"I Am" Art Pin with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Heather Thompson

"I am"
I am the Queen of my own Castle.
I am a see-er of beauty all around me.
I am the creator of my own destiny.

I am a lover of nature.
I am a compassionate heart.
I am a true art girl.
This is me. 

Supplies:
MUSE® Art Stamps Oculus
MUSE® Art Stamps Namaste
Relics & Artifacts® Visage
Relics & Artifacts® Papillon
Apoxie Sculpt
Retro Art Cafe Digital Collage Sheet
Retro Cafe Clear Acrylic Tags - O'Charms
Red Lead Paper Works Chotski Pin
DecoArt Media Crackle Paint
DecoArt Media Ultra Matte Varnish
DecoArt Antiquing Cream Black
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics: Titanium White, Cadmium Orange Hue, Diarylide Yellow, Payne Grey, Carbon Black, Cadmium Red Hue, Cobalt Teal Hue

From the Tribe: RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Guest Ambassador Cristine Martin

This month in our monthly "From the Tribe" feature, we are showcasing the beautiful work of Cristine Martin. She has been so gracious to create not one but two beautifully crafted pieces that we are thrilled to share.  Let's get to know Cristine a bit.

Hi! My name is Cristine and I am so excited to be here sharing my artwork with you. I am an ultrasound tech by day and a creative creature by night. I live in South Miami, Florida with my 3 rescued cats, which always try to put their finishing touch to my projects, so I have to be extra careful inspecting my pieces so they don’t turn out to be a furry display of sorts.

I started my adventure in the art realm in the mid 1990’s working with polymer clay and moved into mixed media later on. I have always loved going on dangerously exciting expeditions looking for long lost treasures in flea markets, thrift shops, and antique stores around town or while visiting other cities or countries.  In this time of exploration, I had become obsessed with wings, angel wings more specifically, although angels, saints and flaming hearts always caught my attention as well as Victorian, goth and steampunk, old, rusty, dark and intriguing. Oh what a delightful mix!! So one day as I was surfing through YouTube, I stumbled across Sandra Evertson's video “Destiny’s Shrine” on Live with Prima and noticed all the beautiful details and mostly, yes, the angel wings. I had to have them!!! Not only did I enjoy that video I also fell in love with Sandra’s Relics & Artifacts line and the rest is history!

     Today's project is called "Heritage, The Irish Rose". To put things into perspective, I was born in Brazil, my father was American with Irish descent and my mother Brazilian with German descent. We should name a cocktail after this mix called the "Perfect Storm".  As I look at my Relics & Artifacts pieces, thousands of ideas flutter in my head like elusive butterflies.

I close my eyes to calm my mind and catch an idea. My Dad comes into mind with a huge smile on his face and that's the moment I catch that butterfly and call it the Irish Rose. My grandparents were of Irish descent and I have the freckles to prove it! I have been to Ireland twice and fell in love with it and the people. Ireland is truly magical and whimsical.

The land has so many incredible shades of green, some I have not seen before. The gears in my head are turning, I take out the flaming hearts and go searching for shades of green, gathering waxes, sprays, acrylic paint, Bohemian jewels and findings. And so the Irish Rose comes to life!

Cristine has also prepared a Snapguide tutorial so that you may be able to create your own heritage inspired piece.

Project 2 - Summer Heritage- The Dream Catcher

   I had a dream, a very colorful dream. Since I am in heritage mode and we are in full swing of summer, nothing like creating something colorful and connected with nature. I decided to honor the native American Indian heritage with a slight twist. The dream catcher is a handmade willow hoop on which is woven a web or net. This dream catcher can include sacred feathers and beads or objects of protection.

“The dream catcher is hung above a sleeping area in a place where the morning light can hit it. The nature of the dream catcher will attract all sorts of dreams to its webs. When bad dreams come, they do not know the way through the web and get caught in the webbing where the first light of day causes them to melt away and perish. The good dreams, knowing the way, go through the center of the web and slide down the feathers to the sleeper below.” --Anishnabe as remembered by WayaGola.

I used Sandra Evertson's Helios I as the hoop and I love it’s sun rays, so it was perfect for this project. I had colorful threading which came from a huge bag I found in a store with bits and pieces and rolls of yarn and colorful ornate strings.

The large butterfly is from the Papillion collection of Relics & Artifacts. The butterfly is a powerful representation of transformation, hope, renewal and rebirth. An important message carried by the spirit of the butterfly is about the ability to go through important changes with grace and lightness.

The legs are from the Relics and Artifacts Milagros set. I decorated them with colorful threads and feathers representing the joyful dance of life. The eye in the center of the web is from the Archival Cast Flaming hearts EX I Votos collection. Some folks call it the evil eye, I prefer to call it the angel eye, keeping a watch and protecting you.

