If I only Had Time...

There are many things I'd love to learn to do.  Sky dive, scuba dive,  drive a race car.  But those are pipe dreams.  There are a few more that are a bit more realistic. 

I've always wanted to learn how to throw a clay pot.  Martina of Pottery Heaven on Etsy has this skill down to a science.  She make wonderful mugs, unity sets, and pendants, using her skill as a potter.  I have worked with clay only once and that was in high school.  I had a large bowl using the coil method but throwing a pot on a wheel is a dream I have.  Unfortunately, I don't have the time to learn, right now so I can only admire those who have the time and skill to do this wonderful work.

This Pillar Candle Holder is an example of her work.

Another thing I'd love to try is using alcohol inks to paint on polymer clay.  Valerie from Valeris's Stuff on Etsy does some beautiful work using this technique.  I work with polymer clay but have never tried this technique.  Her pieces are gorgeous and I'm going to have to try this out for myself, but for now I will just have to admire her wonderful pieces.

I particularly like this piece called A Stand of Trees Pendant .  I can definitely see the trees in the swirl of color.

Some day I will get around to doing all the things I'd love to learn but for now I will just admire the work of those who have mastered them and enjoy their beautiful work.

Celebrate The Holidays!

This time of year is one of three major holidays, my favorite, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  If you're like me, you love to decorate for these festive times.  I found some unique and creative handmade items to do just that!

Halloween Flying Bats Metal Sign by Refined Inspirations

Candle Hat Ghost Candle Holders by Augusta Wynde

Pumpkin Hat by SolHeritage
 

Spooktacular Halloween Yarn Wreath by SolHeritage

Small Ceramic Jack O Lantern by Pottery Heaven

Thanksgiving Candy Dish With Pumpkin Topper by MJoys

 Handmade Wooden Turkey for your Thanksgiving Table by Toms Crafts

4 Felt Christmas Stars by Maria Palito

Red and Green Striped Christmas Stocking by Precious Knits

Christmas Potpourri Fabric Wreath by SooBoo

Tropical Santa Christmas Ornament by Fantasy Clay Store

Snowman and Christmas Tree Lapel Pin by Wyvern Designs

                                                                                                                                               

The Color Black

The color black is a fashion essential from the little black dress to a touch of jet or ebony at your ears or wrist.  Black seems to set other colors off, giving them a pop that they would not possess on their own.  Here are a few items from around the web that I found and loved.  Hope you love them, as well.

Snowman Earrings by Shadow Dog Designs

Focal Bead by Blue Morning Expressions

 

Pin/Pendant by Andrus Gardens 

 Fingerless Gloves by Giese Deseigns

Modern Abstract Pendant by Valeries Stuff 

Shaving/Drinking Mug by Pottery Heaven

Black Bat Necklace by Fantasy Clay Store

Baby Beanie by TL Yarn Crafts

Red Is For....

Red is such a vibrant color and comes in many shade and hues, from a deep blood red, to scarlet, to rose.  Red is the color of passion and it's closely related emotion, anger, because remember the line from the song, "there's a thin line between love and hate."

Red is for Valentine's and the predominant color that symbolizes Christmas.  But however you look at it, red is a wonderful color for clothing, jewelry and home decor.  Here are some fabulous reds that I found from some of my favorite shops around the web.

Catnip Pillow Set of Four by SmokyMountainAccessories

 

Scarlet Impression Jasper Bead Wire Wrap Ring by CrystalBazaar

Southwest Native American Style Hatband by AJWhatBands

Two Red Felted Bangle Bracelets by ValeriesStuff

Set of Two Firebrick Red Beverage Mugs by PotteryHeaven

Polymer Clay Red Bird Hanging Ornament by FantasyClayStore

Black and Red Stretch Flower Bracelet by WyvernDesigns

Here Comes Fall

I know it's still summer and a lot of people don't like to be reminded that Autumn, and hence Winter is right around the corner, but Fall is my favorite season.

You can't beat the sights and smells of Autumn, from the invigorating scent of a crisp Fall morning to the glorious sight of the riotous Fall foliage, Autumn is the best.

Since the topic for the Blogging Again Ring on Face Book was a "chose your own topic", I decided to feature some items with Fall colors.

This whimsical Baby or Toddller Hat from SolHeritage is an adorable addition to your child's wardrobe.

 With the deep red color of Autumn leaves, this Rose Shimmer Clutch by HevVinDesigns  is evocative of that almost maroon color some maple trees put out in the Fall.

The Red Head Witch Doll by FantasyClayStore  Is the perfect decoration for Halloween, my favorite holiday.

From Pottery Heaven, I chose this Orange Unity Set  Perfect for a Fall wedding.

This Butterscotch Polymer Clay pendant by ValeriesStuff  Has the golds, salmons and browns of Autumn leaves.

This Slouch Beanie by TLYarnCrafts  would be the perfect accessory for a crisp Fall day!

