Mixing It Up with Relics & Artifacts Ambassador Darlene Madden

I think the greatest gift my mother passed on to me was the ability to see potential, potential in the broken, battered, everyday items, as she always found a way to work her magic and make them beautiful. I remember as a young girl watching her take apart an upholstered sofa that definitely was worn, weary and weak in its current state.   When I asked her what she was doing, she told me that she was going to re-cover it with new beautiful fabric! I said, “Do you know how to do that?” She replied, “No, but I will figure it out as I go.”  Millions of staples and upholstery tacks later, she had pattern pieces to work with in order to guide her along on her “new and improved” journey.   I admired her “chase fear to the curb” kind of attitude in all that she did in her life.  I try to live that way everyday.

Speaking of everyday, I decided to do a special project for this blog.  Taking a few everyday items from my local dollar store I combined them with some spectacular pieces from the Relics & Artifacts collection, a self-imposed challenge of sorts.

Materials Needed:
Relics & Artifacts Coquille
Metal substrate
Acrylic paint
Trims
Filigree trims
Small glass vial
Map portion
Assorted mini beads and sea glass
Ribbon and wire to wrap handle on substrate
Adhesive
Stencil
Texture paste
glitter
Spray inks, blue, green.

Directions:

Apply brown acrylic paint to Coquille shells.  

Wipe off immediately with a soft cloth, leaving a nice aged patina to start creating with.

Using a blue acrylic paint, paint the metal substrate and let dry. Choose a watery looking stencil and use texture paste and spray inks to add some color on to the metal substrate.  Let dry.  

Add trim to the outside of the substrate for more texture and place shells and filigrees in place. Using a bit of white glue, add a touch of glitter on the waves for reflection and interest. 

Glue shells on with a strong adhesive and then embellish each one with treasures inside the shells.  Wrap rope handle with wire and ribbons and add a few beads to dangle at one ends of the handle.  

Let dry overnight and enjoy a watery feeling art piece made from simply Mixing It Up!!!!!

#RAScrapbook Challenge and a Mixed Up Feature with Relics & Artifacts Ambassador Heather Thompson

Back in July, a few of us at Relics & Artifacts had the wonderful opportunity to join in the Mixed Up Mag special scrapbooking edition. Many of you might have already sent this project, but still worth sharing. 

I also wanted to share some inspiration as Monica's scrapbooking challenge will be wrapping up at the end of the month. Hopefully, this gives your mojo a little nudge to submit your entries in our Relics & Artifacts Tribe on Facebook. 

This is a mixed media layout featuring the Mythos collection with an aged, crackle technique. The Relics are never too big to put on a page.  It just takes a little imagination.

With lots of texture and layers (I love my layers), a beautiful artistic page for some inspiration is born! Let's see your entries and don't forget to use the hashtag #RAScrapbook to be entered!

Supplies:
Relics & Artifacts Mythos
DecoArt Perfect Crackle
DecoArt acrylic paint
Flowers
Patterned paper
Chipboard embellishment

FAB-ergé Egg Shrine Workshop in Florida with Michelle Duke

Join the talented Michelle Duke for a Faux FAB-ergé Egg Shrine class featuring Relics & Artifacts by Sandra Evertson.  This workshop comes just in time for Spring, Easter, and Passover.  If you happen to be in southern Florida, why not stop by for a light lunch and some creative fun?

There are two opportunities to take the workshop.  February 23 or February 24 from 10:00am - 2:00pm.  A light lunch is included on both days.  

For more information, please visit The Duke and Duchess Designs or contact Michelle at duketimes4@bellsouth.net.

Space is limited so reserve your spot early!

Michelle Duke is a retired Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse of twenty years.  She began to pursue her love of creating pretty things and other artistic endeavors.  Her beautiful studio is located in sunny south Florida.

 

Sacre Coeur Reliquary with Relics & Artifacts Ambassador Rochelle Gaukel

Over the years, I have picked up some beautiful old religious reliquaries. The details inside these special shrines are beautiful.  Often times I wonder how they came to be and what was going through the minds of the artists of these relics. 

When the new Four Portals stamps were released, I knew right away what I wanted to create. To somehow replicate the beauty of the miniature shrines and solder them into a small box that would fit into the stamped clay shrine. An old relic reinvented in a new way.

Using the Sacre Coeur art stamp as the centerpiece, the beauty started to evolve. With vintage papers as the background, some vintage glass glitter, some metal bullion and faceted beads, the reliquary started to take shape. 

I love how we are able to create a very vintage looking piece from the vast assortment of Sandr Evertson's Art Stamps. 

