tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21218981113819541512024-03-13T03:28:58.774-07:00EveryDay Jewelry by LynetteMusings, ramblings, art, et alUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-46971708114123692062012-07-13T16:05:00.000-07:002012-07-13T16:05:21.917-07:00Dress Forms for Statement or DisplayThe gallery (Eclectics, in Kansas City, MO) where I'm a member needed a dress form for displaying jewelry, etc. but we didn't want to spend the big bucks required to buy a vintage seamstress body. Then I found a pattern for making one on Etsy! Thanks to Jackie at <b>4myfavoritethings </b>shop on Etsy for their great pattern.<br />
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My first one was made from burlap, for displaying gallery items. I've been branching out since then.<br />
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Upholstery fabrics work well, but so does any fabric when lined with something sturdy such as canvas.<br />
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Found a big piece of black lace left over from some past project - it's very dramatic.<br />
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This denim one was made from a worn out pair of Dale's jeans. The waistband became the bottom trim and a couple pockets (front and back) add interest.<br />
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I even saved the tiny red Levi's tag and added it into a seam on the front, along with a little lace trim.<br />
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I have ideas for a steampunk one, and someone wants one to match her black, green, white and red dining room decor! Think I'll list a couple on Etsy and see if anyone wants one ready-made.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-8695540222697115682012-06-30T13:19:00.000-07:002012-06-30T14:06:14.713-07:00Bridal Garter from Heirloom Fabrics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My first nephew to get married is tying the knot next weekend in Milwaukee. I promised to make his bride a garter to wear, using some bits of crocheted lace and tatting my sister had collected from one (or more) of our grandmothers' sewing bags.<br />
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Now my style is usually "shabby chic", asymetrical, rough-edged and intentionally non-traditional. This bride is both dainty and traditional and I have <i>no idea</i> if she will like what I came up with.<br />
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It's not as collage-like as I would normally do, but it is also not as dainty as many bridal garters!<br />
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Fabrics used were:<br />
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<li>cream bridal satin from Grandma Ruth Baumgarten's wedding dress (scraps remain from when it was deconstructed to make Laura Fisk Roose's wedding dress in 2003....no, I don't ever throw fabric away, especially if it has history!)</li>
<li>Purple and black silk brocade with Chinese medallion pattern (purchased in Hawaii, 1976) in honor of Angela's time spent in China.</li>
<li>Plum polyester (from my stash - who knows what I bought it for? - hope it matches)</li>
<li>vintage handmade heirloom laces (see below)</li>
<li>3 satin-covered buttons from Grandma Ruth's wedding dress </li>
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Tatted lace - <i>possibly </i>made by Laura Baumgarten, sister in law of Great Grandma Minnie Baumgarten. This may have been found in her sewing box. We do know Grandma didn't do tatting but she may have been given pieces by one of her relatives.<br />
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Crocheted lace - <i>possibly </i>made by Great Grandma Minnie Baumgarten.<br />
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Crocheted lace (pillowcase edging) - <i>probably </i>made by Great Grandma Laura Krumm.<br />
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Tatted lace medallions - <i>possibly </i>made by Laura Baumgarten, sister in law of Great Grandma Minnie Baumgarten.<br />
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So, we'll see if it matches - she does have another one already, that she can use to toss!<br />
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I'd wear it for a photo, but don't think it would help you. You'll have to imagine it on a young leg until after the wedding.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-37310135505792646992012-06-26T08:07:00.000-07:002012-06-26T08:08:59.143-07:00Family Favorite Footstool TutorialSo, last week my mom visited and together we worked on a project: recreating a footstool made from reclaimed materials. This is a new one we made for my son's family.<br />
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My grandmother (and her sisters) made these stools in 1950s from 48oz juice cans, old socks, cardboard and old fabrics (sweatshirts, worn-out quilts, upholstery scraps and heavy cord).<br />
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We deconstructed a worn one, used the pieces for patterns and recovered it, then made two more.<br />
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(and YES, I totally saved the two pieces of worn-out hand-quilted quilt pieces that were inside!!!)<br />
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I'm not sure what this will be used for, but it's a precious scrap of the past. How old and ragged must the quilt have been for Grandma Krumm to cut it up for padding inside a footstool? How many people slept under it's warmth before that? Who hand-stitched the pieces together? (It was quilted by machine - with simple parallel rows - nothing fancy, but very even, tiny stitches.) Just how old is it?<br />
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According to the Singer website, the sewing machine was invented in 1851 and serial numbers started being issued in 1871. Grandma was married in the 19-teens so by 1955, quilts she made early in her marriage could easily have been worn out. And I know she went to some type of sewing school for a while, so she may have gotten her sewing machine in the early 1900s. (That's another topic - I have a notebook she used, with drawings of pattern pieces, instructions, and class notes.)<br />
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I hope to put together a tutorial for making this little beauties....which I'll post here. Leave a comment if you are interested.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-69204166731366631282012-05-24T10:36:00.001-07:002012-05-24T10:36:10.194-07:00Blessings....So many blessings in May. The bluebirds are back, setting up housekeeping for a 2nd clutch of babies. Dale and I went to our nephew Luke's high school graduation, with my mom. She spent an afternoon making her famous homemade doughnuts.<br />
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Yes. They were THAT good. <br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-7650893701477557282012-05-16T09:44:00.000-07:002012-05-16T09:45:04.431-07:00Bluebirds 2012Bluebirds finally nested in our yard this year! Hurrah! They have been such fun to watch.<br />
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Last week, the first babies fledged and it has seemed quiet without them. Mr. Bluebird has been ever watchful, using the feeder hooks to perch with a good "lookout's" view of the yard. In the mornings, he would latch onto the screen on our dining room windows, looking in at us and out over the birdhouse.<br />
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When the babies started sticking their heads out the door, we knew they were about ready to fly away....<br />
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...even so, when the babies fledged and everyone left, we missed them.<br />
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Two days go, we noticed the randy local sparrows visiting the bluebird house....so I "locked the door" with a small strip of duct tape to keep them from squatting since we were hopeful Mr and Mrs Bluebird would return.<br />
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This morning, while drinking my coffee, I heard a small "thup" and there was Mr. B, attached to our window screen. I ran down to remove the tape from the birdhouse door! I could just hear him - "Why was our house closed? We've only been gone a week..."<br />
