"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

"Spring is Sprung" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Sherry Matthews

The changing of the season is a bit like a changing of the guard.  Perennial bulbs begin emerging ceremoniously through the blanket of winter's debris, ready to stand at attention and mark the reveal of possibilities that "spring" forth. Mother Nature hoists her colors of blooms and foliage.  And my green thumb has sprouted.

These flaming heart pots were created to coordinate with the colors and style of my garden. But like Michael Franti said, " Every flower got a right to be blooming."

There are numerous ways to incorporate Relics & Artifacts® resin blanks into your personal patio decor. Papillon butterflies would be amazing on whimsical stakes fluttering above a plant or two and for a classical and elegant look, how about a piece from Facia Familiaris or a set of wings attached to a pot, all painted to resemble marble or terra cotta? 

Apoxie Sculpt is great for outdoor use too! It can be used to attach the resin blanks directly to the pots or to make plant markers and other adornments. 

To help you along, I've put together a quick Snapguide tutorial because with so many fabulous Relics & Artifacts® pieces to choose from,  you are really only limited by your imagination!

Materials:
Relics & Artifacts® Flaming Hearts Ex Votos I
Apoxie Sculpt
DecoArt Patio Paints
 

A Team Up and "Inspiration in the Most Unlikely Place" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Chrissy Colon

This next week is going to be a week that is absolutely jam packed with inspiration from both sides of the pond!  Relics & Artifacts® is teaming up with our friends from That's Crafty! in the United Kingdom for an overload of creativity, inspiration, and did we mention a giveaway?  More on that at the end of the post!  So without further ado, let's get this party started!

First up this week, is Relics & Artifacts® Ambassador Chrissy Colon with a colorful project inspired by one of our resident muses, Frida Kahlo.

How exciting is this?  We got a chance to play with products from That's Crafty! and they did not disappoint!  For my project, I chose to use the plain MDF board and some fun little bits Laura was kind enough to send in our packages. 

Now for an earth shattering fact about me: I love comfort.  I love comfort foods, comfy blankets, comfort zones.  I love comfort zones so much, that I never realize that I am fully entrenched in one, until something like this comes along.

Little known fact about me:  I am very comfortable with is working under pressure.  There is nothing like a looming deadline to really push your creativity to its limits.  I recently saw some images that inspired me to want to do something in the Mexican folk art vein.  I love talavera and the simplicity of color.  I love that imperfections are embraced and that there really isn't a wrong way to paint such patterns.

Another little known fact about me:  My favorite color is red.  But I never use it in my crafting because it terrifies me when I start slapping it down.  Do you know how hard it is to make sure red paint doesn't look like blood smears or splatter?  This piece is all sorts of covered in red!  And it doesn't even look like something that just fell out of CSI!

And yet another little known fact about me (get ready to clutch your pearls and shoot me some mean side eye):  I am not a Frida Kahlo fan.  I know, right?  In our little universe of creativity it seems so sacrilegious, so blasphemous.  I always told my friends, "You won't see a Frida piece come from these hands."  ::insert walk of shame::  So what happened today?!  I have no clue but I reveled in it.  The unfamiliarity, the breaking down of walls and barriers, the joyous feeling of a mind reopening, it all felt so fresh and so new!  I found myself on Etsy browsing all the Frida things.  The result?  Pure, simple, magic.

Now about that giveaway!  Follow along all week, visit the Muse and the That's Crafty! blog, leave some love on each day and be entered to win *3* Relics & Artifacts® sets of your choosing!  At the end of the week-long event, we will choose a winner!  If you are really looking for some extra fun, That's Crafty! is also hosting a giveaway as well so be sure to follow along with them too! 

The ever so talented, Moira, is the first on the That's Crafty! team to share in the fun!  Be sure to give her some love from the Relics & Artifacts® side of the house!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Ex Votos I" (sold out but any heart will do)
That's Crafty! MDF Panels
That's Crafty! MDF Hearts #3
That's Crafty! MDF Panel #1
That's Crafty! Dinky Stencil "Moroccan Background"
Iced Enamels "Garnet"
Iced Enamels "Chartreuse"
Iced Enamels "Turquoise"
Iced Enamels "Amethyst"
VervePrint "Frida Kahlo Part 1"
Cemerony "Frida Kahlo Cuffs"
Liquitex Acrylic Paint
Copic Multiliner
 

It's All In The Details

I get enjoyment from many different aspects of Creating.

Sometimes I have a plan and do quick sketches to get my ideas down on paper and while I have dozens of sketchbooks filled with project drawings and ideas, it would take me years to actually make all the pieces I've designed and want to create.

I love collecting, gathering and sorting through my antique materials.

Taking time to try out different arrangements until I find the perfect piece and placement, you know it's the piece that looks as though it were made to go in that spot!

The golden seed beads and bouillon trims you see here came off of a 1920's Flapper dress and all of the set stones are actually "paste" stones from the 1700's. Paste is a term they used for a certain kind of highly refractive lead glass that was hand cut, faceted and then polished to resemble real gem stones.

The large center stone is also early paste. These stones are getting harder to find all the time.

In order to get just the right look on the flames I've layered several different tones of yellow from mustard to butter, sun to sunset, all topped with little highlights of metallic gold.

When I'm hunting for antique pieces it's the details that make all the difference for me. The thing I go crazy for on these stones is the setting, look closely, each setting has a little dot of round metal that holds the stone securely, isn't it beautiful?! And just so unique.

When the last bit of embellishment has been applied another aspect of being a maker is ready to happen. Photographing the finished piece is a much fun for me as making it was. It's an expedition, traveling around the object, camera in hand, peering through the lens just waiting for the right angle to reveal itself.

And lastly the satisfaction I get when actually wearing a piece I made from beginning to end. The sense of pride and accomplishment means so much to me, its especially gratifying in times of unrest in the world. 

I never take for granted the act of creation. Makers are the journey takers, the adventures, the wanders and the experimenters. Thats who we are, we explore, we observe, we absorb, we interpret, we express and we contribute.

RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ancient Heart (heart and flame)

RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Rising Spirit V(wood support back)

E6000 Adhesive/Tacky Glue

Acrylic Paints Yellow Tones/Gold/Brick Red

Necklace chain

Antique trims/Camera