Native American Turquoise and Silver

I've always been drawn to different cultures and the history of a given area or region. On a recent trip to Pennsylvania we went antiquing searching for treasures. I  found a miniature totem pole and a vintage children's book. I'm also drawn to gemstones that are blue in color, labradorite being my favorite followed by turquoise that is heavily veined. These are the inspirations for this project.

1.  Take top portion of wooden cigar box off using pliers and screwdriver.
2.  Cover entire surface with Finnabair Rust Pastes.

3.  While still wet sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg to further the rusty effect.

4.  Once dry seal with matte varnish.

5.  Take apart GSLC Star Medallions.

6.   Paint with Copper Tone Acrylic Paints.

7.  Paint With Silver Tone Acrylic Paints.

8.  Add more metallic touches with Ice Resin German Silver enamels and a heating tool and Lindy Starburst Sprays.

 

9.  To give GSLC Star Medallions a tarnished look dry brush quickly with black acrylic paint.

10.                Once dry  use thread and needle to weave in and out of holes in GSLC Star Medallions.

11.                Antique Embellishment with gray and yellow iron oxide acrylic paint.

12.                Assemble Project using hammer and upholstery tacks to secure into place.

 

 

 

 

Some final thoughts.

Turquoise is often associated with connections to the spiritual world and is to protect us from harm and negative energy. It is said to bring peace to one's home and good fortune to its owner. Turquoise is from the earth as is silver, when combined together they have a futurist nostalgia. I prefer copper with my heavily veined turquoise and find they comfort me when worn together.
Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Star Medallions, Wooden Cigar Box, Pliers, Screwdriver, Finnabair Rust Paste, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Matte Varnish, Paintbrush, Metallic Paints in Coppers and Silver Tones, Ice Resin German Silver Enamel, Heating Tool, Lindy Sunburst Sprays, Black Acrylic Paint, Thread, Needle, Various Embellishments (Small Wooden Totem Pole, Plastic Log Fence Piece, Turquoise Bead Necklace), Gray and Yellow Iron Oxide Acrylic Paints,  Upholstery Tacks, Hammer
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!

Purépecha Santos Doll

Welcome to another week of Gypsy Soul inspiration, this is Yolie with my version of the Santos Doll.
The origin of the Santos Doll is Spanish and I have longed to make my Purépecha version. Purépecha is a Mexican tribe from the state of Michoacán also known as Tarasco.

In addition to the Santos Doll set, I used the Star Medallions and Texture Sheets Fiesta.

I painted the Santos Doll and the Star Medallion with one coat of white acrylic paint. Once the paint dried, I removed the parts carefully using a Kraft knife.

Using an airbrush and Sharpie markers, I airbrushed all the parts.

I assembled my Purépecha Santos Doll and fitted her skirt. I used 2 sheets of crepe paper and airbrushed wide and narrow lines. I then used the Protective Eye pattern from Texture Sheet Fiesta as a stencil and airbrushed the design on the hem of her skirt.
With a needle and thread I used a hand baste stitch for gathering and then glued the jute to cover the stitch. I used the clothespin to secure the jute until the glue dried.

Here she is, my Purépecha Santos Doll. She's selling her ceramic wares and is beautiful.

The miniature zerape or shawl is actually a book mark I purchased in a Mexican shop along with the ceramics and hat. I will be making another visit to that store very soon to restock because these miniatures are adorable.

My original plan was to create her skirt out of corn husks, but I remembered I purchased a pack of crepe paper during Halloween that has the texture of corn husks.

I hoped you enjoyed my version of the Santos Doll. I had so much fun putting it together and giving her 'life'.  Enjoy your week and keep it crafty.

Supply List:
Santos Doll Item No.C43L
Star Medallions Item No. C7H 
Texture Sheets Fiesta Item No. D91B
Ebrush
Sharpies
Crepe paper
Glue
Jute

Simple Christmas

Hi Everyone,
Jess here today with a couple of super simple Christmas card ideas.

  The Star Medallions come in a set of three.  For these two cards I used the small and medium medallions.  Paint both of the medallions using Dina Wakley paint in Gilt.  The small medallion got some pearl dots added to the points.

For the background on this card use navy blue paper and emboss it using the Sizzix 3d Winter Snowflakes Embossing folder.  Cut out your sentiment using the Tim Holtz Holiday Words Script die. It's hard to tell here, but there is a tiny line of gold paper layered underneath the embossed paper.  

Mount your background on to  a white card.  

Add your bling and you're done! 

The pink card follows the same idea, but the center is made using the tiny tattered floral die and the festive foliage die from Tim Holtz.  

