Mixed Up Magazine Santos Cuff with RELICS & ARTIFACTS Ambassador Chrissy Colon

One of the biggest thrills of doing what we do is being published in major magazines.  I had such an opportunity to have this piece featured in the October/November 2017 issue of Mixed Up magazine.  Not only did I have the privilege of being published, I also had the distinct honor of this piece gracing the cover.  Talk about a "WOW!" moment!

I had this department store cuff which I bought on clearance, some awesome ColoriQue inks, and the perfect focal point to upcycle an item that was mass produced into something unique and one of a kind.  Of course, you know I do love my bead details!

For the full tutorial complete with photos along with loads of inspiration from other international artists, be sure to subscribe to Mixed Up magazine.  

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Flaming Hearts Ex Voto II
ColoriQue Ink
ICE Resin
Cuff
Beads

A Take On the #RAScrapbook Challenge with Relics & Artifacts Ambassador Heather Thompson

Fellow Relics & Artifact® Ambassedor Miss Amazeballs Monica Downing is hosting a great challenge starting January 1st, the #RAScrapbook Challenge.  The only criteria is getting back to our roots were a lot of us started out and using some of those fabulous Relics & Artifacts craft blanks and Sandra Evertson Art Stamps. 

Surprisingly I was all in, but to be honest, I was alittle dumbfounded when it actually came to creating the page. I wasn't sure if it was a creative slump, hungover from too much fun holiday festivities, or just pure laziness.  However, in spite of my rut and with Monica's new challenge going on, I figured I would throw out some inspiration using Sandra's new Four Portals stamps. I used the "Epiphany" stamp from the Muse collection as the focal point along with the "Creation" Portal. 

Frida Kahlo was such a unique artist with so many shapes and textures, I decided to use the Olde Curiosity Shoppe paper collection from Graphic 45. The detailed pages and coloration takes me back to an era with terra cotta rooftops and brightly colored flowered landscapes.  

Frida's artistic style was unique and I wanted to capture that within the scrapbook page. She had uniquely odd paintings with the various self portraits, shapes, and medley of other random objects.  I incorporated those trademark aspects into the page.  The detail work on the paper also goes hand in hand with the details on the portal stamp. 

Don't forget to get out those Relics & Artifacts goodies and get creating! 

Supply List:
RELICS & ARTIFACTS Dresden Trim "Halo Gold"
FOUR PORTALS Art Stamps "Creation" 
MUSE Art Stamps "Epiphany"
Graphic 45 "Olde Curiosity Shoppe"

Ol' Jack Frost with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Sherry Westfall Matthews

Oh, the weather outside is DELIGHTFUL!

I love the changing of the seasons and here in the South, it just doesn't feel like Christmas time until we see that first visit from ol' Jack Frost. Truth is, some winters, the closest we get to snow is a crisp, frosty morn where we wake to find rooftops glistening and our lawns looking freshly glittered.

That's when my holiday spirit kicks in and my inner kid peeks out!  Yep!  You could say that Jack Frost has a hold on my holiday heart. This is my tribute to the "Architect of the Flake".

From my rooftop to yours, Merry Christmas Y'all!

"It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. The crisp winter air if full of it."
-- John Burroughs, "Winter Sunshine"

Materials:
Relics & Artifacts® Figureheads 
Apoxie Sculpt 
Kroma Crackle
That's Crafty! Acrylic Upright, Arch  
That's Crafty! Dinky Stencil Snowflake background
Gel medium
DecoArt acrylics
snowflake confetti
bottle brush tree
buttons & beads in cool, frosty colors
bleach 

FOUR PORTALS Art Stamps Limited Release by Sandra Evertson and RubberMoon Stamps

Sandra Evertson and RubberMoon are at it again!  Experience artistic infinitum with "Four Portals", a limited release by RubberMoon.  

These beautiful and timeless frames accent any art stamping project seamlessly and are designed to intertwine with "MUSE" Art Stamps as well as the Relics & Artifacts® resin craft blanks.

