Experiments with Envirotex Lite

I’ve been doing experiments lately (insert evil laugh).  I purchased some of this 

so I could make some of these

and these

(camera flashed)

and these!

I would say it’s ALIVE a SUCCESS!

Since my light box hasn’t arrived yet (expected date, June 15th), you really can’t see how CLEAR these are.  They are crystal clear and hard and very glossy.  Well, except for the rectangular ones.  Those were part of the first batch and were too near the surface of the container I was using.  Some of the roughness I attribute to the paper.  But, I’m looking for a deeper rectangular holder.  I’ve got my eye on some candy molds on Amazon right now!  I see more experimenting in the near future.

Now, these aren’t perfect, but I think with a little tweaking, I can get them exactly like I want.  Plus, I’m going to try using different media.  For these, I used laser printed images on the rectangular pieces and silk flowers on the others.  Think next I’ll try beads, dried flowers, ANYTHING I can get my hands on (& you saw pictures of the inside of my shop in a previous post, there’s LOTS for me to use).

So, I have to decide what to do with these.  Maybe include them in with some orders from my Etsy store (I did send out two today in separate orders), or put mini magnets on them and use them. HHMMMMM.  I REALLY want your feedback, good OR bad. 

Also, I’m looking at being out of commission AGAIN!  I found out yesterday that I’m having surgery next week.  My knee specialist has to scope my right knee and see why I have such a huge knot on it and lots of pain.  Looks like someone inserted an egg under my skin at my knee cap.   So, surgery and then crutches for three or four days.  What do you want to bet I hobble out to my studio, prop my knee up, and play?????  But shhhhh, don’t tell hubby or he’ll blow a gasket. LOL  I’m supposed to keep it propped up and not do much (therefore I won’t be at work next week) so by extension I’m not supposed to play in my shop.  BUT………….

Until Later…………………………………

The Bloggerette Sorority

If you are looking for my Giveaway, please go HERE

 

Okay, so I never was in a sorority.  At 19, I was married, working full-time, and going to college at night.  That didn’t leave a lot of time for joining anything, not to mention I just wasn’t the college sorority type (I was really, really, PAINFULLY shy). 

 

So, when I saw there was a blog Sorority starting up, I was intrigued.  Was it for me?  Could I finally, possibly qualify?  HMMMM, it’s for people with my likes…..HMMMM, I’m not shy anymore can basically carry a convo if I need to…..HMMMM, I think it’s for me! 

 

So, if you would like to join the Bloggerette Sorority, click on the link below and check it out!  But hurry, Rush is approaching and you don’t want to miss this!

   Won't you join us?

Until Later…………………………………………..

 

 

I’ve Been Busy Today

If you are looking for my 100+ Follower Giveaway, please click HERE.

So, inquiring minds want to know, what has she been up to today?  Well, maybe you don’t wonder what I’ve been doing on an overcast, rainy, south Louisiana Sunday afternoon, other than watching the LSU Tigers play baseball (GEAUX TIGERS!  LSU!!!)

Well, I’ve been getting my fingers inky and sticky.  Yep, I’ve been playing in my studio.  Couldn’t yesterday since the back and neck were really acting up after two hours sitting in an uncomfortable chair at my son’s baseball game, trying to stay dry (yep, it was raining off and on), and keeping score (I’m the scorekeeper for the team).  So, I had a LOT to make up for today.

So, here’s my current studio – the storage area.  It takes up half my studio which is a built-out 10 x 20 portable building.  Yes, it’s as packed as it looks!

One desk Another supposed computer/video desk center except my computer can’t get a signal there.

Gratuitous shot of the dollhouse I’ve been working on FOREVER and my other desk that looks out over the backyard toward my house. I have another worksurface that sits perpendicular to this one and separates the working half of my studio from the storage half.

Oh, would you like to see a picture of my little friend that kept me company all day?  Sure you would.

  HEHEHE, bet you weren’t expecting that!  Yep, this little fellow ran all over my worktop today while I was playing working.  No, I’m not particularly bothered by spiders.  They eat bugs and as long as they stay off of me, I leave them alone.  Considering it was smaller than the diamond in my wedding band (tiny) he wasn’t any danger to me.  He kept scurrying all over the place trying to avoid my fingers as I reached for things.

