DIY Steampunk Chalkboard

Chalkboards are trendy, but they're also a really great way to share inspirational quotes, keep your grocery list & To-Do's, or write down reminders & chores.And for events, they are especially nice for sharing the schedule.

Here's a steampunked chalkboard that I made for our wedding & home. Here's what you'll need.

Materials & Tools:

• Chalkboard (or you can get a cool frame, and paint it with chalkboard paint)
• Small wooden circle pieces (approx. 1/4" thick)
• 10-25 Wooden gears (various sizes) or more if you wish
• Tacky Glue (or wood glue)
• Gold Metallic Spray Paint
• Cardboard (to protect your surface when spray painting)
• Clips or clothespins

Steps:

1. Spray paint your wooden circle pieces & gears. Lay the cardboard down before painting to protect your lawn, driveway, or garage floor. Make sure to spray paint in a well ventilated area. Let dry completely.
2. Glue the wooden circles to the gears. Press firmly and then secure a clip/clothespin over it until the glue dries completely.
3. Once the glue is dry, remove the clips and begin placing your gears around the edge of your frame. You can go all the way around or partially around. It's up to you!
4. Once you're happy with placement begin gluing the gears onto the frame. Press firmly for approx. 5-10 seconds. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
5. Let dry completely 8-12 hours.
6. Hang on your wall or place onto an easel with pride!

Hope you enjoyed this simple, fun DIY! Happy Crafting!

Junkin Tips & Tricks: 1

A new series I'll be posting every Friday is Junkin' Tips & Tricks for finding treasures at flea markets, garage sales, antique malls, thrift shops, estate sales, online, & antique stores.

As always, Happy Junkin'so you can get to Steampunkin'!

Notable Women: Marianne North

Marianne North (1830-1890) was a British woman, world traveler, and painter. Today we know her as a painter, but her first passion and talent was music which she was forced to give up.

Daughter of Frederick North, an MP, Marianne was able to travel the world because of his political connections. He provided her with "letters of introduction to ambassadors, viceroys, rajahs, governors, and ministers all over the world."

A brief timeline of Marianne's incredible life:

• 1865-67 Marianne traveled with her family to Syria and along the Nile.
• 1867 Marianne's father dies and Marianne is made independently wealthy. With her financial freedom, she is able (unlike most Victorian women) to lead the life she chooses. Marianne chose to continue traveling and to keep painting which she only discovered in 1867 at age 40.
• Marianne's 1st journey alone. She traveled to the United States, Canada, and Jamaica.

  

• 1872 Eight month stay in Brazil where Marianne "completed more than 100 paintings." She was an unconventional painter, choosing to "depict landscapes and natural habitats rather than individual plants."
• 1875 She traveled to California, Japan, Borneo, and Ceylon.

  

• 1876-77 Marianne travels back to England via Sarawak, Java, and Sri Lanka.
• 1878 Marianne made her way through parts of India.

  

• 1879 Marianne exhibited her paintings in London. She decides to permanently show her work at The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew if a gallery will be built to display her work. Sir Joseph Hooker, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, agrees to her proposal and a gallery begins construction.
• 1880 Marianne travels to Australia and New Zealand on Charles Darwin's suggestion.

Upon receipt of her painting "Australian Sheep" which North gave Darwin as thanks for his suggestion, Darwin wrote the following in a letter to North: "I am often able to call up with considerable vividness scenes in various countries which I have seen, and it is no small pleasure; but my mind in this respect must be a mere barren waste compared with your[s]."

• 1882 The Marianne North Gallery at Kew opens to the public.

(You can still visit her gallery today. The gallery was restored in 2008 and displays all of North's paintings: a total of 833 paintings which depict more than 900 species of plants. If you can't afford the plane ticket, visit her online gallery.)

• 1883 Marianne traveled to South Africa.
• 1884-85 She traveled to Seychelles and Chile.

North was an exceptional woman and artist. Her paintings, which are more scientific and exact than impressionistic, tell us so much about plant life in the countries she visited.

Still to this day, her body of work is one of Britain's finest botanical art collections. Thanks to Marianne's uncommon style of painting we have a "snapshot of the world's natural habitat more than 100 years ago." Today many of the species of plants she captured have vanished from the world due to de-forestation and industrialization.

Marianne is a superb example to women everywhere--to never give up, to live unconventionally, and that 40 is just the beginning!

Sources:

• The Kew Gallery Online. kew.org
• Darwin, C.R. to North, Marianne. 2 Aug 1881. darwinproject.ac.uk

Inspiring Inventions: The Bicycle

The bicycle was invented in 1817 by Karl Drais. Originally the bicycle had many other names: velocipede, dandy horse, running machine, and Draisienne. It wasn't called a bicycle until 1869!

It was invented because of crop failure and widespread starvation which resulted in the slaughtering of horses. Another mode of transportation was needed. Drais' version of the bicycle, while it had 2 wheels, was still not what we'd think of a bicycle today. Drais' bicycle was propelled by the feet. (There were no pedals.)

It wasn't until 1863 that pedals were added to the front wheel allowing for the world's first fixed-gear, one-speed bicycle (or as it became commonly known, a boneshaker).

