Wednesday, April 25, 2012

So Honored!

I'm so honored to be the first woman featured by the generous and creative Christina over at I Gotta Create in her new series that spotlights Inspiring Creative Women!

Christina has a wonderful blog that is always full of fresh and fun ideas. She is an inspiration to me and I think she deserves to have a feature of her own among the Inspiring Creative Women! I hope you will visit her blog to check out my interview and while you're there, please take a few moments to look through her past posts and fun projects. You will not be disappointed!

 

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Masquerade Mask


 A local charity throws a huge dinner/auction each year to raise money to benefit young mothers in our community. They chose a Masquerade Party as their theme this year and asked several local artists - including myself - to create a mask that could be auctioned off at a preview party prior to the main event for guests to purchase and then use for the main event.

I created an Ice Queen named Iridesses.
My hubby came up with the name...most likely in reference to all the iridescent glitter I used in the making of her.
And, thanks to him, she has the perfect throne to sit upon!


I was given a plain white mask to work with. The first thing I did was reinforce the areas where I would be wiring on the metal crown and handle. I cut some heavy plastic and heated it in an oven to make it pliable enough to form to the shape of the inside of the mask. Then I glued it into place and drilled holes for the wire.


I wanted a little texture so I laid some cheesecloth over the forehead area and around one eye and then applied a very thin layer of plaster; immediately removing the cheese cloth. Once it was dry I sanded and painted it with a copper finish. I used pearlescent paint on the remainder of the face and a metallic mix of plum and gold for the lips. Lastly, I sprinkled super fine iridescent glitter sparsely over the entire mask and generously over the lips.


 I found a metal fan at a thrift store for $1.50 and used it as a crown. Originally it looked exactly like the fan pictured in the background of the photo below. I lightened up the look of it by using a jeweler's saw to cut some of the metal away. And since every queen deserves  jewels, I raided my addiction pile and found the perfect ones for an Ice Queen's crown. I drilled holes into the crown, inserted the jewels and used glue for extra strength. I topped it off with a light sprinkle of glitter over the entire crown and a heavy sprinkling along the top.
(This photo was taken before I applied the glitter)


I used a thrifted candle snuffer ($.99) for the handle.
I wired it and the crown to the mask. Then added a few more embellishments. The handle has sari ribbon draping from it and peacock feathers extending upward.


I brought home a $2.99 candle holder from a thrift store, handed it over to hubby and asked him to work his magic on it. He turned it into a throne by making a metal loop bracket for the handle to slide into and by cutting a piece of wood to act as a base to prevent the mask from sliding around. I painted them out to match the candle holder and added some plumage to look like a collar behind the mask.


I decorated the throne with more feathers.


And a little story about Iridesses.


I've never made a mask before but it was fun to do. I'm pretty happy with the way she turned out...kinda hate to pass her off! I just hope she brings in a few dollars for the charity.

As if the post isn't long enough already...
a few more close-ups of Iridesses.









Sharing with: French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday, Happy-Go-Lucky: Shine on Friday, Here Comes the Sun: Fabulous Friday, Creation Corner: Friday Link Party, Funky Junk Interiors: SNS, Craft-O-Maniac: Monday Party, Polish The Stars: Party 61, It's Overflowing: Overflowing with Creativity, Not Just A Housewife: Show Me What Ya Got, Lil Pink Pocket: Show & Share, I Gotta Create: The Mother Lode
  

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Popcorn Popping! - Fun Ring Design

As an ICE Resin® Creative Team member I get to play with some of the coolest stuff! Every month a box of goodies arrive at my doorstep. Last month this fun ring bezel was the first item to catch my eye and as soon as I saw it I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it!

Fun Ring Bezel + ICE Resin® = Playful Ring!
"Popcorn Popping"


It has a wire cage that I created and set inside the ring bezel
which I filled with ICE Resin® and some “popcorn” (white pearls).
Once the resin cured I added some loose “popcorn”
that "pops" about when I playfully shake my hand.


It's being featured as the
"Creative Team Wednesday" project
today over at the ICE Resin® blog where I share
a little more about what inspired its creation.

I hope you will "pop" on over there and take a quick look!


Sharing with: Lil Pink Pocket: Show & Share