Here's how it worked: Those who signed up to participate were partnered up. Partners then decided what they'd exchange – could be handmade ornaments, jewelry, decor, whatever – it just had to be Holiday themed. We provided a list of holidays for the months of February/March.
My partner this round was Catherine King of Catherine's Musings. Together we chose Easter as our holiday. Catherine sent me a beautiful gift, so pretty, so much work! I will ALWAYS cherish it. (see link at bottom)
For these exchanges I like to sometimes go outside the box. This time I went back to my old love, mosaics. I made this Easter frame for Catherine -
I put my kiln to use and made the individual tiles I used to create Catherine's gift.
While waiting for the tiles to fire I gesso'd a frame I purchased from Michael's, then painted it creamy yellow.
Unfortunately I rushed and fired the tiles before they were completely bone dry, here's what happened...
Yeah, BOOM!, some pieces exploded!
I played with the what was left and came up with a plan -
I painted each piece with acrylic paint in Easter colors, dry brushed with a little white paint and then sealed them -
Here is a closer look at some of the tiles -
LASTLY, I glued them to the painted frame. No grout this time.
It really is an easy process. You should give it a try!
Oh, did you want to see what Catherine created? If you want to see, you will have to visit her blog! CLICK HERE!
And let's also continue on in the blog hop and see what everyone else created!!
Alicia Marinache All the Pretty Things
Chris Schlicht Non-Blogger Visitor to Marshellswaps
Cynthia Machata Antiquity Travelers
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell Deeliteful Jewelry Creations
Laura Reed Non-Blogger Visitor to Marshellswaps
Lennis Carrier Windbent
Lori Bowring Michaud Artfully Ornamental
Marti Conrad Marti C's Clay
Mary Govaars MLH Jewelry Designs
Renetha Stanziano Lamplight Crafts
Rita/ Toltec Jewels Jewel School Friends
Sandra McGriff Creative Chaos!
Sarah Goode Pookledo
Sherri Stokey Knot Just Macrame
Sonya Stille Dreaming of Beads/ SAS Jewelry Designs
Tammie Everly TTE Designs
Therese Frank Therese's Treasures
Tiffany Goff Smith Southern Gals Design
Marlene Cupo Amazing Designs by Marlene
23 comments:
Great recovery Shelley! Being patient while creating is the hardest part, I think. Beautiful frame, I'm sure Catherine will cherish it! Can't wait to see what she made for you! Thanks so much for hosting such a fun swap!
Such a beautiful idea, Shelley! Love your frame - and I see you love your kiln :) you're surely getting beauties out of there.
Thanks for putting this one together - it was a fun challenge :)
Very cool idea! I love all of the colors.
Not that I would call blowing things up a "happy accident" but I like the frame just the way it is, so it was obviously meant to be that way. In fact, maybe it's my fault. You just sent it to the wrong address...
I love the piece you made, inspires me! I don't have a kiln but do have some polymer clay that I have been wanting to play with. I think I may have to give it a try.
Sonya
Thank you for sharing your process on the frame! I love it!
Great post and very cool frame. This really was a great hop Thanks for organizing & including me :-)
OK, no more going Boom! When you can create such marvelous mosaic tiles, they have to get out in the world. Sure Catherine will agree with me.
Beautiful "accidental" frame, Shelley! Creative inspires creative. Would love to see what Catherine puts into that frame. Happy Easter!
Gina H
thanks for a fun hop! and what a great piece you made for Catherine! so sorry it went boom! but I like how it turned out
Lori, thanks . I am anything BUT patient, thats for sure! I love what you did with those micromacrame pieces...ORNAMENT GIRL!
Thanks Alicia. Yours was cool and the history lesson was great, and I hated history, but your blog post was very good! Love that you do those for the kids!
Thanks Jen!I read the fairy tale you based your necklace on. Wow you really did a great adaptation in your piece. Had every element in it. Kudos!
Yes that was it! Lennis! hahaha...this time it didnt even leave home before going boom. I did it all by myself no USPS involved.
Oh yeah Sonya, try it with polymer. Just don't use grout.(I didn't this time but usually do). Hey did I know you were a beadweaver too? I am so forgetful. Beautiful set you made especially the earrings!
Thank you for participating Marti. The dog biscuit theme you and Marlene worked with was so funny!
Oh of course Tammie, We always like you coming to our hops/parties! You made some beautiful pieces but like I said, I'm partial to the patinas!
BOOM BOOM BOOM...thank goodness its a small boom! haha
Gina thanks!YOU made some really cool earrings!!
yeah Well it wasn't a big boom and I learned my lesson( I hope). My Mom always did say I did things the hard way and backwards. The bracelet you created is a work of art. SO interesting!
When I saw your tiles on Catherine's blog, I fell in love!! They are awesome!! Wow, I can't believe some exploded... lol. They are just gorgeous, and the colors are wonderful! Shelley, it's so exciting to see you creating with your kiln.
You two had a fantastic, creative Easter exchange! :)
Again, I had so much fun. I'm so proud to be a part of the Holiday Bling Blog Hops :)
Thank you again for hosting a wonderful Holiday event! You and Marlene are the BEST!
Happy Hopping,
TJ
Awww you are always so sweet Rita! Your chainmaille is so stunning. The patience that takes! WOW
Great recovery on your plan, Shelley! The frame is beautiful and feels like you meant for it to be that way!
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