My exhibit entitled Curiouser & Curiouser, sponsored by Takoma Park Arts & Humanities, runs through June 15.
There are four large glass cases filled with everything from jewelry, to textile work, to clothing explorations. Hard to photograph through the glass… but I hope you get the idea.
7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD, 20912. Also please visit the senior show of the Einstein High School arts magnet program in the Atrium Gallery.
Some of the work is for sale at So Charmed, other pieces are from my personal collection. If you visit, send an email inquiry regarding purchase.
We forgot to get photos of the petite artiste herself (resplendent in a PUT A BIRD ON IT taxidermy-festooned vintage 1930’s hat that Isabella Blow is coveting from fashionista heaven), but never fear. Yours truly was interviewed by a nice young man from Takoma Cable Television! Not sure when that will be available for local viewing. And available, and available… I’m sure this will be at least partially, if not fully mortifying.
Big loving thanks to friends and family who came by for the opening and a special huge hug to Molly for her amazing skills at setting up the cases while Mom was just pretty much freaking out.
Strange Power, I know not what thou art,
Murderer or mistress of my heart.
I know I’d rather meet the blow
Of my most unrelenting foe
Than live—as now I live—to be
Slain twenty times a day by thee.
Yet, when I would command thee hence,
Thou mockest at the vain pretence,
Murmuring in mine ear a song
Once loved, alas! forgotten long;
And on my brow I feel a kiss
That I would rather die than miss.
–Mary Elizabeth Coleridge
A dear pair of memory earrings feature vintage hand tarnished findings with crusted rhinestones, heart, tooth, and leaf charms + tiny beads. Hand crafted ear wires are wrapped and tribal-beaded.
One of a kind ready to ship. The beautiful doll is NOT included nor for sale.
Perfect for a hot and breezy summer festival or a celebration of any kind. Wire wrapped in vintage silk sari fiber, tribal beads, seed and bugle beads, African record sequins, Victorian milky glass button, shell “tooth” and gloriously glamorous faceted Czech glass crystal focal. These are truly one of a kind. Medium, wearable weight with brass leverbacks as shown.
I’ll tell you the story of Cloony the Clown Who worked in a circus that came through town. His shoes were too big and his hat was too small, But he just wasn’t, just wasn’t funny at all. He had a trombone to play loud silly tunes, He had a green dog and a thousand balloons. He was floppy and sloppy and skinny and tall, But he just wasn’t, just wasn’t funny at all. And every time he did a trick, Everyone felt a little sick. And every time he told a joke, Folks sighed as if their hearts were broke. And every time he lost a shoe, Everyone looked awfully blue. And every time he stood on his head, Everyone screamed, “Go back to bed!” And every time he made a leap, Everybody fell asleep. And every time he ate his tie, Everyone began to cry.
–from “Cloony the Clown” by Shel Silverstein
One of a kind hand-tarnished sterling silver bracelet features a beautiful vintage clown glass and soldered picture charm and the lovliest collection of vintage buttons(early plastic and/or bakelite) in soft tones of blush, butterscotch, yellow, amber, cream and sky. Bracelet is 7 inches.
Note, elements are in used, vintage collection, which may mean scratches, dirt, and other lovely abuses of time. Tarnish may lessen or increase with wearing.
“Well then, NOW I can see just every little thing,” cried Baby Timothy, as he peered through his new spectacles at the roaring crowd beneath the big tent. “An elephant can cycle with grace once the world is in focus,” he added. The children screamed no more loudly, but Baby Timothy felt… better!
One of a kind hand-tarnished sterling silver bracelet features a beautiful vintage elephant glass and soldered picture charmand a lovely collection of vintage buttons and fruits (early plastic and/or bakelite) in bright primary tones of cherry red, lemon yellow, sky blues and a touch of green. Bracelet is 7 inches.
Note, elements are in used, vintage collection, which may mean scratches, dirt, and other lovely abuses of time. Tarnish may lessen or increase with wearing.
I’ve been making a lot of dresses based on the Piece of Cake frock pattern by Jody Pearl of Sew Outside the Lines and when the above pictured African wax print textile (lower fabric) arrived at my attelier (purchased here) , I decided to make something in a queenly maxi length. I also became utterly obsessed with this gorgeous fabric, searching high and low for info about it. Is it genuine wax print or fake? Most importantly, what ARE those strange objects and why do I find them so impossibly alluring?
My research deadended and I sort of gave up, and then, while searching for more textiles on Etsy, I came upon the above (purchased here). Uhhhh, wait a minute! That’s MY textile. And I like it even better in this crazy colorway! I immediately contacted the lovely seller, Angela, who came forth with loads of info about the The Gallery of Poems textile collection from Vlisco, renowned Dutch (not African) textile manufacturer.
