Carnelian Creations- It's my Bazaar!

A friend came over for Mexican dinner, and my contribution was Sopapilla Cheesecake.  It was divine!  I figured since I have not posted anything of the crafty variety, I would at least share this kind of creation!

Sugar+ Vanilla= functional AND cool photo ops!

DSC04519

It kind of looks like terrain on an alien planet!


The end result, which tasted better than it looked, I promise!! (my friend's arm, as she cuts the first piece)

And the best part about being the cook:

DSC04522

licking the beaters!

In typical fashion, I had a list of things to do this weekend.  Most of which pertained to gettin' crafty.  There was "take stuff to storage" that I have yet to scratch off the list.  Ugh, that is so mundane!  I am proud to announce that while I have yet to take crap to the storage unit, I did indeed get crafty!

First, I finished a project that had been started a long time ago.  I just realized that I have not blogged about the pieces, so it is really "new" to you!  My very first attempt at beeswax collage (and second attempt) were two small-ish pieces, 5x7 and 6x9 roughly.  I used some loose tarot cards along with pages from books, various metal ephemera and natural gemstones.  I had them up on the wall, but the background for both is the plain eggshell color of canvas.  Against the plain eggshell color of rental apartment walls, well--they pretty much just faded in.  I decided to use some decorative paper as a mat of sorts. 

These look so much better in person, and close up.  Click on the image to zoom, if you care to.  

The first collage is the bigger of the two.  It has two tarot cards used, the Page of Rods and the Nine of Cups.  They are obviously from different decks.  I have an old key under wax, and a metal frame with a very small lion door knocker on the top.  I used green and gold crayons to add color.  The first layer includes a page from a Japanese book.  Not sure which one, sorry.  I also have a piece of garnet in between the cards.  The green paper I choose really goes well with the muted tones of this piece.

The second collage is the smaller of the two.  I actually used the lid from a cigar box for this.  I think the lid was cut off because the box itself was used for the Grandma Shrines.  This collage only has one tarot card, due to space issues.  It is the Seven of Cups.  I have a little image with a mermaid sitting pensive like under the sea on the bottom corner.  The first layer is a page from a French book.  Like the Japanese one, I do not know what book it is from.  On top of the French page, I have a page ripped out from a separate book.  The image is of a lion and the text under him reads "Tales of the Lost Land".  I tried to incorporate some purple alcohol ink, but it came out a little screwy.   I have a piece of Galena, which is a crystallie form of Silver and lead on the top right corner.  I got the stone at The Guiding Tree.  The paper I choose is an irredescent orange paper that reminds me of Rainbow Brite's dress, but in orange instead of blue.   It really pulls out the orange tones of the French paper. 
I enjoy incorporating symbolism in my collage's.  You can pretty much guarantee that the cards and items chosen for these pieces have meaning.  I will let you do the research!

The second project that I completed was a collage using a four-set picture of myself.  The picture was taken last year, 6/7/08, at a wedding.  It was pretty much one of the last things me and the ex did before The Big Split. The couple had a photo booth for their guests to jump in and get their pic taken. The idea was that you were to leave the pic in a vase for the couple.  For whatever reason, we decided to keep ours.  Maybe it was to cherish the precious memories of being completely uncomfortable and loveless.  Or maybe because I knew it would make a fantastic collage!

img482.jpg

This piece is around 8x10, and on white foam core.  The background paper is by Glitz Designs, the pattern called 'Glam Doodles'.  I adhered the paper to the foam core using Yes! paste.  I used Lumiere by Jacquard paint in Emerald to paint in my own green swirls.  The glittery butterfly on the top is actually just a found object.  I did not make it, and I have no recollection as to where I got it! The swirly thing that is holding my pictures in place is Tim Holtz Grungeboard.  Grungeboard is a very strange tagboard-like material.  It kind of feels like leather, but it is supposedly of the earth.  I covered the swirl with ColorBox Cats Eye pigment ink in Sapphire Silk.  A word to the wise: pigment ink on Grungeboard takes an eternity to dry naturally.  You WILL need to use a heat gun. Even though the Cats Eye stamp pads are tiny and easy to use, I still used a sponge dauber to apply the ink on the narrow surface of the swirls.  I applied a Grungeboard crown to the top of my head in the second frame.  I painted it with--you guessed it--Lumiere!  I went with Royal Purple for contrast.  I applied a white, purple and pink rhinestone strategically on the collage for added texture and appeal.  Lastly, I included the date on the left and the title of the piece on the right.  The title is "Absolutely nothing is missing".  This title is fitting because as one could guess, half of the photo is conspicuously absent.  Not missing.  It was intentionally removed.  I would like to take this moment to say that I removed a certain someone from the image not because I am bitter, but because I personally thought I looked totally adorable in the picture and thought that there have been better pictures taken of him.  That is to say: the camera was not as generous to him as it was to me in this instance! I also really enjoyed the fact that the four pictures don't really look like me at all.  It is kind of funny!