Historical Side Note: In 1894, Betty Bloomer's bloomers became popular which was one of many fashions that changed women's lives. The bicycle craze fueled revolutions in women's fashions even more. The days of restrictive corsets and bustles were numbered. Instead, fashions allowing for more movement were favored.

The invention of the bicycle changed lives, particularly those of women. The bicycle allowed women more independence, mobility, and freedom.

Sources:

• David Mozer's "Chronology of the Growth of Bicycling & the Development of Bicycle Technology" on ibike.org
• Smithsonian National Museum of American History's "Women on the Move" on americanhistory.si.edu

For an excellent blog on Women, Fashion & Bicycles: Read Cycling History's Blog Post.

Our Little Steampunk, Vintage Totally Sentimental Wedding

I have been very neglectful of you all this year, which I've resolved not to do in 2016. I'm actually very excited about the blog posts to come. But here is what I've been up to--making, collecting, and thrifting things for Rhys and I's wedding day. It was beautiful and meaningful, and there's so much I want to say about it but for now--I'll just leave you with some pictures. Much more to come later on the wedding.

Steampunk Tiaras

The first steampunk tiara I made was in collaboration with my mom for Marry Me Indie and my second (and favorite) fashion show I put together. (Modeled by the fabulous, Alicia Astaire)

I've purchased a few tiaras since then with the hopes of making more steampunk bridal pieces with a bit of flair, daintiness, and fun. I've finally finished a number of them (the right materials came along to compliment them) and wanted to share them with all of you!

This rhinestone tiara is marvelously bent, and I finally found the prefect accent to its wonderful, simple shapes--springs! The dulled luster of the spring pairs the subdued sparkle of the rhinestones.

Simple and elegant--I love mixing rhinestone, silver, and the brassy gold of gears!

Tiny Tiaras! I found 3 in Guthrie a few weeks back and I was so excited to sit down at my studio table and steampunk them.

I am now on the hunt for more tiaras to steampunk. I had so much fun transforming each of these! What have you all been making?

Wooden Wedding Spoon Set

Rhys & I received our very first wedding present, and it was handmade with a lot of thought, love, and imagination! The very best kind of gift! I wanted to share it with all of you because it's a truly wonderful steampunk creation...a set of wooden spoons with steampunk images wood-burned onto the backs to make them not only decorative, but personal.

The first spoon is an ornate monogram, "M" for Martin. Even though I'll be keeping my last name, I do consider myself a Martin. I love all of the beautiful work surrounding this letter.

This next spoon has two clock hands wood-burned on it. I love clock hands--they are one of my favorite materials to work with.

This next design is three gears and a heart shaped key hole--and it's stunning the amount of detail.

This spoon is perhaps my favorite; it's a compass. Rhys proposed to me with a compass, and compasses now bring such memories of joy, promise, and love.

The next three designs are simply stunning: a skeleton key with elegant scroll-work, a dirigible airship flying away, and a pocketwatch with tiny gears turning.

It's no secret that I love cooking & baking, or that I am passionate about steampunk. I can't wait to get cookin' and am grateful already for the thoughtfulness & talents of friends.

Queen of Treasures from the Past

This weekend Rhys and I ventured down to Guthrie, Oklahoma for the Queen of the Prairie Festival--the first year they've put on the folk music festival. It was truly wonderful. Guthrie is known as "the Queen of the Prairie," but I'd contest that it could also be called "the Queen of Treasures from the Past" for its wealth of antique and junk shops. On this trip, I visited a new shop called Recollections Antiques. It's now one of my favorite places to visit when I'm in Guthrie. Like any great antique shop it was stuffed-to-the-gills with unique treasures from days past.

Recollections is the perfect place for those of you looking for antique cookware and kitchen tools. They also have an entire section of vintage cookbooks.

Among their many items, Recollections has an impressive array of ladies gloves and Victorian ephemera. Here are a few of my faves:

Victorian Sensation Fiction--I was very tempted to dive right in & read them! Pictured here are Edward Salisbury Field's A Six Cylinder Courtship and George Barr McCutheon's Beverly of Graustark.

Elaborate toiletry, like this Collars & Cuffs box.

And this painted velvet-lined ladies glove box.

Gilt gold dressing table sets.

Recollections is also a must-stop for anyone searching for fine china sets or delicate tea cups & saucers. I marveled at the many hand painted beauties so much so that I did not snap one photo of them! They also had a great set of button collections. I may just have to go back for this jar--I have such a weakness & love for vintage buttons.

I walked away with a few things that I just couldn't leave behind--a reproduction Victorian Photo Album which I am going to put my wedding photos in.

I found this great necklace that I am going to steampunk. I just loved the gold of the beads and pattern of filigree in it.

Of course, I couldn't visit Guthrie and just go in one shop. I also discovered Treasures & Books--an amazing shop with a trove of used and antique books as well as handmade items from local artists. I found 3 mini tiaras and a great postcard!

So my antique lovers and fellow garage sale junkies--visit Guthrie soon. You will spend hours walking through their many wonderful antique shops, and if you're there on Saturday--from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. is their flea market for even more great finds!

As Always, Happy Junkin'!

