Peppy's Dream Crafts Blog

After working with Stacie on her video submission for the MY GRAMMY MOMENT contest, I knew I had to create something to commemorate her accomplishment.  Her lip sync video to I KISSED A GIRL made it to the TOP 10 and a few seconds were actually shown on the 2009 GRAMMY AWARDS!

Since Stacie borrowed my vintage leopard shawl to wear in the video, and since Katy Perry LOVES vintage and since I LOVE leopard, I decided to decorate it with lots of leopard and other animal prints.  I am proud to say that no animals were harmed in the making of this binder!

Since Katy Perry is so hot right now, I was able to find pictures of her in various magazines, which I cut out and used on the binder.  I also used a flyer I made up to post wherever possible, asking people to vote for her.

My friend Jimmy may recognize the girl's mouth in the heart-shaped cut-out, which was part of a paper mask advertising a club.  We were walking in Pacific Beach one day after breakfast and started seeing these on cars and on the ground.  Being the crazy recycler that I am, i started picking them up.  These masks had eyes and a mouth that popped out, so you could actually wear the mask if you wanted.  Otherwise, if you wanted to hang up the mask as a decoration, it had a beautiful woman's face with glamorous eyes and the cute mouth with the tongue sticking out.  I knew I'd get to use it someday -- and this was the perfect occasion, since part of the lyrics refer to "the taste of her cherry Chapstick!"

I never decoupaged a binder before, but I am very happy with the results and think it is a great way to personalize something that could then be filled with scrapbooking, or just printed memorabilia -- in this case all the positive emails Stacie received on her performance!

I hope she is as happy with it as I am!

My friends, Elsa and Stephen, went on a month-long trip through Europe last fall, visiting Germany, Spain and Italy.

When they came back Elsa showed me the wonderful photographs they had taken, which captured the beauty of the places they had visited, and the many adventures they had while they were there. 

Besides photos, they had lots of other great memorabilia, including maps, business cards, ticket stubs, and brochures from the various places they had traveled.  I told her I wanted to make a decoupaged collage for her and Stephen using that memorabilia combined with photos.

I had a beautiful frame that just had a generic picture behind glass.  I took the picture and decoupaged right over it and then varnished it before putting it back in the frame with the glass on top to protect it.

Now, besides framing their favorite photos, they will also be able to easily look at the other ephemera that will instantly remind them of their great European Adventure!

Kristin is a lovely girl who got engaged last fall to a great guy -- Derick!  She had seen my website and saw some of the decoupaged boxes I have created.  She was interested in having me make a box in which to keep the memorabilia she and Derick have been collecting -- ticket stubs, photos, and other memories of their engagement.

She provided me with the box and color copies of photos, plus lots of pieces of memorabilia, including the invitation to their engagement party, lottery tickets, etc., which I color copied, so I could use the originals and the copies to cover the box.

When the box was completed I added ball feet and then lined the inside with black velvet.  Now, Kristin and Derick will have their memories on display for all to see, and will be able to keep more memories inside!

My friend Marlene commissioned me to take a mirror she owned and use all the big, glitzy, sparkly, fabulous '80s earrings she no longer wears to create something that would be decorative, but would also provoke a lot of great memories.

She and her boyfriend, Chris, brought over the mirror and a big aluminum pan filled with her '80s earrings.  They brought back memories for me, too, because I had a lot of earrings just like it, but I got rid of mine a long time ago.

Most of Marlene's earrings were very expensive, hand-made, signed by the artist, and were really beautiful and fabulous, but they are not likely to come back in style (okay, maybe -- but who knows?).  Anyway, even though they ARE showing big earrings for 2009, they're different and the '80s ones would look, well, '80s!  There were also a few '80s pins thrown in.  I know you girls all remember the profile face pins (I used three on this mirror) adorned with fur, fabric and feathers!

So, Marlene decided she wanted me to make something that she could enjoy, but that would also provide good memories for her and her children, Chaz and Buddy.  I enjoyed every minute of this construction, because the materials were so much fun -- tons of rhinestones, crystals, and beads -- but also because Marlene is so sweet and beautiful that she truly inspires me.

Since I wasn't working and didn't have much to do before the holidays, I worked on it extensively and managed to finish it in just over a week.  Okay, my back was killing me (because I do most of the work standing up and leaning over a table), but I still loved it and was so pleased with the results.

One of the reasons that I was in such a hurry to finish it is that Marlene lives north of San Diego, and I was going to my cousin's Bar Mitzvah in Los Angeles on December 20th.  I knew if I was able to finish it in time I could deliver it to her and save her and Chris the trip down to San Diego!

I did deliver it and got to see their lovely apartment, and all the pieces she has purchased from me, displayed so beautifully.  I also got to meet her son, Buddy, for the first time and promptly fell in love with him.  He's gorgeous, sweet, and funny.  Okay, so he's 26 and I'm married, I can dream, can't I?

