Recycled Art

For whatever reason I decided to look up the definition of art today.  With the multitude of information on the web today a zillion things popped up in my search.  Here's the definition I'm going with...  

"the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power."

Like me, my art is constantly changing, however my source of inspiration always remains constant.  I have a few things that fuel my inner desire to create and spark my creativity...  Nature, color, culture, words, and music.  Of course my emotional state can fuel it too.

I love Sugar skulls!
This design is absolutely one of my favorites.

For the last few years I have been making these little beauties pictured above and below.  I believe in trying to protect the earth as much as possible by making a conscious effort to reduce, reuse and recycle.  I also believe in trying to make decisions that work towards sustainability.  And from these beliefs this creative idea was born.

Just in case you wondered what the process was, here it is.  If you don't care, skip this paragraph.  :)  Each bottle cap is definitely a labor of love because each one takes a considerable amount of time, energy, and work.  Each bottle cap is pinched to stretch the metal, then I pound each one with a hammer to make it flat.  After the bottle cap is flattened, the glue is scraped off.  Have I told you I LOVE tools?  Yep...  the more the merrier.  My dad purchased a little grinder for me and to say it's a little slice of heaven, is an understatement, not to mention it made my life a lot easier when making these.  I used to have to file each one with a hand file, which took FOREVER.  Now I go and get my little grinder and grind each one which takes about half the time.  The bottle cap is then sanded down to make it smooth.  Then a layer of white paint is sprayed on.  From there I design each one, drawing little designs on them or placing inspirational words, then painting them with acrylic paint.  I told you...  A LABOR OF LOVE.

Bottle cap earrings are actually one of my favorite creations and I enjoy making each one.  What I love even more is seeing them on the individual's that purchased them.  



I recently made the two on the left for a friend.  She had a couple pieces of jewelry that had broken so two of the creations seen in this picture are recycled- the metal spirals I cut from a broken watch and made into earrings for her.  The bottom pair of bottle cap earrings were made from a pair of earrings that had broke.  Instead of throwing them away she asked if I could make them into something else and Voilà!

     

These sweet little beauties I made for my lovely sister.

These I made as a custom order for a friend.

Creating art is a beautiful form of self expression, one that I enjoy and get a lot of fulfillment from.

If you would like your own custom designed pair please feel free to email me at whimsicaljewels@rocketmail.com

or 

call:  336-608-8637

Or visit my etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/whimsicaljewels

New items and today's sale item

For the last couple of weeks, I have been trying to be consistent with posting a sale item each day in the hopes of clearing out some items from my studio.  I hoped this would start a domino effect that would go something like this....  sale items will sell, making room for new creations waiting to be listed for sale in my Etsy Shop and this would lead to a jump start in creativity to create more items.  

Lately creativity seems to be stagnant for me.  I have periods of time where ideas are hard to muster and creativity seems to be playing a clever game of hide 'n' seek.  A game which I am losing because creativity has found a REALLY good hiding spot.  Hopefully I will find her soon.  Until then here are some new items I have posted in my Etsy Shop and Today's Sale item.

If you have a custom order you would like me to create for you, send me a message at whimsicaljewels@rocketmail.com  That would help me win this game of hide 'n' seek  ;)

Click on the links to see the items in my etsy shop

* New items *

you are beautiful healing message box

$5.00

Birdhouse in My Soul

$5

Pinwheel upcycled bottle cap earrings

$12

Live Out Loud magnet

$8

Heart upcycled bottle cap earrings

$12

Spiral upcycled bottle cap earrings

$12

Empower Others, Practice Peace

(Slight imperfections so the price is lower)

$8

Today's SALE items in my Etsy Shop

Cowry Shell Ring

Original Price $8, Today's sale price $6

Sunflower Girl double sided pendant

Original Price $18  Today's sale price $15

Side A

Side B of pendant

What's the item on sale today?

