Penelope, who?

I'm just dying to tell you about my lastest project idea. Have no fear, the can-can dancer is still in the works. I hit a bit of a roadblock with her as I'm trying to figure out how to get her full skirts all worked out. But, as is the case with an ADD crafter/artisan (I think I can call myself an 'artisan') I can't do just one project at a time!

Ok, enough babbling and on to the project......

So, I was looking though Etsy's Alchemy site trying to find something to make. I saw that several people had mentioned 'Penelope scarf' and 'Penelope coat'.
The coat and scarf are ADORABLE! They're worn by the character Penelope, played by Christina Ricci in the 2008 movie 'Penelope'. While I'm not a knitter, I can sew and I'm pretty sure I can make this coat. I've looked at all of the photos available on the web, and determined that it's a pricess cut coat with some sleeve modification. The edging is easier I think that it looks. It's simply another color of wool placed in the seam - much like you would do for piping on a throw pillow, etc.
I scoured the internet looking for patterns. I found several that were close, but this morning I think I hit the jackpot!
I found this pattern on both ebay and etsy (http://bontonvintage.etsy.com) in 2 different sizes. I think the yellowish dress with the sleeves of the red dress is the way to go. I ordered both patterns and hopefully they will be here in a week or so. I'm going to keep looking for more copies of this pattern.

Now I just need to find the fabric and some large coat buttons like the ones on the original coat. If all goes well, I'm hoping to sell these coats as a custom order at my store on Etsy. Granted, it's closing in on spring......but, I'm pretty sure it will get cold again!

I can-can do it

Today the little can-can dancer in my head made it out into the real world. She's still coming into her form, but I'm very happy to be sculpting! As much as I love making jewelry and sewing, I can really tap into my creativity through sculpture. My medical/anatomy experience allows me to sculpt out body parts easily without having to reference a book or photograph. I've examined so many bodies, that my hands automatically seem to know how the muscles and bones should be shaped. I love seeing my imaginary people come to life.

She works hard for the money

Yea Jelly Girl!

I'm finally putting more stuff on etsy - which is truly an accomplishment for me because I hate taking photos of my work. The only place in our house with good light is this bay window at the front of the house, and if I don't get there between 10 am and sometime in the early afternoon I might as well forget about it. So, today I had a burst of photo-energy and have successfully updated my etsy store Jelly B. Green.

Nevermind......

Well, I found out that the ultra cool template that I'd found online didn't allow anyone to leave comments. So, after 2 hours of trying to figure out how to fix it I decided to go back to good ole Blogger templates. I'll be playing around with it for a while, so please bear with me!

At least now you can leave your comments!

A new look

Did you know you can download blog templates for FREE? Well, I didn't. Not until just the other day anyway. I found these really cool sites, and voila! La nouvelle World according to Jelly.

There are great templates for blogger and Word Press at www.eblogtemplates.com and www.pyzam.com. I must've spent a couple of hours browsing through all of the designs.

Gonna wash that green right outta my hair.....

I've had my day of moping over a not-so-great show, and now I'm moving onward and upward. I'm already scheming and daydreaming about new projects. I've always wanted to work with image transfers, and I think now is the time. I'm seeing visions of rounded-glass-cameo types of pendants using image transfer. Or, maybe some cool collage??? Ideas are still flowing, but stay tuned because once I get started I will try to post of photos! Promise.

I also have this hankerin' to work on some sculpture pieces. My little dancer that I made several months ago is getting lonely, and there is a can-can dancer just dying to get out of my head and join her on stage.

Fait complet......Goodbye Green with Indie

Ah, another craft show under my belt and I feel a little worse for wear. I had such high hopes, and perhaps that was my fatal flaw in this whole crafting-for-money extravaganza.
I'm a bit of a craft-show novice, and having done really well for myself at a smaller local show last October I thought 'I have what it takes'. Not at Green with Indie apparently. But, if misery loves company, I was definitely among friends. I saw such cool art and met cooler artists, but even their stuff wasn't sellling. They told me 'this happens', and then you move on to the next show. Guess that's what I'll do and see you all at Atropy in April.

Green with Indie

Ugh....I've been working my 'real' job for the last 3 nights (12 hour shifts each) and haven't had any time to work on art for my upcoming show 'Green with Indie'.

The purpose of the show is to highlight artists/crafters who use recycled elements in their art. THE SHOW IS IN 3 WEEKS!!!!! I have a lot of ideas, just little time and low energy. I'm hoping that with the next 4 days off, I can get back in touch with my muse and put some serious time in my studio.

These days, I'm working mostly with polymer clay. I've come up with some cool little wine bottle toppers using clay and recycled wine corks.



I'm also working on various 'jars' using recycled 1/2 gallon canning jars. I have a TON of these jars which my future mother-in-law has given me, and I need to get them out of my craft space. I have so many jars, and I can't decide which designs that I want to make the most of - so, I think I'm going to have to post a vote on my Etsy squidoo lens to get a consensus from the public about which ones are the best.

Other projects for the show include my recycled men's suit coat purses, as well as my usual cache of pendants, earrings and necklaces.