A New Mixed Media Pendant Range

Everyone needs to go through change and this process is not easy. Today, after having long hair for ten or so years, I decided to visit the hairdresser and go short instead. It wasn't an easy decision. I scrolled through many suggestions that I found on the Internet. I then had to think about whether I liked these styles, my lack of time to style hair and whether it would suit me.Then, there was the fear that if I went with the short hair and I didn't like it, it would take a long time for it to grow back to a longer length.

Change can instill a bit of fear, however change can also be a time for celebration. It can be a time of letting go of the past and provides the opportunity to be open to new possibilities. Luckily for me, I am already embracing the change in hairstyle. I am enjoying these ease of styling and the lack of weight.

That being said, I am very thankful for thick hair to be able to have a choice whether to grow it long or have it cut and styled shorter. I am very well aware that some people, unfortunately, don't have that choice. Change that is out of our control can be especially distressing. Change unlocks so many emotions...

I've implemented some change in my line of mixed media jewellery and I am quite liking this change. Previously, I have adhered my mixed media art to buttons to create pendants and earrings. Due to a bit of inspiration when crafting with my sister-in-law, I decided to try framing small pieces of mixed media art in silver plated casings. To protect it, a glass dome is adhered on the front. This is the result...

Each of these pendants feature either a butterfly or small heart. I thought that the silver plated casing and glass dome not only add a bit of elegance, but will make them more robust. Each pendant comes with a ball chain. To see what is available in store, click here.

I would love to know what you think or which one is your favourite.

~Jen.

A white flower on a stormy, grey background {mixed media}

I love storms - the ferociousness and power of them, but I dislike being in the midst of them. In fact, to be brutally honest, I am quite a 'scaredy cat' when thunder rolls and claps nearby. I think it all stems from learning about weather in my teens. I had (and still do) a fascination with storms, tornadoes and clouds and read all about them from books from the library. From then on, I developed a healthy respect of the power or storms and the knowledge of what exactly lightning is and what strong winds can do.

It didn't help things when we had a powerful storm rip through my home area one Summer. I have never heard wind so loud before and the violence of the wind ended up bending TV antennas and uprooting some trees. This was coupled with pelting rain.

I would not have thought about this colour combination if it weren't for a custom order that I filled a little while ago. I fell in love with the stormy grey hues with the touch of navy blue. I knew that I wanted to create a set of flowers on tiny canvasses and the colour that I chose for the flower... white.

The next decision was working out words to place on these canvasses. The first word that I thought of was 'hope'. No matter what 'storms' are thrown at us, hope shines through, similar to the stark, white flower brightly blooming on the stormy, grey background.

I also thought about the word 'beautiful' - the purity and simplicity of the colour white being simply 'beautiful'. Words of encouragement and strength.

If you would like to view these canvasses in store, click here.

~Jen.

A princess and a fire engine

Things have been a little busy lately, so much so that I haven't had a chance to share the last two canvases that I have made.

Firstly, one for the girls... 

This canvas displays a princess or ballerina figure, complete with a fluffy, red tulle dress and jewel necklace. The colour red reminds me of 'love' so I wanted a quote or message that reflects this sentiment, hence, the words 'Love shines through everything she does' have been added. I couldn't help but add a little row of hearts on the right hand side.

Now for the boys...

Previously I mentioned that the colour red reminds me of 'love', however, I wanted to create a canvas especially for boys. Therefore I had to think of something 'boy-like' that is red...and the first thing that came to mind was... a fire engine! It seemed to match perfectly with the colour scheme of red and grey. Do you happen to see the word 'fire'? I found this word on a t-shirt and had to let it subtly shine through the background.

These canvases add a splash of colour and creativity to a blank wall in a child's room and are easy to hang as they are complete with a little hook. Canvases can also be personalised with a child's name and birth date to create a memento of a special day.

Click here to view canvases that are currently in stock.

~ Jen

Earrings to make a set

I enjoy creating mixed media art and I love finding new ways of displaying this art. I have previously created necklace pendants as a way to 'wear' art but these pendants still needed earrings to match to complete the set. However, this problem is solved as earrings have now been created using the same type of technique. 

 

Each earring expresses its own uniqueness as it is cut from a book page that has had mixed media techniques applied to it. These little art pieces are then adhered onto upcycled buttons and covered with a glass like coating. Silver coloured wire is wrapped around the button and then attached to earring hooks (that are nickel and lead free) to complete the earring.

Jewellery makes a unique gift for a teenage girl, mother, sister or friend. Simply place items in a card to make a small but special gift. Matching cards and pendants are available in store. To view the range, click here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Grey and Red Mixed Media 'Heart' Pendant

I love making and creating special handmade items. Madeit has provided me with the opportunity to display and sell my items online and I have enjoyed the support that fellow handcrafters provide in such a community.