A Very Steampunk Christmas

It's been a while since I've posted, and I've missed writing (but I do get to do plenty of that at my new job at Tulsa World where I am now feeling quite at home). Although we're well into the New Year, I thought I'd still tell you about this Christmas. It was very Steampunk indeed! My mom sewed me an exquisite Steampunk quilt. I love each of the blocks--the Victorian ladies are part human, part sewing machine & dress form, and sewing notions are strewn about their hair. It's a quirky quilt that reminds me of both my mom (who first introduced me to steampunk and jewelry making) and of my grams (who taught me how to sew & quilt). Each of the blocks is interesting and fun with bright bursts of color. What I also love is that each piece of fabric has a subtle background with quotations about sewing & quilting or just the act of creating things.

This is my favorite block. It sums up the feeling of being in my gram's kitchen at the table, everyone tinkering, sewing, baking, and filling the room with our imaginations, laughter, and conversation. We truly are knit together in love--a love of each other & a love of making things.

My Uncle John (who I lovingly call Uncle Crab) found a neat pair of old goggles for me to steampunk. He is one of my best scavengers of junk. He and the rest of my family send me care packages of flea market treasures. I love getting my "snit supplies" (Snit is his nickname for me).

A tradition of my mom's is to get my brother, Caleb, and I a new calendar every year as one of our presents. A practical gift, but one I look forward to getting every year. My mom always finds us calendars with art or styles we like. She outdid herself this year! I absolutely flipped when I unwrapped mine.

The calendar is titled "Things Come Apart" by photographer, Todd McLellan. Each month is a different object--broken apart and photographed to show its various components. Some were more complex than I had guessed--like a Swiss Army knife! What I love about repurposing old objects is taking them apart, and often I am surprised at the inner mechanics and the sheer amount of pieces. 

My favorite present was given to me by my future mother-in-law. Lory gave me her mother's periwinkle rhinestone choker. Jewelry that's passed down is precious. It's heritage, and I was so deeply moved by her gift. Rhinestones are a love of mine to begin with--when I was a little girl my mom gave me her rhinestone bracelet--it was broken and missing a few of the stones--but I felt like a queen whenever I wore it. It still has the same effect as it did then. I still have that bracelet, and to this day I prefer rhinestones over diamonds.

I won't be a stranger; I have been busy in the studio and wedding planning is well underway. More about that next week!

Enjoying a Chilly Day in my Cozy Studio

It's been a while since I have blogged--sorry! It's been an intense couple of weeks: gearing up for Indie Emporium & The Alliday Show and making jewelry for Dwelling Spaces & Made for the upcoming holiday season. It's a busy time, but one I relish! My mom and grams visited me & Rhys last week (a whole delicious week) on their way to a few quilt shows out in the Midwest. I always love it when I have house guests--most of the last week has been filled with baking yummy sweets, tipsy games of Mexican Train dominoes, sewing, watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding (a movie all 3 of us know by heart), and crafting all together at the same table. It has been wonderful! Last week I also interviewed for a full time position and got the job! I am now the Community Relations Coordinator for the Tulsa World. I can't wait to start work next week and it was wonderful that my family was here to help me celebrate!

So today, even though it's not yet Thanksgiving, I am counting my blessings. I am lucky to have such supportive family & friends; a fiancee who bolsters my confidence and tells me to keep dreaming; and a community that inspires me.

It's a lovely day to be in the studio--with some tea, a good book (the newest installation in Gail Carriger's Finishing School series--Waistcoats & Weaponry), and lots of things to tinker with. Here's a little of what I've been up to in my studio today:

Making earrings...as always, I love to make earrings. And I've finally finished making the table place cards for my wedding. Each place card was hand cut, colored, and punched. I added a reproduction tin gear to each place card. All that is left is the calligraphy! What have you all been up to lately?

Swap-o-Rama-Rama Live Pinterest Board Projects

At Swap-O-Rama-Rama again this year we have a live Pinterest Board--with examples of the projects already made to inspire you. Here are a list of instructions (and links) to make these projects on your own: 1) Update an Old Mask (brought to you by Bohemian Romance)

2) Headband Crown (brought to you by Hello Bee & tweaked a little) Follow HelloBee instructions, and if you would like your crown to be a headband instead. Simply Make your crown from a single piece of felt (the size you'd purchase from many craft stores) and cut two small slits in opposite sides and insert the headband!

3) Military Vest from an Old Vest (brought to you by Bohemian Romance, and inspired by Bifftastica) First, select an old vest that is made of sturdy fabric. Purchase approximately 30-36 military-style or simple metal buttons (approximately 12 per row). First begin by replacing your original buttons with your military-style buttons. Add additional buttons if desired and create new button holes by cutting slits into your vest's fabric. Next, add 2 additional rows of buttons on both sides of your vest.

4) Update an Old Pair of Gloves (brought to you by Bohemian Romance) 

5) From Bridesmaid Dress to Princess (this is very simple & great if you have a bridesmaid dress just gathering cobwebs in the closet). Accentuate the dress by adding lace, rhinestone pins, or a sash. On the example dress, we've added faux sleeves by sewing lace up and over (from the front to the back of) the dress. Be sure to measure how much lace you'll need beforehand and leave at least 1/4 inch to a 1/2 inch on each side for sewing. We've also added a rhinestone pin on the side!

