Mixed Up Magazine Santos Cuff with RELICS & ARTIFACTS Ambassador Chrissy Colon

One of the biggest thrills of doing what we do is being published in major magazines.  I had such an opportunity to have this piece featured in the October/November 2017 issue of Mixed Up magazine.  Not only did I have the privilege of being published, I also had the distinct honor of this piece gracing the cover.  Talk about a "WOW!" moment!

I had this department store cuff which I bought on clearance, some awesome ColoriQue inks, and the perfect focal point to upcycle an item that was mass produced into something unique and one of a kind.  Of course, you know I do love my bead details!

For the full tutorial complete with photos along with loads of inspiration from other international artists, be sure to subscribe to Mixed Up magazine.  

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Flaming Hearts Ex Voto II
ColoriQue Ink
ICE Resin
Cuff
Beads

Calavera Necklace with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Chrissy Colon

I am not one to do the same type of project idea multiple times.  This one was an exception.  I embraced a challenge courtesy of a very good friend of mine who wanted a custom necklace.  She wanted black with bright, bold colors.  Since I never work with black, my natural response was, "Challenge accepted!"

As most already know,  I do love working with beads.  I find something calming and almost therapeutic about gluing each bead into place and watching my sketched design come to life.  When the piece is completed, the sense of accomplishment and completion is enough to stoke my creative fires.

While the overall design is simple, the bead work is where the magic is with this piece.  The creativity begins to flow and new ideas spring forth.  The second layer of the necklace that has the cross was one such "AHA!" moment.  The addition of a few stone skulls on handmade eye-pins stitched together the elements seamlessly.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Crosse Icons
Relics & Artifacts® Archangels
ICE Resin
Firemountain Gems seed beads
Carved stone skull beads
Necklace Chain
Head pins
jump rings
lobster claw clasp

Fractured Fairy Tale with Relics & Artifacts and ColoriQue

We continue our Fracture Fairy Tale with Cindy receiving the invitation for the Royal Monster's Rock Ball and in the excitement, a secret pocket located inside the envelope has gone unnoticed.  Ambassador Milagros Rivera takes us through Cindy's preparation for her bangin' weekend.

After reading the invitation, Cindy felt pure exhilaration. She started to think about what she could possibly wear to such a massive party. Her closet was impossibly empty of anything worth wearing. She knew none of her sisters would spare her a piece of clothing.

After much thought, she climbed into the attic. There, amongst all the boxes, she found her mom's gorgeous leather pants. But would they fit? That was the great dilemma. In another box she found the perfect match, a lacy bustier that would rock the evening. Not to mention, it really made the "girls" look great. She took all the treasures to her room and begin mending and tailoring.  She also decided to forego the stale cookies on her dresser and opted for some apples and peanut butter to munch on. 

While she worked on getting her sleek, svelte figure back, she realized that her outfit was missing something.  She needed THE PERFECT accessory but what? 

She had a moment of pure genius while ruffling through her box of odds and ends.  Crossed revolvers, vintage blood red roses, gorgeous filigree, and of course, a family heirloom.  The skull was perfect to tie her entire rocker chic ensemble together.

For the previous chapter, written by Larissa Heskett, please head over to the ColoriQue blog and stay tuned because tomorrow, Ambassador Sherry Matthews continues our story!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts "Archangels"
ColoriQue Ink by Lisa Marie Jimenez:  Black Diamond, Ruby Slippers, Verdigris, Avocado, Pink Ice,
EnviroTex Jewelry Resin

RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Rochelle Gaukel and Sacre Coeur

When I received my set of MUSE® Art Stamps, the sacre coeur stamp stood out to me. I knew I wanted to create a necklace using this special art stamp.

Sacre coeur, or better known as “sacred heart”, represents the heart of Christ and his sacrifice for all of us. When I see any form of a sacred heart, I am reminded of the vast love that Christ has for us.  I used red coral as a reference to the blood that was shed that day, as well as mother of pearl rosary beads.

This necklace represents the way my faith shows up in the art I create. 

