Posts tagged ‘crafts’

Custom Made “Dia De Los Muertos” Altars by Thorne

Greetings constant readers and new friends as yet unmet! Been busy here in Thorne’s World a bit these days. The GirlyBoi has gone with her Mom, Sis, Nephew and Niece (all crammed into a freaking Kia!!! OMGods, I’m glad I’m not sandwiched in there somewhere!!- Besides, it’d kill me to be somewhere I could be gambling and be too broke to drop a few quarters- Thornie is a gamblin’ fool when the stars are right!) to visit Her Brother and all the Reno kinfolk. She left on Tuesday afternoon and she’ll be back next Monday sometime.

Bless her little GirlyBoi heart; she took care of the heavy work before she left; trash taking outs and making sure the pools are filled for all 4 outside dogs, cleaning up my Mom’s dog yards and getting me propane for both the house and the Grill. She even vacuumed for me! (Which seriously rocks, because it straight out kicks my FMS into overdrive to do it, for some insane reason).

But busy?? Ya, a bit. 5 dogs, 6 birds, 2 cats (and boxes! Ewwww!!!), and my Momma to take care of. Oh yeah. I also have some kinda cute little aquatic turtle (the niece’s) in an aquarium parked on my kitchen counter. That bubbler makes me have to pee every damn time I walk into the kitchen!

But…. (you knew there was a “but” in there somewhere, didn’t you??), it also means that I don’t have to cook dinner every day (Me n Mom have a deal worked out for the week! Yay!), which means a lot fewer dishes aaaand it means I don’t have to share the modem! So I can blog, and cruise the interwebz and play WoW to my lil heart’s content.

But wait. Here’s the good stuff and what I intended to tell ya about when I began. I’m crafting some and working on a collage and acrylic painting for the cover of Enigma’s soon to be published book, Watergate Summer (from the blog of the same name). I’m really honored and excited to be doing this for her. It’s a great blog with some very important an enlightening information and I’m sure it will make a great book!

I also wanted to share with you my latest spiritual crafting endeavor. You may have read about how to Ritually Create an Altar of the Dead and seen the pics of a few of my altars. It occurred to me that not everyone has the room, or the inclination (or the number of dead) that I have, so I’ve been working on mini altars. They are loosely in the style of Dia De Los Muertos; bright colors and shiny bits. I made this one for my step son, JD. It includes a photo of Jerry, my soulmale and late husband; JD’s Dad. The tiny bottle contains some of Jerry’s cremains, and the other bits are mementos unique to him and special to his son.

I would love to make one to honor and in remembrance of your dead. These would be custom order items. Each one would be unique. I would be guided in the crafting of your Mini – Altar by the small mementos or photos you send me and the things you are willing to share with me about your beloved dead. Her favorite color, his hobbies and pleasures; and by my affinity with the spirits of those who have gone before us. Each Mini – Altar would be created ritually and within sacred space and I would be happy to follow any spiritual or religious preferences you may have- I am, after all, an eclectic witch!

If you would like me to craft one for you, email me or use my contact form. Depending on the size, construction and decoration, I can see them ranging in price from $20 to $50 or so (plus shipping).

Peace, out!

I’ve got some cool links for you today. Get creative and make a lil space in the Land Fills while you’re at it!

1) Repurpose your old crayon bits (Great fun for the kids!)

2) These lamps made from plastic trash rock! Find photos at the artist’s etsy shop and the How – To at her blog!

3) At Storque Handmade Life you’ll find a whole slew of creative uses for “junk”!

4) How about some lawn furniture? A great chair made from a pallet!

5) Maybe turn old clothes into stylish new fashions? Girl Reconstructed has some great ideas!

6) This Momma to be is making adorable onesies out of vintage T-shirts.

7) Some awesome ideas (and some instruction) for some very chic wall art made of magazine pages. I like these a lot, and the concept could be applied in several ways. Hmmm….

8) I can think of many ways to combine these newspaper spirals… hot plates are only the beginning!

9) Oh, oh!!! This is a recycled recycled idea! Remember those chevron style chains made from stick chewing gum wrappers? (I had one that was at least 20 feet long!) How about using starburst candy wrappers to make them? Bright colors and too much fun!

