Once Upon a Time...

About 3 or 4 years ago, I made some Video Blogs, or vlogs.  It was just me, a Flip video camera on a tripod in my old studio in Pennsylvania.  This was before we started making The Impatient Crafter videos.

The lighting is horrid, do forgive, but the video is fun and imparts the message I really want people to take away from my work.  Inspiration is everywhere and we all have a creative voice.  It's interesting that I stumbled on this since it uses the Georgia O'Keefe quote I posted last week.  It also includes a little design prompt/challenge, which is totally optional.

I have a few more vlogs somewhere in my archives and I'll try to dig them up.  If I can find the dang Flip video camera maybe I can make some more.  Or perhaps my darling hubby can assist, this could benefit greatly from edits!

Hope this inspires and if you'd like to play, feel free to leave a comment and share!  Or not.  No pressure.  Whatever rings your bell.

Have a craftacular day!

Love
Madge

I Do Stuff. Yup.

Decolicious Copyright 2012 Margot Potter

A Touch of Blue Copyright 2012 Margot Potter

Above are two designs using some delightfully simple and striking components from Beadalon called QuickLinks. These particular links are exclusive to Jewelry Television, you can find them here! I love these components because they're like a lovely little blank canvas for your creativity and they are absurdly easy to use. Each shape is connected by a small figure eight or peanut shaped metal connector you simply compress closed around the links using chain nose pliers. The links are then stationed in place and ready for your creativity. Wire wrap them, add beads, connect them to rosary style beaded segments...it's truly endless.

I like to add lots of kinetic movement to my pieces, jewelry that moves is sexy and playful. The first design features textured links and oxidized vintage rhinestone beads that were pulled from my bead stash. I love the simplicity of this piece, it has an Art Deco appeal, but still feels really modern. The second piece is asymmetrical with large faceted black onyx rectangles, hypersthene squares that have a lovely light play, black onyx teardrops that swing and sway inside of the links and one large turquoise bead for a pop of color. This piece is long and can be worn Opera length or doubled. These took hardly any time at all to construct and I think they're the kind of pieces you'd wear over and over again.

Fun...fast...fabulous!

And that's some of what I do here at Studio Madge. I do stuff. Yup.

Love
Madge

Design Inspiration Part Deux

Although I'm constantly inspired by an endless array of images, ideas, concepts and motifs, there are some that fascinate me endlessly.  I can't really say why, they simply do.  As I mentioned last Tuesday, I'm a huge fan of the nautical theme and in particular the vintage French Sailor look.  What is it about those stripes...the jaunty red anchor...the nautical stars...the navy, black, white and red combination?  Why do they never fail to make me smile?  Perhaps it is because they're so whimsical and endlessly chic.

Perhaps in a past life I was a sailor...or maybe even a good natured pirate.  One never knows...

Here are some designs from the past few years inspired by my on going love affair with vintage French nautical goodness. 

Mixed Media Necklace with French Nautical Theme Copyright Margot Potter ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Nautical Necklace with Vintage Plastic Charms and CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements
Copyright Margot Potter ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Vintage Plastic, Turquoise, CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements

Copyright Margot Potter ALL RIGHTS RESERVED