Designated Dryden

So long.

2010-06-24T18:19:00.001-04:00

I've moved myself to a gorgeous new blog at designateddryden.com. Please check it out.

My first thrifting experience in OR

2010-05-18T02:14:00.015-04:00

I've decided to do a series of blogs on my explorations of Portland and all the crafty, vintage and handmade wonders that I happen upon.

Sunday I was with my Aunt Ann and she suggested we check out this store in downtown Milwaukie. It's called the Main Street Collectors Mall and it is really not that different from consignment style flea malls all over this country. But as with all junk stores, flea markets, antique malls and thrift stores it was full of gems AND a real soda fountain. I found the prices to be really amazing at this store, perhaps because it is in the small town of Milwaukie and not Portland. Either way, I know I'll be going back.

First let me show you the awesome set of tea cups I bought for $12!

That's right, $12 for 7! They came in 3 matching pairs and one solitary green and brown cup. I dig that the colors are bright, but also a little muted, and also that each pair is so different from the other. I hope to find the matching teapot and extra cup and saucer soon.

I also bought this adorable handpainted bowl that complements the tea cups very well.

There were a few things I planned on going back for soon. They are:

This really rad Art Deco vanity, with large circular mirror and two drawers and two skinny glass shelves. I gotta find a place to live first, but if I have room for it, this is definitely something I'm buying. And it was $45!

That is an autographed picture of Jerry Lewis.

And next to it was this portable bar in a metal case.

I have a tiny obsession lately with stacking dolls, these were some really sweet looking penguins.

The store was small and strangely laid out, but full of many other great and odd treasures. Here is a smattering of what I saw.

Not sure why the car was displayed in the bowl, but the colors go well together.

I thought that the animal in the kangaroo's pouch looked an awful lot like a squirrel.

A case almost entirely filled with ceramic black panthers.

An entire wall of plastic lunchboxes.

A shirtless cowboy apron.

A pastel portrait of Princess Diana in the rain.

A spinning jewelry case full of matchbox cars.

And some very frightening pink elephant and mouse candles. I imagine their scarier when melting.

Neck surgery

2010-02-26T15:51:00.009-05:00

Kristen, my mom and I attended our friends Jen and Erik's engagement party a few months back and my mom was wearing this gorgeous necklace with matching pair of earrings that had been her grandmother's. The problem was that the necklace was falling apart and a few strands had broken off. Here is a picture of my lovely mother wearing the set. (Featuring Jen and I).

My mom also asked me to repair the necklace and make her a pair of dangling earrings to wear instead of the clip ons. This is what I started with.

It's survived a long while, but as things age the parts wear out. So we gave it a makeover. I restrung the necklace and made her a new pair of earrings.

She's very happy with the repair. It is now restrung on much stronger Beadalon wire instead of the old white thread it was originally strung on. The earrings are cute and could be worn separately from the necklace. I hope that this set lasts long enough for it to continue being passed down in the family.

Meddling with metal medals

2009-09-22T23:30:00.000-04:00

I asked some friends what kind of medal they would like to receive. One friend replied that she would like her medal to be for Silliness. What would a Silliness medal look like? For me it would be a locket hanging from a pin that when opened popped out snakes like in the cans from trick shops. Another answered that they would want the Medal of Jackassery, I'm still stumped on what that would look like. If you were awarded a medal, what would it be for? What would it look like? Would it be like a military style medal, a sports type medal or a catholic medallion? Please let me know what kind of medal you think you would deserve.

Take a look at these beauties.

Finishing up.

