Redwood Coast Creative Arts

Dragon's Glass on Art Fire

I took a few moments to check out my friend Kathi's Art Fire shop today and I encourage you to do the same.

As always she has a bit of variety going on.  There are large, colorful, organic looking polymer "Dragon Claw" necklaces, my favorite green "faux" batik pendant, an awesome "faux" Batik Mezuzah and more.

The reason I love going back to Kathi's site over and over again is Kathi's versatility.  She works with glass, polymer, and wire and at any given time you will find a variety artwork of different styles materials and techniques but always original and always an extension of Kathi's bright and colorful personality!

Here's where you can find her:

Dragon's Glass Artfire Shop

http://www.dragonsglass.com

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Bottles of Hope

No new projects to post this week.  I'll get a better, finished picture of the ring bearer pillow posted soon. 

In the mean time here are some pictures of some past Bottles of Hope that I have made.  These are glass bottles, covered with polymer clay, and containing and inspirational message of hope.  The bottles were all donated to Cancer/Chemo patients.

My donated Bottles of Hope

Green Witch 2005- I spent 3 days sculpting this head.  I wish I had a better pic' and a profile pic'.
 

Butterfly Geisha 2006

Curmudgeon Gnelf, 1/2 gnome, 1/2 elf 2008

More about the BOH- Bottles of Hope Project including a gallery, tutorial on how to make your own, and information on how and where to donate: http://bottlesofhope.org/

Playing with the position of the posies

The flowers are pinned in place.  I haven't stitched yet because I am still playing with the final positions they will take. 

I also need to add the trim around the edges.  I lucked out and already had this trim on hand.  It matches very well don't-cha think? 

Here is the trim waiting to be added on.

 
The final touch will be a few matching beads scattered about for a bit of dew on the petals to bring them to life. 

I sure do hope the soon to be wedded couple likes what I've made for them.  I want this to be a treasured heirloom.

Here is my pinned on placement.  What do you think?  Do I need more greens?

Pillow WIP- Stitched, stuffed and ready to decorate

Stitched, stuffed and ready to decorate with ribbon flowers and leaves.

Ring Bearer pillow for Jorge and Kimmie

I don't think that I have been this excited of a wedding in years, maybe decades! 

My brother-in-law Jorge will be marrying the perfect girl this coming Sunday.  I have been honored by them allowing me to make the pillow that their rings will be tied to before they say their vows and slip them on their fingers with all of the promises and passion of of a young couple in love. 

Each stitch in this pillow is made with all of my love and hope of happiness for Jorge and Kimmie.

Come back later I will post more pictures along the way.

Ring Bearer Pillow WIP

Embroidered ivory lace

Sewn together ready to be stuffed and decorated.

Flower Petals and Foliage

What I am working on.  Ring Bearer Pillow WIP

I found some very beautiful vintage ribbon at:
Katrina's Old World Charm
701 Sutter St, Folsom, CA 95630 (916) 357-5176

I combined the vintage ribbons with some of the newer stuff I already had on hand.  The vintage ribbons are so much nicer to work with and look way better too.  Now to add some beads, embroidery, lace, and trim and we will be ready for the wedding on Sunday!

Some of my favorite Ribbon Books

This one is not ribbon-work but it is my favorite fabric artistry book and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves fabric art or nature art.    

Icky-Sticky Resin

BUMMER!  My resin didn't set up after 5 whole days.  I must have mis-measured.

I made up a fresh batch today and covered the sticky pieces with a thin layer of resin.  Unfortunately I had set crystals on top of the last batch and there was no way to avoid submerging them so, they are sunken crystals. 

This has never happened to me before.  Not even my first time using resin.

I usually use Devcon 5 minute resin but this time I tried Loctite (60 minute resin), from Home Depot.  I was told it was the same product, just much cheaper.  I am pretty sure that it was my measuring and mixing that went wrong and not that there is anything wrong with the product.

I sure do hoe that this coat sets up right.  Otherwise I will have to pry the pieces out of their bezels and start over. 

Here is what I am working on.  The silver bezels are from http://www.amatestudios.com/
The large brass square was purchased as part of a guild group order years ago.  I don't remember the vendor.

I filled them with uncured polymer collages.  After heat curing the polymer I filled the bezels with resin.

The middle piece will be attached to a sterling bangle.  The sterling bezel and tile will serve as the focal piece and the closure.

This will be a pendant and brooch

This is the ring.