It’s About Time

December 22, 2014 by camryn forrest

Think about it, if we could understand time, we’d understand most of the mysteries of the universe.

“Time is an illusion.”
― Albert Einstein

It’s about time. It’s ALWAYS about time.

Time is money.
Time waits for no man.
Like winter snow on summer lawn, time past is time gone …

“There’s never enough time to do all the nothing you want.”
― Bill Watterson

I often say, it’s a good thing there are deadlines, because without the last minute, nothing would get done around here. But we never know if we have years left, or minutes, or merely seconds. We tell ourselves that time is precious, one shouldn’t waste time, that there is no time like the present.

Because, just like shaking a snow globe and watching the shiny numbers flitter, dance and sink again, time is fleeting. We have to make the most of what time we have; we have to dream, we have to be kind, we have to remember to laugh.

“One day spent with someone you love can change everything.”
― Mitch Albom

“How did it get so late so soon?”
― Dr. Seuss

A four-sided grandfather clock, with time-related embellishments and detail, inside a snow globe. When shaken, the liquid-filled globe dances with gold glitter and silver numerals, representing the minutes and hours of time. One of a kind snow globe (snowstorm, waterglobe). All designs and images copyright (c) 2014 Camryn Forrest Designs, Denver, Colorado USA.

“It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

A Kaleidescope of Butterflies

November 24, 2014 by camryn forrest

Did you know that a group of butterflies may be properly called a kaleidescope? Such a pretty and fitting description of the flashing colors and fleeting glimpses. Just like in real life, with real butterflies, if you blink — they’re gone!

In this custom snow globe, a single metal butterfly rests delicately on a flower petal of repurposed bronze and copper. But shake the globe — if you are keen of eye — and you may see a kaleidescope of butterflies rain all around for a moment, then vanish again.

Kaleidescepe of Butterflies snow globe, Camryn Forrest Designs, Denver, Colorado

Identity Crisis, or even prairie dogs aspire to greatness

August 5, 2014 by camryn forrest

What’s that fancy word that means giving human qualities to animals?

Oh, yeah:

Anthropomorphism.

Such as this little prairie dog with aspirations to be more. He seemed to have goals. We added horns from a longhorn steer. Mechanical wings made of steampunk gears. A wristwatch so as not to miss an appointment with greatness. And a golden gear in his right hand, er, paw. Tiny goggles make him adventure-ready. Strength, style, whimsy, focus and a little je nais se quoi (my favorite French phrase which translates as “I don’t know what” but really means “when you see it, you’ll know it.”)

And while we named him “Identity Crisis,” something about this prairie dog said “I know who I am, and who I want to be;” he’s not just another rodent poseur.

Identity Crisis Prairie Dog sparkle waterglobe, Camryn Forrest Designs 2014

One of a kind water globe (snow globe) with tiny embellished prairie dog under a four-inch glass globe. When shaken, the mythical creature is bathed in a sparkling shower of gold microdust. Wooden base is finished with a faux metallic paint, suggesting the patina of age and weathered metal. All images copyright (c) 2014 Camryn Forrest Designs, Denver, Colorado.

Going Steampunk (you could say, “under construction”)

June 30, 2014 by camryn forrest

When asked, “Are you going Steampunk?” this globe says it all.

Inside the miniature world of a swirling, glittering snow globe, tiny workmen on ladders remodel a plain fairy cottage into a steampunk dwelling, adding watch gears, an elaborate rooftop and riveted metal embellishments. Shake the globe and watch the world shimmer with gold microdust, settling slowly as the craftsmen get back to work.

Going Steampunk custom snow globe by Camryn Forrest Designs

Details: Four-inch glass globe encasing a one of a kind mixed media sculpture of clay, wood, leather, vintage jewelry and metal findings. The interior sculpture is just over two inches tall; it appears slightly larger due to magnification of liquid and glass. The round wood base is wrapped in a indented and pressed clay band with added gears and hardware on the touchable exterior. Engraved metal plate states “Going Steampunk” — this snow globe will be auctioned to support arts education programs by the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.

Magic Happens (Happy 100th!) Sparkle Snow Globe

April 10, 2014 by camryn forrest

As I pulled together the thoughts and images to post this art today, I realized that this was my 100th blog post.

Back a few months ago, when I realized this “magic” number was approaching, I thought I should plan ahead and write something special.

But I got busy with this and that, and the joy and heartbreak of every day life, routines and surprises, hope and disappointment and here it is: the Magic 100.

