Potato Patina!

I just bought a new book by Kerry Bogert called Rustic Wrappings: Exploring Patina in Wire, Metal, and Glass Jewelry. In the book, Kerry gives a fun recipe for giving a nice patina to brass or copper using salt & vinegar potato chips. I had to do this.

All you need:
Plastic Container
Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips
White Vinegar
Brass or Copper Findings
(and maybe a little extra sea salt)

 

It's easy. You crunch up the chips, add white vinegar to make them mushy and drop in the metal pieces. These pieces in the photo are from sitting over night. The longer they sit, the more green color the metal will develop.

 



I tried all kinds of metal beads and handmade wire chains and findings. Great colors from black, brown, red, deep green, leaf green and gold appeared.

There is a slight issue with the oil from the chips. I'm not sure how this will react with a sealant. But the patina does process through!

I like all beads, maybe.

So, I tried using different beads or pendants last week and I'm pretty happy with my funky necklaces. It's dangerous to actually make something inside a bead store. Too many choices. Expensive choices!

My bead pal, Debbie, showed up with a stash of metal links and even let me steal a few pieces to hang a pendant from.

 

 

I made this necklace from a lot of beads I had forgotten about. I can't decide if I should apply a patina to the metal disc that sits on top of the wood pendant. Should I change the necklace?

This weekend...

...is the weekend where I finally get my creating desk set up. This is going to be the weekend where I don't lay in my recliner because I'm in pain or I'm depressed about chemotherapy. Nope! This weekend I'm going to look at my furniture and beading supplies, get way overwhelmed and just move the stuff around anyways.

Update: I actually did this with most of the work being done by my awesome boyfriend. YeeHoo!

wow, these pictures won't line up at all. i think i dislike this format quite a bit.

I love how I am trying to edit the layout and it just keeps jumping all over the place. AWESOME! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So tired

I keep running into doors. There's a big bruise on my arm because I ran into a door yesterday. Falling asleep while walking. This 44oz fountain drink soda cup isn't 44oz. I poured a 42oz soda in it and there was not enough room in this fountain drink cup. I want my dollar back!

Things I'm finding on the Internet...

...because I can't stop being excited to live above ground. I can't give credit to these photos. I know that is a bad thing to do but they are so pretty.

I gotta get to work on my furniture refinishing. Thinking of doing so large linen tapestry type design. I've got rolls of old linen and canvas. Something should be done with them.

bloggity

bloggity bloggity blog blog blogggggg

oh

this is still here. i ate cake for breakfast. woo!

Spilling

Feels very strange that I haven't been here since September. I had a cluster of Etsy sales and it was exciting for a moment but then came in my long-time pal Dread or maybe it was Fear. The items wouldn't be good enough. They could get lost in the mail. How did these people find me even though I hadn't updated my Etsy store for quite a while? Is this box pretty enough? Will the buyer be offended by me because I recycle packing envelopes? Problem is, I don't know. There was no communication back from the buyers. Fear was feeling validated.


I would like to say I have been in a funk for months. Truth is I've been battling major depression and anxiety. I'm not even looking at Etsy, buying Etsy items, ordering or purchasing beads. Okay, I did purchase a few beads here and there but they are now covered up by laundry. LAUNDRY. Shame on me!

I did force myself to take a night class here at MSUB. It's very challenging and I came close to dropping it several times. The class is Introduction to (Adobe) Illustrator. Now my good friend Obsession has stepped in. My projects must be perfect and exceed any expectations. Myself, the instructor's, co-workers, and of course the entire class. Completely absurd thinking.

This is the pain. Knowing how absurd and irrational my diseased thinking is but continuing to act it out.

Now that I am a student, not just an employee, of this university, the student art club would like me to help out. They are in dire need of help for their auction but all this mind trouble is bubbling up. What if I ruin my relationship with the students? How could I really help since I am not an art major? I'm so tired of working two jobs and taking a night class. Where will I get this energy? Why can't I fight the good fight anymore?

I can't stand it when somebody will call me an artist or say that I am artistic or creative. That's a lot to live up to. Whatever that would be. Navigating a gauge of how much 'artistic ability' meets a quota or standard. What is that?

What is that?

I believe this is a core issue. Seriously, what is it? Then followed by the all-consuming 'why is this even important?'

There is no magic pill or mantra.

I received my Stringing magazine yesterday. The jewelry pieces are very unique and push boundaries that I might not think of ever doing. It's strange. People have commented that my jewelry is strange or weird. I get sensitive and then feel confused. I do want my jewelry to be 'different' and filled with unique components. But for the past 6 months, that just isn't good enough.

Thanks to the Internet, I can meander through thoughts without a concise conclusion

Nick Light

I can't stop sneezing and my back hurts right between the shoulders. Finally getting a sneeze out feels good but then there is a stabbing pain on my back. It's a win/lose situation here!


What does this have to do with my oldest dog? Nothing!


Nicholas doesn't walk around much since he's now 98% blind. For some reason he wondered into the 'craft' room and plopped down in a small wedge of sunlight. It's bittersweet. He's very old but he still has that Boston Terrier spunk.


