Detritus Project - Assemblage - CORN ROAST

Mel Kolstad, curator for the Langdon Divers Gallery in the Fond du Lac Library issued a call-to-artists to create original artwork for the "Detritus Project" to be be displayed at the library gallery February 3 to March 2, 2016. Artists were to use materials library staff found in returned books, which Mel refers to as detritus. The opening reception will be Thursday, February 11 from 6pm to 8pm.

The box of detritus was pretty picked over by the time I stopped at the library. I chose these two pieces. I was attracted to the "Corn Roast" raffle ticket as the event occurred on my birthday. The sticker on the left side remains unused.

I cut out the portions of the ticket that were of interest to me and collaged them with a "Journal Starters" image from my book. The inspiration of the corn roast date prompted me to draw my face with colored pencil.

As I am coloring in my face I am thinking of all the herbicides and GMO's that are now so infused into our countries corn production. How many acres upon acres are planted in corn...and why...

I placed the collaged image in an old wooden box and added more bits from the ticket around the sides of the box. Finally I rolled up some corn husks and glued them around the edge.

This piece is titled CORN ROAST.

For more information on the "Detritus Project" click here http://www.fdlpl.org/blog/2015/11/turn-castoffs-art-call-detritus-project

Mel Kolstad is one of the contributing artists for Journal Starters: Sampler Volume 1!

Maxims and Rules of Celebrated Men - Carus - Assemblage

Maxims and Rules of Celebrated Men - Carus – Assemblage

The belt buckle was the starting inspiration piece for this assemblage. I had an idea that it could be something to look through, perhaps a portal to clarity. Next I searched for a photo and found the above cabinet photo with the handsome young gentleman. I intended on finding a one line quote from an old book to add below the picture. I pulled out my old “Chatterbox” book that I have been working in and the first page I opened I found the title for my piece “Maxims and Rules of Celebrated Men” with the quote below.

Carus. - 1. Hear as little as possible whatever is to the prejudice of others. 2. Believe nothing of the kind till you are absolutely forced to it. 3. Never drink into the spirit of any one who circulates an evil report. 4. Always moderate, as far as possible, the unkindness which is expressed towards others. 5. Always believe that if the other side were heard, a very different account would be given of the matter.

When all of the pieces come together as if they were always meant to be – this is the magic of assemblage.

To enhance the design I added three screw clips and for interest rather than adding a fourth I use a singleton cufflink, which was perhaps once worn by a “Celebrated Man”.

This is an original assemblage framed under glass. Available in my Etsy shop RAEvN's Nest here.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/100640597/maxims-and-rules-of-celebrated-men

Butterfly Necklace – Assemblage

I haven’t posted in awhile. Instead I have been listing items in a new Etsy shop (details soon), cleaning and organizing. I find it difficult to incorporate blogging when I’m being productive or unproductive (so blogging fits in this little niche between).
An actual butterfly wing sandwiched between plexiglass and brass. My sweet sister sent me some bugs that she had been collecting over the years, to copper electroform. The wings on the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly were just too pretty to cover. The adjustable necklace is made up of smoky faceted round luster glass beads, rough faceted chunks of tourmaline and faceted teardrop shaped natural citrine. I will be listing this on my Etsy shop as soon as I get some more pictures taken. SOLD!

Set Sail for Paris – Assemblage Necklace

The Victorian brass ship pin with “PARIS” stamped on the front is the starting inspiration for this necklace. Souvenir jewelry was often purchased on Victorian travels. Touring Europe, including Paris and Italy was popular in Victorian and Edwardian days. Little trinkets were evidence of places you've been! For now I am content with my virtual travels.

The pin has been left on and will offer more variety to the way you can wear and drape this necklace. A very clever quality clasp!

The brass chain enables the necklace to be adjustable from 20” to 24”.

It is set at the shortest length on the dress form. The ship drops an additional 1 3/4 from the necklace.

Three different strands pay homage to the sea; a vintage chain of clear glass beads attached rosary style for sparkle, a strand of freshwater pearls to hint at sea life, a strand of Czech glass beads with rough faceted quartz in the colors of water. Now available in my Etsy shop here.

Pantalet Assemblage

A couple of years ago I was the winning bidder of a box of antique and vintage doll clothing at a live auction. I’m not quite sure why I felt compelled to bid on the box full of clothes. When I looked through it, I found some of the sweetest diminutive garments.
After a bit of investigative work I discovered the name of these Victorian undergarments. I originally thought they were called pantaloons, but after “googling” I found out that pantaloons were for men. Then I tried petticoats, well they are skirts. Drawers and bloomers are shorter pants. The definition of pantalets is; long drawers, usually trimmed with ruffles, extending below the skirts: worn during the early and mid 19th century.
These pantalets are the inspiration for a series of framed assemblages incorporating doll clothes.