Here's a picture of Marlene (my inspiration) and Buddy (my crush).  Enjoy!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

After creating the bejeweled hand mirror for Marlene, she commissioned me to make some more pieces, including a hand mirror and tray for her daughter, who owns a yoga studio in California.  I love doing pieces like this, because I am creating something around a theme specifically for someone.  I'm taking something they are passionate about and making it into art!

As you can see, this mirror, made of Ivory Pyralin (an early plastic that looked like ivory), had seen better days -- but who can blame it when it's almost 100 years old!  Remarkably, the mirror itself was in excellent condition. What I love about it is it was made in the early 1900s, and has lasted all these years, but no one wanted it because it was so ugly looking.  I used paper to beautify it and give it a new lease on life!

Same story with this yoga tray (which I photographed after I glued the first picture on!).  It's from the same period -- early 1900s -- and will now look beautiful for a long, long time!

Here's an ad I found for a set that resembles this very closely.  I guess when they were new they looked like ivory and were quite beautiful, but they stain and discolor and don't have the same appeal.

I had a great time with these pieces, partly because I am a huge fan of yoga.  I only wish I lived close enough to her studio to go and take classes there!

Besides the yoga tray and mirror, I had made another hand mirror for Marlene, this one with a butterfly theme, which I have already shown on the last entry of this crafts blog.

Marlene was interested in some other pieces, which I completed months ago and which were on consignment at GILI ANNA'S beautiful shop in La Jolla.  Marlene had seen them on this crafts blog and told me she was interested, so I picked them up from Gili and brought them home.

Last night, Marlene made another trip with her boyfriend, Chris, and visited me to pick up my latest creations, and the pieces she saw which I got from Gili.

She ended up buying two of my absolute favorites -- the bejeweled tissue box and the bejeweled mirrored tray.  I put my heart and soul into those pieces and I'm so glad they went to someone as beautiful, sweet and inspirational as Marlene.

Marlene is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.  She always has something positive to say -- whether it's on the phone, in an email, or when she comes to visit.  She brightens the room when she enters.

I also love her, because she's a "glitzy glamour girl" -- just like me.  She loves to sparkle and shine and that she does -- so beautifully!

I am thrilled that she is so happy with all her purchases and I hope her daughter loves the yoga mirror and tray, too!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

This is how this mirror looked when I started.  It had a fabric cover, but it had been water stained, so it wasn't looking that great.  By removing the plastic cover and the fabric I was able to decoupage right on the cardboard covering the mirror!  A few coats of varnish and -- voila!

Sometimes I'm completely inspired by someone because of their enthusiasm and appreciation of my work.  When someone loves what you do, you want to create something fabulous for them.  So it was with Marlene. 

She found my website when searching for a replacement for her broken vintage hand mirror.  She loved my jewelry mosaics and commissioned me to make her one with gold and purple, which I did. 

I had another hand mirror and she asked me to decoupage it with butterflies.  I was so inspired by her enthusiasm when she saw the bejeweled mirror that I started working the next day and finished it last night.

I love working with butterflies, as they are a favorite subject matter for me, too.  My mother always loved butterflies and several years ago I made her a butterfly vase. I also made one for my friend, Liz, who also adores butterflies.

Liz's Butterfly Vase

This was such a small surface that I had to pick and choose my butterflies so carefully.  I think it's beautiful and I hope you think so, too!

Sunday, October 26, 2008 

I am so happy, because Marlene found my website when she was looking for a replacement for a broken hand mirror.  She commissioned me to bejewel one for her, using purples and golds. 

Before I bejeweled this hand mirror, it was pretty, but nothing special.  It also showed a lot of wear and tear.

Marlene wanted to replace a broken hand mirror and asked for purples and golds.  I think this is now fit for royalty!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

A friend at work gave me a lovely bouquet of flowers when I moved from one department to the other.  It was so sweet and I so appreciated the gesture.  I asked her where she got the vase and she told me she found it in the kitchen on our floor (there are two small kitchens on each floor in our office, where people can keep their lunch in the fridge, wash a dish, and microwave food.  The vase (pictured below) was one of those plain, clear glass vases you get when you order flowers.  I told her to thank her for her gift I was going to decoupage the vase for her.  I've been teaching some decoupage basics at work, and Laura was one of my most interested students!  She was thrilled.

I told her she could pick out any theme and she picked flowers.  I brought in all the paper cuttings I have of flowers and she picked out all the pictures she liked.

Here's the result!

It took me so long to get started, but I finished the vase over a 2 day period and Eric varnished it for a few days, and I was finally ready to bring it to work to give to my friend. 