Supplies:
Sandra Evertson FOUR PORTALS Art Stamps “Esoteric”
Sandra Evertson MUSE Art Stamps "Sacre Coeur"
Ice Resin Iced Enamels Garnet
Ice Resin Iced Enamels German Silver
Sculpey Clay
Acrylic Paint
Small Box
Solder
Metal
Glass Glitter
vintage paper
metal bullion

3 Stamps, 3 Ways with RELICS & ARTIFACTS Ambassador Darlene Madden

As an artist, when I come across a product that can be used more than one way, I get excited!  When these stamps were released, I waited (impatiently, I might add) to get my creative hands on them. They arrived in mailbox and the playing began.

In the first photos, I have shown the astral stamp used in an encaustic natural feeling piece.  I have recently discovered encaustic painting and I have to say that I am loving it, both the smell and the feel of the wax is pure delight.

Supplies:
Sandra Evertson FOUR PORTALS Art Stamps "Astral"
Relics & Artifacts "Rising Spirit I"
White tissue paper
Scrap of rustic wood
Encaustic wax with resin
Pressed flower petals
Leather cording

For the second mixed media application, I used the Alma stamp and a Mexican shadow box. I did reverse glass painting on the inside of the nicho and embellished with treasures on the outside.

Supplies:
Sandra Evertson FOUR PORTALS Art Stamps "Alma" (free gift with purchase of complete PORTALS set)
Relics & Artifacts Bohemian Jewels "Amethyst"
Shadow box or nicho
Acrylic paints
Gloss Mod Podge
Adhesive

For the third piece, a keepsake box, I used the Esoteric stamp with polymer clay. Polymer clay is always close by in my studio.  It's as versatile as all of the Relics & Artifacts products and they play well together!

Supplies:
Sandra Evertson FOUR PORTALS Art Stamps "Esoteric"
Black polymer clay
Lace
Acrylic paint
Rub n Buff
Cameo
Added jewelry odds and bobs

Writing this has me wondering, "Hmmmm.  What else can I use these stamps on?"  Gotta go!  I have an idea!

Why You Should Play With Your Food with Relics & Artifacts Ambassador Sherry Westfall Matthews

Why you SHOULD play with your food...

I have a feeling that I am not alone in my choice of a New Year's resolution to be healthier. And a huge part of getting to the healthy new me is making better food related choices.

I mean, we have ALL heard it before, "YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT," but who wants to count calories or skip carbs? Although those things can be beneficial to weight loss, feeling deprived is a good way to set yourself up for failure.  I decided my route would be to create food that while healthy, was also a feast for my eyes!

This has me putting a little more thought into what I put into my mouth.  No mindless snacking!

Hope your 2018 is FULL of goodness for your BODY and SOUL!

Materials:
Sandra Evertson MUSE Art Stamps "Epiphany" (although any of the MUSE or FOUR PORTALS stamps would be amazing! Can't you just see a small truffle sitting in a cocoa powder Portal frame?!) 

Thankfulness and Nutcrackers with RELICS & ARTIFACTS Ambassador Milagros Rivera

Thanks to Hurricane Maria, I skipped Halloween for the first time in 23 years.  No Thanksgiving either, although, I sat down with the kids and told them the million reasons why we needed to be thankful.  I refused to skip Christmas!  I found solar Christmas lights online and put them up. There's no shortage of sun here!  Last week, we got power at our work places so we're immensely grateful. Can you imagine celebrating 75 days without electricity?  Well, home is that way and so it is the reality for more than 60% of Puerto Rico.

After the free vaccination clinics we did, we're now spaying and neutering the same amount of dogs, 753 to be exact. It's the reason I'm still helping my husband at the clinic and you barely see me anywhere. Not that I don't miss you, which you know I do like crazy, but there's no time and almost no connectivity to the internet to go on social media as I used to.

I have collected nutcrackers since my son was a baby and about five years ago, I started creating my own using blank wooden nutcrackers to alter with paper. Last year, I experimented with Relics & Artifacts gorgeous Dresden trim collection to create one. This year, I thought I'd have to forgo the tradition when I spotted a single box at my local K-Mart. It was a girl, a Plum Fairy one at that and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed wrapping her hair in gold!  Her face is highlighted by one half of the wings!! Dresden certainly gives me a lot of creative license in how I use them and with their sparkle it's the perfect touch for the holidays!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Dresden Trim
Wood Nutcracker
Craft Paint

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

Ol' Jack Frost with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Sherry Westfall Matthews

Oh, the weather outside is DELIGHTFUL!

