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 

"Sweet Child of Mine" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Monica Downing

When I was thinking about this piece, I kept thinking how outside of the box it was going to be for me, how I really wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone.  I challenged myself not to use color, which is a big deal for me. I have never done well with muted colors or white space. I just always want to fill up the space or splash some color on it in some way.

I can tell you that I am inspired by many, many artists, but when I see Lynne Moncrieff’s work, I am always in awe of how her pieces are just so beautifully put together. I envy her and other artists who are able to create with that palette.  Those who create these beautiful, romantic, time-worn, layered, vintage inspired pieces with subtle hints of color, just blow my mind.

THAT was my goal, time-worn, layered, vintage, soft, romantic. (Who MOI??)  I must say, this came together much easier than I thought it would.

As I started gathering my supplies, which are few, I started seeing the end result in my art brain and it just all happened. Before I knew it, I was done and honestly, I was so happy with how this piece came out and how easily it seemed to flow from my art brain to my finger tips to the final piece.  Now I want to create more of this type of work.

The really funny thing is, this piece goes perfectly in my family room. I have an industrial, shabby chic motif throughout most of my home. My studio decor and my home are like two completely different people live here. It’s like when I walk into my studio all of the color and brightness of it get my art juices flowing, and when I am in my family room, or bedroom, I am relaxed and unplugged, so I guess it’s a good balance.

Anyhow, go make something you may not think you are comfortable with. Go make something and push yourself outside of your “zone”. I have a feeling you will love the end result.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Figureheads"
Relics & Artifacts® Bohemian Jewels "Diamond"
Ice Resin Iced Enamels "Ivory"
Wooden box                                                                
Wooden lamp finial
Tissue paper
Vintage tart tin
Vintage Ribbon
Vintage crochet doily

"Fancy Badge Holders" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Heather Thompson

A friend at work recently was admiring my badge holder I had made with a Relics & Artifacts® piece. She said she wouldn’t mind one of those and asked if I could make her one. I am always up for sharing my art, so I went for it.

I made a variety of holders, not knowing which one she would like. I used Relics from different sets, wanting a variety for her to choose from and then I just sat and played around one day.

Out of all of them I made, I can’t pick a favorite.  They are all unique and with the extra badge holders I made, I am able to switch things up a bit when the mood strikes me.

Not to mention, there has been an piqued interest when co-workers see them.  They ask, “Where did you get that?” As a result, I have had some personal requests. I think after wearing the same navy blue scrubs for as long as some of us have, adding a little variety in the work attire is welcoming.  How fun it is to get to wear the Relics & Artifacts® to work!

Supplies:

Relics & Artifacts® "Figureheads"
Relics & Artifacts® "Medallions"
Relics & Artifacts® "Flora"
Relics & Artifacts® "Regalis"
Relics & Artifacts® "Crosse Icons"
Relics & Artifacts® Dresden Trim "Coat of Arms"
DecoArt Fluid Acrylics
Paynes Grey Quinocadone Gold, Transparent Yellow Oxide Hue, Titanium White, Quinacridone Red, Metallic Gold, Metallic Silver, Carbon Black, Aquamarine, Raw Umber, Quinacridone Violet, Titan Buff, Antiquing Cream Carbon Black, Interference Blue
Crackle Glaze
Texture Sand Paste
Satin Varnish