Altered Keys and Boho Chic

In order to keep my crafty mojo going, I recently signed up for two swaps in my Art Charms group.  The first one I am going to show off is for the Altered Keys swap.  I just love keys, and love to alter things, so this swap was perfect for me. 



The hardest part of this swap was deciding which keys I could part with.  For some reason, I just love them.  Perhaps it is the symbolism of new opportunity and success that attracts me to these random objects. 



I started off by adding a nice blue patina to all of my keys.  It is almost hard to see due to all the crazy embellishments.  On this one I layered filigree, a charm I made and then the bottom was wrapped in copper wire and crystals.



This is another one of my favorites.  I think it is the sentiment that I need to remember from time to time!



I love the smashed button on this one. I got the idea to do smash the buttons from seeing some awesome charms on Pinterest.  I had a bunch of old metal buttons that I had patina'd a long time ago.  I removed the shank and then pounded it flat before attaching it to my key.  The heart embellishment is a broken charm from the next project. 



These charms are for the Boho Chic swap.  Now, at first I did not think I was going to join up, but after seeing some ideas online and within my group (Thanks Peg!) I totally jumped on board.  I hope that they fit the theme.  I started with the Chinese heart charms that I just found at a local scrapbook show.  They were brass in color, but I changed that with the help of the Vintaj patinas.  I thought this color palate helped to carry out the intended theme. I then wrapped copper wire around the top.  This added texture and also took away from the heart shape, which I actually like.  I tried to add another element in many other ways, but ended up deciding that simple was best and left them as is. 

I am looking forward to seeing the return on these very fun swaps.  Thanks as always for stopping by.

Cheers,

Rhea

Amulets and Talisman Charms

I have said it before, and it is so true, I am addicted to charm making right now.  It is so quick and gratifying and they are especially fun to swap.  A new swap for Amulet and Talisman charms in my group was too good to pass up.

 My first set started out with a really great product called Style Stones.  I purchased them at a close out sale at a steep discount, as it is typically a pricey product.  They are made from actual stone and they accept many mediums very well. 



I started out by using neutral toned alcohol inks on both sides.  The edges were coated in Inka Gold which I simply applied with my fingers.  A stamped script holds the perfect words for the owner of this tiny talisman.  On the other side is a spiral marking that was imprinted with a stamp I hand carved.  The spiral represents evolution and holistic growth; letting go, surrender release and connectivity with divine energy and source.

A small copper ring dangles from the hand embellished stone.  The copper holds characteristics such as love, balance, feminine beauty and artistic creativity.  The ring  is a nod to wholeness, unity, revolution and completion. 



The second set were made from beads I purchased at an estate sale.  Here is a picture of what they looked like before I altered them with my magic potion.  This picture was never intended to end up in a blog post (it was from a text message)...but I thought I would showcase what they looked like before.  There were quite a few larger beads which I kept to make some different pieces with.

   

My magic potion is this amazing aging solution that was given to my by one of my employees.  Since it is meant to age a product, we could say that it will add the element of wisdom to this talisman.  It was also used in these Day of the Dead skulls I made last fall.  It gives the beads, which I am pretty sure are bone, wonderful depth and character.  Bones represent the foundation of the self, the inner truth.  They can also represent death and rebirth. 

  

I added another dangling element off of my charm more movement, in this case a small red glass flower.  The red representing love and the flower opening up.  A Chinese coin was also attached to add good fortune.  Again the circle is prevalent in this charm with the jump rings as well as the patterns on the beads representing wholeness.    

In writing this post, I also realized I had not shown these ocean themed charms off.  They were made for my local art group.  I love using the picket fence stain  and Guilders Paste on metal with a bit of sealer. 



I am excited to see the return on the Amulets and Talisman charm swap, it will be an amazing charm bracelet I do believe!  I will be showing off what I did with a few of my Springtime in Paris charms soon.  I have been working on a big project and I am really excited to start showing it off.

