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

"Nature and Art" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Heather Thompson

As many of you know I not only create art inside, but I also create art outside. I have been gardening for as long as I have been working. I use art both inside and out as a release from the stress of work. So whether it is in the gardens or in the studio, it relaxes me. It frees me. 

So for me to be able to make something I can enjoy for my gardens is a bonus. To sit in one of the many places in my gardens and enjoy the true art of nature and to see a beautiful piece of art that shimmers and shines in the patches of sunlight breaking through the leaves is a reward in itself.

Nature and Art, they go their separate ways
It seems; yet all at once they find each other.
Even I no longer am a foe to either;
Both equally attract me nowadays.

Some honest toil's required; then, phase by phase,
When diligence and wit have worked together
To tie us fast to Art with their good tether,
Nature again may set our hearts ablaze.

All culture is like this; the unfettered mind,
The boundless spirit's mere imagination,
For pure perfection's heights will strive in vain.
To achieve great things, we must be self-confined:

Mastery is revealed in limitation
And law alone can set us free again.

-Selected Poetry of Johann Wolfgang van Goethe,  'Natur und Kunst' (2005: 124-125)

I wanted to make something functional but yet stunning, a piece special for my gardens.  Enjoy the process of this piece. 

But with all artists, there is the idea, implementation of the idea, following through, altering the idea, and then through many other steps, set backs, and "AHA!" moments, there is the completion of the idea.  It is then time to capture the completed idea so others can envision in their own eyes the true beauty and elegance of a piece. 

Of course, with any creative process, getting the picture to capture its true essence is sometimes just as long, complicated, and tedious as the project itself. The things we will not do to try and get the perfect picture are few and far between.  The balance between the perfect project and the perfect photo is sometimes literal!

Supplies:

Relics & Artifacts® Crosse Icons
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants I
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants II
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants III
Relics & Artifacts® Facia Familiaris
Relics & Artifacts® Cameos
Relics & Artifacts® Flaming Hearts Ex Votos
Relics & Artifacts® Medallions
Relics & Artifacts® Visage
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics (Titan Buff, Paynes Grey, Quinacridone Gold, Transparent Yellow Oxide, Cobalt Turquoise Hue)
DecoArt Media Antiquing Cream (English Red Oxide, Patina)
DecoArt Media Gesso (White, Black)
DecoArt Media Crackle Glaze
Swarovski Crystals (Copper, Clear, Smokey Topaz)
Ice Resin
Iced Resin German Glass Glitter Shards (Ancient Gold, Sterling, Onxy)
Iced Resin Opals (Crystal, Fire Opal)
Iced Resin Bronze Shattered Mica

"On Angel Wings We Soar!": A Very Cool Feature with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Milagros Rivera

Since you already know our Christmas here in Puerto Rico lasts long into the New Year, I thought I would share this tree with you. If you take a closer look at the presents underneath the tree, you'll see they are all David Yurman bags.  Yes, David Yurman, the jeweler!  Don't I wish they were all for me, but an even closer look would reveal this:  Relics & Artifacts® ornaments!!!!

I made *50* of these beautiful chandelier pendant ornaments for this display.  My eternal thanks to David for rushing them out to me!

This year has been a whirlwind for me. I can't even begin to describe all the good things and opportunities I have been given.  The words "grateful" and "blessed" have been on my heart all year. Going back to the way it all started, I remember doing my New Year's Resolution this way:

It was actually good to go back and read my last post of 2015 and all the hope I had for 2016.  As the new year approaches, I bid you creativity, opportunities and wings, as I feel that on angel wings we soar!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants

From the Tribe: RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Guest Ambassador Martha DeGroat Richardson

A New Monthly Feature Presenting the Heart of Our Tribe. Guest Ambassadors are chosen from the Relics & Artifacts® Tribe on Facebook.  The team regularly combs through the many shared innovative, creative and awe inspiring projects.  Membership has its perks, why miss out on so much inspiration and a chance to be invited as a Guest Ambassador!

A beautiful chandelier created by none other than Martha DeGroat Richardson, our very first Guest Ambassador for RELICS & ARTIFACTS®.  Let's get to know Martha and her work.

"I consider myself a jack of all arts, mixed-media, altered art, art journaling, doodling, lettering, scrapbooking, fabric arts, and jewelry making just to name a few. I’m a technique junkie and love learning about new techniques and new products. I’m also a techie who loves using various social media platforms. My biggest problem is NOT having enough time to do it all!"

Take a closer look at this spectacular chandelier and find out how Martha came up with such a visually stunning piece.

'I must be a mermaid. I have no fear of depth and a great fear of shallow living.' -Anais Nin

"The inspiration for many of my projects comes from a life long love of the beach, water and the sparkly little gifts that are offered up at low tide. After all these years I've realized that I'm really a mermaid.

The chandelier is the beginning of my undersea world and showcases many of my found beach treasures. The luminous quality of Mother of Pearl led to the creation of a faux MOP paper that became the basis for the various RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Chandelier Pendants used in this project.

This piece is my celebration of the enchantment of the sea."

Martha's debut post as a Guest Ambassador leaves us longing for refreshing sea breezes that can only be brought in on salty waves.  Thank you for your Wondrous Contribution Martha!

“One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach.”― Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gifts From the Sea

Don't you just love that mother of pearl finish?  Martha has put together a snazzy Snappguide tutorial that shows how she achieved that luxurious finish.  Also, be sure to visit Martha's Blog for more of her inspiring work.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants I
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants II
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants III
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants IV
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants V
VerDay Paint 2oz Kit

Other Supplies:
Prima Wood Chandelier
Prima Color Spray Glistening Waves
Prima Christine Adolph Rub Ons
Prima Rub On Foils
Prima Finnabair Art Alchemy Opal Magic Paint (Rose-Gold, Green-Gold, Violet-Gold, Blue-Gold)
Chipboard Coral Cut-outs (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Chipboard Seaweed Cut-outs (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Chipboard Sand Dollars (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Shells (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Brass Charms (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Glitter (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Micro Beads (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Assorted seashells
Coral, pearls, crystals and baubles