"Nothing" doesn't exist

Have you every allowed someone to make you feel "small", feel like "nothing"? Sometimes less is more! Watch this.

First Gift - "Guide Me"

Shrine - "First Gift - Guide Me"

Baby's First Gift is a very special memento that I thought would take the place of the old bronzed, shoe book-ends that were once popular.

I would be honored to create a similar piece, commissioned by your specifications, using your own baby shoe in any color.

This sweet shrine was made by painting a 4 3/4" x 6 1/4" x 4" wood and glass box in a pearlescent color and adding gold Dresden embossed foil. Then scraps of net and velvet, beaded flowers from an old hat, along with white feathers were added on top. Since we want to give our children roots and wings, I thought the feathers seemed appropriate. The vintage photo of a sweet little girl was copied, then tinted with paint. She was embellished with a vintage, velvet posey and glass glitter, then the word "guide me" applied. The front clasp was adorned with dyed,silk ribbon. The vintage baby's walking shoe is removable and has several options for display. It is coated with pink, glass glitter and tiny hearts. White silk ribbon was used for laces. Inside and bottom of shoe was covered with paper depicting crowns of royalty.

*Click here for pricing and ordering.

"I have begun to emerge" Shrine

I made this shrine in honor of a young woman who emerged out of what could have been a hard shell of a life into a rare pearl that has been polished to it's luster as a direct result of the harshness of life. The resulting strength as well as beauty is celebrated in this homage. I painted a 6" x 7" x 5" wood box with glass on each side to enable the viewer to see through.

The lid opens by way of shell and pearl with silk ribbon and a removable tag that reads - "Delicate and fragile, yet endowed with an inner strength that survived and defied the sea storms of life."

The top of the box is encrusted in shells, pearls, a vintage earring and glass glitter. Inside the box, there are more encrusted shells, pearls, glass beads and glass glitter, along with other bits found on the beach. An image was collaged depicting a mermaid reaching upward, as well as another mermaid watching in admiration. Unfurling from the largest shell is a message that reads " I have begun to emerge. I have begun to reveal myself". Most of the items in this piece are bits and pieces washed up on the shore where I collected them in Virginia Beach. I have left them just as I found them, using the natural elements to my advantage. i.e. no drilling of holes were necessary for attachments, due to natural holes that were already in the shells.

It should be noted that I have never met this young lady. I have only heard stories of her strength. In imagining her, this shrine took on a life of it's own. I hope that she is pleased. This piece is SOLD, but commissions are taken using your own personal specifications.

"Love Springs Eternal"

I have been creating more tin nichos/shrines.















This tin nicho is designed in the traditional cross shape. I whitewashed the entirety, then washed it with walnut for the appearance of more age. The glass front is hinged to open from the bottom, up. There are 3 separate compartments inside. I choose a vintage Italian Holy card of a Madonna in adoration of a rose that appears to have sprung up in the midst of nothing. I couldn't keep from thinking about how many times I have been surprised at finding beauty in the midst of what might have been viewed as ruins or despair. Following the rose symbol, I remembered some dried roses I had hung in the rafter in my studio from a bouquet that I couldn't bear to discard. With the baby's breath, a wash of bees wax and a sprinkle of glass glitter, I knew that the rose would now be encased for a loving memory. The milagro hearts, dripping with more bees wax seemed perfect for both the small compartments. I rusted, then cut metal filigree to embellish each of the 4 points of the cross. After attaching, they were then painted with bees wax. There is a metal loop for a hanger on the back, but I added another option for hanging with the ribbon. The ribbon is composed of old lace taken from a wedding veil, pink,vintage baby blanket binding and a hand dyed silk ribbon.

This beauty is gonna be hard to part with.

You can see more nichos and shrines on my website at www.sacredartimages.com