Twitch and Whiskers Craft Show Schedule - NY, CT, MA - Spring 2011

Come visit me and my creations in person this spring. I have many colorful and exciting things to share with you!

Here's a list of my spring 2011 shows:

Saturday, April 9 - Prospect Heights Craft Fair - Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, NY

Sunday, April 10 - Heirloom Flea Market - Danbury, CT

April 23 -Trunk Show at A New Beginning Salon in Bethel, CT 
with Folk Couture by Grace Napoleon

May 6 & 7 - Twist - Northampton, MA

May 21 (my birthday!) - Shop the Archway - DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY

Summer 2011 - Dates TBD - Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY

Will I see you there?

A Work in Progress

So much has happened since my last post. I've been a busy bee and am so thankful that I have the time, energy, and endless support from others to keep doing what I'm doing! There have been new projects and exciting new opportunities to participate in shows. Between starting up my small business, working my day job, and creating, I feel like I'm constantly on the move. I have to remind myself every once in a while to stop, jot things down, and share. So where to begin? Well, let's start with the here and now. Today I went to Salvation Army with Thom. 

He was on a top secret mission that involved a cool sound coming from a meter in the basement of the store. To his great disappointment, there was tape across the entrance to the basement and from what we could see, all the housewares in the lower level were all emptied out. After some investigation and casual conversation with the staff, we discovered the disturbing reasoning behind the closing of the basement: someone had been using the housewares department as a private bathroom. Depending on who you asked, the evidence was found in coffee mugs and/or Tupperware containers. All the remaining uncontaminated items were relocated to the upper level, where the furniture is kept. Since the folks at Sal's cannot afford to keep a worker in the basement at all times, it looks like everyone will have to go upstairs for housewares from now on. 

We headed upstairs to check out the new setup and to be honest, it just wasn't the same. There were fewer items and the juxtaposition of the housewares and furniture felt "off". After years of exploring all 3 levels of the store, it was a little disappointing to be pared down to 2. At any rate, we poked around and Thom found just the piece of furniture I needed to organize my jewelry supplies. It was a two-shelved backless bookcase. There were lots of dings and funny stains on it, but we knew the dimensions were just right. It didn't have a price tag on it so we asked how much it was. The guy said they almost didn't put the shelf out on the floor because it was in such rough shape. He said, "ten bucks" and we said, "sold!"


We brought the case home, gave it a good scrub down, and I spent a good part of the afternoon stocking it with my supplies. All things are not in place yet, but I am very happy with the bookcase so far!  During the process, I even got over my disappointment about the changes to one of my favorite thrift stores and started two new pieces. 

Moments ago,I disassembled an old broken tin car (undercarriage and wheels removed) and fastened it to a vintage rhinestone belt. Then, I remembered acquiring a bag of pink plastic figurines and felt inspired to do something with them. While poking through the bag of toys, one of the pink girls reminded of the work of Henry Darger. I attached her to a vintage brass drawer pull and surrounded her with leaves from an old plastic floral candle arrangement. I hope to turn both into necklaces soon.

Though my life is currently filled with lots of loose ends, and nothing is 100% done, I am find comfort in constantly being surrounded by possibility! Back to work...

Hands On Haiku - E6000 Glue

Feeling little punchy after a snowday inside, I decided to start a new feature on this blog: Hands On Haiku.

When the mood strikes, I will share a short poem on whatever I have my hands on. That's it. 

I challenge you to share one too.

E6000 Glue

Unventilated

Affixes two to make one

But I see double

Hoard, Sort, Play, Create, Repeat - Step Two: Sorting

Out with the old. Rethink the new. That's how I started 2011. I just came back from a Goodwill and consignment store drop off and feel like I've both literally and figuratively shed some 2010 baggage. It's funny how much can build up around you when you're not paying attention.

Letting go can be difficult, especially for folks like me who love the thrill of the hunt and can fondly remember the circumstances and stories behind every found object. Since I make jewelry from old/used junk, I can always find an excuse to go out and get more. I'm quickly learning that less can mean more.

"Lucky You" upcycled necklace made from vintage child's magnet and old pendant.

Being a teacher, I had a good 10 day stretch off. Toward the end of my break, I went on a purge and organize mode. This doesn't happen very often. I said goodbye to many things, including:

• old clothes and housewares
• untouched craft supplies that I was keeping around "just in case".
• a teeth collection (medical models, dentures, plaster casts, etc.) - I am officially not creepy anymore.
• piles of old programs, maps, brochures, ticket stubs, and other vacation ephemera.

