Thursday, July 24, 2008

New Art and a Sale...

We interrupt this post to let you know that there is a sale going on at Jo-Ann's Fabric. There is a 40% off coupon in their store flier which I used to get the book "Pretty Little Things" for $13.46. Thought you might want to know. Lots of other deals. You can also print out the coupon from Jo-Ann's website and take it with you)

now on with the show...


This is the newest piece of jewelry that I have designed. I hadn't posted a picture of me recently and thought you might want see my hair now that I "stopped" coloring. I still have areas that are colored dark to make the silver pop more. Anyway, here I am wearing a piece that I'm calling, "Love Always, Barbara".

For this piece, I repurposed one of DH's old watches and collaged a picture of his sweet mom, when she was about sixteen. This is similar to the collage pendants that Crafty Gal Linda does. I now have a new appreciation for small collages. I hand colored Barb's picture (it was a copy) and added coordinating beads and a little sterling silver piece that I had in my stash. A lot more went into the creation of this ... I'm sort of"glossing over" that. It really wasn't as easy to do as I had previously thought. I'm certainly glad my first one was made using a larger watch. I'm really happy with it.




I made this next piece using a 2"x2" square cut from vinyl floor tile that was left from the laundry room makeover. I stamped my hand carved image on it, sketched in some flowers and used craft foam as a backing. Since the tile and the craft foam were both adhesive backed, when they met they stuck like mad. Be sure and keep that in mind. I trimmed around the edges and coated the front of the piece with self leveling "Paper Glaze". It took about a week for it to cure and turn completely clear, but it is almost as hard as glass and looks great. Worth the wait. I added a magnet to the back and there you go!




That's all for now. I am going to try to be a better blogger and post more pictures. Who knows what I might come up with. We'll see. Talk soon. Take Care.

9 comments:

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

What neat ideas! Love the Barbara watch face. I see old watches all the time but I can't wear them, they stop on me!
I'm gonna hafta check out that paper glaze stuff!

Thanks for visiting today and leaving your sweet message~
Nikki

carolyn said...

Great jewelry pieces Susan! Very creative way to use the watch face and photo.
Let me know if you make anything from Pretty Little Things. I've had that book since last year but haven't bought a soldering yet so I just use the book as eye candy. :-)

Anonymous said...

It looks terrific Susan. I just made another one with a men's watch and it was a little easier to work with. All of my other ones were with women's watches and are more difficult to work with. Yours looks great.

Allison said...

Love the pendant a lot! And your hair looks great - dramatic. I can't believe how creative you are. The magnet/tile is v cool. Evil hint though about the JoAnn fabrics. I should really NOT go into that store with a sale on...bad things could happen. ;)

Anonymous said...

Susan, I love your pendant! I have some working watches that I purchased a long time ago just for making artist watches. I like the idea of using ones that out of commission like you did!

How did you make your stamp that you used on that wonderful tile magnet?

Susan said...

Sarrah (Sashibala), Thanks!!
I think your question has just given me my next post. I love to hand carved stamps and I think I will show the ones I have done and the tools that I use, and such. Hugs, Susan

Suzie said...

You look great love the hair and the jewlery too

Amy Gethins Sullivan said...

Susan, you look great with gray. I am still dying my hair. I hate, hate doing it. But, I don't think I am brave enough to stop. And, I still have a 7 year old, (she was born 2 days before my 40th birthday). And, I just know people will think she is my granddaughter.How vain is that?
But, your very pretty face, you don't look like a granny. It's gotta be an attitude too.
Your jewelry turned out wonderfully.I am learning so much by reading your bloggy.
Now, if I could only learn that hip attitude. :) Amy

Rebecca Ramsey said...

You're beautiful! And I love your hair!

What a pretty necklace. So special. And the magnet is fun!

I'm afraid I'll have to pass on the Jo-ann's coupon. I'm on fabric buying house arrest. I have piles and piles and plenty of unfinished projects. Boo hoo!
Becky

PS. You're right on your comment on my slide show! I should have put at least one picture upside down!!!