I love the changing of the seasons and here in the South, it just doesn't feel like Christmas time until we see that first visit from ol' Jack Frost. Truth is, some winters, the closest we get to snow is a crisp, frosty morn where we wake to find rooftops glistening and our lawns looking freshly glittered.

That's when my holiday spirit kicks in and my inner kid peeks out!  Yep!  You could say that Jack Frost has a hold on my holiday heart. This is my tribute to the "Architect of the Flake".

From my rooftop to yours, Merry Christmas Y'all!

"It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. The crisp winter air if full of it."
-- John Burroughs, "Winter Sunshine"

Materials:
Relics & Artifacts® Figureheads 
Apoxie Sculpt 
Kroma Crackle
That's Crafty! Acrylic Upright, Arch  
That's Crafty! Dinky Stencil Snowflake background
Gel medium
DecoArt acrylics
snowflake confetti
bottle brush tree
buttons & beads in cool, frosty colors
bleach 

FOUR PORTALS Art Stamps Limited Release by Sandra Evertson and RubberMoon Stamps

Sandra Evertson and RubberMoon are at it again!  Experience artistic infinitum with "Four Portals", a limited release by RubberMoon.  

These beautiful and timeless frames accent any art stamping project seamlessly and are designed to intertwine with "MUSE" Art Stamps as well as the Relics & Artifacts® resin craft blanks.

Incredibly detailed and made of the finest red rubber on the market, "Four Portals" will add an infinite number of creative possibilities perfect for any style, motif, or skill level.

As a special gift and our way to say thank you, if you purchase all four of the "Four Portals" stamps, you will receive "Alma" as a free give.  Please note that "Alma" is only available as a cling stamp.

Pictured above framed with "Ethereal", this stamp is accented with a thorn necklace and hummingbird pendant.

And please don't forget to grab your "Muse" Art Stamps.  The beauty of these collections is how effortlessly they blend, meld, and mesh together to create one of a kind masterpieces for yourself or to gift to loved ones.

"Four Portals" along with "Muse" Art Stamps are available now at RubberMoon and SandraEvertson.com!

PS:  Can you believe Sandra stamped those images onto FEATHERS?!  Brilliant, I tell you!

My Inner Child with Relics & Artifacts® Ambassador Heather Thompson

Some Days......

My Inner Child is all wrapped up in the cobwebs of warped visions, ideas, thoughts and feelings.

My Inner Child is the one that wants to sleep on the couch all day  and dream endless dreams.

My Inner Child, the one who wants to only eat the center of the Oreos and smile from ear to ear while doing it.

My Inner Child, the one who wants to walk through the gardens and pick bouquets of tulips and lilies with the constant smell of roses around me.

My Inner Child, the one that want to splash and dance in the puddles during a warm summer shower.

Some days.......we all need our inner child to come out more.

Supplies:
Relics & Artifacts® Persona
Creative Embellishments: Cobweb 6X6 Panel, Large Black Gears, Distress Square Stencil
7 Dots Studio: Dreamscapes Word Stickers. 
DecoArt Media: Modeling Paste, American Crackle Medium, Crackle Glaze, Ultra Matte Varnish,  Antiquing Cream Patina Fluid Acrylics Primary Cyan, Green Gold, Metallic Gold, Prussian Blue Hue, Titan Buff.
13@rts Black Gesso

What Is Style? with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Darlene Madden

"Style.  What is your style?" This question has been on my mind lately as I listen to comments regarding my work. I hear adjectives like "pretty," "gorgeous," and "blingy".  And while those are all lovely to hear as feedback, I had the thought, "What else is there?"

I see myself as a creative person whose job it is to PLAY and mix it up a bit when I create. That is exactly what I have done on this latest triptych.  I played, pushed, pulled, and auditioned elements and pieces that I may have passed by on a less playful day.  As a mixed media artist, I am grateful to have a studio full of interesting treasures, as my treasure hunting goes a long time back.

My starting point were the three legs from Relics & Artifacts® and the wooden base that my husband built. From that point the piece began to evolve and tell the story. As far as style goes, yes, I may tend towards pretty and more feminine works for the majority of my pieces but I do not want to get too predictable.  So I say, "Keep them guessing!"

