More Little Bits.....

I just finished 2 more of the mini painting necklaces....

I'm enjoying mixing different components from different sources.  I even went through my own jewelry box to see what unworn treasures could be brought back to life :)

This pretty necklace is called, "Flight"

Teeny and unique :)

This is my favorite so far.  The chain draping was a new thing for me.  I just love how it looks....reminds me of a Gypsy Princess.

I call this one, "Beauty"

 

The center abalone piece is from an earring my grandma had among her things.  The large round beads are made of carved cinnabar.  They've been in my stash for years and have just now found a purpose.

 

Remember these little paintings are just 1 cm x 1.5 cm in size... created with acrylic paints and ink on canvas paper and sealed with Diamond Glaze.  Can you see the hints of iridescence on his neck?

 

My daughter has claimed 1 of the paintings for her own ( a starfish) so I just have a toadstool and wolf & moon pendants left to bead. They are listed in the shop as soon as they are made, so please take a peek, if you like :)  

 

Speaking of my Darling Daughter, she was a sugar skull girl for Halloween this year.

This is how she went to school yesterday.  We didn't paint her face white....just painted the eyes and used temporary tattoos for the rest.

 

 

Here is the nighttime version.

 

 

It always makes a kid (and a mom) feel proud to get lots of compliments.  

Her costume was a big hit :)

 

I hope you all enjoyed your festivities, too!

 

One last thing I'll leave you with before I go.  Maggie's jack-o-lantern this year!

 

A 2-faced cat with 3 ears!

 

 

She conceptualized and designed this creepy creation all on her own.

Makes a Halloween-loving Mama's heart pitter patter with pride....haha!

Can't wait to see what she thinks of next year :)

 

Have a fantastic weekend!

Candy corn kisses,

Cam

 

Just little bits of Art....

....and when I say "little", I mean tiny...haha!
I've been trying something new and working really, really small.

Here's an example:

 

That's a dime next to that pendant.  The painted rectangle is just 1 cm x 1.5 cm.  ( Or roughly 3/8 x 5/8 inches.

Can you see the lovely iridescent medium shimmering on the feather?

 

Since these tiny art pieces are original, one-of-a kind creations, I wanted to make them into special jewelry.  I am using bits of broken, vintage necklaces and adding new and pre-owned components to make wonderful pieces that are unlike anything I've made before.

 

 

They come with coordinating earrings, as well....

 

 

I've painted 7 in all. Here's the 2nd one:

 

 

This is just 1.5 cm in diameter.  Acrylic paint with a Diamond Glaze coat on top.

 

 

The pearls and sweet carved rose beads are vintage.

 

 

I'm really taking my time and going through my stash thoroughly for each little mini painting. I took a quick snapshot of a small portion of my desk.  It looks like a bead store burped up on my table :)

 

 

I'll share the others with you as soon as they are done.

I hope they become beloved treasures for art and jewelry lovers alike :)

 

I'll be spending tomorrow re-vamping my store for the winter Holidays.  I'm offering $10 DOLLARS OFF all orders over $50 with code OVERFIFTYISNIFTY. This coupon code is valid until December 15, 2013.

 

Make your Christmas List and pop on over....perhaps there's a few treasures there to help :)

Thank you so much for coming here time and time again to check in with me.

As blogging becomes less and less popular, I understand how amazing it is that you come by for a visit...and I appreciate it!

 

Back to the beads and pliers....

 

Many hugs,

Cam

That Dead Feeling Continues.....

Day of the Dead, actually :)

I just love painting these girls! They are macabre in their skeletal make-up....but still so bright and beautiful.  I love the flowers and the colors....it is so fun to paint them!

I tried something different from canvas this time.  I thought I'd use some chipboard shapes I bought a while back to make ornaments for the occasion.

 

They can be hung on your altar, a Halloween tree ( I always wanted one of those) or on your walls all year round.

 

I used bits of old and new jewelry pieces to dangle below.  This enamel butterfly was an old pendant that belonged to my Grandma years ago.

The sentiment translates to, "Never Forgotten".

 

 

The flowers are cut from vintage greeting cards.  This one says," Eternal Love".

