Up-Cycled Project: Wicker Shelf turned Arsty!
Turn a boring wicker or rattan shelf into an artsy piece. All you need is a wicker shelf, which can be found at most thrift stores, garage sales or probably in your attic, some glue, water, foam brush and recycled book pages, music sheets or newspaper.
Step One, Mix 3 parts all purpose glue w/one part water, stir with foam brush, set aside.Step Two: Gather pieces of recycled ephemera such as book sheets, dictionary pages, music sheets or newspaper.Step Three: Coat wicker with homemade decaupage glue medium using foam brush, saturate paper with glue and press onto wicker, brush additional medium onto the paper, repeat until the whole shelf is coated in paper, let dry.Step Four: Coat piece w/sealer or finish of choice, then start adding your fave items to it.Here is my finished shelf used as a display for some artful goodies at Piddlestixs!
Tips:
-Add die cuts, silhouettes or dresden scraps/trims to your shelf.
-Add broken jewelry, paper pinwheels or trim to your shelf.

The possibilities are endless. Remember recycling something can be rewarding and save you money too!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!c

Carnival Clown Bulb Doll!

Here is a great recycle project using left over carnival bulbs, vintage cake toppers, chenille, crepe, buttons and my scrapbook paper!

I received a vintage one in a circus swap I was in last year, I loved my box of goodies I received. Then the other night my girlfriend Tiffany came by the store to play, she was throwing out ideas to me and pointed to something, when I looked up, next to my painting I saw the vintage bulb ornament I had which used a vintage clown cake topper, crepe paper, buttons and chenille.

Well at my store Piddlestixs, I have tons of vintage clown cake toppers in all colors for sale, vintage chenille, crepe paper, buttons and bulbs. So I walked downstairs and picked up a topper, crepe paper and buttons. I decided to leave my old chenille for sale and create my own version.

In my left side bar of this blog I have a quick demo on aging new tinsel chenille stems. However I'd like to update that version using new store bought chenille!

Here is the project for aging store bought modern chenille aka pipe cleaners ( I grew up buying these stems in cigar shops, they came thin and in multi colors and were used to clean pipes hence the name pipe cleaners.)

Aging Chenille:
-Package of white chenille stems (any size width)
-Acrylic paint in color of choice
-Petal Porcelain, Plaid
-Liquid starch
-Tim Holtz Distress Re-inker in Tea Dye
-Used Paint brush, water, paper plate

1.Squeeze a little acrylic paint onto plate, add a drop of petal porcelain, liquid starch and a tiny bit of re-inker, mix thoroughly.
2. Paint the solution onto your chenille stem using a old used paint brush, let dry.

Tips:
-For more grungy aging add more re-inker
-Use this solution on fabric and paper

The Carnival Clown Bulb Project:

-Christmas Bulb in color of choice
-Old Clown Cake Topper ( I have in stock in my store, etsy and artfire)
-Crepe paper cut into a 12 inch by 3 inch strip
-Crepe paper streamer cut into a 20 inch strip
-Colorful or old buttons
-Aged chenille stem (refer to above technique)
-Scrapbook paper cut into a small rocket shape, Candy Stripes Paper, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Tim Holtz Distress ink pad, Linen
-Glitter
-Kids Choice Glue, Beacon Adhesives
-Hot Glue and glue gun
-Scissors


1. Remove the cap and hook from a Christmas bulb, insert clown topper into hole, secure with hot glue.
2. Paper pleat the cut piece of crepe paper, secure in place to the end of bulb near the cake topper, with kids choice glue. Paper pleat and fold the cut strip of crepe paper streamer in half, attach to the top of the crepe paper, under the topper.
3. Age the crepe with the linen ink pad.
4. Attach the chenille to the back of the clown, fold, bend to desired length and glue in place with hot glue.
5. Add glitter, lettering, etc using kids choice glue

Tips:
-Use china doll heads, sculpted doll heads, foam balls or other toppers in place of the clown one.
-Experiment with piano paper, browns, beige and vintage white buttons.

Artistic Affaire L'Automne, Los Angeles, CA, Part Three!
As the day progressed on Saturday, everyone became more and more excited, each hour bringing inspiration and creative expression.

