Birds In Progress

I really love how a pile of old bisque doll parts transforms into these little birds.  So what if they're a little creepy.  I had someone from a previous post on these write "Dang, I mean art is cool and all, but those bird-head dolls are creepy as all get-out."  I thought that was great!  My brother-in-law thinks the same thing.

But  here's the next little family all ready for clothes.  This is probably the last of these for awhile.  The bird puppets are coming along- not quite ready for a sneak peak.  Go to this previous post if you don't know what these are.

Isn't this super creepy!  I put arms on quick after I snapped this pic- it really creeped me out.

.Cleveland in Living Color!!!

My little junebugz patches were just featured on an Etsy treasury list created by photohale.  Check out the entire list here- it's such a happy collection of local Cleveland Etsy talent.  It's funny that in this cyber world I'm connected to people from all over the globe, and sadly I don't know the faces of these talented local artists.

I'm selling off some of these little patches in my junebugz shop that I use to make my linen Matryoshka bags (below).

Well, I'm off to sew.  This gorgeous weather we had this weekend was spent outside with good friends, and I haven't made anything in days.  Behind on special orders, also preparing for a 1st Communion party this weekend- I have to sneak in some creative hours.  Hopefully I can post pics of the bags I'm making with my recent vintage fabric finds this week!

Happy Tuesday!

A Fresh Look For Junebugz

Those of you who know me know that Junebugz was my first Etsy shop.  Last fall, when I lost my job (design director for 20+ years in the surface design industry) I decided to go full force with my craft business- and have never looked back!  RobinsEggBlue became my main shop, and with the help of an incredibly talented web designer & mixed media artist- Jaime Beitler, RobinsEggBlue got a whole new look.  

Junebugz was just in limbo, so I decided to spruce up the place, add a new banner, and add some new vintage supplies.  I just did some spring cleaning, and will be listing some fun vintage beads, ephemera, and other vintage supplies.  So check out the new look at Junebugz over the next few days- there's something for everyone!

BigDaddyO's Etsy Treasury List

I tease Mike all the time that his humble shop never makes any Etsy Treasury lists.  I just stumbled on this one- titled "alice in springland"- featuring beautiful Alice in Wonderland themed items- and one of his pocket watches.

You can see the entire list here.  The list was created by robinandthesage from Finland.  Her shop is stunning- with bird & nature-inspired jewelry.  You can also see Mike's shop here- I just put together a new banner for him from some of last weekend's treasure hunting.

Antique Bisque Bird Heads- What Are These??

I acquired a bunch of these bird heads last year because I knew they were unusual.  They're painted bisque, and I can tell they are quite old.  The woman who sold them to me said they were German- circa 1890- 1910, and were used to make bottle stoppers.  (she was also selling the old Thuringia doll parts so I assumed they were the same doll factory)  I'm not sure I believe that they were bottle stoppers, but have been unable to find out anything about these.  Does anyone out there know the origin of these?  

I've used them recently in my strange Bird Lady series, and in some other mixed media projects.  I'm currently making little "puppets" with them.  I have quite a few & may be selling some- email me if interested.

Here's just a few of the dolls I made......

More Estate Sale Finds

Remember that estate sale I blogged about the other day?  Well, in addition to the awesome fabrics I scored, here's a few more treasures I picked up.  Most of the watch parts were picked over- but aren't these nice?  And I have absolutely no idea what this little doll is.  Charlie McCarthy?  His head & hat look like celluloid, but it's attached to a crude wood doll base & handmade clothes.  Interesting.  Let me know if you know what he is!

And antique padlocks WITH keys!  I might end up reselling the big ones, but I think I'll make a necklace out of the smaller one.

How could I pass up the typewriter keys?  Not my usual thing- but I sure wish I could stumble upon an estate sale like this every weekend!

I'm not a packrat. I'm not a packrat. I'm not a packrat. I'm not a packrat. I'm not a packrat. I'm not a packrat. I'm not a packrat. I'm not a packrat. I'm not a packrat. ............

