Art & Soul Retreat ~ Metal Chapter Book Class

Metal Chapter Book Class

Here it is!!  I will be teaching a workshop to the most creative fashionistas, attending The Art & Soul Retreat 2012, on
how to make these tiny little books, filled with personalized pages.  Basic solding iron technique will be used as well as fun image transfer!!  Sneek a peek and sign up for my class at:

http://www.artandsoulretreat.com/retreat-Virginia2012-2200-workshop.php

Etched And Fastened

Remember Those First ....

Kisses?

 

Everyone loves kisses!  Meant to dangle from a chain, this etched copper pendant has become a popular Simply Pretty Stuff piece. 

Soon to Be Published in Belle Armoire Jewelry!

BEautiFul Pin

Okay, I am excited.  Really ExCitEd!!  My fabulous pin design will be published in Belle Armoire Jewelry as soon as December's issue!!

Here is a sneak peak of a great opportunity signature piece!  I will leave your imagination run wild to picture what I have designed on back.  You will just have to pick up a copy of Belle Armoire Jewelry and find out! Guaranteed you will LoVe it. 

xoxo from moi.



Garden Inspired ~ New Charms for a Gettysburg Boutique

Garden Charms

Looking around here this time of  year is inspirational for studio creating.  I had gathered flowers last summer and tucked away to use, at some point, for jewelry.  Yesterday, the perfect combination of colored glass and posey came together for THESE little gems.  You can see some of these charm necklaces over at the Foxxy Moxxy Boutique, in Gettysburg, PA, managed by dear friend and qUeeN of the UniverSe,

Carol Novak.

some beauties for the shoppe

the line up

my garden inspiration in cement outside the studio door

my fabulous roses which remind me of my grandma



Three French Hens ~ A Shoppe of WhiMsey in Woodstock, VA

Three French Hens

You don't often find places like these. When you discover such gems, you want to share the find with all your girlfriends!!

Long time friend, Rose of Fairfax and I had discovered this whimsical, girly, awesome shoppe together in Woodstock, VA (the other Woodstock!)

It reminded me of all the charm found in another favorite haunt....Lucketts General Store in Luckett's, Virginia.

Manager and merchandiser, Sally, was the perfect gal to make you feel oh, so at home.  She had a story about all her pieces and certainly had the knack for honoring all the lovely things in the most perfect way.

I found humor, lace crystals, jewels, mirrors, linens, soaps, millinary couture....and the list goes on.

Be sure to stop in and say Simply Pretty Stuff sent you!!!!  It will be worth the browsing through her rooms full of "gotta have it" items!



Art Is You 2011 Ornament Swap

Ornaments Suess-i-fied

For this year's Art Is You, aka the gathering of East Coast artistic like minds conference, all were invited to make several Dr Suess inspired ornaments to swap out at the big event in Danbury, CT, the week of October 6th, this year.

I couldn't wait to share mine!  Tah Dah!

Did I also mention I am vending there October 9th?  Yep, come fall, I am soooo THERE to Danbury, Connecticut!  AND next year I will be teaching too, so it will be, OU LA LA even better!!!

Click on the side bar link to find out more about that particular venue. Hurry and register if you are going as workshops fill up fast!

Itsy Bitsy, Teeny Weeny

The Smallest Book of Poetry Ever Worn Around Your Neck!

I have had soooo much fun making these little books.  They have certainly filled a niche for my little book, secret note writing passions.  They are just simply pretty stuff............

 

Puttin' On The Glitz!!

This Pocket Sized Book Is Full Of Parchment

For Love Notes Or Pearls Of Wisdom

Yet Another Gem......

Oh My Word!

 I absolutely loved how this precious piece turned out.  The little silk ribbon makes it dance, don't you think?  This book is blank with a suggestive theme in resin which sets the stage for anything and all things hopeful to place inside.

Teaching at Art And Soul, Virginia Beach, 2012!!

Art And Soul Retreat

Set For 2012!!

But Hurry!! Classes Fill Up Quickly!!

So Sign Up Now !!

www.artandsoulretreat.com

I am so VERY excited to be among the chosen list of extraordinary instructors teaching at the 2012 Art and Soul in Virginia Beach!!  How wonderful to teach one of my favorite classes........ The Metal Chapter Book.  These simply pretty books are so itsy bitsy, they can be worn around your neck ... and are so very personal.  Keep a secret, a favorite poem, or pictures of the kids tucked inside and close to your heart.  In class we learn to prepare the metal as well as create the pages, then assemble and embellish.  Ouuuuu, what fun!! 

This chapter book is definitely close to my own heart.  It carries the deets of all my little biddie kitty cats.

click this picture for a 3D view



Here are another few ideas!  Oh, the choices!!



Simply Pretty Stuff New Pin

New Pin

There is a little bit of myself in this design.  Definitely the dress.....and the little bit of glitzy bling!  I just love making the 3-D aspect of these pieces.  Its like wearing around a miniature diorama or little story perhaps.  Of course, even though you don't see the back, I can't help designing something for it as well.  Hmm, a secret message maybe.