The last remaining pair of teeth from my dental collection.

Fear not - not much went in the trash. Most found a good new home or was consigned. The biggest relief for me was weeding out and organizing my jewelry supply collection. I think I touched every bead, little plastic bag, and component. I never thought in a million years that I would get rid of jewelry making supplies, but it happened!

I went to my local craft store and purchase a few more plastic organizing boxes. Items were sorted by material or purpose and labeled with masking tape. Everything was stacked up in crates on a table in my living room and TADA! Organization!

The biggest thing that came out of this process was inspiration and many "oh ya, I totally forgot I had that" moments. I feel like I've rediscovered my collection and can plan new pieces with a clearer head. For the year ahead, I must remember to stop and sort every once in a while. From this past purge and shuffle, I've learned:

There's a fine line between gathering inspiration from objects and gathering dust from objects.

What is your favorite tip for staying organized?

Hoard, Sort, Play, Create, Repeat - Step One: Hoarding

My creative process can be summed up in these 5 words.

It all begins with hoarding.

This weekend I was doing what I typically do on sunny Saturdays and Sundays: tag saling. I get up early, look at listings online, map out the best route, throw some bags in the car, set up the GPS, and go. Sidekicks often include a record-loving husband or fellow junk-loving friends.

If I’m not doing this, chances are, I’m going to a flea market, thrift store, consignment shop, or daydreaming about doing one of the above. I don’t know if it’s the thrill of the hunt, the love of junk, the passion for reusing, the wacky conversations with all sorts of people, or a slight touch of “Grey Gardens”, but I cannot passively lie in bed on the weekends knowing there is stuff out there waiting to be discovered!

This is where the seeds of ideas come from:

A pop of color on a plastic thimble.

A rusty drawer pull with filigree detail.

A deck of vintage playing cards with parading animals.

These items beckon to me from the insides of filthy shoes boxes and inspire me to create. They capture my curiosity, and compel me to buy. This isn’t difficult to do when the grand total for a heap of junk comes to $3.

I know there is a fine line between collecting and hoarding. I justify my hunting and gathering by turning the old into new. The thimble and drawer pulls are necklaces-to-be. With a few alterations, playing cards become my business cards. And sometimes one can find two totally unrelated things that will magically blend together creating a match made in heaven. My favorite example:

Murky chicken snow globe + creepy doll head with no skullcap = just plain wow.

Although I’m just a few stacks of newspapers short from being on Hoarders, I am attempting to provide a second life for things no longer used. Simultaneously, I am keeping A & E producers and folks in hazmat suits from knocking at my door. 

At the rate in which I’m gathering, I know it’s improbable that all my stuff will be reused but this doesn’t stop me from being a weekend wares warrior.  I find comfort in knowing that someday when I’m gone, there will be one hell of an estate sale:

ESTATE SALE– Over 50 years of accumulation. House filled to the brim. Costume jewelry, vintage clothing, buttons, keys, thimbles, stamps, playing cards, games, school supplies, ephemera, dentistry collectibles, kitschy art, Pyrex bowls, doll components, records, toys, planters, Halloween collection, boxes of craft supplies, old electronics. Too much to list! Fill a bag for $10. Early birds will be tarred and feathered.

Okay, fess up. What do you hoard?

Welcome to Twitch and Whiskers!

Hello! My name is Mei-Ling and I love to create:
things out of things
stuff out of stuff
and junk out of junk.

I'm an upcycler, reuser, repurposer, reassembler, and jewelry maker. I like to dabble with unusual items that many toss out, overlook, or ignore. Color and humor inspire me most.

I have always been considered a creative person, but was a bit timid about putting my wares out there for folks to see.  About a year ago, after mentoring from a friend and encouragement from everyone, I took the leap and here I am! I gathered up all my hoarded materials, broke out the drill n' pliers, and got to work.

I named this blog after my Etsy shop: Twitch and Whiskers. Why the name? Find a cat. Put the cat in front of a window where there's a bird and watch instincts take over.

That's exactly how I feel when I find an object that speaks to me (plus I think it's pretty darn funny).

This past year has been a real learning experience for me and the biggest lesson I've learned is:

The world is a much happier place when people combine their  

SUPER POWERS!

That's why I started this blog. In my "dream blog world," I would love this to be a place to share ideas, collaborate, and get/give inspiration. I will share with you my goods, creative process, and many inspirations and hope to hear about yours. I feel like I've just gotten started with my creative journey. I have lots to learn and share and am glad you came along for the ride!