Recycled Art

For whatever reason I decided to look up the definition of art today.  With the multitude of information on the web today a zillion things popped up in my search.  Here's the definition I'm going with...  

"the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power."

Like me, my art is constantly changing, however my source of inspiration always remains constant.  I have a few things that fuel my inner desire to create and spark my creativity...  Nature, color, culture, words, and music.  Of course my emotional state can fuel it too.

I love Sugar skulls!
This design is absolutely one of my favorites.

For the last few years I have been making these little beauties pictured above and below.  I believe in trying to protect the earth as much as possible by making a conscious effort to reduce, reuse and recycle.  I also believe in trying to make decisions that work towards sustainability.  And from these beliefs this creative idea was born.

Just in case you wondered what the process was, here it is.  If you don't care, skip this paragraph.  :)  Each bottle cap is definitely a labor of love because each one takes a considerable amount of time, energy, and work.  Each bottle cap is pinched to stretch the metal, then I pound each one with a hammer to make it flat.  After the bottle cap is flattened, the glue is scraped off.  Have I told you I LOVE tools?  Yep...  the more the merrier.  My dad purchased a little grinder for me and to say it's a little slice of heaven, is an understatement, not to mention it made my life a lot easier when making these.  I used to have to file each one with a hand file, which took FOREVER.  Now I go and get my little grinder and grind each one which takes about half the time.  The bottle cap is then sanded down to make it smooth.  Then a layer of white paint is sprayed on.  From there I design each one, drawing little designs on them or placing inspirational words, then painting them with acrylic paint.  I told you...  A LABOR OF LOVE.

Bottle cap earrings are actually one of my favorite creations and I enjoy making each one.  What I love even more is seeing them on the individual's that purchased them.  



I recently made the two on the left for a friend.  She had a couple pieces of jewelry that had broken so two of the creations seen in this picture are recycled- the metal spirals I cut from a broken watch and made into earrings for her.  The bottom pair of bottle cap earrings were made from a pair of earrings that had broke.  Instead of throwing them away she asked if I could make them into something else and Voilà!

     

These sweet little beauties I made for my lovely sister.

These I made as a custom order for a friend.

Creating art is a beautiful form of self expression, one that I enjoy and get a lot of fulfillment from.

If you would like your own custom designed pair please feel free to email me at whimsicaljewels@rocketmail.com

or 

call:  336-608-8637

Or visit my etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/whimsicaljewels

Summer Art Camps

I am pleased to offer 6 weeks of summer art camps at Lewisville's a.l.o.e.  These camps will run weekly throughout the summer, and each week campers will explore art through a different theme. For example, during "For the Love of Nature," campers will incorporate nature into their art and find inspiration from their surroundings. Projects will include making a glass wind chime; a mosaic stepping stone; and paper ornaments and sculptures that incorporate seeds, leaves and plants the camps will collect themselves. Although I give the theme each week and ideas, it is my intention that each child create what they feel in their heart within a loving, open space that allows the child to flourish on their creative path.  Dates for each camp week and details about weekly projects are below.

The cost for the camp, which runs 9:00-1:00 Monday through Friday, is $100 per week. If you book a massage or nail service at a.l.o.e at the time of registration, you will receive a $10 discount. A sibling discount is also available: $100 a week for the first child, $90 a week for the second child. Please note that these discounts cannot be combined. Campers should bring their own lunches.

For more information or to register for the camp, call 964-0288 or email me at whimsicaljewels@rocketmail.com. You can also find information about the camps and the registration form at: Summer art camp Facebook events page.  If you register for two or more camps, you will be entered to win one of my fused glass pendants or a custom designed ring!

I hope to see you and your child at one or more of these fun, artistic summer camps!

COMPLETE CAMP DETAILS:
6/11-6/15
For the love of nature   (OFFERED TO 2 AGES GROUPS)
This camp features incorporating nature into the art and finding inspiration from our surroundings.

Older kids AGES 7 and up

1. Wind-Chime- Make a glass wind chime, celebrate the wind
2. Mosaic Garden Stepping Stones
3. Paper Ornaments incorporating seeds, leaves, grass found outside
4. Nature Sculpture using pebbles, feathers, flower pedals, leaves, shells, cones anything found outside

Younger kids  AGES 3-6
1. Tissue paper flowers with photo of the child inside and a paper mache vase
2. Painted Pot Using fingers to create lady bugs and butterflies
3. Butterfly, ladybug, or lizard paper mobile
4. Stained glass-using tissue paper

6/25-6/29
Loomed Ages 7 and up

This camp explores making your own loom from a shoe box and then weaving on it. We will also make straw loom and weave an item of your choice-belt, bracelet, etc.

1.Shoe Box Loom to create a woven fabric collage to hang in your home.
2.Straw loom to create something wearable

7/16-7/20
Collaged Ages 3-7

This camp features creating art using various forms of collage.

1. Paper person
2. Small nature sculpture
3. Small Trinket box with buttons, shells, beads, magazines, photos

7/9-7/13
For the Love of Nature   (OFFERED TO 2 AGES GROUPS)

This camp features incorporating nature into the art and finding inspiration from our surroundings.

OLDER KIDS (7 & up)
1. Wind-Chime- Make a glass wind chime, celebrate the wind
2. Mosaic Garden Stepping Stones
3. Paper Ornaments incorporating seeds, leaves, grass found outside
4. Nature Sculpture using pebbles, feathers, flower pedals, leaves, shells, cones anything found outside

YOUNGER KIDS age 3-6
1. Tissue paper flowers with photo of the child inside and a paper mache vase
2. Painted Pot Using fingers to create lady bugs and butterflies
3. Butterfly paper mobile
4. Stained glass-using tissue paper and colored cellophane

7/30-8/3
Everything Clay Offered to two age groups:Ages 3-6 AND Ages 7 and up 

This camp uses air-drying clay to make various projects. Both groups will make the same projects.

1.Clay decoration that child decides (ex. Sun, moon, tree, face)
2.Thumb Clay Pot to store small things- Paper clips, earrings, pencils etc.
3.Beads- Make your own colorful beads

8/6-8/10
Recycled and Upcycled Ages 7 and up. 
This camp features turning old, unused things into something new.

1.Paper Ornaments from old unused paper
2. Paper Mosaic using old magazines, recycled paper to make a wall hanging
3. Making a vase out of old glass bottles using recycled paper and tissue paper
4. Art from bottle caps
5. Colorful cap mobile 

REGISTRATION FORM: