Rapids and Rhythm Festival May 21: Day 4

Hi dearies!

Tomorrow is the Rapids and Rhythm Festival in Pagosa Springs, CO. It has been a couple of weeks since I was able to setup and sell my artwork with Jen. Now we are back at it, with a little rocky start. The event is from 10am-6pm. From the looks of the forecast, we should have the sun I was hoping for. After all of the clouds and rain this week, I am looking forward to a little sun.

There will also be the San Juan River Rod Run Car Show. This time of year the town is flooded with over 100 cars. The town is buzzing this time of year, and a great way to check out Pagosa Springs.

Hope to see a wonderful crowd!

Thanks!

Stephanie

Vintage Inspired Betty Boop Steampunk Necklace: Day 4

Hi dearies!

Because I am so proud of it and it is my first attempt at steampunk design, I wanted to share my vintage inspired Betty Boop steampunk necklace with you. It took several weeks for this project to transpire, but I am finally satisfied with it. Betty Boop is an upcycled piece actually used as an ornament, and the chain is handmade with upcycled beads and vintage clock parts.

Vintage Inspired Betty Boop Steampunk Necklace

Betty Boop is about 4" in length. The necklace has a length of about 17" and there is about 3" of adjustment for comfortability.

Vintage Inspired Betty Boop Steampunk Necklace

This project was a lot of fun for me because I had to hunt out a clock in order to find these wonderful gears. I participated in the Community Rummage Sale here in Pagosa Springs, CO and found a wonderful mini mantle clock that looked quite old for $3. I'm horrible at bargaining, so that's what I paid for it and my friend, Mike, who has a love of taking clocks apart, worked diligently as I watched him pull away beautiful part after beautiful part. 

What do you think of my Betty Boop necklace?

Thanks everyone!

Stephanie

Continued Collaboration for Music Festival: Day 3

Hi again!

As plans have continued to grow, I am learning more about how the kid's tent at the San Juan River Music festival is going to run. Supplies are mostly covered at this time, and it appears that our largest project is painting beautiful 10x4' canvasses. It is very exciting to be working on such a big project. Many ideas are running through my head, but I can't seem to decide what will be the best idea for painting these canvasses. I would love to have the kids paint with their fingers and/or feet. These ideas have yet to be approved. =D In the meantime, I have been hunting out more Marilyn Monroe photos in my magazines and am in the process of constructing 10 necklaces!

Weminuche Wilderness

Pagosa Springs, Colorado is such an inspirational place for creativity. It makes me wonder how so many people don't know about its splendor, and how I was once one of those people. Never had I heard of Pagosa once in my life until a friend moved here, and now I feel, sometimes, that I never want to leave. I was sitting in the parking lot at the City Market grocery store yesterday when I heard a woman tell her husband as he came back to the car that there is a falls here in Pagosa. I wanted to run out of the vehicle I was in and tell her that there are actually four or five, at least, here in Pagosa. If it wasn't for the intensity of Anna Karenina, I would have.

Four Mile Falls

I am truly confident that finally, after so many years, the Chimney Rock natural stone structure will become a national monument. It would be nice to see this area receive the recognition that it deserves. Although I would love to keep this spectacular place all for myself, the many people struggling in this economy could use more people coming through this area. Let's hope it gets the recognition it deserves.

Chimney Rock silhouette.

Thank you so much!

Stephanie

Donations Needed By May 28: Day 2

Hi Everyone!

I am volunteering my time on May 28 at the San Juan River Music festival in the kid's tent in order to get my face out in Pagosa Springs a little more. Jen and I will be trading off throughout the day coordinating kid's activities and selling artwork at our booth. Working with children is something we are both very good at and eager to plan.

Indian Head near Pagosa Springs, CO.

We have never been to this event before, so we are unsure the amount of children that will be there. At this point, we are to obtain supplies that are red, white, and blue themed, such as paints and crayons. The children will be painting 4x12' canvasses, and we need to collect paints and paintbrushes. If anyone is willing to donate, please let me know. Items can be mailed to Stephanie Casey:

875 Cloud Cap Ave
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Mountain range near Silver Falls outside of Pagosa Springs, CO.

I was also thinking we could make recycled magazine or newspaper bead necklaces, along with painting rocks. I have hosted these projects before and they turned out successful. It's also important that since most of mine and Jen's items are recycled, we pass on this trend to others. We could also use donations for this project, as well. Tape and glue are also required for these projects.

