Another art project? Really?

 I haven't written in awhile, probably because I'm busy doing and not writing or reading.  I could blame Bad Art Night for this one--decided I wanted to try something new to push myself in a different direction and should have known it would cause me to spend more money, time, and space in my office/studio.  I now have a card table set up in an already cramped space with cigar boxes, brushes, glue, many kinds of paper, cards, tissue, glittery things, ribbons....where will it ever end?
 And who knew I had so many people in my life whose husbands smoke cigars?  They're so happy to find a home for those boxes too!  
 So here's the first one I ever decoupaged: 
front with Anneliese's handmade quilted postcard

inside cover

I'll sell most of them, but this first one isn't for sale.  I love the postcard on it, which I'd saved along with many other cards from friends, parents, and students over the years.  I love finding sayings from the cards to add a little flavor to the boxes. 
I started using the boxes several years ago when two colleagues brought them to work.  I grabbed several to bring home and use them to carry my jewelry to shows.  Being a former health teacher, not to mention a reformed smoker, I really had an adverse reaction to them being tobacco-related, so decoupaging them seemed like a great idea. 


Waiting to be finished
The above are completed except for adding the felt on the inside.  Here's one before anything is done to it--pretty by itself--
I have an old friend coming over tomorrow and we're going to spend time working on decorating boxes.  I think I have enough to share....I haven't counted, but got  3 bags from Connie last week, 10 boxes from Kris, and 4 more from Shirley and Tim on Sat.  Everywhere I go, I find cigar smokers!  Who knew?
          I've also done a few new necklaces recently.  I saw an article in a beadng magazine for a Kumihimo necklace using Magatama beads, and wouldn't you know, I just happen to have bought some of those beads not too long ago!  Again, who knew?   I thought it looked interesting, so made my own, which is already at Savvy Skirts with a price tag on it.  I did remember to take a few pictures before taking it there:

Gold and silver mixed beads...the Magatamas are the ones with the interesting shape...here's a close-up:


The straight silver and gold on each side are seed beads.  I thought the design was unique, so am now making one in pink and white.
 And last night I got motivated to make necklaces, this time using the new shark-tooth shaped shells I got last week.  I think they look tribal...am curious to see what others think of them.

I love how the blog helps me remember to take pictures of my work so I'll have something to write about and show.  It's easier when we travel since every sight/site and meal is different from home, but I want to keep writing and not lose that side of me.  I used to write letters frequently back in the day, and even kept a journal now and then--and made all my students write daily journals to impress on them the importance of writing and expressing oneself.   Doing a blog is moving journals into this era, so even us dinosaurs can do it. 
Speaking of which, I had a new experience yesterday--I skyped with my oldest friend Ingrid who is in Italy for 5 weeks.  I've seen it done, I know many who use it, but had never attempted it before.  And like a goof, I downloaded it to my desktop and when we tried to use it the first time, it wouldn't work.....no webcam on the desktop.  I love my little netbook...it has everything I need except a large enough keyboard.  So I downloaded Skype onto it and we got to talk.  Two dinosaurs conversing in real time face-to-face from afar. 
Time to move myself to Blue Sky to work on my new necklace.  Have I mentioned lately how much I love my retired life!


Comments

  1. Too talented Pat! You are an inspiration. One of my new goals is to make children's jewelry. Baby steps take a class and do my due diligence.

    I actually made some degaupage cigar boxes when the first batch of my kin graduated fom midle school , made them with their school colors pictures of them and friends. It was fun and the kids loved it.
    Cheers! Penny
    Thanks for sharing








    it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, you are awesome!! I think my hobby is grandchildren, they keep me soooo busy I never have time for anything else.

    Pat with 1 T

    ReplyDelete

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