SWAP

Nop! I am not a fashion freak. Jeans and t-shirt, that's what I like. Having said that, I wanted to dedicate this post on the stuff that I found (and will find again) in thrift stores, swapped between friends or at some events, stuff that people gave me etc. Eventually (soon), I will create another blog on things I want to sell or give away (in the Montreal area). I'll keep you posted on this post only. So you might want to come back to this page to see the many updates. 

What: Black boots

Size: 38

Condition: very good 

Story: Huguette bought them at the thrift store where she volunteers at (yeh!), she gave them to my mom, my mom gave them to me, me + the boots = too small for giant feet = me giving them away. Anyone?

In exchange of a donation.

What: Green necklace

Size: ?

Condition: very good 

Story: A person gave this to me and I no longer use it. 

In exchange of a donation. 

What: Brownish / red necklace

Size: ?

Condition: very good 

Story: Huguette gave it to my mom, then my mom to me. I don't really use it. 

In exchange of donation. 

What: Beach breacelet

Size: ?

Condition: Good

Story: A person gave this to me and I no longer use it. 

In exchange of a donation. 

Napkin Rings

This semester, I have been focus on one ceramic project (pictures soon) and I had little time to work on some extra projects. On of my projects was to make some napkin rings Raku style. Because of the small size of the rings, I put them on bricks and I was able to move them easily from the kiln to the sawdust buckets and from the buckets to the cold water. 

I didn't really count how many I wanted to do but then I realize they would make great gifts for Christmas and that I needed to make some more (2 sets of 8 rings each). I also use new Raku glazes at school and I really like the colours they turned too. I will be making some more as soon as the Raku kiln is open again, probably in spring (thank you snow). The gifts will be completed later this year (small detail). 

Mud

 Raku napkin rings

Orange

Raku napkin rings

                                          

Sea

Raku napkin rings

(I won't be using the left piece because it's too small and it doesn't fit the set)

Red

Raku napkin rings

Multicolour

Raku napkin rings

Lime

Raku napkin rings

I can't wait to see their reactions when I give them the gifts. I know someone who use napkin rings around candles. It would be possible to do that with these but I don't know about the cleaning of the wax if it melts on them. It's always something to consider when using candles. I don't think they would be damaged but when Raku pieces are cleaned, some of the black spots will be washed out. 

Hope you guys are having a great holiday seasons and I just wanted to remind you that it's not about the gifts, it's all about being with the people you love (cheesy moment). As for the gifts, it's always better to make it yourself or buy them handmade. The best website for this is Etsy.com (and for the vintage fans). And another reminder, REDUCE! Just keep that in mind before buying everything. For free / reused gifts, go through your home and see what you don't need, especially clothes. I did a clothing swap last year and my friends left the unwanted clothes at my place. I went through it and I gave some to my other friends when they come by, for birthdays, Christmas... it's free and it's a great way to reduce. =)

Happy holidays! 

Wrapping gifts

Hey you all!

Like I said in my previous post, this summer I did a lot of little gifts. I wanted to share with you the wrappings that I made. 

I used paper bags from the grocery store, texture paper, buttons, glue and thread. That's it. The hard part of this was the flower because I just couldn't figure out how to glue the paper so the flower hold by itself. I used a glue gun to secure it because I don't think that a simple glue stick would of done the job. Hope you guys like them. 

Wine glass charms

Yes I know! 

I haven't been here in a while. I was busy with work and school. I graduated from the electroacoustic program at Concordia and now I am doing another B.F.A. in visual arts. I really like the idea of multidisciplinary art. I just finish my first semester in this program and so far, everything is good. 

I'm a little late with the posting but I'll try to keep it up to date. I have a lot of projects I did this summer as well as this past semester. They are from different medium, size and style. Sometimes more crafty then artsy but that's ok. I do what I love and I that's good enough for me. 

What I have for today's post is a little something I made for my mom and my sister's birthday. For some reason, everybody's birthday is in August! So I had a lot of gifts and cards to made / buy. One of the many gifts I made was some wine glass charms. I used a plain jewelry wire for the main part. I will use a thicker gage for next time. To make them different, I used things I already had (go repurpose objects). 

Wine Glass Charms 

for my mother

I used: 

Cat button

Ceramic bead (made by myself)

Beads from an old earring

Cork

Wine Glass Charms 

for my sister

I used: 

Leaf pendant with little beads

Cork

Beads from a very old necklace

Orange button 

My mom and my sister were both happy to received their gift. The only thing, I don't think I made enough for them. Oh well, it's Christmas soon so! Talking of Christmas, I sent all my cards yesterday and forgot to take pictures :( They look very different from last year and I wanted to post them here. I'll try to get pictures from the people who got them. Hehe.  

Seashells

Just some seashells I found with my friend Laurence. 

I see them more as art supplies then anything. 

And some broken glass we found...

Mini Matchbook Notepads

I have been making some of these lately and selling them on TopHatter.

I sell them for 0.50 cents each. I am working on different designs at the moment. Here are some examples of matchbook I sold. 

Description of the Item. 

Handmade mini matchbook notepads.
Each note book has 10 hemp paper (25% hemp and 75% post-consumer waste fiber).

Size: 1.5"x 2" each. 

First batch of matchbooks...

2012

Inside

Second batch of matchbooks...

Inside

If you would like to purchase some matchbook notepads, you can contact me on my e-mail with your information and questions about the item. 

I really enjoy making these. 

Let me know what you think! 

Fabric flowers Part 2

Second part of my fabric flowers.

Salmon flowers

2012

Pink flowers

2012

Yellow flowers

2012

Red flower

2012

Red roses

2012

Salmon flowers

2012