Something Sublime

Twelve Drummers Drumming

 

On the twelfth day of Christmas, Danita Salcido gave a gift fitting of the last day of our swap...

 

...this adorable Danita doll.  Have you seen Danita's work yet?  I first saw Danita's incredible art this last summer during a visit to the Stampington offices in California.  I immediately fell in love with her whimsical style.

 

You can see why.  Isn't this a sweet face?  This girl can't wait to frolic on the tree with her friends.  That bossy mermaid and precious bisque doll will have a little competition for the affections of dear Mr. Snowman!

Twelve drummers represent the twelve points of doctrine or articles in the Apostle's Creed.  The word "creed" comes from the Latin "credo" meaning "I believe".  It's one of the oldest creeds in Christianity.  It was said to have been composed by the 12 apostles while under the influence of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.  In any case, the creed is believed to be an accurate record of what the apostles believed and is what Christians today profess.  The twelve points of the creed are:

1. belief in God the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth
2. and Jesus Christ, His son and our Lord
3. who was born of the Virgin Mary
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried
5. He rose on the third day, ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father
6. He will come again to judge the living and dead
7. belief in the Holy Spirit
8. belief in the holy catholic (meaning "whole or universal") church
9. the communion of saints
10. the forgiveness of sins
11. theresurrection of the dead
12. life everlasting

This is what we believe and profess as Christians but, the good news is that there is one simple way to eternal life and that is belief in Christ!

Eleven Pipers Piping

 

On the eleventh day of Christmas, Cindy Forrester gave...

...a gorgeous collage, wire, mixed media extravaganza. 

I think there's a plain old glass ornament under there somewhere but Cindy covered it in grungy goodness!  Cindy is an expert at making new things look like ancient artifacts and she did a terrific job of turning this ornament into a beautiful relic.

Cindy attached lots of treasures using rusty chain and wire wrap. 

She included several jingle bells, a chandelier crystal, a vintage religious medal, a patina-ed dove and some lovely beads that look like garnets.

The whole ornament is covered with paper collage bits, lace, tiny metal findings.  As with all of Cindy's work, it's loaded with intriguing details.

The eleven pipers represent the 11 faithful apostles of the New Testament.  Matthew, chapter 10lists them as follows:  Simon (called Peter); his brother Andrew; James, son of Zebedee;  and his brother John;  Philip;  Bartholomew;  Thomas; Matthew, the tax collector;  James, son of Alphaeus;  Thaddeus;  and Simon, the Zealot.  The twelfth apostle was Judas Iscariot who betrayed Christ.

The word apostle means messenger.  These messengers were sent forth, by Jesus, to heal the sick and proclaim His kingdom, in other words; spread the word that Christ is the Messiah.  Jesus gave them specific instructions before sending them on their journey.  One of the things He told them was this:  "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven"  Mt. 10:32-33.  Also, verse 40;  "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me."  The disciples were responsible to spread the Word but each of us, in our own hearts, are responsible for whether we accept it or not!

Let it Snow

 

Today is a day to be commemorated.  It's snowing in Houston!  In Houston...snow!  In fact, it snowed twice today...a Christmas miracle.  After all, this is a sub-tropical climate.   But, in fact, it's snowing as I write this and Number Two has been out gathering enough to make a snowball.  He's got it safely stored in the freezer and is contemplating whether he should offer it for sale on Ebay or keep it for his future children.  After all, it's a rarity!

The Holly And The Mistletoe

"The Holly and the Mistletoe"

available on Etsy

This is one of my favorites of my snowman series.  I think it's because the transparency inside his bottle body is a 50's lady dressed in her Christmas finery.  She came from my stash of vintage Christmas stickers and gives this piece the perfect retro touch.  Also inside is a cache of sparkling crystal and glass beads, glass glitter, faux pearls, tinsel and two strips of vintage text.  One strip carries the words "the Christmas holly" and the other says "and the mistletoe!"  This man's head is hand-formed and painted clay, sprinkled with a covering of glittery "snow."  He's keeping warm with a tinsel scarf wrapped in wire and glass beads and embellished with a tiny jingle bell and metal Christmas tree.  He measures about 3 1/2 inches from the top of his brass filigree cap to the bottom of his glass body.

 

I used vintage, mercury glass beads, wrapped in steel wire for this necklace.  These glass Christmas beads give such a beautiful glow to the piece.

 

 

This little snowman hangs from a steel wire charm keeper topped with a bit of silk and tulle.

 

I finished the piece with a handmade clasp and two strands of luminous, glass seed beads.  This necklace is approximately 25 inches long.  If you need a snowman in your life, he's available at my Etsy shop.