You can find the daily "sale" item in my Etsy shop by clicking HERE.  I still have a handmade whimsy frame on sale as well.  If you have been looking for the perfect picture frame with "character" then this is just for you.  To see both items, click HERE.  

If while viewing my ETSY shop, you see an item you would like to go on sale, send me a message.  

Enjoy today's sale item and MaRcH to your drum.  

March and be true to your spirit.

To love and be loved

(Bouquet of Flowers fused glass pendant)

V-Day, Valentine's Day, Lover's day, The day of love....

I have heard all of these names before and countless others. Personally, I think we put too much energy and money into one day of love. Is this what we have resorted to, one day of selfless love and giving? What happened to showing love everyday? I know I may be taking it a little too far. But then again maybe I'm not.

(Rose wired button ring)

Yesterday as I sat making my husband and children a handmade card there was one main thought running through my mind... Do I show them enough how much I love them? What can I do to make each day better? What can I do that is greater than what I already do?

I know my children know they are loved. I also know that my husband and I both shower them with love and affection everyday. But I'm sure we can do more. We have daily signs of love. We sit down at the table for dinner as a family and discuss our day almost every night of the week. We don't leave the house without giving them a hug and a kiss and telling them how much we love them. On the way to school we go around the car and state what we are thankful for in each person. Most importantly, we teach them. We teach them the skills they need to be self-sufficient, better people and successful. We discipline them and correct them when they have made a mistake. We celebrate their successes and discuss how to correct a mistake when one is made. When I think about the love and lessons my parent's taught me, I'm filled with so much gratitude and love. They gave me the greatest gift by preparing me for the future and a living example on how to raise my children.

Now I move on to my husband. It seems in the hustle of life there are times when our spouse is the one who is forgotten. I think I do a fairly good job at showing Shayne how much he is loved but I can do better. Love began here and without it I wouldn't have my two beautiful children that I adore so much. So I realize that I need to do more to make him feel loved and adored. Because the truth is I do. I still light up when he walks in the room and inwardly smile that I am so blessed. 17 years later and I still feel like the 19 year old girl that fell so hard for a 18 year old boy. I am truly blessed.

So, I encourage you to show the people in your life that you care about them each and everyday not just on Valentine's day.

(the fused glass bouquet of flowers and rose ring pictured above are handmade by me and can be found at a.l.o.e in Lewisville, NC. http://www.aloeoflewisville.com/default.html or visit their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/aloeoflewisville)

Show yourself some love too. ;)

Featuring Sea Glass Artist: Amy McDonald!!!!

I am very excited to introduce, Amy McDonald, a talented Sea Glass Jewelry artist. Along with enjoying my own personal piece of jewelry made by Amy, I had the opportunity to interview Amy regarding her life and art to find out a little more about what inspires her.

Amy lives in Maine where there is a lot of snow and plenty of availability for inspiration. Besides being a jewelry artist, Amy is a full time mother of 3 and a hair stylist. Her husband is a BIG hunter and total outdoors man and her kids are 16, 12, and 1.

Amy's beautiful work can be found on Etsy, which features handcrafted artists around the globe. Her Etsy shop called, Sea Treasures by Amylee, can be found @ http://www.amylee34.etsy.com. Amy's pieces are made of Sea Glass found from the beaches in Maine. She absolutely loves making Sea Glass Jewelry and has spent a lot of time locating each piece of glass for her jewelry.

