Musings of a Designer on Jewelry, Crochet, Crochet Patterns, Knitting, Running a Crafty Business, Movie Costumes, Books, Art, Design, Steampunk & the Geek Girl Life

Thursday, May 29, 2008

A Tale of Pumpkin Walls

At last! The great painting project of 2008 is done! And I must say, with neither my husband or I having painted walls before, the end result is quite beautiful. Especially love how the setting sun catches this pumpkin wall in the evening making the whole room just glow!
My new pumpkin wall above the fireplace.
The lavender was handpicked locally last summer.

Why did this project turn into almost a two week monster? Well, that would be because we elected to leave the window casings white for a depth effect and the line between the orange and white did not go as expected. Blue tape is now my new mortal enemy. Our walls have a bumpy texture and when the *very* well-pressed blue tape came off .... paint had bled under it just horribly. So .... after many days touching up and handpainting with a 1/4 inch fine art brush (TINY!!) all the transition lines were prettied up to look like this:
Ah, a beautiful handpainted seam!


And now ... as promised ... some new pretty jewelry. It's all about vintage style! I've discovered all natural brass and I think I'm in love!! Just adore the Art Nouveau feeling of many of the brass pieces. And one of the great things about natural brass is that it's nickel free so it's more friendly to people with metal allergies. These are all part of my new line currently being featured at Saturday Market. (The new line also includes a rare stash of loose vintage costume gems reworked in natural brass filigree and reproduction vintage images fashioned into bamboo tile pendants and chokers.)
One of a kind, asymmetrical brass sparrow necklace.
$25 at Sherwood Saturday Market
SOLD - THANK YOU!


Art Nouveau style brass butterfly necklace.
$25 at Sherwood Saturday Market


One of a kind, vintage flower bead and brass sparrow necklace.
$25 at Sherwood Saturday Market
SOLD - THANK YOU!


And the painting is finished just in time, because my mother arrives from out-of-state for a week long visit in just a few hours!! Time for a Starbucks and chocolate donut double combo. Think I can clean up all the painting stuff, tidy the house to get ready for her visit, pick up the kids, read some blogs, and finish making my custom order for Saturday in the next 4 hours? Yeah - no problem for superwoman :) Gotta have the coffee and chocolate donut though - that's the secret :)

21 comments:

Waterrose said...

The pumpkin walls are awesome and I can't believe the pains you took to get your lines perfect! The new pieces of jewelry are lovely as well...

Lori said...

Heather, your pumpkin wall looks delicious!!! so rich and beautiful...i love your new jewelry pieces, they are so very pretty...the brass has a wonderful look to it:)

Alison Gibbs said...

It is amazing how the different light coming into the room changes the look of the wall colour. Love it.
How grogeous your latest jewellery creations are
Alison

Gracie said...

Wow! Your walls look fantastic. That colour is gorgeous. Great work!

Your new jewellery is beautiful! I adore it. I especially love the butterfly necklace. And I like the vintage flower bead that's really pretty as well.

OOhh I hope your enjoying the book. It's a bit slow starting but it does get better =)

Felicia said...

I adore your pumpkin walls. I'm so glad you were able to touch up the lines :)

Heather said...

Your pumpkin wall is gorgeous!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful walls, and that painted seam is pretty damn perfect!!

Your new jewellery pieces are lovely, I especially love the butterfly one.

kari and kijsa said...

That pumpkin color is truly inviting!

Have a blessed weekend!

smiles, kari & kijsa

Gina said...

Oh I love how you did that with the white edge, it looks so inviting, like I want to jump right in and your new jewels, so ultra pretty and wonderful. You do so much!

KV said...

Yup -- pumpkin walls sure can make a body smile. Your Victorian inspired jewelry is absolutely awesome!!!


Kathy V in NM

Michelle Frae Cummings said...

i love the pumpkin walls, makes me want for autumn already! and your new line is beautiful! love the birdies and flower drops!

Nerissa Alford said...

Your pumpkin walls are beautiful! As are your new jewelry. I really love the new things you're making.
Nerissa

Charmingdesigns said...

Love your new necklaces. Nice color on the wall! Hope you have nice weekend and it doesnt rain! Laurie

Lola Enchanted said...

What a wonderful color for your walls!!!! You did an amazing job!!!!Did it take you long?! The jewelry is beautiful!!!~
Enjoy your day!

Jessica said...

I adore those pumpkin walls! I've been meaning to do something similar in my bathroom, but I haven't decided on the exact shade yet. But you did a much better paint job than I ever could!

Anonymous said...

I love the color of the wall. With the white and the white blinds it looks awesome. Now I have to say the jewelry is pretty but the pumpkin wall is awesome.

Moodwax said...

Your wall came out great. A ton of patients you have! Did you tile your fireplace as well? I did one similar years ago.

meg said...

oh wow. this jewelry is gorgeous!!! i love it!

xx said...

Love the pumpkin color - it looks beautiful against the white. After many, many, many painting projects I learned a little trick with blue tape. In your case, place the blue tape where you'd like the line to be - paint along the tape with the white paint of your window casing - allow to dry - paint the pumpkin color - peel away the tape. By painting the white first, it bleeds under the tape and helps to seal it so that the pumpkin color can't bleed so easily. On textured walls it may still happen a little, but really helps give a crisp line :~) Now you're ready for your next painting project, right?! Love the vintage styled jewelry!!!

jenn said...

I've been searching everywhere for a good pumpkin orange, where did you buy your paint?!

Artifax said...

Hi jenn! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Do you have an email or blog address so I can share with you the paint info?