Rabid Beaver Attacks!
I love this room.
At the Ravens vs. Redskins game that got stormed out.
Obligatory Bella face shot.
Bella patrolling on the porch.
Belly vs. VaseFriday, August 31, 2007
Camera Phone Cleanout 8.31.07
Rabid Beaver Attacks! I love this room. At the Ravens vs. Redskins game that got stormed out. Obligatory Bella face shot. Bella patrolling on the porch. Belly vs. Vase
Fun Time Killer - Where have you been?
Make a map of the states you have visted at World66! Seems that I have neglected the North, I will get right on that.Thursday, August 30, 2007
Art-Necco
Some folks like to eat Necco wafers, but Baltimore-based artist Denise Tassin enjoys drawing on them.Wednesday, August 29, 2007
The Wedding Plate Project Part I
The wedding plate arrived yesterday and I was so excited, I had to break right in! It is such a gorgous plate, I knew that making 20 great pendants would not be a problem. They are not finished, but I could not wait to share the progress!
This is how the plate arrived, having already been broken at the wedding.
I used a hammer and tile snips to break the plate up into pendant sized pieces.
These are the 20 pieces broken into a general shape, awaiting grinding.
Grinding the edges smooth using a glass grinder.
These are the 20 pieces, ground and ready for tape and solder!
This is how the plate arrived, having already been broken at the wedding.
I used a hammer and tile snips to break the plate up into pendant sized pieces.
These are the 20 pieces broken into a general shape, awaiting grinding.
Grinding the edges smooth using a glass grinder.
These are the 20 pieces, ground and ready for tape and solder!Stay Tuned...
Built NY Lunch Tote
They like me, they really like me!
My big news of the day - someone at Apartment Therapy reads my blog! Cool!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Red Queen Gallery
My work will soon be available in Onancock, VA at The Red Queen Gallery. The grand opening will be September 15th!Iron-On Fun!
FYI - JoAnn Fabrics has a whole "iron-on section" now! I could not resist decorating some simple onesies yesterday.Saturday, August 25, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
Sometimes a plate is not just a plate!
I was contacted recently to make jewelry out of a wedding plate. I was honored, and it made me curious about the traditions behind it. What I found, surprised me - people all over the world like breaking plates as much as I do! I wanted to share some of my research here and see if anyone out there can shed any more knowledge on the subject. I would love to do more work like that, it will be nice to make jewelry that has a more symbolic meaning.
German - In German tradition, a Polterabend, or a wedding-eve party, is thrown for the couple. In this celebration, those attending smash plates and other breakables as a sign of good luck for the couple-to-be. This act is also meant as a way to stop the couple from any more breaking in the household in the future.
Greek - Plate breaking is a symbol of how Greeks celebrate the joys of life -- spontaneous and impermanent joy. Plates are broken on behalf of or to celebrate others as they sing a great song, dance a great dance, or show spirit in some other wonderful way.
Czech - At the Czech wedding reception, a plate is broken at the feet of the bride and groom and they must clean the pieces up together to promote the ability to work together in a healthy manner throughout their marriage. In addition, when the plate is initially broken, the bride and the groom try to get hold of the broom, because that one who gets it will be the head and master of the household. The holder of the pan will always have to be obedient.
Jewish - "Tenaim," which translates as "conditions," is an Ashkenazic tradition of engagement. The Tenaim ceremony announces that two families have come to an agreement on the marriage of their two children. At the ceremony, the Tenaim document, a pre-wedding contract that sets out this agreement, was read out loud, signed and witnessed, and a plate is smashed to seal the deal. The mothers of the couple break the plate, symbolizing the impending breaks in their relationships with their children, who will soon take responsibility for feeding each other. Others give the broken pieces to eligible "singles" as if to say, "May a plate be broken for you soon."
I even found a company that makes candy plates to be broken! The SWEET MADNESS® "Plate to Break®" . . . is designed to help with your madness about:
Another Birthday
Losing your job
Getting a divorce
Your boss is a jerk
Your aches and pains
Your test score
Any other reason to express your madness
Let your madness out and enjoy the candy!
