Showing posts with label night. Show all posts
Showing posts with label night. Show all posts

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Starry Tags with Tutorial for Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts

This month for Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts I've used their 3 tag set to create something starry and dreamy.

Starry Tags with tutorial - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com gslcuts.com

With some layers of paint, chipboard stars and glitter those kraft coloured tags are transformed.

Starry Tags with tutorial - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com gslcuts.com

They are the perfect backdrop for the sentiments and vintage images found on THIS Stars and Dreamers Collage Sheet (which is totally free to download because I love you.)

Starry Tags with tutorial - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com gslcuts.com

If you need a little guidance putting these beauties together, I've put together a video tutorial for you.

Starry Tags with tutorial - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com gslcuts.com

I do use a fair few layers of colour... but I honestly think that multiple washes add a depth of colour and visual interest that is incomparable to a slap of thick paint.

Starry Tags with tutorial - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com gslcuts.com

But hey! if a thick coat of acrylic is your thing... go for it! Art and craft is all about YOU, the maker. I wholeheartedly encourage you to do what works for you.

Starry Tags with tutorial - Nichola Battilana pixiehill.com gslcuts.com

Here are all the bits I used to create these starry sparkly tags:

Gypsy Soul Tags
Keys Engraved
Printers Ornament Corners
Swirl Medallion Small
Deco Stars
Acrylic Paint (also used 
Glue
Glitter
Metal Ring
Ribbon/Fibers

Friday, August 26, 2016

Nyx and the Benevento Walnut Tree

I finished the work in progress I showed off yesterday. While it could have gone in a million different directions, this piece is all about the goddess Nyx.

Nyx and the Benevento Walnut Tree - Nichola Battilana 
Nyx has existed from the beginning. She is the goddess of the Night and the mother of Light and Day (as well as gods of dreams, sleep, death, pain and more).

Nyx and the Benevento Walnut Tree - Nichola Battilana

In one version of her mythology, she was a great black bird and laid an egg from which Eros, the golden winged Spirit of Love emerges.

Nyx and the Benevento Walnut Tree - Nichola Battilana

At the centre of the piece there's a tree that represents the Benevento Walnut Tree. This magical tree was said to be a gathering place for Italian witches. It's roots reached down to the other world and the witches would draw up its power by dancing around the trunk. Nyx was one of the goddesses venerated at the tree.

Nyx and the Benevento Walnut Tree - Nichola Battilana

There are also some tiny handmade paper poppies in there too, said to be sacred to her.

Nyx and the Benevento Walnut Tree - Nichola Battilana

That little glass bauble? A piece made by my friend and glass artist Marc Bourdon.

When I completed this doodad I slipped outside, into the dark. Despite the sky being covered in clouds, I saw a shooting star whiz by. I'm going to take that as a good omen. Maybe even a wink of approval! And I think I'll keep this piece with me for a while.

The materials for this piece are from all over the place but I'll do my best to list what I can.

Wooden House Frame - from Michaels
Wing Assortment
Small Wings
Bronze Hand CharmFloral Border Sticks
Flourishes 2
Adhesive back pearls
Metal Filigree
Metal Wings
Florist Wire
Twig
Old paper
Glitter!!!!
Acrylic paint
Moss
Woodland Scenics Clump Foliage
Glass bauble - glass artist Marc Bourdon

P.S. If you're interested in learning more about this sort of thing, goddesses, spirits and the like, Judika Illes' book 'Encyclopedia of Spirits' might be just the resource you're looking for.