He's been my best buddy for 8+ years. I want grow old with him. Buy a house and have a lawn of our own.


Nicholas sleeps for most of the day. However, he still greets me when work is done and I'm done with people. He jumps, barks, and of course attacks Henry Fonda (the dog not the actor), all to impress me and say "Hello".

Found Parts

Over a year ago, some students decided to perform what they believed to be "guerilla art". For me, it was an annoyance and a huge pain in the ass to remove. An old television with the wood casing, possibly from the early 70's, had faux vines and plants weaving in an out of broken areas and sat in the middle of our main gallery. The lack of imagination irritated me. Ok, it was because I was the person that would have to clean up their half-baked idea. I still don't know who did it!

I decided to add my touches to the "piece". Printed papers of sardonic views on the fantasies of secretaries portrayed by our media culture, frustration about the giant television sitting in the middle of main gallery, and tape wrapping the television to "bind" the damn thing. I guess I'm still irritated by the act.

Eventually, I decided to take it apart. I found all sorts of neat do-dads inside. I wasn't sure what I would make of them. There was so much inside that I wanted to take but to remove the items would have destroyed them.

I was able to salvage a handful of pieces. It wasn't until last night I found a purpose for a few of them. Inspired by the pieces from Melanie Brooks' ceramics, some of those salvaged do-dads found a home within a necklace. Melanie's pieces contain impressions into clay by the use of hardware, tools and toy train parts. The focal piece feels like an old factory window looking into what housed the machines that created the parts I had salvaged. Her orange square connectors matched an orange television tube so perfectly. Very cool ceramics.

Then, I found a chain I had stashed away. A great gunmetal chain that has an industrial or bike chain look. I wish I could remember where I bought it.

I can't decide if I want to re-do the whole piece. The stones were put in because I have a difficult time creating jewelry without some gemstone beads. I keep thinking they are out of place in this necklace but then I feel that the stones somewhat represent the origin of the television pieces.

"...Man against Nature. Nature against Man..."

Beads 1-Up

"1-up (or “1UP”, 1-UP” etc.), pronounced "one up", is a term in console video gaming that commonly refers to an item that gives the player an extra life, to complete the game."

I was trying to think of a label other than repurposed, upcycled, or recycled since these beads are a little more than such descriptions. Magazines and (s)crap papers are cut and rolled. I can't imagine the amount of patience it would take to make a bead like this at home. SCREW THAT! Just buy 'em.

It's pretty awesome how the beading community and industry is getting on board with the 'green' movement. I often wonder where my beads come from, especially stones. If I see something that notes the origin as Madagascar, I keep away.

However, you don't always know the entire story. You probably wouldn't want to. I guess that could apply for most products.

RANDOM!

Here's an older picture of my little old man Nick looking worried. The camera red eye adds a little extra something to his emoting.

'membering

I was at Debbie's house the other day to check out a door she's thinking about refinishing. We went to a local hardware store to look at paint swatches. Oh How I Love Looking At Paint Swatches. Debbie probably thought I was getting a little kooky.
I was trying to explain some faux and decorative painting techniques I had done when living in Dallas, Texas. Then, DUH! I remembered I had some badly scanned photos saved to an internet site.

These are some of the stencils I did for clients where they wanted the original antique wallpaper design but tweaked to their new color palette. So many base layers, then stencil layers, and then color washes. The first picture is a dining room and it took me two weeks by myself. So much anxiety in the measuring and scaling of the design. Luckily I was able to meet the design up perfectly in a corner.




The mystic blue hallway. One of my favorites because it was so fun. Time consuming but fun. It's a finish that just can't really be captured on film. The first step was PRETTY scary looking. A lot of soft blues, a deep blue and a cream just blended up in a spotty way. Then layers of pearl finish and metalic paints. Then some soft metalic flogging and burnishing. Pretty crazy stuff. One of the clients college aged daughters asked if I knew what I was doing. Hehe!

It was often difficult to talk to clients who didn't know what they wanted, how colors worked together, or even how light and shadows affect colors. So many samples would have to be made. Not an easy job but I do miss it. Although, I don't think I could handle doing it fulltime again.

Sunday! New Beads, New Necklace

I'm sitting here and listening to the guy trying to describe yellow. Words like:
"Larve, jaundice, puss, grandma's teeth, grandpa's toenail, egg beaters yellow, is this butter still good yellow. I'm trying to think of things that sound classy. Don't ask don't tell yellow. Glow ball isn't perfect either. I do think that, well, man, I dunno."

This is the help I get. Now my mind is distorted about yellow. Great!
I would describe the yellow in these as pale pear or chartreuse yellow. I really like these colors next to dusky brown or warm grey.

I love this chain but I don't think I can find anymore. It was an orphan piece in a grab bag of mixed brass.

I'm Not A Loser!

