Let's get on!
Today was about remembering I bought a new Dremel a while back and that I should try it out, which is professional speak for 'drill holes in everything!!' I scored a massive gallon sized jar of shells at a local junk shop not long ago, so I've started fishing out some of them to drill up for pendants. Actually it had more than just super-cool shells in it, there were also some amazing seed pods, volcanic glass chunks, bits of driftwood, fossils, coral fragments and something that I'm pretty sure is a lion's tooth! I'll photograph it one day- can't show you the fossils and the big shells cause they're already in the fish tank in the lounge.
Anyway- back to drilling holes in everything. Here's this afternoon's effort- not bad considering I sat at my desk for the sum total of an hour. (Better than nothing!) The big gold ring is some hammered 10g bronze wire which is excellent for stress release as it's tough as nails. When it's raw like this it has a beautiful warm tone that I think looks nicer than gold; when it's oxidised it goes that delicious melty brown like chocolate.Everything here is pretty big- the long orange shell is about 3-4 inches in length. I'm lookin' to make some serious statement pieces with these!
Here's a close up - the big cowrie has been tied with an amethyst chunk and some kind of natural twine- it's either jute or hemp, I bought it from the local thrift in the form of fringing, I think it's 70s macrame supply. One of the good things about living in an old arty/hippy town is that the thrift has a ton of cast-off artist things, there's always something 70s and earthy to snap up. (As a result I have a steadily-growing studio pottery collection now.)
This buckle was made somewhere between Medieval and Tudor times, I'm pretty sure it's bronze. I bought it from Alchemyshop where I also scored this little deer antler:
Okay that's it for today's reportage. Thank you (as always and ever!) for the comments on the last post, it's nice to know the people I missed also missed me.
15 comments:
Great idea! I love seeing all your bits and pieces and what you do with them. Inspiring!
How fun to see your 'behind the scenes' work! I love all your cool shells and rusty stuff. Gorgeous!!!
one thing i love possibly the most about creativity is when people share the process. i just eat it up all yummy like! glad your dremel is is whirring away. nothing like putting holes in stuff! :)
today i had decided to photograph all the things i find the most inspiring in my studio and post them. why not?
looking forward to your daily posts. <3
Man do I love drillin' holes in stuff and tube rivets in rocks are especially great. Holes and dots and pattern repetition and those big honkin' shells are most excellent. Once again, welcome back!
Ooh lovely, I adore work in progress shots!! it's all looking wonderful and your photography is really beautiful. Welcome back Penny, you were missed!
Such lovely beautiful shells, and I am looking forward to your daily blog posts, what a treat! I too love watching the behind the scenes features, as it is the process itself that is so captivating.
gorgeous! i feel like just as long as you start... you're there! i mean, w/all the gorgeous odds and ends you've collected... any of these can be sold as is or connected to some of those bead stack dangles from last post and be a pendant... they're so damned cute!!!
yay- sparrow's back!
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! I especially like the long shell and the deer antler.
Again, it's nice to hear from you.
Such beautiful work, and your palette is exquisite, as always!
Welcome back!
Love all that natural, earthy goodness.
It's a happy thing to see you working and blogging. Knowing the stories behind the materials you're using, makes the pieces even more special. You're inspiring in so many ways.
Lovey pics - and fun to share the process. Promise me that you are wearing a mask when you drill those shells ok? Looks like you are on a big creative roll!
Glad to see that you are finding your mojo again - and I love to see the process of becoming. Looking forward to seeing this more often.
You make beautiful things. I just wanted to provide a warning for you and your readers:
A word of caution: Drilling shells can make you sick if you breathe in the dust, because there may still be living microbes in the shell. You will need to wear a particle mask, the white kind like painters wear. You can get them for cheap (2 or 3 bucks at the most) at hardware stores. It's also a good idea to drill outside, just to be extra safe. Not to scare you off! You just need to take simple precautions to keep yourself safe. I've done it a bunch and have never gotten sick.
I've seen this lots of palces, but I just googled it to find a statement. My source was: http://discuss.gromco.com/snl/tz37506.html
@Karriaagzh Thanks for your concern Karriaagzh, but I did actually do them outside and some stuff I do underwater. After that I'm not concerned; I'm Australian, we don't do health and safety. :)
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