Here is Vlisco’s description of their 2011 Collection: GALLERY OF POEMS: DRAMATIC ROMANTICISM
Once upon a time, Vlisco created a mysterious new fabric collection called ‘Gallery of Poems’. Dreams wander, floating into your own fairyland. Step into a new world and view the designs as objects of inspiration. Some designs will magically transform into a piece of art, adding a romantic touch to the poetic drama, while others illustrate a surrealistic passing of time. The decorative collection is intensified by a flamboyant colour palette. ‘Gallery of Poems’ makes you feel like a fairytale beauty.
This is where I about fell on the floor. Surrealism? Although this is another story for another time, suffice to say that at age 14 I came under the influence of members of the American Surrealist Movement (one of whom remains one of my oldest friends), and my life at that point was forever changed. Thus, it seemed that my locating this textile, and the subsequent journey into the world of high-fashion African wax prints, was deeply connected to other aspects of my life as an artist.
Of course, me being me, it doesn’t end there. The above video from Vlisco is absolutely fascinating, explaining the wax print process (pattern ends up on BOTH sides of the cloth) and a lot about the history of the company. These fabrics are so incredible, words can not express. Vibrant color, a slightly stiff substantial hand, and beyond gorgeously weird concepts that combine traditional African imagery with modern Western icons in a global village collision that makes my head spin. Pricing aligns with the incredibleness… yardage is sold only x6 yards and at $15 per, + shipping from the UK… OMG. Here’s your source; Vogue Fabrics UK.
I’m obsessing over the four textiles shown here.
Know someone who might want to share yardage? Put them in touch, ASAP!
Because I….
…want to make more dresses!
PS: Added bonus video; How to tie tradtional African Gele (head wrap):
Through long nursery nights he stood
By my bed unwearying,
Loomed gigantic, formless, queer,
Purring in my haunted ear
That same hideous nightmare thing,
Talking, as he lapped my blood,
In a voice cruel and flat,
Saying for ever, “Cat! … Cat! … Cat!…
Robert Graves
One of a kind hand-tarnished sterling silver bracelet features a beautiful handmade vintage kitty picture charm in pink distressed metal frame and a lovely collection of vintage buttons (early plastic and/or bakelite) in subtle tones of butter, brick, sienna, brown, mother of pearl, crystal, mauve, burgundy. Bracelet is 7 inches.
Note, elements are in used, vintage collection, which may mean scratches, dirt, and other lovely abuses of time. Tarnish may lessen or increase with wearing.
He longed to be the wind and blow through your rustling branches,
to be your shadow and legthen with the day on the water,
to be a bird and perch on your topmost twig,
and to float like those ducks among the weeds and shadows.
Rabindranath Tagore
One of a kind hand-tarnished sterling silver bracelet features a beautiful Hindu glass picture charm (Sanskrit printed on the back, see photo) and a lovely collection of vintage buttons (early plastic and/or bakelite) in subtle tones of butter, brick, olive, brown, mustard, cream, cherry. Bracelet is 7 inches.
Note, elements are in used, vintage collection, which may mean scratches, dirt, and other lovely abuses of time. Tarnish may lessen or increase with wearing.
When the voice of the Silent touches my words I know him and therefore know myself.
Love is an endless mystery, for it has nothing else to explain it.
Rabindranath Tagore
One of a kind hand-tarnished sterling silver bracelet features a beautiful Hindu glass picture charm (Sanskrit printed on the back, see photo) and a lovely collection of vintage buttons (early plastic and/or bakelite) in subtle tones of mustard, mint, burgundy, mauve, lavendar, pink and peach. Bracelet is 7 inches.
Note, elements are in used, vintage collection, which may mean scratches, dirt, and other lovely abuses of time.
The Storyville District, two blocks from the French Quarter in New Orleans, was set up to limit prostitution to one area of town where authorities could monitor and regulate the practice. In the late 1890s, the New Orleans city government studied the legalized red light districts of northern German and Dutch ports and set up Storyville based on such models. Between 1895 and 1915, “blue books” were published in Storyville. These books were guides to prostitution for visitors to the district’s services including house descriptions, prices, particular services and the “stock” each house had to offer. The Storyville blue-books were inscribed with the motto: “Order of the Garter: Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense (Shame to Him Who Evil Thinks).”
Establishments in Storyville ranged from cheap “cribs” to more expensive houses, and finally to a row of elegant mansions along Basin Street for well-heeled customers. New Orleans’ cribs were 50-cent joints, whereas the more expensive establishments could cost up to $10. Black and white brothels coexisted in Storyville; however, black men were barred from legally purchasing services rendered in either black or white brothels. Nonetheless, brothels with black prostitutes serving blacks openly flourished with the full knowledge of the police and other local authorities a short distance uptown from Storyville proper.
