Fini Friday! Ageless Play!

Hello Everyone! 
Welcome to Fini Friday! 
There was an unexpected delay in posting this week! It has been a rollercoaster of a week for me - so much going on! 
So! Let's get to showing you a new creation! 
This is the start of the finished creation I've to show today! 
And here is the Fini creation! 
Title: Ageless Play 
Ingredients: Popcap Pendant (non-toxic, hand-coloured resin, Swarovski crystals (Fire Opal), stickers, popcap, metal), aluminum, reclaimed chain, lead-free pewter (USA).  

Isn't that just a wonderful interplay of textures and colours?!  I love the Fire Opal coloured Swarovski crystals in the pendant!!! Other details include the accenting firey orange and red jumprings from which the fanciful clasp and intriguing pendant are suspended.  I just love that chain, don't you?! YAY!!!

Here is a close-up of that unique pendant!
Now you can really see the sparkly golden flecks of the pigment I mixed into the resin!  The scrapbook sticker in the background is a relief design of the original playing cards.  A Jack of Hearts, to be specific!  Isn't that fun!
So! Stay tuned to see what happens next with us!

Do bear in mind that whilst Sprite Creations is on hiatus from confirmed shows, we are available for home Sprite Creations shows as well as shows via Skype!
Feel free to visit my website or contact me for more details!  

ALSO!
I've ONE more BlogTalk Radio Interview in 2013!
Welcome to Being Human!!! December 22, 2013, 5:00pm to 6:00pm (CST, USA)!
Ciao!

Fini Friday! Spookiness Fini!

Hello Everyone!
Welcome to Fini Friday!
I hope your week had been full of mystery and fun so far!
I've a finished creation (just on the cusp on Halloween!) to show you today!

You might remember mention of ideas, plots and plans a few Fridays ago...
A photo of that beginning...

 
And here is the Fini! 
Title: All Hallows, The Old Way
Ingredients: Czech glass, Artistic wire, metal, surgical steel earwires(hypo-allergenic). 
Can you spy which beads and charms took root in the beginning and which wove their way in later?  
All Hallows is one of three days of ancient Christian celebration spanning Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 (See Wikipedia for more details!).  It is a day to celebrate saints and martyrs both known and unknown.  A celebration similar to this and around this time of year spans several cultures and there is much lively debate as to the beginnings of these holidays.
I leave it up to you, Dear Reader, to decide what you like best. 
As for me, I love the ancient symbols of wisdom, life, death, intuition, mystery, Faerie, stars, and so much more woven through these!
Have a most excellent weekend!
See you Monday!
Ciao!

Whimsy Wednesday! The Fae and the Moonlight!

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to Whimsy Wednesday!

I've a little bit of whimsy to show you today involving the Fae, moonlight and magic!

Working Title: The Fae's Moonlight Lanterns

Ingredients: Swarovski crystal (Purple Velvet and White Opal), glass, Bali and Sterling silver.

The lanterns might look familiar!  If they do, you've seen them over at this Fini Friday post!

I adore this colour of blue and these immediately called to mind lanterns that Faeries would use as they weave their way through the forest landscape and between the luminous moonbeams!

The purple velvet Swarovski crystals are reminiscent of the beautiful velvet depths of a forest eve.  The white opal Swarovski crystals are the exact colour of moonlight, don't you think?

Betwixt and between all of this is gorgeous, subtle Silver!  Often thought to enhance intuition, I wrapped the sterling silver wire (with Bali silver accents) around and about to echo the shape of the moonlight as it drapes itself across the forest and the gloaming.

This creation is more than a bit romantic, captivating, and mysterious...perfect for the Fae and the night!

I've an idea to combine these into a mixed-media art creation, so stay tuned for that!

Just a little heads-up...

I'm have Sprite Creations in the CONvergence Art Show over the July 4th weekend! 

If you'll be there, stop on by and see all the fabulous, fabulous art! 

If you're intrigued about CONvergence, click here for more details. 

The CON is members-only, however it is no problem to register at the door! 