Ten Lords A-leaping

 

On the tenth day of Christmas, Ruth Rae gave...

   

...this awesome fabric bag, stitched, stamped and written upon.  Of course, Ruth's gift would revolve around fabric.  It's a medium she excels at working.  Ruth is one of the most creative, mixed media artists I know.   She's one of those people who can make something special out of any material.  I couldn't imagine what Ruth had put inside this flat bag but, just look:

 

It's a gown for an angel!  This little dress is so adorable and Ruth's attention to detail is evident.  I'm not even sure which is the front and which is the back as they're equally as beautiful.  On this side, Ruth has sewn the words "grace to grow."  Yes...she sewed the words!

   

She also added a tiny, fabric heart.  The wings are layered and stitched fabric and paper.

 

On the other side, Ruth stitched the words "they gift is joy" and attached the wings with a pretty, mother-of-pearl button.  On this side, the wings are covered with a stitched layer of sheer, pale pink fabric.  So lovely!

Ten lords a-leaping represent God's 10 commandments as found in the Bible in Exodus 20:1-17.  The 10 commandments are God's law given to Moses on Mt. Sinai.  God spoke directly to Moses and etched His commandments in stone.  Of course, the people were terrified but God ordered Moses to tell them:  "You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from Heaven..."  God's commandments are His laws for us to live by.  We have seen for ourselves what God has spoken through the Bible.  The first four laws of the 10 commandments describe our duty to God.  The last six laws describe our duty to ourselves and others.  Remember these?...

1. You shall have no other Gods before Me.
2. You shall make no idols in any form.
3. You shall not misuse the name of God.
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
5. Honor your mother and father.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor (fellow man).
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house, spouse or anything belonging to him.

Fine Christmas

 

"Fine Christmas"

available on Etsy

He's adorable, he's sweet and he's the runt of the snow pack.  This baby man is smaller than his friends measuring in at only 2 1/4 inches. 

He's bundled up in a teal tinsel scarf wrapped with wire and glass beads and tied with snowflake and jingle bell charms.  His little head is hand-formed, hand-painted clay, topped with a brass filigree bead cap and green glass bead.  It's been snowing in his neck of the woods so he's covered with a coating of glittery powder.  A bit of silk and tulle tops his winter wear.  Inside his glass body is glass glitter, faux pearls, glass beads, tinsel, transparency image of Santa's face and a scrap of vintage text with the words "Fine Christmas."

 

I used some of my best vintage, mercury glass beads for the steel wire wrapped links.  The teal beads are gorgeous.  I found them in an antique mall and have a very limited amount of them.  A few vintage aurora borealis crystals give this piece even more sparkle.

 

 

This last summer, when I was in Wyoming, I found a source for every color seed bead you can imagine...luscious, luminous colors that I couldn't resist.  I bought quite a few hanks thinking I would be using them this winter.  I used a double strand on this piece with a handmade clasp to finish it off.  This piece is available at my Etsy shop.

Nine Ladies Dancing

 

On the ninth day of Christmas, Pilar Pollock gave...

 

...this incredibly beautiful lady.  She may not be dancing but she's gorgeous, just the same.  I'm not sure how Pilar did this but the little pillow top looks like silkscreen to me.  Or, maybe it was printed on a computer printer?

 

The fabric even feels like silk.  Maybe Pilar will divulge all the secrets of this lovely ornament on her blog.

 

Dangling from the bottom is an embossed metal star topped with a resin bubble and a sprinkling of glitter.  So beautiful!

The nine ladies dancing represent the nine fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22.  These fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Take a look at Galatians 5:16-26which describes living by the Spirit.  Life by the Spirit does not gratify the human nature but rather, is led by the Spirit...keeping in step with the Spirit.  This involves denying the sinful nature:  "idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage and selfish ambition"...to name a few!  When we live "in step", we see the results, or fruits of the Spirit.  "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other" vs. 26.  Those who live by the Spirit, inherit the Kingdom of God!

There's a Snowman on Your Snowman

"One Christmas" (sold)

As I said, I got a little carried away building snowmen one winter's day.  The result is that I've created several new necklaces that I'm listing in my Etsy shop.  Actually, I ended up with only four of them to be adopted out.

 

I got pretty attached to these men when I was making them!  They started out as ornaments for my 12 days of Christmas ornaments swap but I just couldn't resist turning some of them into something a little fancier.

 

This guy's little glass body is filled with a snowy scene.  Inside is a sparkly miniature tree, glass glitter and beads, snowflakes and two bits of vintage text; the first says "One Christmas" and the other says "Christmas-time jingle."  I formed his head from air dry clay and hand painted his face and added a dusting of snow (glitter).  His winter hat is a filigree brass bead cap and is topped off with a glass bead.  Of course, he had to have a tinsel scarf complete with more glass beads, a jingle bell and a tiny metal tree charm.

