Junk Jewelry
I’m starting to get into making junk/altered/found item jewelry. I like how it forces me to be more creative in how I look at everyday objects. Plus, I’ve never been a traditional jewelry fan. I guess that is because of the artistic kinda girl I am, I’m always drawn to more “funky” stuff.
It started recently when I found out about a charm swap, being run by Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine. ( http://quiltingarts.com/cpsmag/cps_challenge.html )Send in up to 5 charms, and get that many back made by other people who enter their charms. I’m looking forward to seeing what I get back that other people have created. I’m working on my 4th charm now. Because of course, I’m sending in the maximum number of 5! Charms must be in their offices by April 13th, so I need to get busy and finish my last two. I’m trying to make them all as different as possible. One turned out so well, I’m going to make another just like it, but in a different color for myself to keep and wear. I’ll post some pictures later today.
I’m trying to look at any item, from the hardware store, to old toys, electronics… and see the pieces as jewelry items. Not only does it make for great recycling, but it really stretches your creative mind, to think beyond traditional crafting supplies. I’m going with a couple friends tomorrow to the Scrap Exchange in Durham, NC (scrapexchange.org). I’m going to be keeping my eyes open for things to use in my charm and jewelry making. Needless to say, I’m so excited. They always have completely different things in stock every time you go, so it’s always a surprise to see what kinds of cool stuff you can find.
Short and Sweet Handy Tip
I hope I can keep it short and sweet. I remembered this very simple but extremely useful idea for use when altering books. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of it, but try using bulldog clips… the ones that look like this:
for holding your books open while you gesso or design pages. Simple, yet extremely helpful. I don’t think I have any new wisdom to impart this week. I’m still prepping for the scrapbooking convention in Charlotte this weekend! I had to go get some last minute supplies for some of my classes. Only two more days and counting! Now let’s just hope I don’t give myself a hernia carrying all my supplies, lol!
Craft Supplies & Mowing
So… I was supposed to mow the grass yesterday while the kids were at bible school, but I couldn’t get the mower to start. Found out today after my husband got home that the lever on the handle is the throttle, not for a self propelled mower. I feel like a dope. Although, a guy from across the street came over to help me and he couldn’t start it either. So, I don’t feel too bad. I was going to mow today, but it started to rain, too bad.
I had to make another trip to A.C. Moore to get some sealer to use on my milk jug toy totes. Also, I always print their coupons online and take it to the store to buy one thing at a time to get 40-50% off. It’s slow, but a much cheaper way to build up your crafting tools. Especially for tools, rather than supplies. If they have a coupon for 40% off one item and it’s good for 5 days, I print one out for every day and then go buy one thing with the coupon each day.
When I haven’t been working on my toy totes or the jewelry, I’ve been going to the library and checking out as many books as I can find on journaling and altered art of all kinds. I really like just looking through the work for inspiration and technique ideas. I definitely know that altered art is my niche. I’ve never been able to throw things away, especially cool electronic components or pieces of equipment even when it is completely broken because I always find myself thinking… I could make something out of that. I’m also drawn to people’s garbage. Some people throw away such cool stuff! Whenever I pass a house that has a bunch of stuff stacked out for the trash man, I can’t help but slow down and look if there is anything interesting as I pass. Kind of like how people slow down and stare as they pass accidents.
Doesn’t look like I’m gonna run out of things to do any time soon, with all the things I’m interested in working on. I’m not sure how someone specializes in just one thing and that’s it. If I’m not in the middle of about 5 completely different projects I feel like I’m not getting anything done. Guess I’ll go now and get something done.
Crafts, Shopping & Organizing
I have been taking a slight break on my altered books, so that I can build up some crafts to sell on ebay. I am trying to start earning some extra income and still be able to stay at home with the kids full time. I hate the thought of having to go out to get a job and have to spend half of my paycheck on daycare. I have a degree in graphic design and have always done art my whole life, so trying to make a living off artistic endeavors is not that great a leap. I bought some bamboo tiles quite some time back to make some necklaces but never got inspired enough to start them. I worked on organizing my craft space so that I could work in there without going crazy! I have to have a neat organized place to work, or I keep getting distracted by the mess.
