DIY Tutorial: Hand Painted Fairy Pendant Necklaces

Last Saturday, I was organizing my pile of boxes in the studio when I came across pieces of wooden boards that I purchased months ago. Like many of my art supplies, they were bought out of spontaneity, without much thoughts or ideas of what to do with them. Sometimes we're in real danger when we go to art supplies stores. Things just sing to us, like sirens at sea. Well, most likely to empty our wallet, rather than driving us to rocks. :)

After discovering these wooden treasures, I decided to create something new. Something cute and wearable. So I grabbed my tools and began to cut small pieces of wood, drilled two holes at the ends, then started to paint...

It's been a while since I last painted on canvas, let alone a piece of wood. And in this case, they were tiny pieces of wood, about 4 x 6 cm. So you can imagine how wobbly my hand was when I started out. I do recommend practicing on an unused piece before you begin on the real thing, just to get the hang of it. After I was done painting, I waited for about half a hour for the paint to settle and dry before applying a coat of glossy varnish.

For this project, I used acrylic paints, so it's not necessary to wait too long for them to dry because as you know, acrylics dry very fast. If you prefer to use oil paints, then it would be best to use a fast drying medium such as Liquin. Then after applying a thin layer of glossy varnish, I let them sit in the sun and left them until the next day. When you think it's dry, try touching it ever so slightly. If it doesn't feel tacky on your finger tip, then you're good to go.

But you know what I loved most about this project? I got to use oodles and oodles of trinkets that have been sitting in my studio, collecting dust. I used them in the past to embellish my mini paintings, but I think most people use these to create jewelry and other accessories. I absolutely loved trying out different ones to see which ones suit the wooden pendants best.

And so, after some tough decisions, here are the final look of my new wearable art...

I'm so glad with how they turned out and so, so glad I decided to create something different with my studio find. I guess sometimes you just need to be brave and let creativity lead the way. These pendant necklaces are now available in my shop. Meanwhile, I think I will think up more ideas of what to do with the rest of the wooden boards. ;)

See you soon,

It's Sale Time at Whimsylandia!

Hello lovelies. I can't believe the weekend is here again. I hope you have something wonderful planned. I'm thinking of spending some time outside if the weather is good... but before I do, I would have to finish up quite a few stuff in the studio. I hate coming back to work to a lot of mess! :)

Anyway, in case you didn't know already (since I have shared this a few times on Facebook and Twitter), I have plenty of ready-to-ship items at Whimsylandia that are currently on sale with 25% discount!! Here are some of them...

I still have more available in my shop, so come over and take a look! If you'd like to purchase any of them, simply  use my coupon code READY25 at checkout and you'll be set. So...have a wonderful weekend, I hope you'll have lots of fun with your loved ones! :)


Hugs,

Your Own Happy Ending

As a child, I was one big fairy tale buff. I read, dreamed and lived in magical stories from the minute I woke up till I closed my eyes at night. My fantasies were filled with beautiful princesses and dashing princes. Their love stories, and most of all, their happy endings. I think as a child, I expected nothing but happiness in the world, both in reality and my fantasies. It was how I thought life should be, evil slain and lovers united. That is, until I was introduced to the story of The Little Mermaid.

Through that story, I experienced my first taste of loneliness, despair, sorrow and heartbreak. I learned that not all fairy tale brings you joy, and not all has a happy ending. Strangely, it was one of the best fairy tale stories I have ever read and remains a favorite until now. To me, it was an eye opener, as if the harsh reality woke me up from a long slumber, like a bucket of cold water.

I think when I first watched the Disney's version of the story at the age of 13, I learned something even bigger. That humans crave happy endings and will do whatever they can to twist even the saddest tale into a world seen through rose tinted glasses. Which sadly, is far from reality. To a child like me back then, it somehow broaden the spectrum quite a bit, putting another option on the table. I saw life closer to how it really is. Varied, with so many pathways to choose from. The beginning may start the same, but it's up to us to write the ending.