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So far, we've seen Mr. B and a juvenile. Hopefully Mrs. B will soon be back to re-feather the nest for the next brood.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-12827004668822876202012-03-11T14:08:00.000-07:002012-03-11T14:13:04.794-07:00Black and White Obsession<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Black and white. It must be the colorless Midwest pseudo-winter we've had....but black and white seed beads are my current obsession. That and big, statement necklaces that cover the throat and upper chest in bling!</div>
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SO, just how many black and white seed beads do I need? My favorite online bead suppliers (<a href="http://www.bellomodo.com/" target="_blank">Bello Modo</a> and <a href="http://www.cbbeads.com/" target="_blank">Charlenes Beads</a>) probably think I'm nuts. But their great "no minimum order" policies make it easy to go online and find the exact next size bead I want!!</div>
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<img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lNpZFQny80/T10NKZQWpaI/AAAAAAAAOB4/Z_1cAYzkYRE/s320/IMG_5001.JPG?gl=US" width="320" /></div>
How many are out there? Lots - more than I have already purchased, but I have some cool ones.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JD1m4PcTRss/T10NKm_mngI/AAAAAAAAOCE/5YofWStB35I/s912/IMG_5002.JPG?gl=US" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JD1m4PcTRss/T10NKm_mngI/AAAAAAAAOCE/5YofWStB35I/s320/IMG_5002.JPG?gl=US" width="320" /></a></div>
I'll admit, the differences are subtle. But when focused on creating a round peyote-stitched medallion that looks good, lays flat and stays round, the beads make a huge difference.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXKgPBepfAQ/T10NLeRMLJI/AAAAAAAAOCQ/NdJlzWk47dc/s640/IMG_5003.JPG?gl=US" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXKgPBepfAQ/T10NLeRMLJI/AAAAAAAAOCQ/NdJlzWk47dc/s320/IMG_5003.JPG?gl=US" width="320" /></a></div>
Here are the current pieces piling up, waiting to be joined together into a black and white statement bib necklace. Here is the first one. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/237283474087091787/" target="_blank">see on Pinterest</a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C9c1AA3kKb8/T10NJMHDjZI/AAAAAAAAOBk/Pzc5ssJY-rM/s512/Black%2520and%2520White%2520Medallion%2520Bib.jpg?gl=US" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C9c1AA3kKb8/T10NJMHDjZI/AAAAAAAAOBk/Pzc5ssJY-rM/s320/Black%2520and%2520White%2520Medallion%2520Bib.jpg?gl=US" width="320" /></a></div>
For the detailed minded, note that the medallions are all a little bit different, except for 3 black on white starbursts and 3 spirals that are <i>almost </i>the same. Hence the spiral rope and the spiral sterling wire hook. Yay! It's a theme!<br />
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I should also note that the whites are not all the same - some are WHITE shiny opaque and some are WHITE OPAL GILT LINED - which lends a slight goldish glint to the whole piece.<br />
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It' was my first time making spiral rope (so easy, so versatile - genius! Thank you whoever first figured this out!). BUT they don't tell you exactly HOW to attach the spiral rope - which is woven with a single continuous thread - to a large piece or to a clasp. So I made up my own way....<br />
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and clasp<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYa6Rz5HAeY/T10N0KwJsfI/AAAAAAAAOEg/3KoexLyKb1Y/s640/IMG_4936.JPG?gl=US" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYa6Rz5HAeY/T10N0KwJsfI/AAAAAAAAOEg/3KoexLyKb1Y/s320/IMG_4936.JPG?gl=US" width="320" /></a></div>
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Strong. Reinforced. and Scaled appropriately. Guess I'd better write THAT out so I don't forget what I did. <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-6362178803353024542012-02-27T12:11:00.000-08:002012-02-27T14:33:23.954-08:00Black and WhiteLike most everyone, I love color. And normally my beadwork reflects my color personality....my bead stash certainly does! I buy seed beads primary because the colors attract me - only rarely for a specific pattern. As a result, my library of seed bead sizes and colors is dominated by jewel tones, AB finishes, charlottes, greens, blues and bronzes. Sure, there is the occasional matte finish or opaque red or transparent yellow, but you will look long and hard to find many pastel beads, or lavender or orange.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd5Ue7M2FEgACL68ZiiMDITzWJbqzExsIEJhAdS12riW6Xdp41botewMdzSaIz4IG1I003nuz1GcN6LIiUJwBt8Aqvhfq_wqYX6gyHpQAW3G0lYjCWk5EqDpGgFSmXRgiZudELcg_VD9y/s1600/black+and+white+peyote+bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd5Ue7M2FEgACL68ZiiMDITzWJbqzExsIEJhAdS12riW6Xdp41botewMdzSaIz4IG1I003nuz1GcN6LIiUJwBt8Aqvhfq_wqYX6gyHpQAW3G0lYjCWk5EqDpGgFSmXRgiZudELcg_VD9y/s320/black+and+white+peyote+bracelet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
But, I do have various black and white beads....so when I decided to experiment with my published <a href="http://bylynette.blogspot.com/2009/01/step-by-step-beads-magazine.html" target="_blank">peyote bracelet pattern</a> by working a stripe into the design, I chose black and white beads.<br />
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Actually the first striped version was an attempt at an all-black bracelet for a friend and golly! It was very hard to see where I was. See what I mean???<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQNTi6SCp9EQQ-dSRJYYu5ASKX_W3g-iJF7IGPgzyj-CzDt60SlZIippxWkrZBA_Hu0fkb4UWAeaUT2cDAaxtg3xFsO7S07PyQWNAYYQruBr26zJv2FcHGJd2fNML_u3heBvd9tF9M8LT/s1600/peyote+black+stripe+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQNTi6SCp9EQQ-dSRJYYu5ASKX_W3g-iJF7IGPgzyj-CzDt60SlZIippxWkrZBA_Hu0fkb4UWAeaUT2cDAaxtg3xFsO7S07PyQWNAYYQruBr26zJv2FcHGJd2fNML_u3heBvd9tF9M8LT/s320/peyote+black+stripe+detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The striped weave is mostly size 15/0 hex and 15/0 rounds. It looks great, sparkles nicely. Can you believe it wasn't what my friend had in mind, so she sent it back? But took so long to make I cannot bear to sell it and it now lives in my private collection. <br />
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So this time I used black and white beads...and I love the way it turned out! And it WAS a lot easier to see the pattern.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOBKXSQ4qIw5bsFX9yPRLXaUFxuqExRhyphenhyphenBpuBOUnQc1e7kz6Z5_KlyjOWnyN8UA7DEil-lS0ZXT1-uvcNasEhj5xfc65qXHW2cgoLlNjhuA0oUVF_r7fai3pmtC1VHWXaB8B1R98bMnGy/s1600/black+white+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOBKXSQ4qIw5bsFX9yPRLXaUFxuqExRhyphenhyphenBpuBOUnQc1e7kz6Z5_KlyjOWnyN8UA7DEil-lS0ZXT1-uvcNasEhj5xfc65qXHW2cgoLlNjhuA0oUVF_r7fai3pmtC1VHWXaB8B1R98bMnGy/s320/black+white+detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Since the stripe pattern is so angular, I opted not to use my usual beaded toggle, but added a slide tube clasp, attaching with the same 15/0s used in the bracelet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnX00eL2_0TXlMzGHPOqgz4-_XlDumvC_SrEJVSkj84YCSFwou1vBfmkH5UyW70FlFhdQvuBblAxuv0oI6r3i4fSmBt-N5p9b4YDVdTcBapLVYiJdpCRxT9frWqs4JspEv71zL466fkRe/s1600/IMG_4320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnX00eL2_0TXlMzGHPOqgz4-_XlDumvC_SrEJVSkj84YCSFwou1vBfmkH5UyW70FlFhdQvuBblAxuv0oI6r3i4fSmBt-N5p9b4YDVdTcBapLVYiJdpCRxT9frWqs4JspEv71zL466fkRe/s320/IMG_4320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Now I think it's time to do more experimenting with black and white beads. Just ordered more from my favorite bead suppliers -- <a href="http://www.bellomodo.com/" target="_blank">Bello Modo</a> (free shipping!) and <a href="http://www.cbbeads.com/" target="_blank">Charlenes Beads</a> (hard to find colors, half kilo and kilo packages).<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-91062249729566369822011-12-31T12:58:00.000-08:002011-12-31T12:59:13.382-08:00Four Generations Photo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INPxvsNUXD0/Tv92hYosJSI/AAAAAAAAN6Y/T-O_GyXYOLk/s1600/generations.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INPxvsNUXD0/Tv92hYosJSI/AAAAAAAAN6Y/T-O_GyXYOLk/s320/generations.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>Great Grandma Baumgarten with daughter, grandson and great-grandchildren on the Fisk side.<br />
