Stars fell on Alabama!!!

No really....they did!! I kid ya not. Tons of stars have fallen on our Alabama coast and it caused me to have so many different emotions at once that I (looking around) sat down and cried.

As you have guessed by now and with the help of this image, I wasn't talking about those HUGE stars up in the heavens. No, I was talking about these precious li'l creatures.......sea stars.

I have been researching since last night trying to discover just what type of sea stars these are. I knew they were in the starfish family and did you know that starfish are NOT fish at all?  They are related to the sand dollar and sea urchin. I kid ya not!! (and my feeble mind is thinking that sometime in a past post I might have even told ya that already..hehe) They can move quite quick too by using the tiny little tube feet on their underside. These same little feet are what helps them hold onto their prey. Oh yes...they are hunters!! They even have eyes (that we can't really see though and they can't see well out of) on the ends of each arm. This particular star that is washing up here is in the banded family. Thier little legs don't curl up until they are dead. That is what caused one of the many emotions that ran through me when we found these. First I was sooo excited that Mother Nature had given us such an amazing treasure. Then right after that emotion, sadness hit me like a ton of bricks. These ancient creatures that have been around for what scientist believe is over half a billion years are dying and washing ashore in the hundreds. It's happening everywhere....not just here on our Alabama coast. They are, of course, doing research and several different theories are being bounced around
but the main cause is not known as of yet. I did sit and cry as I felt so sad for all these creatures but I was happy too that I was given a gift from the sea that I intend to preserve and they can continue to be remembered. Yea.....ya'll already know I'm a bit quirky...and now I really just proved it but HEY...it's just ME!!!

Now, in case YOU might have been walking on the beach and picked up a few I'm sure you discovered that they might not be fish but PEEEUUUUU they sure smell like dead fish. I did some research on taking care of that little problem plus asking a friend how she took care of it with hers. So here's two ways you can do it:

Friends way (which is popular on any search...so we know it works) Take sea star and place in 3 parts water to one part bleach for about 60 seconds. Take out of solution and place on top of equal parts salt and baking soda covering the bottom of a box. Place the legs in the position you want them to dry and then gently weigh them down with something. (Gently, because you don't want something so heavy it breaks the legs off) Sit in the sun to dry for at least 48 hours.

Here's my way after friends suggestion and doing some research. I love keeping the colors in anything that Mother Nature has designed so I didn't want to lose the brown bands in mine. So.....I found that instead of placing them in the bleach/water solution that I could soak them in a 70% alcohol bath for 48 hours which will kill the smell, remove any bateria (same as the bleach solution) and keep their natural color intact. After the bath solution it stated that I could take them out and place on newspaper, place legs in position, gently place something on top and let sit in the sun until dried out. After they are dried then I will seal them. Fingers crossed this works. My muse is singing up a storm in wanting to use these with some mermaid and sea horse sculpts.

Yesterday brought some shell treasures too. I love my shells but ya'll know that already too. ^_^

These are just a few of them. 

Some moon shells in all sizes. Some whelks and some slipper shells. 

Different colors of kitten paws. 

These broken ones are going to become mermaid tails of some ooaks I'm planning. 

Some barnacles and two types of coral. 

Pretty scallop shells...even a tiny one.

Now I need to plan some designs for some more jewelry pieces with these new treasures and patiently wait to be able to finish working with my sea stars.

Until next time...........Hugs,

Regi

It's Drug Awareness Week here for the kiddo!!

WOW...talk about an unwelcomed guest coming to visit and NOT getting the hint to leave!!! OMGOSH..I am so not talking about a real person...I love my poeple guest and my furbaby guest...it's this nasty crud I just can't seem to shake. I love the changing of the seasons but apparently they don't like me so much. It is to blame for one of the reasons I haven't been posting but I decided it was NOT going to tell me what to do, especially in my own house......NOO...nope..naaa ahhh!!

