Saturday, January 21, 2012

Turn Your Artwork Into Jewelry!
Enchanted Soiree Necklace! 10Sometimes you look at your illustrations and think what else can I do with them, you can photocopy them and mount on chipboard or turn into ATC's (Artist Trading Cards), have them printed onto greeting cards, postcards or turn into prints. But why not try something different, what about making jewelry with your illustrations, simply photocopy your artwork to fit the size of the piece you are working on, trim and insert into open cab pieces, jewelry casings, watch casings, into bottle caps, jewelry frames, or transfer to fabric and stitch onto the images, so many possibilities.

Here is a piece of jewelry I made using one of my illustrations:
Lacy's Halloween Party
Lacy's Halloween Party!This is a preview of my new illustration's I created for product licensing!

This piece is called: Lacy's Halloween Party!

Lacy is a young wizard who lives the town of Agatha Mews just 40 miles south of Boston and loves to sprinkle magic everywhere she goes......

This original piece was made on Strathmore Bristol Board, Oil Pencils, Markers and Acrylics!

I then photocopied it and turned it into a necklace called:

Enchanted Soiree!
Using my illustration, rhinestones, vintage pearls, metal roses, aurora beads, clasps, and glass covering!
Enchanted Soiree Necklace! 9Enchanted Soiree Necklace! 8Enchanted Soiree Necklace! 6Enchanted Soiree Necklace! 5Enchanted Soiree Necklace! 4Enchanted Soiree Necklace!Hope this inspired you to turn your illustrations into some jewelry or accessories.
Magic and Joy,
Lisa

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Piddlestixs Covers Vol.1-Vol.5
Piddlestixs:Teatime Tiaras and Vintage Whimsy!
Piddlestixs: Vol.2
Piddlestixs Vol.3
Piddlestixs Vol. 4 CoverPiddlestixs 5 cover, revampedPiddlestixs 5 Sneak Peak
Piddlestixs Vol.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are all available at lulu.com

Sunday, January 08, 2012

The Wonderland Chronicles!
wonderland cabinet card4
Before Alice fell down the rabbit hole, chasing after the white rabbit who is actually the grandson of S. W. Rabbit, and great great grandson of Elmerious Rabbit, before the mad tea party which was retold in carroll's story, Wonderland was more then a countryside fantasy trap of riddles and rhymes, all in the hopes of Alice finding her way back home....................

Wonderland was a mysterious place, one wrapped in secrets and hidden labrinyths, good against bad, friend or enemy, what lays underneath the green hat, could be a never ending hole, a time travel back to Cheshire E. Cat's first of his 9 lives, inside his apothecary shoppe at the corner of Pigeonwood Court and Tweedle Pine Lane, inside Wonderland City.

No one knows what's lurking behind every corner, keep your magic near by for you never know when you will need it. Come with me and visit Sir Wilford Humpty's Photographie Studio and glimpse through his cabinet of cards, and read about the wonderland chronicles.

Pictured here is The Queen of Hearts, a few feet from her croquette field, which is always having its roses painted!
wonderland cabinet card2Pictured here are Addie and Austin Rockfellow, part of the Hatter Family!wonderland cabinet card5Here is young Madson Hatter, practicing magic at his first tea party. Later he would become known as The Mad Mad Hatter.wonderland cabinet card6
Here is young Cheshire, and a young age, in the beginning of his first life, followed by Fiona and Lucinda's Grandmother and Alice's Grandmother Hailey.Wonderland City!The Wonderland Chronicles, Wonderland City by Lisa Kettell!

Welcome to Wonderland City, This is the place you never saw or heard about in Lewis Carroll's Story: Alice In Wonderland.

On a recent discovery of an old chest, I found hidden chronicles which have started to un-covered the real story of Wonderland, a secret world filled with magic and loads of secrets!

Wednesday, January 04, 2012


Come Join Me At: Gypsy Jamboree!


When: April 13-15, 2012
Where: St.Augustine, Florida

Fill this Unique leather bound Journal with all your secrets, wishes and dreams.
My post bound spine with accomodate even the heaviest of embellished pages and still lay flat. Just imagine all the GYPSY Memories we can keep in here!Here are some sneak peaks inside:photo.jpgphoto.jpgAnd more sneak peaks:photo.jpgphoto.jpg....Besides creating an enchanted 3-dimentional journal, attendees will create:
Their very own Gypsy Fortune Teller with a secret fortune waiting to be told.

Fellow GYPSIES will assemble a framed work of art with this beautiful porcelain gypsy and a collection of goodies to decorate. You are encouraged to bring some of your own jewels, trinkets and baubles to make this project Unique to your own inner gypsy Soul as instructed by Elaine Smith and Karen France.


