Taking a Break!

Greetings friends!  With my lovely four days off over the holidays, I'm taking a blog vacation this week.

Wishing you all happy, healthy holidays!

Love and light,

Deborah

Gourd Withdrawals

I've been spending so much time working on mixed media projects and my embossed metal jewelry, that I haven't worked on a gourd for eons!  I'm definitely getting gourd withdrawal, which is what happens to me when I neglect my gourds for too long.

I took advantage of an end-of-the-year sale from one of my favorite gourd grower, Welburn's Gourd Farm, in California and ordered a box of gourds.  The huge carton is sitting in my utility room when I keep tripping over it--intentionally placed there to remind me that it's time to work on a gourd.

I'm feeling the need for some vivid colors during this dreary time of year with short days.  Here are some vivid colors I've worked with in the past...

Anyone who knows me knows that any shade of purple and shades of peacock colors are my favorites, as evidenced by these two pieces.  But who knows, I might get a wild hair and do a gourd in a completely unexpected color!!

Stay tuned,

Deborah

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

I've been plagued by cold hands since I was a kid.  Sometimes they don't thaw out for most of the day, and I've been known to wake myself up during the night by cold hands!  So imagine my delight when fingerless gloves hit the scene as designer ware!!  Woo hoo!  Now I could keep my hands warm AND still use my fingers.

I saw my first alluring pair of fingerless gloves at the Bellingham Farmers Market one summer a few years back.  I know, that's not the time you'd normally be thinking about gloves.  However, being an addicted knitter, I was enjoying the yarn display in the Spincycle Yarn's booth.  Their luscious, handspun yarn was hard to resist.  On display was a pair of fingerless gloves with a lace pattern knitted in.  So of course I had to buy yarn and a pattern to make these beautiful gloves...

I was so thrilled with the way these gloves turned out (and how they actually kept my hands toasty while allowing me to use my fingers!), that I immediately bought yarn and made another pair of lovely gloves...this pair made from sock-weight yarn and with a Victorian flair.  I trimmed the cuffs with small beads...

These gloves proved particularly useful when I needed to work on the computer, since they're so lightweight.  Well, I was in my local, decadent yarn shop, Wild Fibers and couldn't resist some incredibly soft, rainbow yarn.  Here's how the gloves turned out...

Just a note to those of you who are knitters...if you've avoided making socks or gloves, like I did for most of my life, do yourself a favor and take a sock class and learn how to use a Magic Loop.  This replaces the ungainly 4, double-pointed needles that people have traditionally used for knitting round garments with a very small diameter.  A Magic Loop is a circular needle with an incredibly long cable that allows you to use the needle ends in very small place.  I even used the Magic Loop to knit the thumbs in the rainbow gloves above!  Amazing, huh??

Happy knitting!

Deborah

Pearls, Luscious Pearls!

I’ve been thinking about pearls lately---probably because I have a huge stash in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.  I hear them calling my name, asking me to make a decadent piece of jewelry.

One of my favorite things to make with pearls is my “Dancing Pearls” bracelet…here are 3 versions…the first one using exquisite blue/purple, iridescent coin pearls.

 

 

This one uses iridescent white coin pearls…

 

And this one uses rose pearls that are small and knobby, with wonderful color and texture…

These bracelets definitely feel decadent to wear, as there are a lot of pearls hanging from the bracelet made of fused, fine silver links.  All the dangly pearls move and make a soft sound when you’re wearing the bracelet…definitely luscious!

Indulge yourself,

Deborah

The Latest Altered Book

Once again, I’ve been working on the current altered book from the round-robin trade in my art group.  The theme in this month’s book is “Movement”.  Surprisingly, this presented a challenge for me, because I had too many ideas and couldn’t seem to settle on one!  I finally decided to start painting and at least get the background done on the pages.  So one day I sat down and played with paint…

 

First I chose vibrant acrylic paints and laid them down on gessoed pages in a random manner.  Then I used 2 different gigantic stamps with patterns---one with paisleys, and one with spirals.

 

I just love the effect of the gessoed stamp on the painted background, and it pulled the background colors together.  I then edged the pages with art papers to create a border.

 

Next, I did some writing, putting words to my thoughts.  I wrote:  “I love to move my arms & legs.  Come play with me.  We’ll do cartwheels, somersaults and back flips!”

 

 

On the facing page, I affixed a Frida Kalo paper doll I made.  She has jointed arms and legs and could certainly do cartwheels!

