First of all, before I forget, I've been meanin to post this clarification for days now. The FABULOUS Betz White pincushions shown in my previous post? My uber talented swap partner Debbie MADE THEM HERSELF! Blew me away when she told me that. And she says she found the embroidered towels at a second hand store for CHEAP. I want to shop where she shops! I still smile every time I walk in the kitchen and see my new lovelies from her. :-D I was asking her why on earth she's not selling her fabulous creations (if you've visited her blog you'll see what else she's been makin) and she said that she does have an intention to create an Etsy shop, but first needs to come up with her own patterns...doesn't want to just keep copyin what she sees others doing. I agree and totally understand, but I'm starting to think there's issues of note regarding *originality*. I remember a few months ago some gal out there in blogland took the time to email me a "shame on you" for having published a cookie sheet perpetual calendar that I "COPIED" from the wonderfully talented Teresa McFayden. I'd opened the article with a big ol shout out to Miss T and thanked her for the inspiration, and thought the acknowledgement was enough. Yes, I got the cookie sheet idea from her, but gee whiz; this person made me feel almost criminal! I couldn't imagine I'd offended Teresa, but just to make sure I emailed and asked if she was bothered by the article and she said 'no'. She'd apparently mentioned on her blog that someone had copied some of her work (an outright copy with no credit to Teresa that the copier was profiting from. Not good!) and this other gal just up and assumed it was me for some reason. ANYWAY, my point in recalling this story is that a month or so later my friend Karen and I were in an antique shop and she was flippin through an old craft book from the early 70's and showed me an almost identical calender idea saying, "Jen, isn't this like what you did?" You get my drift re; how many times can we totally recreate the wheel? I think if we put our own unique spin on something then it's original enough. Which leads me to my recent soldering endeavors.

For these I really did want to come up with something I hadn't seen anywhere. It was serendipity that the day I got serious about coming up with an idea was the day I got these old (30's) Anagrams letter tiles in the mail. So they're quite thick due to the letter tile, and it leaves room in the 'sandwich' for other bits like rhinestones and glitter and flowers. The pendants measure 1x1.5". I've stopped at six, am waiting for my vintage millinery flowers to arrive...I'm sure they'll be prettier than these new paper flowers. I have a ways to improve on the soldering but I've all but got it figured out. Now I just need to get some more practice under my belt. I could spend entire days chasing a lil jump ring around with a soldering iron so thank God I found these bales that I can super glue on (showing the backside in the inset).

Am scurrying to leave town on Friday for the whole following week. Caleb and I are going to my mom's house, where I'll be stripping wallpaper and revamping the main bath. I'm enjoying these periodic visits to help her update her house. I like feeling useful and enjoy visiting while DOing something, too.

Will close this post with a pic of....YOU GUESSED IT! Another cookie sheet calender. This one's for me! but I think I'm making three or four more for the craft sale I'm in at the end of this month. 

Here's a closeup of that fabulous Catherine Moore stamp that I used on it. I received it while I was workin on the calender and just had to use it then and there! The tag stamp of the number 25 is from the same set. LOVE them. OH, and the number 22 is 'in the mail'. :-)

Cheers!

Comments

[nerissa]

I LOVE your soldered charms. It's so addictive. What wonderful eye candy. And your calendar, to die for!! I'm gonna have to do one of those. Beautiful. I'm so glad to have found your blog.
Nerissa

[natalie]

So often I will see something in a store, and think, I can make that. Invariably, when I actually go to do it, it comes out with my very own look to it. So it may have started out as a decorated cigar box, let's say......but in the end it is my own creation. I guess there is a fine line there though. ANyhoo, I love your calendar, and I loooove your soldered charms!!!

[Sue McG]

Jen you are always inspired and original, as you point out none of us really invent the wheel, we just make our interpretation of a wheel. There's nothing new under the sun.

Love the soldered charms and that cookie sheet calendars is fab - just as well you're keeping it for yourself this time, it's too pretty to part with.

[Barbara]

Be still my heart!!!! I LOVE EVERYTHING. The calendar...perfection. No one can make them like you. I adore the way you used the CC stamps too!!! Of course they are some of my favs!!! The soldered charms. MAGNIFIQUE!!! Honestly they are SO COOL!!! I love all the flowers and rhinestones and can not wait to see them with vintage millinery flowers inside. AND that is PURE GENIUS with the bales!!! Attaching a jump ring IS truly the hardest part to making them. Will you be putting these on your website for sale??? I'm thinking I need a "B"!!!

[michelle infantino]

and kudos to your swap partner for such a FANTASTIC job on the pin cushions!

wowowowowow!

[michelle infantino]

Very very cool stuff you got goin' on here Jen.

I especially love that you are stamping too! I really love the new Catherine Moore stamps. The chair looks just right here. Fabulous.

[Michelle M White]

Thank you for your post!!! My friend and I often comment on the fact that people have been creating these crafts (and variations of) for years! How can you "copyright" a cookie sheet or a granny square!?! I thought that was the point of blogs and magazines...to share and encourage creativity! (BTW...I do think there is a difference between copying something outright for one's own profit vs one's own personal enjoyment.) Thanks Jen-I love your blog!!!

[Pam]

Wow I love the calender, and the little soldered tiles. Super cool. Love the bales, I actually thought that was the front till I really read the entry. Very nice.

Oh and I got the fabric, bought the last that the Super Joanns had, 5 3/4 yards. I'm on the hunt. Its wonderful.