Peace of Art x 52...#2!

CRAFTSY-MERCHANT THOUGHT FOR THE DAY....1 OUT OF 52!

Isn't this a great picture exemplifying the beauty of contradiction? Beautiful ornate tapestry, paint chipped chair with gingham arms....next to a wicker cat house with a silver teapot in it... surrounded by beautiful plaids...with wacky, toe jointed red, wood sandals placed just as if someone just got up to go get a cup of coffee. I love when vendors display their wares with such surprise and detail. It makes me want to buy the whole vignette and set it up in my foyer or den. Keep that in mind when displaying your own merchandise....paint a picture that the customer wants to reproduce just like you have it! They might just buy the whole vignette!

52 Ways To Garnish With Jewelry, Number 1!

B-45!!

Have you ever played bingo in a true "Bingo Hall"? There is nothing like it. The environment is quite unique...life altering...and a test of hand and eye coordination. My husband and I, while on vacation several years ago decided to stop in and give it a whirl. How hard could this be?

First, upon walking into the 5,000 square foot aluminum building; every bee hive, bald head, purple haired, freshly coiffed wig and some fairly normal heads, spun around and smelled new competition without hesitation. They sensed fresh blood before we hit the door. Little did they know, nor did we, that our ability to actually play the game, provide a competitive edge or possibly take home the kitty was not going to happen. After a quick glaze of the room, we found two open seats and sidled down to attempt fitting in and playing a simple game of BINGO.

We watched the procedure for getting cards, had to use plastic tokens for cover ups, because we forgot our monogrammed, multi-colored, dauber carrying case. For those who didn't see us come in, this was yet another glaring clue that unskilled outsiders were trolling for the cookie jar (bottle of money, I would call a jackpot). Not to be too intimidating, my Honey and I decided to play as a team. Note: this is scorned by all BINGO players. We got three cards, thinking this would surely make us appear a bit less green. The lady next to me, was at least 75 years old, played eight cards, drank diet coke like a drunken sailor, smoked 14 cigarettes, altered the colors of her daubing, gave us endless advice, and detected several unmarked numbers on our three cards, all in the same game, lasting approximately 5.2 minutes. It was the culmination of this very moment that I heard the word BINGO, and it will now forever be etched in my mind differently! It was confirmed...we were novice, rookie, amateur BINGO players. Only 45 minutes into our "fun" evening of childhood gaming, and we were down $52, two cokes and our self-esteem. We had stepped into a world we were not worthy of entry.

Thus, the need to use our BINGO calling tokens in a different way. Why not a bracelet? I wear one myself on occasion, and there has never been a time that I am not humbled when I see it. I will always remember Gladys (the 75 year old), her multi-tasking skills, and our inability to play BINGO.

Wear things that remind you of fun occasions! It adds to the ensemble.

The New Years Final Declaration!

It is official...I have confirmed my creative goals for the 2008 blog. du du du dahhhhhhh(sing similar to Beethoven's 5th) After much evolution to what I said earlier, the plan is this....

This year will be a theme on the number 52! This being the number of weeks in the year and the same number of creative efforts I hope to achieve in the following categories:

1. Photos Worth Smiling 52 Times!

2. Craft-Down To 52 Creative Projects!

3. 52 Uses for Old Stuff!

4. Piece of Art x 52!

5. 52 Ways To Garnish With Jewelry!

6. Thought Number ____of 52 By The Craftsy-Merchant!

There you have it....because of my particular work ethic and personality, a declared list of things to do must be created to ever get anything done. The order in which these little snippets of "52 whatever" could randomly appear any day of the week....but, they will appear! Check in every day to see what surfaces! Pass this blog on to a friend and get whatever is appearing in the "Pay It Forward" column of the blog...this too will change randomly. Let's try to make it fun!!

Today....is a photo worth smiling for...number 1!

Babies...babies....babies...what is more likable to see than hundreds of 4" tall, little babies laying in a bucket? I saw this tub of babies at a flea market and could not resist taking a photo! My philosophy for collecting has always been...one gets you started, two creates bookends, three makes a nice display, four is a horrible even number, and five makes you on your way to being a collector, so what does hundreds make you.....smile!

