Original Collages For The Soul - Part 2

Wise words from Grandma - Celebrate who you are

Love and Happiness

My latest collages.

Giveaway

Stylist Diva has organised a Giveaway with some fantastic prizes (including one of my button/cabochon rings)!

To participate click on the picture below!

Prizes:
1.) Adorable, quilted ruffle, reversible bag from 31 Corn Lane.

2.) 30 minute dream analysis of a dream of your choice from The Dream Analyst.

3.) Too cute! Little birdie headband from Super-skurk.

4.) Sunrise Surprise earrings from Viva La Chic.

5.) Indian Summer Sampler from Get Eurofied.

6.) Sweet rose ring from Black Rose.

7.) Fumi & Scarlett combo of your choice from Pursehook.

8.) B & W Damask Candle Lantern from Craftalicious.

9.) Ceramic Pendant from Alatvian.

10.) Pink Berries Earrings from Nikisha.

One lucky winner will be picked at random and announced on Monday, August 17th, 2009.
Good Luck!

Collages for the soul - Part 1

I'm sure you will remember creating collages as a young child - cutting out pictures, forms and shapes excitedly and uninhibitedly (as well as creating a mess), which you then glued and stuck to a large sheet of blank paper or card sometimes neatly, sometimes randomly. You knew what your collage represented and meant even if others didn't!

I've found myself drawn to thinking about having a go at creating them for some time now, but felt blocked for some reason. The last time I attempted something like a collage was during my life coaching course when we were encouraged to create vision boards. I find those easy to do - so what is it about the word collage and creating one that felt so strange and why did I feel I couldn't do it - when with very little instruction and know how I'd done them as a child? Anyway, a few weeks ago, I attempted one on canvas board - entitled Word to the Wise - Happiness (the message being "Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others" The Buddha.

I listed it in my Etsy shop as a PIF - it gained a few views and was claimed the following day.

I feel encouraged and am now working on my next one and will do more and the more I do, the more my techniques in creating them will develop.

My theme for all my collages will be that they are collages to feed the soul. Collages that have affirmative or empowering messages through an assemblage of images and words using various mixed media elements such as acrylic paint, fabric, paper images, embellishments, etc, to gently encourage examination of ones life and reflect on areas of dissatisfaction and to encourage whoever feels drawn to purchasing (or claiming) the collage to make changes in their lives - or it could be that the message/s from the collage acts as confirmation of what the person is already doing or experiencing.

The Soap Seduction

Did you know that you can be seduced by soap? No? Have a look at the soaps shown here and tell me that they don't make you swoon with delight! "Soap Seduction: Where a passion for soapmaking meets the art of handmade! It's all about pampering and treating yourself and others to one-of-a-kind, deliciously scented, handmade soaps and body products". So says Patrice from Washington DC, US, who admits to being a soapaholic, so much so, that she makes and sells these sensuous, seductive delights in her aptly named shop on Etsy - The Soap Seduction.

"Buttercream Cupcake is a delicious soap to indulge in. It smells of a freshly-baked cupcake and I drizzle chocolate-scented soap frosting all over and top with a glycerin soap cherry. Frosting color can be customized to your liking. Each soap is 5 oz and is made with a sulfate-free shea butter soap base. This soap beckons all cupcake lover to come hither"!

Still not seduced? How about this one which Patrices has named Rhapsody in Soap. She says "to capture what spring and summer mean to me, I scented this soap in a heady fusion of orchard (apple, pear, and plum) and lime. I love that one part of this soap is sweet and the other sour. It's like a big, fat jolly rancher for your body! Did you know that commercial soaps which you buy from your supermarket or local chain store, are generally full of chemical/synthetic additives and have had the natural occurring glycerin removed, tend to dry out your skin as well as can lead to rashes and other skin irritations. Patrice says that all her handmade soaps are loaded with quality skin-loving ingredients such as coconut oil, olive oil, goats milk, shea butter and oatmeal. She uses all natural soap bases containing no preservatives. Her soaps are scented "to please even the most discerning palate". Handmade soap will gently cleanse away excess oils and bacteria from your skin without stripping away it's natural oils......leaving your skin feeling smooth and silky.........now if the thought of this alone doesn't seduce you - I don't know what will!

