...Candie Cooper's Blog...

Happy Earth Day!

Sweet Perfume, Simply Beads-Feb, 06 copyright DRG

It's Earth Day!  And you know how I (and a ton of other people) love to repurpose and recycle old junk things into new stuff!  I wanted to share one of my projects that does just that!  This is an old perfume bottle transformed into a hanging bud vase with beads, buttons and wire----Perfect for dangling violets, dandelions, and daisies on your kitchen window.  Back in the day, I sold these at the farmer's market.  Which reminds me of the lady next to me who sold wonderful homemade scones and coffee.  I could go for one of those right now!

 

I would search flea markets high and low for any sort of tiny bottle---and if you're really lucky, they still have the label on them.  Those were always my favorites.  Now that I think about it, I just saw some vintage label clip art on Dover's free sampler.  Hmmm, I bet you could decoupage with Mod Podge a faux label onto the bottle.  Thinking out loud here.

There are TONS of fun recycled craft ideas out there for you and for kids.  Craft Gossip's Recycled Crafts Blog had some good stuff (be sure to check out older posts) and book reviews on the topic.  Make-Stuff had some clever ideas.  If you liked yesterday's post about recycling clip-on earrings, check out my project in the Spring issue of Make It Mine, for tips on transforming vintage jewels into wine charms.

Have a Happy Earth Day! Go Green everyone!

Sprout!

Oh the rains, they have been a' pourin' the past couple of mornings---my favorite kind of start to the day. It washes away all the dust and goo on the plants and sidewalks here, clears the air for a couple of hours.  The smell of coffee and the tap, tap, splat sounds on my studio windows...mmmm I am lost.

 

And with all the rain, brings blooms, thus this month's Ornament Thursday theme-Sprout!  Ok, I added the exclamation point.  Growing up in Indiana, most of us are ready for Spring about this time of year wondering if we will ever see daffodils or sprouts again.  In fact, Grandpa called Easter Sunday morning and told me it had snowed back home.  Try hiding brightly colored eggs on a blanket of white for the big egg hunt.  Two times, we have been in Germany at the beginning of Spring.  I remember the corner flower markets had beautiful pansies and tulips out front.  The shops were full of wonderful decorations like paper mache eggs, grassy straw wreaths, pipe cleaner chics, and felty flowers.  I can't help but think about those trips when spring rolls around.  One of which was my first time traveling abroad-quite magical.

 

Here's a felty flower brooch that I whipped up to sprout out of this loud green jacket.  I'm sorry to say the flower does not squirt water even though it looks playful enough.  I used orange silk spread across the top of my red felt before I wet felted it to give it a swirly smooth texture (see the end of this post for a materials list).  The jacket I've had for years, and I can't give it up---it's my favorite color.  However, I gave it a face lift by shredding along some of the seams with a seam ripper.  You can use a razor blade to kind of fray the areas a bit too.  If you're looking to explore felted jewelry making, check out my book, Felted Jewelry.  Let me know if you have questions about where to by wool and such also.  I'm happy to help. 

For this project you need:

• Wool Roving
• Silk top (optional)
• 1 Felt ball
• Green sheet of embroidered felt for leaf from Ornamentea
• Seed beads
• Needle felting tool by Clover

Happy Spring! Happy Sprouting! And here are the rest of the Ornament Thursday Club Members!

