Sunday flea market - it has been so long...

We decided to check out the big monthly flea market today - as it wasn't snowing or raining and the temps were above freezing. There wasn't a very big turn out of dealers, but that was to be expected. Pickings were slim and prices were high, but I managed to find something that had to come home with me...

I found a dozen of these vintage drawers that once were part of an apothecary's shop - they are not antique and smallish, smaller than a normal sheet of stationary - and the apothecary glued the packaging of the medication to the front of the drawer (where the printing has faded to nothing at all), so it is going to be a challenge to get the stuff off - but they will be helpful in getting things sorted in my studio... and I just can't resist an old wooden box/drawer/cupboard... ehmmm, you get the idea.

But this find made my heart skip a beat - I have been searching for something like this for a long, long time... this is an antique brass stamped filigree band - not just a small piece of filigree stamping, but several meters long... wonderfully detailed. It was rather pricey, but this is a very rare find and I couldn't afford to not get it. The possibilities for using this are endless. Who knows if I will ever come across something like this again?

This is exactly the reason why I am so addicted to flea marketing... it is a treasure hunt... and you don't have to bother with trying to find the X on the map... because there are so many treasures...

Wishing everyone a lovely Sunday!

the s-word and winter inspired earrings

Finally, finally the cold is letting up some. The Eisblumen have disappeared from the window pane. The temps might even reach 0° during the day - sounds pretty good to me. And as predicted - we are getting the s-word - that white stuff everybody thinks looks so pretty... well it is, if viewed on a picture, I guess - like this maybe...

Especially if you are cuddled up like this?

We have had about 4 inches since yesterday, with more to come. So I will be spending lots of time outside in the fresh air, shovelling sn.. I can't say it. the s-word....

But my muse did find inspiration in the cold winter weather and this is what she prompted me to make:

Leaves - just the colour of the leaves still clinging to the hedge; with gems that remind me of frost and icicles...

Hope you are all warm and cozy, where ever you are...

Eisblumen

This is the view through my bedroom window - well not exactly through - I guess, 'of' would be more to the point. Or shall we say - this is what I see when I try to see the view from my bedroom window... It has been this way for two weeks. It's actually quite lovely - if it weren't so cold... we call this 'Eisblumen' = ice flowers. As you may or may not have heard - it has been extremely cold in Europe these last two weeks. They say the icy frost will let up a bit next week. Good news. But they also say, we are going to get a ....load of the s-word. You know, that white stuff. Not so good news. Although, if I had to choose - well, give me some of the white stuff. If it means bearable temps, I'm all for it... just for this once...

The rising sun. Interesting - the sky is apricot pink and the earth is still shrouded in blue tones.

The angel's wing is laid bare of sheltering foliage...

Interesting also how the snow makes the face of this garden sculpture more visible...

Frosty early morning impression...

I have the impression that all this icy winter is going to find its way into my jewelry soon - but for now, I have to go throw some wood on the fire...

Edit: just wanted to say - we don't have it that bad - although the temps have gone down to -20° some nights - but there are many people much worse off in the rest of Europe... there have been many deaths. We do have a roof over our heads and heating - the cats are getting their food warmed, so we are thankful...

rings on her fingers and bells on her toes...

Well, not on the toes, really. But I put some very vintage brass bells on a pair of earrings - because I am fond of the tinkle...

First piece of the year...

 Just finished the first new piece in this year - still playing with the faux shibuichi and the bells... although this is a smaller version of the bell.

The bell is copper - then the faux shibuichi technique is applied - which was pretty difficult to do on this 3D form. A matte onyx carved flower functions as the clapper of the bell - so this necklace makes a tinkling noise when it is worn.

offerings for the muse

I spent two hours at the trade show on Friday, getting some stuff to offer my muse...

Peridot and cream colored (the color of old lace) mother of pearl beads...

tiny natural rock crystals...

citrine rondelles, white labradorite and peridot briolettes...

carved jade and mother of pearl - dragons and other mythical beast... we will be in the Year of the Dragon this year...

large carved Buddha heads - I'm not sure what these are...

very small carved Buddha heads in bamboo coral (dyed and natural)...

large metal beads from Africa... long bamboo coral spears (dyed)...

handmade recycled glass beads from Ghana... loving those green shades...

 

handmade sandcast bronze beads from Ghana and handmade Tuareg silver plated copper beads...

Now my muse wants me to get into the studio. No wonder.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday!

wishing you

a most wonderful New Year! May it bring health, happiness, love and inspiration to all of you.

Like many of you, I am not sad to see 2011 depart. I look forward to seeing what the new year will bring. I wish to continue to follow where my passion leads me; to learn and develop my skills and my spirit.

From me and three sleepy kittens

a heartfelt Thank You to all of you for your comments, support and encouragement. I look forward to continue sharing our journey with you.

Ornament swap

This year my friends Steffi and Janna joined me again for a Christmas ornament swap - it was a last minute affair, but I am so glad we did it.

Steffi sent me this adorable little snowman - he makes me smile whenever I see him. But how did she know that I have a hat like this one?

Isn't he cute?

Janna sent me a beautiful ornament - a tart tin with an image encased in resin - I think there are mica flakes in there also - surrounded by a ring wrapped in sari silk. Like a wreath surrounding the image.

I love the tattered and torn look - just perfect!

I made the bells below - each was embellished in a way I thought each recipient would enjoy.

 Hope everyone has a wonderful, safe New Year's Eve!

last flea market of the year...

It's been a while since I was at a flea market. This morning I decided I had to make time to go to the last big flea market of the year, because there isn't much going on with the flea markets from January to March. Due to the stormy weather that we have had this weekend, I already knew the turnout of sellers would be low. It was. The lot was more than half empty. But that didn't stop me from finding some fun stuff.

More protective pocket watch cases...

An ethnic style necklace - to be repurposed...

Vintage glass cabouchons and flowers...

The find of the day - vintage sterling silver salt shakers... these are made of unbelievably thin silver, so they are very lightweight, but also delicate.

I even got some (real) mistletoe at the flea market - but forgot to take a picture...

Kitten update - the little cuties are crazy rambunctious. The eye problems continue to come and go, but otherwise they are stable healthwise. But, because they have been inside since October, they are not dealing well with the cold temperatures outside. I try to get them outside regularly, to get them accustomed and to give them the opportunity to really run and play, but it looks like they won't be moving out anytime soon.

They are about 16 weeks old now. While they have grown quite a bit, it seems they will remain small cats - particularly Lilith. In the above photo, you can see that her head is much smaller than that of her brothers. The little rascals...

Wishing everyone a peaceful Sunday!

more amulets and talismans...

I am continuing work with the faux shibuichi - it is so very fascinating - and have a finished necklace and more work in progress... seems the ideas are coming faster than I can finish pieces.

 

Prayerscroll talisman

Shield Amulet