Supply List:

MUSE® Art Stamps Sacre Coeur
ICE Resin
Glass Glitter
Mother of Pearl Rosary Chain
Coral Beads

"Dreamer" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS Ambassador Sherry Matthews

"So come with me where dreams are born, and time is never planned. Just think of happy things, and your heart will fly on wings, forever." ~ Peter Pan

All you poets and artists
With your creative vibes
Musicians & Makers-
You are my tribe!

Congratulations my friends!
You've earned your wings!
For each of you is
a dreamer of dreams!

You're braver than brave!
That's truer than true!
All you thinkers of things,
This medal's for YOU! 
~Sherry Westfall Matthews

Materials:
Relics & Artifacts® Ancient Soul
Relics & Artifacts® Medallion
DecoArt acrylics
E6000
Jewelry making supplies
Word tile

"I Am" Art Pin with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Heather Thompson

"I am"
I am the Queen of my own Castle.
I am a see-er of beauty all around me.
I am the creator of my own destiny.

I am a lover of nature.
I am a compassionate heart.
I am a true art girl.
This is me. 

Supplies:
MUSE® Art Stamps Oculus
MUSE® Art Stamps Namaste
Relics & Artifacts® Visage
Relics & Artifacts® Papillon
Apoxie Sculpt
Retro Art Cafe Digital Collage Sheet
Retro Cafe Clear Acrylic Tags - O'Charms
Red Lead Paper Works Chotski Pin
DecoArt Media Crackle Paint
DecoArt Media Ultra Matte Varnish
DecoArt Antiquing Cream Black
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics: Titanium White, Cadmium Orange Hue, Diarylide Yellow, Payne Grey, Carbon Black, Cadmium Red Hue, Cobalt Teal Hue

"Soul Sisters" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Monica Downing

So first things first, these MUSE Art Stamps by Sandra, what can I say?! I couldn’t wait to get them.  The ideas have flown freely since I received them. I have so many projects in the works that incorporate all of these amazing stamps. Thank you, Sandra, for beautiful, unique, original designs, and the mojo boost they have given me. Seriously inspiration overload here.

This piece was born of pure and simple experimentation that started off with a cuff base purchased from my local craft hobby shop.  I wanted this bracelet to have a gypsy-boho flare to it while being able to incorporate the amazing Frida Kahlo Soul Sister stamp into it.

I grabbed sari ribbon and fabric scraps and just started sewing them together. Layering them under the sewing needle, not worried about placement or perfection. I really just let the process flow in its own direction. Once all of the stitching was done, I attached this beautiful mosaic of sari ribbon and fabric to the cuff base and framed it with a gorgeous kaleidoscope colorful glass beads.

The Soul Sister butterfly is stamped into Apoxie Sculpt, painted, beaded, then sealed with Ice Resin.

Let me tell you, it was a process but WOW!  I am absolutely thrilled with this piece of wearable art and I hope you are inspired to let go, let your process flow, and create something for wondrous for YOU from your own creative soul.

I anticipate this cuff will being worn A LOT.

Supply list:
Sandra Evertson Soul Sisters MUSE Art Stamp
Apoxie Sculpt
ICE Resin
Cuff Blank
Watercolor Paint
Micro Beads
Sari Ribbon
Fabric Scraps
Glass beads

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.

RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Featured Artist: Carrie Eckert

We are constantly amazed by the talent our Relics & Artifacts® Tribe exhibits and from time to time, we like to feature exceptional talent and innovation here on the Muse.  Today's featured artist is Carrie Eckert.  She is widely known in our Tribe for her astounding Frida collages.  Let us take a moment to get to know a bit more about Carrie.

I have been a compulsive creator of art since I was a little girl. I started by making sand candles and purses as a young child and sold them to a few stores in my town. Later in my early teens years, I studied ballet. During all the time spent in between rehearsals, all the girls would knit. I also learned to quilt at that time. Our ballet instructor, who came from Russia, taught us how to make ballet costumes and headpieces.  I also choreographed ballets and taught ballet. After I stopped dancing, I needed to fill  that creative void.  I taught myself how to paint faux finishes. I also created bead work for clothes.

