happiness & friends

Hey all! Thanks ever so much for playing along in my little contest. I really, truly enjoyed visiting all of you creative beauties out there in Bloggy-land! I loved doing this contest for several reasons. One being, I got to meet some new artists, that sparked my own creative spirit. Also, It was nice to do a contest that wasn't promotional, you know? I love giving away goodies, PERIOD.... but it was so nice to do it for readers and friends, just because!

I'll be picking the winner this weekend and filling you all in soon!

There's been a lot of reasons to be excited and happy as of late!!! For the past year I have been talking about "secret projects" and such. Well, one I can finally talk a little more in depth about. Last fall, I was invited by two wonder-woman mixed media artists to participate in a book project that they wanted to do. The fabulous ladies, Ruth Rae and Kelly Snelling have brought to life, what promises to be a beautiful book, called "A Charming Exchange", that focuses on mixed media jewelry. "A Charming Exchange" is just that! Various mixed media artists have been sending in charms for the past year, and Ruth & Kelly have created amazing pieces of jewelry from these charms. I got to be in a couple of little side projects, and wouldn't you know, one of those projects became the photo for the cover of the book!! AND wasn't I excited to see my charm right there, center stage! NOW, I don't believe my charm was any more amazing then anyone elses, but I'm sure collaging the word CREATE on a piece of old silverware had something to do with it! HONESTLY, at times I was so nervous! When I'd see some of the ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE pieces that were coming in, I'd think, why in the heck did Ruth ask me to do this??? But Ruth, being Ruth, was so encouraging and thankful, and kept me from drowning in self-doubt. MOST of you who know me, KNOW, that I'm not a person who even has much self doubt! But as long as I can remember I've wanted to be a published artist, so, hey, this just felt so important! I was just on the cusp of sending in some pieces to various magazines, when Ruth emailed me. Just you wait... all of the work in this book is going to excite you & spark some energy you didn't even know you had!

Another cause for happiness is an art retreat/gathering that I'll be hosting here at The Plenty To Do Farm next weekend. Participating will be Tammy, Leah, Mindy & Heidi. All of the girls (except for Tam) will be coming from Mass. We'll have an art day, a dinner out night, and an antiquing and shopping day. OF COURSE I'll fill you all in on that little adventure! (OH, and I've sent Big Daddy up to camp for the weekend!! hehehehe. He's totally psyched!)

have I ever mentioned that girls totally rock?

So I've been working on some new pieces for the shop, but they will be examples of workshops that I'll be teaching in the future too. If you are a Maine gal, and would like to book private lessons for you and 2 of your friends here at The Plenty To Do farm please visit the workshops link. I'm also going to do private parties...basically, I'll come to YOU if you'd like to host a girl's night out at your house.

I think this is a good example of how you can get different results, even though I've used the same little frame in each necklace.

"DREAMS"

I was antiquing with my Mom a couple of weekends ago, where I found gobs of old jewelry. I couldn't wait to repurpose this old victorian pin with coral center into something fabulous!

 I finished this one last night....

"HOPE"

I adored the flowers on a vintage pin that I had. Pairing up this flower and bluebird just seemed right. 

xoxoxox

Before I head off to the studio, I also wanted to mention a couple of fun links to check out...

I've discovered a site called Vintage Indie. Gabreial is ALL ABOUT the vintage darlings! Go give her a looksie, and say HI! She's a sweetie I tell you!!!

MY MOM has a new Etsy shop called Sew Many Buttons. Now, my Dear mother has always been something of a button whore, for as far back as I can remember, and she's finally selling some of these little gems!!!!! When you go over to visit, you'll see that she has two other etsy shops listed as well, one is for china and glass, and the other is vintage jewelry. Tell her, her daughter sent you.

xoxoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at August 31, 2007 18:40 | link | comments (15) |
artsy fartsy, jewelry, junque revival news

bloggy luv........

Being the chatter-box that I am, I just wasn't satisfied with yesterday's post! I've got lots to talk about, (ummm...well ALWAYS), but some fun mentions this very early morning.

I went to Mary Ann's site yesterday, and what did I spy, but my name attatched to this!

Well, I have to say thank you Mary Ann for thinking of me...you too are quite rockus! I'm supposed to pass on the torch, and this is a toughie, as you are all ROCKIN' in my eyes! Here goes.... Tif, Tam, Steph and Steph! Rock on with your big bad selves!

As some of you know, I am a HUGE fan of Paulette Insall. You've got to go and check out her You-Tube videos. She shows us how she creates one of her beautiful mixed-media pieces in 3 wonderful sessions. The music she's picked to go with each video is PERFECTION! I love the last one, it's the "face". That's all I'm saying, you've just got to head over there to see for yourself. The videos inspire me, and make me want to paint again. I know I will soon.

