Lizzie J Art Hand wrapped silver signature bangles

Quickly establishing itself as my favourite design, this hand wrapped bangle has captured the eye of many friends and next table coffee drinkers who have noticed it.


The simple beauty of this design is that it begins life as a length of cold silver wire, lifeless and waiting to be transformed.
Through careful bending, wrapping, and finishing detail, this wire soon takes on its own life, becoming a delightfully comfortable and unique article of jewellery.

It's my greatest wish that it may become an heirloom cherished item, passed from one generation to the next with love and many a happy memory.



These bangles are custom made to ensure a perfect fit for comfort and daily wear.

Designed to be barely felt on the wrist, always enjoyed by the owner.



For all enquiries email: Lizziejart@hotmail.co.uk
Lizzie J Art FaceBook Page

Hearts n Oysters Necklace

Or how about a few pearls?

Tethered heart necklace

Ive been bending n twisting again with a little sterling silver and here is what I came up with.
16" necklace with 2cm hammered silver heart, hand wired dangle and swarovski crystal bead.

love n light,
x

A little patience and The Apprentice

I love silver jewellery, the colour, the feel of the metal, and the fact that it can be worked in so many ways, that a unique piece could be made for each and every man woman and child on the planet many times over.

Recently, I was trying to explain a design I had in mind to a jeweller without him quite getting what I was after, that it dawned on me I should make it myself. Afterall, I didnt think I was asking for a complex design. So I got my creative on and went away to make it myself from .925 wire.
All it took was a little patience while watching The Apprentice, cheers for that Lord Sugar.

BTW without wanting to be sound too harsh, it makes me sick that those people are considered the cream of our future industry! WTF, No wonder our economy is in trouble! If I had their flannel Id be a flippin squilionaire!!!

Sorry back to topic:
I have wanted a roman style bracelet for eons but just haven't found what I was looking for to buy before. Which is why I was asking a jeweller to make up my design for me in the first place.

So here we are, this is what I had in mind and is now sitting comfortably on my wrist.
Yesterday Hemp Soap, today a silver bracelet. Both made with a little patience, alot of love, and for the bracelet a dose of The Apprentice.

Back with new inspiration

Sorry its been a while....to say the least, oops!

I ve not bee resting on my laurels or hiding away in a dark corner though. No this creative chick has been getting her life n order and back to that creative chick I always have been.
The previous posts did result in a long and fraught conversation with my mother, which hopefully may result in a better relationship in the long run. I have to admit though, that at the moment the dust is still settling while we both get used to the new beginnings. Fingers crossed eh and if nothing else I have been honest and have no regrets, only hopes for a better relationship for us both.

Anyway, pastures new and upto date.
I am still painting when I get a moment and enjoying it all the more, but the idea of selling any of my work is far more difficult than I ever imagined it would be. It wasnt until I was approached to sell Purple Shores my first painting after all those years, that I realised that and declined the offer. Weighing up money v selling a part of my psyche, was more punishing than anything I known for a long while.

Happy to announce creativity is bursting through me again, business is running smoothly, and I am already looking forward to Spring.

I love a challenge, and view creating products with my hands pretty much all in the same vein.
To me there is little difference between creating uber eco skin care for Innocent Oils, Organic Modelling dough for O'Dough, building a studio to work in, painting the walls or artwork for my walls.
It's the challenge of having an idea in my head and finding a way to make it happen so I can touch it for real, that brings the biggest challenge and joy.

My upbringing has taught me that if I need something I can make make it. If I cant make it, I have to make something else that I can use to get me to where I want to be, and to enjoy the adventure the journey along the way.

This is my journey along the way whatever it may bring...

A creative woman...

Being creative makes me happy, so what on earth was I thinking allowing disappointment to prevent me from being creative?

Having had a good ol moan in my post yesterday. Sorry about that btw. :( Time is now to pick my sorry ass up, and get my mojo back in shape again. :)

In my search for that butt kicking moment, I came across the blog from inspirational woman and creative kindred soul on Twitter @wildheartqueen who says in her intro "You are in the right place if you are creatively stuck, blocked and frustrated." Yep Im there... But not for long now...:)

Reading through her inspirational Blog, it was refreshing to read such wonderful honesty, which in today's highly critical world is often hidden or avoided for fear of repercussions.

So to hell with repercussions. I am me - dangerously creative, and bursting with life.

Life is short, so Im gonna get back to living it the best way I know how.