I have been busy working on the Tooth Faerie assistants and some of the other items for the Angel program, when the nasty visitor would let me. :P   I have also been coming up with some new designs for some Santa sculpts. I found this AWEmazing site on Facebook called the "Alabama General Store". They promote artist, not just from Alabama or even just from the South but from all over and they don't charge us anything to list or post our photos of our art. Not a thing...nope...nothing!! Here is what they say about themselves: "Alabama General Store is a Southern artist outreach and no cost marketing initiative sponsored by Inspire Arts, the flagship program of Inspire Charitable Foundation. Our Foundation is a nonprofit corporation fostering Inclusion. One of our missions is to provide mentorship. We want to help our members be successful in the Business of Art."     Like I said...AWEmazing group. They even have it set up like a store with floor levels so that you can find just what you're looking for and believe me, YOU WILL find what you are looking for. So many wonderful artist and their wares. Take that cup of coffee and wander on over and do some exploring perhaps even some shopping. (ummm you can find me on the Holiday Decor floor and the Jewelry floor)

Now part of my time since Saturday has been getting my kiddo ready for Red Ribbon Week (Drug Awareness) The Chazman brought home his weekly "What's happening" newsletter and said that he wanted to participate each day in the theme. My shy kiddo is coming out of his shell and it's such a thrill to see. So with him wanting to do this, we had to go on some junk treasure hunts on Saturday. We got really lucky and found some of the items he would need to make this week happen and only had to spend about $6...that's goood!!  Here's what the weeks themes are to be:

Monday: Duck Dynasty Day (Dress like one of the characters)

Tuesday: Team up Against Drug (Wear favorite team shirt)

Wednesday: Too Smart for Drugs (Dress like Steve Urkel)

Thursday: Hugs not Drugs (Bring favorite stuffed animal)

Friday: Red shirt and jeans day.

The mister is NOT a hunter so we had to find some camouflage. I mean it is the uniform for DD..hehe!! Chaz really likes Phil Robertson...said he is soooo laid back and loves the way he talks so that is who he wanted to go as. We tried to find an old wig so that I could make a beard but had no luck there (well we did find a few but not within our junk treasure budget) so I made him one using cotton balls. HAHA...almost could have called him Santa Phil. To really bring the character into the outfit I found a duck card and added some of our own words to it and pinned it to the pocket of the tshirt. The saying we used was: Happy Happy Happy to say No No No to Drugs. The Chazman was a fitting Phil if I must say so myself. ^_^

Today, Tuesday is team day and they could wear their favorite team jersey. We didn't find a jersey but really didn't think we would at yard sales but it was worth a try. I mean we didn't even find any auburn rags...muahahahaha. Just kidding...my friends know I love both teams...when they aren't playing each other. The Chazman did have a long sleeve crimson tshirt and I called the school yesterday and asked if he could wear that instead of a jersey since he didn't have one and they said OF COURSE!!! Now ya'll know me and ya know I could NOT just let my kiddo wear a plain old tshirt.....sooooo...I got my paints out. I spent most of last night painting since I had to let each layer dry before adding to it but I'm very happy to have done it especially when I saw the Chazman's eyes this morning. He LOVED it!!! He and I both looked at each other and he asked if I knew why he pulled more for Alabama than any other team. I said I thought because he was such a smart kid...HAHA. He said "Ohh Mom". He told me that he loves Alabama because his Papaw (my Daddy) asked him to always root for HIS favorite team and to remember his Papaw every time he yelled ROLL TIDE ROLL!! (and he said he told him never to say that dirty word either...Auburn. Ohh my Daddy..you would have had to have known him) I got a good cry out of that one and realized just what an impact my Daddy had on my son at such a young age and for such a short time.

Tomorrow is Urkel day and I sooo can not believe that my shy guy, even if he is coming out of his shell, wants to dress just like Urkel did. We found a great button shirt and even some suspenders for him to wear. I will post a photo of that tomorrow...so come back to visit. Ya'll don't want to miss Chaz Urkel..for reals!!

Until next time............Hugs,
Regi

Zombie time starting soon..MUAHAHAHAHA!!

