When a phone is not a phone

Who ever thought that you could do so much more with your cell phone than just calling...the explosion of the phone as camera is phenomenal and is taking off as its own art medium.  Can you believe how sharp this photo is...yep, it was taken by my smartphone...

photo by amy duncan / taken with Retro Camera app for Android

My artist friend Dave over at Clearer Reflections is hosting a parade of photomania...participating artists are sharing, not only their photo creations, but also the formula/app/process/"recipe"  they used to create it...all done on a smartphone!  amazing what technology can do!

Here is my contribution...I don't have a lot of fancy apps on my phone (at least not yet...) so I was just playing around with the settings on the camera function of my phone (Motorola Atrix 4G)...this photo is a composition of the four settings available (beyond normal)...the settings clockwise from the upper left corner are - solarize, sepia, black & white, and negative.

And yes, I cheated (only a little bit!)...I used Picasa to collage the photos...I have the Diptic app on my phone but it only has combinations of three photos for a collage, not four...though I am sure there is an app that would have done exactly what I wanted...I'll have to visit Dave's blog to view everyone's creations and recipes...I hope you join me there...Click here to visit Clearer Reflections and Dave's photo cookbook...

The madness lives on

Before we go any further, let me explain...that's metal madness...my obsession with metal things that are rusty, worn out, dilapidated and finding a new use and undiscovered beauty in their being.

You might remember my post on metal wire springs made into vases...as I was scrounging around for more springs, I came across a couple of rather large springs...they wouldn't do for vases...so what else could I concoct?





The process begins...metal springs...

old painted boards, cleaned, sanded and waxed...

A couple of double point tacks and my trusty metal hammer (great for working in tight spaces!)...

Pilot holes are always a good idea...

that way you make sure the nail/screw/brad is in the position you want...

Label holder secured with trimmers tacks...

And you have the ideal photo display...

Closeup detail of how I attached the spring...

Being Friday, I am straddling two link-ups...Thrifty Thursday at inspired by charm and

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors...twice the fun, double the inspiration...

The kindness of strangers

I am back from a whirlwind trip to Atlanta...so much to sort through/think about/ponder over...

The Country Living Fair was astounding...almost sensory overload!

One vendor in particular stood out...Vikky Fraker...she is the consummate salvage artist...taking all those forgotten bits and discarded pieces and creating a palette of texture and tone.  I was mesmerized by her display...it drew me in, wanting to know more about the unique picture frames she constructed...I talked with her for a while...she was so gracious and kind...

As many of you know, I was in Atlanta to pitch my line of vintage greeting cards to the editors of Country Living Magazine...there were many other "pitchers" waiting anxiously with me, each excited for their 5 minutes in the spotlight...everyone was friendly and supportive, which made the entire process much more enjoyable!

I won't hear until December what the outcome will be...but this sign that I saw at the Fair on Saturday sums it up perfectly...

A dream & a wish

In 1999, I started my company, four corners design.  Though I had enjoyed my 20+ years in non-profit management, it was time for a change...a time to pursue the dream I had of living an artist's life.  At that time I was handcrafting notecards, combining found objects with materials usually allocated to the waste bin.  Using a square as my primary design motif, I sewed each card, combining an eco-friendly approach with a modern touch. 

Fast forward to 2011...four corners design still exists but I don't handcraft each card anymore...and I don't do just notecards.  There have been trials and tribulations, highs and hallelujahs...but most of all I believed that I had a unique view to share...and all I really wished for was a chance to show it off.

I leave for Atlanta today to Pitch my Product (vintage art cards) to Country Living Magazine...it will be a great experience, whatever happens...because I pursued my dream and got my wish...everything else is gravy!

So in a nod to my dream and my wish, I have two new art cards for sale at my etsy shop...

Until the end of October, there's free shipping if you order either (or both!)...just enter DREAM2011 when you place your order.

Here's to your dreams and wishes...

Odd, yet Essential

I recently read the best article dealing with decorating style..."10 Odd, Yet Essential, Elements of Style" by Deborah Needleman, Editor in Chief of WSJ Magazine.  (A Big Thanks to Janna Lufkin for the facebook post on this!)

I couldn't help but concur with so many of the points she was making...elements I had incorporated into my home and knew they worked for me...but I guess work for others too...




a few examples to illustrate a few of Ms. Needleman's points...

Element #1 - A little animal
There is indeed something about having  some sort of inanimate creature in your space...my stuffed dog was picked up years ago at a yard sale...it badly needed a home so I obliged...he looks down over my worktable from among my design books...

Element #4 - An odd chair
Again, another yard sale find...I know it looks like it is ready to collapse under its own weight, but it is extremely sturdy...and extremely comfortable.  I love the splashes of paint, the twisted wire repairs and the saw marks on the seat...it is indeed odd but perfect...

Element #8 - Decorative mirrors
A common element in many homes...a mirror does wonders to enhance whatever quality of light you have in your space.  I opted for one that has wonderful peely paint and the advantage of dual hanging hardware on the back...so it can be hung vertical or horizontal...whatever decorating mood fits at the time...

Element # 10 - Some patina
This I have in spades...the color, texture and tone of patina speaks to my soul and infuses my home.  I realize this look is not for everyone but a little bit of tarnish among the smooth and shiny gives a lived-in look that instills comfort in any space.

And I would like to add my own personal element,
Element #11 - Nature. 
I find a bit of nature, whether its a leaf, a flower, a feather or a seashell, contributes a relaxed sense to your home.











