From the Tribe: Relics & Artifacts® Guest Ambassador Jools Robertson

We regularly invite members from our Facebook Tribe to be featured as guest Ambassadors here on the Muse.  This month, we are honored, humbled, and thrilled to feature Jools Roberston as our Relics & Artifacts® Guest Ambassador.  

I was always encouraged to be creative from a very young age, my parents said I was great as a child as I would sit quietly for hours drawing, painting and cutting up!  Nowadays, I work full time as a textile designer working on commercial interior projects and developing product collections.  I’m constantly being creative working with textures, design and colour, which I love.

In my spare time, I enjoy all types of arts and crafts and working with multimedia, particularly altered art using paint, die cutting, stamps, lots of colour, texture and experimenting with new techniques. I am also a design team member for DecoArt and Stampotique.

To connect with Jools, find her on her blog, Creative Journey!

I’m very honored to be Guest Ambassador for Muse using the fabulous Relics & Artifacts® products.  I love to use architectural detailing in my work and always use moldings to create interest and dimension.  I also like to use various media to create texture, working with colours and metallics to create depth and detail. 

I chose to use the wonderful Ostensorium's design as it is such a fabulous shape based on a Medieval museum piece. It is also referred to as a Monstrance which comes from the Latin word, "monstrare", meaning "to show". 

The Romans used this type of vessel to hold and exhibit an honored object so it was a perfect place to use the beautiful Regalis center piece.  Just look at those cherubs! I started to do some research into them.  Wow! I was blown away.  I was inspired by one that had a red center and liked the silver colouration and beautiful jeweled finishes.  Now you need to know that I have a thing about wings! So, although unconventional, it makes it unique and personal to my style.

Here's how I put my treasured vessel together.

Step 1: Once I had assembled the Ostensorium I applied a coat of white Gesso and allowed to dry.

Step 2:  Apply crackle paste to the surfaces with a palette knife, thicker in areas to create larger crackles. I allowed the whole thing to dry for a few hours. Once it was dry, I adhered the Regalis pieces in place with a strong glue.

Step 3:  The wings!  I cut the wings in 300gsm cardstock using the Cricut ‘Lovestruck’ cartridge twice.  Glue both layers with PVA glue and apply texture sand with a stencil brush to create more texture.  Leave to dry for a few hours.

Step 4:  It's time get centered!  Paint the inside with Quinacridone Red and darken around the edge with Quinacridone Magenta and Carbon Black.

Step 5:  Apply a coat of Silver Metallic fluid acrylic once the crackle medium has fully dried.  Apply a wash of Carbon Black working around the edge of the embellishment details.  Wipe excess to create a tarnished look and highlight the crackle.  

Step 6:  To highlight, use a dry brush with the Silver Metallic and then embellish with crystals.

Supplies:
Relics & Artifacts® Ostensorium 
Relics & Artifacts® Regalis
DecoArt White Gesso 
DecoArt Crackle Paste 
DecoArt Texture Sand
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics:  Metallic Silver, Carbon Black, Quinacridone Red, Quinacridone, Magenta
Jewelled Embellishment 

From the Tribe: RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Guest Ambassador Cristine Martin

This month in our monthly "From the Tribe" feature, we are showcasing the beautiful work of Cristine Martin. She has been so gracious to create not one but two beautifully crafted pieces that we are thrilled to share.  Let's get to know Cristine a bit.

Hi! My name is Cristine and I am so excited to be here sharing my artwork with you. I am an ultrasound tech by day and a creative creature by night. I live in South Miami, Florida with my 3 rescued cats, which always try to put their finishing touch to my projects, so I have to be extra careful inspecting my pieces so they don’t turn out to be a furry display of sorts.

I started my adventure in the art realm in the mid 1990’s working with polymer clay and moved into mixed media later on. I have always loved going on dangerously exciting expeditions looking for long lost treasures in flea markets, thrift shops, and antique stores around town or while visiting other cities or countries.  In this time of exploration, I had become obsessed with wings, angel wings more specifically, although angels, saints and flaming hearts always caught my attention as well as Victorian, goth and steampunk, old, rusty, dark and intriguing. Oh what a delightful mix!! So one day as I was surfing through YouTube, I stumbled across Sandra Evertson's video “Destiny’s Shrine” on Live with Prima and noticed all the beautiful details and mostly, yes, the angel wings. I had to have them!!! Not only did I enjoy that video I also fell in love with Sandra’s Relics & Artifacts line and the rest is history!

