“Sleepy Inuit Village” button ring

I’m fascinated by igloos. It’s crazy to think about how early Inuits were able to live and flourish in the harshest of conditions.

There’s a dreamy documentary from the 1920′s (the first feature-length documentary ever) called Nanook Of The North that follows the lives of a family in the Arctic. Here’s a little clip of Nanook building an igloo for his family in under an hour. Complete with a window made of ice and snow to reflect the warm sunlight inside.

And that’s the inspiration for my latest creations…

One button…

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Two button…

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Delectable clothing buttons repurposed into…

“Sleepy Inuit Village” button rings

A miniature Inuit village sits atop the frozen lake of turquoise flecked with gold. Two stacked buttons create the scene of chilly igloos set on a pearlescent stage. Their three-dimensional character and subtle variations are the perfect splash of color for a cold winter’s day. Each ring is completed with an antique brass-plated band.

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The finer details…

The ring’s face is made of 2 plastic buttons made in Italy. The top is a transparent light green, speckled with gold. The bottom button is aquamarine, faceted, and 7/8″ in diameter with pearlish speckles. The band is a very strong, adjustable antique brass-plated, 4mm in width.

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I have been creating button rings for the past year and this one will finally be listed in my Etsy shop available for purchase. Head on over to purchase your very own.

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Each ring is shipped in an itty bitty box, ready to give as a gift. Special attention is given to the packaging to make it special for you or your recipient. It’s a lovely gift to give a friend, family member, or co-worker.

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Make Friends

I made a new friend recently. More of a reacquaintance, really.

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Not of human form, but of an art medium form. That is of gouache. It was in college when we were first introduced. I wasn’t too interested then. Maybe it was because my college instructor only supplied our art bins with black and white.

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Months ago I purchased a fine gouache colour set on a whim from a local art store.

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It hasn’t been ’til late that I decided to open them up. The newness of the year can sure motivate you to look back and think of the things you wanted to accomplish in the past year.

My first color gouache painting

As a result,  I’m so delighted to have gained a new friend in gouache paint.

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Gouache are traditional water based opaque colours which give flat, smooth washes.

Starting my second gouache color painting

I’ve been hauling them around with me… even bringing them to morning lattes, instead of drawing.

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My friend Kim knitting some fingerless gloves at 3 Friends Coffee House.

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Saw this lil’ guy… one of my favorite plant eating dinosaurs.

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“Roadtrip Abound” compass ring

I looove roadtrips. Don’t you?

I love the excitement getting up in the morning, packing a lunch, camera, sketch book or possibly a novel to read when we hit our destination. Heading out the door, picking up some mouthwatering pastries & piping hot coffee, and then away we go! The anticipation of the sights we’ll see!

Spontaneous road trips are the best. Which direction to go? Who knows what you’ll run into.

My love & I have discovered some amazing places, especially being new to Oregon… Silver Falls, Pittock Mansion, Mount Angel…

There’s a new comrade in my Etsy shop inspired by roadtrips!

Let me acquaint you with…

“Roadtrip Abound” compass ring

I was enamored when I came across some vintage miniature compasses. I got to thinking about those Cracker Jack prizes. As a child, digging my fingers into a Cracker Jack box and pulling out that delightful lil’ prize. I wouldn’t think twice about sacrificing my fingers to the stickiness. Wouldn’t it be merry to transform these compasses into a wearable?

This vintage miniature compass (3/4″ in diameter) actually works, but has had a change of career from function to fashion. Instead of getting you through the woods, this compass will lend your day a note of eclectic style. This piece is finished off with a strong, stainless-steel toned adjustable band.

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