I know it has me and I have just purchased a whopping 7 oz bar of this soap -Black Raspberry Vanilla Soap-Part Deux. Made with olive, palm, and coconut oils.........mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!! And no......I won't be sharing....go buy your own!
thesoapseduction.etsy.com

Buttons Are A Girls Best Friend

Just because there is an economic recession going on doesn't mean you can't look good! Remember..."a woman can be just as glamorous in costume jewellery as in million-dollar bangles and beads" - Kenneth Jay Lane (American Costume Jewellery Designer).

FeltLikeStitchin

Did you know that from archeological evidence felt is perhaps the oldest form of fabric known to humankind. It is made from matted and compressed fibres or fur which have been pressed together using heat, moisture and pressure or agitation, and because it is not woven no loom is required to make it.

Felt does not unravel or fray and therefore is such a versatile textile to use for crafting and sewing projects!

Claire Fearnley of FeltLikeStitchin was one of the first sellers I purchased from on Etsy in 2007. I was enchanted by her colourful and beautifully constructed felt creations, in particular her range of DiDi Dolls, some of which are shown here - and Mini Monster Keyrings, and thought they would make lovely stocking fillers for family Christmas presents.

Claire kindly agreed to answer some questions:

• How long have you been working with felt? "I've been stitching in one form or another since I was a young child, but my obsession with felt started about 2 1/2 years ago. I was having a sort through my craft supplies when I found some random pieces of felt - I can't even remember why I bought them in the first place but it suddenly struck me how much I could do with them so I started to experiment. I happened to have some stuffing in amongst my supplies (I have way too much craft stuff!) so making little felt dolls just seemed to follow on naturally".

• What is it you like about working with felt? "The main thing I love about felt is the amazing range of colours available. I remember doimg creative projects at school and all the felt seemed to be green, red or white and we normally made holly or snowmen! When I go to the sewing shop now there's so much choice and the colours are so lovely and bright - it just inspires me to create! The other good thing about felt is it's so easy to work with. It doesn't fray and it's a wonderful fabric for children's craft projects".

• What inspired you to create your DiDi Dolls? "At first I just made random creations from felt, but when I decided to open my Etsy shop and sell little felt dolls I wanted them to be special. I played around with ideas for a name - because they were small I was thinking of the word 'diddy' - that didn't sound quite exotic enough so I changed the spelling to DiDi and designed the little pocket for the back of my dolls. The dolls started off quite simple but the range has evolved to include monsters, animals, celebrities and Russian Dolls - it feels as though the more I make the more new ideas I get"!

Claire has her own website: http://feltlikestitchin.co.uk and also sells on Folksy (as well as her Etsy shop).

Her DiDi Dolls are also available at the following stores:
Cup Cakes A Go Go - 2079 Siesta Drive, Sarasota, Florida
Larry's Corner, Stockholm, Sweden
Unique Freaque - 121 N. Kenilworth, Oak Park, Illinois 60301
Texas Art Spot - N.Beaton St. Corsicana, Texas
Trendy Shoppes
Gifts by Jayne
Hunkydory Home

Claire's Russian Dolls which she sells through Hunkydory Home have just been featured in the UK's Sunday Time Style Magazine, Sunday, 17th May 2009!

Go For It!

"Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties."