6) Spats (Here is a lovely pattern for Spats) The directions for these spats are printed on the pattern. The only step that is not explained fully is how to add your closure (meaning the buttons, hooks, or ribbons that you want to use to fasten your spats to your shoes). When adding buttons or hooks, place the spat around the shoe and mark where you'd like your closures to go with a fabric pencil or chalk. Then sew the buttons/hooks onto the bottom layer of your spat. Create buttonholes if using buttons; sew the second portion of your hooks to the other side. If using ribbons as an enclosure, sew a piece of ribbon to each side of your spat and be sure to leave enough room for you to tie your spat closed.

Thank you to everyone who came out for Swap-o-Rama-Rama, Halloween Edition this year! Thank you to all of our volunteers & orgainzers: Hollyrocks, Bifftastica, Bohemian Romance, Made, Indie Emporium, The Workshop, and as always, The Philbrook Museum of Art.

DIY Steampunk Ring Holder

If you're like me, you don't like to wash the dishes or fix your appliances with your nice rings on. I've seen a ton of really great ring holder DIYS on Pinterest lately & they have inspired me to create this new steampunk DIY. To make one of your own, here's what you'll need:

• Scissors
• An awl
• A pencil
• Small cup hook (generally you want one with a 1/4" screw)
• Small picture frame
• Small piece (or scrap) of scrapbook paper
• Glue Stick
• Paper/poster board watch face (mine is upcycled from an old pocketwatch; but you can also print your own from the Graphics Fairy)

Steps:

1. Open your picture frame and take out the paper & glass. Set glass aside for a future project or as a future replacement. Use the paper to trace the shape you need to fill the frame on your scrapbook paper.
2. After you've finished tracing your shape, cut it out with your scissors.
3. Next, glue your scrapbook shape onto the back of your frame.
4. Then glue your watch face in the middle of your frame onto the scrapbook piece.
5. Allow your glue to dry completely. (Approximately 5 minutes.) Create a small starter hole using your awl in the center of your watch face. Be sure not to create a large or wide hole because your cup hook screw will fall out.
6. After you've made your starter hole, begin twisting your cup hook in place.
7. You've done! Proudly hang your ring on the hook anytime you're rolling up your sleeves & doing dirty work!   As always, Happy Crafting!

Something Old, Made New

First off, I'd like to thank my lovely friend Irina. She donated her old jewelry & accessories to me and I have been having a wonderful time re-inventing these treasured pieces. I am fortunate that many of my friends, family members, and fans will occasionally send me things to upcycle. It is the greatest kind of support & it brightens my day. And best of all, I encounter pieces that I might not otherwise come across. So thanks to anyone who's ever donated materials to me. I truly enjoy breathing new life into old objects--especially classic or traditional jewelry. Here's a before & after look at one such piece.

Before

What I love about the original piece is its color contrast: the rich red against a muted silver. It's also reminiscent of a Indian style of jewelry.

After

In altering this piece, I wanted to stay true to the multicultural feel of the original. I added two grandfather clock gears, muted silver chain that closely matches the silver in the rest of the necklace, and the large metal cabinet decoration. In lengthening this piece, and by giving it a large textured focal point, it is more of a statement piece of jewelry. The disruption of the pattern is what really transforms this necklace into an one-of-a-kind piece. If you want to transform or update an old favorite, think about changing or even disrupting your necklace's pattern, introducing another color or texture, or even combining two favorites together to form something new!

My Greatest Junk Shop Find

Sunday began as usual: I woke up, read more of my book while my body slowly acclimated to being awake, brushed my teeth, and got ready to go out for breakfast with Rhys. On our way to Tally's Cafe on Route 66, we popped into one of my favorite "junk" shops, Generations Antique Mall, which is right next door to the cafe. We ambled up the aisles, which with me is always a slow process as I like to examine objects that are often overlooked & rifle through boxes chock-full of random things searching for pieces to upcycle. We reached the end of the second aisle when we came to a large glass display case. Several of the top shelves were stuffed with old jewelry, watches, and ornate rings. The bottom shelves were almost empty, and on one shelf there was only a dull silver pocketwatch. The sticker on it read: "Does Not Work. $25." Rhys insisted that we take a look at it. I declined at first, stating that $25 was a lot for a pocketwatch not in working order. Little did I know its true value. Rhys again insisted and assured me we'd haggle the price. He asked the owner to open the case. I reluctantly retrieved the pocketwatch, popping the lid open, and discovered writing etched on the inside lid. Engraved onto this 1910 silver compass (it was not a pocketwatch after all) were the words: "Sam, Will You Marry Me?" I held my breath. My disbelief suspended when I turned around to see Rhys down on one knee with a beautiful engagement ring. Before he could even get a full sentence out--I had said Yes! And of course, was blubbering with happy tears the next minute.

That compass is the greatest "find" I have discovered in any junk shop--its value utterly priceless. Its history now forever altered; our story now entwined with its.

I am so incredibly lucky that I met Rhys ten months ago. I fell in love with his compassion for others, his unfailing kindness, his sharp wit, and yes, even his puns! He has enriched my life with his own sense of wonder, wanderlust, and creativity. He has become my compass--he helps me navigate my fears & dreams; he gives me direction; and he points me toward truth. Simply put, he's the love of my life.