I have pictures to prove it. Last Saturday, Debbie and I went to a bead show presented by The Crystal Limit. They had a raffle box at the entrance. No way was I going to win whatever it was that required me to fill out a slip of paper. I quit reading those signs for raffles so long ago. Probably not the smartest thing.
OK. More importantly, today I get home to see a package waiting for me on the entry table thingy. Wait, no it was a heavy box and I was so confused because I just received all my Etsy goodies. It was truly a "WTF" moment.
The proof:






So there is all kinds of crazy stuff happening in this mix. I counted twenty four strands!











I have to give mad props to The Crystal Limit from Missoula, Montana. Yay!

FOUR Etsy packages in one day!

I didn't realize how much I spoiled myself with the items I seized from some of Etsy's finest. You gotta be quick with these stores. Items sell quick and you gotta get in there! Just don't get in there when I'm shopping!

These are the contents of the opened parcels:

I actually slowed myself down to enjoy the opening of some of the most wonderful items I have yet to purchase from Etsy. Of course I took some pictures to document the occasion for future enjoyment and to give props to these artists.

First package is from Paperpeacock created by artist Heather Robinson. MAN! I just looked at her sight and there's already new stuff I want! Here we have some uber cool ceramic work. These buttons (and a super neat treat) have been created with considerable attention to detail in shape, form and color. You gotta check out her wall sculptures too.

Next, it's Sandhra Lee with her handcrafted porcelain pendants and buttons that have a fun energy. AND again she has more items listed that I want. Browse on over there and check out her cool buttons and especially those owls. I love the gator pendant. A group of my friends have a MS Paint gator love that one of the group members moved into the polymer clay gator sculpture world. This gator pendant was like reading my mind! The loot:

Here are the Kylie Parrycreations. They are REALLY durable. I've been having some annoying migraine shakes lately and I dropped the umbrella pendant. Of course it would land on my little anvil but the pendant didn't even chip! Such cool designs that each have a unique style. Some how a butterfly flew into my package. Kylie must know magic! =)

Now for the fun metal package from Shannon LeVart of Missficklemedia. All of these metal pieces have been prepared with much time and effort to achieve such beautiful colors and durability. They most deffinitely look so much better in person. Wonderful color shifts and copper sneaking through the patinas. I'm going to have to get some more of these pieces.

Oh and the package I received on Friday from Amanda Davie. The Boston Terrier pendant. It's so smooth and well constructed. Love it! Her packaging is so neat and handmade.

Buy Handmade!

Patina Little Things

I've been collecting some random copper and brass findings or wire wing-dings in order to give them a patina all at once. Some of the pieces were very tiny. This was my solution.
Tulle baggies!

It's a very dark patina but getting the wire guards oxidized was really easy using a tulle bag. I still need to think ahead and get my pieces darkened before I assemble a piece. For example, the necklace I made last night. It's pretty bad lighting but I do live in a basement.

Star Date: 64037.9

Pssh, I'm not that big of a nerd. I just Googled it.
I made some copper bead cages recently. They look neat once they have a patina going on. Well, I think so.
I've been trying to achieve the same look with red brass wire but the 'angles' aren't sharp enough. This is the copper:

Anyhoo, I purchased a handmade Boston Terrier pendant by Amanda Davie and I'm itching like crazy to get it. Etsy goodies in the mail are such a dangerous giddy/high.

Amanda makes awesome jewelry and components. I really really really hope she can make some more unique Boston Terrier items.
I never wanted to be one of 'those animal loving people' that have the bumper stickers, shirts, or sun catchers of their fave pets. But ya know, Boston Terriers are absolutely cool and they beat your kid off the honor roll. So now I've got pictures of my Bostons up in my office and a Boston Terrier computer wallpaper.
It's happening.

Found my older camera

and I found a silly bead video left behind! I'm not drunk in this video, just really dumb. Really. Please note the really dumb messiness! How did I live in such a mess?
R.I.P. Mrs. Messy House. =(

Out of my funk?

I received a little extra cash from the IRS recently. Which is completely weird since I had 'owed' them taxes and gave them a check. But it's like they came back and one upped me and was all like,"Hey lady! Look, you were wrong. Real wrong. So like here's the amount of wrongness you were translated into dollars with interest!" Can you believe those people?!

Yeah, so being all bummed out with this new cash, I had to calm myself down by purchasing some more beads and other handcrafted items from Etsy.

Then all of the sudden this multi-month long funk slightly faded. I'm watching the television and I think how amazing it could be to bead while 'watching' a movie. DUH REBECCA, use the TV table and the Ott Light. So it looked kind of like this:

It's kind of cramped and I keep bumping it. I have to refine this beading/TV thing. Or I could quit watch TV again. =/

I did manage to make a bracelet using some of my new fancy firepolish beads and twirling copper around chop sticks and such. The colors look off in this picture because I'm now living in this dark basement. Boo Hoo for me!

Picture please:

The Mykonos square beads appear to have such a rich color but in the real world they are so subtle and nicely compliment the focal glass bead. I wish there was some kind of high tech liver-of-sulfur pen that you could use to give small areas of copper a nice patina. Then you wouldn't have to mix up a new cup all the time. Life is real rough without such pens.

I think I'm going to go eat cake while sitting next to my beads now.