Victorian Art Doll Witch

This Year's Witch

Every year I create another art doll witch to add to my growing collection. Here is this year's version - she's a little Victorian-style, not a traditional witch.

 

Nina Owens Victorian-style Art Doll Witch



Close up - Victorian Art Doll Witch by Nina Owens

 I'm still exploring dolls using birdcages. This is an antique cage a friend gave me. True to Victorian-nature, her cage is filled with bottles of potions and elixirs. I played around with pan pastels for coloring her face. It was a new medium for me and I really enjoyed using it for her face.

Chihuly Exhibit

The fabulous glass works of Chihuly were exhibited last year at the Dallas Arboretum. Vicki and I spent one very warm December afternoon exploring these amazing art pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Components Bought

Industrial Glam Necklace
     A few months ago I had the honor of being asked to create a piece for Michaels October Jewelry Month Showcase. They wanted me to use Susan Lenart Kazmir's Industrial Chic line as the basis for my piece. I was thrilled to be able to use my friend Susan's pieces, as it fits my style so well. Her new components add a bit of glitter and glam to her usual industrial look.   I let them guide me for the theme of this necklace. I loved the stark contrast of the rhinestones and glitter with the industrial metal edge.I added beads from the Bead Gallery line to complete the necklace in my steampunk style.  I created a piece that is now one of my very favorites - freeform & asymmetrial.
     Here is the supply list and the finished piece on Michaels website for the Industrial Glam Necklace. The instructions are also there, but I've included extra step-out images to help make it easier for you to create your own version.

   

    Use Chain with Glass Beads and Stones for one side of necklace. Measure and cut plain chain to desired length. Attach plain chain to chain with beads and stones. Attach Lobster Clasp to plain chain. Loop on other chain will serve as link.

Condition thread and thread needle. Attach to chain link as show in picture. Randomly string metal plated multi-color round beads and weave in and out of the chain.

 

 

    Once you have a base of metal beads, start incorporating the glass beads.

      Tie off strands and secure with knots when you run out of thread. Start next strand in previous method, securing on chain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue building base, and begin adding metal donuts, weaving beads and strands to secure.

 

 

   Start adding charm components, weaving in more metal beads and strands.

    Continue building necklace, constantly holding up to neck in front of mirror to make sure it hangs properly.

    Add keys and other dangling charms by the same method.

Continue adding beads and components until you are pleased with the results.
I left one chain without any embellishment, as I loved the asymmetry that broke up the regular flow of the necklace.

Bead & Button Show
For two such avid beaders as Vicki & I, the Bead & Button Show was the perfect trip! We shopped and shopped, found great beads, I got to meet my idol, Sherry Serafini (and she is so very, very nice!) and had an overall great time.

Opening night, first aisle

Sherry Serafini & I at Meet the Teacher Night

With my friend, Susan Lenart Kazmer

Love Susan's fabulous dress!

Tiliapia skins - most unusual find

My stash from the show

Milwaukee
Vicki & I got to go to the Bead & Button show in June this year. Since we didn't take any classes, we had time to enjoy the city a little bit and also see my good friend, Patti, who lives there. Patti is such a doll, she went to the grocery store, bought us a ton of goodies and delivered them to our room to make our stay more enjoyable. She also came on Friday and took us to a pub for drinks & dinner and to Comedy Sportz, an improv comedy club. We had a blast. Vicki & I went to The Domes, a Milwaukee landmark, three horticultural domes, one desert, one tropical and a show dome one morning. We walked along the riverwalk and had lunch over looking the river at a nice restaurant. We caught the trolley and explored the Third Ward, too.

Milwaukee River Walk

Fabulous lunch at Cool Molly's Restaurant

The Domes, Milwaukee

Desert Dome

Just love the design on this plant

Me in the desert dome

Vicki in the tropical dome

Fiddleleaf Fig in tropical dome - this was
my favorite dome

Patti at Mo's Irish Pub with necklace I made for
her as a token of our thanks

Having a great time at Comedy Sportz