Pastor Jonathan Fisk, Grandma Lynette Fisk, Great Grandma Ruth Baumgarten (front) with Fisk grandkids (l-r) Trinity Promise, Anastasia Aviella, Chloe Elkanah and Fides Athanasius. Photo taken November 2011 in Naperville, Illinois.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-40845366909554893272011-12-28T17:15:00.000-08:002011-12-28T17:15:39.583-08:00Jonathan's Recent Installation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.bethanylcs.org/" target="_blank">Bethany Lutheran Church</a> in Naperville, Illinois, installed Jonathan Fisk as their third pastor in November, 2011. Check out the <a href="http://bethanylcs.libsyn.com/webpage/november-20-2011-4pm-the-installation-of-the-revernd-jonathan-mc-adam-fisk" target="_blank">podcast</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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It was a great week, which included celebrating Thanksgiving. Great-grandma Baumgarten was there and got to spend time with her Fisk great-grandkids.<br />
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Jonathan and first son, Fides, enjoyed a moment at the post-ceremony congregational dinner. (no, he wasn't really choking, but trying to get his fist into his mouth, like any normal 6 month old.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u4ketNXyuHA/TtFXlWqRKjI/AAAAAAAANr4/tKpM-5ZCKqk/s640/IMG_4445.JPG?gl=US" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u4ketNXyuHA/TtFXlWqRKjI/AAAAAAAANr4/tKpM-5ZCKqk/s320/IMG_4445.JPG?gl=US" width="320" /></a></div>Jonathan and his family had just moved into a house in Naperville a week before installation day and house-guests.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-89948420779479489072011-11-15T10:51:00.000-08:002011-11-15T10:51:41.136-08:00Beaded Christmas TreesAt Eclectics Gallery's Ho Ho Ho Show last Sunday, people commented on my beaded Christmas tree earrings.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">While I like these, I think they are a bit too "conventional" so I've been working on some others which I like more, though they take just as long to make...but I like that fact they are not the same and not "perfect" trees.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">I really like my Charlie Brown trees best...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCZ1Aj2FJAfSHq1pXwudfTIGUY1gfUcUcS7o5IffUUGOIDA3WntQM1DIgRzpwOjrP1WgHF9gVf-IgFcibuHhZ-0zTZnQ9abpSh_1Vwm1ZMCZwyu5-toSP30MAMiU8XqPd7ZFoz9g6hIbX/s1600/IMG_4401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCZ1Aj2FJAfSHq1pXwudfTIGUY1gfUcUcS7o5IffUUGOIDA3WntQM1DIgRzpwOjrP1WgHF9gVf-IgFcibuHhZ-0zTZnQ9abpSh_1Vwm1ZMCZwyu5-toSP30MAMiU8XqPd7ZFoz9g6hIbX/s320/IMG_4401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-88933674801574508172011-11-03T11:26:00.000-07:002011-11-03T11:26:31.553-07:00Vintage Brooch Re-purposed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">This vintage brooch with its unusual color combination of brown, green and pink, was in a stash of a customer's mother's jewelry, entrusted to me to make into something wearable...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDknjOYiQspISA-78eZFmoOA8LVbyGNq23xjBqftbHDkAvuDeaKdCvEa66bmBUGxs2Y-HPwJUdKOPx4ukhEsY5fJHDR4wKm0vcMcio0f-lRUQXZ5ChjbBLYUuhXuCyP1Q2uHPmfR4-wqhJ/s1600/square+brooch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDknjOYiQspISA-78eZFmoOA8LVbyGNq23xjBqftbHDkAvuDeaKdCvEa66bmBUGxs2Y-HPwJUdKOPx4ukhEsY5fJHDR4wKm0vcMcio0f-lRUQXZ5ChjbBLYUuhXuCyP1Q2uHPmfR4-wqhJ/s320/square+brooch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> It just didn't fit with the other brooches, which mostly went into one large, "statement" piece...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjX-6exnbqLu8l4ceOcPn9GfwgR8JrmYF5CEbVnOSPzjOe5EQJBsljNI2sXWO7qO3H32jzcixmMBj08fHVVudp6SP2N6U0PABa386D-RdNal-BDaX5-2NnT7kAlADNMK_x3pc0KdNC7ov/s1600/IMG_4145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjX-6exnbqLu8l4ceOcPn9GfwgR8JrmYF5CEbVnOSPzjOe5EQJBsljNI2sXWO7qO3H32jzcixmMBj08fHVVudp6SP2N6U0PABa386D-RdNal-BDaX5-2NnT7kAlADNMK_x3pc0KdNC7ov/s320/IMG_4145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">So this week I took beads from another piece from the same customer - a set of various glass beads knotted onto gold-toned cording - and use the best ones to make the square brooch into a wearable necklace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekJqzpGK2k61KtEcZ8PyCgEB-ZOWV1WycugipDUp0Bob-CBGQG4VL4sq2ZWr3FmuLRufkIxx9G9VBie3rUTIutpk_DOlf8dQom-eIyh2HTQpp7mWs3rx1zgkPSDQnF09WFYDzzrnIdh69/s1600/IMG_3840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekJqzpGK2k61KtEcZ8PyCgEB-ZOWV1WycugipDUp0Bob-CBGQG4VL4sq2ZWr3FmuLRufkIxx9G9VBie3rUTIutpk_DOlf8dQom-eIyh2HTQpp7mWs3rx1zgkPSDQnF09WFYDzzrnIdh69/s320/IMG_3840.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Not all the beads here were created equal - some were made of colored glass, others were clear with a color coating, which was coming off. But there were plenty in the brown and green shades needed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZQ8LaMc-NeeVNnPGeOcE98aKCJDsyyCR6_nyv7XCZ5rUfOtEpVgkxVaceUtXkui7ZvWxUtbUoS1mw7CS-65-DOVCuhEqeaLciS9hsKfQdubI7s_cPpolSwOsOzZTuPNhBAdlNPEL7JUq/s1600/IMG_4299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZQ8LaMc-NeeVNnPGeOcE98aKCJDsyyCR6_nyv7XCZ5rUfOtEpVgkxVaceUtXkui7ZvWxUtbUoS1mw7CS-65-DOVCuhEqeaLciS9hsKfQdubI7s_cPpolSwOsOzZTuPNhBAdlNPEL7JUq/s320/IMG_4299.JPG" width="301" /></a></div>In my own stash, I found a near perfect matching earring - just had to replace one bright green rhinestone with a deep pink and I had a perfect match.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJJ3zJCiHOZ94uKTDwkS5jQ6u3e2H4xUPVITBmvzS26qZtNmgDmVwPtCTD1SJw6OnpQ-ng2qN4LKkoa5ztwft6Mi52Ah1wZrndIb6zqyJH3ui1za5AyUR-_zmYbnbLjuaQTHwQ5QNR-hS/s1600/IMG_4304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJJ3zJCiHOZ94uKTDwkS5jQ6u3e2H4xUPVITBmvzS26qZtNmgDmVwPtCTD1SJw6OnpQ-ng2qN4LKkoa5ztwft6Mi52Ah1wZrndIb6zqyJH3ui1za5AyUR-_zmYbnbLjuaQTHwQ5QNR-hS/s320/IMG_4304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The strung beads on the necklace were augmented with a large Swarovski crystal and a few other vintage beads.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFjyCWL4y3SNuvJ4EwYXBtJbkFI0IMO3LYONIFAmHoGYOuCEJrVBbwq32K7ax6-F5pjUGVI8JshiuAWZHyMtJhGYvzj-PEqQRQhVeg1BYTbV69gPSjjWcKvBdpOnPKhDS-5drmUtIfwhf/s1600/IMG_4303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFjyCWL4y3SNuvJ4EwYXBtJbkFI0IMO3LYONIFAmHoGYOuCEJrVBbwq32K7ax6-F5pjUGVI8JshiuAWZHyMtJhGYvzj-PEqQRQhVeg1BYTbV69gPSjjWcKvBdpOnPKhDS-5drmUtIfwhf/s320/IMG_4303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The clasp was custom made from shiny brass wire to fit the scale of the piece. Sure hope Marjorie enjoys wearing her mother's unusual brooch.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-46478143029829569522011-11-03T09:03:00.000-07:002011-11-03T09:03:34.625-07:00Faerie Wings and Animals MashupLaura has knitted another doll - this time a faerie, complete with little knitted wings!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOhAXtqjOBIclBXzeUSLNZU_HZhzidAqZ1N3s0C06LiJePY_Qv_nRiJhr8IJBulLyiebEV1BNGHTzKwVJbOyXImLrMQ0Y69NqZUrcb9TuumPAelv5I6cecBCxvzXx6LcstP8-wKuykz0W/s1600/IMAG0179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOhAXtqjOBIclBXzeUSLNZU_HZhzidAqZ1N3s0C06LiJePY_Qv_nRiJhr8IJBulLyiebEV1BNGHTzKwVJbOyXImLrMQ0Y69NqZUrcb9TuumPAelv5I6cecBCxvzXx6LcstP8-wKuykz0W/s320/IMAG0179.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>This one was a commission for a friend at work. Faerie doll and hat for a small relative. Turns out, the buyer likes the doll so much, the little girl might NOT receive this gift!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYMMtTOI3CJ_mtaaE9tuhSDOHl1LfoTwrTKuLCP6B4vdxlvJDhpbSP4aXz3kDonvKyFjxuji8Pnu86198teodfbfZ6nDbKylA4Njs9PMrMO80tNnfwdPHW5eyYCDmldN5xtgYrfADsoSp/s1600/IMAG0180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYMMtTOI3CJ_mtaaE9tuhSDOHl1LfoTwrTKuLCP6B4vdxlvJDhpbSP4aXz3kDonvKyFjxuji8Pnu86198teodfbfZ6nDbKylA4Njs9PMrMO80tNnfwdPHW5eyYCDmldN5xtgYrfADsoSp/s320/IMAG0180.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Next project - Santa hats!