Art Monday I

This is my sketchbook. Pretty simple run of the mill sketchbook. I did add an envelope on it so I could have a triangle tool on hand.

You can see said tool poking out here. Also the envelope broke while I was trying to get the triangle. I fixed it with the yellow duct tape.

In my sketchbook I sketch a lot of my pieces. I also make little notes like "knotted leather." If an archeologist finds my work, I want them to know what my plan was in case the picture isn't totally clear.
Planning a necklace for Spring '11. I am very into shells.

Every night before I go to bed, I think about this necklace. How I am going to make it. What colors it's going to have in it. When am I going to have the time to make. Perhaps next Monday?

The Going Back to School Project

Many of my friends are going, have gone, or planning to go back to school. I admire these courageous souls. At times I even envy them- then finals roll around and I don't. At this moment in time I am not looking to go back to school, but instead take a journey to the days of elementary school. I am going to put myself on a schedule, where for one hour a day I am going do one of the following activities:

Art
Health
Music
Gym (2 times per week because that's how we rolled at Dean's Mill School)

I am also going to post a daily blog post about what I did that particular day. Let me break it down.

Monday's will be an art day. I usually have a few free hours Monday mornings to get something on paper- a doodle, painting, or jewelry that I'm conjuring up for my Spring '11 line. I will even try to make it to a museum or other art activity.

Tuesday's and Thursday's will be a gym day. I am currently trying to get some physical activity in everyday but want to really push it two days a week. As soon as this snow starts going away I am going to try to run 5 days a week.

Wednesday's will be a music day. It may be sharing my latest playlist, favorite band, or reading an article about a band.

Friday's will be a health day. Whether it's taking a yoga class, reading something about a gluten free diet, or buying healthy food. Friday will be my day for health.

I'm also on a mission to publish more frequently about jewelry. That is of course what this blog is all about! I am definitely going to use this blog as a means to organize and motivate my little project. So stay tuned! Doodles will be posted shortly!

photo courtesy of creativepro.com thanks guys.

Scenes from a Scene

Can't beat 'em- join 'em. Everyone else is still talking about the storm that hit Chicago this week, so I thought I would share a few picks from the storm. Enjoy! Happy Friday!


The Saab that lives on my street- looks very Swedish here.


Poor Bike!



Shadowy People on Southport



Mi Novio.



Mi.

Cool Alley shot. Now there are 6ft + drifts back there.

Wow...

1.20 Carat Old European-Cut | Shop | Erstwhile Jewelry Co.

This might be the most fantastic ring I have ever scene. Thanks Cup of Jo for hosting a giveaway and pointing me in the direction of another awesome vintage jewelry store.



1.20 Carat Old European-Cut | Shop | Erstwhile Jewelry Co.T

Man I want that car.

Today was a great day because I saw one of these bad boys parked on Lincoln Ave in the Chi. I love a wagoneer. The one I saw was white and pristine in only the way a Wagoneer can be pristine. If I could I would by one of these bad boys and go cross country visiting all of the National Forests on my way. I would also fill the car with lots of rescue dogs and my boyfriend. I mean really, do you need anything else?

Resolving

I would like a credenza-esq piece of furniture. I love this one from Anthropologie. Imagine a crisp white pillar candle on top or an orchid!

There is one aspect of this piece that is severely lacking. All those drawers are not actually drawers. Such a disappointment right? When I see something like this I immediately envision all the paper, beads, and other knick knacks I can neatly tuck away into it.

This piece does have spacious drawers on one side and a cupboard on the other. However, the illusion of those thin drawers (ones I would imagine to be in a printers shop circa 1865) is not enough for me. Don't tease me with those drawer posers, I want the real deal! Also the $1698.00 price tag isn't too appealing either (not including a $250 shipping fee.) Alas, the search continues.

Crafts a plenty!

I did it! Yay, I'm so excited to share with you all the crafts I've been working on this month!

Casey and I don't have a tree, fireplace, or anywhere else cute to decorate. So I decorated our bookshelf! It's the IKEA expedit which we put together ourselves. It was a labor of love because I love it! It's the first thing you see when you walk into our home and I am obsessed with it!


I really wanted our first Christmas to feel special. So I made us both stockings. Here's mine.

Here's Casey's (filled.) I sewed, embrodiered, and adhered everything myself. Casey thinks they are too narrow (and they are) but they're cute.

Here is my favorite. Our Wreath. I made pom poms for my Halloween costume last year so re-purposed the extras for the wreath. It was a little bland so I spiced it up with some tinsel. (extra tinsel was used to decorate the bookcase.)

Another view of the wreath.
I did a watercolor/pen and ink/ pencil drawing of Casey's parents dog, for their Christmas gift. I am pretty happy with it!

Merry Christmas everyone! Safe Travels!