Art Takes A Village

Blissfest Bonanza

2009-11-11T08:00:00.001-08:00

sit back and enjoy - the ladies in Mesa AZ got ot going on Paris Montanna ::: just Love this woman, so fun so free she travels all over the country to sell her gypsy style wares, and is always dressed for the occasion

total anthro style but kicked up a few dozen notches

How cute and clever is this? so love the green.

Trish and all her treasures, she had a collection of clocks to die for::: had to have them

just a peek for now- more later (much more!!)

Creations for the Cure

2009-11-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

Some little pretty's I made to raise funding and awareness for the Susan 3 day walk for the cure.This miss fancy pants will be available at Papertales:::

I like working with fabric, the softee necklaces are so light weight with just enough rust and tattered gems to feed the vintage vixen in all of us

I will be bringing my softee necklaces and Mary May I (pictured above and below)
to the domestic bliss event this upcoming weekend:: maybe I can talk a couple of pretty ladies into wearing them :::

Surrounded by Support

2009-10-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we gathered together to raise money for the 3 day walk:::

what a blessing it was to have the love and support of all the vendors, friends and family.

Women are powerful especially when we connect - I love all the great inspirational women I have met in my journey to grow as an artist and to bring awareness in the community.

Thank you ladies for your selfless giving and kindness it is priceless and very much appreciated;)

Gina from Lizzy B's donated this awesome pendant on suede cording to our raffle, I love how powerful the message is and yet the simplicity of the medium she chose- very clever, thanks to all who donated to our raffle- it was a huge success!!

Just a taste::::

2009-10-16T07:15:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I visited La Maison Rustique

the infamous barn sale

we are blessed to have them attending our upcoming

vintage vixen vendor sale

just a couple shots of the "goods"

check out more at the Vintage Vixen blog

Vintage Vixen Vendor sale

2009-10-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

Join us for our upcoming vendor sale

This is our second one this year, our last was a huge success ::: thanks to all who participated

marché dans le jardin

We are so excited to have the best of the best, all the fabulous ladies from the barn

all coming together to raise money for the 3 day walk for the cure

Linda's style and grace is sure to captivate all who come

These ladies have Vintage in a stronghold- just LOVE their style

Deb's much sought after shabby bags
who so beautifully graced the cover of this months "Haute Handbags"

Rita's amazing home decor and beautiful solder jeweled creations

Shery's jeweled belt buckles- so very Glamerella and delicious

along with her vintage couture line, love these they are mega soft and yummy cute

Dyanna's Mega chunky cuff - I cant ever get enough of them, she also adorns beautiful home goods as well

My latest creation:: softeee necklaces made with vintage fabric and notions
all of these will be featured at our upcoming event
Please come and join us

View from a Manor:::::

2009-09-29T08:05:00.001-07:00

This is the view from our room in Adere Manor::: I just love the change of seasons , especially the leaves. Notice in the background how the landscape of the garden is like a maze

Adere Manor was covered in these leaves

I have been back home for over 10 days, but I am desperatly trying to hold on to all that Ireland gave me, great food, great people, a land where magic happens;)

I Heart Scones and Clotted Cream::::::::

2009-09-07T06:19:00.001-07:00

When I travel I find myself alot more in the moment, thankful for every detail.

Time for taking it all in:: allowing myself to go at a pace that is alot more relaxed- I hope to bring this attitude home with me along with all the great images and memories of how amazing the Irish are, I am proud to be part of such positive hard working heritage

OK for the record I LOVE scones with clotted cream, so much so- I cant fit in my jeans;)

Had to show a close up, clotted cream is heavenly

How's this for a mantle? This and the following pictures are of the reading room at Ashford castle- I have added more pics to my flickr

(carved in the mantle)

If I could get away with it I would hang this in my studio(tee hee)

hows that for inspiration

Time to go ::: off to Adere Manor

Westport Ireland

2009-09-04T14:45:00.000-07:00

It's magic, the land, the food, the vintage finds but mostly the people:::::

I am touring through Ireland- taking it all in, even though I've been before it's captivating , just like the first time

We started in Westport today touring the antique stores:::::

How sweet the buildings are, so very charming

Ohhhhh I really wanted this table, but how to get home?

My Travel buddy bought the full set of china, from the late 1800's

it is AMAZING

Here he is::: he looks like he belongs here

Ashford Castle, we have been calling it home for the past 3 days

It is truly majestic and surreal

one of my random artsy shots;)

everything looks so great against the green green backdrop of Ireland

Off for a hike through the forest, my favorite part of the day

Where the muse lives

2009-09-01T18:34:00.001-07:00

I recently received the honor of placing my "wares" at the most magical place ever

Vignette's , where dreams do really come true for us vintage vixens

(my fabric softee necklace made with vintage remnants)

(soldered shadow box charms encase vintage rhinestones, over sized silk rose bouquet)

If you've ever been you most likely met and were charmed by Lori, who has cast a spell on all who walk through the door, she is a true gem-and has surrounded herself by such.

She is a muse to many and adored by all

saint medallion earrings with garnet

I made a vintage tape measure pin, thought it would be fabulous pinned on a hat .

Madonna paper mache earrings

Dolly head pendant on a chunky layered chain, vintage beads and chain, her body is a small corked bottle of tiny treasures

Old book pages folded to create a small wreath adorned with buttons and a very old clothspin;)

coffee stained muslin wrapped ball

bye for now:::: my hands are itchy, gotta make more;)

Downtown with a discount:::::::::

2009-08-31T08:58:00.001-07:00

Hello All - wanted to pass on the good fortune, Terry's snowglobe class has been offered at a lower cost, we will gather at my downtown loft(pictured above and below) and play till our hearts content

Just click on the left where you see the adorable Halloween snow globe;)

Come and Play:::::

2009-08-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

The Fabulous Terri Brush of Terri Brush Designs will be leading us through a two day workshop of Papier Mache and altered snow globe art, this coming September 19th and 20- too fun!
You will have the opportunity to make a Halloween and Christmas themed globe, thank goodness because there is no way I could have chosen one over the other

I met Terri back when she came to San Diego to teach us all her fabulous soldered charms technique- I literally went home and soldered these two after learning the tricks of the trade from Terri- she made it look so easy

She also took the time to show me how to make soldered links- I love making these as it is super easy and you can take your aggression out will pounding the jewelry hammer on the silver wire;)

I made this with all the techniques I learned from Terri- the pendant is super thick to go along with the chunky links;)

Come and join in the fun- we would love to have you, just click on the snowglobe on the left for all the info

I'm feeling WICKED

2009-08-17T08:44:00.000-07:00

I had the amazing opportunity to see Wicked on Saturday literally front and center at the theatre, it was beyond words fabulous::: I am so buzzing over the set and costume design- wouldn't it be fun to be part of such a creative group, taking viewers to a place so magical?
I loved the bubble wand that Glinda the Good Witch floats in on, I want to travel the world floating through the sky on a bubble wand!!!! this combined with her wit and

customized vocabulary made it truly entertaining on all levels.

If you happen to see

2009-08-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

My Sisters Keeper, amidst all the tears, did you not just LOVE the scrapbook that sweet Kate assembled as her journey of strength and loving support of her family?

I was so inspired, it was fun to doodle and journal without boundries, not once planning where or what I would do- just

letting the memmories from the pictures lead me down the path

Next time I want to fill the page with photo's layering as I go:::::

Shopping in San Francisco

2009-07-19T08:37:00.001-07:00

I recently took a trip to San Francisco - I was on a mission to find vintage and altered inspired pieces
Walking down a very steep hill I stumbled upon Kati Koos
what a treasure, the store was filled with my hearts desire and More!

Fun whimsical folk art

Loved this:::: Wicked Witches Undies

Diana Frey is truly amazing, her jewelry is showcased here, I was so happy to have finally see her pieces "live and in action"

Love Dolly Head pieces- her soldered bodice is filled with ribbon and vintage sparkle

This Lovely was guarding the case with all the Fun Sally Jean pieces

I was so loving the look of this::: especially like the big black X

Saved my Favorite for last::::

Kati (owner of the shop) is so very talented and creative, she has fused together two amazing clothing designers in her displays throughout the store

Robin Kaplan and Krista Larson

Ultra feminine with an edgy theatrical flare-

Kati posts a newsletter on her website that showcases the amazing pieces check it out

Christmas in July

2009-07-13T15:51:00.001-07:00

My fun and ever so clever friend Jackie is hosting art meet up today in her art studio-if you've never gone , you should- it's absolutely free and always an inspired fun time. The theme is Christmas in July:::

I transformed one of those small round tins that are sold for storing beads and such into a vintage sparkle fest;)

coated the outside with Mica flakes, I am so in the mood for creating Christmas goodies, all the fun with out the rush to spoil the creative flow

My new obsession;)

2009-07-09T10:36:00.001-07:00

I have always admired Deb's silk flowers- she makes them the best by far:::: she shared her technique with me and now I cant stop making them!

Deb also turned me on to this fabric, It is absolutely wonderful working with this type of silk, it has a sheen to it that is so vintage.