2009-06-28T19:21:00.000-04:00

So I just moved and realized just how ridiculous my craft supply stash is. Three giant buckets of yarn, 1000's of beads, 3 large containers of fabric and notions. It's getting a bit ridiculous over here. Currently in the works are the following projects:
- 1 purple and gray scarf that I started over a year ago, finally had a great idea on what would make it amazing, hopefully will finish soon.
- 1 white chunky scarf that I'm done knitting, but need to finish the ends.
- 2 movie scarves, these are easy scarves that I work on at the movies, in waiting rooms, where ever I am that I have a time but not the focus to work on something.
- 1 cloche hat that I ran out of yarn on. I need to either buy more yarn or unravel it.
- 1 crazy bumble bee headdress that I still need to figure out how to attach the bees.
- 1 necklace that I've pulled all the beads out for, but have yet to string.
- 1 multi-stone bracelet that I still need to set the stones in.
- 1 pendant that I still need to add a bezel, polish and stone set.
- 1 copper chain that I need to tumble
- 1 pendant that I need to solder together, add the bezel, polish and stone set.
- 4 slip covers for floor pillows for my new place.
- and even though I haven't started yet, I really want to make some curtains for my new place

Truthfully they're are probably several more projects that I need to finish.

So I am making a resolution. I am not allowed to buy any new supplies unless it is necessary to finish a project (such as with the hat) until 2010. No more stones, no more yarn, no more beads or fabric. I am not to start a new project until one is finished.

I know I'll finish the jewelry pieces in metal-smithing class and the knitting is just a matter of time. I know I can do it. I just need to get this stuff out of here. I want my next move to be much lighter (whenever that may be) and I want to revel in the satisfaction of actually finishing up some major projects.

I am going to try to post my progress on a weekly basis. Here's hoping anyways.

Rock Lobster!

2009-04-14T23:04:00.001-04:00

I'm getting ready to move in a month or so and have been going through some of my stuff trying to finish up projects and clean through things. I ran across good ol' Rocky in a basket without any appendages and a bag of bamboo stuffing, so I decided to finish him up. He didn't take long to knit, I just put him away unfinished for some reason. Knitting with double pointed needles is fun, especially when making little things like this. I'll probably be making lots more critters soon.

Now Rocky is going to go live with my roommate Rachel's niece. I hope she likes him as much as I do.

The pattern came from a search through stuffed animals on Ravelry. I basically think the designer, Molly, is a genius! I love this little guy! If you want the pattern, then go here.

Craft Resolutions

2009-01-18T15:37:00.001-05:00

My resolutions are so dorky. I want to be better at gauging my knitting. I knew that I needed to work on it before today, but now I know I have to. I tried to make these converse from a pattern I found in Craft Magazine.

I didn't check my gauging (which means stitches per inch) and instead of getting pieces to attach to my size nines, they came out teeny tiny! I have to redo them now! Argh! I guess I learned my lesson and will be checking out the gauging so things can come out the right size. I'm going to try again and I'll show you all how cute they are.

What has been consuming my last few months.

2009-01-16T18:53:00.000-05:00

The last few months all of my free time, all of my creative energy, all of my energy has gone towards making the new tradeshow tablecloths for Avindy. I will say that I am amazed I came away with fingerprints after I burned myself a thousand times with hot glue. They took a long time to make, but I am so proud of them. People kept coming by and complimenting them. I should have put up a sign to advertise for my tablecloth services. Take a look.

The best part is that I got to sew! It makes me want to make clothes. I already have designs for curtains in my head. I'm hoping to tailor some clothes soon too. I'll take pictures on my attempts and post them as soon as I have them.

My Crown's All-Natural

2009-01-16T08:46:00.000-05:00

So I babysit quite often and during the fall I had the pleasure of raking and playing in the leaves with two kids that I babysit for regularly. The little girl asked me to make her a crown and so I made two really cool leaf crowns, both of which she didn't like, so I modeled them myself. They turned out so cute, I think that they are nice answer back to the daisy chains you make in the spring. Please forgive my scary faces, the crowns are the fun part, although I do think that the random coincidence of wearing feather earrings is pretty cool.

She was gracious enough to let me take pictures of her and carry my leaf bouquet I gathered for her. She's quite photogenic actually. And hilarious.

Unfortunately, even though I tried to save the crowns, they got smashed up once they made it home. Be on the look out, you may see me wearing one out one day.

Serendipity

2008-12-17T20:24:00.000-05:00

I knew I loved Jay McCarroll, the winner of the first season on Project Runway. He's still one of tippity top favorites on the show EVER. His collection was amazing and I wanted to walk around in those super cool headphones of his all day long. And then I saw his etsy collection...now I know we are destined to be best friends. Lots of the things he picked are things I have favorited or things that I would have had I devoted even more hours to surfing etsy. He even features (and gives a sweet shout out to) my favorite local knitting hero Yokoo. Checky check it out.

