Re-Fab

Oldie but goodie wool skirt...

(Re) fab-u-lous!



                    Emroidery Floss + Needle+ Felt Polka Dots.

song birds

Canvas, Paint, Fibrous Paper, Sheet Music and Pine Wood.

Shop Local

Ceramic Bead Pendant wraps with vintage chain and beads... at Patricia's!

Wire wrapped bangles with variety of vintage beads.. at Patricia's!

Shop local this holiday season, like Patricia's shoppe in Whitefish Bay, WI.  Spread the love from your local small business and local artists to your loved ones! Check out Patricia's Shoppe: http://www.patriciashoppe.com/ Enjoy, Happy Holidays!

Felted Wool

A little bit of what about what I've been up to outside of the classroom... felting sweaters! Now that the weather has become typical Wisconsin autumn weather, it's time to get out the wool sweaters and knitted hats. I was going through my closet and thought I could really use some more warm sweaters, and I've always wanted to try felting wool, so I went for it! This sweater was originally an XL 100% wool sweater from a thrift shop, I shrunk in down using the hot washer/dryer approach. I was amazed by how much it shrunk, it was just about the right length for me. I cut the neckline into a boat neck style, the sleeves to 3/4 length bells sleeves, added an asymmetrical cut and buttons to turn it into a cardigan. To finish it off, I added a blanket stitch with embroidery floss around all of the raw edges. I've already gone back to the thrift shop to dig through the racks to find more 100% wool men's sweaters to try another style, new addiction.. possibly!

New Space

So, living without internet has really put a kink in my blogging. As the summer comes to a close I hope to catch up on my "art and ideas." I have finally settled into an apartment for the upcoming year, big change as I have moved five times in the past year. I have set up a studio space, no longer the traveling "studio in a box." Also, I have been attempting a lot of DIY creations around our apartment, which I plan on posting because I was inspired by other blogs and www.readymade.com (amazing!)  I relocated to a new apartment to still stay in the city, but also to be a bit closer to my new teaching position in Hartland, WI...more to come on that, too.

I'm a busy bee!

I've been getting ready for the big earring event coming up at Patricia's in Whitefish Bay, WI. check it

Hummingbird Art Boutique: Gallery Opening

Tonight, April 9th from 6-9 PM there will be an art opening at the Hummingbird Art Boutique on Oakland Ave in Shorewood, WI.  Come to check out recycle-based art by local artists!

Twisty Turny Earrings

Eco-Village

I've been doing some research on eco-villages in the US and the Dancing Rabbit seems like a great place to live and grow with others...  http://www.dancingrabbit.org/  If anyone has any information about eco-villages, please let me know! Check out their blog too...http://blog.dancingrabbit.org/

Paper Pulp Beads

Paper pulp made from newspaper and boiling water in a large kettle

Let the paper pulp sit for about one hour and then drain as much water as possible from the mixture. Next, roll the pulp into desired bead size using the palm of your hand.

WOW,  dinosaur eggs! Let the beads dry for about one week.

Once the beads have completely dried, you can paint them! I used some left over acrylic paint, but any paint will do (be resourceful!)

Again, let the beads dry....

Apply clear coating, such as the amazing modge podge! Lastly, drill holes to string the dino-egg beads. :)

valentines

Recycled valentine's from some of my favorite people; made from: Newspaper, paint samples, card stock, watercolor,  and the amazing modgepodge!

New Space!

Over the past 2 years I have moved more than a handful of times. Needless to say my studio or simply space for creation has varied. Here is my newest. WOW check out that tool rack...my mind is spinning with all the  possibilities. I've never had so many tools at my disposal!

SNOW. lots of it.

Winter storm warning in effect for the next two days here in Milwaukee... In between trips outside to shovel, some time to watercolor and brighten the day. No intentions, but to watch colors interact.

Blooming Hats!

This post is inspired by another favorite  from my childhood, Caps for Sale, By Esphyr Slobodkina. "A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys, and Their Monkey Business." Knitting will always have a place in my heart, however I now have a new love: crocheting.  caps, caps, caps for sale! More images to come...

edible art, yum!

Throughout my semester of student teaching I had limited time to create art in my own time, however I still had to eat. I never miss a meal!  I used my time in the kitchen to create food art and let out some creative energies. Here is a meal I made (and consumed) a while back... corn onion pepper fajitas with roasted talapia, black beans and rice, CHEESE (Wisconsin cheese of course) pico de galo, and guacamole. deeelish, for both my tummy and my mind.