AAAAAAAABbo/kido9Gicoqo/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0sKYJ1wWH3U/U8KctPOAe9I/AAAAAAAABbo/kido9Gicoqo/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" height="400" width="185" /></a></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Anyways, I hope you’ve enjoyed this little rant and I hope
that it helps you understand my ways a little better when it comes to the
creative process. I especially hope I didn’t get too serious either ^_^; cause
I’m quite the contrary…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">And the next participants of the blog hop are...*drumroll*</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
<o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">-Angela Sasser from <i>Angelic Shades </i> and <i>Angelic Artisan </i>(painter, fantasy illustrator, mask and jewelry artisan)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://blog.angelicartisan.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">ShadowCraft - The Artisan Blog of Angela Sasser</span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">-Robyn Parrish from<i> The French Circus</i> (vintage assemblage jewelry artisan and designer)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thefrenchcircusvintagejewelry.com/blog/" target="_blank">http://www.thefrenchcircusvintagejewelry.com/blog/</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Please don't miss out on what these wonderful artists have to share on July 28th 2014! Make sure you mark their blog on your list!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">See you soon!</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-61056050928112161142014-07-02T18:23:00.001-07:002014-07-02T18:23:21.059-07:00Animal Kingdom and Other StuffHello friends,<br />
I hope everyone is staying cool.<br />
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So this week it's been sort of a random week, because I got so much friggin stuff to post and catch up on, no seriously, between the heat of GA and the amount of work, I feel like I'm losing my mind...I guess the heat is catching up to all of us, so in order to counter it, I just started drinking more water and started juicing...I'll be on a full well overdue cleanse next week when I have some time off with my full time job.<br />
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Nonetheless, it has been a very full and productive week. I was scheduled a lot for my day time job, but in between I was able to finish a custom order that took about 3 months to complete for an array of reasons (it really shouldn't have taken that long, but the dear lady was very gracious and understanding)<br />
So guess what? No custom orders until things slow down in the jobby job and that won't be till September...<br />
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Enough of my ranting, let's cut to the chase, here's the customer order, which I was very pleased about and I think she will be too:<br />
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"A Seamstress' Devotion"<br />
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Her best friend died of cancer and she lost her long battle not too long ago, she was an amazing seamstress. At the request of the customer, I hunted for a Victorian strawberry pin cushion with a sterling top -theses are HARD to acquire at a decent price- but I knew I would say yes when the strawberry magically came to me easily...it must have been a divine sign...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3XmIHXjn38/U7Spjx_W4DI/AAAAAAAABYA/faW1oWLmYCo/s1600/Custome+order+for+Janice+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a3XmIHXjn38/U7Spjx_W4DI/AAAAAAAABYA/faW1oWLmYCo/s1600/Custome+order+for+Janice+3.jpg" height="374" width="640" /></a></div>
L@@k at the details of the strawberry and that beautiful Spanish medal of MM...when I found it I know it would be perfect, as her friend often would sew a dress with a rosary around her wrist...just perfect!<br />
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Then she asked for another necklace that was themed in the same manner that would go together...so I made this one, with a super rare antique needle case , made of horn and most likely ivory, given the striations...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-iTxh1P_u4/U7Sq3wNpALI/AAAAAAAABYI/Gymq_7Z8d1Y/s1600/customer+order+for+Janice+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-iTxh1P_u4/U7Sq3wNpALI/AAAAAAAABYI/Gymq_7Z8d1Y/s1600/customer+order+for+Janice+2.jpg" height="640" width="570" /></a></div>
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And the this is how it all looks together:</div>
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The pictures don't even do them justice....so these are gone bye bye already...</div>
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And then for the second part of the blog...I have new items! yay! These time inspired by our world's creatures...</div>