I'll keep you all updated on wedding planning & the DIYS that will inevitably ensue. To read about the proposal from Rhys's perspective, check out his blog. To get a stunning spoon ring of your very own, check out Aaron Paul Designs on Etsy! (My ring was made from a 1928 Sterling Silver Spoon originally manufactured by Reed & Barton Silver Company. Aaron Paul is an artist who I met at last year's Indie Emporium, and whose work I admire. The ring is perfect!)

The Ones that Didn't Get Away

One of the questions I get asked often is: are there pieces that I make that I just can't sell? The answer is: Yes, oh, yes! For example, sometimes I will make a bunch of earrings in one sitting--and not be able to part with a single pair of them. I not only enjoy the process of making jewelry, but also sourcing it. Usually the pieces that I just can't part with are unique bits of history; are pieces that are considerably time-intensive. (The longer I work a piece, the more likely it is that I will want to keep it.); or, are pieces that I made collaboratively with my mom or friends. The jewelry then is not merely an accessory, but a cherished memory as well. While I wear my jewelry regularly, I don't run into all of you every day so I thought I would share a few of my favorite earrings that I couldn't part with for starters. I promise to post other pieces that have a permanent home just one stop over from my studio--my jewelry case & bookshelf vanity.

If you like my jewelry organizer--check out my DIY to make one for yourself! Accessorizing is so much easier when you can see all of your options at once. It also helps keep all of your earrings together, your necklaces untangled, and your rings visible.

I have nicknamed these earrings "Lady Lamplighter." The intricate woman holding up a fiery torch is etched in glass. It's delicate and yet still expresses a kind of strength. The glass pieces themselves are from an antique chandelier. Many of the pieces were broken--and the others unfortunately found a very creative 5 year old who painted in the ladies with crayon. I was able to salvage a few of the pieces--and made this pair of earrings. (The are also my favorite!).

These next two pairs I love for the same reason: they are dainty & feminine while also being primarily made of metal. The earrings on the left (my second favorite) are made with washers, nuts, and pearls. The earrings on the right are made with clothing snaps and rhinestones.

I kept these earrings because the process of making them was so fun! I got even more inventive and simply loved how they came out! These earrings are made with gears, spring cogs, clothing fasteners, washers, seed beads, and bugle beads. I am also someone who really loves mixing metals--the brass and the muted silver of the beads & washers is a nice mixture of tones with the beat up look of the brass.

Here's a similar pair--one of my recent creations--made with pearl buttons, clothing fasteners, key charms, and 2 mismatched pocketwatch parts. White pearl buttons are a favorite material of mine. I love their luminescence and even when a pearl button is caked in dust or scuffed, it has a quality of richness to it. Below is another favorite pair of earrings--also made with pearl buttons.

To the right you'll also see a pair of earrings made with gears & old silver cameos. The cameos were originally earrings, but their studs were rusting and so I excised them to save the intact cameos & fashioned a new pair of earrings!

These earrings have a unique material--the tiny pliers. The pliers were made by the Intercast Gries Reproducer Co. as a cracker jack prize (You can read more about them here in a separate blog post.) I love how the pliers are actually functional--they open & close. I made myself a pair of earrings; especially since pliers are one of my main tools. I coupled these little prizes with gears and washers. They are a crackerjack pair of earrings if I do say so myself!

These earrings came together serendipitously! The bronze looking piece at the top of the earrings is actually a metal plate piece that unscrews out of a tiny alarm clock. The bronze colored substance around it is wire. I came across one of these little pieces over a year ago and placed it on my studio table to "percolate" until I figured out what I wanted to make with it. Then a few months ago, I bought a jumbled box of junk at a flea market and inside I discovered the piece's twin! I love it when that happens--and it happens so rarely that I find an exact match.

I've come to think of these earrings as my Steampunk Christmas Earrings--because of the jolly red of the crystals. What many of you might not know is that I also use primarily upcycled & salvaged beads. I source them from damaged jewelry (or stupendously hideous costume jewelry), flea markets, and crafty swap-meets.

     

These last two pairs of earrings are made with a rare material--and one that recalls a most beloved memory. When I graduated with my Masters in English, my mom and I took a trip to Paris to celebrate. My mom had never been out of the country before and I couldn't be more excited to share in her first European adventure. It was a week filled with art, fresh French pastries & desserts, wine, conversation, and above all--junking! My mom had mapped out a Parisian tour of flea markets, little scrap shops, and jewelry boutiques. At the flea market, we ambled along & found a great many treasures. One of which were these gold filigree pieces. I used them to make earrings for the both of us as a reminder of our trip.

  Both earrings have a similar color palette--black & gold. The first pair I made with bugle beads, seed beads, washers, Austrian crystals from a family necklace, swivel clasps (another fave material), and finally the beautiful gold filigree piece from Paris. The second pair are a little fancier & bolder. These are made with clock hands, clothing fasteners, black jet beads, and the Parisian filigree piece. Every time I wear these earrings, and my mom wears hers, I am reminded of our many junk jaunts around not only Paris, but the Northeast. I am so lucky that I have someone to look up to--a dreamer, a giver, and a maker!

Hope you liked seeing these pieces! What's your favorite pair of earrings? Do they tell a story? What about them do you love?

