Avalon goes Geek Chic!

Avalon does it again! Check out her "Geek Chic" nerd glasses for iLoveToCreate! Get the instructions at the iLoveToCreate Blog!

Cheers,
Margot

Art and the Zen of Chaos

Digital Collage Margot Potter All Rights Reserved...

(Don't forget to enjoy the soup! Bead Soup Blog Party, that is!)

Several years back I separated my 'personal writing' from my 'craft industry related writing'. I have mostly, with the exception of a few moments when the personal and professional converged wildly, stuck to that formula. I think in some ways that has served me well and in others it has not. The truth is, my art is a direct expression of my personal reality and I built a brand based on transparency and personality. I can't compartmentilize these things neatly, art is chaos. Chaos is the sticky, icky, messy, complex material that pulls it all together and sends it flying apart, often simultaneously.

In chaos, lies truth...and truth is endlessly subjective.

I am what I am and what I am is ever shifting and changing. It's physics, change. I try to live my life with grace and compassion. I admit freely when I lose track of those values. I am ever and always striving to love more and judge less. I like to think I'm one of the good guys. Most of the time, when I keep my ego in check, that's true. I'd like to believe that in the final analysis, nice guys finish first, because 'winning' isn't about having the most toys or getting there first in spite of who you step on to do it. Winning is an illusion anyway. We are all winners or losers depending on our perspective.

I am trying these days to breathe. Literally and figuratively. It isn't always easy, especially when a few turns in an uncertain direction can leave you standing in some rather strange neighborhoods. And when the goldenrod blooms...all bets are off. I am learning to trust that even if what surrounds you seems utterly insane, you don't have to lose your mind.

The key to finding the Zen mind is to remain calm in the face of chaos, to freely embrace it and let it simultaneously tear you apart and put you back together.

...and remembering that playing nice matters immensely.

This is a little sneak peek of a project I am working on...seemed apropos.

Love

Madge

Bead Soup Blog Party! Isn't it Romantic?

(Click Image to View Close Up-Isn't It Romantic Copyright Margot Potter 2011)

Visit the rest of the Bead Soup Blog Party HERE!

I did a fair amount of ruminating about my soup. What should I leave out? What should I leave in? How many dashes of my own spices should I add? How much is too much...how little is too little?! It was a conundrum, indeed.

After several weeks of ruminating, I started the process of cooking my soup. I wanted to showcase the lovely pendant Suzann made for me and not clutter it up with too much around it, but I also wanted to add some drama and color in the core design, so I used the colors that kept it light and romantic without too many of the heavier colors. Just a dash of steely metal in the chain and hematine to ground things and some SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS to add a little bling. I think overall it turned out nicely. Simple, pretty, feminine but fun. I liked my little v-shaped wire solution to getting the pendant to hang in between the rosary style chain links. Simple, pretty, feminine...

No, it’s not necessarily full on funky Madge style, but I hopefully served the components well and made something somewhat appealing. That, gentle reader, is for you to decide. Alas it was a gloomy few days here in the Smokies, so the lighting gods were not with me, but I did effort! If I can manage to get a better shot today, I shall post!


To see what the VAST INTERNATIONAL gallery of Bead Soupers have cooked up for your delight, just take a peek here!

Go Check out what my partner Suzann S. Wilson of Beadphoria created with the sparkly soup I sent her and thanks to the amazing Ms. Lori Anderson for hosting Bead Soup Blog Party. You both rock!

xoxo
Madge

ILovetoCreate Teen Crafts: Tag, You're It! Customized Upcycled Locker Sign

Copyright 2011 Margot Potter

Tag, You’re It! Customized Upcycled Locker Sign
Margot Potter for Avalon Potter for ILovetoCreate Teen Crafts
“Mom crafted, teen approved”

Avalon and her Dad were away all day on Saturday and I decided to surprise her with this upcycled name tag she can hang on the door to her room or in her locker at school. She has had a lot of homework lately, so I stepped in to help again so she can get ahead of the curve on her upcoming projects. She really loved this sign, which makes me very happy!

I am simply mad for the new Aleene’s dry adhesives! The double sided tape is super strong and the glue dots give just the right amount of lift to dimensional elements. All of the letters were upcycled from magazines and distressed with a disposable nail file for a vintage appeal. I have a true affinity for damask print, but you can switch up the backgrounds and color palette to suit your style.

Materials
Letters upcycled from magazines to spell name
Coordinating black and white damask background papers (I used scrapbook paper here, you can opt for cardstock if you like even upcycling greeting cards, just be sure the paper has some weight to it for structure.)
Cardstock black for background (again you need something with a little structure)
Tulip Beads in a Bottle Clear Glitter Gemstone Collection
Tulip Beads in a Bottle Studs and Crystals Gemstone Collection
Aleene’s Tacky Glue Dot Roll
Aleene’s Tacky Tape Runner


Tools
Sandpaper or small disposable nail file
Scissors
Paper cutter
Ruler (I did this freehand, but measuring is always nice, you will note the lack of perfection, but I am The Impatient Crafter after all!)

1. You will need to determine finished size of sign before selecting letters. My sign is 3”hx11.5” wide and has six letters that are varied in size and overlapping.

2. Cut letters from magazine using sharp paper scissors or paper cutter for more exact cuts. I used letters with black, red and blue to match the crystal accents we will add later.

3. Place letters on black cardstock and cut a frame around each letter of about 3/8”. You can freehand this or mark it and cut with paper cutter.

4. Adhere letters to cardstock, making sure they are centered using Aleene’s Tacky Tape Runner.

5. Use file or fine grit sandpaper to gently distress surface of letters.

6. Place letters on patterned paper and mark cutting freehand or with a paper cutter and leaving about a ¼” border.

7. Adhere letters to patterned paper backgrounds using Aleene’s Tacky Glue Dots in each corner of letters.

8. Map out placement of letters on a background, mark and cut leaving a border. Mine is larger on top and thinner on bottom and sides. About ¼” for the largest first letter and 3/8” on sides of first and last letter.

9. Adhere letters, overlapping as you go from left to right using Glue dots in each corner of letters.

10. Use Beads in a Bottle to add dimensional accents to each letter and to adhere coordinating crystals and gemstones. Allow to dry.

The Rabbit Hole!

Wow, I have apparently popped down the rabbit hole and gotten stuck there! Good grief. Where does the time go?!

Pardon me while I brush the carrots from my whiskers, I shall return tomorrow.

Rabbit's honor.

"No time to say hello, goodbye..."

xoxo
Madge