Incredibly detailed and made of the finest red rubber on the market, "Four Portals" will add an infinite number of creative possibilities perfect for any style, motif, or skill level.

As a special gift and our way to say thank you, if you purchase all four of the "Four Portals" stamps, you will receive "Alma" as a free give.  Please note that "Alma" is only available as a cling stamp.

Pictured above framed with "Ethereal", this stamp is accented with a thorn necklace and hummingbird pendant.

And please don't forget to grab your "Muse" Art Stamps.  The beauty of these collections is how effortlessly they blend, meld, and mesh together to create one of a kind masterpieces for yourself or to gift to loved ones.

"Four Portals" along with "Muse" Art Stamps are available now at RubberMoon and SandraEvertson.com!

PS:  Can you believe Sandra stamped those images onto FEATHERS?!  Brilliant, I tell you!

My Inner Child with Relics & Artifacts® Ambassador Heather Thompson

Some Days......

My Inner Child is all wrapped up in the cobwebs of warped visions, ideas, thoughts and feelings.

My Inner Child is the one that wants to sleep on the couch all day  and dream endless dreams.

My Inner Child, the one who wants to only eat the center of the Oreos and smile from ear to ear while doing it.

My Inner Child, the one who wants to walk through the gardens and pick bouquets of tulips and lilies with the constant smell of roses around me.

My Inner Child, the one that want to splash and dance in the puddles during a warm summer shower.

Some days.......we all need our inner child to come out more.

Supplies:
Relics & Artifacts® Persona
Creative Embellishments: Cobweb 6X6 Panel, Large Black Gears, Distress Square Stencil
7 Dots Studio: Dreamscapes Word Stickers. 
DecoArt Media: Modeling Paste, American Crackle Medium, Crackle Glaze, Ultra Matte Varnish,  Antiquing Cream Patina Fluid Acrylics Primary Cyan, Green Gold, Metallic Gold, Prussian Blue Hue, Titan Buff.
13@rts Black Gesso

What Is Style? with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Darlene Madden

"Style.  What is your style?" This question has been on my mind lately as I listen to comments regarding my work. I hear adjectives like "pretty," "gorgeous," and "blingy".  And while those are all lovely to hear as feedback, I had the thought, "What else is there?"

I see myself as a creative person whose job it is to PLAY and mix it up a bit when I create. That is exactly what I have done on this latest triptych.  I played, pushed, pulled, and auditioned elements and pieces that I may have passed by on a less playful day.  As a mixed media artist, I am grateful to have a studio full of interesting treasures, as my treasure hunting goes a long time back.

My starting point were the three legs from Relics & Artifacts® and the wooden base that my husband built. From that point the piece began to evolve and tell the story. As far as style goes, yes, I may tend towards pretty and more feminine works for the majority of my pieces but I do not want to get too predictable.  So I say, "Keep them guessing!"

Materials List:
Relics & Artifacts® Milagros
Wooden base
Metal heat tape
embossing folder
up-cycled belt
Vintage playing card
rusty nails
screws
wood branches
steampunk gears
Barometer gauge
barn hinge
cabinet pull
polymer clay
staples
acrylic paints

Relics & Artifacts® Holiday Story Challenge Happening NOW!

Do you have a favorite holiday movie or story?  Is it a classic like "White Christmas" or "The Christmas Carol"?  Is it modern like "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" or "Elf"?  Is it untraditional like "Die Hard"?  We are hosting our annual holiday challenge now in our Tribe on Facebook and we want you to join in the fun!

Create a piece that illustrates your favorite holiday story whether it be a movie or literary piece and post it in the Tribe under the appropriate album.  Use #RAHolidayStory in your caption to be entered to win an awesome prize.  One winner for each category will be chosen and we've added a twist!  Your fellow Tribe members will choose!  Entry deadline is December 24!

Calavera Necklace with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Chrissy Colon

I am not one to do the same type of project idea multiple times.  This one was an exception.  I embraced a challenge courtesy of a very good friend of mine who wanted a custom necklace.  She wanted black with bright, bold colors.  Since I never work with black, my natural response was, "Challenge accepted!"

