CREATE YOUR OWN FABRIC DESIGN EASY & FUN

It is exciting to open a package that you have been anxiously awaiting for, especially when you are getting actual fabric that is your own design and artwork.  http://www.spoonflower.com/ is a wonderful website, where you can upload your own art and designs, and have cotton quilting fabric created in small yardage and fat quarters.  I am a member of Spoonflower, and you can search the site and find me by searching the designers.  My designs are under the name pumpkin moon, or follow this link to my page http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/pumpkinmoon

Sock monkeys are the rage, and so my most recent design features pink and chocolate sock monkeys just for girls.  The great thing about Spoonflower, is that you can have a simple 8x8 inch swatch printed to see in person before you order more yardage.  I simply created this basic design, then the magic of Spoonflower is, that they repeat the design, and you can actually see a sample on their site, showing how the repeat design looks as a full yard of fabric.  Sort of like creating wallpaper for your computer screen.

I've ordered a yard of this, and as soon as it arrives, within 7 days, I'll photograph and post.  Of course, I have all sorts of ideas on how to use it, and  if I like the way the fabric looks and feels, then I can allow Spoonflower to sell my designs, and I get a commission.  Of course, beware!  This can get very addictive! 

This is the basic design, then the next shows the pattern in repeat.

VINTAGE ASSEMBLAGE AND 1950'S MOONGLOW BEADS

Aged brass add to the appeal of these earrings.  Vintage lucite moonglow teal beads from an old discarded necklace circa 1950 have been used as the focal point of this assemblage.  Topped with  beautiful crystal teal rondelle faceted glass beads,  hanging from aged brass lever back earwires.   These are available in my Etsy Store, http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/  I recently purchased a nice lot of vintage jewelry from the estate of elderly lady, who practiced her art of bellydancing from the 1930's through the 1950's.  You'll find a few choice vintage pieces from this estate in my Etsy Store also.  I think seeing her cherished possessions, exotic costumes, and well loved jewelry and accessories was the inspiration for this pair of earrings that I created.  

VINTAGE REPURPOSED UPCYCLED REDESIGNED JEWELRY

Half a day has been spent adding items to my Etsy Store, http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/ .  I love vintage jewelry, and I take old broken and discarded pieces and upcycle and repurpose them into fun jewelry to wear.  However, there are those times when I have acquired a beautiful piece of vintage jewelry, and just do not have the heart to take it apart, and will list it as is in my store, hopefully becoming the addition to a collector of pins, necklaces, brooches, earrings etc. 

Upcycling old lockets is one of my favorite jewelry projects.  Such as this locket.  Beginning with a small vintage locket about 3/4 inch in diameter, then adding a vintage plastic rose cabochon, which was made in Japan years ago.  It is such a sweet buttercup yellow.  Then I added the old link from a bracelet, and I accent it with a yellow rhinestone cab.  Vintage celery green pearls then begin the neckchain portion, with vintage links that I have added enameled  tiny rose cabochons, then old glass bicone crystals, and finishing off with aged looking vintage aged brass chain.  Pieces from at least 4 or 5 different old jewelry pieces add to this necklace, now ready for wear.  These look great from dressy to casual blue jeans.  Each piece I create is OOAK (one of a kind).  I will never duplicate a locket design.  Each one is individual.

Today I listed a couple of these new creations with vintage flare in my Etsy Store.   I also listed some wonderful old vintage jewelry pieces such as this.

A very beautiful double hearts brooch or pin.  I couldn't take them apart, they are too perfect the way they are, and both encrusted with vintage aurora borealis finish rhinestones.  What a sweet piece to wear during February, the month we celebrate Valentine's Day.

I hope you'll check out my Etsy store, and pass my link onto your friends.

Typewriter Key & Soldered Initial Pendant Jewelry

Digitally layering artistic elements in tiny spaces such as this can be time consuming, but the result is appealing.  A simple faux typewriter key, digitally layered on artistic paper, and graphic elements resulted in a very special necklace. 