The third project I completed was part of an idea that has been hatching in my brain for some time now.  It is part of a series, I think.  I have a bunch of very decorative and pretty 12x12 paper that I always thought were too pretty some how to be covered up with pictures and tossed in a scrapbook.  I thought it would be cool to just have the paper almost as a focal point of the collages.  Since I enjoy words, I decided to use different ones that I liked on these collages.  The first completed one is 'Adventure'. 

Last summer, I was taking an online rune class, as mentioned here. I had to drop the class because I had other distractions pop up.  Regardless, I decided to make my own set of runes, rather than buy some made by a Chinese child in a factory.  Runes are traditionally supposed to be made from something of the earth.  Since I am not known for my wood-whittling skills, and do not have the patience to chisel runes images into stone (as cool as that would be!), I decided to go as au-natural as modern craft would allow.  I used paper clay!  At one point, it was of the earth, trust me.  Another tradition that I read, the colors used would be red.  The most hard core of the Runes makers would use the most natural red pigment---blood!  I decided to forgo the bio hazardous approach and stick with what I know- Lumiere by Jacquard light body metallic acrylic paint.  Way less creepy, and in my opinion- prettier!

I carved the Rune images with the handle of a paint brush.  I then painted the inside of the carvings with Crimson Lumiere paint.  I painted the outside of the stone Bright Gold.  I really like the way they came out.  They are very light weight, but sturdy.  I am not fearful of breaking them or anything. 

I keep them in a pouch that I received as a bridesmaids gift from my friend's mother-in-law. The cultural juxtoposition is a little odd-- Korean pouch with Nordic divination--but I like it and it works for me.  And that is what is most important.

While I had the paint out, I decide to make one Rune for a piece of jewelry, mostly just to try paper clay as an amulet.  The Germanic name for the Rune I chose for the amulet is Jera, which represents the letters J and Y.  You know, J for Jennifer?  The Rune represents Harvest, which is additionally appropriate because my birthmonth is October- a very Harvest-y month!  According to the book Relationship Runes: A Compass for the Heart, this Rune indicates Perseverence: "Perseverance leads to the harvest of the self...So be open to life, be open to adventure, and remember to look for the humor in times of hardship.  This Rune reminds us that we can change when we make change our first priority, and that we always possess the freedom to persever and begin again.  Patience yields its rewards.  Time brings answers.  To understand is lucky."

I created my own jumpring, because for some ungodly reason, I have zero jumprings.  What self respecting neophyte jewelry maker doesn't have jumprings?!?!  I stuck with the more natural feel by using waxed cotton as the necklace.

DSC04395

In case you did not know, Portland experienced Arctic Apocalypse in December.  Right before Christmas!  On one cabin-fevered filled day (two days before Christmas, mind you), I decided to walk in the snow (say it with me: "up hill, both ways") two miles each way to Michael's.  It is the closest craft store.  The buses were not running on schedule to say the least.  So, I geared up and made the trek all in the name of handmade, crafty gifts.  I wanted to use the flower brooch idea, and needed nice flat faced flowers.  And possibly some doll parts.  That part- no success.  But I did get the flowers I needed and whipped up those puppies in time for gift giving. 

The first two are for my sister, Kristen.  They are "smaller", about 3" in diameter. I used some rhinestone doohickeys that I had in my stash for the center.  I used a hot glue gun!  Gasp!



The second two are for Rachael, my roomie.  The left flower is the same size as Kristen's.  The one on the right is about 6" and diameter!  I have a watch face in the middle, with a heart rhinestone in the middle of that.  I really like how they turned out.

On the smaller flowers, I touched the petal edges with glitter.  I put glitter on the insied of the big one.



I made the gifts last.  I made the ones for myself first.  My reasoning was, if I screw up, I only mess my own up. 

The flowers I made for myself are both of the larger variety.  That is how I roll. The first, the purple, has what looks to be a thermometer face in the center.  I put a round pink rhinestone in the middle and dusted the center with purple glitter. 

The orange one, the coup de gras in my opinion, has a miniature Barbie head in it!! Oh my GAWD, it is fantastic!  I found her in Las Vegas by a slot machine several years ago.  Proof again as to why being a pack rat can pay.  She has purple hair, so I dusted the middle of this flower with purple glitter as well.  The orange brooch is modeled on the twinset, paired with a scarf that I have literally been working on (not non stop) for three years.  It is supposed to be a gift for Ashley.  Or it was back in 1996. Ha!  It is really quite pretty. Maybe I will give it to her!  I used a silvery gray silky yarn and also some of that "fun" wispy black yarn.  I would use the term fun loosely.  Could be why this is the longest running project to date!