See you Friday! 

Ciao!

Whimsy Wednesday! An Elephant at Play!

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to this Whimsy Wednesday!

I hope your week has been filled with magic and many things that encourage you to smile so far!

I'm happy to have a whimsical new creation to show off today!

Title: An Elephant at Play!

Ingredients: Hand-carved Elephant(Boxwood), Sandalwood, Rosewood, Bali and Sterling Silver, Hand-dyed fiber(USA), Fray-check.

I hand-picked this elephant because of its simple and utter joy and playful pose...as well as the detailed carving!  The elephant has feet!  And foot pads! And the most delightful, twirling, upraised trunk!  So many details that are hard to capture via photos.  Perhaps you'll just have to see it in person! *grin*

So, today seemed the perfect day to create something with this charming fellow!  The position of the trunk reminds me of elephants playing in the water and lo! The idea of what to suspend our elephant from was borne!

Here is a view of the creation on a mannequin!

Though playful, I wanted to include more details in the form of materials and a "foundation" if you will, of the spiritual or sacred. Some of these details include star-shaped Bali silver heishi, sterling silver(thought to help with intuition), sandalwood (a wood sacred to many religions including Buddhist, Muslim, and Pagan) and Rosewood (also sacred in many traditions). 

The necklace portions is hand-dyed fiber procured directly from the artist (who resides in Idaho, USA) and finally, the spiral clasp (Bali silver) is a sacred symbols dating back thousands of years and across every culture.
So there you have it, a bit of whimsy and myth; sacred and playful, all at once!

Don't forget about my next exciting event!!!

I'll be a Faerie Reader at Fluevog and Opportunity Partners Charity Event this Friday, June 21st from 5-9pm! 

This is an RSVP only event and Charity Fundraiser, so click over here for more details and to get your name on the list!

I'll be offering brief 5-10 minute Faerie Readings at the Minneapolis Fluevog Store! 

It would be wonderful if you could join us!

See you soon!

Ciao!

Whimsy Wednesday! Flying High!

Hello Hello! 

Welcome to Whimsy Wednesday! 

I hope your week has been full of wonder so far! 

I've a new creation to show you! 

Title: Flying High 

Ingredients: hand-painted plastic button (painted with hand-coloured non-toxic resin), suede leather, Czech glass, antiqued copper (USA), fiber, Fraycheck. 

I painted gold-flecked non-toxic resin on this whimsical and beautiful pegasus button. I wanted to both add some dimension to the button with additional sparkle and soften the somewhat harsh look of the plastic with the organic characteristics of the resin (pooling in the recesses of the chest and etc.). 

The design needed to be simple, as any Pegasus clearly needs to be the center of attention (!) yet every Sprite Creation needs details and a spot of whimsy. 

These came through the braiding, if you will, of the metal and bubble-coloured glass beads as well as the fine pewter feather pendant, wrapped with matching fiber...in a downy, feather-like texture! The fact that the fiber matched the hue of the suede so well meant that the different textures and the pendant would stand out, whilst not detracting from the lovely Pegasus! 

The words on the back of the pendant "To Thine Own Self Be True" are a perfect addition to this creation! And... the Pegasus button is the clasp! YAY! 

One final note... the wire is copper, which means that with careful adjustment, the metal can help the bracelet fit the contour of the adoptee's wrist! WOOHOOO!!!

My next event a BlogTalk Radio Interview! 

Hosted by Cheryl Patton of 1Woman's Wisdom, this interview will reveal the Faeries Messages specific to June!

Saturday, June 18th at 12Noon (CST,USA). 

I hope you can join us! 

Ciao!

Substitute Saturday! Time, Rainbows and News!

Hello Everyone! 

Welcome to Substitute Saturday...which is Fini Friday a day late! *grin*

Life is busy in new and interesting ways over the past week! 

For instance...We've had a cat whose health has been variable for more than a few weeks now. Last night it took a downturn. 

Rest assured we are doing all that we can for him, yet ultimately the decision is his whether he will stay with us or leave. 

