Whimsy Wednesday! Sheriff's Star and News!

Hello Hello!
Welcome to Whimsy Wednesday!
This post will be more of a highlight reel of what is new in both creations and Sprite Creations event news, so let's get to it!
If you were able to join us at the Holiday Geek Expo, these two creations will be familiar to you!  So many of you are unable to join us in person that I wanted to show them off to YOU!
Title: Cycles of Time
Ingredients: lead-free pewter, suede, leather, aluminum, metal. 
I love the mystery of this bracelet...and the contrast...both of colours, textures and symbols!  The Sheriff's star makes me giggle and I hope you do, too!  The close cuff-style of this leather bracelet in space-age, yet antiqued silver suede evokes the idea of a law-person's bracer from another culture!  Add to that the red leather wheel and unusual key charm and you have an enigma wrapped in sumptuous suede!  There is a story just waiting to be written by this creation!  Are you the one to write it?

And now for the news!
Due to some last minute glitches, Sprite Creations regrets to announce that we are bowing out of the Women's Art Festival this Saturday at the

Midtown YWCA. If you are in the Minneapolis area, we highly encourage you to visit the Festival and support all the fabulously talented artists there!
If you were looking forward to seeing us there, please keep in mind that we are also available for home Sprite Creations shows as well as shows via Skype!
Feel free to visit my website or contact me for more details!  


Last, but certainly not least....
I've ONE more BlogTalk Radio Interview in 2013!
Welcome to Being Human!!! December 22, 2013, 5:00pm to 6:00pm (CST, USA)! 
I'll post the link for this as soon as I have it!
Ciao!

Fini Friday! Showing Off the Skulls!

Hello Hello!
Welcome to Fini Friday!
Today has been a happily busy day for me as I prepare for my show tomorrow (amongst other tasks)!
I've a new creation that has grown into completion and will be available for adoption tomorrow!
Let me show you!
You may remember this Fini Friday post and the collection of beads and ideas introduced...
Here is what the yellow skulls grew into!
Title: As Yet Unknown
Ingredients: Howlite(dyed) stone skulls, vintage Czech glass, glass, leather (lead-free dye), sterling silver, aluminum, base metal.
I loved the idea of creating a multi-layer leather bracelet along a Day of the Dead and/or rainbow-faerie-skull theme!  
I also wanted to incorporate motion, texture and meaning into the creation.  Motion (and therefore the bracelet doubles as a fidget toy- YAY!) is found in the collection of beads on either end of the bracelet...whilst texture abounds in the colour-rich, faceted vintage Czech beads and smaller, shiny foil-lined beads.  
The knots provide a different contrasting texture and the silver double-heart toggle clasp echoes the overall shiny and light-ness of the creation!  The heart clasp also softens the effect of the skulls and evokes the Day of the Dead inspiration.

A few updates and news before I close...
I and Sprite Creations will be returning to the Arts Fest in North Branch (MN, USA) this Saturday! 
Spot 5E in the Middle School Cafeteria (same as last year) is where you'll find me from 9am to 4pm!  (I'm in the yellow area on the diagram!)

There is food, arts and crafts of every kind and truly something for everyone! Seating is just across the way from me to rest your weary shopping bones! 
Beat the "Black Friday"/Winter Holiday shopping rush and feel good purchasing local, hand-made goodies and supporting independent artists and craftsfolk!  

$1 admission gets you all of this and a shuttle from the High School to the Middle School and back again!

See you there!!!

Also!!
The November Message From the Faeries has been rescheduled! 
We had a few technical difficulties and so the interview has moved to Tuesday, November 26th at 12Noon (CST, USA)!  
Join Cheryl Patton and me as we discuss the whimsical and practical tips and tricks the Faeries have in this gracious month of November!

Ciao!

Fini Friday! Skulls and Spice!

Hello Everyone!
Welcome to Fini Friday!
It is Fall in our neck of the woods and we've already had a bit of snow and ice! The snow has nearly completely melted (thankfully!) as it was too warm for the ground to freeze just yet.
Pumpkins, scarecrows, crops being harvested and so forth are common sights and I love the rich, warm colours associated with this season! Why mention any of this? Read on and you'll see!!!

First, some creation ideas that are brewing...inspired by the upcoming All Hallow's Eve Holiday!
Methinks these will be earrings and the design touches a bit upon the Day of the Dead as well as the Fae.
The vision I've in mind is wire-wrapping the luscious, smaller multi-coloured beads around the skulls.
YAY!

These second set of skulls, dyed an intriguing yellow, are slated (at least right now) to be a bracelet...possibly on black leather! ...
Possibly with wrapping or braiding...
Hmmm...
Stay tuned to see what happens next!!!

And now...for the spice!
I love tea. Absolutely yes!
So, one of the ways I'm celebrating the season is with a seasonal tea!

MMMMmmmmmm!  Doesn't that look yummy?!  I've found that this company makes scrumptious teas, on the whole, and I'm looking forward to trying their Pumpkin Spice tea!
Not all spiced teas are created equal, so wish me luck on this one!!
Whee!!!  
By the way... did you notice the background?  Perhaps it might look familiar....say from a post on Wednesday, perhaps?  
Hee hee!

