Something fishy...

I made this today.  It started out as an idea for a mobile with some chimes, but after playing with lots of different materials and ideas I settled on this.  I love the process of discovering what I am going to make and how it takes me by surprise sometimes.  I found the fish barbecue rack at my thrift store, brought it home and just started attaching metal things to it.  Only certain pieces worked.  There are keys, single earrings, random hardware, a tin whistle and a jingle bell. This is not a haphazard arrangement - it is a very deliberate one, but I love that it looks like it just washed up on the beach as it is, all weathered and messy.  It was fun to use things from my stash that I have had for years - I finally figured out why I have been saving them.   The creative process is so satisfying - it nourishes my soul.  I laughed when I finished it.  I think I'll have fish for dinner to celebrate!

New Bag Out of Old Jeans

We are having a 50% off sale on women's jeans and pants at VIMspirations this week so I made this.  I used a teeny tiny pair of jeans, a necktie for the bottom and the strap, a button down shirt for the lining, and finished it off with some buttons and a pin. Come on over and check it out - its for sale.  Or buy a pair of jeans for $3.00 and make your own!

Bookends

These days, I am trying to make as many things as I can with my own hands.  Here are some bookends that I made with some scrap wood, yellow paint and two cans of spinach from the dollar store.  I like the way they turned out.  I also like my new life in Cape May.  I  live in a real house, have a studio of my own, started a craft club, and have recently become the artist-in-residence at a local thrift store.  We just survived Hurricane Sandy in good shape and are looking forward to walking on the beach again soon.

Pippi and me

These are some new tights that my adorable husband, Jeffrey, gave to me that I am wearing  with a pair of leather boots that I got at a Goodwill in Northampton, MA for only $3.00!  Pippi insisted on being in the picture too...