Well...I guess there really is no need for me to apologize for letting so much time slip by yet AGAIN between postings. I think everyone has figured out by now that the time in Regiville passes by a tad bit different than else where...hehehe!!

I have been working on a group of my traditional lil mummy candy containers for the Chazman's classmates for next month. (Halloween is only 34 days away..WOOT WOOT) If you are new to visiting under the old Southern ooak tree then click HERE to see a "HOW TO" on making some mummies of your own.  As well as working on these lil guys I am also working on my Tooth Faery helpers for the Angel program...as well as ribbon barrettes and pins. Busy, Busy, BUSY I am!!!  I promise some WIP photos of these projects soon. I also have a few more witches planned for my 2013 Witch series that I needed to get started on too. One of my sweet friends and ooaks collectors stopped by yesterday and adopted Bella, the dragonfly witch ooaks. I was sooo excited!! I so love making my ooaks but really love when others love them too.

I have to put my muse aside for a few days as I am starting one of two deep cleans that will take me through Thursday...I think...probably...hopefully before then. (I clean beach houses and condos...so love my job) I'm sure that by the time I finish with these I am going to feel like part of the Zombie apocalypse...MUHAHAHA

Until next time..........munch, munch ummm I mean HUGS,
Regi

OMGOSH..it's Wednesday already???

Please forgive the time delay (HEY...I only missed a day this time) I have been a bit under the weather after my sweet, darlin son shared his tummy virus with me. Dang it all...I so need to teach that boy that he does NOT have to share everything!!!

Since the Chazman was sick for two days and then I ended up with it late Monday afternoon (and still am not feeling much better) I haven't been doing a whole lot except for doing the horizontal pause.(that's napping for those that don't know..hehe) I did get some sculpting in....in between those pauses that is. Here's two WIP photos for you. The funky, whimsical skellie head is a candelabra....or at least I hope that's what he turns out to be. The white thing on the right is going to be a spell book and the open book is well....a open book with an owl sitting on top. I know...I know...it's laying down at the moment but it won't be when the piece is completed. At least I hope it won't...if it does then that means the owl found the mouse juice..hehe.

I wanted to ask some of you how you go about doing some of your armatures...that is if ya don't mind me asking and if ya do then just don't answer....BAHAHA!!!  I normally use double wire for tall ones like the skellieabra and then twist them together, fold them in half and twist again. After all that twisting I wrap it in florist tape. (I like white but I only had green, so green it was...this time) After all the wrapping I apply a thin layer of regular school glue and let it dry completely. After that then I apply the clay. So far it's always worked and held up really well. I am curious as to how some of you do them though. I know....I know AGAIN....curiosity killed the cat....and to that I say...MEOW!!!! hehe

Until next time...........Hugs AND before I go I want to say that I hope each and every one of you are feeling AWESOME and healthy and do everything to keep those nasty germs away from you and yours. ^_^

Regina

Two sales in a week..WOOT WOOT!!!

I am sooooo freakin excited!! Oh yes I am (doing the chacha dance) I sold TWO (that's 2) of my ooaks last week and am just tickled pink. A friend has been eyeing one of my Teacup faeries for some time now and even asked if I would send her hubbikins a link to it and drop a hint that she sure would like to have it for her birthday. Of course I couldn't disappoint my friend so I did just as she asked. Sent him an email with a link and told him that his wife had this on her birthday wish list and he would so be "THE MAN" if he got it for her. Not sure if telling him he would be "THE MAN" or if he just loves his wife that much but he bought it. Thank you thank you!!