Just between us, it’s not my best work, because when you make something custom for someone you have to do what they want and it might be something you wouldn’t necessarily do.

She wanted these vines on the vase, and I didn’t like how they looked and probably shouldn’t have used them and just told her, but I was afraid to disappoint her, so I used them and I don’t like how it came out.  It’s not horrible but, like I said, it’s not my best work.

Anyway, it’s a good thing it’s a gift, because if she was paying for it I’d be riddled with guilt!!  I worry so much about how someone will like something I’ve made, which I guess happens with every artist.  You always wonder how your audience will react, whether it’s a song, a photograph, a painting, or a vase.

Luckily, she absolutely loved it and proudly showed it off to many of her co-workers.  I was so happy!  I hope she will treasure it and use it whenever she is lucky enough to receive fresh flowers!

Saturday, April 26, 2008 

I did my first key frame about a month ago and my friends Katie and Susan both fell in love with it.  Since Katie expressed an interest first, I sold it to her and told Susan I would make one for her.  She actually wanted it to give as a gift.  I worked on it over the course of a couple of days and kept thinking it wasn't coming out as well as the first.  I'm finally done, and I think it looks great, but I'll let you be the judge!

The lovely Art Deco MASONIC HALL on Utah Street in North Park, San Diego!

It was supposed to rain today, so I was happy and relieved to see that it was a beautiful, sunny day.  I think it really would have been bad for business, but we had nothing to fear.  The SPRING LINE-UP by the NORTH PARK CRAFT MAFIA was a HUGE success.  Over 800 people perused the 60 vendor tables selling fabulous crafts of every type you can possibly imagine.  I was so impressed by the variety and quality of the crafts being sold.  I wish I could have photographed all the tables, but I did take some time before the show started to walk around and photograph those whose tables were ready!

Eric and I left the house a little after 10:00am and were there before 10:30am.  Unfortunately, they weren't ready for us, so all the vendors started unloading all their merchandise and were lining up outside the MASONIC HALL on UTAH STREET in NORTH PARK.

At 10:45am they let us in (that's the time they told us to arrive, but we were all early!).  They were so organized with different people signing in the vendors alphabetically by name of your company.  It worked so well and we moved so quickly that before long I was at my table -- ready to set up!  I was along a wall, which was great, since I brought my 3-panel screen, which I opened next to me, behind the table.  It really attracted the eye!

I spread out my beautiful red, bedazzled tablecloth with my enlarged business card border and set it up on the table.  Eric got a spot and came in to help me.  He was so great and put out all the pieces for me, while I repaired a piece that needed some hot glue.  When, I was all set up and ready to roll, Eric left.

I walked around the show, taking pictures, introducing myself, looking at all the fabulous merchandise and wishing I was there to shop, instead of to sell!  There were so many things that caught my eye!

Here's a picture of my favorite new artist -- Lisa of OLD CAKE PAINTINGS.  She's so talented and her artwork is so whimsical and fun. I think she should have a showing in an art gallery!  Her sister, Laura, was there with her gorgeous baby, Stella.  You'll see pictures of them later!

At noon they let the customers in.  Since they had promised free "swag bags" to the first 100 customers, there was a huge crowd outside.  Instantly, the place was PACKED.  It was so crowded that people actually had to wait to move down the rows of tables.  It turned out to be a good thing for the vendors, because people were forced to spend a minute or two in front of each table, before they could move on.  It was a traffic jam and we were all enjoying every minute!

This married duo of fantastic artists were amazingly talented and I'm SO mad that I don't have their information.  He was a great artist; she created beautiful purses, cell phone and IPOD cases.  Together, they were creative, innovative, and very much in love!

This is one of the wonderful paintings by this talented artist.  I am so sorry I forgot his name, but he was a lovely British import!  He said he liked my accent and I told him I didn't have an accent -- he did!

These girls were right across the aisle from me and sold great-looking pillows and purses!

Within 5 minutes I sold one of my decoupaged "maps and travel" mirrors.  I was so thrilled!  I thought to myself, "This is going to be great!"  I sold a second piece a half-hour later -- a small silver bejeweled photo frame.

This lovely artist, NEA WISEMAN (on the right, with her daughter) was sitting right to my left.  Her whimsical fairies, dragons and elves were made into paper puppets, coloring books and story books.  Her table was SO busy all day and she sold a lot of her beautiful artwork!  I was really attracted to her beautiful fairies, mermaids and elves.  They were so cute!

One of Nea Wiseman's whimsical characters!

These lovely vendors were also across the aisle from me and were selling delicious-smelling soaps.  They did very well, I think in part because their price point was very low, yet you were getting a high-quality, home-made soap that was luxurious yet practical!