And the globe that was ready to post?

Magic Happens.

There’s a story behind this sparkly snow globe, with the dancing silver flecks, ice-blue glass heart and a just glimpse of an iridescent heart (if you don’t blink!) … but I can’t tell it here.

I was inspired by someone with a true blue heart, and can only say that when you shake this globe, and the world fills with light, and laughter, and hope, for a moment you will believe.

Believe.

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Magic Happens, one of a kind snow globe with glass heart, wire and beaded sculpture, silver dust and flecks inside liquid-filled glass ball. All images and designs copyright (c) 2014 Camryn Forrest Designs, Denver, Colorado.

Random Thoughts — snow globe

January 20, 2014 by camryn forrest

Yeah, it’s like that.
Random. Thoughts. People say, how do you come up with these ideas, and I have to make up an answer. Are they saying I’m a little “out there?” or is that a compliment? The truth is, I don’t “come up” with thoughts, so much as I feel bombarded with thoughts. Rapid fire ideas zipping in and out of my head. Bing! Bang! Boom! Zip!

I sit at my workbench and I have a sketchy list in mind. To do. List. What was I going to work on? Yeah, “Tesla Mends a Broken Heart” … I started that piece. Special request. It’s been months, hasn’t it? Where is it? And that lady dancing. Nah, I don’t like the guy in the tuxedo with her, I want her dancing with a bear. Black bear, not grizzly. Black bears are omnivores, meaning they are mostly vegetarian but they’ll dine on roadkill if it’s convenient. Didn’t I have a bear around here somewhere, ready to go? Oh, wow, look! The Nautilus, that’s right. I was making another steampunk submarine. That nose cone looks like it needs whittling, the proportion is off. And this space is getting crowded. What’s this? Right, Da Vinci’s prairie dog. He’s got spunk. I have to get working on those wings, that is going to be so … wait … Okay. Stop it. Now pay attention. Armoured heart. You were going to finish the support on Armoured Heart. It looked a little heavy last time, and you were going to add support. Hmmm, maybe should call it, “Protect this Heart” … is that too obvious? An armoured heart is a strong heart, a warrior heart … oooh! Warrior Heart, now THERE’s an idea. I should make a Warrior Heart … what was that song? Love is a Battlefield? who was that, Pat Benatar? Some eighties warbler. It wasn’t Debbie Harry, not Stevie Nicks. Probably … Should my dancing lady and her bear be atop a heart? Is that cliche or out of the box?

And that poem I was working on, “I live in a cave that is under the sea …” that would make such a neat globe … “Locked in a Room that Has no Key…” Hmmm, a lot going one, hard to get inside a small space, “Hidden in Darkness you Cannot See“ … darkness, really hard to show … “if you Really Loved Me, you’d Find Me.“ Can I even fit that on an engraved plate? I mean, it’s a LOT of words … and cave, sea, room, lock … that’s a lot. Why does that remind me of that dragonfly globe from last spring? You didn’t know if the show director meant dragons who fly, or the insect dragonfly. It was a 50/50 call. It — the insect – came out pretty good — maybe you could do a better one now, filigree wings and … wings, yeah, back to Da Vinci’s prairie dog. He needs wings. Mechanical wings. Some kind of harness. Da Vinci used a leather ball joint on his wings, what would work in 1/144 scale, more or less? Size of a pinhead? Remember that saying about angels dancing on the head of a pin? That would be cool, angels dancing … where IS that dancing lady I was going to put with the bear? Is it under my journal? What was that idea that woke me up last night because I had to write it down, anyway. So middle-of-the-night important! I hope I can read it.

Here it is: Last entry. Gray Minds Think Alike… No, that was last week, skim a few more pages. All Roads Lead Home? Nope, keep going. Right Heart, Wrong Time. That’s an interesting thought. Wonder what I was going for there? Hmmmm, Friction Makes Sparks, and then, in lower case: the road less oiled, A call to Arms. A blank page. The Apology. The Button Pusher. Dancing on Clouds. Another blank page. Then a sketch: Safety Hat. Safety Hat? What was that about? There are tiny men holding a top hat like a fireman’s net. Oh, okay. Middle of the night random thought.

Yeah, it’s like that.

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I made this snowglobe just for fun: it’s what I imagine it looks like inside my brain some days. The entire sculpture is less than 3 inches tall – and even though I made it, I still find things there I’d forgotten. The Where’s Waldo of snow globes. Hey, Where’s Waldo? that’s a thought …