Character Pick A Theme on illustratedATCs.com

These cards are for the first ever Character Pick a Theme on iATCs.com. Each person contributed a character that they have made up, either through RPGs, MOOs, D&D, etc. Everyone's was varied, and extremely detailed.

"Crude Jack" by Melissa Muir
for Meran

"Nicodemus: WWI era" by Melissa Muir

for Chronata

"Hans" by Melissa Muir

for Tlouey

"Gelfling" by Melissa Muir

for KreationKween72

*all done in prismacolor pencils, exception of "Hans" - graphite.

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Fine Art Valentines VI

Nicci over a Livejournal did a call to artists to participate in her annual Fine Art Valentines. This the 6th year that it has been running, and apparently, she has gotten some amazing prints! Sometimes, if she is able to, she puts them into a gallery showing.

There are 20 participants, and we each have to make 20 prints of a valentine or heart shaped theme. I love print-making so I had to participate. Quite alot of my friends from iATCs.com joined in also.

Since I love carving my own stamps, but wanted it to be as clean as possible, I had to purchase some new knives. I got #1 and #6 lino knives (in conjunction of my #2 & #4), and what a difference did it make! My block came out great! I was so impressed. Also I purchased a brayer and some real printing ink. Let me tell you, having the right tools to do a project - it makes it so much easier! And I always like playing with new materials.

With my print, I had to do the gold heart shape first; which I stencilled on. I used registration marks, so I knew where I was going to put my stamp. Then I took my stamp, lined up the registration marks, and stamped away! They came out so pretty! I can't wait to see what the others look like.

"Heart of Gold" by Melissa Muir. Edition of 24.

* you can see the shine better on this one.

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Encouraging young people to explore ATCs and ART!

One of the ladies; Shelli (PotBellyArts), at iATCs.com was making gifts for her two sons for Christmas. She had asked all of us if we wished to contribute an ATC each for her sons. Shelli was making ATC albums for each of them, and she wished to get something from all of us to put something in it. Shelli wanted to encourage them to explore the world of ATCs and encourage them about sharing their art. Which I thought was a splendid idea! I'm always for encouraging Kids and Art :)

So I made these two ATCs; the first one depicting a biomechanical warrior, and the second one with a Guitar Hero/Comic book/Graffiti feel.

"Past & Future Warrior" by Melissa Muir

"Guitar Hero" by Melissa Muir

Apparently, the boys were in awe of all the art they received, especially after realizing that each card was made specifically for them.

I think that would be an awesome present to recieve!

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Fall Pick A Theme 2008

For the Fall Pick a Theme on illustratedATCs.com.

"Masquerade" by Melissa Muir
For PotBellyArts.

"The Nonsuch" by Melissa Muir
For Inkleaves

"A Roadside Attraction: Chuck the Catfish" by Melissa Muir
For Pamalama

"The Gathering Tree" by Melissa Muir
For Dina54

*all done in prismacolor pencils and sakura glaze pens

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Winner for "Gurba" Earrings!

Winner: Bison61 !! Comment # 126

Courtesy of Random.org
--------------------------------
Here are your random numbers:

126
Timestamp: 2009-01-31 06:05:11 UTC
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Congratulations Bison61! Once I have confirmation, and other details; I will mail out your prize as soon as possible. I will send you an e-mail when I do, so you can know when to expect it.

This was so much fun! I enjoyed coming on here everyday to look at the number of comments and reading them. You guys are all awesome!

I'll be posting this in the Mr. Linky on the Bloggy Giveaways site also, so that you can check out the winners from there too.

Thank you so much for your support & participating!

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♥♥.·:*¨¨*:·.♥.♥.·:*GIVEAWAY*:·.♥♥.·:*¨¨*:·.♥♥

Giveaway is now closed!! Thank you for particpating!

Can you believe it? Bloggy Giveaways is here again. It's amazing how time flies, but that's okay, because it means I can give away something to you! Are you excited? Do you wanna know what I'm giving away? Yeah? Okay, here it is...

"Gurba Earrings" by Lagaz Designs (Melissa Muir).

Sterling Silver cross posts hammered and then bound with beautiful gold-filled wire. A simple, yet elegant pair of earrings, suitable for anything.