 

 

For a finishing touch and a bit of glitz, I added multi-colored sequins on the border--the perfect touch, don’t you think??

 

Happy Dancing,

 

Deborah

Ginkgos Meet Wire!

Well, it was inevitable that I'd have to try my hand at making ginkgos to use in jewelry.  One of my favorite beading teachers, Diane Fitzgerald, designed a beaded lariat with cascading ginkgo leaves.  Of course I had to take her class at a bead festival and learn how to make this lariat.

This was the most labor-intensive bead project I'd done to that point, using delica beads for the ginkgo leaves and size 15 (think grains of sand!) beads for the necklace--sewing one bead at a time!  

As if 80 hours of work and eyestrain wasn't enough after making the first beaded lariat, I immediately made another one in peacock colors that thoroughly delighted me.  I have to say that these two necklaces were well worth the effort, and I wear them frequently.

I decided that 2 beaded ginkgo lariats were more than enough and of course turned to wire.  The challenge was on to see how I could make these beautiful leave out of metal.  I used wire, beads and freshwater pearls for embellishments and was pretty excited at the result.  Have a look...

I wonder where ginkgos will show up next in my life???

Deborah

Wild About Ginkgos!

I've been enamored of ginkgo leaves for most of my adult life--long before they became a popular motif.  What's not to love about the beautiful fan-shaped leaf and graceful stem?  It's definitely a perfect image for use in just about any kind of artwork.

I love using handmade papers that look organic and have bits of natural materials visible.  Of course I would use any wonderful papers I've found on top of a gourd!  Some years back I found a beautiful ginkgo stamp and tried my hand at combining stamps with the handmade papers.

Here's what happened...

After painting the gourd, I stamped the paper and applied it to the surface.  Of course I had to use wire and beads to finish off the rim. 

Since I love quotes, I used tiny letter stamps to write a quote from Buddha around the bottom edge of the paper...."The greatest protection in all the world is Lovingkindness".  Good words, yes?

Ciao!

Deborah

My Love Affair with Copper

I thought I'd give a bit of a back story to some of the current work I'm doing.  Two elements figure prominently in my work--copper and spirals.  I've worked with copper wire since I was a child, and my love for the metal has only increased over time. Its warmth and soft nature make it easy to work with, and it glows, no matter what you make from it.  

As for spirals, they crept into my life many years ago--I don't even know how.  I just know that one day, there they were--in my collages, my gourds, my jewelry and my mixed media work.  I love the form, which is both timeless and mysterious to me.

So here's a piece of jewelry that combines both of these elements.  This piece started out with a small "test" in wrapping some new Rivoli crystals I bought.  This was just supposed to be a prototype for the necklace that I was going to make out of sterling silver.  I was so in love with the way the copper combined with these crystals, that I couldn't stop working on it. Before I knew it, here's what I had...

I was absolutely astonished at how this piece turned out and was glad that I'd made it out of copper instead of silver, because the fire in the "volcano" crystals really bursts!  

I've discovered that my creative muse lives in a mysterious place deep inside of me, and if I quiet the chatter in my head that is constantly directing me, I can hear her...and oh! does she have wonderful things to say!

Ciao for now,

Deborah

I'm Back From the Studio!

Sorry for the lapse in entries here...I was happily lost in action in the studio this past week, working to finish some jewelry pieces that had been on the work table for far too long.  Combine that with my Internet connection going down, and it just seemed to make sense to do something creative instead of giving in to frustration with the computer.

I finished the pendant and earrings that I made out of one of my latest adventures in the embossed and painted metal.  I had the hardest time figuring out what I wanted to do for the necklace portion of the pendant and had a few false starts before deciding on what to make.

Here's how the set turned out...

Years ago I scored several kinds of copper and silver beads at a bead show.  They've been sitting patiently in my bead box, waiting to make their debut.  This set seemed like the ideal place to add a few of those beads.  The tiny silver spirals on the copper beads mirror the spirals in the necklace.  Here they are in the pendant...

and there they are in the earrings...

I wore this set out to dinner with friends last night and really enjoyed the colors and textures!

Now on to my next adventure,

Deborah

Metal Magic

Yes, it's true--I have a one-track mind these days and am completely hooked on making stuff with embossed and painted metal.  It's just like magic when I emboss the metal and then mix colors of paint to create wonderful swirls and rainbows.  It's way too much fun to stop!

