Coffee Collage for The Robin's Nest Design Team

Here is a collage I made on a wooden board.  The theme is coffee because I decorated my kitchen to look like a coffeehouse.  I have used several types of papers.  Some are from magazines, some from scrapbook papers, greeting cards and old books.  I then embellished it with some ephemera and a metal coffee sign and it sits on a shelf that matches the collage and my kitchen!
The papers can be from anywhere you choose, you will need Mod Podge for this project.  I painted the board brown before decoupaging it.  I then added the pieces of paper one at a time and sometimes I would tear pieces to give it a distresed look.  I added some paint in some areas to make the coffee look like it had foam like a cappucino and distressed it a bit with some paint wash.  The vintage sign was something I found in my travels and it went very well with this project.  The stickers and ephemera are all coffee themed. I had so much fun making this and it really is an eye catcher.

Gilded Girls Giveaway

The Gilded Girls are having a great giveaway, They have pics on their site, cricut cuttlebug, just the greatest things come from their site

Altered Arts Winter Issue

I am pleased to announce that I have been published again in the Winter Issue of Altered Arts Magazine
The piece I made is an altered bottle entitled Hope

                                                                                                                                                                     

The following two pieces are being submitted to USArtQuest for consideration of a DT position http://www.USArtQuest.com

Here are two pieces I made for a charity that was run by Art-Is-You of which I am a member.  It is a fun group where we have retreats and raise money for certain causes.
The first piece, a bracelet was done by taking apart a bracelet that was broken and I mended it.
Then, the round piece in the center came from a watch that was being discarded. I added rhinestones around the piece and also a bird that I used a green patina paste on.






The necklace was especially fun to make, I am a lover of Victorian Steampunk jewelry and had come up with this idea to make a necklace out of pieces that had nothing to do with each other.  Here you have a round stamping made of copper.  On top I glued a Patera Heart, where I added little bits and pieces of watch parts, wings and stars, all gold and copper to match.  I then poured glossy accents into the heart so the pieces would stay put and give a real shine to the heart.  Lastly, I added two wings to the heart as well and added a chain.

Fun With The Snowpeople

Today, I went to The Homestead, better known as Sallianne's home and a lovely home it is.  Took a class with Sue Pelletier on how to make snowpeople out of bottles (My favorite thing to work on by the way) as I love altering bottles.  I got to meet Grace and Kathi that I have not met in person and it was wonderful meeting them, what lovely people.  Then I got to meet Kimberly Moore in person which was another treat, THEN who walks in but BZ, we were together at AIY in October and it was so great seeing her again.  I love connecting with these people because it makes me feel I belong somewhere where people "get" me.  Sue was so excited she shared a tape measure roll with us she found at the flea market for 75 cents!  I dubbed her now "The Matte Medium" Lady of Art!  We use matte medium for everything!  It is truly a staple in our artwork.
Lunch was delicious and so were BZ's pumpkin brownies.  The best was having  Max come down and join us for a bit, I believe we may have another artist in the making.
Sal opened her home to us so generously and it was such a warm and loving home, she made everyone feel comfortable and at ease and we all had a blast.  I didn't take pictures while I was there, will come back here and post as soon as I take them of my snowpeople~

Keep on Keeping on

That is what I keep telling myself, keep on keeping on.  I am still hesitant about my choice, but I think it is the best one so far.  I have been thinking all day of ideas of what to make in the victorian steampunk area.  Yes, that will be my choice, to center on victorian steampunk pieces.   I do know that whatever I make, has to be different that what you would normally see.  I believe that is the only way to get noticed, have my own signature on it.  I wish I were more forward so I could go to stores and places to show my work.  I think it will come in time.  I admire people who just go out there and do it and accomplish what they started out to do in the first place.  It has taken me a long time to act on my dream.  My dream has always been to be an artist, but my parents wouldn't let me go to art school and I never kept it up on my own either.  So here I am know at this stage of my life, trying to live my dream.  I just about live in Michael's for all my supplies and I have other resources as well, but I love to find unusual objects.  I really wish we had flea markets, but there are none in my area.
I am trying to get my drawing skills back as well, because when I was very young, I could draw anything and the pictures came out awesome, but I guess because I never kept it up, now,  I am having a very hard time.  So every night, sketchbook in hand, I practice.  So I think things will fall into place eventually and maybe, just maybe, my dream will come true.