We played with some painters drop cloth and made a soft chain, this pretty little lady will be available at Paper Tales after the 17th of July- I plan to doll her up with vintage jewels and buttons , Thank you Deb for inspiring me so, you are a true Gem

Powder Room Pink

2009-06-30T18:33:00.001-07:00

So I took the plunge, I had seen this amazing Magazine cover, a pink room with a mantle and above the mantel was a shell adorned mirror ::I dreamed of such girlie romance but didnt want to commit to an entire room of pink

Then , I stumbled upon this mirror at Vignette's I was instantly in love .

I realized then I could create my special place in my Master bath commode- a powder room fit for a princess with pink walls and all

Didnt realize that the color on the walls would capture the reflection of the petite chandeleir-

it's so calming, all I want to do is hang out in my bathroom;)

Cleaning out my closet

2009-06-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

I know it's a little late for Spring cleaning, and although I was dreading it I tackled my

french armoir with a vengeance

I purchased stack able units from best craft organizer, they have super thin drawers that allow inserts to hold and sort the small stuff like findings and buttons

I also needed slots for fabric and such so I put up a rod and hung canvas shoe organizers- perfect for all my fabrics and felts;)
even the funky place mats I bought from pier one(to cover art journals) have a spot

Yarn and foam for future cupcake classes- wow do I have a lot of supplies or what?

I hope as I get deeper into this I find a space for my Dolly parts

I had ordered deeper drawers so they should fit

Up until now I have been storing all my vintage gen finds in this fun hat box-

cute but

not necessarily the best way to do it

I even felt encouraged to re organize my existing system that I use for scrap booking etc...

By adding the drawer inserts my collections of keys and found metal looks so much more inspired
As do my brads, after sorting through everything I think I deserve

some much deserved play time;)

Looking up

2009-06-18T14:43:00.001-07:00

I spy a beautiful parasol, love taking my camera on a date for inspiration

How amazing is this collection of wooden shoes

( they probably arent called that)

upon seeing this I suddenly felt less guilty about my growing collection of vintage tape measures :: i do plan to someday have enough to wallapaper my entire studio with them

(tee hee)
I love wooden santos Dolls- this one seemed to be conducting the rest of the collections-

he is quite charming

I couldnt help myself

2009-06-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

I know that I have been keeping it a secret but I have to share it's just been so fun putting these Giftee's together for all my favorite Sirens attending the retreat

I didnt realize How inspired i would feel with the beach seashell theme- it brings me back to the days when I was running wild searching for shells- never looking up;)

Art Trade

2009-05-28T13:44:00.001-07:00

Time to make my trades, art trades that is. I immediately went to Julie's blog because I knew I would instantly be inspired. Her book Pretty Little Felts is absolutely adorable.

Everything sweet and tiny and happy.

Check out her blog for the "how to"

once you make one, you wont want to stop;)

Make a wish on a starfish

2009-05-23T20:04:00.001-07:00

Treat yourself and go to the beach, it's almost surreal how it changes your perspective

I am so loving preparing for our up coming retreat in Coronado- just the idea of us girls playing in the sand, releasing parts of us held captive and giving ourselves permission to

play

G is for Go:::::

2009-05-20T14:45:00.001-07:00

This is exactly How I have been feeling- get ready get set go:::::

Lot's of fun things to do, not even enough time in the day. My grandson Gavin is now mobile and in constant motion until he collapses- hmmmmm must run in the family;)

Sandcastle Sirens

2009-05-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

Together ,myself along with some really great ladies are hosting Sand Castle Sirens -an artists retreat

We have two amazing classes being taught by Julie Haymaker Thompson

along with a bohemian bonfire and vintage vendor sale(marché dans le jardin)

and as if that's not enough :: all of this will be happening seaside at our beautiful Coronado beach house location.

30% of the sales made at the vintage vendor sale goes directly into our art therapy program- what a blessing to be in the middle of such a giving group of talented, fun, beautiful women.

we have just a few spots open to attend the class, but you better hurry;)

contact Melanie or Jane Sandcastlesirens@gmail.com

risk love

2009-05-15T10:19:00.001-07:00

So my really wise and very fun friend Jackie brought to my attention that I have won the flakiest blogger award and yes I am wearing the crown every day until I get myself back into more consistant blogging;)

Aren't friends great, they give you that nudge, laugh with you , and are always there if you need a hand, I am so very blessed to have so many great women in my life.

We spent a few hours yesterday drawing and painting, I made this very french looking lady, she I might put some word boxes that remind me to "risk love"