Some Event Details:
This Nomadic Weekend in Sunny St. Augustine, Florida promises to be a Unique Journey thru the Creative depths of your Soul!
Our three main projects will be highlighted by make and takes, Shopping at the Open Air Gypsy Bazaar, Fabulous FOOD, SWAPS that will make you Swoon and a Bonfire Night! Of course there will be FREE TREASURES and multiple Raffle Gifts.

Registration thru Pay Pal is NOW OPEN! The price will be $500.00


Here is a sneak peak at the retreat headquarters:


Your Three day Gypsy Jamboree Art Event will take place here, in the home of your Hostess Michelle! This beautiful St. Augustine beach home is the perfect getaway to relax and put you at ease , the perfect atmosphere for creativity! Your Brunch on Sunday will be served in Michelle's beautiful kitchen Dining area. A special menu has been planned you will not soon forget! Relax, create, eat, enjoy the historic old city and most of all enjoy the company of fellow art lovers!

For more exciting details at to register visit:
http://www.gypsyjamboreevent.blogspot.com

Monday, January 02, 2012

Madeline Merbrights Summer in Pixie Isle, C.1920!



Madeline Merbrights Summer in Pixie Isle, C.1920!
Enjoy previews of my up and coming illustrated novel called: Madeline Merbright's Summer in Pixie Isle, C.1920!
This story revolves around a young girl named Madeline, whose summer on Pixie Isle will change her life forever.

Welcome to Grimshaw Alley located in Pixie Isle along the Merwin Sound. Pixie Isle is part of the Pixie Region of Wistica and located 25 miles from land. Since Wistica is south of England, the whole area has many British characteristics.

Pixie Isle is considered a premier seaside destination and famous for the Tri-Sea Pixie Pageant, last years winner was August Platmoore.

Lavender, coral powder and moongrass are indigenous to the island. While Wentmoore Holloway made the area famous with his delicious tea called Holloway's Teasers, with flavors such as: Mervander's Twist, Licorice Sunrise and Lavender Vanilla, and many more, which have now been made into scrumptious taffy and candy confections.

Madeline Merwright is pictured here waiting for Percy Spellbinder to start his summer potions class, held every thursday evening at 8pm. $100 pixiepents gets you 8 classes. This is a must do for any young and curious pixie.

This summer will be the opening of the Pixie Boutique on Pixie Isle. FiFi and Trixie LaBlume, have been preparing all year for their fashion show at The La Dolie Opera House. This would be the first fashion show for the two pixie sisters who had left The Phantom Chillarie Theatre Group just last year to pursue their love for designing.
Their debut line will consist of a variety of cutting edge bustiers with vintage ribbons and tulle skirts layered over funky leggings. There will be lots of frills and glam in this collection, complete with dazzling Austrian Crystal colorful tiaras and blown glass flutter rings to accompany the pixie wings.

Pictured here is Polly Andrews, the lead model for the show, who was just featured on the cover of The Faerie Princess Magazine and in The Pixie Times. Polly with her velvety blonde hair, comes from the Rouge Agency and so does her friend Lisette, a new up coming model with gorgeous violet eyes and radiant long brown hair.

To show no hard feeelings that the La Blume sisters didn't renew their contract, The Phantom Chillarie will provide the props and flowers for the show, along with some advertising, other sponsors include: The Paris Magic Group, Hollowood Bank and Trust, Langley Grace Designs and The Garden Bug Cafe.

Every show has a theme, FiFi and Trixie choose a carnival theme. They even transformed the Opera House into an acting Carnival with Pierrots, Ballerinas, Acrobats, and a Lion Tamer, all courtesy of The Percy Peapack Carnival which opens on the Isle two days later. Some of the models will ride down the runway on elephants costumed in LaBlume clothing, others will roller skate while eating cotton candy and the rest will walk with balloons and candy apples.

At the end of the show, guests will be ushered into the opera promenade where they will be given either cotton candy light puffs or sparklers. Then the models, circus performers and The LaBlume Sisters will be whisked away in the Vintage Hot Air Balloons, in an eclectic blend of shapes and designs followed by a magnificant firework display.

I was impressed with the show, however, Lisette, who has no last name, seemed weird, quite strange if you ask me, there was just something about her that bothered me, I don't know what it was, she just did. What's even more strange is that the owner of The Phantom Chillarie has never been seen, only his liason, Groman Felsaunt, who is the appointed, head of the Chillarie. I asked my parents why no one has seen him, they claim, its because of his involvement with the dark arts. Rumors have circulated that he has a secret den where he tortored Pixies and Wizards for their magic, but it can't be proven.