Alexa Westerfield - a.k.a. Swelldesigner  Now that's it's time for spring, ideas are "sprouting" all over the place. Alexa creates this eye-catching notebook to keep them in order.
Art Bead Scene  Some good karma is sprouting up at the Art Bead Scene with Heather's Lotus Flower Bracelet
Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva  The Brooklyn National Anthem sprouts every year when Cindy's in Spring mode. See what it inspired this year!
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles  Melanie giggles and remembers a furry friend, brings back an old mold, and sprouts up a beaded LOLhammy ceramic ornament
Helen Bradley and Michelle Zimmerman at http design  It's spring and we're sprouting all sorts of wonderful art at http design. Michelle is toting her art to the market and Helen revisits a fun art school assignment for her inspiration.
Humblebeads  Humblebeads celebrates spring with a Berry Good bracelet inspired by some juicy disk beads.
Jennifer Heynen of Jangles  Jennifer has come up with a cute little necklace to remind you of spring.
Katie's Beading Blog  Create some spring flair of your own with this easy bead embroidery idea from Katie's book, Hip to Bead.
Kriss Cramer - Spring Is In The Air  Not much of a horticulturist? Me neither! But I love flowers and I enjoy growing these ones with some paper, paint, and rhinestones.
Linda and Tea at Make It Mine magazine  Tea decided to join the fun this month. Check out her quilt blocks and Linda's purse.
Melissa J. Lee - Strands of Beads  What do Korean playing cards have to do with a sprouting spring? Check out Melissa's blog to find out.
Michelle McGee - S-P-R-O-U-T  Michelle just can't stop creating in green! A little wooden birdhouse becomes a beautiful palace!
Savvy Crafter  Candie shares some happy spring memories with a cheerful felty flower idea!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!  Jean tells a touching, poignant tale of some beads who help one another, and after a small amount of sturm and drang they get it together and help each other! In fact, they prettify whatever YOU choose! Go see! It's fun!
Spring is Sprouting for Joolz by Lisa  Even without a green thumb, Lisa managed to "grow" a garden of sorts this month.
Sprouting Up with Beading Help Web  Lynn Kvigne's used wire and a lentil bead to create a "sprouting" pendant for wire workers who want a bit of a challenge! http://beading.consumerhelpweb.com/blog/2008/03/ornament-thursday-sprout.html
The Goddess ROCKS!  Inspired by a river rock shaped like an ancient goddess statue, Hali paints, melts crayons and adds glitter to create a sparkley celebration of Spring.
The Impatient Blogger  How does your garden grow? With metal mesh, Czech glass beads and vintage French images all in a row! Margot just returned from Paris where she discovered a treasure trove of vintage paper. This scanned and sized postcard image fit the theme of sprout perfectly and the necklace was in search of a new home...add some teal metal mesh bows and accents and voila...a design sprouts forth!
Vintage Girl Teams Up With Her Vintage Momma!  What does a gal do when she finds herself far from her crafting supplies? Why, she raids her mom's basement and then puts dear old mama to work! Stop by and you'll see why mom's basement is fertile ground for things that sprout!

Heartsy Artsy Idea and Ornament Thursday!

Ornament Thursday is back every third Thursday of the month!  Yay!  And this month's theme is Love Story.   

Love Story.  This March, Butch and I will have been together for 10 years.  What can I say except for the time has flown.  Finishing college, buying a house, selling a house, adopting a dog, changing jobs, moving towns, moving to the opposite side of the world, all the while still decorating the Christmas tree, holding hands on walks, paying the bills, and fixing dinners...together for 10 years.  Making that little list makes me think about all the changes in my life except for one thing.  Butch.  We've been side by side climbing the mountain of Life for the last decade.  I think it was my Grandpa (who's been married since 55' (i think)) how much he has enjoyed sharing his life with someone all these years.  I've kept that little thought in my back pocket and refer to it when I'm feeling that sharing isn't always easy, but it is rewarding.  It's true and it's what makes the love story all the richer.

This project sort of fell together the past couple of weeks.  It all started when I bought some ring forms.  I wanted to collage them with paper and charms and then pour resin in.  But then, I thought about setting them with a clear cabochon.  So yesterday when I was in the craft supply head-quarters of the world/Hong Kong, I found some clear cabs...faceted too!  And they sat a wee bit raised from the base.  Hmm, I thought, seems kind of kaleidescope-y-y.  Luckily, when inspiration strikes, you have a resource.  I ran to the sequin shop and started filling my bags with small shapes. I couldn't help myself, so on the ferry ride home, I started assembling and I know the man sitting across the way secretly wished he could make one too.  Paper+sequins+cabochon=Super Easy and Fabulous Ring!  I moved my finger every which way, watching the sequins slide and rearrange themselves all the way home.

