This is my favorite time of year. Lawn work, washing the car, my morning walk all seem fun again. I love crunchy leaves, warm tropical winds, and tall shadows. The flea market is full of bargains, and the sweat factor is finally gone. I am also at my utmost creative this time of year.

I am trying to make enough pieces for two shows coming up in October. I have thought about not putting them for sale on the site until after the show, but would that be fair? I've decided to put this batch on, who knows what I'll do with the next batch. The thought of an empty booth scares me!

I've put the date of the shows and links onto Junque Revival, where I've added a Shows & Openings page.

The first show, The Creative Baazar will be on the Cape in Mass. October 13th from 11-6. Originally we had planned to have workshops and other events, but couldn't seem to get enough people to connect for such a large venue. The Baazar has turned into over twenty of your favorite bloggers selling their fabulous goodies. I was ever so excited to see who will be there! My Mom is setting up with me too, and she'll be selling some great vintage buttons, jewelry & vintage wall paper. I'll of course have my handmade jewelry and other funsies like ephemera bundles and vintage finds.

The second show I'll be at is the following Friday night here in Maine at the Artwalk Gardiner on October 19th from 5-8. This promises to be a fun little evening of gorgeous local art, wine and socializing. Many merchants and offices in downtown Gardiner graciously let us use their space to set up our art & wares. Come and take a stroll through our historical downtown if you are in the area!

I've made two more bracelets and have several more in the works!

"Ancient Earth"

I found this old handmade pin about a year ago at an antique co-op and though I LOVED it, I could never seem to get the right feel using it in a necklace. NOW making a bracelet with it, gave the little piece a whole new life. It's chunky & dramatic, and who doesn't love a little bit of turquoise?

"Butterfly Blue"

A mixed media necklace using vintage papers, a piece of vintage jewlery, sterling wire an beads.

"Lily Love"

An old recycled pin paired with amethyst glass beads, and cotume jewelry chain.

"Peace"

Perhaps my favorite, mixes old vinatge jewelry findings and chains with garnet beads wired up in sterling.

I'll get all of these up in the shop Tuesday afternoon. *(OK...It's Weds. and I still haven't gotten them in the shop yet, sorry! The weather is so incredibly beautiful, we decided to go kayaking yesterday, so I'm a bit behind. But I just had to do it I tell you.)

Before I get back to work, I've just got to show you the sweet little piece of art I won over at Tia's site! I was giddy with excitement....I LOVE to win stuff I tell you! I had "Play" hanging on a jelly style cabinet in my kitchen, and my lab, Rudy, decided to greet me at the door the other night with it in her mouth. (NO, she didn't ruin it)... but I do believe that this confirms my suspiscions that she really does know how to read.

posted by: sweetpeas at September 24, 2007 16:51 | link | comments (1) |
artsy fartsy, jewelry, junque revival news, justbe connected

Wild Souls, Wild Rose & Wild Heart

Last week I mentioned that I had been flea marketing with the girls and that we all had found some supah' treasures. Well, I've been playing around with some of mine and made bracelets from vintage buckles.

"Wild were the Heart"

Antique sterling buckle turned fabulous frame for this mini collage. Handmade chain from sterling wire & garnet beads. One inch extender with vintage charm dangle. This was fun.

"The Wild Rose"

Another vintage metal buckle with rose collage. Handmade copper links & red aventure beads. One inch extender with copper hand dangle.

I absolutely adored making these, and will do more soon! They are just perfect on my wrist! I just added them to the shop in the Revived Relics category.

I've added another class to the workshops section. This class wil be called "Fairy Dreams" and will encourage students to create her inner fairy using my collection of vintage ladies and wings.

Students will learn how to make their own copper chain, with matching beads. They will learn how to use Diamond Glaze, collage techniques & how to make their own clasp.

"Wild Souls" is available for sale, but I am saving "A Fairy Dream" as a door prize in an upcoming art show. I'll fill you in on that later....I've got to get some sleep!

posted by: sweetpeas at September 17, 2007 02:43 | link | comments (9) |
inspiration for you, artsy fartsy, jewelry, junque revival news

Art Retreat at The Plenty To Do Farm.....

I'm still giggling, as I sit and think how I will start this post. This past weekend bloggy pals Leah , Heidi, Mindy, Tammy & Susan came from far and near to visit, create art, eat food, drink wine & antique. We also squeezed in a surprise mini wedding shower for Leah while we were at it!

I think for me, the best part about the weekend, was feeling like I've known these girls all of my life. We were all so comfortable together! I've seem to (sadly) lost connection with a few of my high school friends, and something about this weekend provoked old feelings of connection, security, trust & pure silliness.

The other thing that I have carried away with me from this weekend is how amazingly strong, smart & talented each girl is. We are all very different, and lead different lifestyles, yet we all have the same outlook on art, love and business. We all have goals. I like that.

THANKYOU girls from the bottom of my heart for coming to the old homestead and using it the way it was meant to be used......

 Susan made it for the early afternoon and jumped right in on the art projects. I made us a lunch of crab, avocado, croissants and more.

Me, Susan, Tammy & Leah.

We all brought art supplies, ephemera, glitter, ribbon and just about anything else you can think of!

Cutting paper to add to Tammy's art

Tammy working on Heidi's art

Heidi recylcling an old piece of her art to use in this project

Lea working on my piece

We didn't get to actulally finish all of them, but here's where we ended them.

Mindy's, Leah's, mine, Heidi's, Tammy's

The Stratton Manor where we had Lea's surprise shower (she doesn't know it yet....)

Tammy, Leah, Mindy & Me

The sweet waitress took our photo. I made grown-up Faerie wands, and Tammy bought potted mumms for us to stick them into. These were the place settings at the table when everyone walked in. Leah still didn't get it, so I had to tell her that this was for her! She was VERY surprised!!! We played games that Tammy brought and gave Leah pressies.

Leah, Heidi, Mindy, Tammy and Me

Sunday we antiqued and shopped starting the morning at the Montsweag flea market. We ALL bought goodies, and helped eachother locate our favorite collections. Heidi is VERY saavy when it comes to this! 

We all adored this little shop in downtown Wiscasset.

Me, Leah & Mindy

Big Daddy shot a photo of us before everyone left.

Heidi, Leah, Me & Mindy

If you'd like to see all of the photos just go to my Flickr.

Again, words almost can't express the wonderful weekend we had, so we'll let the photos do the talking on this one!

xoxoxox

 

 

posted by: sweetpeas at September 12, 2007 14:01 | link | comments (3) |
inspiration for you, artsy fartsy, bloggy projects n such