Then....the very next day my sweet friend and Southern Ooaks collector, Jeanne, (she has a great blog herself...YOU should go and check it out...ya'll will LOVE her) bought my mermaid and seahorse piece for her daughter for her birthday. So LOVE birthdays!!! So love that these two thought about my work for birthday gifts. Thank you thank you...AGAIN!!! ^_^

Jeanne was my first collector and will always hold a special place in my heart because of that. (Not to slight any of my other collectors...I love ya'll too) She has adopted several of my ooaks and she makes me feel so special that she keeps coming back to adopt more. I also consider her a friend and for the past several years I have had the joy of watching her Bella grow up through photos and videos. Bella is a one of a kind herself and always makes me giggle or smile. She is a little beauty already and has the most gorgeous head full of hair.....a head full that would look amazing wearing one of my hairbows. I mean...I love making them...and for some reason I can not get the Chazman to wear any...hehe (Just kidding, I would never try that..he is definitely a male...through and through...plus he got his long hair cut short...ROFL...I still wouldn't try it though) Since it seems that Jeanne is partial to my mermaids I thought a ocean theme would be perfect for the bows. Yeppers, I made two of them. I have had this scarf with such amazing colors and sea prints on it that I have been saving and am so glad I did....save it!! I turned it into a pretty bow and then put one of the spiral seashells I found on one of my walks. For the other one, I used a bright teal ribbon....bunched it up and then made a vintage lace center and attached two more shells found on a beach walk (a moon shell and a cockle shell) I also filled one of my lil glass vials with sand from Gulf Shores and attached that to it as well. I so hope Bella likes them and will wear them....and often!!

I so love giving a little something special when someone buys several of my ooaks. I also put some of my regular paper bookmarks, paper corner bookmarks and a little bag of shells in the box too. Along with a little something just for Jeanne. Hope she finds it a purrrrfect little gift. HEHE ^_^

Yesterday was my mailing day it seems too. I mailed both of these purchases off as well as a goodie box to my sweet friend, Johanna, who by the way is writing a very interesting twist on a Dr Who story. If you're a fan of Dr Who, please go and read her version. I'm reading it and so loving it!! Go sit and read for a bit....I promise you will enjoy it!! (Click Here...to be taken on a wonderful adventure) As far as the goodie box goes I can not tell ya what's in it because Johanna is probably reading this post and even though she knows she is getting a goodie box (YES YES I just couldn't keep that a secret from her..dang it) she doesn't know what's in it. I know....I'm baddddd!!!!  :P

I also mailed out three other small packages to three of my artist friends that played the "Pay it forward" game on Facebook back in December. I so hope they like their little gifts and this I am keeping a secret and not saying who the three were and what they are getting. HEY...I told ya I was baddddd...hehe

Until next time...............HUGS,
Regi

Seahorse love....Nerissa and Nixie

The ocean is a fascinating world and if we could only see everything that happens beneath the waves. It's an enchanting realm filled with delight and wonder.....more than most of us could even begin to imagine. If only our world above the waves could get along together as well as the one below the waves....every creature great and small living in harmony and peace...caring for each other...protecting each other and loving each other as all families should.

Two such creatures that share the sea and are totally devoted to one another are Nerissa and Nixie. A sweet, tiny little mermaid and her constant companion, a seahorse named Nixie. Ohhhh, the adventures these two have together. Hunting for old shipwrecks and gathering up treasures galore.

Narissa and Nixie are one of my original Southern Ooaks designs in the mermaid series. Each one has a strong wire armature underneath their fully hand sculpted bodies. Narissa's face was detailed using acrylic paints along with fine MICA powders. Her eyes, hand painted on bone beads. Her hair is dyed pulled wool yarn. Her tata covers are natural shells found on one of our walks on the beach in Gulf Shores, AL. Her tail was detailed using fine MICA powders mixed with a glaze that gives it that wet look. Nixie was detailed using acrylic paints and sealed for protection. Both sculpts are attached with a wire base to a natural sea urchin. The white bottom base has been covered in German glass to give it that sandy look. They sit at 5 inches from base to the tip of Narissa's flowing locks.

These two sweet characters will be available in my Etsy shop. I have free shipping in the US and will ship everywhere else the lowest I can. I hope these two whisper to you.......take us home!!!

Until next time...........Hugs,
Regi

Looking through broken shells

Good morning Afternoon...hehe  It's still morning but almost afternoon so I will wish ya'll both!! I have been going through my shell collection the last few days and pulled out some of the ones that I think will make a pretty mermaid habitat. I'm so excited to use these little beauties with one of my ooaks so that they can shine outside of the ocean waves. I will be adding a base to each one and adding even more shells...some of the small ones we have found on our beach walkabouts. I hope one will speak to you and tell you to bring it home!!

