Oh When the Saints....

We had a glorious thunderstorm today, dark electric skies, the splitting sounds of lightning had poor Mac the dog cowering under my feet.  I was elated by the colors of the storm, and  led to compose these sets of earrings. 

Someone who shall remain nameless commented on my work, and remarked on the "lack of color."

I see lots of color here, my eyes and mind and heart are filled with these colors.  I wear these colors every day.  I often think in these colors.  I dream in these colors.

I was not offended in the least. 

Available for purchase on the morrow at Artfire and Etsy.

It's Nice To Be Just a Little Bit Missed!

I've been working on a project  that has kept me long hours away from home.  Not a fun project, so it seems even longer in reality, but I'm back now!  Things bubbling on the stove, and in my brain too....

One of my pets is especially glad to have my company back.  Guido enjoys lots of conversation...mostly his own.

When I have to work away for extended periods, I get grouchy, but then I slap myself.  It's never for THAT long and by golly, absence makes the mind sharper and more anxious to get back to the business of creating.  Or something like that.

I'll be back soon!

The Fickle Tweakaholic, that's Me!

Firstly, I never intended anyone to think I was going away, by the title of my last post and will choose my words more carefully in the future. 

Secondly, forget what I said in my last post altogether.  I intend to list some of the pieces I had pictured, some I hadn't, throw some out the window, send some north to Alaska....and get those clock cases spiffy and put them on too, as I said I would.  Most of our country is probably travelling for the holiday so it doesn't even matter, I am talking to walls, right?  I shouldn't bother listing anything until next week anyway, but never mind. It's my job.  I may be a fickle tweakaholic but I am not a fickle tweakaholic shirker.  I am on the case now.  I love these things and have enjoyed having/making them, but I want to see the top of my table again, someday.  Ruminating on room, and the dizzying circles the vast amount of stuff has me running in.  (what?)

I've had this gorgeous Czech dress clip for as long as I can remember which some days lately could be nanoseconds, getting listed pronto.

So are these large 1930's "Pools of Light" crystal beads.  They've been center drilled so they're not quite as desirable as the ones not, but still lovely.  When you hold them down over paper, and the images reflect backwards to you, they're the thing.  I have a little stash of these from a necklace I didn't feel like fixing....they're outta here....

These are pretty fun, original half-penny coins from 1965, with chalcedony....I put these together today and am calling them "Old Money".....off they go.

This aquamarine and chippy Haskellish pearl necklace was the recipient of some fiddly tweaking today and it's finally ready to debut.  After I photograph it yet again. The cameo is a wonderful Venetian scene and the aquamarines suit it quite nicely.   Vamanos!

The wall charms are going back into the box for a total tweakover, another day.  But this one, my favorite this moment....

is getting listed too...scrumptious verdigris, warm humming colors and the stones, glass and metal meld so well.....It's gotta go. (to a really great home I hope) SOLD!!!  to a very good home....

If I hold to this plan of mine, I might see my table by 2015.

 Oh!  I want to wish whoever stumbles upon this diatribe, do have a wonderful, relaxing, fun filled and safe holiday. 

Happy Birthday, America

Hello and Goodbye, a brief introduction

Despite all the action around here, I've been chipping away at getting some things finished and rounded up to send north, to a boutique I consign with.  I  don't usually consign, I dislike it very much.... actually.  But this is a very extraordinary and special set of circumstances.  Wonderful boutique, great clientele, even greater staff, hard to get in to....they've treated me very well and I've been delighted.  When I send merchandise, it's placed in gift packaging, and a handwritten story or a few sentences of inspiration accompany the necklaces.  I put names or titles on everything, and an invoice too.....paperwork. 

Every now and then I shuffle and re-shuffle inventory.   I will pull some and send it up with new pieces, and you get the drift.....scramble things up, and keep making new stuff!  It's time to clean up the bench again too.  I do get really messy when I work.  It's this strange and wonderful cycle that I keep repeating.  When things start getting re-organized, new ideas emerge and manifest themselves by way of little piles everywhere.