A Good Day of Junkin'

One of my favorite things about summer is all of the estate sales, garage sales, & flea markets! With the warm weather, there are almost an infinite number to choose from. Today's estate sale held so many wonders: tall intricately carved wooden grandfather clocks, delicate handkerchiefs & handmade napkins--carefully embroidered, Art Deco furniture that beckoned me way out of my price range, antique French books with marble covers, and so much more! I came away with a few treasures--things I could not put back once I had stumbled upon them. Here's my haul for the day: An iron mirror--it's a sturdy little thing! My arm my shaking after holding it for an hour. I was drawn to it because of its marvelous pedestal bottom and rose & leaf pattern. It was a steal for 24.00! It's also one of those items that instantly transports me to another time. It feels possible to look into the mirror--and instead of my 2014 reflection to see a Gibson Girl staring back at me!

My favorite find of the day was this flask. The flask itself consists of two long skinny bottles to hold your liqueur and two metal drinking shot glasses. The leather case makes it even fancier. I can't wait to clean this up a little and steampunk it! (Only 18.50 too!) Here's a close up of the flask:

The flask bottles themselves are so nice--You could easily fill one with your spirit of choice, and the other with something to mix it with! I had never seen a two bottle flask before--so this was a real treat to find!

I also found a cute plastic cake dish complete with cover. It looks like glass! Everyone I passed chided me on how carelessly I was carrying it (under my arm) until they learned it was only plastic. That made me feel even better about my purchase. Got it all cleaned up and I am currently waiting for a cake to cool so that I can frost it and use this baby! My final purchase is my second favorite find of the day: a kitschy child's clothes hanger decorated to look like a friendly lion. This is going to be a gift for my cousin Becca and her husband James, who are expecting their first child in December. I am so excited & happy for them. I can't wait to have another little one to spoil.

Overall, it's been a fantastic day! I am almost finished reading Peter Clines latest book, Ex-Purgatory (part of his Superhero & Zombie Series); last night Rhys & I finished reading our first book in tandem--Stephen King's The Stand and I can't wait for him to get home so we can have some cake & talk about it more; and I received a care package from my family in New York. Here's a sneak peek on what's inside:

If you're wondering who "snit" is--that's me! It's my Uncle John & Uncle Jeff's nickname for me! They always send me the coolest junk! I also got some lightbulbs, game spinners, and Scrabble tiles. (I love making coasters out of these tiles! Check out this DIY if you want to make your own.) Summers are just wonderful--mine has been full of weekend roadtrips with Rhys, books you lose yourself in, bursts of creative energy, and junkin'! Thanks Heather for coming along with me today! Junkin' is always better with a friend! What have you been up to this summer?

DIY Steampunk Cake Stand

This is a fun & easy way to unleash a little steampunk flair in your kitchen, or perhaps add to a steampunk-themed party you're hosting. Here's what you'll need:

• Cake Stand (Available at your local Michaels, or online); I've chosen a filigree metal cake stand--one, because it's pretty schmancy and two, there are already holes to work with. Also, this cake came with beads already attached. (If you're purchasing a different style cake stand, then you will also need: 45 medium round crystal beads; 45 eyepins; 9 medium oval faceted crystal beads; and 9 large teardrop-shaped faceted crystal beads, preferably with a flat back so that the gears remain flush against the teardrop-shaped crystals)
• 10 small gears & 9 large gears (For this DIY, I'd recommend reproduction gears over salvaged gears because the gears will be around a lot more moisture; Reproduction gears are available at your local craft store)
• 1 skeleton key
• 9 lock washers
• 27 small jump rings (45 if you are adding the beads yourself)
• 9 large jump rings
• Flat nosed pliers (and also needle nosed pliers & wire cutters, if you are adding beads yourself)

Steps:

1. If you do not need to add beads, move on to Step 2. If you are adding beads, read on. First, put all of your small round crystal beads onto eyepins. Use your flat nosed & needle nosed pliers along with your wire cutters to close off each bead's eyepin. (If you do not know how to do this, check out any basic beading book which will cover how to close eyepins. You can also click here for an online tutorial.) Once you are done, connect 5 beads together in a string.  You should have a total of 9 strings. Once you have strung all of your 9 strings, connect them to your filigree cake stand with a jump ring leaving at least 1 or 3 spaces (or holes in the filigree) above where your string dangles. Also be sure to leave a space/hole in the filigree between each individual string.
2. In between each string--directly in the middle, add a small gear. (This is why I suggested having 1 or 3 spaces specifically). Use your flat nosed pliers & small jump rings to connect your gears to your cake stand. Repeat for each string.
3. Next, lay out the order of your large gear & teardrop crystal pendants. For mine, I layered them as follows: lock washer, medium round crystal bead, and large gear & large teardrop shaped crystal bead along with the jump rings I would need to connect each of these materials together.
4. Once you're happy with the order of your pendants, connect all of the individual materials together using your flat nosed pliers and jump rings. Use your large jump rings to connect the medium round crystal bead to the large gear & teardrop crystal. The lock washer connects to the medium bead (it helps if you sing along: "oh the lock washer's connected to the bead..."--very much like "Dem Bones")All of the materials are connected in the picture above. Be sure that you put the teardrop bead & the large gear on the same jump ring so that the gear hangs behind the crystal.
5. Next, attach each large crystal & gear pendant to your cake stand using your flat nosed pliers & small jump rings. Attach each large crystal & gear pendant in between your individual bead strings in the space/1 hole you left empty.
6. (Optional) Instead of having all teardrop & gear crystal pendants, you could replace one with a skeleton key. If you don't wish to do so, then move on to the next step. (Funny story, this DIY came about because one of my crystal pendants on the cake stand broke, and I decided to steampunk it anyway and replace the crystal for a key. So keep this step in mind if one of your crystals breaks.) Lay out all of the materials for your key pendant along with jump rings. Then connect all of your materials together with your pliers. Then attach to the cake stand in one of the spaces/holes between an individual string of beads. (All connected)
7. Get to bakin'! You've got a fancy steampunk cake stand to show off!

