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My name is Melody M. Nuñez - I’m an artist, a writer, and an art teacher. To learn more about me and the book I published - An Altered Existence: Fictitious Stories About Faces from the Past - please view the “About” & "Book" pages…-
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Category Archives: vintage
My New Halloween Wreath
You know that crocheted doily wreath that I first created last winter, and have then altered for different holidays and seasons since? Well, it’s been changed up again. This time the crocheted doily part is minimal – is really just the white base – but I love what’s been added to it.
Rabbits Aren’t Just for Easter Anymore
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As you may know, hubby and I have two pet rabbits. Our cute little fur kids inspired me to go outside of the usual “Halloween animal” sphere when decking out this wreath. I used my Big Shot machine and a Tim Holtz Easter Elements die to cut out bunnies and bows in black and orange. When combined with some rhinestone strands, a black netting bow, and a sparkly button, this wreath has a fun and festive feel.
Have you done any crafting or decorating for Halloween yet? Do tell!
Warm regards,
Melody
Also posted in crafts, DIY, holidays
Tagged Halloween, Halloween wreath, Tim Holtz, Tim Holtz Easter Elements die
10 Comments
DIY: Vintage Button Pendants
As you likely know by now, I LOVE vintage buttons. I collect them, and have a box full of them. I love using them in both art and craft projects, and have featured some of my button projects here in the past – like the button bracelets I made earlier this year. Given my penchant for vintage buttons – and for necklaces/pendants – I truly have no idea why it’s taken me this long to make vintage button pendants. Silly me!
I recently sat down to try making my first batch of pendants, and ended up making over 20. Yep, I’m hooked! Not only will these little beauties add a lot of options to my “jewelry wardrobe”, I love the idea of wearing some of the very bits and bobs that I love so much. It’s much better than the buttons sitting in my box. :] Button pendants are easy to make, and are so versatile. And while I chose to pull buttons from my vintage stash, you can certainly use new buttons as well…
Materials
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Buttons
Bails (I purchased some at a bead store, and some on eBay – photo above)
Wire clippers
Sand paper
Quick-set Epoxy, E6000, or a permanent jewelry adhesive of your choice
Instructions
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1. Decide which buttons you want to combine to create a pendant. I used as little as two, and as many as four. Make sure they’ll stack together well.
2. Cut the shanks off the back of any buttons that have them.
3. Sand off any remaining pieces of the shank if desired.
4. Stack the buttons together and glue them together with your permanent adhesive.
5. Glue a bail on the back of your bottom-most button. Let dry completely.
6. Wear and enjoy!
Here are some of the pendants I created…
Please let me know if you have any questions, dear readers. Happy Creating!
Warm regards,
Melody
Also posted in crafts, DIY
Tagged button pendants, vintage button pendants, vintage buttons
16 Comments
Patriotic Vintage Doily Wreath
Happy Tuesday!
I recently changed up my wreath – you know, the one I’ve decorated for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Spring thus far. (Well, I also did a St. Patrick’s Day version, but guess who forgot to take a photo before switching to spring? Ack!) This incarnation features red, white and blue. The wreath was switched up in time for Memorial Day, and will stay this way until after the 4th of July.
To create this look I pulled some blue doilies from my stash, as well as some red and white “bullseye” doilies. I decided to add some simple foil stars and a bit of white ribbon to finish it off, and love the look. Because I pin the doilies on each time with T-pins it’s easy to take off the old doilies and add the new ones.
What do you think? I hope you like it. Please let me know if you’ve been inspired to create a doily wreath of your own…
Warm regards,
Melody
Also posted in crafts, DIY, holidays
Tagged crocheted wreath, doilies, patriotic doily wreath, patriotic wreath, vintage crocheted wreath, vintage doilies
4 Comments
New Assemblage Series: Then & Now
I recently created a two-part assemblage series, and thought I’d share it with you. These pieces are particularly significant to me for a few reasons. One: they’re more personal than my previous assemblages. Two: measuring 12″ x 15″, they’re the largest assemblages I’ve made thus far and incorporated heavier objects. I even used epoxy for the first time, so now I feel all official. :]
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I really enjoyed creating this series, and look forward to creating many more assemblages in the future. This mental shift towards more significant assemblage work is evident when I shop at thrift stores, estate sales, and antique stores – I’m now looking out for more dimensional pieces than ever before!
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I really enjoyed creating this series, and look forward to creating many more assemblages in the future. This mental shift towards more significant assemblage work is evident when I shop at thrift stores, estate sales, and antique stores – I’m now looking out for more dimensional pieces than ever before!
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Rather than take you through the assembly of these two pieces step-by-step, I’ll give you some of the highlights :
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THEN – first in the series
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This assemblage includes the following items: a vintage photo of a young girl, a traditional wooden ruler, a square wooden ruler, a doily, a pair of scissors, a heart-shaped tart tin, vintage graph paper, red fibers, 3 large beads, 2 vintage rhinestones, gold joss paper, and a small silver frame.
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The picture above was taken with the glass lid up, to reduce glare. The image below shows the lid down…
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NOW – second in the series
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This assemblage includes the following items: a vintage photo of a woman, a small glass container, a vintage bunny figurine, a small doily, three vintage pen nibs, a nasturtium seed packet, a projector light bulb, lace, ribbon, a vintage measuring spoon, a vintage book, a paintbrush, a foreign postage stamp, a clear lens, and a piece of vintage cloth measuring tape.
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Again, the picture above was taken with the glass lid up. The image below shows the lid down…
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- Both assemblages made use of pre-made wooden boxes with glass tops. The boxes were purchased at Michaels, and the wood was left its natural color but was sealed with a clear varnish.
- The inside of each box was collaged with vintage sewing patterns before the other elements were added.
- Though each assemblage stands on its own the two were meant to work together, so some elements are used in both pieces – like photos, doilies, measuring elements (ruler and tape), the deep red color, and metallics.
I hope you enjoyed this peek at my newest assemblages. What do you think? Please post a comment with any questions or feedback.
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Warm regards,
Melody
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Also posted in antiques, art, art supplies
Tagged assemblage, assemblage series, ephemera, epoxy
4 Comments