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These will be up for sale tonight...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KfTDLS6g37M/U7SrlbJTaYI/AAAAAAAABYY/fmaTwhmOPgQ/s1600/Sea+Creatures+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KfTDLS6g37M/U7SrlbJTaYI/AAAAAAAABYY/fmaTwhmOPgQ/s1600/Sea+Creatures+5.jpg" height="640" width="538" /></a></div>
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If these little guys look familiar, it is because I made a similar pair oh, let's say last year. These are also hard to find treasures from most likely the mid-century era...but they look oh so Victorian! I love them! So much that I found these with another pair, and I'm keeping a set all for myself! Why? Because I really can't give up my last pair...I'll probably add gemstones to those too and wear them...And yes, just in case you're wondering, they are REAL seahorses!</div>
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And last but least, my pride and joy...I made this one a while back, but I had to change and tweak a few things. This one was inspired by the symbol of the House of Baratheon (yes, you Game of Thrones fans, I know you know what I'm talking about, what we all know...ok that's enough)...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z79kNYfblyo/U7StOWxjT9I/AAAAAAAABYg/2Pg3Q9Tye-U/s1600/House+Baratheon+SE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z79kNYfblyo/U7StOWxjT9I/AAAAAAAABYg/2Pg3Q9Tye-U/s1600/House+Baratheon+SE.jpg" height="560" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't think a stag gets to be much more regal than this one if I may say so...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9AaT8rS1jKM/U7StoSUwq6I/AAAAAAAABYo/cG81DSBztJc/s1600/House+of+Baratheon+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9AaT8rS1jKM/U7StoSUwq6I/AAAAAAAABYo/cG81DSBztJc/s1600/House+of+Baratheon+2.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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And yes, that is a pipe, to be exact a meerschaum pipe that someone smoked for a while...it still has a faint smell of tobacco, it's quite comforting really...lots of gemstones on this one...rubies, tourmaline, chrysophase, baroque pearls, just to name a few and a couple of milagros...uhhh...I just love it! You will start seeing more and more of this kind of work from here on as my metalsmith skills are increasing...the chain that is so irregularly and perfectly rustic was fabricated by moi! Say whaaat??? Yep, it's all me...</div>
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Speaking of which, I need to share what the awesome hubby made in class too...</div>
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But that will have to wait next week, with a ring I finally finished!</div>
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Till next week then, have a great 4th of July! I'll be out of the country as usual...keep tuned, I feel some Milan pictures coming up!</div>
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I wasn't born in the USA, but this kitten looks like he was born in the USA ...<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">♪♪ ♫♫♪♪♫♫♪</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93Wvq8VnYfo/U7SvFzRhTtI/AAAAAAAABYw/_wiOhkZn83U/s1600/Screen-shot-2012-07-03-at-3.58.48-PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93Wvq8VnYfo/U7SvFzRhTtI/AAAAAAAABYw/_wiOhkZn83U/s1600/Screen-shot-2012-07-03-at-3.58.48-PM.png" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-39334075438208392582014-06-25T14:27:00.004-07:002014-06-25T14:36:06.182-07:00Mythology JewelsOk, I guess sometimes I am a bit behind and now I'm playing catch up...so just a quicky post, but don't skip over the previous one written today also, it has some awesome info on the artist Klimt and it took a minute to write that one...<br />
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So this week, or rather last week I made a few simple earrings...and what they seem to have in common is, patina and mythology...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QqyirgYLkfM/U6s6nt_qHhI/AAAAAAAABUY/ryslBJKvh3A/s1600/Ancient+Harpes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QqyirgYLkfM/U6s6nt_qHhI/AAAAAAAABUY/ryslBJKvh3A/s1600/Ancient+Harpes.jpg" height="640" width="555" /></a></div>
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these just remind me of those thingys with wings, you know the ones that are half woman, and half bird...I swear I just bought a book on Mythology and I really need a refresher, because well 23 years later the stories are fuzzy, and I used to know them all so well...I think it's Harpes, yes, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpy" target="_blank">Harpies</a>, not to be confused with herpes or harps...ahem...</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eLJC-V7v17I/U6s8Hpbp_SI/AAAAAAAABUs/fgrQWi7W4Hg/s1600/Muses.jpg" height="640" width="518" /></div>
