Heading Into The Homestretch!

As you know, I've been buzzin' around creating all this new jewelry, techniques that I've recently learned from some of the best artists/teachers around....

Now I'm in the homestretch, completing these amazing creations....

These little beauties are just waiting for the right necklace chain to complete them...

They will be featured in my Trunk Show on September 16th.

You've waited so long to see the treasures I found at the Pasadena Flea Market, so let's get the show started!

a dozen "lace" paper luncheon napkins and a sweet vintage card

yummy soft silk ribbon

keys and a key chain from 1935

French text

vintage patriotic ribbon

 French dish towels made from vintage linen and feed sacks

old spoons

a chalkware St. Agnes and wooden tote

holy medals

vintage earrings and an old floral frog

 tiered basket for the studio and a lamp which will be used for staging

lovely tiny little bottles and salt and peppers

scads of ribbon and lace

old shoe buttons

Yes, it was quite the "wowza!" but I must say, good old Tucson prices still reign supreme.

 So, last Monday Kelly, Kiki and I headed out to our fave place ~ 22nd Street Antique Mall

We all managed to do our share of "damage" and got so excited we forgot to take a lot of pictures inside!!  But here's some of the goodies....

sweet glove box to repurpose

lots of small plates asking to become jewelry holders

hats to admire

canning jar and some silver for the studio and staging

tiny bottles

jewelry box to hold rhinestone stash

more hats to admire

old soap dish

smokin' deal on seam binding

a gift for sweet hubby

amazing 31/4 inch old brooch

 we smiled to see this old  pretzel can just like Nannie had

pretzel can lid

vintage rosary to be upcycled into jewelry  and lampshade for display

porcelain door knob to become a memo holder

Hope you enjoyed the visit ~ I sure did!!
More exciting news....I'm off to Phoenix this week for Art Unraveled 

and another fantastic class with Diane Cook - this time in person!!  I'm soooo excited!

I hope your week is filled with love and blessings and comfy weather.  We're getting our rain in the desert and we're extremely grateful!
Thank you for your visit....I love you!!
xoxo
Karen

Busy In The Beehive

When I think of summer, images come to mind of lazy, peaceful, warm and endless days....

Where's MINE???!!!

Don't get me wrong ~ I'm not complaining because it's all good and I'm so busy in the hive, but summer is fleeting!

Second session for Artful Gathering 2012  has begun,

and I'm already thinking about registration for Art Retreat in The Desert 2013!

So, let me share a few things with you that have been happening in my studio since we last visited.

One of the classes I'm taking is Soldering Flambe with artist Kecia Deveney.  After taking Riki Schumacher's "Overcoming the Fear of Fire," I was ready to dig in ~ micro torch and all....
Here is a trio of practice pieces in the beginning stages...

They will be "foofed up" with resin, vintage images, vintage rhinestone, etc.  I'll be posting finished results next week.  I think it's a good beginning, even though I have a long way to go with technique.  Kecia is great and so encouraging and torching is really not scary at all!

My second class is Etched and Layered with artist Diane Cook.  The newest technique I've learned is how to etch metal ~ a bit daunting as you get to work with some big girl chemicals.  Diane's video and instruction are hands down amazing.  

So, on Sunday I was ready to give it a go....I etched these 4 cuffs and a piece of brass that will be repurposed into jewelry. The cuffs went from this stage....

  to this.....

But, you see, these are just the "bones" of the cuffs ~ just the beginnings.  I hope to have them finished by the end of the week so I can show you next Monday!

Last weekend was our Scrap Happy Retreat ~ 3 days of dedicated art time with amazing women, food, and fellowship ~ who could ask for more?!!

Here's a peak at some of the bracelets I completed...

And a pendant...

detail

And a collar necklace...

And if that wasn't enough ~ we had our Tucson Swap Queens on Monday night!!  The theme this month was Patriotic ATC's ~ take a peak!

artist ~ Sandra

And our Tucson Swap Queens turned 1 year old this month!

What a rockin' group of ladies!!

As for me, I'm recovering from a nasty bout of bronchitis and still have 4 more days of antibiotics to finish.  So, I will leave you now as I'm a little worn out and should rest.  I still owe you some pix of the Flea Market finds, but those will keep till next Monday.

Have a beautiful week and enjoy what's left of summer - you know those Big Burger Holidays are right around the corner!!

Stay well and be safe....blessings!
xoxo
Karen