Fairy Dresses - Alice Stroppel
I made these fairy dress slides for an exchange that was canceled but is going to take place next year at this same time. I had them all made and needed to just put them away and I’d be set. HA! I knew I wouldn’t be able to wait a whole year to post them, I also knew that by next year there would be something else I wanted to make for the exchange.
These dresses are 1 1/2″ x 1″ and are so much fun to make, I couldn’t stop. Good use of small bits of canes, even a Stroppel Cane or two thrown in.
I almost made it though, I put them away and haven’t thought of them for several weeks. Then the other day I was cleaning out a box full of “stuff” and in the bottom of the box was a bunch of 1″ x 1″ wooden blocks. I saved the blocks thinking… as always… that I might be able to use them for something… someday. You know how that is don’t you?
Well, I know you will find this hard to believe, I was shocked, but I actually did think of something to use them for in a very timely manner and while I still knew where they were.
I have been trying for a couple of years to figure out a way to display some of my items as well as some of my swap items. I have pins and masks and inchies that are little works of art. I want to look at them, not just put them away. Some I’ve framed, the inchies were easy enough, but others posed more of a problem.
The pins and slides I have could not be glued down if I were ever going to wear them. The mini masks were all over the place as far as a flat back goes. Besides, really, each one is a fabulous little art piece.
I painted the blocks black, drilled a hole in the center of the top, glued a piece of thick wire in the hole and tada…a stand for whatever. With the dresses, there is a hole drilled from side to side allowing it to “slide” onto a steal cable necklace. I simply drilled a hole in the bottom of the dress so it could now slide onto the wire in the cube. It won’t be glued so that it can be removed and “slide” back onto the necklace. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me.
I had this white block lying around and thought it would look cool to have a grouping. So you see, this idea is limitless.
Of course I can’t stop there. I did the same thing to this Stroppel Cane sweater girl slide.
Then there are the single beads below, all of which can be worn as just a single bead or in groups.
Or how about a whole set of matching beads? One minute they are mini graphic sculptures and the next you’re wearing them out to dinner.
Just slide them off the wire and slide them onto the necklace. Fun, fun for sure.
I think it’s a great way to display pins as well, just slide the closed pin back over the wire.
Okay, enough for today. My head is full of more ideas. Let me know if you do something like this, I’d love to see.
Love these little dresses on the stands. Really good idea
These are utterly adorable. I could see them being a great collectible. Your sense of fun and colour and such a pleasure. I also like the innovative way you display these pieces.
Hi Joan and Deborah, thank you both for taking the time to let me know you like them!
That is a great display idea, Alice. We could even embellish blocks with scrap clay, metallic powders and or stamps! Thanks for sharing, and love the dresses!
Thanks for sharing this idea Alice, it’s got so much potential. Look forward to seeing more of your great ideas.
I’m happy to share Joan. I’m glad you like the idea, and yes another way to use clay as well. Thanks so much.
Hi Carol, thanks. I agree the possibilities are endless, my brain hurts from them all. lol
this is such a great idea! i absolutely love it!!!
thanks Suzanne, you can use this idea for all kinds of things.
Alice, you are soooo clever and creative. Thanks for charing.
I still have you in mind for a workshop in England, but it won’t be 2013.
You’re welcome Coby. I’ll love to teach for your guild whenever it happens. Thanks so much!
Hi Alice, I have been busy away from Facebook over the past few days so only just found this very clever use of the blocks! I really like the idea of having beads as artwork !!! Thanks for sharing your wonderfully creative ideas with us
Hi Chris, I’m glad, I think some of the beads I’ve seen deserve to be seen when not around a neck. After all, how many times are you going to wear each necklace.
I’m working on other ways to display other pieces of jewelry.
Wecome back..days can seem like year here on the net…lol
Alice, soon you wil be scouring rubbish dumps like me looking for “display options”. I’ve found some great stuff. And even used some of it for display!
Wendy, I don’t have to go far..In fact I don’t even have to leave home. I have one of those room where if you go beyond the threshold you may never be seen again. I have “stuff” from the last thirty years in the craft bussiness. You would not believe…..
Oh Alice, again you have come up with an awesome idea. Those little fairy dresses are so precious !!! I was at Creative Journey Studios taking a Julie Eakes class this weekend and got to see all of your lovely things there on display. I wanted all of them. LOL Pictures on the Internet do not do them justice. Hugs
Oh good Donna, I bet you had a blast with Julie. So glad you got to see the fabulous Creative Journey Studios. Isn’t it so full of wonderful goodies? Thanks for the nice compliment Donna. It’s greatly appreciated.
Hello, Alice — I love your blog. I don’t often comment, but I’m there! I wonder if you could give me some advice. Our local Art Club is doing an event that involves painting on a 12″ square canvas that has its edges wrapped around a wood frame. Most members of the art club are painters, but I think it would be very cool to do a polymer clay collage on the canvas, like a collection of various colors and textures. Do you have any ideas about how I could attach the clay to the canvas? If I coated both clay and canvas with liquid clay, would the decorative layer stick? Or maybe I should cure individual components first and attach them with??? Rivets? Thread? I would appreciate any ideas you have! Thanks!
Marty, I know you,
I think you have thought this out pretty well. I have done all of the thing you suggest. I have covered the canvas with liquid clay,baked it and drew on it with pen and ink and markers then added slices of canes with more liquid clay. Just don’t make the clay layer very thick. I’ve attached clay components with wire and screws.
I’m working on hinges and mini screws right now.
Suzanne Ivester and I are publishing a magazine, the first issue will be about polymer clay wall art and I would love it if you end up doing something with clay and canvas, you’ll send me pictures. I just wish the issue was finished so you could see it now. It is full of fabulous artists and amazing art.
It sounds like so much fun, wish I was in your group. Have fun!
Thanks for your input, Alice. This sounds like an interesting challengs. I’ll start experimenting and see what I come up with. If I end up with something to submit to the Art Club, I’ll send you pictures. I’m eager to see the first issue of your magazine!
Me too Marty, me too, it’s a labor of love. Can’t wait to see what you do.
Alice! What a great display idea! I have the same issue with lots of little things from swaps and not wanting to relegate them to a drawer. Fantastic stuff! Love your work as always.
Thanks Jainnie, working on an attachment solution for those hard to show pieces. maybe velcro? don’t know, still thinking.
So glad you stopped in. See you soon I hope.
Oh Alice, you always inspire me! I would love to be able to display some of my beads and this idea would work for what I have in mind. Thank you for sharing!
Melody, that’s the greatest compliment. To think I can inspire someone…well that’s the best. You can choose thick or then wire…so most beads will work without having to drill a bigger hole. Really, thank you Melody.
Your ideas for cane scraps and displaying are fantastic! I had an idea. How about using scrap Mokame Gane for your little dresses? I may try this one day. Thanks
I bet they’d be darling. Thanks Connie.