  

I adore Christmas decorations, especially vintage things so, I used vintage mercury glass beads wrapped with steel wire for this piece.  The charm keeper is tied with a scrap of gold silk and a touch of snowy white tulle.

 

This type of vintage glass bead is getting harder to find.  These were quite precious!

 

I finished the piece with matching double clasps.  Double strands of glass seed beads, in shades of gold, were threaded onto bead wire and make this piece very comfortable to wear.  I added various iridescent clear glass beads to one of the strands for interest.  This little snowman will be quite happy hanging from these strings of beads.  I'll be posting photos of the other merry men so, stay tuned!

Eight Maids A-milking

   

On the eighth day of Christmas, Deryn gave...

 

...mini men!  Mini snowmen, that is.  Now my little bottle angel from Jackie will have a boyfriend. Great minds think alike, Jackie!  These little guys can either be hung on the tree or worn as a Christmas adornment around the neck.  Each one has a glass bottle body filled with a transparency image, beads, glass glitter and other Christmasy stuff.  It's cold outside (for most of you!) so these men each wear a scarf made of tinsel, decorated with more beads and tiny charms.  I topped these guys off with vintage Christmas hangers (a lucky find at the antique mall) tied with a bit of cotton and included a ball chain in case their owners want to wear them.

 

 

 

I had so much fun making these, I just couldn't stop!  Consequently, I ended up with a few extras so, I created necklaces and am listing in my Etsy store.  Some of them are filled with tiny Christmas trees like this guy:

 

Here's a peek at one of the necklaces.  Check back and I'll post lots more pictures of them.

"One Christmas"

The eight maids a-milking represent the eight Beatitudes listed in the Bible in the book of Matthew 5:3-10.  The word "beatitude" is from the Latin word "beatus" meaning "blessed".  It means "supreme blessedness or happiness" and describes the declarations of blessing made by Jesus at the beginning of His Sermon on the Mount.  The spiritual character of God's Kingdom is put forth in the Beatitudes.

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. (vs. 3)  The poor in spirit are those who humbly acknowledge their need for Divine help and a Saviour; Jesus Christ.
• Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land.  (vs. 4)  Near in meaning to "the poor in spirit", the meek are those who humbly and meekly bend themselves down before God and man.  The will inherit the land, which is a symbol of the Kingdom of Heaven.
• Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  (vs. 5)  The mourning of the third Beatitude is not the type of mourning we usually think of that comes from earthly miseries but is the mourning of a righteous man suffering for himself, and for others, as he sees and endures the suffering caused by evil in a sinful world.
• Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice,  for they shall have their fill.  (vs. 6)  This hunger and thirst are an intense desire for righteousness and the progression of moral and spiritual perfection.  Justice will one day be fulfilled by the one true and righteous Judge.
• Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.  (vs. 7)  Those who are spiritually merciful and act on it, will be rewarded with the Divine mercy of the Messianic Kingdom.
• Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.  (vs. 8)  A pure heart is evidenced by a singleness of intent towards simple and sincere good intentions, especially toward others.  It is a continual seeking of God's glory.
• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. (vs. 9)  The peacemakers are those who live in peace with God and man and do their best to preserve peace and friendship among mankind.
• Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.  (vs. 10)  "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us and eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17  Those who suffer trouble and persecution in Jesus' name will rewarded with the Kingdom.

For more commentary on the Beatitudes, click here.

Seven Swans A-swimming

 On the seventh day of Christmas, Jackie Allison gave...

 

...this adorable bottle angel.  This girl is so precious!  Jackie's ornaments are always exceptionally detailed and beautiful.  I wish she had a website or blog I could refer you to so you could see her fabulous work but she doesn't...yet.

 

This little angel has a bisque doll head and a small bottle filled with beads, bells and a tiny key, that serves as her body.  I think this is such a brilliant idea!

 

You can see the work that Jackie put into the details.  I don't know where she found this "snowflake" chain but it's perfect for hanging Christmas ornaments.  Jackie has attached a beaded charm, a star and another, really tiny, bottle.  You can't see it in this photo but the bottle has a teeny, weeny metal letter "D" inside.

The seven swans represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit as found in the Bible in Romans 12:6-8.  The Bible tells us we all have different gifts according to the grace given us.  The seven gifts are:  prophesy, serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership and mercy.  Romans 12 tells us that, just as the body has many different parts with different functions, so it is with us.  We each have a gift that, taken alone, may not seem like much but is vital to the whole.  Additionally, we are not to think of ourselves more highly than we should but to give our gifts cheerfully!  What is your gift?