It's 7 a.m. - time to get this junkin' party started! Hanging out in the JULZ booth.

It’s Day ONE of the Springfield Extravaganza and I’m up at 4 a.m. – ready to get this junkin’ party started.  At 5:40 I’m out the door and on the road, running a few minutes behind but that’s o.k.  It’s going to be a beautiful sunny, cloudless day with temps in the high 70′s – perfect weather for a weekend of treasure hunting.

I’m looking forward to spending a few hours with Marykay Gaffey, owner of Winsome Cottage in Waynesville.  Marykay has to get back to her shop to open up at 11 a.m., so we agree to meet at the fairgrounds at 6:30 a.m., as we want to get a jump on the day and power shop our way through the Vintage Marketplace, which is a new added venue within the show this year.

After making a quick stop in the Arts and Crafts building to see my vintage jewelry gal for 1$ goodies we quickly find the tents and are ready to be wowed.  Marykay and I both have friends who are running booths at the show so between oohing and aahing our way through, we stop to say “hello” and chat.

How fun was it to see Julie Bruns Broshat of JULZ again – pictured above with her fun sassy skirt, and modeling some of the wonderful handmade belts that she creates!  Annie and her hubby from Grace & Corazon are in the background.

Loving this JULZ creation and these other buckles below!

Julie is traveling with Annie de Jongh of Grace and Corazon and Sue Whitney the JUNKMARKET Queen, all are here in Ohio from Minnesota.  I had originally met these three at a show in Nashville in February, so how fun was it to catch up with them again!   Annie and I had the best chat …  sadly my I-phone died so was not able to get close-ups of her creations but you can catch a glimpse of her banner and lovelies behind Sue and I. I’m hoping to catch up with her tomorrow when I head back for the last day of the show.

I also had a quick chat about The Vintage Marketplace with Sue Whitney in Annie’s booth. This girl might be having her own space at the Extravaganza this Fall – I’ll keep you posted on that one.

Sue is always so welcoming and full of energy!!!

Ready, set GO!  Let’s stroll around as I show you just a few of the sights.  With over 2000 vendors Springfield is like the Disneyland for Junking!  Even though my phone died very early on in the show I was able to get a few pics.  Tomorrow I hope to get even more.

Summertime and the living is easy…

Aren’t these little succulents so sweet in these kids shoes?

Lots of live plants to buy at the show as well...

Besides all the regular treasure hunting you can also find many vendors selling amazing LIVE plant material at the show.

Many folks come specifically just to shop for plant material.  These vendors usually hang out around the outside perimeter of the show.

If you’re looking for Industrial – you’ve come to the right place!

Love this bike – could be because it’s red!

If I only had a U-Haul…

I think MaryKay and I could of had a fight over this table – we both loved it!

This mustard melamine dinnerware was so refreshing to see paired with the dark wood elements.

And how about this clever idea – using sheet music as a place mat – LOVE it!

An eclectic mix…

So cool to see things being re-used and repurposed into something new.

Mannequins – dressed up or not, were everywhere, but you better bring your Visa card as the prices are steep!

This gal below was made out of wire.

Fun, fun, FUN!  That would be coffee filters around the bottom of her skirt!

Vintage jewelry…

Bloomsbury Loft…

Yummy color!

Burlap was EVERYWHERE…  pillows, chairs, jewelry displays, bows and more!

More burlap.

Vintage accessories…

Do you think this sign is from the Amish Country?  Kind of fun… I want to see the road where it was posted.

Wow, I’m a little wiped – hope you enjoyed the tour.

It’s that time again… time to go hunting for treasures at one of my favorite events – the Springfield, Ohio Extravaganza!  Tomorrow is the start of this three day Extravaganza, with literally 2000 or more vendors participating from around the country.

The car is gassed up, cash and checkbook in hand, shopping bags and cart at the ready.  Early bird hours start this year at 7 a.m., so I’ll be getting up with the roosters and meeting up with Winsome Cottage shop owner, Marykay.  Admission for early birds is just 12$ and good for all three days of the show.  We’re hoping to make a mad first dash to check out the Vintage Marketplace area, which is a new feature at this venue this year.  There should be much to see and do, from Shabby Chic to Industrial and everything in between.

If you go, happy hunting and maybe I’ll see you there…

Don’t ya just love it when you open your mailbox to find a package – something you may have ordered but completely forgotten about until… you rip open the envelope and there it is!

My wonderful surprise of the day is a new handmade apron by Hedy Regal Designs.  I met Hedy two weeks ago at the Rural Society Antique and Garden Show when I stumbled into her very cute booth, and fell in love with her aprons! Hedy also does vintage jewelry as well.