Starting today, handcrafters that are part of Madeit are putting their skills and knowledge together to support families going through a difficult time in their lives. Handmade items have been entered into a special showcase with proceeds of sales from these items donated to 'Heartfelt'.

Heartfelt is a volunteer organisation of professional photographers from all over Australia dedicated to giving the gift of photographic memories to families that have experienced stillbirths, premature births, or have children with serious and terminal illnesses.

Heartfelt is dedicated to providing this gift to families in a caring, compassionate manner. All services are provided free of charge. 

Tupsy Turvy Designs is happy to support this cause and the above pendant is one of the items available in this showcase. To find out more about the pendant, click here.

If you wish to view the other gorgeous items in the 'Heartfelt' fundraiser, click here.

Thankyou.

Grey and Red Mixed Media Greeting Cards

These cards are the latest addition to the grey and red collection...

These cards use the same mixed media techniques that are used on the canvases, but applied to reused collector cards. They are then adhered onto white card.

I enjoyed working with this colour combination. I love how the brightness of the touch of red shines through the hues of grey. Due to the colour scheme, I think these cards are suitable for male or female recipients.

To view the range of cards, click here. There is a discount for purchasing three cards from the range in store. To check this out, click here.

Thanks for viewing.

R is for Radical

I have been enjoying creating canvases and using the grey and red colour combination. This mini monogram canvas is the next item in the grey and red colour scheme...

The background is predominantly grey and built up using mixed media techniques. It also uses a touch of red tulle. The 'R' uses an old book page and is painted bright red. To me, R=Radical, therefore the word 'radical' is added.

Other mini monogram canvases are available in store (click here to check them out).
If you would like a monogram canvas in a particular colour, size or letter, feel free to email me and I will endeavour to help you out (click on 'Contact' at the top of the page).

Thanks for viewing!

Showing some love

As shown previously, I have been working on a new colour combination: grey and red. I am absolutely loving this mix and I couldn't help but feature a 'heart' on my latest canvas (as red lends itself to a heart, right?).

I have used ribbon and pearl like beading to embellish the heart that is placed on a mixed media base. I try hard to use materials that are recycled, in this case, lace and book pages are used.

Whilst I was creating this I thought that this canvas could easily become a precious wedding memento - to give to a special couple marking their special day. I played around with various settings...

This canvas features the name of the couple and the wedding date. I also decided to add a wedding verse...

I also decided to add simply the word 'heart'...

I haven't adhered any words down yet. They will also have a border around the edge.

This canvas will soon be placed in the Tupsy Turvy Design madeit.com.au store with the opportunity to choose what lettering you want displayed.

I would love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for viewing!

Colour Combo - Red and Grey/Silver

I love working in colour combinations...

I seem to work in colour combinations - finding a source of inspiration, and then producing a range of products: cards, canvases, jewellery, decorative items...

I have just finished my last combination consisting of grassy green hues and yellow. So the time has come to look for a new combination.

I love spending time (and often it is quite a lot of time!) looking at different colour combinations to inspire my next set of artwork. My greatest resources for colour combinations are images on the web and my new found source - Pinterest.

This is what I found:

Source: designs-seeds.com

I have a craving to use bright red. I was drawn to the combination of silver/grey and the touch of light brown.

This is the result of a treasure hunt consisting of these colours around the house:

Now to get creating with these colours...

Thanks for viewing!

Wonderful Wednesday - What caught my eye...

Business Card Holder by 'Ina Sudjana'

I came across this lovely business card holder when browsing on madeit.com.au. This seller hand stitches all of their items. I love the colour combination of grey, green and yellow. I love the top stitching and I love the flower embellishment. Crafted to be sturdy and strong, this would be a handy way to keep business cards altogether.

Thanks for viewing!

Monday in the Making

I have finally finished my latest set of greeting cards...

I wanted to create a set of cards with a yellow base. I love the vibrant yellow, mixed with bright blue and grey.

Created on an upcycled collector card, each card uses paint, fabric, drawing, decoupage and textural techniques. Even though they use the same techniques, each card is unique, to make greetings personal. 

This set is currently available in store (click here).

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday in the Making

This weekend was quite full with sorting assessment items for work, however, I did manage to peck at my latest project during the week and a little over the weekend...

I thought that I would create another card set, this time using yellow as a springboard. I am loving this colour combination and hope to soon add the fabric and words, to complete them. The end is in sight for these little art works...

Thanks for stopping by!