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

WHAT A FUN SWAP

I received my returns from the latest swap I was in and boy was it fun. I just love my returns they are all so different. It was fun doing a bird shape. I wasn't sure how I would put them together. Some people were going to make a mobile and some a book, where do you bind them? They were facing in different directions and I had thought I would ring them at the top but didn't like the way they would flip because of the different direction of the head and tail. So I choose to ring them at the tail, I like to bind them because then I can hang the whole group together and flip through them anytime. I made one for myself to keep and since I am into STEAMPUNK at the moment I made the BROWN BIRD with the watch parts and the heavy metal beak which was a rusty something-or-another I found in the backyard. Have a Art full weekend.............DIANE

STEAMPUNK FUN

Well here is the surprise I have been telling you about. My latest creations. Steampunk style pendents. Altered art in the jewelry world. My chains were really fun to make from vintage necklaces and religious beads and dice. All my chains are long 28 inches. A friend gave me a box of watch parts to use and I have been collecting the vintage jewelry for a long time. I had a hard time cutting them up at first but it got easier. I still have a super long chain with crystal beads that I wanted to use but just couldn't bring myself to cut up...it is so pretty.

Gluing the pieces was probably the hardest. I finally bought some epoxy on Etsy, the kind that you mix two tubes together. Messy stuff to say the least. Then there is the fact that it will harden and you have to mix just the amount that you need at the time. You always mix more than you need so you can't help wasting some. I also bought Sulphur of liver to blacken some of the brass and add a patina to some of the silver pieces. (very stinky stuff) It has been a fun few weeks, but....here comes the BIG but, I am not getting many hits on Etsy. I uploaded to my flickr and here today but still not much going on. I am sure the down turn of the economy has had a lot to do with the art world too. I researched prices and set mine lower than everything I saw that was similar so I know my prices are right in there. Some of the stuff was getting a lot of hits so maybe they are paying to showcase their item. I am fairly new to selling so I guess it will take awhile to figure it all out. Meanwhile if you have any helpful hints you know I will appreciate them. Art on peeps......DIANE

Bike Rally Year Two

Yesterday was the first day of the Motorcycle Rally in our town. They have bikers from all over and a three day event. It gets rather loud around here but is exciting to see all the beautiful bikes. Here are some shots of the parade that goes through the center of town. It is so fun to see all the different rides. This year there were a few street party's with BBQ and cocktails. Today is the "Show and Shine" and after we get off work we may head over to the fair grounds to have some dinner and shoot some more pictures. Most of the bikers are camping out and I am sorry to say that the weather has turned rather cool and cloudy so I hope it doesn't dampen any one's spirits.

And now for the bad news........my bird inches that were mailed for a swap.....got lost in the mailing system somewhere. The hostess received the empty envelope only...Oh well stuff happens and then more stuff happens. I didn't put heavy packing tape on my little envelope because it was small and almost flat...there is a lesson there I guess. This is the third thing that has been lost in the system and I guess for the number of years I have been doing mail art it averages about one a year. ART ON........................DIANE

Blowing Kisses

I can't believe June is half over. We have had unusual weather this June, alot more rain than normal and alot cooler. Oh how I love it. However I know we will be in for some HOT HOT HOT July and August. I thought my little side yard looked so pretty in the dappled sunlight and I always love my little garden children.

I have been busy, with a new project that is top secret. I am having a blast and can't wait to share with you what I am working on. But until I finish them and get them on my Etsy you will have to wait. Stay tuned................DIANE

Things I Learned Today.

Things I learned today, took me far and near. I went to an animal show and flea Markets and baked a cake. I laughed and I cried and I squealed with joy at the wonder of it all and I never left my pc. I thought I would share with you some of the wonders of my travels. And as always there is no place like home. Love and Peace....DIANE

http://chooksiniowa.blogspot.com/ How a lamb gives birth

http://smallpines.com/ People are still moving to the country.

http://www.whatsuproc.blogspot.com/ Mother's hate it when their children move away.

http://chooksiniowa.blogspot.com/ People can make Llamas jump through hoops.

http://lemoncholys.blogspot.com/2009/06/dependable-don.html People who like the same things as you are out there and just waiting to connect.

ONE INCH BIRD SWAP

One inch bird's are ready to leave the roost. They are many colors and many different personality's. However they are my last inches, just too small for me. Now I remember why I pretty much left the world of ATC's, I wanted to work bigger. More in my comfort zone, my eyes just don't have it anymore. So fly away home little one's I will be flying around in the big bad world of 4 x4's and postcards and canvas of many sizes. I worked in miniature for many years. Made miniature houses and stores all in one inch scale and believe it was the beginning of my eye problems. That would be a good post in the future my little world of miniature's. Shine on.... DIANE

Strange Weather

Strange weather here of late. We have had about two weeks worth of pouring rain and lighting storms and hail. I mean it was fierce. The rain came down in buckets, so hard you couldn't see across the street. I don't plant a garden but I did wonder how the gardens were doing here. I am sure that they had a set back with the cool weather and of course hail can be very damaging to all the work that goes into the process. Growing a garden in the mountains is always a challenge, which is why I gave it up years ago, when my fist size tomatoes froze on the 4th. of July

I did manage to get a picture of our Purple Locust tree which was loaded with flowers this year. And just imagine how it looked before the storms, it was amazing and still beautiful. Have a colorful weekend. DIANE

Art Gives Me Wings

Chunky Bird Book made to trade. I made 6 of these little guys. They are 7.75" long by 2" deep. Everyone in the group has a different idea on how to display them when they arrive at our doorstep. Some people are going to put them together in a chunky book and some are making a garland and others still a mobile. I can't wait to see my returns and I still have a couple to make before I mail them off. I am leaning more to a book. I think this was a fun idea and I really enjoyed making them, hummmm wonder what is next on my list of things to do.. Art On..Diane

Jackson Commission Sold

I just wanted to share this with you. The lady that ordered it picked it up the other day so I am able to share. I didn't want to post it until she saw it in person. Well I am glad to say she loved it and just squealed with joy when she saw it so that was worth more than all the money. Then this weekend she brought her little grandson in to see me and I was just tickled to see him in person. It's funny.....I was missing him after working on his portrait and looking at that cute little face. The canvas is 20 x 24. Her daughter E-mailed me four pictures she liked and ordered his favorite car from the movie Car's, and this is what I came up with. Welcome June with a song in your heart and art in your soul. Diane