Happy Halloween ~!

Up-cycled Microwave Tray ~ 3rd try!

The microwave tray transformation continues with this

3rd installment.

This one has cast glass dragonflies, butterflies, & fish as well as

fused glass pieces, blobs & beads.

Most of the glass is transparent although some of the beads

are opaque & add some contrast.

It's been hanging in the greenhouse without any problems

with gravity & temperature.

Fused Glass Raven Panels ~ Post Firing

Here's what the glass panels look like post firing.

All done & ready for hanging.

Raven Fused Glass Panels ~

Working on two large glass panels with ravens.

 

 

~ Two Ravens in a Tree ~

 

Pre-fire picture with multiple layers of glass, frit, & cut 3mm sheet.

 

Second panel pre-fired.

 

These birds are in the oven & will be cooked by tomorrow morning.

Upcycled Microwave Glass ~ Part 2

Here's my second attempt at up-cycling

a micro-wave glass tray.

 

 

This one looks like a giant pizza pie, too!

It looks better in person as there's lots of  dimension that

doesn't show up in the picture.

 

I have 2 more glass trays & a gazillion ideas.

The next two will not be in this same mandala style.

 

Back to the Restore Store to see if they have any more of these trays.

 

This is very addictive.

 

 

 

Glass Pizza ~?

I've been stalking the Habitat Restore Store in Anchorage.

It's almost as much fun as hardware stores & plumbing isles.

Lots of items I'm not familiar with that can be re-purposed into something else.

 

Wandering through the Restore Store, I came upon a big bin of old

microwave glass turn-tables.  I wonder what the real name is for these glass plates?

I'm sure there's some weird, specific, parts name for them??

Like "ear nuts"... know what ear nuts are?

 

Anyway, these glass circles kept calling to me,

so after my third visit I decided to buy three. 

I almost always buy things in 3's...

not sure why but I always do.

 

 

So here's the typical microwave glass tray.

If you break it & have to buy a replacement it'll cost

you $10 to $24.  UGH! 

 

That is unless you can buy it at the Restore Store!!

 

 

Here's one I purchased for $1.

I'm thinking I over paid because the last time I visited the

Restore Store I paid an average of 25 cents per item.

I guess art has a higher price?

 

So, I drilled some holes & added a stainless steel wire hanger.

and some glass bobbles & Ta-da!!

 

William called it a glass gumdrop & worm pizza!

It sort of does look like a pizza.

I'm thinking about adding black grout to give it

a stained glass look?

 

Yes?

 

Pictures tomorrow of it hanging in the greenhouse.

~ It's a circular, orb, glass sun catcher ~  

 

NOT A PIZZA

Recycling Bullseye ~ the continuing saga...

The studio has been crazy busy & I'm blowing through the glass so

yesterday I needed to crack open a new case of

Bullseye Tetka.

 

These cases are tightly secured with metal straps,

packing paper, Styrofoam, screws....

YIKES, it's a process to get the lid off of a crate of glass.

 

Upon prying off the lid I had a nice (or not so nice)

surprise inside the box!

 

 

A wasp nest!

 

Just a little one.

 

Close up.  You can see the comb inside but there

wasn't any larvae or bees around so it must be abandoned.

 

Good thing because these bees are vicious & not sweet like my honey bees.

 

Apparently, the wasps have found a way to recycle Bullseye crates too!

Fused Glass Leaves....!

Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall....

 

 

 

I'm loving these small leaves! 

They look so great with a variety of frit & fun to mix up.

 

Approximately 4" X 8".

 

These are a new addition to my aurora series &

will be available in August.

The Reds Are Running ~!

Yes, the salmon are starting to run & the Alaskans are getting fishing fever.

 

I haven't been fishing yet but I do have the fever.

 

For ceramic salmon that is...

 

 

 

I used to throw pots & create hand built items with clay until I got into glass but

every once in a while I pull out the clay & glazes & go crazy.

I think William's been my influence as I've been helping him

with his salmon & halibut pins.

 

That is when he's not hiding out in the greenhouse

 

 

 

or playing golf.

 

He's a golfing dude!

 

 

 



Upcycled Wedding Dress ~ Done!

The Wedding Dress Project

is DONE ~!

I know.....you're probably thinking....
FINALLY! 
Yea!  She's Dooooone!

Here's a few shots of the details.

Floral shoulder strap.  
Little ladybug accent.

Waist detail with snake & large peony.



White polka dots with letters....which spell...
Transformed...

Treasure...

The completed piece.

There's lots more inspirational words/phrases & bugs/insects on the skirt
but I was too lazy to take pictures & post.

I upcycled the head piece & it turned out kind of cool.
More ladybugs, bugs, snakes etc.

The dressform was out fitted with zebra duct tap.
Sooooo, Alaskan ~!

The title?

   ~   NEW LIFE  ~ 

Upcycled Wedding Dress ~ Part 5



This has been such a fun project.