This is not the one I made on the boat.  This idea didn't come to me until this morning when I was laying in bed looking at our black and white wedding photo.  The only picture I have here.  I scanned it in, reduced the size, printed and cut the oval shape.  Sprinkle with red hearts and pearls and set the cabochon.  Rocker watched me from the couch zipping around like a mad scientist.  Eureka!  Love Story for your finger!  The downside is these look so much cooler in person.  I'm not so savvy with a camera and I feel sorry for anyone who has to photograph shiny or faceted objects now.  What a challenge!  But, I made another version with just pink paper, hearts and pink cabochon. It really glows in person.

I want to continue experimenting with these.  I have so many ideas!  Also, I will give away one Ring Kit--including ring form, clear cabochon and sequins---you provide the photo or paper. Leave a comment on this post by midnight EST on Sunday the 3rd and I will do a drawing on Monday.  Watch this space for the winner because I'll need your address! Okie Dokie?

More Love Stories....

Art Bead Scene 
The designers at Art Bead Scene have two jewelry love stories for you! Elaine Ray links together a little love with her ceramic heart components while Melanie Brooks Lukacs tells a little tale of romance in a Gothic Garden
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-two-love-stories.html

 

Cindy Gimbrone Beads 
Cindy's Love Story is about a hook and beads
http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-love-story-spirals-n-shay.html

Earthenwood Studio Bead Blog 
What is sweeter than a mix CD for your Valentine? A yummy gift box in which to present it, filled with candy themed decorations, including a cute bracelet and cell phone charm!
http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-sweet-sounds.html

 

Hali's Blog 
Hali's flowers of love in Ancient Bulgarian. Two paintings in stylized Cyrillic spell out L-U-V.
http://labyrinthgal.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-is-back.html

Heart mobile 
painted paper pulp hearts
http://pomly.livejournal.com/43236.html

Humblebeads 
Heather shares her favorite bracelet design in a Valentine inspired color scheme.
http://humblebeads.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-love-story.html

 

Jennifer Heynen of Jangles 
Jennifer has made a fun "Ornament" for her neck that looks good enought to eat.
http://jenniferjangles.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday.html

Joolz by Lisa 
This "Love Story" will last all year long! Lisa shares how beads and books work together.
http://lisaliddy.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/ornament-thursday-love-story/

Katie's Beading Blog 
Here's a happy little heart project for you - use it to embellish a bag or your jeans, or as inspiration for a necklace or bracelet.
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2008/01/happy-hearts.html

Kriss Cramer - Art Interrupted 
Grow Love! Nuture and care for your loved ones every day. Use this heartfelt book, you can make yourself, to remind you of all the love you have to give.
http://art-interrupted.blogspot.com/

Linda Augsburg at Make It Mine magazine 
Linda's love story project is a dress she embellished by stenciling dancers and a big band along the hem. Read why and learn how to do it yourself on the Make It Mine blog.
http://cs.makeitminemag.com/mimcs/blogs/makeitmine/archive/2008/01/31/ornament-thursday-january-love-story.aspx

Michelle's Love Story... 
The band is getting back together again! Ornament Thursday celebrates the story of love...
http://fromichelle.blogspot.com/2008/01/love-story-by-ornament-thursday.html

 

Ornament Thursday Blog 
January is coming to an end and Valentine's Day is looming on the horizon. Whether you wish to shower the people you love with love or show yourself a little well deserved affection, the Ornament Thursday Gang has a bevy of beautiful ideas to inspire you!
http://ornamentthursday.blogspot.com/2008/01/love-story-ornament-thursdays-most.html