These are "wall charms" that will probably stay here to be listed on ArtFire and Etsy.  They're just reconstructed antique and vintage bits, buttons and pieces that didn't move me for personal jewelry, though they are easily adapted....  They look pretty sweet arranged together.  The faces are rather special with hand detailing on a couple of them.  The large piece is an Edwardian belt buckle with the original lithograph. 

This one came very close to finding it's way into my jewelry box.  I love these goofus glass brooches and the bird motif is so universal.  I used a yummy collection of tourmalines and the whole thing has a soft, muted look that makes it perfect for every day wear ever.  I've done a number of pieces with this type of brooch and now they're getting harder to find priced reasonably.

So, these are a few of the goodies leaving home soon, and I just wanted you to meet them briefly before they have to go.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Unforeseen Circumstances

and out of our control....in my last post I included a picture of Ron, so happy and humming, I caught him with his eyes closed and it didn't matter, I loved the picture and included it.  Little did I know that within the next few days he'd be faced with some very serious issues regarding his eyes.  My long story is short and sweet.  Suffice to say that one surgery has been accomplished and proving successful, the other scheduled soon and should be fine.  I'll be back soon after a much needed break.
xoxo,
~Lis

Antique Clock Cases Incoming....

and outgoing soon, I hope I pray I wish.....

Ron just brought these back fresh from an attic in Gold Country, California,  the square ones are 1850's, rosewood veneer, various states of dirt, disrepair, coolness.....oh!....the possibilities!  Curio cases, theatres, little places for birdnest or tiny teacup collections...I bet Madame Talbot could think of something to do with these.  I've got to get them cleaned up and outta here....or they'll end up in my studio AND we all know there's no room, no room!

Speaking of no room, I snuck around the corner to snag a pic of the master antique scrounger/collector/packrat king extraordinaire, at work in his shop....

beyond the double doors encrusted with license plates and old porcelain signs....

Here lies the evil genius at work on ...um....something.

OMG, NO!  It's another clock case!  Or is it a lamp made from a corn grinder????no, no, noooooooOOOOO!!!!

Nothing like a really good batch of junk to get him humming.....

I'll be putting these cases on the vintage sites, but if you want to ask questions or feel a need to have one or all, pop me a note!

Just a Little Peek...

I feel the need to show anyone who might be a bit interested, just a little peek inside my studio, just so you know I have indeed been hacking away at it.  My 15 year old daughter Abby will soon be joining her father, my son and my oldest daughter in Charleston for an extended stay, so I've been spending all possible time with her.  I miss my children beyond belief when they're gone...such is the pain of divorce and broken families, but I digress...

It's been quite a process, but then it only took me about 10 years to mess it up, the studio I mean....I've parted ways with years of vintage and antique velvet and silk fabric scraps, keeping only the very best....sent the lions share of my costume collection off to a friend/family member who has now been designated "the go-to girl" for such attire as needed by pirates, gypsies, ghouls, damsels, gangsters and soiled doves.  Things are finding their way to organized places and vignettes are forming in my mind's eye...It will be a little while until I can indeed work here, but it's just a blink now. 

This barrister case is far from organized, but my bound collection of antique ladies magazines now resides in one place, and where I can see them!

On the top of another barrister case rests a fabulous shadow box, or "Sorrow Box", made especially for moi by my dear, wise and wonderful friend Susan.  She does amazing work and I feel so fortunate to be the owner of this fabulously inspiring piece.  More importantly, I feel most significantly blessed to have such a warm and caring friend.  I will share better pictures of the boxes she's done for me in another post. 

I love the colors in this old glass window.  It catches morning sun, beautiful!  My birds nests have found a place to dwell...there is a hummingbird nest but I cropped this picture because of a stack of boxes yet to be dealt with.  The faded old ostrich egg was given to me by Ron's brother, who died suddenly and unexpectedly awhile ago...so young (54) .  I love antiques and nice "stuff", but my most precious things are my children's artwork, and pieces that have been made for me or given to me and come from the heart.

Well, there you go.  It's all I want to show right now, but know that my table is centered in the room, walking space all around, it's coming together and will be quite a magical place.  I've already had local inquiries regarding workshops here....Perhaps at some point. But for now, it's quietly, privately mine.

Bless you for caring enough to read all this!

Muah,

Lis~