Belle Armoire Jewelry Autumn 2015
Lemon-Scented Shell-Shaped Soap
I used a roll of grass cloth wall paper, some torn lavender-colored cotton cloth strips, and sprigs of lavender from my friend Karen's garden.
I have always admired the cargo vessel necklaces that Lynn Suprock made for Belle Armoire Jewelry a few years ago. She used shotgun shells and some sort of glass or plastic tubing. Last week my friend Brooke Bock made some in her own style, and did a post on her blog http://artisticendeavor101.blogspot.com/. Inspired by both of these talented artists, I decided I needed to join in on the fun. First I tried plastic dime-sized coin holders, but they didn't fit into the caps. Neither did any of the glass vials that I have in my vast collection. As luck would have it, Mr. Bees was doing a project last week, using some plastic tubing. He had about a foot of it leftover. Eyeing it, I thought it might just work. It turned out to be the perfect size!
Shotgun Shells And Plastic Tubing
I filled some of them with tiny seashells and micro glass beads. Others were filled with dried rose petals. I enjoyed making them so much that I became a tad obsessed. I made 8 of them.
With that project finished, I decided to try my hand at a technique borrowed from yet another talented artist, Becky Shander. I have long admired her lace and rhinestone pendants. Reading her description, she used the eye parts from hook-and-eye fasteners. I didn't have any of those available, so I manufactured reasonable facsimiles using round-nose and needle nose pliers, and reclaimed steel anchor wire. Mine ended up being quite a bit bigger than hers, so to give them a bit more body and structure, I glued pieces of suede onto the backs, letting some of it show from the front. this is a great way to use bits of scrap lace and vintage rhinestone dress and shoe clips!
Lace and Scarf Clip Necklace
After finishing those necklaces, I gave myself a challenge. I have a huge problem, and I mean HUGE problem, putting things away. I always have little trays of things that I set aside, thinking I am going to make something with them. I need to remember that I usually start fresh every day, but I rarely remember that. Instead of being sorted back into their proper bins, my beads and components end up getting dumped into trays. From there I dump them into a train case that I have beside my work table. They can sit in there for months. I decided to go into that train case and pull out things with similar color and feel to them. I made this triple-wrap assemblage necklace from my train case components:
I Love You More Than Tongue Can Tell
I loved making chain from my train case beads and findings. It felt like I was recycling.
So changing the subject a bit, I want to talk about my Christmas tree. I know, I know, it's way to early to talk about Christmas. Or is it?
I've been collecting vintage ornaments for years. I really want to make my own tree this year, a big one. That's why I'm starting early. Mr. Bees has pledged his help, which is a good thing, because I am thinking I might ask him to weld parts of it for me. I feel comfortable with the small spot welder, so I can make the branches myself, but I might need help with the superstructure.
Anyway, in anticipation of my handmade tree, I bought myself a small group of vintage ornaments this week, to add to my collection.
Vintage Christmas Ornaments
So that's my idea. I have two months to design and fabricate a tree. I haven't decorated a tree for 4 years. I'm excited about the idea, so I thought I would share it. I'll post photos of the progress.
Until next time, leaving you with this quote:
"...freshly cut Christmas trees, smelling of stars and snow and pine resin - inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night."
-John Geddes, A Familiar Rain
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