Here Comes the Sun....

I wanted to blog about this pretty Etsy Treasury list before it expires tomorrow.  My bag is featured in this list created by ptitebaloue.  The coral and turquoise colors are stunning!  You can see the entire list here.

This collection is quite the feast for the eyes!  I am always honored & flattered when someone chooses my work for their list :)  It always makes my day!

Vintage Quilt House Pillows

Here's a sneak peak at some fun little pillows I just finished.  I had these old 1940's quilt squares hanging around the studio.  Each one is different, each has vintage lace & button details.

They're all backed with natural linen.

I must confess, using all the vintage lace & buttons is kind of difficult.  I know, I know- I buy them to use in my work.  But sometimes it's hard to let things go.

I'll be listing these in my Etsy shop tomorrow or Mon. (maybe- unless I decide to keep all 8!)

Estate Sale Vintage Linens

Ahhh- the feeling of getting a GIANT bag of vintage fabric and linens is indescribable!  As I was running my usual boring errands this morning, a little sign caught my eye.  Not only did it catch my eye- it drew me in.  Those 2 words I love "Estate Sale".  One illegal U turn later I found myself in a world I love- where everything is $1 (and I don't mean the Dollar Store).  A table was piled high with vintage linens, barkcloth, & feedsacks.  While everyone is digging through the costume jewelry, an elderly woman & myself raced to get the good fabric.  $1 a piece!

Here's a handful of my loot- I just love looking at it!  I am so inspired by these fabrics I can't wait to make totes & pillows, lavender sachets & laptop sleeves......

When I got home, I ran in the house to show Mike my GIANT bag of fabric- and he just rolled his eyes.  I can't believe not everyone "gets" this.

So now, I vowed to always keep a $20 bill hidden in my car, so whenever I see those 2 magical words- "Estate Sale"- I'll be good to go.

Have a great weekend :)

Little Vintage Fabric Birdhouses

Finally!  These new little vintage fabric birdhouses are done!  Well, they've actually been done for days but I finally found time to photograph them. (Spring Break is no break for me!)  Here's sneak peak before I list them in my shop.

Tonight I finish my series of house pillows made from antique quilt squares & linen.  I love them.  (hopefully I can photo them tomorrow) Then..... my next project is dolls.  I'm still using the antique porcelain bird heads, but I think they'll have soft bodies- I'm running out of old doll parts and I wanted to try something more challenging.  I'm also working on hot air balloons- still working out the kinks :)

This is the last of these little birdhouses for awhile.  Time to move on........

(doesn't that sound profound?)

Happy Spring Break

Not much happening... putting away Eater stuff, getting over a cold..  I noticed today another Etsy treasury list by Ravenhill.  This one features my crazy Bird Lady (made from antique German bisque bird head & doll parts)  It's a happy group of handmade goodness- check out the entire list here.

My next post will be more vintage fabric birdhouses.  I just finished another grouping last night.  I'll post a sneak peak tomorrow before they're listed in my shop.

Etsy Treasury (& Shameless Self Promotion)

I know how it looks - shameless self promotion.  But I said it yesterday & I'll say it again- I'm always honored & flattered to be featured in someone's Etsy Treasury list.  This one features my linen bag, and the list was created by solvejg- you can see the entire list here.  It includes a great assortment of fun cat-themed crafts. (my bag has a cat image on the inside in case you wondered)

Etsy Treasury- Aqua & Orange Ambition

I'm always honored & flattered to be featured in someone's Etsy Treasury list.  CurlyGirlCrochet included my bag in her beautiful list- you can see the entire list here.  The colors are vibrant and it's quite a variety.

Gotta run- I'm working on 5 new little fabric bird houses- maybe I'll post a sneak peak tomorrow.

More Vintage Ephemera Necklaces

I just listed a few more of my charm necklaces in my shop.  These are like 3D collages- really fun to make & wear.