Black and Orange Fingerless Gloves by Wyverndesigns  
would keep you warm out trick or treating on a cool Halloween night.

However you slice it, Autumn is one of the coolest(pun intended) time of the year.

Pottery Dreams

There is one art that I would love to try, making pottery.  I already work with polymer clay but there is something about working with a material from the earth that is infinitely appealing to me. 

While taking Art in high school, one of our projects was to make something out of clay.  I made a a large bowl out of clay coils, smoothed it out and away it went to be fired.  When it came back I chose purple and yellow glaze and when it was done firing, I gave the bowl to my sister, who had just married and started decorating her home.  I loved that bowl and I don't even know if she still has it or if it was a casualty of one of her many moves.  I haven't even thought of it in years.  I'll have to remember to ask her what happened to it.

I would love to learn to throw a pot but I have so many projects going that I just don't have the time.  Martina, of Pottery Heaven  is obviously an expert in making pottery items.  She admits that when she first tried throwing, she was not very good.  But through perseverance and practice, she has steadily improved until she got the technique down.

Multicolored Pitcher

Sophisticated Coffee Mug

Small Bowl In Purple and Pink

Visit her ETSY Shop to see more of her work.

It's Summer Time!

We are about half way through Summer and it's time for a post featuring some hand made products that evoke the feeling of Summer.

 Here are some items from the members Blogging Again Ring  on FaceBook that remind me of Summer.

Summer time is a time when we all need a new tote and this Extra Large Earth Tones Coffee Bean Burlap Tote by HevVinDesigns  is a perfect bag to bring along to the farmer's market or the beach.

Summer is the perfect time to adorn yourself with new jewelry.  This Show Your Soul Stacking Bracelet by TL Yarn Crafts will show your style, as well as your soul.

You can never have too many earrings and these Organic Green Ruffled Leaves Dangle Earrings by Fantasy Clay Store  are the perfect compliment to your summer time wardrobe.

Summer time is a time when the countryside is full of butterflies.  These Butterfly Wine Glass Charms by Pottery Heaven would be lovely gracing your wine glasses at your next outdoor gathering.

Since summer is a time when flowers abound and run riot through every yard and field, I had to include this Hand Drawn bouquet of Flowers Polymer Clay Brooch Pin by Valerie's Stuff  to satisfy my floral fix.

So go out and enjoy you Summer and don't forget to bring something hand made along with you!

The Colors of Purple

Purple is one of my favorite colors, from the deepest royal to the palest lilacs.

Purple was one of the first colors used in prehistoric times, as early as 16,000 and 25,000 BCE.   As early as the 15th century BCE citizens of ancient Phoenicia were producing a purple dye from a gland of the sea snail called the spiny dye-murex.  .  Since the process to produce this color was long and laborious and as a consequence expensive, purple became the color of kings and those wealthy enough to afford it.

It wasn't until 1856, when a British chemistry student, William Henry Perkins produced the first synthetic aniline dye while trying to synthesize quinine.  His dye was called mauveine after the mallow flower, which was later shortened to mauve.
Soon Perkins built a factory and started producing the dye by the ton.  As a consequence, purple was no longer exclusive to the wealthy/

Maybe I was a royal in a past life and so came to my love of purple naturally.  I don't know but I do love purple.  I've found some wonderful purple items to demonstrate just how beautiful this color is.

This bracelet by Valerie's Stuff  evokes the feeling of s sunset with its purple and yellow swirls.

Abstract Modern Purple Polymer Clay Bracelet by Valerie's Stuff

While this piece is an abstract, I see flowers in a garden.  I guess that's the objective of an abstract, though, to make you see something that's only suggested by the color and form.

Modern Abstract Polymer Clay Pendant by Valerie's Stuff

This necklace makes me feel the juxtaposition of life, the roses and death, the skulls.

Purple Roses and Turquoise Sugar Skull Polymer Clay Necklace by Valeries Stuff

 

I don't usually wear rings unless I'm going out somewhere but this ring holder would look perfect by anyone's sink.

Bright Purple Ring Holder by Pottery Heaven

I chose this because it made me smile:)
Peanut Butter aand Jelly Custom Figurine/Cake Topper by Pottery Heaven

I love dragons and this reclining dragon remind me of the way my dog always lays.

Winged Purple and Green Dragon by Fantasy Clay Store

 If you wear this, you will always have a dragon looking out for you!
Polymer Clay Dragon's Eye Pendant Fantasy Clay Store

Steampunk evokes so many feelings in so many people.  Some hate it, some love it.  This cute little steampunk bug is so adorable, you can't help but love it!
Polymer Clay Steampunk Shimmery Bug Brooch Fantasy Clay Store

Hand made wash cloths are the best and here's a set of 4 that has my favorite color!
Dainty Wash Cloths Set of 4 by TL Yarn Crafts