Mixed media necklace features truly amazing clay focal heart and a romaticly baroque mix of beads, chain, fiber, shell, a vintage bisque doll arm and rusted Storyville key. One of a kind art for wearing.
We draw our strength from the very despair in which we have been forced to live. We shall endure.
Cesar Chavez, American activist & labor organizer
Celebrate the strength and joy of your despair with this jolly tortured necklace of confetti colored seed beads and handcrafted clay scarred heart. One of a kind and on the short side, choker length.
What is it about graphic designers? Do we all collect the coolest stuff ever? Do we all have a second life as an artist/crafter/maker? To find out the answers to these questions and so much more, check out a new Charming Chat with my bff Cathy Cervantes… brilliant Left Coast artist/designer and soul sista.
Visit My So Charmed Life to keep up with WIPs, personal stories, an occasional interview, and links to fabulous finds in the world of craft.
Jodi: Cathy, it’s so lovely to sit down to tea with you! And, you have SO many cool objéts; I want them all! Can you tell me about your collections?
Cathy: It’s kind of like I have been in this deep acquiring coma for the last 30 years, and I am starting to wake up! I have gathered things that I love, or feel they need love, and just made room for them. I find, when I really look at stuff, they have alot in common…color, texture, scale, etc. Now I am at a phase where I am thinning out the herd and only keeping what I really really love, and only letting something in that is “worthy!” That doesn’t apply to textiles or stuff that I use in my art, it is still wide open. And bowls. And circus stuff. And donkey stuff. But, still, it’s the colors that draw me, whether it’s mid-century, kitsch, Monterey, Santa Fe or industrial. And you know we love sharing our treasures with each other, don’t we?????
Jodi: Yes we sure do!! And, I completely know what you mean. It’s so incredible to be at a point in life where you trust your instincts for art and design. My collections are eclectic too, yet somehow these things look cool together and there are indefinable threads that connect it all. I think this happens in our professional lives as designers too, right? Our ways of organizing information, using colors and fonts and such? You and I share the schizo life of artist/designer, among other things. Are we lucky or cursed?! And… who is Trixie?!
Cathy: You know, when I first went freelance about 7 years ago, I had this notion that I could actually meld the two together, and found some artists like Kitten Chops and Lauri Rosenwald who actually seemed to be able to do that. But then I just fell into the normal routine of grinding out my graphic design, and trying to paint on weekends. I continued to feel very frustrated and honestly wanted to give up both. But something happened when I got a job recently that allowed me to use both my talents in one piece and I was totally excited about. Kinda like falling in love with your husband again, you know what I mean? So, my goal is to do that. Oh, and Trixie is my alter-ego. I was a cowgirl in a past life.
Jodi: I can see you as a cowgirl, for sure. You know it is so tempting to want to always combine the art and design sides, but personally, I also feel ok with these things being separate in my life. That said, I can think of several projects I’ve been involved in that really tapped into both, and those were truly very satisfying indeed. What types of design clients do you have for Trixie Design Studios and does your work for them influence your art? Alternately, does your work as an artist influence your client-based design work?
Cathy: I am very fortunate to have some great clients, almost all non-profits, who give me lots of leeway and trust me, as I trust them. So, now it is just a matter of trusting myself and not editing, which I often do, both in art and design. It is amazing to me that finally, at 54, I’m thinking that I do pretty good stuff and have something to offer.
Jodi: Well, I’ve always known you have lots to offer. You know, we have such similar clients, non-profits etc.. and I too love that feeling of making a solid contribution to the people I work for (who are, in turn, doing such great work for the world). It’s interesting… people like us seem to have active/developed right and left brain functions. We can handle ourselves in business but are wildly creative too. Do you have any insights on how this may have occurred for you?
Cathy: Ahem, I am not sure I got the whole money/savings /billings/plan for retirement thing going so well…but, I am a good business woman! I think I am good at spotting trends and also working with people and really understanding humans. I also have worked with the best and I just copy them. When I worked at the agency I was at in San Diego, my office was across from the owner’s, and I would listen to the way she spoke to the clients, with strength and respect, and I just learned to copy it. Other than that, I just go with my Mission Statement of “do good work for good people” so if something doesn’t fit both of those categories, I won’t do the work.
Jodi: Designfarm’s tagline is “uncommon solutions for the common good.” May the force be with us! With regard to our fine arts, people might notice that although our work is very different, we have some common subject matter. Tell us about the roots of your circus obsession.