DSC04366

This is one of two pairs of earrings that I made for my mom.  Of course, I forgot to take a picture of the other pair.

DSC04365

I whipped this bracelet up for my sister.  And then I tore it apart because I could not figure out the clasp situation!! I finally settled on simple black cord, so she could just tie it on!  It feels like a cop out, but oh well.  The beads, all of them, even the cute kitty, are Unakite.


And lastly, a gift I received from my multitalented sis.  She used a gift I gave her last year, something to the effect of asian brush painting.

DSC04380

Paper from Paper Zone.  Stamps from Rachael's endless supply of stamps.  Ink and ribbon-- using what I had!  Woot woot!  Rachael encouraged me to work outside of my comfort zone.  I typically make ONE style of card.  I could not pick between the stamps.  She said in a very matter of a fact tone, "well, make two different cards then".  Logic!  Damn it!! I love the use of non-traditional colors.  Purple and orange!  Wonderful!

DSC04371

Sigh.  Sometimes Vox pisses me off.  It has been noted, on numerous occasions, that I somehow exist in this world without an overabundance of patience.  Let it be known that everything that you read after this sentence, is typed for the second time! 

After wandering around the house taking pictures of things I had created recently, I realized that I had not posted about some pieces I made last summer!  Allow my tireless model, Twinset Dressform, properly exhibit my handiwork!

I made this piece after finding cute beads at Michaels.  I know, I should be crucified by the Craft Gods. Oh well.  I made the simplest necklace design in the history of the universe, and consequently get tons of compliments when ever I wear it!  Nice!

DSC04375

I was in a wedding in August.  I was a bridesmaid, the only one who did not live in the town of the wedding.  Coordinating proper attire for the wedding was...interesting. That is all I am gonna say.  SO, I made a necklace to wear.  It did not meet code.  This is the necklace.  I am happy to post it because I am going to take it apart and make something else.  There are a ton of beads and components that could be better used elsewhere.  This necklace is just too formal for anything that I will ever wear.  Can I just take this moment to bitch about weddings in general? Or rather, being a bridesmaid? The big concern is that our wedding garb will "be worn again". To brides/Brides to be/Wedding planners/generally mentally unstable:  Take this to the grave.  I will NEVER wear anything that I wore in a wedding, again.  Ever.  Take this as an example.  I STILL have not laundered my dress from said August wedding.  It is in a Target bag hanging on my bedroom door.  I will never wear the shoes again.  And likewise, I will never wear this necklace.  Sadly, I never got to wear it.  Whew.  Glad I got that off my chest.  Also, let it be known.  I had a blast at the August wedding, and cherish every moment.  Honestly!  Oh, back to the necklace.  I got all components at Fire Mountain Beads.  The flower used on the necklace is a real Chyrsanthemum hand dipped in resin by some underpaid Thai child.

DSC04378

1 comment

DSC04376

Things you didn't know about Oregon.

Why, oh why, did I not think of these first?

Holy Crap on Rye! This chick is amazing!

marriage of wanderlust and craftiness!

001. What is Your Name? Jennifer

002. How old are you? thirty-onederful.

003. What is the link to your website, blog, or myspace? look up.  you are here, don't be a dumbass.

004. Summer is really far away right now!

005. School is for smarty pants.

006. Friends are like  mirrors and  windows.

007. Dogs are for comparing to children.

008. Braces are sometimes a necessary evil.

009. All boys are moody as hell.

010. All girls are overthinkers.

011. American Idol is pretty funny.

012. Spongebob is the uuuuhhh.  see # 007

013. I can't believe I think someone will actually read this!

014. I like wearing wigs and makeup.

015. Beer is is not my first choice when reaching for a beverage.

016. I'm as fat as a ....this makes no sense. 

017. I have too many books.  Or thoughts.

018. I like eating everything.

I decided #'s 19-26 where dumb and not worthy of remaining on my post.

027. Bush is not my president.  Don't let the door hit ya, where the good lord split ya!!!!

028. boys have big socks.

029. I hate disintegration.

030. Crying is for release.

031. Marriage is is an institution alright!

032. Swimming is pretty awesome.  I like to do it.

033. I would do anything for ....my mom reads this.  I cannot answer that honestly!

034. I wake up at my cats whims.

035. I fear deep water.

036. I bought a book at Powells on Saturday.

037. I drink to excess, without apology..

038. Mondays are for singing"I Don't Like Mondays" by Boomtown Rats