12 Days of Christmas - Ornament Swap

My friend, Deryn Mentock, had a grand idea. Twelve artists should make Christmas ornaments for each other and send them to be opened on one of the 12 days of Christmas.  With Deryn as the hostess of the swap, that is exactly what we have planned and when Somerset Studio found out, they published an article about it. Check out the great pictures of our ornaments in the current Nov/Dec 2007 issue, p62 - 65.

Of course, my ornament (pictured above) is a nontraditional one - think Weird! I was eager to try my hand at manipulating a piece of silverware so this swap was my first opportunity. I used a butane torch (not really hot enough so I won't be doing it with that kind of torch again.) and worked and worked to quickly get a coil in the fork tines before they cooled off too much to bend. I eventually managed but I recommend a hotter torch -- like mapp gas or something.

After I got the "hair" done, it was simply a matter of arranging and attaching the elements of the body with cold connections. Can you find the tiny screws holding the wings on? The legs, as you can tell, are skeleton keys with chain wrapped around them. I used teeny tiny nuts, screws, bolts and itty bitty brads as well as jump rings to connect everything except the vintage typewriter key "face." That I merely glued onto the fork. I even used a brad to attach the bow in her hair!

Several of the artists have posted more information about their ornaments on their blogs. For example, Kelly Snelling has a wonderful full explanation of the motivation and techniques she used to make her prayer pillow. (picture of front of pillow below.) You might notice that in the article you only get to see the back of Kelly's ornament pillow. Now that the article is out, more of the artists will probably make blog posts about their ornament.

The artists who participated are:

Jackie Allison
Melissa David
CeCe Grimes
Mary Haldeman
Hanne Mathiesen
Katie Kendrick
Lou McCulloch
Deryn Mentock
Crystal Neubauer
Jennifer Rowland
Kelly Snelling
Sally Turlington

Comments

[Hermine]

WOW, what a fabulous ornament.

[Frivolitea]

Wow. Your ornament is fantastic. I can't wait to see that article!

[Deb L]

What a wonderful ornament.. I love it!!! Now I must go find the new issue of Somerset to see the rest! Deb

[Catherine Witherell]

Love, love, love the hair and the two metal colors!!!!!

[Stacy]

Oh my gosh, Sally!! I never knew you were so talented and doing collage art, etc!! I'm really a newbie, and of course, I'm so busy with twin 12 year olds, but I am dabbling in my own artistic adventure, as time allows! Please email me...Your art is wonderful, I'm so impressed! Your newest and probably closest fan!

Stacy Wagner

[Gaby Bee]

Your ornament is absolutely wonderful. I'm looking forward to seeing that article at Somerset!

[Kim]

Sally, thank you for the sweet email! Your work is amazing, and this ornament just proves your ability even more! Have a blessed week!

[Pilar]

Congratulations on the new article! I love, love what you did with your ornament. You really have a great talent with metal work. I can't wait to see what you do next! xoxoxoxoxo

[ro bruhn]

Wow Sally, what a great ornament, I love the way you've used the fork. Congratulations getting into Somerset Studio, I must get it when it comes out.
Ro
xo

[Leslie M]

Boy oh boy Sally! Your ornament is wonderful. Congratulations on your Somerset Studios spread!

[Patti Koosed]

Congratulations! They are all beautiful!
Patti

[Lorraine]

GREAT ornament Sally! I love the curled fork! It looks so wind blown and whispy!

I need to check out the article again!

[Michelle Cummings]

I love this and was just admiring it in the latest issue!

[Karen Ouellette]

Sally, your ornament FABULOUS! Love it, love it, love it!

[AscenderRisesAbove]

your ornament is amazing; you could keep it up year round. what a fun exchange that is.