As most already know,  I do love working with beads.  I find something calming and almost therapeutic about gluing each bead into place and watching my sketched design come to life.  When the piece is completed, the sense of accomplishment and completion is enough to stoke my creative fires.

While the overall design is simple, the bead work is where the magic is with this piece.  The creativity begins to flow and new ideas spring forth.  The second layer of the necklace that has the cross was one such "AHA!" moment.  The addition of a few stone skulls on handmade eye-pins stitched together the elements seamlessly.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Crosse Icons
Relics & Artifacts® Archangels
ICE Resin
Firemountain Gems seed beads
Carved stone skull beads
Necklace Chain
Head pins
jump rings
lobster claw clasp

Sweet Charlotte Workshop with Rochelle Gaukel

Relics & Artifacts® Ambassador Rochelle Gaukel has a "sweet" workshop for those located in Chilliwack, BC!  Learn to make the fabulous "Sweet Charlotte" ornament using some of Rochelle's signature techniques in a unique and fun face-to-face workshop.

Visit Whatever Lola Wants for more details!  Register quickly as Rochelle's workshops always fill up fast!

Note:  This is not a Relics & Artifacts® workshop but we absolutely love to support our Ambassadors in all of their teaching and showcasing endeavors.  Stay tuned for more class opportunities from Rochelle featuring Relics & Artifacts®!

Heart of an Artist with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Sherry Westfall Matthews

There are a lot of creative types in this world. Many people can assemble a kit. Most can complete a class project. Some even have the ability to alter those ideas and give them a personal twist.

And then there are those who just create from a random thought or an idea.  They are connected with their muse. But what is it that makes one an artist?  I honestly think it's simple. It's not skill and talent (though that helps). It's not selling your work or showing in galleries.  

It's heart. Creating with heart. All you need is the heart of an artist.

Connect-
Intersect-
Between your heart and head.
Both are tied-
Unified-
By a creative thread.
~Sherry Westfall Matthews

Materials:
MUSE® Art Stamps "Heart of an Artist"
Unfinished wood plaque
StazOn Ink pad, black
Stain
thread
hammer
nails

Spanish Sun with Relics & Artifacts® Ambassador Heather Thompson

As the sun shines and reflects off the terra cotta rooftops,
standing against the sun worn wall,
A pure beauty, a true Spanish sun with olive tone skin,

With  a mysterious beauty about her,
as she stands against the Moroccan patterned earthy tones,

She emanates an enigma about her,
in the eyes of all who gazes upon her. 

Note: "Spanish Sun" originally appeared in Mixed Up magazine earlier this year as part of the Creative Play feature with a full stepped out tutorial.  Be sure to visit Pocketmags to learn more or sign up for a subscription.

Supplies: 
Relics & Artifacts® Facia Familiaris
Relics & Artifacts® Milagros 
Relics & Artifacts® Helios I
Relics & Artifacts® Helios II
Apoxie Sculpt
DecoArt Media: Primary Yellow, Cadmium Orange Hue, Yellow Oxide, Burnt Umber, Carbon Black, Quinacridone Magenta, Cadmium Red Hue, Dairylide Yellow, Pyrrole Orange, Medium Grey Value 6, Paynes Grey, Tinting Base, Gesso White, Decoupage
The Crafters Workshop® Viva la Art stencil
Canvas

Jasmine the Garden Fairy with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Chrissy Colon

As Summer begins to bleed into Fall, I look at my darling garden fairy, Jasmine, as she sits so serenely on my shelf.  I realize how fast the year has gone by and, like previous years, I did not spend nearly the amount of time outside or at the beach as I promised I would do at the start of the season.  William Blake's "To Summer" seems to be an appropriate tribute to my most favorite season.

O thou who passest thro' our valleys in
Thy strength, curb thy fierce steeds, allay the heat
That flames from their large nostrils! thou, O Summer,
Oft pitched'st here thy goldent tent, and oft
Beneath our oaks hast slept, while we beheld
With joy thy ruddy limbs and flourishing hair.

