Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Eclectic Celtic Adornments-A Peek-a-Boo Project

Some Projects Manifest themselves such is the case with these. I was looking through my stash GSLC chippies and chose. few of my favorite ones to combine in these creations.


There is a word circling in some artist’s communities-farrago - It is defined in the dictionary as a pile of odds and ends or random assortment of stuff; a motley assortment of things; a hodgepodge; a mismatch. I simply called it eclectic. Other artistic communities have Frugal Friday Postings. Growing up poor and in the country; with parents who lived through the depression I am acutely aware of its meaning...no dictionary necessary. They are the inspiration for this artwork. 

  1. Gather Supplies.
  2. Cover GSLC Fern Fronds with Pale Green and Quinacridone Nickel AZO Gold, Green Gold, Radiant Yellow and Color Shift Green Acrylic Paints Randomly with a Paintbrush.
  3. Apply Pearlescent Glitter while Wet so Paste acts Like an Adhesive.  Allow to Dry Fully.
  4. Use Variety Of Acrylic Paints to Paint GSLC Peacock Feather Shapes.
  5. Rub Randomly With UHU GlueStick and Apply Pearlescent Glitter.
  6. Color Hearts with Red FolkArt Design Cream, Scarlet Embossing Powder and Rust Powder.
  7. Cure With a Heating Tool.
  8. Use Green Markers and White and Pale Tan Acrylic Paint to Paint GSLC Queen Anne’s Lace.
  9. Use UHU GlueStick to Assemble Adornments.
  10. Dry Fully Pressed and Weighted. 
  11. I Wanted to Give the Adornments and Place of Their Own and Bought Some Cheap Wooden Frames-$1.00 at Michaels. 
  12. Use Cardboard from Inside of Frame to  Cut Pieces of Natural Felt.
  13. Attach Felt to Cardboard Using Double Sided Tape.
  14. Use Another Cardboard Piece to cut out Transparency Film to Use Inside Frame. These Cheap Frames Came with None.
  15. Attach Assemblage to Felted Cardboard Using a Needed and decorative Thread.
  16. Make a Slurry of Lava Paste and Red Acrylic Paints.
  17. Spread and Cover Wooden Frames, Sprinkling Randomly with Cinnamon  While Still Wet For a Rusted Organic Look.
  18. Cure with a Heating Tool. 
  19. Add Highlights With Other Acrylic Paints.
  20. Trace Frame on Scrap Papers to Seal in Back of Frame. Looks Tidy and Professional.
  21. I added Blue Stitching to the Corners of Prepared Adornments  for interest and to Highlight the Peacock Eyes the Feather.
  22. Assemble Your Frames and Seal in Back Portion and Add Mechanics for Hanging if so Desired.


    Final Thoughts:

    Throughout the Victorian era pressed flowers were important. For the Victorian woman, it was an enjoyable pastime. Flowers were often combined with ribbons to create pretty pictures, whilst a flower was often slipped between the pages of a book, to preserve the memory of a special day.

Ferns are some of the oldest plant on our planet, dating bak 400 million years.  They can survive in a variety of climates. They do not reproduce from seed but rather from spores that grow from the bottom side of lives upon reaching  maturity. Ferns may symbolize spiritual protection, or used to bring about wealth, fortune, and luck. In Victorian England, the fern was a symbol of magic, fascination, confidence, and shelter. Ferns could be used to pass messages from a secret admirer. They are said to be symbols of longevity, rebirth and renewal. Fiddleheads, the coiled tips of young Ostrich Ferns, are a springtime delicacy enjoyed by some in the Northeastern U.S. Be sure to go with someone acquainted with harvesting these springtime treats as many fern species are toxic to humans.

Growing up in the country, my momma would always say Queen Anne’s Lace was also known and wild carrots. It turns out she is partially true as it is from the Daucus Genus that include all the carrots consumed for food today.It belongs more closely to the family that includes celery, dill, and many other edible herbs.Most Queen Anne’s Lace is pure white with a darker center to each flower. White: Cleanliness, freshness, new beginnings, healing, innocence, and purity. There is a pink variety too, that symbolizes-Joyfulness, playfulness, youth, fun, celebration, platonic love, and sweetness. My momma loved “coloring” the delicate white flowers that grew will along the country roads of my childhood. 

In ancient time, peacocks were to thought to have magical power e would put the newly cut stems in red and blue food coloring water and magically overnight they would become pastel pink and blue by morning time. A magical memory of my childhood.

In Ancient Times, the peacock was thought to have magical powers against evil spirits. Peacock feathers may symbolize, open-mindedness, protection, uniqueness, creative productivity, good luck, renewal and self-realization. In Victorian Times, There was an Art Nouveau’s Obsession with Peacocks and their feathers.

Celtic Hearts are meant to symbolize the everlasting love between two people. The Celtic heart is warm and wide, a place where love and peace abide goes one Irish Saying.