One last thing before we part company... There is a second session in the Welcome to Being Human series on BlogTalk Radio!
Sunday, Oct. 27th at 5pm (CST, USA) Cheryl Patton and I will be chatting about often impossible pedestal we humans (especially those in the healing arts) are placed on and the stifling effects of "always staying positive".  
Who put us up there anyway?  
Join us for insight, laughter and fun as we poke at the foiables and follies of life as Human Beans!
See you next week!
Ciao!

Fini Friday! At the Show!

Hello Hello!
Welcome to Fini Friday!
I hope your week has been marvelous so far!

I've a few snapshots of adoptable creations (for the first time at Saturday's Festival) to show you today!

This is a small collection of the newly available earring creations!  You can spy a skate, key, ladybugs, Fairy Cats, vintage ornaments and more!

This second collection of creations are as yet unmarked...this means they are so new I have not yet priced them and they may (or may not) be out for adoption if you visit me tomorrow!  If you fall in love with one that you see here, please do inquire with me about them!

And with that...I give you the details of the show tomorrow!

The Fall Art Festival at City Center Market is 

Saturday, Sept. 14th from 9am to 3pm. 

Click on the link for more details! 

This is my only remaining out-door show this year!
ALSO!!
A BlogTalk Radio Interview!
Faerie Messages for September!
Tuesday, Sept. 17th at 12Noon!

Hope to see you there! 

See you soon!!
Ciao!

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!

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!

Whimsy Wednesday! Sharing and an Experiment!

Hello Hello!

Welcome to Whimsy Wednesday!

I hope your week has been grand so far!

I've been experimenting with wire and beads today, among other things, so I'll start this post with that!

Working Title: Summer Jewels

Ingredients: Czech glass, vintage acrylic, Artistic wire.

I love the opportunity to play free-form with wire and this idea popped to mind a few weeks ago... the mixing of the greens. This is a bit of a mono-chromatic palette for me, yet I think it grew into beautiful completion!

Next up is a very sweet creation that grew out of a pendant I found on Walkabout. Details are here!

Title: Sharing

Ingredients: Czech glass, vintage acrylic, hand-wrapped "yarn" wire ball, metal. 

I created the wire "yarn" ball by wrapping scrap portions of wire into a ball and suspending it from a matching wire from the silvery chain. This creation is really all about that precious kitten pendant! 

I included things kitten-friends would share...such as admiring a butterfly, a ball of yarn and perhaps a lunch of fish! The heart-shaped clasp is the final endearing touch on this simply charming creation! 

This will be up in my Etsy shoppe by the end of this evening! 

And that's a wrap for this Whimsy Wednesday! 

Have a comfy rest of the week and I'll see you on Friday! 

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!

Whimsy Wednesday! Happy Halloween!

Hello Everyone! 

Welcome to Whimsy Wednesday and Halloween!!!! 

I hope this day and night are filled with many, many treats and no tricks! 

Also, let me wish a most fun-filled Samhain, All Hallow's Day and All Saint's Day (tomorrow) to those that celebrate! 

So! I have new creations to show you today! 

One is elegant and creepy and the other is noteworthy and fun! 

First up! The noteworthy and fun! 

Working Title: The Dragon's Garden 

Ingredients: Dragon bead (Green Girl Studios) hand-cast of fine pewter, Mood beads, lead-free pewter, steel pen (USA).

Did you see my pun there?  Note-worthy?  It's a Pen..Hee hee!!!

The beads that flank the Dragon are Mood Beads, which means they will change colour with the temperatures around them! That fabulous Dragon is three-dimensional and is hand-cast by Green Girls Studios! He is so awesome!!! I love the mystery that this simple design evokes!!! 

And now! The elegant and creepy! 

Working Title: Gothi-Pop Elegance 

Ingredients: Chalk Turquoise skulls(dyed), cut crystals, vintage and non-vintage Czech glass.

I generally prefer to stay on the lighter side of the Goth/Noir aesthetic and that includes any type of skull or bone. With that in mind, I brought these colourful skulls home to experiment and stretch my creativity a bit. If I was going to play with skulls and so forth, they needed to be colourful or whimsical or unusual in some manner!  Speaking of stretching, this bracelet stretches too! It is strung on stretchy cord, so no clasp is needed! Just pop it over your hand for instant skull-appeal! I love the mixture of textures, colours and the feel of this bracelet! It is a bewitching mix of elegance, creepiness, intriguing colours and a bit of the Fae! 

And that's a wrap (though perhaps not a mummy's wrap - HA!)! 

Have a fun-filled Holiday and I'll see you on Friday! 

Boo!

Whimsy Wednesday! Summer and the Sea!

Hello Hello!

Welcome to Whimsy Wednesday!

I have a bit of a potpourri of nifty things to show you on this beautiful summer day!

