Category Archives: Random

I think it’s me…

Finally… I have now unboxed and setup/taken down my new-to-me photo booth.  It is wonderful – somewhat time-consuming to set up, but very easy.  I think I’ll be using it a lot!

Portable studio

Portable studio

Now my next dilemma – the actual photographs.  I’d really like to blame my camera for the quality of the close-ups, but I’m afraid that this time the blame is on me.  I think it’s time to read up on how to take clear close-ups – the camera does great zooming in on something far away, but up close (zoomed or not) it gets very blurry.  It was, however, lovely to not see the “you’re not holding the camera steady enough for the low light” display come up – the light box is light enough… yay!

The photos I took today were of jewellery I worked on yesterday.  I continue trying to make jewellery out of scraps that I have, rather than buying new supplies (except wire – sometimes you just need wire!).  These were pendants in memory of dear cats.  Whenever my friend Bo has to say goodbye to one of her companions, I make a piece of jewellery in memory of them.  It’s been a rough couple of months, and she has had to say goodbye to two.

Sumato was a rescue cat from Mexico… he was a handsome and chatty little prince of cat, with a tendency to “claim” the items around him – I have called this simple piece “Mio Mio Mio!” (Mine Mine Mine) in memory.

Mio Mio Mio!

Mio Mio Mio!

Sumato

Sumato

Toby was my boy.  Not literally, but I adored him like he was.  Bo called him her first-born, as he was her first rescue cat of many.  I have so many memories of him sneezing catnip onto me, climbing on me, licking the top of my cleavage or cheek, whining for food in the most pitiful way possible, napping with me, drooling and purring in happiness, and so many more.  He was a very social boy, and would commonly walk up to Bo or I, lift his paws in the air, and cry “up”.  We’d pick him up, throw him over a shoulder, and he would stay there drooling and purring until stretching to get to the next person’s shoulder.  He loved everyone.  I call both of these “Up” (but they could also be called “Drool”… heehee!).  This is the second time I’ve made a piece of jewellery for myself as well as for Bo in memory of one of the cats.

Bo's pendant "Up"

Bo’s pendant “Up”

Dee's pendant "Up"

Dee’s pendant “Up”

Toby

Toby

They are both very missed, but they were very, very loved.

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So excited!

Photos… GOOD photos are so important, and I think they are something that many artists struggle with… I know that I certainly do!

I’ve been reading blogs for tips on building a light box/white box so that photos can be consistent in terms of lighting and quality.  I found several using a large cardboard box that would probably have worked well, however there is the problem of storage.  I’m quite sure that Smudge (aka the Princess of Darkness aka the cat who is more than happy to “help” with any crafty endeavour) would be thrilled to have a new cardboard box to destroy, er, play with, but that defeats the whole pristine photo environment.

Periodically I check on UsedVictoria.com for those hard to find items, and, as often happens, they came through!  I found a portable studio and lighting kit – it has its own lights incorporated into it, and it folds up into a large briefcase-like case.  It is the dearest thing!  I haven’t taken photos of it or in it yet, but hopefully will do so over the next few days.  Stay tuned for some (hopefully!) professional-ish portfolio shots.  Fingers crossed!

Smudge in a box

Smudge in a box

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A Twisted Tree

‘Tis the season of craft sales… what fun!  I went to two this weekend – they were overwhelming, but I picked up several wee gifties and stocking stuffers.  I did find a little treat for myself as well… odd how that seems to happen!  This is my lovely new ornament/all year around piece of fabulousness… a twisty tree!

Tree of Life

Tree of Life

The artist is Sharen Johnston of Glass Quirks. I had seen her work before and loved it… I’m glad to have a piece of my own!  There is a tree on both sides of the disc, so when the light shines through, there is a real feeling of depth.  She had a selection of colours and sizes, but deep red… one of my favourites…  Yummy!

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Air dry clay is fun… so far

One of the things I really like about teaching workshops is the preparation.  Handouts, little bags of supplies, table decor… such fun to put together!

When I found out I would be doing a Christmas ornament workshop, I immediately went to a second-hand store to look for a tree to hang the decorations on. Being that it was July at the time, I was surprised to actually find one.  It was a little sad-looking (and still is!) but I’m trying to make it fit in with what my brain is visualizing.

The tree is wire, and I want it dripping with sparkles. I tried slathering on sparkle paint and sparkle glue, but it wasn’t as textured as I wanted.  What to do, what to do…

Enter air dry clay.  I had worked with it a little bit for one of my costumes (the steam in the teacup), and thought it might be just what I needed.  When in college, working with clay was not something I excelled at.  I think my mom has the few items that weren’t “accidentally” broken… truly they are items only a mother could love!

But this was different… This was building on an existing form.  Unfortunately I didn’t take a picture of it before I started working on it, but here it is in progress:

Tree in progress

Tree in progress

Once it dries, I’ll try painting it with sparkles again… Hopefully it works out!  I will post a finished picture if successful.

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It’s Alive!

It’s taken many years, but I have finally created a blog/website… Woohoo!  For ages people have been asking if I had one and suggesting (strongly) that it would be a good idea.  It took me a while to come around, but here I am.  Hello there!

To find out all about me and what I do, please go to my “About” page… You may want to have a bit of time on your hands… I was wordy.

When I first began thinking about starting this blog, I spent a fair amount of time trying to figure out the purpose of it.  The reasons I came up with were guilt and shame.  Stay with me – I’m using guilt and shame in a positive way… I think it’s possible!

I am not always the most motivated of people.  While at work, my mind races with thoughts of projects that I’ll start that evening.  When I get home from work, I’m no longer excited to start working on anything except how cozy I can get on my recliner with a warm blanket and my lovely (albeit occasionally terrifying) cat on my lap (her name is Smudge, Princess of Darkness – I’m sure you’ll hear more about her in future posts).

To my way of thinking, to keep this blog interesting and relevant, I need to have new ideas and projects to discuss, and then I need to be able to show off completed work… If I don’t, ahhhh, the guilt and the shame.  See… It all makes sense now!

Do other artists and crafters have this problem or are you all motivated all the time?

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