Savvy Crafter 
Candie's love affair with big rings continue...she's making her own now! Love Stories and more over at the Savvy Crafter! XOXO!
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2008/01/heartsy-artsy-i.html

 

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! 
Ah, Love ! This satirical creation of Jean's immortalizes certain women's profound affecton for their ... handbags!!!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/01/love-story.html

Strands of Beads 
Love speaks many languages. Learn how to say "I Love You" in an untraditional way with Melissa Lee's whimsical jewelry project.
http://strandsofbeads.blogspot.com/2008/01/ornament-thursday-language-of-love.html

SwellDesigner 
Alexa shares with you her truly swell and punny Valentines!
http://www.swelldesigner.blogspot.com

The Impatient Blogger 
Love is in the air at The Impatient Blogger! Margot shares two vintage inspired jewelry designs that are oozing with romance...in a good way!
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2008/01/most-auspicious-return-of-ornament.html

Ornament Thursday Part 5-Ornament Flashback

Today is our final installment of Ornament Thursday....It's been such a fun thing these past few weeks.  I've done a fair amount of thinking about ornaments over this time too.  I think I've made more this year than ever before!  Each Christmas, I add a few more to the tree and pack a few more into the box after the holiday is long gone.  The next year I carefully unwrap them, surprised at how many I forgot about.  That's the best part, isn't it?  The forgetting and remembering.  Our tree is filled with ornaments from our trips, from my grandma's store, things I've made, ornaments from swaps and gifts.  Some evoke a certain period in our lives like a song can---good times and bad.  Over the years, I've hung them on supermarket tree lot trees, fresh cut from the farm trees, vintage silver tinsel trees, tall trees, trees in a pot, one year we got the tree, but never had time to trim it (that was sad), bamboo stalks tree, and this year a $10 fake---which compared to previous years here feels like a million bucks!  Oh, I do a lot of reminiscing and reflecting when I put up the ol' family tree.  You probably do too.  My sister just sent me a cute email about growing up in the 70's.  I was looking at our tree and this Polaroid picture ornament caught my eye.  I'm pretty sure my mom made it and I had to share.  I just got up to check the date on the back and it says, "Christmas 1993," in mom's fancy writing.  I laughed out loud.  Sorry mom.  This must have been from 83,' because in 93' I was a freshmen in high school and if that isn't enough proof for you, look at my older sis's outfit.  Nothing screams 80's like a pink and white checked bandanna around your neck!  That was also during my Little Orphan Annie wannabe days-note saddle shoes and red sweater. 

Ah, see the memories!  That's what Christmas ornaments are.   There are some I look at and think, Lord, I'm glad those days are over!  Others, I laugh about or I wonder how that person is doing.   A Christmas tree no matter how scrawny or brawny celebrates Your life and memories.  Thank you to everyone who has jumped in and shared their ornaments at our virtual craft night.  Seeing what you're making definitely made me not feel so far away from home.  Have a very merry Christmas and we'll see you next year!  Or hopefully sooner!

Christmas cookie - Jennifer Heynen  www.jenniferjangles.blogspot.com

Christmas tree finger labyrinth - Hali Chambers  www.labyrinthgal.blogspot.com

Ring in the New Year - Kriss Cramer http://www.art-interrupted.blogspot.com/

Quilty pieced snowman - Linda Augsburg http://cs.makeitminemag.com/mimcs/blogs/makeitmine/

Simply striking sparkling spheres - Margot Potter http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/

Beaded memory wire - Elaine Luther http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com/news

Wire & beaded tree - Lynn Kvigne http://beading.consumerhelpweb.com/blog/

Beaded sun catcher - Debba Haupert http://www.girlfriendology.blogspot.com/

Jolly and yummy ceramic candy - Melanie Brooks Lukacs http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com/

Polymer snowflake embedded in resin - Melissa Lee http://www.strandsofbeads.blogspot.com/

Beaded candy canes - Candie Cooper http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/

