Sunday flea market

Sunday is flea market day - you all know that to be the general rule for me (with occasional exceptions). Well, today I thought I would give you an idea of what it is like at my favorite flea market.




Whoa, look out for those teeth! You can find the craziest things at the flea market, really!

What did I bring home today?

Goldsmithing tools
I know this doesn't look too exciting, but I love it when I find old goldsmithing tools like this! Most of these are still in working order, so they were a real steal.

Parts of old pocket watches.

A poetry album, in worn red velvet.

Quite different from my usual treasures, but you never know what you will find at the flea market. All the jewellery bits and pieces I saw today were way overpriced, so I didn't buy any.

The sun is shining and it is a glorious day. I hope it is where you are too! Have a lovely Sunday!

Hat show in Neuburg

Yesterday evening Max and I went to the opening of a hat show in Neuburg on the Danube, in the castle. This castle was built in 1505, they began to build the Renaissance wings in 1530. A wonderful backdrop for a select showing of hats and jewellery, one would think.
When we got there, we entered the courtyard and the first things that caught my eye were these statues.

The Count Palatine - I don't know which one, there was no information to be found near him. Missing his nose.

Most likely his wife, the Countess Palatine - I couldn't find a name for this formidable looking woman either. Also missing her nose. But what a lovely Elizabethan dress!

View of the facade and the arcades. The facade was decorated with biblical scenes in Sgraffito technique in 1560-1569.

Another side of the facade and arcades and the courtyard filled with visitors. Love those forged iron railings!

I love hats - not that I usually wear them. I do own some - new and antique (what did you expect?). But I just usually don't feel like I "match" my hats. But I wanted to see this show, because the combination of hats and jewellery seemed enticing. Maybe a venue that would be interesting for me?

Well, I am sorry to say that I was disappointed. Photography was not allowed inside the castle, so I can't show you any of the hats. They ranged from normal-mediocre to extreme-extravagant. But I didn't see a single hat that I loved. Not one that made me catch my breath and want it. How sad is that?
But alright, I didn't go there to buy a hat anyway. I wanted to see the jewellery, thinking a venue that boasts its extravaganz in hats would also offer some inspiration here.
No. Not at all. Boring. Not an inspiration in sight. I would say it was all aimed at very sedate older women, that want to show - well, what actually? They have reached a comfortable place in life and can afford to drape some gemstones around their neck? Of course, I don't think there is basically anything wrong with that. But that can't be all there is?
The whole show felt "bemüht" - I can't find a good translation for what this means. It seemed like the haut voilé of this little town (Neuburg is a little town, not a big city) had gathered here to see and be seen by their peers (an unusual amount of, mostly older, women were wearing hats you normally don't see on the streets, which were probably bought expressly for this occasion) and they were trying very hard to live up their respective expectations. I didn't see anyone having fun. It was not easy going. It seems, even for the visitors, it was hard work. What a waste of energy!

I am sorry if this sounds very negative. I was disappointed, yes. But I didn't come away empty handed. After all, there is something good to be found everywhere, if you keep your eyes and heart open!
I found these wonderful feathers!



No, I am not going to start making hats! But I am thinking these could maybe find their way into my jewellery!! Aren't they beautiful?

More fall impressions

This morning the sun was coming up through the mist again, looking like a big red ball of fire (now that I think of it, it IS a big ball of fire) and I couldn't resist. Anyone that has seen enough "sunrise in the mist", please move on to the next interesting blog!



Love the glow of the sun reflecting on the clouds here!



When I drove off to work a few minutes later, I drove directly into the fog.
Had to stop and take more photos!


More fall impressions on the way home.

Terrazzo beads!!!!!

A couple of weeks ago, Sue of Sue Beads showed us these lovely beads she made. In the comments, I mentioned that they reminded me of terrazzo, a mosaic flooring consisting of small pieces of marble or granite set in mortar and given a high polish, which (I believe) was invented in Italy.

Well, Sue thought that to be a fitting name for these very lovely beads and that is now their name. And she was so kind to offer to send me a couple. How could I refuse such a great offer?? I mean, could you??




When I got home from a less than inspiring day at work today, I found an envelope from Sue in the mailbox and these yummy beads were in there!!
Thank you so much, Sue, for these beautiful beads and for your kindness and for being so generous!!

Early morning pictures in the early fall

We have a lot of early morning fog and mist this time of year. When I looked out this morning, I saw the sun shining through the mist in the most lovely way and had to get my camera.






These pictures were all taken within a few short minutes. I love the way the light changes and gets more intense. I took about 50 pictures, but since they are all rather similar (I was trying to get some good shots with the birds in the bushes. I was thinking of you, Sharon!) I just picked out a couple of them to show. I think I need to get the paints out again...

First Fall impressions

Well, depending on where in the world you are, it may still be summer. Here, in Southern Germany, it is definitely not. The Oktoberfest was opened yesterday (for the 176th time) and when I go outside, I can see autumn. No, not creeping up on me. It is right in my face. It is time to go on a photo safari; there are rose hips and red and black berries and fall colours to capture. Maybe this afternoon - the weather looks promising today.

A wild vine, getting into her autumn robe. What a spectacular colour!

Raindrops on a spider's web. It was raining when I took this picture, so it was hard to get the web visible on the photo. The light wasn't really so good.
But this is the season of early morning (to afternoon) fogs and there will be many webs dripping with "diamonds" to photograph. Amongst other beautiful subjects.

Early Autumn colours; getting organized; Sunday flea market and fooling around

You can tell, this is going to be a longer post, but don't worry! It is mostly pictures!!

Love the inspiration of those early autumn colours just outside my studio!


interwoven Sedum and Cymbel plant


Hydrangea

Some of my beads - trying to get my supplies organized.


beads by colour

Supply stash

Didn't come away from the flea market with a whole lot today.


assorted buttons

copper washers

Captain, enjoying some fooling around and getting a tummy rub at the same time! Life can be grand...

ATC experiments and an important message

I've continued experimenting with the ATC format.
Apparently - this is about the birds.
Gilded cage

Buttons and Bird

These are my toes, peeling tan and all:

Teal toes

If you want to know what this is about, check here

First attempt at ATC

Sorry girls - no flea market treasures today, because no flea market! Sigh!!

Autumn Bird

Well, seeing I had my paints out and I have been promising Sharon I would be starting on ATCs soon (I have been feeling challenged, because she is having so much fun), I just made my first attempt. Actually, I started a couple of backgrounds while I was in Tuscany. Just layering some scraps on the little cards (see the bit of Italian newspaper in there?) and washing some paint over top, like a warm up exercise. But - then what? I just wasn't sure where to go from there. So, I just kept on adding washes of colour and then a little bit of that metal foil and stamped on a bird and it took off from there.

I'm still working on two more - I'm having a bit of trouble with this format, but I think I just have to get into the flow of it.

My jewellery work is also calling me to come back into my other work space. I have some resin pieces in progress that want to be completed. I have ordered storage boxes, so that I can get my beads and components better organized. So this will be busy week.

Have a wonderful Sunday!!

New work

I have been itching to do some painting again and this week I couldn't put it off any longer.

Believing in magic
An 8"x8" mixed media piece on canvas; including decorative paper, acrylics, ink, charcoal pencil, metal foil.
I need to invest in some new paints.

This week, I pushed my boundaries - I made my first ring! Soldered silber with a riveted copper poppy. I definitely need to practice these skills more, but I am very elated that it worked!