     Today's project is called "Heritage, The Irish Rose". To put things into perspective, I was born in Brazil, my father was American with Irish descent and my mother Brazilian with German descent. We should name a cocktail after this mix called the "Perfect Storm".  As I look at my Relics & Artifacts pieces, thousands of ideas flutter in my head like elusive butterflies.

I close my eyes to calm my mind and catch an idea. My Dad comes into mind with a huge smile on his face and that's the moment I catch that butterfly and call it the Irish Rose. My grandparents were of Irish descent and I have the freckles to prove it! I have been to Ireland twice and fell in love with it and the people. Ireland is truly magical and whimsical.

The land has so many incredible shades of green, some I have not seen before. The gears in my head are turning, I take out the flaming hearts and go searching for shades of green, gathering waxes, sprays, acrylic paint, Bohemian jewels and findings. And so the Irish Rose comes to life!

Cristine has also prepared a Snapguide tutorial so that you may be able to create your own heritage inspired piece.

Project 2 - Summer Heritage- The Dream Catcher

   I had a dream, a very colorful dream. Since I am in heritage mode and we are in full swing of summer, nothing like creating something colorful and connected with nature. I decided to honor the native American Indian heritage with a slight twist. The dream catcher is a handmade willow hoop on which is woven a web or net. This dream catcher can include sacred feathers and beads or objects of protection.

“The dream catcher is hung above a sleeping area in a place where the morning light can hit it. The nature of the dream catcher will attract all sorts of dreams to its webs. When bad dreams come, they do not know the way through the web and get caught in the webbing where the first light of day causes them to melt away and perish. The good dreams, knowing the way, go through the center of the web and slide down the feathers to the sleeper below.” --Anishnabe as remembered by WayaGola.

I used Sandra Evertson's Helios I as the hoop and I love it’s sun rays, so it was perfect for this project. I had colorful threading which came from a huge bag I found in a store with bits and pieces and rolls of yarn and colorful ornate strings.

The large butterfly is from the Papillion collection of Relics & Artifacts. The butterfly is a powerful representation of transformation, hope, renewal and rebirth. An important message carried by the spirit of the butterfly is about the ability to go through important changes with grace and lightness.

The legs are from the Relics and Artifacts Milagros set. I decorated them with colorful threads and feathers representing the joyful dance of life. The eye in the center of the web is from the Archival Cast Flaming hearts EX I Votos collection. Some folks call it the evil eye, I prefer to call it the angel eye, keeping a watch and protecting you.

Sweet dreams….

Isn't Cristine's use of the Helios frame simply brilliant and inspiring?  To find out how she wove such a colorful masterpiece, follow her Snapguide tutorial and create your own magical dream catcher.

If you would like to connect with Cristine, which we highly recommend you do, you can find more of her beautiful creations on Pinterest, Instagram, and on her blog, The Flight of Wings.

"From the Tribe" Featuring RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Guest Ambassador Lexi Grenzer

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"

"Vintage Finds and Transformations" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Guest Ambassador Tina Walker

Our next Guest Ambassador is the amazing Tina Walker!  She is a world renown creative who's mixed media style is unique and easily recognizable.  Let's get to know Tina a little better.

"Hi!  I'm Tina Walker and I am a lover of all things creative.  By day, I direct the International Trade Department for a major footwear retailer and create in my spare time. Art is an outlet that allows me to keep my sanity and is a retreat from my daily career responsibilities.  My latest creative passion is all things mixed media, including art journaling, assemblage, and fabric art.

Mixed media is a perfect discipline for me, encompassing multiple products, mediums and design techniques.  My project selection and medium choice is constantly changing. I love to experiment and I believe there is no such thing as a bad mistake.  All ‘mistakes’ are a chance to learn and try new ideas.  As I always say, "You can always cover it with gesso and start over."