I was sort of thinking I was close to being done

but as I was looking at the dress on the mannequin

I decided it probably had more life to it.

 

First, however, it's getting the equipment ready for work.

When I was a kid my Mom, Grandmothers, & Aunts would gather to quilt around

the quilt frame that was almost always set up in our basement . 

It was a large frame that belonged to my Grandma Johannes & made by Grandpa.

Grandma J had tacked a doubled over piece of fabric all along the length of each strip of wood.  The bottom, batting & top of the quilt was pinned to this fabric.

 

As a child, I remember having to thread needles & line them up

along the edge of the quilting frame.  As the quilters worked across the quilt

they never had to stop to thread a needle.  They would just pull another needle

with thread & continue on.

 

At the time, I thought it was a speed thing.

NOW... I know it's an eyesight thing.

Those tiny little holes in needles are hard to see!

 

So... I've employed my own system.

Here's William.

Threading my sewing machine.

Yep ~ I can't thread the darn needle except by accident

or if I wear my new bifocals.

 

Good Grief ~!





 



 

I had the other half of the skirt (that I used earlier for a hooded cape).

But, hey, since I have another half I might as well make another cape, right?

 

So, this will be a short cape.

With a tulle collar to match the hem.

And beaded fringe since I had almost the exact amount left over.

 

It's a sign!



Working on the neckline of the cape.

Close up of the beaded fringe being sewn on.
This was sewn on after the tulle & the casing for the drawn string around the neck.

 

Here's a picture of the casting loose.

It looks great if it's pulled up tight & around the neck too.

 

Here's a view of the back of the cape.

I think this is better being shorter?

 

Yes?

 

I like it because it's above the tulle' hem.

 

I feel like I need to add a shoulder strap...

 

A SNAKE STRAP.

 

With lots of bugs & insects hovering over the shoulder.

 

What can I say??

 

It's still winter in Alaska & I'm salivating for spring.

 

Can't wait to get the worm compost going.

 

Upcycled Wedding Dress Part 4 ~

The devil is in the details.

The base of the wedding dress is pretty much completed.

It's been cut, re-sewn, painted, dyed, & manipulated in many ways.

So, now comes the fun part of embellishment.

Beading & leaf action on the bodice.

A little beading trim.

A cape is always a fun accessory.

This was recycled from part of the skirt & has an iridescence purple lining.

Cokie Robert is always close bye her boy.

I had some of the leaf fabric left over so I added a hood.

I always love a hood for a bit of mystery.

Here's my reluctant son modeling the hood.

William, you're a good sport!

 (I agreed to not show his face modeling the hood)

I think an extra scoop of ice cream is in your future!

One of those days...

Ever have one of those days?

 

 

It's been a bit challenging today but I'm looking forward

to a Mom & Son evening.

 

There's a light beautiful snow coming down,

chicken soup on the stove & a bottle of wine in the fridge.

 

Things are looking up!

Upcycled Wedding Dress ~ Part 3

I'm back to working on the "Wedding Dress."

 

I had to get the kiln cleaned out & re-loaded with a slump firing,

go to Costco, clean the house & then get out the serger & sewing machine

so I could start to work on the "wedding dress."

 

I just had my 1970 Pfaff sewing machine tuned up & this little

girl sews like a dream.  My "new" 1991 White serger...not so much.

It has a plastic body so it needs a lot of adjustment & re-threading

on a frequent basis when sewing.  The White was the first machine I

ever purchased new.  It was treat one year with my pfd ~

 I think I spent $298 on sale at Riehl Sew & Vac.

It should go back to Riehl for a tune up ~ they can fix anything!

 

Before I could start to work on

the "dress"  project. I needed to clean the studio & house...

I think it's like clearing the slate or

having a fresh start.  It stills the mind & allows fewer distractions.

 

 

Although, sometimes there's little distractions afoot when you least expect it ~!

 

 

I spy a little bird...oh, wait ~ it's a shop rat!

 

 

So, after working for most of the afternoon on the "wedding dress"

I was able to add four layers of tulle on the bottom of the hoop skirt.

The tulle has some nice sparkle so it adds a bit of fluff & reflection.

 

I added a layer of "leaf" fabric over the bodice.

This was harder than I thought it would be but it turned out nice.

I was going to add the leaves on the back of the bodice too but

I think it would be too much...it has a better line on the back with the simple polyester.

 

So, I'm learning a little bit about the polyester.

It's very forgiving, doesn't wrinkle, repels spills, is easy to sew...

 

hmmm....maybe that's why this "wedding dress" was made out of polyester?

 

More to do...

 

 

End of the Day Painting ~

It's the end of the day.

I've been checking things off my list...

year end accounting done ~ check

kiln cleaned out ~ check

kitchen cleaned & dishwasher loaded ~ check

copper cut for the next kiln load ~ check

working on the laundry ~ check

pizza dough made for pizza night ~ check

studio cleaned ~ No

dog brushed & teeth cleaned ~ No

inventory done ~ No

glass inventory & order complete ~ No

End of the day painting done ~ No...but I'm working on it.

