Thursday, February 24, 2011

Steampunk: Owl-Topia!
Steampunk Owl-topia! 10Here is a Steam Punk Necklace My mom made called: Owl-topia, Steampunk Necklace!

A piece reminiscent of the turn of the century, apothecary shoppes, mercury glass and bottle glass, history, folklore, museums, wisdom, owls, birds, time machines, travel and starry nights. Castles Archaeology, Egypt, and Exploration.
Steampunk Owl-topia! 9Steampunk Owl-topia! 15Steampunk Owl-topia! 6Steampunk Owl-topia! 7Steampunk Owl-topia! 4Steampunk Owl-topia! 5Steampunk Owl-topia! 3Steampunk Owl-topia! 14Steampunk Owl-topia!To purchase this piece or many others in the collection or the rest of her works visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/auroratique

The Folklore and Magic of Owls:

Africa

Among the Kikuyu of Kenya it was believed that owls were harbingers of death. If one saw an owl or heard its hoot, someone was going to die. In general, owls are viewed as harbingers of bad luck, ill health, or death. The belief is widespread even today.

The Americas

In the culture of the Uto-Aztec tribe, the Hopi, taboos surround owls, which are associated with sorcery and other evils. The Aztecs and Maya, along with other Natives of Mesoamerica, considered the owl a symbol of death and destruction. In fact, the Aztec god of death, Mictlantecuhtli, was often depicted with owls. There is an old saying in Mexico that is still in use[15]: Cuando el tecolote canta, el indio muere ("When the owl cries/sings, the Indian dies"). The Popol Vuh, a Mayan religious text, describes owls as messengers of Xibalba (the Mayan "Place of Fright"). The belief that owls are messengers and harbingers of the dark powers is also found among the Hočągara (Winnebago) of Wisconsin.When in earlier days the Hočągara committed the sin of killing enemies while they were within the sanctuary of the chief's lodge, an owl appeared and spoke to them in the voice of a human, saying, "From now on the Hočągara will have no luck." This marked the beginning of the decline of their tribe. An owl appeared to Glory of the Morning, the only female chief of the Hočąk nation, and uttered her name. Soon afterwards she died. People often allude to the reputation of owls as bearers of supernatural danger when they tell misbehaving children, "the owls will get you."

Middle East

In Arab culture, owls are seen as bad omens.

Western culture

The modern West generally associates owls with wisdom. This link goes back at least as far as Ancient Greece, where Athens, noted for art and scholarship, and Athena, Athens' patron goddess and the goddess of wisdom, had the owl as a symbol. Marija Gimbutas traces veneration of the owl as a goddess, among other birds, to the culture of Old Europe, long pre-dating Indo-European cultures.

Owls were considered funerary birds among the Romans.

Use as rodent control

Encouraging natural predators to control rodent population is a natural form of pest control, along with excluding food sources for rodents. Placing a new box for owls on a property can help control rodent populations (one family of hungry barn owls can consume more than 3,000 rodents in a nesting season) while maintaining the naturally balanced food chain.

For more info visit: wikipedia.com

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Papier Mache Dollies!
The Cupie Ballet! Re-visiting a few old friends: My papier mache dollies! We all know how much I love vintage dollies such as carnival cupies, kewpies and charlottes. A few years ago I started playing around with various papier mache clay recipes until I found the one I liked, then used that mixture to fill in old tin molds and ones which I made to make some papier mache creations. These dollies are the result!Sundae Sprinkleton! 6Meet Sundae Sprinkleton!Sundae Sprinkleton! 5Meet Sweetie Candypops!Sweetie Candypops 4Sweetie Candypops 2Sweetie Candypops 6Meet Polly Moonlight!Polly's Moonlight Ballet! 6Polly's Moonlight Ballet! 5Meet the Cupie of Love seen pictured with Polly MoonlightCupie of Love! 5Cupie of Love! 3Meet Ginger of Ginger's Cake Party Box!Ginger's Cake Party Box! 5Ginger's Cake Party Box! 2Meet Misty Candyreef!Mer-Kewpie Queen! 2
Mer-Kewpie Queen!Meet Sugar Lemonwood!Sugar Lemonwood! 6Sugar Lemonwood! 7Sugar Lemonwood is the carnival cupie who stars along Candy in Circus Time Parade!

