Yarn Vase

...another ceramic creation,

actually mixed media.

It is a new design, and it is like nothing I have seen before,

I am making up the name "yarn vase" it seems to work.

Using a scrap of fabric dipped in clay to embellish the vase

and twisting it about to create the leaf and stem,

next a small cotton doily also dipped into clay for the flower,

then a vintage button mold pressed with clay for the center.

( Here is the photo before firing. )

The inside and bottom are glazed so that

it can be used for a fresh flower arrangement also.

For the exterior, I chose to use acrylic paint for the pale turquoise blue

background and added pink paint on the ceramic flower.

The design was done with a creative cut out

of the clay around the flower petals, before firing,

for the yarn to be pulled through,

and keep it from running amok,

as I am pulling at the yarn while teaching myself to crochet.

Happy Saturday!

Mermaid Collage

.

I had the pleasure of hosting a workshop

with Julie Nutting

here at Summerland Cottage.

Since the studio is a bit messy we enjoyed the fun alfresco, in the courtyard.

Julie taught us how to create the mermaid decoupage you see above.

First we painted our backgrounds completely on blank canvases

and Julie provided patterns for our mermaids to cut out of any paper we liked.

After decoupaging them in place with modge podge

we ripped all sorts of different papers into interesting shapes

and glued them into place to add interest to the collage.

When the glue dried we painted the hair.

Glitter and tiny jewels were added here and there.

Always in art classes you will find each piece is as uniquely

different as the individual.

After a delightful lunch I had the opportunity to demonstrate

painting seashells with acrylic paints,

and encouraged adding values to give them depth and add interest.


Recently I added some of my own ceramic seashells and

a few more pearls using e6000 glue.

Every one had such a great time, the weather was

perfect, and all have creative seashore inspired tokens from

our day spent together.

Found Object Assemblage

After the contractor replaced the damaged doors

I had him salvage an undamaged corner from the original one.

I primed and painted the front and sides white.

Then I pilfered through a drawer with miscellaneous odds and ends.

Here is a look at some of the pieces that ended up being incorporated.

Vintage glasses, bits of tile, brass buttons, an old wooden handle,

a chandelier crystal, vintage wooden clothes pin, a bamboo reed,

small glass vial filled with sand, tiny brass clock, a leaf brooch,

a broken piece from a fan and a color copy of a sweet saying.

Making time for a little weekend creative collaging & blogging!

Thank you to Jana Holstein,

Managing Editor of Somerset Memories for asking to include it

in the Spring 2013 issue!

Happy Spring

.

Happy Spring !

a little creative fun with new plants for the garden

visiting inside for a few days

Happy Easter !

. . .