"Sacred Ostensorium" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Debby Anderson

The ostensorium (ostensory, monstrance) is a glass-framed shrine in which the Blessed Sacrament is publicly exposed. It may be of gold, silver, brass, or copper gilt. The most appropriate form is that of the sun emitting its rays to all sides.

Not being Catholic or religious but very spiritual, my goal was to replicate the vessels used in Roman Catholic, Old Catholic and Anglican churches for the exhibition of some object of piety such as the consecrated Eucharistic host during Eucharistic adoration or Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

When I received Sandra Evertson’s Ostensorium of Baltic Birch, I was incredibly inspired by how sturdy and substantial it was.  I knew that I had to encase it in solder while adding my “Gilded Relics” embossing techniques.  I sculpted and designed a free form Sacred Heart to rest on an ivory velvet pillow.  Relics & Artifacts® Bohemian Jewels and small spiritual medals were embellished behind vintage convex glass. 

In between the soldered base and Helios I, I created additional rays from double twisted and hand forged wire while individually soldering an assemblage of faceted Amethyst gem beads, rhinestone spacers, embossed metal, tiny crosses and spiritual medals.  Each have been securely soldered in place.  I continued to design and solder each embellishment to the Helios I, as well as throughout the base. Antique silver angels, embossed metal, Relics & Artifacts® Bohemian Jewels and a gorgeous Amethyst and White Topaz sterling and bronze were also soldered. 

I created the soldered and embellished crown and cross while soldering the two pieces to a large antique silver embossed angel stamping. I created a stand using found objects to repurpose. This assembled piece and the ostensorium were soldered together for stability.

I created a stand using found objects to repurpose. This assembled piece and the ostensorium were soldered together for stability.

I truly enjoyed creating this beautiful work of art!!  It was a very labor intensive piece taking five days (10 to 12 hour days) to complete.  Yes, I was a bit obsessed (LOL)!  I cannot wait to work on more Ostensorium works using multiple mediums and design inspirations!!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Ostensorium
Relics & Artifacts® Bohemian Jewels
Vintage rhinestones
Solder

From the Tribe with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Guest Ambassador Kristie Taylor

We welcome Guest Ambassador Kristie Taylor as our first "From the Tribe" feature of 2017!  Here's a little bit about Kristie.

"Hi My name is Kristie Taylor and I am so excited to be doing a guest post for Relics & Artifacts®! I am a mixed media artist living in Virginia with my wonderful husband of 22 years,  three of our four kids and a whole slew of fur babies.

I have been crafty my whole life and have dabbled in pretty much everything from macrame to bedazzling everything close by. My love for mixed media began with scrapbooking simply because I have never been one to follow anyone else's rules. I would add so many “illegal” things to my scrapbook pages that they would sometimes be too thick to go into an album. Then I began to explore and started learning about spray inks and dimensional products, which has transferred straight into mixed media and assemblage art.

I hope my projects inspire you to look outside the traditional and find something new. 

These wonderful products are so versatile, they have quickly become a staple in my crafting stash and I think they will in your as well!"

Kristie has created two very distinct pieces for you to feast your eyes upon today.  As a bonus, she's included two step-by-step tutorials, one of which will be featured right here on the Muse and the second will be on our Snapguide page.  Let's get down to business shall we?

The Tree of Peace

I wanted to use the beautiful Ostensorium to create the Tree of Peace. Our world is in such chaos that I find myself thinking of it often, and even though it is nearly impossible, I yearn for peace. I wanted a visual reminder to keep this wish alive. something to gaze on when I am feeling the strife of everyday life.

The world was at war and hatred was overtaking the once peaceful people. There was born a special child who was able to use the powers of the fairies to make the flowers and trees grow tall and strong. He was saddened by the strife of his people and so he grew a magical tree. A tree of peace, he made it grow tall and green with branches growing in every direction. These branches were to symbolize that all people were to be equal and bound together as one. He took some needles from the tree and said that even with the changes of the seasons, the tree would stay green for all eternity, as should the great peace stay among the people for all time.