Hope you enjoyed my papier mache cupies!
Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

P.S. If you want to learn how to create your own papier mache dolls using vintage molds, made to look like vintage chalkware, and storybook enchanted, join us at Mid Spring Nights Dream in Historic Lafayette, NJ April 7-9, 2011 where Designer/Teacher Teena Flanner will be teaching a workshop on how to create your own papier mache creations! Visit: The Piddlestixs Website to sign up for Teena's class and the other classes being offered at this fabulous 3 day event!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Steampunk Charlotte Doll Wands!
Steampunk Charlotte Doll Wands! 3
What could be a better way then combining steampunk and doll into one project, the result: Steampunk Charlotte Doll Wands!

Each wand is made from my hand molded frozen charlottes, paper rosettes made from my scrapbook paper line (licorice stripes), masonite crown shape, mica flakes, seam binding, vintage sequins and tinsel, wood and some steampunk magic.
Steampunk Charlotte Doll Wands! 4Steampunk Charlotte Doll Wands! 2Steampunk Charlotte Doll Wands!Each wand started with a paper rosette made from my scrapbook paper, cut into two 12 inch strips, folded, glue and turned into a rosette, resembling a wheel/circle shape. Then I jazzed up the crown shapes with mica flakes of various colors that I got from CHA, glued the glittered crown to the rosette, attached one of my flat back frozen charlottes (which are available in small and bulk amounts in my etsy store and at Piddlestixs).

Next I attached a wooden dowel, sequins or tinsel, and seam binding for bow. At this point I could add more ribbon, broken jewelry, clock parts, wheels, or edgy lettering to complete the piece.Steampunk Charlotte Doll Wands! 7Steampunk Charlotte Doll Wands! 6Steampunk Charlotte Doll Wands! 5Here they are all grouped together!Steampunk Charlotte Doll Wands! 9These rustic vintage wands were so fun and easy to make. Look for some of the supplies in my etsy store or at Piddlestixs! Also check out my ARTFIRE store for more supplies, bulk amounts and discounts!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Zinnia in Pasadena, CA!
In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 68
After CHA ended, Julie and Mike took me over to Zinnia's in Pasadena, such a fabulous Artsy Eye Candy Shop. I could have been there for hours looking at all their treasures from handmade works, one of a kinds and vintage delights, there is something for everyone inside.
In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 67 Here is a photo of Me and Julie inside Zinnia! Here I am with the great Joe and my Book:In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 24Look at the inside of the store, I snapped a photo while it was quiet so you can see all the treasures waiting to be explored!In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 41In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 39Check out this cool kitchy store banner, well guess who bought that????Give up???? Me, lol!In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 61Here's the wall of books, so many to choose from!In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 64In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 20In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 12In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 14Look at the enchanted Valentines and Romance Display that was in the store:In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 42In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 43In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 48In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 50Check out these enchanted figures which are made by the one and only Teena Flanner, these are reproductions from her fabulous line of items. Teena is also teaching a workshop at my store: Piddlestixs for Mid Spring Nights Dream in Lafayette, NJ April 7-9, 2011.In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 45More fabulous treasures that can be found at Zinnia, so much to choose from!
In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 26In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 56In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 59Isn't this a wonderful and creative way to display your jewelry!In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 17Check out these handmade one of a kind originals that can be found inside Zinnia!In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 6In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 5and finally the best part of the shopping excursion!In Pasadena, Ca at Zinnia! 30How cute is she? Reminds me of my kitties!
Hope you enjoyed the sneak peak into Zinnia, if you are in the Pasadena area, go and stop by, you will find some fabulous magic!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!