These earrings were inspired by a student of mine. We were making God's Eyes for a craft afternoon, and my student, M, was fooling around hanging the decorations off his ears. He told me, "Mrs. Muir, wouldn't these make great earrings?" And you know what? They do make great earrings. I told my student that I would name them after him, since he inspired me.

Since he inspired me, I'm giving them away to you, my lucky readers! I think everyone deserves a little bit of inspiration!

Elegiblity - Starts - Ends - Notification:

• Elegible: Everyone! I will ship internationally. And you do not have to be a Blogger to participate.
• Starts: Monday, January 26, 2009
• Ends: Friday, January 30, 2009 @ Midnight CST
• Draw will be done, and winner notified by Saturday, January 31, 2009 using Random.org.
• Winner will have till Tuesday, February 3, 2009 @ 10pm CST to acknowledge prize.
  

► RULES ◄

1. One entry per person (make sure to have valid e-mail address and name in your comment). Leave it like this if you don't want to be spammed (eg. lagazdesigns AT mts DOT net ).


2. Take a look around my blog, and leave a comment here at this post on which piece of artwork or jewelry you like the most.

It's that easy! Please check out the other Bloggy Giveaways that are happening this week, by clicking the link or the button on the side of the page.

GOOD LUCK!

BONUS!!

Ellen over at Thrify & Chic Mom is having a giveaway also this week. She is giving away one of my Silver Weave Pearl rings! I urge you to RUN, don't walk!, over there to enter into her giveaway. Hey, you never know, you might get lucky ;)

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Mini Nautilus Pendant

This necklace has been blogged about at Thrifty & Chic Mom. Please check it out and enter the giveaway!

"Mini Nautilus Necklace" by Lagaz Designs (Melissa Muir).

Made of shiny sterling silver wire and shaped into a delicate nautilus shell. Fine gauge wire and tiny hill tribe beads highlight the airy feeling of this pendant. The palest pink freshwater pearl is the center focus, while the sheer ribbon completes the look.

Close up

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Bloggy Giveaways start this week!!!

And I can't wait! I love Bloggy Giveaways! People everywhere giving away anything, it's amazing how many people participate.
I'm giving away something also, but you're going to have to wait till tomorrow. Bright and Early!

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Seafoam and Natural Mosaic Pendants

"Seafoam Mosaic" by Lagaz Designs (Melissa Muir).

A beautiful mosaic pendant with the colors that would remind you of a tropical sea. Lovely African Jasper, Jade, resin and glass beads, mixed with shiny silver Hill Tribe, and sparkling Stardust beads. All within a sterling silver frame.

"Natural Mosaic" by Lagaz Designs (Melissa Muir).

Natural colors compliment this pendant. Loveley African Jasper, Garnet rondelles, metal, wood and glass beads make an organic statement with tiny Hill Tribe beads. A sterling silver frame carries this wonderful piece.

*Mosaic technique courtesy of Eni Oken.

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Art Trader Vol 5 is out and Petite Artiste article...

It's the New Year, and that means it's time for the new Art Trader magazine to be released! YAY!



It's chock full of good things, like Altered Art 101, a walkthrough, Critique corner and the Petite Artiste articles. They happen to be my favorite, as I love reading about how children concieve their own art, and how they are supported in their creations. I think it is very important, no matter what age you happen to be.

This month's Art Trader Petite Artiste article features my daughter, Marlena! YAY!
She was so thrilled to be included this time around, she loves showing off her artwork. I admit that some of her art is different for some, but I think it really reflects the way teenagers are socially in this current day. It's a little bit darker, edgier, but there is still the use of bright colors to signify that they are still light-hearted. It's interesting to see that how that is reflected in one's artwork.
I see alot of that now in this age group's creativity. It must be a cultural thing, or an effect from media. Or kids just feel more intensely now, than I did when I was that age. It certainly gives a different feel.

I'm very proud of her, and she's been producing so much artwork lately. And it has made quite a transition from Anime to almost a semi-realistic look. And she experiments with different media now. Marlena recently made a Wolf painting for me and my husband for Christmas. And it's wonderful! I love the painterly look, and the background is awesome!



I couldn't be prouder of my Darth Marl (Marlena). Love you sweetie :)

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