Making a Heirloom Mirror with Vintage Jewelry

Over the years, I have acquired old jewelry and watch pieces from my

Mother and Grandmother. Many of these items were broken or if earrings,

only one remained. 

I had also saved several pieces from my childhood days

that always brought back memories and I had often

thought about adding them to a collage or something

to hang on the wall.

Recently an artist friend told me about a wonderful new product 

called Apoxie Sculpt, that would be easier to work with instead of gluing 

tiny pieces to a wooden frame.

I ordered a 1 lb set from aves studio, which shipped in 2 containers. 

There are several videos online demonstrating how to mix the 2 parts, 

drying time, etc. However, is was really 

very simple - especially if you have ever worked with sculpty clay.

For my project, I first found a framed mirror. 

I actually purchased this one at a yard sale for $3.00.
The price for the clay was around $16 plus shipping.

I tape off mirror with painters tape and painted the frame black.
Then I layered my broken jewelry items around the frame,
thinking ahead how to best arrange them.

Once you have mixed up the 2 parts of Apoxie using rubber gloves,

position it on your frame and push the jewelry items into the clay.

I also added small vintage buttons and tiny beads around each brooch, pendant, etc.

The drying time for each section is about 3 hours. 

I worked on this over a period of several days, allowing each section 

to completely dry before adding more. 

You can purchase Apoxie® Sculpt here.

A Tribute to the life of our Min Pin!

Once upon a time, an ordinary couple were searching 
for a puppy for their son. Their son has recently 
been hospitalized and the entire family was very sad.

When the couple decided they wanted to purchase a 
breed called ‘miniature pinscher’ they visited a breeder. 
While looking over the litter, the Mom asked, 
“do they already have personalities?” 
The breeder said, oh yes, the one your husband is 
holding is called ‘Satan’ because he is so difficult! 
However, the little one in your lap is nicknamed  
‘sleepy’ because he is so good and loves to sleep.

Well, the decision to purchase the ‘sleepy puppy’ 
was made immediately.

Purchase this print here:

http://gg-burns.artistwebsites.com/featured/baby-min-pin-in-the-phlox-gg-burns.html

The couple brought their tiny puppy home. On the way, 
the puppy didn’t want to be held, so the Mom put him 
down in the floor of the car. The little puppy began to 
rock back and forth – as if he was trying to balance himself. 
And that was how ‘Rocky’ earned his name.

Purchase this print here:
http://gg-burns.artistwebsites.com/featured/min-pin-you-are-loved-gg-burns.html

What the couple didn’t know was little Rocky was about 
to steal their hearts. He not only became their son’s 
therapy dog … but he became their therapy. Rocky 
gave more love than any dog could. He slept with the 
couple each night; he went on long walks each day with 
the Mom and played games with the tired Dad each evening.

Rocky’s job was to protect the household.

If anyone came into the house uninvited, 

Rocky chased him or her away – including cats, 
birds, squirrels – you name it. One day he even chased a 
burglar out of the house while the son was home alone. 

Rocky was a hero.

When Rocky was older, he almost died from a 
reaction to his yearly vaccines. But the vet gave 
him medicine and brought him back to life.

Each day, Rocky would wag his little stub and talk 
to his family with his eyes. He was always happy 
and gave unconditional love, even when his 
family was tired, stressed or cranky.

Rocky loved to sit in the sun, on his 'leopard print' 
pillow and greet all the neighbors walking by on 
the sidewalk. He was the king of his domain. 

He only tolerated the family cat, who was 
always sitting in the shadows.

Rocky left his paw prints not only on 
his family’s hearts … but everyone he met. 
Rocky was their little ‘king dog’ in more ways than one. 

Purchase this print here:

http://gg-burns.artistwebsites.com/featured/mini-pin-in-the-autumn-leaves-gg-burns.html

Purchase this print here:

http://gg-burns.artistwebsites.com/featured/min-pin-in-the-snow-gg-burns.html

See "doga art", inspired by Rocky's famous pose,
 under GG's POP PET designs here: 
http://gg-burns.artistwebsites.com

He earned his wings and left earth on Feb. 10, 2014.  

He will be missed.

Christmas with a twist of "Zebra" and a hint of "Leopard"

Every year my collections and new "functional art" items with zebra and leopard expand to a new dimension. Some might call it tacky or some might call it silly. However, for me it's simply a fun design that I enjoy having around.

http://www.cafepress.com/ggfunctionalart.595724549

View addtional "functional art" items featuring 

Naughty Snow Chic Art by GG Burns here:

http://www.cafepress.com/dd/77251877

and here at ImageKIND:

http://www.imagekind.com/Naughty-Snow-Chic_art?IMID=63868ef8-ae93-4ba7-bc5e-5f6c685ced72

Animal print seems to be my trademark after all these years, since I have decorated my apartments and homes with it since the late 70s. Rarely can I paint a horse, snowman or cat without a hint of zebra or leopard appearing somewhere.

Purchase this design on a wall clock here: http://www.cafepress.com/+zebra_hat_snowman_wall_clock,567875674

Purchase this design here: 

http://www.imagekind.com/Snowman-Lepoard-Scarf_art?IMID=2aa0746c-2c6a-498d-9b30-9d8839c96d21


Pinterest has become a great escape and a place crafty, DIY, decorating concepts spin from one person to another. Recently I expanded on one crafter's photo of Christmas tree topiaries using zebra and leopard print wrapping paper and gave them my own twist, adding a real vintage belt from the 70s and red fur. 