An old world sepia toned decorative paper backs this, and both sandwiched between glass, soldered, then adding a handbeaded necklace with color coordinated beads, and charming little dangle.  I use only lead free solder.  I used a decoratived edge copper foil tape for this, which adds to the eclectic charm of this piece.

The pendant itself is approx 1.25 inches square.  When wiring each bead together gives the chain the look similar to a rosary chain.  I have listed this piece in my Etsy store at http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/  Of course, the piece will be made to order, with initial of your choice, and necklace length of choice. 

MY FUNNY LITTLE VALENTINE

A simple little handrawn heart, embellished with super fine glitter, decorative pink paper on the back, and sandwiched between glass, soldered (using only lead-free solder), and I added a sterling silver bail.  I have added a red ballchain necklace with this pendant, complete and ready to wear. The pendant is 3/4" square.

Miss Ezra's Valentine - Soldered Glass Valentine

It's Friday, January 15th, 2010, and Miss Ezra is now posted on http://www.theprimitivegathering.com/ and she turned out so cute.  She is a primitive gal, hand drawn by me, digitally altered and placed in glass with primitive paisley toile background, and she carries her little pocket, full of her Valentine's that she is giving away, with a very special also soldered as a charm and hangs below.  Overall about 5 to 6 inches long.  The back has the same decorative paper, and I use only lead-free solder. You can click the picture of her and enlarge it so that you can see the detail.

Heirloom Treasures and Vintage Textiles

My most recent project, is this old piece of a beautiful doily, that I encased in 3x2 inch glass, soldered with lead-free solder, added a vintage heart charm, and sweet chain for hanging from a peg, knob, armoire, and more.  A great way to use your most treasured old tattered pieces from your Grandmother, Mother, or your own private vintage collection.  The overall length including chain, and heart charm is 7.5 inches long.  Why give a card this Valentine's Day, when you can give an heirloom.   I have listed this piece in my Etsy Store http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/.

The Glitter Palette

What at first appears to be a sewing box full of thread, actually is my new palette of glitter.  I originally was in search of a fine red glitter, but found this set, with every color I can think that I would use over the next year.  *Gulp*, yes it is Martha Steward brand, but my gosh I have to say the glitter is very fine in texture, and wonderful to use.  I have actually used what I thought was a great amount of red, only the bottle still looks unused, so this set will go a long way, and last for a very long time.  This glitter is nothing like I used back in school, the larger flaky type.  It had its great use, but this finer, almost dustlike glitter is very appealing, and wonderful for my altered art projects. If I were working on a large banner for a special occasion, that would hang from a fireplace mantel, cabinet, etc, then I would use the larger flake glitter available in school or office supply sections of your local department store.   Just thought I would share this set.  I do recommend it to anyone for their art projects.  Okay, which reminds me, I need to get busy and finish the project I'm working on, so I can post here on my blog. 

Don't forget Miss Ezra debuts on the 15th on http://www.theprimitivegathering.com/

Miss Ezra Will Make Her Appearance on The Primitive Gathering

The past few days have been very busy, getting ready to debut some of my creations on a website, called The Primitive Gathering.  I'll include a link here so that you can check it out.  Miss Ezra is a primitive gal handrawn by me, and used with mixed media and vintage pieces, to create a very special Valentine.  She will make her appearance on the 15th of January, along with several other soldered glass Valentines.

I'm very excited to have been approved to be one of the artists that participate on this website.  One of my best friends from Oregon, Susan Grant of Country Presence is also a participating artist, and encouraged me to join.  I'll include a link to her also. 