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-52732759293984252572011-10-28T10:50:00.000-07:002011-10-28T10:56:26.173-07:00Danielle's Green DreamSo, about a year ago, Danielle (from Minneapolis, college classmate and friend of daughter Laura's) found two fused glass pieces she loved. "Make me a necklace..." she said. Now, Danielle is one of those women who are unselfconsciously stunning. She's the young wife and mother of 3 with a speaking career and the style of a super model.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.studiolaguna.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/b099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.studiolaguna.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/b099.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Her taste in jewelry tends to the big and bold and fabulous. Huge rings. Bold bracelets. Boots. Scarves. Headbands. Birds in her hair (seriously, at a wedding!) And it wasn't a live bird.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkc1Y_M3lkHEyMSxuIL8AY4isy690qlN3KUT2aKa4esd0zDx-J25fydf8EW9tPpzXaM1Br5mG6lKoe0FzuTGd1kEoFmx3MvKHCUiw_SBC1xBbWuUGJ5XMx1dnS69lHE2YKM9EesD0nYOtG/s1600/dans+style2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkc1Y_M3lkHEyMSxuIL8AY4isy690qlN3KUT2aKa4esd0zDx-J25fydf8EW9tPpzXaM1Br5mG6lKoe0FzuTGd1kEoFmx3MvKHCUiw_SBC1xBbWuUGJ5XMx1dnS69lHE2YKM9EesD0nYOtG/s320/dans+style2.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>She has the knack of wearing the unusual or something that would look awkward or even ridiculous on most of us and making it look good. (never mind that she is half my age....and probably half my weight....I'm still slightly envious.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9jb4TRz0L5WJW5fdkoBTBbGJh0N-EWbnaGua5JNNdJ85bjGkLA-Qt3xjYX9hRZ39v0ucpx2VVU0wmoFM9oLIvI6IbSUSrzZnucwtROJ36N8K8FhUMYlMNdaaybuC3xrxfpUi9wrlHe-q/s748/jpeg433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9jb4TRz0L5WJW5fdkoBTBbGJh0N-EWbnaGua5JNNdJ85bjGkLA-Qt3xjYX9hRZ39v0ucpx2VVU0wmoFM9oLIvI6IbSUSrzZnucwtROJ36N8K8FhUMYlMNdaaybuC3xrxfpUi9wrlHe-q/s320/jpeg433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So this gives my quite a lot of room to make something with her glass pieces that not everyone would wear. I finished one last night and am actually wearing it today before I mail it to her. (Got to make sure it doesn't scratch, that it sits on the neck correctly, right?)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1w7PZ1gNNHQ/TqnYin40guI/AAAAAAAANVI/soCP5VTofK8/s512/IMG_4241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1w7PZ1gNNHQ/TqnYin40guI/AAAAAAAANVI/soCP5VTofK8/s320/IMG_4241.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Here's the piece of glass - a twisted green and silver dichroic fused glass figure 8. The necklace uses these colors plus black with silver wire and findings. Some beads are plastic, some glass.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7pjslqwK6k/TqnYjXssdVI/AAAAAAAANVY/cLzLkuAgyiI/s640/IMG_4242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7pjslqwK6k/TqnYjXssdVI/AAAAAAAANVY/cLzLkuAgyiI/s320/IMG_4242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Combining disparate pieces is possible in a piece like this, which includes a piece of a broken vintage rhinestone bracelet, a cracked-marble, plastic beads, green and crystal vintage Mardi Gras beads from back when they actually threw out <i>real </i>beads instead of the mass-produced plastics of today.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZ6qn5fqkMU/TqnYg2mH57I/AAAAAAAANU8/lAQYpfrpHC4/s512/IMG_4240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZ6qn5fqkMU/TqnYg2mH57I/AAAAAAAANU8/lAQYpfrpHC4/s320/IMG_4240.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
There are also some funky glass beads, a large faceted quartz bead, a silver earring, a piece of rhinestone chain and part of a restrung 60s era multi-strand costume jewelry necklace.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIzP2PKOtxA/TqnYgXxqkfI/AAAAAAAANUw/9kp-a68hoxI/s640/IMG_4239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIzP2PKOtxA/TqnYgXxqkfI/AAAAAAAANUw/9kp-a68hoxI/s320/IMG_4239.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The base chain was once a biker chain to attach to a wallet, so the clasp is correspondingly large.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c_anWVwyx24/TqnYimzvQsI/AAAAAAAANVM/KspNq0vO300/s640/IMG_4243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c_anWVwyx24/TqnYimzvQsI/AAAAAAAANVM/KspNq0vO300/s320/IMG_4243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So Danielle, it might take another year to make something with the other piece since I really need to spend my studio time on items to sell......but I hope you like your creation.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-H0kCL7ojI/TqnYg8NOtzI/AAAAAAAANU4/_pitZ070K9g/s512/IMG_4238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-H0kCL7ojI/TqnYg8NOtzI/AAAAAAAANU4/_pitZ070K9g/s320/IMG_4238.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-75517961835100793792011-10-27T08:37:00.000-07:002011-10-27T08:39:09.902-07:00Silvain - Keeper of the ForestAs an admirer of art dolls, I've been wanting to try my hand again. <b><i>Silvain, Keeper of the Forest</i></b>, is the most recent result.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aMZ2YlxWcbA/TqjUGoZK_mI/AAAAAAAANSY/_JyuwKISODE/s640/IMG_4225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aMZ2YlxWcbA/TqjUGoZK_mI/AAAAAAAANSY/_JyuwKISODE/s320/IMG_4225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Silvain's head was sculpted from Sculpey clay, cured and painted. I wanted to make him Elvish, so tried a mix of green acrylic paint, which I promptly tried to remove, with mixed results....which I rather liked.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8txhbcANMs/TpW3qmQ5jBI/AAAAAAAANGI/tkwBLy3h_yw/s512/IMG_4134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8txhbcANMs/TpW3qmQ5jBI/AAAAAAAANGI/tkwBLy3h_yw/s320/IMG_4134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Hence his blotchy, semi-painted complexion.His eyes are cobalt blue glass beads.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LF_0h_Vj3yc/TpW3vl8Q9FI/AAAAAAAANGw/ZpHgEB5oPdE/s640/IMG_4138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LF_0h_Vj3yc/TpW3vl8Q9FI/AAAAAAAANGw/ZpHgEB5oPdE/s320/IMG_4138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
His body began as a bundle of willow twigs (an idea I got from seeing a doll made by <a href="http://www.brennabusse.com/wp-content/gallery/multimedia/07-keepers.jpg">Minnesota artist Brenna Busse</a>), with twig shoulders and arms wired in place with copper. Longer twigs were added to make him stand alone and his hands were attached with wire and glue.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pscItRLX59Q/Tql2AtBar2I/AAAAAAAANT0/FCCjrkUwbWc/s640/IMG_4236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pscItRLX59Q/Tql2AtBar2I/AAAAAAAANT0/FCCjrkUwbWc/s320/IMG_4236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Hand were sculpted over a wrapped wire armature, giving him long, thin fingers that should be break-resistant. They were also treated with acrylic color to match his face. Wire from the hands was glued and inserted into a small hole drilled into the end of his twig-arms. His tight-fitting sleeve was then over-wrapped with cord to secure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lK2kykmmD6k/TpW3klcpkdI/AAAAAAAANEM/72Q2HMVHwzI/s512/IMG_4121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lK2kykmmD6k/TpW3klcpkdI/AAAAAAAANEM/72Q2HMVHwzI/s320/IMG_4121.JPG" width="308" /></a></div>He wears a simple tunic and a leather mantle, composed of animal skins, leaves, hair and grasses (i.e. silk leaves, velvet, leather and fiber scraps, raffia and yarn). Trims from an old pair of sandals connects the cloak in the front.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HlpYpNh8j9Y/TpW3slDFz9I/AAAAAAAANGE/Wmv6rqIXBZQ/s512/IMG_4136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HlpYpNh8j9Y/TpW3slDFz9I/AAAAAAAANGE/Wmv6rqIXBZQ/s320/IMG_4136.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>A few wooden beads, a small brass bell and some beads are hidden in the fibers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-opym5ohTWV4/TqjUSdfgZjI/AAAAAAAANSY/5MFTOt1W4Nk/s640/IMG_4228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-opym5ohTWV4/TqjUSdfgZjI/AAAAAAAANSY/5MFTOt1W4Nk/s320/IMG_4228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Silvain's head was completed with a metal cap (old brass filigree earring) and feathers. He also wears small brass ear studs and has pointed, elvish ears.