Wednesday, December 1, 2010

building a nest...

I love creating handmade jewelry... and enjoy doing business via my Etsy shop, valleykat designs. I'm addicted to Etsy by the way, spending hours clicking around the different shops looking for new ideas and inspiration... after coming across a somewhat popular bird's nest design in pendants right now, I decided to give it a try. There are many shops selling different versions of this, but I wanted to create something that looked a bit more realistic. Using wire that was antiqued before I began really helped add to the organic feel of this piece. After forming the nest I used steel wool to polish the raised areas of wire, while the recessed areas remained darker (antiqued). Please click on pictures to enlarge if you'd like to see more detail.

One of my first bird's nest pendants... and I just love the way this one turned out! Antiqued brass wire was wrapped and formed around three vintage swarovski crystal oval pearls in a creamy ivory color. The bail was made with the same wire in a heavier weight so it won't bend or twist.

This little treasure measures 3/4's of an inch in diameter and is suspended from an antique brass chain that measures just a tad under 22 inches.

Handmade hook and loop closure.

This particular necklace was purchased by a super-sweet young woman who planned to wear it on her wedding day! She explained that it was to be an "unconventional" type of wedding with a bird's nest theme, as they we're beginning their new life together and "building their nest". I was thrilled to say the least, what an honor to think that someone chose one of my little creations to be a part of her very special day. Anyhow, she emailed me this morning to say thanks and that everything was just perfect for her big day... she was even kind enough to include a picture of herself wearing her bird's nest necklace.... talk about absolutely glowing with love and happiness!!!

"The wedding was beautiful! Perfect, in my opinion. I couldn't be happier with it. The necklace was the absolute perfect touch! ...I often think of what you said about building the nest one piece at a time. I wear the necklace nearly every day as a reminder that I get to build my own home now. Every action and word builds it. When I feel the necklace around my neck at various times during the day it reminds me that I have a peaceful, happy place to go home to and continue to create. Thank you for making such a sweet, beautiful piece and for being so thoughtful in the way you sent it to me. It makes the experience all that much more special!"

Currently for sale in my little cyber-shop, valleykat designs, here are a couple of handmade bird themed jewelry items... unique gifts with whimsy and vintage flair...
If you are interested in a nest necklace please don't hesitate to contact me for details, I have many types of wire and different colored pearls as well.

Fly Away Home... handmade earrings featuring faceted amber glass beads, antique brass filigree charms and sparrows. $15.00
to view the listing for this item please click on the link below
http://www.etsy.com/listing/54274160/sparrow-earrings-amber-glass-antique

Perfectly Perched... handmade earrings featuring vintage coral swirl glass beads and antique brass birds. $15.00

to view the listing for this item please click on the link below

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54641688/bird-earrings-vintage-coral-swirl-glass

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Airplanes and Stars Mural

This is a project that is currently in the works... an airplane and star themed room for a little boy. He is fascinated with "people" planes / jets and looking up at the night sky.

Before shots of the spaces to be painted...

left side of room
(click on pictures to enlarge)

ceiling and wall on right side of room

the hallway at top of stairs, shot taken while standing in his doorway

Proposed designs...

(click to enlarge)

Stars on wall and ceiling around window in hallway, just a hint of what's to come...

designs for bedroom door, clients decided on the orange lettering in #2 with the multiple stars from design #1

The stars and moon will be painted using two shades of a super-bright glow-in-the-dark paint. Different types of planes will be on the slanted part of the walls. Also included are clouds and a sky diver with an open parachute. I plan on creating depth of field, or the illusion of space and distance, by painting the planes and clouds in different sizes and with more detail in the design elements that are "closer". Keep in mind, these sketches show a white background, the actual colors will be shades of blue... which I feel will only enhance and add to the look of this type of design.

There's a funny story behind this project, the lucky little boy pictured above was "supposed to" be a girl!!! (Oh my gosh, can you imagine the shock and surprise in the delivery room?!) The new Mom and Dad had the nursery all decked out with a (very girly) "Sugar Plum" theme... pinks and purples. Clothes up to size 6 months were laundered and tucked with love and care in the baby's dresser... EVERYTHING was planned around a new baby GIRL!!! Anyhow, after a frantic and stressful re-paint job and returning of what could be returned... they were able to settle in and adjust to life as a family of three (well, five... can't forget about their two beautiful dogs) and fall completely in love with their new little baby boy. After all of the chaos in the beginning, and the rushed way that things had to be changed for the new baby, Mom always felt as if her baby never really got the perfect dream nursery she had wanted for him (really, doesn't every new mom want everything PERFECT for their baby?! I know I did.) so now is the time to "make up" for it, which actually is even better... since he's a young boy now and will not only remember this special place of his own, but literally grow up with it... imagine how cool his first sleepovers will be... I have a pretty good feeling that his friends are going to have a blast sleeping under the stars at night! (Dad even mentioned something about hanging out up there more once it's finished) Oh! and I almost forgot... his new comforter and sheets for his new "big boy" bed...

pictures are from the website of the company that makes the glow-in-the-dark paint, http://www.glowinc.com/

UPDATE #1

Armed with rollers, paint trays, brushes and a reliable and talented assistant, painting has begun! We decided on a darker blue for the ceiling that fades to a medium blue on the slanted walls where the clouds and planes will be.