And so it is with all of us, yes? 

Bet you didn't realize there would be philosophy involved in this post, huh?! 

Yup! Sure is! 

All part of "the package"! 

So! 

What do I have lined up for you today? 

Let's start with the Rainbows! 

 These are a few of the things I've found on Walkabout recently! I love the colours, shapes and textures, don't you? 

These are actually cute Fairy-esque skirts, so you may (if you visit with me in person) chance to see them on me! 

I love finding things for myself and others that create a more fun and unique life! 

Whee!! 

And now, about that Time word in the title! 

A new creation that features a Popcap Pendant created with scrapbook stickers, vintage rhinestones and pearls, Czech glass, non-toxic resin and more! 

Working Title: Las Vegas Glamour 

Ingredients: Popcap Pendant (vintage rhinestones and pearls, Czech glass, scrapbook stickers, hand-coloured non-toxic resin, glitter, metal), Swarovski crystals, vintage rhinestones, beads, glass and chain, lead-free pewter, metal. 

The idea behind this creation is the mixture of depth, grit and life that can be found even in midst of the faux (faux jewels, the faux glamour of gambling) and it's allure. 

And perhaps one can find real magic even betwixt and between false or imitative, yes? 

Let's wrap this up with some of that promised News! 

I've a new event and creative home in the Minneapolis/St.Paul area (MN, USA) that I'm excited to share with you! 

Healing Gallery Open House 

Saturday, June 8th 

from 1 to 7pm 

Sunday from 1pm to 5pm 

Details and address are here! 

I'll be there Saturday only, yet I encourage you to stop by whenever you can that weekend! 

It is a beautiful space and the art is absolutely gorgeous! Marian is a very talented artist and healer! 

ALSO!!!! 

*Edited with an update*

I and my Sprite Creations will be available at the Healing Gallery through this weekend only.

My Sprite Services will continue to be offered at locations that best suit each person and situation, and by appointment at BellaLuna Boutique, rather than at the Healing Gallery.

Thank you!
*Now back to the blog as it was*

There is much more to come as my behind-the-scenes 'work' continues, so stay tuned! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

I'll see you next week! 

Ciao!

Whimsy Wednesday! Comet Over and See Me Sometime!

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to Whimsy Wednesday!

I hope the short vacation we had from each other was grand!

I used some of the Holiday time to go on Walkabout and find interesting things (as you saw from last Friday's post).

Let me show you a little of what else was found and what has grown out of those 'raw materials'!

Octopus!

This is a very grand (and adorable!) inflatable octopus!

I think we can see why he had to come home with me(and why he's featured on a Whimsy Wednesday post!)!

I think he'll make a fabulous addition to any pool party!

Other ideas are to keep him inflated and perched somewhere around the house! Stay tuned to see where he might hang out between pool parties!

Next up!

Glow in the Dark Earrings!

Title: As Yet Unknown

Ingredients: Czech glass, anodized aluminum, Glow in the Dark plastic, metal, surgical steel earwires (hypo-allergenic & silver-plated).

I wanted to play with the galaxy of shapes in a first-time project that wasn't a big commitment.

And so, this earring creation was born!

What went into the creating of these earrings, you ask? Well!

I've filed and softened the edges of the plastic comet and shooting star.

A wonderfully colourful batch of jumprings suspending those shapes from hypo-allergenic earwires!

And the entire set accented with matching, celestial blue, iridescent stars!

These are definitely for those with out-of-this-world personalities!

Look for these in my Etsy shoppe soon!

And there you have it!

Another Whimsy Wednesday post finished with giggles!

Thank you for stopping by!

I'll see you on Friday!

Ciao!

Whimsy Wednesday! Starry-Eyed!

Hello Hello!

Welcome to this Whimsy Wednesday!

I hope the weather in your neck of the woods is just as beautiful as ours!!!

This post is all about star-filled creations!

Let me show you!

Title: Starry-Eyed

Ingredients: Czech glass, Artistic wire, metal, surgical steel earwires(silver-plated, hypo-allergenic).

