Showing posts with label celtic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label celtic. Show all posts

Friday, March 9, 2012

The Final Entries in the Smooshers Celtic Challenge

And here's a look at the last of the entries in the Polymer Clay Smooshers Celtic Challenge.  Each of these items was sculpted specifically for this challenge, and each is available for sale in the artist's ArtFire shop.  Just click on the picture to be directed to the listing, and while you're there be sure to check out all the other wonderful items available from each artist.
Valerie's Stuff created this beautiful Polymer Clay Celtic Inspired Necklace as her entry for the challenge.
 
The description reads: This lovely and simple necklace is comprised of five polymer clay pieces - stamped with Celtic inspired designs - which are discreetly accented with glass and hematite beads. The chain is gunmetal (base metal iron).
The overall length of the necklace is 16 3/4" with lobster claw clasp. The center piece is approx. 1 1/4" square and each side piece is approx 1" by 3/4".
The center piece is a wonderful navy granite polymer clay to which I have added a dusting of gold mica powder. The side pieces are a copper colored polymer clay.
LeslieMarie by Design made this lovely Celtic Tree of Life Necklace as her entry.
 Celtic Tree of Life Necklace Handmade Polymer Clay 
The description reads: "Crann Bethadh" or the Tree of life is a symbol of power that endures time.
Symbolizing balance between life and nature, the tree is usually depicted with roots to show the balance between Life, Death, and Rebirth. When the roots and branches interlock, this is considered representation of eternity.
The Celtic people believed trees were a symbol of Wisdom, Strength, and longevity. Many Celtic rituals were centered around trees. Trees provided food, warmth and shelter to humans. With their natural cycles of Life, Death, and Rebirth, they were an obvious choice for sacred symbols.
This Celtic Tree of Life pendant is made from polymer clay and copper jeweler's wire. It hangs beautifully from four strands of seed beads and glass pearls. It is finished with a copper S hook.
This Tree of Life necklace sits just below the collar bone when worn.
And this magical Irish Celtic Fairy sculpture is the second entry for CreativeCritters.
Irish Celtic Fairy in Green Sitting with Cross Fox OOAK Sculpture
The description reads:  This Celtic fairy was sculpted by hand using Premo polymer clay. She wears a sparkling green polymer clay dress and her green slippers were painted on with acrylic paint. The laces are thin strings of polymer clay. Her glossy black hair is also polymer clay and has been textured for added realism. Her ruffled wings were made from a blue, green, yellow, and glow in the dark polymer clay cane (which I created just for this project). The veins and outer edges of the wings on both sides glow in the dark creating a truly magical effect. The last picture shows the back of the wings in the dark, although in reality the glowing sections are much clearer and more defined. The pretty fairy is petting and talking to a cross fox, which is a color variant of the red fox and can be found in Ireland. The fox was also sculpted by hand from Premo polymer clay. He has a red and black coat with a white tipped tail and I coated his nose and eyes with high gloss varnish for a realistic shine. I used acrylic paint to add the black coloration to the fox's underbelly, legs, face, ears, back, and tail. The rocks that the fairy is sitting on were also created from polymer clay, as were the yellow flowers at her feet. I mixed equal amounts of yellow and glow in the dark clay, so the flowers also glow nicely in the dark. The sculpture measures 4 1/2 inches tall ans the base is 4 inches wide. I covered the bottom of the base in felt, which I've signed and dated so you know this is an original creation.

I want to thank all of the guild members who entered this challenge, as well as though who have helped promote it.  And of course a big thank you to all of our wonderful fans for your support and and comments!  And don't forget, there's just one day left to vote on the theme for our next challenge- the poll can be found on the upper right side of the blog.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

More wonderful entries on the Smoosher's Celtic Challenge

Today I'll be sharing more of the wonderful entries in the Polymer Clay Smoosher's guild's Celtic Challenge.  Many members really stretched their creativity to come up with these pieces, and each one is unique.  All of these items were created specifically for this challenge, and each piece is available for sale in the artist's shop.  Click on the picture to be directed to the listing, and while you're there take a little time to check out the entire shop.  You're sure to find all sorts of wonderful handmade items while you're there!
GEMS PC Creations sculpted this lovely Celtic Stamped Polymer Clay Necklace for the challenge.
 