Cathy: It’s strange, because I have this love for circus stuff and rodeo stuff, but I can’t come to terms with how animals are treated in either one! So, I will just stick with the visuals and, again, colors and textures. I have no idea why it appeals to me so much, but my eyes are like lasers when I latch on to something with circus imagery. Maybe it’s the red and white striped awnings? What is it for you?
Jodi: I went to the circus a lot as a kid and it literally scared the crap out of me and made me cry! There’s something about that attraction/repulsion aspect that draws me to these things that are supposed to be oodles of fun, but that also feel uncontrolled and crazy and weird, with a darkness underlying. Your work has an edge but I also love your sun-drenched color palettes. Is there a regional / cultural (ie, Left Coast) influence? Along with carnivals, what else inspires you?
Cathy: When I was little, there was a show on TV called “Wanderlust” about a husband and wife traveling the southwest in their camper. I was blown away with the images of the desert. I felt that is was home for me. I have sinced traveled alot through Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, and that is where I find peace. (Funny, I know, for a girl who has lived at the beach her whole life!) I also LOVE anything “Old Mexico” like in old movies, paintings, textiles, etc. I have a friend from Mexico City who says my paintings remind her of home, so I consider that a real compliment.
Jodi: I’ve only visited the southwest once on holiday and I remember when I first got there how incredibly different the entire landscape looked. I was sort of blown away by all the… endless brown. And the seguaros in Arizona, and how dry the heat felt compared to our swampy summers in DC. So, how do you get your paintings out there into the world? Tell us about shows or online venues. Where can charming readers see more of your work? And I heard something about you doing smaller pieces that can… ahem… be more easily mailed to the other coast…?
Cathy: I have done a miserable job of selling my own work. My website & blog has not be updated in a year, as are the other artists’ sites I subscribe to. We are doing our Cinco de Wino again, where myself, two other artist friends and a couple who have their own wine label get together on Cinco de Mayo, have food, wine tasting and show my work. I did a small show in Santa Fe, and have had pieces in shows at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art. It’s hard to find venues for my art here in San Clemente, since everyone looks for beachy, palm tree, plein air stuff, and my stuff is so different.
Jodi: Wow, OCCA looks really cool! Selling seems to be the most challenging aspect for artists. I know it is for me too; pricing things is so challenging, and half the time I want to just keep what I make! When we first met, it seemed that every time we chatted, we learned about more similarities in our lives. We each have a 14 year old daughter… how does being a mom fit into your creative and working life?
Cathy: No way would I ever feel the strength and security to pursue what I want in life if it wasn’t for my daughter and my husband. And my sister. I feel like I have a responsibility to show my daughter what it is to set and achieve your goals and dreams. And she teaches me everyday how to look at life from many different sides. I am always blown away by the things she says. Of course there is that “working mom” guilt thing, but it comes in waves. As I am yelling at her to get outside and play and not end up on the computer all day in your pjs without a shower, she turns to me and says, uh, mom…that is YOU not me. I was standing there, in my pjs, no shower, no makeup, having worked all day on my computer. So there.
Jodi: Oh, I hear that! Shower? Who needs it?! And, it’s interesting to see my daughter growing up with such creative parents… artists, designers, craftistas, and musicians. My kid is lots more math/science than I ever was, but there are still times that she gets a creativity bug and just HAS to knit a scarf or make a skirt or draw. I know what you mean about family support too… it’s truly been important to me. Do you have any advice for designers who want to pursue their fine arts muse? Anything that has worked in allowing you to do both?
Cathy: Yeah, don’t wait as long as I did to get this going! Seriously, trust yourself, work hard, pay your dues and stick by your guns. Everyone knows it has to be a labor of love. One of my artist friends once said, when I asked him if his fine art business was going to work… “Well, what else could I do?” Lastly, like my husband always tells me, “Paint for yourself.”
Jodi: I completely agree… no waiting! Life is short; make art; follow your dream… NOW! What’s on the soundtrack at Trixie Design? Is it different for painting?
Cathy: Complete and utter silence! Except when I open my windows to let in the birdsong, which I love. I cannot be distracted by sounds of any kind, it’s weird. One of my OCD things. But, when I paint, I can have some music going. I tend towards old hillbilly country, bluegrass, folky, but also like 70’s funk and soul, 80’s punk and some of the new music my daughter listens to. Old Joni Mitchell is good for painting.
Jodi: I have to have silence when I’m working on professional stuff, graphic design. I’m so affected by music that I literally can’t think when I’m listening. But I love it when I’m doing more repetitive tasks like putting together designed jewelry or sewing. Thank you Cathy, for being such a dear friend and such an incredibly talented artist! And for sharing your thoughts with me and my charming readers today!