I love mixing copper and cobalt blue, as these earrings clearly demonstrate!  Both colours have an ancient vibrancy that fascinates and almost never more than when they compliment each other in a creation!

YAY!

Next up!

Title: Moonlight In the Forest

Ingredients: Swarovski crystals, Czech glass, Artistic wire, metal, surgical steel earwires(silver-plated, hypo-allergenic).

These are the more lush of the two creations and feature a crescent moon and lots of stars on a smoky background!  The Swarovski crystals are the colour Vitriol.  The dusky flashes of metallic colour are hard to capture with a camera!  The silvery leaves echo the moonlight-colour of the earwires, just as moonlight weaves it's way inexplicably through all things! 

Look for these earring creations in my Etsy shoppe soon!

Onward to the upcoming events!!! 

Saturday, May 18th only! 

Spring Psychic Faire at Lake Harriet Spiritual Center! 

Many of you have seen me at this Faire offering my Sprite Creations jewellery and creations. 

However! For the first time ever!!! I'll be offering Faerie Readings during this fundraising-event! 

There will be good food, hand-made art of all kinds and wonderful insights offered, so consider joining us! 

PLEASE NOTE! THE TIME CHANGE OF THIS INTERVIEW!!!

I have another Faerie-inspired BlogTalk Radio Interview!!! 

Tuesday, May 21st from 12 Noon to 12:30pm (CST, USA) with Cheryl Patton of 1Woman's Wisdom! 

Join us to see what insight the Faeries have for the month of May! 

See you Monday!

Ciao!

Fini Friday! Balloons, Bank Notes and a New Creation!

Hello Everyone!
Welcome to Fini Friday!
I hope this week has been full of warmth and joy!
As with many of the other Fini Friday posts lately, I've a finished Popcap Pendant creation (first shown to you here) to show today!
Let's start with some raw materials I gathered on Walkabout yesterday, though!
These are scrapbooking supplies that I brought home recently!  They are heavy paper stock balloons and faux English bank notes.  I'm pondering possibilities that include painting them with hand-coloured resin (and thus sealing them, making them far more durable) and earring creations! 
Stay tuned to see what they grow into!

On to the finished creation!
Title: Elvan Fire
Ingredients: Popcap Pendant (Swarovski Crystal, paper, hand-coloured non-toxic resin, popcap), Earthenwood Studio gear link (ceramic, USA), lead-free pewter (USA), light bulb pendant (Zoa Art, USA), anodized aluminum, metal.
I've included a photo of the clasp as well!  The firey teardrop in the Popcap Pendant is a Swarovski crystal!  The gear link is hand-crafted by Melanie of Earthenwood Studios! I love her work!  The light bulb pendant to the left of the Popcap Pendant is from Zoa Art in South Carolina (USA)! I adore the work of this husband and wife team so much! It is sculptural, architectural and sensual all at once!  This necklace creation is Elvish, Steampunk, Dieselpunk and absolutely unique!  The pendant, link and clasp are secured with jumprings woven in a mobius or infinity chainmaille weave using golden yellow and true red colours!  There is definitely a story to this creation! I can feel it!
I'll close this by wishing you a week-end of good times, good friends and many, many smiles!
See you on Monday!
Ciao!

Fini Friday! Circles and Symbols!

Hello Hello!

Welcome to Fini Friday!

I hope your weekend has been as full of sunshine and warmth as ours has!

In true Fini Friday tradition, I've a creation that's grown into completion to show you today!

This post is similar to last Friday's post, as the finished creation is part of the Popcap Pendant series first introduced in this Fini Friday post.

Let me show you!

Title: As Yet Unknown

Ingredients: Popcap Pendant(hand-coloured non-toxic resin, stickers, old watch gear, popcap), black onyx scarab beetle, lead-free pewter(USA), Czech glass, anodized aluminum, metal.

I love introducing flashes of colour to an otherwise monochromatic palette and so it is with this creation!