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Then these are two of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muses" target="_blank">Muses</a>, whichever ones are your favorites, mine are <span style="background-color: white; color: #000066;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #000066;">Calliope and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #000066;">Erato...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYUW7n06ciQ/U6s9znQZZuI/AAAAAAAABVA/-sGcMmTfTps/s1600/Ancient+Worlds+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYUW7n06ciQ/U6s9znQZZuI/AAAAAAAABVA/-sGcMmTfTps/s1600/Ancient+Worlds+5.jpg" height="610" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #000066;">and then these are inspired by Atlas, you know that guy that had the world on his shoulders...I think sometimes I feel the same way...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #000066;">Okey...so I'm gonna stop here, cauz I've done too much writing earlier...and these should be up soonish in my shop!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #000066;">So I'm still waiting for...41 more people to sign up to my blog *sigh* so encourage your friends! Tell them about the free earrings! I know you wanna win them ( I would ).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #000066;">So go on tell them! Let's get to 50! ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #000066;">here's a piccy again so your friends can see them :)</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHyx06dXnYA/U6DBoMlZORI/AAAAAAAABQE/pFGWQo11JH0/s1600/Poly+Faceted+Earrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHyx06dXnYA/U6DBoMlZORI/AAAAAAAABQE/pFGWQo11JH0/s1600/Poly+Faceted+Earrings.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #000066;">See you next week! </span></div>
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P.s...I'm not sure what is going on with the text, but It's all crazy...sorry about that...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-34960400891906743622014-06-25T06:59:00.003-07:002014-06-25T07:02:09.120-07:00Klimt - an Artistic Legend Hello everyone,<br />
it has been a wonderful week of creativity, inspiration and most of all, wondering speculation.<br />
I have had the pleasure of visiting the Klimt exhibit in Milan which featured 28 of his spectacular painting spanning from his early training years to his signature style. The exhibit was very through and it provided a free audio tour that walked the spectator through the most significant works of Klimt himself and some of the work of his contemporary Viennese Secessionist artists. I'm not going to divulge on everything, but I'll examine a few paintings from this exhibition.<br />
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What I always admired most from Klimt was his ability to adapt and experiment. Not only his signature style is recognizable world-wide, but he proved to be an extraordinary Natural Realism artist and an impeccable abstract landscape artist. <br />
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Below are the paintings that I found the most exciting from the exhibition:<br />
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"The Lady in Black" has almost a photographic quality to it and that's because Klimt was not afraid to utilize pictures (relatively new back then) to execute exquisite portraits such as this one. Note in the background how the tapestry has still a more abstract painterly quality to it...a recurrent technique in almost every work of his.<br />
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In his earlier years Klimt focused on understanding the figure in its entirety and followed a pre-secessionist classical approach that allowed him to develop his impeccable attention to the human figure, even in his later work. Don't you love when you find out an abstract artist can actually paint realistically too? This proves his genius.</div>
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Not much later his well known style starts to emerge as he chooses expression over extreme realism. In "Will o'the Wisps" Klimt exercises freedom manipulating and stretching figures and creates tension by almost filling the entire canvas with abstract shapes that resemble hair and waves. The women in his paintings here become ethereal and almost unnerving as they stare at the viewer sensually, almost inviting him into their world.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EK65_EWOZFc/U6rI6HKE2dI/AAAAAAAABTE/2rnRY6-f0t8/s1600/Flowing+Water+Gustav+Klimt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EK65_EWOZFc/U6rI6HKE2dI/AAAAAAAABTE/2rnRY6-f0t8/s1600/Flowing+Water+Gustav+Klimt.jpg" height="536" width="640" /></a></div>
