Steampunk artist featured in new book.
For the full story in Westword, you can also check out this link.
Author Archives: camryn forrest
It’s Complicated — Heart – Stacked Snow Globe
Now and then we get take a fresh look at how to make snow globes —
Last year it was the elaborate snow globe for the Sacramento Steampunk Society; this go around, it’s a double-decker snow globe with an open base, entitled “It’s Complicated.”
The tricky part of a double, open snow globe base isn’t making it, it is designing the open part so it can be touched. Because we have to believe that all snow globe are made to be picked up, touched and shaken. Unlike the interiors in snow globes, which are cradled by the surrounding liquid, that the open part of a double-decker snow globe will be touchable. Sure, folks are fairly careful with “art” but it’s out there in the elements and needs to be secure enough to withstand a poke, a prod, and a wiggle when the entire piece is upended and shaken.
“It’s Complicated” includes a black and silver glass heart with a few mechanical parts above, bathed in silver and black metallic glitter, with a push-me, pull-me sculpture on chain and springs below. Sometimes the love we show is “oh so pretty!” and the complicated feelings are below the surface. But in this case, you can see it all laid bare.
“It’s Complicated” will be shown at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, July 5-6-7 in Denver, Colorado. Stop by our booth and give it a shake.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival in July
Ooh, so much to do!
We are very excited to announce that Camryn Forrest Designs will be showing at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver, Colorado the second weekend in July — July 5-6-7 to be specific.
Is this a big deal, you ask? Well … yes. It’s huge. While we are still making art and living our every day lives, we are also designing and building a display booth, ordering colored postcards, getting business papers in order and, and and … a million details. Oh, yeah. And trying to build up some inventory for patrons to see at the show. Whew.
While all that HAS to be done before the show, you know what we’ve been working on? Come on, guess!
A one of a kind twin CHERRY snow globe, of course. Because nothing says “procrastination” like making steampunk’d twin cherries.
Let’s give it a spin.
Like to know more about the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, or Camryn Forrest Designs Waterglobes, Snowglobes and Curious Inventions?
Let us know what’s on your mind.
Beaded Metaphor: Seeking Closure
Inspiration comes from anyplace.
A new friend invited me to attend a bead show with her a month or so ago, and I went, mainly because I’d never been before. We wandered aisles and admired antique and vintage beads, carved beads, melted beads, beads from other countries, beads that were brightly colored, and those as dull as river pebbles.
But as we wandered, I found myself clutching new little bags from this booth, and that one next, glittering little pockets of ideas that were taking shape. A shape or color would catch my eye, and I would buy just a handful, or a single bead, here and there.
One particular type of bead I’d never seen before. Tiny squares with a metallic finish, suggesting tarnish and rust and rich with patinas. Touches of raspberry and aqua and blue against bronze and pewter tones. So lovely, I wanted to rub handfuls together and hear sound they’d make.
I bought them of course, and when I got home, I wove the double-holed beads into a partial wall like tiny flat bricks, intentionally missing a piece here and there. The wall, just two inches tall, took on the look of rubble, or the last piece standing after some ominous disaster. But even missing pieces, even tattered and torn, the shapes and subtle color emanated beauty. The piece is a metaphor and a sculpture, not a true-to-life miniature scene.
The snow globe was completed with a rich and sooty dust, and a beaded detail on the wood base.
Seeking Closure: one of a kind snow globe sculpture with metallic beads, liquid and iridescent dust.
The strange saga of the Warrior Rhino snow globe
It was a simple idea at the time. I wanted, I planned, to make a snow globe sculpture called “Invisible Carousel.” I sketched it out to perfection. Frollicking giraffes and unicorns, a pig and a buffalo, all parading in a whimsical circle.
A sweet little idea, with a variety of small metal animals, each perched atop an unseen clear support, at different heights, so when viewed inside the snow globe, it would appear to be a carousel with no mechanical support. The invisible carousel. Charming. Dripping with charm.
I collected the animals I needed and began to work.
Until the Rhino.
Oh, the Rhino! Barely the size of my thumbnail, he exuded a fierce personality, completely unsuited for the sweet endless ride of a carousel. “I want adventure!” he proclaimed. “I have battles yet to fight, and honor to defend.” He refused to sit politely on a carousel post, protesting that he was too old to be ridden by a child, no matter how imaginary. He seemed to cock his rhino horn in my direction, looking as threatening as his 19 or so millimeters would allow.
How does one deny the will of the angry Rhino? Using the tiniest tools, I crafted a tiny harness of leather straps and chains, and fitted the Rhino carefully. Next, I outfitted a grand airship for him, battle-worn, but complete with bazookas and other weaponry. I hung ammo belts and tiny knife sheaths off his harness, and put torpedoes at his disposal on each side.
Go forth and fight your battles, Warrior Rhino. The carousel can ride another day.
The Warrior Rhino flies at dawn.
All images and designs are copyright (c) 2013 Camryn Forrest Designs, Denver, Colorado USA.
Re-Run — Or, “have you seen this one before?”
Repurposing, refabricating, refurbishing and … Re-Run.
This charming little vintage television did not want to be hidden away; it wanted to run out and tell its story again.
“I have NOT outlived my usefulness,” it huffed and puffed. “I can show you Mr. Rogers, Walter Cronkite and Captain Kangaroo and Mighty Mouse! The Twilight Zone, Sherry Lewis and Lambchop, Romper Room and Lawrence Welk! I Love Lucy! Andy and Opie and Aunt Bee. Fireball XL5. A black and white viewing of Wizard of Oz, which does NOT turn into color when the door opens on Dorothy’s house. Follow the gray-brick road, I say!”
Shake “Re-Run” and you will get a sparkle-fall of shimmering dusty static over the adolescent-awkward robot legs. And on the base, an authentic vintage TV dial, dating back nearly 50 years. Watch any of 12 channels, kids, there’s always something interesting on.
Camryn Forrest Designs 