I’m always looking for something simple and cute to wear while I’m crafting or working my own booth and this one fit the bill.  Hedy did a custom order for me and added a back pocket for my I-phone, credit cards and mad money.

Cost for this lovely – $40.00.  Loving the side ties done up with grosgrain ribbon.

Heres a close up! Imagine wearing some dark denim capri’s, a crisp white linen shirt and some black patten ballet flats – add a cute hat if you are so inspired.  Now create away!

Thanks Hedy, I LOVE my new pretty!!!

If you order your own apron, be sure to let Hedy know I sent you..

Yes, I’m doing something I don’t normally do – giving you all a sneak peek at the backside of one of my pieces going to Jewelry Affaire for submission to the Fall Issue.  This is not a charm, there is no glass and the image on the back was not stamped.  It was my special secret “transfer” process!

I originally wanted to name this piece “masquerade” as all is not as it might seem… but sometimes I get an idea and implementing it does not come together in the right way so I’ve learned to just go with the flow.

After too many hours yesterday I hit a WALL and had to take a break.  Deadlines are always on a Tuesday with Jewelry Affaire and normally I like to send my pretties out by the Sat. before the deadline so that I can ship them 2nd Day AIR, US MAIL, which means that I have to get it to the Post Office by noon.

My eyes and brain gave out yesterday about 11:15 and with the clock ticking I realized that I just couldn’t get it all together in the way that I like to do by noon, so I’m working on plan B.  I always have a plan B…  This time plan B would be to finish everything up today and ship it out NEXT DAY AIR tomorrow so that it will be there in time for Tuesday.

You’re probably wondering why I don’t send things earlier?  Like many artists, I always start out with the best of intentions and well… you know the rest.  Sometimes I just don’t feel creative, other times like this last month, have been busy with travel and other commitments – plus I just seem to work better and my muse likes the pressure.  She comes out in the “wee” hours, when I least expect her.  I’ve never been able to work on a set schedule and admire those who can, but it just isn’t me.

So… it’s back to the studio today.

Before I go – “Happy Mother’s Day” to all you Mom’s out there and if you’re not a Mom like me, make it a special day and celebrate yourself too!

I’ll be working in the studio for the next few days…  deadline for submission to Jewelry Affaire is next Tuesday.  Can’t seem to make my mind up as to what I want to create  - hate when that happens!

It’s time to get some music playing and get this creative party started.  Maybe I’ll find my creative muse.  Where did she go?

I’ll leave you with some before and afters of etched metal…

Look how pretty…

Enjoy the rest of your week and I’ll be back with you this weekend.

What can I say?  There were many special moments at Terri Brush’s Art Camp, some of them were captured and some will always just be stored away deep in my heart, like a little treasure chest to be opened when I need a reminder of my blessings and all the wonderful people that are in my world.

These black and white photos were all taken by Kristen Peterson Kirkendoll – resident photo journalist of all things Art Camp!  I love the energy that she was able to capture of these moments… and the black and white is a refreshing touch too.  Now if I could only remember what we were all having a moment over?

We were definitely having a moment over something fun – what was in that wine glass anyway?  LOL!

There’s much to be said for spontaneous photos like these, rare to come by.  So wonderful to see the big smiles on Cheryl’s and Beth’s face.  Thank you Kristin for being everywhere, and I do mean everywhere during camp – you’re amazing!!!

Now to turn this blog back to living color.  Some of these photos were taken by me, some by Kristin and some by???  Not sure who…

This photo is by me, myself and I.  The light at sunset is such a nice soft light, wish we could travel the earth with this light following us.

Photo above is Beth and I, sharing a moment and a glass of wine, with a beautiful sunset in the background.  What more could anyone want?

More memories…

Does Terri really have a wine glass in her hand?  

Doesn’t Terri look cute with her pigtails?

Fellow housemates, Yolie and Kelly from Northern Cal – these gals were serious about their soldering and etching!

Champagne anyone?  Are you sensing a trend here?  I had the best visit with Ilona Steelhammer, she’s such an inspiration!

Brenda, baby…  You always have the best hats!  XOXO

Check out the necklace that Brenda is wearing that she made at camp  - love it!

Kristin catching some air… who knew we could fly?

Kristin and Melissa – just love these two!  Melissa also helps Terri with the camps by cooking and setting up and I’m sure so much more…

Girls just wanna have fun – gathering for our camp group photo.

Kristin Robinson modeling her “prairie girl” look.

