I like to decorate my home with unusual items, things that might not generally be considered decorative. I figure I live here, I'll put up stuff that suits me, things that please my eye, after all I am the one looking at it right?
And while some things may look expensive, most are certainly not. There are a few treasured items I've inherited and everything thing else is made out of "illusions and imaginations". Things I have built and created myself out of beautiful old
bits, salvaged parts and odd pieces. Stuff I've collected over the years at junk shops, obscure thrifts and flea markets. Like this fancy linen milliner's head, it was torn when I discovered it down at the bottom of an old barrel. I purchased it for a song then
repaired the holes and mounted it onto what I can only assume was an old weathered lamp base, again a bargain at only two dollars! It turned out to be just perfect for displaying a stuffy old powered wig don't you think?
The extravagant looking black pearl necklace that adorns this piece was made from fairly inexpensive freshwater pearls instead of the enormously expensive, exotic South Sea pearls. I also used parts from an old 1950s tiered necklace I bought at a tag
sale for just one dollar. It took a few man hours but I sure had fun making it and I am really pleased with the overall look of my little mise-en-scene.
Moving right along to the giveaway I have been promising! I want to start the Creative New Year off with a Bang!
And what better way than to giveaway a beautiful young 18th century lady print?! I thought I would share with all of you just
what the image I began working with looks like, it is a very old engraving from a period fashion "magazine". It is one of my
absolute favorite images ever! She is just so sweet and coy and the dress is simply Wow, can you really imagine wearing that?!
The image I began with was black and white, very quiet.
But I like color so I wanted to make it a littler bit louder...
and add some more...
delicious frills,
decadent hot pink curls,
some bright red shoes, I mean every girl should own a pair of red shoes right, even little Dorothy knew that!
and just a few more romantic details like a yellow polka dotted dress! So there she is in all her loveliness, the print is titled "A Creative Woman" and is a 9" x 12" canvas ready for framing. Leave a comment for your chance to win her! I do have these prints for sale in my Etsy shop if you just can't wait till the contest is over which will be in 2 weeks (I'm working feverishly to meet some deadlines) so I'll announce the winner on Monday, February 1st.
Here are a few glimpses of some new items in my Esty shop...
some exotic paper masks, just perfect for antique dolls to wear or maybe playfully place one on a staunch marble bust to liven it up, or use them as a unique decoration, or even use them as a special "thank you" or "greeting card"!
These little paper masks were featured in a recent issue of
Where Women Create in my Studio Chic column.
They are oh so irreverent, shameless and saucy!
And here's another decorating idea, purchase one of my porcelain doll busts to create your own mise-en-scene, the masks fit them perfectly!
Pop into my Etsy shop...
to read all of the juicy details used to create them!
Last but not least, I will be offering a few precious antique items that I'm ready to part with so peek in if you like! See you in a few weeks and don't forget to leave a comment to win the "Creative Woman" print! Adieu!