BEING CREATIVE... :D

Namaste,
Lizzie J X


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No comment and no reaction, is worse than any other response...

I should have remembered just how painful it is to see those I love show appathy towards my work...

Last weekend was a joint birthday celebration for my lovely hubby and my Dad. I'd been looking forward to seeing my family again for weeks, but now I remember why it has been so long since I last saw them.

In a nutshell
My mum arrived seemingly happy said "Oh, you've been painting again, lets have a look!" So without thinking and being caught off guard I said "sure, have a look at this one, its my first painting since 1992" pointing to Purple Shores, the canvas on the wall behind her.


I quickly wished I hadn't said that, but she had already turned around and was starring closely at the painting for what seemed like hours. I stood there feeling paralysed hoping she would like it. Mmm, foolish I know.

She then stood up, not looking back at me at all and said to my Dad, who was in the next room "What time do we have to be at the restaurant?"
Not a word to me about the painting and no expression of like/dislike, nothing at all???

I know, I should have asked what she thought of it, and why she said nothing? But, past experience has taught me that if nothing is said then best leave it. Considering I was feeling so fragile about the painting anyway, I really didnt want to have salt poured into the wound, in case she didn't like it.

Coming from a outwardly 'normal' family, I hadn't realised fully until many years after I left home just how their negative attitude towards anything outside of their expectations for me has had such a crushing impact on how I have lived my life.

Ya see it was with much regret that I put the brushes away many years ago, due to a culmination of an unhappy time studying fine art at college and not living up to my parents expectations.
It as only a month ago that I was feeling strong enough to paint again in my own abstract style. Rather than that which was expected but that I was never good enough to accomplish well enough myself.

Painting for me has always instinctively been about showing my inner feelings and allowing the brush to create the art work through my soul, rather than painting an impression of a true life image.

I can appreciate and enjoy the talent of realistic fine artists, but I have never had any desire to capture reality on canvas in that way. A camera does the job perfectly well for capturing the moments I would like to recall again and again, and in any case painting has always been a way of depicting a view of my soul through colour and texture above all.

My parents guided me away from painting by humiliating me and ridiculing my artwork. In an attempt to encourage me to seek finacial reward through the normal 9-5 channels. Unfortunately, for my parents -success is only measured by financial reward.Which I now find hollow and sad, to say the least.
I on the other hand, have always preferred far better to feel richer in my heart having made someone smile, than to be loaded with cash and end up living in an empty castle. That said, we all need to eat. So yes I need to earn enough to feed myself and my family, but financial reward is not my guiding light. I see it as a wonderful added bonus and a certain amount of vindication for the path I have taken in life.

I have made a finacial success of my life through my specialist skin care business, which has enabled me to use my creativity developing a range of products and through creating and buildiing the company from scratch. This finacial success is of less importance, than than the joy of easing others pain, or finding a solution to a long term problem through my wonderfully innocent products.

In all honesty I dream like many of being discovered by someone who can see my creative potential and who wishes to nurture it. The chances of which happening are slimmer than winning the lottery, I know. Yet, I feel driven to try and succeed or else what's the point?
To be honest I feel embarrassed to share this, but it is honest, so why not? I have nothing to hide. Every one of us has a drive to achieve something and the reasons for doing so equally as diverse.

A friend asked "What would you do if someone was to 'discover you', surely then you would lose your ambition?"

My answer was a clear "No way!
You see, then I would move forward confidently, celebrating my creativity, enjoying it, and being proud of it. I would create more, achieve more, and set more goals. Without feeling like I was doing it inspite of my parents, or to prove a point. For want of better words I would be free..."

Whatever comes my way I will make the best of it, and keep fighting to find that freedom one day.

For now I am fighting to hold onto my brushes, not to put them away again for another 20 years following last weekends experience.
I m gutted and ashamed to have been so easily put off something I felt so much joy for again just a month ago.
I guess that is the kind of power a parent can have over a child, no matter their age.

I will do all I can not to let history repeat itself for my two beautiful girls!
Namaste, and thank you for all your love and support along the way.
x

Abstract : Purple Flowers June 2010

Acrylic on Canvas 50cm x40cm
Work in progress...


Im not really happy with the result so far to be honest. Personally I feel uncomfortable with the way the tops of the purple petals disappear over the top edge of the canvas making it difficult to see them when hanging on the wall. Mind you this feeling could be just my own preconceived idea of how art should look. The very thing I ve been fighting against for so long. This is an abstract painting after all, it is what it is! But I still feel improvements are in order. Hey ho.


