Junker Jane Style Artwork

I think I'm hooked on this style of work which is quite different to the style I usually go for.  I think the attraction is that anything goes and that it has a grungy "creepy cute" look.  I didn't know about the Junker Jane style of work until one of my friends from ATCsforAll started a swap and invited me to join.  To date I have made 7 ATC's and a paper (I used watercolour paper) art doll.  There is another trade happening as well on ATCsforAll which involves making cloth dolls in this style.  That is my weekend project.

These are the first 6 that I made.  4 are headed over for trading.  The 7th one isn't quite finished yet.

Artists Trading Cards.

Art doll.

WOYWW 312 and 6 Year Anniversary

WOW how time flies.  I have to say I have only participated in WOYWW the last couple of years but those years have been fun and I've made some good friends and have been privileged to see what has been created on them.

I think Julia who instigated the What's on your work desk Wednesday blog hops has done an amazing job in gathering a bunch of artists together who would otherwise not have met.  The internet is great isn't it?  So why not pop on over to Julia's blog the Stamping Ground and see what I mean about connecting to artists from all over the world.

In the meantime I'd like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who visits my little blog world and leaves a comment or two or if you just happen to pass through.

Not much going on on my desk.  I bought these lovely ceramic beads from a facebook friend who was doing a destash and I'm trying to decide what to make with them.  I know there will be several pieces made but that's as far as I've got.  I may use copper or brass wire with them - what do you think?

What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday #302

Time for some WOYWW and it seems Julia has passed the 300 blog post while I've been away in Arizona so this is my first post in 3 weeks - find out more at the Stamping Ground about details of WOYWW and how you can join in.

On my desk this fine Wednesday is a mish mash of painted dominoes, wire, beads and other paraphernalia to make up some art dolls.  These are for a swop over on ATC's For All.  

Here is the doll I made this morning.

This one I made last week. 

It's nice to be back home but I do miss having someone to art with.

See you all soon.

Anita

Happy 2014!!!! New Goals and Challenges.

Happy New Year everyone.  Hope you've had a good start to the new year and suffering too much from a fuzzy head.

So as the new year begins everyone makes resolutions to lose weight, eat healthy, exercise more etc etc.  But these are the common things what about really challenging yourself or setting goals? 

My challenges/goal for 2014 so far are - 
- to try and read at least 52 books (yep one a week may not happen but that's the challenge), you can find the facebook page here if you fancy joining in.

- finish the 40 portraits challenge (there is no time limit on this one)

- the 29 faces challenge starts again in February -1 face each day

- make space by using up all the fabric and wool I have in my collection

Another challenge I signed up for (early this morning haha) is 30 Paintings in 30 Days - I'm not sure how I'll do with this one as I'll be heading off to the USA in a couple of weeks - I may have to get some made in advance.

My first painting for the 30 paintings in 30 days is a mixed media Artist Trading Card (ATC) it measures 2.5 x 3.5 inches.  

So there we go the start of my New Year.

Happy New Year

Anita

Simple Yet Elegant Bracelets....#AEDM

It's been a while since I made any other than commission based pieces.  I had a couple of spare packs of mixed beads in my vast collection and which I hadn't had time to do anything with.  They lend themselves to making memory wire bracelets very well and every bracelet looks different due to the mix of beads even when using the same colour scheme.  Here I have 2 different shades one which has a copper tone and one which would look great worn with blue tones or even to dress up a denim outfit.

Memory wire bracelets - 

Art Every Day Month day 12 a different kind of creative today.

Anita

Art Every Day Month Day 3........Felt Brooches

I missed day 2 of the Art Every Day Month but I do have a good reason why.  I had a post on my facebook page asking if I'd be interested in putting some of my work in a pop up shop in Manchester.  So yesterday I went and had a look and met up with Lisa the lady who runs the shop.  It's lovely and has some beautiful handmade items.  I was so overwhelmed with the lovely comments I received about the sample pieces I'd taken in.  

So now I am busy making up stock for the shop -yep I decided to go ahead and give it a go.  The shop had a steady stream of customers coming in while I was there and when the Christmas market starts in a couple of weeks I can see it getting really busy especially as there is going to be a cafe set up outside and a host of craft huts which will lead from the main market at Albert Square to Spinningfields.

Today's make are some beaded felt flowers.  The flowers are cut with a sizzix die cut and the beads hand sewn into the middle.  I've gone for some pretty bright colours - we all need some colour especially as the days are now cold, damp and grey.  

Don't forget it's also Handmade Monday over on Handmade Harbour blog and Creative Monday. Pop along and see what other crafter's have been up to.

Stay warm and craft

Anita

Flutterby, Butterfly

So it'a a bank holiday weekend over here in the UK which means a lovely long weekend to play with all your crafty items without feeling guilty about not doing the more tedious jobs around the house.  

These butterflies were stenciled onto fabric a few weeks ago but I've not had time to do anything with them.  So with the long weekend I decided that this was the perfect time to finish them and to catch up on some movies I've been meaning to watch.  

Here they are my textile butterflies with lots of sequins and beads.  I can't decide which one I like the best.  I'm drawn to both as they have different aspects that I like.  Which one do you prefer?

I'm including this in the Handmade Monday blog over on Handmade Harbour.  Why not pop on over and see what the other lovely crafters have been up to.

Happy Crafting 

Anita