Rustique Art

Spring Blooms

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Tue, 03 May 2022 15:04:00 +0000

Spring has arrived in East Texas! The pollen has not been fun to deal with, but I guess the misery of swollen itchy eyes, sneezing and having everything outside covered in green powder is a small price to pay for the beauty that follows.

Five years ago we moved to East Texas for several reasons, one being the trees and the hills. If I had known about the soil of this area and the beautiful flowers, surely that would have been another reason. While I’m not fond of the humidity, I’ll endure in order to enjoy the lovely landscape of this region.

I knew we were settling in an area famous for the roses, but I wasn’t aware of the infamous Azaleas. There’s even a trail you can tour through various neighborhoods. I also didn’t know about the ability to grow Hydrangea and Hostas. The soil is sandy and acidic so lovely perennial flora is abundant. It’s just so exciting to see flowers and plants emerge from the earth after the winter season. Every morning there is something new to see.

When we moved into our current home, planting Azaleas was first on my list. Our house has a rusty red brick, so picking a color that didn’t clash was a challenge. Of course white blooms would have worked but I wanted a pop of color and at that time the windows were white, so we went with pink hoping for the best. Well…this is the third spring for our Azaleas and although they have bloomed a little each year, this year has been the best showing so far.

It's still early so the other plants have not caught up and I haven’t put in any bedding plants yet, so far they are the only color in our front yard. It’s wonderful to come home everyday and see their lovely blooms.

We brought several Daylilies from our last house as well as an Iris and Sedum, all of them were given to me and I really wanted to keep them and hoped they would survive. This year the Iris not only bloomed but it also tripled in size. It took also five years to bloom, but it has finally found it’s happy place.

The Amaryllis in the background was given to me a couple of years ago Christmas 2020 then we had that really wicked freeze in February 2021, that Spring my mister plopped it in the flowerbed. It didn’t bloom last year but this year…WOW!!

So beautiful!!!

I cannot wait to see how the Daylilies do this year. I’m hoping their blooms are just as spectacular as the other blooms in our yard.

Happy Spring!!

Focusing on the Positive

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 16:07:00 +0000

Focus on the positive and take time to enjoy the season of Spring.

The beauty the Spring season brings, new growth on trees and shrubs, perennials popping up, bulbs emerging from their slumber, the sweet scent of Wisteria wafting through the open windows.

Focus on being kind to one another.

peace.love.rust.

Fall Is Finally Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 19:43:00 +0000

Officially my favorite time of year is here,

but it's still hot so...

unofficially it's not!

hard to get into that fall nesting mode with temps still in the high 80's

but it certainly helps to try, because then at least your home is ready when the weather decides to cooperate.

Don't know about you but I'm ready for those crisp cool mornings and chilly nights.

peace.love.rust.

click to purchase:

Farm House Pitcher

Vintage Chicken Feeder

Rust Plate

Green Ivy Plate

Have Yourself A Merry Rustique Christmas...

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 17:37:00 +0000

My Glass Door Knob Photo Holders Have A New Role

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 22:36:00 +0000

Ever struggle with what to give for a birthday gift or am I the only one?

My mom had a birthday and I really did not know what to give her
so I decided to make something that no one else would have.

Who doesn't need a glass door knob photo holder?

When she emailed me to say thank you and that she loved it,
I was overjoyed to know that I could now add another use for this sweet little design...

"paperweight"

I'm so happy to know it has a good home and that she will put it to good use.

peace.love.rust.

Vintage Grain Scoop Planter

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 21:13:00 +0000

it's no secret that I love rust,

but coming in at a very close second is anything galvanized.

and this just makes me swoon every time I walk out my front door.

how many ways can you use vintage grain scoops in your home and garden decor?

peace.love.rust.

Hello July!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 21:42:00 +0000

Ready for a little Red, White and Blue?

Some BBQ, Potato Salad and Watermelon

Sweet Iced Tea served up in mason jars

how about a little "Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Phillips Sousa

and fireworks!

I'm ready aren't you?

What's In Your Washer?

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 19:01:00 +0000

After one year I've collected this much change from my washer not to mention a couple of pens and some wrappers.

How much do you think I've collected in one year?

Care to make a guess?

Roses, Rosemary, Lavender, Rust and Chippy Paint

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 00:41:00 +0000

peace.love.rust.

50th Wedding Anniversary Cross

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 00:32:00 +0000

read the story of Russ & Mary and their 50th Wedding Anniversary Cross HERE

peace.love.rust

no alarm needed

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:21:00 +0000

Spring break means no alarms!

go HERE to find out how we spend out week without schedules :)

peace.love.rust

Vintage Feed Sack Pillow

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:21:00 +0000

What's happening over at the blog?

Check it out!

Stuff an old feed sack and blind stitch the end. Easy-peasy and you have a nice cuddly pillow.

Love is...

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:42:00 +0000

and more!

"Happy Valentine's Day"

Family Wall

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:04:00 +0000

This little area got some TLC today... read more here.

peace.love.rust

Rustic Christmas Mantle

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:36:00 +0000

The vibrant red of the Poinsettia and the Pyracantha berries added color and texture of nature to our rustic Christmas mantle this year. >>>read more

Rustic Holiday Decor & More

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:57:00 +0000

Christmas is on it's way and there is no shortage of rustic cheer around this home...

read all about this Rustic Christmas Centerpiece over at Rustique Art Blog.