Materials List:
Relics & Artifacts® Milagros
Wooden base
Metal heat tape
embossing folder
up-cycled belt
Vintage playing card
rusty nails
screws
wood branches
steampunk gears
Barometer gauge
barn hinge
cabinet pull
polymer clay
staples
acrylic paints

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

Sweet Charlotte Workshop with Rochelle Gaukel

Relics & Artifacts® Ambassador Rochelle Gaukel has a "sweet" workshop for those located in Chilliwack, BC!  Learn to make the fabulous "Sweet Charlotte" ornament using some of Rochelle's signature techniques in a unique and fun face-to-face workshop.

Visit Whatever Lola Wants for more details!  Register quickly as Rochelle's workshops always fill up fast!

Note:  This is not a Relics & Artifacts® workshop but we absolutely love to support our Ambassadors in all of their teaching and showcasing endeavors.  Stay tuned for more class opportunities from Rochelle featuring Relics & Artifacts®!

Heart of an Artist with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Sherry Westfall Matthews

There are a lot of creative types in this world. Many people can assemble a kit. Most can complete a class project. Some even have the ability to alter those ideas and give them a personal twist.

And then there are those who just create from a random thought or an idea.  They are connected with their muse. But what is it that makes one an artist?  I honestly think it's simple. It's not skill and talent (though that helps). It's not selling your work or showing in galleries.  

It's heart. Creating with heart. All you need is the heart of an artist.

Connect-
Intersect-
Between your heart and head.
Both are tied-
Unified-
By a creative thread.
~Sherry Westfall Matthews

Materials:
MUSE® Art Stamps "Heart of an Artist"
Unfinished wood plaque
StazOn Ink pad, black
Stain
thread
hammer
nails

Spanish Sun with Relics & Artifacts® Ambassador Heather Thompson

As the sun shines and reflects off the terra cotta rooftops,
standing against the sun worn wall,
A pure beauty, a true Spanish sun with olive tone skin,

With  a mysterious beauty about her,
as she stands against the Moroccan patterned earthy tones,

She emanates an enigma about her,
in the eyes of all who gazes upon her. 

Note: "Spanish Sun" originally appeared in Mixed Up magazine earlier this year as part of the Creative Play feature with a full stepped out tutorial.  Be sure to visit Pocketmags to learn more or sign up for a subscription.

Supplies: 
Relics & Artifacts® Facia Familiaris
Relics & Artifacts® Milagros 
Relics & Artifacts® Helios I
Relics & Artifacts® Helios II
Apoxie Sculpt
DecoArt Media: Primary Yellow, Cadmium Orange Hue, Yellow Oxide, Burnt Umber, Carbon Black, Quinacridone Magenta, Cadmium Red Hue, Dairylide Yellow, Pyrrole Orange, Medium Grey Value 6, Paynes Grey, Tinting Base, Gesso White, Decoupage
The Crafters Workshop® Viva la Art stencil
Canvas

Jasmine the Garden Fairy with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Chrissy Colon

As Summer begins to bleed into Fall, I look at my darling garden fairy, Jasmine, as she sits so serenely on my shelf.  I realize how fast the year has gone by and, like previous years, I did not spend nearly the amount of time outside or at the beach as I promised I would do at the start of the season.  William Blake's "To Summer" seems to be an appropriate tribute to my most favorite season.

O thou who passest thro' our valleys in
Thy strength, curb thy fierce steeds, allay the heat
That flames from their large nostrils! thou, O Summer,
Oft pitched'st here thy goldent tent, and oft
Beneath our oaks hast slept, while we beheld
With joy thy ruddy limbs and flourishing hair.

Beneath our thickest shades we oft have heard
Thy voice, when noon upon his fervid car
Rode o'er the deep of heaven; beside our springs
Sit down, and in our mossy valleys, on
Some bank beside a river clear, throw thy
Silk draperies off, and rush into the stream:
Our valleys love the Summer in his pride.

Our bards are fam'd who strike the silver wire:
Our youth are bolder than the southern swains:
Our maidens fairer in the sprightly dance:
We lack not songs, nor instruments of joy,
Nor echoes sweet, nor waters clear as heaven,
Nor laurel wreaths against the sultry heat.

I look forward to next summer where I hope to sing more, play often, and embrace Summer's sultry song.

Note:  "Jasmine the Garden Fairy" was created for Mixed Up Magazine's June/July 2017 issue as part of the Creative Play feature.  Visit Mixed Up Magazine on Pocketmags for the full issue which includes a step-out tutorial on how to create your own!

Supplies Used:
Relics & Artifacts® Facia Familiaris
Retro Cafe Art Gallery Santos Doll
Retro Cafe Art Gallery Antler Cut-Outs
Apoxie Sculpt
DecoArt acrylic paint
Debbie Kerkhof of Xquizart "Hippie Chick" digital papers