Flea Market Family Jewels

I always have a million projects going on, and one of the most enjoyable this summer has been making charm bracelets using flea market finds. The bracelet on the top is made using all sorts of odd bits of broken jewelry, found pieces, and anything I can get a jump ring through . The colorful charm bracelet on the bottom is made from metal charms I found in a bin at the flea market. The charms were reproduced in the 1980's from the original Cracker Jack prize molds from the early 1900's.

My Studio

Karen Valentine/My Desert Cottage is hosting a blogging event to show the spaces where bloggers and artists create. Please check out her site to see the rest of the gang and their creative spaces.
I have carved out a small spot in my basement where I can make messes and blast the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Edith Piaf, depending on my mood. I utilize my flea market finds to help me keep things somewhat organized.

My House With Tunes!

Please check out the Snoopster's beautiful slide show of my home. Everything looks lovelier with a cool soundtrack!

Rolling Up My Sleeves

It's been a very long time since I made a large collage, and I am hoping to change that today.

This photographs does not show you all of the insane layers of this piece, I started by drawing the little girls, painting them and layering bits and pieces of a 1950's travel diary around them. I painted over all of the ephemera and then collaged over the girls with a dress pattern. I could continue to fiddle with this until it's about five inches thick with layers of vintage bits. I need to start a new piece and retire this one.

Snow Dome Collage

This is a snow dome I made for my first swap! I also made a little box out of a Candy Land board game so it will stay safe in the mail.

One World One Heart

There is a wonderful event going on until February 12, scores of talented bloggers are participating in an enormous giveaway hosted by Lisa Swifka from A Whimsical Bohemian.

The event is called One World One Heart
and it is a chance for the blogging community to make some new pals!

This is open to everyone! Please leave a comment on this post and I will enter you in the drawings for my pencil assemblage and my ruler assemblage. If you don't have a blog please leave me a way to contact you. Click on the earth to check out the many participants and their giveaways. I will announce the winners on February 12, 2009.
Good Luck!
Your Pal,
Linda

****2/12/09****
This giveaway is now closed.
Congratulations to the winners Deirdra and Elma

Resolutions

Create something...

everyday!!!

Eat healthy and...

exercise, exercise, exercise.
What's your resolution?

Joyeux Anniversaire Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette was born on November 2, 1755 in Vienna Austria.


To celebrate this event I have made necklaces and bracelets from old glass, pearls and crystal beads and chandelier crystals. I imagined that Marie would wear these at her little country cottage on the grounds of Versailles, where she was free from the constraints of the royal court.



Please visit CupidsCharm to see how other people are celebrating the Dauphin's birthday.

School Dress

Click on image for a better view.

My new assemblage using vintage school photos, flash cards and a vintage slip.

Ruler Art

I guess I'm in a ruler and pencil mood. I still need to add more doodads and epherma, but I'm enjoying using office supplies as my canvas.

MLK

One of my favorite books is Stride Towards Freedom by Martin Luther King Jr. This is an assemblage I did using his prison photo and his wonderful book.

The Original Ugly Dolls

Barbie and Mao Tse-Tung go to the prom
Sammy and Lillies of the Valley Kiddle take care of their baby, Marty Feldman

When I was 10 years old I started making dolls for my younger sister. I would use old clothes for the materials, my Mom's pantyhose for the stuffing, and usually the eyes were old buttons. I always had the intention of making cute dolls, but they never quite turned out that way. My sister ended up with Marty Feldman,Sammy Davis Jr. and Mao Tse-Tung dolls playing with her Raggedy Ann and Andy. Sadly, these dolls have been lost over the years. I am afraid that if I tried to recreate these dolls today I would end up making something cute.

Lucky

I just finished this pencil assemblage. This has been a rather sad week, a Mom from my daughter's school passed away from a brain tumor and Michelle Mayer (in my favorites) is coming to the end of her 12 year battle. Even though I feel such sadness, I feel so lucky that my family is well.

New Assemblages -The Hats

Click on image


I found these excellent botanical specimen boxes at a church rummage sale. They are perfectly weathered for my assemblages. I am listing these in my etsy shop.

The Latest Stuff

I used vintage baby clothes in these collages, the fabric is so translucent it reminds me of the tissue used in pattern making. It is hard to see the details, but I also used wee little buttons as polka dots. My photos are so bad, I should have my kids photograph them.

Fun With Our Dining Room Chairs

Hats

I have been in a party hat mood lately and whipped these up late last night. Now we just need a party.

This Is The Size Of My Head

My freakishly large head has become a standard unit of measurement. For example, no one can eat a burrito the size of my head, but an official NBA game ball must fit in one of my hats. The large rubber band ball in the pic is 25 inches around, one inch larger than my noggin'! I love rubber band balls and it's actually getting hard to find colorful rubber bands to make them. My window of opportunity to find bags of rubber bands is right now, where school supplies are sold. I have to keep the rubber band thing on the down-low, it's kind of like having a ball of tin foil or a collection of dryer lint. You get some looks when you have a cart full of rubber bands at Office Max, and I have the large head which causes a stir too!

What I'm Working On

Work in progress

Snacks

This is an assemblage of cake decorations that I put together. I found a wonderful box of old sugar birds and flowers at the Volo Antique Mall. When I was buying these 40(?) year old decorations the cashier told me not to eat them! Really? Can I eat the toy typewriter? I guess I don't look terribly bright.
The doll on the left is by Valerie Weberpal you can check out her other amazing creations at Harvest Moon under my favorites.