Polymer clay gift tag/ornament - Heather Powers http://www.polymerclay.craftgossip.com

Twisted blues - Lampwork Diva aka Cindy Gimbrone http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com

Holiday spiral tree & party pixie - Art Bead Scene http://www.artbeadscene.com

Wire bird's nest - Rebecca Peck http://vintagegirlmodernworld.wordpress.com/

Plush gingerbread doggie - Jenny Harada http://pomly.livejournal.com/

Swell ornament - Alexa Westerfield  http://swelldesigner.blogspot.com/

Holiday paper crafting - Brandy Lung Gill http://accesstoexcess.blogspot.com/

Shaving cream & chipboard ornament  - Michelle McGee http://fromichelle.blogspot.com/

Easy needle-felted orb - Katie Hacker http://www.katiehacker.com/index.htm

Happy Halloween...

Do you know about Dover publications?  They produce all sorts of great books.  Paper dolls, kids activity, and my favorite---clip-art.  Every week or so they send out an email with free samples from their books.  This image is one of them.  You never know what you're going to get and that's what makes it fun!  Kind of like Trick or Treating!!

Potpourri Weekend...

I'm sitting here listening to the "Retro 80s & 90s" internet radio station.   It occurred to me that I always thought of "retro" describing funky silver Christmas trees and swanky lounge music.  Crap.  In other news, I seemed to have turned into the casserole queen over night.  When we lost our cook, I started "cooking."  (well, I can see this is going to be a quote-y posty, sorry)  Anyhow, I did what any Midwestern girl would do, go to the Campbell's soup website for recipes.  So far it's been successful.  I was telling some friends about the fabulous enchilada recipe they have.  Did you know not everyone in America "cooks" with Campbell's soup.  In fact this is the third or fourth time I've met someone who has never heard of this.  Gasp!  I always respond with "you don't know what you're missing."  "Really?"  "Yeah."  Maybe my pallet is little to be desired, but...I can sure put a meal on the table fast.

Peace of Toast, Candie Cooper 2007

Get it?  "Peace" of toast.  The piece of felt ended up looking like a piece of bread.  I stitched it to some blue felt, added some buttons and a dove.  It was a happy accident.  Or cheesy?  I don't really use chopsticks to eat toast, but they matched the wool and plate.  Here's one for you.  We own four pairs of chopsticks, one normal spoon, and three forks.    Something happens when you move to this culture.  I think it's that the "little" things aren't so important anymore.  I watched Imagine, the movie about John Lennon, the other day.  Interesting and inspiring.  Speaking of bread or Peace bread for that matter, I love the part where he talks to the random stranger that had been living in their garden.  He asks the man if he's hungry and then invites him in.  They all sit around the table and break bread together.  Incredible.  We need more peace.

I'm working on the next class for Second Saturday, the crafty class for kids.  I'm thinking about felted ornaments.  This was supposed to be a star or a heart, but once I finished it, I couldn't cut into it.  Sometimes you just have to follow the process instead of wrestling it into place. 

And with that I shall close to go make a cup of tea.  I can't shake this nasty, yucky cough.  As it turns out, my friend, knitting teacher, and nurse in her "past" life told me Friday she thinks I had pneumonia. "Huh," I said, "that makes a little more sense now doesn't it."  Oh, thank goodness for friends that can help shed some light through all the polluti()n over here. 

Doin' the DIY Shuffle...

Make that Crafty DIY shuffle.

Yesterday a friend and I hopped the 8:30 ferry to Hong Kong for a day of crafty shopping.  Mission accomplished.  We checked out the new Spotlight store, which reminds me of a JoAnn Fabrics Bed, Bath and Beyond fusion.  It was a solid hour of pouring over all things lovely and crafty.  Then we had lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen.  3 words.  Crunchy Thai Salad.  Awesome.