- Eric Fromm

Art & Spirituality

"Art has always been related to Spirituality. I can't conceive of art without it"

Norman Adams, RA

Linsart - Polymer Clay Artist

Lady Profile Face with Hat - Artist: Linsart

Polymer clay is a man-made sculptable material which doesn't actually contain any clay at all but is known as clay because it's working properties and texture resembles that of mineral clay. It actually hasn't been around that long. Since the 1930's in fact (I shall talk about it's history in a future article). Nan Roche, well known author of the first book to compile all the available information about polymer clay entitled "The New Clay" and published in 1991 (which today, is sometimes called the 'bible of polymer clay') says in her Introduction that polymer clay is one of the most versatile and inspirational artist's material to come along in centuries.

Asian Geisha Art Doll Face - Artist: Linsart

This is the first of an article I am doing on Artists who work with this media. Why? because I not only find polymer clay fascinating to work with, but am in awe of the innovation of far more experienced users of this medium, such as the artist Linsart.

Linsart resides in the US and is not only a pleasure to know as a person, but also creates the most exquisite and expressive art doll faces I have ever seen and recently purchased to use in the creation of my art dolls and healing doll kits. Linsart's work has been featured in Magazines such as Art Doll Quarterly and Sommerset Studio. She has been working with this medium for the past 7 years and says "I have sold my work on Ebay, Etsy, Just Beads and from my blog. I really enjoy creating Art Doll faces, and after some research, I found that there are many Art Doll artists that need supplies for their dolls. When minimum is met, I ship out of the USA. Square Detailed Art Face - Artist: Linsart

I try to capture emotion in the eyes of my faces, and love to try out new designs, such as hairdos, and hats on them. Over the years, I have met so many wonderful people and many have remained customers for years. I feel blessed to have this art spirit and to be able to create and share this art form".African American Art Doll Face - Artist: Linsart

You can view more of these stunningly detailed OOAK art doll faces at the following links and believe you me, you will not be disappointed!
http://linsart.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=93095
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/linsart_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ

NiftyKnits - Fibre Artist (Knitting & Crocheting)

Knitting and crocheting are both fibre arts that have seen a tremendous revival worldwide in recent years. Sometimes crocheting is referred to as knitting.

As most of you will know, they are both methods whereby thread is turned into fabric. Apparently, knitting is considered the second most frequently used method of fabric construction, after weaving. Both methods consist of pulling loops of yarn through other loops. They differ in that, for crochet, only one loop (stitch) is active at any one time and a crochet hook is used instead of a pair (minimum) of knitting needles. For knitting, several loops (stitches) are pulled through each other. Knitting can be done by hand with needles or by machine (to my knowledge no one has yet produced a machine that can duplicate true crochet stitches.....but please correct me if I am wrong). There is debate about whether knitting is better or more superior than crocheting and visa versa - but we are not getting into that here!

What I will say is that for some reason I have not yet been able to master the art of crocheting! Unlike my mum who could do both and I have fond memories of the intricate looking cotton doilies she made, the larger colourful ones that draped the arms and backs of the settees, the ponchos she crocheted for my sisters and I and all the lovely jumpers and cardigans she knitted for us girls, my dad and my 2 brothers in the 1960's snd 70's. What I am sure you, who knit or crochet or both, will agree on is that both activities are not only enjoyable, relaxing and meditative, but can also be highly addictive!

Which leads me nicely onto talk about Heather of NiftyKnits. Heather used to be a primary school teacher and it was during a period of time of sick from her day job that she rediscovered knitting. It really got her creative juices going once more and she says she "acquired a continually expanding stash of yarn itching to be turned into items to sell". Healther no longer teaches and instead spends much of her time creating knitted and crocheted wonders such as these featured here.

Heather's items are all created from her own designs and range from jewellery (such as floral hair barrettes, bead necklaces, etc) to flowers in vases for the home or to sit on your office desk, as well as delightful critters such as the darling little Meerkat shown here - one of which I have just purchased!

Heather's handkitted and crocheted items are proving to be very popular and can be purchased from the online shops she has at Etsy and Folksy:
http://www.folksy.com/shops/NiftyKnits
http://www.niftyknits.etsy.com
AND..... for novelty gifts of a 'mature' nature at: NaughtyKnits.etsy.com