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTE2jklAPOI/Tql5FvTnwPI/AAAAAAAANUQ/2q3G0WyhKpM/s640/IMG_4226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTE2jklAPOI/Tql5FvTnwPI/AAAAAAAANUQ/2q3G0WyhKpM/s320/IMG_4226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He is holding a talisman made from a polished fruit seed, with a tassel of fibers, seeds and beads.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JYQRrMTf4w/TqjUJB9eR1I/AAAAAAAANSY/hcylibpmcCg/s640/IMG_4229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JYQRrMTf4w/TqjUJB9eR1I/AAAAAAAANSY/hcylibpmcCg/s320/IMG_4229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Though today he stands in <a href="http://www.eclecticskc.com/">Eclectics Gallery</a>, yesterday he was outside, checking the weather, wishing it would rain in the woods soon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-geZaMrlHLUE/TqjUGIDC_8I/AAAAAAAANSY/WJBCA0bH1o0/s512/IMG_4221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-geZaMrlHLUE/TqjUGIDC_8I/AAAAAAAANSY/WJBCA0bH1o0/s320/IMG_4221.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>He loves the autumn when he can walk through the leaves and put the trees to sleep for the winter.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyNaPF2aqhY/TqjURazYYnI/AAAAAAAANSY/S6_FC8IKsr8/s640/IMG_4233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyNaPF2aqhY/TqjURazYYnI/AAAAAAAANSY/S6_FC8IKsr8/s320/IMG_4233.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-50916693316259581892011-10-26T08:06:00.000-07:002011-10-26T08:06:18.963-07:00October TomatoesYesterday, Oct 25th, was 85º in Pleasant Hill, Mo. Way to hot for October, but I'm still picking tomatoes. We've had an outstanding crop, especially of cherry and small pear tomatoes. The best plant came up volunteer from seeds dropped last summer by the tomatoes I missed!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slRG36q4NsQ/Tqge8B_0S3I/AAAAAAAANQQ/F2OhRQyuvPw/s640/IMG_4160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slRG36q4NsQ/Tqge8B_0S3I/AAAAAAAANQQ/F2OhRQyuvPw/s320/IMG_4160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I've picked and roasted (cut in half, tossed with olive oil, garlic and salt) a few thousand of these sweet babies this fall. Roast for several hours at 220º until nearly dry but not burned.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Us6KrzBS7AI/Tqgf2OazWuI/AAAAAAAANQ8/2wTQCgS2yYw/s640/IMG_4161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Us6KrzBS7AI/Tqgf2OazWuI/AAAAAAAANQ8/2wTQCgS2yYw/s320/IMG_4161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They look like this when picked....earlier I only needed to pick red ripe ones. Lately I've been picking green ones too, since we've had a couple light frosts. After sitting for a few days in the house, they all turn red.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AjIV1jCFn70/Tqgf3PW2QII/AAAAAAAANRE/jSlEykkAlPE/s640/IMG_4163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AjIV1jCFn70/Tqgf3PW2QII/AAAAAAAANRE/jSlEykkAlPE/s320/IMG_4163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After roasting, I pack them in more oil, waterbath process and put away for Christmas gifts. The roasted tomatoes are so sweet, tangy and delicious. Great on pizza or tossed with pasta!! A half pint jar holds about 1/2 cookie sheet full.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFc4SQQXEaY/Tqge7bO8fOI/AAAAAAAANQI/_MbSdhhKkh0/s640/IMG_4218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFc4SQQXEaY/Tqge7bO8fOI/AAAAAAAANQI/_MbSdhhKkh0/s320/IMG_4218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Picked this batch yesterday - could be the last ones. Now we'll see how many of these ripen - some are really green.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-54021358271940622862011-10-25T14:24:00.000-07:002011-10-25T14:24:27.346-07:00My Creative Progeny....Laura - my lovely daughter - the one who still at 30+ calls Mom when she needs a costume - is one of the new generation of knitters. You've seen them - the anti-craft, slightly sinister, subversive knitters who take traditional skills like knitting and crochet and use them to create their own amazing things. It's part green-recycle-reuse-repurpose and partly a way to make something cool out of an old-fashioned technique.<br />
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This is great, because in the process, the skills of knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, and more are reviving, being passed on to more generations and being transformed in the process.<br />
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My daughter is an intuitive knitter - she never uses a pattern but comes up with her own creative designs. (Along the way she's also learning. Her first knitted animal - an orange cat for her niece, Choe, was stuffed with stray pieces of yarn - so this cat literally left yarn "hair-balls" around the house. Now she makes a neat little muslin pillow stuffed with fiberfill for each padded shape. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1FNo4wn8H1I/TqchLDKkIfI/AAAAAAAANKk/-cBSwW6fiEw/s640/IMG_4150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1FNo4wn8H1I/TqchLDKkIfI/AAAAAAAANKk/-cBSwW6fiEw/s320/IMG_4150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Now she's making The World's Ugliest Best Friends....each a quirky animal with a matching hat for the recipient to wear.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCc7V0SxAUg/TqchLiSCp8I/AAAAAAAANKs/231qK2gg91k/s640/IMG_4151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCc7V0SxAUg/TqchLiSCp8I/AAAAAAAANKs/231qK2gg91k/s320/IMG_4151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Her current menagerie (available at Eclectics Gallery in Kansas City) includes a dragon, a horse, a duck and a cat....each with a coordinating hat.<br />
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Each is unique - the first duck was made for niece Anastasia, and included a hat that looked just like the back end of a duck....it was awesome.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cGkj1MNhGb0/TqcocCaD6JI/AAAAAAAANNU/wBSexc6I4d4/s640/IMG_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cGkj1MNhGb0/TqcocCaD6JI/AAAAAAAANNU/wBSexc6I4d4/s320/IMG_0171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
However, Anastasia was not thrilled about everyone laughing at her "duck butt" hat and she wouldn't wear it.<br />
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The elephant hat gives the wearer matching ears...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMU9TOrN-ts/TqchMuDjEOI/AAAAAAAANK4/lZh3MU9FTwI/s640/IMG_4153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMU9TOrN-ts/TqchMuDjEOI/AAAAAAAANK4/lZh3MU9FTwI/s320/IMG_4153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I love her creations....nearly as much as the Laura and Aaron dolls she made for her nieces. (Since they live nearly 2000 miles away and rarely see each other, the girls have soft fabric character dolls dressed and coifed like Laura and Aaron. They come to visit for special occasions, like when Grandma comes to visit.<br />
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More about them another day....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-29765508252001055142011-09-09T19:19:00.000-07:002011-09-09T19:37:14.755-07:001969 Clarinda Girls Okoboji Reunion16 or so girls from Clarinda High School Class of 1969 met at the Inn at Okoboji in Mildford, Iowa for a weekend get-together to celebrate our shared milestone birthday!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MxD7P8TNVIM/TmrFv7M7Z1I/AAAAAAAAM9U/fhVyVWnO3BE/IMG_3935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MxD7P8TNVIM/TmrFv7M7Z1I/AAAAAAAAM9U/fhVyVWnO3BE/IMG_3935.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b>back row, l-r: Pam Tritsch, Marta Brockman, Karen Carlson, Elizabeth Adams, Rebecca Roe, Ramona Kanne, Dee Hartman, Kay Varley, Ruth Davis, Diana Troester, Joy Hartstack<br />
front row, l-r: Lynette Fisk, Catherine Herzberg, Nancy Beattie, Mary Kay Nieman</b><br />
