Amazing Grace

Paintings by Grace Gladdish
Planter Sculpture by Clairy Laurence
Tea cosy by Kitty Breeden

Following on from my post Loving Erin, I thought I would start a regular series of posts featuring my personal art collection. To say I am an art lover is an understatement. I have been collecting original art since high school. Three years of Art College resulted in a tiny unit filled with both my own and uni friends' creations and my involvement in group art exhibitions throughout the 90's were highly motivated by a 'swapping' culture. I was mighty proud that the walls of my home were filled with original art only. As I married into a family of ceramic artists, coffee, cereal, salads and the like were always served in unique handmade wares. 

In November of 2004 our family home burnt to the ground due to an electrical fire (I'll post some pics another time). To say that it is overwhelming to start again is an understatement. But start again I did and over the years those blank walls have gradually filled up with art. My core need to be surrounded by [what I deem to be] aesthetically beautiful things is again satisfied.... but I am far from done!

Today, I am featuring three works from my collection of art by my dear, dear friend, Grace Gladdish. Grace visited my shortly after the fire with a boot full of her art and so began my second art collection.

'Self Conscious' 2008

mixed media collage

'Black White and Red All Over' 2003

Mixed media collage

'Bandaged Hand-storm'

Acrylic on watercolour paper

I first admired Grace's work while at uni. She was a year above me and my friends and I would sneak down to her studio while she was at lunch and ogle over her art. We met a few years later through a mutual friend and she quickly become one of my most cherished friends. Over the years we have exhibited together, had babies together, attended church together and shared life's joys and sorrows. These days we are separated by a 2 day drive that includes a 10 hour ferry across the Bass Strait :( Thankfully, I am surround by Grace's beautiful images which are scattered throughout my home.

Check out more of Grace's art at her website, blog and Etsy store.

Recycling silver scraps

If you have read my earlier post, 'Nuggets', you would know that I have a thing for melting silver. While there are far quicker ways of making discs, I just love this process and the end result. Plus, every last bit of precious silver is used. 

So I thought I would document the process!

Below are a few of the pieces of jewellery I have created from the discs made using this process.

Give away

I have 3 pairs of 6mm triangle studs to give away.

 To be in the running all you have to do is follow my blog.

Double your chance of winning by liking my Facebook page (click here to go to page). Once you have liked it, come back here and leave a comments below.

I will announce the lucky winners both here and on Facebook 

on the 27th June.

Good luck!

Sawing success

I tend to avoid sawing silver as I continually break blades. I will merrily sit at my desk soldering, hammering and filing but when that saw comes off the wall, bleep-bleepity-bleeps are sure to follow. 

Well today I have had a jolly old time with my saw and not one blade has snapped. Hopefully this is a turning point and some wonderful saw cut pendants and earrings are soon to come. Today my successful sawing has resulted in two pairs of arrow head studs. One pair is an order and the other pair is for my beautiful 13 year old daughter (modelling her pair below). 

... and I have used the off-cuts to make four little triangle studs (yes, the daughter gets a pair of these too!)

Stud time

I'm only 4 months into this Etsy gig
so I was pleasantly surprised to sell 6 items in one day!!

Thankfully I love making studs.

Hammer time

This new listing for my Etsy store is actually a copy of the very first pair of earrings I made during a one day silversmithing workshop in September last year. I wear those earrings nearly every day. As they have aged the sterling silver has developed a lovely patina which enhances the hammered texture. This new pair are all fresh and shiny. I love them either way. 

Today's Etsy pick

I have seen some incredible art dolls on Etsy but this yellow boy is my personal favourite. With a needle and thread Simona Catapano has transformed a piece of cloth into a figure with a tangible personality. See more work by this Italian artist at her Etsy store 

pezziunici

or at her website www.pezziunici.com

Loving Erin

I have fallen head over heels in love with the whimsical art by Erin from Erinswindow. There is a vulnerability to her work, be it ceramic, felt or watercolours. 

After my first two purchases from her Etsy shop, I just had to meet her. Connecting with her aesthetic, I was sure she must be a kindred spirit. And indeed she is. I am so excited to have made a new friend through Etsy - who would have thought!

Here are my purchases so far

'To be as one with nature'

'I have big dreams'

'Longing'

'Moss green bird'

'The white face with red bird'

I plan to grow my collection. Next will be one of her gorgeous porcelain bells. The problem is deciding which one.

Front Page

A strong morning coffee and Front Page on Etsy - what a great way to start my Sunday

Thanks Sadie from 'A needle in the hay' for the feature.