After my class, I sat back for a minute to relax, reflex and have some lunch, awaiting for one of the swap exchanges I took place in, the first one I took part in at Artistic Affaire Event was the Tim Burton Ornament Swap hosted by Priscilla, followed by the Masquerade Swap hosted by Bryanna.Around 2pm, Stefani Girard and Maria from Craftside/Quarry Books http://craftside.typepad.com/ came by to visit me for a bit and do a 2 minute interview about my book and my works, these two girls are beyond AMAZING, I was so excited to meet with them, I wish I was in LA longer so Stefani, Maria and I could have spent the day artsying around the region...Next time, But I'll see them at CHA this winter, can't wait.

After Lunch, Julie Haymaker Thomas started her wonderful workshop, I couldn't help but walk around and witness beautiful artworks being created, her class was a true treasure of enchantment and vintage delights, her class kits were to drool over and the finished pieces each told a story through the eyes of the student who made it, they all created their own version of the original which was amazing!Following Julie's class was a gourmet dinner and the exchange of another swap, stories and fun, all leading up to the last workshop of the day which was hosted by the one and only Ruth Rae, who like Julie is amazing and brilliant. Her wristlets class kit came in a cigar box, OMG, love that, and was so inspiring, I can't wait to try one.

At the end of the day a few of us stayed behind and began the clean up, watched a bike marathon in front of the studio, then all headed home, to get much needed sleep from a long day filled with magic and joy!

Stay tuned for the next installment of Artistic Affaire Part Four, The Party at Vintage Emporium.

Midsummer Nights Silhouette Crown!

Visit: The Art Institute of Glitter Blog for the complete material list and directions on how I made this crown using their fabulous glitter click on the link to the project on their blog:
http://artglitterblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/midsummer-nights-silhouette-crown-by.html

The Story:
On a Midsummer's Day, deep in my secret garden, lives a colony of birds, bees, butterflies and all garden creatures with fanciful fairies, who all live in complete harmony, making magic from flower pollen to sprinkle on those that are lucky.

Every midsummer in late August or early September, these enchanted delights get ready for the end of summer ball, complete with glowing lanterns, dazzling stars, Mr. Moon's Dancers and a symphony of magical sounds created from violins and flutes. This party is the grandest of all, each guest is required to wear their ball gown or suit best, not to mention wear their shinest of jewels. The theme this year is Masquerade, so don't forget that elaborate mask when you come, or one will be given at the door......Now I must go and get ready for this spectacular ball.

Again please visit the art glitter blog for the project instructions on how to make this crown!

The Jeweled Dress Form and Art Upcycled Treasures!
I've been making alot of jewelry lately, I had a recent trunk show of my jewelry and handmade dress forms, it was so much fun, to get my mind channeling into another direction, back to my jewelry roots, all while recycling what I had and using up vintage and new pieces.I love dress forms, they are the perfect accompaniment to any artist studio for showcasing your fave treasures on or to display them at an event or art show. I have always wanted to pick up a dress form, but never got around to it, the old ones are expensive and harder to find, the new ones, well they aren't timeless, but with a bit of distressing they can achieve that worn look

Display IDEAS:

-But what about making your own? All you need is a thick wooden dowel or porch post, some scrap wood, batting and fabric. For smaller ones, a wire base with legs or a bird cage or standing plant stand will work, and again, batting and fabric.

-You don't need a dress form to display your treasures, what about covering a corkboard w/fabric and painting the wood frame antique gold or a fun pink, robin's egg blue or chalky white.

-A Garden Wire Rack or floral ornament will work as great displays, closet shutter doors, wooden window shutters, or 3 door screens are all great displays.

Try buying 3 door sized pieces of wood, cover both sides with upholstery batting, staple gunning to wood. Cover with fabric of choice, trim sides with molding, trim or upholstery tacks, hinged together, voila instant 3 door screen w/displaying capability.

Some art-upcycled pieces I made:
1. The Gothic Victorian Bracelet:A hand beaded and sequin fabric cuff bracelet I made and extra embellished with a vintage pin.
2. Priscilla's Garden Bracelet:A bracelet with vintage and modern pieces.
3. The Money Talismen Bracelet:A bracelet to bring the wearer good fortune and luck. I love this one, we could use fortune and luck in our lives don't you agree?

