Jewelry for Easter

For Lent this year I have vowed to watch less TV and spend more time praying, purging my house of material goods (it's a crowded mess!) and creating. It only seemed natural to spend time creating Easter inspired jewelry too. I have, of course, created some more secular pieces such as my Easter Bunny illustrations, but I have also created some new cross necklaces.

I have to say that my favorites from my Easter line are the eggs. They were inspired by Fabrege eggs and are super fun!

While I definitely find myself regressing to older bad habits, I do find myself creating a lot more since Lent began so that's a very good thing.

Are you celebrating Lent? If so, what did you give up this year?

The Easter Bunny is On It's Way!

In preparation for Easter I have created a couple of whimsical Easter Bunny illustrations. For these illustrations I spent a lot of time reminescing about how I used to feel about Easter when I was a child and what my the Easter Bunny used to look like in my head. In the end, I came up with these.

I feel pretty happy with the end result and think that they were pretty successful because I get a small jolt of recognition when I look at these illustrations. Certainly nothing as big as when I was a child though. Oh if only we could have that ability to believe unfalteringly and to get so excited about things! When we're a child we can't wait till we grow up, but once we're an adult we wish that we could be a child again. Ah the ironies of life!

My Easter Bunny illustrations are available on a variety of merchandise including postage stamps, notecards, stickers and grocery totes at zazzle.com

Check it out and put a smile on someone else's face this Easter season!

A Crown for a Faerie Queen

It's always a disappointment when plans falls through.  I had made plans to attend this year's Renaissance Festival. Got a costume together, paid to have my dress taken in by a professional seamstress, created makeup, a headpiece, etc. In then end my plans were derailed.

Since I couldn't wear my costume to the fair, I decided to do a photo shoot with the costume on so that I could at least wear it a brief time.
Here are some photos from that shoot.

I also created a video showing how my headpiece was created.



One of my friends, who is a photographer,  saw my photos and has asked me to be a model for a fairytale inspired photoshoot. I guess that I'll get to wear my costume for a bit afterall!

Do you like to dress up for Halloween, Renaissance fairs or costume parties? If so, what was your favorite costume that you've ever worn?

Spreading the Love to other Artists

I have always believed that if I want others to buy my art, then I need to buy others' art. I recently made a few purchases, AKA investments. The first was a commissioned piece by German artist, Luisa Kelle.I am a fan of her artwork as it is quite reminescent of Edmund Dulac and Arthur Rackham. (two of my favorite illustrators) I asked her if she could do an art deco inspired Titania from Midsummer Night's Dream. This has always been one of my all-time favorite Shakespearean plays and I myself have done many pieces inspired by it. She was very excited with this concept and this was her end result.

Isn't it lovely? The traditionalist in me is a bit saddened by the lack of wings on Titania but it's still lovely nonetheless. You can't really see it in this picture but there are even gold accents throughout it. Just love it! To see more of her whimsical artwork check out her deviantart site

I also recently purchased a piece entitled "Primroses" by the Spanish artist, June Uriagereka. I love the style of her women and fell in love with the innocent and magical feel of this small piece. It's had painted on a small piece of polished wood and is just breathtaking!

For more of her fanciful work, check out her etsy store.
As for my personal work I have been quite busy creating some images to use for Easter related cards as well as some Easter jewelry. I'll be sharing all of that with you soon!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!!

Christmas is over, Time for Valentine's Day

Well for the first time since I opened my etsy shop, I am finally starting to think like a retailer. Part of me feels proud and part of me feels disgusted. We've barely finished up Christmas and New Years and here I am already creating Valentine's Day jewelry! I've never been a huge fan of Valentine's Day. To read the first blog post I ever wrote (ironically about Valentine's Day) go here. http://rebeccahadley.blogspot.com/2010/02/happy-singles-awareness-day.html
It's a made up 'holiday' that allows companies to overcharge for anything "love" related. I know that others really love it though, so I have been creating some fun love related jewelry. Luckily they won't be overpriced. :)

This is just my first round of styles. I have a few more pieces that I'll be sharing a little bit later on once they're finished.

"Love's First Blush" Earrings

"Hearts of Gold" Earrings

"Be Still My Heart" Earrings

I should be able to get these listed in my etsy shop www.jewelsofenchantment.etsy.com tomorrow so stay tuned!

If you are an artist or artisan, have you begun to work on Valentine's Day related items as well?

Hope that you've enjoyed this preview and that you have a wonderful week!
Sending you lots of free love,
Rebecca

Artybra from Start to Finish

I recently completed a piece for a local exhibition entitled "Artybra". Artists were asked to create a bra that will be auctioned off. The proceeds benefit the local breast cancer center here. I decided to create a Midsummer Night's Dream themed bra. My first task was to find a bra that wouldn't break the bank. (Thank you Walmart for you inexpensive $6 two packs!) Next I did some concept sketches and eventually decided upon this one.

Next I began to paint directly onto the bra with acrylics. This was a bit of a tricky task as the microfiber that the bra was made of tended to absorb a lot of the color that was being applied. Layering seemed to work best...

Next I cut out an assortment of leaves and flowers in various sizes out of felt. (I already had felt on hand and it's fairly inexpensive. This is why I chose to use this particular material.)

After that I began placing the leaves and flowers on the bra and sewing them in place.

One of my favorite little details was the little leaves and flowers in the back at the clasp. Even though this bra is meant to be a work of art and therefore not worn, I felt that the little details like this are what makes it special.  

After I added vines, leaves and flowers to the hanger, the piece was finished!

I really like the finished piece and can't wait to see how much the gallery earns in the fight to end breast cancer. I dedicated my bra to my best friend's mother who has been battling breast cancer for over a year. She is truly an inspiration to me and I hope that in my own small way this piece will help her and others like her. Wishing all of you a very blessing filled week! Remember to live each and every day to your fullest.

My Latest Art Project!!

I have been working hard creating a bra for an exhibit at a local gallery. The exhibition is called Artybra and involves lots of fun and unique bras created by the local artists here. Each bra will be auctioned off at the end of the exhibition and the proceeds will go to a local breast cancer center. I'm so excited to have been able to participate in this event as I love being able to help others with my art! Here is a quick video that I created showing my piece. I plan on doing a more in depth blog post showing my process from the original concept sketches to the finished product so stay tuned!!

Hope that everyone is having a wonderful beginning of the new year!