NEW A Tea Leaf handmade jewelry, magnets, and greeting cards at Wanderlust Handmade & Vintage! Stop by and treat yo self!
More Hook Earrings
I made more hook earrings with large vintage glass & resin cabochons! They will be available for purchase at the Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale which will be at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland Oregon this Saturday!
New Dangle Earrings
I added a patina finish to the brass charms and adhered vintage cabochons. A limited quantity will be available for purchase at CraftyWonderland Spring Sale next Saturday! Weee!
Hook Earrings
New hook earrings with large vintage glass cabochons! I'll be selling them at the Crafty Wonderland Spring Sale next Sat, 11th!
Hoop earrings
New button sparrow hoop earrings! They will be for sale at the Crafty Wonderland Spring Sale on Sat, May 11th at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon!
Button Locket
Etsy order going to Australia!
New post earrings
I made a few post earrings today! They are so cute!
New rings
Today I made new rings with vintage glass cabochons!
Berry Picker's Heart
One of my favorite Stumptown summer activities is to drive out to Sauvie Island. Just ten miles northwest of downtown, I love exploring this expanse lush area. Off on Gilliand Road we stopped at Columbia Farms to do some berry picking.
We couldn't have picked a better day to visit. There were not very many others out that day surprisingly. Walking through the fields and sun shining down makes you really feel at ease. We took our time picking blackberries, marionberries, and boysenberries. It was hard to resist nibbling them right then and there. So sweet, so tart!
Now the time has come to share!
I'm so thrilled to share with you a new necklace created by me. And it's available in the shop!
"The Berry Picker's Heart" - necklace
The pendant's face is composed of 2 elements. The top is a slightly domed, vintage lucite cabochon with a burgundy raspberry shade in the craters. The bottom element is a Patikan wood square pendant made in the Philippines that measures 35mm in width & height. The woodgrain may vary slightly from the one pictured since it's real wood. Patikan wood display a rich and distinctive grain that makes each unique.
Each necklace is completed with an antique brass-finish chain. The necklace is a 3mm chain, 20" in length, finished with a lobster clasp finding.
Necklaces are shipped in an adorable box, ready to give as a gift. I pay special attention to the packaging to make it special for you or your recipient. It's a lovely gift to give a friend, family member, co-worker, or partner.
I'm looking forward to revisting Sauvie at least once more before the summer season ends. Any of you readers out there do share if you have any favorite spots on the island. I would love to hear about them!
"Fixed Cerulean Stare" earrings
I recently created some new stud earrings!
Fixed Cerulean Stare - earrings
These earrings are inspired by my silly & affectionate cerulean-eyed Ragdoll cat. These vintage deep blue glass cabochons from West Germany are set in antique brass plated bezel settings. The studs are approximately 10 mm in diameter and have a light weight to them.
View listing on Etsy here!
"Sleepy Inuit Village" button ring
I'm fascinated by igloos. It's crazy to think about how early Inuits were able to live and flourish in the harshest of conditions.
There's a dreamy documentary from the 1920's (the first feature-length documentary ever) called Nanook Of The North that follows the lives of a family in the Arctic. Here's a little clip of Nanook building an igloo for his family in under an hour. Complete with a window made of ice and snow to reflect the warm sunlight inside.
And that's the inspiration for my latest creations...
One button...
Two button...
Delectable clothing buttons repurposed into...
"Sleepy Inuit Village" button rings
A miniature Inuit village sits atop the frozen lake of turquoise flecked with gold. Two stacked buttons create the scene of chilly igloos set on a pearlescent stage. Their three-dimensional character and subtle variations are the perfect splash of color for a cold winter's day. Each ring is completed with an antique brass-plated band.
The finer details...
The ring's face is made of 2 plastic buttons made in Italy. The top is a transparent light green, speckled with gold. The bottom button is aquamarine, faceted, and 7/8" in diameter with pearlish speckles. The band is a very strong, adjustable antique brass-plated, 4mm in width.
I have been creating button rings for the past year and this one will finally be listed in my Etsy shop available for purchase. Head on over to purchase your very own.
Each ring is shipped in an itty bitty box, ready to give as a gift. Special attention is given to the packaging to make it special for you or your recipient. It's a lovely gift to give a friend, family member, or co-worker.
"Roadtrip Abound" compass ring
I looove roadtrips. Don't you?
I love the excitement getting up in the morning, packing a lunch, camera, sketch book or possibly a novel to read when we hit our destination. Heading out the door, picking up some mouthwatering pastries & piping hot coffee, and then away we go! The anticipation of the sights we'll see!