Steps on how to make a Christmas Tree Topiary can be viewed here:http://www.52mantels.com/2011/11/wrapping-paper-christmas-tree-topiaries.html

Since a lot of my own art and designs incorporate "animal print" -- it's easy to decorate while attempting to sprinkle holiday cheer. I hope all of your Christmas wishes come true ~ with a magical twist of "Zebra" and a hint of "Leopard". 

Happy Holidays with GG's Tropical Flamingo Art!

Baby it's cold outside. Each year when the cold northwesterly winds begin to blow here in Kentucky – I long to be a snow bird and head south! 

One way I cope with the cold, is by sketching and painting palm trees, tropical birds or other whimsical creations.

http://www.cafepress.com/ggfunctionalart.567875676

If you would like to purchase custom "functional art" featuring any of my flamingos please send me a text on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ggs.art.  

Additionally, hand-signed prints of any of my flamingo designs can be purchased online with Paypal. Please text me on Facebook for more info. 

http://www.cafepress.com/ggfunctionalart.1018741487

The original watercolor of both the "pretty in pink" and "fabulous flaming flamingo" are SOLD. 

However, the original watercolor painting of the "warm wishes -- flamingo with santa hat" is still available. 

Several unique hand-made ornaments are also for sale at only $10 each plus shipping. 

Below are links to additional flamingo designs that can be purchased on "functional art" items. From framed prints, to area rugs, to bags to shower curtains ... you name it, we can find it. 

Walk on the wild side and purchase one of my unique flamingos today. As always I appreciate my customers and your business. 

Wishing you a 'warm' holiday. And, may your new year be blessed with good health, peace and 'warm' sunny days. :-) gg

Frame prints or on canvas here:

http://www.imagekind.com/art/Warm-Tropical-Wishes-with-GGs-Flamingo_art?show=canvas&IMID=0700ed60-f600-48ae-a276-4472946d0f9a

http://www.imagekind.com/art/flamingosquareLARGE_art_art?IMID=c683ee0f-25b0-4847-bb2c-290fc5e84481

http://www.cafepress.com/ggfunctionalart.628375201#

Area Rugs

http://www.cafepress.com/ggfunctionalart.1018741487

Serving Trays

http://www.cafepress.com/ggfunctionalart.1018741499

Postage Stamps

http://www.zazzle.com/warm_holiday_wishes_santa_flamingo_by_gg_burns_postage-172335467249425478

http://www.cafepress.com/ggfunctionalart.637723799

Bags of all sizes

http://www.zazzle.com/all_about_the_pink_santa_flamingo_by_gg_burns_bag-149780778794013438

Pillows

http://www.cafepress.com/ggfunctionalart.1018741476

http://www.cafepress.com/ggfunctionalart.685050175

Apron

http://www.cafepress.com/ggfunctionalart.565306208

31 days of Fall-o-ween!

Although Autumn is typically packed full with difficult challenges in my personal life, I try to remember that "October is my favorite color".  Which means, I never leave home without a camera.  As soon as I can find the time and energy in August, I typically decorate my home with pumpkins, gourds, crows, black cats and all sorts of witchy art.  Anything with a witch hat is my favorite. Below are some of my favorite Autumn photographs, (and links to my stores) of some of my favorite hand painted coasters or trivets or witchy designs -- inspired by the season. Enjoy. gg

I made this photo in on my brother's horse ranch -- the colors are why I love fall. 

This photo is somewhere in TN, made on I-75 while traveling.

A little Autumn treasure from my garden wrapped up in my shrine to 
long passed WC kitty statue.

Front yard display.

 A few dressy pumpkins -- design borrowed from Pinterest.

Some of my hand painted trivets, in the works.

Completed Design -- 6"x6" - $45.

Another, golden maple -- one is hand painted, the other is real.

Ginkgo leaf on a 4" hand painted coaster.

Many leaf coasters in the works -- it's production time.

More production time, bringing hand painted coasters out of the oven. 

A few of the completed coasters with native leaves from Kentucky.

  Brittany the beautiful witch, purchase it here:

http://www.zazzle.com/brittany_the_witch_happy_halloween_stamp-172941259174264009

 Brittany the beautiful witch on a pillow -- a very 

functional piece of art. Purchase it here:

http://www.cafepress.com/ggfunctionalart.685063533

or 

http://www.cafepress.com/mf/70441151/the-witch-is-in-by-gg-burns_long-sleeve-tshirt?shop=ggfunctionalart&productId=685064583

This can be purchased at:

http://www.zazzle.com/witchy_therapy_halloween_design_by_artist_gg_burns_card-137240601806384479

Witchy shoe and cat sketches on the board.

These heels can be purchased here:

http://www.cafepress.com/ggfunctionalart.1018741469

Vintage paper handmade card. All hand cut.

More Witchy cards inspired by art on Pinterest. 

This little leopard kitty can be purchased here:

http://www.zazzle.com/naughty_leopard_with_witch_hat_by_gg_burns_stamp-172709016498713360

http://www.zazzle.com/naughty_leopard_with_witch_hat_by_gg_burns_stamp-172709016498713360

An earlier Halloween design by GG, can be purchased here:http://www.zazzle.com/there_is_a_little_witch_in_all_of_us_stamp-172502980189792776

Ghost poop, another Pinterest or Facebook inspiration.

Easy Witch Hat desserts. So simple!

This Halloween art by GG can be purchased here:

http://www.imagekind.com/Halloween-Kitty_art?IMID=ec7dc2d4-47d3-4a9e-8931-3caf256957ca