Beneath our thickest shades we oft have heard
Thy voice, when noon upon his fervid car
Rode o'er the deep of heaven; beside our springs
Sit down, and in our mossy valleys, on
Some bank beside a river clear, throw thy
Silk draperies off, and rush into the stream:
Our valleys love the Summer in his pride.

Our bards are fam'd who strike the silver wire:
Our youth are bolder than the southern swains:
Our maidens fairer in the sprightly dance:
We lack not songs, nor instruments of joy,
Nor echoes sweet, nor waters clear as heaven,
Nor laurel wreaths against the sultry heat.

I look forward to next summer where I hope to sing more, play often, and embrace Summer's sultry song.

Note:  "Jasmine the Garden Fairy" was created for Mixed Up Magazine's June/July 2017 issue as part of the Creative Play feature.  Visit Mixed Up Magazine on Pocketmags for the full issue which includes a step-out tutorial on how to create your own!

Supplies Used:
Relics & Artifacts® Facia Familiaris
Retro Cafe Art Gallery Santos Doll
Retro Cafe Art Gallery Antler Cut-Outs
Apoxie Sculpt
DecoArt acrylic paint
Debbie Kerkhof of Xquizart "Hippie Chick" digital papers 

From the Tribe: Relics & Artifacts® Guest Ambassador Jools Robertson

We regularly invite members from our Facebook Tribe to be featured as guest Ambassadors here on the Muse.  This month, we are honored, humbled, and thrilled to feature Jools Roberston as our Relics & Artifacts® Guest Ambassador.  

I was always encouraged to be creative from a very young age, my parents said I was great as a child as I would sit quietly for hours drawing, painting and cutting up!  Nowadays, I work full time as a textile designer working on commercial interior projects and developing product collections.  I’m constantly being creative working with textures, design and colour, which I love.

In my spare time, I enjoy all types of arts and crafts and working with multimedia, particularly altered art using paint, die cutting, stamps, lots of colour, texture and experimenting with new techniques. I am also a design team member for DecoArt and Stampotique.

To connect with Jools, find her on her blog, Creative Journey!

I’m very honored to be Guest Ambassador for Muse using the fabulous Relics & Artifacts® products.  I love to use architectural detailing in my work and always use moldings to create interest and dimension.  I also like to use various media to create texture, working with colours and metallics to create depth and detail. 

I chose to use the wonderful Ostensorium's design as it is such a fabulous shape based on a Medieval museum piece. It is also referred to as a Monstrance which comes from the Latin word, "monstrare", meaning "to show". 

The Romans used this type of vessel to hold and exhibit an honored object so it was a perfect place to use the beautiful Regalis center piece.  Just look at those cherubs! I started to do some research into them.  Wow! I was blown away.  I was inspired by one that had a red center and liked the silver colouration and beautiful jeweled finishes.  Now you need to know that I have a thing about wings! So, although unconventional, it makes it unique and personal to my style.

Here's how I put my treasured vessel together.

Step 1: Once I had assembled the Ostensorium I applied a coat of white Gesso and allowed to dry.

Step 2:  Apply crackle paste to the surfaces with a palette knife, thicker in areas to create larger crackles. I allowed the whole thing to dry for a few hours. Once it was dry, I adhered the Regalis pieces in place with a strong glue.

Step 3:  The wings!  I cut the wings in 300gsm cardstock using the Cricut ‘Lovestruck’ cartridge twice.  Glue both layers with PVA glue and apply texture sand with a stencil brush to create more texture.  Leave to dry for a few hours.

Step 4:  It's time get centered!  Paint the inside with Quinacridone Red and darken around the edge with Quinacridone Magenta and Carbon Black.

Step 5:  Apply a coat of Silver Metallic fluid acrylic once the crackle medium has fully dried.  Apply a wash of Carbon Black working around the edge of the embellishment details.  Wipe excess to create a tarnished look and highlight the crackle.  

Step 6:  To highlight, use a dry brush with the Silver Metallic and then embellish with crystals.

