ATC meeting

Yesterday was my monthly ATC meeting and I just managed to remember to take pictures of everyone's cards. This months theme was "in like a lion out like a lamb". We were a small group this month but still had a great time. Here are the ATCs.

 Lucie

 Virginia

Wendy

This is just how our March has played out so far here in Eastern Ontario. We started off with a nasty snow storm and now we're getting record highs in the mid 20's. I don't know if it can last till the end of the month but my fingers are crossed for it.

I started the Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry 101 on line class this week and  it's been lots of fun so far. It's all about techniques and the process. I'll share some of the tags with you soon. I'm also thinking I'll have to purge some of my older tags to make room for these new ones. So maybe I'll give away a few tags soon too. Anyone interested in winning a tag?

Happy creating!

Wendy

Creative inspiration

I've read a lot of books and blog posts about how to be creative and what inspires people and keeps them going but in the end I need to figure out what works for me. Lately when I've gone into the studio to work on some of my mixed media projects I just couldn't seem to get back at them. I have a few projects started so I feel that when the mood strikes me I should just be able to show up and the creative juices will start working but it hasn't been working out that way. I show up stare at a few projects for a while and then walk away because nothing seems to move me creatively. Well this past weekend my sister was by to fix up an old window she needed for a stain glass workshop she's taking tomorrow so I found myself in the studio for longer than I have in a long time. Since I had to be in the studio anyway I just started to putter away at things. I threw a little paint here and there in some art journals. Slapped some texture paste on some chip board and just tried out new colour combos and antiquing on the texture past without thinking about being creative. It made me realize that to be creative I really just need to show up regularly and to give it time without forcing it. If something doesn't work I just need to grab the next handy thing to throw paint at. Sometimes I forget that being creative doesn't always mean getting a project done.

This piece was one of those things that just came out of no where. I was using the cradle board canvas to try out some texture paste and glazing colours for a students project. It stayed on my desk so I added things here and there and within a few days it was done. I wish all projects were this easy.

What do you do to get your creativity moving?

Wendy

More antiquing sights.

So to continue from yesterdays post, we went to another antique shop just outside of Smith Falls called Butcher's Antiques. This shop is in old barns so lots of fun rummaging around to see what you can find. We didn't purchase anything but did have fun with the sights.

First there is the outside ground to peruse. This was only part of what was outside, it continued around one of the barns.

Here is some shutters that were hanging around outside. I'm thinking these might work in my new studio space. It's on the Tin mans auction finds list...get a good deal on some shutters with amazing patina, preferably green or white.

 Sometimes it seems so sad the things that get left outside at these places but oh the texture and patinas it creates. I think this was some kind of really long side panel.

 A beautiful old door, you just can't do this kind of texture in the studio.

Another wonderful shutter.

 I've notice that these places seem to think that barn attics are good chair resting places. This was just a small portion of the chairs here. So many wonderful old chairs waiting for that perfect home.

This lamp got the ugly award for the day. I think it looks more like some kind of torture equipment than a lamp. I guess, to each his own! 

 I think this came in as close second for that award though. The Tin Man found this but wasn't willing to try it out. I wonder why?

And beside that lovely chair was this regal sofa and chairs set. Now that's Royal Blue!

So now you know what we like to do when the weather gets nice in the spring. What did you do on these beautiful days we've been having?

Happy Antiquing!

Wendy

Beautiful antiquing day.

It was such a beautiful sunny day today that the Tin man talked me into doing a little antiquing after Tai Chi today instead of cleaning the basement. Imagine the arm twisting he had to do for that!
Lucky you I had my little camera in my purse today so I can share some of the sights.

Our first stop found us at Carousel Antiques in Franktown. They are in a lovely old 1832 stone building. Sorry I didn't get my camera out early enough to get a picture of it...next time.

This is what I purchased here. The pewter mold is just a reproduction but I like it and I hope to use it when I do this on my staircase wall. And well how can I resist watches. I haven't made any watch part jewelry lately so this will help me get back at it.

I'm back...had to go help sister Nancy prepare for a stain glass workshop she's taking next week. I've run out of steam for today though so I'll continue sharing my antiquing story tomorrow.

Good night!

Wendy

Dangle charms

I decided that since I had a pile of beads and such out for making dangles last week, I might as well just continue to make more so I have some when I need them. I started off at my desk but decided I'd try to make some while watching some telly with the Tinman.

 This is my tray of assorted beads and such. Most of them are metal beads, a few are wood and shells, then their are the seed beads for the ends of the dangles. I love keeping my eye open for odd looking beads, not just at the bead store but also at garage sales, thrift shops and the Tinman even brings me some vintage necklaces from auctions that I can take apart to use. As a result I have quite an assortment of things to make unique dangle charms with. Whenever I want to make these charms I always take out an different assortment to work with so I'm always getting different combinations.

Here is the pile I did this week. I have a few ideas for some new designs that I think will have these hanging from them. So I better get back to making some jewelry to hang these from.

Oh I just realized it Wednesday so I'm going to tag along with the WOYWW group. Go check out some desks over at the Stamping Ground to see what everyone else is up to this week.

Wendy

Some ATC inspiration.

I gave myself a little play time today since I've been a good worker this week. I took a little time to do some art journaling(sorry nothing interesting to see). It was one of those spray glimmer mist here and there, wait for things to dry, but didn't get anything done. While I was in the studio I noticed my 7 Gypsy ATC tray on the wall and decided it was time for a change. I used Instant tac the first time and it made marks on some of the paper, so this time around I used repositional tape.

 Here is the tray before the change.

And here it is after. 

I was going for a kind of spring feel since it's been raining all day and the snow is melting fast. I love spring, it can never come too early.

Well back to work.

HAPPY TRADING!

Wendy

New Design.

This winter has not been terrible productive for jewelry making for me. I don't know if it's the winter doldrums  or just not having any deadlines that has caused this but I'm trying to get back at it.

This design has been slow in the creating. The idea of riveting together some etched copper pieces has been floating around my head for many months. When I finally got around to doing it I realized that it needed something more and that's when the dangles came into play.

This bracelet that I made last year came to mind, so I made more dangles similar to these. I thought I would just have it on a copper chain but this didn't really do it justice so I made some bead and funky wire connectors and that did the trick.

I'm pleased with how it turned out. What do you think?

Wendy