MONTE VISTA CRANE FESTIVAL

Every year thousands of cranes visit us here, which brings hundreds of visitors from all over the world. This year I'm sharing a booth with my best friend Jane's sister, who does gorgeous stained glass pieces. So I decided I should make some small cranes. Took me a couple of days to work out the patten, but now I think I've got it!
The cranes are something to see..beautiful both in flight, and on the ground they do this little jumping dance with wings spread. Since we live adjacent to the wildlife refuge, we not only get to see them, but hear their lovely cooing.
I had thought of making them into steampunk, but after seeing them, have decided I'll probably make a steampunk magpie instead...they are more the type, and very prominent here also; unlike the cranes, they're here all year long. When designing the cranes, they have a little "knob" at the knee joint. I explored a couple of ways to ad that and decided on a bead...that was when I was still thinking steampunk, but think I'll use it just the same. Have also been thinking it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to make the ones in flight into storks, with little steampunk babies...we'll see. Meanwhile here's the ones I have done. Actually just one, as the blogger didn't want to upload the other pictures, so after 5 minutes decided to just go with what I have and will probably post more later, since now I must get busy on my other projects.

I'M ROLLING IN STEAMPUNK AGAIN

For being so little these guys sure are big! I made 3 more last week, and they are in new homes already! So this week I made 5 more, and again came up with some new things, like adding a little propeller to the head. By putting it in between a couple of metal beads, it spins. One girl decided she didn't want to be an aviator, so she wound up with a little hat embellished with wings. Now that they are done, am working on putting together a pattern. Think folks who want to mettle with steampunk, but aren't ready for a big project, will enjoy making these little ones. I certainly do!

IRENE THE RIBBON QUEEN

I belong to an eclectic group of artists, called The Art Thing We gather monthly (as time allows) to talk about our projects, and enjoy each others company. We also like to have a group challenge: with a theme which makes us work outside our "comfort" zone. This year we're doing a recycle project. Each of of got a bag of "stuff" put together by another artist and had to use it to make into a work of art. My bag was filled with lots of ribbon spools, a Mexican style tin plate, plastic doilies, little foam cut outs, etc. There were also some nice metal gears, but those got confiscated for my Steampunk projects. (yes that is legal!) This week I finally got around to working on my project....it was hard, because I'm still making those little girlfriends! I made one into a steampunker,which was bought, so made 3 more, but every time I show them, someone buys them! boo hoo
Anyway, I finished her (what a surprise, I still made it into a "figure"), and am now ready for our big show on Feb. 12th at the Museum in Alamosa. We're calling the show unbag D'art. Along with the mandatory recycle project we will also be displaying up to 3 pieces of our art that we usually do.
Works will be on display

through the end of the month with an opening reception and artists discussion on Feb 12th. Should be fun...this is a great group!

PINK HOTSY TOTSIES

While playing with my little Angel/Fairies, I decided to use some Hot Pink fabric & trims. A friend (Kay) suggested they would be nice dolls for breast cancer survivors. I was already putting little hearts on them, so this seemed like a wonderful idea. First I made the standard gal with little wings, but as I was playing with the eyelash yarn, I made a piece too long for hair, but oooh oooh oooh...just right to use as a boa! So another star is born! Since her boa is big & fluffy, decided she needed a different hair do: shiny little plastic sequin like flowers added just the look I wanted. Come on,you

know she makes you smile!

MINI STEAMPUNK FAIRY

You know I can't stay away from Steampunk! I have been totally engulfed in making the little 6 inch angel/fairies, but it was just a matter of time before I could not resist morphing her into a Steampunker! Once again I made the face out of cold porcelain, but this time my "mold" was cast from a plastic doll for the face. Wanted her to wear an aviator hat, so made that by sewing soft faux leather in the head area, then cutting out for adding face. Goggles were another dilemma. Never thought I'd be glad I have allergies, until I looked at the packaging: WooHoo..nice little plastic bubbles holding those pills: just right for making goggles, if I cut them out and put 2 together with a tiny jump ring! After several design "tries" I decided to ad little legs, and boots to the original body, and little tubes with hands cut out of my "metal" fabric. Works for me! Her wings are made of some great paper I got years ago which has metal embedded in it...very strong & durable, and texture made nice wings. Just had to "age" it a bit. I used "Stiffy" On her scarf so it flows in place. All in all: I like her!