Supplies:
Relics & Artifacts® Ostensorium 
Relics & Artifacts® Regalis
DecoArt White Gesso 
DecoArt Crackle Paste 
DecoArt Texture Sand
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics:  Metallic Silver, Carbon Black, Quinacridone Red, Quinacridone, Magenta
Jewelled Embellishment 

Fractured Fairy Tale with Relics & Artifacts and ColoriQue Ink

Ambassador Rochelle Gaukel picks up our fairy tale answering and important question.  What happened to Cindy's lost shoe?

While Cindy was off on her escapades with Rocker Dude, she was unaware of what was happening back at the castle grounds. Cindy didn't know that Prince Charming had followed her out of the castle. He was right behind her when he saw her mount the carriage and head off. He was so mad that she got away without knowing her name or where she came from. As he looked to see which direction she was heading, a bird flew above him with something shiny in its beak. It was the black patent leather stiletto!! The bird dropped the shoe and as Prince Charming picked it up, he could see Cindy in the reflection of the shoe.

You see, the shoe was a magical shoe and showed the prince the future. He saw how happy Cindy was with Rocker Dude and how a future with him would not be possible. Cinderella was a wild child at heart.  He knew that such a free spirit could never be tamed.  The Prince was a bit of the old fashioned sort.  While he loved her wild spirit, he also knew this was not his "thing" as far as potential princesses go . So, he whistled for the bird to come back.  Because this is a fractured tale, the Prince also possessed the very fantastical ability to talk to animals.  He asked the bird to take the shoe to a faraway land where it could never be found again.

With a sentimental and amused smile on his face, he watched Cindy ride away in a cloud of dust over the horizon.

Supply List:
MUSE® Art Stamps Esperanza
ColoriQue Ink by Lisa Jimenez:  Verdigris, Black Diamond, Ruby Slippers, Snow Summit, Turquoise Mountain
Beads
Metal finding
Metal cage
 

Fractured Fairy Tale with Relics & Artifacts® and ColoriQue Ink: Cindy's Temptation

We are nearing the apex of our Fractured Fairy Tale collaboration with ColoriQue Ink!  Today, Ambassador Heather Thompson picks it up with Cindy coming to some realizations....and temptations!

Cindy ran off and lost her killer stiletto heel. She briefly glanced back, seeing the glistening shoe the foreground and the luxurious castle in the background. She stopped for a split second and thought to herself, “What if?  What if I stay?  I could have everything I ever wanted. Money, fame, no wicked sisters and a stepmother from hell."  She shook her head as if to shake those what if's from her mind, "Nope. Nada. Hasta la vista, baby! This chick is out of here!" 

Cindy jumped in her blood red three-wheeled carriage.  It was decked out with flames shooting out of the tailpipes, and a stellar set of wheels, perfect to the carry her away on her quest to find herself and to find true happiness.

Cindy pulled the clutch and revved the throttle.  A large ball of fire shoots out the tailpipe! She released the clutch and took off in a ball of smoke.  The smell of hot, molten metal permeated the air and as the smoke dissipated, Cindy is gunning for the horizon with the wind in her hair.

As she crested the hill, she slowed down and pulled up next to a broken down RV on the side of the road.  Standing there looking over a flat tire, she saw the dark and handsome spiked hair lead singer of the band from the night's gala. She looked at him and gave a coy wink and a secretive smile.  Before she realized what she was doing, Cindy motioned the rocker to jump on in. As he hoisted himself into the carriage, Cindy could be heard giggling and yelling, "HELL YES!" as she revved the engine one final time.  She and her Punk Prince took off into the night not knowing what kind of adventure they were destined to have....

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Egg Shrine 
Relics & Artifacts® Regalis
Relics & Artifacts® Sol
ColoriQue Ink by Lisa Jimenez:  Black Diamond, Ruby Slippers, Snow Summit, Verdigris
Apoxie Sculpt

Fractured Fairy Tale Chapter 3 with Relics & Artifacts and ColoriQue Ink

Cindy has just arrived at the biggest concert of the ages after undergoing an introspective transformation.  Today, Ambassador Monica Downing tells us what awaits inside!

