Dawn Sellers

What I am working on today

Making jewelry today but needing a little break.

Pink Artist Block Party - Part I

I have finished my donation for the Pink Artist Block Party.  I've made a second one which is posted in my new Etsy shop that will feature 1800's inspired jewelry, updated for today. 

Whenever I have a deadline my Muse soars (but never lands where she needs to)

Does this ever happen to you?

I am suppose to be working on my painting and poetry pages for a collaborative book project.  They are due May 22nd (17 of them!).  All I can think about today is making jewelry and what crochet stitch pattern I should use for a pretty pink dog sweater for Cocoa (I saw the cutest crochet dog sweaters at Lexi Dog yesterday but refuse to spend $45 when I can make her one in an afternoon).

Today at lunch I went to the bead store and looked at all the beautiful beads, wires, findings and books.  Picked out some lovely blue beads for a pair of earrings.

Yesterday I did read some wonderful poetry and chose several bits to use for my pages.  But then when I got home last night with big plans to start painting, I got a wild idea to make brownies, from scratch.  So that is what I did instead.   I'm just not feeling it.  I need to feel it, I need to get in gear and get my backgrounds painted.  I know that will motivate me.  Get my fingers in some paint.  Tonight, tonight it needs to happen!  Do you hear that Miss Muse?

Good things come in small packages

This was the theme for the last round of the charmsters jewelry round robin I have been in. 

Ilene's bracelet has many little small packages attached to it and I was a bit challenged in coming up with an idea for her theme.  I've had the bracelet for some time now (longer than I should have) but I really was stumped for a small package that I could make to hold a treasure.  I turned to the book that inspired this round robin - A Charming Exchange - I enjoyed looking through the book, searching for a project that I remembered seeing in there.  A woven wire basket that houses a small trinket.  So, last night while watching American Idol (Kris is my favorite but at this point they are all amazing), I worked on the charm for this beautiful bracelet.

 

It was difficult to photograph the charm so that you could see the pearl dangling inside the wire woven basket.  I used annealed steel wire in 19 and 28 gauge (the technique in the book calls for slightly different gauges but these worked out fine).

Can you see the pearl?  It is a dark blue pearl.  A little hidden treasure.

 

The instructions for this project in the book were super easy to follow and this book is full of amazing charms and jewelry.  If you don't have a copy get yourself one right away.

Charm Swap - Trash to Treasure, Found Object Art Charms

One of the latest mixed media art charm swaps from my Oh So Charming group was one of my favorite themes - Found Objects.

I decided to use some wine bottle corks which I normally just toss in the trash and dress them up a bit.  They are not that easy to cut but I like the way they came out uneven and with a little character.  I used some bright cork beads that I picked up at a local recycle shop.  The pink and yellow are nice reminders that the gloomy gray days are numbered. 

So, here's what they looked like after I finished. 

This swap was a quick turnaround and  I received such a lovely wrapped package back in the mail.

 

I ended up with a dozen or so wonderful Trash to Treasure charms.  Some were made from Barbie shoes, some from little keys now all sparkly with glitter, even an old sewing machine bobbin now all dressed up.  I'll try to get some pictures of each individual charm when it isn't so dark.  The weathermen are all predicting temperatures into the 70's for this weekend.  Oh, let it be!  

The week is zooming by . . .

I finally made it all the way through the blog list on the One World One Heart giveaway.  I can't believe it but there are 911 blogs listed, each with a giveaway.  I've added some great blogs to my read list.  If you have not checked it out, take some time to look at some of the blogs.  You can still sign up for the giveaways until February 11th, the drawings are on the 12th.  The blog list will be up for some time so you will have an opporunity to get through them all.

I have been frantically working on jewelry for an art walk I'm participating in this Friday.  I'm afraid I won't have enough but I"m sharing the booth with a co-worker so hopefully we will be able to fill it.

I'll try to get some photos to post here but right now I'm just focusing on creating.

I have slowed down on the art journaling but hope to get right back to it next week.

Charms for Collaborative Round Robin - Part Two

       

I told you I was trying to catch up . . . . .

This necklace belongs to Janet, our round robin hostess.  Janet was here last October for a class that my friend Denise hosted.  I had no idea!  I couldn't attend the class because i had too many things going on but if I had know Janet was there I would have at least stopped by to meet in person.  There will be a next time I'm sure of it.

Anyway, back to Janet's necklace.  It is developing beautifully.  Her JouJou charm holder is the perfect way to display the wonderful artwork of the round robin participants. 

I started with a flat metal disc, covered with more of that red velvet (it must be Valentines in the air?), then wired on an old decorative button using some copper wire.  On the back I added some text that I hope will be meaningful to Janet based upon her description of her piece.  Then I created another one of those Cocoon beads (loving these!! super easy) and added it to the charm keeper.  I also created another Cocoon bead (I can't be stopped) using some lavender satin fabric to coordinate with some of the beads on Janet's necklace.

I hope Janet is pleased with her necklace.  I'm excited for everyone to get their pieces back and to see how mine has been created.  I think we only have a couple more turns and then we should be finished.  It is a small group. 

Charms for Collaborative Round Robin - Part One

       

I have been holding this round robin up and I feel bad about that.  Life has been happening and I'm trying to catch up with it all.  This bracelet belongs to Lori , her theme is Numbers In Your Life.  When I read her instructions and saw that she wanted us to use metal and found objects I was thrilled.  Two of my favorite things to use in my jewelry. 

I started with an old key and cut out my favorite number from an old bingo card glued it to the key and then wired on a little heart.  The charmsters group has been talking about Cocoon Beads lately and I just had to try them for myself.  So, I cocoon wrapped some red velvet around the key with wire and seed beads.  I am really happy with how this turned out and will probably make another for myself.

I hope Lori enjoys her bracelet!

A little inspiration and projects to finish up

If you've been reading this blog you know there hasn't been much art making going on.  I thought I'd share with you some things I've bookmarked to try when I do have some time.  I am a technique junkie.  I love to try new techniques and play around with art supplies.  Mistakes turn into opportunities as far as I'm concerned.  This technique by The Artful Mama looks like something I need to try, nice and messy.  Overstamped, Double Saran Wrap, & Watercolors Tutorial

The other thing I came across today is Tin Can Art.  It is funny timing because just the other day Sandy (from one of the local art groups), mentioned this for a project to try.  I really like the Harley Davidson can with the wings.

So other than dreaming about future art projects, this weekend I'll be working at the store and also finishing up a couple of swaps.  Another Halloween Charm Swap, this one is orange inchies.  I made them from ploymer clay and just need to put some finishing touches on them and get them into the mail.  Then I need to make metal pages for a book. I have an absolute plan on these but need to find some metal for the page base and I'm not quit sure what to use.  I know they will come together but I'm a little stressed about making it happen by Monday.

I'm also hoping to finish up the February Lady Sweater that I've been knitting.  I'm on the second sleeve and should be able to get that done this weekend so I can sew on the buttons, wash and block and wear now that the weather has cooled off.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend whatever you do.

Spooky Spiders

Just a quick post to show my latest charms.  These are little spiders made for the Oh So Charming Spooky Halloween charm swap.

They are due tomorrow and will be creeping their way - priority mail to the host today.

Back to work for me now.  We are prepping an estate in Salem for a sale this coming weekend.

I will be stealing a few moments out in this fabulous sunshine we are having today.  Must enjoy the last little bits of the warm weather while it lasts.

Pinto wants everyone to know he's now up to 3 lbs.