I havent given up yet changes are always possible, so all is not lost, just yet.
A re paint for adjustments and finishing will be tomorrow's adventure.

I get back with an update on the finished result.

Namaste
X

LizzieJart@hotmail.co.uk
www.twitter.com/LizzieJart

Where would you be?

When I stare at this picture, at times I feel I could be bobbing around drifting at sea, and others I might be lazing in the sun in a wide open peaceful place.


Where would you be?

Mandala for the Bee's

During a little doodle time break, with thoughts of my dear friend and colleague Brigit Strawbridge @beestrawbridge in mind. I have produced a Mandala for the Bee's.

Science tells us that Bees should not be able to fly, but science isn't always right!
Mother Nature is a canny lass, so as if to prove science wrong, she created wings to carry Bees, against the odds, to pollenate, in turn supporting life itself.

I have been curious and concerned about reports from many parts of the world that bee colonies were vanishing or dying! Bees are of enormous importance to the survival of the world as we know it, because of their ability to pollinate fruit and vegetables.
Did you know approximately 80% of world food crops are pollinated by honeybees!

Around the world honeybee stocks are declining, the cause or causes for this are not yet well understood. Although clearly whatever the reason, the impact could have a devastating effect on global food supplies, and there is certainly no harm in doing what we can to help the plight of Bee.

Find lots more tips and info about how we can all do our bit in this vid from Jamie-Lee Loughlin. Saving the Bumblebee

Always just around the corner...

Whenever I paint I work best when I let go and let the brush and my soul do the work. I never know what is going to appear on the canvas when I start and often surprised when I see what appears...

The above painting 'just around the corner' is a prime example. I had intended to paint the Mandala I have been working on, but instead the mind wandered and I came up with this???

Will have another go at the Mandala canvas when I can clear my head.

Addition

Looking at the picture again, a few hours after painting it. I m feeling that this may be the result of my minds symbolic way of hiding away. The circular area which appears to be hidden behind a mask is the area I was to use as the background for the Mandala. For this reason I feel I should go ahead and draw in the mandala I had in mind originally but leave it masked as the painting depicts.

Madalas

I adore Mandalas for their infinate style and variation. Each and every one so personal and with deep connections to the soul of the creator.

I read that the best way to describe a Madala is to make one, so here is what I came up with...


The above is an ideas doodle of a Madala I will create later on. I see it in pinks, greens and purples with highlights of gold and silver. I m looking forward to getting it onto canvas because until then I have no idea how it will end up, what I do know is that it will be fun to create.

Butterfly Sight - A recycled/reworked picture. Mixed media Acrylic 50cm x 50cm.

The canvas before.
Today I decided to recycle a mass produced picture canvas I had bought some months ago, but never put up on a wall because when I got it home I didnt really care for it very much.

Waste not, want not, I say! So I set to work giving the canvas a new look.

The existing picture had some stiched areas that I have incorporated into the painting as the butterflies. The rest has been painted over almost entirely.

After.

You can just about see the original print showing beneath my paintwork. I actually rather like this effect. The original artwork is hidden but not obliterated from view altogether.

I would love to know your comments...

lizziejart@hotmail.co.uk
www.twitter.com/LizzieJart

Its been too many years since...

I last put brush to canvas. Having been passionate about art since very young, yet never really explored it with enjoyment. It was the colours more than the structure of any pice of artwork that resonated with me. The pain of being forced to learn fine art techniques at college when all the Alchemist in me wanted to do back then was learn how to create specialist glazes for ceramics, ended up with me turning my back on art altogether with great sadness and regret, until now that is.

My head is brim full of ideas, influences and images collected over my 36 years on this earth. Now at last with life and work running smoothly and coherantly for once, I have found myself some head space at last, turning back to the canvas to let my spirit free again.

Standing with a blank canvas in front of me I had no plans of what to paint, so there I stood feeling blank, with a million ideas and images running round in circles in my head.
In the background I hardly realised the radio was on, until my ears pricked up listening to a news report about the awful BP oil spill, gushing ever more barrels of oil into the sea by the second.

With no plans to paint a sea scape or depict the scene I was listening in on, I was more concerned with the colour purple swimming around in my head. So without thinking I started to blend purples onto the canvas while subconsciously listening to radio on in the back ground.

Before I knew it I had painted my first canvas in 17 years!



Now that I have let the paint out again, I know it'll be a while before I lock the brushes up again once more.