Pearl Pendant

Thanks to our DVR, I whiz through Martha’s television shows, and stop to watch the crafts segments. I caught this one demonstrating a Heart Pendant last week, where they made simple heart-shaped pendants with wire and crystal beads. The idea stuck with me for a few days, and I decided to make my version of it with a small string of pearls I got at Beads and Beyond for $2.00 (at a swell sale they had last year), and some wire I had on hand.

I cut the 7 inches of 24 gauge wire like the video suggests. Then I simplified. I strung on 19 pearls (make it an uneven number) and attached the wire ends together in a tidy little twisted ball. I encouraged the sort of circle-like shape to be a heart shape, with the wire connection part landing in the top center. I attached a large jump ring to one side, and used rayon seam binding tied in knots instead of a chain. The seam binding was too poufy and smooth at first. So I got it wet, crinkled it up and let it dry.

I saved one for myself, and made three more for gifts to special friends. -- Beth

Sewing Machine meets Artist Trading Cards

I have finally discovered what a blast it is to use my sewing machine on paper! I had some artist trading cards left over from our recent swap, and thought they could evolve into Valentine's Day cards.

With a simple zigzag stitch, my sewing machine from the 1950's connected the cards to some cardstock in no time at all. I added a few more turns and loops as long as I was at it.

I'm also finding that I use my machine way more if it is out in the open and not stashed away in its' case. Hauling that big boy out was a chore. I have found a small cubby in our downstairs area, where it is set up all the time now. Less gluing and more stitching for me! -- Beth

Recharge with Ribbon

One of my favorite ways to recharge is to stay home and create something just for fun. I made this lampshade this morning. A couple of weeks ago on a Snohomish fun day I was very inspired by a couple of fabulous lampshades Debi Ward Kennedy made for her booth at Faded Elegance. I decided I needed to create one too for my nest.

First of all is finding a semi-empty space to work on. Here is the space available on my studio table. Of course I needed to check my email first and eat a cookie.

This lampshade came off the lamp I wanted to re-shade.

It's a miracle, but I figured out it didn't have the right skeleton for this project before I ripped off the middle cloth part. If I had, I would have been left with a top part like this and a separate bottom ring.

Back to the lampshade holding area to find this lovely one.

I dumped out my bag of blue ribbon scraps. This was easy because of my ribbon organizing system I explained here.

Ribbon pieces were tied around the top and bottom of the lampshade frame.
Once I started, it was hard to tear myself away to get another cup of coffee. And I really like my coffee in the morning.

Done and happy! -- Beth

Grown-up Valentines

Love this Valentine from dear friend and ArtGirl, Cindy Pestka. I dreaded Valentine's Day in grade school...picking out just the 'right' valentine for each person and then wondering if I would get the 'right' ones in return. Uggh!

Grown-up Valentines are much sweeter and heartfelt.

Cindy stitched up this Cavallini paper from PS-Stores on a stack of book sheets, embellished in her Artgirl Island style and viola! -- Lisa

Salvage Savvy

In the Pacific Northwest we are lucky to host the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. Sadly, this may be its last year. But just as we are hopeful that the daffodils are going to bloom we are hopeful that the show will also reinvent itself and continue on. Seems to be a theme for 2009, huh?

Beth will be presenting a slideshow at the F&G Show on Friday, February 20 at 5:15 on Salvage Savvy! It is sure to be informative and entertaining! After that we will be signing our book at the University Bookstore booth.

Come on out and breathe in spring!

Swaps Rock!

I try to participate in Red Lead's mail swaps whenever I can. The latest was an altered domino swap. I love black and white so I created this pendant. I added a mother-of-pearl button (which I also love) and then decopaged a Red Lead domino sized rubber stamped image on the back. I will be receiving three different dominos back.

And then yesterday I received my Itty Bitty Valentine Book in the mail. We each made thirty-two pages, mailed them away and received this darling bound book with all of our artwork in it.

This was my page. Love the Midori embroidered paper. Hooray for art in the mail! -- Lisa

Big news!

Here at the salvage studio, we love to reinvent things. And our newest venture is reinventing our business! We are exploring other junking adventures and as a result, the retail location of the salvage studio will close March 21, 2009. Lisa and Beth will continue as the salvage studio focusing their energies on select shows, workshops and speaking engagements Amy will continue her work as four corners design.

After March 21, Lisa and Beth will keep you posted on current activities on this blog and at www.thesalvagestudio.com. Amy will keep you posted at www.fourcornersdesign.net.

Our Goodbye to Retail Sale will be held on March 20 & 21, from 9am to 5pm each day. But until then, we still have a full calendar of workshops and book signing events as well as weekly inventory arriving at the studio. We remind you to please use your gift certificates by March 21.

Thanks for the support and friendship you have given us! We have exciting events planned for the near future so make sure we have your email and postal mailing addresses so you won’t miss out on all the fun that lies ahead.