Delight of Design

Designing and bringing the pieces to life is such a special pleasure for me. It involves purposeful mental observations, a bit of fantasy, some vision, lots of experimentation and finally, the reward, fruition. Its so satisfying to have a finalized set of disparate objects come together to create a meaningful group that not only speaks to me but to others as well. Whether it be resin blanks, rubber stamps, foam stamps or simply just searching out unique and wonderful things to share with you. Our little company is a delight and a labor of love! Thank you all for traveling this road with us and for supporting this endeavor!

Behind the Scenes

We thought it was about time to share a little behind the scenes of RELICS & ARTIFACTS® with you.

Although we have worked with several large corporations to produce our craft blanks in the past we have come to understand the value of producing our own product right here in the U.S.A.

I purposely surround myself with things that inspire me bits and pieces of unusual antiques. 

You may recognize parts that eventually end up in the collection. 

I really love sitting for hours carefully shaping, sanding and bringing each piece to life, preparing it for the master mold process.

I also sculpt various portions as needed to complete my vision at any given time.

Aside from having a little help in the pouring and cleaning department David and I do everything ourselves. 

I do the designing and production, David handles packaging, shipping and the business end.

I like that I am able to work on my own schedule, which carries me late into the night and early morning most days.

We also have the flexibility and freedom to release new designs whenever we want, the old way of having only two releases per year is too stifling to the creative flow.

We use a proprietary Stone Resin blend that gives the surface an eggshell like texture allowing it to take paints and glues really well.

Each blank you receive has been touched by human hands, not machines. I feel that fact lives in the fine details and shows in the end result. A sparkling, crisp, three dimensional blank canvas ready for you to incorporate into your own creations.

Designed, shaped, cast, cleaned packaged and shipped with care directly from us to you.

We appreciate your business. Thank you for five fun years of sharing our creative adventure and cheers to many, many more years to come!

RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Proudly handmade in the U.S.A. ~ Sandra and David

Our Muse, Sherry Matthews' Flight Path

“It’s ok...

Use your wings

A true bird never returns to the wrong nest

Fly. Soar. Fly. Never losing your way little bird.” ~ swm

It finally happened. I’ve heard about creative block. I’ve even written of ways to overcome the barrier to inspiration. I’ve experienced short dry spells in which my mojo just didn’t flow as well as it usually had. This time, however, I hit a wall.

The more I tried to create- the more frustrated I became. The more frustrated I became- the more worthless I felt. I questioned myself constantly- I was an artist who couldn’t “art”. What a vicious cycle!

The chaos began in my home- my nest. With devastating changes in my personal life, came disruptive changes in my personal space. Both of which contributed to my loss of self. I withdrew from the people and activities that are critical to who I am as a human. My creative wings were “clipped”.

I would love to announce that this post brings my grand re-awakening. However, the truth is....still, I struggle to fly. I HAVE managed to create for the first time in months. So maybe this is my proclamation of a FLIGHT PATH. My path back to myself.

My hope is that if you are reading this, and experiencing similar frustrations, you now realize you are not alone. My muse is returning and so will yours. Maybe I can send a feather your way to tuck into your wings!

MATERIALS:

Relics & Artifacts Mini Santos

Apoxie Sculpt

Wire, acrylic paint, lace, string, feathers

Yorick Skull Limited Edition

Our RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Yorick Skull is a limited edition hand cast matte resin craft blank, ready to alter.

Just in time for your Halloween designs!

He has a sweet grin, wide enough to hold a glimmering jewel between his teeth.

We took Yorick's name from the character in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1. 

Hamlet:  "Alas, poor Yorick, I knew him, a fellow of infinite gest and excellent fancy!"

Measurements 1 3/4" Length x 1" Wide x 1" Height. Just right for a statement ring, a book cover, a necklace, cuff bracelet or mount it to one of our Ex Voto's for a unique shrine adornment.

What will you create?!

The inspiration for this piece came from divine a Renaissance period skull ring I once saw in a museum in London. My rendition is adhered to a ring blank, dressed in gold paint, crackle medium, antique ruby red glass cabochons, crushed turquoise and one saltwater baroque vintage pearl. I'm planning on wearing him while giving out Halloween candy to our neighbor kids! 

Click Here to purchase.