Home Sweet Home

This little piece was quite the adventure.  You would not believe how many layers of ink, paint and glimmer mists are under that paper background.  I learned a lot failing quite a few times before getting something I was happy with. 

I made this with the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge in mind.  This week Wendy Vecchi was the inspiration. Now, I did not know a ton about this artist and this style, so it was super fun to do some research.  I decided to try to incorporate some elements I thought fit her style: a house, polka dots, flowers and lots of texture. 

As I said, I messed with the background for a long time before resorting to simple torn paper.  The house was cut from a manila folder and embossed with a garage sale find, a polka dot embossing folder by Cuttlebug.  Distress inks were used to color the house.  I added a ticket, vintage watch face and a spinner as the focal point.  A tissue tape ruffle was added after it was misted with Glimmer Mists.  Trim and chain were attached to define the roof.  I love using metal elements, thus the gear flowers, a frame, letters and as well as a corner frame at the roof top.

Tim Holtz tissue tape finishes the edges.  I also added a touch of acrylic paint, which I wiped off to define the words on the metal tiles.  I actually added the paint and another layer of trim after taking the first set of pictures I intended to post here on my blog.  In taking the photos I was able to see that there were a few details that still needed to be added to really finish the piece.  I think I will send this away as a random act of kindness to a really wonderful gal.  I hope she enjoys!

More Jewelry and Charms too

Well I finished up my complimentary necklace for the pearl one I recently posted.  I despise having my photo taken, but I did it so you all could see how they work together. I really enjoy making sets of necklaces like this so that can be worn together or separate.  I also love how you can move the clasp around to change the looks. Very versatile!  I guess I did get a little bit of sun yesterday while doing some of that pesky yard work.

I also recently finished up a charm swap for a local group of crafty pals.  They ended up getting two from me, as I did not reread the swap requirements before setting down to make them.  My original charms were the metal found object ones made with Tim's stuff, watch parts, and various odd metal items.  Unfortunately they were bigger than the size limit of 1.25 inches.  I am just glad I caught it before getting a bad swapper reputation with my gal pals.  The participants get the prize anyway, as I am sending them both along.  The second charm was made using these fantastic glass domes, Graphics 45 paper, stickels and metal flashing tape.  I punched a circle of flashing tape to "seal" the back of the charm.  I hope everyone enjoys!

Lastly, for my trusty readers, thanks again for participating in my blog giveaway!  I had an amazing 59 entries in my contest to win a Chotski Pin.  I used Random.org to choose a winner.  The 27th commenter was B-Jo.   I have notified her via email and hopefully she will respond soon.  If I don't hear from her within a week, I will draw again. 

Cheers,

Rhea

Back to my creative roots

I have to say that making all these Chotski pins had me hankering for bead work.  This is where I started on my creative path.  In fact, I have a very clear memory of the first time I beaded as a young girl.  I was at a baby sitters house and I made a white and clear seed bead bracelet on a piece of dental floss. 

Pictured above are some of the Chotski Pins I pins I have made.  I seriously can't stop making them.  The one on the bottom I had "completed" previously, but after blogging about it and seeing the pictures I decided it was not done.  I use hardware such as washers, nuts and bolts alongside charms, broken jewelry, Tim Holtz embellishments and found objects.  I have also used odd watch parts and hardware that I have no idea what the correct use is.  They are so fun and eclectic.   

As promised I will be randomly choosing one lucky winner for one of these pins, as promised on a previous post.   I will be doing the drawing this evening, so there is still time to enter. I think I may join in another round of swapping these dandies over at Red Lead too.

Since I was so inspired from the use of all my old tools, I stopped in a local bead shop and picked up a few strands of affordable pearls.  I whipped this out in no time and hope to make an additional complimentary necklace today. 

A huge thanks to Red Lead for all this inspiration!