Cheers,

Rhea

A Charming Day

It seems I have found a few simple projects that have got my mojo flowing a bit.  I spent the day making charms for one of my favorite little Yahoo groups.  The first set is for a Springtime in Paris swap.  I have a few more tiles that need jump rings still, I ran out and for once, I was not in the mood to shop. 



These were simple altered Scrabble tiles.  A bit of 7 gypsies paper, a French stamp, a smidge of ink and some glossy accents made for a cute little charm.  Stay tuned for another set, I have these really wonderful acrylic discs I plan to alter. 

Check out these little embellishments made from a vintage necklace.  It was so simple to take this apart and just add a jump ring to the existing loop.  The caged ones are so neat.  I wonder if I could tuck something inside.



The set above, as well as the ones below are for another charm swap.  This one is themed around junque jewelry.  I had a ton to sift through and I managed to find a few treasures.



Some of these charms are made from the strangest little bits.  High school pins, broken earrings, clasps, chain links, cuff links make up this motley little crew of junky bits. 



If the other participants in this swap have as eclectic charms as I do, this will be an interesting swap indeed!

Cheers,

Rhea

A Charming Vintage Valentine

I had intended on getting this post up on Valentine's Day, but alas, I have been under the weather and whatever I have is really lingering.  Today I pushed through and mustered up the energy to snap some shots of a really cool collaborative project.  The chunky book pages are the results of a Vintage Valentine swap over on All Things Tim. I made a simple cover and back with really pretty paper I picked up at Altered Art Addicts.



An interesting addition to this chunky book, are all the wonderful art charms.  I was lucky enough to win a contest in my art charms group and received this lovely set of love themed charms.  It arrived as a necklace, but I knew it would become journal jewelry as soon as I realized I had the perfect opportunity to combine all of my Valentine loot. 





I used several of Tim Holtz's charm clips to add my charms to my books.  These are the perfect tool for doing this task, I am saddened that they are discontinued.



I really love the page shown above.  The little bunting is just perfect and the imagery and embellishments are just darling. 



I have to say that our group is a really talented one.  Each page has so many elements, I see something new to enjoy each time I flip through the book. 

 

This page is interactive.  The little paper doll can be removed and her closet on the back of the page opens.  I really appreciate this kind of work as I love art that engages the observer. 



Here is another page with a tuck in.  You can pull the little Valentine out of it's cute little envelope.  I also love the rosettes and pretty trims. 

I am going to enter my little book in this week's challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show.   Two weeks ago, I was lucky enough to win their weekly drawing for a $50 gift certificate.  I had a blast shopping and I can't wait to use the goods I purchased with my winnings. 

Cheers,

Rhea

The charm of Ancient Egypt

My art charm group is currently running a swap with ancient Egypt as the theme.  I was intrigued by this idea as soon as I heard it was coming about.  I ran across similar cat beads late last year and immediately knew what I wanted to do for my charms. This idea has literally been rattling around in my brain for months. 

The Egyptian cat God Bast, is a symbol of protection, motherhood and fertility.  Cats were so revered in ancient Egypt, that they were often mummified.  I thought that the wings were a nice symbol for the transition to eternal life.  Plus, I think it just looks cute!  I also love the serious look on the cat's face.



The wings were silver and did not really go with the brass findings required for the project.  To attend to this, I altered them with a rusting product.  I also added an additional patina agent to one side of the wings.  You can see above that some of the charms are showing a bronze side and others have a bit more of an aged patina look.  Another cool aspect of these little guys is the movement.  The wings really spin if you flick them, fun. 



I hope the gals in the swap like them.  I always look forward to seeing the outcome of my art exchanges.  The past few I have participated in have assisted me in embellishing up a few great art projects.  I am grateful for the ability to share my work, while appreciating the work of others.  Stay tuned, I am sure someday I will have a cool project showing off all my ancient goodies.

Cheers!