Randomness!

Last week I mentioned some jewelry I made for a spot gallery. The date and place has been set! If you are in the area, come out to "Eat, Drink, and Love Art" at Whole Hog BBQ this Saturday (4/11) at 6pm.

I'm on vacation this week, and the internet's been spotty so I haven't been able to share as freely as I've wanted. Let me start by showing you this thrifty finds video of some of the items I've scored in the past month or so.

Lastly, here's a few photos from our vacation so far.

The full moon over the water on our first night

The sunrise our first morning

After a fairly cold first day, the nieces finally got to get in the water

A pontoon boat ride in a nearby creek

A foggy scene on the bay this morning.

 The fog has already cleared and we're looking forward to more good weather. I best get out of here while the internet is still cooperating! Here's hoping you have a wonderful week and your Spring Break 2015 is treating you well.

Jewelry with a Theme: 30s, 40s, Jazz, Art Deco

A few weeks ago I was approached by a friend about doing a spot gallery thing that would feature my jewelry as well as the work of several other artists. For this spot gallery, there's a theme. I was told that I needed only a few pieces and to "think nightclubs, Harlem, Billie Holiday, blues, jazz, 30's, 40's, instruments, and Art Deco. With these themes in mind; I dug though my stash of finished jewelry, finished a few works in progress, and made some new pieces. I'd love to know if you think I'm on the right track. . .Here's what I've got.

These were all ready to go

Made with glass pearls from an old necklace and some crystals

Made with a brass sheet I etched, old post earrings, glass and metal beads, and chain

Made with a reproduction keyhole and glass beads

Made with buttons, book text, and beads

Made with upcycled peach charms and floral shell discs

Made with repurposed and aged brass folder reinforcers and faceted glass beads

These were in process

Made with a brass picture frame that was colored with Vintaj patinas. From it hangs a singe freshwater pearl.

Also made with a brass picture frame that was colored. Several strands of chain and a charm of a glass pearl and a Chinese crystal accent them

And, these I made especially with this opportunity in mind

Made with a blank gluable bracelet to which I added old brooches and earrings. 

Made with a pendant I picked up at a bead store while on vacation. Just a few wire wrapped glass pearls and brass chain finish it off.

Made with a Vintaj pendant to which I added brass chain fringe with metal, crystal, and glass pearl beads. The chain is made up of the same beads.

Made with smaller Vintaj pieces (perfect for earrings.) I used some old glass beads (from a friend's grandmother's stash - who knows how old they are) to make tassels.

So, that's what I've got. Do you think these fit in with those themes or am I completely off my rocker?

The date for the spot gallery is still a bit up in the air, but I'll let y'all know when I know more for sure too.

Reveal of My Shipwreck Dandy Destash Box (picture heavy)

Richelle of the Shipwreck Dandy blog has two etsy shops. In one she sells her beautiful handmade rustic assemblage jewelry and in the other she sells handmade, vintage, and select jewelry supplies. She's currently going through a 'studio excavation' and making up destash boxes for what she unearths. I totally jumped on this deal because I just love her style.

She'll even take into consideration your preferences if possible. So, I told her that I would like a little bit of everything including some of the metal bits she had shared in one of her pictures, but that I also love of buttons, findings, beads, etc. After she received this notification, she asked if I had any more requests. I basically said that anything that feels rustic and old or romantic would be awesome. Here's what I received.

The inside of the box

The loose bits on the top of the package

My favorites of the loose bits: bone beads, buttons, and chain

Then, there were all these packages

and still more under the wrapped packages

I started with the smallest of the packages and discovered some of Richelle's handmade pieces. YAY!

The rest of the packages are below, first how they look piled up in the protective wrapping she used, and then all laid out for a better view.

Bundle 1

Bundle 1 on display

Bundle 2

Bundle 2 on display

Bundle 3

Bundle 3 on display

Bundle 4

Bundle 4 on display

Bundle 5

Bundle 5 on display

Bundle 6

Bundle 6 on display

Here's those little bits I found at the bottom

I couldn't wait to go through each and every piece in the box, so I sat down with an empty organizer and filled it right up!