While my children were babies and I stayed home, I began to make jewelry and sold them to stores and to special customers. While visiting Barcelona, Spain one year, I was in awe with the works of Antoni Gaudi. I loved the vibrance of all the colors in mosaics. That was my new passion in the '90's! I began reading everything on how to make mosaic structures with cement. 

Fast forward to 2014, when we moved to La Quinta, California. I finally have an art studio where I can create 24/7! I  branched out from just using mosaics to adding mixed media.  And one thing leads to another. Now I am an obsessive junk yard dog. I'm making weekly trips to the local thrift stores in the hunt for vintage and upcycled castaways! (I sneak it home  so my husband doesn't see my new treasures.)

Now I use metal, canvas, wood, plastic,  paint and just about anything I find to create mixed media and assemblage art. I continue to branch out and try new things. I am a self taught artist, doing what I love to do, creating unique art stories with a theme. I do not  limit my work to one style because I would become too bored. I like to mix up my art to keep myself interested.

Carrie continues to wow the senses on her Facebook page, Mosaics By Carrie, as well as on Twitter (@mosaicsbycarrie).  She welcomes commission requests and can be reached via her website, Mosaics By Carrie.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful art, vision, and creative brilliance with us, Carrie!  We look forward to seeing your future works.

"Eye of Providence" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Monica Downing

I’ll be completely honest, because I always am. When I first designed this bezel, I loved the design because I thought it was cool. I didn’t design it with any particular historical significance, although it seems there is quite a bit of historical information about this particular “Eye in a Triangle” design.

I did some research and found some pretty cool information.

It seems most recognizable as The Eye of Providence (or the all-seeing eye of God) is a symbol showing an eye often surrounded by rays of light or glory and is usually enclosed by a triangle. It represents the eye of God watching over mankind, or divine providence. In the modern era, a notable depiction of the eye is the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States, which appears on the United States one dollar bill.

As a religious symbol:  The association of an eye with the concept of Divine Providence did not emerge until well into the Christian Era. In Renaissance European iconography the eye surrounded by a triangle was an explicit image of the Christian Trinity. Seventeenth-century depictions of the Eye of Providence sometimes show it surrounded by clouds or sunbursts.

Freemasonry: Eye of Providence is often associated with Freemasonry. The Eye first appeared as part of the standard iconography of the Freemasons in 1797, with the publication of Thomas Smith Webb's Freemasons Monitor.  Here, it represents the all-seeing eye of God and is a reminder that man's thoughts and deeds are always observed by God (who is referred to in Masonry as the Great Architect of the Universe). Typically, the Masonic Eye of Providence has a semi-circular glory below it. Sometimes this Masonic Eye is enclosed by a triangle.

Anyhow, I love how this piece turned out and I’ve posted the link below if you are interested in reading more about the “Eye of Providence”.

Meanwhile I’ll be wearing my newly made necklace on a very regular basis simply because I love it.

Supplies:
Relics & Artifacts Rising Spirit
Relics & Artifacts Dresden Trim - Halo (Silver)
Large hobnail triangle bezel
Ice Resin Iced Enamels – Turquoise
Ice Resin
Black Copic Marker

Information source:  “Eye of Providence”

"Sun, Sand and Sea" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Milagros Rivera

"I am forever walking upon these shores,
Between the sand and the foam,
The high tide will erase my foot-prints,
And the wind will blow away the foam.
But the sea and the shore will remain
Forever.

They say to me in their awakening, 'You and the world you live in are but a grain of sand upon the infinite shore of an infinite sea.'
And in my dream I say to them, 'I am the infinite sea, and all worlds are but grains of sand upon my shore.'"
--Kahlil Gibran

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Coquille

"Inspired By Others" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Chrissy Colon

Have you ever seen something that was made by someone else and felt the compulsion to pretty much copy it?  I know we all have and I am not immune to such a desire either.  Earlier this year, I watched and shared in the joy the one of my best friends was finally getting a chance to check something off of her "Artsy Fartsy Bucket List".  Monica was going to Creativation 2017 (formerly known as CHA)!  I was so excited for her!

