Decisions, decisions...

I'm working on color roughs for a picture book.

It's set in the late 1800's to early 1900's. So, it seems a perfect time to incorporate some borders.

But, I need to figure out how much line I want to use. I need to think about it now, 

because this will have to stay consistent throughout the book.

So I try some different amounts.

Thank heavens for scanners.

And printers.

I think I want to keep it as painterly and hand-done looking as possible.

Homage to those beautiful postcards and scrapbooks of days gone by.

What do you think?

Decisions, decisions…

Ooooooo, Ahhhhhhhhh...

OOOooooooooooo…….

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh….

Fa…

La…

Laaaaaaaa!

Sparkly holiday wishes ~

from, Age Before Beauty!

A Gorey Friday the 13th

I looked over at my drawing board just now, and this is what I saw.

For many years I've been collecting antique photos. 

So, naturally, when I'm looking for inspiration for an upcoming picture book set in Victorian times I get to revisit my 'old' friends. 

Of course I need to take a stroll through the world of Edward Gorey, because no one captures the quirkiness of those times like he did! 

In the above picture you'll see a bit of a frontispiece that he did for Amphigorey Again. The copy inside the scroll reads,

"Frivolity, at the edge of a Moral Swamp hears Hymn Singing in the Distance and dons the Galoshes of Remorse."

  

Happy Friday the 13th! 

Wishing all of you an inspired day!

New Old Jewelry

at Age Before Beauty.

Tease

I'm a little like a proud mom.

I just can't seem to resist taking pictures of the jewelry all together.

So many tarnished pieces that I love---

seeing them all draped on my mannequin makes me rather giddy.

Thanks for looking at my babies :-)

The Evil Eye

I showed this piece on my last post, but I wanted to explain a little about it.

It's another one of those interesting Victorian stories 

(well, at least I think they're interesting).

The centerpiece of this necklace was a pin. Consisting of a cat's eye shell in the center of a heart made from tortoise shell. The Victorians believed these shells looked like eyes and used them frequently in jewelry to symbolize the evil eye and to ward off danger and misfortune. The shell is called an Operculum, which is the door to a snail shell.

I suspect this pin was given to a sweetheart to keep her safe while her loved one was away.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Inspiration and Creation

 A treasure trove of inspiration...

 Bit by bit,

Piece by piece,

Creating,

Something new,

From something old.

I'm getting ready for Craft & Fancy 5! 

Saturday, December 1, at Home Ec on Linn Street in Iowa City.

If you're local, and can come say hello, I'd love to see you. If you can't make it, please visit my etsy shop, Age Before Beauty, and feel free to 'convo' me and say 'hi'.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Thinking Spring!

Suddenly, my hand recoils from the brown wool sweaters in my closet.

I reach for happy colors like springy greens.

Soft beach blues...

and creamy hues.

 

Feminine, frilly, full of hope and rebirth.

Here's a little peek at some Spring inspired jewelry.

Listing soon, at Age Before Beauty.