Another successful ARTrails tour

The ARTrails tour is done for this year! I really enjoyed meeting people and talking about art processes, ideas, inspirations …. Thanks to everyone that came out to meet us! 

I also really enjoyed spending two weekends with other artists! So much energy and discussion! I feel inspired myself and have so many ideas floating around it’s crazy! 

I’ve decided to open an Etsy store ….. so that is my next big project …. I have my jewelry to start with that I will post in my new store! Wish me luck!!! 

Happy creating! -Melinda

In honor of World Alzheimer’s Day

In honor of World Alzheimer’s Day, which was on September 21st, Carolyn King has put together an incredible giveaway! You can enter here:

$1000 Giveaway

Part of the giveaway asks that each entrant send a card to a caretaker of an alzheimer patient. I have a lovely card I am going to give to Stillwater Estates manager and pass on to a caretaker. This giveaway brought tears to my eyes because of the generosity from so many wonderful companies and individuals! 

Go check it out! Here is my card:

 

This was my entry:

Here is my card:http://melindabrein.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/in-honor-of-world-alzheimer’s-day/ Omigosh! Only three: I drooled over every last one!!! Ok, three companies who donated are Verve Visual, Starving Artistamps and Stamping Bella. The two “artists” who donated are Lauren Meady and Dawn Lusk. I have posted this on my blog. ma_brein@hotmail.com

The Mermaid’s Bodice

Initially I started out with the intention of directly beading onto the cloth body. After trying to poke my needle through the painted fabric, I changed my mind (and possibly saved my fingertips!!) I just hate how sweaty my fingertips get when I use a thimble soooooo ….. 

So then I had to find something that blended in with her “skin” and was beading friendly! I love the idea of lace but I needed something more substantial to bead on. My favorite to bead on is felt. I love felt because it doesn’t fray and has a little grip to it when I use the tiny beads. 

In going with the mermaid theme I really wanted something “scaly” … sequins came to mind and I was off to get my bodice done! It turned out just the way I envisioned it in my mind (which is not always the case) and now she sits happily waiting for her arms! 

Mermaid’s Tail

Ok, so my original plan was to work on the bodice …. ended up working on the tail instead! I found a fun little stitch that twists which works perfectly for my tail. It is attached to a peyote band of delicas. Well, here are some closeups of the beading …. 

Beaded Doll Project – Lady of the Water

My current project is a beaded cloth doll inspired by a rock star in the doll world (along with some rockettes): Patti Culea, Anne Hesse and Laura McCabe. Her most recent book out is “Creative Cloth Doll Beading” and this doll is based off the mermaid pattern. Several things are happening with my Lady. She is a cloth doll with several layers of paint on her torso and head (and arms which are not in the photos). I have one more layer of paint to apply that has a pearlescent color to it.

Originally I had all the pieces in the “proper” places but strayed from there …. I moved fins to her head – I wanted a more sculpted look to her hair and I lengthened her tail for more flexibility in movement. I am currently beading her torso and finishing up her scales. These photos are my “work in progress” on her creation. Thanks to Anne for the email this morning and motivating me to get these photos in place!

Fun with masking

This bunny from a SU! retired set looked like he was a wee bit uncomfy with soooo many candles surrounding him! A fun little technique called masking was all it took to surround him! First stamp the bunny and cut him out …. then stamp him again on your white CS. Using a little repositionable glue on the back of the cutout – place it directly over the CS image. Now you are ready to stamp the candles directly over the image. Remove the cutout and you should have a bunny surrounded with candles! Or whatever image you decide as the center image – surrounded by ….. well, that’s up to you!