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Wine, snacks, chocolate, dinners out, walks around the lake, shopping and LOTS and LOTS of talking! What a great, fun weekend. And we're not done - tomorrow lines will be drawn in the sand as the Iowa/Iowa State game takes place and then we kiss and make up to take a boat ride on the lake.<br />
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Thanks to Becky (Black) Roe for making all the arrangements! Thanks to Nancy Beattie who made the extra effort to come despite her recent surgery. Thanks to everyone who drove, who brought goodies, scrapbooks and lawn chairs.<br />
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We're having a great time reminiscing, sharing photos, bragging about grandkids. And we're still going. Ready for cake and ice cream. Happy Birthday to us!! 60 is Hot!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-45869189175521674462011-09-05T11:13:00.000-07:002011-09-05T11:15:06.420-07:00Blue MoonThis new piece is going into the <a href="http://www.artsongrand.org/">Arts on Grand gallery in Spencer, Iowa</a>.....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ElTpDfgX5E/TmUMQ6Dgv8I/AAAAAAAAM8s/RR8Juli_I98/s512/IMG_3907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ElTpDfgX5E/TmUMQ6Dgv8I/AAAAAAAAM8s/RR8Juli_I98/s320/IMG_3907.JPG" width="289" /></a></div>It's fun to repurpose old costume jewelry - but I do get distracted by the tiniest of details. You would not believe the time spent in August just on rhinestones: researching the best prices for replacement stones, measuring, comparing colors with online photos, ordering and waiting, being disappointed in the quality from one vendor, ordering again....then popping off old or loose stones, cleaning and removing old glue, resetting or gluing in replacement stones! (I use 2-part epoxy - those puppies will not fall out!).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HU0Z75EwgIY/TmUMRmcoNAI/AAAAAAAAM80/JUVRORILUpo/IMG_3910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HU0Z75EwgIY/TmUMRmcoNAI/AAAAAAAAM80/JUVRORILUpo/IMG_3910.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>But IMHO (in my humble opinion...) you can't have too much bling on this type of piece.<br />
This piece includes:<br />
<ul><li>large blue rhinestone brooch</li>
<li>small blue and pearl brooch</li>
<li> large pot metal shoe clip - all stones gone</li>
<li>rhinestone circle earring with blue rivoli added</li>
<li>moonstone sterling earring drop</li>
<li>rhinestone ball bead</li>
<li>silver metal stamped earring</li>
<li>length of vintage silver metal, pearl and AB rhinestone bracelet</li>
<li>pieces of beaded chain in silver with pearls and blue links</li>
<li>vintage 2-hole rhinestone spacer bar</li>
<li>3mm blue Swarovski bicone crystals</li>
<li>large blue Czech glass bead </li>
<li>vintage pearls, crystal, and glass beads</li>
<li>fine silver balled headpins</li>
<li>silver jump rings </li>
<li>silver craft wire</li>
<li>vintage clasp</li>
<li>pieces of rhinestone chain</li>
<li>rhinestone earring <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=faux+diana+style+ring&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=CYe&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1503&bih=594&tbm=isch&tbnid=eJ6jM_P-aM1BnM:&imgrefurl=http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Quality-Created-Sapphire-Genuine/dp/B001AHTW56&docid=A2l_5NiGo0gGQM&w=300&h=300&ei=uA9lTv7ZBMTIsQLKwdCHCg&zoom=1">(faux Diana style)</a> </li>
<li>blue, cream an crystal drops</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A1ZuQ8lHFMc/TmUMRyb1XMI/AAAAAAAAM84/2b5TgzYoYE0/IMG_3911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A1ZuQ8lHFMc/TmUMRyb1XMI/AAAAAAAAM84/2b5TgzYoYE0/IMG_3911.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am getting the hang of the asymmetrical design - the trick is to design on a dress form, not on a flat bench. Time is lost crawling around on the floor searching for dropped jump rings or beads, but it's the best way to create something that hangs properly on the neck.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-25815989144480136522011-08-17T13:05:00.000-07:002012-01-30T11:41:54.478-08:00Amber Sunset NecklaceOne more necklace completed....called Amber Sunset. It's a sparkly confection of vintage jewelry pieces, chain, pearls and crystals.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6ctmy5Vx_YWCPpzJGsblcWHg7A-ZfAcnUVnADK_9kH0h0EbH11OGMjpdpTLJQhGBwr1aPEJrE-2as6BVCd6HCfAfuU2qbhvq-KHlP3zbeQ0pGp6Qab8lLB5xf7_H20uOEcxEl_xpaBH3/s1600/IMG_3788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6ctmy5Vx_YWCPpzJGsblcWHg7A-ZfAcnUVnADK_9kH0h0EbH11OGMjpdpTLJQhGBwr1aPEJrE-2as6BVCd6HCfAfuU2qbhvq-KHlP3zbeQ0pGp6Qab8lLB5xf7_H20uOEcxEl_xpaBH3/s320/IMG_3788.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Metals are all gold-toned. Crystals and rhinestones range from dark pink aurora borealis to salmon to red. Length is about 18", although it fills up the neckline nicely. It looks heavy, but is actually quite comfortable.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUNQ8pHhP424o5ouLcK5rgWJVTOwoq7zYIkqeV1LNy8go5cWty-n5zQKzDgVH0foTcghvH2eF15odZpCTcqzyhgtZJI_PoSrRD7abTqrdPuTzIpZQ1OaJbWDSfHKA-A-ZzSPTbNkXOHe5/s1600/IMG_3785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUNQ8pHhP424o5ouLcK5rgWJVTOwoq7zYIkqeV1LNy8go5cWty-n5zQKzDgVH0foTcghvH2eF15odZpCTcqzyhgtZJI_PoSrRD7abTqrdPuTzIpZQ1OaJbWDSfHKA-A-ZzSPTbNkXOHe5/s320/IMG_3785.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Elements include:<br />
<ul><li>part of an amazing, vintage necklace with pearls and rhinestones</li>
<li>large starfish brooch with pink rhinestones, white antiquing and iridescent cab settings</li>
<li>double heart pearl and rhinestone brooch</li>
<li>leaf dangle with stone</li>
<li>large gold-tone metal flower brooch</li>
<li>gold sunburst vintage earring</li>
<li>salmon lucite cab in gold setting earring</li>
<li>vintage round brooch with red and orange rhinestones, pearls</li>
<li>lucite/foil earring setting</li>
<li>Swarovski Siam crystal bicones</li>
<li>Pink AB vintage crystal beads</li>
<li>Red Czech crystal beads</li>
<li>Vintage pearl beads</li>
<li>Various reclaimed pink dangles from vintage jewelry</li>
<li>Vintage double ring twisted Gold plate chain and findings</li>
<li>New rhinestone clasp, brass wire, headpins</li>
</ul><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF3vGa6GahzQZyWdVbVm_jZjN5DJosBtEapwG1ylw4zWPIJIGcfpsovXrG2hcluOb3M3-65qm0dFgivuC4Wq8InS1Sy7hOy2GOKZSLTyVfvUBx5J9YZU6YtxfSPDGdBoniilagxVlssc0/s1600/IMG_3789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF3vGa6GahzQZyWdVbVm_jZjN5DJosBtEapwG1ylw4zWPIJIGcfpsovXrG2hcluOb3M3-65qm0dFgivuC4Wq8InS1Sy7hOy2GOKZSLTyVfvUBx5J9YZU6YtxfSPDGdBoniilagxVlssc0/s320/IMG_3789.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Currently on display and available at <a href="http://www.oureclecticlives.blogspot.com/">Eclectics, 7015 Oak Street in Kansas City</a>, MO. Find us on Facebook at Eclectics Gallery.<br />
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Whoo-Hoo!! Sold it, Jan. 27, 2012! Thanks to whoever you are - please wear it lots and tell everyone to check out Eclectics.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-74675117969766663902011-08-11T09:06:00.000-07:002011-08-11T09:06:44.989-07:00Etsy TreasuryWhat a great way to start the day - an email from a fellow Etsyan who has included one of my peyote-stitched bracelets in a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTEwODczMzl8NTYzMjYyMzIw/peyote-stitch-in-teal">Treasury</a>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTEwODczMzl8NTYzMjYyMzIw/peyote-stitch-in-teal"><img border="0" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.224500592.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBeadedBead">TheBeadedbead </a>(curator of this Treasury) selected all peyote-stitched items, in aqua/teal/turquoise and lime green. It's a beautiful looking page with yummy items from great beaders on Etsy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTEwODczMzl8NTYzMjYyMzIw/peyote-stitch-in-teal" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.121076787.jpg" /></a></div>Really shows the versatility of peyote stitch - from flat to tubular to sculptural...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTEwODczMzl8NTYzMjYyMzIw/peyote-stitch-in-teal" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.262945236.jpg" /></a></div>It goes from simple<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTEwODczMzl8NTYzMjYyMzIw/peyote-stitch-in-teal"><img border="0" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_170x135.175126049.jpg" /></a></div>...to complex and it is still the same great stitch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTEwODczMzl8NTYzMjYyMzIw/peyote-stitch-in-teal"><img border="0" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.255236699.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTEwODczMzl8NTYzMjYyMzIw/peyote-stitch-in-teal">Check it out</a> and visit the various shops of these talented beadweavers.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-6867887723498827132011-08-08T12:00:00.000-07:002011-08-08T12:38:22.287-07:00Noir Fleur - the Black FlowerI love buying old "junk" jewelry and recently found an<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SavageAttic%20"> Etsy shop</a> that sells great stuff - do not know how many hours a day this vendor must spend sorting, or where she finds her "finds" - but I'm addicted.<br />
