Monday, April 20, 2009

I Challenge You...

You may already know this, but one of the things I do regularly is challenge myself. I like to make something with all the scrappy things left on my work table when I'm ready to clean it to do another project.

I needed to clean the area to prepare for sewing, so as I gathered up bits and pieces of fluff and googlies, I came across a wad of silver colored Premo clay. I squished it around a bit and decided that it looked like a pea pod. So I ran with this idea. After forming and baking it, I aged it a bit and foiled it a bit and added a piece of sterling silver wire as a bail.


Not wanting to rat my dear hubby out, I won't give an exact quote, I will just say that this is not his favorite pendant. He tends to like more traditional designs and thought this was...less than cute. But sometimes it's not how beautiful a piece is, sometimes it's just about the creative process.

So here's my challenge to you, the next time you need to move onto another project and have tiny bits of fabric and left over clay and pieces of "junque", make something from them. Put on your thinking cap. Think about unusual shapes, color combos that you don't usually use, and then put your scrap art piece together. Maybe you have been wanting to try Steampunk, or do cutesie, instead of funky. Whatever it is, push yourself a bit outside the box if you want. They are scraps after all, and can be discarded if you want to. You don't have to post a picture of it, you just have to do it.

So there you go Scrappy Doo, make something different. You just might like it.

8 comments:

Michele said...

What a cute idea! Now, I'm going to take your advice about turning off the computer and get back to the studio. Thanks for the tips!

angela recada said...

I LOVE(!) how it looks like real silver! This is terrific inspiration to look at everything with a creative eye.

Anonymous said...

A don't like peas but this pea pod is adorable!

Kristen H said...

I love it. Tell hubby we don't carrot what he thinks, pea on him. :) I would even wear it...I think it would be a great friendship pin. Two peas in a pod.
Thanks for another great make to look at, Susan!

hope you are having an excellent week so far.

Donna Gotlib said...

Susan, this is wonderful. I don't think it could be any more perfect.
Thanks for the challenge.

Tina said...

Well, I think it's fab! I'd wear it for sure. I love that organic creativity that just grows and happens. It is so fun.
Can't wait to see what the next bunch of scraps turns out to be.
T

Kims Art said...

Yes I agree with all the comments before me. I love this piece. I have seen the ones made of silver, but your finishing of it is what makes it so great! A beautiful piece! What ya gonna sew?

vivian said...

well your hubby is nuts! I think the peas in a pod are quite special! I like your idea about making something with left over bits.. I shall have to try to remember to do this.. I cleaned up my work area tonight.. beads beads and more beads were every where!! (UH... I ran to michaels on my lunch hour and spent another 30.00 on beads and jewelry hardward! (that makes about a hundred dollars on that stuff this week!!!!!) shhhh.. dont tell my husband!
have a good night!
hugs
vivian