Christmas is Coming.

2008-12-07T20:04:00.000-05:00

Christmas is around the corner and so is my birthday so I've been thinking about giving and receiving. I really like the idea of giving unique handmade items (even better if the giver is the maker) or donating in the honor of someone. Today I set up a Birthday Cause on Facebook for money to go to The Nature Conservancy, maybe no one will donate to it, but I like the idea. I also am an Etsy addict, especially looking at the treauries and the shop local sections. I hope that after Christmas and tradeshows I can get some work done and post more to my own shop. Today I discovered the Connections part of Favorites. It's fun, you can see who also hearts things you heart and what else they heart and they're stores as well. It's like a HUGE mind map. It's super cool. You should check it out if you use Etsy.

I'm also trying to make a chunk of my presents. I will post a blog about it after the holidays are over, I don't want to ruin any surprises. It's been weird though, this year I don't have a lot of presents to buy. My girls from Auburn are having a dirty santa present, so that means only one present there. My family made a deal to only buy one present per person, so that's mostly done. I really just have dad left, he's difficult because he doesn't care what he gets. We are doing Secret Santa at work, again only one present. I've finished several presents already, but I gotta get to work to finish mine. Some people have asked me to make presents for others, so I need to get on that I guess.

On top of that I am working on the new stuff for the tradeshow booth at work. It's been fun even with hot glue burns.

She's a good skate.

2008-12-04T13:11:00.000-05:00

So I decided this year I wanted to have one of those fun, crazy birthday parties that everyone who has a non-holiday party gets to have. I want to go ice skating and then have everyone come by my house after wards dressed as ice skaters (only if you want to).

Here are some places to start for inspiration.

She's A Good Skate Charlie Brown

Try for the dress Snoopy makes, not Marcie's

The Cutting Edge

Blades of Glory

The Ice Capades

Disney on Ice

Or your favorite athlete:

Scott Hamilton

Brian Boitano

Oksana Baiul

Kurt Browning

Katarina Witt

Kristi Yamaguchi

I'm dressing up, who else is in?

Shut up and let your jewelry speak.

2008-11-13T13:16:00.000-05:00

Holy hell these pieces are amazing. I first found this piece on whowhatwear.com

It piqued my curiosity enough to run a search and the result was even more amazing. A gorgeously lux website with a smattering of strong, surreal pieces. Take a look.

From the Acroma line:

From the Isis Line:

From the Sinn line:

I particularly like that the use of chunky beads and chain that seem to give the pieces some weight. I also love the assymetry not just left to right, but top to bottom too. Many of the pieces seem to have special pops of color or texture near the clasp where most necklaces seem to fade away.

Frustration hits

2008-11-06T11:50:00.000-05:00

The fun part of knitting is that it occupies your hands for hours on end. The unfun part is when you can't quite grasp the pattern and keep having to start over. This hat has become the bane of my existence.

I seriously have frogged* this hat 8 times. I either drop stitches or I jack up the pattern. I can not get it to work. The yarn is so pretty too, It's this gorgeous chartreuse, olive and magenta sorta tye-dyed looking yarn and I know that it would be lovely if I could just past the silly mistakes. I did buy new needles the other day and I'm hoping that it helps. The ones I was using originally were cheapies from Michael's. With knitting needles you often get what you pay for and so I bought ADDI-naturas which are like mid-grade wooden needles I suppose. I wanted some slick new ADDI-Turbos which are sweet metal ones, but the shop was out and I was itching to dump my clover needles. I am bound and determined to finish this hat or maybe I'll just stab myself with the circular needles that I've cast on.

Is there a patron saint or an angel that helps knitters?

*frogged is knitting speak for ripping the whole project apart

Is it work if you love it?

