Spring Peep in Create & Decorate

~image used with permission of Create & Decorate, April 2011 

and Sean O'Brien Photography~

Although there's plenty of snow and ice on the ground, spring is just around the corner. In fact, I understand we're supposed to have some warmer weather this week. I'll take 50 degrees over single-digit temperatures any day.

Speaking of spring, be sure to check out the April 2011 issue of Create & Decorate. My paper mache spring peep is featured on page 58. I had visions of marshmallow peep candies when I was sculpting this little guy.

I use a lot of different clays in my sculpting projects. For the spring peep project, I used Dixon Prang DAS Pronto Modeling Clay. I also used Americana acrylic paints by DecoArt because they're smooth and easy to work with. For the base of the peep I used some STYROFOAM™ and a little bit of old newspaper. I chose American Painter brushes by Loew-Cornell for this project. If you're into sculpting and painting, give this project a try.

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~image used with permission of Create & Decorate, April 2011~

A big thanks to editor Beverly Hotz for choosing this project for their April 2011 issue, which is loaded with fabulous craft projects and recipes. I especially enjoyed the article about Jim Healy, the junk architect. I also love Nancy Malay's Blue Bird of Happiness project on the cover as well as the Spring Chicks project by Cheryl Wall on page 86. It's a great issue. Be sure to pick up a copy today.

Happy crafting!

Thank You!

A big thanks to everyone who stopped by Barnes & Noble yesterday for my jewelry demo and book promo to promote Tammy Powley's newest release titled The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making as well as the other two books that I'm featured in by Barb Switzer.

It was so good to see former jewelry students, art students, friends, and family. I appreciate your support!

More Valentine's Day Crafts

The kids in my mixed-media workshop created the neatest works of art yesterday. Going with a Valentine's Day theme, the kids came up with all kinds of cool stuff.

My glue of choice for this project is Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue®. This glue does a fantastic job in gluing hard-to-glue items, such as buttons.

Crafty Hearts

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and I just finished making some heart-shaped, paper ornaments that can also be used as gift tags or door hangers. Following is a quick tutorial on how to make these crafty, little hearts.

Materials

* Construction paper in the colors of your choice
* Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue®
* Glitter (gold and silver)
* Twine
* Ribbon
* Buttons

Tools

* Fiskars paper edgers (pinking and scallop)
* Fiskars scissors
* Nail

Instructions

1) Using the scallop paper edgers, cut a heart out of construction paper that measures approximately 4" in height by 3 1/2" wide.
2) Using the pinking paper edgers, cut two small hearts out of construction paper.
3) Using Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue®, glue these two hearts to the large heart cut out in step one.
4) Cut a small piece of plaid ribbon, and glue it to the bottom of the heart-shaped ornament.
5) Glue a small button on top of the plaid ribbon. Let dry completely.

6) Place small dots of Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue® around the ornament, and then sprinkle some glitter on top of the glue. Shake off any excess glitter. Let dry completely.
7) Use the nail to make a hole in the top of the ornament, and then add a piece of ribbon or twine to the ornament.

Love is in the Air

How I love (no pun intended) to make artist trading cards (ATCs), and with Valentine's Day right around the corner, you never know what one will be inspired to create. I designed these ATCs several years ago using watercolor paper, watercolors, and waterproof ink. I was in a prim mood at the time, so these designs have a decorative/country look to them.

I don't know about you, but I'm starting to think about a good dose of chocolate right now. Preferably, I'd like some dark chocolate. If it's not from Belgium, I'll take some chocolate from Victoria's Chocolates in Hazleton, Tallarico's Chocolates in Bethlehem, Jon L. Stopay Candies in Plains, or Michael Mootz Candies in Wilkes-Barre.

Be sure to check out Cathy Cano-Murillo's blog here to see all the heart-inspired craft tutorials and guest posts she has on her blog just in time for Valentine's Day.

Inspirational Patterns

I love interesting patterns. When I designed hand-painted wedding runners, I used a lot of swirls and interesting shapes reminiscent of the Art Nouveau era to paint what seemed to be never-ending pieces of fabric.

Today, I had the chance to admire the beauty of stained glass windows at Wyoming Valley Montessori School in Kingston.

The bright colors remind me of the neon lights you'd see in Las Vegas. The black background really makes the colors pop.

I love how the deep red slowly morphs into the black background.

I'm starting to see popcorn here.

~A medallion~

~The Mother Ship~

~Electric blue~

Look at those colors!

Here's to another inspirational day.

