Cleaning Up

I love when I finish a group of art. It seems when I am in the middle of a large project I drag out everything related to that group that I am creating. My work space ends up quite small and the amount of stuff that I have collected really gets used up and gone through. This time before I put everything back in place I thought I would make some nice little packets to sell on my http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5190020 I am also listing some crystal chandler bobs that are fun to use in different art projects. I have three more necklaces to share and a lovely altered matchbox that I received in a swap that the artist said I could show you, so as soon as I photograph it I will post it here. Thanks for dropping by and have a creative day....DIANE

My Yard Cave

You can just barely see our sitting area and deck and I call it our cave. It is nice and cool and very relaxing after work or on the weekend. I made some yummy lemonade and just sat. I have been trying to slow down on my art some and getting a few of the neglected things on my list done. The first one on my list was my husband. We work together so I haven't felt bad about spending time in my studio, but I realized we needed some time together to just relax and enjoy our beautiful yard and just hang out together. A very rewarding idea. Then little by little I have been working in the yard, pruning roses, clipping bushes and picking up here and there. The summer is going fast. The only way you can slow it down some is to do something different. Change your pattern. Tackle a big project. Go somewhere special, even if it is your own backyard. ENJOY AND RENEW.....DIANE

The Eyes Have It

This one was fun....The glasses were given to me in a grab bag swap. They were little Zero's from some alphabet set. I just clipped off the little pegs that were on the back. I used Diamond glaze to seal everything the chain is really cool with these gold color links that came off some vintage jewelry, two vintage dice and her "hat" was some found object with some watch parts.

Have a blessed Sunday.........................DIANE

Art Gives Me Wings

Ahh yes.....Crowns and Wings and Artsy Things. A very big influence in the world of altered art. It seems as though everything has sprouted wings these days. You will find them on puppy's and kittens and kids. And crowns aren't just for royalty anymore, vintage women are my favorite to crown. And don't forget the crowing glory of the pointed hat and you can Zetti just about anything. I am loving the Journal pages that I am seeing out and about. They are fun and colorful and just full of imagination.

I have four more necklaces to share and then on with something else. I know it may seem early for some of you but I am already thinking about what to make and give for Christmas. I have an idea for two small scrapbooks and one altered book. I guess that's a start, just to think about it.

Art On..........Diane

Celebrate Freedom

Celebrate Freedom. Here is another Steampunk style necklace. I can't tell you how much fun I have been having. The back of this is a very heavy and nice key chain stamped "Nine West". Something I picked up at a Thrift Store and on the front I glued a watch face with epoxy. On the top I put on an old lock with jewels and the key and a little brass wing with a tiny red dice. On the chain I added two large old dice and a small red poker chip from some game. The chain is made up of several different chains one with little beads. It is nice and long 34 inches.

Enjoy the 4th. of July weekend. Cook Out, eat watermelon, go for a swim.......E N J O Y, DIANE

Victorian Steampunk

Altered art jewelry is always fun to make and the influence of "Steampunk" makes it even more lively and fun. Although I know very little about Victorian steampunk, I think the style is very artsy, different and has a lot of personality. I love the fact that watch parts are used in it, along with wings and things. It is not the culture that interest me as much as the art form.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "Steampunk is a sub-genre of fantasy and speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980's and early 1990's. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used--usually the 19th. century, and often Victorian era England--but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date." Type in "Steampunk Handmade" on Etsy and you will see the varied interpretations of the art form. I would like to think any young hip person would like the style or any older very artsy person..

I have really enjoyed making these necklace's and I will be showing several others over the next week or so. I started cleaning up some of the mess today and can finally see some table in my art room. Enjoy the sweetness of life..............DIANE