The brilliant blue and vibrant violet rings are woven in a mobius-strip (or infinity) chain maille pattern. Infinity is the first of the symbols I'll introduce you to, in this creation. 

 Other symbols are the black onyx scarab beetle; sacred in Egyptian mythology for its connection to the sun god Ra. Black stones are generally thought to give protection and grounding. Did you spy the four-leaf clover charm dangling in front of the pendant? Yup! It is there! And is another symbol of good luck and prosperity! The circles are most obvious in the shape of the Popcap, the clasp, the jumprings and the design inside the Popcap Pendant. 

Did you note the old watch gear in the center of the pendant? Hee hee!! I love creating little details such as these! There is even a bit of faceting on the inter-connecting bead-links of that intriguing chain! I've included a photo of how the necklace looks clasped around the neck!  

I really enjoy working clasps into more unusual locations and having it in the front makes it easier to put on and take off! 

So! That's it for this Fini Friday! 

Have a fantabulous weekend and I'll see you on Magical Monday! 

Ciao!

Whimsy Wednesday! Snow, Exploration & Chocolate!

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to Whimsy Wednesday!

I hope your week has been delightful so far!

I've had a week full of long days thus far and was feeling uninspired and rather un-whimsical (that's a word now!!  I've declared it!) today.  The sun was shining and the temperature warm, so I decided to tromp around in the snow today!  As I meandered, I saw all sorts of images I wanted to capture, so I retrieved my camera and gave it my best shot (Ha!)!

Title: Submerged, Discovered

I loved how the melting snow was uncovering and allowing a discovering (or re-discovering) of what lies underneath! Isn't that just a fabulous mix of textures! Don't you just want to know what that whole bit of stuff is? I'm intrigued by the bit of machinery in the background, too! Whee!

Next up!

Title: Skeletons

I loved the contrast of the dark, aged metal against the pure white snow! It was also fun to see the connection between the bare-bones feel of the old hay rake and the de-nuded trees sleeping whilst awaiting Spring!
Let's wrap this up with a newly-grown bracelet creation! Title: CoExist, With Chocolate!
Ingredients: lead-free pewter, Czech glass, Jeweler's bronze, Artistic wire, aluminum, copper.

I had so much fun creating this bracelet! The charms, from left to right are: something that reminds me of a temple bell in some exotic land, the yin-yang (a symbol of balance), a lotus flower with a star above it (lotus flowers are sacred to Buddhists), the Tree of Life (sacred to many forms of Pagan and Old World belief systems), spirals and stars (sacred symbols in all aboriginal legends across the globe), Celtic-style cross (an ancient mix of Christian and Pagan/Nature-based Worship), and a chocolate Kiss! Yup! There is the chocolate! 

 Need I explain the whimsy in this piece? 

A few other tidbits(HA!)...Copper has been a sacred metal in cultures that span the globe. The lock and key clasp includes a heart-shaped key. This symbolizes the key to living harmoniously with all belief systems is through an open heart. And finally, the colours used to suspend the charms match those associated with the seven Chakras of the body. 

Intriguing, eh?! 

So! That's my suggestion for world peace - an open heart and chocolate! YAY!!! 

I think I'll go scout out some chocolate and start with that part now! *grin*

Before we take our leave of each other, I have some late breaking news to share! I've a newly-scheduled BlogTalk Radio Interview this Sunday! 

I'll be chatting with Marie and Beth of Divine Goddess Radio at 6pm(CST,USA) about Faeries and Freedom! I'll answer some of the most common questions I receive about Faeries and impart a specific message for this listening audience. Perhaps that will include you? 

And I'll be back on the BlogTalk Radio air in a few days with Cheryl Patton of 1Woman's Wisdom! 

Tuesday, Feb. 19th 3-3:30pm (CST, USA) A Special February Message From the Faeries! I'm not giving any hints, so hop on over for a listen that day to hear their message!

Both of these will be in the archives for later listening if your schedule does not allow you to listen to me live! 

I'll see you on Friday! 

Ciao!

Fini Friday! Studio Life, Loot and Gearing Up!

Hello Hello!

