Rusty Tin collage

I found these rusty tins online and they've been sitting at my studio for 6 months. The tin is highlighted with white paint, and sits atop a painted canvas. I scrubbed off most of the black paint, and it almost looks like aged denim. Love that look. I used 3M mounting tape to give a 3D effect, and again used a Paper Whimsy image. That girl has the most haunting look.....

Watercolors

More of Paper Whimsy's images. These are called "Sandies", which are vintage images that have had the background removed (or sanded off). The idea is you can 'fill in' with whatever media suits you....here, I used watercolor pencils, and highlighted with gel markers. Lots of possibilities, no?

Fickle Collection

Ok, so this is the hot ticket item at Rusted Studio right now. Maybe it's because the price point is "recession proof" at $23 retail, or the fact that, for that price, you get 3 different looks! It's a magnetic base hung on a black rubber cord, nestled in a cool little tin. On top, you get 3 magnetic buttons, which snap on and off the base. (So you can indulge your Fickle tendencies).

Right now, Hey Daisy has been keeping me busy with orders for their 3 local stores--their buyer, Sarah, says they're flying off the shelves! And I'm in the process of finding a buyer or two in either the Milwaukee or Madison area.

Floral Charm Necklaces

Ok, I'm not much of a pink girl, but I have to say, I'm loving the pink lately! I found these vintage lucite charms, and added grungy dangles and other found and vintage objects.

Flutter By Pendants

These are laser wood cuts of vintage butterfly images...the detail is really incredible. I didn't even feel that they needed any altering. And they're as lightweight as the real thing. Hung on a vintage brass chain, they're a simple statement that spring has finally arrived!

A rose is a rose......

Just in time for summer: I found these cast resin flowers from a wholesaler in China. They took a few weeks to arrive, but I think it was worth the wait. I've never seen anything like them...the detail is incredible, and they're so lightweight, but at the same time seem really durable. I've been having fun combining them with beaded Swarovski chain. Now I can't wait to get more!

Double Bezel Necklaces

I found these bezels from a supplier in India...the cost and shipping nearly killed me, but I think the end result is pretty cool. And my 'source' doesn't yet have a lot of U.S. customers, so I like that they're nearly one-of-a-kind.

Open Door Necklaces

These are real, live 19th Century vintage keys, on a long steel chain, adorned with Swarovkski crystals and sterling silver spacer beads. I love the irony of combining found objects with finer elements. Whenever I wear one of these, I always get comments. It's so intriguing to think about where these keys came from...was it a beloved cedar wedding box, or the key to a secret room in a farmhouse? If they could talk, oh the stories they'd tell.......

The Un-Charm Bracelet and Vintage Flower Ring

I'm not much of a charm bracelet gal, but I've created one I love. Vintage crystals and charms on an interwoven steel chain that has a real industrial feel to it. In the center is a vintage flower that I set into a ring base.