We have a special Guest Ambassador who has been a regular in our Tribe and a follower of Relics & Artifacts® for quite some time.  Her works have been inspiring, innovative, and simply beautiful.  Lexi Grenzer is our Guest Ambassador and she has a jaw-dropping project for us. But first, let's get to know Lexi a little bit better!

Lexi is a mixed media artist, licensed designer, watercolorist, doll maker and all around craft enthusiast. She is a wife, mother of two, and a huge animal advocate.

An Ostensorium is a vessel used in many Catholic churches to hold the Eucharistic host or in other cases, to display relics of saints. Historically, these vessels have been made of brilliant metals or glass and they are known for being quite exquisite.

Vintage saints, scapular, rosaries and assorted Catholic pieces have been a long time favorite of mine. I have found that many of my favorite old religious pieces are made of wood, have gold accents, and are chipped with age and time. I wanted to create a piece that I could display in my home that fit this same old wood and chipped gold feeling.

I'm also a very practical person, so most things in my home typically have multiple uses. So, when I envisioned how I might make an Ostensorium, I thought, "Why not use it to display some of my favorite jewelry pieces, especially ones with a religious undertone?" I selected one of Sandra's fabulous digital images to decoupage to the inside, further embellishing and and adding to the vintage look. Matrona Paduana was the image I selected and I did so because the woman had such a serene expression, one that reminded me of the Virgin Mary.

Once I completed the Ostensorium, I was ever so pleased to place my trinkets and bobbles in and on it. It meshed beautifully with my collections and memorabilia. My inspiration was one with a religious undertone, but it's important to note that I admire much about many faiths. In creating your piece, you might decide painting with a vibrant turquoise, allowing the paint to crackle and decoupaging a sweet bird inside.  This might be more your cup of tea. However you create your piece, know that you'll display and embellish it to match your fabulous self! Hope you enjoy my little tutorial!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Ostensorium
Relics & Artifacts® Digital Relic "Matrona Paduana"