These two lovely photos are of summer flowers that bloomed or were given to me over the last few weeks!  I love the vibrant orange of the hibiscus and indian paint brush and the daisies have always held a simple , vibrant beauty for me.  I hope you enjoy them, too!

 The next news is a bit of promotion!  An Etsy Treasury titled Sunny Must Haves featured a Sprite Creation!  You can see it here!

My Gifts From the Ocean creation is the third from the left and top! Isn't that a gorgeous, summery collection?!

I've included a close-up of that featured Faerie Flower Barrette!

Let's continue and conclude our summer and sea-sational theme with a photo of a newly-grown creation!

Title: Mermaid Finery

Ingredients: non-toxic, hand-coloured resin, upcycled brass bracelet. This was created with several layers of hand-coloured resin that I poured myself and I'm so pleased with the multi-dimensional texture and colour of it!

Wondering where to find me in July?  

Check out my event schedule below!

Tuesday, July 17th from 3-4pm (CST, USA)

BlogTalk Radio Interview with Cheryl Patton!

Messages From the Faeries #9!

July 28th & 29th     Saturday 10am to 7pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm

Bean Factory Artist Market

J&S Bean Factory

1518 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, MN (USA)

See you soon!
Ciao!

Fini Friday! Beginnings and Adventures!

Hello Everyone!
Welcome to Fini Friday!!
I've had a busy and productive latter part of this week and I hope the same can be said for you-all!
I did take some time for a WalkAbout today and I have a few nifties I picked up on my adventures to show you!

I found two sheets of scrapbooking paper that I just adore and that you will likely see as backdrops in future photos of creations! The beautiful midnight blue paper in the background is full of stars and moons and so forth! Just like the night sky! The nearer paper is has a small batch of faux old medicinal labels on it. I love all the textures and colours in this one! I'm even pondering what I might do with this should it prove to be too "busy" of a backdrop for my jewelry creations! YAY OPTIONS!
The little bits of metal you see in the middle are scrapbooking brads. They are very similar to rivets that are used to secure metal, leather and etc. I've a few ideas for those and have wanted to play with them for some time, so now I have them and that adventure can begin! Stay tuned to see what I do with them!

In excellent Fini Friday fashion, I finished the bracelet I had laid out for my friend's breast cancer fundraiser I mentioned a few Whimsy Wednesdays ago! I'm pleased with how it grew into completion and am happy to share it with you-all now!
Title: Adventures in Healing and Growth
Ingredients: Hand-made (by me!) pink ribbon, Swarovski crystal heart (rose), rose quartz, amethyst, Czech glass, sterling silver, lead-free pewter, upcycled metal chain.

Rose quartz is thought to be a healing stone and legend has it that amethyst helps with healing, spiritual guidance and celestial connection. the rose in the round bead on the right and leaf on the left symbolize the cycles of life and growth! The rose is a mature flower and the leaf is a sign of growth and collector of life force (sunlight!). I actually cut and hand-stitched the pink ribbon in the center! Isn't it wonderful!?! And, this creation is eco-friendly as the chain is recycled from a vintage necklace! So much nifty! This and two pairs of earrings are all ready to be delivered tomorrow! I'm excited to think that these creations may be of some help to those who are in the middle of a rough patch of their life adventure!
And with that, I wish you a lovely, warm and wonderful weekend!
See you on Monday!
Ciao!

Fini Friday! Growing!

Hello Everyone!
Iiiiitttt's Friday!!! Woohooo!!!!
I've a full weekend of fun stuff ahead and I hope you do, too!
In true Fini Friday tradition, I have creations that have grown into completion and some that have journeyed farther along that path!
Let's get to it, shall we?
You might recall a few Whimsy Wednesdays back, I went on Walkabout and showed a few treasures I picked up along the way...
I'm excited to share with you the completed copper cuff bracelet!
Take a look!
Title:MerWorld Adornment
Ingredients: Upcycled copper bracelet, Czech glass, brushed copper, permanently-coated copper wire (USA).

Isn't it gorgeous? I'm so pleased with it! (If you love it too, it is up for adoption on my Etsy site here!

And now... a little glimpse into those that are still growing!
As some of you may know, I have a lot of fun playing with a non-toxic resin I have in the studio and especially mixing glittery pigments into it and pouring into recycled popcaps! Well! I have a batch to show you that are complete in that the pendant tableau has been created, resin has cured and so the popcap/bezel portion is complete... and yet there is one more step that is needed for them to become pendants. Let's look at the little vignettes before I disclose the next step!

These are hard to photograph as the resin drys to a glass-hard finish, but hopefully you can get some idea of the beauty in each cap!
The finishing touch is drilling the caps with my Dremel and threading various appropriate jumprings through the holes so the caps have something to hang by.

Hopefully you can see the little round rings at the top of each pendant! This is where the chain, ribbon, cord or whatever these pendants will be suspended by are woven through. Voila! Now they are pendants and ready to be adopted as-is or interlaced into a necklace creation!
Check in here again to see what happens with them next!
Have an excellent weekend!
Ciao!