Eclectic Etsy Shop

There are so many things that I want to learn and create. I've added metal and enamel to my list of interests. (leather is on the list as well) I'm afraid that my etsy shop is beginning to look a bit eclectic....embroidery, vintage and now metal. I'm not sure if it hurts or hinders sales. I kind of think of it as an interesting boutique with items from many different mediums.

When I began metalworking my intention was to marry metal and hand embroidery, which I've done in some of the pieces, but I also like creating just metal/enamel pieces. I don't think of myself as lacking focus, more that I want to create many different things. Eventually combining to create something unusual and beautiful. I really don't want to open two more Etsy shops to keep everything separate. Do you think it matters?

This necklace, the fern, was on its way to become a cloisonne piece, but I found that I loved the dimension and texture. So much so that I couldn't bear to sand it down to level the surface. It's a pretty substantial piece, 2" x 1.5. It's my first completed piece of enamel/semi-cloisonne jewelry and the first time I've used liver of sulfer to patina something. Boy does that stuff stink!

Once I created the fern I had a vision of how I wanted to set it and even though my metalworking skills are pretty new, it came out pretty much the way I intended. I really like its organic nature look and it fits into steampunk aesthetic as well. Keep an eye on my Etsy shop...I have two more pieces that I'm getting ready to bezel set.

Do You Know this Man?

Who does he remind you of?

Look at all of his parts...you'll be amazed by what you find.

Invention Series Umbrella Man

I love inventions and especially those from long ago. This is such a simplistic design and one that apparently didn't quite make it to the mass market. But I like the idea and it would certainly come in handy today as we talk on our cell phones and send text messages. However, if a gusty wind blew in one might be sailing away, rather then walking!


Umbrella Man comes adorned with a bowler hat and gray eyes. I can imagine him walking down the boulevard during a light rain shower, tipping his hat at a passerby.

All of the garments and umbrella were hand embroidered/woven. The umbrella alone took six hours to create. The spines are created with thin copper wire which allows the umbrella to be shaped and provides the 3D affect.

After carefully cutting each garment away from the "frame" arranging the pieces in the layout.

Detail of the woven garments.

A shot after everything was stitched and embroidered. Umbrella Man is 4.5 inches tall and fits on a 9 x 12 canvas. His face is a mere 3/4 inches! Is contoured and includes hand embroidered features.

My wonderful hubs created this beautiful frame after I merely stated that I wanted copper to over lap the canvas in the front. He did his magic with the distressing, aging, making the L brackets and finding just the right screws. Then he put it all together and came up with this lovely frame. Now I can't wait to create the next in this series, just so he can create his magic!

Umbrella man can be found in my Etsy shop. Along with the creation, I am making a small booklet that shows in greater detail how I created this piece as well as a couple of funny stories that happened during the creation.

Mysterioius Explorations of Jasper Morello

I watched this a few weeks ago and I think this is what got me thinking about doing the embroidery of the Steam Engine man and to create an "invention series" of embroidery.

Steam Engine Man A New Embroidery Series

Do you love mechanical inventions?

Do you love the 1800s?

Do you love embroidery?

I can say yes to all three of these questions. That's why I did some research to come up with a new embroidery series to entertain me and you. This is Steam Engine Man...a patent submitted to the USPTO in the late 1800s. Can you imagine seeing this trotting down the boulevard? He kind of reminds me of the tin man from the Wizard of Oz, but with steam and a pipe!

Wait until you see the next one....more fun and experimenting ensues!

New Cuff Design....leather

I love embroidery...really. But I've had this overwhelming desire to create cuffs with leather and textiles....and add some really outstanding buttons and embellishments. I love all of the textures and and random edges. I also wanted to create something that was unisex for the guys.



I've been so busy that I haven't had time to post these and many have sold already.



But, keep an eye on my shop....because I have a lot more ideas coming up soon!

The Crow and the Key Hand Embroidery

I really enjoy creating embroidery designs for these wood frames. I wanted to do something a bit more dark, or in a Steampunk genre. It's also a great design for the upcoming haunting, Halloween season.