Every August, The Percy Peapack Carnival comes to Pixie Isle. The Carnival stays on the Isle for 10 days, which are filled with lots of magical fun.
Cotton Candy Filling Stations are one of my favorites, You pay one price and can refill your cotton candy sticks all day and choose between 24 flavors. The carnival also features Percy's Cherrie-ettle Corn which is cherry flavored pop corn, there are also Comet Cakes, Snow Cones, Ice Cream, Pickles Fudge, Candy Dandy Apples and Moon Juice.
The seahorse carousel always has a line and changing lantern lights, the ferris wheel extends over Scullivers Park, The Le-Mer-Mystique Dancers put on a water sky-show and elephant rides are a must!
Every year a Carnival Princess is choosen, this year, the title went to Maddy Spellbinder, the daughter of Mrs. Spellbinder. Here Maddy, short for Madison, is shown in her cotton candy gown, her picture is then placed in the Carnival's signature stardust background and placed in the Percy Peapack hall of fame, along with a spot in the Pixie Isle Town Hall! Did I mention her mother is on the Woman's Club Board of Trustees!


This novel/story and the illustrations are Lisa Kettell C.2006-2012

Enjoy all!
Magic and Much Joy, Enchantment and Love!
Lisa!

Sunday, January 01, 2012

New Years Day


New Year's Day
is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome. With most countries using the Gregorian calendar as their main calendar, New Year's Day is the closest thing to being the world's only truly global public holiday, often celebrated with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the new year starts. January 1 on the Julian calendar currently corresponds to January 14 on the Gregorian calendar, and it is on that date that followers of some of the Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate the New Year.
Magical New Years Postcard!

In cultures which traditionally or currently use calendars other than the Gregorian, New Year's Day is often also an important celebration. Some countries concurrently use the Gregorian and another calendar. New Year's Day in the alternative calendar attracts alternative celebrations of New year.

  • Telugu New Year (Ugadi), Kannada New Year (Yugadi) is celebrated in March (generally), April (occasionally). Traditionally, it is celebrated as Chaitram Chaitra Shuddha Padyami in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to mark the event of New Year's Day for the people of the Deccan region of India.

It falls on a different day every year because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar calendar. The Saka calendar begins with the month of Chaitra (March–April) and Ugadi/Yugadi marks the first day of the new year. Chaitra is the first month in Panchanga which is the Indian calendar. Panchangam (almanac), is read in temples to mark the start of the Year. (For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugadi)



  • Chinese New Year is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is the first day of the lunar calendar and is corrected for the solar every three years. The holiday normally falls between 20 January and 20 February. The holiday is celebrated with food, families, lucky money(usually have red color outside), and many other red things for good luck. Lion and dragon dances, drums, fireworks, firecrackers, and other types of entertainment fill the streets on this day.
  • Sinhalese New Year is celebrated in Sri Lankan culture predominantly by the Sri Lankan Sinhalese, while the Tamil New Year is celebrated alongside it by Sri Lankan Tamils. The Sinhalese New Year (aluth avurudda), marks the end of harvest season, by the month of Bak (April) between April 13th and April 14th. There is an astrologically-generated time gap between the passing year and the New Year, which is based on the passing of the sun from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries) in the celestial sphere. The astrological time difference between the New Year and the passing year (nonagathe) is celebrated with several Buddhist rituals and customs that are to be concentrated on, which are exclusive of all types of 'work'. After Buddhist rituals and traditions are attended to, Sinhala and Tamil New Year-based social gatherings and festive parties with the aid of firecrackers, and fireworks would be organized. The exchange of gifts, the cleaning of the house, the lighting of the oil lamp, making kiribath (Milk rice), and even the Asian Koel are significant aspects of the Sinhalese New Year. (For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinhalese_New_Year)
  • Tamil New Year (Puthandu) is celebrated on 13th April or 14th April. Traditionally, it is celebrated as Chiththirai Thirunaal in parts of Tamilnadu to mark the event of the Sun entering Aries. Panchangam (almanac), is read in temples to mark the start of the Year.
  • Thai New Year is celebrated on 13th April or 14th April and is called Songkran in the local language. People usually come out to splash water at each other to reduce the heat, which is at its most intense during this time of the year in Thailand.
  • Hindu New Year falls at the time and date the Sun enters Aries on the Hindu calendar. This is normally on 14 April or 15 April, depending on the leap year. The new year is celebrated by paying respect to elders in the family and by seeking their blessings. They also exchange tokens of good wishes for a healthy and prosperous year ahead.
  • Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in Iranian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. Nowruz has been celebrated for over 3,000 years by the related cultural continent. The holiday is also celebrated and observed by many parts of Central Asia, South Asia, Northwestern China, Crimea and some groups in the Balkans. As well as being a Zoroastrian holiday and having significance amongst the Zoroastrian ancestors of modern Iranians, the same time is celebrated in the Indian sub-continent as the new year. The moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes night and day is calculated exactly every year and Iranian families gather together to observe the rituals.
  • Islamic The Hijri New Year, also known as Islamic new year (Arabic: رأس السنة الهجرية‎ Ras as-Sanah al-Hijriyah) is the day that marks the beginning of a new Islamic calendar year. New Year moves from year to year because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar.The first day of the year is observed on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar.
  • Israel is one country that uses the Gregorian calendar but does not formally celebrate the New Year's holiday — mainly due to objections by religious parties on the holiday's non-Jewish origins. However, there are Israeli Jews who partake in some sort of celebration. The date of the Jewish new year is celebrated on Rosh Hashanah no matter where the location.
  • Japanese New Year in Japan is celebrated on January 1 because the Gregorian calendar is now used instead of the Chinese calendar.
  • Korean New Year called Seolnal is the first day of the lunar calendar. Koreans also celebrate solar New Year's Day on January 1 each year, following the Gregorian Calendar. People get a day off that day while have minimum three days off on Lunar New Year. People celebrate New Year's Day by preparing food for the ancestors' spirits, visiting ancestors' graves, then playing Korean games such as Yutnol'i {say: yun-no-ree} with families. Young children give respect to their parents, grandparents, relatives, and other elders by bowing down in a traditional way and are given good wishes and some money by the elders. Families enjoy the new years also by counting down until 12:00 a.m., which would be New Year's Day.

