Mask Making

Certainly living on an island offers advantages.   One advantage about this island is the wonderful artistic community we have here.   Lots of art galleries and lots of opportunities to participate in art workshops and classes.    The Studios of Key West offers lots of opportunities that would be impossible in lots of communities.

 

Yesterday John McBride of Maskerville presented a 3 hour workshop on making a mask.    October is a big month on the island, concluding with Fantasy Fest.  Masks and costumes are quite necessity to fully participate in the fest. 

 

John McBride is a mask maker for Cirquie Du Soleil and certainly offers a great workshop.   Everyone walked away with their own mask. 

 

What was funny, was everyone was instructed to spend some time picking out their favorite fabric.   I picked mine in about 3 seconds.   Anyone who knows me well, knows that in my world, 'red is a neutral'.   I thought it was a good choice and walked away, knowing it was a perfect choice.

 

 

My new Steampunk Doll

Recently I went to an art show and found a great doll.   However, it was NOT FOR SALE.   When you can't buy it, you are forced to make it.   Well, I never copy anything exactly but came home and started seeing what I had in my stash and this is the end result.    The little doll head has been in my stash for years and I am so very happy she has a new life.

Now I have to make her some friends.   

When is a wine glass not a wine glass????

I just love Pinterest and there was an example of wine glasses made into candle holders.   You know those little candles in their own container, they were put on the top.   Well I have lots of wine glasses and some were cloudy glass and so I made snowmen too.   It was so much fun.    Many of you know that I collect snowmen, so my collection has gotten larger.   

Sometimes you just have to break something.

I love trays.   I love blue and white.   I like mosaic.   Now I can have all three  

Like I said, sometimes you just have to break something.   Since my old bowls were all chipped, no decision at all - either throw them away or make a mosaic tray.   Mosaic tray won.   

The tease is over.

My last post was a tease of 3 unrelated items.   A lion, a mouse and a vase.   Blah!!!!

Well here is the old post.   Don't you agree, Blah!

Well how is this for changing some nondescript items into something that you can use to decorate your home.    It's also a nice way to use a favorite piece that has passed it's prime.     

Maybe you can use this idea for your loved, but shabby possessions.   Enjoy!

Tease! Junk to Art - stay tuned.

What do these things have in common?    Stay tuned - this junk becomes art.   

Big Button "B"

I love buttons and I love letters on the wall.   I always have lots of buttons and use them in many ways.    This is my latest foray into button land.

I am sure you will be exposed to lots of other button projects.   I love buttons.   

Crazy Mixed-Up Puzzle

I've been watching Pinterest for quite some time and have been fascinated with the altered puzzles.   This little puzzle was bought in a dollar store and was rather nondescript with numbers 1 - 9 on it.   It has been lying around for ages and I thought it would be the perfect choice for experimentation.

It was certainly fun to put together and I fully expect to find another puzzle to alter.   

Don't lose your marbles!

A few months ago, right at the height of tax season, my husband was most frustrated and said "I'm going to lose my marbles".   I replied that he should not lose his marbles.   (Possibly I'm the one who lost their marbles?)     I set about making a container for his marbles (actually Aaron's) and a little assemblage of marbles, boxes, wire, bottle, etc and everyone's marbles should be safe.   

Enjoy!

Assemble - Assemble - Assemble

I love old light bulbs and save way too many, but here is the use of one.   Who doesn't have bright ideas.   

Numbers.  With my background in Finance and my husband as a tax preparer  - we have lots of numbers in our life.   Assembled in an old wooden 'in' box.   

I love old pictures.  I love the saving.   It says  "Don't expect anyone to support you.   Maybe you have a trust fund.   Maybe you have a wealthy spouse.   But you never know when either one might run out."  

I hope you enjoy my assembled items.    

If you are into collectibles, you might want to visit my sister blog  

   

Raggedy Kingdom

I love making things out of things most would throw away.   These are my latest adventures.