After lunch we road the MTR over to the DIY market in the Sham Shui Po district; several rows and blocks of craft supplies.....in bulk.  Yes, it makes your eyes bulge.

Do you know the scene in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory where Willy Wonka shows them the candy room? Yeah, it's like that.  The sun always shines on this place.

Bags, buckets, baskets, drawers, and more are loaded with beads and charms.  Reel after reel of ribbon and trim.  Countless bead woven creatures made with Swarovski crystals.  It is insane.

Here's a few of my favorite finds from there. If you are crafty and heading to Hong Kong, you don't want to leave this off the travel itinerary.  Give yourself at least two hours to take it all in....if not a day!

Get going to...

WWW.GO-MAKE-ART.COM

This may just be one of the most helpful sites for creative people.  Here's a blurb from their welcome letter....

We all know that art is good for the artist. So let's take advantage of that. Use your art to know yourself better, to express your dreams and improve your life. Grab a subscription to Astarte's Mega-Zine and "Make Your SELF a Masterpiece".

I downloaded the Astarte's Mega-Zine Issue #1 to check it out.  From the blank canvas to goal setting, thoughts on inspiration, trying new techniques, reflecting exercises, and the life of an artist in general---this is a zine made by creative people for creative people.  So far there are three issues of Astarte's and the content described within looks as if they've shed light on many issues that we artists confront from day to day.  Needless to say, I'll be subscribing here shortly.

A friend gave me a hat that said something like, "go to your studio and make something." It's famous, I'm sure you've seen it.  Anyway, it's true.  Dig in.  Just dig in and move.  Sometimes when I'm beginning a piece or experimenting with an idea, there is a bit of anxiety like, where is this going? or what if it doesn't work?-even if I had a sketch or a plan.  And it usually doesn't work out.  Then I have to remind myself that it is these bits that I've collected (or endured) that give me the most growth.  At the time it stinks, but the next day (after some good sleep) I can see new solutions or potential from the experiment.  The bottom line is that I always feel better when I've been creating with my two hands.  Period.  If you feel the same, then check out go-make-art.com . 

I didn't tell you this....

but, my sewing machine broke (well, burned up more like it) a week and a half ago.  One minute my office looked like this:

and the next like this:

It was terrible to say the least.  It happened because I bought a new converter, or what I thought was a converter.  I plugged it in, hit the pedal, and poof! there goes my sewing machine.  What a beast!  It was really ironic that this pack of ArtGirlz charms was laying next to my machine when it happened.

Don't panic!  ok.  Help me!  I immediately ran to the internet to search for possible solutions.  Fuse, yes, I must have blown a fuse.  After removing a kagillion screws, I found the fuse and it looked perfect.  *%#!*! This is where Rocker learned several new words.  I was so discouraged as it's a pretty nice machine and there is absolutely no where here to have it repaired.  For someone who uses tools like this in their work, this was not good at all and thus the straw that broke the camel's back as they say.  After I fuss with the machine and eat a whole bowl of grapes while doing it, Mr. S rolls in from work around 8pm and tells me that he got hit by a car earlier that day.  He's fine, but it's every wife's dream to hear that from her husband's mouth, isn't it?!?  Especially living in a second wor1d c()untry.  I worry about him every time he has to get into a car to go to a fact()ry here.  Rules of the road....what rules?  Somewhere in the middle I went out shopping in my neighborhood for a machine, but all I could find was an industrial machine.  Surprised?  I didn't think so.  I know it all could have been worse, but I was pretty discouraged as I had come home from the States with my creative batteries re-charged and some new ideas that required my sewing machine.  And I was pretty tired after the move and re-adjusting to being back in Ch!na.  Even though I've been here nearly two years, there's always a bit of culture sh()ck when I come back.  Hard to explain.  I spent the next day with friends, had a good cry and left it.  On a happy note, one of them knew of a store where they had seen some domestic sewing machines.  Thank God for friends here---we tell each other that often.

