Crafty Monday - Altered Art Keys

You ever had one of those days when you just couldn't get going...well besides being sick, today was one of those days. I have no ideas, no motivation and just want to lie in bed. So, for our crafting Monday, I dug up one of my blogs from another site to share with you today. So, here is an idea to reuse some of those old keys you have that you don't know where they came from or which lock they unlock.

One of the fashion icons this season is keys used as charms or pendants. Some of them were created for that use out of silver or pewter and others have been altered from original keys or old antique keys. Here is a fun tutorial on creating altered art keys. Thanks to Images by Kim (Kim Newberg) for posting this fun idea on re-using discarded items such as keys.

www.squidoo.com/embellishedkeys

Paper Cuts

Our City Arts magazine featured local artist Nikki McClure in their January 2009 issue. Nikki is a self taught artist making calendars and illustrating children’s books for ten years. Her art is in using an X-Acto knife and paper, cutting images of everyday life. Nikki indicates in the interview that "My work is very much based in reality. I’m not one to draw my dreams or anything. Its kinda nature porn." I find inspiration in some of the simple images of trees, leaves and children. Art is everywhere and in all communities we only have to look for it. Find your inspiration and absorb art.

If you would like to read about Nikki and her rise from punk performer with Nirvana to artist and book illustrator, please visit her web site. http://www.nikkimcclure.com/. I find the simple images reassuring.

My friend, we will call her J..., just loves crows and Nikki's work reminds me of her. This one's for you...caw. caw..