wearable art shoulder bags galore!

Bags, bags and more bags. Here are some more!

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'Spotted Floral' OOAK Handpainted & Embellished Artsy Shoulder Bag

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'Vintage Floral' OOAK Embellished Artsy Shoulder Bag

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'Sea Treasure' OOAK Handpainted & Embellished Artsy Shoulder Bag

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paper art earrings

I love wearable art!!
In all its forms, in all its styles, created by artists from around the world. A little piece of artistic expression that you can wear or carry to embellish an ensemble or a mood or event. Special and unique, often one-of-a-kind and hopefully treasured. Sometimes these little treasures are affordable! And that's my goal...

'Blue & Green Dangle Paper Art Earrings' - OOAK Handpainted Watercolor & Pen/Ink

Click here to purchase

Other Dangle Paper Art Earrings - OOAK Handpainted Watercolor & Pen/Ink

Click here to purchase

These earrings I started quite some time ago and for one reason or another, just never got around to completing them. I finished quite a few and these are just some of them. There are many more in my Etsy shop now. I wish I had taken photos of the process though. They start out as a watercolor. Nothing specific. Just a collection of beautiful merging colors and shapes. Then I add layers of vintage book pages onto the backs of the watercolor paper.

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For all of these earrings, I used pages from a beautiful vintage bible that I found years ago that had most of it missing and was completely falling apart. I really think it adds to the beauty of these tiny pieces of art. Next, I start cutting the paper into specific shapes. I try to match up pieces that have similarities in color once they are cut. Then I get to add pen and ink work to them. I love this part. The watercolors and shapes of the paper tend to dictate my design and essentially I have no idea what I am going to draw until I see the colors and designs from the watercolors. When all is said and done, I add layers of thick, clear, archival safe resin. Of course, this isn't where it all ends. Nope! The final stage is adding the jewelry findings and embellishments.
Whew! That's a bunch of steps.

No two earrings are alike. They are delicate, yet sturdy and they have such beautiful movement when worn. Photos just never do justice. My confirmation though, was when my 14-year Hannah told me..."Mom, these are sooo cool. I love these! Will you make me some?"
Score!!!

more wearable art shoulder bags

As promised, more bags ready to post. Many more to post...stay tuned!

'Funky Floral' OOAK Handpainted & Embellished Artsy Shoulder Bag

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'Natural Beauty' OOAK Embellished Artsy Shoulder Bag

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'Bird of Blue' OOAK Handpainted & Embellished Artsy Shoulder Bag

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'Floral Trio' OOAK Embellished Artsy Shoulder Bag

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wearable art shoulder bags

I have been working on numerous projects around here in the midst of...well, Life! One of the newest projects is wearable art in the form of shoulder bags. I have created these types of bags for years and years, and have even created a few of these styles for a little boutique here locally. So now, it's my turn!

'Blue Shell' OOAK Handpainted & Embellished Artsy Shoulder Bag

SOLD

'Heart with Wings'  OOAK Handpainted & Embellished Artsy Shoulder Bag

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'Starry Owl'  OOAK Handpainted & Embellished Artsy Shoulder Bag

SOLD

One of the things I have wanted to do for a while now is incorporate my actual art into the piece. Something simple, fun, unique, impressive...all wrapped into one. I finished about 25 shoulder bags so far and will start posting them here and adding them to my Etsy shop over the next week. Sadly, my camera has decided to break down, so getting the images completed has been a fiasco. Keeping faith though! A good camera is in my future!! Amen!

Each bag is crafted from scratch using mostly repurposed or upcycled fabrics and other fiber materials, beads and buttons (mostly vintage), and visible freeform and hand stitching. If the bag has artwork attached, I painted that separately on a lightweight muslin and attached that to the piece, allowing and adding further imperfections and artful tattering to enhance the personality of each piece. The final bag ends up a wearable piece of art that is sure to turn heads! I do hope you like them and stay tuned...there are many more to be posted and listed!

'the beauty of zentangle'

As life sometimes presents itself, there have been some tough times around here lately and I have just tried to stay positive and keep faith through it all! and know that through it all...I AM BLESSED! Today? Tough day! In the midst of my work and updates, I thought I would check to see if I could find out when the publish date was for a book I was asked to contribute to a few months ago and to my surprise...

'The Beauty of Zentangle' - Favorite examples from 137 gifted tangle artists worldwide

Cover art from my 'Morning Song'

Click here...To pre-order

...I AM THE COVER ARTIST!! This was a complete surprise to me! I fell to my knees and cried...and cried...and cried!! What an honor!!! and just one more Blessing and confirmation that God is working in my life and all that He has Blessed me with. This is the only piece I can confirm so far, but there are at least a couple others that will be included inside the book. The book will be available November 1, 2013 late September 2013 and apparently available in all the usual places; Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. You can find out more here and here for starters. It's so exciting! Sometimes your day changes and you just feel like shouting from the rooftops!!

There are actually a couple other recent publications that have occurred in my life and will post those very soon, too. Stay tuned....I'm back!! :)