So I get a call the other evening from a vintage shop owner who knows me well and she says: I got this really odd coat in and I think it has your name on it. I take such calls seriously. Went in the next day and scored the above-pictured divine asymmetrical muslin garment by Ivan Grundahl. For $20. Perfect fit.
At home I did some research and found out that Grundahl is a major veteran designer from Denmark, whose work is coveted by avant garde fashionistas the world over.
Here are a bunch of photos I found online… his collections are consistent over several years… neutral colors, lots of black, romantic, gothy, asymmetrical, lots of tulle, often shown with clunky gun-boots. Swoon.
Here is the lovely back of my Grundahl coat. I’m going to guess that it is a few years old, came from a ready-to-wear collection, and likely sold for about $400+ new. SCORE!
This pretty mixed media necklace was commissioned as a birthday gift for someone who is beautiful forever. The color palette and overall vibe came to me in a dream shortly after speaking with the client about the piece.
Visit My So Charmed Life to keep up with WIPs, personal stories, an occasional interview, and links to fabulous finds in the world of craft.
Did I say something about no longer doing custom work? LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE. Pictured in this post, a custom mixed media necklace commissioned by a group of lovely midwestern ladies for a mutual friend who is beautiful forever. Happy Birthday, Amy.
Vintage silk sari fiber from India, wire, glass beads, vintage rhinestone chain and buttons. Hand forged clasp.
And a gorgeous vintage chandelier crystal focal. More of these pretty necklaces might just be available at So Charmed soon and large lucious photos are available for viewing on flickr.
Foyer between designfarm office and so charmed studio: The Molly Shrine, featuring painting by Carrie Mitchell (center) and self portrait collage with braids by Molly (age 7ish).
Entrance to basement at bottom of stairs: One of several household baseball shrines.
Dining room: Flowers from the BF. Weekly. No, I’m not kidding.
Bathroom upstairs: Favorite bling photo for Jody Pearl’s weekly JaM blog post.
Bathroom upstairs: Favorite bling photo #2 for Jody Pearl’s weekly JaM blog post.
Bathroom upstairs: Favorite bling photo #3 for Jody Pearl’s weekly JaM blog post.
Bathroom upstairs: Yes, it’s the back of the toilet. Yes, that’s a book entitled “Zen Judaism.” Yes, that’s a kleenex box cover handcrafted by Bethy in the shape of a piece of coconut cake.
Bedroom: The cavalry is coming, ie, Jodi’s boots. Details added 4.14: From front to back: Molly’s old riding boots, Fly London, my oldest boots, pole climbers by NaNa… have been all over the world with me, blue vintage riding boots, burgundy vintage riding boots.
Bedroom: The cavalry is coming Part 2, ie, MORE of Jodi’s boots. Details added 4/14: from back to front, thrifted Frye engineers, Fluevogs from SF with coolest blue lining, thrifted Harley harness boots… fit like a DREAM and were nearly new when found, newest boots: Frye tan lace ups.
If you enjoyed my blog post about cool Japanese fabric, I think you’ll like this one about Spoonflower, the amazing print-on-demand textile design site…
Visit My So Charmed Life to keep up with WIPs, personal stories, an occasional interview, and links to fabulous finds in the world of craft.
Those of you who follow my ramblings on Facebook and my pins on Pinterest, know that I’ve taken a sewing detour of late and have been making the prettiest little dresses using Jody Pearl’s Piece of Cake frock and tunic pattern. Pictured above is my favorite cake to-date worn by me, and featuring a crushed velvet top and yardsale damask (art deco) skirt. Not to mention vintage French faux-fur trim… it is quite the confection! You can see the rest of the cakes in progress and finished/worn over on flickr.
Meanwhile, I spend an inordinate amount of time scouring the world (real life AND virtual) for textiles; a recent post highlighted an obsession with Japanese prints and I’ve been haunting my local thrifts for curtains and bedspreads! This post will highlight fabrics found on Spoonflower; an incredible web site that allows anyone to design and upload/sell their own textiles. And there is truly GORGEOUS stuff to be had.
One of the coolest things about the cake dresses is pairing the fabrics so I’m going to upload these images in order of possible pairings. I love odd color combos and on Spoonflower I seem to fall in love with some very macabre, outre textiles!
First pairing of flies and skulls. Second is a pair by the same artist and I actually like the similarity of color with the difference in imagery… busses and telephone wires.
Above, an odd rococo pairing with squids ‘n roses (like guns ‘n roses only better)! Apologies for not linking all the swatches, they are easy to find by searching Spoonflower and ARE linked over on my Pinterest Craft Board.
Cities (Tokyo) and wolves… I LOVE this pair.