I wanted to post a photograph of Miss Ezra here, but will wait until after her debut on The Primitive Gathering!  I hope you'll check out the site, and the other artists there.
http://www.theprimitivegathering.com/
http://www.countrypresence.com/ 

Simply Snowflakes

I posted earlier, that I wish so very much, to be able to post a completed project each day during 2010, but I'm sure that is not possible.  However, I definitely will post several each week as I find time to find my solace in my little studio, Pumpkin Moon Studio.  Did I ever tell you, that my studio is a wonderful little log cabin, constructed of logs that are over 100 years old, and originally part of a barn in Leipers Fork, Tennessee?  And my very talented son, Ben, a carpenter by trade, was very instrumental in the creation of the cabin?  Well, he was.  Each log was cut down and hand hewn, resulting in a 14x14 ft cabin, complete with chinking, and Ben built the front porch himself.  He and several others involved in its construction had to piece the cabin together far from its intended resting place, in order to number each log, like a puzzle, so that when all the logs arrived onsite, they simply reconstructed the puzzle, and began to chink, and the porch was last. 

On that porch sits an antique rocker and old wooden boxes that house wonderful primitive treasures.  And if you turn the knob on the old multi-paned door, and step inside, you'll see my torch and cubbyholes full of glass rods of every color of the rainbow, and a small sitting area with old fireplace mantel, with an old oval braided rug in front, and 2 rockers, one for me, and a small pint size rocker for the grandkids.  And in the opposite corner, an old Hoosier kitchen cabinet, full of vintage utensils, grubby candles, and old yelloware crockery bowls, the things I collect..  And this my friend, is my playhouse, my solace, where I can work, create and venture into my world that is far from the normal work day, and where my grandchildren can venture through the looking glass and back. 

And at the close of a much treasured small span of time, filled with creativity, with a little tiny hand grasping mine, we go back through the multi-paned glass door, back to the porch, and on to the house, back to reality, and we sigh together, and we smile, because we know the next trip to the studio, is yet another adventure and another beginning.

It is cold here, and today I took a beautiful little snowflake from a very special Christmas card from my Mother, and I placed my little Tiffany Blue background golden snowflake, and encased it in glass and soldered it to use as a pendant.  A little treasure, a memory, to be worn on these cold snowy days, and a sweet warming reminder that I am loved by my family and friends.  Today is my Birthday!  Thank you to my family, friends, acquaintances and to GOD, for making this my SPECIAL DAY.

Vintage Feedsack Soldered Charm Bracelet

Good Afternoon!  It's Thursday, and I managed to squeeze in some time finishing up this soldered bracelet, consisting of charms that were created using vintage feedsack Aunt Grace reproduction quilting fabric.  A couple of days ago, I posted the beginning of this project.  My glass charms were copper taped and ready to solder and add my links.  Today, I managed to get all of them soldered.  Each time I solder a new piece, I begin to understand a little bit better,  how the solder flows, and my charms are beginning to be much more smooth than when I first started learning how to make them.

I kept my first attempt at making these charms, and I can tell you looking back at it, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.  It took purchasing 3 different soldering irons before I found the right one that works for me, and with the help of several books, a great website I feel much more comfortable with my creations, and offering them for sale.  This particular bracelet has been listed in my Etsy Store.

http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/

A helpful site for anyone wanting to get into making these is

http://www.simplyswank.net/

You can do a Google search also for soldered glass charms.  It is very inspirational to see other artists' works, and the amazing collages in such tiny detail. 

On a more personal note, my husband got back from Kentucky early, due to the bad weather. It has been so cold, frozen water pipe to our washing machine.  I'm already wishing for Spring to hurry and arrive.

 

Single Digit Freeze

Wednesday morning, Jan 6th, and it is so cold here, I cannot think about working on a project.  Heavy snows expected beginning at midnight and on into Thursday.  So, I have to stock up on groceries and supplies, as I might not be able to drive the 9 miles into town Thurs or Friday. So with that, hope everyone has a happy day.

Vintage Feedsacks & Soldered Jewelry

Good Morning!  It is Tuesday, and I managed to work on a project that I've been thinking about for awhile.  I love vintage feedsacks, and my stash now consists of about 100 different old sacks, from 1930 to 1950, and each design is so unique.  I do sell them occasionally, especially the novelty ones that are more rare to find, as they bring a higher price.  I actually have one listed right now in my Ebay Store, pumpkinmoonstudio.  It is a wonderful old cowboy rodeo print.  Quite unusual, so decided to part with it, to help fund my other art and jewelry ideas like this one. 

