Customers Work - Mary Harding.

I love seeing what my customers make with my glass and recycled supplies. This time I am sharing a piece made by one of my favorite ceramic artists Mary Harding. I am just in awe of her work, especially her naturals. They are to die for.  Her pendants and beads are favorites of many artists and have graced the pages of many magazines. 

To learn more about this incredible artist. 

http://www.maryhardingjewelry.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/maryhardingjewelry

The piece she made is inspired by the book...The cookbook collector. From the comments left by other members, it seems Mary did a fantastic job bringing this book to life. This is a book I will have to read.

First I thought I would share the components in the piece. This is what she purchased from me.

Orange Capacitors.  These are still available along with lots of other colors.

.

Some tiny light bulbs and some spools of fine gauge colored copper wire. ( no longer available.) 

She altered the pieces to make these cool little beads.

She also made these fantastic realistic looking ceramic beads. I loved reading about her process on her blog.

She also soldered a copper bezel that she filled with capacitors and jewelers resin and dangled some more capacitors and a little light bulb.

Here is the completed piece...I just love it! 

Mary can tell the story better than anyone...here is a link to her blog post...Please stop by and tell her what you think!

http://maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com/2013/07/inspired-by-reading-book-club-cookbook.html

A few pieces of Mary's work...just to tease! :)

To learn more about this incredible artist. Here are links to her shops so you can check her out.

http://www.maryhardingjewelry.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/maryhardingjewelry

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please leave a comment...I would love to hear from you!

Resin and Recycled Computer Parts Tutorial.

As you know I have been having lots of fun using all the recycled computer parts I snag from my honey. I have also started selling these great pieces in my shops.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PLJohnsonGlassArt?section_id=11562125

I wanted to show you how great these pieces work with resin and how fun and easy it is to make sweet little pendants.

I am using Ice Resin epoxy doming resin by artist Susan Lenart Kasmer.

They are very easy to use…have great clarity and dome nicely.

You can order kits and Susan has tons of great ideas and tutorials on her sites and blog.

http://slkindustrialchic.com/

http://slkartmechanic.com/

http://www.susanlenartkazmer.net/gallery.htm

http://susan-lenart-kazmer.blogspot.com/

First I gathered together some aluminum rings and discs to use as bezels.

                               

These are open so they need to have box tape put on the back to hold in the resin. Make sure to burnish for a tight seal.

The resin is mixed with 2 equal parts. Stir gently till mixture turns clear 1-2 min being careful not to mix in bubbles. Let the resin sit and rest for 5min.

The Popsicle sticks are used to slowly drip the resin into the bezel. I put a small layer on the bottom add my flowers or whatever then fill to the top of the bezel.

When I am finished pouring I cover these with a box to keep the dust out and let sit for 24 hours. Then I pour the second dome layer. Then cover and let sit for 48hrs. I also used the resin as glue for the bails…some great little parts also from computers. I just mix a small amount and brush it on the pieces secure the 2 together and let sit 24hrs.

A great tip from Susan…pour in 2 steps to avoid run over and get a nice domed effect.

Another little tip I found is the aluminum pieces shine brightly using pro polish pads.

I hope you will try resin. It is great fun and there are so many things you can do.

Late Post on my Poor Neglected Blog.

I'm so sorry. I posted the results for Upcyclers creativity challenge everywhere else but not on my own blog.
So here are the winners.

"Though the entries were few, they were some really good ones and I had a bit of a hard time deciding.

The runner up is Our Childrens Earth with her storage containers. It is such a great practical item. It is a simple project to make and It uses all recycled items. It is also a great way to use up all those scraps.

The grand prize goes to SwooshbyScrollwork for her incredibly adorable Hobbit House. The piece is so creative. I absolutely love her use of very different items …like kitchen scraps. Just amazing!

Thanks to all who participated! This was great fun and some really great entries!"

Time to Pick a Winner for the Upcyclers Team May Creativity Challenge.

This month I was choosen as the judge of the upcyclers team creativity challenge. The medium I chose for the group to upcycle was plastic coffee cans or creamer containers. I have to admit my reasons were a little selfish, as my house is overflowing with these. I also know so many other coffee lovers I figured these would be easy to find. I was just dying to see what everyone came up with. The group is full of so many creative people. I am always amazed at the items this group creates.

