Tag Archives: uterus

Oh, hello 2017, when did you get here?

I read something a little while ago that suggested different reasons why we feel time pass faster as we get older.  The one that stuck with me (well, the one I remember) was that the percentage of your life that passes in a year becomes smaller and smaller. Therefore when you are between the ages 4 and 5 that year is 20% of your life so far, making it seem like such a long time, whereas when you are 35, like me, it’s only 2.85% of your life so it goes much faster.  I think it’s probably more so that when you are an adult you are always so busy doing all of the things, all at once sometimes, that time flies.  When you’re a kid you’re looking forward to and counting down to everything; birthday, christmas, school holidays, moving house.  I’m sure adults agree that when they are counting down to something they really want (or something they really want to be over) that time moves much slower.

And now it’s 2017, oh my! And the 12th January already, how did that happen?! I already feel like I’m wasting my time.

I’ve been doing some planning with the aid of a mind map.  The mind map is a great tool to clarify your goals and I’ve got it on my clip board that is filled with paper of sketches and notes to keep looking at it.  In this house any paper that is printed on one side goes into a drawer or a folder to reuse.  Most of my anatomy patterns have something printed on the other side, whether we printed it or it’s junk mail. But let’s not get side tracked.

Search mind map on pinterest (there I already did it for you) to find more info on the technique.

It’s pretty weird for me to think about having goals as even 5 years ago I was like goals, fuck off, that kinda thing is for losers (like me, actually) but in the last few years and particularly the last year I’ve really found that using techniques like goal setting are helpful to keep propelling me forward.  Oh, and I have motivational quotes on my wall, can you believe that!?  As an adult I think it is so easy to just get lost in the motions of everyday that you forget to pursue the things you want to do and are passionate about. You forget to stand up or be present for the things that matter to you.  Goals, motivational posters, all that kinda annoying stuff that other people do that used to annoy me – I’m now that person and it’s bloody working, so I’ll just keep being a goal setting, motivational poster put’er upper.

One of my favourite motivational quotes at the moment is this one “If you commit to nothing you’ll be distracted by everything.”  It comes from here.  I think this is the most completely solid piece of truth I’ve ever read so to try not be distracted by everything this year I chose 3 words to repeat to myself..  Those words are Focus, Learn, Do.  I wanted something a bit more fancy that “do” but it’ll do (ha ha).  Focus has really become something of a mantra for me already. It’s a great little word to get yourself into the zone.

But anyways, here we are in 2017.  So, tell me about your focus for this year?

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Here is a Uterus, just because.

 

Shrinky Dinks

I’ve been playing around with Shrinky Dinks for about 4 years now after learning about them in a Hands On Brisbane class.  Hands On Brisbane is my “day job” and one of the perks is learning all sorts of crafts (I have to be able to assist the facilitators).

I started making Your Organ Grinder pieces from Shrinkies soon after.  I use an old refurbished Canon printer at the moment.  Oh and FYI, you can’t use the ink that is made for archival printing, or the high quality art printing.  Just the regular printing ink.

 

If you want to learn how to make your own Shrinkies you can check out the process I use for shrinking and adding doming resin in my instructable here.   If you are in Brisbane I sometimes teach Shrinkie Dinks workshops and Resin workshops at Hands On Brisbane so join our mailing list, here.

Images above are Uterus Earrings, Dodo Earrings, Tapeworm Brooches and Dodo Brooches all made using the shrinky dink with doming resin technique.

 

Something new from Your Organ Grinder

Sometimes you just have to make something new.  Making new products is always a gamble but there is an absolute joy in making something new.  That feeling when you are working on something new and it is going well.  That is what I live for.

I picked up some of these hoops a while ago (and recently grabbed more).  I’m slowly choosing anatomy to fill them using calico and the stem stitch, one of my favourite embroidery stitches.  I think the next one will be a kidney.

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The photography struggle is real

Ugh!  Taking product photos.  It’s one of the biggest challenges of selling online.  Each improvement in photos means I want even more improvement next time and then when it’s not working out, well that stinks!

I’d been taking really terrible photos for a while.  The colours were off and the products were not clear.  See, I’d been sitting somewhere slightly different and didn’t even realise this was the problem until one night just before I went to sleep (and was lamenting my terrible shots and how I might fix them) it came to me, I’d been in the wrong spot!  Phew, I’ve changed back to the old spot.  The pics still aren’t perfect but I’m working on it!

 

 

Brain and Kidney Stamps

I first learned to carve stamps from Kay Watanabe in a workshop at Hands On Brisbane. In that workshop I did a very crappy tree and a little mushroom but despite my initially bloody horrible job I did keep at it and started making my own stamps from my own versions of anatomy.

Below are the Kidney, Brain, Uterus, Intestine and Pelvis.

My favourite is without a doubt the Intestine.  I’ve even printed onto shrink film and shrunk it down for a brooch and collar clips.  I really need to make some of these for myself.

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Stamps

Meet my new stamps.
After getting several requests to make stamps for people I decided I should have them readily available in my shop.

I’ve been slowly adding all of the designs I currently have and I’m thinking up new ones.
Something I have not made for a while is Testes, in any form.  Testes are quite a time consuming part to make.  So I think a stamp is probably a good idea.

Below, Bird Skulls, Pelvis, Intestine and Uterus.

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Uterus Mini-Cushion

Last week I finally figured out how to make the Uterus Mini Cushion in a manner that was not slow and ineffective!. I had been having problems with how to sew it in a way that allowed me to stuff it all effectively and after making up a template and being determined for success with the iron I got to work.  I am happy with the end result!

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Ovaries in a Jar are back!

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I forgot all about Ovaries in a Jar! I really dropped the Ovary on that one! But now the Ovaries are in my Etsy shop in a cute little jar.  They’ve been away since 2012.
I’ve also been thinking that I need to make the anatomy to suit the jar, not make the anatomy and try find a jar.  I don’t want to keep buying jars when I have so many available to me already (I also collect them for Terrarium Workshops).

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Stamped Wrap

Stamps are hard not to love.  Whether it is a humble potato stamp, store bought stamp, someone else’s hand carved handy work, or, best of all, your own hand carved stamp.

I learnt to carve stamps from Kay Watanabe as part of the Hands On Brisbane and truly love the technique and the results.

Today I spent a little time making some more wrap for orders using my own hand carved Your Organ Grinder Anatomy stamps.  I use my stamps to make wrap and tote bags, rather than selling the stamps I carve.

Brain Wrapping Paper

Brain Stamp Wrapping Paper

 

Uterus Wrapping Paper

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Some Stamped little stuffed things.  Not sure what to do with them.  Any ideas?IMG_7056

 

Stamped Tote Bag, bird skulls.

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The Uterus Stamp

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The Ovary Stamp

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Refreshed Anatomy

The beginning of a new year means going back and looking over all of the body parts I have forgotten to re-make after they have sold, or decided to put to bed for a while because they are getting a bit annoying to keep making over and over (did someone say UTERUS!).  New year, refreshed anatomy!

Long time no see Appendix Brooch.  Image

Knee Brooch.  I hardly knew ye.Image

How long has it been, Uterus?  Image

All pieces are available at https://www.etsy.com/shop/yourorgangrinder