And last but certainly not least,  my roomy, Debra and I – aka “Thelma and Louise!”

Did you happen to notice the BIG smiles on everyone’s faces?  Art Camp does that and so much more…

So many special moments, so many that I thought I got a pic of and didn’t… but that’s o.k., they are in that little treasure chest I told you earlier about.  So many beautiful women that I feel honored to have spent time with, so many of them not in these photos but not any less special than those pictured.  Thank you to all for making this camp the best ever, it went by so quickly, didn’t it?

See you next Fall…

My Terri Brush Inspired Bracelet

Here we go…  back to Terri’ Brush’s Art Camp.  I know, a little crazy – such is my life right now.  Anywho…

On our last full day of camp, we learned how to make these fun, campy bracelets.  I don’t know how she does it, but Terri always manages to come up with the best projects!  Love ya Terri!

This bracelet has leather, etched metal, seed pearls and bling!  Ya gotta love the bling!  I was so excited to learn how to crimp and string beads, its not as hard as I thought.  Guess that means yet another shopping trip for goodies and supplies – oh darn, ya know how I hate to shop!  LOL!

Ever the vintage Queen, I just had to add some little “something” to this piece… the religious charm was my vintage add on, it even glows in the dark!

Love the little square buckle...

Are you loving this piece?  This bracelet wraps around my wrist twice and can be made to fit any wrist size.  I’ve worn it almost everyday that I’ve been back from camp. Compliments abound!

On the second day of camp Terri had a drawing for many different giveaways.  Beth Livesay – Editor of  ”Jewelry Affaire” was Terri’s special guest and she pulled the winning names out of the bag.

Beth Livesay drawing a name for a prize giveaway from Terri Brush.

Lucky me!!!!  I won one of Terri’s bracelets – this one has turquoise instead of the seed pearls.

Lucky ME!!!

The best part of all, getting to spend time with Terri, just soaking it all up like a little sponge!

Terri and I on the beach!

My other favorite thing about camp – all my camp sisters!  XOXO

Spring 2012, Art Camp Group Photo

Check out those waves crashing behind us!  LOVE it and I LOVE all these creative sisters that I am so blessed and lucky to spend time with twice a year.  Thanks Terri!  You are the glue that keeps us all together and the creative conduit that helps to remind us that we are capable of more than we ever could have imagined.  You have sparked many of us, myself included to pursue our passion, our personal creative path, whether it be jewelry or some other mixed media art form.

Can’t wait to do it again…

Ruth Rae and Kristin Robinson Photo by Cheryl Mlynar Stoneham

Art Camp Pretties…  Terri Brush’s Spring Art Camp was all about creating pretty jewelry, and who better than the ever fabulous dynamic duo of Ruth Rae and Kristin Robinson to have as our instructors.  To say that I was excited to meet and learn from these two would be an understatement – I was beyond thrilled and over the moon happy!!!

First project was Kristin’s and it was a mixed media bracelet of sorts making our own head pins, sewing fabric and ribbon along with working with Ice Resin.  I LOVE, love, love Ice Resin!  Kristin was so patient with all of us, helping us to understand the basics of working with this super cool new resin –  thank you Kristin, such a pleasure!

Here are some pics of my Kristin Robinson inspired bracelet.  The photos do not do this piece justice and when its on my wrist, its yummy eye candy for sure!

Clasp end of my Kristin Robinson inspired bracelet.

The round bezel is full of Ice Resin along with a vintage pin and Robin’s egg blue rhinestones from a Weiss necklace.  The link has a vintage key, an old pearl from an earring along with old and new beads attached with handmade headpins.

Another end of my bracelet using silk and velvet ribbon along with a vintage pearl and rhinestone earring as the centerpiece.

My brain is just swirling with ideas and projects using Ice Resin, looking forward to a play day in the studio – soon!

Our second days project was with Ruth Rae, twisting and turning metal into cool shapes and making each lovely our own with special adornments.  I added a vintage broach to mine… doesn’t everything look better with bling?

My Ruth Rae Inspired Choker with vintage broach.

Close up…

Ready for your close up?

I love how this has a modern contemporary feel with a bit of added vintage drama.

Probably not the best pic of all of us but there was a lot of partying going on that night so… this will have to do.  I’m wearing my Ruth Rae piece that I made.

Ruth Rae, myself and Kristin Robinson - hamming it up...

Thanks Ruth and Kristin for sharing your knowledge and your selves with all of us at Art Camp – I had a blast!

Tomorrow I’ll share the project that Terri Brush taught us… till then.