Whimsy Wednesday and Fini Friday! A Special Selection!

Hello Hello!
Welcome to a dual edition of Whimsy Wednesday and Fini Friday!
Just a little housekeeping detail: I'll be on blog-vacation after this post!  I'll see you again next Wednesday!
This post is all about some of the hand-picked Sprite Creations that are awaiting adoption in the CONvergence Art Show over the long holiday weekend!
This convention is a fund-raising event for a non-profit organization that you can learn more about here.
So, let's get started!
Title: Co-Exit, 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.
So! That's my suggestion for world peace - an open heart and chocolate!

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.
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!

Title: Her Majesty's Money 

Ingredients: Resin-encased (hand-coloured and painted with non-toxic resin) faux paper currency, Swarovski crystals (Sapphire and Crystal), Czech glass, Jeweler's Brass, surgical steel earwires(gold-plated). 

The idea for both of these creations was to pair them with Swarovski crystals in colours of jewels worthy of royalty. Gold, too, is always favored by the wealthy. And that is metal colour common to these two creations. 

Of course, the Queen Mother (featured on this faux bank notes) would have Diamonds (the closest Swarovski gets to diamond is crystal) and Sapphires! Also, whilst there is some 'frippery' to the design, it remains elegant and simple. 

Just like the Queen would want! 

Title: Investments 

Ingredients: Resin-encased (hand-coloured and painted with non-toxic resin) faux paper currency, Swarovski crystals (Ruby), Czech glass, Jeweler's Brass, surgical steel earwires(gold-plated).

These bank notes focus on a gentleman of stature and repute and so the creation needed a bit more lavishness and adventure! I wanted the earrings to be elegant, yet "dripping" with rubies" (which is the colour of the Swarovski crystals, by the way!). 

Also mixed in the design was the desire to convey a more inquisitive, and worldly mindset (indicated in the metal wire-work and mixing of metal tones). 

These are for those who seek their fortunes in the world, rather than those who rule the world with their power and fortune. 

And I've one more creation to tempt you with (though there are more Sprite Creations and so much more fabulous art in the Show!!!!)....
Title:  Keyper of Time
Ingredients: Gold vermeil, hand-crafted porcelin, old watch parts, hand-crafted brass, vintage glass and chain, metal.

 This necklace is a mix of found objects and objects d'art!  I'd been looking for a design to show off the vermeil box and oval bead and come upon this idea for something Steampunk Royalty would wear!  Mixed into the golden palette are many tiny watch gears, some lovely, textured and patterned porcelin ceramic links from Earthenwood Studio, Swarovski crystals and more!

The colour palette is classic and rich, yet this is an intriguing tapestry of subtle textures and contours!

And there you have it! 
The end of this post and the start of my vacation!

If you're intrigued about CONvergence, click here for more details. 
I'll  see you next Wednesday!

Ciao!

Fini Friday! Ideas in Motion!

Hello Hello! 

Welcome to Fini Friday! 

I hope your week has been fabulous so far! 

This post is purely about ideas! 

 I've others percolating in the background as well, yet these are the those that took their growth a bit further today! 

I've had the basic idea and materials for this creation for some time. This idea is centered around the gorgeous natural tigereye pendant, wrapped in sterling silver, and the hand-rolled copper beads that you see to the right. Added to the mix more recently are the petite, twisted link sterling silver chain and scattered here and there are various accents and charms that may (or may not) be in the final design.   This is intended to be a lushly-spare design...lush in that it will likely be multi-strand, yet spare in that the focus needs to always be on that stunning gemstone pendant!

The second idea I've to show you centers around the Popcap Pendant created with hand-coloured, non-toxic resin, Swarovski crystals (Fire Opal), a vintage crystal and scrapbook stickers (in an old-fashioned playing card design).  Though suspending the pendant from that unusual and fabulous chain would be quite enough... I'm pondering the possibility of drawing in some colour (with the coloured jumprings in accent colours), adding whimsy with the jolly roger flag or horse shoe charms, and/or perhaps the old game token...finished with toggle clasp, which echoes the shape of the pendant.  The filigree might find it's way in there... only time will tell!

As we come to the end of this Fini Friday, let me give a  little heads-up...

I'll 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!

Sprite Creations at CONvergence-The Old and New

Sprite Creations returned to the CONvergence Art Show for the 5th consecutive year. I arrived Thursday mid-morning to check-in my creations and found that space was nearly gone!! A happy circumstance for CONvergence and a bit of a surprise to me! There was so much excellent artwork of all kinds in the show this year and I was proud to be part of it!! About half of what I entered were creations less than a week old, so this was the first time anyone was able to see them! I am grateful for the many compliments received and interest in my work.
Here are a few photos of the display and creations.



Sprite Creations was new to Artist Alley this year and I planned interactive demonstrations with care. Friday saw me with Dremel in hand, drilling through laptop keyboard keys! It was a lot of fun and a few earring sets found homes! Of course, being at a Science-Fiction/Fantasy Convention, it was a requirement to create the Ctrl-Alt-Delete set similar to what you see here:

The set above was actually in the Art Show, a nice bit of coordinated marketing that I was proud of.
Saturday was slated for Faerie Readings and, due to lack of interest, there was not much of a chance to demonstrate.
All part of the learning experience as I ponder returning to CONvergence's Artist Alley next year.
So, there's the scoop and here endeth this entry!

Ready, Set, GO!

Just to get your attention!


I'm off to the Twin Cities and the Coffee Crawl.
Remember:
Saturday and Sunday 10-6pm
J S Bean Factory
1518 Randolph Ave
Saint Paul, MN

Look it up on the web for directions.
I'll be sharing booth space with a lady who hand-makes chocolates!!!
Envious??
*mischevious grin*

You could come on out and say Hi!
*grin*

Hope to see you there!

Cats at CONvergence Art Show & Upcoming Shows

Here is a picture of two Rainbow Cats bracelets that I created during Pride. I am pleased to say that both have found their people!
The bottom bracelet, Rainbow Cats with a Twist, was adopted at the CONvergence Art Show and is now happily home with it's person!

A little more information about these bracelets:
The cats are ceramic 'buttons' that were custom-made at my request and are no longer available, as the artist is moving in new and different directions.
I've been having a lot of fun with the colored jumprings and delving more into chain-link and chain-mail.


My next show is the 2009 Coffee Crawl, Saturday, July 25th from 10am to 6pm at the J.S. Bean Factory in Saint Paul, MN.
Come on out and support your local, independent businesses and artists! Sip a good cuppa from a local coffee shop while browsing art from indie artists. Stop by and say Hi!