Getting Back To Blogging

Boy, it has been a long time since I have been here on my blog.  Back problems have been keeping me away from doing a lot of things I enjoy.  I am trying to get back into things and start blogging again.
First, at the beginning of October, I attended the Art-Is-You retreat in Danbury, CT.  I took three
classes as well as vended.
The classes were awesome, I took Jenny and Aron's class where I made a canvas portrait of cakes
The second was Joanna Pierotti's class and I could not wait to take this class, I so admire her work
We learned how to make faux porcelain doll face necklaces.
Lastly, I took Kecia Devaney's class on how to make a necklace out of tin, that was truly
awesome.
The vending was tedious and it was a long day, but so much fun to see everyone's work that
they were selling, I think next year, I will just take lots of classes.
One of the greatest moments was when I got to meet some very special women, one named
Dawn who was from England and Margarida (like the pizza she tells you), from Portugal.
What wonderful women they are and I met some that I had been talking to on Facebook
such as Di Russell Horn, what a doll.
I Got to see Sue Pelletier again who is an awesome teacher and a wonderful person.
I did feel however, that everyone vending had found their niche, what they do best and then
they market their art as well as themselves.  It taught me that I need to focus on one main
aspect of my art and concentrate on that and only that.  For instance, I decoupage, I make
wreaths, which to me is more of a craft and not art, I prefer to be an artist rather than a
crafter, since I am a self-taught mixed media artist who designs jewelry, I feel my best bet
is to stick with that, so eventually, there will be many pictures of my work on my blog
and hopefully Etsy too.
The two women that run the retreat do an awesome job, that would be Sallianne and
Ellen, who are also fun to be with.  This retreat has helped me learn to get my hands working
again and get back into my work.  I would be at a standstill and just stare at my work table
in my studio and not know where to begin, I would keep ordering supplies and putting them
away instead of using them.  That will all change, AIY gave me the incentive I needed to get
myself going again.
So, I leave you for now while I practice my sketching and get my wheels turning as to what
piece of jewelry I can make next........until next time.....


































.

New giveaway

Jenny and Aron are giving away a Cuttlebug Machine, How awesome is that?  Great for us scrapbookers!!

Wedding Canvas

Here is my newest creation, a 3D wedding canvas, it would make a lovely bridal shower gift.  I would not have been able to do this without the wonderful teachings of Sue Pelletier.  Thank you Sue!

Dress Canvas

Sweater Canvas   

Here are two canvas pieces I made in Sue Pelletier's class.  It was my very first
class with her and I totally enjoyed every minute of it.  We got down and dirty 
with plaster and water and paints, you name it, we collaged it.  I cannot
wait to take her snowman class as well.
We all gathered at Sallianne's house for breakfast and a delicious
lunch while we played in her lovely garden.

Etsy Shop

I previously posted that my Etsy shop was up and running.  Well, since I received such a great offer from Liz at Studio 360 to display my jewelry and bottle art there, I have no items in my shop at this time.  If you are in the area, Jericho Tpke, Mineola, stop by Studio 360 to see my items. 

New Graphic45 Giveaway!!!

Graphic 45

An ABC Primer Tag—post to your FB page or blog and if spotted you could win a Graphic 45 prize package!

Giveaway

Visit Lilly'sLace.com for a fantastic giveaway.  What a gorgeous blog and the lace is beautiful~

Etsy shop up and running

I finally opened my Etsy shop and I have added a few items for sale.  There will be more coming within the next week or so.  For now, you can view my altered art bottle art.  My site address is Vorbi1@Etsy.com

Design Team Project for Pages From The Heart

Here is my first Design Team Project for Pages From The Heart.  Andrea Yokley Jessup, the Design Team Leader put up a nice post on their blog about  my project, you can view it at www.pagesfromtheheart.blogspot.com
I had a lot of fun making this as it brought back a lot of childhood memories and I can't wait for my next challenge                                   Thanks Andi!!!

GIVEAWAY

WOW ScrapbookPal.com is giving away Copic Markers, visit their site to find out how you could win some!