These are the first ones I'm going to be using. Both photos are of the same shells...just turned over so you can see both sides. Aren't they pretty? Can't ya just see little mermaids enjoying swimming around and inside them? I know that I can. ^_^

Until next time..........Hugs,
Regi

Faerie muse inspired jewelry

I'm so blessed to have several muses that sing to me (blessed unless they all want to sing at the same time that is..hehe) My faerie muse came to visit with me and brought such inspiration along with her. I told ya'll yesterday in my post that I had found some gemstone beads while hunting for something else completely and it seems fae wanted to use them for her inspired designs. I'm very happy that she did!!!

I love these beads and taking a picture of them NEVER does them justice. (of course, it could be the camera and the photographer..just a wee bit) The dark ones are in the green hued family and are called green cube shell beads. They look like they have a rainbow inside when the light reflects off of them...so pretty. The pink ones are pink coral and the two green ones are dyed water pearls with a hand blown glass bead used as the focal bead. The other side of the focal bead has some coral color in it and it will turn around..when it wants to. ^_^   I made this using memory wire so it will fit any wrist.

I do believe this one is my most favorite bracelet I have ever made. I used jasper beads (the green flecked beads), bone beads (the tiny off white beads), goldstone (which is a manmade stone and is the brown with golden flecks) and the focal bead on this one is a river stone. Yes...it came from a river!!  A true earth faerie designed this one...can't ya tell? It is also made on memory wire and wraps several times around your wrist...like you have several different bangles on.

This was made on two strands of memory wire. The silver piece is one whole piece and very unique. I do believe my faerie found this one and decided to sneak it home. I don't really know where it came from but I like it. Don't you?? I used jasper beads, black acrylic beads and did the closure using green hemp rope and a twisted square knot. Would look very elegant with a dress or equally as good with a pair of jeans and a tshirt. (or shorts and a tshirt...it's getting fairly warm here)

These can be found in my Etsy shop and I hope you will come and shop sometimes when you are looking for that unique gift. (or just something special for yourself)

Until next time..........Hugs,
Regi

Working on commissioned pieces of jewelry!!

A friend that has bought several pieces of my jewelry has commissioned me to make several more pieces for her. I love when my art helps bring folks into my life as what happened this time. She commented on some ooaks that I had made and we started talking back and forth and discovered that we live almost right around the corner from one another. Small world, eh?

I just finished one of the bracelets she ordered.....one of my hemp ones....the one with the pansy and the pearls.  She wants another one just like it but the roping in rose color. (someone has notified me that they are hopefully going to buy one of my teacup faeries and I so hope they do. I need to make a supply run)

I made one of my paper boxes to put the bracelet in and made one of my paper flowers with a button in the center as a decoration for it. I love making these little boxes....such fun!!

After I finish this post then I'm going to start on a memory wire bracelet she has ordered. Well....actually I think a horizontal pause is going to take place first and then I will work on the bracelet. ^_^

Until next time...........Hugs,
Regi

Can't catch MEEEE!!!

Way beneath the ocean waves, there is a game waiting to be played on the ocean floor below. Broken shells have been lined up in a row and then some scattered to and froe. A red crab is sitting on a large, flat rock and with a clitter and a clack of  his great big claw....sounds the whistle...it's time to start !!

This game is fun and is one that teaches. Teaches mermaids how to dart and dash in between the broken shells to learn to squish and squeeze their fish like tails...to keep out of reach of danger. Of course, there is no danger today as they are just playing their game of broken shells.

One little mermaid by the name of Char has darted and dashed and done quite well. That is until she darted into one that was a tight little fit. She squiggled (that's wiggled, giggled  and squealed all in one) until she was halfway out and then started laughing and calling for HELP!!

