Spring Cleaning

I gave my workspace a little face lift this weekend. I work in the busiest room in my house....the kitchen....where it all happens, the hub, the eye of the storm, where the action is!! Sure, I could have a nice quiet studio space, there is a spare room where I keep most of my supplies, the kids' craft stuff,  computer, etc., but I need to be in the center of the house where there is never a dull moment...kids running through, my teenagers raiding the fridge, 6 dogs running about! This is where i love to be and work, and cook when I have to. My table is by the sunny sliding glass door overlooking our pool and 300 acres of wetlands behind our yard....think deer, otters, beaver, birds, even moose! I am setting up a lovely scene, but my table, supplies, desk, etc...all a disaster.

Here I am with a tiny space to work in because of all the clutter.

After a trip to Michael's for some craft-space organizers, things are looking much better!

I picked this great shelf up on sale...lots of compartments, lots of room. I store most of my clay supply in another room, so this is just enough space to keep what I need at my finger tips.

Markers and glitter!

Can you spot my piggy timer?

 even a spot for my clay illustraions : )

I also picked up this handy turn-table caddy...makes it easy to be portable when I want to work outside! Also, one of my favorite children's books for inspiration.

and the best addition...an Ott Lite!

thanks for stopping by...happy creating!

Making Rapunzel

I took these pictures the other day while working on a set of Rapunzel pendants. As I was snapping away, I wasn't thinking that I would be using the pictures for anything and omitted many steps in the process of making them, so this post is not meant as a tutorial, but rather a peek at how she is created from almost start to almost finish!

Just getting started here. Heads and bodice of the dress...arms are rolled and a big lump of purple clay has been mixed and softened. I rarely use a color straight from the wrapper. I love to create my own "pallet" and usually arrive at the final colors through a mix of several different colors of clay. Also, certain colors are very soft while others are really hard...both extremes are undesireable, so I have to make adjustments by adding a pinch of this and a pinch of that to get the right consistency. The clay is also affected by the temperature.

The dress bottoms have been rolled shaped and cut. To create the scalloped edge, I use a 3 inch scalloped-heart cookie cutter. I roll out sort of a wide pie-shape, flatten it and then cut the edge with the heart cutter.

I made a scalloped edge for the dresses of light lavendar clay. The bodies are ready to be attached. I use a piece of wire to add strength. I always use a drop or two of liquid clay between the joints to make sure that they adhere.

She now has arms, hands, and dress details!

Tiny pieces of light lavendar to make the laces on the dress bodice.

Ok, I skipped a couple of steps here...but you can see that she has her hair, made of spirals of golden yellow clay, and her face....rosey cheeks made with a dusting of blush, a smiling mouth, created with a round cutting tool, or sometimes I will free-hand it. Her eyelashes are tiny, tiny pieces of black that are rolled and placed on her face with my stylus...my fingers are way to clumsy for this!!

adding the details.

On the baking tray (with a couple friends!) and ready to go into the oven.

30 minutes later she is smiling and ready for a little glitter and glaze!! This particular Rapunzel will be used as a pendant, note the small silver loop. Others will be used as bow centers or traditional beads, with horizontal holes for stringing. You can find her hanging out with her princess friends on my shops!!

 

Easter 2012

Have a wonderful Holiday!

Princesses revamped!

Presenting the brand new 2012 Princess Parade collection!!

Hello all! I have been updating many of my "girly" designs. The new versions are more detailed, have more personality, and are definitely more fun! I have been going for a more "sassy" look by using a different shaped face, new style smile, and larger eyes. I have also made the hair more detailed and individualized for each personality. I have had lots of fun with the clothing styles, adding glitter accents and bling here and there.

The first beads I have chosen to revamp are the princesses.(don't worry, if you prefer the older style, they are still available!!) 

The original Princess collection

 A custom order actually inspired me to rethink these little ladies. Here is the fabric sample that I worked from...so sweet! Available from Euro Girl's Boutique.

I designed 3 princesses (Snow White, Cinderella, & Belle) to match. 

Snow White

Cinderella

 Belle

I put them in my shops and had a really nice response. So, I created a few of their best friends!

Aurora

 Tinkerbell

Rapunzel

Ariel

I have a few more in the works...Jasmin, Tiana, Alice, Red Ridinghood.

They measure 2 inches and can be adapted for use as bow centers, pendants, charms, buttons, pins, embellishments...possibilities are endless! They are available with accent beads for jewelry making on my website and also in my Etsy shop.

Feel free to contact me if you would like to place a custom order!!

Illustration Friday

Fritz is one COOL hot dog when he wears his surfin' shades.

Happy Barn Yard Birthday!

March is a busy birthday month in my house....2 daughters and husband to celebrate. It has also been especially busy in my cake topper shop. I have had several orders for my Barn Yard topper set...possibly because it is Spring, a time of baby animals, planting gardens, etc. I love making this set, and although it is a "standard"item in the shop, each set that I have created  has its own personality. 

Here are some pictures of a few sets that I have recently completed. I have 2 more on my table, waiting to be baked as I write this!

Eliana's Barn Yard Birthday set.

Asher's Barn Yard topper set

Logan's Barn yard Birthday

Happy Birthday to Eleanore!

 

My Birthday girls...wish I had time to make fancy cake toppers for their cakes!! Just the basic icecream cake and 9x13 pan cake!! They were not disappointed though!

 Katrina turns 9.

Anna Kate's 11th birthday