2008-09-24T23:14:00.000-04:00

My new job is pretty rad so far. All day I play with wire, chain and gemstone beads. It is a bit strange implementing someone else's designs instead of my own, but my obsessive-compulsive/fidgety part is loving the counting, matching and hard work. The pieces are more delicate and intricate than the stuff I typically make, and therefore I'm still messing up a bit, clipping too closely to a chain or loop and having to redo that whole part. BUT I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH ALREADY! Particularly about using wire wrapping instead of using jump rings and about jewelry photography. I totally want to get a new camera this weekend so I can reshoot everything I've ever made. Basically I feel like the luckiest girl in the world getting to do something I love all day long.

Super secret project

2008-09-18T18:20:00.000-04:00

I bought a spool knitter. It sounds dorky, but I love it. It basically simplifies the process of making knitted cord. I have some big plans for it, which I'm keeping a tight lip about til I'm done.

My newish stuff.

2008-09-17T01:22:00.000-04:00

Here's the stuff I've been working on lately. Been playing around with asymmetry, weight and knotting.

And most of it is for sale in my etsy store. Just click the store icon on the side.

I GOT A JEWELRY JOB!

2008-09-14T22:52:00.000-04:00

Heck yea! I got a job with Avindy, a really awesome jewelry line based here in Atlanta. I start on Tuesday. Their line is gorgeous and lush. Here are some of my favorite pieces of theirs.
Delicate Green Topaz and Chrysoprase Knot Necklace
Apatite and Mystic Topaz Briolette Burst Earrings

Teal Topaz Cocktail Ring with Diamond Prongs
Freshwater Pearl and Bright Gemstone Opera Necklace

Isn't it all gorgeous? I can't wait!!

Treasure Trove

2008-08-21T22:55:00.000-04:00

I have been helping clean out some things at my grandma's house (my family has been chomping at the bit to clean out some of the creepy crawlies in her house) and as payment my aunt and uncle told me to take her beads and jewelry tools (saying "she can't use them anymore" or "she'll never know you took them" as their justifications). She had a cabinet full of glass specimen bottles full of beads. 98% of them were amazing, the other 2% were icky with paint peeling off and stuff. I just threw that 2% away. The other 98% fill two large rubbermaid tubs. YAY FOR FREE SUPPLIES!! There was also a lot of broken costume jewelry and Amanda and I have been trying to come up with ways to reinvent beaded clip on earrings and such. A few pieces just needed like a jump ring or something to fix them. So now I have tons of new jewelry. So rad. I'll also be making tons of new stuff to sell on etsy in the near future I hope. Be on the lookout.

Perspiration leads to inspiration

2008-07-21T13:38:00.000-04:00

Being that it's summer and unbearably sticky so I'm staying in and surfing the web, also trying to make tons of stuff. Here's what is inspiring me these days.

Windy Freda

I've always had this desire to be Pocahontas, in fact I've dressed up as her for several Halloweens in my lifetime. I've always had a love for head accessories such as hats and headdresses, so when I saw Susannah Lispsey's line of feathered headdresses and hats I immediately wanted one. These aren't sissy ribbons tied about ones head, but major statements that speak loudly to all you pass.

These are from her first collection:

And these are from her second:

This one in particular made me want to romp through the hills of San Fran again.

Origami and paper crafts

When I was in elementary school I read Sadako Sasaki and the Thousand Paper Cranes, which is the story of a girl who grew up a mile from ground zero in Hiroshima. She was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 11 and died at the age of 12. She attempted to make 1000 paper cranes in an attempt to make herself well again (according to lore, those who fold 1000 cranes are granted a wish). I have always wanted to fold a 1000 and send them to the Children's Peace Monument, but had sort of forgotten about this goal. Then the other day, I logged on to etsy and the theme of the day was paper cranes. I particularly loved this mobile.

I am going to try to do this for real this time, so if you see me folding mint papers at the dinner table, now you know why.

My Brother's Wedding

It's cheesy, I know, but my brother's wedding (as well as my cousin Mo's and my friend Carrie's who are also getting married soon) has put all sorts of projects dancing in my head. I can't reveal them all now, in case Jonathan reads this blog (though I doubt he does), but I can say that they're awesome. Last week I also got to go dig around one of my mom's old haunts, The Yarn Center (a wholesale florist warehouse out in Chatsworth), to help my mom dream up the centerpieces and decorations for all the events. I'm glad that she values my opinions enough to invite me along.