10) These Spa Slippers made from an old pair of beach thongs and a towel are what I call some tootsie comfies!

11) Cookie Sheet Calender, or Advent Calender.

12) This paper yarn, spun on an old fashioned drop spindle, might be even cooler than plarn! I gotta try it!

13) I would SO do this if my ceilings weren’t so darned low! Check out this hanging pot rack made out of a bicycle wheel! Image here, How – To here.

Well, that was fun! Head on over to Thursday Thirteen and tell um Thornie sent cha… err… check out a whole bunch of TT-ers!

Peace, out!

So do you remember going to what we used to call Flea Markets or Swap Meets? You know, back before they made these indoor places in strip malls that they call Swap Meets. Places where odds and ends were spread out on blankets and there was always some old codger to shoot the shit with? I do. Nowadays when you go into one of those Indoor Swap Meets mostly all you can find are knockoffs or cheap imported goods made in sweat-shops.

When I was a kid my Gramps used to take me to the Flea Market. I never understood why they were called that- I never saw any fleas. I still have no idea. I spoze I could google it, but I don’t really feel like it. If you know, you can always tell me in comments. Either that or it shall forever remain a mystery in Thornesworld! Anyway, wasn’t it great to be outdoors in the warm sunshine, wandering from blanket to table to “oooh” and “ahhh” or wonder in puzzlement at the collection of used items, tools and gadgets?

I loved it. I always came away with a slightly used Barbie, some old scratched 45′s to play on my portable record player, or other small trinket or toy while Gramps would pick up a rusty but serviceable toolbox or that pipe cutter he had been looking for.

If you love looking through thrift stores for that discarded antique or memory from Grama’s kitchen, and if you are into checking out some great desert craftsfolk and artisans as well as unique desert landscaping and decor, you simply have to make a visit to the Yucca Valley Swap Meet!

Bob and his wife (I’m embarrassed that I can’t remember her name) have made such a great place out of an old drive in movie theater. There are potters and stained glass artists, metal artists and jewelry makers among many other fine artisans, many of them are in buildings built of recycled wood, and all of them are unique and artistic as the landscaping and unique “yard art” of discarded junk that’s been upcycled desert style.

These welded rusty metal horses are life-sized and simply stunning! Bob’s specialty is making spiders and webs that glitter with color in the desert sun. He’s always happy to talk to you about his process, and loves to share ideas with other artists and craftsmen.

I told him last time I was out there, that I had “borrowed” his idea for wire and barrel strap spider webs and he told me that he was flattered. Just check out this tree full of them, below.

Along with all the great art and artists, there is a coffee shop type restaurant where you can grab a drink or a bite of breakfast or lunch, there is also a bandstand where local musicians perform and you will never tire of the antiques and miscellaneous treasures (some call it “junk”, but not me) to sort through and take home if the price is right.

It’s a happening every weekend, but let me warn you-get there early because the merchants start wrapping up shop at around noon! I swear, that’s the worst thing about it. It’s a half hour drive from Pair-O-Dykes Ranch, and if I want to have time to wander and enjoy I have to get up at the damn butt-crack – o – dawn to have enough time! Well, okay… I’m exaggerating; but 7 or 8 on a Saturday morning is just too early in Thornie’s World. I do it though, for this place. (Besides, the GirlyBoi brings me coffee in bed, so I always wake up cheerful when I get my coffee in bed!) Be sure to say “Hi” to Bob and tell him Thorne out Lucerne way sent ya!

This Eclectic Life says:
As bloggers, we are in a unique position to get our opinions out on the internet for all the world to see. I think it would be fantastic to have a whole list of travel resources from around the country (or for that matter, the world!). If we post, we could add links to other bloggers who are posting about their own home towns. Soon, nobody will need those guide books, because they will have us!

She asks that we:

• 1) Give first hand reviews. Let’s talk about our own experiences with the places we write about!
• 2) Title it “My Neck Of The Woods [+ the name of the attraction or the town],” and tag it with “travel” and your state, so people could track them all on the internet.
• 3) Head back to my her posting for that Saturday to let her know, so we can share links.

If you leave me a link to yours in comments, I’ll repost your link here, too! If you like the places you visit be sure to Stumble or Digg the post so more folks can enjoy them! Thanks for visiting My Neck of the Woods!
Peace, out!