Unconventional Crochet

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've been playing around with some new crochet techniques.

Here are a few designs I've come up with using some antlers and jute.

I always prefer working with natural materials rather than synthetic.

I like working with vintage materials as well and these antlers are vintage, if there is such a thing as vintage antlers.

I found a box filled with antlers in my mother's basement.

My father was a hunter and these are the remains of his younger years as an outdoorsman.

Although I've never been a fan of hunting, I thought I might as well make use of these.

I had them cut to size and holes drilled, then bleached  them and stitched them to crocheted jute baskets.

I sort of like the way they turned out.

They seem appropriate for this time of year.

My father passed away in October 2000.

These are for you DAD.

Karen

Sunday's Flea Market Finds

This summer has been filled with flea market adventures for me.

My sweet husband has found a passion for pocket watches which means we now go treasure hunting together almost every weekend.

I've been gathering junk (treasures) for my art projects and home decor, and stock piling them for the long winter months ahead (like a squirrel gathering nuts).

Yesterday I hit the mother load!

Here are just a few of the amazing things I found.

This huge pile of wire baskets will be used for holding lace, ribbon and bits of fabric.

I like to be able to see what I have to work with and these baskets are great for that purpose.

The red wooden box will be for holding tools in my studio and the large wicker basket will be for yarn.

This deer skull has just the right amount of creepiness for one of my art projects.

The sectioned wooden box in the first photo will be for displaying some of my small treasures.

This sweet French sign is going in my kitchen today.

I found so many fabulous trinkets yesterday and will be posting photos of the rest of my finds soon.

I found some wonderful things to share with friends as well.

Have you been treasure hunting lately?

I'd love to see your finds.

Have a wonderful week everyone.

Karen



Creepy Things & City Girl's Necklace

Creepy Assemblage.

Memory

The next several photos are of a necklace that I made for a friend.

She told me a story from her childhood and I created this from the story.

I hope she loves it.

Thanks for having a look.

Karen



Empty

The pain of her shattered heart has not been healed by time.

The ache remains and she is empty now.

Locked away in her world of sadness.

 Tormented by her memories.

"Nothing is forever"

"Always is a lie"

"I can only love you til the day I die"

A wooden box of feelings.

A collage of repurposed antiques.

Thanks for looking!

Let me know what you think.

I appreciate your comments.

Karen



Creating Space In My Creating Space

I need all this stuff!

It inspires me.

And then there are all the supplies.

You've got to have them or you can't create.

It's so difficult to fit it all into one room...okay, impossible.

I'm working on at least knowing where everything is.

These are all empty so I can use them for more storage.

This is an awesome display unit that we found on vacation.

It's a great place for storing small odds and ends.

U is for UMELECKY

I just had to throw that in there: )

Storing the small objects in old glass jars makes it easier to find things.

 I picked up this shelf for just $2 at a garage sale.

This is part of the sewing area.

The armoire is filled with  vintage linen and lace.

A large jar with a rusty lid holds old wooden thread spools.

And the ladder which came from a barn not far from here, keeps my grain sacks organized.

This salvaged door with a chicken wire insert is a good place for drying herbs and flowers.

The white enamel pot is more storage space.

Random drawers make great organizers.

Closets with shelves are key.

I can't show you the other closets.

They aren't ready for public viewing at this time: )

Those are my daughters eyes.

She gave them to me years ago.

She enlarged a photo of her eyes and put one in each picture frame then connected them with a piece of thick wire.

All of my stamping supplies are going into a big wooden blueprint cabinet.

It's not ready for public viewing yet either : )

Right now all the stamping stuff is in boxes in the middle of the floor.

Then of course there's the nonsense that you need just for inspiration.

You know, the stuff you need just because.

Stuff that you've had forever and you just can't part with.

I bought this old typewriter in a thrift shop about 25 years ago.

It doesn't do anything but take up space, but I can't imagine my space without it.

Then there are the current projects.

These are the beginning of some fabulous pin cushions that I will be carrying in my shop soon.

I picked up some antique velvet, vintage linen and lace, silver plated spoons and antique hat pins at the flea market today and can't wait to get these started.

If you're wondering what this all has to do with making space in my space, well...I took a truckload of stuff to goodwill and have only gotten started. More on creating space in my creating space next week, providing there are no crisis or unexpected distractions.

Does anyone else out there have trouble staying organized?

How do you keep your space under control?

I'd love to hear your ideas.

Thanks!

Karen

Junk Art

As you probably already know...

I love collecting old stuff (junk).

It inspires me to create.

I guess you could call it eco friendly, since everything is repurposed.

These are some new pincushions I've made for my studio.

Made of all repurposed materials and scraps.

I borrowed the idea for these from the spoon pin cushion, made by Debbie Burkey.

This is some wall art that I created from some found objects and gifts from friends and family.

Now I just need to organize my studio, so these things will fit in there.

Happy Tuesday to you!

Karen



Limitless

Yesterday should have been my Frilly Friday post, but sometimes there just aren't enough hours in a day. I'm sure you all know what I mean.

I've been working on this necklace for weeks now and finally decided last night that it is finished.

I named it limitless, because of the limitless possibilities that you can wear this piece.

It's 100% cotton thread, crocheted in a freeform lace, around 130 inches of cotton cord.

The ends connect with 2 pearl buttons.

It has a vine of flowers, vintage glass pearls and loops (leaves).

The loops can button onto any of the pearls along the vine.

It can dangle, be wrapped around as many times as you like, or removed and worn as a bracelet.

The necklace itself can be worn long and lengthy or wrapped up tight as a choker.

This is the most versatile, one of a kind piece, I've created so far.

I think you could wear it as a casual piece or all dressed up.

It is available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

I also finished up this bag I've been working on for my stepdaughter, Anita.

She's coming home from TN this weekend and I wanted to have it finished for her when she gets here.

Anita is a potter and also works for MTV.

The huge, beautiful button on the bag was created by her. You can purchase buttons like this at her Etsy shop.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog.

It gets me through the day knowing that you are out there creating just like me.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!