More to come very very soon.

Chain gang

2008-07-17T23:57:00.000-04:00

I really like chain work these days. I know I'm not the only one, I see it everywhere. I think my interest in it has gotten stronger from taking metal smithing. I like the neutrality of metal as a base, and how you can add almost anything to a chain and make something awesomely unique. Here's some of my latest stuff.

I'm really into mixing chains together, Asian looking pieces, animals and also asymmetry. I would love to hear comments on these pieces.

Fiesta necklace: I bought these little figurines as a pair of earrings on Saturday, and I couldn't wait to put them to work.

Catch of the day necklace: This necklace reminds me of that proverb, "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day, Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime." I think we should add "Give a girl a fish necklace and it will make her outfit."

Pendulum necklace: I just love the asymmetry and the thickness of the chain.

She sells sea shells necklace: I made this while visiting my grandparents and was wearing it when their friends started quizzing me on what I was doing with my life. I told them that I sold sea shells by the sea shore. They loved that response. I've also had this shell since I can remember, and I'm happy that I was finally able to use it.

Owl be watching you necklace: An owl and asymmetry, what more could I ask for.

Who gives a hoot necklace: Another owl, another day. So simple, yet I love to wear him.

MIA

2008-07-17T23:38:00.000-04:00

I know, I know, I haven't updated in FOREVER. But things have been crazy, my camera doesn't take great detailed pictures and the stuff I've been working on requires it for documenting. I also have been helping with multiple family weddings, moving, cleaning things out and in general been busy busy. But I've also been been making things. First of all, I finished my ring!! It's gorgeous and I wear it quite a bit. (Although on the hotter days it's harder to slip on). I get tons of compliments on it, and I can't help but gush about it every time I get a chance. Here it is!

My happy dragon ring. Isn't it adorable?

I heart the Harts!

2008-05-14T11:59:00.000-04:00

So as most people probably know (because I scream it any chance I get) that I graduated. Throughout my entire graduate career my advisor Tobin, his wife Mary, and their daughters have been so kind and helpful and so now at the end of my tenure at West Georgia I decided I wanted to give them a special present. So I decided to finish up a painting that I had been dreaming of since last summer. Like all things I paint, they look better in my head than they do in actuality, but I'm still pretty happy with it. I'd also like to note that I put that spot on the fish's head, before I put it on mine. I didn't realize the connection, but Tobin and Mary did. They seemed to really love it and I hope to see it hanging up when I go to visit them next.
So their oldest daughter is graduating from high school this month as well, so I gave her this necklace I made earlier this year as well as a pair of beadalon strung earrings that didn't photograph well. The necklace is super cute though. Apparently they are both her favorite color. I'm glad that they all loved their presents. I'm going to miss not seeing them as often now that I don't have to go to Carrollton all the time. I'm sure we'll keep in touch though.

And now for a more academic creation

2008-05-03T18:59:00.000-04:00

So as some of you may know I defended my thesis and was approved for graduation so I am completely done with my master's degree. If you want to see my thesis go to this link

http://rapidshare.com/files/112347862/Total_thesis.doc

and read as much as you can stand. I'm not expecting to read the entire thing though. I conceptualized the entire thing from beginning to end and I couldn't be prouder. I know that it could have probably been better, but I am happy with where it is.

And soon I will have my own bound copy of it on my book shelf. I am going to put it right next to my John Dryden poetry books so I feel more important.

Oh! And thanks to my volunteers who allowed me to interview them!

Elephants are unforgettable

2008-04-22T11:51:00.001-04:00

I am in love with this elephant pattern! It's so cute and easy! The pictures here are of my first prototype who I named Smellephant. I just don't like the eyes, they aren't quite expressive enough. The problem is that I want to give these as baby gifts and so I don't want to have buttons on them. I'll play with the eyes on the one I'm working on right now I guess.

But I mean really, how adorable is he?

Rings and things!