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As we can see the abstraction continues in "Flowing waters" but this time with a nod toward a more developed figure, notice however that the abstraction of the waters once again takes over the canvas and the figures are being carried by the waves, rather than take action in them as if the forces of Nature prevail. This could also be a metaphor for the forces of sensuality and passion, as they are rapid and wild as these waters. The theme of the sensual woman as the essence of humanity carries over in just about any figurative work of his from now on.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KgC9mR9FieU/U6rKXR-OuyI/AAAAAAAABTQ/4OBnnS6lIaM/s1600/klimt-die-sonnenblume-1906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KgC9mR9FieU/U6rKXR-OuyI/AAAAAAAABTQ/4OBnnS6lIaM/s1600/klimt-die-sonnenblume-1906.jpg" height="640" width="630" /></a></div>
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The theme of woman/nature is evident in his landscape work as well. Notice how this sunflower is portrayed almost as a human figure and precisely a woman. The leaves and flowers almost form a dress beneath a "face" that is represented by the sunflower. When the viewer stands in front of this particular work it is as if the flower is looking down at him. It is quite amazing. So different from Van Gogh's sunflowers where the flowers represent what they are and the cycle of life. You can also notice in this work how the artistic climate at the time deeply affected Klimt: he is most definitely incorporating a mixture of Expressionism and Pointillism that was very popular in France, Germany and other parts of Europe. This really was one of the most fertile and diverse periods in the History of Painting.</div>
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This was probably my favorite piece of the exhibition. The exquisite sinuous lines once again highlight the sensual nature of this very vertical piece. "Judith II" is holding the head of John the Baptist, which is almost completely swallowed by her skirt. Klimt's work becomes very flat in nature with the exception of the figures' skin that still holds not only tridimensionality but also luminosity. The movement once again has a flow to much like the one of a fish or mermaid. At this point of his career Klimt was studying traditional Japanese painting and it influenced him greatly. There is a sense of nervousness once again in Salome' (Judith), almost hysteric, that is hard to describe: the clenching of the hands, the blank stare into the void, the inhuman torsion of her body, almost as if her murderous act was about to have negative consequences rather than reward. It's also important to notice that at the time a new woman started emerging, a woman that charmed artists and men with her sexual innuendos: la femme fatale. Mischievous and dangerous, the femme fatale could bring men to their knees and in the worse case scenario as portrayed here, death. </div>
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"Adam and Eve" is on of the few incomplete works, but nevertheless an amazing painting. Klimt died around the time he was painting it. I love this one and the luminosity of her skin. She is very different from the usual woman he painted. She is not thin and feeble, she is voluptuous and has a classical and <a data-href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Rubenesque" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCkQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.merriam-webster.com%2Fdictionary%2FRubenesque&ei=GtSqU774EIumyATw0YGYDQ&usg=AFQjCNH3s5bfs_yxxZuA7t57S11qRZ2gug&sig2=4YzB_XZLLRTpUXXWULLklg&bvm=bv.69620078,d.aWw" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">Rubenesque</a> figure. She represents fertility and motherhoood, she is gentle and pure, almost virginal. Notice how the man becomes a backdrop behind her. His eyes are closed as if Klimt wanted to say that he is not aware and alive as she is. This is a spectacular piece in person and it concluded the show.</div>
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I hope you enjoyed my little rant and that it helped you understand the artist better, if you need any additional explanations or questions please feel free to comment below, or any kind of comments are appreciated.</div>
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I will possibly post again tonight, as I have new work to show, if not tonight, definitely as some point this week.</div>
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Merci Beaucoup!</div>
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See you soon.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-60437312562225216232014-06-17T15:38:00.000-07:002014-06-17T16:19:02.857-07:00Faceted Yummy Beads and Possible GiveAway...Hello everyone,<br />
