Lorenzo the Kitty Nomming Monster

This is Lorenzo, despite his fierce appearance,  he is a gentle soul, and one of his favorite past times is nomming on Kitties. Unfortunately, I do no have any felines in my household, and ferrets are not his cup of tea.  All of this has made Lorenzo a bit depressed.  So a friend of mine has decided to adopt Lorenzo, and soon he will be one his way to sunny California.  Where he will have fun in the sun, and has a nice 18lb kitty waiting.

I don't have any "action" shots as of yet, but as soon as he reaches his destination, I'll post pictures as soon as I can.

A friend of mine has seen my Monster ferret beds in the past, and commissioned me to make a cat bed for her.  She gave me creative freedom with the design as long as it can fit her big kitty.  After a month of working on him off and on, he is finally ready to be sent to her.

I am excited and this really is the largest plushie I have made so far.  I learned alot of what works and doesn't while making this.

I really love the way it turned out, and I may make one for my ferrets. :P

He is made of various corduroy and heavy cotton fabric.  The "tongue" is a removable cushion and cover, so it can be cleaned when it gets dirty. 

I also used plastic boning, to help give it support, but in the end I had to add additional support, which is okay because it looks like "ribs" on the interior.

Of course I was way over zealous with this project I did not take any progress shots. >.<  I need to get better at that.

Brain Slug of Awesome

 Who doesn't love Futurama?

Inspired by losingstreak brainslug on Craftster.org , I made this one.
I actually made this last Halloween but never posted it, don't know why.   I used to work in an office, but they didn't let me wear it as it was "unprofessional", even though clients never see me and I was holed away in the back of the office in what I called "the cave", but whatever. 

I love Futurama, as it is one of my favorite series to have playing in the back ground as I craft.  I've even developed a habit of wearing while I craft. LOL  I just love it that much.

It's made of Green Wool Felt, and attached on an extra head band I had laying around.

Yay to new beginings!

I got a call back for a second interview and I got the job as a Design Assistant! I have been on cloud nine for a few days now, and this has cause me to be on a non-stop creative kick, which is awesome.

Since I got the great news about the job ( this past Thursday) I have made an Amigurumi, a Monster Cat bed ( still in progress), and drawing some fan art.

I love Craftster.org and I am getting ready to mail off my package for my swap partner.  It is a small Sailor Moon Themed Craft Swap, so we only had to make two items.  I am very proud of mine, here is the Amigurumi that I made for the swap.

I had to include the obligatory "panty shot" that was notorious in the series.  I hope my partner likes it.  Of course not I am working on the second item to send to her.  I was going to have a Sailor Moon Anime marathon,  over the years I own most of the series on VHS.  And how lucky that I have a working VHS player!  I was very excited for my day today, popped in a tape and pushed play.  Until... the VHS started making funny noises.... and not the good kind.  I am sad to say that it ate one of my tapes, luckily it was not that bad, and the tape did not sustain too much damage.  

To help prevent any other tapes having the same fate, I doodled a small warning sign.

This is what I do on my Saturday nights

I recently applied for a design Assistant position with a company.  After the first interview, they gave me "homework" to create 5 designs inspired by their best selling product.

Well during  interview portion where I spoke with the head jewelry designer,  he showed me a series called "BFFs",  they were small necklace charms of cute animals directed to 8-10 year olds demoraphics.  Each set was the same animal, but two different colors.   If anyone knows me, I love all this cute, especially "Kawaii" cute, so I also submitted my interpretation of "BFFs" even though it wasn't part of the initial assignment.

(left to right top row) "Pop and Fries", "Lemon and Lime", "Salt and Pepper"

(left to right bottom row) "Peas and Carrots", "Milk and Cookies"

I've been practicing using Adobe Illustrator, mainly using short cuts.  Normal I do the out lines in RHINO a 3D program, only because I know the program inside and out, and I can build items to scale and then take the designs into Illustrator to color.  

I have a few commissions to finish, but I've been exhausted and trying not to lose my mind about this job.  It's been very stressful to say the least, but once it's all over, and I find out that I have the job or not, I think I'll be able to relax.

New beginings.