Welcome to Fini Friday!

I hope your week has been full of warmth and joy!

I've had a pretty varied week, myself. Now is the time to herd paperwork into order as I close out 2012 and work/play with creating or tweaking better systems for me here in the studio. It is a time to pause and reflect on what worked, what didn't and what worked well. The goal, of course, is to move in the direction of everything working well!

So! I have a little bit of studio stuff, a bit of newly acquired loot and a finished creation to show you today!

First, a photo of something I'm very proud of!

A clean desk!

This is the desk from which I usually edit photos, post everything from Blog entries to creations in my Etsy shoppe to Internet marketing and etc. As you can see, I have lots of lovely bits of art all around me. Some of it is spiritual and beautiful and some of it is whimsical and cheerful! One of my current favorites absolutely is the little "Pop-up" notepad you see in the far corner! It has an image of a mischievous kitten eyeing some cheeky goldfish with a "no cats" sign in their bowl! It helps me to smile! The goldfish also have an oyster with a peal inside in their little aquarium world and this reminds me of the wisdom that can be gleaned even from irritating circumstances! 

Onward to the loot! 

This was a modest haul, yet full of interesting materials! I don't know if you can see it, but the larger glass "pony beads" were labeled "magic beads" and I love the way their colours change in the light! The open-work metal bead at the top right has so many possibilities! I fell in love with it because it reminds me of intricate filigree work! I'm am also really looking forward to working with that leather ship's wheel as well! Of course, the charms are all quite charming (HA!) 

YAY for loot! 

Let's wrap up this post with a finished creation!

You may remember that I showed you some of the components of this creation last Fini Friday and now it is fini! 

Title: As Yet Unknown Ingredients: Plastic automobile hose, Popcap pendant (gear sticker, non-toxic resin, metal), bearing, aluminum, metal. 

The two photos are included for a few reasons.  I wanted to show how the necklace opens and closes.  One end of the hose is slightly flared and so the other end tucks into it quite nicely!  I also wanted to show you how the Popcap pendant gear reflects the light in different circumstances!  Oh yes! And did I mention that there is an actual, diminutive fear suspended from the necklace as well?  There is!  Isn't that awesome?!

Before we take our leave of each other, I'll mention that I've another BlogTalk Radio Interview!

Tuesday, Feb. 19th 3-3:30pm (CST, USA)

A Special February Message From the Faeries! 

I'm not giving any hints, so hop on over for a listen that day to hear their message!

See you on Monday!

Ciao!

Fini Friday! Flashy!

Hello Hello!

Welcome to Fini Friday!

I usually use these posts to show you either creations that are still growing or creations that have been languishing and have been (finally!) completed.  Today I'm going to show you creations on both ends of the spectrum!

Let's start with the completed creation!

You might remember this Fini Friday back in September, where I showcased a cat, sunstone and kyanite necklace that I was restringing.  I was not impressed with the crimps I had on-hand and so progress was stalled while more of my usual crimps were obtained.  They have been acquired and the necklace is finished!

Title: SunCat

Ingredients: Jasper, Sunstone, Lapis Lazuli, Kyanite, Bali silver, Sterling silver, lead-free pewter, steel cable.

The first photo is of the entire design and the second is a close-up of the wonderful cats, intriguing and flashy sunstone and gorgeous lapis lazuli! 

There are so many legends and meanings associated with the stones used in this creation, I'll just take you on a quick tour through them!

Sunstone: Thought to bring luck, increase optimism, strength and vitality, and to help harness the healing power of the Sun. 

Lapis Lazuli: Used as both a cosmetic and medicine through the ages, Lapis has been used as an aphrodisiac, to strengthen the skeleton, increase Divine awareness, cure insomnia and improve sleep as well as to ward off negative energy. 

Kyanite: Thought to never retain negative energy, Kyanite also helps to improve communication and intuition, clarity of thought, and help manifest dreams into action. Legend says it helps nurture optimism and open the mind to lighter, brighter and better ideas and perspectives. 