    When mine is not in use, or the cake was gobbled up all too soon, I like to adorn it with a doily.

If you liked this DIY, or are looking for more ways to steampunk your kitchen check out my other baking related post on steampunk cupcakes! As always, Merry Making!

Steampunk World's Fair 2014

It's been a while since I blogged, forgive me. I have been a busy little bee lately. Mainly, I was getting ready for my very first Steampunk World's Fair held annually in Piscataway, New Jersey. I had an amazing time. I saw so many inspiring costumes, creations, and gadgets and I met some lovely people. Here's a little snippet of the weekend: I flew up to my hometown of Brewster, in New York. I was lucky to make a mini-vacation with my family out of the show. I was especially excited to see my mom, grams, and 4 & 1/2 year old niece, Avery Jane. Early in the week, I played with Avery on the swings, took many rambling walks, and spent some time being creative. While Avery watercolored painted and my grams sewed a set of wedding pillows, my mom and I were busy making some new steampunk creations.

On Thursday evening, my mom and I packed the car, picked some violets that grow all along our front lawn for good luck, and we were ready to go! Roadtrips with my mom are always a blast!

After checking into our hotel, we went over to the event center to start setting up. Since I flew into NY, I didn't have my usual displays. And so the booth was a combination of scavenged items from our family home and items my mom has squirreled away for our shop someday. I love how everything came together! Here it is before we put out all of our creations!

A few of our displays that I just love: our box with large lightbulbs...

..our backdrop painting of a Victorian lady. It's titled: "The Eternal Question," we've renamed it "The Puss" since she has such a sourpuss expression on her face!

...My gram's old wooden stool which we used to display canes & umbrellas...And of course, old standbys: vintage & antique photographs, printer drawers, a model diving bell helmet, wooden boxes, and oddities.      The part of our booth that I felt the most pride in was our hat display. The vintage hats my mom embellished were displayed over large Industrial spools, candelabras, tiny stools, and antique hat stands.

Of course, no booth is complete without your ensemble! I took greats pains to come up with outfits that would not only be in the spirit of steampunk & the fair, but that would be wearable for long hours. Day Two is my favorite! (Thanks Briana, of Bifftastica, for the awesome vest! I got so many compliments on its rows of gleaming buttons!)

The weekend was full of many great costumes. Here are some that stood out to us:

The Diver

The Airship Mechanic

and...The Gentleman (who also purchased one of our steampunk ties which is pictured above!) One of my favorite accessories that I saw was an elaborate set of finger armor. I may have a new obsession!

There's a lot I won't forget about that weekend...Our first sale to a dapper gentleman & pirate, "Obscur Idy." That first sale was so exciting. It made it all seem real. We had a lovely conversation about steampunk and creations. It was his warm smile and sense of whimsy that touched us both. ...The Lady Mad Hatter who gifted me a capsule from Wonderland (with included white glittery ribbon, a jack, and a tiny wooden mushroom) after I fixed her button that was falling off of her vest. It's a great feeling to be handy, even better when it's appreciated....And last, but certainly not least, spending time with my mom. We always have a good time when we're hanging out together, and it's made even more fun when we can share a love of steampunk, a passion for making, and a renewal of creativity.

Check back again later in the week, I'll be posting a DIY on how to steampunk a cake stand!

My Handmade Home

It sure has been a busy month! I am readying for Spring shows, dreaming up new DIYs, and preparing for the Tulsa Art Studio Tour (which I am so excited about! April 12-13 is taking too long to get here!). On top of all of that, I also moved into my very first home with my boyfriend, Rhys! And I thought I'd share some of the handmade pieces that make up a large part of our home and its heart. A wooden silhouette ornament painted by Audrey Eclectic rests against the built-in floor-to-ceiling bookshelves (I was sold on the house as soon as I saw them. Those shelves called out to the bibliophile in me, not to mention the fact that I have a zillion books!).

Not only did my books find a home on these shelves, but so did several other little handmade knick-knacks that remind me of good friends and fun crafty times. I made this Oklahoma string art at last year's Etsy Party hosted by Make:Tulsa!

Along the bottom of our fireplace's mantle is strewn a banner, made from upcycled music sheets, silk ribbon, and vintage buttons from my mom's stash. I sewed & cut this banner ages ago to decorate my apartment for my very first television DIY (with News Channel 6's Laura Moss). Whenever I look at this banner, it brings back to life my nervous excitement & my love for sharing DIYs.

The entire Living Room is chockablock full of handmade goodness:

The little Christmas decorations that I do not have the heart to ever put away after the holidays--a hand carved wooden Snowman & sculpted Santa Claus alongside a tiny crazy-quilted tree with button ornaments.

