I have LOTS to show you so let's get this party started, shall we?
I first wanted to show you the charms I made for the Art and Soul swap. I also want to show you the ones I received! This swap was so flippin' awesome! The talent of the artists who participated in this is unbelieveable. Once I was home, trying to settle down, I was going through the charms and I was literally in tears. The beauty of these charms is exquisite and the amount of detail was overwhelming! I am in awe of these artists!
Okay, so here is my charm. I started with Scrabble tiles...PUH-lease! I had to use these because I've got about a million of 'em.I've been wanting to make charms out of them forever! My intention was to solder them and I will be trying that soon now that I've got mad soldering skills - thanks to Sally Jean! For these ones though, I just drilled holes in them using a Fiskars drill. I collaged a few tiles and made color photocopies of the best ones and glued those onto the drilled tile.
For the fronts, I used the "home" definition from an old dictionary in keeping with the Art and Soul "At Home" theme. The "Portland" is cut from some old theatre tickets.
For the back, I carved a "house" rubber stamp. Ain't it sweet? :-)
There's lots of glue, ink, and diamond glaze added to this mix. I also made some pearly bead dangles. I've got SO many beads but could I use something I already had? NooOOOoo! I had to take about a week to pick out that perfect bead/finding combination that made me happy. Sheeshh...it's a wonder I can figure out what to wear every day. Oh well, twern't for naught...I'm very happy with my charm-ola's!
Here's a tray full of the charms. For the "presentation," I put a charm in it's own little micro baggie and included a Moo card.
Last night I spent some time putting the charms I have onto a bracelet. I used a funky old bracelet I found at a Goodwill a year or so ago. I cannot stop looking at this thing. It's making me VERY happy. I'm anxious to start wearing this and making the world just a little more artsy!
My friend Melissa was also in the charm swap and she made some really awesome face charms. She also made adorable little boxes for her charm presentation. Okay, so if that wasn't crazy cool enough, she made the boxes the size of her Moo cards. Very cute, right? Well, there's more! Melissa also included one of her Moo cards which had a picture of her charm! That girl is a genius! And an organized genius at that! :-)
I was very happy that I got to connect with Deryn. We met at last year's Art and Soul and although she wasn't participating in the large group of charm swappers, we decided it would be fun to meet and still swap some charms! How lucky am I?! Okay...this girl makes some amazing jewelry. Very rich and soulful. I'm a gonna have to get me some more! I added this charm to my bracelet but I'm already thinking I'm going to turn it into a pendant.
Sigh...I have much much more to share with you but I gotta pace myself here. If I showed you everything at once, not only would this post be about 17 pages long, it would literally take me about 10 hours!
Tomorrow I'll show you the two fatbooks and village swap I participated in. OH.SO.GORGEOUS!
I best run now...I've got a very patient husband that needs me to keep him company on the couch while he watches a little something we like to call Stargate SG1...or who knows, maybe I'll even watch some Keith Olbermann with him. Uh-oh...is he watching CSPAN? Here I go...I'm such a good wifey! :-)
hey, i want a charm from Deryn! dang your lucky! your bracelet looks really sweet! take a picture of you wearing it!
Posted by: kecia | October 10, 2007 at 07:09 PM
Your charms rock! What a great idea to use scrabble tiles as a base.
The bracelet is so special. So many women, so much art...all on your cute little wrist :)
Posted by: Lilli | October 10, 2007 at 08:47 PM
The charms are so beautiful!!! I can't wait to start the round robin w/you, love all the things you give me. You and Lilli are inspiring me and am loving vintage things now!
Posted by: Malou | October 10, 2007 at 09:05 PM
OMG!! Your charms are great! And I totally know what you mean about having lots of supply X, but still needing to go out and shop around for the perfect X to complete a project. Guilty of that, oh yes I am! I can't tell how many charms you made, but it looks like a lot. What fun to create all of those!
And that charm bracelet! Wow! What a special piece to wear. If you get a chance, I would so love to see some close-up shots of your beautiful bracelet - there is just so much going on, I'd love to see more of the gorgeous details :)
Posted by: Bejeweled | October 11, 2007 at 12:58 PM
the charm is fabulous, you started with a scrabble tile? how cool is that. i just stumbled onto your blog - it's lovely.
Posted by: lucinda | October 11, 2007 at 04:10 PM
Wow! Amazing charms lucky girl you!
Posted by: Amy P | October 11, 2007 at 05:35 PM
gorgeous stuff! i can't wait to see more!!
Posted by: tricia | October 12, 2007 at 02:02 PM
OMG! What wonderful stuff! I got ecxcited just reading about your trip and your charms and all. What a gorgeous charm collection! My soldering gun is still in the package. I am thinking about Art and Soul in VA in May. Realistically, without hotel and travel and food, so just reg. and classes and supplies, how much would you say it should cost? I just have no idea, and I got to plan NOW! Can't wait to read more! Gina
Posted by: Gina Smith | October 13, 2007 at 07:14 PM
Thanks so much for swapping with me Michelle. It was so lovely to meet!
Posted by: Deryn Mentock | October 17, 2007 at 10:59 AM