I'm an artist. What does that mean? Well, anything, really. I love to create. Paintings, plaster, leather, metal, fabric... You name it, I've probably tried it. If I haven't, I most likely will want to at some point. I love learning and experimenting with different mediums and techniques. When I get bored with one, I move on to another. Yet, eventually, I'll return to a previous technique, or material to start all over again.

Of course, this means I have a studio full of crafty supplies. Which in turn means I have too much supplies and too little space. It's hard to toss out even the tiniest of scraps. Hey, it happens with crafty, artsy people. I suppose you could call us hoarders, but at least we find a use for everything. Eventually.

Don't laugh, or scoff. It's true. I swear!

With some left over scraps, I made this:

Genuine Leather Handmade Purse

 I made my sister one first for her birthday. She loved it. So did family, friends, and her co-workers. The orders started coming in. It's large enough for a small wallet, keys, and a good sized cell phone (my Galaxy S4 fits well in it with ample space).

Nice, huh?

Okay. So, I mentioned I use even the tiniest scrap. Here's what I came up with for small leather pieces.

Genuine Leather and Hematite Earrings

Genuine Leather and Glass Bead Earrings

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genuine Leather and Natural Shell earrings

The possibilities are endless! Good thing I don't seem to have an end to left over scraps. Well, it's sort of good. These things didn't put a dent into my crowded craft room. *sigh* But, I sure had fun creating them.

Like the earrings? They're for sale at my Etsy Shop at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/trgatesart
Or, click on the photos and they should lead you directly to the sales page. 

You can look for purse listings to show up soon too. Along with other crafty things.  

- Trace

Getting into the Halloween Spirit

Ghostly Earrings by TRGatesArt

Yes, I know. It's still September. We haven't reached the first day of Autumn yet, even if we are having 40°F in the morning and 70°F in the afternoon. But, don't tell that to my daughter. She's almost finished making costumes for her family with the sewing machine my husband and I bought her for her birthday.

Still, I thought I should get a jump start on my Halloween crafts before the season sweeps on by like it did last year and the year before.

I love earrings, but don't really have any Halloween ones other than a pair of black widow spiders I bought years ago. So, I got out my polymer clay and made some ghost and pumpkin earrings.

They came out so cute, I made more. 

Great Pumpkin Earrings by TRGatesArt

These are made from polymer clay. Then sealed and shined with Renaissance wax. The Ghost earrings have black hooks, while the pumpkins have copper hooks. The hooks can be exchanged for silver toned, or gold toned clip-ons if preferred.

Both pairs are up for sale for $12 (plus S&H) each in my online shop at: trgatesart.etsy.com

Look for more fall items to be listed soon. Hey, it's never too early for Halloween! ☺

-- Trace