Friday, December 21, 2018

Simple canvas tote


Embellished!

Painted using the detail from a manhole cover 

at the Sawdust Winter Fantasy!



I began by choosing a plain canvas bag and then combing colors
 for a custom blend.

Below is a photo of me rolling the paint colors over the metal cover.

Then I inserted cardboard into the bag and used a rolling pin

 to achieve the fun look!

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I had an old shirt that was the perfect plaid colors to line it with, 

and it even had pockets on the front 

that were perfect to have inside for your phone and keys.



So, I chopped it up, added some vintage turquoise rick-rack,

just for fun, and sewed it together!



Some simple stitches with embroidery thread added to the design 

and one of my ceramic fish was sewn into the center for a focal point!



Making magic with mixed media!

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Thursday, December 13, 2018

Inspired by antique sailor's Valentines


and having a great fondness for boxes,

I created a treasure chest encrusted with ceramic seashells 

and glazed in a matt clear glaze.




Before firing, view of front and back.





A little history,

A sailor's Valentine is known as a form of shell craft, a  souvenir, or sentimental gift made using large numbers of seashells. These were originally made between 1830 and 1890, and they were designed to be brought home from a sailor's voyage at sea and given to the sailor's loved one.

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Saturday, November 17, 2018

On a creative roll with clay



Creating seashell boxes!

And a collection of smaller boxes all in white.





Below is my first attempt at a large treasure chest shaped box

with an Asian inspired base,




Front and back in a turquoise tinted glaze.




I'm into experimenting and having fun with clay!

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Saturday, October 20, 2018

Drawing and painting on ceramics



Inspired by Danielle Donaldson's, 

The art of creative watercolor book,  

I chose to experiment on ceramics.



I used a vintage wooden handled tracing wheel 

with dark glaze on it to freehand draw the shapes,

then filled in with color and details.













I made a large vase shape to play on.


And a large bowl shape.





Just a little creative fun at the cottage by the sea!



Now available at Haven, Laguna Beach.

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Saturday, September 15, 2018

Little ceramic dishes created for bits and bobs




It started with being a small design 

that I could use to test different glazes on, 

but I found they are great for loose change

 or jewelry.



I like using them for earrings, 

and grouping bangles bracelets together.


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Saturday, August 18, 2018

Ruffled edge flower vase


Created in clay using a pencil rolled across the petals 

to create the ruffles!












I started with a basic shape and then began embellishing all along the top.




A little feminine creative fun with clay!

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Saturday, June 16, 2018

Sunday, May 20, 2018


The editor of Somerset home recently asked their readers to send in samples of sand from some of their favorite places, 
wanting to showcase a variety of different sands. 
This photo showcases a charming array of presentations from their latest magazine.





I am continually grateful to live in a historic cottage across the 
street from the sparkling Pacific Ocean.

The little seaside town is Laguna Beach, California. 
It is about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego.
It is well known as an artists colony. It has a mild year-round climate with lots of scenic coves and is surrounded by a wilderness park. It is also a marine protected area so the sea life is abundant!
This bottle of treasures came from a cove across the street from the cottage.
I layered the sand then all the tiny seashells, found at low tide that just happened to be exposed the day I found the fun bottle to present them in. There are also bits of colored sea glass and tumbled pebbles all washing ashore together included.
This is a little bit of Divers Cove captured in a bottle.


Grateful to have it included in Somerset Life Magazine!

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Monday, April 23, 2018

Fabric covered hanger


Feminine fun with scrap fabric


I have a wonderful stash of favorite discontinued drapery fabric sample swatches that I've stacked in my art studio.

I chose to pull out a favorite white linen with a blue rose floral to create a hanger cover for my new blue blouse with a wide collar so that it wouldn't slip off the hanger.

It was super easy. I just laid the hanger on the backside of the fabric and traced the outline of the top of the hanger 3/4 of an inch above it. Then I copied that creating a second and cut them both out.
With right sides pinned together, I sewed them together leaving the opening at the top center and doing a basic hem along the bottom.
Putting the right side out I tucked the top center opening in and pressed the piece flat.

The ruffle of the same fabric I added just for fun and to jazz up the bottom.

I'm thrilled to have it included in Greencraft 
magazines summer issue!


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Saturday, March 17, 2018

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Coastal cool octopus


Just creating with a girlfriend, playing together in ceramics 

and working with analogous colors to

create a happy dish design with a watercolor effect!





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Saturday, January 27, 2018

Mermaid necklace


Inspired by the cool coral mushrooms found in the sea

I've created my own version in clay!



Then fired them and punched holes to create buttons.



After firing using a little craft twine created this fun necklace!




They are called Corallimorph mushroom corals.

 I think they make the perfect mermaid necklace!



Grateful to have it them published in Jewelry Affaire magazine!