I had my first design job interview yesterday. I was a complete nervous wreck before hand, well actually for a few days. It went over really well, and I am confident on the position. Not to mention they gave me homework!

The position is for a Design Assistant for the in house Jewelry Designer for the company. When I first read the job description I thought it would just be an assistant position ( not that I really cared) but once there it is more as an assistant designer if anything. I'm excited, I could not sleep last night!

Now I need to work on my "Homework", which is designing 5+ designs inspired by their best selling products. The theme, "Alice in Wonderland".

I have a few ideas, but I an not wait.

Crafting is the kind of Procrstination

I have loads of projects and other important things that I should be doing right now.  One of which is looking for gainful employment ( I have, but it seems I am over qualified for lower paying jobs, and waiting to hear back from the numerous design positions at the moment), as well as finishing a pixel postage stamp quilt ( Which is driving me insane...).

So what do I do?  I craft.  Meet Clarence the newest member of my Amigurumi Army.  

Long live McQueen

It's been two weeks since Alexander McQueen took his own life, and I have been not stop thinking and admiring his work.  Truth be told, he was the reason that I got into fashion.  Many of his extravagant pieces where inspiration for my senior collection.  It is hard for me to even pick a favorite piece in his collections as they are all amazing

I was bored today and procrastinating per usual and for some reason listening to Lady Gaga I decided to doodle on of McQueen's head pieces.

 

My boyfriend thinks I was a bit ridiculous when I nearly cried when I heard the news of McQueen's death, since I did not know him personally.  It is hard to explain, even though I never knew him,  his works moved me.  With the wonders of the internet I was able to view his collections and see his shows.  His designs where not just cloths, they were works of art, and always made me wonder what he will do next.

The world lost a creative genius, and great artist, and a friend.

Long live McQueen.

It's coming along.

I joined an artist collaboration called Penny Experiment .  It is an "experiment" where one penny will be turned into $1million in food donated to food banks.   More information can be found here, where the original Penny was sold for $10, then changed to 100 pennies.  The first 100 of the pennies are set aside to be placed in the Post card art which will then later be auctioned off for money to be donated to food banks.

There were no restrictions to the collaboration, so the artist were free to do what they wanted.  As long as there was a place where one of the 100 pennies can be attached and that the piece not be larger than an average post card (about 5x7).

Truthfully I was uninspired to design for about month, even having a few failed attempts of ideas.  Then like most artists that I know, I was hit with inspiration late one night.

One of the things that I am good at is hand illustration for Jewelry Design.  I have always love traditional illustration as a media to work with, and sometimes I feel it is a lost art in today's jewelry industry.

I am a huge fan of the art nouveau, whether it is Alphonse Mucha's prints, or René Lalique jewelry and glassware designs, even the architecture of Victor Horta.  So designing a piece that is influenced by the art nouveau style was a given.  As as a jeweler, I also wanted to incorporate a way that the purchaser of the piece can also wear it.  I am happy with how it turned out, and now, I am creating a wall base where the piece can be displayed.

Started an new project.

 

I'm excited.

Struggling for inspiration.

Sadly like most artists, I need am one that needs inspiration to hit me before I can create. With being unemployed at the time, I have been finding myself lacking in the creative department. I do have a slew of projects that I start, but as quickly as I start them, they get pushed aside when I run out of drive.

I used to buy upwards to 10+ Magazines a month, and have built a nice little library, but which money being tight these days, that was one luxury I could live with out. I still buy the occasional magazine though, mainly "W", "WWD" or "Metalsmith".

The great thing about the internet is that it is a vast information that easily accessible. One of my favorite websites that I visit everyday is LOOKBOOK.nu.

The LOOKBOOK.nu is basically a lookbook that is used in the fashion industry, but is a collective of photos and styles of people around the world to freely post their fashion wears online.

The reason I like this site is that you can easily see the current trends in fashion styles as it is right now and where it is going.   I love how they style themselves and look amazingly fashionable, and most are not professional.  There are quite a few posters who use designer labels, but I love when people mix and match designer with thriftstore finds.

The The Fashion Spot is great fashion community, and often has the latest catwalk couture, tips and stories. My favorite section is the " Sidewalk Cafe", where they have interesting articles. My favorite are the "Street Style, where they show case what photos of people and their styles.

