Happy Summer Everyone!!
I hope you are all ducking the heat wave! Here's a quick commission I just completed. She wanted an illustration style portrait. I was so happy to hear that she loved it!! The details of the shadows don't show on this photo. Sorry for picture quality, I used my phone. I didn't have a camera on me as I was packing it up I realized I hadn't taken a final photo.

                                         
I'm heading to the west coast for some R&R. I need to recharge my batteries and surround myself with water! As soon as I return I will be sharing some new work.

Have a great weekend!!!

Rosanna

My Muse!

I hope you all had a lovely Mother's Day.

I consider myself very fortunate to have my mom and my grandma with me to laugh, talk about life and eat our favorite foods while we celebrate another Mother's Day together.

Onto some artwork-

Hi everyone, I wanted to introduce you to my little muse. I have been working with this character for many years now and I decided it was time to bring her out of the shadows. Here she is wearing a black long wig(she has many colors and styles) and one of her favorite hats. She has been the quiet inspiration for many of my projects, stories and designs. She has some wear and tear on her so I am considering a remake in order to preserve her. Maybe this time I will make her a little bit larger and in a stronger clay. 

I hope you all have a creative muse of your own but if not I hope mine can inspire you to make one soon;)

         

Rosanna

Surprise Redecorating!!!

I was inspired to do something creative for someone special in a different way so I did some decorating!

It was a Surprise Remodel/decorating done in a week and on a tight budget for someone that my family knows has had some hard times and really deserves it! With the help of family we painted walls, painted grout lines, changed sliding doors to French doors, changed lighting, added window treatments and redecorated this place to give it a cozy and charming look and all in a week!!
All the furniture used, except for 3 pieces, was already existing in the house.
I purchased EVERYTHING else at Lowes, Home Depot, Target, Home Goods and the sofa and ottoman slipcovers at Ikea! I donated a used coffee table and refinished it to match the other wood tones.

Without the expense of the french doors the whole project had to come in under $1000.

This is the part where you hit up friends and family for a donation!!
That figure included trim molding, concrete stain, 5 gallons of blue paint and brushes and rollers, all lighting-chandelier, kitchen lighting and 2 lamps, a large sea grass rug and 2 smaller rugs, 2 sets of closet doors, 2 double rod iron drapery rods with 8 curtains total, picture frames, tablecloth, plates, utensils, napkin rings and napkins, flowers, throw pillows, sofa and ottoman covers, a side chair, a buffet table and large mirror, a custom built shelf(by me) and black metal knobs for the kitchen, new kitchen towels, a pitcher full of kitchen utensils as well as a few candles and accessories. And a fridge and pantry full of food!(thanks Gio)
Heres are some photos. If you want to see more of the details check out my flickr page on my side bar.

living room and dining room after

New grout color too

Kitchen After

The biggest transformation for me was the floor, after painting the grout it looked like a new place.

Phew!

I'm sure some of you thrifty, savvy decorators out there could have done it for less but I only had a week to get it all done and we all loved how it turned out!! It was a lot of work and a lot of fun especially when the person you do it for has no idea of what they are coming home to!!

p.s. she came home and said she was so happy to see all of the changes she had never thought of doing and that now she feels her spirit lifted and re-inspired!

Thanks for stopping by and let me know if you have had any projects you've tackled

in a short time!

Rosanna

Completed Paper Cottage!

Here's the finished Paper Cottage. Well, its actually the "Foamboard, paper and caulk Cottage" but I think "Paper Cottage" sounds better. This type of house is more advanced than a shoebox house but still simple enough to be done in a weekend and is great for fairy folk, miniature dolls or even as a diorama.

The fairies are checking out!

Have a great week

Rosanna

Making Miniatures!!

What do you get when you combine a day with Ron Mummert(Ron's Miniature Shop) and these materials....

FOAMBOARD

CAULK

TEXTURED PAPER You get a really simple way to make a dollhouse exterior!!

I'm old school when it comes to making things, especially miniature houses, meaning I use a lot

of wood, paper clay, plaster, real stone and brick. This was a refreshing alternative, Ron showed that using these simple materials could still make a convincing textured exterior.

Thanks Ron, it was lots of fun!!

I will post the completed house this week after I paint it and add some greenery.

-Rosanna

My New Sculpting Class at CraftArtEdu!

Hi everyone!

I'm excited to share my new online sculpting class with you.

A while back I was asked by Donna Kato, the creator of Kato Clay and founder of CraftArtEdu to come up with a class that people who couldn't take one of my classes in person could still learn and get a personal experience.

I wanted to offer my students a character class that isn't too difficult or expensive with step by step instructions.

In this intermediate sculpting class, I will teach you how to make two "mature" ladies, the Serious Granny and the Smiling Granny Bust. Learn how to breathe life and expression into these ladies as you sculpt, paint, wig, clothe, and create the stands on which they will sit.

Includes 15 page downloadable handout.

To make the class even more enjoyable and easier to complete, I only used supplies that can

be easily found at Michaels, Joanne's or most craft supply stores. This class is also very forgiving and so much fun! With just a few basic supplies and my help, you will create

a one of a kind work of art.

Check out my free preview over at CraftArtEdu.

I hope you enjoy the class!!

Rosanna

Happy Valentines Day!!

Just a quick hello to all of my friends. I hope you all have a great Valentines Day.

Here's a little fairy wishing you all lots of love!!

I'm off to get red velvet cupcakes!

Rosanna