I miss my Daddy every single day and still, all these years later, the loss of his presence in my life can be so very painful. Happy Father's Day Daddy.....I know one day I will see you again. I love you!
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xoxoxo,
Lesley V.
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Hi Everyone!
I wanted to let you know that I have been listing some wonderful new items in the Etsy shop and for this week only (ending June 15th) if you live in the continental U.S. and you spend $25 or more you get free shipping!! Just use the Etsy Coupon Code of 25FORFREE.
Here are some of the items listed and remaining in the shop...
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I hope you will stop by and check it out.
www.etsy.com/shop/avintageseason
xoxo,
Lesley V.
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Yay!!! It's a blog hop of the most awesome kind because it has to do with some of my most favorite things to work with....Ice Resin and Art Mechanique goodness!!!
The Ice Resin Design Team has all been playing around with the Art Mechanique Bezel Bracelets and I cannot wait for you to see the amazing creations - to be sure you see them all head over to Ice Resin Blog by clicking on the image at the very bottom of this post.
If you are lucky enough to be at the Bead and Button Show you can check them out yourself and stock up.....'cuz let me tell you after seeing the inspiration that this BlOg HoP provides you will want lots of these in your studio to create with!!
Art Mechanique Bezel Bracelets are available for you to fill and embellish with
your own creativity now at the ICE Resin booths (901 and 903) at the Bead and
Button Show in Milwaukee at the Delta Center, June 6-9, 2013.
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I'm calling my creation....
Steps to Unlocking Me
Supplies Used:
Art Mechanique Bezel Bracelet
Ice Resin
Iced Enamels - Relique Ivory
Iced Enamels Brush & Iced Enamel Medium
Vintage Glass Buttons
Wire & Beads
Designs By Me Key Charms
Clay
Ink - Stayz On
Making Memories - Number Stamps
I've been going through lots of changes in my personal life and I decided to create a bracelet that commemorated the steps that I've taken and the doors that I've opened for myself in the process. In the designing process the images of keys and numbers are what my mind kept gravitating to so that is what I went with.
I used the Iced Enamels in two of the bezels and I chose the Relique Ivory because I love how the bits of gold and black helped to bring another level of color to the piece. Using the process that you can find on the Ice Resin Blog (click the image below):
I created my enameled bezels and sealed both in Ice Resin. I also used a bit of the Ice Resin to adhere my two glass buttons into two of the remaining bezels on the bracelet.
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After the Ice Resin was cured I used an air drying clay to press into the remaining three bezels, making sure that I used enough clay so that it was raised a bit and there was a good surface for stamping into. I used my number stamps and stamped 1, 2 and 3 into the bezels and set it aside to cure before moving on.
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Once the bezels had air dryed I used my Stayz On Ink pads in black, brown and aqua to color the clay. I also used the tip of a gold Sharpie to add pops of gold in some spots on the clay.
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To finish off the bracelet I created little dangles out of shimmering gold and clear beads and then I added the little key charms and made sure to space them so that there was plenty of movement throughout the piece.
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Click Here To Follow The Hop!!!
Have Fun and Happy Creating!!!!!
xoxo,
Lesley V.
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The following quotes have been my mantras/inspirations/affirmations over the last couple of months. They have reinforced hard decisions but, more importantly, they have shown me how to embrace what is and to turn the energy into creativity.
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One of my faves...
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Learning what not to do....
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Learning what to do...
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and more of what to do...
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Sometimes we have to make hard and unpopular decisions in order to move forward, up and on. We have to realize that the memories and love we have of and from someone who has passed can never, ever be taken away from us - there is nothing that anyone can do that will ever be able to take that away.
There is a happiness, a lightness, that comes from removing all of
the negative bindings. Embracing the positive over the negative....now, who wouldn't want that?
I hope your day is filled with all that you wish for.
xo,
Lesley V.
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Happy Hump Day Everyone!! Have fun perusing these Etsy finds and shoppes!!
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Have Fun Shopping!!!
xoxo,
Lesley V.
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Happy Memorial Day to Everyone! This day always reminds me of my Daddy who served as a Marine in WWII at Iwo Jima. Thank you to everyone who has served, who is serving and for all of those who wait and pray for them daily.
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I've been working in the studio this past weekend as we have had no plans and been just lazing about. Here are some of the creations on my studio table...
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Frozen Charlotte Glass Cloche
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Altered Bottle - One of a Kind
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Altered Bottle - Antique Laces
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Today marks the last day of my Memorial Day 15% off sale - check it out here at www.etsy.com/shop/avintageseason
When checking out just use the coupon code MEMORIAL15
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What creative things have you been working on??
xoxo,
Lesley V.
