ATC: Shoes

ATC time again. This month our theme was Shoes. Who doesn't like shoes!

 Marie

 Michelle

 Nancy

Wendy

This month we had some typical unpredictable fall weather so it was back to my home studio for the meeting. I don't think I've told you much about our group and how it works. I'm always surprised at how many different kinds of ATC groups their are. Ours group has 12 members but usually we only have about 4-8 at a meeting. We're very easy going and don't want too much home work so we only do one card a month. Some even do their card during the meeting while others like to do it ahead of time. I like to at least have mine started so I have a little direction before we get together. At the end of the meeting when it's time to trade I number all the cards and then we draw numbers to see who's we get, so it's always a surprise who we trade. If you live in the area and are interested in joining out ATC group we're always open to new members. We meet the third Tuesday afternoon of each month. If you want to join just give me a shout by e-mail.

Happy trading.

Wendy

Show prep.

I'm still plugging away at finishing up some pieces for Fibrefest this weekend. I'm in the assembly stage. I have a number of copper focal pieces ready to have things added to them and then put on some kind of chain.

 This banner design is a new one for this year. I enjoy making a bunch of different word banners and then I lay them out on the table and chose what charms and beads will go with the word. No 2 ever come out the same. It's also one of my favourite every day necklaces to wear because it's simple and very comfortable but the word is great inspiration for my day.

 The word Bloom seems to pop up a lot in my work this year. I think it's to remind me to do just that.

BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED!

This necklace sat on my work table for some time as I decided if it needed more than one flower. I was so tempted to rivet more flowers on but I loved the etched background so much I didn't want to hide any more of it. So I solved my dilemma by hanging a butterfly and flower at the top.  I've been playing with creating different kinds of chains lately. This one is seed beads woven through a simple copper chain. Sometimes I just get tired of hanging everything on a plain chain.

I have a little jewelry break this morning as I head out for some Tai Chi but I'll be back at it this afternoon.

Have a creative day!

Wendy

Resin fun

 

As I said yesterday, I've been getting ready for Fibrefest this weekend. I've been doing this show for a number of years and it's one of my favourites to participate in. If your interested in any kind of fibre or textiles, this is the show to see. They have vendors for all your fibre and textile needs as well as displays and demos of quilting, hooking, weaving, spinning, etc. The creativity in the air is infectious. You're sure to walk away with a special something for yourself or a new project to work on. Even though I'm not a quilter I have a hard time resisting all those beautiful quilting materials. I usually buy a few fat quarters for my material collection!

So with a show on the near horizon, again I go into full speed jewelry creating. It doesn't matter how much I have ready it never seems like enough, so the week before a big show like this I usually go a little crazy. And it's never just about producing. I always get this urge to create some new things even though there really isn't enough time to be starting new projects. I've come to terms with these creative urges and try to give them their space while still getting done those things that really need to get done for the show.

As you can see I've been playing with resin again. These are designs I've done before, I've just tried to change them up a bit. It's fun to set out the TierraCast copper frames on the table and then find as many interesting things I can  to set in them. The wire frames with buttons and lace in is an idea I've been playing with for some time in my mind so it was a great relief to have it turn out even better than it was in my mind.

Now to start assembling all them pieces into earrings and necklaces.

I hope to be back tomorrow with some finished projects. Fingers crossed, maybe even another brand new bracelet design!

Have a great day!

Wendy

New finds...

Look what the Tin man found me while we were in Oakville moving Christian. Most of the moving was done before we got there so we did some searching for a couch for his new place. On our way to the Thrift shop(Christian's favourite store) we stopped in at an Antique store. Even though we're in the same place the Tin man usually finds some interesting things that I miss. He found these key hole plates. I'm seeing some interesting mixed media on canvas with these. What do you think? Have you made any interesting things with key hole plates that you can share with me for inspiration?

I'm getting ready for Fibrefest this weekend. I've been trying out some new things to bring to the show. I hope to give you a sneak peek tomorrow. So I'm off to take some pictures.