Virginia BEAD SWAP in Occoquan!

Where: Kelly’s Artbox, 304 Mill Street, Occoquan, VA

When: The fun starts at 1PM January 11th, 2009

**RSVP to kcampbellartist@hotmail.com by January 8th please

FREE FOOD, DRINKS, AND FUN! Come expecting to meet some great friends!

How it Works: Bring your unwanted beads and supplies (tools, wire, magazines, strands, totes etc. and a TV tray to display it on to Kelly’s Artbox.

Pay a $2 admission fee to enter and donate 1 item (your choice) for the raffle.

Set up what you’d like to trade or sell, and HAVE FUN! The possibilities are endless on what you could bring home by trading your unwanted beads.

BE FAIR!! Remember, this is a “yard sale” and swap. You will sell/trade more if you’re willing to keep your prices low. Go home with new goodies instead of taking what you brought back home!

NOTHING TO SWAP? No problem! Come with cash and take home some great beads.

Afterwards, take a minute's walk to Occoquan's bead store "Off the Beading Path"!

Chic- Traditional Custom Breyer Horse

I did another custom breyer of Chic below, here is the traditional model of him done on the Breyer Legends Smart Chic Olena model.

Even though my Christmas commissions are through, I still have another gorgeous appaloosa breyer custom I'm doing on the Smarty Jones model. Pictures will be posted soon!

Custom Breyer Horses- Chic and Mystic

As a Manassas artist, I dabble in all kinds of things to help keep me creative. Customizing Breyer model horses started out as a hobby, but I've found there's somewhat of a demand for it, and lucky me I am always happy to re-create that special equine friend on a Breyer model.

Meet Chic and Mystic. Chic is related to Smart Chic Olena, and I had a lot of fun recreating this gorgeous stallion. I will be doing another custom of him on the Olena mold, and I'll post when that's done!

To see what goes into my customs, please read one of my previous blog posts here: http://ofnaturedesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/10/latest-breyer-creation.html

New Earrings from OfNatureDesigns OND

Brand new gorgeous earrings from OfNatureDesigns, Kelly Campbell Jewelry.

There's a mixture of brass, silver and gold from $16-22!

Please visit my etsy site to purchase some of these beauties~ http://www.ofnaturedesigns.etsy.com/

There's chalcedony, cherry quartz, orange garnet, apatite, genuine amber and more!

Green Accessories; Eco Friendly Jewelry

It seems that everywhere I go I see the phrase "go green". So much so, that it has become a trend (let's hope not a fad) in everyday life, art, fashion, and more. I have a few designs in my shop that I wanted to talk about that would be the perfect gift for that "green" person in your life.

My Guitar String Ring is made completely by recycled/repurporsed guitar strings that are sent to me by musicians all over the DC area. Each one has it's own personal musical story. The one's pictured are $13, and they're stackable! To purchase this ring, or a guitar string ring of a different style, please visit: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17722770

My Mod Silver Bird design is one of my most popular. It is made from Artclay, which is a precious metal clay (99.9% silver suspended in a clay binder). Artclay is made from recycled silver from the film industry. Now I've turned it into a cute little bird to adorn your neck.

Necklaces range from $28-34 you can purchase them here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16625647



Don't know what to do with your old broken watch? Turn it into a "timeless" piece of jewelry (sorry I couldn't help myself :-)
Alot of times in my designs I will use objects I've found, old keys, etc. This necklace "Time for Steampunk" features watch gears, hands, etc. and an antique winder. It's one of a kind, $46 and can be purchased here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17810589

My entire Etsy shop (http://www.ofnaturedesigns.etsy.com/) is natured themed and you'll find lots of great eco-friendly accessories there! Hope this inspires you to look good and be green doing it. :-) Happy Shopping!

Handmade Florals and Wreaths

My sister, Shannon makes some gorgeous handmade florals arrangements and wreaths with handmade bows. You can check out some of her items in my shop at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5290743&section_id=5751984

Turns out I will be doing another craft fair on Decemebr 13th, along with my sister. Details coming soon!

Latest News about Kelly Campbell's Of Nature Jewelry

Well the Falls Church Craft Fair was far from profitable, but I did sell my brass vintage-style line to "Tomboy Jewels". You can purchase the line online at http://www.eliburnhamdesigns.com/ or buy it in person at one of the many shows Eli does. There are also some other awesome things from other designers, you should check it out.

This was my last craft fair for the year! Hope to see you at one of next year's shows!

Falls Church High School Arts & Craft Fair

I am going to be a vendor at the 21st annual Falls Church High School Arts & Crafts Fair this Saturday, November 8th from 9-3PM. I hope to see you there!

It's located at: 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church, VA
Some of the items you will see there are:

Latest Custom Breyer Creation

Meet "Easy".

Unfortunately, alot of my customs are in memory of a dear equine friend. I feel honored whenever I am asked to recreate someone's precious pal so they can have a lasting image of them.

Curious to know what goes into my custom breyers? I wrote a whole blog about it-- check it out: http://ofnaturedesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/10/latest-breyer-creation.html

If you are interested in purchasing a custom painted Breyer horse to look just like YOUR horse, please visit my etsy site at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5290743&section_id=5273173

Monogram Mural

My latest mural was a monogram for a little girl's room. The colors match the clients bedding and window treatments.

This mural was fully designed and done by me, Manassas artist Kelly Campbell

Latest Breyer Creation

This lovely paint comes from Texas. I also wanted to take the time to discuss what goes into my creations.

1. Carving Process- I use a dremel tool to carve out the horses ears, hooves, and nostrils, but I have found numerous uses for this tool. It was a great investment and I suggest it for anyone going into the hobby.

