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I found an amazing Kaleidoscope maker on facebook of all places and just HAD to share it with all of you! I loved my Kaleidoscope as a kid and will always remember how inspired that whirl of colors made me feel!

 

A Wright Made Kaleidoscope has over 25 years of craftsmanship incorporated in the woodwork. You know it will be durable and stay as lovely as the day you opened it. The laminated woodwork is amazing and the artistry of the oil filled designs are sure to be conversation starters in your office!

Buy one for you kids, one for yourself and one for the businessman who has everything. It will win you smiles every time. And the view you will be receiving is like non other!



The difference in the image reflected is in the mirrors used...

When an ordinary mirror is used in a kaleidoscope, light must pass through a layer of glass before being reflected by the silvering on the back of the mirror. Since glass is not perfectly clear or perfectly flat, some attenuation of the image results, along with “ghost images” caused by reflection off of the surface of the glass. These undesirable effects are compounded in a kaleidoscope mirror assembly and cause the viewing field’s outermost edges to dim, blur, and become full of interference lines.

By using aluminized front surface mirrors these problems are solved. Front surface mirror is made by vacuum depositing a highly reflective aluminum surface coating onto the FRONT of the glass. The light then reflects off the aluminized coating and does not pass through the glass. The high reflectivity (approximately 95%) and the absence of ghost images permits a brilliant image which remains clear and bright throughout the viewing field. The resulting “hall of mirrors” effect results in images and colors that are much sharper and more intense than would be possible using ordinary mirror.


Wright Made Products is hand crafting these and I think they are just plain gorgeous! What do you think? Stop by and become a fan on facebook and browse their Esty store to buy one today.

I hope you enjoyed reading about this new found artisan. And I hope you feel inspired to bring out your original love for these hand held masterpieces!

ART Giveaway

My facebook fan page is growing in fan base so I am celebrating by giving away my newest Art Card!! I will be creating another Valentine ACEO similar to the ones earlier created and if my fan base reaches over 200 I will choose a random fan to win the very first print!!



Go to the Art by Belle fanpage on facebook and click like to enter! Then share the link with all your friends to make sure my number reaches at least 201. Easy as pie!! Hope you win!!

If you are already a fan, just spread the link and leave a comment for an extra chance to win! I love my fans!!

Look what I found!

Ok, so you might already have seen this, But I am so blown away at how cute this gal's creations are!!!! If you know me, you know I love ladybugs...so be prepared the following images will make you say "Aaaaaahhh" and "Oh how cute!" Just so your warned, these are just too adorable!!





There are way more than hats and scarves. You've gotta see them all to appreciate why I'm so blown away with this talent! Go to her facebook fan page to see more details! Make sure you sign up as a fan and tell her Belle sent you!!

To order now, go to her Little Kids shop on Etsy. Just don't say I didn't warn you if you can't stop saying "Aaaaaaah" !  These are too cute not to share so...post to your friends on your networks and like away!

Creative Character Tutorial


  Today's Tutorial comes from:




Adding interesting characters to your art journal is an easy way to 
construct an art journal page using things found around your home. 
By collecting collage materials from everyday ephemera such as 
newspapers, magazines, junk mail, school papers, and grocery lists, 
you can create a character that represents you in a symbolic way. 
Building a story around your new character collage is an exercise
in creativity that is both fun and enlightening.

If you don’t create in art journals, you can easily apply these 
techniques to standard collage surfaces. 
Character Construction 5 pcarriker 













 
Materials

  • Journal with heavy paper such as 140-lb watercolor paper
  • Collage fodder (grab things that speak to you, labels, 
    •  junk mail, newspaper, magazines, etc.)
  • Gel medium or other collage glue
  • Scissors
  • Gesso
  • Assorted acrylic paints including 
    • Titan Buff, White and Raw Umber
  • Acrylic glazing medium
  • Conte Crayon: Bistre, or Black
  • Blending stump
  • Assorted journal pens
  • Graphite pencil
  • Water soluble crayon 

 






This series is inspired by the Roaring Twenties and my recent venture to a local Murder Mystery party that was amazingly fun and very addictive. The 20s was the time of gangsters and flappers. Where the guys were dapper and the dolls the cat's meow!

