Thursday, October 1, 2009

Inspire Bracelet and Etching Mess Ups

I've been in that fall spirit.  I used one of my metal etched pieces and created a little autumn bracelet.  At first I thought the etching wasn't good enough to use and I was just going to try again but the more I looked at it the more it grew on me.  It's very far from perfect (you girls know the word perfect is not actually in my vocabulary anyway) but I realized that is what I liked about it.  It's rustic, scratched up, worn.

It's funny, my daughter is so concerned about her stuffed animals' fur matting down after she's slept with and snuggled with them for a few weeks.  She tries her best to fluff the fur back up so they don't look old and worn.  She has one very special stuffed dog named "Pup Pup" that she has had since she was one year old.  That dog has been loved so much there isn't an inch on her that hasn't been matted down.  She use to have such beautiful silky fur but now she is rough and aged a bit.  That little stuffed dog has been through so much with Lauren.  She's gone to two surgeries, been thrown up on (I know that's gross), traveled to every vacation spot with her.  And it breaks her heart to see Pup Pup without her shiny coat.  I've told her that Pup Pup is happy to be worn and tattered that shows she is her favorite.  It shows how much we love something when it gets used and it shows wear and tear.  Think of your favorite tools or your favorite cooking utensils. When we love something we go back to it time and time again.  They show wear but they work just the same.  Ok, enough about that.

And the "Inspire" etched in the metal tells a lot about what we go through each day.  As artists we are inspired a lot by what we see, hear, feel, even smell.  The smell of burning leaves always reminds me of autumn and the brisk wind across my face.  Ok, wow, I guess I'm in a writing mood today.  Anyway, here it is.

 

And here is my second miserable attempt at etching.  I tried the StazOn which worked great for the imprint but this time I left it way too long in the etching solution.  Just look!


It breaks my heart to see all that beautiful copper ruined.  And look at the piece all the way to the right.  What happened there?  Some funky colors.  Ugh!  If first you don't succeed, try and try and try and try again.  Enjoy your Thursday girls!  Just one more day left till the weekend.

11 comments:

  1. I think they all look beautiful including he "ruined" ones! I think "Pup Pup" would agree with me!

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  2. Beautiful bracelet, Leslie! It's nice to see your new etched pieces already being added to your jewelry! Sweet story about PupPup...reminds me of the Velveteen Rabbit. :-)

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  3. I think they all look great, you should really incorporate them into your creations.

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  4. My daughter has a "Kitty Pitty" just like "Pup Pup" it used to everywhere with her until she started school this year...but she gives "kitty pitty" extra love when she gets home...love the inspire bracelet and keep trying with the etching. If at first you don't succeed...then try, try, try, again...

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  5. I like the imperfectness of your pieces...that is what an artist does, isn't it? You make something beautiful out of something so ordinary. What about hammering the heck out of those "ruined" pieces and making them even more rustic? I call those "happy accidents"...and they are my favorites. My son has a dog called "Puppy" who looked like "Wishbone" from PBS...his eyes are clouded over from being tossed in the dryer, but we love him anyway.
    Thanks for sharing your great inspiration!
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  6. Maybe those copper pieces were in a bit too long, but try going over them with some steel wool, or even better, first patina (chemical or fire) and then steel wool.
    The bracelet is wonderful!

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  7. Once again, I really like the way these came out. And as Renate suggests try a little patina. My favourite happens to be the one you dislike most. I love that colour varitation!

    The story of Pup Pup reminds me of my very own Panda that I got as a new born baby. Panda was passed on to my son who renamed him Odie (which is toddler for Oldie). That bear has been through many surgeries, redressings, plumping up, and he is completely without any fur at all because he's been loved so much. That bear is, well I'm not going to give you an exact age ;-) But my son is nearly 29 so you can guess how old Odie is. Odie is patiently waiting to move along to the 3rd generation.

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  8. Thanks for all of your own "Pup Pup" stories. I'm glad so many of you can relate. :)

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  9. etch the back side now , no? The bracelet is gorgeous!!

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  10. I make lots of things--and it is a surprise every time. I think your "rejects" are beautiful; their weathered surface is relic like and would be a great base to rivet additional elements to--perhaps a stamped word or a charm.

    Mollie

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  11. I make lots of things--and it is a surprise every time. I think your "rejects" are beautiful; their weathered surface is relic like and would be a great base to rivet additional elements to--perhaps a stamped word or a charm.

    Mollie

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