PAPER MANIAC MY NEW ETSY SHOP

Check out my new Etsy shop, Paper Manic. I have spent all day Sunday adding new items and taking the paper creations out of my Lil Spotted Dog shop.

JUNK STORE HAUL

Today I stopped by a little second-hand store I've been meaning to investigate since it opened a year or so ago. What fun. I found some old books to repurpose, meaning I'm going to tear them apart and make new books and collages from them. I found a really neat little something. I'm not sure of what it really is, but in its new incarnation its going to be a bud vase for a single flower. You know how sometimes you're out looking at the flowers, and you find one whose head has lopped off and it has only about two inches of stem and a three inch head? Well, this little thing I found will be just perfect for that. I think it was meant to be a shot glass or something like that, but I'm repurposing it. I like that word. I've been seeing it a lot on Etsy lately, and even though it's something I've been doing for years when I've made something out of nothing or recycled one thing into something else, repurposing just sounds more sophisticated, like me, sorta, kinda - NOT!

The books I bought to repurpose (think - rip apart) are not valuable first editions or anything like that. I wouldn't purposely destroy a valuable old book. Many people think that just because a book is old, it's valuable, but that is not so. Water or sun damage, brittle decaying pages, chewed up corners, insect damage; all these decrease the useful life of a book. Generally, before tearing up an old book, I will research it on the Internet to see if it is a common book. I haven't found a valuable first edition yet, darn it! Anyway, my plan for the books I bought today is to use their gorgeous covers to make some journals to sell on Etsy. I specifically chose books today that had beautiful covers, and I will make my own pages and use my handy-dandy little Bind-it-All machine to make some gorgeous new books, thus saving these from certain death by landfill.

Anyway, I had fun browsing around, and the store was run by a church, so my money went to a worthwhile cause. A good afternoon, I think.

Etsy Stuff

These are some views of my things on Etsy right now. Some are handmade, some are vintage. Feel free to contact me with questions.

Welcome Aboard to Me!

Well, here I am, the Lil Spotted Dog. This is the place to hear about all things junked up, glued up, and well, just about anything. I am all about any kind of paper arts. I make altered books, ATC's (thanks to my friend Cathy at http://partlypaper.blogspot.com), scrapbook layouts, stained glass (see "Pretty Little Things" at http://www.sallyjean.com/), and paper dolls, among other junk.

My philosophy is, "Leave no bare spot unadorned!" Some of my favorite things are antique and vintage raw brass and copper pieces, and anything "blingy." My artwork has been published in Making Memories magazine, Somerset Memories, and Kay & Company's first idea book.

I have participated in numerous ATC swaps as well as round robin artwork collaboratives. Other interests I have are animals, (LOOOOOVE my miniature dappled dachshunds, Fritz & Freda), reading, and sewing. I recently made a frou-frou homecoming dress that was very short, very strapless, and very tight - but not for me (tee-hee!). I also like anything old. I have a vintage and antique button collection, a collection of antique clothing which includes some gorgeous Civil War-era outfits, and a huge stash of antique jet trims that I use in my artwork. My favorite season is Fall, and I love the smell of the fallen leaves freshly turned earth. I love to dig in the dirt, but I'm not a very good gardener because I hate to weed!

I am a public school teacher, so I fit my creative time in where I can, but most Friday evenings I can be found at the home of one of my friends, Deb, where we play until the wee hours. I also have a great area in my basement devoted to my beloved junk. Right now this area should be in the witness protection program and remain anonymous. Suffice to say that it needs some major organizational magic worked upon it.

If you are interested in seeing any of my "stuff" or creative endeavors, take a peek at my shop on Etsy, Lil Spotted Dog. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6704403 And now, you've had a chance to meet me, leave me a comment, and I'll get a chance to meet you!