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The task was to makeover a tired and falling apart fence/wall to disguise the air conditioning units located in the the garden area. Doing our part to cut down on waste in the landfills we planned an echo friendly project using as many recyclable objects as possible. Color, shape, durability, and function were key elements in our design process. This was an investment of time that was well worth the results. What do you think? The Process: Design: size built to hide the air conditioning units, visually pleasing, colorful Bottles: collect used bottles, sanitize, remove labels, drill holes, and rewash Spacers: collect items to use as spacers in between bottles, we used gears on this project Build Frame: purchase pressure treated lumber, cut lumber, assemble with screws and bolts, drill holes, stain and seal, and then mount in location. Bottle Rods: cut rods to length, string on bottles & gears in desired patterns. Final Assembly: place rods with bottles through holes in frames, add top bottles. This is part of a bigger custom garden re-landscaping project using recycled materials. Yes, Ed did have to hold on to my feet a few times as I had to dig pretty deep in those recycling bins! Haha! The gears were left over from Sarah Etchells and Will’s wedding decor. Follow our updates on Facebook See March 22, 2020) These decorative cinder blocks are part of a larger project to makeover a tired and underutilized garden area. The area was flat with some existing plants and river rock, but pretty lifeless and boring. Keeping with our mantra of to cut down on waste in the landfills we planned an echo friendly project using as many recyclable objects as possible. The inspiration came from Mexican style tiles, I love the colors, and the feeling of playfulness in the artistry. Color, height, durability, and function were key elements in our design process. The Process:
Design: height with visually pleasing, colors, playfulness, and holes for plants Concrete Blocks: collect used blocks from around the house, clean, prime the blocks Color & Design: researched the web for design ideas, and rummaged through paint stashes to come up with a color pallet Hand painted each block, some needed several coats, then sealed with block sealer, and allow to dry for several days. Want to work with Janise on your own DIY projects? contact Janise On to the next items needed. I will keep you posted on the progress of the larger garden makeover. Follow our updates on Facebook Estate sales make for interesting finds.... You can make some really cool stuff. I love upcycling vintage bottle caps because they have such a rich history in our culture. They make unique fun jewelry. Here I domed each bottle cap and added a band of vintage Chez seed beads for added interest and color. They are light weight and are certainly to bring complements and envy from those who appreciate handcrafted eclectic jewelry. You can find these necklaces and bracelets here        
Janise's Process:
Style: owner's chosen style is retro / eclectic vintage Transformations:
Follow our updates on Facebook The problem: not enough storage space in craft studio area This was part of a craft studio remodel project, look for next posting about the entire room.  The Story
My good friend Michelle's mother was down sizing and relocating her home of many many years. She asked me to assist her with cleaning out her mother's attic which had been use by many many family members as storage. Little did she know, I was thrilled to do it. My inner child came out and I was imaging all the forgotten treasures, special memories of tokens, keepsakes, dishes, wedding dresses, hats, toys, movies, photos, etc... My imagination went wild thinking of all the possible oddities that await in the attic. It was clean out weekend... we ventured up the stairs to find an attic full of stuff that needed to be gone through and sorted by what to keep, trash, sell, or donate. As we sorted through, the memories and stories started to come to life. The experiences of those who came before and childhood memories filled the air. It made a dirty job very rewarding. The Process: Out of the trash pile I gathered these old suitcases. Design: to create a side table that doubles as storage.
