I need your help!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far! I wanted to pass on to you that I entered the The Art of ReUse Contest and I need your help. Please see my entry here and vote. You do have to register to place a vote, but they are making it worth your while - they will enter you for a chance to win a $500 Etsy shopping spree. Totally worth it! So please while you surfing the web this weekend, stop over, register and cast your vote!! Thank you!!

An Obsession

I wanted to let you all into a previous phase in my creating and art work. For several years I was obsessed with making what I called my Rollies. I would take old magazine pages and create paper beads. Hundreds and thousands of them and then attach them to canvases. Mostly creating abstract color fields.

After the series of color fields I began trying to create images or forms in the design of the rollies. I was completely obsessed and could not create or make anything at the time I was making my rollies. I loved the repetitive nature of creating the beads. I could still watch tv and movies and continue creating all the while. I would stay up way too late and wake early with the nagging feeling that I had to get back to work. I lived and breathed my rollies for almost 2 complete years. During this time I had a two person show at a here in Santa Fe and entered pieces into 2 juried art shows.

I could never imagine my life without my rollies. I just figured my obsessive compulsive rollies would always be a part of my life. But unfortunately, as life loves to do, things changed. To date, I haven't touched my rollies in almost 1 1/2 years. Not a one. I went from making 45 pieces in a year to two pieces one year then one piece the next and now nothing. I do miss creating them, they were such a calming thing for me, a meditation. I have several hanging on my walls in my apartment and look at them every day wondering if I will pick it back up again. I hope to, no, I will.

Happy Monday - My Qwest to De-clutter

Out of clutter, find simplicity. -Albert Einstein

As you all may be aware of by now, I'm a packrat. Last year I tried a 30 day challenge of de-cluttering by getting rid of one thing a day for 30 days. I don't think it lasted but two weeks, but that was 14 things gone!! A friend spoke of the 30 Day Minimalist Challenge on Facebook so I figured I'd give it another go.

Day 1 - Old jars that I filled with Hot Chocolate Mix and gifted to friends.

Day 2 - An orchid that didn't quite make it...

Day 3 - Pair of boots that will be donated to the Goodwill.

Marang Studios NOW OPEN

Today is the day!! My new Etsy shop is now open - Marang Studios. Come see my new items and browse the shop. New items will be listed over the next few days so please make sure to come back often!

Did You Guess??

Ok, so here's the final piece! A fun little accent pillow make from all re-purposed materials!! Did you guess correctly??

On SALE Now at Marang Studios

Hurry! These items have just been listed on sale!! 25% off, so hurry and get 'em while they last!! Click on the images to be taken to Marang Studios.

Can You Guess??

I am in the middle of a new project and creation and am SO excited to get it finished that I almosted stayed up all night just to complete it!! I really hope it turns out the way I have it pictured in my head. I wanted to give you all a sneak peak! Hint - You will want to throw it around your casual couch.

Can you guess what I'm making? I know, the pics don't give it away much... but let me know what you think!

Carnations - Did You Know?

I began making my Carnation Flower Pins 3 years ago (I can't believe it's been that long!!) and have now expanded to Chrysanthemums, daisies, Forget-Me-Nots, completely abstract and unique flowers and several more. But my favorites still have to be where it all started - the Carnations.

Did you know...
A dark red carnation denotes deep love and affection.


A pink carnation is a symbol of a mother's undying love.


A striped (variegated) carnation symbolize regret that a love cannot be shared.


See more Fun Flower Facts in some of the listings in my shop.

I'm not feeling too well this morning. A little slow to get started into my last day of the work week. I wanted to share with you all a few things I have been working on (and currently obsessing over). Making my Rosette Necklaces.

Cute Hoops

In my blog surfing today I came across this cute tutorial for a jewelry holder from scrap fabric and lace and an embroidery hoop. I am definitely running home to make this tonight!!

Check out Table Calendar's blog post here.

I'm Dreaming

I've always loved great design and functional art. After my post on chairs and the How To Recover a Chair Seat, I've been thinking a lot about refurbishing, reupholstering and recycling furniture. It's a dream, I know. But I would love a little shop where I recovered, recreated and found new lives for old, tired furniture.

Etsy recently had a great post and video about Process: Upholstering with Sprucehome. Check it out here. It just made the itch grow stronger! Maybe one day..... for now, I will keep doing pieces for myself and learning. And sometimes it just feels good to dream.

Get 'em quick!!

These items at my Etsy site will be expiring soon may or may not be making an appearance for some time. So get them QUICK!!!




1. Carnation Flower Pin - Navy with Gold Dots - Recycled T-shirt - $7.50
2. Winter Lace - Crocheted Granny Square Scarf - $25
3. Circus Act - Crocheted Carnation Pin - $14
4. Valentines Scarf - Striped - $25

Clutter Creations

I have a.... hmmmm, issue, problem - weakness (that's it!) for clutter. Even though it may not seem like it to some, I do try to be neat, it just doesn't work a lot of times. It is a strong family trait we all have for hoarding. I know exactly where everything is. No matter how deep in the pile, or exaclty which pile. Now, mind you, I am NOT one of those people who have piles to the ceilings or rooms that are not even accessable.

I have been trying very had the last few months to use things I have, rather than buy something new. It's been working, slowly. But I have a lot of things to get through and use!! I will not bother you with images of my clutter - I've done that once already. Anyway, here are some of the creations I've been working on, using all my clutter and stuff.

Not your typical.....

I wanted to show you that my pins and brooches aren't your typical. Yes, you can wear them as always, on your lapel. But these can be worn and placed in so many fun places!! Just take a look!

Wednesday Wonders 2.24.10 - Newspapers

Today's wonderment comes from artwork and creations made of newspapers. Enjoy!

Wednesday's Wonders

My new weekly feature of creations and things that just spark my interest, amazement and wonder! This is what I found today - all things made with my favorite medium - magazines. These are amazing - I need to sit down! oh my....

New at Marang97

I've been thinking of other accessories that can be made from reclaimed fabrics and old t-shirts. Here is what I came up with.

What do you think? What's you latest and greatest??