Witch Envelope Journal with Robin Dudley-Howes

 

I made this small journal from envelopes and card stock, following a tutorial from Robin Dudley-Howes. The design is intended to be dark, witchy, gothic. For the fun images I went to Etsy for digitals. It took some time, lots of Distress Inking and a bit of fussy cutting. I had fun every minute. 

A Fine Gothic Romance

 I used GG Masquerade, and GG An Open Book  

Robots Take To the Sky by Charlotte Smothers (cjsmothers@centurytel.net)

 Robots take Over the Sky

I used Gecko Galz Steampunk Dreamland as the background 

Gothic Girl by Charlotte Smothers (cjsmothers@centurytel.net)

 

I used Atomic Boomerang, Steampunk Dreamland, Apothecary Labels, Go Ask Alice, Halloween Magic. 

 

Reach Out

There were a few bumps this year; several health crisis in the family, I almost broke up with my BFF and more. In February I found myself diving into a "rabbit hole" on YouTube with Brenda Sue Lansdowne of B'Sue Boutiques. I watched hours of her jewelry making videos. Well, you are going to know this if you know me at all. Still, she came to me when I needed a purpose; she launched me on a new endeavor that has brought me a lot of joy. Brenda reaches out to all comers with a huge generous heart. In kind, I reached out to a jewelry artist who I came to "know" via her blog. She was not easy to find; her latest post was a couple years old; Google came up empty. My heart was sad to not find her. I created a Pinterest board in order to save and share pics of her beautiful creations. 

What does any of this have to do with these photos?  Be patient. Out of the blue, this artist messaged me when I clumsily mis-identified one of her pieces on Pinterest. She lives!!!  I was mortified that this was my introduction to her. She was kind and we began to chat. In the meantime I was learning from Brenda and making lots of pieces. With some basics in hand, I was ready to find my own style with vintage elements. Not always easy since many such elements don't have a loop or jump ring in place. 

I also wanted to use more beads. You know this already...along came an online workshop from Deryn Mentock...my education was rounding out.  I learned valuable techniques and practiced, practiced, practiced. 

My purchases were more selective and more $$$. Deryn and my new friend shared some of their special online shops. I even ordered tourmalines from Israel. My stash is small. Ah, WAS small.  I reached out, and was met with friendship and more generosity. This, all of this, was a gift from my friend. 

These particular beauties in this last photo are for me, all for me. I plan to make something true to her luxurious vintage style. As I do I shall think of Lisa all the while. 

Why This and Not That?

I am learning a lot about jewelry design and construction from Deryn Mentock's Alchemy of Objects online course. This is my latest necklace; The Patriot in honor of my Dad who was a Marine in WWII. During the many hours of fiddling with this piece, my desire to use "authentic" elements was strong. I wanted to use only things that were special, vintage, and of course everything needed to relate to the theme and color palate.  At Deryn's suggestion I replaced two of the focal charms with larger scale choices. It does not come naturally to me to go big scale. I'm gonna work on that. 

Running thru my mind was a debate on whether or not gemstone beads are always preferable to glass beads, even best quality glass. Are they better?  Do they feel different to the wearer?  Give off a special energy?  Look more luxurious?  Is it a matter of budget as to whether to use one versus the other?  Hmmm, can you tell which is garnet and which is not?

Can you tell the London blue topaz from the glass?

Tourmaline. Yes or no?  

How about these handsome nuggets?  Would you believe a box of turquoise from Michael's?  So...I would really LIKE to use peridot, and aquamarine, and garnet...but why?