My Kind of Mall...

I went with a friend to my favorite kind of mall...an antique mall! We spent the better part of a morning peeking in nooks and crannies, picking up this and that, and finding a few choice items to purchase.

I love tins. Especially those with a British theme. I found this Boston Harbour Tea canister with a hinged lid and just know that it will serve a useful purpose in the studio. I'm quite sure that it's not old, but I don't think it has to be - especially if the price is right.

I found this pretty little girl and couldn't put her down. I have something special planned for her, but can't tell you just now what that is. I wouldn't want to spoil a surprise, you know.

I concluded my purchases with the very first thing that caught my eye as I walked into the first booth. If you read my "Steampunk Bird" post, you're going to know exactly what I have in mind for this little set of old binoculars. Now, all I need is a little wooden bird...or perhaps I should make a Steampunk Squirrel (or Corgi!). Oh, no! I can see another "expedition" is in my future.

Fabulous Steampunk Birds...

One of our daughters-in-law is an artist who frequently has her work on display and for sale in various galleries. Her chosen medium is watercolor and her work is stunning.

She is the owner of this little steampunk bird. When I asked her about the artist, she said that he also shows and sells at a gallery where she's currently featured in Ephraim (Door County), WI. Her artwork is available through Fine Line Design Gallery.

I'm thoroughly smitten with this steampunk art, so I did a little research and found the artist, Jim Mullan (and his wife, Tory), and their website here. They divide their time between a home in Pompano Beach, FL and another in Pennsylvania. He uses antique bird sculptures as his inspiration, and then adds found objects to create his beautiful sculptures.

Daughter-in-law's bird stands on a pair of antique binoculars...perfect for watching this gem, don't you think?

I keep expecting to find a key to wind it up so that it can flap its metallic wings and turn its head from side to side!

When I searched Jim's website, I found that he also has his work for sale in two locations in Sarasota, FL. Guess where I'm going to be window shopping very soon? I think I need to put one of his creations on my Christmas list. I guess I'd really better be a good girl this year!

My Partner's ATC Arrived...

The mailman brought Electra's ATC to me yesterday...all the way from Canada! I couldn't wait to open the envelope.
Inside was Electra's interpretation of "steampunk". Her work is impeccable and very creative. I love what she created!
She included a few other goodies for me to use in my own artwork. So generous, Electra! Thank you for your beautiful artist trading card. If you'd like to visit Electra's blog, you can click here to link to her blog.

Thanks also to Wendy at Blissfull ATC Swap group. I really enjoyed this challenge, and appreciate your hard work matching all of us up.

April Blissfull ATC Swap - Steampunk...

Courtesy of Toxel.com

Are you familiar with "steampunk"?

I must admit that until about a year ago, I didn't have a clue what the term steampunk represented. Curiosity got the best of me at that time and I went exploring.

It reminded me of Captain Nemo in 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, or the computer games Myst and its sequel, Riven. A curious mixture of Victoriana and the computer age. Gears and cogs coexisting with high tech. I was fascinated.

Can you imagine having a laptop that looks like this? Who even cares if it works? I'd just love to have it sitting on a rolltop desk for decor!
When Wendy at Blissfull ATC Swap blog set our theme for April as steampunk, I panicked. How could a gal who's been making artist trading cards in fabric translate this theme to a card? (Click here to see Wendy's post about our theme.) Back to the computer I went for more research.

Thankful for Google searches, I typed in the words "steampunk fabric", and these are just a few of the images that came up:

Courtesy of Nokhoo blog

Courtesy of Kaboodle

Courtesy of Milicent Brovovich blog

This was just the right amount of inspiration I needed. Thursday I got into the studio and made my design a reality. I decided that I would embrace the Victoriana aspect of steampunk and then add a twist.

I created the bodice of a dress with a ruffled blouse, and then tucked gears and a crystal heart behind the ruffles. The gears ensure that m'lady's heart keeps ticking, even as she hides her heart away for safekeeping.
You may have noticed that I even padded the bodice of the dress to resemble the proper lady's shapely form. (This is the side view of the card.)
I used sparkling beads instead of satin-covered buttons for my tiny interpretation. I linked tiny bronze jump rings together and attached them to the key to Madame's heart.
All of these details assembled to fit onto the front of a 2.5" x 3.5" playing card. In the image above, you're looking at my entire artist trading card - a tribute to steampunk. This is definitely a one-of-a-kind and I'm sending the original, not a digital image of my creation. I've called it "Mechanical Heart", and it's already on its way to my swap partner, Electra in Canada.

I'm thrilled with my efforts. This took longer than most of my other cards, but I think I nailed the theme. I think I also stayed true to my love of fabrics, sewing and garments.

I'm not sure why, but I kept picturing Peta Wilson as Mina Harker in A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen wearing this when I was working on it. (Sean Connery is also in this movie. Excuse me while I take a moment to daydream. sigh) Gosh! I think I'd even love to have a dress, like the miniature I've created, for myself.

I know that I'm probably letting the cat out of the bag for Electra (in the event she reads this post), but I couldn't wait to show you. I promise to show you Electra's card as soon as it arrives. It's coming all the way from Calgary, Canada to North Port, FL!

So what do you think? Be honest now. Do you think I met the challenge?

Spring Is Bustin' Out All Over...

...Well, at least in The Boutique and my Etsy Shop!

I'm inviting you to go to my Boutique here to read more about my "Pre-Vacation/Spring Sale". You can also learn when I'll be putting The Boutique and my Etsy shop in "Vacation" mode. I've added a coupon code there to take advantage of my sale. You'll need to have that just in case you find something you can't resist.
I'm going to be doing a little work around the house today, and then I'm going to settle into the studio to work on my Blissfull ATC group swap card for this month. The theme is "steampunk", and I think it's going to be my hardest challenge of all the themes so far. I finally designed what I want to create, so now it's time to make it a reality. I promise I'll share it when I'm finished (along with my inspiration), 'cuz I really want to know what you think. Perhaps I can show it to you tomorrow.