The description reads: This polymer clay necklace was done using a couple of techniques: stamping on clay with a Celtic design texture sheet and application of a kaleidoscope cane (created by Evelyn Bakos). It was strung with brass chain, brass connectors and jump rings. It comes with a brass magnetic closure. This necklace measures approximately 16" long.
ArtMakers Worlds created this magical Moss Green Fern Covered Fairy as an entry.
 Moss green fern covered fairy door 
The description reads: A wee moss color rustic fairy door draped in hanging fern leaves and featuring a faux green opal door window and matching wall charms.
The door handle is made of an old weathered willow branch. And some tall tropical grasses border each side of the door.
I gave the gems a coat of gloss to really help make them look precious.
(everything is made with polymer clay of course.)
So what is a fairy door?
It's an adorable miniature door which you can place anywhere inside your home or out in the garden. By placing a fairy door you will invite mystical Fairies, (including the tooth fairy,) Pixies, Gnomes and all other magical wee folk an inviting entrance to your home for good luck.
Each door is a one of a kind original. OOAK
This Celtic Green Man pendant from CreativeCritters celebrates Celtic mythology as well as Spring.
 Handmade Celtic Green Man Polymer Clay pendant 
The description reads: The Green Man of Celtic mythology is interpreted as a symbol of rebirth and represents the cycle of growth each Spring. This Green Man pendant was sculpted by hand from green Premo polymer clay. Textured leaves cover his face, which was sculpted on to a piece of clay in shades of brown made to resemble tree bark. Before baking I applied a mix of green, gold, and blue green Pearl Ex powders for a lovely and unique iridescent shimmer. I painted the Green Man's eyes with acrylic paint and sealed the pendant with high gloss varnish. I inserted a twisted green wire into the clay before baking and added liquid polymer clay to guarantee that the wire won't pull out. This pendant measures 2 inches tall and 2 inches wide.
Be sure to stop by tomorrow to see the last of the entries for the Smoosher's Celtic challenge, and don't forget to vote on the the theme for our next challenge!  The poll can be found on the upper right side of our blog.  Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

More awesome entries for the Smooshers Celtic Challenge

I wanted to give you all a closer look at more of the wonderful entries in the Polymer Clay Smooshers guild's Celtic Challenge.  Each of these items was sculpted from polymer clay and was made specifically for this challenge.  These items are for sale in the guild member's shops, so just click on the picture to be directed to the listing in their shop.  And don't forget to browse around a bit while you're there- you can find all sorts of delightful creations from these artists!
This Celtic Swirl Necklace from Wyvern Designs utilizes the mica shift technique which creates a beautiful effect.
Celtic Swirl Necklace 
The description reads: This Ghost image or mica shift pendant has been hand made from polymer clay.It is 3" wide x 1.25" high and has a black satin cord necklace with a silver plated toggle clasp. It is approximately 21" long.  A coating of Diamond Glaze really brings out the shine and enhances the ghost image of the Celtic Swirl design.
The second entry from Wyvern Designs is this lovely Monogram Celtic Knot necklace.
Monogram Celtic Knot Necklace 
The description reads: This large Celtic Knot Monogrammed Pendant has been hand made from polymer clay. The pendant is 2.5" in diameter and hangs from a hand made silver artistic wire bail. The chain is 16" long. The letter G has been hand carved from the circle of polymer clay and a border of polymer clay balls have been added to provide a frame. The pendant was then sanded and buffed to a subtle sheen.
 DreamweaversDesigns created this beautiful green faux leather stamped Celtic Knot Polymer Clay picture frame.
Faux leather green stamped celtic knot polymer clay frame 
The description reads: This unique faux leather frame measures 3 1/4 inches wide by 2 1/2 high. The scalloped picture cut out is 1 inch by 1 1/2 inches. After curing, the piece was painted with a green/black mix of acrylic paints, wiped with a wet cloth and re-cured to set the paint. The entire frame was then sanded and the front was brushed lightly with liquid wax to bring up the color. The back has a removable slide for standing.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing in the Smooshers Celtic creativity!  Be sure to stop back tomorrow and see what other wonderful items our members created for this fun challenge!
And don't forget to vote on the theme for our next challenge (the poll is on the upper right side of the blog)!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

