Some Recent Findings

Yesterday was the tweed ride, it was quite smashing, but I will first get access to photos before I write a post about it.

In the meantime I thought I'd share some recent thrift store treasures, and sources of motivation.

Above is a beautiful vintage camera bag that I have quickly become inseparable from.

It's gorgeuos honey colored cowhide leather, about 11 inches long, 7.5 tall, and 4 wide.  You can find out a lot about these cases just by googling them. This one is a 503 model Sportsman- Buckskin "Perrin".

I'm unsure how old it is, so if anyone want's to shoot out an estimate that'd be great.

I know I could sell it for a good sum, but I'm too attached at this point. Right now I wear it as a purse, but wouldn't it be a perfect bike pannier?

This purse is made in Argentina from thick saddle leather. Black and brown, in great condition, only a small scuff on the bottom left. My favorite part is the brass link. It reminds me of a bridle bit. 

Again and again I return to the "Steal like an Artist" blog post on Austin Kleon's website, and this talk he gave was great, so I thought I'd share

here's another favorite, A speech on being a creative genius by the author of one of my favorite books, "Eat, Pray, Love"; Elizabeth Gilbert

and finally, a great quote on my mind, from one of last weeks featured sellers on Etsy:

"I’ve always admired how beautiful art can be when made from bare bones. I’m talking about what comes out of times of turmoil, and how invention is spurred by limitations. Look what pioneer women and men did in the Americas, or any indigenous art, or consider how war-torn Europe rebuilt its beautiful cities. Any kind of primitive art, folk art, even the art of the early 20th century — it’s all an inspiration to me."

-Dawn Dodson

for the full interview click here

First ever BLOG POST!

Since I’ve dropped out of college, with only a part time job, people keep asking me; “what are you DOING with all your free time?” I often times have to take a minute to recall what I’ve been filling my days with; although they’re packed, it’s challenging to describe how I’m spending them. Usually it’s a combination of drinking lots of coffee, being inspired, fabricating earrings, collecting antiques, photographing said antiques, researching said antiques, and studying blogs and Etsy forums until I’m dizzy.

So instead of boring people with that awful lengthy list which barely scratches the surface of my day to day life, I figured a I’d start a blog. Hopefully this will show the world what I do, as well as document it for myself. I plan to center it on my “studio” which doubles as my living space. It's covered with my projects, inspiration, motivational quotes, and notes; and happens to overlook the Missoula mountains you see in my banner.

I’ll try being more visual than wordy here. I’m an artist and therefore a visual thinker, and believe that ideas can often be expressed better through pictures, sketches, or videos.

Also I'd love feedback in any form from those who take time to check up on me through this site, so please comment and discuss what I post.

A brief synopsis of my latest Finds and Creations:

 

A Foraged vintage World Classic Replogle Globe

                Hand Made Vintage Button Earrings 

Retro books copyright of 1962 

        Part of my Bicycle Bit collection. They're made with used bike parts, and I sell them at Upcycled

A bracelet I made out of vintage buttons