Archive for June, 2009

Eggshell Magic Ornaments

Monday, June 8th, 2009

An eggshell is a blank canvas that can be transformed into anything a creative mind can dream up.

For 25+ years, I have enjoyed decorating eggs of all sizes and shapes– from a tiny finch to the largest ostrich. They can be beaded, carved, etched, dyed, painted, embellished, and used for useful or decorative purposes. Eggshells can become simple objects of beauty such as tree ornaments, keepsake boxes, picture frames, or crafted into more elaborate items such as lamps, baskets, clocks or vases.

My Eggshell Magic ornaments begin with removing the yolk. For shells smaller than hen size, holes can be punched with a sharp object, but with larger and thicker shells a drill is required. A pointed instrument such as a wooden skewer will break the yolk with gentle stirring. An egg syringe is used to release the inside. Shells are cleaned in a solution of detergent, bleach and water; thoroughly rinsed, drained, and allowed to air dry. They can be stored indefinitely.

Now the fun begins! A solid color is selected, along with an ultra fine glitter that compliments that particular color. Next, a minimum of 12 coats of water based sealer is applied with a soft bristle brush to smooth out the glitter. After curing, a design is hand-painted on the shell using very fine tip brushes. Eggshells vary in shape from round to oblong, so care is taken to ensure the design compliments the shape of each egg.

Finally 3-5 coats of high gloss polyurethane sealer are hand-brushed for beauty and protection. Gold filigree caps are glued over the holes. The final and most important step is the personalization that makes each and every ornament special to the giver and receiver.

Eggshell Magic specializes in affordable hand-painted ornaments for special occasions – Christmas, Easter, Weddings, Anniversaries, and Graduation. Experience the joy of giving the gift that won’t be duplicated, and will be treasured for years to come. With 100+ designs to choose from, I know you will find one you like.

Submitted by Susan Willard – EggshellMagic.com

Today’s Ornaments – Tomorrow’s Antiques?

Friday, June 5th, 2009

“Parlor Ornaments” is a phrase coined by the designer at Orna Mentz.

The Victorian style ornaments at Ornamentz.com are very reminiscent of the parlors of yesterday. For those of you who may be too young to remember sitting in parlors, the parlor was the front room of the house where the children were never allowed to randy about, unless it was to sit, clean and quiet, during a visit from the preacher, the In-laws, or the ladies of society and it was every Victorian woman’s pride and joy. You can share that kind of nostalgia with one of the beautifully decorated wedding favor ornaments or a birthstone ornament from Ornamentz.com.

How did Orna Mentz get started making these fantastic Victorian ornaments?

In the early 1990s, Jeanne Barnett was running a home daycare “I had never really been a person who made things,” said Jeanne. But having a daycare led her on a search of the craft supply stores for things that could be done with the kids. One of the places she went was a little shop in downtown Wilmington, Delaware called Joy Trims because she had heard that they had all kinds of everything. The shop was like a wonderland and Jeanne became completely enchanted, especially with the vintage trims, braids, cords, velvets and ribbons.

 

Around Christmastime, Jeanne and the kids had been making ornaments out of pipe cleaners and Styrofoam balls using some of the trims and sequins and beads, and one day one of the moms gave Jeanne a bag of unused plain satin ornament balls that she didn’t need for their family tree, with the comment “See what you can do with these.”

 

It was a perfect marriage, Joy Trims Beautiful Vintage Trims, the softly glowing satin balls, and Jeanne’s imagination. Soon there were hundreds of these really unique and beautiful ornaments hanging all over the dining room and Jeanne’s husband said one day “What are you going to do with all of these?” Jeanne hesitated “Sell them?” So off to the local Christmas shop she went, and Orna Mentz was born.

 

Today, Jeanne’s unique, heirloom quality Orna Mentz are displayed proudly on Family Christmas Trees all over the globe. They truly are one of Tomorrow’s Antiques.

Article and images used with permission from Ornamentz.com

Robyn Warne Wooden Ornaments

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

Specializing in custom wood ornaments, Robyn Warne is a self taught artist.

Robyn uses her own designs to create unique collectible ornaments which she began selling online in 2003. The one of a kind ornaments are hand painted on wood, glass, and porcelain and she will custom design an ornament that is personalized from your photograph or other keepsake.

The theme of her ornaments is not limited to wedding ornaments, although the wedding ornaments do make great wedding favors. Other themes that she has designed ornaments for include Sweet Sixteen, New Baby and Christmas ornaments. Robyn says that she does have a “quirky” side and likes having non-traditional ornaments on her Christmas tree. She calls them her cool ornaments and they are definitely not your grandma’s Christmas ornaments.

At Robyn Warne Design studios, personalized heirlooms are created for clients, and Robyn is so adept at interpreting a client’s idea and turning it into a finished work of art. She accepts the creative challenge of trying to bring someone else’s idea to life. Working closely together, the client and Robyn share the creative process and the ornament becomes even more personal and special, giving new meaning to “it’s the thought that counts.” Robyn loves to use her drawing and painting talents to make these special ornaments that will be enjoyed for years to come.

You can read more about ordering a custom designed ornament as well as view the gallery at www.robynwarne.com

Excerpts and images used with permission from RobynWarne.com

How to Organize your Christmas Ornaments

Monday, June 1st, 2009

When it comes to Christmas tree ornaments, everyone’s a collector.

Everyone’s ornaments are priceless—whether they are costly designer ornaments, assorted antiques inherited from Grandmother, or precious creations made ages ago by your kindergartner. All of them need protection and storage options abound.

Avid collectors of rare antique ornaments and costly commemoratives are careful to store their treasures in museum-like environments. Special acid-free boxes with humidity and temperature indicators maintain these investments in mint condition.

Most people find that the moderately priced ornament boxes on the market today are the most practical alternative. Made of colorful cardboard, these boxes come ready to assemble at home. One sort has a removable lid and several layers of cardboard dividers. Because one layer is stacked on top of another, you have to disassemble an entire layer or two to get to the next, a messy proposition at best.

Most convenient to use is the chest-of-drawer style cardboard box with individual drawers that can be removed without disturbing the other layers. Each drawer has dividers to keep ornaments from shifting and breaking. The best design has several shallow drawers that hold one layer of ornaments in each drawer rather than two or three deep drawers. The advantage here is that you can carry the entire drawer around with you as you place the ornaments on the tree or lift them off to put them away. With convenient handles, these boxes are available at OrnamentBox.com.

Article by Mary Theobald & used with permission from OrnamentBox.com