cdaviesart: Little Sun Goddess

cdaviesart: Little Sun Goddess

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I get lots of help from my personal Blog editor when creating new blogs! Mickey is my greatest fan and is riveted by every word I write! I just want to take this opportunity to thank him for all his support and interest! (Do not try this at home... Mickey is specially trained and is ever the professional cursor watcher!)

Creating a Mosaic Mirror

When I start a mosaic project I usually have some idea of what I want to achieve. I usually go for a floral motif and for the pictured project, I wanted to use the pretty pastel peach/pink color for the main flowers. I like symmetry, so I do try to create somewhat of a mirror image although I don't try to be exact because I think it is more interesting when there are variances which is more reflective of nature. I try to vary the size of the flowers that are depicted and also try to use different shaped pieces of glass which makes it more interesting (to me). I try to use the scraps that I have saved, but on occasion I will cut pieces to get a certain color (I did this for the aqua in the corner). Another thing I like to do is create my design in a diagonal pattern. The bottom left of this mirror is reflected in the upper right . As far as color choice goes I usually have a couple of main colors in mind (such as the peach and aqua) then add the greens because it is a floral pattern and then add a touch of some other colors that will add interest. There is a bit a lilac, yellow and iridescent red in this mirror.

New stained glass mirrors!

After mulling it over for a while, I went ahead and made a few new mirrors. I had this great avocado green glass that was left over from one of my business card holders so I used it to create another "retro" office mirror. I used one of my brother's prints as a background ( see http://www.etsy.com/shop/cdaviesart for more of his work). The picture on the right shows another small mirror with one of my brother's paintings as a background. For this mirror I experimented with a new tool (dapping block and punch set) that makes perfect little domes from copper sheeting. I used the dome for the center of the flower. I like the way it turned out.

Office Mirrrors

I've been thinking about going back to making some small office mirrors again (like the ones pictured here)! I started making the mirrors because I wanted to use stained glass in a useful way and do something small (lets face it, I don't have the patience for larger stained glass projects like my friend Shereen) ( see one of my favorites in her shop :http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25435771 )

These little mirrors were made with the working woman in mind. It comes in handy when hung near your desk/computer to check your lipstick or eyelashes when you don't have time to run to the restroom!

Creative Madness- Artist Exposed!

Here I am in my messy studio (converted dining room)! My mess is always on the verge of chaos (but never quite over the top)! Every once in a while I simply have to spend the day organizing and I usually uncover forgotten ideas or half done and abandoned projects that I can look at with fresh (Zen) eyes. I often realize that those forgotten projects had lots of potential and will pick up where I left off or take it in a new direction. Other times I have to wonder "What was I thinking?!"

I often will take older projects and rework them into something new. For instance, I took a cuff making class with Connie Fox (here in San Diego) and though I learned a lot about working with metal, I will probably never get into making jewelry (too much work - but never say never)! I took one of the cuffs that I made and cut it up and used it on one of my plant stakes (see picture-right).

Easy Recycled Handmade Gift box

I have always looked for ways to recycle cardboard (I just hate to throw it away)! Then one day I received a free sample matchbook notepad from Alice's Piping Hot Papers (see http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39143739)

which gave me an idea!

I had been looking for a way to make a quick and easy gift box for my shawl pins that would both protect when mailing and also be a cute way of packing. I decided to use cardboard from a cereal box because it is strong but still easily bent. I covered it with my painted paper and then cut to size, folded and viola, I had a very simple but sturdy gift box!

The matchbook gift box is three simple folds and I made mine to fit my shawl pins (about 3 x 4 inches) but could be made a bit smaller or larger to adjust to your jewelry products or small gift ideas!

Painted and Screened Photo Albums

I have so much fun making my painted paper that I wanted to find more ways to use it! I decided to cover these small photo albums which are very good for recipes or to keep a photo journal of your art work to take along with you on shows. Cyndie Smith, a wonderful metalsmith who makes beautiful jewelry ( see her shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/cyndiesmithdesigns) recently bought one of my photo albums to take with her to one of her shows!

I layer the paint using stencils, splatters, and silkscreen designs and try to create rich vibrant colors and designs. I use large sheets of paper and then cut out the sections that I want to use to cover my journals, photo albums, and file organizers. The smaller pieces are used for making my mini cards and I love the results (see these items at: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39217079) .