Wearing the pantalets is an actual original image from an 1872 Victorian magazine of a beautiful woman with a far away gaze. A page with poems for interest and another with a landscape to ground her. Three buttons for balance and to hold the composition together.


I chose this frame for it’s round top and aged patina. I feel that when something is made well, its beauty only increases with age and the wear shown makes it authentic to its past.
This is the first in a series, stay tuned for more. I almost have the second one completed, with ideas for a couple more.

Printers Cabinet Now Holds Jewelry Making Supplies

I couldn't resist this printers cabinet! I sold some things I kind of liked and bought this cabinet that I really like. My assemblage studio isn't heated so I squeezed this into the kitchen for now. It will be for my jewelry making supplies. Yes, I know I have a drawer problem. I told my friend Jill Shulse while watching Hoarders, one of our favorite pastimes, "I'm one of those organized hoarders. When I'm 80 my house will be lined with rows of cabinets with drawers. There will only be enough room to walk through the aisles. All my drawers will be labeled and if I like you I will let you look in them. LOL"!

It fits perfectly in front of the mural that I painted on the walls years ago. Instead of standing on a door the rooster looks like it is standing on the cabinet.


This is one of my drawers for "Inspiration" pieces.

This drawer is for pearls and shells...

One of the drawers waiting to be filled...

Mother of Pearl Rose and Bird - Necklace

I started with the beautiful carved mother of pearl flowers. The sweet little bird was a perfect accompaniment.

Three faceted citrine stones flank carnelian beads with tiny brass spacers. Three baroque pearls with crystals between are the balance to a victorian brass bar pin with rhinestone. The bar has been depinned. A hand forged brass clasp hooks to a chain making the necklace adjustable from 19 inches to 24 inches. A sweet rhinestone flower drops from the brass chain. Pairs of bone bead, agates and glass beads round out the necklace.




Available at my Etsy shop RAEvN's Nest here.

Ivory Rose and Rhinestones - Necklace

I've been busy sorting through jewelry, collecting ideas and finally creating.

Jewelry from the nest.

Picasso is one of the artists who I admire. He worked in many mediums and was always experimenting with different styles. Above is one of his fine art prints pictured in a book.

This antique ivory colored rose is the beautiful centerpiece for this necklace.

I couldn't decide which of the two pictures above that I like better, so I posted both.


There are two large chunks of carnelian stone flanking the rose with a third by the clasp. A chain of brass roses with rhinestone centers have a beautiful green patina on parts of the leaves. The asymmetrical design includes carved bone, crystal, brass and glass beads. A textured brass chain, with a pretty little marquise mother of pearl button, enables the necklace to be adjustable between 18 inches to 24 inches.

This necklace is available at my Etsy site RAEvNsNest here.

Necklace - The Elegant Moose

I saw a necklace with a silvertone elk head from an odd fellows badge and wanted one. I have searched the internet for months. That is the beauty of found object art, you can't just find the components anywhere. There was just something about it...

I decided to make my own. I drew an elk, then reduced my drawing, but something just wasn't right. I didn't want to copy the elk exactly, but I liked it exactly as it was. The antlers looked wimpy and for some reason I began thinking about moose. Perhaps because I was thinking about original art, art that is inspired but not copied.


Why would a moose be a totem animal for me? I had seen many animals on our vacation to Yellowstone this past year including elk, but not one single moose. Perhaps the moose had something to tell me.

I looked up moose totem on the internet and this is a summary of what I found:
The crown of courage; Full of contradiction; Excellent depth perception; Strength; Intuitive nature; Reward ourselves for a job well done; Moose
I etched all of these traits on the back of the moose head.

I cut the moose from heavy gauge brass. Next, I etched the image of a moose with the name of the designer in bold letters - RAEvN.

I refashioned a vintage glass bead necklace adding a mother of pearl flower. Hanging below the pendant is a piece of jewelry from my Great Aunt Lena's stash. The shell charms remind me of antler. I also added an acorn shaped button backed by a shell button. The clasp is a hook and eye that I fabricated from brass wire.

The necklace is available in my Etsy shop RAEvNs Nest here.

Necklace - La Rose France

I found this sweet brass label while on one of my internet travels to Europe. The label reads "La Rose France, Houbigant Paris". This was originally a brass label from an antique perfume bottle. Houbigant was a perfume manufacturer founded in Paris, France in 1775.

According to the item description, the plate was found in the ground and was made perhaps around 1910 - 1930.