For more of my jewelry and inspiration visit my flickr set called: Handmade Jewelry and Tiara Set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonfaires16/sets/72157604136359174/

________________________________________________________________
My Mom Joan aka Aurora-tique is a wonderful designer, here are some of her new art up-cycled pieces using vintage jewelry, mixed with various old and new elements:

1. The Secret Garden Locket: Escape to a secret garden of your own, just open the locket and be transported to your favorite secret place! The main pendant is a vintage jewelry locket, a vintage chain, crystals, beads, along with other dazzling componants and findings.
2. A Charming Life Bracelet:
3. Underwater Garden Party Bracelet:
4. Le Papillon Necklace:
To see more of my mom's works visit her Flickr site at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31727305@N04/

To purchase her works or for requests/orders visit her new Etsy Store at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6390013

To see her blog visit:
http://auroratique.blogspot.com/

Faux Cabinet Cards, A Digital Journey into Fairyland!I am addicted to cabinet cards, they are beyond timeless and have such a magical quality to them, whether its a victorian gentleman in a top hat and suit, a victorian lady getting ready for a soiree, a civil war family posing for a portrait, a child in communion or confirmation gown, a costumed actress or fave opera heroine, a halloween or holiday portrait event, no matter the image, these old photos are beautiful.

During the 1870's photographs were usually mounted on cards measuring 4 1/4 x 6 1/2 inches or 5 1/4 by 7 1/2 inches. They had ornate letering on the front bottom of the image card and on the reverse side. The cards were mounted on a stiffer board backing due to the thinness of the photograph, which also acted as a photographer's calling and advertising card. The more ornate and elaborate the cabinet card backing, the more more expensive and high end the photographer.

Now finding the elaborate cabinet cards, the opera, costume and soiree styles are hard to come by and can fetch a handsome amount of money. That's when I thought why not make my own using a variety of images I already have.
How To Make a Faux Cabinet Card Image:
1.Simply scan into your computer a photo cabinet card
2. Next Scan in a main image and a few images you like with fun elements in them such as butterflies, flowers, etc.(copyright free of course)
3. If you are photo program savvy color in your images using paint tools in the program, for my faux cabinet cards I used Corel Paint Shop Pro, but you can use Photoshop as well.
4. On the main image layer some cool butterflies, flowers or add digital sparkle to it by cropping, copy and paste.
5. Next copy the finished main image and layer over the cabinet card image, save as a new image, boom instant faux cabinet card.
This is an image from one of my collage cd's which I hand colored in on the computer Now here it is with added elements such as butterflies and digital glitter.Now here it is layered on a cabinet card photo I had, leaving just the frame of the card showing. I call this collaged piece: Esmeralda The Butterfly Queen!
Here is a wonderful vintage image of Miss Marie Doro, from the 1900's. I love this image, there are a few versions of this too! This is from around 1907 per the copyright and is in the public domain.

I have 2 other versions in postcard form, in black and white, hand colored, the other versions are available on the Victorian/Teatime CD, and the Fairytale CD!. I used one of the other versions as the main image for one of my faux cabinet cards! Below is the other version I have colored in, collaged and layered onto a cabinet card, I call this new collaged piece:Lilly, The Fairy Queen! Here is a vintage image I have of Ethel Barrymore which I again digitally hand colored, collaged, and layered onto a cabinet card, I call this collaged piece: The Rose Queen!Below is another version I made called: The Butterfly Keepers!

Now if you aren't computer or photo program savvy, here is another way for you to do this project:
1. Gather up a few cabinet cards you like, paying attention to the beautiful and elaborate lettering and design details on it.
2. Now look for some images you love that can fit the photo frame of the cabinet card.
3. Take your perfectly matched cabinet cards and images to your local photo copy or office supply shop. Next using double sided acid free tape (so you don't ruin the original photo's, tape the main image of your choice onto the cabinet card. This will replace the original image that's on it.
4. Then photocopy, boom a faux cabinet card w/ new image.

Directions on how to make your new faux cabinet card print as sturdy as the original:
1. Find Black matte or chip board, using a glue stick, glue your print onto the matte board. Cut out with sharp scissors, I use industrial scissors for this.( Be careful these scissors are sharp, not recommended for small children).
2. Next using scrapbook paper rounders or rounder punch, round the edges of the layered matte board.
4. Now cover the back of your matte board with a photocopy of the back of the original cabinet card or with a victorian style rubber stamp, using gold embossing ink and gold embossing powder for a more ornate look.

For those of you who work with originals, color right onto the cabinet card using dabbers, q-tips or make up eye applicators rubbed into Ink pads, I use Ranger Inks such as Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads for coloring in photos.

For images to use in your artworks visit my flickr set of vintage images at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonfaires16/sets/72157603511546861/

You must be an approved friend of mine on flickr to use the images, I will approve your friend request, just email me who you are.

Or you can get various images in different collections on my collage cds as well available in my web store, etsy and ebay stores.