I'm back! yay! Just after a couple of days. Well it turns out that I caught a little something bug this past weekend, so I rested a little at home instead of going to work. Well instead of laying in bed, I've been dying to try my hand at some polymer clay faceted beads and thanks to my friend <a href="http://shipwreckdandy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shipwreck Dandy</a> I was able to succeed. At least I am very pleased with the results. Problem is, I know want to make a ton, and I mean A TON of them...I actually already did and even though I kept a few for myself, I actually am going to list them on Etsy on my Supply site (you can find it here on the side of this page).<br />
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I know I have quite a while to go with experimenting with glazes, other materials etc., but I've got to admit even though these are usually not the style I go for, they were so fun to make!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9DXK4X0F08o/U6C8iXkTXhI/AAAAAAAABOg/7h5GEBFP8TM/s1600/Green+waters+faceted+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9DXK4X0F08o/U6C8iXkTXhI/AAAAAAAABOg/7h5GEBFP8TM/s1600/Green+waters+faceted+4.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzuxoCRHFEg/U6C8nKXiGlI/AAAAAAAABOo/qaldQAx7fpk/s1600/Green+waters+faceted+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzuxoCRHFEg/U6C8nKXiGlI/AAAAAAAABOo/qaldQAx7fpk/s1600/Green+waters+faceted+7.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first ones I made are straight from a tutorial she published a while back. I dont' know if the color that I mixed is necessarily aqua like hers, but I think of it more of a pea green...<br />
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Then of course I had to try funky colors that I mixed and other paints and powders...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bq_3lpqIcm4/U6C9TEX1O4I/AAAAAAAABOw/78Dbh-PDW9U/s1600/Hot+Lilac+Faceted+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bq_3lpqIcm4/U6C9TEX1O4I/AAAAAAAABOw/78Dbh-PDW9U/s1600/Hot+Lilac+Faceted+3.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></div>
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These turned out so delicious, my friend Angela said she wanted to eat them...I guess they have a faceted bubble gum quality to them??? *shrugs shoulders*</div>
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Then I decided that I wanted to try a sort of opposite effect, where I would use lighter paint on a darker color, I've got to say these are probably my favorites...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxz2a3qh-xo/U6C-Ped2lMI/AAAAAAAABPE/7a0PA1fHpDs/s1600/Lavender+Relics+Faceted+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxz2a3qh-xo/U6C-Ped2lMI/AAAAAAAABPE/7a0PA1fHpDs/s1600/Lavender+Relics+Faceted+4.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kK-M6bqltNA/U6C-UIa0aPI/AAAAAAAABPM/wwqRmGPruRQ/s1600/Lavender+Relics+Faceted+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kK-M6bqltNA/U6C-UIa0aPI/AAAAAAAABPM/wwqRmGPruRQ/s1600/Lavender+Relics+Faceted+2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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These are probably more up my alley, since they look tumbled, scratched and a bit like faceted rocks...plus I just adore lavender, it is one of my favorite colors...</div>
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Then I went back to neutral colors, just because, I like neutrals...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ck6K3voi17c/U6C_UqCxHRI/AAAAAAAABPY/lsYlm0zB1hA/s1600/Concrete+Rolls+Faceted+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ck6K3voi17c/U6C_UqCxHRI/AAAAAAAABPY/lsYlm0zB1hA/s1600/Concrete+Rolls+Faceted+5.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EXV8mCY7wA0/U6C_YBCB3XI/AAAAAAAABPg/9hfTFdU-__o/s1600/Concrete+Rolls+Faceted+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EXV8mCY7wA0/U6C_YBCB3XI/AAAAAAAABPg/9hfTFdU-__o/s1600/Concrete+Rolls+Faceted+2.jpg" height="392" width="640" /></a></div>
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I feel like these have a cool concrete Stone-Hengey feel to them ( I think I've kind of spelled it wrong, sorry Brit friends)...funny thing is nothing gets lighter than polymer clay...really...maybe resin, but we are up on the same alley...</div>
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Then I went a little nuts with powders, paints, shaving and faceting etc...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCpTFeJd-Tw/U6DA0ZnTRCI/AAAAAAAABP0/ZkC-HbtzqBo/s1600/Stainglass+Faceted+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCpTFeJd-Tw/U6DA0ZnTRCI/AAAAAAAABP0/ZkC-HbtzqBo/s1600/Stainglass+Faceted+2.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46az-CKaJW4/U6DArfTp3bI/AAAAAAAABPs/3ic4sDbVc6o/s1600/Stainglass+Faceted+Beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46az-CKaJW4/U6DArfTp3bI/AAAAAAAABPs/3ic4sDbVc6o/s1600/Stainglass+Faceted+Beads.jpg" height="438" width="640" /></a></div>
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So these remind me of stain glass a bit. They are very irregular and chaotic and a bit scratchy, but that's what I love, it's the rustic look...I wanted to keep these, but then I figured I can make more...Looky at the little flower rolly thingy....isn't it so adorable?</div>
