Since going on maternity leave, I've not been focusing on creating new artwork or illustrations per se, but that doesn't mean I've not been busy working on stuff! As you know I've been making things for the baby's nursery and as enjoyable as it is, I think it's healthy to take a break now and again. So I've been putting my creative juices to work on two side projects: 1) a new peg rail for the bathroom and 2) tea light holders for my sister-in-law's upcoming party.
Both projects have involved up-cycling. For the peg rail, I found some nifty drawer handles at our local reclamation yard. They look really light, but are actually quite heavy! I got them for a bargain at about a quid a piece. Not too shabby! For the board, I cut some wood from the stockpile in our shed and collaged it with a reproduction map of Paris that I've had lying around in the studio for ages. The photographs aren't great, but the pic above and to the right here give you an idea of the finished product.
My sister-in-law is hosting a 40th Birthday Bash in a few weeks. There will be a big marquis, a live band - the works. My active imagination immediately set the scene: I could see lights suspended from the trees in their garden, which were an amazing backdrop to the huge tent full of dancing and laughter. And since I knew I'd have a bit of time on my hands, I offered to make some tea light decorations for the party. Much to my enjoyment, I immediately got the green light to proceed! Before I even started the project I knew that I wanted to use recycled jars and so, with the help of my mother-in-law, started a collection of jars - saving them from the fate of the recycling bin! I wasn't sure how I was going to finish them, but knew I wanted to use wire to make a handle for them to hang from.
I found it surprisingly difficult to source good wire! I took for granted this would be an easy mission - when I lived in the States it was as simple as popping into the local art & craft store and BAM! I'd be faced with an enormous selection of whatever I needed. I think maybe the art & craft thing isn't quite as big of a thing here as it is back home. Anyway, after going to several shops I finally had to settle for gardening wire which was a larger gauge than I wanted, but it did the trick. It only took me a little over an hour to cut and bend the wire and attach it to the jars using butcher's twine. They're really rustic and super basic, but I think they turned out great. I think with a bit more tweaking they could be commercially successful. Maybe something to add to the Bohemian Pearl product range. I think I'll wait and see how they work in practice, though, before getting to ahead of myself!
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