The Blog Bogs.....Tryin' to Solve My Bloggin' Blues

It seems like at least once a week my computer does something, it seems all on its own, to sharpen my somewhat weak computer non skills. VERY FRUSTRATING. Though I should be proud of myself for defeating what my computer does to me~I just feel exhausted and behind schedule. So for entertainment and to think my way out of whatever I am trying to solve~I take employee #1 out of her penthouse apartment and ask for advice (it is always, give me kisses and everything will be okay, yes she is an optimist!)

SO.......Today I start listing vintage destash, silk ties, vintage fabrics and other goodies along with my hand marbled feathers at www.QuillnAros.etsy.com, I think it will be a good combination. We shall see, so here is a preview of what I am listing today.

vintage keys, skeleton and otherwise!

Mesh bronze roses from the 80's NYC

Hand Marbled African Grey Parrot Feathers, Permanent Waterproof Metallic Paints

 

Vintage Destash, Buttons, Bows, Silk Ties and Beautiful Textiles Added to Hand Marbled Feathers

I have two shops. One, of course, QuillnAros~my hand marbled feathers. This shop is supply, but I have a vintage shop where I sell the treasures I have collected over this many years.  Not only beautiful and one of a kind clothing, but jewelry, many many vintage handbags (that are new or gently preused)~just all sorts of yummy textiles, vintage silk ties etc. My vintage shop www.screechOwlVintage.etsy.com has a combo of wearable vintage and supply vintage so....

I decided perhaps I would move my vintage destash and supplies over to www.QuillnAros.etsy.com and offer a mixture of "supplies" for the milliners, altered arters, jewelry makers~well you get the idea! Hey, we will see what happens. Whatever does happen, my textiles, buttons and all yummy things are pieces you won't find any where else. Here's a little sampling. Meanwhile, I will start stockin' the shop.

Hawk Note Card from QuillnAros

Just finished making a notecard from a water color painting I did~This is one of my favorite paintings. I am hoping when the marbled feathers start having a successful journey, I can step back to painting as well as marbling parrots feathers.

     There are 9 other note cards in my shop at www.QuillnAros.etsy.com . The front of the note cards have images of my marbled feathers with a quotation. All are blank on the inside. 

Dark Secrets of a Marblin' Momma

I debated delving into this subject, because this year became the year that my phoenix is out of it's Pandora's box. When I moved into this house, it was me, the birds and my print shop in the attached garage. My print shop consisted of a Vandercook SP-15 proof press, 6,000 lbs of antique and modern metal type (letterpress), all the wood furniture and lead spacers and everything one would need to print all sorts of beautiful and lovely things. Printing with metal type was the reason I learned to make Japanese and Western handmade paper. This story will probably stretch over the next couple of days, I don't want to bore anyone with a long dissertation! The reason I am talking about it is that I feel like there are many artists who create their work in corners and basements and whatever spaces are left over from daily family life. I have pictures that I took and happily there will be an AFTER to my BEFORE.........so I think this is an incentive for me to restore my space. Unfortunately I never thought to take before pictures when my print shop was perfect. So I guess you could say I am starting backwards. What you are looking at is the garage and type shop now.

(let me say, after being buried by my husband stuff when he moved in~he is now HAPPILY with the program, besides the bull whip I have behind my back.

See that blue tarp? That is my printing press. More to come.....

This is one of 3 type cases (yes filled with type!)

From Marbled Feathers to Baseball

I have been reading books on tape for 25 years. This way of ingesting books has been a life saver for me. I grew up practically living in the library, but as life became more complicated I couldn't sit in a chair (anywhere) and read. When I discovered books on tape, I could read and not be tied to a chair. This opened a whole new world of sanity for me. My beloved books and the ability to read while working with my hands.

I started a Grisham book called Calico Joe which is all about baseball and a particular fictional player that existed in the 1970's. Grisham uses the real names of all the surrounding characters involved in baseball~announcers, Cubs, White Sox, Mets etc. I suddenly realized that my dad loved listening or watching the ballgames whenever he could (or was allowed). I remember that he would take my sister and I to Kaminsky park when he could, but he must have watched and listened to the games quite often.

He worked 6-1/2 days a week, he was such a gentle and quiet person. He died at the age of 59. I am always so incredibly grateful when I have a memory pop up about how much our father included us  whenever he could. A beautifiul and warm memory!

Today I am listing more of my marbled feathers. www.QuillnAros.etsy.com/ and also I will show you some of the natural parrot feathers that I am including as companionable feathers for a set.
Please visit on facebook and friend me http://facebook.com/QuillnAros . I would love to hear from you!

I am have a problem uploading photos right now~so I am off to find out what the heck is going on!

The Arc of a Marbled Swan Feather

I have been experimenting with a curling iron and making a gentle arc in one of my marbled swan feathers. Low heat, and slowly traveling up the spine. The swan feather is the thickest spine by far and it works!
I bought this hat when I was living in New York City. On Saturdays and Sundays artists would place their work on blankets and tables all along the sidewalk. It was the BEST fun for sure.