He then uprooted the tree and asked the people to bury their weapons and hatred. He replanted the beautiful tree and said, “Into the depths of the Earth, way down deep in the currents of flowing water, we cast our weapons, jealousy and hatred.  We cast it from sight forever. Thus, the great peace will envelope our people in love, peace and unity of spirit for all time.”

The great Eye stayed ever vigilant and warned the people of any appraoching evil. The roots of the Tree of Peace grew in all four directions and fed the flowering fruit with love and magic, unifying the people.

Step-by-Step:

Of course I wanted my tree to be green, so after digging through my stash, I decided to play with something a little different.  I had these awesome paints from Pebeo. They are a resin-based paint and take a while to dry, but they give a brilliant, smooth finish with gorgeous sheen and deep colors.

1.  I used the Pebeo® Mixton relief to go all the way around the outside edge of the Ostensorium. This created a dam of sorts that kept the paints from running over the edges.

2.  Once the dam was created, I started adding paint. Since the space of the Ostensorium is rather small, I found it easier to use a craft stick to drizzle the paint as well as push it into the beautiful curves of the piece.

3.  I kept adding a little at a time until the entire face was covered.  The cool thing about this paint is how it all reacts together. there are several types. I used their Prism and Moon paints. When they touch, they create “cells” of color.

4.  Next, I added some gold glitter medium.

5.  I covered it and set it aside to dry for 24 hours.  Waiting is always the hardest part.

6.  While that was drying, I started creating my branches by stringing beads onto wire. 

7.  I turned the Helios II over to measure the length of the wires. After marking them, cut them to the appropriate length in order to keep the space in the middle of Helios open.

8.  Use Apoxie® Sculpt to adhere the bead branches to the piece.  I recruited my mom to help me adhere and sculpt the Apoxie® Sculpt to the back of the Helios.  I used sculpting tools to make sure the Apoxie® Sculpt didn't go over the edges or show on the front.

9.  I also used the Apoxie® Sculpt to make a strip to hold the lotus in the center opening of the Helios.

10.  I used Beacon® Dazzle Tac to apply lots of glitter to the front of the Helios. I wanted it to shine!

11.  Once I adhered the Helios to the Ostensorium, I adhered rhinestone jewels around the opening.

13.  To finish the base, I painted the edges of the Ostensorium silver.

For Kristie's second project, she pays homage to Persephone, the "Goddess of Spring". 

Goddess of Spring:

This is my homage to Persephone, Goddess of Spring. We all impatiently await her return, so that she can awaken the sleeping Earth and make the butterflies fly with the dancing fairies.

The daughter of Demeter and Zeus, Persephone, is the beautiful Goddess of Spring. The Goddess of Spring, is greeted by dancing flower, butterflies and fairies. Hades, the God of the Underworld, comes and takes her away to be his queen. The creatures above ground suffer a rough winter in the absence of their goddess.

Hades, however, is sorry she is unhappyand offers an agreement that she will spend six months above ground and six below, resulting in seasons. She is allowed to return to her world, thawing the snow and ending the winter.

To learn how Kristie put together this piece, head over to our Snapguide page to see the full tutorial!

You can reach Kristie on her blog, The Scrapinater, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.  You can also follow her Facebook page, Kristie Taylor Designs.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Ostensorium
Relics & Artifacts® Helios II
Relics & Artifacts® Papillon
Apoxie® Sculpt
 

"Jack Frost" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Heather Thompson

As the days shorten and the long nights of winter settle in, you can always find Jack Frost all around you.   Whether it’s in the Fall as he dances around changing the colors of the leaves to vibrant tones of reds, oranges and yellows or in the dead of winter, you will find this magical and sometimes mischievous persona walking through the forest leaving his mark of frost, ice, snow and sleet.

On those cold winter mornings, waking up from the warmth of your bed, you can find the fern-like patterns of frost on the windows. You know Jack has been prancing around spreading his scenic wintry fun.

