It all started with a welder on Valentine's Day
Easily inspired by the every day, I was struggling with a roll of cast-away electric fence wire. I had the idea, the motive, but the means was eluding me. My husband, the mechanic, supplied me with a soldering iron and some solder. I was giddy while piecing together an elaborate butterfly, covered with lacy curlicues, intricate eyelets, bits of chain and an old votive cup, I had created the most awesome candle holder from trash. A coat of Rustoleum to beautify and protect my beauty from the elements, I was determined to debut my creation that night on the patio, lit for all to see by a single votive candle.
The ambiance was indeed set. The light from the flame cast fantastic fluttery shadows on the walls of the house. My guests were excited with the effect as we sipped our adult beverages in triumph...that is, until the candle warmed the solder and the entire piece came crashing to the ground in a pile of twisted bits and broken glass.
I cried. But after a good healthy tantrum, I brainstormed and filed away ideas that would make this project a success. A few months later, my husband presented me with a large box wrapped ever so lovingly in a black lawn-and-leaf bag. My Valentine. Inside was my very own wire-feed welder with a spanking new roll of wire. The next few days were spent learning how to control the weld, to make it strong without blowing apart my project pieces. I was the happiest girl alive. A diamond could not have thrilled me more. With this knowledge, my sculpture became a reality and bird feeders, wind chimes, plant stakes, votive holders and even grave markers were being made from used electric fences.
Soon after that, I was gifted a beautiful kiln from my wonderful Auntie, a former doll maker, which my husband wired in and set up for me. With that, I took up glass slumping, making various things from wine bottles, glasses, and mason jars.
It was then that I created my shop. I find inspiration is so many things, its hard to tailor my Etsy to just one product, preferring to just let my ADD take me where it wants. Since then I have fallen in love with the victorian, the steampunk, the mourning tradition and accessories. I belong to a wild west cosplay-type group who delight in period clothing and who participate in sharpshooting contests using period weaponry all set in a replicated 1800's Western Town. It was here that I took up collecting spent rounds. Bullets that could no longer be reloaded due to overuse or damage. Again, something destined to the trash. Something rebellious, taboo, an object representing violence and destruction, carved, cut, shaped and formed into something amazing, beautiful, peaceful and completely unique. Every piece is loved. I don't share it if I am not in love with it. Whether its feathers, seashells, soda cans, bullets, wire, or glass, if it's been cast away, it's an object of inspiration to me.