Okay, so first, I played around with some High Gloss stuff by Envirotex.   Lisa at Tarnished and Tattered makes the most awesome Resin Bobbles using it (& now I just read she found some stuff that’s even clearer-gotta get me some).  Since you have to work fairly fast, I didn’t take pictures, but this is what I am waiting on:

 
I’ve approached it somewhat differently than she does since I don’t want to copy her, but learn from her.  So, I read her tutorial, ask a question or two, then went out and decided to experiment.  Once these dry, I’ll show you the results & give you a review of the product.  Nope, Envirotex isn’t a sponsor or anything, they don’t know I exist!

Then, it was time to get inky!

Some worked (love this one)  Some didn’t Some are okay These crosses are some of my favorites.
Some women-themed Love the chandelier

As you can see, I love Tim Holtz Distressed Inks.  They work so wonderfully!  I’m also in love with some wonderful Lampblack black ink (can’t remember the maker).  Makes the most wonderful image.  No, Tim Holtz doesn’t know I exist either, so I wasn’t paid to say wonderful stuff about his ink LOL.  It is marvelous though.  I also use a combination of his felt pads for blending and baby wipes.  Yep, baby wipes give you a wonderful blended, softer look.  Does make the tags a bit damp (though I try to use wipes that have been setting out for a bit and have dried some).  I may have to iron a few to get them back flat.  I also LOVE baby wipes for cleaning my stamps.  I just get the unscented cheap ones, blot the stamp (both rubber and acrylic) then blot on a paper towel.  I’ve even cleaned USED stamps that I bought and had all the ink just magically come off.

Okay, I’m also participating in an ATC swap that happens every two months. As you may be able to tell, the theme was CATS.   These aren’t due until July, but since I’m ALWAYS turning them in at the LAST minute, I decided to get July’s theme out of the way.  The only one I’m not sure about is the Photo Op one.  I think I need something in the lower left corner, just not sure what. 

Oh, and in case any of you are interested, I listed a bunch of tags I made a few weeks ago over on EPOCH JUNKTIQUE.  Please let me know what you think about them.  The ones you see above will also be listed there soon.  Prices are listed on my selling blog linked above. 

Whew!  That’s a long blog post for me.  Now, I need a break and some food.  Except for two tiny pancakes this morning, I’ve not eaten all day. 

Sorry I haven’t been able to show any dolls or miniatures that I’ve worked on.  I just haven’t been in the mood to do them, but sooner or later, the mini bug will bite and I’ll be off working on them.  I can feel it nibbling at my toes right now.

Until Later………………………………….

ANNOUNCING – EPOCH JUNKTIQUE (vintage junk)

DON’T FORGET TO ENTER MY 100th FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY HERE

Okay, I’ve done it.  I’ve opened a second blog that will be a “selling” blog.  I’ll place items on it before listing them in my Etsy stores (or may do both simultaneously).   My mom has been wanting something like this for a while and I finally had made the time.

Why have a selling blog?  Well, 1)  I wanted a place where all my Etsy stores could be shown in one location; 2) a place to quickly list my latest finds for sale until I had time to write out nicely worded listings & take all the fancy pictures (I need to get a photo light box made) for Etsy ; 3) list items that didn’t sell on Etsy, 4) where" “make an offer/choose and item for $X” could be placed; & 5) items that didn’t quite make the 20-year cutoff for Etsy (I have a LOT of Madame Alexander dolls that fit into this category).

Having a selling blog seemed to fit the bill.  So, the name of it is Epoch Junktique (epoch meaning “vintage” – like y’all didn’t already know that).   Currently, all four of my mother’s and my Etsy stores are listed as well as a couple of games and books.  I’m playing around with the Pages Gadget and with adding a PayPal link under each listing.  Once I get it all figured out, things should run smoothly.  I also take checks and will ship Worldwide.

Down the road, I hope to use it to announce blog-only specials, as my business grows.  

See, there’s a method to my madness.  When I retire in 14 years (13 years, 11 months, and 25 days but who’s counting?)  I plan on antique hunting or junkin’ being my “second career”.  I also dream of owning my own booth in an antique mall.  So, I’m taking my first “baby steps”.  I want to travel around the US with my mom if she’s still able and with friends I meet through the years that share my love and passion for vintage/antique items.  Considering the lack of anything down here vintage except furniture and glass (which I avoid), I have to travel.  My motto will be Have Truck, Have Trailer, Will Travel!  Okay, so I have to get over the fear of towing things – I totaled out a perfectly good boat I was towing several years ago – can’t tow a dern thing now!

