Oatley 101 Society of Artists Inc

On the weekend I spent my time with beading friends and making some new friends at the Oatley Society of Artists. They put on several art shows a year. August is their main show where the members not only display and sell their works but are judged and awarded. I went with a friend last year to check it out and was impressed with the quality of their work. The society asked a couple of my beading friends - Neva from Nifty Creations, Caroline and me (yaay!) to display and sell our artisan jewellery. It was a great weekend. So many friendly people. I also sold some things including my 'Dragonfly Garden' (enjoy wearing it Linda) and also another couple of my favourite pieces including;

The Matrix

Vitrail Silver

Ambrosia Flash

We have been asked back for the November show and am excited that I can make some new pieces.

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is such a pretty stone. If I wore pink, I'd make so much from this delicate pink crystal. You may remember a couple of years ago I came second in a Designer Quest. That pack included three lovely double drilled rose quartz pieces. You can see a picture of it here. One of the favourite pairs of earrings I have made are also rose quartz. I wire wrapped them with sterling silver wire.

Annette Piper is an Aussie beader I was lucky enough to meet at a Bead and Gem show a few years ago. Annette has a background in gemology and gives a wonderful description of rose quartz on her blog 'Under the Loupe'. I encourage you do read it and see her beautiful rose quartz bracelet.

Re-Using and Re-Purposing

I love to take apart older pieces that are no longer worn and remake them into things that I love anew and give new life to the old. I've already shown a couple of things I've made for others from pieces they've been given and not worn that I've remade. You can see them here and here.

I still have lots of my mother's old stones and pendants that I want to make into pieces that I will wear. I also have her gold watch given to her for her 21st. The face is so small you can hardly see the time but it is a memory of my mum. She wore that watch for years and along with the wedding rings of mum and dad, I'd love to incorporate them into something I can wear myself.

This necklace was made using one of the old coral chip necklaces so popular in the early 1980s. I hadn't worn it for ages so took it apart, added some colour and some wood beads.


Cate from the blog Heart on My Sleeve has re-purposed a turtle necklace. She loved the beads but never felt comfortable wearing so used the turtles in other ways. Cate shows both her re-purposed work and that of others in her blog. It's worth a look. Here is one she made into a brooch using an old earring loop.

If you'd like me to link to your re-purposed works then provide the link in the comments section.

The Importance of Little Things

Every now and then I remember to take some time out. After a tough couple of weeks I sat down on the porch in the sun with a cup of tea. As afternoon gradually became twilight I watched a couple of Kookaburras on the lawn in front of me having their dinner. As the shadows lengthened these two beautiful birds would sit in the tree branches waiting and then land on the ground and kill whatever it was they found. All was peaceful and quiet. I could hear their wings flap and their beaks snap. I brought me to a place of calm.

It's been ages since I've seen Kookaburras at home. When I was growing up they used to sit on the washing line and we'd see them almost every day, especially as mum would put out the scraps of meat from cooking dinner.

It really is the small things that make life worthwhile. Mum used to love the colours of the rain on the trees as the sun glittered through. She would have loved to sit and watch these two birds with me. And I thought of other small things that make life that much better. My friend Nifty spending ages finding just the right eyebrows for my mini-me on her Wii last night.

And then there are the beautiful illustrations and artworks of Gretchen of Chichiboulie. Earlier today, the childish fun and simplicity of her drawings made me smile. How can you not smile when faced with this?










Or this?

There is so much joy to be had on Gretchen's blog and in her shop. I can tell you, you'll enjoy the time you spend.

Wonderful packaging ideas...

Packaging and presentation of your work to buyers is always important but not always thought through. Susy from Earth Expressions has given some very simple and practical ideas on her blog. You can read her suggestions here. Susy makes a whole range of things. Lots of paper is used, vintage findings and wire. Her work ranges from bookmarks to pendants and earring and decorating other objects. I especially love her simple tins. Susy presents her pendants and pendant necklaces in these.

For the Love of Paper......

I have always loved paper and stationery. I have always made my own cards and loved wrapping presents. Kim is a woman after my own heart. She sells paper products she designs herself. Her work is simple and effective and wonderfully personal. I recommend taking a look at her store. Kim's blog is a comfortable insight into her life as a WAHM (work at home mum). She looks at her discoveries and everyday events. My personal favourite is the this picture of her dog. I guess he just reminds me of one of my soft toys. It also comes at the end of her story about the day at the chocolate shop - another subject close to my heart.

Kim's posts are personal and show her delight in life. And this post shows the shows the importance of working hand in hand with local businesses.