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Anywho, so of course I couldn't resist making a couple of earrings for myself and then I thought...why not give these as a give away?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHyx06dXnYA/U6DBoMlZORI/AAAAAAAABQA/93PyyAbEHGg/s1600/Poly+Faceted+Earrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHyx06dXnYA/U6DBoMlZORI/AAAAAAAABQA/93PyyAbEHGg/s1600/Poly+Faceted+Earrings.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Quicky picture, aren't these cute? </div>
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So here's the deal...as soon as I can get 50 people to follow my blog I will do repost these on a separate blog entry. When I do that entry I need you guys to comment on it...I will ask a question and I will need an answer. Once again, I need 50 people to follow my blog first! Then I will randomly draw the name of a person that commented on it, she will have a first choice, the second person I draw will have the other choice. How does that sound? I will post on this blog in communities, Etsy and FB.</div>
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NOTE: you must follow THIS BLOG, NOT my profile...</div>
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Let's get to that 50 fast! ;-)</div>
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Au Revoir!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11778837661977654516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888660985661488802.post-84296336947062609692014-06-15T07:47:00.000-07:002014-06-15T07:47:22.314-07:00Inspiration in the background and Damon AlbarnHey everyone,<br />
today I'm not sharing anything I've made, I will probably post some later this week.<br />
I just have a thought or two though regarding inspiration. Although my inspiration comes randomly at times and flashes or glimpses of it can be triggered by a leaf moving in the wind or attentively inspecting a brush stroke on a canvas, there is another form of inspiration that other artists pursue intentionally as much as I do. It is almost transcendental and it's hard to pinpoint, but it's there in everyone's mind: music.<br />
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I often take it for granted, but music has been in the background of an art session almost constantly. Very rarely complete silence presides in my studio when working. I've always had a song or a soundtrack playing while I work on either jewelry or painting or in my college years sculpture and ceramics. I've always felt music speaks to me even if I am not attentively listening as sometimes is just the pure melody of a song that guides the brush in my hand or the wire wrapping around a bead.<br />
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On Friday I had a reminder of all that when I watched <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damon_Albarn" target="_blank">Damon Albarn</a> performed with his new band at the fabulous <a href="http://foxtheatre.org/" target="_blank">Fox Theatre</a> in the Egyptian Room. Although at first I was disappointed that he wasn't performing in the main wide beautiful fairy tale room ( the one that has the starry sky for a ceiling if you've been there before), I later appreciated the intimacy of that tinier space. I soaked up every note, every word and every subtle piano strike of his amazing new solo album "Everyday Robots", and I wouldn't have in the starry room. I also had the for a while forgotten realization that his music has been a huge part of my life as I listened to <a href="http://www.blur.co.uk/" target="_blank">Blur</a> and <a href="http://gorillaz.com/" target="_blank">The Gorillaz</a> in my youth quite a bit. Somehow I believe the music and the lyrics guided my work as a co-product of God's inspiration (He inspired them and they inspired me).<br />
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One particular song stroke a nerve, the final song he performed to be exact (even though all of them were pretty amazing) "Heavy Seas of Love" and it reminded me that this artistic journey of mine is supported by my husband and when the time comes for me to quit my daily job I will be safe. I feel very lucky to have such a wonderful family having my back. Also this song reminded me that we all have "radiance" inside of us that we often don't acknowledge. It is s a very powerful thought.<br />
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And with that very thought I leave you this weekend...<br />
Happy Father's Day for all fathers out there (including my daddy)<br />
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What music inspires you? How does it relate to your work? I'd love to see your comments.<br />
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Cheers!<br />
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