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?!) 

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 

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 

Fractured Fairy Tale with Relics & Artifacts and ColoriQue Ink

Ambassador Rochelle Gaukel picks up our fairy tale answering and important question.  What happened to Cindy's lost shoe?

While Cindy was off on her escapades with Rocker Dude, she was unaware of what was happening back at the castle grounds. Cindy didn't know that Prince Charming had followed her out of the castle. He was right behind her when he saw her mount the carriage and head off. He was so mad that she got away without knowing her name or where she came from. As he looked to see which direction she was heading, a bird flew above him with something shiny in its beak. It was the black patent leather stiletto!! The bird dropped the shoe and as Prince Charming picked it up, he could see Cindy in the reflection of the shoe.

You see, the shoe was a magical shoe and showed the prince the future. He saw how happy Cindy was with Rocker Dude and how a future with him would not be possible. Cinderella was a wild child at heart.  He knew that such a free spirit could never be tamed.  The Prince was a bit of the old fashioned sort.  While he loved her wild spirit, he also knew this was not his "thing" as far as potential princesses go . So, he whistled for the bird to come back.  Because this is a fractured tale, the Prince also possessed the very fantastical ability to talk to animals.  He asked the bird to take the shoe to a faraway land where it could never be found again.

With a sentimental and amused smile on his face, he watched Cindy ride away in a cloud of dust over the horizon.

Supply List:
MUSE® Art Stamps Esperanza
ColoriQue Ink by Lisa Jimenez:  Verdigris, Black Diamond, Ruby Slippers, Snow Summit, Turquoise Mountain
Beads
Metal finding
Metal cage
 

Fractured Fairy Tale Chapter 3 with Relics & Artifacts and ColoriQue Ink

Cindy has just arrived at the biggest concert of the ages after undergoing an introspective transformation.  Today, Ambassador Monica Downing tells us what awaits inside!

Cindy roared into the parking lot on her bike and parked right up front. She made her way to the doors of the concert hall. 

Once inside, she began weaving through the crowd. As she made her way toward the stage, she removed her leather jacket and revealed a beautiful pair of butterfly wings. Her wings open up in all of their bad ass glory and hundreds of smaller butterflies fluttered up to the enormous chandelier that hung over the crowd. 

The light seemed to soften as it shed a beautiful and ethereal glow directly onto Cindy. The prince noticed this magical woman immediately, and for him, it was love at first sight. 

However, not so much for Cindy as she had her sights set on the lead singer of the band. The prince was suddenly in front of her, determined to get her attention. Before she knew it she and the prince were swept into the craziest mosh pit and rocking out hard to the band.

All the while, the butterflies clung to the chandelier and like magical little strobe lights, their wings began to flicker, flash, glimmer and shine with the most epic light show any concert had ever seen before.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Flora
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants I
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants II
Colorique by Lisa Marie Jimenez:  Black Diamond, Snow Summit, Poppy. Pink Ice, Ruby Slipper, Honey Bee, Turquoise Mountain, Pacific Ocean, Wisteria, Avocado
Chipboard butterfly wings
Misc. Butterfly Stamps
Black and white ink
Embossing powder
Glitter
Leaves and flowers
Clear crystal beading
TONS OF FREAKING HOT GLUE