You can learn more about the group here... http://love2upcycle.blogspot.com/

Well, the entries are in! This group did not disapoint! Such fantastic ideas from the pretty and practical to the wow! wow! How did you ever come up with such a great idea?

Here are this months entries. Now the problem is picking just two.

pinterest.com/pin/53339576806748984/

https://www.etsy.com/listing/125196077/momma?ref=teams_post

ourchildrensearth.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/recycled-containers-into...

www.flickr.com/photos/scrollwork/8724877700/
Here is my entry although I'm not including it in the judging.

What do you think? Which two would you choose?
Thanks for stopping by! I hope this inspired an upcycled project for you!

Upcyclers Creativity Challenge for May. DIY Birdbath Planter.

As most of you know I am part of a team on Etsy called Upcyclers. I’m sure you have seen some of my entries from past monthly challenges. I am thrilled to have been chosen to be the judge for May’s challenge. The medium I chose to be upcycled was plastic coffee cans or creamer containers…really any plastic container will do. I had a bit of a selfish reason for choosing this item as my house is overflowing with them….ahhh coffee!

I found a cool birdbath on Pinterest that had used clay pots and a light cover. For the challenge I substituted with painted coffee cans and used one of my fused glass bowls. The project was really easy and the materials few and inexpensive. 6 Plastic coffee cans, spray paint, 5' concrete rebar ( bought a scrap piece at Home Depo for $ 0.99), a plastic bowl or light cover.  

Here is a link to the site...

http://plantcaretoday.com/diy-garden-planter-birds-bath.html

The original used 6, instead I used 5, one of my bowls, and copper wire recycled from an electrical cord.

I also chose a textured paint to try and hide the logo. It covered well although the hammered texture of the paint seemed to level out some. I cut an x in the bottoms.

I drove the rebar into the ground and put on my first can at an angle and supported it with rocks and just kept adding cans.

I found out the hard way...you want to fill them with dirt as you go.

I chose to use one of my fused glass bowls. They are a bit heavy and I could just imagine a squirrel knocking it down. I wired it on to the rebar with heavy gauge copper from an old electrical cord. It is still a little wobbly so I am going to weld on a vase camp from and old lamp to set the bowl in and then wire it.

It was a fun project and I got to use quite a few cans. I am very happy with it! It has added a nice splash of height and color to my garden and the birds love it! I can't wait to see how it looks when the flowers fill in.

Hope this all inspires you to get out and create!

Happy Upcycled Garden All!

Late post. The 3rd Reveal of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party!

I tried to use auto post. I guess better luck next time. I spent the weekend celebrating my birthday with my family.  Then I forgot to check it. :(

This is the 3rd and final reveal of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party.

Created and hosted by Lori Anderson of Lori Anderson Designs.

Lori has paired up artists who will swap bead soup mixes. The soups have to consist of a focal, a special clasp and coordinating beads. Something to challenge your partner and something you would be proud to give to your best friend. We then have to create something using at least the focal and the clasp…and have these ready for the reveal. We all visit each other’s blogs to see their finished pieces and learn more about them and the pieces they made. 

You can check it all out here!

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/

I am having a wonderful time! a big thank you to Lori and all for such a wonderful event!

Enjoy the hop!

The 2nd Reveal of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party!

It is time for the 2nd reveal of the 7th. Bead Soup Blog Party. This time around the party is even bigger with the addition of a contest and prizes.

This has been my second time participating and I am having such a great time.  It is so cool seeing all the different soups and designs that came about. I have met some fantastic people and was just blown away by the work and some of the great blogs out there.

I have to give a big thank you to Lori and all those who helped make this possible…you all did such a great job and this was no small feat!

Created and hosted by Lori Anderson of Lori Anderson Designs.

Lori has paired up artists who will swap bead soup mixes. The soups have to consist of a focal, a special clasp and coordinating beads. Something to challenge your partner and something you would be proud to give to your best friend. We then have to create something using at least the focal and the clasp…and have these ready for the reveal. We all visit each other’s blogs to see their finished pieces and learn more about them and the pieces they made. 

You can check it all out here!

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/