So I've got two earring and pendant sets in process--different shapes and different color palettes.  The first has my favorites--the blues/greens/purples...

I love the look of the colors against the background of the copper, which also gives the pieces strength.  Here's a closeup of the pendant...

I got more adventurous with shapes in the next set I made...

This set has luscious greens and reminds me of the range of colors on a walk in the woods.  Here's a closeup of this pendant...

I'll most likely finish these sets with handmade fine silver chains...but then again, I might just add some beads to be different!  Who knows?  So stay tuned for the finished products!

Oh! by the way...I've had inquiries from lots of people wanting to know if these pieces are for sale...of course they are!  I can also make brooches for those who like to make a statement on a lapel.  I'm selling these pieces direct, so if you're interested, give me a holler, and we'll talk.

Ciao!

Deborah

Birds & Hearts!

Sunday was my monthly meeting of the art group to which I belong, and once again, it was time to turn in the altered books that we're exchanging.  The friend's book I had this past month was designed around the theme, "doodles"--right up my alley with all my Zentangling!  I immediately got an image for the artwork I wanted to add to this beautiful book.

My friend is a bird watcher and loves hearts, so those were 2 elements I definitely wanted to include in the pages I did. She's also the person who introduced me to making exquisite artwork using art napkins (paper napkins with beautiful graphics on them).

So here's how I started...

A painted background with a bird from a paper napkin standing on a heart I made from embossed and painted metal (my current favorite thing to play with!).  

Next, I wrote a saying in doodle letters...."May the blue bird of happiness dance in your heart"....

Now for the REALLY fun part....all the doodling...

I really had fun working on this book and was pretty thrilled with the results...and my friend like the pages I did, too!

Cheers till next time,

Deborah

Wire Gone Crazy!

I'm getting a hankering to do some more gourds...it's been awhile.  All my artist friends have had me happily preoccupied with mixed media pieces in between making jewelry.  If I leave my gourds for too long, they start calling to me and are feeling neglected.

I'm getting visions of combining embossed and painted metal and wire with a gourd.  One of the last crazy pieces I did was a wired gourd is called "Wild Red".  The piece actually made itself--my hands seemed to be on auto pilot, and I was delighted with the results.

Here's Wild Red...

I painted the gourd and then used copper wire, artistic wire and beads for the embellishment...

Red is such a wonderful color, don't you think??

More to come,

Deborah

Chains, Chains, Chains

I had a happy day on Sunday working on another necklace and earring set--no pictures yet, But I will take some shots when they're done.  This is another set with the embossed and painted metal set on copper--a combination I'm really liking a lot!  So the challenge is what kind of chain to put with this new style that I'm making.  Beads?  Nah...to jumbled.  Plain links....hmm...humdrum.  So I'm stuck with this conundrum, as the chain is all that's left to make.

I'm so used to working with freeform pieces and making crazy necklaces, that this new stuff is a challenge.  Here's the kind of thing I usually like to do...

So, I guess I'll just keep thinking of some new ideas...I'll post pictures when the new pieces are done.

Ciao for now,

Deborah

On Vacation!

Greetings, friends!

Just a quick note to let you know that this blog is on vacation for a week, while I'm busily working on my friend, Helen's altered book spread and making jewelry...I'm on a roll.  

While I'm otherwise engaged, do check out Helen's beautiful blog by clicking on her name.

See you all next Monday...talley ho!

Deborah

More Wire Craziness!

Since I seem to be on a wire and metal wavelength this week, thought I'd share another experiment with you.  About 20 years ago I began crocheting wire.  I don't know what possessed me to do that, but I did it nonetheless.  The only wire available at the time was 18 gauge copper wire from the hardware store, which is pretty hefty.  I crocheted my little fingers off and made a large sculpture.  My hands were almost non-functional by the time I was finished, but I was determined!  Sorry, never took a picture of that mad creation and don't even know where it is.  Some things are better left forgotten, I think!

So now fast forward many years when gazillions of people are working with wire.   There's a whole gorgeous palette of colors available in a variety of gauges, including much finer wire than 18 gauge.  It's a lot kinder on the hands when crocheting.  So once my hands recovered from the industrial-strength crocheting I did years ago, I decided to try it again and combine it with my passion for gourds. 

Here's what I came up with...it's called "Ridges Have Ruffles"...