In Amy's words, "Up here in Maine we have lots of beaches, so my whole life I have beach combed and collected sea glass. My fondest memories are of being with my grandparents as a little girl and walking the beaches every weekend picking up sea glass. Well, I'm 34 now with LOTS of SEA GLASS. Being a stay at home mom I have found my creative outlet. I wanted to have a lot of jewelry but didn't want to pay their prices. Everywhere I went I found pieces I didn't care for and they were expensive, so I started my own line! I think I have always had a passion for this, in high school I took a pottery class and instead of making bowls and cups, etc. I made a beaded necklace. I think I get inspired easily, there are a lot of things that are so beautiful it gets me thinking, weather it's my catchy names for my pieces, or wonderful colors on a bird. My favorite color is purple and I love browns and aquas together. I have a work shop down in our finished basement with a drill press, (it's my husbands that I took over) but my creating happens in our dining room, it has much better light. My absolute favorite thing to work with is the glass. Holding it up to the light and finding just the right beads. It's a great thing. I was very nervous to have a shop on Etsy, I thought what if I don't sell anything or what if people don't like my items, but the experience has been wonderful, everyone has been so nice, and supportive of one another. Lots of helpful tips to be shared. The thing that I find to have helped me a lot are my pictures of the items, you really need to use props that really make your item stand out. When I did that I started to get more views and hearts and even SALES. "

Amy feels it is very important to buy handmade to support other artists and their talents, knowing every item is made with love and that the artist is sharing this with everyone. Amy says, "I hope everyone who purchases an item from me loves it as much as I did making it."

Besides being found on Etsy, Amy can be found at one of the largest craft fairs in Augusta Maine, located at the Augusta Civic Center November 28-29, 2009. If you live close by please stop by and see her beautiful work. If not please be sure to check out her lovely Etsy shop, I know you won't be sorry.

CJ's Boutique

SUPPORT HANDCRAFTED ITEMS!

Today everywhere we turn the familiar words, "Made in China" are seen. I rarely pick up an item and see the words "Made in America". I'm afraid that we have gotten away from our roots and the basics in life. We've traded it for more, more, more and in return have gotten what we have asked for. A diminished quality and a life that is filled with unimportant things instead of precious time with our friends and family. I say simple is better and although I haven't gotten there completely I'm working towards it. That's all any of us can do.....

With that being said a new boutique has opened that features ONLY HANDCRAFTED items and you won't find the 3 small words, Made in China. The boutique features different handcrafted items from over 50 artisans locally and abroad. It's a refreshing contrast from many of the products on the market and each item is made here in our own backyard.

Location

6000 Meadowbrook Mall Court
Suite 7A
Clemmons, NC 27012

phone 336-766-9355

email cjsboutique@bellsouth.net

Boutique hours:

Tues - Fri 10 - 6 and Sat 10 - 3

The perfect handmade gift, made with love, can be found for any occasion. Are you looking for something for a baby? A wedding? A gift to pamper yourself? Birthday? Your home? You name it, you can find it at CJ's Boutique.

Take some time out for yourself, grab a girlfriend and GO SHOPPING! Most importantly, tell your friends.....Spread the word.

Here's a peak in the window to a few of the items you will find at this wonderful boutique that celebrates handmade items.

Java and Jewelry

Come to Sin Coffee Bar for a great cup of coffee and some jewelry!!!!

{Java card copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007}

I am excited to announce that I currently have items for sale at Sin Coffee Bar located on 4th street in Winston-Salem. It's a great place to meet friends, have quiet time alone or get some work done.

The coffee bar serves a variety of drinks other than coffee....GREAT fruit smoothies (my kids love them), tea, juice, bagels and pastries...

Enjoy a great cup of coffee while getting some wearable goodies to take home.

Autumn Necklace: copyright Whimsical Jewels 2007

Flower Bracelet: Copyright Whimsical Jewels 2007

Rust & Tan Hemp Key Chain: copyright Whimsical Jewels 2007

The Atomic Burst Set: copyright Whimsical Jewels 2007

New shop items!

Here are some recent additions to my etsy shop:

*~*~*JEWELRY*~*~*

Unity Necklace: http://www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com/

Copyright 2007: Whimsical Jewels

Made as part of my harmony series inspired by segregation that continues to exist in our country and across the world.

Caramel Drop Earrings: www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com

Copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007

Tiger's Eye Necklace: www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com

Copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007

*~*~*Home Decor*~*~*

Peace, Love & Harmony: www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com

Copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007

Part of my harmony series in celebration of peace for all mankind.

Colorful Candle Holder: www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com

Copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007