Back to my new blog - At first, the going will be slow since I don’t have a lot of free time on my hands, but hopefully, I’ll be able to list more and more.  Plus, if I can ever teach my mom how to blog, she has TONS of vintage items she can list.   It takes a combination of Windows Live Writer and Blogger Editor to get things just right.

Now a big SHOUTOUT to Karen at The Graphics Fairy for all the help she gave me in getting my new blog set up with three columns.  She a WONDERFUL, SWEET person.  THANK YOU KAREN!

Here’s a peek at something that will be up soon: 

Until Later ……………………………

A-Junkin’ We Will Go, A-Junkin’ We Will Go

Did I get your attention?  No????  Okay, maybe the below will.  I had a vey fruitful, though somewhat expensive day!  Well, my truck broke down BIG TIME.  That was the expensive part.  The fruitful part was the goodies I found. 

Ad on Craig’s List: Antique Toys:  I have quite a few antique toys, if someone wants to come look and make me an offer on what they would like a partial list includes a Flash Gordon toy gun, Marx wind up taxi, large iron bus, a Mike Mulligan type steam shovel, many other toy pistols and pea shooters, old board games from the 30's....too much to list. I have been listing them one at a time, but this is getting tedious, and I would rather just pull them all out when some of you can come by.

Sooooo, that got my attention.  I go by after work today (I also went to a private estate/garage sale today, more on that later).  Hubby was heading to Bass Pro with the Son, so I was at loose ends.  

Eh?  It’s raining you say?  No problem, have umbrella, will junk!  Pouring buckets you say?  Oh, well, what’s a little water.

So, you ask.  Ya’ gonna tell us what you found?  Okay….I will. :)

Hollywood Movie Bingo Game

  See the famous names Tracy? Crosby, Lombard?    Can I tell you, it only gets better?

   Cute! A game about a frog, based on a book

Immaculate board

Love the wording

Play the market on Wall Street!  Test your skills against the market!  I have NEVER even heard of this game.  Looks to be complete too.

Darling – 1935

And MINT 1915 Love these illustrations! Opera glasses – Think they are some kind of plastic maybe, though they look mother of pearl, not sure, but they work!

You want more you say??  This isn’t enough?

 

Okay, how about a Built-Rite cardboard house!   Ok, you know I’m a miniaturist, so I’m going to love little houses.  Needs  the tabs put back in the slot, but what a find!  NOT TORN!

Heavy Metal Soldier, just missing his gun – 1930’s probably, maybe as late as 40’s but doubt it.  Still with some of the original paint.

I tried and I tried, but I couldn’t get a picture INSIDE the FotoReel.  It’s a Lion Tamer!  You turn the wheel (yes, it works) and you see 3D scenes of a man taming different big cats!  This thing is old and in almost perfect condition.  The turning wheel slips a little.

  Isn’t this neat?  Metal rattle thingy (LOL- love my technical jargon?) From the outside, 20’s? 30’s?

Toy Waffle Iron – it actually looks as if you could put it on a stove and use it.

Tricky Taxi – Still winds, just missing the handle and a little paint.

Lead(?) toy soldiers in near perfect shape.

Heavy Metal running Cowboy and Indians with some of their original pain left.

Tin Gypsy Wagon  - the nice colors!

You are looking straight down on this.  You turn the knob and it spins within itself.  Not sure what it is called.  The name escapes me.  Old spinning top w/box – the box is torn on the backside but I have all the pieces.

WHEW!  Nope, that’s not it, just all for today.  I apologize for the quality of the pictures; I was trying to fry fish and take pictures at the same time.

If you see anything that interests you, please let me know. These will go up on Etsy soon (I hope – I’m behind on my listings).  I ship worldwide and take PayPal.

I still have several more toy items I got today that I’m going to share with you and I REALLY want to go back again for some more that I didn’t get.  But, after that purchase and the one I made at lunch today at the private estate/garage sale (pictures to follow soon), I need to SELL things, NOT purchase them!  I’m BROKE.  Not to mention all the repair work done to my truck today (sob).

Until Later………………………