We chatted and Skyped into the late night hours over projects that needed to be made and people she was going to meet.  One of the projects she came up with, she actually wore it at the show and it was brilliant. 

She so brilliantly took the small butterfly from the Papillon set and made a ring out of it!  As soon as I saw hers, I knew I needed to make one for me.  So with her permission, I straight up copied her idea.

Okay, so it's not a direct rip on hers but still!  Straight.  Up.  Copied the idea.  We both used Iced Enamels and I sealed mine with Ice Resin while she finished hers off with some Bohemian Jewels.

I also used a fancy-shmancy ring blank I found at a craft store here on island, which now that she's seen the finished ring, I'm sure I'll have to mail her some.  It's how we do things.

So you may be asking, "Why on earth is this crazy lady sharing a project she straight up copied?"  The answer is simple, my friends (cue The Most Interesting Man in the World's voice).  I don't always copy people's ideas, but when I do, I she's one of my BFF's and I always give due credit. 

Now Monica and I can totally be #twinning it on opposite sides of the globe!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Papillon"
Relics & Artifacts® Bohemian Jewels "Aquamarine"
Iced Enamels "Carnelian"
Iced Enamels "Turquoise"
Iced Enamels "Pewter"
Iced Enamels "Chartreuse"
ICE Resin
Apoxie Sculpt
Ring blanks

"Live Out Loud" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Chrissy Colón

When you hear "Relics & Artifacts", what pops into your mind?  Victorian?  Roman?  Antique?  Classical?  I'm sure many of these descriptors are a common thread when one takes a look at the blank canvas a resin craft blank is.  I'm sure people think of timeless jewelry pieces worthy of becoming family heirlooms.  I often think along these lines as well.  That is, until I got a wild hair and decided to do something LOUD.

Remember this work in progress photo?  Bright happy colors, finger painting, and a vague direction is all I had.  I just knew that i wanted to do something bold, bright, modern.  I wanted to make a piece of jewelry that reflected my personality. 

After looking at this piece, another thought occurred to me.  I am so inspired by my fellow Ambassadors.  There is a little bit of them inside this piece as well because they have become a very integral part of my creative personality.

 I sometimes focus so hard on what I need to do, that I often forget to do what I want to do.  I sometimes forget to live and to live out loud.  I hope this inspired piece reminds me to do just that.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Chivalry"
Relics & Artifacts® "Imperial Eggs"
Apoxie Sculpt
ICE Resin
Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint
Liquitex Liquid Acrylic Ink
Liquitex Gesso
ImpressArt Metal Stamp Kit "Newsprint"
Vintaj Altered Blank "Small Rectangle"
Unity Stamps "Be Different" Stamp Kit

"Faux Mercury Glass Easter Eggs" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Milagros Rivera

With less than a month until Easter Sunday, I'm totally in the spirit! I love decorating my home through the seasons and I also love visiting the stores and seeing what's out there.  I'm a huge fan of mercury glass and because it's spring, the colored mercury glass is right on point.  What started as a home decor item quickly turned into childhood memories of opening foiled chocolate bunnies!

I thought to myself, "How cool it would look if I actually made them into pendants!"  I went with the sweet colors of the season and instead of using glass spray I went with Deco Foil in silver to create the faux silver mirror effect that looks so pretty on mercury glass.

Using Apoxie Sculpt, I sculpted two sweet bunnies for inside my Imperial Eggs.  They were painted with Ancient Gold, that sort of looks like milk chocolate!  I think I need to string more beads 'cause I'm in looove!!!!

For my green I used two different types of foil, silver and turquoise. I made you a very small tutorial on Snapguide so you can follow along with what I did.  It may inspire you to create fun elements as well!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Imperial Eggs"
Apoxie Sculpt
Deco Foil Silver
Deco Foil Turquoise
Dina Wakley Paint "Ancient Gold"
Metallic Paints