Wedding Traditions:
German - In German tradition, a Polterabend, or a wedding-eve party, is thrown for the couple. In this celebration, those attending smash plates and other breakables as a sign of good luck for the couple-to-be. This act is also meant as a way to stop the couple from any more breaking in the household in the future.Greek - Plate breaking is a symbol of how Greeks celebrate the joys of life -- spontaneous and impermanent joy. Plates are broken on behalf of or to celebrate others as they sing a great song, dance a great dance, or show spirit in some other wonderful way.
Czech - At the Czech wedding reception, a plate is broken at the feet of the bride and groom and they must clean the pieces up together to promote the ability to work together in a healthy manner throughout their marriage. In addition, when the plate is initially broken, the bride and the groom try to get hold of the broom, because that one who gets it will be the head and master of the household. The holder of the pan will always have to be obedient.
Jewish - "Tenaim," which translates as "conditions," is an Ashkenazic tradition of engagement. The Tenaim ceremony announces that two families have come to an agreement on the marriage of their two children. At the ceremony, the Tenaim document, a pre-wedding contract that sets out this agreement, was read out loud, signed and witnessed, and a plate is smashed to seal the deal. The mothers of the couple break the plate, symbolizing the impending breaks in their relationships with their children, who will soon take responsibility for feeding each other. Others give the broken pieces to eligible "singles" as if to say, "May a plate be broken for you soon."
I even found a company that makes candy plates to be broken! The SWEET MADNESS® "Plate to Break®" . . . is designed to help with your madness about:
Another Birthday
Losing your job
Getting a divorce
Your boss is a jerk
Your aches and pains
Your test score
Any other reason to express your madness
Let your madness out and enjoy the candy!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Earth Alley
The big grand opening of Earth Alley will be September 1st from 5-7! Come out and support a really cool store that supports local artists, organizations that support international crafters, and eco friendly artists from around the world! (and me!)
Beer calling!
From Art Gallery 18, a recycled telephone beer bottle opener. And why not?Free recycled telephone beer bottle opener with the purchase and installation on a new phone system by Think Converged. I'm serious, I have connections! =)
Nectar Jewelry
From Annie's Sunday guest post on 2Modern Design Talk, check out this great work from Nectar Jewelry made from sterling silver and polymer clay! Great find Annie!The Dangerous Book for Boys
I know I have told a few of you about The Dangerous Book for Boys, but neglected to post about it. I bought it for Jason for Father's day, and I must admit I have spent a lot more time with it then he has.From Amazon, "Equal parts droll and gorgeous nostalgia book and heartfelt plea for a renewed sense of adventure in the lives of boys and men, Conn and Hal Iggulden's The Dangerous Book for Boys became a mammoth bestseller in the United Kingdom in 2006. Adapted, in moderation, for American customs in this edition (cricket is gone, rugby remains; conkers are out, Navajo Code Talkers in), The Dangerous Book is a guide book for dads as well as their sons, as a reminder of lore and technique that have not yet been completely lost to the digital age. Recall the adventures of Scott of the Antarctic and the Battle of the Somme, relearn how to palm a coin, tan a skin, and, most charmingly, wrap a package in brown paper and string. The book's ambitions are both modest and winningly optimistic: you get the sense that by learning how to place a splint or write in invisible ink, a boy might be prepared for anything, even girls (which warrant a small but wise chapter of their own)."
If you are the parent of a boy, a boy yourself, or just a girl who wants to learn how to make the perfect paper airplane, you need this book!
New from Crayola
Crayola Total Tools Audio Ruler measures out loud! This talking tool measures in quarter inch increments up to one foot with a thin line of disappearing ink. The ink helps to ensure that the measurement is what you wanted. Too good to be true or must have? I think it is worth $7.99 to find out!Roxana Zegan
Montreal-based artist Roxana Zegan always thought that beauty and the sense of unique lays within the citiy's imperfections. This poster series is part of a collective creation and exhibition celebrating Montreal's nomination as a UNESCO city of design. (Found Via Design*Sponge)Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Under my Umbrella
In honor of all of this great rain we have been getting, and this annoying song that I can't get out of my head...("ella, ella, ella...") here is my Etsy ode to the Umbrella. I only got to page 7 of 35, Lots of umbrella love out there, I see!