There was plenty of entertainment.  They had belly dancers, who were fabulous, a fashion show, featuring fashions from some of the fabulous vendors and other local designers.  There were bands playing live, and a DJ mixing it up, in between sets.  DR. SKETCHY'S ANTI ART SCHOOL had "Art class...without the class."  They invited you to take a moment to challenge your sketching skills with gorgeous burlesque models!

This sweet young lady created fabulous cards for every occasion.  Hand-made and one-of-a-kind, they make a lovely gift!

There was a long lull between my second and third sales and I saw that other vendors weren't selling much either.  It seemed to me that people with a lower price point were able to get more sales, although they were making much less per sale.  People were just not willing to spend $50 or $75 for one item, so a lot of my merchandise was too high-end for the buyers.

This colorful woman had pieces that reminded me of my own!  She uses decoupage, paint, vintage frames, and other found objects to make gorgeous artwork and jewelry that really reflects her personality.  I was very drawn to her work.

They were selling wine, beer, coffee, tea, and other drinks, and gave us wrist bands for free drinks, but I thought it best that I sell with a clear head!  I got an iced tea and a piece of pound cake (okay, bad choice, but they didn't have much else!).

These two cuties produce fun hats and other accessories for children and child-like adults!

I friend from the office came and she was lucky number 99 on line, so she got a swag bag.  She showed me everything in there and it was a lot of cute little gifts.  Fun!

This artist had all sorts of fabulous pieces, but these really turned me on!

I did a lot of sitting and standing around until someone came and bought another of my decoupaged "maps and travel" mirrors.  I just had one left!  Then, a friend from my office came with her husband.  She fell in love with the small double mirror compact I had with the 1940s faux coral brooch on top and purchased it.  I was thrilled!  Not only did she take the time to come and see me and my work at the show, but she liked something enough to buy it!

This adorable diva creates fabulous custom-designed train cases with different fabrics, ranging from leopard to faux fur, and whimsical poodle designs.  Her company is ASIAN INVASION SALOON and I just fell in love with her logo!

My last sale of the day was my seashell and pearl mirror, which the woman said she wanted for her desk at home.  I thought that was a wonderful idea, since it's small and decorative, but will also serve a purpose when she needs to check her hair or lipstick!

This is the booth of DESIGNS DE LUNA selling gorgeous jewelry!

The show was over at 6:00pm, and I was exhausted and ready to pack everything up and go home.  Eric was going to meet me outside, so I quickly packed it all back up, and carried out as much as I could.  Eric packed the car while I went back and forth with all the boxes, the lamp, and the screen.  I said my goodbyes and got in the car.

Although neither of of these lovelies is called Shirley, their business is SHINDIG SHIRLEY and their business cards were in the shape of an old-fashioned book of matches.  So clever!  Their purses were even MORE fabulous!  Created entirely of gray duct tape, black electrical tape and applied flowers made of fabric and felt, the straps of their purses were made of bungee cords.  I'm so mad that the picture I took of the purses came out really blurry.  They were so great looking -- industrial, whimsical, practical and fashionable.  I just loved them and was so impressed by all their products.  They also sold CD holders and other products made of all recycled and repurposed materials.  FABULOUS!

It was such a great day and I had a lot of fun.  Everyone was so friendly and supportive and I really enjoyed the camaraderie and social aspects of the day.  I made a few friends, exchanged a few business cards, and got and gave a lot of compliments!

These are the beautiful pendants created by Nichole Moraila of MUCHA MUCHACHO fused glass jewelry.  My friend, Susan, went online to look at all the vendors who would be participating and fell in love with a pendant by MUCHA MUCHACHO.  She ordered it and had it shipped to her in New York!  Fantastic!

Okay, so here's the piece de resistance of the entire day.  The sweetest, most beautiful baby in all of San Diego.  Stella, who is just two months old!  Her Aunt Lisa is the artist who creates the magical, whimsical paintings of OLD CAKE PAINTINGS and her mom, Laura, is a lovely girl who gave me the best present -- I got to hold Stella!  She put her in this leopard outfit, because she knew she would see me and knows I love leopard!!!  What I really love is Stella!  I've offered to babysit every time I see her and I'm hoping she'll actually take me up on it some day!

Here's Mom, Laura, and beautiful baby, Stella!

Eric and I decided to go to HAIKU for sushi.  We had a fast dinner and were treated to a sushi dessert by our favorite chef -- David!  He's such a sweetie and a FABULOUS sushi chef.  I think he's the best in San Diego! 

This is rice with mango and kiwi.  It was so refreshing!  The perfect end to a perfect meal!

All in all, it was a really great day.  I wish I had sold some of the bigger items, just so I didn't have to pack them again next time we move, but I was happy with the response my work got.  A LOT of people took my business cards, so I'm hoping they will go to my website, read and see more about my work, and spread the word!  I did a lot of networking and I really think that's the best way to promote business!