A closer look at some of the entries in the Celtic Challenge

I wanted to take a moment to highlight a few of the wonderful entries in the Polymer Clay Smooshers Celtic Challenge.  Everyone worked very hard to create these wonderful pieces!
This Celtic Knot Shamrock Polymer Clay Covered Pen from ArtmakersWorlds has beautiful detail.
Celtic Knot shamrock polymer clay covered pen 
The description reads: Using one of my own polymer clay canes, the celtic knot shamrock, I reduced a piece of cane to various sizes. Some big some small and covered this pen with lucky shamrocks!
The luckiest pen you'll ever own!
 This Celtic Inspired Polymer Clay Cuff from Sharp Art by Dawna is just striking with it's gorgeous red, black, and white colors.
Celtic Inspired Polymer Clay Cuff 
The description reads: OOAK bulky polymer clay cuff with unique pattern. Off white and black with red. Sanded and buffed to shine. Two heavy gauge steel wires run through for added strength.
Medium-Small at 6 3/4" inside diameter.
1 5/8" wide tapering down to 1 1/4" wide.
This Celtic Greenman- Spirit of the Forest Magnet from Fantasy Clay is absolutely awesome.
 Celtic Greenman - Spirit of the Forest Polymer Clay Magnet 
The description reads: This Celtic Greenman magnet is the pagan spirit of the forest. His treelike face and leaves show how connected he is to the forest. The face looks as though it is made of wood but it is actually polymer clay.
The tree spirit magnet is 4 inches (10 cm) long and 3 inches (7.6 cm) across. Very strong rare earth magnet are used. They are placed at the top and bottom so no matter how hard you slam the door, this magnet won't fall off.
All of these wonderful items are available for sale and you can view the listing on ArtFire by clicking on the picture, or view the artist's entire shop by clicking on their shop name.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing our creativity!  Don't forget to check back tomorrow for more amazing entries in our Celtic Challenge, and be sure to vote on the theme for our next challenge while you're here!  The poll can be found on  the upper right side of the blog.

Monday, March 5, 2012

And the entries for the Celtic Challenge are in!

This has been a really fun Challenge which has pushed the creativity of the Smooshers guild members!  Many of us have learned new things about the Celts and Celtic mythology and symbolism.  Learning, growing, and trying new things is what these challenges are all about!  Each item created for the Celtic challenge is available for sale in the artist's ArtFire shops.
I hope you enjoy the video! 
Don't forget to use the form on the upper right side of the blog to vote on the theme for our next challenge!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

What is Celtic?

The theme for the next Smooshers challenge is Celtic (as chosen by our our wonderful followers) and many guild members have asked "What exactly IS Celtic".  One short definition reads "Celt·ic[kel-tik, sel-] noun
1.a branch of the Indo-European family of languages, including especially Irish, Scots gaelic, Welsh, and Breton, which survive now in Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, Wales, and Brittany. Abbreviation:  Celt".  For a more in depth description you can visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celts.  
Personally, images have always worked better than than written descriptions when it comes to formulating themed creations.  When you do an image search on Google for Celtic one of the first things that pops up are Celtic knot designs.  Generally speaking, Celtic knots represent the repeated crossings of the spiritual and physical paths in our lives and the permanence and continuum of life, love, and faith.
Some of our members have already come up with some lovely jewelry incorporating versions of Celtic knots.  But what if you're looking for something a little different?
One of our members suggested searching Celtic Mythology for something beyond just Celtic knot designs.  One prominent image is the Celtic Green Man.  In Celtic mythology the Green Man is a god of Spring and Summer who disappears and returns year after year enacting themes of death and resurrection and the ebb and flow of life and creativity. This is certainly something artists and crafters can relate to!
Another prominent figure in Celtic mythology is Epona, the Horse Goddess (and one of my favorites).  Sometimes Epona is depicted as a woman, and sometimes as a white mare.  Epona was the protector of horses and other equines and was a goddess of fertility.  Some believe that Epona and her horses were the leaders of the souls in the afterlife ride.  
  And then there are the Celtic fairies, which come a quite an array of sizes, shapes and styles.  Celtic folklore is filled with supernatural creatures, many of which are considered fairies, commonly called faerie or fey folk.  These can include the little people, leprechauns, and banshees.  Modern versions of Celtic fairies abound in the artistic world as well.
I hope this helps clarify the meaning and imagery behind the word "Celtic".  This post is by no means comprehensive, just a tiny sampling of some of the legends, symbols, and mythology connected to the Celts.  I hope this helps spark a bit of inspiration for the Smooshers Celtic Challenge and an appreciation for all things Celtic ;-)