Rick Worth's Boot Camp - House

My friend Michelle was unable to go to Rick Worth's class yesterday afternoon and offered the place to me.   I jumped at the opportunity.   We did a house.   It was so much fun.   Hope you enjoy it.  

I met my Sorority Sister, Anita, there and she captured this picture of me.   What fun we had.  

March Bootcamp with Rick Worth comes to an end

Yesterday was the last Tuesday in March and also the last class that I had signed up to take with Rick Worth. It has been a fun month and the last class was very taxing. Lots to do in the 2 1/2 hours but it appears we all left with a finished painting.

I Love Clowns

I love clowns and have had some I wanted to use. These cute little boxes come from Factory Direct Crafts. They have a plexiglas cover. The construction isn't real good - but the boxes are cheap and 'clean up nice'. The bottom box has the cover on, so there is some glare. It was a fun project that allowed me to show off some of my little clowns. Have a happy day.

Rick Worth Times 3

I attended my 3rd Rick Worth Boot Camp this month.. My Friend Michelle wanted to do flowers - so we did. We did frangipani flowers. I don't do flowers much and wasn't much more impressed with them than the pelican of last week, but all-in-all they turned out pretty good. I really need some wall space so I can put these painting out in my house.

More Rick Worth

Tuesday afternoon I participated in my second Rick Worth class this month. We did a pelican. Now I think the pelican is probably one of the ugliest birds out there. They land in our canal occasionally and they land with a hugh flop into the water. I'm always amazed that they don't hurt themselves. I don't know that I would have ever painted a pelican without it being the subject of the class, but glad I did it when it was done.

Another Rick Worth Class

I love my palm tree - shows movement.

Yesterday I attended the first of 4 classes with Rick Worth (and 30 others). I thought the month of March would be great to devote 4 Tuesdays to learning a bit more about painting with house paint. I've taken a couple of his classes, but have never devoted 4 straight weeks and I think I will really enjoy this. Also taking it with my friend Michele, http://www.thegypsypalace.blogspot.com/ , and that is certainly fun.

Everyone goes home with a finished painting in 2 1/2 hours. Really fun!

Bee Outstanding

I love found objects and in mid February I was in Orlando for a miniature show and traveled with a friend who took the opportunity to visit her daughter. My friend, Vicki, found a little wooden box in the trash. Her daughter was amazed and a little disappointed that her mom was pulling things out of the trash, but Vicki knew I could do somehting with it. (my reputation preceeds me). It was a small little box with three sections. Not terribly exciting, but I liked it immediately. After leaving it on my work bench for a few days, I knew what I was going to do..

A little scrapbook paper, some paint, some beads, gold paint for the elephants and a gel pen. Oh yes, that little crystal was the finishing touch. It was such fun. I hope you enjoy.

Studio Tour - Key West

Key West is a very small island, but has so many things to do. Today there was a studio tour of 6 different artists, 5 studios. I went with my friend Michelle, you met her in the last post ( http://www.thegypsypalace.blogspot.com/) and we had such fun.

The Artists on tour were John Martini, Charles Pearson and Tim Roeder, John McIntosh, Lynn Sherman and Teresa Willis. They were all different, but all inspirational.

The garden area of potters Charles Pearson and Tim Roeder.

Chalres and Tim have one of the nicest Koi environments that I've ever seen. A bonus on top of seeing their studio.

Bad lighting, but Michelle and I with a sculpture from John McIntosh. So very much inspiration and a we had a great visit with John.

Michelle with one of John's sculpture.

I've found a new blog

Actually I didn't find it, it was pointed out to me. My very talented friend, Michelle, has started a blog and a page on facebook. She takes creativity to a new level and is quite an inspiration to me. These pictures were taken last year at the Schooner Wharf art show. It's coming up again, March 3, 2012. Mark your calendar.

Her blog is http://www.thegypsypalace.blogspot.com/

Her facebook page is GypsyPalaceStudio