Jasper: Legend says that Jasper is protective, grounding, healing and stabilizing. It is thought to align all the chakras and balance yin yang energies. 

Silver: Though not a stone, Silver is thought to nurture intuitive knowing. All in all, a very positive creation, wouldn't you say? 

The next and last photo are three USB Flash Drives(part of the Flash Drive collection) that I've finished the embellishment and will continue to grow into completion as necklaces and etc.

I believe two out of the three flash drives will be necklaces and yet the drive to the farthest right may end up remaining a pendant.

The green colour that you see is alcohol ink that I dripped strategically onto and into the resin after painting it on the drives.  I absolutely love the effect!  The center drive arrived with that nifty swirl pattern and so I accented it with Swarovski crystal rhinestones and a subtle gold glitter pigment in the resin!  I'm quite pleased with how these turned out!

 More on the designs embedded in the resin and their meanings when the creations are complete!

You may see these at my next show! 

When is that, you ask?

Why, I've conveniently provided details about that very subject just below!
Take a look!

My next and final show of 2012 (it is so weird to type that!) is the 20th Annual Women's Art Festival! Come join us at the Midtown YWCA in Minneapolis, MN (USA)!

Saturday, Dec. 15th only!

10am to 5pm.

There will be live music all day, an on-site coffee shop and art of all kinds and for all budgets!

And with that, have a fabulous weekend! 

Ciao!

Fini Friday! An Unusual Balance!

Hello Hello! 

Welcome to Fini Friday! 

I've a whole bunch of the unusual to show you today! 

I took a break and a brief trip to some of the woods on our property this afternoon. What glorious colours!!! I had to share them with you! 

How is this an unusual balance? I'm not certain how many others besides me are blessed to be able to travel to the woods on their breaks and breaks are, of course, part of the balance of "work" and play! 

The remainder of this post is devoted to the finishing of a creation that is unusual for me and that has languished too long in mid-growth! Here are the materials.... To the left is a new tag that could be used to attach to a cow, bull or steer for identification (with a wire-wrapped Wild Heart Swarovski Heart in Jet Black), black velvet ribbon drapes across the middle and a Fairy and her Serpent pendant are to our right. I love using materials that are meant for something other than jewelry, so the use of the cow identification tag is not unusual for me. The Fairy and Serpent pendant is not my usual style and came to me in a batch of nifty beads and materials from another artist! I decided to challenge myself and design something with these two companions  and the their overt sensual nature than re-gifting her to someone else. 

In keeping with this challenge, I decided to modify this pendant so that it was became the bar portion of a toggle-and-bar clasp, with the identification tag being the toggle.  Here's the back of that pendant, showing the wire-work that turned this into a bar portion of a clasp. 

Next is a close-up of the focal-clasp all complete!

And finally, the necklace in all it's completed glory!

Title: Sensual Balance

Ingredients:  Cow Identification Tag (plastic), Swarovski Crystal Wild Heart (Jet), Velvet ribbon, metal, copper wire.

There are so many delicious details in this necklace creation and I'm so pleased with it!

So, there you have it, a Fini Friday all finished!

Have an excellent weekend!

Ciao! 

P.S. Want to know where I and Sprite Creations will be "in person" next?

Oct. 12th, 13th and 14th, we'll be at the Saint Paul Art Crawl in the Atrium of the Lowertown Lofts Artist Coop! 

This is the 20th Anniversary of the Saint Paul Art Crawl and it would be lovely to have you celebrate it with us! 

Whee! 

  

Fini Friday! Cats and Cases!

Hello Everyone!
Welcome to Fini Friday!
I hope your week has been grand so far!
I have a bit of news about additions in the studio and a new creation to showcase to chat about in this blog post!
Let's start with the studio additions!
I acquired new-to-me display cases as I was on Walkabout on Wednesday!
These will need to be cleaned up, possibly have the display fabric changed and etc. I'm very much looking forward to playing with these! Here is a group photo!
And a few individual cameos...
 
I love the white-washed wood and all of the character in these! They are somehow more organic and approachable in their not-perfect condition!

