Sneaky Peeky # 2

So, I’m getting close to having most of these pieces finished, but I thought you might like to see another update before they are all wrapped up:

I’ve been waiting on a couple of shipments of antique beads to arrive so that I could finish some of the chains; they came in this week so I’m good to go,

and I’ve also got to get all the custom boxes finished so that each piece has a snazzy place to call home.

I’m hoping to get most everything photographed this weekend so that they can all be up on Etsy by sometime next week.

I was also finally able to purchase some much needed toolery from Ornamentea-

I got a jeweler’s saw which will be great for working on some of the tin boxes I’ve recently gotten,

I also got a nice pair of magnifying goggles so that I can actually see what I’m doing,

and I got a good respirator so that I don’t die from the fumes and dust I’ve been creating. Well the respirator came from Home Depot, but I had to work extra hard to find one with lovely “fuchsia” dust cartridges.

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Finally, on a completely unrelated subject- I stumbled upon this shirt the other day on Etsy and think it must be about the coolest thing ever created- definitely have to have one.

Enjoy your weekend- M

Can You Say Score?

You know every now and again, you get lucky. I’m not talking lottery-type lucky because let’s be honest- if I were that lucky I could pay somebody to write this post for me -I’m just meaning I’ve come across some really good items as of late, and cannot wait to get started turning them into new pieces.

The first two things I’ve found are these awesome vintage compact cases:

They both are just oozing potential with all their openings and parts that move

Here they are disassembled-

This one is great because it has a piece that rotates a complete 360, and it has a wonderful clasp for closing the compact

This one, however, might just be the coolest shape I have ever found- it measures 2.5″ x 4″ which is perfect for a neck piece, and it has 2 doors that open, plus a nice recessed area in the top

I was also fortunate enough to find some good items this past weekend at the fleamarket:

The keys will make great clasps

And though this piece of antique celluloid would make a great centerpiece on a necklace, I think I’ll resell it in my shop.

Last but not least, what has to be my biggest stroke of luck of all- to be the Dad of a kid who looks great in striped pajamas.

Until next time-

-M

Storm Clouds and a New Home

I really love the loft where I live-did I say I really love it? Well, I do. From this height (on the 4th/top floor but up about 6 stories) you can see north almost to the Virginia border which is about 60 miles away. In the summer, especially in the evenings you have a great box seat to thunderstorms forming and moving east toward the coast, and the lightning displays can really be something.

For example:

This was a few weeks ago when a storm formed north of here; the storm cloud looks like something out of a renaissance painting.

It was catching the evening sun just right

These were taken back last spring

The lightning really put on a show that night

Then back in the early summer when a storm rolled through-literally. This was the craziest cloud I had ever seen-it stretched horizon to horizon, and actually “rolled” across the sky.

And finally a beautiful sunset from last fall

When we finally do move, I’m really going to miss this place; but I can hear the mountains calling, and sunset on the Blue Ridge Parkway is something not to be missed.

-M

Artfest Ft. Myers 2010

Just got a notice about Artfest Ft. Myers 2010 in the mail-

I checked out the website and application on line, and I have to say that this is probably one of the best put together shows I have seen in a while. They seem to really be interested in the comfort and success of the participating artists, which is often not the case with many shows. It is in Florida, so I’m not sure how that is going to work for us with a then 10 month old, but I’m going to apply anyway because it looks to good to pass up.

The application deadline is Sept. 16, and I encourage you to check it out if you are doing the show circuit. If you live in the area, maybe we’ll see you in February!

-M