Merry Meet and Merry Part, and Merry Meet again

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Projects


The last few weeks I have been gathering plants for drying and pressing. The pretty little plant press pictured here was a gift. I am enjoying the use of it, with its papers, boards and idea book for using pressed flowers and leaves. Normally, I use old telephone books for pressing, which work very well. Pressed plants are great for accenting letters (if anyone writes letters these days, that is!), making art for framing, framing under glass, decorating journals, grimoires, books of shadows, invitations....the uses are many. It is a soothing and creative practice. Old-fashioned, yes but an art that should be kept alive and well in these techno-crazed times. It is a satisfying way, too, of preserving memories of gardens past.




This photo shows my little Goddess necklace. I found this at a Medieval Faire last year. Handmade out of wood, it is hollow and filled with little bits of a (unknown) hard substance so when you shake it, it makes a soft rattling sound. I shake it to raise energy, sometimes during meditation, spellwork or sitting on my porch glider and want to send out some positive energy into the Universe. My project for this is to find some embellishments to attach which will make it an appropriate amulet. Searching for tiny items, charging them and putting it together will be most rewarding and, I think, a powerful, protective charm.

With October just a few days away, I am, like many of the bloggers I follow, looking forward to autumn crafting. Ideas are twirling around in my head, and this season is truly the one that inspires numerous creative pursuits. Hopefully, I will have some interesting things to show-and-tell about. I can't wait to read other bloggers' posts and see their artful endeavors.

Glass magnets with pressed leaves( image credit)
Bright Blessings! Enjoy the day!

8 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Sometimes the old-fashioned ways of making art are very meditative and soothing. They require attention and mindfulness.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

I adore pressed flowers. The treasure of beauty captured forever is very powerful. I recently gleened through some vintage books I bought several years ago for crafting and found between the pages of one some gorgeous purple blossoms. What a lovely surprise it was.
Oma Linda

mxtodis123 said...

I absolutely 'love' those leaf magnets. I used to love crafting, but as my eyesight has gotten worse and my job takes so much out of me, I no longer do it. Perhaps in my new place I will once again feel like doing those things I once enjoyed.
Mary

Sandy Sandy Art said...

A nice hobby. Looking forward to seeing your creations!

Anonymous said...

I remember those old flower/leaf press machines we had at school, we could always see them in the class room but were ´never allowed to use them :-) I wonder if the teachers saw them as theirs :-) :-)

I do like the bottom photo, must see if I can find anything like those over here.

I like the necklace. Over here people mostly have the hammer of Thor hanging around their necks.

Have a great day!
Christer.

Lady Caer Morganna said...

I have always loved making crafts and working with my hands. There is noting more special than handmade decorations. I personally love to make seasonal wteaths. They are easy and relatively inexpensive.

Blessings,

Kim

Magic Love Crow said...

I love pressing flowers, leaves, etc. An, old art, that should be kept alive! Your little Goddess necklace is precious! Love it! Should be fun embellishing it ;o) The leaf magnets look great! Have a fantastic day!

Jeanne said...

I've always enjoyed pressing flowers. And leaves. I used to collect and press flowers from the many places I have journeyed. But have always had problems with the colors fading over time...
I love those magnets! They would be great as paperweights as well. Wonder if a person could make these using a clear epoxy acrylic instead of glass....