Almost done!

One last sale for the holiday season... im set up back in the pop-up shop in the beautiful Zeller Studios on mainstreet in Hopkins for this weekend.

1419 mainstreet ,hopkins mn

They're open today (12/10) from 10-6 and tomorrow(12/11) 12-5.

Any last minute shopping after that feel to enail or grab me on fb:)

Fun This Weekend!!!

SEE YOU THERE!

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Popping up in Hopkins!

Come find some holiday treasures at a pop-up shop based in the Zeller gallery downtown Hopkins. It will be open weekends 12-5 and the address is 1419 mainstreet ,Hopkins mn.  Lots of eco-art and crafters with a cause so get your holiday shopping done and feel awesome about it;)

Stuff from fb:)

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1280260285360301&id=1170525109667153

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1280261608693502&substory_index=0&id=1170525109667153

Live at heart and home boutique

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1302936379737919&id=100000647081021

Alcohol Inks...hold the twist

So my pretty vintage trays got lots of attention at apple days with many questions of "what did you use?" There are so many youtube tutorials i could never link them all but here's some quick info.

This is the brand i use. I've seen tutorials for homemade inks and given the price i get it but you do get a lot of use from one bottle. ranger inks

This is a quick youtube tutorial on glass although i've never bother with the applicator. glass tutorial.
i do think though Tim Holz is probably one of the most knowledgeable here's a couple youtube vids from him basics , 2014

 Also make sure that you use the right sealer. I've found krylon triple thick glaze to be stinky but the most reliable. Just make sure not to try it on a day with high humidity.

One last thing make sure whatever you do that you clean off your glass,tile,metal with rubbing alcohol first. It will make things work so much better!

Fairy Care

These are the reference pages i most often use when customer need a quick and easy care guide for indoor gardens.

This is a great link for care on moss gardens here.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ME!!!

Well my presents came early…i got picked up by the lovely owner of Home and Heart Boutique
for this coming seasonal sale.  It opens next Thurs Oct 13th and runs Thurs-Sun thru Nov 22nd.

WHOOT WHOOT !!!! six weeks of not dragging stuff ,setting up and tearing down. AND  it's adorable!!! very very very excited:)

I'll be in the shop Nov 5th and Nov 19th if you want to come see me…otherwise go visit my stuff and all the other wonderful things;)

Schools Back in Session!

Wow I can hardly believe it was ever summer it feels so nice to be back with my kids at school...But I have made a promise to myself that I will keep up my creations...if for no other reason I will now have even more wonderful people leaving "presents" ( unwanted yet still useful items) on my desk ,on my cart ,in my closet ,lol... I love that I have even in a small way shifted anyone's thinking about throwing verus repurposing. If at some point someone in my circle of acquaintances stops before tossing something and thinks" maybe this could be....maybe Amy could use this for...." I will be so happy.

But this blog will also give my teacher brain even more chances to share. So look forward to more posts with tutorials or intersting projects my students and I get up to.

I'll continue to show my work and feel free to contact me if you see something that strikes your fancy. I'll also post local events and I love having vistors in the booth. Recently a customer inquired about private parties....well I am an art teacher ;) I do LOVE teaching folks of all ages. If a fairy garden party sounds like your idea or child's idea of the best party ever,let's chat! If you have a bunch of those"glass trays" and want to have a party with some friends to customize them then i say let's do it! :) goodness if you find something you think might be interesting but are nervous to give it a go solo or found some intersting materials.....who knows what fun we could get up to ;)

New gardens on facebook!

Perhaps I've always had a streak of whimsy and fairy gardens naturally lend themselves to that but I am having Soooooo much fun putting together themes like Alice in Wonderland and the Wizard of Oz. Check them out on the facebook page!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1193774144008916&substory_index=0&id=1170525109667153

Follow me on Pinterest!

If you enjoyed the last post you'll love what I dig up on Pinterest! Between my own projects and school projects AND all the other fascinating things I run across i tend to have quite an eclectic selection of pins. Look for me under the name Agatha Peel...if you find my sweet puppy rosie avatar you found me:)

Borax Beauties :)

I always get a lot of questions, comments, and interest when I use any type of borax crystal in my work.I tucked a crystallized shell into this garden and there was many a question about it's origins.

Although the crystals are pretty simple they do require some adult assistance. I've had amazing success with both pipe cleaners and shells in the borax solution but i've seen all sorts of fantastic things done with books and other crazy objects. I've also seen where you created a shell of sorts from baked polymer clay but haven't tried it.If you do let me know how it goes!

Here's a link to the shell one and i believe it has some other handy links from that page as well :) click here :)

The recipe they use is a bit weaker then what i do but borax can be hard to dissolve especially if not fresh. 

a couple troubleshooting tips

• 1. if you don't have crystals forming after they have been in solution overnight remove shells and reheat solution adding more borax and dissolving completely. Your crystals on will fall off if you put your object back in the solution when its still very hot but they will redevelop.
• 2.metallic pipe-cleaners seem to work the best. they show up for color pretty well.
• 3.make sure your objects don't touch or they will become connected.
• 4. if hanging objects and you plan to cut the string off, use thread  it's much thinner and doesn't show as much.

Have fun, be safe and let me know how it goes! :) 

Thanks for coming out!!!