I have taken vintage feedsack reproduction fabric for this particular bracelet.  Yes, reproduction for this, and my favorite fabric line for this is the Aunt Grace quilting fabrics.  Each charm link in this bracelet has a different piece of fabric.  The front and back of each soldered charm link is the same.  I cut two pieces of fabric and managed to line them up so that each side is the same in color, fabric, and design.  This project is just in the beginning stages.  I have cut the fabrics, sandwiched in the glass, and secured the copper tape.  The charm sizes are 3/4" square, and 1 x 3/4" as you can see.  I have soldered 1 charm and added my jump rings so as to give you an idea of how these will look.  You can click on the photograph above, and it will give you a close up look at the bracelet charms.

As the project progresses, I'll add sterling silver beads in between the charm links and finishing off with a beautiful silver clasp.  The Spring colors will be enough of a show, that I don't think that I will add beads that are colored.  If adding any beads, probably clear swarovski crystals to accent the sterling beads.  I'll have to play with it for awhile until I achieve the look I'm trying to go for.  I will post the end result later this week.  Right now, it is back to the real world and work!

All That Glitters

I thought I would get these other soldered Valentine's Day projects photographed and posted yesterday, but that didn't happen.  So, here are the other 2 projects I finished.  The main portion of the piece is 3x2 inches in size, slightly larger than a standard size business card.  Of course, the glitter flowed freely on this one.  The handbeaded dangles consist of genuine freshwater pearls, trumpet flower beads, vintage swarovski crystals from the 1950's, and red aurora borealis faceted czech glass beads. 

On the other one, the little child's chair knobs have been accented in red.  This was such a sweet vintage postcard image, I just couldn't resist using it for this piece.  The large red faceted glass crystal bead is also vintage from the 1940's or 1950's.  I'm pleased with both.  The sparkle so much better in person.  One thing I have to work on this year, is learning how to photograph my work more professionally.

I had a friend ask me to photograph the process, step by step.  I'll try and do that in one of my upcoming posts here on my Blog.  Well, back to work.  I have Ebay orders to fill, new designs to list, and some collectibles to put up for auction on Ebay as well.

Vintage Valentine Postcards & Altered Art Projects for 2010

Good Morning!  It is January 3, 2010 already!  I'm  working on some Valentine's Day altered art projects.  I love vintage postcards and glitter!  Yes, lots of GLITTER!  I remember an animated movie, where a strange little crow just loved his "sparklies".  Well, I guess I'm like that .  I love glass beads, suncatchers, and I love glitter.  If it catches the light, I like it.


For this particular project,  I took a vintage Valentine's Day postcard image, digitally altered it to a 3x2 inch size, accented with soft pink glitter, backed it with soft pink and white paisley decorative paper, and sandwiched between glass, then soldered the edges.  I use only lead-free solder.  I then bent 18 gauge silver wire into a fun 3 loop shape, and then soldered it to the top edge as you can see in the photo.  To the bottom edge, I soldered a 6mm jump ring, then hung a vintage light pink teardrop faceted crystal and vintage jadeite green bead.  It turned out well, nice heavy quality, and after adding the ribbon for hanging, this can be hung from cabinet knobs just like you would a decorative tassel, or hang from your Valentine's Day tree, or keep for use as a Christmas ornament.  It makes a great little gift also.  Overall, the length is 6 inches from the top of the 3 loop edge, to the bottom of the pink crystal, so this is a very nice large size, and much more beautiful in person, as the photo just doesn't show the glitter and polished silver edges of the piece well, but I hope you get the idea


I have 2 more of these in different images and accents.  I'll be adding those photos to my blog later today.  I have never had much luck with New Year's resolutions and wish that I could vow to make at least 1 art project each day for the remainder of 2010.  I doubt I would be able to stick to that intention, but we'll see.  I hope you'll check back later today to see the other 2 projects in their completion.