Look for some new Steampunk cuffs arriving in my shop soon!

We Must Be On Time

The gaslights flicker and create a shadow that allows me to recede from view. I step back and feel the cold, damp walls and shiver. Someone is drawing closer and I realize that it was only the echoing in the tunnels that made it sound like whispers. I can make out vague words, “…further…lock…12th…mad hatter…” They are close to where I stand and I’m hoping they will continue past and not turn in this direction. They stop and I hear the woman’s voice, “wait.” Seconds pass as I once again hold my breath. “There’s someone here,” she says. Her voice is familiar. The librarian. Her companion says, “Stella, not now, we must be on time.” I do not recognize the gentleman’s voice.

They continue on and the sounds of their steps recede. I emerge from my place in the shadows. I will follow, but I look down and see something lying on the ground. As I reach to pick the item up I hear a loud creaking, then something heavy being lifted and slammed. I stand quietly for a moment. I now hold in my hands a tiny, leather journal. The edges are worn. It’s no bigger then the palm of my hand. The lighting is poor, but I can feel lettering or perhaps an imprint. I open it carefully and see writing and other notations. Is that a date? I will examine this more closely later. I place this with the rest of my discoveries.

I step tentatively. I feel nervous; anticipation is building, for I do not know what is ahead. Something has always stopped me from venturing this far into the tunnels. Fear and rumors. As I walk along I examine the walls for any trace of clues. I see an illustration of three gears. As I take the next step my foot hits something hard. I step up and I hear a latch lift, a creaking sound and what sounds like a door opening. Standing there for a moment, listening, I feel something brush past me and faintly I hear, “hurry, we must be on time.”

Key Triangulation Part I

He whispered, the tunnel. I heard his whisper echoing around me as I made my way through this catacomb of tunnels. I shivered. Pulling my wool jacket collar closely against my neck and placing my hand in my pocket to make sure it still contained the envelope. I couldn’t remember the last time I was here. In daylight it was a beautiful place to some. The gears, the sound, the smell. Mechanical genius built this city. Now I’m on the hunt for the answer. I pray that the contents of the envelope will somehow lead me to that end.

I found the envelope yesterday, quite by accident, among his books, sketches and writings. A tattered envelope that appeared to have casually fallen from the book., or had it? I lifted the envelope; it had a weight that seemed peculiar. The contents shifted and I found the key. It was forged as a tiny thing. It was not the only item contained within, but the only one that I can speak of right now. The key is small with round symmetrical holes in a special triangulation. Gears. I’ve seen this design before but my memory does not serve me well at the moment. I am distracted by a sound and I hold my breath.

Viva La Moda fashion and handmade

What a beautiful electronic fashion and handmade magazine! To quote Ainhoa the editor and founder, "VivaLaModa is a bi-monthly magazine created to show the greatest and coolest fashionable and hand made things we can find!"

There are interviews with fashion designers, trend alerts, makeup tips, and how to decorate your home ideas. This issue includes a spotlight on the designer label Bonzie. A great interview and pictures of exciting creations. Do you know what Steampunk is? If not, there is a style insight that presents some lovely steampunk creations. Do you enjoy the series "Pushing Daisies?" Well the style guide to "get the chuck look" includes great fashion, make-up and shoes!

The reason I know about this fantastic, new magazine is that another Etysian (thanks Monicaj) let me know that my pink Queen Annes Lace cuff is included in this issue under trend alert (page 54)! What exciting news!

Now go get your subscription today!

Steampunk Embroidered Cuff

I really like the look of steampunk and thought it would be fun to create a piece using embroidery and some ancient time pieces that I have. It was a bit of a challenge as I tried to take apart an old watch. A hammer came out and then some pliers. Now don't worry no valuable, vintage watches were harmed in the process! Then I was surprised how teeny, tiny the pieces were inside of the watch. I found my eyeglass repair kit and used the screw driver from that set to begin deconstructing the inner workings. Luckily I had needles thin enough to fit into the microscopic holes that were in the pieces and gears. And, this was the result of my efforts!