And now for the new creation!
Title: All About Cats
Ingredients: Jasper, Sunstone, Lapis Lazuli, Kyanite, Bali and Sterling silver, cable, lead-free pewter, metal.
I love all the little details about this, including that cat-and-mouse-clasp! This necklace has been languishing for years as I fought with the balance of a simple and stunning yet not boringly repetitive design. I wanted the carved cat to be the unequivocal center of attention, yet surrounding her with gemstones that had their own brilliance and beauty was in order so that the entire creation glow with elegance and understated beauty. I think it does! 
 One little note about this piece... it is not quite Fini. I'm in the midst of restocking the crimps I tend to favor using and so used another type to (almost) complete this necklace. They reminded me of why I choose to use the type I do and so I'll be re-stringing this necklace with my favorite crimp when those come into the studio! 
Just one of those fascinating little peeks into an artists' life and all the details and work that we do to create the best art we can! 

And so! There we are - all Fini for now! 
Have an excellent weekend and I'll see you on Monday! 
Ciao!

Fini Friday! Myths and Charms!

Hello Everyone! 

Welcome to Fini Friday! 

I hope many of you are well on your way to celebrating Labor Day Weekend (if you're in the U.S.A) or simply celebrating your weekend! 

I've a little bit of a follow-up on the the charms that were gifted to me at the beginning of August! The story of how they arrived in my world is here. 

I've finished embellishing them and they are ready to show you! 

A group shot first...

  I hand-painted each of the charms with various colours and then painted on the differing, hand-coloured resins. 

Below are close-ups of each charm... 

This is has the working title of Blue Sky Eagle and was painted white with a bit of black and then sealed with blue-green tinted (non-toxic) resin. I love the fine glitter effect of the pigmented resin and the very ethereal effect it gives! 

The second Eagle/Hawk pendant has a working title of Earth Eagle and has a bit more detail to it.... 

I painted the Eagle/Hawk a beautiful copper-y colour and meticulously applied an ebony black to the wings to give a bit of depth and distinctive marking to those wings. I also hand-mixed and painted the rocks or earth below the glass marble a darker, rich brown. The resin is tinted with a fine gold glitter and I love the beautiful sheen it gives! 

The last of the gifted pendants is the skull. 

This one was more challenging and I think it's look is distinctive. Working Title: As Yet Unknown

  This, too, was hand-painted with many colours and sealed with a blue-green tinted resin. Perhaps one could describe the style of the pendant now as Tribal? 

Let's wrap up this post with that new creation I mentioned at the top of the post! This is a creation that has been languishing for long enough that it warranted a complete redesign! 

Working Title: For Brigit

Ingredients: Amber, Fire Opals, Carnelian, sterling silver, Swarovski crystals, lead-free pewter, Artistic Wire, leather, metal.

Brigit or Brigid is a Celtic Goddess known for her skills in all things poetry, blacksmithy (or craftsmanship) and healing. These diverse accomplishments often lead her to be described as a Triple-Goddess or having a triple-aspect. That redesign included a move using mainly cable as a stringing material to leather and wire. Leather seems a natural fit, since that is something most blacksmiths and craftsman of yore would wear as protective gear. Wire and metal in the design also seemed appropriate for the same reason. The redesign was also simplified a great deal, which shows off the gemstones to good advantage. Amber is said to be sacred to Brigid and the Fire Opals and Carnelians continuing the flame-y feel to this necklace are a nod to both the black-smithing, but also to perpetual flame, which is held to be sacred to this Goddess. Her main temple in Kildare, Ireland has such sacred flames attended to and maintained by nuns. I had a lot of fun playing with wire in this creation and am very pleased to have both completed this creation and completed it in a better manner than the original idea! 

And so! 

It is time to celebrate the weekend! 

One little note of where you can find me next week! 

 

Fall Art Festival 

Saturday, September 8th Only! 

10am to 4pm City Center Market 

122 North Buchanan Street Cambridge, MN (USA

Until Monday, then!

Ciao!