A wooden birdhouse my niece water colored just for me. (She's getting even craftier as she grows! Our home will likely have several new Avery Jane originals before the summer is out).

These fabulous felt Super Mario pillows made by Rhys's friends Darcy & Leah. They are super cuddly!

My little sock bears--I love making these guys, especially when I lose a sock and don't know what to do with its twin. Pictured above are: Gears, Gray, Lil'Gray, Oatmeal, and Buttons.

We have a ton of eclectic, local art pieces. I picked up these stunning canvas prints at Indie Emporium this year from A Wing and A Prayer. Whimsical & beautiful--I wanted them right next to our two big reading chairs where they could be seen, pondered over, and enjoyed!

Of course, there were a few things that I luckily "inherited" along with Rhys. My favorite of which is this stained glass art piece of Batman's symbol made for him by a friend. It sits in our kitchen window and catches the sunshine. I also like to think that it wards away evil-doers.

Our kitchen, also, has lots of handmade pieces scattered throughout:

I love my Phat Beets calendar with seasonal recipes which I purchased at Made; the Indie Emporium Shop. The drawings are super cute & I am adding new dishes to my repertoire!

On the stove hangs tea towels from my dear friend, Christine Sharp-Crowe (weather&noise). I've always admired her aesthetic (which is borrowed from William Morris: "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful").

Alongside the stove, on the wall is a mounted bottle opener by A. Whip Designs! It was our first handmade purchase for our new home. (Thanks Okie Crowe for selling these in your righteous store).  Rhys loves craft & local beer, so this was a perfect find. And last, but not least, on the pantry cabinet doorknob hangs a little felted purple star made by my sweet friend Holly, of Hollyrocks. I can't wait to start a garden of my own and litter it with Holly's little polymer clay creations, garden stakes, & seed bombs. Perhaps my favorite of all the things that I have ever been made are the quilted wall hangings & table runners by my Grams. I have different ones for every season & holiday. I proudly display her careful stitching and beautiful quilting throughout our home. With a Housewarming Party soon approaching, I have my Welcome Pineapple up on the wall.

Pictured to the right, is a quilted table runner made my Grams (out of her favorite blue floral fabric) and a cedar Hope chest that was built by an old family friend, Tom. He crafted the chest to look like my great-grandmother's, as a thank you gift to me for editing his novel. In it lies quilted treasures galore and handmade holiday ornaments.

So far, one of the best perks of living with Rhys is getting to enjoy his photography all the time. His photos, to me, evoke an intimacy with his subject--whether he is snapping a shot of rural Oklahoma or far-away places that he's traveled. I always feel as if I've learned a secret about that place.

Ok, my dear reader, I am about to get a little gushy. I am so happy that I have found someone that I love this much. I consider myself lucky to have someone who not only supports my work, but is passionate about it too. Rhys has given me the freedom to steampunk anything in the house (what a guy!) and in knowing how much handmade means to me, he makes a point when he gives a gift, that it's handmade. (Like the Star Wars embroidered picture & crochet bear above, made by his friend Heather).

The most meaningful gifts I have received from him, he made himself. Rhys put together this shadowbox & filled it with gears and my favorite of his photographs--a close up of an old gas pump gauge.  Today, I added to it: the ticket stub from our first movie date, flowers from the first bouquet he gave me, and other memorable ephemera.

Unpacking, I realized just how much handmade means to me. There are so many pieces strewn about our home that were crafted by people whose stories & art I know and admire. It fills me with joy and warmth. At our housewarming party, I am sure I will tell many stories about the items in our home. And I hope, that those stories will fill everyone who crosses our hearth with the same joy, warmth, and dare I say it...a little wonder to create something too.

My Studio Will Be Open to the Public!

I am happy & excited to announce that my studio will be one of the stops on the Tulsa Art Studio Tour this year! The Tulsa Art Studio Tour is hosted and organized by the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition and showcases "the talent of artists who live and work in the Tulsa area. This self-guided tour offers you the chance to meet artists, buy artwork, and observe art being created in a variety of working spaces." For a complete list of artists on this year's tour, click here. Tour Dates & Times: Saturday, April 12th and Sunday, April 13th from noon-5:oo pm (both days)

My Stop on the Tour:

I have met many of you at local craft shows where we've talked about the antiques & oddities that I use both in my work and to display my work. I hope that I will see many of your familiar faces walking through my door. I am delighted to share the wonderful "junkyard"  that is my studio table--where pieces lie in wait, percolating, to be made into something new.

You'll also see my beloved antiques strewn about the room and adorning the mantle of the fireplace; my kitchen table--where this whole thing started; my gutted re-invention of a grandfather clock; and my walls, which are littered with old photos of the LeTrec Family--whose complete family photo collection I saved from a dumpster and whose faces inspire me everyday though my only history of them is imagined.

At my studio, once your Tour passport is stamped (with my logo silhouette), you can learn more about how I make my jewelry, learn about the art of upcycling, purchase my pieces, and even try your hand at a fun DIY project (we'll be making Lock Washer Earrings!).

Contest:

I'll also be running a contest from now until the studio tour ends, I'll be giving away 3 bags of handmade steampunk jewelry & homewares to the 3 fans who spread the word about the tour the most! I'll be publishing spoilers of what's inside, but for now just know...these are bags you don't want to miss out on!

See you in April!