"Dreamer of Dreams" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Monica Downing

This piece, is one of my all time favorites. It started out with this really cool block my very sweet friend, Sherry Westfall Matthews, sent me. She actually sent me quite a few of them. They each have two circles drilled half way through the body of the block.

The head is from the Relics & Artifacts® set Facia Familiaris. Honestly, this was a huge challenge for me as I had not used any of the figure heads up to this point.  Once I covered the head with Iced Enamels and added some detail, everything else started to flow.

I decided to fill the holes with Ice Resin and some rub on quotes. This process was very time consuming due to the curing time of the Ice Resin, but it was so worth it. The block is covered in various papers front and back, then some stamping, embossing, and rub ons on the back.

She had to have butterfly wings because, well, she is a dreamer like me, and I have dreamed of flying with the butterflies.  A Dresden crown aged with the rust patina from 10 Second Studio VerDay kit and she was finished.

This piece is always where I can see it, she inspires me to keep dreaming.

For extra inspiration, "Dreamer of Dreams" can be found in the June issue of Mixed Up Magazine.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Facia Familiaris
Ice Resin Iced Enamels in Ivory
Ice Resin Iced Enamels Chartreuse
Ice Resin Iced Enamels Turquoise
Ice Resin
VerDay Patina Paint Kit
background paper by Cemerony
Stamps by Cat Kerr
Tim Holtz Rub Ons

"A Fair Lady's Shrine" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Heather Thompson

During ancient times of heroic knights and young fair maidens, kings and noblemen would have their young daughters fancied up in their most beautiful courting dresses and glamorous facial paint.

They would capture the eternal youth, first in portrait, by the most talented artists in the region, then they would encase it in a magnificent shrine made with the prettiest jewels and dressed in trims of gold and silver. The shrines were painted with the brightest pigments and tones for the most dramatic and eye-catching effects.

Conceptually, the more beautiful and alluring the shrine, the more appealing to the eyes of would-be suitor knights, all in the hopes of marrying the young maiden to a rich and wealthy family and unifying powerful families. 

After accords were struck between the fathers of the noble maidens and the suitors, the fair ladies dressed in the most magnificent formal attire.  In this final show of beauty and opulence, maidens were officially affianced to their future husbands in hopes of finding their happily ever after. 

Supply List:
Muse® Art Stamps St. Cecilia
Muse® Art Stamps Oculus
Relics & Artifacts® Dresden Trim Wrought Iron Gold
Relics & Artifacts® Bohemian Jewels Ruby
Ice Resin
Iced Enamels Shattered Mica
DecoArt Media Primary Magenta
DecoArt Media Primary Yellow
DecoArt Media Phthalo Green-Blue
DecoArt Media Cobalt Teal Hue
DecoArt Media Cerulean Blue
DecoArt Media Cobalt Black
Liquid Pearls Buttercup
Coffee Break Designs Mini Ornate Framed Shrine Kit Style 5
Seth Apter Stamps Spot Lights
Seth Apter Stamps Border Lines
Metal Frame
Rhinestones

"Eye of Providence" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Monica Downing

I’ll be completely honest, because I always am. When I first designed this bezel, I loved the design because I thought it was cool. I didn’t design it with any particular historical significance, although it seems there is quite a bit of historical information about this particular “Eye in a Triangle” design.

I did some research and found some pretty cool information.

It seems most recognizable as The Eye of Providence (or the all-seeing eye of God) is a symbol showing an eye often surrounded by rays of light or glory and is usually enclosed by a triangle. It represents the eye of God watching over mankind, or divine providence. In the modern era, a notable depiction of the eye is the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States, which appears on the United States one dollar bill.

As a religious symbol:  The association of an eye with the concept of Divine Providence did not emerge until well into the Christian Era. In Renaissance European iconography the eye surrounded by a triangle was an explicit image of the Christian Trinity. Seventeenth-century depictions of the Eye of Providence sometimes show it surrounded by clouds or sunbursts.