Read the 10 Odd, Yet Essential, Elements of Style article in its entirety here...and be on the lookout for Deborah Needleman's new book, The Perfectly Imperfect Home...I'm on the hunt for it now...

The Pulse, part 2

I am privileged to be a part of "The Pulse - The State of the Art" -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community hosted by Seth Apter of The Altered Page. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses are presented in a series of online posts which run every Sunday.

Style File was the first project posted and my response to this first project can be found here.  The second project, Techniques & Tools, which includes my input, is part of today's post at The Altered Page.  Click here to read all of today's post. 

And Seth has an ongoing sidebar at The Altered Page where you can view all past projects and responses...its sensory overload...but of a good kind!

Tinker & tweak

I love to tinker...finding out how things work...finding a better way to put things together...tweaking a little here and a little there until its just right.  The photo above is of a metal measuring tape that I took apart...when I released the last screw from the metal case, its contents sprang out...I was thoroughly intrigued with how it was constructed...but like toothpaste out of the tube, it wasn't going back to its original form...I like to think that its "art" now!

So I had this box filled with all sorts of found parts that I thought would be the makings for pedestals - for display, for entertaining, for organizing...the options were open...

I sorted through it all and came up with some possible combinations...there were finials...and wooden plates; there were spindles...and metal trays.  And then there were pieces that I didn't know what they were, but I knew what they could be...

I went to work...many of the wood pieces I painted black to provide consistency and a common theme.  Some of the wood was so beautiful, I just waxed it with Johnson's Paste Wax to enhance the grain.  I attemped in most cases to use screws or nuts/bolts to attach tops to bottoms to provide a secure fit...if that wasn't possible, Amazing Goop was used as an adhesive...I like the fact that the excess glue can be rubbed off like rubber cement if it oozes out of control...

The final compositions...as you can see, some of my first combinations were tweaked in the final stage...

I had a couple of interesting metal pieces that I incorporated into bases...after I cleaned them up, I sprayed them with a coat of polyurethane to prevent them from further rust and to seal the surface.  I especially like the old saw blade that I used as an additional layer of patina on one base.

The combination of light and dark makes a striking profile...

The tones and colors make for a lovely autumn setting...

Linking up Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special...see for yourself that I am not the only one who loves to tinker...

and also linking up to WhisperWood Cottage Autumn Decor party...which is a talent scouting party for the magazine Cottages & Bungalows...you won't believe all the inspiring ideas...

Blog love and a Winner!

I can't believe at times the amount of support/appreciation/general good feelings I receive from other bloggers...people who live in other parts of the country...no, make that the world...its gratifying to know that I have touched other's lives...









Two notable instances - Within this last week, I had two different bloggers share one of my posts on their blogs...more than just a mere mention...a big, huge shoutout!

First Michael from Blue Velvet Chair raved about my brass stencil lamp...read her post here

Then Bonita Rose from A Life Unrehearsed praised my letters & numbers display...read her post here

And now I get to spread a little more blog love...the winner of my FOLK magazine giveaway is

Yvonne

I asked participants to share what they love about fall...everyone commented on the sights, sounds and tastes of the season...Happy Autumn to all...relish the moment!

Letters & numbers

I changed out my space today at Faded Elegance...its taken on an autumn vibe...but with a twist.  I've always been drawn to the the graphic quality of letters and numbers and decided to play this theme to the hilt...the "numbers" fabric I purchased at IKEA was the perfect backdrop to setting this fall table...

Since I've been playing around with stencils lately, I had some fun with a couple of large size cardboard stencils...

and of course, with letters comes my fascination with words...

and dictionaries & language books of all kinds...

My vignette of Letters & Numbers runs until late November...stop by Faded Elegance and check it out...

Give me a "T"

After upcycling all my available silverware for lampshades (see posts here and here), I cogitated what else I could use to make an interesting/unique/one-of-a-kind shade...and since I love old metal...my mind quickly thought of...Brass Stencils!

I had quite a collection of stencils already but when my sister discovered a bagful at an estate sale and graciously let me buy them, I knew I was set...









I started with two lampshades that had seen better days, but both had interesting shapes which would add to the appeal of the design...I began by deconstructing the shades, ripping off the silk material, lining and trim...

Once I had removed the material, I kept the seam binding wrapped around the edges since I liked the colors and tone it added...

I assembled all my stencils and laid them out to get a good mix of letters, sizes and patinas for each shade...

After I finalized my collection of stencils, I used heavy weight linen thread to tie each set of stencils together.  I used my metal punch on the smallest setting to punch holes in each stencil.  Since the lampshade frame was divided into 8 sections, I composed 8 sets of letters, tied them together and then attached each set to the top of the frame.

For each base, I used a brass lamp I bought at the Yakima ReStore and spray painted each with the same Anodized Bronze Rustoleum color that I used with my first silverware lamp...I like that the color is kinda brown/kinda gray/kinda vintage looking...after all of the stencil sets were attached, I applied a light coat of Elmer's Glue to each knot to insure it would be secure....

Lamp #1...

For the second lamp, I tweaked my design...since the shade frame had quite a rounded shape to each of the eight sections, I didn't think that a lot of straight edges would work.  Again, I scrounged around my studio for what would inspire me...and found some vintage clock faces...used four faces...and spelled out T-I-M-E  around the perimeter...

I used an Edison bulb for the lamp...plays up that vintage vibe...

Linking up to Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special....

11-06-11 update:  since so many have enjoyed my "letters" lamps, I'm linking up to The DIY Showoff to share the inspiration...lots of great ideas over there...