This set of four cards is premiered on my Listia account for FREE for the next three days and then will only available in my store front on artbybelle.com.

Hurry over to win these while they're available or purchase the very first set in this dangerously delightful series.

Newest Jewelry Design

As many of you know, ArtByBelle has a jewelry line called "Bohemian Candy". My newest creation is listed in my ArtFire store and there is only one!

Get it while it lasts, and feel free to leave comments, suggestions, and requests! I'm slowly building my online store. I've been selling my stocked inventory locally, so I have to rebuild my online stock.

I'm sure it won't be a problem to find a few extra hours in each day!

Pyrography

Pyrography is the beautiful art of burning pictures into wood or leather.  Pyrography means "writing with fire" and is the traditional art of using a heated tip or wire to burn or scorch designs onto natural materials.

It takes much practice and a steady hand as well as basic knowledge of various techniques and pressure changes. Varying the type of tip used, the temperature, or the way the iron is applied to the material all create different effects.

I recently discovered a little gem on Zibbet know as Breath of the Dragon. The artist responsible for these designs is talented and affordable. Shoe some love, befriend her on facebook and get to know her shop on Zibbet!

Pictured is one of my favorite creations of hers, the Celtic Pentacle box. I love Celtic designs and adore boxes, so this is a win win!

New Face to my Website

Check out the new feel of my website, artbybelle.com! Easier to navigate with brighter images and more links. As the umbrella site it will get you to where you want to go, just browse, bookmark and share!

I am so excited to launch my fresh ideas and connect to many more like minded pages! Want to be in my favorite links? Shoot me a comment with your info!

(Currently, favorite links are on my web design site. To get there go to the web design tab and click the link for more information.)

Recycle

One way to recycle is to share magazines! You have a subscription you flip through then toss? Why not advertise locally to see if someone wants to trade with you? I'm always looking for back issues to pick up and have several mags that I just don't care for anymore.

Stay green and start a swap group for magazines, books, cloths, craft supplies... it's limitless! If you have a bunch of crafting friends, why not get together and trade scrapbook supplies, stickers, or even paints, markers and more!

Let me know if you have other creative ways of trading locally with friends!

Be Original

From a fellow artist the words...

♥*redundancy is lame... be original*♥

Whatever you do, get out there and get it done! Let 2011 be your year to shine! Your talent has purpose, find it! Your ideas have merit, dust them off! Your light has a need to shine, so let it! Whatever you do best, do it with all your heart.

Call out to your fellow crafters and get the inspiration ball rolling!

I am inspired to get my watercolors out again after seeing the creative renderings of Moonstr of Etsy. Her sense of color and quarky style will have you reaching for your pencils, paints and pocketbooks in no time!

Check it out for yourself! at moonstr.etsy.com and tell her Belle sent ya!

Valentines = Vertuta

I know Valentine's Day is more than a month away but you can start planning now and order one of these charming handmade and VERY unique toys for your Valentine! The artist even has a naughty variety for the kids at heart! You just have to see them to believe them!

Surf on over to her shop on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/vertuta?ref=seller_info and see if they are still available. Tell her Belle sent you. And if you are looking for your little man a custom gift... why not a disco type monster in shiny green?
Have fun browsing!

Classes

I have many people ask me where I learned to make jewelry. True I taught myself many techniques, and gathered some from books and magazines, but there is nothing better than a live demonstration. I am endeavoring to learn more skills in this new year and will be trying out some classes at my favorite bead store.

If you are wanting to learn anything from basic to out of this world, go to the following link and see what classes meet your needs. (Materials are not free, so make sure to budget for them!)
http://springfieldleather.com/January%202011-2.pdf

(Pictured is my original design in metallic purple)
see more at artbybelle.com

Winter Knits

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCheekyGirl

Need a scarf or hat this winter??  check out the Cheeky Girl on Etsy! I absolutely love this polar bear hat! Maybe because my mascot in school was  the polar bear... or just how cute they are!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCheekyGirl

ART Giveaway

My Team of amazing artistic women have come up with some unique art cards to give away just for reading our blog!! Here is a look at what you can win:

 Click on over to http://dawgteamonetsy.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-dawg-team-art-aceo-giveaway.html and comment, blog and share your way to FREE ART!!

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