Spontaneous road trips are the best. Which direction to go? Who knows what you'll run into.
My love & I have discovered some amazing places, especially being new to Oregon... Silver Falls, Pittock Mansion, Mount Angel...
There's a new comrade in my Etsy shop inspired by roadtrips!
Let me acquaint you with...
"Roadtrip Abound" compass ring
I was enamored when I came across some vintage miniature compasses. I got to thinking about those Cracker Jack prizes. As a child, digging my fingers into a Cracker Jack box and pulling out that delightful lil' prize. I wouldn't think twice about sacrificing my fingers to the stickiness. Wouldn't it be merry to transform these compasses into a wearable?
This vintage miniature compass (3/4" in diameter) actually works, but has had a change of career from function to fashion. Instead of getting you through the woods, this compass will lend your day a note of eclectic style. This piece is finished off with a strong, stainless-steel toned adjustable band.
Finland Folk Dancers
Lately I've been intrigued of my ancestry. During my visit home to Nebraska, my grandma sent me home with some books about Finland. I've been having fun skimming the glossy pages of pictures and drawing in my sketchbook. My old high school art teacher, Ms. D would be proud of my continuous lines.
Poppy Seed drawing print has a slight new look. It will be released very very soon. To pre-order a 5"x7" or 8"x10" print be sure to drop me a line.
I heart buttons. I have so many buttons, it's ridiculous. I have a vintage Pyrex bowl filled with them. Speaking of items soon to be released, I will be listing little surprises in the shop like button rings. Each ring has a antique brass band and is topped off with eye catching buttons.
I did a print & framing custom order last week. Aren't they exquisite? I love these 16" x 20" frames with their milky white mats. From left to right: Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and Poppy Seed.
Bucket o' Doughnuts
My very sweet friend Elaine and I took a trip to Voodoo Doughnut Too the other day. I bought a bucket of doughnuts. Crazy huh? And no, I didn't eat all of them by myself. I like to share, I really do. I bought them with the intention of sharing them with my coworkers. At Voodoo they have a photobooth...
Elaine makes wonderful and very intricate crocheted jewelry. If you are interested you can check out her Facebook Fan page here.
Here's a quick drawing of Monkey Flower I did the other day at Drawing Club. I love Gelly Rolls' pen series called Moonlight. I really love that they are opaque, waterproof, and you can draw on vellum to. I only have a few pens of the series... blue, white, and turquoise. I saw on Amazon that there is a pack of 10 assorted colors. Weee! I'm adding these to my Art Wish List.
Lastly, the earrings that I made titled, "That time my toes met the shoreline" are being mailed out to their new home all the way from the West Coast to the East Coast, New Jersey! Shortly after that order was made another order was placed. So exciting that these cute little earrings are selling like hot cakes today. I have a few more left. So if you've had your eyes on them, you may want to make the jump!
I cheese sandwich you
I have so many things to share with you about my recent visit to my homestate, Nebraska. Being there for 2 weeks, I couldn't help taking lots of photography. I plan on dedicating a few future blog posts to the highlights. Above is a shot I snapped in rural eastern Nebraska. I do miss the drives; being out and about between Columbus, Lincoln, and Omaha. It was nice to be reacquainted with the rows and rows of corn stalks. One thing I didn't miss was the 90° - 100° humid mosquito infested summer weather.
When I left Portland at the end of June I began reading my friend, Kim's novel suggestion... The Time Traveler's Wife. Wow, it was such a good read. It's confusing at first with all the time traveling dates. I don't think I have ever read a novel (that was not a mandatory high school or college requirement) so fast. Niffenegger's writing is to die for. I fell in love with her writing style. This is really her first book? I didn't notice. Very well done Niffenegger. Before I read this book I wasn't fond of the name Henry. Felt so old-fashioned. After reading this book, let's be honest, I have a new appreciation for it. I loved the dreamy character Henry. Who wouldn't. He's compassionate, dashing, and a time traveling adventurous stud. I don't normally read chick novels but this one went well under the radar for me. I give it 5 stars. I'm a little leary of watching the movie. It seems like when books are made into movies they are just not as good.
Chick novels... chick flicks... I only like a handful of either of them. Maybe 3 or 4. Love & Sex is an adorable and funny one. I watched this flick a couple times this week. One of my favorite quotes is when Adam says to Kate, "I cheese sandwich you." If you haven't watched it, the 2 were discussing, that after a while, saying "I love you" is like saying "cheese sandwich". Saying "I love you" starts to lose it's meaning.
