Friday Favorite #11--Artesa

I am completely blown away by this shop, Artesa, and the work of Flavia Lovatelli.  Perhaps because I have done a couple of projects with coiled magazine pages, and I UNDERSTAND the tedious and time-consuming nature of her work.  It takes HOURS AND HOURS to roll enough strips of magazine pages into enough coils to make anything.  So, hats off to Flavia and her lovely work! 

I find her work very interesting because she makes things you would never dream could be made from paper.  Granted, not many people would or could wear a dress made from paper coils, but tell me the truth.  Are you not impressed by this wonderful work of art?

ANGeLIQUE

Ok, really, probably not practical and a bit beyond your budget, but amazing detail, no doubt.  So if the dress isn't something you could pull off, how about a lovely little handbag?  I can't decide which one I like better, this one:

 

Simone

 

Or this one:

 

Domi



Or how about a belt:

 

Mirabel Coiled Hip Belt

Not interested in wearing paper accessories.  No problem.  Flavia also makes wonderful art for your home. 





Queen's Chalice

 

Captured

 

Toggles

 

I love this coiled paper work so much.  I've tried it, and I will share with you some of my projects at another time.  I am inspired by the work in this shop, Artesa.  I hope you will go have a look around.

 

So, another week has flown by.  I hope it was a good one!  Have a super holiday weekend!

Lisa

Paper Pleasures--Wedding Cards

I may or may not have mentioned that I am a paper addict.  I LOVE paper.  It all started back in college when I did letterpress printing and bookbinding.  I have sheets and sheets of lovely handmade papers.  Quilters can relate---it's much like hoarding fabric.

In recent years, I've discovered a much more budget friendly paper.  Scrapbooking paper is cheap by comparison to lovely handmade paper.....except, of course, that I tend to buy SO MUCH of it that I suppose it all balances out in the end.  (Honestly, probably not.  I've traded one for the other, and the new obsession has probably cost me loads more in reality. Oh well!  There are worse things one can spend money on, I'm sure.)

Several years ago my niece and I started doing some very simple scrapbooking.  We bought a multi-pack of solid colored card stock and thought we were going to be satisfied with that. Well, not for long anyway.  Soon I discovered all the lovely patterned paper, and I couldn't quite leave well enough alone.  It's a sickness, I know.  I can hardly leave Hobby Lobby without a few sheets. 

And then, of course, there are the embellishments!  Ribbon!  Buttons!  Charms!  Oh, my!  Soon those started piling up as well, and I had to start doing more with them than a few random scrapbook pages.  I thought, "Why not make some greeting cards?", and suddenly a new enterprise was born. 

I LOVE making cards.  I make cards for all occasions and have been selling them at art and craft fairs for the past eight years.  I go on card making binges when I spend days stockpiling my inventory.  It almost doesn't seem like work, I enjoy it so much!

Since wedding season is upon us, I'm sharing with you a few of my current favorite wedding cards.

"CHERISH"

Inside message:  In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities

(I found the inspiration for this card here on Pinterest.)

Supplies used:  white, grey, red, peach cardstock (Hobby Lobby)

black ribbed cardstock (Archivers), white floral embossed cardstock (Doodlebug Design)

white metallic paper (Reminesce),  black and white satin ribbon, red flower (Hobby Lobby)

vintage 'pearl' seed beads, "Lasting Quotes" acrylic stamps (Fiskars), black ink

"SIDE BY SIDE"

Inside message:  Wishing you a Happily Ever After

This card is a gatefold design.

Supplies used: peach cardstock (Hobby Lobby), black ribbed cardstock (Archivers),

white metallic stripe paper, black metallic paper (Hobby Lobby),

 glittered floral cardstock (Doodlebug Designs),

black and white satin ribbon (Hobby Lobby), black mini brads (Spare Parts),

white pearl bead string, white organza flower, white paper rose (Walmart)

rubber stamp (Wordsworth), black ink

"BRIDE AND GROOM"

Inside message: In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities

Supplies used:  grey, red, white cardstock (Hobby Lobby)

white dotted swiss cardstock (Doodlebug Designs),

clear square gems, red heart buttons (Hobby Lobby)

Bride and Groom rubber stamp (Stampendous), black ink

"Lasting Quotes" acrylic stamp (Fiskars)

"TAKE THE CAKE"

Inside message:  This is a day to celebrate new love, new hope,

 new dreams....a new life

Supplies used:  peach, light green cardstock (Hobby Lobby),

white embossed cardstock (American Crafts),

wedding cake 3-D sticker (Jolee's Boutique), white orgnaza ribbon (Hobby Lobby),

rubber stamp (Endless Creations, Inc.), olive green ink

"SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW"

Inside message:  Wishing you a happily ever after

Supplies used:  white, pink, light blue, black, red cardstock (various sources),

blue swirl metallic paper (unknown), lace, white dotted ribbon, pink satin ribbon (Hobby Lobby),

organza flower, blue bow (Walmart), gemstone brads (Archivers),

 black ink, rubber stamp (Wordsworth),

computer fonts (Blackadder ITC, Century Gothic, Papyrus, Bradley Hand ITC)

I think a lovely handmade card is a wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of a new life together.  Any couple would be thrilled to recieve one of these cards, perhaps with a gift card tucked inside!

Wishing you a happily ever after....
Lisa

P.S.  My cards are not available in my etsy shop, or anyplace else online.  But if you are interested in any of these, or in cards for any other occasion, please email me at apieceoflisa@cox.net