 

 

I don't know if you remember when Amy showed some of us how to sew fabric onto watercolor paper and use that to paint on?  The original post is HERE.

 

Well, I had a 9 inch square sewn and waiting for ages for the right inspiration to come along.

This is what it became :)

 

 

 

See, color and more color! Love it!

Her message says, "I will never forget you" (thanks for the letter tiles, Micki!)

 

Making the fabric flowers for her hair reminded me that I had some flower brooches in the shop that could use a photo redo.

Maggie helped me :)

 

 

I think they definitely look more attractive now :P

 

I'm trying to keep the Halloween coming, though I know Christmas is at my door getting ready to ring the bell......"Hold on, hold on, I'll be there in a minute!"

 

My Friend, Magaly is having lots of dark, Hallow's Eve fun over at her Blog if you are craving more!

Go visit for a spell...okay, okay...that's an old one...but she is a witch...so it's true!

 

Hugs and happy memories,

Cam

Lost Soul *UPDATED*

Well, though that is the title of my latest piece....it's really about how I've been feeling lately.
I've been in a bit of a funk.....
...but, finishing this piece has helped.

Amazing, isn't it...what slapping a bit of paint down on something can do for your mental state :)

I know it's been a while since I've been here.  I've felt very guilty about not making the time I used to for blogging.  Part of the funk I've found myself in....

 

...but, that will have to wait for another time.

I'll show you this piece, but my scanner wasn't big enough to capture the whole thing.  I'll take photos on Sunday and list her in the shop. *SEE NEW PHOTOS BELOW*

This is "Lost Soul".  Her arm is tattooed 'Alma En Pena' which is the Spanish translation.

 

She is 9 x 12 inches

 

I used molding paste on the flowers.   I love that stuff!  It really gives it phenomenal texture in person!

 

She is now in the Shop :)

 

Oh....and hey!

 

Carmen is having a Secret Santa over at her Blog.  Go read about it HERE and sign up....I did! The best part is stalking is highly encouraged and expected....heehee!  It's lifting my spirits already!

 

Please have a great weekend!

I've missed you guys!

 

Keep the paint flying,

Cam

Speaking of Dreams

Thank you everyone!
I truly appreciate the support, love and words of encouragement you guys gave me on the news of my being published.  It is so nice to cross a Life Goal off the list....it was a dream come true....a small, but important step forward for me and my art :)

Though it was a nice wave to ride for a while,
...it's time to get cracking again....heehee!

I wanted to show you a piece I just finished inspired by all the strong, amazing Tribal Girls painted by my dear friend Micki Wilde in her new art course, Wilde and Free (clever, eh?)

I have to be honest, I had never done any tribal/native-feel paintings before...and I was afraid I wouldn't get the "right" look.
Micki makes it look so effortless and gives you so many ideas, references and videos of her own to drool over (you can see the finished products on her blog or in her Etsy store now)....that it makes you just want to go "wilde" ;P

Dream

8x10 Mixed Media on canvas panel

 

I knew I needed to incorporate a dragonfly, which has served as my totem animal for a long, long time.  It represents the Guardian of the DreamWorld and can warn of illusions.  I wanted this girl to be looking toward her dreams....and be ready follow them :)

 

 

 

Micki really knows how to stoke the creative flame.  I see more tribal girls in my future!

 

Thanks so much for checking in on me.  With blogging starting to fall out of favor, your choice to visit me here speaks volumes!

((Hugs))

 

Now go chase some of your own dreams!

Cam

 

The BIG News!

So........
The big secret I've been keeping.  The one I've been teasing you with.  The one I keep hinting at and then run away giggling to myself......

Well....
Here it is!!!!

 

I'm Published!!!!!!

 

 

My Halloween sculptures made it into this issue!

I don't know if you remember, but those were my first attempt at sculpting....ever!  You can read that post HERE.

 

I submitted them over a year and a half ago and heard just before going on vacation that they were selected!  I have to admit I blabbed a little, but I was waiting....waiting until I could hold the magazine in my trembling hands and shout from the rooftops....

I'M PUBLISHED!!!

 

Can you tell I'm excited?!

I've been so excited, I made new sculptures to commemorate the event!

