Upcycled leather necklaces and bracelets...Coming soon!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/pearliemae
Monday, September 9, 2013
New Leather Necklace
Upcycled leather necklaces and bracelets...Coming soon!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/pearliemae
http://www.etsy.com/shop/pearliemae
Friday, June 7, 2013
Coney Island Mermaid Parade Prep is underway!
I posted this on the Coney Island Mermaid Parade forums a few days ago and was asked for permission to repost it. I am adding it here and will be updating the build of my Mermaid Parade costume for 2013!
Original link: http://community.coneyisland.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1370279061
Original link: http://community.coneyisland.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1370279061
Some Costume and Parade Tips
I posted this as a reply to another question, but thought
folks might benefit from some of the info:
The question was 'where do I get supplies for my mermaid outfit?'
from someone marching for the first time...
Wow! Where to start? Depends on how elaborate you plan on getting.
Keep costs low by looking for supplies at discount shops and thrift stores...
Walmart (are they in Manhattan?) usually has an inexpensive fabric selection,
as well as basic art/craft supplies - paints, glitter, sequins...
Thrift stores often have inexpensive bridesmaids' dresses that can be cannibalized
for their nice fabric and
embellishments.
Pearl River Mart downtown has parasols and other fancy fun stuff that
can always be added to your outfit.
On sunny days, a paper parasol has saved many a mermaid from
fainting in the sun, and on rainy parade days, while delicate, they can protect you as well.
If you are stuffing anything, like a tail or tentacles, pool noodles
(closed cell foam pool toys) are excellent because they are lightweight
and shed water - remember, the Parade is rain or shine! - foam rubber is
hot and heavy by comparison, and if it gets wet, you will be hauling
around a big, wet sponge!
Other things to remember:
You would be surprised at how heavy your outfit can get.
Pack a small bag with your ID, keys, fully charged cellphone, sunscreen,
maybe an emergency granola bar or two, bandaids for blisters,
and maybe stash a spare pair of flipflops.
If you can't walk in them all day, you won't be able to make it
through the parade. Besides, no one is going to be looking at your feet.
You NEED to stay hydrated! And it's not always easy to find
parade volunteers handing out water. I nearly landed in the hospital
last year from dehydration, and I am a parade veteran!
I've marched in more than a dozen parades and I have never had
to use the bathroom during the course of the day...you end up sweating
everything out, it seems, but be sure that in case of an emergency,
you can get out of your costume quickly!
Pack a small pair of scissors (safely wrapped) if your costume is
elaborate/confining.
Also: If you are making a human powered float, invest in GOOD wheels!
Big box stores like Home Depot have them and if you think
ten bucks a wheel is expensive, consider how much you would pay
not to drag a busted float around.
PVC pipe (no smaller than 1" diameter) makes for a great framework,
but don't make it bear too much weight.
Pink insulation foam is great for structures and can be painted with acrylics.
Search Flickr.com for 'Coney Island Mermaid Parade' for ideas!
Can't wait to see you there!
folks might benefit from some of the info:
The question was 'where do I get supplies for my mermaid outfit?'
from someone marching for the first time...
Wow! Where to start? Depends on how elaborate you plan on getting.
Keep costs low by looking for supplies at discount shops and thrift stores...
Walmart (are they in Manhattan?) usually has an inexpensive fabric selection,
as well as basic art/craft supplies - paints, glitter, sequins...
Thrift stores often have inexpensive bridesmaids' dresses that can be cannibalized
for their nice fabric and
embellishments.
Pearl River Mart downtown has parasols and other fancy fun stuff that
can always be added to your outfit.
On sunny days, a paper parasol has saved many a mermaid from
fainting in the sun, and on rainy parade days, while delicate, they can protect you as well.
If you are stuffing anything, like a tail or tentacles, pool noodles
(closed cell foam pool toys) are excellent because they are lightweight
and shed water - remember, the Parade is rain or shine! - foam rubber is
hot and heavy by comparison, and if it gets wet, you will be hauling
around a big, wet sponge!
Other things to remember:
Make your outfit as lightweight as possible!!!
You would be surprised at how heavy your outfit can get.
Pack a small bag with your ID, keys, fully charged cellphone, sunscreen,
maybe an emergency granola bar or two, bandaids for blisters,
and maybe stash a spare pair of flipflops.
Comfy Shoes!!!
If you can't walk in them all day, you won't be able to make it
through the parade. Besides, no one is going to be looking at your feet.
Bring some bottled water!!!
You NEED to stay hydrated! And it's not always easy to find
parade volunteers handing out water. I nearly landed in the hospital
last year from dehydration, and I am a parade veteran!
Sunscreen!
(a parasol is advised)I've marched in more than a dozen parades and I have never had
to use the bathroom during the course of the day...you end up sweating
everything out, it seems, but be sure that in case of an emergency,
you can get out of your costume quickly!
Pack a small pair of scissors (safely wrapped) if your costume is
elaborate/confining.
Also: If you are making a human powered float, invest in GOOD wheels!
