Miscellaneous Projects

Here are some of the many big and small projects that have been going on these years.

First I'd like to introduce this lamp, made of a large pickle jar and the metal parts of a broken plafond lamp. The lamp system itself (socket, wire with switch) came from an old ceramic night stand lamp which broke, of course. But I'm almost incapable of throwing anything useful away, otherwise I wouldn't have these things lying around.

I drilled a hole in the center of the lid, then assembled the lamp parts on either side. I had to open the switch-part and take the wire out, then re-assemble, to be able to do it. The lamp worked and I didn't get electrocuted, so must've done something right. Unfortunately there are no pictures of the process, but here's the finished lamp:

Another small project was this hair accessory, which I bought from a little store at a train station. It was originally plain purple velvet. I simply hand-sowed some more material to it: a few black ribbons, originally used to hang clothes, some fishnet or tull- something, that used to be a mosquito net, and some beads.

Then there's this huge project, that has been going on for years. A giant quilt-work, that I started for my own entertainment, and because I really liked the model. Since this work is so huge, (there are over 400 of these umbrella-patterns) the process has been kind of on and off. I later changed it to a gift for my parents, partly to motivate me to finish it, and now it's nearing completion! But it's still missing the rim. The materials are new and used cotton fabrics, suitable for quilting. Good-quality men's shirts, sriped or with a checkerd pattern proved especially useful. I looked for them at thrift stores, as usual. The lining is a ready-made fabrick for quilting from a fabrick store.

Quilting might not seem like a very goth hobby, but of course you can choose colours and patterns according to your own style. For me it's also colour therapy. I love colours, deep and bright, even yellows,  and printed patterns, especially the oriental paisley- pattern. I just don't want to wear anything too bright. It would just be too annoying and uncomfortable, seeing yourself the whole time. Anyway, for my next quilting project I have more deep colours and luxurious materials in mind.