So when the chill and frosty weather is nipping at your toes, you can always count on Jack being close by, causing some wintry mayhem and blustery cold weather.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Egg Shrine"
Relics & Artifacts® "Milagros"
ICE Resin®
Apoxie® Sculpt
Websters Pages Designer Trim
Aleene's True Snow
Tim Holtz Glitter Clear Rock Candy
Ice Resin® Crystal Opal
Swarovski Clear 4mm crystals
Stampin' up Background Stamp

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
 

"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

Introducing RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Newest Rockstar Team Member: Lynne Moncrieff

We are so thrilled to announce that Lynne Moncrieff will be joining our Relics & Artifacts® family!  Lynne's role is a bit unique to that of our Ambassadors.  You see, Lynne has been such a go-getter and a genuine advocate of the Relics & Artifacts® brand and line of products within the United Kingdom.  She is joining the team as our Marketing Liaison for the United Kingdom region!  Of course, she will also be sharing a bit of her world renowned creative magic along the way.

Shall we get to know Lynne a little more?

What fills your time when you are not creating?

Since I can remember, books have held a special place in my heart, I am a bookworm through and through.  Alongside books, Stampington & Company magazines are companions of mine, either fresh editions or much loved back issues.  With limitations enforced on my life, it is reading and creating which fill my time.

What are your favorite materials to use when you create?

For most stamping artists, ink is a favourite.  For me, it’s only a means to inking up a stamp.  I am more inspired by gesso, paint, in particular PaperArtsy's Fresco Finish chalk acrylic and their Infusions, which are little bottles of pure magic.  Their Grunge paste is amazing for texture.  Relics & Artifacts® became a favourite from when I first saw them.  Initially I was a cardmaker but now I want the freedom to dabble with different substrates.  Since their release, That’s Crafty surfaces were instant favourites. I am keen to explore further but already favourites are paperclay and Ice Resin®. 

Alongside all of those are tried and tested and forever loved walnut ink crystals and tea and coffee for staining.  I also enjoy seeking out supplies from around the home and garden, items that might otherwise be put into the rubbish bin – cardboard torn from mailing boxes, recycled brown paper, deli wrap.  I also have a compulsion for working with old book pages, fabrics, and laces

Where do you find inspiration for your art and how do you stay inspired?

Most often I am inspired by products - a stamp design, studying a piece from Relics & Artifacts® or sometimes it is the action of playing with supplies that will lead to inspiration.

There will be whispers in my ear of a story, a narrative unfolding or often it will be words that will float in my mind.  Sometimes, in my mind’s eye, I see images as though a movie reel playing or as though I am a bystander taking in the scene before me.

In a notebook I jot down solitary words that pop into my head or quickly scribble a narrative as it unfolds within my head.  The notebook is a precious log of thoughts, ideas and future plans.

I regularly submit to Stampington & Company, often submitting to challenge calls.  They are a particularly valuable source of inspiration, challenging me to create to a theme which I might otherwise have never considered. 

I also have the sense that inspiration creates inspiration.  The more we create and are inspired by words and images, the more inspiration will surround us.  In this community of ours, we cannot but help be inspired by those around us.

What is your signature style? 

The label vintage/shabby chic has been given to me although I find those terms can be slightly restrictive.  It makes me smile when people will say they recognize my projects because they are “so very Lynne”.  That is very humbling!

If I had to choose a label to describe my style, it would most likely be mixed media with an emphasis on the tattered and torn, timeworn and windswept.  Layers and tactile textures with fragments of this ‘n’ that, often a fragment of vintage lace or fabric or pieces of torn book text and loose threads which waft in the breeze.  Delicate is a word often attached to my art projects.

If you could meet with anyone, living or deceased, who do you feel you could spend hours in a chat over a cup of tea/coffee?

Of course there are renowned people who it would be wonderful to spend time with but my first response to this question - the Art Sisters in this community.  They are so friendly, supportive, encouraging and it would be fascinating to chat away about what inspires them, to listen and talk about our shared passion for creating.

What is your favorite quote?

I have far too many favourites, I could share a favourite for every day of the year.  Those that make me chuckle the most relate to the Peanuts characters.  I could never tire of them.

Once again, we'd like to send out a big, huge welcome to Lynne and we look forward to the magical doors she will open, both creatively and metaphorically.