The Demise of the Fleamarket (as I knew it)!

I am sure fleamarkets have all sorts of reputations by the people who frequent them. This is just mine... I have visit them from time to time in my life. As a child my father would make and sell Soulful Christmas music at our local market. There would be someone selling perfume/incents, another selling cast offs from an estate sale or home clean out. Almost always somebody had a large barrel grill cooking the best ribs you have ever tasted.

I now visit fleamarkets more often than before. You see, I redesign jewelry and small furniture items and accessories. So the fleamarket, thrift store, garage and yard sales are where I can find some of my best buys. Of course curside shopping is the absolute best bargain because it is free!

Anywho, now all I see at the markets are dollar store items! Everything is cheap. Whatever happend to the vintage clothing, tchotchkes, mixed tapes, they old guy selling used hardware and tools? Where's my local farmer selling vegetables and fruit.... Now all I see is junk....and DEFINITELY not the good kind!

During one of my recent trips to a once reliable fleamarket it was SO crowded, I couldn't even find a park. This was in the middle of the day... don't these people work?! LOL

Right off the back I was hit with designer knock-offs of every kind!

 All sorts of stuff... Even things bought in bulk and sold individually... HA! What a rip!

 More socks than you can shake a stick at....(whatever that means..I think I'm getting old)

 Turning-skin-green jewelry.

 But the people were there in full force. Good for the vendors I suppose...bad for me.

 These are cute...but I'd rather buy them from a handmade jewery artist... and the handmade ones are not that expensive... $10-$20.... definitely comparable.

 Loads and loads of stuff... some would say too much stuff..... but nothing for me :(

 Cheap fashions anyone?

 Ah... such a disappointing trip. However, there was one small glimpse of joy on my way out... partially buried deep in the dirt, I found this little gem. Most folks would walk right over it.... but not me. This is what I love to do.... Find old grungy, discarded items and make them neat and interesting!

 So I cleaned that baby up. Sprayed with a clear coat as not to damage anyone's clothing...added a few jeweled letters and a suede cord & silver finding...and...

 Voila! A piece of Found Item Art.

No I understand that this isn't everyone's thing... but it's mine. It's the way I help beautify this earth... one recycled item at a time.

That Girl, Ang

ALERT: One Of a Kind Necklace Contest IS OVER!

THE CONTEST IS OVER. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RESULT. THANK YOU FOR JOINING IN!

WHERE? On my other blog Usable Art!

WHY? Because I want to:

1.) Introduce my blog Usable Art for Sale! It's a way to share my collections & creations.

2.) Introduce my Mission: Adorning life with jewels of the past & treasures of what's lost and found: Upcycled Art, Accessories, Housewares, Vintage and much more!

Come Join The Fun! Please tell your friends!

All the best!

That Girl, Ang

Reversible Remixed Jewels

I call them reversible because I made them large enough to slip over (the average sized) head LOL - they are about 32" so it shouldn't be a problem.... Anywho, since there is no clasp the necklaces may be turned to adjust the design to your liking.

I'm having so much fun making jewelry that my larger projects are getting jealous! I gotta get back to them. Yikes, I have a show this October!

PLEASE CHECK OUT :

Usable Art - A store page for my creations. Look out for the giveaway next week. I will pick a name from a hat. All you have to do for an entry is leave a comment on the giveaway page post and become a follower!

Keep on Truckin' Earrings!

What do you get when you pair Swarovski crystal beads, sterling silver findings and vintage Hess Truck toy tires? Great pair of Truckin' earrings! The 1st pair I made was couple years ago...after thinking about them for quite some time. I sold them at a show to a man who's niece was turning 13...and who's father a collector of Hess Trucks.... Uh-oh.. Hope they didn't cause a problem.

Well if there are any purest out there.. please note my dad always bought 2 trucks for my kids... one to store...and another to destroy..through play. I couldn't bare to through them away..... so I came up with this idea after thinking about my childhood tire swing. LOL Enjoy your memories!

Swarovski Capri Blue and Garnet Hearts!

