Bees and Birdcages


What do you do when you’re in the mood to create something, but you’re not exactly in the mood to go deep?  Sometimes when this urge appears I try to fill the void by making little things using this n’ that.

For instance, a couple of days ago I made these altered bamboo tile necklace charms using clear stamps by 7 gypsies (Conservatory set).  This stamp set is available at Stampington.  It comes with 24 pieces (includes images of bees, butterflies, birds, birdcages, eggs and more) so you’ll have plenty to choose from.  Anyway, I started off using a bee image.

And then I moved on to using a birdcage image.

If you like birdcages, here’s a mini canvas (3″ x 3″) that I created using a slightly different birdcage image (also included in the 24 piece stamp set).  This canvas was previously published in the Jan/Feb 2012 issue of Somerset Studio in the “With One Stamp” section, and the specific how-to instructions are available inside.

I can’t seem to get enough of using clothespins in my artwork.

And I’m naturally inclined to want to tuck a feather into the mix as well.  Luckily, feathers are so readily available…I find them very often during my strolls along the beach.  And sometimes I spot feathers right under foot during my routine runnings around – this always stops me in my tracks, amusing me…with a mild amazement.  I love it when this happens.  What about you…what amusing little things have crossed your path?  And do you see feathers everywhere you go also?



25 Comments, Comment or Ping

  1. So pretty Becky! I love the necklaces! Birds and birdcages…some of my favorite things too! I never seem to find such lovely feathers like you do! Happy day to you!

    March 4th, 2012

  2. So, so lovely, Becky. I have some of the same supplies and never would have thought of these things. You always inspire me.
    Hugs,
    Suz

    March 4th, 2012

  3. As always, just beautiful, Becky. I just love bee images. Your little canvas is adorable as well. Thanks so much for sharing your art.

    March 4th, 2012

  4. gorgeous tiles, Becky and that little bit of sparkle is just perfect. Your canvas is so sweet – hmmm, I must keep my eyes open a bit better and hope to find some feathers floating my way!

    The pictures from your trip (below) are amazing – thanks so much for sharing!

    March 4th, 2012

  5. Love it all! (as always). You can turn ordinary stuff into amazing works of art!

    March 5th, 2012

  6. rush

    lovely canvas. i have a blue jay (!!!) feather that i have had for at least 40 years. i keep it in a very special box. i will never use it in my art work. i have other feathers for that. i figure every feather is special in its own way. after all, there is a beautiful bird story behind every single one.

    March 5th, 2012

  7. Ooh…I love your feather comment “there is a beautiful bird story behind every single one”. This is such an interesting way of seeing it…thank you for sharing.

    March 5th, 2012

  8. i love your natural inclination.
    melting into it all….
    xox

    March 5th, 2012

  9. laura huffman

    so inspiring. will have to get out my tiles and supplies to play. first things first- cleaning (only because it’s been put off for a week). oh well I always reward myself for doing something I don’t like. love your tile necklaces and canvas. love that you incorporate the feathers in whenever you can. adds the perfect touch. enjoy this week.

    March 5th, 2012

  10. Adore the mix of the natural, the nature inspired images, feathers, etc, along with the sparkle from the crystal drop and mica (if I remember correctly it was mica pieces you used on the canvas). Very special.
    Wishes
    Lynne

    March 5th, 2012

  11. Beautiful projects!! That canvas is so warm!

    March 5th, 2012

  12. so pretty Becky. a visit to your blog is always such an inspiration. my girls and I love to hunt for feathers on the beach. we usually find really big ones though, nothing like the sweet little one you’ve used here!

    March 5th, 2012

  13. Love your necklaces and the canvas! Don’t you love it when the universe gives you little gifts like feathers, pretty little rocks, snail shells, tiny pine cones, acorns ….. and on and on and on
    Thanks

    March 5th, 2012

  14. Yes Dottie…I do! I love, love, love it all.

    March 5th, 2012

  15. Mindy irwin

    Ditto what Dottie said! Little treasures are awesome. Beautiful work Becky.

    March 5th, 2012

  16. Such sweet simple creations. I adore them all. I do find feathers and love it, but I never pick them up, ever. Years ago I was told that I would get sick from picking them up…silly I know but I just cannot make myself pick them up. I leave them for others to enjoy and pick up is what I tell myself.
    Joyful inspirations my dear…

    March 6th, 2012

  17. Linda K

    lovely tiles and canvas Becky. I just returned from a needed respite and was at the beach with some girlfriends for a long weekend. I love picking up feathers too! Did you know that if a feather gets your attention and appears before you it means that whatever you were just thinking is the truth? I believe it’s a Native American saying.

    March 6th, 2012

  18. Wow Linda, what a neat way to interpret it. Now I’ll have to pay even closer attention to my “in the moment” thoughts. Thanks!

    March 6th, 2012

  19. Beautiful Becky! I love your bird art~ I also love the pendant necklaces~
    Nature always calls to me…right now it is the tiny buds in my back yard. They are tight, pink buds nestled in on the branches of this huge tree. I took a photo today with the endless blue sky as their canvas! So magical to see spring painting our world with vivid colors~

    I love feathers and think they are signs, too

    March 7th, 2012

  20. Deb

    Your vacation photos in the last post are gorgeous Becky!
    Love the necklaces & mini canvas pieces ♥ Each one so special & unique.

    March 8th, 2012

  21. i really should stop by here more often, your work is absolutely luminous. and to think this is what you make when you aren’t “going deep”! the necklaces are pure joy. love your art! xoxo

    March 9th, 2012

  22. Jan H

    I collect feathers, broken eggshell pieces and bird nests when I find they have fallen from a tree. Do you have to do anything to the canvas before starting a project? I just got a couple of minis, but not sure whether I need to use matte medium or gesso or just acrylic paint or what …

    March 15th, 2012

  23. To answer your question Jan. Depending on the look you’re after…what I do is either leave it as is (when I want a simple white background) or apply a light coat of acrylic paint (Golden, Titan Buff) with a sponge brush for a soft, pale ivory look. And I don’t tend to use gesso or matte medium…I like to keep the canvas prep part quick, easy and simple so that I can get right to the actual creating part.

    March 15th, 2012

  24. Love the little canvas, you make it look effortless! Enjoyed the vacation photos, as well, so glad you had a wonderful time. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

    ~Scarlett

    March 18th, 2012

  25. This is a cute little inspirational bird cage piece

    May 8th, 2012

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