I've got to remind you to sign up for the contest two posts below! You've got till the end of August. Why am I doing this? Simply put, it's all about Karma Baby!

OK....since I'm up so early, I think I'll head to the grocery store, and hopefully hit a few tag sales on the way! Wish me luck!

xoxoxox

 

 

posted by: sweetpeas at August 25, 2007 12:14 | link | comments (5) |
artsy fartsy, bloggy projects n such, justbe connected

*CONTEST DETAILS at bottom of post!!*

This past weekend we had another grande 4 days aboard "Aurora". We left from Rockland Harbor and steamed to Seal Bay in Vinalhaven where we anchored for the night. It was one of the most beautiful spots I've ever had the priviledge to stay in! The next afternoon we departed for Winter Harbor to watch the lobster boat races. After the races we went to a favorite spot, Orono Island off of Stonington, where we spent a sunset filled evening of good food, and drink. As usual, the whole weekend was incredible!

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I'm finally getting "Wicked Creature" into the shop. I love the vintage "frame" that's been sitting in my stash, just waiting to be used. Big Daddy helped me create the pendant holder, as the frame had no holes, and I didn't dare to drill one into the pendant, because that entire frame is actually finely weaved metal.

I hand wired each little bead, a bit of work, but I like the delicate chain it created, letting the pendant be the star of the show.

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I joined up for a fun swap over at Create a Connection. It was for the month of July, and the theme was "Your Home Town". I am getting the biggest kick from Lee's lovely package of goodies she sent me! She sent to me, what I might send to someone else! (like maple syrup, salt water taffy and a little bear figurine!) Too funny, we have the same great goods here in Maine!

She also sent me a wonderful handpainted box that all of the gifts were packaged in! A handpainted bird and a CD with some groovey Canadian tunes were added to the box 'o goodies! I have to mention the wonderful letter that really described her area, and what it is known for. She really got into the spirit of things!

THANKS LEE!!!!! I LOVE it all! xoxoxox

Create a Connection has a swap every month, so if you love to swap, this might be the stop for you! Every Monday swaps are discussed.

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I'm off to the studio to finish up some more pieces. I loved using some of the vintage ribbon in "Artsy" and am incorporating it into another piece. (hopefully) OH...as I type this, I realize that I had taken a photo of "Artsy" on my sister Marissa's neck.... I'll see if I can dig it out and add it to this post!

TA~DAAAAHHHHH!!

Thanks Kissa for being such a fabulous model!!

XOXOXOXOXOX

(example only! this one is long gone.....)

(I'm sneaking in a contest, are you paying attention?)

hmmmmm..... let's do something a little different! I'd love to see some of the newest creations you have posted on your blogs or on your FLICKR as of late! PLEASE leave us the link here in the comments section, so we can all be inspired by your art. For those of you who play along, I will randomly draw a name to win a LOOK CLOSELY NECKLACE! We'll go till the end of the month. You must leave your comment here under this post only. Just send us a link to your newest creation. That's it.

posted by: sweetpeas at August 13, 2007 16:58 | link | comments (30) |
artsy fartsy, travelin in maine, bloggy projects n such, junque revival news

Inspire.....

I was "inspired" to create this after my dear friend Hope sent me a package full of vintage metal findings. To some folks the plastic bags filled with old metal, rusty scraps may have been an insult! To me they were beautiful treasures, just calling my name to turn them into something unique! She knows me so well.

"INSPIRE" will be added to the shop today under the "Revived Relics" section

 I am lucky enough to have some electrician friends that give me nice fat copper pieces. I really dig making these big round copper rings. Though I love to use vintage papers, findings, little antique goodies, etc. in my pendants, I like to keep the lines of my chains clean and somewhat contemporary. I like to make the pendant the focal piece always. I envy my jewelry artist friends that can make wild chains, filled with found objects and a plethera of beads. It doesn't seem to work for me, but I've always maintained true to myself when developing my own style. I go with instinct purely.

How do you develop your own style?

I went to visit each and every one of you on my links page this morning. I'm so happy to see that you are all having a wonderful summer. We have been the usual crazy, busy people, and it was kind of nice to see we weren't the only ones! Sometimes I feel like collapsing under the pressure, but then I give myself a big lecture, a swift kick in the arse & try to focus. FOCUS, such a hard thing to do in the summer months.

How do you keep focused? SERIOUSLY...I could use some tips here!

I need to FOCUS and get off of this computer, I have another piece in the works made with a little vintage frame, that I am assuming held some sort of costume jewel. Now it frames out a little mini collage and is topped with a crown of amber colored seed beads. Will show it off soon!

Peace Out!

xoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at August 03, 2007 19:47 | link | comments (6) |
artsy fartsy, junque revival news, justbe connected