Beautiful at 50

A Few New Charms

Okay, of course, I am going to say 50 is beautiful,  so these are an obviously a good pairing.  They are two of several new little charms to be sold at The Foxxy Moxxy's Boutique in Gettysburg, PA.



tulip poplar beauty

Tulip Poplar Attracts Orioles To Our Suburban Nest

These blooms are substantial.  Funny, but I never paid much attention to their brilliance, until recently, when I heard the Baltimore Orioles as they darted in and out of that tree. I plucked a few for pictures and set a few in some water.  They are fabulous flowers!!



Une Revue Des Plus Belles

French Inspired And Palm Sized

This beautiful little book is now available on www.simplyprettystuff.com

The pages are waiting for your art or your musings.

The aged patina is just the right finishing touch!

Treacle

Best Cake In A Can EVER!

Notebook Ensemble To Wear

Chatelaine Line For Simply Pretty Stuff

At last these delicate little books are unveiled as a part of my new line where fashion meets function.

Wear this delicately designed little pewter notebook around your neck.  It contains 20 tiny stock weight pages that await your written word, be it a secret thought or a grocery list.

To see more, go to www.simplyprettystuff.com and click the Designs, then Chatelaines link.  Enjoy!

click the picture to view all sides of this piece

Customizing Pins!

Fabulous Pins!!

I had designed this one for Joanna, who married our son, Christopher a few months back. 

I love the book concept which was incorporated into the pin.  Do you have a story to tell or favorite saying? 

How wonderful to wear this type of pin on a jacket! Create a custom piece and wear it next to YOUR heart!

In March, I designed a pin similar to the one below for an organization that raised money for folks on chemotherapy called ChemoComfort.

I liked it so much, I had to make another one.  Think I will be using this one as a sample in a class.

Splendid!



Heart & Soul

Unconditional...



Copper Cherub Journal

Unlock The Prose

Below is definitely one of my favorite eclectic journal pieces.  This is a substantial journal, graced with an etched cherub on a copper cover.  Unlock the book and you will find a few of my most favorite verses from some long ago poets...

Although I cannot give this one up, I did want to share. Can you blame me?

Finding Frozen Charlotte

My First Frozen Charlotte!!

ou la la, I found her.............at the Art and Soul Retreat.  She was the last pitiful one on the table and I had to have her.  She has now become one of the pieces in my simply pretty stuff collection, just waiting to be graced and adorned with design.

As the Frozen story goes, Charlotte went out with her boyfriend in a carriage into the cool night's air.  Her mother urged her to take a wrap to stay warm, but Charlotte chose not to follow that advise.  She died from the cold, alas.  With a sad heart, her boyfriend died of the news.

Nothing like a good German folktale tragedy.  I can say this because I grew up in a German household, with interesting bedtime stories.

Yesterday and today have been crazy busy days between the garden and the studio.  Just love to be busy letting those creative forces work.  A mouthful of Ghiriadelli chocolate caramel squares sure do have a place in all that too  ; )

Spring Surprises

Sometimes the spring plan for posies is made in the fall, in anticipation of a bountiful spring splendor.  It works half of the time here...well...yep, about half the time.  This year the several year old wisteria out did itself.  This was a plan and a hope we had when we transplanted the young sapling into so very sad and brick hard dirt ~ in a drought year.  I watered with the laundry rinse water that year!  Alas, now I can say it was soooo worth it.

As well this spring, there were some sweet surprises.  Blooming Ajuga found its way to the front yard between the blades of virgin grass.

Another find this spring was of the reptile type.  A family of brown water snakes made their home in our pond this year.  Back to the wetlands they go.

Peace Journal

A Simply Pretty Stuff Peace Offering!

This metal book is a special gift that was made for a special young artist!!  The pages are just waiting for her sketches of dragons and fairies.  The perfect birthday piece, wouldn't you say?  I think this budding artist will love how she can tuck her ideas away in this personal journal.  Perfect! 



Art From The Masters

Miniature Art Collection

These pieces of art are fabulous in miniatures.  I have begun collecting... so to speak.  Let me know if you want some too from Simply Pretty Stuff.  All artwork is in 3-D.  Personal photos would be terrific in these little frames as well.  Imagine!!

Other Book Samples



Furry Family Picture Book

Metal Photo Album You Can Wear

Our boy has grown and has a wonderful home and beautiful wife of his own.  However, there are several furry children who remain in our household.  Proud mama can now wear this brood in a photo album around her neck! How absolutely cool is that?

If you want one too, let me know.  These specialty items make wonderful gifts.  The cost for a book necklace of your own with six blank pages is $75.00.  With picture transfers of your choice add $25.00 more.  I will photo edit to black and white, sketch or full color.



EaSteR ChiCk Pin GiveAwAy

Easter Pin!!!

OK, I have spring FEVER and I am delerious!!

I am giving away this little piece of Easter-ness to the first person who leaves a comment on my blog saying why they love Simply Pretty Stuff!!

"I love Simply Pretty Stuff .....because"

; )  Good LUck!!