Topaz and Siam...

More Topaz and Peridot.

Have you ever used toys in you junk revamps? Add a little fun to your ventures.... After all... if it's not fun... Then why do it?

That Girl, Ang

PS - These may be purchase at my etsy store.

Remixed Jewelry - Upcycle Recycle Style

I've been busy making jewelry over the past week. They were refashioned out of beads, vintage jewelry, liquors labels, belts, purse chains, skeleton key part, and key hole plate. The most unique part was my use of a destroyed vintage Christian Dior suitcase. I call these pieces REMIXED...as I redesign the findings for a unique outcome.

Please enjoy!

The Bourbon Street Necklace. I paired beads, a birdie charm, a metal liquor label and crystal lettering to make this goreous piece. The chain is from a vintage Art Deco purse clasp (the purse part had been removed).

The Elegant Long Black Velvet Purse Necklace. The tiny purse from the doll section of the craft store was paired with a very long vintage necklace. This is quite the conversation piece; simple yet elegant.

Two of my favorite; The Key Part Necklace and the matching Key Plate Bracelet. The necklace was fashioned out of 2 vintage necklaces. I added a skeleton key part and chandelier crystals. The bracelet is a mixture of 2 necklaces, (one of which was used in the previous design) a keyhole plate and a bead. Many common everyday items can be transformed into beautiful pieces of art.

This is one of my most unique pieces of work. Iwas created using 5 different parts. I used 2 non matching chains (one is beaded), a barrette, an earring and a bead. I love how it all works together.

Finally, I made my 1st bib necklace. I call it the Floral Bibster. It's base is made from the Dior bag I cut up (only after it was alread maimed), silk flowerers, rhinstones from a broken vintage bracelet, velvet ribbons and a very eighties gold chain belt. The final reulst is a cute lightweight necklace.

Just for kicks I created this piece for the love of Jimmy Fallon's song.. "The Jet Blue Song: The Ballad of Steven Slater". I don't condone what the former Jet Blue Flight Attendant did... but the song was funny as heck! LOL HIS & HERS "get two beers and jump" Resin Necklaces.

Although I LOVE to create.. these items are for sale as well. Please check out my byABPryor Etsy Store.... or my new blog Usable Art for Sale! for unique, fun gifts! Thanks

That girl, Ang

J is for Junk! Now selling my JUNK on my Usable Art blogspot!!!

I have a few things for sale now... so please visit me here.

USABLE ART

and in my Etsy Store.....Usable Art byABPryor

Thanks so much for your support!

That Girl, Ang

Sparkling Glove Creativity - Michael Jackson Tribute Art Honors His Iconic Glitter Glove (GALLERY)

Sparkling Glove Creativity - Michael Jackson Tribute Art Honors His Iconic Glitter Glove (GALLERY)


Look! my Glove was featured in TrendHunter online magazine!


Ang

C is for Canvas

Here are a few canvas projects I've done... 2 new & 1 old. The new were blank, pre-stretched canvases that I purchased from the local craft store. I was inspired by this project from Shelley Hitt of Baton Rouge, La. a featured artist on Crafters Coast to Coast (now That's Clever).



The last was an effort to save the art covering the vintage stretchers I wanted to use. I couldn't throw the art out... after all, Art is ART! So I glued them to my garbage can. My can is now beautified & I haven't trashed a piece of art work. Plus I can spot my can a mile a way.. Now how is that for personalization! As I get more old stretchers, I will continue to glue the artwork around my can and whatever else I deem worthy... a sort of tramp art if you will...



Hope you enjoy.

That Girl,
Ang

B is for Bracelets, Bracelets and even more Bracelets

Today's showcase feature bracelets made of brass drawer labels, vintage jewelry, crystal lettering and scraps from a vintage Dior bag....





I plan to post these in my Etsy store soon if you are interested. The proceeds from the Pink Ribbon Bracelet will be donated to my girlfriend who is walking in the Avon 3Day Walk honoring her mom, aunt & grandmother.

Thanks,
That Girl,
Ang