2008-04-21T19:12:00.000-04:00

It's official, my camera and I have grown apart. It just really doesn't take pictures with the detail I want to show my work. Maybe that's what I will get with my graduation money. There's also the awesomeness that is Amanda's camera and Amanda is about to be my roommate, so that is helpful.

Any ways, we started our filigree rings in metal-smithing class. I bought some awesome cabochons from this woman from Hickory, NC that came to visit our class named Anne Kennedy. I bought a dragon carved into water buffalo bone for my ring. She had two of them and I decided to get the smilier one. This is it.

The body of the ring is going to look like this. I am a little afraid that it won't sauter exactly the way it looks. But I'm still excited.

The other cabochons I bought from her were black Drusy, I wish the picture was better, but it's really cool and uneven and sparkly.

I think it's going to make a really awesome ring.

I also bought a lepidolite cabochon, which has amazing healing and balancing properties according to my Crystal Bible. But Anne told me that lepidolite is too soft to be a ring, that it would be scratched if I wore it on my hand, but that it would be great for a necklace. Now I am thinking of interesting ways to set and hang it. Here's the lepidolite. It's about the size of a quarter and the color is really a lovely magenta.

Study breaks

2008-04-16T22:11:00.000-04:00

So I've busy thesising, but I have taken time to make stuff. I finished my bracelet for my metal-smithing class and gave it to my G'ma for her 80th birthday this weekend. She gushed! It was so cute hearing her tell all her garden club buddies that I was taking after her and had begun studying metal work.

Oh! And this is the necklace I made last fall in a class with the same instructor, Cat Goolsby (she's awesome).

Now we're working on filligree rings that I bought the coolest cabachon for. I'll probably put up pictures later this week.

Gifting

2008-04-01T18:52:00.000-04:00

I love to make things for people's birthdays. I've made earrings and necklaces and hats. One year I made all the girls earring holders for Xmas. They were a big hit.

This week I made a necklace for Monica and finished a scarf which I gave to Kate. Here is the necklace.

And this is the scarf I made for Kate.

This is a hat I made for my friend Greg as a belated birthday gift.

(I'm modeling of course).

And this is the necklace I made for Ellen out of the beads she bought me. It came out pretty but I really need to work on my wire wrapping I think.

I hope to get pictures of the AWESOME red hat I knit and felted for my grandmother and the baby clothes for my friend's new daughter Aurora.

San Francisco

2008-03-21T14:31:00.000-04:00

So I just returned from my trip to the San Francisco area with Ellen and Amanda. We had a blast. I took 32 Polaroids on the trip, and it may seriously be my favorite series of Polaroids I've taken. This trio is from Muir woods.

These are from the Mission District.

And these are from a park outside of Berkeley.

The weather was a little chilly, but beautiful. I bought some really cool jewelry in the Mission District. At this store called the Curiosity Shoppe and bought these really rad earrings hand drawn on white shrinky dink sheets, as well as my own set of white shrinky dink sheets to play with and this necklace that looks as though it may have been a saint portrait on it but now is painted with a landscape on it.

We also stopped at this bead store called Beadissimo that reminded me of a yarn shop because it has tables that you can come in and work at and a classroom in the back. I love art/craft/supply stores that provide a sense of community. They invited us to come to their Bead Brunch on Sunday where they were going to be teaching wire-wrapping and providing food. It seemed like so much fun, but we had plans to go to Napa that day. I bought beads there to make several projects including a present for my cousin Mo and then Ellen picked out some beads and chain for me to make her a necklace that I will post pictures of when I complete it.

I also bought some super cute clothes at stores on Valencia and this really rad pirate/nautical themed necklace that I'm in love with.

Oh! And I made the hat I'm wearing while on the trip out of this really cool yarn called "Seduce," it's a bit metallic and really silky. It's my third beret, and the first one for myself. I think maybe it's a bit too big, but I may weave some elastic into the band later. Ellen and I taught Amanda how to knit on the plane. I'm afraid that since I knit Continental style and Ellen knits English style we might have confused the crap out of her. but she's coming along pretty well on her first scarf.

Overall the trip was great and I feel very inspired to create right now. Can't wait to see what comes out of this.