And that brings me to today....  My friend called yesterday to tell me she was leaving for 5 weeks tomorrow.  She followed up with, "so we should go to Carefour tomorrow to see if they have a sewing machine for you."  What a pal.  And we found one! 

I took it for a test drive and it works.  It's a bit rickety, but for $100 (the most expensive one they had), it will work just fine.  Knock on wood.  lol.  I'm not going to sew a quilt or anything, I just need to make small bits and stitch on paper.

So, that's that.  I don't normally like to talk about the down side of things, but that was a pretty crummy day and I'm glad it's long gone.  I've learned a lot living here; you have to push on, keep your chin-up (even though it's hard), keep making your stuff and in the end, it usually all ends up working out. That quite possibly goes for anywhere you live.

Well, a typhoon is coming on fast and furious.  I've already heard two loud crashes of glass hitting the pavement with big bolts of lighting in between.  Not good, so I shall close for now and unplug my computer before something else happens!   

Messy in the Nesty...

Yesterday I went to tackle the rat's nest in my bird cage studio.  I have a case of the I can't put it back where it goes after I use its.  Lord help me.  Believe it or not, it didn't take too long once I got moving to put it all away.  However, I also have an equally bad case of I'd rather be making somethings.  Do you know what I mean?

So as I was cleaning my work table I kept finding little parts and pieces, scraps, and experiments of sorts that were begging to be used.   Here's assemblage number one:

Six of One, made Aug. 16-2007

And then I thought, hey, how about a quick nest bead tutorial?  I made two different versions of nests.  The one above was made with approximately 18 in. of 26g. wire.  I first made the bowl shape coil and then back tracked looping the wire in and out of the coil.  Nest #2, that I'm about to show you, was made with 10 in. of 18 g. wire to make the bowl shaped coil base.  Then 26g. wire was worked in and out of the base coil to give it a more nesty feel.  It's easy! Just cut the wire, and make a small loop at one end with round nose pliers.  Continue coiling the wire tightly around the loop and use your thumb and fingers to form it into a bowl shape as you go.  See here:

You could leave it this way....

for a very stylized look.  For the modern bird, perhaps.  Or you can make it messy and more nesty by weaving thinner, 26g. wire in and out like this:

Weave a lot of wire or a little in an organized or messy fashion.

And there you have it.  It's your nest, make it however you like.

Now you may be wondering...Where'd ya get that? 

• Blue Bird Bead from Ornamentea
• 18 and 26g. Colourcraft gold wire, bead mat and tools from Beadalon
• Cherry blossom charm-a back alley here in Ch!na
• Shell bird-Spores's close-out sale 5 years ago-ish (I'm still kicking myself for not buying the lot!)

Hey, it's Friday everybody!  Have a happy and relaxing weekend.

I'm Painting the Roses Red...

if there were any roses to paint.  It's been soooooo muggy, rainy and gloomy this week (which sans muggy, I secretly love, but this is not really a secret if you've been here before).  But, with all this sporadic typhoon rain, something happened that I can't believe I'm admitting to:  I wore my galosheRs with yoga pants to the studio on Tuesday.  That's gotta quite possibly be a first or second degree fashion crime.  I'm not going to lie to you, it wasn't pretty especially while sporting a ratty paint shirt and Swarovski earrings.  Oh, hell nightmare.  Whatta train wreck!  I blame it all on the earrings.  Once you put on sparkly earrings, nothing else matters.  True?

I really wanted to show you these paints from Ranger Ink  They're called Paint Dabbers and they sort of resemble a BINGO dabber or is it dobber?  Maybe that's how they say it where I'm from.  Anywho, let me tell ya, a little dab won't do ya here, get one in every color!  I used them with rubber stamps--just dab the stamp with the foam tip, no brush needed.  You can also remove the lid to access the paint.  Very multi-functional and the colors are outta-sight super!

Today's note to self:  Check fashion laws on wearing galosheRs with denim skirt.