Eggs Eggs Everywhere and not a one to eat!

It's getting close to that holiday that makes every Egg Artist's heart go pitter patter.... Easter.  Now that's not to say that egg decorating is only for Easter... oh no - it's an all year round passion that includes conventions, shows, clubs and even an international guild.  That's right folks - Egg Art is EVERYWHERE!!!

What can you do with an egg?  (you ask innocently)  Anything you want - it just takes a bit of imagination.  There's the traditional egg decorations like Pysanky; incredible jeweled eggs inspired by Fabrege; carved eggs; beaded eggs; jeweled eggs; dyed eggs; painted eggs; eggs that are open with dioramas inside (like the old sugar eggs); eggs that are made into jewel boxes; you name it - you can do it to an egg.

Even Steampunk is making it's way into the egg art world.  Diane and I are having a back and forth exploration of the world of steampunk - as many of you have noticed.  This is my latest try.  I elaborated on it a bit, as Steampunk to the artists of the Guild (of which I am now 2nd Vice President and Newsletter editor!) and the rest of the world can mean 2 different things. I toned down a bit, added a little bling bling (because everyone loves some sparkly) and came up with this ornament just in time for the holiday.  (warning- obnoxious self promotion occurring now) They will soon be on my Etsy and Store Envy sites - links on this page - along with all my other springtime creations available for quick sale now in time for Easter! (phwww that's over with - on to the rest of the article!).

From Ostridge to Finch and everything in between, eggs are everywhere.  The White House receives one from every state, created by artists across the country, and holds a ceremony where they are put on display just in time for Easter.  So.. what does my house look like right about now?   You REALLY don't want to know - but I can show you the display on my desk!

So - what are you doing with your eggs for Easter.  By the way - you can make a really great custard with all the innerds after blowing out all those eggshells!

by Dani

Beaded Wild Woman Pin: Part 2

The Bead & Button Show was incredible.  While I wandered the aisle checking out the new handmade beads, oohing and ahhing over the incredible jewelry creations that are more like art than something wearable, and happily fondling the long strings of pearls and gemstones available, my mind was churning with new ideas and creative ways to update old ones.  I picked up some patterns (just because I had to!) and a kit or two (again, same reason), along with - you guessed it - even more beads and pearls to add to my stash.  It was so hard to wait until I got home to unwrap everything and start to play.

So - here I am playing with all the cool stuff I picked up - and what do you think I grab.  Yup - the good old Wild Woman design.  And - tell me - do I use the beads and neat stuff I just purchased - of course not.  I grab my box of leftover goodies and start to combine things.  I did come up with a new design - so I suppose that's a good thing - but come on.. why not use all the brand spanking new pearls and crystals I now have spread over my table!

Anyway - here she is.  She's more of a mixed media type "Woman" with the inclusion of some great quilting fabric I had and multiple layers of different textures of yarn for hair.  She's on a long hat pin so could be used for multiple things.   Not sure what to call her- any ideas?
~ Dani

Wild Woman Bead Pin

Ok - -so I know it's been a while since our last posting - and I do promise to get better - but life got in the way of creation.  Now that things have calmed down a bit, I started cleaning up my artsy workspace and once more ran my fingers through the piles of colorful glass and crystal beads.  This of course has nothing to do with the fact that the Bead & Button Show is being held this week in Milwaukee.  Uh uh - nope - nothing at all. ( http://www.beadandbuttonshow.com/)  

I decided, since I was playing anyway, to break out a couple of my old designs and see if I still remembered how to make them.  Sometimes you forget how much fun something was to make until you do it again.  I went back and re-created my Wild Women series.  How fun to create these great characters with their wiry hair flinging beads and crystals everywhere.  I also made a couple of Wild Child and Crazy Lady pins to break it up a bit. I'll be adding them to the store shortly, although I have put the pattern out there already.

Who knows what I'll come up with once I've been to the show.... like I really need more beads!  

~ Dani