Four Mile Falls outside of Pagosa Springs, CO.

Thank you!

Stephanie
Facebook: AnotherUse
Twitter: anotherusestore

Commencing Day 1

I decided that since my classes are over for the semester I would make more effort at blogging.  There are many days after I have completed my courses when I feel like I am not accomplishing enough.  So this is my solution.  Blog for at least the rest of the summer until the fall semester starts.  If I get into a rhythm, I'll continue on through for the rest of the year.

Jen and I have been working on a lot of ideas in the past couple of weeks.  I was able to get into her store and take more photos of items she has made herself.  These items can be found on my Etsy shop site.

Green Galaxy Glass Fused Necklace

Live the Life You Love Recycled Record Bowl

Vintage Vinyl Record Wine Holder

Recycled Bike Tube Feather Earrings

Jen is a big fan of reusing things to create something new.  We're really great at bouncing ideas off of each other and we work well together.  By the end of the month we have a number of things planned that I will write about in later blog posts.  

For now, we struggle as everyone in these hard economic times, doing all that we can to keep sane and happy.  And at the end of the day we know we can smile, because of the beauty we are surrounded with, and the fact that we at least still have a roof over our heads.  Things are looking brighter as summer nears.  In the meantime, we still have snow in the middle of May.  Oy!

At the home front, Leikos and I have decided to start making our own cat food.  We have two dogs and two cats; Jackson is a lab mix; Tiki is a Yorkshire Terrier; Blues is a Tonkinese-like cat; Cinema is an Earth Day giveaway kitten.  Fishing is one of our most favorite past-times, and we thought we could make our furry friends wonderful meals of fish and rice puree with our catches that we may not eat.  Our oldest cat, Blues, is not such a fan, but our youngest can't get enough of it.  I consider it one less trip to the grocery store.  And it's healthier for our animals.  Yes, we do give the dogs a little every now and then.  

Blues on the left and Cinema on the right. 

Thanks everyone!

Stephanie

The Funky Trunk Promo Work

Jen Slind and I have been collaborating lately, as I mentioned in a recent post.  I've decided to some promo work for her because the internet is my generation.  =D  Plus I have more time.  She does some amazing recycled and upcycled work that I just LOVE!  Jen hand paints vintage upcycled suitcases that I loved the moment I saw them.  I wrote an earlier blog post about the particular one I purchased.  In the future I will be writing more about other items she has for sale.  Check back for more amazing handmade crafts!

Medium sized vintage hand painted suitcase. Different image on the other side.

Suitcase 2 hand-painted by Jen Slind. 

Other side of suitcase 2 hand-painted by Jen Slind.

Dimensions are between 2 and 3 feet in length.  I will be updating on my etsy site the exact dimensions and prices for sale tomorrow.  Let me know if interested.  I will have the correct photos with the right suitcases, as well.  For now, here is an idea of what she makes.  Jen will also make custom designs.  The suitcases are still functioning for travel, a decoration in the bathroom for your towels, or a lovely bed for your pet if you add a pillow.  The ideas could be endless!

Thanks so much!

Stephanie

Catching Back Up

It has been far too long since I last updated.  There have been a number of things that have me preoccupied, including the wonderful fair season that is about to begin!  I am so excited to finally be stepping out into the public and presenting my jewelry to all of those who fall in love with it.  So far I have participated in the Community Rummage Sale in Pagosa Springs, CO, as well as the Earth Day Fair with Jen from The Funky Trunk.

Earth Day Fair setup with Jen.

Other table at Earth Day Fair.

Aside from the aweful wind, it was a successful day for the both of us.  Next time we will have to consider a tent.  =D  I ended up walking away with a kitten, as well.  Part of the way through the I heard the sweet sound of kittens meewing and knew at one point they would make their way to our booth.  Three little girls hounded me in the later part of the day and I caved in.  I have named her Cinema.  She's the best addition I could have made to my home.  

Cinema sun-baking. 7 wks old.

As of right now, I have recently joined twitter.  Find me at AnotherUseStore.  I have been trying to get some of my pieces out there, as well as some tips I've learned along the way since opening my Etsy shop.  It's been a long process, but I'm eager to help make it an easier process for others.  I'm always available for questions.  I have also started a discussion topic at my Facebook page, if anyone is interested.  

Cinema growing tired.

Thanks Everyone!

Stephanie

One of my newest rings For Sale.