52 Uses For Old Stuff - Number 1

My "52 Idea Craft-Down" has already begun...now it is time for the "52 Uses for Old Stuff" Count Up! It will begin today!

Oh, the aluminum......

I LOVE hammered aluminum! I've been collecting it for years. The detailed, delicate ornamentation to such a simple metal is my favorite. The number of patterns, shapes, sizes and styles of this medium is endless. I must have 75 +/- pieces, and I don't think one piece is the same pattern as any other. I am a little phobic about using it, because of the metal content, and all the horror stories I've heard over the years, but I still think it is beautiful to enjoy its aesthetic value. Imagine the work put into the original pieces that were forged by hand. Up until this very Christmas, I have only found platters, bowls, napkin holders, pitchers and a variety of serving pieces....but, my sweetie purchased a very unusual gift for me...a hammered aluminum purse! It is fantastic! The moment I can attend some party...event...or special occasion, I will be accessorized with this wonderful lipstick and cell phone holder. I can't wait to wear it. But, until then, what can I do with such a unique piece of aluminum? I've decided to display vintage hand towels in my guest bath. If you have never seen an hammered aluminum purse....now is your chance. Enjoy the unusual...and use it!

New Art!

Our downtown has opened the most warm and charming bookstore...

Rockpoint Books! It is casually decorated with comfy antique chairs, church pews, funky benches and quiet corners. It is not as big as BOM or B&N, but, equally just as wonderful. It is filled with the best sellers and lots of classics. You can look from any angle and see various kinds of art by local artists. Numerous events happen throughout each month: scrabble night, book clubs, southern authors book signings, poetry readings and lots of children oriented activities. This store reminds me of the movie with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks (can't think of the name of it...but, she had a local bookstore and he moved in the big box store around the corner...ultimately put her out of business). Rockpoint oozes coziness and familiarity...not to mention a coffee bar is located in the back. Anyway.... I was thrilled to have the opportunity to display my art amongst its cozy walls. Here is a few photos of some of my new work, and one of the walls in the store. I sure hope the box stores stay far away from this quaint little retail establishment.

Craft-Down Number 52!

The Craft-Down has begun!

Craft-Down (kraft' dahn) noun, - is a crafting/artistic project that is basically very easy and simple to make, yet economical and fun to do. Can be given as a gift, sold as a retail or wholesale item or kept for your own personal pleasure. A different project will be posted weekly to create a 52 item list of fun projects.
Craft-Down Number 52: Hanging Hip!

Tools Needed:

wooden hanger (can be gotten at the "dollar" type stores, yardsales, already in your closet, with a

suit)

paint (can use any type of paint, I prefer spray paint because it is faster)

paper images (I cut mine out of a children's catalog)

decoupage medium (Modge Podge, Elmer's glue and water mixture (use equal parts of each)

paint brush needed to apply the paper images to the hanger

acrylic sealant type spray (get at hardware or craft type stores)

decorative ribbon (completely optional, just a little more garnish

Step 1: get/purchase/find a wooden hanger

Step 2: spray paint any color you like, let dry

Step 3: cut out cute/fun images to reflect the recipient of the hanger

Step 4: decoupage (glue) the images on to the hanger, let dry

Step 5: spary a protective sealant on the wooden hanger

Step 6: add decorative bow

Step 7: give to friend, hang in your closet...too cute!

2008 A New Year!

It is finally a new year for me... I know I'm 6 days late, but much domestic duties have delayed my entree into the new year. So, with much enthusiasm and gratitude, I welcome in a new year. With this wonderful sense of newness, it is essential you challenge yourself to new goals. So, here is what I'm going to do:

1. Create mucho art and jewelry!
2. Dedicate a daily time to write for the blog (even
daily goals such as...one day for a artsy-craftsy
idea...one day for show and tell...one day for
sharing a clever tip...and two days open for the
moment)
3. Creating a forum for like minded artsy-craftsy
people like myself.
4. Finish writing my book.
5. Eat more cake.

I know the goals seem lofty...but, you have to start somewhere. Happy New Year to all! Let the creativity begin!