Found Object Bracelet, Pumpkins & Beer, and Gathered Thyme

I’ve done stained glass for about 8 years, but I haven’t hauled out the soldering iron since before I lived in Amsterdam. I did some really fun pieces with broken glass I found when I was about nine years old at a logging camp in the woods where I grew up near Skyline, California.

Yesterday, at Baubles and Beads in Berkeley, I started a refresher in some basic metal working skills. Unsurprisingly, my first piece is a found object bracelet. I started with an assortment of favorite objects.... My soldering iron was getting too hot, annoying since it was the one recommended - but apparently the Weller 100 with the blue handle is the best for this type of project. Volcanoarts.com has pretty good prices and awesome selection for stained glass, metalworking, and book binding!

Some of the objects you will recognize from other Compass Rose Design series, but there are some wonderful new pieces as well. I used old game pieces, rulers, postage stamps, a 1919 accounting register, wrist watch, key, escutcheon, and an optician’s lens – and I think it turned out pretty well.

Now I am eager to get to my collection of broken ceramics and stones...


The garden is definitely shifting with the seasons. The oregano and thyme I collected last week are dry and ready to put in jars for winter seasoning.

My husband, Johnny is brewing beer today, he’s making an Oktoberfest ale. There is no pumpkin involved, in fact if you want pumpkin in your beer, Van Houten Brewing probably won't be able to help you, but it’s Halloween….

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Olive Meet Etsy, Black Heart Industries and a Semi-Secret Garden

Compass Rose Design was invited to another gallery!! I haven't even had a chance to do a mailing to galleries because they keep approaching me, which I take as a great sign.

The Olive Hyde Art Guild and Gallery in Fremont, California is hosting an exhibit of Bay Area Etsy artists called Olive Meet Etsy. Olive Hyde was a super cool old lady who was born in San Francisco in 1886 and left a a fabulous legacy.

The Olive Meet Etsy Exhibit runs from October 15 - November 13
Opening Reception: Friday, October 15, 2010 7-9pm
The Olive Hyde Gallery is at 123 Washington Blvd. Fremont, CA



The gallery has a very sweet semi-secret feeling garden. I loved this brick wall.


And a very sweet succulent garden:


I love the weekly Market SF local artist market at the Blue Macaw. It's usually a fairly mellow day and I get to talk with other artists and people watch all day.

Last week, I had the Compass Rose Design booth out front with Black Heart Industries. Gustavo is an extremely clever guy with many skills under his belt including carpentry, metalwork, leatherwork, and upcycling anyone under the table.

This is the story of him upcycling a file cabinet into a snazzy desk.

Gustavo makes excellent belts (and took the 2 photos below). I bought this one:


But I also LOVE the handpainted one adorned with bottlecaps:


Visit his website or etsy store to get one for yourself.

We're still waiting to hear back about the Renegade Handmade Craft Fair In December but will keep folks posted!!!

Don't miss out on my current sale - 15% off my ENTIRE etsy store for Christmas Earlybirds!!!
Just email or convo me for the discount!
www.compassrosedesign.etsy.com

Find out about events at the Compass Rose Design site.

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Press, New Spyglass Necklaces, Peaches and Wine

This article is excerpted from Cristophe Tomatis of SF Indie Fashion

"On Saturday, we headed to the Mission to check out Market SF, a weekly artist showcase at The Blue Macaw. We found tons of great, unique items and met local artists who design and sell their products in San Francisco. Here are some of the highlights:

The featured artist was Compass Rose Design. Each piece is handmade by Creek, the founder and designer. She takes antiques (some over 150 years old) and refashions them beautifully. Not only is each piece unique, but also has a story behind it. Check out the custom pocket watch jewelry below:"

Compass Rose Design, photo by Cristophe Tomatis

Compass Rose Design's Table, , photo by Cristophe Tomatis

end of excerpt. (read more of the article)

When I discovered our first online press last night, I was enjoying some delicious wine from my friends Lynn and Kenny at the Hobo Wine Company and Banyan Wines. They make amazing wine and have an exceptional knack for being incredibly unpretentious, delightfully hip and above all, making amazing wine. They have a wine club through their tasting room, Downtown Wines, in Healdsburg, which I absolutely recommend.

Here is one of my favorite Hobo red's pictured in front of some peaches I just finished canning. I even love the label!

Finally - a few new designs made with spyglasses from last week.

Don't forget - 15% off our ENTIRE etsy collection throughout October!!!!

Visit our Etsy Store.

Visit the Compass Rose Design website for events, discounts, and latest designs.