This piece was A LOT more fun to do!  Here's a closeup of the wirework...

The fine gauge wire creates a flexible "cloth" when crocheted that feels quite pleasing to the touch.  Because of the way this was crocheted onto the gourd, floppy ruffles developed, giving the piece a whimsical feel.  I still enjoy this piece!

Ta-ta for now!

Deborah

I'm in Love With Metal!

Yes, it's true...I've had a long love affair with metal in all forms, most recently with wire--silver wire, copper wire, colored artistic wire, any kind of wire.  I've long worked with sheet metal to incorporate it into my jewelry and other artwork.  Recently I began embossing and painting metal, and it's my new playground for color!

The possibilities are endless, and I just keep playing...can't seem to help myself.  This weekend I made a pair of lightweight earrings just bursting with color.  Combined the painted, embossed metal with silver....

I was just thrilled with how these earrings turned out!!!!  The design looks like stained glass to me and combines the purples, teals and maroons that I love.  The earrings are quite long and bold, and I think I'll be working on more new designs!

Wishing you all a great week....see you on Wednesday,

Deborah

It's Finished!!!

This past weekend was deliciously rainy and blustery--real autumn weather.  I hardly stepped foot outside the house and decided to commune with my muse.  Thankfully she came to visit!  I finished the copper and embossed/painted metal piece I was working on.

I made a fine silver, fused chain for the necklace, which took the better part of Saturday.  Using a small torch after preparing the wire is a labor-intensive process and one that I find well worth the effort.  It's always magic when the wire fuses into a perfectly round link.

So here's the "ensemble" I made...

The dangles on the necklace and earrings are olive green, freshwater pearls and a silver and copper/silver bead that is 3-sided.

I thoroughly enjoyed making this set and plan on doing more pieces with the colored, embossed metal...definitely a new look for me!

Let me know what you think.....

Thanks,

Deborah

Fun With Embossed Metal!

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I've been having great fun embossing and painting metal.  So far I've used the embossed metal in collages and in altered books.  I've had some great ideas for jewelry but just hadn't gotten around to trying anything.

So this past weekend I decided I was devoting the whole weekend to artwork and finally got around to doing a couple of pieces of jewelry with the embossed, painted metal.  Actually, I decided to work on a necklace with matching earrings.

Using the embossed metal, I cut out a design.  I decided to overlay it on a piece of sheet copper.  I textured the edges of the copper that extend beyond the embossed metal.  Here are the pieces...

When the necklace is assembled, it will look like this...

Here are the earring pieces...

And the earrings after they're assembled...

I'm going to hand-forge a necklace of sterling silver links but haven't gotten that far yet.  The earrings will be trimmed in silver.  Might even add some danglies to all the pieces...who knows?

So stay tuned for the finished pieces!

Ciao for now,

Deborah

A Day in the Life...

This month I agonized over what to create for the altered book I was to work on from my art group.  The book that was passed to me this month has the theme of, "A Day in the Life".  I decided that I'd document the incredibly decadent life of my indulged cat, Peanut.  He's so photogenic--I just love taking pictures of him.

So here's the first page that I did in my friend's book...

There are holes cut out of the page, showing pictures on the page underneath...cool, huh??

So here are the inside pages, detailing a day in the life of His Highness, Peanut.  

I'll be adding captions to the pictures to tell the story of his, oh-so exciting days!  When I finally decided on what to do in this altered book, I had great fun designing the pages.  I just love looking at my little furry friend, because he's just so darn cute!

Till next time,

Deborah

Altar Screen Meets Zentangle

OK, I think I went a bit over the top with this piece!  I was SO gung ho to do another altar screen that I just about bit off more than I could chew!  I started again with the blank, tri-fold screen that I told you about in my last post.  I just love those screens!  They're affordable, a great size and easy to work, whether you're painting or collaging.

I made this screen when I was consumed by Zentangle® mania.  It's called "Art and Soul," because the quote that I stamped on the front says, "Art is the Soul made visible".   I dyed tissue paper and layered it on the blank screen.  Then I went crazy with my Micron pens!

The challenge with this screen was laying on the color so that it was pleasing and there was continuity from panel to panel when the screen was opened.  What do you think?

Here's the back view...

And here's the back opened up...

Even though I started to feel that this piece would never be finished, I realized that I truly did enjoy working on it.  The colors drew me in, almost like falling down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland!

Hope you've enjoyed the scenery,

Deborah