  • Ethiopian New Year called Enqutatash. It is celebrated on September 11 or September 12 based on the leap year. Ethiopia uses its own ancient calendar. However some say it has connection with Julian calendar. The new year is the end of the summer season and where you see natural flowers every where in the country.

New Years Eve

January 1 represents the fresh start of a new year after a period of remembrance of the passing year, including on radio, television and in newspapers, which starts in early December in countries around the world. Publications have year-end articles that review the changes during the previous year. In some cases publications may set their entire year work alight in hope that the smoke emitted from the flame brings new life to the company. There are also articles on planned or expected changes in the coming year.

This day is traditionally a religious feast, but since the 1900s has also become an occasion to celebrate the night of December 31, called New Year's Eve. There are fireworks at midnight at the moment the new year arrives; watchnight services are also still observed by many.

Link

First Night

First Night is an artistic and cultural celebration on New Year's Eve, taking place from afternoon until midnight. Some cities have all their events during the celebration outside, but some cities have events that are hosted indoors by organizations in the city, such as churches and theaters. Since it happens on New Year's Eve, First Night celebrations are actually held on the last night of the old year. The real first night occurs on New Year's Day. First Night celebrates a community's local culture, often featuring music, dance, comedy, art, fireworks and, in some cities, ice sculptures and parades.

First Night began in Boston in 1976 by a small group of artists who sought an alternative way of celebrating New Year's Eve, creating an event where the consumption of alcohol is banned.[1] Soon other surrounding communities started their own First Night celebrations. By the 1990s, the First Night Boston event was attracting works by over a thousand artists,[2] and in 2006 more than a million visitors were in attendance.[1]

In Boston, live coverage of the final part of First Night, including the countdown to midnight and fireworks over Boston Harbor that begin at the stroke of midnight, is broadcast by WBZ-TV; the station's parent company CBS is an official sponsor.

During the Late 2000s Recession, several First Night celebrations faced financial difficulty, being scaled back or canceled, while others found the funding to continue.[3][4][5] Alternatively, other celebrations have sprung up. For example, in 2003, First Night Providence announced they would not be able to continue their celebration which had been continuing for 19 years. A group of local artists banded together to create Bright Night Providence,[6] an artist-run New Year's Eve celebration based on the idea and spirit of First Night.

Despite changing economic conditions the First Night model continues to evolve and thrive as a positive force in the arts not only in Boston, but throughout the United States and Canada. First Night USA is the national off-shoot of the parent organization, tasked with engaging stakeholders, opening up communications and creating networks that share ideas and best practices with the numerous First Night licensed events spread throughout the United States.

In addition to the New Year's festival, First Night is deeply involved in Boston's art and culture communities via the Neighborhood Network. Started in 1994, the Neighborhood Network partners First Night with 25 community organizations throughout Boston's neighborhoods- including Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain and South Boston- to engage young people and families in creative workshops with artists and educators. In 2000 First Night launched Summer Beat, a series of summer camp like dance and music workshops spread around the city of Boston.