31 Days of Change: Before & After

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:30:00 +0000

Hey! know what? I've committed to blog everyday this month with a whole slew of awesome bloggers in the 31 Days of Change.

Come on over to Rustique Art Blog and check it out. I've made to day 11 and looking forward to 20 more fun filled "before & after" projects.

Are you wondering what you've missed so far? Come on over and find out.

Rustique Art Blog; 31 Days of Before & After

Blessings,

unfocused

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:34:00 +0000

Have you ever experienced designers block. I'm sure you have. You have components and materials all around you however the ideas don't seem to be coming to the surface. So you just sit, stare and wonder how you're ever going to create something ever again. It's a dark place to be. So I encourage you, no...I'm going to challenge you to make something.

Anything.

This is what I told myself last night... "just make something for goodness sakes".

So I did. I challenged myself to pick up some wire and make something. All that angst brought forth this...

It's about as bland and basic as you can get. Actually that's not true, it could be worse. At least I could pass it off as minimalist art.

I'm going to name it "unfocused".

And that is really quite funny when you think about it, because it took me 15 shots to get this photo in focus and it is still blurry. Like my brain...fuzzy.

Maybe it's the weather.

Anyone else having issues with focusing?

What things to you do to kick start your creative genius?

peace. love. rust.

just piddl'n

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:42:00 +0000

I walked by my work table the other day and two things came to mind;

1) it was a mess

2) something needed to be done

so I did...

does this count as getting something done?

my work table is still a mess...

but I accomplished something!

and now I have a new little ornament with a cute little heart dangle. I've had these little ceramic hearts for over a year and have never done much with them. the time has come to move them out. I have red, blue and a lovely tan with some awesome undertones. I'll be listing these in my Rustique Art Etsy and Zibbet shops this weekend.

they're kind of quirky, funky and just perfect for hanging anywhere your little heart desires. they would even be cute for adding to gift bags.

peace. love. rust.

Linking to:

Handmade In TX - Lone Star Showcase #2

Designing a Beaded Wire Cross

noreply@blogger.com (Cindi @ Rustique Art) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:01:00 +0000

Dear Cindi,
A few months ago I admired your work on line, I would love for you to create a 7 inch beaded cross using shades of blue, pink, and lime green for a dear friend's daughter's confirmation. I have never done twitter, facebook, or blogs. I was wondering how I go about contacting you to see if this is something you would be able to do and if so how much would something like this cost.
Cathy

What a sweet email. I love getting this kind of mail. The client and me working together to create a one of a kind gift for a very special occasion in a young life. A gift that could last a the lifetime of the recipient and passed on to future generations. It gives me goosebumbs :)

So guess how she did get my attention? She found my email on my blog! Another great reason to expand one's marketing horizons into the land of blogging. Don't worry if you don't have anything to say, that will pass and if you really have nothing to say, then post photos of your designs and a short description and how to purchase. But make sure you also have a way for someone to contact you if they wish to place an order. Make sure your contact information is everywhere and remember, not everyone has a facebook or twitter page. Some just find you by doing a search on the internet and if your blog has all those lovely key words attached to it, you're more likely to be found.

We eventually got all of the business out of the way and settled on the colors, size and what she wanted her gift to reflect. And so it begins...

Designing for someone you've never met and only going off of a description from a third party. It's not as hard as you might imagine or maybe I've been at it for so long it becomes second nature.

First things first...wire for the cross frame.

From the emails I gathered this young lady was not the rustic type, so that ruled out rusty wire. In fact what I surmised was that she was active, artistic and like pretty things. So I went with the silver wire. Sometimes I will dull the wire for a galvanized look but this time I left the finish in tact.

Next it was time to gather some beads. This part is my favorite part of the whole design process. I could sit there all day playing in the beads! Love it!

I settled on what I thought fit the colors and description given to me by my client. Of course I have complete freedom to change my mind and I did, but only a few minor changes and I was ready to begin.

It was time to make the cross frame for the beads to be sewn onto. The dimensions to work with where simple; she wanted a 7" cross.

Any guesses as to how much wire was used to complete this handsculpted cross? About 8 yards of wire. I roughly measure about a yard per inch needed and add one yard, this is what I come up with.

Everyone has a method to how they create a design, for me...I begin with the focal and work my way out.

For this cross I chose a lovely pale pink quartz heart bead, it measures about 30mm.

I hand stitch each bead onto the wire cross frame with copper wire. This is kind of my signature. I've always sewn the beads on, always with copper wire and I never use plastic beads. Okay, maybe I've used one or two in my seven years of making crosses. As a rule, I never use plastic.

A few days of sewing and weaving, snipping, repositioning...and the cross is complete. I am always amazed at how lovely it turns out. All of the beaded wire crosses go through what I call an ugly stage.

And then it blooms into a beautiful cross. This can only be of God as I just let my thoughts go and allow my hands to be used.

As with all of the crosses I make, I will be a little sad to see it go. But I know it will bless the young lady who it will be given to. So with that I can surrender. Kind of like letting your children go, you just gotta trust that you guided them as they grew, with the Lords help of course, and now you just have to surrender them and know they are in His hands.

Blessings,