Char is one of my hand sculpted clay ooaks (one of a kind sculpts). No molds are ever used!! She has a strong wire armature underneath her clay body. Her tail and face scales were dusted in fine MICA powders to give her that shiny, watery look. Her face was detailed using acrylic paints and her eyes hand painted on tiny bone beads. Natural tiny shells cover her tata's (yes...she is quiet shy) and she is sitting inside of a natural   fighting conch shell. Yes...it's a broken one. Remember..she was playing the game!! Her hair is dyed wool and is embellished with tiny glass beads and real pearls. Char and her game piece (that's the shell..hehe) sit at 6 1/2 inches and are supported by a strong wire base.

I have so many broken shells from our beach walks that are just calling out to be used for more mermaid habitats. I do believe I'm going to be sorting through all my collection and see just how many I do have. I'm going to have to take a flour sifter on my next walk so that I can get some of the tiny little shells. No no..I don't use it for flour anymore...just sand!!

Until next time..............Hugs,
Regi

Mermaid muse is a splashing

Pooh and bother...bother..bother!! I am still experiencing some technical difficulties.....with my eyes... but I have to say that they seem to be slowly coming back into focus as I get this diabetes under control. YEA!!  I'm still wearing my super strong reading glasses and I can't sculpt just yet but I have been going bonkers not working on "something". It seems my mermaid muse has been giving this some thoughts as well and she came today just a splashing about an idea she had for me. I have to say, it's a good idea and one that I'm hopefully going to be able to do!! She had me pull out my sea green assortment of beads as well as my ocean blue assortment and then sweetly sang of a seahorse galloping through the sea.

Isn't my seahorse a handsome fella??  Well...he will be when I'm finished with him....I hope. ^_^   He is going to be an earring cuff that hooks to your ear. I started him this afternoon...wrapping a bronze wire around the base wire and adding beads as I go. I plan on making a pair of dangle earrings to match the beads I'm using in his body too. So happy to be working on something!!

I hope that you are staying busy and having some creative fun. Would love to hear what you're working on. Thank you for coming to visit with me too....it means the world to me!! Until next time.............Hugs,

Regi

Excuse my late posting..it was LAUNDRY day...YEA!!!

WOW....what is it about going out of town for just a few days that seems to make the laundry monster GROW more so than on a normal weekend?  I have been doing laundry today (ALL DAY I might add) as well as working on my newest mermaid sculpt. Six loads of laundry...SIX and one is still in the washer waiting for the Hubbikins to get out of the bath so I can add his underclothes. That's alright though because it was good to see family this weekend and meet our newest little great nephew. YES....I said GREAT nephew and it's not that we are that old....our niece just started early...hehe!!

I wanted to show you where I am on the newest piece I'm doing. Hopefully, I will get  her finished by Wednesday at the latest. I'm also still working on her story that will go with her....love writing my whimsical lil characters stories. I think it helps make them a tad bit more real believable.

Her face is detailed with the exception of her lips....can't forget those now. Her hair will hide her ta-ta's if she is feeling shy but if not...then she will let them be seen. I mean...I have always heard "if ya got em..flaunt em". I'm going to seal her tail and then add some German glass in places to look like water. I love how the green, blue and purple MICA powders blended together. I have some vintage pearls that I'm going to fill the bathtub with to take the place of real bubbles..hehe!! I'm taking my time with her and thank goodness I won't be doing laundry tomorrow...at least I hope I won't be. Fingers crossed!!

Until next time........Hugs,
Regi

I would like to take old age and kick it...right outa tha door!!

WOW.....I knew that in numbers I was getting older but I so didn't realize that the old saying "Once you get over 50 everything breaks or falls off" was actually true. I had a doctors appointment yesterday and well, let's just say that it wasn't a good one and I have been scheduled for another one on the 17th. You won't hear me whine or complain because I'm one of those that believe you shouldn't panic until some words a doctor uses are taken from "it could be this" to a firm diagnosis of "it is this". I am going to ask that you keep me in your prayers please!!

I have been working on the Mermaid in the Bath tub piece and have some WIP photos to show you. I'm going to try and get her detailed this afternoon....we will see.