Cindy roared into the parking lot on her bike and parked right up front. She made her way to the doors of the concert hall. 

Once inside, she began weaving through the crowd. As she made her way toward the stage, she removed her leather jacket and revealed a beautiful pair of butterfly wings. Her wings open up in all of their bad ass glory and hundreds of smaller butterflies fluttered up to the enormous chandelier that hung over the crowd. 

The light seemed to soften as it shed a beautiful and ethereal glow directly onto Cindy. The prince noticed this magical woman immediately, and for him, it was love at first sight. 

However, not so much for Cindy as she had her sights set on the lead singer of the band. The prince was suddenly in front of her, determined to get her attention. Before she knew it she and the prince were swept into the craziest mosh pit and rocking out hard to the band.

All the while, the butterflies clung to the chandelier and like magical little strobe lights, their wings began to flicker, flash, glimmer and shine with the most epic light show any concert had ever seen before.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Flora
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants I
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants II
Colorique by Lisa Marie Jimenez:  Black Diamond, Snow Summit, Poppy. Pink Ice, Ruby Slipper, Honey Bee, Turquoise Mountain, Pacific Ocean, Wisteria, Avocado
Chipboard butterfly wings
Misc. Butterfly Stamps
Black and white ink
Embossing powder
Glitter
Leaves and flowers
Clear crystal beading
TONS OF FREAKING HOT GLUE

Fractured Fairy Tale: Chapter 2 with Relics & Artifacts and ColoriQue

We continue our Fracture Fairy Tale with Ambassador Sherry Matthews as she familiarizes us with the demented stepsisters.  For the previous segments, please be sure to catch on the ColoriQue blog as well as the Muse.

Cinderella had the meanest of step-sisters. You'd have to look far and wide for two nastier people. They treated her like she was their maid and took whatever they wanted of her few belongings. So it was no surprise that when the Prince's invitation to the Monster's Rock Ball arrived, the sisters began arguing over it.

"Me!" Anastasia screeched, "the Prince will LOVE me!"  Drizella ripped the envelope from her hands exclaiming, "Everyone knows that I am the most beautiful in the land!" They both mocked Cinderella horribly for wanting to attend. Their torture left her in tears. Somehow, amongst the tussling, a brooch fell from a secret pocket in the envelope. The sisters assumed the jewelry was a gift from the Prince. But BOY!  Were they WRONG!

Cinderella's fairy godmother had sent it. The gift was an enchanted brooch, intended to allow Cinderella's true beauty to shine through. Drizella and Anastasia, true to form, kept the brooch hidden for themselves.

On the night of the ball, Anastasia tried to pin it to her dress. Drizella was furious! She grabbed for it and tried to rip it from her sister's dress.  Suddenly, they both felt faint!  They promptly sat on their vanity bench, looked into the mirror, and to their horror, discovered the brooch's powers! 

The sisters were now conjoined! Individually, they had half the brain, half the personality, and none of the kindness that their step sister possessed.  The brooch itself was now rusted and crusty. It oozed the black of the sisters' souls.

Their dark sides were now revealed for all to see.

Materials:
Relics & Artifacts® Facia Familiaris
Relics & Artifacts® Rising Spirit I
ColoriQue by Lisa Jimenez: Black Diamond, Snow Summit, Ruby Slippers, Pacific Ocean
VerDay paint set
Apoxie Sculpt
EnviroTex EasySculpt Modeling Clay
EnviroTex Jewelry Resin
DecoArt Antiquing Cream
DecoArt Modeling Paste
Liquitex Gel Medium
Nail Art Jewels
E6000
Kraft paper
Cardboard faux book box
Scrapbook paper

Fractured Fairy Tale with Relics & Artifacts and ColoriQue

We continue our Fracture Fairy Tale with Cindy receiving the invitation for the Royal Monster's Rock Ball and in the excitement, a secret pocket located inside the envelope has gone unnoticed.  Ambassador Milagros Rivera takes us through Cindy's preparation for her bangin' weekend.