Sweet dreams….

Isn't Cristine's use of the Helios frame simply brilliant and inspiring?  To find out how she wove such a colorful masterpiece, follow her Snapguide tutorial and create your own magical dream catcher.

If you would like to connect with Cristine, which we highly recommend you do, you can find more of her beautiful creations on Pinterest, Instagram, and on her blog, The Flight of Wings.

"What If You Fly?" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Sherry Matthews and CANVAS CORP BRANDS

Poetry and art are some of the world's earliest forms of self-expression. In my mind, one of the greatest benefits of creating either art or poetry is the ability to inspire others- to think, to create, to feel.

For this collaboration with Canvas Corp Brands, we were given the theme of "Something Old, Something New".

Poetry and visual arts ARE both old and new, from the classics to the modern masters. The poem which inspired this piece has a timeless message but was written by a young poet while still in her teens, Erin Hanson.  This is my inspiration in her words:

"There is a freedom waiting for you,
on the breezes of the sky,
And you ask "What if I fall?"
Oh but my darling,
What if you FLY?"
--Erin Hanson

Don't forget about our giveaway!  Keep reading below for more details on how to be entered to win.

Here is all you need to do.  Be sure to use #RACCBmatchup so that we can track you down!

-Leave a comment here on any or all of the Match Up Posts during the month of July with Relics & Artifacts® and CCB.  You can leave one on each post for more chances to win. 

-And/or leave a comment on the CCB Facebook page.

-And/or leave a comment on any of the CCB Instagram posts where you see any of the projects from the CCB team or the RA team. 

Feel the urge to join the addiction that is Relics & Artifacts®?  Take a look in the Sandra Evertson shop and stock up.  You can also join our Relics & Artifacts® Tribe on Facebook and be inspired by fellow creatives in the best creative group on the web!

Be sure to follow along by searching #RACCBmatchup too.  If you love what you see and would like to join our Facebook group, the CCB Collective, just click the link and ask to join today.  We would love to have you! 

Materials list:
Relics & Artifacts® Papillon
Relics & Artifacts® Ancient Soul II w/ wood support
Relics & Artifacts® Archangels
Canvas Corp Brands 3x3 canvas canvas
Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze saffron
Tattered Angels High Impact paint olive
Tattered Angels High Impact paint turquoise
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Nougat
Naturally Aged Kit - Marble (precious stone)
burlap
ICE Resin
scrap lumber
hinge
E6000

"Better Days" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Chrissy Colon and CANVAS CORPS BRANDS

Have you ever had a project that started out as this incredibly inspired idea and as you worked on it, it completely fell apart?  I'm not talking about a slight shift in direction.  I'm talking it COMPLETELY and UTTERLY spiraled out of the sky and crashed into a flaming ball of wreckage? 

I have had more than my fair share of disasters and most of the time, they end up in the trash.  This project was on such fireball or a crashed idea but unlike my craft fails before, I could not throw this one away because I only had one Artboard to work with!

The Artboard substrate and the Papillon butterfly were painted and repainted a whopping three times before I finally found an idea that seemed to work!  A happy benefit of the multiple mulligans was I ended up with pieces that had some marvelous texture.

The result of my frustration and repeated do-overs was a piece that I ended up liking after all was said and done.  What was the lesson learned?  Maybe I should start to hold on to craft fails as they may have some locked away potential!

Don't forget we have a giveaway at the end of the month!

Here is all you need to do.  Be sure to use #RACCBmatchup so that we can track you down!

-Leave a comment here on any or all of the Match Up Posts during the month of July with Relics & Artifacts® and CCB.  You can leave one on each post for more chances to win. 

-And/or leave a comment on the CCB Facebook page.

-And/or leave a comment on any of the CCB Instagram posts where you see any of the projects from the CCB team or the RA team. 

Feel the urge to join the addiction that is Relics & Artifacts®?  Take a look in the Sandra Evertson shop and stock up.  You can also join our Relics & Artifacts® Tribe on Facebook and be inspired by fellow creatives in the best creative group on the web!

Be sure to follow along by searching #RACCBmatchup too.  If you love what you see and would like to join our Facebook group, the CCB Collective, just click the link and ask to join today.  We would love to have you! 

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Papillon
Relics & Artifacts® Milagros
Relics & Artifacts® Dresden Wrought Iron
7Gypsies Artboard (6x6)
7Gypsies Parchment Rub-on "Grow"
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist "Fully Purple"
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist "Coffee Shop"

"Vintage Finds and Transformations" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Guest Ambassador Tina Walker

Our next Guest Ambassador is the amazing Tina Walker!  She is a world renown creative who's mixed media style is unique and easily recognizable.  Let's get to know Tina a little better.