Until next time...........Hugs,
Regi

Buttercup is complete!!

It seems my muse wanted me to pull out my old night owl self and finish Buttercup. What's a Buttercup you ask? If you read yesterdays post then you will be in the know..hehe!! I do believe she turned out rather adorable....just sitting there.....sighing....and waiting for her wee fae babe to be born. I placed her high up on a shelf so that Gabie and Pumpkin couldn't reach her. They haven't learned yet that faeries are off limits in this  household....along with butterflies, dragonflies and ladybugs.

The vintage tea cup and saucer sit right at 2 1/2 inches and with Buttercup's beautiful butterfly wings the piece measures 5 inches. The wings are not real but they are an image of real ones I printed off on vellum paper. I love using vellum paper for wings.

You can really see her cute little chubby cheeks from this angel along with her tiny pointed fae ear. The tiny purple flower is for the babe when he/she is born to lay on.

As you can see...Buttercup is patiently (NOT) waiting for her wee one to get here. She is a garden fae and so loves being out tending the new blooms but for her safety she must be content to sit in her tiny tea cup for now.

Buttercup is one of my full clay sculpts. She is permanently attached to her tea cup. The tea cup is permanently attached to the saucer. She has been detailed using acrylic paints. Her hair is dyed angora wool yarn. Her eyes are bone beads that I hand painted using acrylic paints. Her tiny bodice is some of my vintage lace with glass beads sewn on. Her skirt is made from a pretty green shear ribbon. I added some sparkly faerie paper around the base of the tea cup.

I have several more vintage cups and saucers and my muse is just a whispering in my ear that more faeries are coming to claim them.  ^_^

Until next time.............Hugs,
Regi

Any one for a cup of tea?

I love teatime and tea sets and tea cups with saucers. Oh heck fire...I love teacups without saucers too. The best teacups though are the ones that the tiny little Southern ooaks faeries make their resting places in.  I'm so fortunate that these wee little characters find their way into my studio after they finish tending to the spring gardens.

Buttercup is one of those wee ones that discovered a tiny teacup and saucer that she has laid claim too. I don't mind at all and find it an honor that she wants to live inside a teacup here in my home. She won't be living in the teacup by herself for very long though it seems as she looks as though she might have swallowed a fall pumpkin..hehe!! Yes....a tiny lil fae baby will soon be born.

WIP photo of Buttercup

Buttercups wings and teacup

Now...I must get back to tending to Buttercup. She really is doing some fussing at me since I let you see her NEKKID!!! 

Until next time............Hugs,

Regi

My sculpting muse..she be a HOLLERING!!!!

Oops...did I do THAT...again? Oh yes I did...I let another week slip by without posting to all my wonderful friends that stop by to visit with me here under the old Southern Ooaks trees. I enjoy your visits so much so I had better get my hiney in gear and design some things so I can post...ri iight??

Spring is here....YEA!! Yeah yeah...I know I'm a day late but HEY...spring is here!! I love when all the flowers start blooming and things start to change to all the lovely hues of green. The butterflies and dragonflies start to come out of hiding and that gets me faerie muse to singing and quiet loverly too I might add. She has been whispering of some tea cup fearies, some garden faeries too and some more characters from my faerie race series. Do you remember Charme and Sabastin?

I'm going to do some of the smaller fae riding on some forest creatures that join in the race this year. I am still so proud of these two...being in Doll Collector Magazine (Feb/Mar 2011) They are at the Foley Performing Arts gallery just waiting to be adopted. I'm really thinking of bringing them home soon. I miss them!!! I would love for them to sell but then again..these were my first published pieces and I'm kinda attached to them.

Spring is a wonderful time to be living on the coast too. OH HECK FIRE...who am I kidding..it's a great time anytime to live on the coast. At least here on the southern coast. ^_^   It seems my muse discovered a mermaid grotto that she wants to share with everyone so be ready for the mermaids to come a visiting here before to much longer. She also has been whispering about some hair accessories with the mermaid in mind.

