Victorian Mermaid Shadow Box

Here's something new I was experimenting with. I was looking through some old Victorian photos that I have, and I thought "How would she look as a mermaid?" :-). I am inspired greatly by old pictures and photos, timeless beauties, and with my love of mermaids, it seemed like a natural fit that she could become one. I don't normally do collages, but sometimes the right photo is perfect for creating one. So, I took an old sewing drawer, painted the inside to look like the undersea ocean, cut the picture, painted long red hair and her fish tail. Her fin is made of leaves. I added a few shells inside, some other crafty stuff for seaweed, glittered her up, framed the box in shells, and this is how she turned out! I liked it so much, I was inspired to do more, so I did a series of them. You can see this one on my Etsy site at LoriGutierrezArt.Etsy.com.

Crowns

One of my most favorite things to create are crowns. As I was looking at one of my chandeliers, I knew I could do something with crystals. First I tried just wiring them together, and then realized that wouldn't work, so I asked my dad how to solder, and pretty much just took it from there. That allowed me to connect all the crystals, beads, rhinestones all together. Now people ask me all the time if I give classes on soldering! But I just don't have the time :-), maybe someday when things aren't so hectic -- yeah, right! :o). Here's an example of one of the many crowns that I've made, available on my Etsy site!

A Glittery Weekend!!

WOW! What a weekend!! Back-to-back shows Saturday and Sunday!

Glitterfest on Saturday was such a wonderful event and a huge success!! Thanks to the ladies at Whimzy - Sheryl and Dianne - for a fabulous show!! They are in the stages of planning the fall show already, and no doubt it will be even better! Here's a few photos -- so many great artists were there & I feel so lucky to have been a part of it!




Here's Stacey, one of my favorite vendors. I always seem to find something to buy at her space! Thanks Stacey for pushing me to create a blog!

Sunday was a beautiful day at the Long Beach Flea Market. It was a great day too! Bought some fun projects -- I'll show you later! All in all, a fabulous weekend! Now it's time to get back into the studio -- except I can't until I clean up all the shells, glitter, beads, rhinestones, paint etc. that's out of control all over the place!

Other Places I'll Be!

And besides The Grove -- On the 3rd Sunday of each month, I'm at the Long Beach Antique Flea Market. And, coming up on May 16th, Saturday, is Glitterfest -- click here to check it out!!

My Very First Blog!!

Everybody has told me -- from my friends, my family, people I meet at the shows I sell at -- everyone -- that I need to have a blog. And you know something? They were right! Here it is, my very own Lori Gutierrez Decorating With Art Blog!! Where do I sell? Here are pics of my little space at The Grove -- the antique flea market held every first Sunday at Irvine Valley College in Irvine, CA.