Bones! Scary Forests! The mind reels with possibility. Spoonflower, btw, is print on demand. They offer eight fabric choices and you can obtain a swatchbook for just a dollar, which I’ve done. The fabrics are pricey (but I think it’s worth it to support the designers), starting at $16.20 per yard for quilting weight Kona cotton and going up to $34.20 per yard for silk crepe de chine, which I will NOT be ordering. For the cake dresses I recommend either the Kona, or (and especially) the linen-cotton blend which will be similar to the Japanese fabrics I’ve used and work really well to hold pleats, giving the frock nice fit/form.
Philip Moth is ready to alight upon your lapel, your backpack, a sweater, any place you need a little friend. Best of all, he does NOT eat wool, although would appreciate a small bread crumb from time to time. Philip is a mod little guy who once flitted about Carnaby Street flirting with the London lasses. He has been fashioned entirely by hand from vintage reclaimed tin. He has a special dangling gem which makes him extra glamorous. Cut from a pattern, riveted together, and then given a special patina for a rustic aged appearance, he is one of a kind and ready to fly home to you.
Please note: Although the moth pins are truly adorable, and are carefully filed and sanded, they are not appropriate for children, as a stray edge could be slightly sharp. Due to their weight, these brooches are not appropriate for wear on very fine fabrics such as silk, gauze, or extra tissue-weight cottons.
Dmitri Moth is ready to alight upon your lapel, your backpack, a sweater, any place you need a little friend. Best of all, he does NOT eat wool, although would appreciate a small bread crumb from time to time. Dmitri is elegant in red, black and gold, and has been fashioned entirely by hand from vintage reclaimed tin. He has a special dangling gem which makes him extra glamorous. Cut from a pattern, riveted together, and then given a special patina for a rustic aged appearance, he is one of a kind and ready to fly home to you.
Please note: Although the moth pins are truly adorable, and are carefully filed and sanded, they are not appropriate for children, as a stray edge could be slightly sharp. Due to their weight, these brooches are not appropriate for wear on very fine fabrics such as silk, gauze, or extra tissue-weight cottons.
“All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Behn, which is, most scandalously but rather appropriately, in Westminster Abbey, for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds. It is she–shady and amorous as she was–who makes it not quite fantastic for me to say to you tonight: Earn five hundred a year by your wits.”
Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own
Resin brooch with beautiful image of the first professional female writer, vintage pen nib dangle, and pretty vintage palest lavender ribbon. One of a kind, ready to ship. Additional images show similar brooch featuring libertine writer Oscar Wilde (sorry, sold).
Hey local peeps! In what can only be described as a truly rare event in my life, I’ll be making a public appearance at the lovely boutique Art & Soul, in downtown Washington, DC, for their April Girls Night Out event, this Thursday 4/5, 6-9 pm.
My jewelry will be for sale at the shop, including three sets of bangle stacks. Pictured above, Cake Bangle Stack, which features vintage rhinestones and millinery in a sugary confection.
Should you prefer your jewelry spicy rather than sweet, don’t miss out on Bombay Bangle Stack, pictured above and below.
Owner, Marjorie, also acquired the Everywhere You Go Bangle Stack, formerly listed over on my site, an elegant grouping to accompany you on adventures.
All of these boho gypsy-esque bangle stacks feature vintage sari silk ribbon from my collection along with an assemblage of curated beads, charms and other goodies. Hope to see some of you at Art & Soul!
When you’re smiling
When you’re smiling
The whole world smiles with you
When you’re laughing
When you’re laughing
The sun comes shining thru
But when you’re crying You bring on the rain So stop your sighing be happy again Keep on smiling ‘Cause when you’re smiling The whole world smiles with you
Song by Larry Shay, Mark Fisher, & Joe Goodwin, and made famous by Louis Armstrong, who recorded it at least three times, in 1929, 1932, and 1956. There are many other famous recordings of this song.
Earrings that will make you smile, hence making the whole world smile with you, feature eclectic gypsy tribal bead collection (Africa and elsewhere), reclaimed hardware, ancient and sparkly chandelier crystals, brilliant color, wire-work, and one adorable glass Czech smiley face. Asymmetrical shoulder dusters, one of a kind, and ready to ship.
If you were going to the ball at the invitation of the Prince, and due to economic circumstances well beyond your control you were unable to purchase those diamond earrings from Tiffany’s, I think you should consider the very next best thing: Rescued antique chandelier crystals with lovely baroque pearls that will sparkle and flirt from elongated gold vermeil wires. A certain deceit? Perhaps. The Prince? He’s yours.
Slightly crusted with patina in both antique black and a tiny bit of verdigris. Just the right amount. Genuine baroque pearls and elongated gold vermeil ear wires.
Alternative elegance, one of a kind, ready to ship.