That's it! You could bust out all of your Christmas cards in an afternoon making them like this!

Jess

Shabby Chic Mask

Hi everyone!  Barbara Rankin here on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog.  Today, I want to share this pretty, shabby chic mask using the Masks Shape Set,  along with Prima's new Lavender paper, and lots of lace and trims.

Trim a piece of 12"x12" paper to 7-3/4" x 12".  I used the mask shapes to get this measurement.

Run paper, right side up, through Xyron Creative Station.

Place paper with sticky side up.  This paper is double sided, so the script you see in the photo is actually the sticky side now.  Lay right side of each mask onto sticky side of paper.

Trim excess paper around each mask and cut out inside eye holes.  Repeat process to cover back of each mask with solid purple card stock.

Run purple card stock through Xyron Creative Station.

Adhere back of each mask to sticky side of cardstock.  Trim excess paper and cut out area inside the eye holes.  If needed, you can use sand paper, an emery board, or sanding tool, like the one shown, to smooth any rough edges.

Choose three feathery flourishes and the smallest star medallion from each set.  Ink with Versamark ink and heat emboss each piece with Charred Gold embossing powder first.  Reheat the embossing powder and while embossing powder is still hot, randomly sprinkle a small amount of Queen's Gold embossing powder and quickly reheat until melted.  Repeat process for back of each piece.  You only need to cover the parts of these pieces that might extend past the mask and be seen from the back.

Adhere pieces to each mask, as shown.  The star medallion is centered and attached to the top mask, while the flourishes are adhered to the bottom mask, just above where the top mask will sit.

Cut a piece of 4" wide white fringe to 13".  Place onto a craft mat and spray with water first,  Then spray both Shaded Lilac and Spun Sugar Distress Spray Stains over the fringe.  Spray more water to help the colors lighten as well as blend.  Allow the fringe to dry.  It will dry to a lighter color.  Then cut off any excess trim.

Glue purple trim around bottom mask, as shown.   I also outlined the eye openings on the bottom mask with the gold Krylon pen, as shown.

When the top mask is placed over  the bottom mask, you will be able to see the gold outline around the eyes, as shown below.

However, before we glue the two masks together, let's finish the top mask.  Glue purple trim around the edges of the top mask.  When glue dries, cut off any excess trim.

Next, glue a line of flat back pearl trim centered over purple trim.

Cut two dangle daisy pieces from dangle daisy trim.  Lay onto craft mat and spray with Ranger Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls Mist.  Then dab ColourArte Solar Gold onto each piece.  Let dry.

Glue dangle daisy trim piece to each side of top mask, as shown. 

Spread a thick bead of fast grab tacky glue along outer edge of bottom mask, as shown.  Let set for a minute or two.  Gently curve upper mask, and have a few clamps nearby and ready to use.

Align both top and bottom masks together and clamp along edges until glue dries.

You may need to insert something between the two masks to keep the upper mask curved.  I used an extra clamp and shoved it between them.  Let the masks sit until the glue is dry.

Next, I inserted and glued small white feathers between the feathery flourishes to soften the top edges.  I glued matching gold buttons to the two daisy dangles and start medallion, as shown.  You may need to cut the shank off of the buttons before glueing them down.

Now, we need to add a handle.  I painted a 12" dowel that is 1/4' wide with  pearl paint.  You may need two coats for good coverage.  If you are right handed, you will want the handle to be on the left side of the mask so that when you are holding the mask, your right hand is free to use.  If you are left-handed, then place the handle on the right side of the mask.

Use a good glue to attach the handle to the back of the mask, and cover the top of the handle with a small piece of the solid purple card stock to help keep the handle in place.

Here are a few closeups for you.  

Supplies Used:

GSL Masks Shape Set
GSL Star Medallions
GSL Feathery Flourishes Set
Lavender paper collection (Prima)
Coordinating purple card stock
Lumiere Pearl White paint
Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stains (Shaded Lilac, Spun Sugar)
Ranger Perfect Pearls Mist (Heirloom Gold)
ColourArt Radiant Rain Solar Gold Dauber
Krylon 18kt. Gold Leafing Pen
Embossing Powders
  Charred Gold (Emerald Creek)
  Queen's Gold (Ranger)
Xyron Creative Station
E-6000 Fabri-Fuse fabric glue
Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue
Various ribbons, lace, trims, buttons, and embellishments
Diamond gemstones (Paper Studio)
Small Clamps
12" wooden dowel (1/4" wide)

Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to check out the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts online store to see more of the fabulous laser cuts available for all your art needs.

Have a wonderful, crafty day!

Barbara