Thank you Richelle for your generosity. I really think this was a steal for $20 plus shipping. Make sure to get your own totally stuffed destash box before her excavation ends!

Tutorial: Upcycled Mixed Media Magnets

You know those free business card magnets or other advertising fridge magnets we all get? The ones that either clutter up your refrigerator or end up in the trash. I decided to take those and turn them into something prettier.

I seriously cleaned off my fridge and was surprised at the number of these magnets on there. It was super simple to transform them from eyesores to art. I did a quick video on my process too.

Here's hoping this inspires you to art up your fridge as well!

Local Feature: Old 27 Grill in Fairhope

If you're ever driving down County Road 27 Alabama Highway 181 in Fairhope, make sure to check out Old 27 Grill.

It's tucked back a little, but definitely not a little secret around these parts. Southern Bloggers Jubilee (a local blogging/social media group of which I'm a member) met at the Old 27 Grill just last week and had a chance to get to know its owner, William Stitt -  better known as Bill E.

William talking to our group about Old 27 Grill and his start in the industry.

Though I've dined at Old 27 several times, I totally learned some new things about the place. For one, Bill E. makes his own bacon. Let me repeat that. . HE MAKES HIS OWN BRAND OF BACON!!

The bacon sample we received was amazing!

It's called "Bill E's Small Batch Bacon". You can find the bacon both on the menu, or you can get a whole pound in the grocery to take home.

The original building's front door.

As well, Old 27 Grill has a catering menu. They can do simple, low-key meals or large, fancy events. William even said they will come to your house, cook the meal, and clean up for family gatherings or dinner parties. How cool is that? The menu for these services ranges from breakfast items and sandwich platters to rib-eyes and chargrilled oysters. It runs the gamut for sure, just like the restaurant's menu.

The Comeback Shrimp Sandwich and Fries that I ordered

The Grilled Pimento Cheese and Bacon Sandwich with homemade fries that a friend ordered.

The outside dining area includes a stage for musicians of all sorts. On Thursdays-Sundays there's usually someone scheduled. The 1st and 3rd Thursdays, though, are reserved for "Songwriter's Night". On those nights, it's all original songs from local artists, no cover bands. Oh, and just so you know; the stage was built to be 'plug & play' to make it easier on the musicians.

The outdoor seating, perfect for listening to live music.

One of my favorite features at Old 27 Grill is the variety of craft beer available on tap. They've even started offering growlers of beer in two sizes. I've been aching to get back up there and get some, since once of my favorites is available at the moment.

Check out that line of taps!

I think the only drawback to Old 27 is that the parking lot does get a little damper than some when it rains. William takes it all in stride and often tosses a few duck decoys out in the puddles.

These babies were floating when I got there, but the puddles were already on their way out when I was too.

It's that sense of fun and not overlooking the details that makes Old 27 Grill a place you won't soon forget.

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW)

I've been overflowing with ideas lately - for jewelry, for blog posts, for papercrafting-art journaling and thus I seem to get nothing done for jumping from one activity to the next. I think putting some of my jewelry in that display has really given me some kind of new freedom or something. Now, if only some of it would sell!!

Anyway, I'm playing along once again with Julia from Stamping Ground and all the other creative folk for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday.

This is today's desk. On the bottom left is my bullet journal waiting for me to make my daily list. Above it is some jewelry I'm making for another possible local opportunity for selling. On the bottom right side of my desk are some supplies for a postcard swap I'm participating in. The postcard is actually hidden under the messy deli paper (shhhh). Along the back of my desk is just the stuff I need to clean up and put away.

Yesterday my desk looked like this

A bracelet I was making from old earrings and pins

And, Monday morning I walked in to find my desk like this!

GAHHHH!!! I was a chaotic crafter on Sunday!!

I'm much happier about the shape of my desk today since there's only a couple of projects to focus on. Do you function better with just one or two projects on your desk or do you like to have all the options there at once?

Make sure to hop over to Stamping Ground and see what's going on on other craft desks across the world.