Supplies:  GSLC Celtic HeartsGSLC Fern FrondsGSLC Peacock Feathers Shape SetGSLC Queen Anne's Lace, Pearlescent Glitter, Acrylic Paints, Fan Paintbrush, Red FolkArt Design Cream, Scarlet Embossing Powder, Rust Powder, Heating Tool, Variety Of Green Markers, White and Pale Tan, Acrylic Paint, UHU GlueStick

I cannot wait to see your interpretation of this project. Share it on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Craft Group Page on Facebook. I would love to see what new creations you are working on!


Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Dragons on Parade-A Peek-a-Boo Project


I’m not sure why I have dragons on my mind in July. Maybe these mythical creatures remind of fireworks on the fourth of July or Visiting ChinaTown in Washington DC, years ago for Chinese New Year and seeing the Amazing Dragon dancing down the street with festive laughter and cheery merriment. I Have also throughly enjoyed watching the “How to Train Your Dragons” Movie series. Whatever the reason they are the inspiration of this artwork. 


  1. Gather Supplies.
  2. Cover GSLC Layered Shields With Silver Rub’n Buff using a Paintbrush.
  3. Glue Layered Parts Together with a UHU GlueStick. Dry Completely Pressed and Weighted Down.
  4. Use Polymer Clay, Moulds, Clay Cutters, Liquid Fly and Dragon Eye Cabochons to Create Focal Point for Your Prepared Layered Shields.
  5. Add Mica Powders to Glisten the Eyes.
  6. Use Liquid Clay to Secure Dragon Eye Layered Shield.
  7. Add Metal Embellishments-Nails, Screws, Eyelets, etc-With a bit of Liquid Clay.
  8. Cure in Polymer Clay as Instructed on Packaging.
  9. Once fully Cooled Added Patina and Interest with Waxes and Rub’n Buff.

  10. Add Further Layers with Collection of Acrylic Paints.
  11. As Pieces Needed More Interest I used the Bats for GSLC Creepy Critter Shape Sets.
  12. Use Embossing Stick on Rubber Texture Stamps.
  13. Sprinkle With Clear Embossing Powder.
  14. Cure With a Heating Tool.
  15. Use Acrylic Paints to Create Corresponding Wings for Your Dragon Eyes.
  16.  Cut Bats in Half and Secure to Back of Shield Using Clear Gorilla Glue.
  17. Allow to Dry Fully Pressed and Weighted Down.

Final Thoughts:

Many years ago we went to China Town In Washington, DC to Celebrate The Chinese New Year. It was my first time seeing the Dragon dance and the Lion Dance. Although similar in style are are uniquely their own.

Both dances are intended to bring luck and prosperity, a sentiment that’s very important to Chinese people.

The dances are often seen during Chinese New Year celebrations, but can also be part of other events throughout the year.

There is often some confusion when it comes to identifying a lion or a dragon dance – the exquisite costumes of the lion can often make it look similar to a dragon.

However, it’s quite easy to distinguish between the two.

In a lion dance, there are two performers making up each lion – one at the head, who defines the lion’s personality, and one at the back for the tail. Apart from their legs, they are completely covered by their costume.

For a dragon dance however, you have a minimum of nine performers, each holding up a section of the dragon, which is propped up on poles. The performers are completely exposed in this case.

Some of my favorite quotes from, How to Train Your Dragon.

“What you’re searching for isn’t out there, Hiccup. It’s in here.” 

“I wouldn’t kill him, because he looked as frightened as I was. I looked at him… and I saw myself.” 

“This is Berk. It’s twelve days north of Hopeless, and a few degrees south of Freezing to Death. It’s located solidly on the Meridian of Misery. My village. In a word, sturdy. And it’s been here for seven generations, but, every single building is new.

We have fishing, hunting, and a charming view of the sunsets. The only problems are the pests. You see, most places have mice or mosquitoes. We have… dragons.” 

“Legend says that when the ground quakes or lava spews from the earth it’s the dragons. Letting us know they’re still here. Waiting for us to figure out how to get along. Yes, the world believes the dragons are gone, if they ever existed at all.

But we, Berkians, we know otherwise. And we’ll guard this secret until the time comes when dragons can return in peace.”



Supplies:  GSLC Layered ShieldsGSLC Creepy Critters Shape Set, Polymer Clay, Clay Shape Cutters and Molds, Ebony and Silver Rub’n Buff, Paintbrush, UHU GlueStick, Liquid Clay, Dragon Eyes Cabochons, Mica Powders, Metal Embellishments-Nails, Screws, Eyelets, Blue and Golden Waxes, Collection Of Acrylic Paints, Embossing Stick, Clear Embossing Powder, Rubber Texture Stamps, Heating Tool, Gorilla Clear Glue Tube, 


I cannot wait to see your interpretation of this project. Share it on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Craft Group Page on Facebook. I would love to see what new creations you are working on!