A couple days ago I took the kids to The Scrap Exchange, in Durham, North Carolina to look around. (www.scrapexchange.org) I found a great bag of beads for only $1! I bought a number of other things there as well… things that are really not entirely describable, but very cool looking! So, today, since I had a coupon, I went to A.C. Moore to get some jewelry making tools to start working on my bamboo tile pendants. My husband comes home with the camera tomorrow, so I hope to have a number of items to try listing. I’ve seen some things that I thought were pretty ugly sell on there, why not my stuff? LOL. Isn’t that what everyone thinks probably? I’ve finished a couple milk jug toy totes and I’m almost done with three pendants, just waiting for them to dry so I can finish assembling them.
Unfortunately, after I take the kids to bible school this evening I have to try and mow the grass. Bummer. It is rather like a jungle out there though. I have to take the our bulldog, Gordo, out to the bathroom a number of times a day and I’m getting tired of wading through knee high weeds. Here’s a picture of him.
That’s about all we have in the yard, weeds. Weeds and dirt. There are only a few small patches of actual grass. We hate it, but it is a rental so we aren’t going to pay money to fix up a yard that doesn’t belong to us.
Beginning soon, I’m going to start listing some technique ideas on a daily basis. I was spending my time at the library while the kids were playing on the computers brainstorming for some starter ideas for my ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards). I figured I’d pass these along to others who may be struggling for some inspiration. Especially since the techniques will work for many other things besides ATC’s.
Until next time!
Altered Books Day 2
Going to a meetup group scrapbooking evening tonight. Hoping to get a bunch done on my altered books. I need a break from the scrapbooks I’ve been working on anyway. Still a little stuck on ideas, need to do some research before I get my stuff together so I can get my creative juices flowing. I’m at that point in a couple of the projects where I know what I want to do with a couple of the books, but I can’t quite get it to look the way that I want. That is always my biggest problem, getting what is in my head onto the paper, book, canvas… whatever. One of the new supplies that I tried recently that I really like is used dryer sheets. They can add great texture to your project, and can be cut into shapes and painted. Plus, it is cheap, since you normally would just throw them away. Ever see that artist that made pictures from dryer lint? That was pretty cool. I’ve been tempted to try it, but it seems like a bit more trouble than it’s worth.
I share my art space with the washer and dryer and the dirty clothes. We have a basement that is divided into two sections… one large and one small. My husband has taken over the larger section as his “man room” for the pool table and the extra television. I’ve been slowly cleaning out and improving the small laundry/storage area where I’ve set up my art table and supplies. It is convenient in that I can work on my art projects while keeping my eye on the laundry. I’ve plugged in a small television and a cheap extra dvd player that we had in my little area so I can have something to watch/listen to while I get work done. I can’t usually deal with silence. Only when I’m tired and wanting to read can I take it quiet. Here’s a picture of what it currently looks like… as I said, I’m constantly trying to organize and improve my space as I’m able to get rid of stuff to give myself more room.
Now I’ve got to go start organizing my stuff to take tonight. Easier said than done.
Tools of the trade
I spent a good 30 minutes in Joann’s the other day trying to decide whether to get the Crop-a-dile Big Bite or the regular one. I had a coupon for 40% off of one regular priced item and the Big Bite was $10 more. Also, there was the size consideration, given that the Big Bite is quite a bit larger and more cumbersome to carry around. But on the up side, there is the 6 inch reach the Big Bite has to get your eyelet or hole into the interior of the item you are working on. Finally, I decided on the Big Bite as it would be more versatile, giving me more creative bang for my buck. Once I got it out of the package though, it didn’t seem nearly as heavy as it did in the store. I needed a way to punch holes in the covers of some of the books I was working on and felt I didn’t want to get stuck with the 1 inch reach of the regular Crop-a-dile.
There are so many tools these days it can make your head swim! I have a Xyron sticker maker, a Cuttlebug die cut machine and the Crop-a-dile Big Bite that I was mentioning. I try not to get too carried away spending money on crafting machine, as some are not really worth the money. I really enjoy my Cuttlebug because I HATE cutting out shapes with a craft knife or scissors. Right now, I am mostly sticking with shapes and letters for the die cuts, rather than the cute puppies, babies, and the more themed shapes. I figure how many uses will I get out of those. There are only so many baby themed items you can make and still be original.
