Steampunk Heart Hanging

The inspiration continues after learning so much from Finnabair!  I have also used a lot of her product in this project as well since I am on such a kick.  It was great getting back to a classic steampunk look, my absolute favorite!

The focal of the piece is actually a Masonite kit from Retro Cafe Art that I have been hording for some time.  I added Finnabair's silver micro beads and lots of layers of resin to achieve really great dimensional wings.  For the mica heart I made a great discovery.  I was able to dye my mica with alcohol inks prior to using them to customize the color.  This opens up so many possibilities with the mica I have on hand!

The heart also has lots of Finabair's mechanicals which were also coated with resin.  I love to layer the metal pieces to achieve different looks.

The base of this hanging is a burlap panel.  I love how this provides for a natural texture to begin with.  I also used lots of die cuts, Masonite shapes, metal bits, found objects and wooden embellishments in the collage.  All of it was brought together with the use of gesso, a dusting of metallic finishes and some mica flakes.

I made this piece specifically to keep my big designing dreams alive.  I have not been active with a team for a while and it is part of my creative life that I truly miss!

Cheers, 

Rhea

Steampunk Santos Doll

This project has been in the making for quite some time.  I started it when I recently made a large order from Retro Art Cafe, where I got the doll base.  

The caged portion of the doll is covered in turquoise Iced Enamels.  I love the shabby metal look it gives.  Since I did not seal it with resin as intended, it chipped a little, but I liked the effect. 

On the bottom of the doll I added lots of fun things. Strings and scraps from Sari ribbon, gears, hearts and even some old vacuum tubes.  A few customized bezels were also added for movement and additional meaning.

My project finally came together once I got some stuff from B'sue Boutiques.  I had been having trouble with the face of my doll, but with this lovely brass stamping my gal finally found her personality.  

I enhanced the face with Vintaj patinas, gilders paste and some stickels. I think it ended up working out quite well.  You can also see another custom bezel is tied on here with some more Sari ribbon, which was from B'sue as well.  I really loved it more than I would ever imagine, with it's bright vivid colors.

I liked the shape of the hearts as well as the colors I chose.  Here I layered on three similar elements to create interest and depth.  It is always good to repeat patterns.

The wings of my steampunk Santos doll are enhanced with Inka Gold, stenciling and lots of gilders paste.  I even edged some things out with graphite to be sure I had good definition. 

This was a super fun project for me that is really outside of my usual work, but I really enjoyed it.  I hope you did too!

Cheers, 

Rhea

Time to Flourish Mini Gratitude Box

This little box came together as I was working on elements for other projects.  I just could not resist assembling this cute mini cigar box almost as soon as I got it.  Of course, to be quick and efficient at covering this little item, I used several decorative tapes.

I intend to add scraps of paper with things I am grateful for inside.  I believe that in recognizing our gratitude it expands the space for more things to be grateful for to enter your life. The new Time to Flourish paper from Graphic 45 was perfect for the fall palate and sentiment.

On that note, in my creative life, I am so grateful for Alpha Stamps and Graphic 45 for being such amazing sponsors of my design work.  I am happy to report that another company will be added to that list, but I am keeping a lid on that for now.  

Cheers, 

Rhea

Tiny shrine of Mary

A few weeks back I had shared that I had been on a shrine/assemblage kick again, this post shows off another bit of that art attack.  

I used an Alpha Stamps image that I printed to make a rub on and then adhered that to a sheet of mica.  I just adore how you can see the text through the image.  Yes, I am easily amused when it comes to art techniques that add so much interest in super simple ways!

The edges of the assemblage were covered with my standby, tissue tape.  I also used a ton of gilders paste on this project, in fact this is the only medium I used to color the elements. 

I gave my mom another small similar shrine with religious imagery, I think this one may be destined for her as well!

Cheers, 

Rhea

Happy Haunting Houses

And fall is officially well under way!  The arrival of Halloween this week means that those cold cozy days will be upon us in no time. Graphic 45 challenged the team to come up with some easy Halloween decorating ideas and this is what transpired.  

For this project I was inspired to upcycle something I had in my existing stash.  These painted wood houses from a rummage sale had been on hand for quite some time and I knew they would be a perfect fit for this project.  Since I still have more on hand I am thinking I could do several season and change out the display.

To start, I simply covered each house in black gesso.  A layer of paper on each side made for a perfect base for my simple collage.  Notice how I chose to use the positioning of the paper to create a fence on the back side of the house.  

I used some acrylic paint on the edges to give the houses a bit of a grungy look.   It was so hard for me to use that starry paper.  I have been hanging on to the two sheets I have forever.  Alas, I now only have scraps.

The owl cuts outs are from Retro Cafe Art.  Kristen has a ton of cut outs that make for awesome artsy elements.

I hope you are inspired to look at some of your stash in a new way. 

Happy Halloween!  

Rhea

Tiny Geisha and Buddha Houses

These tiny houses were a total blast for an assemblage fan like me.  I was able to alter these small shrines in a very short time frame, which is rare for my mixed media pieces.  It always seems like I am waiting for glue to set!

I made the geisha house first.  Inspiration struck as I was sifting through my trusty box of Alpha Stamps images.  I was simply looking for something that was the proper scale.  When I stumbled upon this picture, my theme quickly took shape.  Check out all the goodies I used here.

To add dimension and age I mounted the picture on a domino.  I then used distress techniques to give my focal age by sanding and adding ink.  Interest was added to my brass elements as well.  I used liquid pearls and gilders paste which are some of my go to products for altering metal bits.  

The smaller of the two houses holds a tiny Buddha.  To hide the hold in the bead, a brad was glued in.  I also had to put something inside of my flower to prop my head up like I wished.  This shrine is trimmed with the tiniest of butterflies and lovely Dresden border.  You can also see that I altered my flower with copper and white gilders paste, with a little liquid pearls in the center.  

I am so enthralled with making these tiny houses that I am participating a in swap for them through Retro Cafe Art.  The deadline is not until May, so there is lots of time to play!

Cheers, 

Rhea

A Retro Halloween

It was almost exactly one year ago that I discovered the joy of Retro Cafe Art and their amazing Coffee Break Designs. I had gone to an art retreat in Chicago and they had a booth there.  I went nuts on all their Masonite goodies and developed quite a stash.  Recently when I saw on their Facebook page that they were having a Halloween art contest, I knew I would celebrate by using some of my coveted supplies.

The first entry features two images from RCA's current free collage sheet.  I made the moon peek over the side of the house and I love the altered cabinet card witch.  

I used mica and glitter to line the inside of a smaller cigar box.  The sandy paste I have used in other projects. In fact, this was left over from this post.  You can hop on over there if you would like the details on how to make the paste. 

Other items used on this project from Retro Cafe Art are: picket fence cut outs (these are so handy people), guilders paste and the wonderful star washi tape.  I am a sucker for designer tapes!  The lace was actually cut from a doily and the house base was found at a rummage sale.  A fun project indeed.  

The second little assemblage I put together is also filled with RCA supplies.  I started with a three hole cubby.  This was altered with guilders paste and decorative tape.  You can also see the use of those fences again.  All of the Masonite products accept the guilders paste very well.  

I used their tiny heart shrine, two sizes of red cotton spun mushrooms as well as a Halloween paper cut out.  I was a little surprised at my Retro craft stash!  

I guess this is the official start of the holiday season in my crafty world!  Here we go!

Cheers, 

Rhea