I added a sterling silver rose with sparkly rhinestones including one tiny black one.


The pendant hangs from a delicate double strand vintage rosary type chain and antique glass bead chain with a brass jumpring marked CZECHOSLOV stamped in tiny letters.


This necklace is available at my Etsy shop RAEvN's Nest here.

Silver Carnival Horse Necklace

Today I finished this necklace. The actual construction didn't take long once I decided on the design. What took me a lot of time was going through my stash looking for inspiration.

The vintage silver horse is the starting inspiration for this necklace. I made this piece of jewelry, filled with loving memories. I also made it with the intention of listing it on Etsy. It is not always easy to for me to let go of my art.

The above picture is of my Great Aunt Lena. She never married nor had children. I am the keeper of her pictures, some belongings and memories. Lena is at the carnival with her boyfriend. This picture along with the horse gave me the idea to pursue a vintage carnival inspired theme. The pearl rosary style chain is from Lena's jewelry box. I love the combination of beads in white, silver, plum, steel and a bit of pink for a feminine touch. The asymmetrical design gives added interest to the composition of this necklace. The 5 small silver beads are from my Aunt Carol and Uncle Al. At one time they sold jewelry findings at flea markets.


The necklace measures 24" with the horse and poles hanging an additional 4" below.

Close-up detail.

Another photo styling idea.

To complete the necklace I added a vintage silver barrel clasp. The crescent shaped beads are silver plated brass. I am not sure of the metal content of the rest of the necklace.

Time to share my memories and list this necklace on Etsy. You can find the necklace listed here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/91119780/vintage-silver-carnival-horse-necklace
SOLD 1/21/12

Next I need to put away the creative mess...

Assemblage - Gift That Comes With Strings Attached.

Since it is the holiday season I thought it would be a good time to present this assemblage to give warning "Be careful of accepting gifts with strings attached". I'm really not that cynical but I do have quite the wandering imagination of "what ifs".

The most challenging part of creating this assemblage was attaching the strings to the hands as it was glued shut from the backside. I was able to salvage the porcelain hands from a broken figurine.

Art Journals

 

My art journals that I have gathered together so far. Why am I compelled to record my thoughts, ideas and artistic journey?

Assemblage Art Journals in my Etsy Shop!

 

ALBERT EINSTEIN

This one of a kind assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted a brass plate that a life size portrait of Albert Einstein has been hand-drawn and then etched upon. A photograph of Albert Einstein's actual eyes has been place under a vintage pair of glasses similar to the ones Einstein would have worn. In the cutout is featured Einstein's quote
"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere". Albert Einstein 1879 - 1955.
The 8" x 10" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Six signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 72 pages enables you to use most wet or dry mediums.

For Sale in my Etsy shop.

 

TUNING INTO CREATIVITY

This one of a kind assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted a brass plate that has been hand-drawn and then etched upon. Bolted on to the cover is a vintage radio dial that actually turns, so you can "Tune into Creativity"!
Enclosed is a side view of the book to illustrate how much the handle projects from the surface.
disclaimer: I personally find the inspiration of this journal to more than compensate any hindrance the knob causes. There is a hairline crack to the right side of the logo on top of the dial which isn't noticeable unless you are looking for it.
The 6 1/4" x 8 1/4" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Six signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 96 pages enables you to use most wet or dry mediums. Pages vary in width, some are 6" wide and some are 4" wide.
Use as a journal, sketchbook, or guest book. Display on your coffee table for guests to doodle or write in. Would make an exceptional gift for yourself or someone special.

For sale in my Etsy shop.

 

DISCOVERING CREATIVITY

This original art assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted brass and copper plates that has been hand-drawn, stamped and then etched upon. Bolted onto the brass plate is a vintage door escutcheon plate with a vintage engraving of an eye encased in resin.
The 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Ten signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 120 pages enables you to use a variety of wet or dry mediums.
Use as a journal, sketchbook, or guest book. Display on your coffee table for guests to doodle or write in. Would make an exceptional gift for yourself or someone special.

For sale in my Etsy Shop.

 

THE STANDARD

This one of a kind assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted a vintage brass plate. "The STANDARD Not genuine without this signature Nathanial Baldwin Salt Lake City, Utah".
The 5 1/2" x 5" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Four signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 64 pages enables you to use most wet or dry mediums. Pages vary in width, some are 6" wide and some are 4" wide.
Use as a journal, sketchbook, or guest book. Display on your coffee table for guests to doodle or write in. Would make an exceptional gift for yourself or someone special.

For sale in my Etsy shop.