This one features an owl image with a vintage brass leaf & bead......

this is a vintage postage stamp with peaches and a brass heart.....

This is a copy of an antique bug etching with vintage glass beads.....

And this is another vintage postage stamp.  Happy Thursday!  I might not post for a few days- spring break starts at 1:30- AHHHH!

Vintage Ephemera Charm Necklaces

Here's a sneak peak at a series of necklaces I made.  I think I was inspired by these great vintage brass frames and the piles of ephemera I have & never use.  Each piece is one-of-a-kind, and incorporates other vintage glass beads and charms.  The brass has been aged, and the image and frame sealed for protection.  They all hang from a delicate 20" brass chain.

This first one is a vintage London bus ticket- accented by a vintage train token, an antique vaseline glass African trade bead, and a wishbone for lucky travels.

This one features a vintage 1967 Fillipinas postage stamp of Santa Rosa de Lima.  She has 2 vintage glass beads and a brass cross hanging down.

This last one is a vintage postage stamp of an  orchid, also with 2 vintage glass beads.  I made 10 necklaces- all very different, which I'll start listing this evening in my Etsy shop.

Etsy Treasury List- A Whisper

I'm honored this morning to have my bird lady featured in an Etsy Treasury list with 2 of my favorites.  This list was created shelbyhealey- you can see the entire list here.

UK Abigail Brown creates these incredible fabric birds and birdhouses- I've been a big fan of hers for awhile.  And check out this awesome bag by tortillagirl.  It's made from linen with a metallic print and vintage lace. (don't tell Mike but I'm buying it)

Happy Wednesday!  I'm off to photograph some cool necklaces I've been working on.  Next post you'll get a sneak peak at my vintage ephemera in brass frames charm necklaces.

Little Fabric Clutch

I'll be listing a few of these little clutches in my shop today- I use them all the time for makeup, or whatever.  A lot of people make them- this is my take.  This is a great way to use up your scraps & vintage buttons!

New Etsy Treasury List

My little fabric birdhouses were featured in this adorable Etsy Treasury List created by littlecoasterknome.  It's titled "2 Cute 2 B 4Gotten!" and you can see the entire list here.  This list is adorable!  Make sure you check out the ceramic flower beads.

Etsy Treasury List

Happy Monday.  I just wanted to share this beautiful Etsy Treasury list that features my little vintage enamel flower rings.  The list was created by budpnq, and you can see the entire list  here.   It's titled "Apricot Scented Honey".  Lovely- don't you think?

A Few New Bags

I just listed a few new bags in my shop- and a few sale items.  My fabric stash (which is overflowing) is leaving me uninspired.  Flea market and yard sale season is starting here in the midwest- YEA!  That's where I get all my fun fabrics.

This butterfly linen was an estate sale find- a linen tea towel....

This paisley is a high end designer remnant given to me...

I love my owls!  I've made 3 or 4 of these owl bags using fabric prints from an old quilt top.

Shopping List Saturday

Textile jewelry artist Fancypicnic just featured my birdhouses on her blog.  Her Shopping List Saturday features her handmade shopping finds, and her blog is a visual treat.  Thanks!

Antique Porcelain Doll Parts

Here's a sneak peak of some of the extra doll parts I'll be listing in BigDaddyO's Etsy shop.  After a lot of reflection late last night, it came to me at about 2:00AM that I have too much stuff.  Way to much stuff.  So much stuff that if I die tomorrow, I'd be embarrassed when Mike would have to go through my studio.  He has no idea that I have about 50 little porcelain bird heads stashed away, or a bag of white sand from Clearwater, or a box of dirt from Chimayo, or hundreds of porcelain doll parts, antique pocket watches, buttons, vintage quilt squares, 200 Pez dispensers, typewriter keys, skeleton keys.......the list goes on & on.

I know someone out there will put these to good use- & I could use the cash when my unemployment runs out!

Don't you just LOVE these teeny tiny ones?