Little did I know that the early wisdom I had learned was the one I would hold on to years later. I know sometimes it's easier to preach than to practice, but it's the one I keep reminding myself of whenever I'm down in a bottomless pit. It is true, that we are capable to write our own destiny, no matter how many obstacles we face. We are more than capable of getting up after we stumble, just the way we learned as a baby. It is one of our most vital instincts and it grows stronger with experience.

 

These days, I try to teach my children the same wisdom. I want them to understand that life can be sweet and bitter at the same time. That it's wonderful to be happy, but it's also okay to experience disappointment. "Failure" is just a word invented by humans who can't even be bothered to have another go. After all, haven't you heard? The universe lets your heart expand after you go through pain and heartache. It's the only way to let you come out to a better place.

It is without a doubt, one of the best movie quotes I have ever heard . :)

Take care,




PS: The piece of art you see above is titled The Lonely Mermaid and has found a loving home. If you're curious to see a movie closer to the original version of The Little Mermaid, this is the one I watched as a child:

Creative DIY Projects Round Up

So...are you feeling creative today? Maybe it's time to unleash those itchy fingers and get crackin' on one of these fabulous DIY projects I found on Craftgawker. Believe me, it was tough trying to pick just a few for this post because there were so many awesome ones to choose from! Each project comes with a great step-by-step tutorial, all you have to do is click on the link and plunge right in...

Vintage Inspired Chalky Paint Pumpkins by The Casual Craflete

DIY Vintage Button Bookmarks by The Anastasia Co.

Detachable Faux Fur Cuffs by ...love Maegan.com

Fall Pillows Printables by Tidbits

Nature-Printed Fabric Coaster by Indigo Stitches

DIY Leather and Canvas Dog Bed by Always Rooney

Have a great creative adventure and enjoy your day! :)

Hugs,

Golden Wings

“You must give everything to make your life as beautiful as the dreams that dance in your imagination.” - Roman Payne

When I was little, I liked to pretend that I lived in a beautiful dream. One that would never end, even when the sun rises in the East. That dream would have everything and anything my heart desired, no matter how ridiculous or bizarre. I could be a queen, a fairy, a tree, or a golden butterfly dancing in the wind. My life would be perfectly lovely, and no evil monster would ever enter the picture. Well, these days as I've gotten older, I have learned to understand that nothing is perfect. At least not the way I dreamed it. And if you have lived the kind of life I have (I'll spare the details for the time being), you'll also learn to believe that dreams can play all sorts of tricks on you. I mean this, with no resentment whatsoever. ;)

People used to say to me that I should dream as high as the stars, and that if I worked hard, I would, in good time, have that dream in my hands. But what they didn't tell me, is that "working hard" is not always enough. There are people who set out into the world with barely nothing and find their dream in a blink of an eye. Some may take forever and still end up with disappointment. So what does it take, to finally live that dream? Will power? Faith? Hope? Or just mere Luck? I think it's one ultimate question with a different answer for everyone.

I'd like to think that the universe is there to provide us with an unlimited source of possibilities. That as long as you see no boundaries, then there is still hope of undiscovered paths to take. Maybe one will take me to that life I dreamed about. Maybe someday life will be kind and let the stars shine bright enough for me to see in the dark.

In the mean time, I will hold on to what I have and be grateful for the sunshine they bring me each day. I know someday soon the universe will lead me to where the golden butterflies roam.

Much Love,

Dreamcatcher

I found myself wandering aimlessly online last night. Hopping from blog to blog, from one site to another, not really knowing what I was searching for. Of course, like most people, I ended up on Pinterest. Naturally. :)

As usual, the amount of possibilities got me excited. I started checking out so many things and ended up pinning what seemed like a thousand pins as ideas for my blog posts. Truly, it was something I have missed ever since my long blogging break. So here I am, ready to show you some of my glorious finds. A little bohemian dream just for you... (please click each image to visit the link)

And something sweet to add into the ambience...

Now of course, my blog post wouldn't be complete without a snippet of art as a finale. So let me show you an original pencil drawing that I created a few months ago about a girl and her Dreamcatcher. It's already found a new loving home, but prints are available in my shop.

Sweet dreams tonight, my lovelies...