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The wonderful world of Etsy as seen through Treasuries....
{please click the image to visit}
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There are always wonderful things to find on Etsy. I will be highlighting Etsy Treasuries here on Wednesdays so if you are an avid Treasury Maker and you would like your treasury featured just email me at lesleyev@aol.com with a link to your creation.
xoxo,
Lesley V.
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Last year I put together an online class called Mixed Media Claymania and loved, loved, loved the processes that came out of it. The class was open to new registrations for only a short time but I have decided to open it back up for just two days beginning last night.
The videos are available 24/7, there is no end date so no need to hurry and you will create some amazing pieces such as....
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New sign ups for this class will end at midnight, Tuesday, May 14th so if you are interested now is the time.
The cost is $37.00 and the class can be accessed at this link:
http://theartofaltering.ning.com/groups/group/show?groupUrl=mixed-media-clay-melange
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We hope to see you there!!!
xo,
Lesley V.
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Creating through the lessons that life is teaching us is sometimes not a comfortable thing to do. It is easy to get mired down in the circumstances of what may be happening to you or to those around you and, in turn, to find yourself creatively stuck.
Depression was, and can be, my "soul" sucker and when it landed on me a couple of years ago it took, literally, everything I had to shake it and hold it at bay. I know from experience that there were days (weeks) where I had to literally force myself to make something, anything, to keep the creative energy present within me.
Tom and I cared for his elderly mother for the last 8 years of her life and she lived with us the last year or so of it. While she didn't live with us for 7 of those years the caregiving need was still ever present as we were still responsible for her meds, meals, laundry, groceries, shopping, chauffering, etc. Was it difficult? Yes. Was it a burden at times? Yes. Would we do it all over again? Most definitely, Yes, yes, yes!!!
This time spent as a caregiver showed me that I am stronger than I thought, more compassionate than I give myself credit for and more caring/loving that I could imagine. It allowed me to see my friends who care for their friends and family in need in such a different light and to respect them for having the capacity to open their hearts in such a way. It also helped me to see that you never know what responsibility/fear/concern/sickness someone may have in their life that they are dealing with that you can't see and that you should never assume anything.
The void left when she passed away was felt in so many ways within us both. I can look back now and see that this deep, black hole, once opened, revealed issues that had been pushed down and smothered inside of me for years and years. I gave in to them and thus Mr. Depression came along and sat down beside her. So to speak. <smile> Then I took the hand held out to help me and I haven't looked back once....well, maybe I've glanced back but not for long as I kept my eye on the prize that was my happiness.
I've journaled, written, colored, etched, dyed, glued, painted, resin'd, taught, learned and arted my way through two years of therapy and friendship and familial decisions and I'm here, standing strong, smiling, dreaming, creating and being.
My journey took me down a road I didn't expect to go on at my age, into a valley, sludging through a swamp and started up a wonderful mountain. Sometimes I get out of breath, sometimes I get whiney (just ask Tom or my family of friends) but I always strive to get better.
I've found and surrounded myself with people who are supportive and loving towards me. And honest. They tell me the truth....not hurtful, hateful things but things I need to know like...hey, you are being whiney, be quiet. :) They know my past and believe in my future. They don't say something behind my back that they wouldn't say to my face....well you get the picture. :) I do the same for them because I love them right back.
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I hope you are blessed with friends and family in your life that support you, love you and reach that hand out to you and I hope that you do the same for them.
xo,
Lesley V.
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The past few weeks have seen me in my studio filming videos for my new online class offering - Altered Vessels. This online class has well over 30 videos with information on creating everything from little pendants to large bottles with unique, one of a kind, focal points. My online classes are open 24/7 with no end date so no stressing out on finishing up your creations. While there is no end date there is a cut off time to sign up and that will be the end of May, 2013. You can check it out by visiting: www.theartofaltering.ning.com
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The internet and art world is abuzz with the news that Art Is....You is going Down Under!!! That's right, Australia here we come!!! The line up includes: Michael and Andrea DeMeng, Sue Pelletier, Kecia Frazee Deveney, Seth Apter and myself. I am sooooo very excited and cannot wait to bring this magic to everyone from Sal's neck of the woods.
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There has been some amazing creations being posted on the Ice Resin Blog by the Design Team Members....check these out....
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Have you tried ICED Enamels yet? If you haven't you really need to check them out by clicking the image below:
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I hope your Monday is blessed with creativity, love and happiness.
xo,
Lesley V.
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