ULLABENULLA

Mica Disguises!

My good friend and fellow blogger Florizel featured this delightful 17th Century Dutch - handpainted on copper - miniature in a leather locket recently, and I just had to share it here.  What makes this locket extra special is that inside are numerous hand painted 'disguises' on Mica, so that the fashionable young lady can be shown 'transformed' as the wearer desires!  I think this piece is amazingly inspirational and would love to try something similar as a reliquary!

 

Birdcage Fashion!

This has to be the ultimate Fancy Dress Costume that I have seen yet!  Kasey McMahon of Southern California has created a 'Birdcage Dress' that really works!  She even has a link on her Websight on how to create your own Birdcage Dress in 25 steps!  Don't miss some of her other clever projects to be found Here!   Gives a whole new meaning to having songs at your feet!!!

Ethereal Blues...

image link

Castle Reliquary Class...

Seven delightful women joined me this past weekend in creating one of a kind Reliquaries at the Castle!  I think they all did a marvelous job of creating unique and very personal pieces.  Bravo Girls!

Fairy Tale Couture From Russia...

From Russia with love...  Slava Zaitsev creates exquisite Haute Couture straight out of a Russian Fairy Tale!  In his 70's, Slava is known as the 'Red Dior'.  In honor of the 100 year anniversary of Sergey Dyagilev's Seasons in Pairs, Slava's designs this year hark back to the world famous Ballets Russes, that kept Paris on its toes in the beginning of the 20th century.  His extravagant use of braids and ribbons, and rich jewel toned colors make me think of Russian Princesses eagerly waiting to dance in the cold chilly moonlight!  DREAMY!!!

More Images HERE.  Via Wearable Art Blog

Dreaming Spires...

Everyone could use a place to escape to now and then...  I would love one of these Dreaming Spires Playhouses to call my own!  Handmade in England by Judith Needham, from natural english willow, this is surely the most whimsical creation of 'Green Architecture' I have seen yet!  Tempted???  You can purchase one for yourself on Etsy Here.  If traveling is more in line with your daydreams, perhaps a Rocket Playhouse is what you need...  Either would keep me quite happy!!!

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Cupcake Ruffles and Lovers Eyes!

The ever creative and multi-talented Darla Teagarden sent me these wonderful photos of her 'Lovers Eye' Cupcake Ruffle Dress, with a beautiful glittered mask!  The combination of lace, eyes, glitter and style is truly stunning!  Bravo Darla!

To see more of Darla's amazing work check out her MySpace Page HERE!

Reliquary Class At The Castle This Weekend!

I am truly thrilled to have another full class at the CASTLE  this weekend - my ever popular 'Reliquary Class'! Yesterday I made a few new samples for the class, inspired by Antique Reliquaries.  As always its the little bits and pieces that make them special...

Sizes vary from two inches to two and a half inches.

This round reliquary has a wonderful vintage 'flaming heart' as the centerpiece.  The spines are actually porcupine quills that I've had for some time, and not known what to use them for...  The Music paper is old French and the quote from a vintage love poem.

I've had a tiny bag of 'Mouse Skeleton' bones laying around for years, and finally decided to use the ribs in this piece.  Beautiful Dresden bits surround the bones, and found words give them provenance.  The background is old wrinkled red silk.

This one started with the black sequin net on red background.  The cross is cut from a antique piece of ecclestastical silver ribbon and overlayed with a brass finding, with a old watch wheel at the bottom.  I adore the little silvered glass fish - tiny antique beads from my stash.  The quote is from an old found poem.

You can't see the background on this one, but its real butterfly wings!  Gold Bouillon, Dresden, quilling and a vintage cameo make this reliquary special.  Butterflies are the symbol of the soul, and here also dreams...