Fashion-Iconography.net is a great reference site for fashion magazine covers. One night when I was bored I clicked through W Maganize covers . I love seeing the evolution of style from the older publications to now.

Fashion Copious is full of great information, especially about models, news, campaigns and designers. It's filled with amazing vibrant images great for inspiration.

Now one of newest favorites places is Modelizing by Julia Chesky. It's a wonderful blog with amazing photos of window displays of designer labels. I, myself, love to window shop, what girl doesn't. Julia's images are beautiful, and allows one to get a closer look at many of the pieces and their detail.  One of my favorite posts is of a window display at Barneys in New York, where they used fortune cookies!

*The first image is from Nada Celsha H via LOOKBOOK.nu
*The second images is from VALENTINO: PARIS COUTURE S/S '10 via The Fashion Spot
*The third image is from Modelizing by Julia Chesky.

Le Moderne Du Barry

Right now the Smithsonian is holding an open call contest to celebrate the Hope Diamond's new setting. The contest is basically open to everyone so that people can design thier "perfect" setting.

I wanted to design something that will never be with in my reach. Then I remember about the Diamond Necklace Affair near the end of Louis the XV reign for his Mistress Mdm. Du Barry. The ill-fated necklace was 2,800ct of diamonds, and I felt with today's economy I would design a modern version of that necklace.

The actual setting for the Hope Diamond is similar to it's original setting, but I like the look of the half moon cut diamonds framing the magnificent diamond.  The necklace drapes over the neckline and continues around the wearers shoulders.  A large  5 ct. oval Diamond mirrors the Hope Diamond, but it is set horizontally since it acts as a hidden clasp for the necklace.   

As a big fan of Mucha work,  I have always love the borders in his illustrations.  His ornate borders not only frame he beautiful models, but also acts as a following line that will lead the viewers eyes around the image.  I decided that such framing work would do beautifully with the grandeur of the Hope Diamond.  Esthetically wise, the pattern would allow the necklace to look beautifully either on display or on a wearer.  Since I did not want to only use Round Brilliant cut stones,  I also used various shapes to create the detailing.

Since this was designed to be a modern version of Mdm. Du Barry's necklace,  I wanted to give it some Versailles flair as you would.  One design that was very prominant during that time would be a "Fleur de Lis". To create a simple "Fleur de Lis",  I simply used two pear shape cut stones, topped with a marquis.  Not wanting to stop there  I decided to top the design with clover shape created by four trillion cut stone, as well as having a diamond set in it's center and between the "leaves".
 
The only thing that goes well with diamonds are simply more diamonds.

I submitted my design, and I can't wait to see it on the web site.  We shall see if any good comes from it. :)

Oh well.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I can no longer continue my Ring-A-Day. It was a heart breaking decision, but when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

Crayon Roll-up

My first crayon roll-up, I made this for Carter who is 4-5, I am such a horrible person that I don't remember, who is my boyfriend's sister's boyfriend's son. Yeah, I tried. I made the applique some time ago, and it just sat on my drafting table waiting to be put on something. Well, since money is low, and made some of my gifts this year, and this one was one of it. Shopping for kids is hard, especially for ones that you only see a few times a year. I am always hesitant on buying toys, as I remember most toys I would play with for a short time and then forget.

I decided on a crayon roll-up, since Carter should be starting pre-school, and the last time I saw him he liked to color. Most kids like to color right?

I don't know, if you can tell by this post, I do not have children, nor have much experience with them.

 

As an art nerd,  I had to organize the colors in ROYGBIV order.

 

New Blog, and the New year.

I've decided to create a new blog to help me with my creative slump. As I have said before, I am currently jobless, and being such, I have felt my creativity going down. Sure I've been crafting, but I have not done anything to push myself as a designer. While laying in bed last night, waiting for the new year I have decided that I need a project, something that will force me to think and create, essentially going back to basics. Before I new it, Ring-A-Day was born.  I am using this project as a way to keep my creative juices flowing in a way.  I will still update this blog.

It's a New Year, clean slate,  only time will tell what 2010 will hold for me.