2. Removing Seams- For large seams I use the dremel first, then take fine grade sandpapers to smooth out the logo and extra seam.

*Making the horse anatomically correct. I use an epoxy that is two parts that you have to mix together. This is nice because I only use what I need. I also can smooth it out with water and you can't even tell it wasn't apart of the original mold in the first place. "What epoxy do you use?" shhhh my secret!

3. Painting- Every hobbyist has different ways of painting their breyer. Some remove all previous paint and start with a clean slate. Some primer the model. I just paint over the existing paint with acrylics. I work sections at a time. I know some have used pastels over acrylics--
I have found that I am comfortable using acrylics so that's all I use. Sometimes I will mix pearl pigment into the paint to give the coat shine.

4. The Details- these are key to a realistic horse. I use a fine brush to add mane and tail hairs against skin. I make sure the eyes aren't just black, and the hooves have realistic striping and coloration.

5. Varnishing- I spray a layer of matte varnish first, allow to dry, then use a fixative over top of that. "Why fixative?" Because I've found it's a good balance between glossy and matte finish. Also, matte finish tends to leave a chalky white residue on dark horses.

6. Glossing- I find that glossed eyes really give the horse "life". I have used glass paint gloss, hodge podge, and even clear nail polish. I gloss the eyes, hooves, nostrils, and corners of the lips.

That's about it! I really enjoy doing custom horses and hope someday I can do many many more!! It's an expensive hobby to do right, but it is well worth it when you finish the piece. It also takes alot of time and practice. I have at least 3 not so great horses in my herd, but they are special because each one was a learning experience!!

OPEN HOUSE

Yes everyone! It's finally happening. After having my studio in Occoquan, Kelly's Artbox, for over a year now I am finally having my open house in collaboration with Lisa Julia Photography (http://www.lisajuliaphotography.com). It is Sunday, October 5th, from 11-6PM.

There will be all kinds of awesome things like homemade food, drinks, storytelling and face painting for the kids. There will also be some sweet deals from me and Lisa. I'll be offering $75 off any mural over $200 and specials on jewelry. Lisa is offering her session fee as a print credit for the first 3 bookings.

You'll also get to meet us, and see some gorgeous artwork and photographs!

Hope to see you there!

Manassas Fall Jubilee

I will be a vendor at the Manassas Fall Jubilee on Saturday, October 4th.

My booth will be near the Pavillion. I am looking forward to a fun time of socializing and selling! I will have my antique key wristlets, handcrafted jewelry, photography and fine art for sale. Take a look at http://www.ofnaturedesigns.etsy.com/ to see some of the items that will be there!

Hope to see you there!

Kate Pastel Portrait

As a portrait artist in northern Virginia, sometimes I need to do something to help me remember that art isn't just my job, it's my passion. I have decided to do a series of celebrity portraits from my favorite tv shows.

Some of you might remember seeing my "HOUSE" portrait I did of Hugh Laurie a couple weeks ago-- well here's the second in my series of celebrity tv stars. Evangeline Lily who plays "Kate" on LOST.

This portrait is available for purchase in my etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15335886

Prints will be available soon!

First Place!

I am excited to say that I recieved "First Place" at the 42nd Colonial Beach Arts & Crafts Festival this weekend. I also did really well selling my handmade nature-themed jewelry. Some of the biggest hits included my portrait of Hugh Laurie (from HOUSE), my handmade pmc "Mod Bird" necklaces, and my antique key jewelry.

You can view some of these items here--

Hugh Laurie portrait: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14360162

Mod Bird: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13713231

One of my most favorite comments was:

"We only buy the best stuff, and you have the best jewelry on the beach"

and the fact that I named all of my jewelry theme names like "Night Fire" etc. went over really well.

Thank you to everyone for all of their support!

My next craft show will be November 8th in Falls Church at Falls Church High School located at 7521Jaguar Trail, Falls Church, VA at the junction of I-495 and Route 50. I hope to see you there!

Model Madness 6- Janelle

View my previous posts to read more about my model photo shoots for my jewelry line OfNatureDesigns and see some other gorgeous girls with some gorgeous personalities as well.)Meet Janelle:

Janelle is the last, (but not the least!) model I'm posting that I also took photos of for my jewelry line Of Nature Designs. Janelle had the prettiest skin, and looks great wearing:

Beach Pebble necklace (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13315274)

Pink Lemonade Chalcedony necklace

Florida Flamingos Jade Ring (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14393438)

Here is a link to Janelle's website: http://www.modelmayhem.com/42618

Model Madness 5- Andrea

View my previous posts to read more about my model photo shoots for my jewelry line OfNatureDesigns.)
Meet Andrea:

Andrea is wearing my "Fresh Catch" Seaglass necklace

(http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13756226)

"Bluebird Nest" ring (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14977650)

Sea Petal Necklace (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10170819)

And "Mod Petal" earrings

You can view Andrea's Myspace page at: http://www.myspace.com/artimitateslife

http://www.avenuereport.com

Model Madness 4- Alison

(View my previous posts to read more about my model photo shoots for my jewelry line OfNatureDesigns.)

Meet Alison:
Alison is wearing my Guitar String Rings (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14263604)

"Cherries" interchangeable briolette Hoops (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14407454)

and Key West chalcendony Necklace

Model Madness Part 3: Nikki

(View my previous posts to read more about my model photo shoots for my jewelry line OfNatureDesigns.)

Meet Nikki:

Nikki is wearing "Like Little Jewels" Chrysoprase Earrings (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14832140)

and the Small Mod Bird Necklace (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14313863)

You can view more photos of Nikki on her Myspace page: www.myspace.com/ladygwenavear