Garden Tour and TSKW Studio Tour

Yesterday was just a perfect day.   The weather was great and I had plans to go to a plant tour and an artist studio tour.   Both were wonderful.   Here are some pictures.

 

What I like about garden tours, is there is always someone who can identify the plants; and the garden club has identified all the permanent trees. 

 

However, there wasn't anyone around that could identify this plant.   If you know, please leave a comment to identify it for me.   It is beautiful.

 

My friend Michele and I taking a momentary rest.  

 

 

The first stop on the tour was the studios of John Martini and Carol Munder.   The next few pictures are of John Martini's studio.   He does welding pieces.   They are my next 'must have' art piece.  They are beautiful, impressive and oh so much fun.  

 The above picture is a piece in process.   Welded pieces are really heavy and have to be moved on a sliding rail.   Not something you undertake casually.  

Michele again.  

 

The above picture is the home and studio of Phyllis  Rose and Laurent de Brunhoff.   Does the name de Brunhoff sound familiar - think Babar the Elephant.   He is the illustrator and is wife, Phyllis Rose, assists on writing the stories for Babar.   He had his illustration for his next book ready for viewing.   Really an inspiring residence and studio.

 

 

Last year was the Studio's first tour; you can see some photos from that tour Here.

About taking pictures at someones home or studio that is on tour.   I always ask and only take a few.  

 

The 2nd stop on the tour was the studio of Carrie Disrud and she has lovely items.   However, from my point of view, seeing the house was so inspiring that I had a tough time concentrating on the art.  

 

The last stop was Eric Anfinson, Mockingbird Studio.   It is lovely and was completely rebuilt after Hurricane Wilma (as was so much of Key West).   Also a very inspiring site, both inside and out.

 

Although this was a studio tour, I have to say that all of the studios (except the welder, it was a warehouse site) could also show up on the garden tours of Key West.   They were all inspiring and really puts me in the mood to do some extensive garden upgrades.   Stay tuned....

 

For those of you who have never known much about Key West, it has an amazing art community.   It really is an inspiring place to live - and nice weather all the time as a bonus.  

 

 

 

Lots of dishes repurposed

 

Recently my friend Michele told me she had acquired a lot of dishes, glasses, serving pieces, etc for a good price and maybe I'd like to join her in making some new uses for old dishes. After scouring my house for dishes and purchasing a few at the dollar store, I joined her yesterday for a great morning.

 

 

What a great place to work.  Covered but looks out to the canal.  

Some of the items made.   Amazing how classy a bowl looks when put on a base.  

The 3 bowls on this end are mine, the next two are Michelle's and they sit on candle sticks that had prisms hanging from them.   Really a lovely look  

There are several being weighted down.   The one with books on it is a vase mounted on a plate.   It will be used as a cake stand and the vase is still usable with the plate elevating it a bit. 

Michele tweaking the arrangement.

Sorry the picture is a bit dark. 

There I am with one of my creations.  

What a fun way to spend the morning.   Making stuff.   Still lots of things to make, but the creative juices are running.  

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!