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I first found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SavageAttic%20">Savage Attic</a> when searching for rhinestone jewelry for a friends' wedding in May....now I visit her shop nearly every day. Recently, a lot of black beaded jewelry caught my eye and soon it was on its way to my studio. Combined with other black and gold beads, pins, findings and brooches already hiding in my stash, last week my vision came together as Noir Fleur.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FhHCsUhji64/TkAopb0cOXI/AAAAAAAAMzY/aEeBhXnnkJw/s576/IMG_3739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FhHCsUhji64/TkAopb0cOXI/AAAAAAAAMzY/aEeBhXnnkJw/s320/IMG_3739.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This piece is comfortable (I'm actually wearing it now!), not too heavy and could be worn with something very classy - your best LBD. It would also work great with a crisp white shirt and a little black leather jacket.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuFzzeskvLA/TkAos5vccTI/AAAAAAAAMzo/qZYvsndPFnQ/s576/IMG_3743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuFzzeskvLA/TkAos5vccTI/AAAAAAAAMzo/qZYvsndPFnQ/s320/IMG_3743.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Gold metal (brass and some gold-plate) brooches and chain, black glass and acrylic beads and brooch, a large black/gray/cream stone bead of unknown pedigree, rhinestones and glass pearls, a couple old earrings and some found metal pieces and dangles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xVRa4CZkwI/TkA6z7S4h3I/AAAAAAAAM0Q/sXYPnBu2nds/s576/IMG_3746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xVRa4CZkwI/TkA6z7S4h3I/AAAAAAAAM0Q/sXYPnBu2nds/s320/IMG_3746.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Clasp is also re-purposed...and matches perfectly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFxJ7us7-XI/TkAotytMZuI/AAAAAAAAMzs/N72SOz2brng/s576/IMG_3742a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFxJ7us7-XI/TkAotytMZuI/AAAAAAAAMzs/N72SOz2brng/s320/IMG_3742a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My current fave is the "statement necklace" - ever since seeing Mrs. Obama where a fab Tom Binns necklace at the Kennedy Center Honors....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mrs-o.org/storage/TomBinns.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1260291329220" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://mrs-o.org/storage/TomBinns.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1260291329220" width="320" /></a></div>So great - wonder how he attaches those old pieces together??? Or maybe they are NOT vintage pieces, but new ones??? Anyway, that's what I like, in case you want to get me something for my birthday.....<br />
but for now, guess I'm content making up my own creations.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-17338651616932997302011-07-29T09:59:00.000-07:002011-07-29T09:59:15.072-07:00Bead Stash BluesIn response to a post on Beading Daily which asked readers how they store their personal bead stashes....I took another look at my studio. Messy, again. But still my "happy place"....when I am home long enough to be in there.<br />
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Beading Daily was asking about stash storage - which would take me all day to share, and is likely similar to many others who have bead additions. But since I frequently take my beadwork on the road when we travel I thought I'd post how I manage to include quite a few of my beloved seed beads.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfND2wBIUE8/TNR0Z91VuWI/AAAAAAAALHQ/r4p5PXfyXss/IMG_2166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfND2wBIUE8/TNR0Z91VuWI/AAAAAAAALHQ/r4p5PXfyXss/IMG_2166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I prefer my seed beads in clear tubes for easy viewing. (Somehow, it looks like more beads, although a 2" filled ziplock baggie actually holds about the same amount.) I have a great wooden box that is about 4 inches deep, measuring roughly 10" x 12", which is divided into 9 spaces. Each space will hold nearly two dozen upright bead tubes, sorted by color group, with room for a scissors, wire snipper, needle box and thread. This box sits on the floor between my feet, where I can get at them when we drive all day. (My hubbie loves road trips....not a flier....and he's retired. This is my sanity.)<br />
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When packing for a trip, I get inspired and see many potential bead combinations that I <i>might </i>need so now I just take lots. By no means is this all of my seed beads, but they can't all come....I'm seriously in love with seed beads, but not completely bonkers.<br />
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Of course, along in the back seat is a tool bag with my favorite pliers, a few findings, crimps and spools of wire....just in case.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-1105674115107104072011-06-09T13:44:00.000-07:002011-06-10T12:44:58.496-07:00Sweetie BelleOkay, I admit it. I am ADDED (Attention Deficit Disorder Extra Distractible).....but my latest favorite thing to create is widely known as Statement Jewelry.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TTehSupquc/TfEqFSmPXsI/AAAAAAAAMeM/z8hzCQuU3pE/s512/IMG_3441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TTehSupquc/TfEqFSmPXsI/AAAAAAAAMeM/z8hzCQuU3pE/s320/IMG_3441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After making Rachel's wedding necklace <a href="http://bylynette.blogspot.com/2011/05/weddings.html">(see previous post)</a> I tried again, using reclaimed vintage brooches, earrings, beads and pearls. Nothing in this is innately valuable - the white daisies are some type of hard plastic, the petals of the large blue brooch are also plastic.<br />
<ul><li>Blue plastic and metal brooch</li>
<li>Gold and pastel brooch</li>
<li>Brass flower with blue rhinestones</li>
<li>Enameled 3-flower earring</li>
<li>Section of white daisy bracelet links</li>
<li>Metal earring with large Aurora rhinestones</li>
<li>Yellow and blue faux pearls</li>
<li>Blue glass oval beads</li>
<li>White and Pink glass beads (various shapes)</li>
<li>Antique Faceted glass Mardi Gras beads</li>
<li>Large blue Rhinestone set dangle</li>
<li>Bezeled glass chain </li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQnplVixDg8/TfEqDcJVKoI/AAAAAAAAMd8/5MsrnMNF4tM/IMG_3436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQnplVixDg8/TfEqDcJVKoI/AAAAAAAAMd8/5MsrnMNF4tM/IMG_3436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The large center brooch is brass or gold-colored metal with enameling, aurora rhinestones and glass pear and navette cabs. All the beads and faux pearls came from reclaimed jewelry. I replaced corroded wires and used new shiny brass headpins for all the dangles.The clasp is custom made by me....but the back dangle is from a real Mardi Gras necklace from back in the day when they actually threw real jewelry from the floats.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGh99CvUyOA/TfEqESlfBhI/AAAAAAAAMeE/Ph5vWDuCaiE/IMG_3434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGh99CvUyOA/TfEqESlfBhI/AAAAAAAAMeE/Ph5vWDuCaiE/IMG_3434.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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I love re-using these pieces. It looks great on and the individual pieces would just be sitting in an old box somewhere, unused...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HfONqdQgNxQ/TfEqClJTwfI/AAAAAAAAMd4/Zx06T6pgMRU/IMG_3437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HfONqdQgNxQ/TfEqClJTwfI/AAAAAAAAMd4/Zx06T6pgMRU/IMG_3437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now, what to do with it? I never wear these colors! So maybe it will go into <a href="http://oureclecticlives.blogspot.com/">Eclectics Gallery</a> or to my<a href="http://www.bylynette.etsy.com/"> Etsy store</a>....but first pricing, the most difficult thing for me.<br />
