My Product Line from our Sept Trunk Show...
I have been receiving such wonderful support and feedback from all of you who participated and I want to thank you! It's truly been an eye opening experience and extremely heart warming to learn that you see the beauty in my pieces. The image below is of my display from the Trunk Show. In the images that follow, I will do my best to provide you a closer look...
I was at the craft store and saw this key box and thought they would be fun to collage with vintage travel images. (I placed a pen beside the box for size ref.) Well once I started tinkering with everything at home, well it kind of took its own direction to an end product...
So I first wanted to paint the inside and outside of the box. As I was finishing the first coat of primer, I had an idea... What if I try the crackle technique. So I decided on the Tuscan brown for the base coat and then crackled the top layer with lagoon blue. Below is the back of the box for a view of the paint finish. I wanted a weathered, vintage look and I really loved the results. I also added hardware to hang the box on the wall.
The spine of the key box is adorned with a Graphic45 Lady with a key in her back. I also made and added a metal Fluer de lis with charms (a silver face clock and glass beads) hanging from the end.
The front of the key box has a wood carved word "Believe" at the top of the door.
The front is collaged in Graphic45 paper from the "Old Curiosity Shoppe" collection.
Upon opening the door of the key box, you will find on the left side a small box that I made to hold the chalk stick and wipe I made for the chalkboard on the front cover. On the right side of the box you will see the background collaged in Graphic45 paper. The next layer is a paper flower printed with keys in the upper right corner. Beneath that is rollerskates with palm leaves sticking out from the top. To the left of the box you will find a tiny hanger with a tag I made.
I then added a shelf and placed some fun collectibles...(from left to right) is a desk clock, a jar of collectables, and a tall jar with a sexy pair of legs in red heels. Then on the bottom shelf are more fun finds... (left to right) a letter box with a bottle of ink and feathered pen image, then a large vintage key, a pair of hand painted binoculars and a book I also made.
Here is another photo with a different view of the collectables:
I had so much fun making this box, all the boxes contain the following elements, chalk board, chalk stick, wipe, paper, metal charms, ink, paint, glass corked jar, hardware for hanging, hinged doors and clasp to close door. I decided to make more and have them for the trunk show, in the video below are the other designs I made with this key box...
The other idea I wanted to play with was mixed media on 6x8 canvas... I have several ideas, but in the ones that follow I used, ink, acrylic and metallic paints, paper, tissue, charms, wood, clay and pebbles.
In this first piece I had Paris in mind.... I first primered and painted the front and back of the canvas with several colors to create the effect I wanted. I then used paste to create the dimensional brick wall, I used paste and stencils for the words you see. The next layer is a woman in a red beaded dress and red heels. She stands beside the Eiffel Tower. At the foot of the tower is a vintage automobile. The on top of the automobile is a paper printer flower, with glazed edges. The final layer, is the hand place beads on her dress, the tower, the car wheels and headlamps and the charm I made and attached beside the word Paris. The charm consists of a motor scooter and glass beads. I offer this in my line for 50.00 I pierced holes and attached chain for hanging it on the wall. I also include a small easel in case you prefer to stand it on a table. The easel is included in the purchase price. (I place a final coat of clear gloss to protect the piece from fingerprints).
In this photo I try to demonstrate the dimensional aspect of the piece.
This final look of this piece is it standing in its easel.
For this next mixed media on canvas piece, I was thinking back to the inner Provence cities, with the dark blue undertones and the Tuscan cobblestones. I have this memory of a birdcage in one of the show windows. Inside the metal gilded birdcage I placed a blue bird. There are 2 butterflies on the upper right of the canvas, that I made of clay and painted. This piece started with painting the front and back with several colors in the blue "family". I then used paste for the brick. The next layer is the sophisticated lady in black with her matching top hat. I also placed fluid bond hair on her. Her dress has a gold gear in the center of her waist and rope sashes across her body. To the left of the madame is a blue fluer de lis, which is the symbol of elegance. I placed black and clear gemstones on to the top sections of the fluer.
This image gives you a different view of this provence piece. You can see the chain as well from which it can be hanged on the wall, or placed on the easel that comes with the piece. Note: I hand painted all the ladies in all the canvas pieces.
I was inspired by a piece I saw at a stamping convention, and I wanted to make my version of it.
I love steam punk, and have other designs in this arena that I want to make. This has metallic hues of gold, Tuscan, green, and browns that I painted onto the front. The top left has a collection of metal gears and a propeller on top that I painted Tuscan on the center ring. In the center of the piece I place a clock face I drew and cut out of chip board and painted black. I then glued a clock face on top that I had in my stash. I drew and cut out wings and a head. I then covered them with decorative paper. On top of the fem fatal head I placed gears of different shapes and a watch hand on top of that with a pearl bead. There are also gears on the wings. At the base of the wings are more gears and in the center a black ribbon tied in a bow. I made a charm with glass beads and a crown to hang from her neckline. On the right and left of the charm is the words "BE YOU".
This piece turned out to be an extension of my spirit. I really love how this one turned out. I'm offering this additional image so that you can see the dimensionality a bit more.
This image is how all the images appear from the back side. They are all completely finished. Again, I also give them a final coat to protect them from absorbing oily finger prints.
I would be remiss, if I didn't consider a nautical piece, since I do live seaside. I selected metallic blues and a touch of gold for the canvas background. On the left I placed a sea scroll with the message "Mothers old their children's hand for awhile, their hearts forever." and framed it with white abalone shells. Beneath the message is a mermaid with child, that I made of clay and hand painted. On the right of the canvas I drew and cut out a lighthouse from wood. I crackle painted it and placed it onto the canvas.
The next layer on the lighthouse is the wood windows that I also sketched, cut myself. I used pebbles for the window border. I measured and cut two-tone black and copper chain three times and placed it at an angle across the lighthouse. At the top right of the light house I made a charm that dangles off the link of the chain. The consists of glass beads and a bicycle. At the top of the lighthouse I used a opalescent pearl and a gear for the light. The final touch is the abalone shells all along the base of the piece.
I love dimension and hope all my pieces no matter what they are, try their best to pop off the pages to reach your heart and ignite your spirits. Here is another photo from a different angle so you can see the dimensions.
There are four other creations that I added to my collections. My memoir mini-books, my feathered Owl , purse holders and new seaside pendants. I will create 3 new blogs for the mini-books, the seaside pendants and the purse holders. Below is a look of my owl.
I wanted an owl and everywhere I look they are $40.00 for a 7inch tall one and about $80.00 for a 10inch. So I decided to make my own 10inch tall Owl, I named "Whisper". I found a wood cutout of an owl at the craft store, it was pricey at 12.00 but well worth it. I then bought a bag of feathers and went to work. One by one, and an hour here and an hour there, in 2 weeks I completed this piece below. I wanted a steam punk owl with my favorite colors. I will keep "Whisper" in my décor year round. He has a lace up vest and matching top hat with gears and chains that connect to each other from the vest to his wagon wheel eyes. He stands on his own perched in fall leaves that are removable. I think I will offer a different design in a white owl for my "Artisan Holiday Sale" that's just around the corner.
All my items are for sale (oh EXCEPT "Whisper" he's not for sale), so please email me at
bellaluzdesignz@yahoo.com if you are interested in any of the pieces you see. Generally, the canvas art, mini books, and pendants run from $35.00 to 60.00. The key boxes are 50.00. and the purse holders are 10.00. Taxes and shipping are not included. I only ship within the United States. I hope this helps you. Thanks so much for looking. Lyn
