Exploration # 9 CASE OF CURIOSITIES

Collect objects that you do not understand or have meaning for. Alternate: Miniature Museum. Collect only very small things and store them in a mint tin or small box.

Okay,so this isn't exactly a miniature collection, however, it is a small collection of small things made from even smaller things:). These are little bead creatures and people my daughter and I have been making. They are fun to make and a good use of the thousands of beads I thought I just had to have.

EXPLORATION # 8 CRACKS

Map out cracks in your neighborhood.

I had some general good ideas for this exploration when I started it. I had intended on photographing cracks between my home and work. I was then going to piece them together in one continuous map. I have since decided against that. This exploration left me feeling discouraged. I photographed several cracks and have decided my exploration showed me that some of our community tax dollars should be spent on road repairs. No comments necessary. Not much exciting going on here I'm off to complete the next exploration.

Exploration # 7 World of Color

Collect paint chips from a paint or hardware store. Find colors you respond to in the world. Attempt to match them.

I was quite surprised when I came home from my trip to gather paint chips. I would normally gravitate to bright extreme colors but as I looked at the chips spread out on my counter I noticed this was not the case. I think my choice of chips made things a little more difficult than I had imagined. I found matches the best I could but my attempts to display them were the biggest challenge. 1) One of my JUMBO coffee mugs.

color: Mayan Treasure







2) Scales
color: Malted Mint






3) Petals of one of our Sunflowers color:Gold Abundance
4) A gas can color: Fabulous Red

5) The stems of two Marigolds color: French Olive

6) Petals on a flower

color: Orange Crush

7) The "flesh" part of my kitty's tummy.

His fur was just too hard match:) color:Fairytale pink

8) Blue cup holding my colored pencils color: Skydive Blue

9) Painting on the wall color: Textured stone-Maize & Brillant Red

10) Bits of color squares on a photo album color: Hot Passion Pink

11) Stripes in material of a shirt

color: Hibiscus Pink

12) The background color of the book that started this project:) color: Early Spring

Exploration # 6 Archaeological Dig

Collect objects that relate to your childhood or inspire memories. Alternate: Re-create objects from your childhood using found objects or readily available materials.

I decided I would show a few items from my childhood and recreate some items from my past.

This photograph brings back memories of my first "major boo boo". This photo was taken right before I sliced my arm open on a piece of trim sticking out on the side of the car. My friend and I were chasing each other around the car and before I knew it...slice. Nine stitches later I have a scar and a memory to last forever. I went out the next day like nothing ever happened :) I loved to play restaurant and cook. I always made my own food items and menus. I didn't have the store bought plastic items children have today. I used my great grandmothers apron as my waitress uniform. I tore up flowers, grass, pine cones, etc. to use as my food. I also used empty food packages from our house. If I was feeling really adventurous I would spend hours cutting out paper food items to resemble McDonalds food.

MATERIALS: Paper, Crayons, Scissors.

This cute little guy is where I use to save all of my money to buy presents for people. I am surprised he is still in one piece. I had to do some serious shaking to get the money back out of him. You can probably tell from the size of the pig my presents weren't very extravagant. It is the thought that counts right?

Last but definitely not least I recreated some items much like I did on a regular basis when I was young. Of course, they were life size so I could actually wear them. In addition to my hand made accessories I would wear my red, white and blue bathing suit. I wish I had that photo:)

MATERIALS: found cardboard, found aluminum foil, found gold elastic from earlier collection, red paint ( I always have paints around).

For those of you not from this era or who don't quite recognize these items they are Wonder Woman's accessories. She always had her golden magic lasso, bullet reflecting bracelets and tiara. If you were a fan of the show then I am sure you too will remember this song. "Wonder Woman... All the world's waiting for you, and the power you possess. In your satin tights, Fighting for your rights And the old Red, White and Blue...I have to say this was my favorite exploration so far!

Exploration # 5 The First Thing You See.

A collection based on the first found object you see on your walk. You decide the connection between the items.

Ho hum... another collection thing. I'm not really feeling the collection activity again so soon but I guess I shall make the most of it.

The first item I found was a short rusty nail and a few short steps from there a long roofing nail. What to do with this collection. My mind started racing in many different directions with a lot of ideas. My week had taken an unwelcome turn so I decided to play up on it. See if you can piece the connection together.

And the winner is...

things that cause pain or discomfort.

Exploration #4 Daily Walk

Whew, I'm exhausted! That was one long walk. It was hard to collect thirty things. I drive to and from work so it made my collecting a bit of a challenge. I chose to collect things from my travels during work and play. I tried very hard not to pick up things that were trash, however, other than things placed by mother nature I suppose it is all trash. I guess it could also be considered treasure depending on your perspective. Here is my list as well as my photos of my collection.

1) Plastic disc thing. 2) Pop top. 3) Kmart Rewards Card. 4) Jingle Bell :)

5) 25cent sticker. 6) Used white candle. 7) Broken plastic fork. 8) Pink key identifier.

9) Orange balloon. 10) Silver hook. 11) Green glass stone. 12) Paper clip. 13) Gold elastic.

14) Orange curling ribbon. 15) Church literature. 16) Army pin. 17 ) Used Glade refill

18) Gold screw with plastic clip. 19) Wiggly eye. 20) Silver nut.

21) Arby's receipt for a jamocha shake. 22) egg roll bag. 23) Label from adhesive back.

24) Wood chip. 25) Pebble/stone 26) Green leaf 27) Dried flower of some kind.

28) Piece of a mushroom. 29) Red berries 30) White nut pod?



BONUS ITEM... Just because it caught my fancy. It was too big to put in my collection bag.

Exploration #3 - Light

I chose to do the alternate exercise: Pay attention to light patterns, reflections, and projections. Consider that they are everywhere and document them. I thought this exercise was going to be a real challenge and I was a bit hesitant to get started. It was somewhat challenging but before I knew it I was in with both feet and finding myself looking at things differently.

Reflection of my little bath time buddie:)
Reflections: Window blinds reflecting into many small circles. I'm not sure how the light made the blinds appear that orange yellow color. They are ivory color blinds.







Lights from the ceiling fan creating shadows on the ceiling.

A photo taken through a glass table top. It shows the light from above .

Candles illuminating shadows on the wall.

Mottled light reflecting from surrounding sources.