Sculpting and designing won't be done as much right now. I'm really excited to be working this spring and summer. I know that some are either laughing right now or shaking their heads. Those that know what I'm talking about. I'm talking about cleaning....cleaning condos and beach houses. I love to clean and getting to here the waves hit the shore and smell the salt air while I'm doing it just makes it that much better. Of course, I could do without the seagulls laughing at me....silly birds!! I will get back in my studio as my muses will NOT leave me alone for to long if I don't. Plus....this gal can't go without her "therapy" for to long either.

Until next time........Hugs,
Regi


Ooohh ooohhh OH....if any of my fellow artist friends know where we can get the wood base and glass domes to cover them for not a whole lot....hook this quirky chick up...would ya?  HUGS

In like a lion..out like a lamb...Happy MARCH!!

Can ya believe that March is already here? I have heard of time flying but this is CRAZY people..CRAZY!!!
The Chazman and I took all the February decorations off of the tree last night so that we can put up the St Patrick and Easter ones for this month. Of course ya know I will post photos as soon as we get it all done.

How do you like my updated page? I'm enjoying changing that each month too. I so adore "The Cutest Blog on the Block" site...so many great backgrounds and extras. That's where I got the falling hearts last month and the falling Easter eggs for this month. AWESOMENESS...I know...I know!! Go on over and take a look around. I'm sure you will find something you like love!!

Yesterday my studio was filled with several of my muses. I LOVE my muses but they can really run me over if I'm not careful...hehe  They whisper....I listen...I design and yesterday....well....I kept designing. ^_^

Faerie inspired bronze 18 inch necklace with a 2 inch adapter. A Swarovski crystal hangs from the adapter. The medallion has faux diamonds (ya didn't think the faeries were going to give away their real diamonds did ya? hehe). Hanging from the medallion is an aged bronze ball charm with tiny bronze beads and more of the pretty Swarovski crystals.

Faerie inspired Dragon necklace. Silver dragon charm hanging on a black 24 inch hemp rope. I used a silver toggle clasp with this piece and added some of my twisted knot macrame to match the dragon egg. She is carrying ...yes..it's a she...she told me so ^_^ one of her dragon eggs. I love these beads...made from quartz and in the agate family. (Quartz is a wonderful healing stone if you need some extra "Balance" in your life.) On either side of the egg are glazed glass beads.

Mermaid inspired memory bracelet with green hued glass beads and one of my clay turtle charms and tiny glass vials filled with some of our beach sand and some tiny sea glass pieces. Sadly, we don't have sea glass here :( but a friend on the Pacific coast side sends me some from time to time. Oh wait..dang it...I should have told ya a mermaid brings it to me from her travels. Yeah, that's where I get it from. ^_^

My Bohemian muse decided to jump in too. (see...I told ya that my studio was filled with muses) Beautiful earrings for the beautiful YOU!! Bronze fish hook earrings with bronze safety back stoppers. Tiny bronze beads with Swarovski crystals with a focal bead of  burgundy and swirls of color.

I guess you could say that the Easter bunny hopped in for a moment or two as well to give me some inspiration. I fell in love with these acrylic beads. I don't normally like acrylic beads but these...well just kinda grabbed at me. They look like the hard coated Easter egg candy I use to get in my Easter basket. These are brown with golden highlights running through them. Add the foiled green brown glass beads and PRESTO, you have Chocolate and Mint earrings..hehe!! I used the bronze fish hook earrings with the bronze safety back stoppers and put tiny brown glass beads between the two main beads.

My little Faeries were the dominant ones in the studio (obvisiouly) and I'm very thankful for their inspiration and guidance. This lovelies are hung on sterling silver fish hook earrings with rubber safety back stoppers. Amber colored glass hearts twisted with silver wire give it that faerie appeal. Hanging from the heart is a tiny round amber bead twisted with silver wire and a small three strand of my vintage pearls.

All of these pieces can be found in my Etsy shop and remember I have FREE shipping. Yes...I said FREE!!

Until next time..........Hugs,
Regi