This is off subject, but I'll give you a little heads up of what I have been crafting up these days. I crafted these... "Handpicking La France Pears In Japan" earrings. When the day comes that I get to visit Japan, I do hope to visit a pear orchard. I love how the La France Pear is uniquely spherical, like these lemon jade beads. I have listed a few pairs in the ol' Etsy shop. Click here to be directed to my shop.
Well I hope you lovelies have a great weekend. If you are in Portland... stay cool. It's going to be a warm one! It would be a good time to go to the coast.
da Vinci Arts Fair 2009
is today and tomorrow!
Info:
da Vinci Arts Fair 2009 Saturday, December 5th 10am - 6pm & Sunday, December 6th 10am - 4pm Free Admission! 2508 NE Everett, Portland, OR More info here.
If you can't make it, but you are interested in purchasing an item... Visit my Etsy shop here.
Photos of my booth that I took this morning... (Click on photos to see more details on my wares.)
Standard Movement Series Pendants
It's Friday and you know what that means... new arrivals in the ATeaLeaf Etsy shop! And I have a special surprise for you all. You can now choose the artworks you would like for your wearable. It gets a little bit sweeter too: not just one side, but two!
Standard Movement Series Pendants
Choose your favorite front and back and I will personally custom make your new necklace!
Head on over to my Etsy shop and get the ball rollin'. Hope you all have a long and lazy weekend lovelies!
Weekend Crafting
Besides doing a significant amount of bike riding over the weekend, I also spent some time crafting up a storm. Check out these beauties, all available for purchase in my Etsy shop...
Perimeters Of The Koi Pond - earrings – Click here or photo to purchase & more info
Retold Tales That Are In Owl's Hearts - earrings – Click here or photo to purchase & more info
Little Beavers, Little Tree Stumps - earrings – Click here or photo to purchase & more info
Someday I'll Own A Seafoam Fender Stratocaster - earrings – Click here or photo to purchase & more info
Hello Monday!
Here's to a brand new week! *raises latte*
I'm excited for this week, though it's not much different than the others. I'm just looking forward to what I'll accomplish this week with my art and with my design work. I've been working on a few projects for some time... wedding invitations... baby announcements... wedding website, etc. This is the week that I'm wrapping these projects up. I'm also planning on finishing the backs of my latest wooden block creations. Did you think I forgot? Nope!
Did everyone have a good weekend? Mine was pretty spiffy. Yes, spiffy. Justin & I visited the Tinymeat™ warehouse sale & Sausagefest! We munched on lil' smokies and pickles and chit-chatted with Tinymeat's owner Michael. To fill ya in, Tinymeat collaborates with artists making wallets, passport cases, and business card cases. Do check out their Etsy shop here! It was such a challenge to narrow down my wallet purchases. After going back and forth, I decided to purchase this fun goat portrait done by Ryan Berkley.
I thought this would be a great birthday gift for one of my best friends. Since she doesn't read my blog, I don't think I'm ruining the surprise. Ha ha.
More ramblings about the weekend... I watched the movie Capote. A - m - a - z - i - n - g. Philip Seymour Hoffman is becoming one of my favorite actors.
One thing I enjoy while working on my art is to watch movies. To say the least, I didn't get much accomplish while Capote was on. It's that good.
Lastly, I would like to present to you... my new batch of pendant necklaces creations!
Nurture thy Mind No.3 Pendant Necklace - Weeping Willow - purchase
Nurture thy Mind No.4 Pendant Necklace - Box Elder - purchase
Nurture thy Mind No.5 Pendant Necklace - Cherry Blossom - purchase
They each include drawings of trees that I have come across in Portland. This batch I added a pearl to each chain... for lil' something extra. I'm pretty happy how these turned out. It's going to be a little tough to give them up. He he. Kinda a bitter sweet thing... I love knowing that they are headed to a new home and again I like to think they keep happy thoughts close to one’s heart.
Nurture thy Mind pendant necklaces
Both Nurture thy Mind pendant necklaces have been purchased and sent off to their new homes. How thrilling!
I really fancy these petite artworks, I do, I do. The idea that art doesn't have to be displayed on a wall is sublime in my mind. This is true with my wooden block artworks too. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy working with flat surfaces like canvases and framing art too. I think I love bouncing back and forth, I love having options. So all in all, making these necklaces has been an eye-opening and positive experience for me and I want to continue to pursue them. So this weekend I'm planning on making at least two... maybe four. We'll just see.