"Hi!  I'm Tina Walker and I am a lover of all things creative.  By day, I direct the International Trade Department for a major footwear retailer and create in my spare time. Art is an outlet that allows me to keep my sanity and is a retreat from my daily career responsibilities.  My latest creative passion is all things mixed media, including art journaling, assemblage, and fabric art.

Mixed media is a perfect discipline for me, encompassing multiple products, mediums and design techniques.  My project selection and medium choice is constantly changing. I love to experiment and I believe there is no such thing as a bad mistake.  All ‘mistakes’ are a chance to learn and try new ideas.  As I always say, "You can always cover it with gesso and start over."

I am truly blessed to be part of this amazing community and I hope I can bring a bit of sunshine to your crafty world!"

When creating assemblage projects, I love combining the old with the new.  This combination simply makes my heart full of happy.  There is something about the hidden story and history of a vintage finding mixed with new, unwritten pieces that is a match made in heaven.  And, it give me an ‘excuse’ to go junkin’ shopping!  But who said you need an excuse?  Ha!

I have bin after bin full of vintage ‘junk’; it may actually out number my new products but since most of my vintage finds are one-of-a-kind, I have to buy them when I can (at least that is what I tell myself).

The biggest thing to remember when combining old objects with new is that the color, texture, design of the old piece can always be changed.  Sometimes I’ll use a piece as is, but quite often I change it with a little gesso, texture paste, and paint. It doesn’t take much other than a little imagination.

Relics & Artifacts® pieces are the perfect match with my vintage findings.  Since they can be modified to match whatever style or design esthetic you are looking for, they are a must have product.  Using the same color palette or texture is all you need to marry the old into the new. 

Tina has graciously created a Snapguide to illustrate how she achieved the marvelous finishes and textures in this beautiful piece.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Papillon"
Vintage Finding
White Gesso
Crackle Medium
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic Glazing Liquid
Adhesive Metal Sheet
Embossing Folder
Alcohol Ink
Gel Medium
Sewing Machine

"Make a Wish on Butterfly Wings" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Lynne Moncrieff

Anyone who creates with RELICS & ARTIFACTS, surely are smitten with the fact that no matter the vignettes that swirl in our mind’s eye, there will be a RELICS & ARTIFACTS piece to transport a vague notion, into a completed project.   The scene in my head, of a butterfly child, was able to be manifested by pairing one of the smaller Papillon pieces with a Milagros. 

Make your way through the forest, where your footsteps are silenced from the cushions of moss which abound.   Can you spy the butterfly child?  They say the butterfly child is a chameleon, blending in to the backdrop of the moss as he rests against a tree trunk.  Sweet, berry coloured flowers burst in bloom.  Kneel down and place your cheek against them, the petals will give your cheeks velveteen kisses. 

An Archival Wooden Case allowed me to create a setting for the butterfly child. With Infusions (crystals colours with walnut ink base) and Moss Painted Finishes Kit, the case suddenly took the form of colours of a forest.

The Infusions were extended to several elements on this project, including the Papillon and Milagros.  By first applying a mere hint of Grungepaste, it heightened the sense of texture.  A final brushing of the Moss kit, merely brushing on and brushing off, left a hint of mossy-ness on the Relic.  The mottled effect suited the vignette.

The Milagros fit perfectly to the Papillon, with the placement of the wings giving the impression that they have sprouted from the Milagros, as well as the antenna.

When working with a theme relating to nature, I will often layer textural elements, most often found papers and torn textiles.  They capture that sense of bits of this ‘n’ that which might be caught up on a passing breeze and gathered around a tree trunk or caught in branches.  The butterfly child was layered onto calico, corrugated cardboard and lace, all of which had been stained by mopping-up the Infusions.  Torn pieces of silk sari ribbon, also stained, would flutter in the breeze.

A cluster of velveteen flowers were the perfect detail to add to the frame of the case, bringing interest and colour and most importantly, helping to set the scene for the butterfly child.  The final element was one of my stamped Affirmations, stamped onto some pieces of previously stained book pages. 

Why not seek out a butterfly today and make a wish!

Supply List:
RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Papillon
RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Milagros
RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Velveteen Flowers Tangerine Berry Blossom
RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Archival Wooden Case II
That’s Crafty Clear Stamp Set Lynne’s Affirmations Set 1
PaperArtsy Infusions
PaperArtsy Grungepaste
Plaid FolkArt Painted Finishes Kit - Moss
Memento Ink Tuxedo Black
Golden Gesso
GoldenGel Medium
found papers
various laces
sari silk ribbon
calico

"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