I am truly blessed to be part of this amazing community and I hope I can bring a bit of sunshine to your crafty world!"

When creating assemblage projects, I love combining the old with the new.  This combination simply makes my heart full of happy.  There is something about the hidden story and history of a vintage finding mixed with new, unwritten pieces that is a match made in heaven.  And, it give me an ‘excuse’ to go junkin’ shopping!  But who said you need an excuse?  Ha!

I have bin after bin full of vintage ‘junk’; it may actually out number my new products but since most of my vintage finds are one-of-a-kind, I have to buy them when I can (at least that is what I tell myself).

The biggest thing to remember when combining old objects with new is that the color, texture, design of the old piece can always be changed.  Sometimes I’ll use a piece as is, but quite often I change it with a little gesso, texture paste, and paint. It doesn’t take much other than a little imagination.

Relics & Artifacts® pieces are the perfect match with my vintage findings.  Since they can be modified to match whatever style or design esthetic you are looking for, they are a must have product.  Using the same color palette or texture is all you need to marry the old into the new. 

Tina has graciously created a Snapguide to illustrate how she achieved the marvelous finishes and textures in this beautiful piece.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Papillon"
Vintage Finding
White Gesso
Crackle Medium
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic Glazing Liquid
Adhesive Metal Sheet
Embossing Folder
Alcohol Ink
Gel Medium
Sewing Machine

From the Tribe: RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Guest Ambassador Martha DeGroat Richardson

A New Monthly Feature Presenting the Heart of Our Tribe. Guest Ambassadors are chosen from the Relics & Artifacts® Tribe on Facebook.  The team regularly combs through the many shared innovative, creative and awe inspiring projects.  Membership has its perks, why miss out on so much inspiration and a chance to be invited as a Guest Ambassador!

A beautiful chandelier created by none other than Martha DeGroat Richardson, our very first Guest Ambassador for RELICS & ARTIFACTS®.  Let's get to know Martha and her work.

"I consider myself a jack of all arts, mixed-media, altered art, art journaling, doodling, lettering, scrapbooking, fabric arts, and jewelry making just to name a few. I’m a technique junkie and love learning about new techniques and new products. I’m also a techie who loves using various social media platforms. My biggest problem is NOT having enough time to do it all!"

Take a closer look at this spectacular chandelier and find out how Martha came up with such a visually stunning piece.

'I must be a mermaid. I have no fear of depth and a great fear of shallow living.' -Anais Nin

"The inspiration for many of my projects comes from a life long love of the beach, water and the sparkly little gifts that are offered up at low tide. After all these years I've realized that I'm really a mermaid.

The chandelier is the beginning of my undersea world and showcases many of my found beach treasures. The luminous quality of Mother of Pearl led to the creation of a faux MOP paper that became the basis for the various RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Chandelier Pendants used in this project.

This piece is my celebration of the enchantment of the sea."

Martha's debut post as a Guest Ambassador leaves us longing for refreshing sea breezes that can only be brought in on salty waves.  Thank you for your Wondrous Contribution Martha!

“One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach.”― Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gifts From the Sea

Don't you just love that mother of pearl finish?  Martha has put together a snazzy Snappguide tutorial that shows how she achieved that luxurious finish.  Also, be sure to visit Martha's Blog for more of her inspiring work.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants I
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants II
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants III
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants IV
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants V
VerDay Paint 2oz Kit

Other Supplies:
Prima Wood Chandelier
Prima Color Spray Glistening Waves
Prima Christine Adolph Rub Ons
Prima Rub On Foils
Prima Finnabair Art Alchemy Opal Magic Paint (Rose-Gold, Green-Gold, Violet-Gold, Blue-Gold)
Chipboard Coral Cut-outs (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Chipboard Seaweed Cut-outs (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Chipboard Sand Dollars (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Shells (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Brass Charms (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Glitter (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Micro Beads (Retro Cafe Art Gallery)
Assorted seashells
Coral, pearls, crystals and baubles