Adorned Relics with Kristen Robinson

I was blessed to have the opportunity to take three workshops this past weekend with Kristen Robinson at a super cool spot called Smitten Dust.  The first class I had was called Adorned Relics.  Here we learned how to create beautiful faux mercury glass while playing with resin.  I absolutely fell in love with Ice Resin!

In order to add some of my usual touches, lots of gilders paste was used along the way...surprise, surprise...

A lot of trinkets, charms and filigree used were from Alpha Stamps as I have been designing for them for some time now.  I am so grateful for their support, especially when I am rooting through my amazing Alpha stamp stash!

I think this one is my favorite because it is so different for me.  I think you can really see the faux mercury glass well in this necklace too.  The stone used is picture jasper, there are so many lovely patterns and colors within each and every bead.

This is another bezel that I was excited about.  I simply added paper rhinestones and a Graphic 45 ornate key.  It made for a fantastic focal that was perfect for some vintage embellishments.

I took apart an old three strand necklace and re purposed bits and pieces to create a new necklace.  Bits and bobs were also added to the bottom for balance and movement.

The top portion of this necklace had already been made.  It was not laying correctly with the last focal I had attached.  I was happy to be able to simply add the focal and shore up the chain and I had a finished piece.

On this last one I kept it simple by adding a chain to my enhanced bezel.  I tried my hardest to make something asymmetrical out of these centerpieces, but for whatever reason, my meticulous brain has a hard time not making my jewelry balanced.

I actually have many more bezels to show off, so stay tuned for more art inspired by this class.  I will also be posting from my two other classes from Kristen soon. 

Cheers, 

Rhea

Winter Inspiration III

While I am so tired of winter, I still continue to strive to take inspiration from it.  I created these little ornaments some time ago, but I decided to drag them out after reading this month's issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors (CPS).  This magazine is such an inspiration to me.  When it comes in the mail, I always have to wait to read it until I can be with it for a while because I savor each project, each image, even the advertisements are eye candy.

I am always stuck by the constant call for art.  I often wonder if I am good enough to submit and fantasize about doing so.  Well, yesterday I took the plunge.  I stopped thinking of all the reasons not too, stopped listening to that critical inner voice, and I just simply took action and did it. 

CPS was calling for several genres of art including holiday gift projects, as well as wired art submissions.  This made me recall these sweet little ornaments I recently created from wire, broken jewelry, found objects, buttons and beads.  So simple, so forgiving and so elegant.  So submitted!  It was an easy process.  I hope for this to be the first of many submissions.  Perhaps one day, I will grace the pages of my coveted zine! 

I have gifted these ornaments many times to family and friends and find they are usually happily received and displayed year after year.  I love the feeling I get when I see a bit of my artistic musing out in the world being enjoyed by it's recipient.  When this happens I feel affirmed on a very deep level.  It is important for me to create beauty in the world.