Big box stores like Home Depot have them and if you think
ten bucks a wheel is expensive, consider how much you would pay
not to drag a busted float around.
PVC pipe (no smaller than 1" diameter) makes for a great framework,
but don't make it bear too much weight.
Pink insulation foam is great for structures and can be painted with acrylics.
Search Flickr.com for 'Coney Island Mermaid Parade' for ideas!
Can't wait to see you there!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Envirotex Lite Resin
I am currently working on some pendants and was looking for more info, but ended up writing some observations on EnvirTex Lite tabletop resin... Here it is, and I will add more soon...
| pearliemae says: | |
I have used Envirotex for years and have had a lot of successes and a lot of mistakes to show for it. Since I am about to head out to the chiropractor, I will leave some observations in no particular order. You do have a few minutes working time, but try not to mix too much more than you think you'll need to avoid wasting it. Have a scrap or test project on hand to play with excess. If you are sealing paper, be sure to seal it first, both sides, with something else like Mod Podge or other acrylic sealer, otherwise, the resin will seep into the paper and make is translucent, and it doesn't always seep evenly. Since I work with books, this seepage will cause the back to show through, an effect I don't particularly want. It's carbon dioxide, not heat that will pop the bubbles. I blow through a coffee stirrer straw to get the bubbles to rise and pop, but when it starts to stiffen up, you can wave a lighter (like a long fireplace lighter) near the surface and the bubbles rise quickly and pop, also passing a small butane torch QUICKLY will do the same. Don't heat it with flame too much or too closely. You can trim over-drips in a day or two before the resin sets up completely hard. I find that the resin can take up to a week to harden completely, but once it does, the glass-like surface is unmatchable. If you stack pieces, they might stick to each other a little. I powder them with a little cornstarch after a week if I have to store them. Don't cover items with this stuff if you plan to sell/use them within a couple of weeks, seriously. Freezer paper works THE best to use under your projects. I am going to try storing freshly set (couple of days) resin pieces between layers of freezer paper, folded so both sides are faced with the plastic side of the paper. Have to jump now, but will return as I remember stuff. PS: Here is the original discussion I was replying to: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5140221 |
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Through the Viewfinder Toes
Ah... experiments that are going well... I'm liking it.
Prints of this image and more soon to be available on my Etsy site... www.etsy.com/pearliemae
See ya soon!
Prints of this image and more soon to be available on my Etsy site... www.etsy.com/pearliemae
See ya soon!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
An Auspicious Start?
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Like so many crafters online, I, too, aspire to doing what I love as a lucrative living... Long hours, be my own boss, quit the day job... I hear of it happening with more and more frequency. But for every successful artist/crafter out there, there must be hundreds, if not thousands, that barely eke out what my grandmother would call 'pin money'.
I don't pursue a single craft. I experiment and evolve, looking to find a niche where my passion for creating is satisfied, where the money I invest into supplies and time I invest in my creations find an audience. And hopefully, turn a profit!
What's the intent of my blog? Perhaps to keep a running tab on the things I make, and how they're made, perhaps to showcase the art and craft of others I find interesting. Will it be a blog full of personal opinion? Of course. A blog is not necessarily a democracy. This is mine and I can say whatever I like. And you have a right to disagree... and/or add to the conversation. Communication. That's how we all grow, right? I suppose, like so many things in my life, we'll see what happens!
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the things I present here, I hope you visit my Etsy shop at PearlieMae.Etsy.com and find something you love.
February 14th, 2010. Today is the Chinese New Year - Year of the Golden Tiger - it's also Valentine's day, and the day after my 31 month anniversary. I've just celebrated a milestone birthday, and have decided for myself that it's time for a little Me time.
Wanna come along for the ride? Let's rock!!!!
Cheers!
Jolene
Like so many crafters online, I, too, aspire to doing what I love as a lucrative living... Long hours, be my own boss, quit the day job... I hear of it happening with more and more frequency. But for every successful artist/crafter out there, there must be hundreds, if not thousands, that barely eke out what my grandmother would call 'pin money'.
I don't pursue a single craft. I experiment and evolve, looking to find a niche where my passion for creating is satisfied, where the money I invest into supplies and time I invest in my creations find an audience. And hopefully, turn a profit!
What's the intent of my blog? Perhaps to keep a running tab on the things I make, and how they're made, perhaps to showcase the art and craft of others I find interesting. Will it be a blog full of personal opinion? Of course. A blog is not necessarily a democracy. This is mine and I can say whatever I like. And you have a right to disagree... and/or add to the conversation. Communication. That's how we all grow, right? I suppose, like so many things in my life, we'll see what happens!
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the things I present here, I hope you visit my Etsy shop at PearlieMae.Etsy.com and find something you love.
February 14th, 2010. Today is the Chinese New Year - Year of the Golden Tiger - it's also Valentine's day, and the day after my 31 month anniversary. I've just celebrated a milestone birthday, and have decided for myself that it's time for a little Me time.
Wanna come along for the ride? Let's rock!!!!
Cheers!
Jolene
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