Vintage Blue Studio

Art Opera Blog Party Event

Yes, I've been blabbering on and on about Art Opera for weeks but that's because it's going to be awesome!  What's even more awesome?  Lisa Kettell (the creator of Art Opera and my sweet & silly friend) is having a blog party to celebrate and it starts today! 

Also, I am holding a 2 for 2 mini matchbox swap for Art Opera in addition to the Art Bead/Charm swap (space still available).  Information and sign-up is available on the Art Opera yahoo group (button over there ----->  

Now stop reading this and go check out the blog party!

Have fun!  

Silver Sunday - The Finale!

Before I start showing you my Silver Sunday Finale goodies I thought I would mention that my county saw maybe three whole snowflakes on Saturday!!!  I was so prepared to get blasted with a foot of snow and what a dissapointment.  The worst part is that the snow that fell in other areas of NJ was good old packing snow!  I haven't made a snowman this winter and I'm dying too!  Ok now that I have that out of my system let's get on with the show...

Some sweet little Italian mosaic clip-on earrings.  I haven't decided how to use them yet.

 
A brooch with a dangling stein charm.  And yes, the little lid opens and closes.

An old broken emerald (glass) and silver-tone bracelet.  I've been using the links for necklaces.

A small pile of vintage religious medals.

 
I love the blue enamel on this one...

And there you have it!  The conclusion to Silver Sunday!  A big thanks to Beth from Gypsy Fish Journal for holding this blog event.  And thank you to all the other bloggers who participated and made my Sunday's more eventful! 

Now it's time for me to hit the pavement because Art Opera is quickly approaching and I have lots of ceramic charms to complete.  I also have to complete my mystery charms for the Art Bead/Charm Swap. 

Happy Crafting!

 

Forecast: Ominous!

Ok so those are raindrops and not snowflakes but it gets the job done.  So right now we are being told by our lovely weatherpeople that we could have as little as 4 inches of snow or 12+ inches of snow depending on the storms track.  I'm secretly hoping we get 12+ inches but don't tell anyone! 

I changed most of my plans this weekend to hopefully avoid driving in any yucky weather.  So today I'll be running out for food, shopping for new ceramic glaze (online) and planning my next crafty move. 

Also, if you are attending  Art Opera and would like to join my art bead/charm swap, we still have 3 spaces left. Head over to the Art Opera yahoo group for more info and to sign up. 

And if you were wondering, the pendant in the photo is enamel on copper with sterling silver chain and Swarovski drops. 

Have a snow-filled crafty weekend!

Art Opera Art Bead/Charm Swap

I'm hosting the Art Bead/Charm Swap at Art Opera and I hope you'll join me! Participants in this swap will leave Art Opera with a one-of-a-kind charm bracelet.

For the rules and to sign up please hop over to the Art Opera Yahoo Group.  Space is limited!  First come, first serve!  And don't worry, if you miss out on this there will be other swaps to join.  I might even hold one more.

**As of 9:30 pm there are 3 spaces left** 

Caution: Ceramics in Progress

I spent last night at the ceramics studio glazing and then creating new pieces.  I didn't take photos of the pieces I glazed because honestly they look yucky when they are glazed but not fired.  Instead I photographed some new charms that will be bisque-fired soon. 

I used a texture plate and some hand-carved stamps by SugarSkull7 for this batch.

Every charm from this batch will also be going towards the goodie bags at Art Opera.

I'm looking forward to next Monday so I can create more.  The goal is to re-open my Etsy shop this spring and fill it with charms, pendants, links and more!

Silver Sunday

Silver Sunday!  Why does it always seem like the week just flew by?!?  Oh well, I'm glad it's Silver Sunday because it gives me an excuse to show off more "stuff" on my blog (not that I really need an excuse). 

A few days ago I posted photos of just some of the buttons in that amazing antiquing adventure I had.  Well here's a couple of shots of the silver-toned buttons that were in those tins...

They might make a cool button charm bracelet.

And here's a silver-toned horse piece I found while antiquing awhile ago in Lafayette Village.  I've been intending on making a necklace with it but I haven't found the right beads for it just yet.

 
Hopefully my mom isn't reading this (but I bet she is) because here's a sneak peek at a pendant I'm working on for her...

They are sterling and fine silver bezels that still require a lot of filing, sanding and polishing.  Before I can do any polishing though I have plenty of soldering left.  The stones are an ammonite negative and a garnet.  I've owed my mom this pendant for a long time.  It's sort a birthday/Christmas present that just hasn't come together until now.

Time to go check out all the other Silver Sunday links! 
 

Valentine Tag Book Swap Has Arrived!

The completed tag book arrived a few days ago and it's wonderful!  A special thanks to Natalea for running the swap and to all the ladies that made each of their tags so special. Here's just a teaser...

Ooooo what's this?

And look over here!

 
I bet you want to see more.

 And so you shall...
  

To see the completed tags go here.  Thanks again ladies!

Fresh From The Kiln

Hope everyone is enjoying One World One Heart!  I know I am and I've found some new favorite blogs to visit!  Just wanted to stop in and show some more of my ceramic charms that are nice and fresh.  This particular batch of charms is being sent off to the goodie bags for Art Opera. So for those of you who are full attendee's you might very well be receiving one of my handmade ceramic charms or pendants!

That delightful green pendant is a new glaze created by my teacher, Carla Horowitz.  All of the glazes you see in these photos were created by her actually.  I will be using some commercial glazes in my next batch or two since she doesn't make pink, purple or baby blue colors.  In fact, a trip to Ceramic Supply Co. may be in order on friday.

These little blue ones would make cute earrings.

I hope the recipients enjoy them! 

I'm also working on some necklaces that incorporate my ceramic beads and silk ribbon.  One they are finished I'll show them here for some feedback. 

Happy Crafting!

One World One Heart

I'm so excited to be participating in One World One Heart this year as I missed out on it in 2009!  The last time I participated I found so many new blogs to explore.  If this is your first time visiting my blog I hope you'll stay and explore awhile.  If you've been here before then welcome back!

I went through so many ideas of what I wanted to giveaway this time and I kept changing my mind.  I suppose I was taking a magic carpet ride through all my arts and crafts!  I finally decided that I want to share with you my ceramic beads and charms.  I've been like a machine this past year experimenting with clay and turning out dozens and dozens of pieces until I was happy with the results. 

The winner of my blog giveaway will recieve the following charms, pendants and beads all created by me out of clay.

All different shapes and sizes...

 

Incorporate them into jewelry or anything you want!

The Rules:

1. You must have an active blog. (1 post a month is not an active blog)

2. There needs to be a way for me to contact you (link to blog or email) in your comment.

3. Please leave a comment on this post about what you might do/make with these charms if you win them.

4. One entry per person.

5. Have fun!

The winner will be chosen and announced on February 15th so make sure you stop back in! 
  

Silver Sunday

Wow is it already Silver Sunday?  That was fast!  This week I thought I would show you my very first ring created entirely out of sterling silver sheet metal.  Now I made this ring before the pendants I previously posted so you can certainly see my progression.

A tiny tree and a "ding" where I missed the tree...

 
Sawing such tiny pieces was NOT easy!  But if it was easy it wouldn't be worth it.

A rustic home...

It's a ladies size 7 in case you were wondering...

 
Hope you enjoyed it!  Time to check out what all of you posted! 

P.S. Don't forget that One World One Heart begins tomorrow.  I'll be participating so be sure to come back!