Giveaway at Victoria Alberto's Blog

This is a great giveaway from Victoria Alberto's blog. She is giving away these pieces of Dusty Attic Products that are very hard to find.  Follow her blog at: Simply Paper (and creativity)

Modge Podge Giveaway

Good Morning!  Amy from Modge Podge Rocks is giving a great giveaway.  A whole set of modge podge to do all your decorating and creating with!  Great prize to win!

My Bio Introduction At Pages From The Heart

My bio has been announced on Pages From The Heart.  If you would like to read about me and my work, please visit them at www.PagesFromTheHeart.blogspot.com  You will also get to see the new Design Team and their lovely work.  I was chosen as their Guest Designer.

Rings & Things Design Contest

Copper Done Lightly

Here is my design for the Rings & Things Design Contest with their bright copper beads that I won. Visit their site:  Rings&Things.com to view the entries.

Rings & Things Design Contest

My designs for the Rings & Things Design Contest. Take a look at their blog~Rings & Things to see the entries.

Amber Dawn International Charm Day

Visit Amber Dawn on Facebook to attend International Charm Day on April 28, there is a great giveaway too!

Rings & Things Design Contest

I finished my design with the beads I won from Rings & Things.  I was the first entry, can't wait to see what the others are sending in.  I made my pretty simple and not to intricate.  Very easy
to make and very summery as well.  Please check it out, leave a comment if you like as well.  Hop on over to Rings & Things on FaceBook and take a look.
Thank you for stopping by!

Submissions To Pages From The Heart

Submitting my artwork to Pages From The Heart today for the Guest Designer Position.

Glue Arts Giveaway Picture Keeper

GLUE ARTS

We invite you to visit our Designer Jen Chesnick's blog! She's got some fun things going on over there today! Can you say giveaway!! http://www.mrschez.typepad.com/

chez

www.mrschez.typepad.com

i'm a craftivist

 

This is a great giveaway, go to the site on FB and click like, this is a great product, holds up to 4,000 pictures!  

B'Sue Boutiques

I placed my order today for all my goodies from B'Sue Boutiques with the gift certificate I won from
them.  I can't wait to receive them so I can start creating some nice jewelry with them.
Thank you B'Sue Boutiques!

Guest Designer for Pages From The Heart Scrapbook Co.

The announcement has just been made by Andi from Pages From The Heart that the new Design Team has been selected and I have  been chosen to be their Guest Designer!  It is really
and honor and a privilege to be a part of this Team!

Industrial Chic Giveaway!!

Creative Team Member Barbe SaintJohn is doing an Industrial Chic giveaway. Visit her blog and leave a comment for a chance to win some IC goodies and the brand-new not-yet-released Spring Project Book.
http://barbesaintjohn.blogspot.com/2011/04/all-about-industrial-chic-and-giveaway.html

Free Giveaway

"For A Limited Time At Artist-How-To.Com Sign Up for Our Free Newsletter and Get a Free Image Collection Download! Pass It On! http://artist-how-to.com/freeoffer.html"

Guest Designer for Pages From The Heart

I am so honored to announce that I have been selected to be a Guest Designer for Pages From The Heart Scrapbook Company.  I get to design 3D projects with great papers including Graphic45 and Bo Bunny and Webster's Pages.  These just so happen to be some of my absolute favorites because my designs are geared towards vintage looks and that is what I will be doing for them.

Give A Hoot Bra For Creative Cups

I have been published in Adelphi University's Creative Cups For Breast Cancer Coffee-Table Book.  I designed this bra to resemble an owl and the title is Give A Hoot!  Time Flies.  The story is along side the photo.

cricut blog contest

I recently came across this blog
PaperCraftingWorld.Blogspot.com
They are having an awesome giveaway!
Visit them to enter the contest!

Here is the lovely cover of the Spring Issue of Altered Arts

I was published in Altered Arts Magazine Spring Issue

I am so honored to have been published in Altered Arts Magazine's Spring Issue 2011.  My article is about a piece of Steampunk Jewelry that I designed and made.  It is pretty interesting how Steampunk jewelry came about and how it became so popular in today's world.  I hope you enjoy reading the article.