Ad in Total Art Licensing Winter 2011

Just in time for the winter 2011 trade shows, I'm happy to share my ad, which appears in the winter 2011 issue of Total Art Licensing. Although I won't be attending the Craft & Hobby Association's winter show in Los Angeles this year, I'm there in spirit. Or should I say in print via this trade magazine?

~image used with permission of Total Art Licensing~

To view this publication online click here. See my ad on page 46.

The Beauty of Ice

We were the recipients of an icy rain last night and today, and it produced such beautiful results.

Crackled ice on this Rhododendron creates an artistic effect. The two leaves in the background look like they've been sprayed with varnish.

~Tiny leaves trapped in ice~

~Pine needles frozen in time~

~A fan effect in ice~

~A bird's nest unscathed~

~A crystal tassel~

Mr. Squirrel

I just wanted to post a few pictures of the squirrel that was on my porch today. I took the photos from inside because I didn't want to scare the little guy.

Julius was watching intently as the squirrel sat nibbling on a Chinese noodle.

I placed a few peanuts on the porch, and within minutes they disappeared. He's a cute one. I hope he stops by for another visit.

Jewelry Demo & Book Promo Event at Barnes & Noble

Join me on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at Barnes & Noble in the Arena Hub Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township, for an afternoon of  jewelry-making fun and information.  As a design contributor to Tammy Powley's new book titled The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making, I'll be promoting the book and doing jewelry demos from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

I'll be on hand to show you the actual jewelry featured in the book, and you'll get a chance to see some basic jewelry-making techniques. You'll also have a chance to review the other two jewelry books by Barb Switzer that I've been published in.

I'll also have a list of my upcoming jewelry workshops being offered at Arts YOUniverse, A.C. Moore, and The Banana Factory. To learn more about the event, and to obtain directions, click here.

Stop by, and say hello. I'd love to see you!

Jewelry Pages on LizRevit.com

Over the Christmas holiday, I photographed samples of my jewelry, and created several pages for the jewelry pages on my Web site.  Thank goodness for Photoshop!

It's amazing how many pieces of jewelry one can make over the years. I have several pieces of jewelry on my Web site that I created when I was learning metalsmithing techniques with instructors Gary Grossman and Norah Masseti. They were fabulous teachers and great sources of inspiration and encouragement.

Feel free to stop by my Web site, and let me know what you think. I always welcome your comments. Click here to visit the jewelry pages.

Watching Birds on a Snowy Day

The birds seem to be enjoying the light snowfall today in northeast Pennsylvania. This little guy was scurrying up and down the tree looking for food.

He finally settled down for a few seconds, and then he was off to another tree.

I don't know what kind of bird this is, but the colors remind me of a chipmunk.

This male Cardinal sat high above the ground. Directly below, I noticed a female Cardinal perched atop of the Mountain Laurel.

I love the way she blends in with the surrounding greens. I'm sure she had her eye on the male Cardinal directly above.

Bead Trends January 2011

Ring in the new year with some brand new jewelry projects. You'll find my champagne earrings on page 90 of the January 2011 issue of Bead Trends.

Two Designs in New Book

 ~image copyright Creative Publishing International, Inc.~

I'm thrilled to announce that I have two pieces of jewelry featured in Tammy Powley's new book titled The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making. This book is loaded with LOTS of great projects with detailed photos and instructions. It's a great reference for anyone who is interested in learning new jewelry-making techniques or advancing the skills they already have. The book has 40 projects with more than 700 large-format, color photos.

The picture directly above shows a closeup of the first piece that I submitted for Tammy's consideration. It's a mixed-media piece with material, ribbon, seed beads, and chain. I actually painted the heart designs on tea-stained muslin and then embellished each charm with some Miyuki Delicas.

This necklace is titled Awakening and features a stoneware pendant from artist Bebe Poor of Pleasant Springs Pottery in Perkasie, PA. I discovered this wonderful artist at the Haddonfield Art Show in Haddonfield, New Jersey several years ago and purchased a lot of similar pieces from her. Her work is beautiful and goes so well with my jewelry-making style.

Since I just received my copy of the book today, I quickly skimmed through it. I was pleasantly surprised to find some designs by Andrew Thornton in the gallery section as well. I can't wait to sit down tonight and really go through this book.

A big thanks to Tammy Powley for selecting my designs for the gallery section in her book. Thanks, Tammy!
Tammy is the jewelry expert on about.com, and she also has a great blog called The Crafty Princess Diaries.

Be sure to check out all of these sites, and happy jewelry making!