It is 11pm this monday night, and I don't know if I will have the time or energy to post this weeks Creative Tuesday post. Since I'm already here, I shall take care of it early.
Lately, this is what I've been doing creatively!
I'm truly craving time to paint, but with two kids and a lot going on in my life, painting goes on the back burner. But little projects like these are manageable, since they can be done sporadically and there is no need to rush. I can do a little one day, more the next, and finish in a week. I desperately want to pick up a paintbrush though. It's something you realize when you become a parent - how selfish you once were (and still are secretly, or honestly). I just want to be alone for a day to paint, but that day or hour will come eventually.
Anyway, here's my process for these glass and shell wall hangings!
(need to think of a more interesting name for these. Suggestions?)
They are fun, from conceptualizing to finalization. I love tedious creative things a lot of the time, that way as time goes on, I can perfect my technique and skill the more I spend time doing the same thing over and over. This craft is particularly perfect for this weird tendency of mine.
Step 1: Conceptualizing
The true first steps would be to find materials: sea glass / shells / driftwood. But that's already taken care of with the accumulation of things from the sea in my home.
I apparently was feeling the faded-color look this time around.
(The laptop gives you a pretty accurate depiction of the size to this piece. The piece on top of the laptop is another in progress!)
Step 2: Drilling
After I've figured out my design, I bring out the Dremel station and drill!
I use diamond drill bits, and drill in a tupperware filled with water (to keep the glass or shells from breaking due to overheating). There is a smaller block of wood inside the container used as a platform for whatever I'm drilling, and a block of wood underneath as well for stability and height. There's no harm in letting the drill bit enter water, just as long as you keep the drill itself out.
I love when I get help too :)
(Thank you, Jonathan!)
Step 3: Wiring
This would be the tedious part. Drilling is as well, but this is by far the most time consuming element of the process. It calls for a lot of wire, a lot of patience, and lots of time... and my poor little fingers take a beating from sharp wire and how much I have to wrap these little suckers.
Step 4: Create a "hanger"
For this one, you can't really see from the photo but I created wire loops on the wood to hold braided multicolored hemp thread, tied to an incredibly ridiculous wire wrapped hoop I made. Maybe I'll post a better detailed photo... The detail though that went into the piece was great, and I'm happy with the results.
And voila! The finished product.
Here's a mini one I made that's actually my favorite (and 3rd) so far. It's about 5 inches across. I particularly like it because of the type of wood and the designs on the shells. Gold wire looks amazing too. I've thought about using silver wire, but to me it looks too cheap with what I'm trying to accomplish (if that doesn't sound pompous or something). I just like the way gold seems a little more... classy? delicate? Not sure how to describe it.
Here's the glass piece hanging with my first ever "hanging" made with shells. I've posted on that one before a while ago. I think they hang quite nicely together.
So there you have it! This is my creative outlet for the time being. I've had a couple of people take interest in them, and a friend of mine is asking me to make one for her to buy and possibly sell in her workplace. I'd have to make some REALLY nice ones for the shop she's talking about, so that will come in time. I'm also planning to make some as gifts and for the craft fair I sell my jewelry at... oh yeah... I need to start making jewelry again....
I hope to make lots more of these in the future, and get a lot more creative with them. The more I experiment, the more I'll learn and develop, as that is the case with any creative endeavor.
xoxoxo
(These photos are all from my Instagram account: anowlsoul)