Before I show you I wanted to tell you that I added a CLEARANCE Section to my store where I drastically reduced a bunch of paintings and other goodies.  I won't be renewing them, so grab them now....stock up on gifts....and use this 10% OFF coupon on your entire purchase to sweeten the deal!

 

Enter CELEBRATEWITHME at checkout :)

 

I gave you this sneak peek on Facebook a couple weeks back.

 

 

This became my very first try at a doll.  This is Mango :)

 

 

 

I love cat paw pads....so he had to have them, too.

 

After I made him.  I tried a different face shape.

 

 

This is "Spats"

Tuxedo cats are special to me now that I own one :)

 

 

These really were labor intensive.  I have one more body ready to apply clay to, but to be honest, I don't think I'm going to tackle that anytime soon.  These may be the only two I ever make. 

Who knows.... 

 

I've been working in clay so much over the past few weeks!

 

Look at these cool pumpkins I made.

I call them my "Sleepy Hollow" Series.

 

(sold)

 

All the text is cut from a vintage copy of the book.

"Sleepy Hollow was famous for Goblin Pumpkins"

 

 

"Sleepy Hollow is the most haunted spot in the world"

 

"shocking things happen in Sleepy Hollow"

 

 

"Sleepy Hollow is full of strange spirits"

 

"Welcome to Sleepy Hollow"

 

These are fun to make.  Each takes on a personality of its own.  I like flipping through the pages of the book and trying to make phrases that go with their expression.

 

...and because Halloween is not complete without a bit of the macabre, I made these:

 

 

4 pairs of fangs for your curiousity cabinet.

 

This little piggy had rigor mortis.....

 

 

 (Sorry, Natasha May) She hates it when I show digits in jars..haha!

I used driftwood as the bones. 

They are perfect for this because they are already discolored and rounded....and the paperclay sticks to the wood easily.

 

They are all in the shop....get 'em while they're hot!

Don't forget to use the coupon code CELEBRATEWITHME to get even more off :)

 

Thank you, thank you to all of you for your support, excitement and friendship!

It makes me so happy to share my life, creative and otherwise, with you!!

 

Biggest hugs!

Cam

 

Almost...but not yet

So, I didn't know.....should I pop in here again after that cliffhanger ending last post....and NOT reveal the big news yet?

I'm waiting 'til September 1st to spill the proverbial beans.  But, I just couldn't wait that long to share a bit of other things I've been working on.

I am so in a Autumn/Halloweeny mood!  Whilst powering through the 1st three seasons of Vampire Diaries, I took out my felt and thread...and tried to multitask :)

Here's a sampling of what I made:

 

Zombies are just too fun!  They can come out all crooked and ugly....and it's perfectly expected :D

 

 

I had a Nightmare inspired moment, too.

 

 

And I made this drooling dude, as well.  Have brain, will travel....heehee!

I put them all up in my shop.

 

 

So, while I know this is not the same as hearing big news....I hope it almost is.

Just like Autumn is far from coming to my hot, sunny California city....I'm eagerly anticipating!

 

Thanks to you all for being excited with me!

I'll be back in September.....ready to unveil!

 

Smiling like a big, toothy jack-o-lantern,

Cam

Been Busy!

Hello Blog Mateys!

I'm so sorry to be MIA.......Bad Cameron...Bad *slaps hands*
I promise, though, it's all been for a very good reason!

First off, I made a new batch of sea glass hair barrettes with some of the goodies found while beachcombing this Summer.
Take a looksee....

 

These are just a few.  I had the good fortune of finding some beautiful bits of rare colors this year :)

Oh, and some pretty agates...

 

 

....and cute heart-shaped stones, too :)

 

 

These are all in the shop for those who'd like a closer peek.

 

Also, Maggie started 2nd Grade this week.....

 

 

So, that's been part of why I've been absent....

 

BUT, the main reason is something extra special!!

 

Unfortunately, I can't reveal the secret just yet....even if I am bursting at the seams with excitement!

 

Something is brewing....

I'll give you a sneak peek, though....because I just can't help myself!

 

 

So......I'll keep working away, giggling in anticipation.....

Can't wait to show and tell! :)

 

Hope your week is filled with good stuff, too!

Hugs all around,

Cam