Freemasonry: Eye of Providence is often associated with Freemasonry. The Eye first appeared as part of the standard iconography of the Freemasons in 1797, with the publication of Thomas Smith Webb's Freemasons Monitor.  Here, it represents the all-seeing eye of God and is a reminder that man's thoughts and deeds are always observed by God (who is referred to in Masonry as the Great Architect of the Universe). Typically, the Masonic Eye of Providence has a semi-circular glory below it. Sometimes this Masonic Eye is enclosed by a triangle.

Anyhow, I love how this piece turned out and I’ve posted the link below if you are interested in reading more about the “Eye of Providence”.

Meanwhile I’ll be wearing my newly made necklace on a very regular basis simply because I love it.

Supplies:
Relics & Artifacts Rising Spirit
Relics & Artifacts Dresden Trim - Halo (Silver)
Large hobnail triangle bezel
Ice Resin Iced Enamels – Turquoise
Ice Resin
Black Copic Marker

Information source:  “Eye of Providence”

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
 

"Inspired By Others" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Chrissy Colon

Have you ever seen something that was made by someone else and felt the compulsion to pretty much copy it?  I know we all have and I am not immune to such a desire either.  Earlier this year, I watched and shared in the joy the one of my best friends was finally getting a chance to check something off of her "Artsy Fartsy Bucket List".  Monica was going to Creativation 2017 (formerly known as CHA)!  I was so excited for her!

We chatted and Skyped into the late night hours over projects that needed to be made and people she was going to meet.  One of the projects she came up with, she actually wore it at the show and it was brilliant. 

She so brilliantly took the small butterfly from the Papillon set and made a ring out of it!  As soon as I saw hers, I knew I needed to make one for me.  So with her permission, I straight up copied her idea.

Okay, so it's not a direct rip on hers but still!  Straight.  Up.  Copied the idea.  We both used Iced Enamels and I sealed mine with Ice Resin while she finished hers off with some Bohemian Jewels.

I also used a fancy-shmancy ring blank I found at a craft store here on island, which now that she's seen the finished ring, I'm sure I'll have to mail her some.  It's how we do things.

So you may be asking, "Why on earth is this crazy lady sharing a project she straight up copied?"  The answer is simple, my friends (cue The Most Interesting Man in the World's voice).  I don't always copy people's ideas, but when I do, I she's one of my BFF's and I always give due credit. 

Now Monica and I can totally be #twinning it on opposite sides of the globe!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Papillon"
Relics & Artifacts® Bohemian Jewels "Aquamarine"
Iced Enamels "Carnelian"
Iced Enamels "Turquoise"
Iced Enamels "Pewter"
Iced Enamels "Chartreuse"
ICE Resin
Apoxie Sculpt
Ring blanks

"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

Timeless Inspiration with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Debby Anderson

Angels and spiritual ephemera are very dear to me and usually inspire my creative journey.

I love the Relics & Artifacts® Coquille set and find that the oyster shell is a beautiful substrate to work in miniature.

My inspiration started with a inkjet printed copy of this beautiful image of the Madonna and two angels. My design style is spontaneous while using many layered mediums, materials and techniques while striving to replicate in an "old world" and "time worn" fashion.

"We are each of us angels with one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another." ~Luciano de Crescenzo


Supply list:
Relics & Artifacts® "Coquille"
Apoxie® Sculpt
KROMA Crackle®
ICE Resin® Iced Enamels- German Silver
Ice Resin®
Image of Madonna and two angels
Mod Podge® (seal inkjet image)
Rubber Stamp "Hail Mary"
Sand Paper ~ medium grit
Golden® Raw Sienna Acrylic Paint
Golden® Raw Umber Acrylic Paint
Mica Flakes
German Glass Glitter
Selection of tiny Shells, Pearls, Rhinestones
Rough faceted Quartz (crushed with a hammer)
Stand (top of vintage candle stick)
Hand forged wire for "Seven Sorrows" embellishment