Minimalist goodness created from parts of dismantled found earrings, vintage brass charms, a rubber washer (black on one side, barn red on the other) from my boyfriend’s father’s toolbench. All tarnished to a rich black. Long, light, lean with lots of swingy movement. One of a kind, ready to ship.
A few weeks ago I posted about a terrific pattern I’d discovered; a dress called the Piece of Cake (by Jody Pearl of Sew Outside the Lines). Pictured above is my dress in progress!
The hardest part of this (I think) is the slight altering to the pattern that I worked through this week. I went between sizes for the top, and opened the front neck and arm holes a little. Super easy, really.
You may remember my excitement over Japanese fabrics I’d located on etsy, and yes, I did end up ordering some. However, for this first dress, I don’t want to start cutting into $18 per yard (GASP) linen, hence the above pictured mid-century table cloth I dug out of my dining room sideboard. It’s really lovely! And I was able to avoid the holes! The top fabric looks mid-century, but I’m not sure; it may be reproduction. It was a pair of pajama bottoms — already cut up a bit — scored at a yard sale.
I’m going out to buy seam binding tape (any ideas for color??) and if you missed by facebook post on how to sew seam binding, here is a terrific and very funny video on the subject:
This is truly just so exciting and fun. I am enjoying it immensely and finding that I mostly do have the patience to do things slowly and with care. Sewing commences this weekend… wish me luck!
Lots of artists struggle over the concept of creative voice… you know, that indefinable thing that makes your work your own. I seem to have a handful of voices, which makes me either versatile… or schizophrenic. And, either way, it’s ok with me; in fact I embrace the idea of taking various directions with jewelry.
This week I attended an important client event where I wanted to bring along little thank-you gifts for my three contacts… smart, gorgeous women whom I adore working with. Since the event was a dressy downtown DC affair, I thought I’d go the pretty route instead of the quirky route.
Each pair was designed specifically for the recipient. There are crystal embellished freshwater pearls, heavily faceted cut glass Czech beads in amazing colors and even some 18kt gold vermeil findings. GLAMOUROSITY!
If you love corsets but find them awfully expensive, here’s a great simple corset you can make yourself. With NO sewing! I saw it in a shop window here in Takoma Park and immediately thought: I can do that!
The most challenging part of this project is locating the vintage army surplus spats you’ll need. The ones I used are from WWI and were scored on Etsy for about $20. I’ve seen them on ebay as well, sometimes as much as $40-$45… still not prohibitive and lots less than a corset which will run you hundreds (not that I would know :).
Step 1: Acquire a single pair of spats. Step 2: Lace them up. You have just made a gorgeous steampunky corset.
A note about fit… the spats tend to be small through the curvy waist part. My teenage daughter can fit into this with the front nearly laced closed, and she’s a skinny minnie, size 0-2. On me (30 waist, size 6), the front is pretty open. I was dubious about the cloth fabric laces in the front… but it turns out that it really works if you’re going to wear it more open, as it forms sort of a “panel” in the front (as shown in middle photo). And I do like the girly color with the manly spats. So, I think 30-31 waist might be the maximum for a single pair of spats/corset. HOWEVER, there’s nothing that says you can’t add another pair, lacing up the sides… right?
Oh, and that furry neck thing in the top photo is a collar I knitted. Another no-brainer of a project for the craft inspired-yet-impatient/challenged!
Some supplies get used as quick as can be. I’d been visiting and longing for those vinyl record beads from Africa forever so once I got my hands on them, I had to use them immediately. The pink btw, is bright neon.
The vintage black buttons look like vinyl records to me, they are art deco and were purchased long ago. I have a tupperware container of buttons for each of about 8 colors. A sorting exercise when I was buying the buttons in bulk from ebay. It really does make them easier to use and was fun seeing each and every button in the large lots.
No idea where that little glass smiley bead came from, have also had that in the stash forever. So I wore these out last night to decide whether I could part with them. For now, I simply have to keep these. They really express how I feel about the world, in a way that I just can not describe.
To see these photos full size, visit my flickr page.
From the top of the ferris wheel we wave to the tiny people below and sneak a kiss while mother isn’t looking. For lunch it’s hot buttered corn and candy apples… later we’ll watch the judging in the sheep barn and visit with those crazy 4-H kids. How can you eat your pet?, we’ll whisper behind their backs… of course they hear us and glare, we feel it as we turn away.
Pretty beaded State Fair hoop earrings feature amazing vintage tin couples in itty bitty ferris wheel seats, javanse red/white striped peppermint glass barrels, glass seed beads, African trade Christmas beads, and other eclectic goodies in candy colors. Mannequin hand is life-sized average female for size reference. One of a kind, lightweight, ready to ship.