So, I know this is sort of ugly but it's a work in progress.

I often have a canvas in the studio so I can add extra paint, beads,

glass, paper, etc. to it as the mood hits.  This was a canvas that I gesso'ed (is that a word?)

over & then just added whatever paint I had left on the palate' over the course of a few days.

It's needs more layers of paint ~ over the base of some watercolor & acrylic.

I prefer working in oils as they are slow to dry so I can remove & add layers 

of color & texture.  I think I'll move on to oils now.

~ Thoughts? ~

Upcycled Wedding Dress ~ Part 2

The deconstruction has begun...

 

The 80's have met the scissors & the scissors have won!

 

 

The first thing I did was to cut off the outer layer of the polyester

tiered skirt.  It was gathered at the waist so it is a LOT of fabric!

 

I cut the layered underskirt to a shorted length so it could serve as a sort of "base."

The fabric I have left over is voluminous & LOTS of lace.

 

The tulle "hoop" skirt has been shorted on top or from the waist

so it still works as a hoop to give the skirt some flare.

 

Did you notice the poofy sleeves are gone?

William has begged me for days to cut them off so

"POOF!"  They're gone!

 

I made a pattern for a simple half circle skirt & ta-da!!!...

a cool over skirtin a botanical design that will be embellished with

over & under applique' with metallics.

 

I have a surprise for the bodice & more....I'm excited.

This is such a fun challenge.

I should be cutting copper but I'm playing with fabric & clay.

 

So much more to come ~!

Upcycled Wedding Dress ~ Part 1

I thought I'd shoot a few photos of the wedding dress

before I started to transform it into....?

 

Here it is in all its 1980's fashion glory!

 

My friend, Sherrill, loaned me this cool mannequin she uses in her home to display

various projects & wearable art pieces.

She already had it wrapped with the cream fabric & the

tuff of tulle' on the top.

The hoop came with the lovely wedding dress so I slipped in on the mannequin.

 

 

The hoop fit fairly well & had a tie closure so it was easy to adjust.

 

 

Here's the dress displayed on the mannequin pre-any-modification.

It's a really great fit!

The dress is a 9/10 & it fit perfectly on the mannequin.

 

I have the mannequin on loan for the next month so

I better get busy!

I've got to find or make a mannequin so I have a

way to display my creation for the event.

 

Any ideas???

Transformed Treasures 2013 ~

As an artist, the Transformed Treasures fundraiser for the

Salvation Army is one of my favorite events.

Artists are given $50 in store vouchers with which to purchase

an item to transform into a treasure.

All the treasures are auctioned off a gala luncheon in the spring.

This year the Salvation Army is offering two challenges to artists.

One is a chair challenge ~ 5 chairs to be transformed.

The second is a wedding dress challenge ~ 5 dresses to be transformed.

I really wanted a wedding dress....and here it is!!

Good grief it's UGLY!!

I just assumed all wedding dresses would be made out of silk, charmeuse, or some such

quality fabric.  These types of fabrics take a dye bath well if I wanted to change the color.

BUT ~ NO!  This dress is polyester.

Polyester??  Really??

Who would buy a polyester wedding dress?

An if it's polyester why would it have to be dry cleaned?

Throw this puppy in the washer & dryer....which I might do just to see what happens.

Now I've got to re-think some of my original brainstorming ideas.

Let the challenge begin!

The Streets Are Like A Skating Ring ~

Literally!

 

We've had such warm weather that it's been raining for the

last 3 days.  Rain on top of snow makes for glare ice conditions.

 

 

Our street is a skating ring!  He's my son, Will, skating in the street.

The sidewalks are about the same & it's probably safer

to have your skates on than grippers.

 

Although I'm enjoying the warmer temperatures I'd like to be

able to be outside and go for a walk or ski.

Hopefully, we'll get some snow as the temperatures drop later in the week.

 

Looking at this picture I also noticed that Will has his jammie pants on & no

helmet.  This is what happens when I work a show on the weekend!

Alaska Gift Show Spring 2013 ~!

It's Show Time!

 

 

This weekend is the Alaska Wholesale Gift Show at the

 Dena'ina Convention Center in Anchorage, Alaska.

 

I'm looking forward so seeing my customers from all over

Alaska & from Outside.  My Reps, from

Taku Graphics, will be right down the isle.  Retailers will be able

to look at samples & write orders for the spring & summer.

 

My web site is sporting a new look, too.

Check it out at  ~

www.KillerDesigns.com

 

The web site is still under construction but I'm hoping it will

work as an on-line catalog of sorts for my work.

The blog will continue to be an outlet to showcase the

glass process, as well as, life in & outside the studio.

 

~ Show Hours ~

January 10th, 3 to 7 pm

January 11th, 10 to 6 pm

January 11, 10 to 5 pm