Steampunk'd

Who could ask for a better trend? Steampunk style is screaming up the tracks right now. It's fun, quirky and has loads of historical flavor and personality. In years to come we'll look back over our shoulder and think of this defining time in our lives as Steampunk. Well, what's it about?  Science fiction, gears, a bridge between two worlds, if you will.

Here are a few of my recent works:

Brass key embellished with watch gears, polymer clay flowers and wings that haphazardly wrap around the key.

Polymer clay keyhole & antiqued wings.  Brass rivets & key complete the pendant.

Polymer clay keyholes burnished with brass rivots accent these earwires.

Brass butterfly ring base is the backdrop for yellow and teal polymer flower accents.  Brass watch gears embellishments.

Brass ring base with polymer clay flowers and watch gears...then antiqued.

Brass filigree ovals with a brilliant white polymer background and tropical punch flowers.  Gears and crystals accents.

Polymer clay tussie mussie with polymer clay seashell, flowers, and reeds.  Feathers and burlap complete the whimsy.

Polymer clay masquerade...with patina brass mask, brass rivets & feathers.

Sweet polymer clay ladybug pendant.  Gears and "stitching"

Queen Bee polymer pendant with "stitching", gears and raw brass crown of course!

Sun dial clay pendant.  Brass watch gears/parts.

Clay, brass, gear pendant with stitching and a little "shaking" going on!

If you could see inside my heart clay pendant.  Gears, ladybug charm & stitching.

Blackstone, VA Arts & Crafts Show Sept. 2010

For those of you who missed our grand entrance to the art world...

Welcome

New Signage!!

"Natural" display table

Please excuse the wrinkled table covering...I did iron it before the show opened to the public.

Brought a little Steampunk to Blackstone...and yes, I caught a few "looks!"

Vintage table display

See you in Sept 2011!!



Blood Shed

Meandering through the craft aisles this nifty little craft knife just screamed "buy me...you need me...I will change your life."

It's the Fiskars Fingertip Control Craft Knife.  I use my Exacto knife on almost every piece, and lately I've been making carved beads and it's hard enough to hold straight from the oven clay (makes for easier carving)and carve precisely at the same time without drawing blood.  I really thought I'd found the solution...wrong!  This little gadget is the devil!

Honestly, I understand that the majority of the world is right handed.  I even fully understand that most products are not lefty-friendly, but blood should not have to be shed  (literally) in order to change a blade so that I can use it.  After fidgeting with it for 20 minutes the blade finally locked into place correctly, although I'm sure the blood flow from impaling myself slowed down my progress.

Then it hit me...the person who designed this must of severed his own finger therefore making it impossible for him (yes, you know it had to be a man) to manipulate a standard craft knife...although it does make a handy little weapon.

A Beautiful Disaster

I just couldn't put it off anymore...the studio had become even too disorganized for me!  OCD'ers might want to look away...it's not pretty!

Before:

I can't believe I just posted those...that tiny little area of counter that is semi clear is what I've been using as my work space for the past couple of weeks.  Pathetic.  I have no clue why there's nail polish off to the lower right...I'm assuming I was half assing painting my tootsies while finishing a project. 

So this morning I spent 4 hours de-stashing, organizing, and making my area conducive to productivity...or at least I hope that's what I accomplished....if not, that's 4 hours of my life I'll never get back!

I think my efforts paid off....tada!!

I'm so proud of myself...even all the little drawers close all the way....who knew? :) 

Now for the rest of my house...do I have any takers? :)

Get Involved!

I'm ashamed to say I haven't contributed as much as I should to charitable organizations and events.  However, last year gave me an opportunity to experience my first Relay For Life.  I was completely spent yet exhilarated by the end of the day.  Never before have I had the chance to witness the massive impact a group of people can create and to participate is such an emotional and rewarding day.  Here are just a few highlights.

Our 2010 team

My sweet husband learning to knit caps on a round loom.

Just a few of the hundreds of luminaries that lit the night.

Our reason.

Harrowing.

This year, clad with my new clay obsession, I've been searching my mind for months how I can give more of myself.  Again, we'll stay for the entire 12 hour event, and with 4 children in tow, that's not always an easy feat.  I want for them to experience the good that still remains in this world, to grow up giving back more than they take from this world, and to be a part of something bigger than all of us...hope.

After a few (ok, a lot) disasters, I came up with some cancer awareness pins that I'm extremely proud to display.  100% of proceeds will be donated to the Relay For Life organization that day...I could nor will I ever profit from someone else's misfortune or tragedy.  We all have a story, and I can't wait to hear just a few of them this May!

This is just an example of what's coming out of the studio until May.  Rest assured all awareness colors will be represented.

He's My Cover Snatcher

God bless my husband.  He deserves sainthood, plain and simple.  He lives in a "world of girls."  Between myself, 3 daughters & their slew of friends, there's no shortage of estrogen here!  Yet, he takes all the giggling, silliness, screeches (at spiders of course) and every practical joke imagined like a true trooper.  I've got to find him a tin foil medal somewhere....

He never says a word about the paint stained sinks, lumps of clay laying randomly about the house, chores left undone, and everything else that doesn't get cleaned,shined or polished because of our lack of a housekeeper!

He does however, snore loud enough to wake the dead, kick me in his sleep, steals my pillow, and snatches the covers. 

I overlook all of the above simply because he believes in me.  He's my biggest fan, who comes home every evening and heads straight into the studio to kiss me and see what my insanity created that day.  He hangs on my every description, explanation and vent.  Now I'm not saying he "really" processes and relates to everything I say...afterall he is still a male...just that he's gotten very good at nodding his head and acting like he does...

Did I mention he grew up with all girls?  Smart man.

How Appropriate

I missed the calling when it comes to cooking/baking skills.  I'm uninterested, bored, put out even....and to be honest, my philosophy is that it's nothing more than a massive "time suck."

Don't get me wrong, I'm envious of friends who crank out elaborate dishes, cakes, other sugar coated confections and 12 course, 5 star dining experiences...it's just not me.  So, I giggled when I came across this the other day:

Of course my family isn't starved for home cooked meals.  I just don't spend my day in the kitchen pouring over new recipes like a manic Julia Child.  Yes, there are many days when it's a free-for-all around here for dinner...but what's a girl to do?  I have clay curing!!  For what it's worth...I make a mean batch of peanut butter cookies...just ask the dog!