After reading the invitation, Cindy felt pure exhilaration. She started to think about what she could possibly wear to such a massive party. Her closet was impossibly empty of anything worth wearing. She knew none of her sisters would spare her a piece of clothing.

After much thought, she climbed into the attic. There, amongst all the boxes, she found her mom's gorgeous leather pants. But would they fit? That was the great dilemma. In another box she found the perfect match, a lacy bustier that would rock the evening. Not to mention, it really made the "girls" look great. She took all the treasures to her room and begin mending and tailoring.  She also decided to forego the stale cookies on her dresser and opted for some apples and peanut butter to munch on. 

While she worked on getting her sleek, svelte figure back, she realized that her outfit was missing something.  She needed THE PERFECT accessory but what? 

She had a moment of pure genius while ruffling through her box of odds and ends.  Crossed revolvers, vintage blood red roses, gorgeous filigree, and of course, a family heirloom.  The skull was perfect to tie her entire rocker chic ensemble together.

For the previous chapter, written by Larissa Heskett, please head over to the ColoriQue blog and stay tuned because tomorrow, Ambassador Sherry Matthews continues our story!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts "Archangels"
ColoriQue Ink by Lisa Marie Jimenez:  Black Diamond, Ruby Slippers, Verdigris, Avocado, Pink Ice,
EnviroTex Jewelry Resin

Welcome to the RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Team, Darlene Madden!

We are super stoked to have the ridiculously talented and multifaceted Darlene Madden joining our RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador team.  Her unique style and multidimensional approach to art shows in her creations and her cheeky, fun-loving personality is a perfect match!  Let's get to know the beautiful Darlene a bit more.

What fills your time when you are not creating?

When I am not creating, I am thinking about new creations!!! As a full time artist and instructor, I am always looking at the world through “potential eyes.” I love to find and use wonderful treasures and incorporate them in my art.  My philosophy is everyday can be an artistic experience and I strive to live this way.  Creating and gratitude are my mainstays. My husband Gord and I have 5 children and 7 grandchildren. All of these amazing individuals just enrich our everyday lives as we are lucky that they all live near us!

What are your favorite materials to use when you create?

My favorite materials in my toolbox are polymer clay, paint, vintage jewelry and found objects. It is very easy for me to grab these elements and make interesting connections because they all seem to easily relate to each other. 

Where do you find inspiration for your art and how do you stay inspired?

I have no trouble finding inspiration.  I find it in nature, music, books.  

What is your signature style?

My signature style can best be described in one word:  TEXTURE. I am drawn to it like a bee to a flower and I just love using it in most of my work.

If you could meet with anyone, living or deceased, who do you feel you could spend hours in a chat over a cup of tea or coffee?

If I could spend time with someone who I am totally intrigued by it would be Georgia OʼKeefe.  I hiked the area she lived in while in New Mexico and I loved it!  I totally respect her for finding her own creative voice and using it.

What is your favorite quote?

My favourite quote is, “We are mosaics... pieces of light, love , history, stars...glued together with magic and music and words.” --Anita Krishan

We are thrilled that Darlene will be joining us on our horizon broadening and comfort zone busting journey through creativity and cannot wait to see what magic she shares with us and all of you.  If you'd like to connect with Darlene, you can find her at Inspiro Mixed Media, on Facebook at Inspiro Mixed Media Works, on Instagram under @InspiroMixedMedia, or via email at Info@MyInspiro.com.

RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Rochelle Gaukel and Sacre Coeur

When I received my set of MUSE® Art Stamps, the sacre coeur stamp stood out to me. I knew I wanted to create a necklace using this special art stamp.

Sacre coeur, or better known as “sacred heart”, represents the heart of Christ and his sacrifice for all of us. When I see any form of a sacred heart, I am reminded of the vast love that Christ has for us.  I used red coral as a reference to the blood that was shed that day, as well as mother of pearl rosary beads.

This necklace represents the way my faith shows up in the art I create. 

Supply List:

MUSE® Art Stamps Sacre Coeur
ICE Resin
Glass Glitter
Mother of Pearl Rosary Chain
Coral Beads