Yabettasupadont
Yabettasupadont
Superstarr
CricketPress
New from Little Flower Designs
Check out these cute wall tiles from Little Flower Designs. When I saw them as thumbnails I thought that they were pendants, now I realize that they are jewelry for the wall, not neck!
Monday, August 20, 2007
PorcelainandPaper
Daphnenen
PhenixPottery
BlockPartyPress
Back to school!
I love back to school time. It always makes me need new notebooks, shoes, and backpacks. It is pretty odd to be replacing those things with onesies, wipes, and diaper bags, but I am rolling with it. To get in the back to school spirit, here are some yummy packed lunch ideas...
I just discovered the BentoYum blog and it makes me want to go pack a lunch! How fun is this? Unfortunately, most of these ingredients are way too non-processed for the Step-Broken Plate, but who says I can't pack a lunch for myself?
I have discovered my inner Martha Stewart when it comes to feeding the girl though. She loves Uncrustables sandwiches, but it felt wrong to pay $1 per PB&J. I started making them myself using Blue Ribbon white bread, Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter and Schmucker's Grape Jam. The trick is to put PB on both pieces of bread, then a little jelly in the middle. Use a pint glass to cut it into a perfect circle. I swear, it took her a week to figure out that I was cheating, and when she did, she told me to keep going! I have even frozen a few for the week so I can just pull one out of the freezer when I am half asleep and it will thaw by the time lunch comes
Another new trick for breakfast is to make cereal and milk Popsicles! She was sick of cereal, but it was amazingly easy to renew her interest by putting the same ingredients into a Popsicle mold! (Fruit Loops have been the best so far!)
I just discovered the BentoYum blog and it makes me want to go pack a lunch! How fun is this? Unfortunately, most of these ingredients are way too non-processed for the Step-Broken Plate, but who says I can't pack a lunch for myself?I have discovered my inner Martha Stewart when it comes to feeding the girl though. She loves Uncrustables sandwiches, but it felt wrong to pay $1 per PB&J. I started making them myself using Blue Ribbon white bread, Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter and Schmucker's Grape Jam. The trick is to put PB on both pieces of bread, then a little jelly in the middle. Use a pint glass to cut it into a perfect circle. I swear, it took her a week to figure out that I was cheating, and when she did, she told me to keep going! I have even frozen a few for the week so I can just pull one out of the freezer when I am half asleep and it will thaw by the time lunch comes
Another new trick for breakfast is to make cereal and milk Popsicles! She was sick of cereal, but it was amazingly easy to renew her interest by putting the same ingredients into a Popsicle mold! (Fruit Loops have been the best so far!)
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Random Post about Bob Saget
I know it is hard to see from this photo, but we saw Bob Saget (of Full House fame) perform at the O&A Traveling Virus Tour this weekend. Let me just say that he is VERY different from Danny Tanner! Sick, Funny stuff.
New blog for friends and famly....
I have started a new blog called NolanTaylor as an interactive baby book for friends and family. It will be a site where we can post photos and stories about our soon-to-be expanded family, without boring my regular crafty blog readers to death. It will also eventually serve as an embarrassment tool for me when he starts bringing girls home! Enjoy!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Victoria E!
Check out this awesome blog post about my work! So Nice! Victoria E made my day! Her whole site looks realy interesting, can't wait to dig in!Wednesday, August 15, 2007
New rings coming soon!My Dream Charm City Cake.
Now I am dreaming about cake. I came up with an idea for my perfect Charm City Cake in my dreams last night, and wanted to share it with the world. It has 3 wonky, crocked, Dr. Suess-like layers. They are all mosaiced with vintage broken plates like my mailboxes. The bottom layer has blue plates, the middle turquoise, and the top layer is limey green. The top has Duff's signature wire hangers with broken plate pendants hanging from them. Sigh. Maybe someday I will open a recycled jewelry shop and I can have a cake like this for the grand opening.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.png)
