Love making useful crafts: Pins are my passion

Love making useful crafts: Pins are my passion!!!!!!!

( but did make some leather travel tags as gift for family which are pictured):  

I have wear them almost everyday!

Finding fun decorations, the right adhesive has been a challenge as I see my self not as a crafter as it requires skilled work! I do my best...

I have viewed "craft" as a technique, static, possibly a repeated pattern of steps to achieve an outcome. Crafts – traditionally – were about using a handmade process to achieve an end result, usually something practical, like a rug or chair or clothing.  Not to say that these items couldn’t also be decorative, but the main aim was function.  

but I think of myself as working in the "fine arts"...

Fine art or the fine arts that I attempt encompass art forms such as painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, decollage, assemblage, installation, calligraphy, architecture,  conceptual art, graphic arts and printmaking. 
These forms I develop primarily for aesthetics and/or concept
rather than practical application,

Art, in both traditional and contemporary terms, is generally about 

aesthetics rather than function. 

It is said: "Skill without imagination is craftsmanship and gives us many useful objects such as wickerwork picnic baskets. Imagination without skill gives us modern art."

!!!!!YOU DECIDE!!!!!

That burning question – “…but is it art?” – usually relies on some deeper layer of meaning being embedded in the piece.  Whether the artist consciously or subconsciously has ‘something to say’, it is there within the finished piece. 

My attempt at crafting..

  I have gone from using buttons, found objects, then on to leather, 

then wool, ribbons, and felt with beads,buttons and other detailing .

Love when I sell them and see others wear them!

Today was the last day of my doing tours at MAM until September 

(though I am volunteering to more days next week). 

All the docents ( tour leaders) were hosted at the Milwaukee Woman's Club.  

The lunch was just wonderful, as was being with over a hundred 

"fellow" volunteers and staff.

 I have so many wonderful friends, such as Gloria!

Next, I am with Ray.

 Then Ken and the gal who was one of my trainers showing off their dance skills.

Last, me with my wine bottle candle holder decorated with posters from the 

Posters of Paris: Toulouse-Lautrec and His Contemporaries
on display June 1, 2012–September 9, 2012

I won one of the our table decorations ! 

I am getting a collection of things our cleaver volunteers make

 for this stunning closing event, and from our holiday gathering.

2012 End of Year Luncheon

Today was a marvleous day with our usual but always unusual weekly docent meeting.

At mid day we went to the Milwaukee Woman's Club hosted by MAM for all the docents and staff that do programs and education.

The food is amazing for all of the over one hundred of us, 

but the company is what is really wonderful.

I have been lucky enough to take home one of our table decorations

made by fellow docents.