<br />
OK - It's on display and for sale at <a href="http://www.oureclecticlives.blogspot.com/">Eclectics Gallery</a> in Kansas City. But if you want to purchase it, contact me through my Etsy shop at www.bylynette.etsy.com. Price is $240.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-5654814294180787242011-05-30T14:24:00.000-07:002011-05-30T14:24:15.736-07:00Weddings.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvSeS2MkK8PjEK4CfkldzcyKr3Gb5o2kKM2dIYQdDJlgVrek78a8vK3DAfoS6rqkBxLGXacou9Yf4t729PyegUZuH9jVl1Gcdphvn-gHKb4Kakejnhr_ddpANMtK5nVgAFJ1149-2uxdx/s1600/IMG_3305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvSeS2MkK8PjEK4CfkldzcyKr3Gb5o2kKM2dIYQdDJlgVrek78a8vK3DAfoS6rqkBxLGXacou9Yf4t729PyegUZuH9jVl1Gcdphvn-gHKb4Kakejnhr_ddpANMtK5nVgAFJ1149-2uxdx/s320/IMG_3305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Just spent the weekend at the best kind of wedding - someone else's daughter! Got to be part of the wedding "in crowd" by virtue of Dale playing for the service AND daughter (Laura) being in the wedding.<br />
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Without going into TOO much back-story, the bride (Rachel) was in college with Laura, was in Laura's wedding and we've gotten to know her well over the past 8 years. Rachel is a professional church worker (read: not rich) AND on the board of the Haiti Mission Project, has spent time in Haiti including since the hurricane and in fact was marrying a Haitian man (read: not the type to spend $20,000+ on wedding stuff).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ5ztofvMenrX15O8SNYCWo3gH0Bf15SlSF-X5OshG6civi8ALbQZnEM7TAVtSWOvdE6QBeVQIwjp9Pu7xmbLHsbrlInv2b_xZogC1TgRHTL9RiqTNpOiayJbe7JZ0GEw7qbdtXP_Yzc5/s1600/Rachel%2527s+Dresses+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ5ztofvMenrX15O8SNYCWo3gH0Bf15SlSF-X5OshG6civi8ALbQZnEM7TAVtSWOvdE6QBeVQIwjp9Pu7xmbLHsbrlInv2b_xZogC1TgRHTL9RiqTNpOiayJbe7JZ0GEw7qbdtXP_Yzc5/s200/Rachel%2527s+Dresses+001.jpg" width="111" /></a></div><br />
She picked a lovely, simple asymmetrical dress from a well-known bridal chain and Laura asked if I couldn't please make her something to wear with it. Her colors were <b>navy blue</b> (which the bridesmaids wore) and <b>sparkle</b>, so we planned to loan her several rhinestone bracelets to wear to bling up her dress. The one-shouldered top was perfect for an asymmetrical statement necklace, using ivory, rhinestones and pearls.<br />
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The result (shown below) used 3 strands of vintage faux pearls, a partial rhinestone necklace (plus some additional lengths of rhinestone strands) and a stand of clear beads. Other items included were:<br />
silver metal filigree with crystal rivoli (from an angel brooch)<br />
a pearl and rhinestone earring<br />
a gold flower earring<br />
a gold-tone earring with white metal flowers with rhinestone centers<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzTwwBLvqGMBIUMU7sZD7RckON0MdoJkaA_1bUsR8WBVGPEOU1VKjvRaqNQ2vjJa7AP8-2z7LXCeLr67EQ_nvfX8l2M0_mIAbJlILR-tr8wIu37aRNxOHRNYN2r80WajFZHQbVj_KPoiP/s1600/IMG_3298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzTwwBLvqGMBIUMU7sZD7RckON0MdoJkaA_1bUsR8WBVGPEOU1VKjvRaqNQ2vjJa7AP8-2z7LXCeLr67EQ_nvfX8l2M0_mIAbJlILR-tr8wIu37aRNxOHRNYN2r80WajFZHQbVj_KPoiP/s200/IMG_3298.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCj_sfpxaQ94Bu9AOZzfSWsV0RiwZBuzAgOTxB8wFnUICHLnCfG7K10L77M_W1xMQm5aD2ZpW4FrhV6b11nbaLfmsHH7k0WzEiupYKy25TIVCXkbwkhl5HllfQO08lg1ir_P8HYw6Xgt3/s1600/IMG_3295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCj_sfpxaQ94Bu9AOZzfSWsV0RiwZBuzAgOTxB8wFnUICHLnCfG7K10L77M_W1xMQm5aD2ZpW4FrhV6b11nbaLfmsHH7k0WzEiupYKy25TIVCXkbwkhl5HllfQO08lg1ir_P8HYw6Xgt3/s200/IMG_3295.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> a rhinestone rivoli pendant </div>a blue glass setting and a couple blue faceted dangles<br />
a link from a broken silver bracelet<br />
several blue pearls, faceted crystals and lots of ivory pearls, with brass balled headpins and s few bead caps adding touches of gold.<br />
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It was great fun to create and the bride loved it. She looked stunning. And everything in the necklace was repurposed/reused.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5__qYI8EYPS0lJBNsou0-Sb-FjLaTbpHEiLCVzQAWvZSmSJXDo9GCVQshC0PCzY3YbPtSdVTFuYZZygM5MVGSKwicsIiElAhEZoRqopSeAnqdmIl55OgmP2l0D98mz4VuHrvK6sU6vFK/s1600/IMG_3319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5__qYI8EYPS0lJBNsou0-Sb-FjLaTbpHEiLCVzQAWvZSmSJXDo9GCVQshC0PCzY3YbPtSdVTFuYZZygM5MVGSKwicsIiElAhEZoRqopSeAnqdmIl55OgmP2l0D98mz4VuHrvK6sU6vFK/s320/IMG_3319.JPG" width="237" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121898111381954151.post-64008618589607332552011-04-12T10:17:00.000-07:002011-04-12T10:17:39.660-07:00Tiaras for MumDon't know why a farm girl from Iowa would love tiaras (hate pageants, BTW) but I do.Maybe it was watching "A Queen for a Day" on TV in the 50s (when I was a VERY SMALL CHILD!!!)<br />
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Sparkles. Jewels. So much cooler than barrettes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSA0naYvYI/AAAAAAAAMLA/VgwH9au1Mh4/IMG_3110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSA0naYvYI/AAAAAAAAMLA/VgwH9au1Mh4/IMG_3110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So now I can just make them. and I have been doing just that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSA-1joklI/AAAAAAAAMLI/qIQxb5mN8f8/IMG_3116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSA-1joklI/AAAAAAAAMLI/qIQxb5mN8f8/IMG_3116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Some of these are wearable....but I know that most people who may love tiaras and crowns most likely won't wear them much....so some are really designed for your Queen Mum (Mom) to hold her crown jewels (Grandkids photos).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSAza29XTI/AAAAAAAAMKs/Uc-k7TSqguM/IMG_3103-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSAza29XTI/AAAAAAAAMKs/Uc-k7TSqguM/IMG_3103-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Like this...(aren't my sister's grandkids and my nephews cute???)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSCRxb5fKI/AAAAAAAAMMM/1REUtg4Lwmw/s512/IMG_3053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSCRxb5fKI/AAAAAAAAMMM/1REUtg4Lwmw/s320/IMG_3053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I really like the copper and turquoise combination.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSALCJHlLI/AAAAAAAAMKc/dPWTfsTnz4s/s512/IMG_3048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSALCJHlLI/AAAAAAAAMKc/dPWTfsTnz4s/s320/IMG_3048.JPG" width="316" /></a></div>But tiaras to wear are cool, too, like this one from stained glass.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSBGX1G00I/AAAAAAAAMLg/tPr-Sk0z40U/s512/IMG_3131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSBGX1G00I/AAAAAAAAMLg/tPr-Sk0z40U/s320/IMG_3131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Yup, it's a bit heavy. So, ask any monarch if wearing a crown isn't hard work!<br />
This one is lighter....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSD6jc7kII/AAAAAAAAMNE/EXB5BESVlKQ/s512/IMG_3129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WewXAtNkJF4/TaSD6jc7kII/AAAAAAAAMNE/EXB5BESVlKQ/s320/IMG_3129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then there's this - made from an old silver-plated basket. It was all dented and bent, partly detached from the very crumpled bowl. Found it in the back of my friend Dewey's truck (he's a metal recycler...good friend to have!) Now it's a circlet crown, of sorts. Maybe Laura will like it.<br />
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Such fun. Happy Spring.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1