Gorgeous vintage Venetian wedding cake beads in a highly rare shade of mustard yellow are adorned with trails of copper/gold aventurine, swirly pink roses and cornflower blue striped dots. Warm antique copper findings and a pair of super-faceted blue glass Czech beads finish off this exceedingly yummy pair. Baroque, with a certain je ne sais quois. Dress them up for parties or down for every day.
One of a kind, ready to ship. Mannequin hand is life-sized average woman for reference.
Don’t forget to click the photos below to enlarge.
My work for designfarm takes precedence during the weekdays and this has been a slammed week, with no time for jewelry other than the site launch.
Finally, with things winding down on Friday afternoon I took a break to run errands and found myself at my local bead shop — S&A Beads — in Old Town Takoma Park. Manager Zoe had restocked the tiny shop with so much amazing ethnic tribal and glamorous gemstone stuff, I was dazed. Pictured at the top, vinyl beads in brilliant neon colors and above, gorgeous leather tassels, all from Africa. SWOON. If you’re in the tri-state area, swing through and visit S&A. Sunday is great, the Farmer’s Market will be set up out front (year round) and soon will be brimming with fruits, veg, flowers, baked goods etc.
Here’s an cool jet black beaded sequined tassel I picked up at Value Village when Molly and I stopped by after her orthodontist appt this week.
On the same VV run, picked up these hideious earrings which I can’t wait to disassemble and reconfigure.
But the main reason for the trip to VV was hunt for Bollywood bangles, and my No.1 thriftstore did NOT disappoint.
It makes me happy having this stuff strewn about my desk while I work on my graphics deadlines. That way the supplies can continue their job of talking to me about context. My favorite time for making jewelry is Saturday morning. I almost always get up early, caffeinate, then gather up the supplies and head for the studio. What’s your most creative time?
We are beginning to wonder whether a servant girl hasn’t the best of it after all. She knows how the salad tastes without the dressing, and she knows how life’s lived before it gets to the parlor door. Djuna Barnes
And here is the servant girl’s bracelet, handcrafted from a vintage cuff and a terrifically old button stitched on with wire. Additional embellisments include vintage rhinestone chain and a small crystal. Tarnished and waxed to post-apocalyptic perfection.
One of a kind and could fit many wrists. My wrist, very small at 5.75 inches, is too small for this piece; it won’t close tight enough for the button to stay atop. I believe it will work for any wrist that is 6.25 inches or larger.
Having a far-away art friend is today’s version of a pen pal (which I’m old enough to also have had), only better! Manuela lives in Milan and we met on flickr…
Visit My So Charmed Life to keep up with WIPs, personal stories, an occasional interview, and links to fabulous finds in the world of craft.
Having a far-away art friend is today’s version of a pen pal (which I’m old enough to also have had), only better! Manuela lives in Milan and we met on flickr — where she goes by the name Gigliotigre and/or PoppyPoppins. We were drawn to one another’s jewelry images; pictured above is Manu’s hand-knit plastic necklace, Knotting Lies.
Although we barely know one another, we decided to do a destash trade… destash being an invented word crafters use to describe the sharing of their overflow hoard of supplies. I was so excited to get Manu’s package, note the mustache tape! Inside was a little suitcase and inside that…
A crazy little mini-hoard! Here are some pix…
Manu also sent me a super sweet pair of earrings from her PoppyPoppins line, pictured below. Of course we both LOVE polka-dots.
Lastly, here is one more necklace creation of Manu’s, entitled Erasmus, “la tete Mundurucù” dedita all’ubriachezza molesta or The head hunter’s first victim.
Despite our language barriers — Manu’s English surpassing my Italian by a gazillion percent — we’ve become great friends. I’ve sent a package off to Italy and knowing their mail system as I do… I hope it arrives before Xmas! I can’t wait to see the extreme craziness that comes of this trade. And I hope to introduce you to a few more of my talented art-buds soon.
Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleave of care The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast. ~William Shakespeare, Macbeth
Dreamy earrings of labradorite (flashing blue and green) and golden seed beads, with deepest red glass leaf charms from India that make me think of hearts. They are rather translucent, but hard to photograph that way. Special vintage findings, patina’d by hand. Brass leverbacks, the only pair, and ready to ship. Fortune included.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable. –Helen Keller
You are one such spirit, a gypsy at heart who dances on the pavement of city streets with flowers in your eyes and stars in your hair, always bringing happiness to others. Both intriciate in detail and simple in design, these sunshine earrings feature woven wire seed beads in coppery metallics and neon yellow & pink, with wire-wrapped natural crystal points. I seem them with a summery dress or to bring a little summer anytime. Brass leverbacks, sweetly asymmetrical, and ready to ship.