Purchased ready made legs from hardware store along with appropriate hardware. Stained and attached the legs Use double sided sticky Velcro in between the suitcases to secure one to the other, also allows for easy removing to access the storage areas. Want to work with Janise on your own DIY projects? contact Janise Follow our updates on Facebook          "Beast In Me" by Janise Crow by Janise Crow I recently learned of a local art gallery looking for art submissions using recycled/re-purposed materials. Naturally I was curious so I investigated more. The theme is "Beasts Among Us" I couldn't stop thinking about it. Ideas flowed in and out of my mind quickly. I grew more excited about what found treasures I could use to convey my message. I quickly scavenged my stash. I connected with friends to ask for their unwanted items and I dug through the local recycle bins. This is to be my first large art piece I have ever submitted to a juried exhibit. My goal was to stay true to who I am as a fashion and jewelry artist. I want to create a wearable art piece that is unique and beautiful with lots of interest. That sparks enough interest to make you want to look closer and explore all the details. that are not so obvious. All the while pondering the question what are the "Beasts Among Us". This is an introspective view of the Beast In Me. Consider This While Looking at "Beasts in Me" A beast is usually thought of as a large and dangerous four-footed animal. There are many types of beasts in the world. A domestic bovine farm animal is one. Dogs, cats, horses, monkeys, birds, and fish are all beasts. Even tiny critters like bugs are beasts. People can be called beasts, too, when they behave in a beastly way. Anyone acting in an uncivilized, depraved, savage, violent, or cruel way is being a beast. Beasts are considered powerful and can be cunning. Consider how they might use its skills toward prey, unnoticeably observing, listening, and learning. Beasts make subtle and strategic moves to lure, demobilize, and devour its prey. Beasts live among us and they seem normal and a vital part of daily life. But they can be deceivingly attractive either in appearance, beneficial use, strength, power, and acceptance. What happens when the beast is human? What is happening today? What is the beast within me?
 Shoulder sash Beast In Me The shoulder sash is made with the tail feathers of a grouse donated by a friend from one of his hunter gatherings; a mink from a vintage stole whose holes have been patched with old window screen, and computer web camera spying eyes. The floral and fona embellishments are made from a peacock feather; recycled gemstones. The flowers are made from Tyvek that is hand-painted and cut in flower shapes. The leaves are green plastic soda bottles that have been shrunken and shaped with a heat gun. The butterflies made from aluminum cans, cut into butterfly shapes, embossed, hand painted, and accented with beads. The large focal flower is made from the spout of a soda bottle, heated and shaped with a heat gun, it has a light bulb center, a snakeskin belt has been cleverly used as the the under-structure and a printer cable with wire crocheted around it is a vine winds and snakes it way through the entire piece leading your eye to investigate what is lurking with in the beautiful bouquet.  Middle sash Beast In Me The middle sash continues the floral and fona theme. It's embellishments are leaves made from green plastic soda bottles, the flowers are made from Tyvek and then hand-painted, cut to shape, and have computer components and skull centers with accents of fox fur, crystals from an old chandelier, and netting from fruit bags. The butterflies are hand-painted, embossed aluminum cans, and a printer cable with wire crocheted around continues to wind its way in and out of a snakeskin belt.  Lower sash Beast In Me The lower sash continues in the floral and fona theme with a twist, the large bulb flower is a computer camera suspended by a battery accented with crocheted wire, plastic bottle leaves, Tyvek flowers, skulls, a leg from a mink stole pelt, aluminum can butterflies, net food bags, crystals from a chandelier, misc. auto parts, snake skin belt, and a blue heart.  Left Shoulder of Beast In Me The left shoulder continues in the floral and fona theme, the crocheted printer cable is the main vine snaking throughout the piece. A varmint skull adorned with chandelier crystals, fox fur, rhinestone, and aluminum can butterfly is center stage. It is further embellished with a headdress of plastic bottle leaves, Tyvek flowers with skulls and computer parts as centers, a leg from a mink stole pelt, aluminum can butterflies, netting from plastic food bags, and more fox fur. The vine cable continues to the back of the piece where a little surprise is waiting.  Back of Beast In Me The back is complete with a mink tail and grouse tail feathers. A plastic soda bottle holds this beautiful arrangement made of tail feathers, Tyvek flowers with skulls and computer parts as centers, chandelier crystals, fox fur, rhinestone, and aluminum can butterflies with the crocheted printer cable plugged in to complete the circuit. On Exhibit
June 8th 6-9 pm Opening Reception June 8 - July 7 2018 Train Station Gallery Hours: Thursday-Friday: 1pm-5pm ~ Saturday: 9am-4pm ~ Sunday: 1pm-4pm
July 8, 2018 - (by appointment) |
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