We had an AWESOME time at Excelsior Flea Market chatting with all the customers and the other vendors. We certainly couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day :) I'll definitely be back especially for Apple Days. Remember if you have something you loved but didn't buy let me know...I'm probably just down the road or down the road from the post office ;)

Now you can find us on facebook!

And if you do please like us up and share:) I'll continue to post upcoming events here as well.

More Vintage Pretties

I couldn't help myself when I saw these glass trays. The concentric circle design was different then anything I normally see on these trays ... I knew they were just begging for new lives on desks, bedside tables, entryways, maybe in the bathroom. They'd be so handy holding all kinds of stuff ...keys,jewelry,all that random lotion and hair stuff.

A little paint job later with some alcohol inks and what once was old and outdated is new,pretty and ready for a new forever home.

All vintage glass trays are decorative only (non-food)  your choice of color :) AND one of a kind, so if there's one you love let me know!(colors may appear different due to monitors and I know they aren't nearly as pretty as in real life:))

Thanks for coming out to see me!

It was so much fun to see some familiar faces and make some new friends :) I'll be posting any other events I'll be at asap so please check back but as always dont hesitate to contact me.

Solar Powered Sign

So maybe not what you're thinking.... I realized a banner for our booth was probably a good idea so people knew who we were. Then I thought why not take this opportunity to do a quick tutorial on sun prints with craft acrylics.I'll add lettering on top of mine to complete my sign  but let me know what you do with yours!

So first things you need-

• a sunny summer day (spring and fall are fine too, you just need enough heat and light)
• some fabric -I've only used cotton but linen maybe silk might work as well. It needs to be a natural fiber NO SYNTHETICS OR BLENDS. This is a perfect chance to upcycle a thrifted find or stained item. 
• A water source 
• A flat surface in sunny spot for your work to remain undisturbed until dry (this is super important)
•  acrylic paint (craft acrylics is fine)
• containers for watered down paint
• paint brushes
• items for printing- leaves, foliage,  letter magnets....whatever . Flatter is better, you want your items to have contact with the fabric.

Okay I'm visual so that's the sort of tutorial I do....

Start with your sunny day.....

Add fabric and flat sunny spot(and water source,not pictured)

Find printing objects for negative images

Thin out paint to about a cream thickness. Your doing a watercolor wet on wet so just don't lose your contrast with fabric color.

Wet your fabric really well and have your paint ready this part goes fast if it's hot.

Get as much color on your fabric as you can...this is not my best example. : /

Lay your leaves or other printing objects as flat as possible on fabric

When its all dry pull off the objects and VOILA ! 

Heat set to help paint stay first and wash separately  if needed for the first few times:) HAVE FUN!

Check out the new instagram feed:)

right there....yep to your right:)

HOPKINS RASPBERRY FESTIVAL!!!!

                          I'm so excited to be joining the fun on mainstreet for Hopkins Raspberry Days. It's coming up this month July 16th so put it on your calendar now:) 

                          I'll have lots of new upcycled goodies thanks to some lovely kimonos given to me by the FaBuloUs Cynthia Hecter a/k/a Awesome Theater Teacher! They've transformed into handbags and pillows...and maybe something else by then lol.
                         
                          I'll of course have dozens of pincushions lots of birdbaths and all sorts of other assorted goodies priced to go ....home with you;) 

Come on Down and Check us OUT!  More info on the festival here. ,

AnY MAgICal CriTteRs LoOking FoR a HoME?

Fell in love with these chairs and knew they were destined to be something......

Sorry  these are local sales only but please enjoy and if you find inspiration i'm so flattered!

Here's the craigslist ad link for local buyers but feel free to email me through the blog as well.
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/art/5648688287.html

Charming homes made with creative repurposed materials are planted, furnished and ready to find that perfect spot in your yard. Although none currently have their own resident fairy the temptation of a nap on the hammock or stroll round the garden will soon have them flocking to your custom home. As with all gardens of this sort they are best placed somewhere slightly sheltered and plantings such as miniature hosta and scotch Moss reflect those sunlight requirements. Pictures are reflective of everything included in individual prices (although don't be surprised if there is a bonus or 2 on pickup) 

1) rocking chair garden with turtle pond and bridge- $87
2)tall formal chair with formal garden and turtle-$75
3)aqua blue chair with hammock,padded seat,glass table,sun umbrellas- $95

Delivery available within local area for fee upon request.

 

 

 

Welcome! New Items Coming Soon!!!

                  In order to better serve my clientele it's time to re-establish my online presence.I have yet to decide about the flea market/craft fair venues for the summer season but I'll certainly keep you posted on my local whereabouts when I'm out and about :) If you are local feel free to contact if you're interested in a local pick up. I'm always happy to help someone save on shipping but please check the policies page and note any restrictions or conditions.

                   WHEW! With that i'll be posting a bunch of lovely new vintage pincushions (Hull,McCoy,LOTS of occupied japan) as well as some fun and funky nesting doll styles. I also have dozens of fun magnets , t-shirt totes and other fabulous gift items made with reclaimed and upcycled  materials that would make awesome teacher gifts ( I should know....I'm a teacher in my other life :)) AND just in time for Spring I have some beautiful bird bath/garden art that your feathered friends would really appreciate. Stay tuned for pics,pics and more pics coming to a screen near you!