Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year from the Red Heart Cult!

A happy new year to all our friends and supporters here at the Red Heart Cult. We are happy to welcome the new year with open arms!

We have alot in store for 2009, including our new featured artist Viktor Brazfield aka S.A.M. Some Artist Man. I meant Viktor through myspace and was immediately blown away by his work, I am honored to have him bring in the new year and share his art with RHC.



Please check out our new featured artist for the month of January.

U P D A T E S:
RHC's myspace has been updated hopefully making it a little easier to load, and soon you will be able to see all of our past featured artists on the left as well. And we have some great links you can find on the left nav
for our blog The Heart Chronicles and our etsy shop Red Heart 13.

I will be creating more relics of vamps and bloody babes from our Sweet Heart Collection in February and you can find some new paintings from the Skeleton Krew Collection, including a collaboration piece with artist J. L. Schnabel for her Feb art show in Philly.

I am truly looking forward to the new year, I wish the best to everyone in 2009!
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Sunday, December 28, 2008

Adventures in FlintKnapping

Left image: Glass antler carving by artist Graham Orridge

This evening I was at my dad's spending all afternoon organizing my beads into new plastic boxes, color coding beads and vintage pieces for the new year. This took me all day, yesterday my friend Alison and I splurged at this lovely antique store, some great vintage finds that I can't wait to show you and even a child of Fatima statue for $4.00. Anyways I was finally able to get the kitchen table cleaned and ate dinner.

After dinner, my dad's friend came by named Big John, he brought his roommate Chris. He is a god with his hands, and looks like a mountain man, his hands were dirty and came carrying a white bucket and a box of tools; he reached in the bucket to reveal his latest works. Small glass arrowheads he carved with his own hands. He introduced me to FlintKnapping, the art of stone tool making. It is also known as flaking or chipping; flintknapping is the world's oldest documentable craft that have been found on prehistoric sites of our ancestors.

Glass is used, along with leather for your hands, metal files and copper can be used to flake away to reveal a shape, most popular are arrow heads. These tools have been used as readily created for hunting, sacrifical knives or even used as scalpels. Flaking was used by the Mayans and Aztecs, and Chris showed me several of these arrowheads he carved out of antique pieces of glass from old bottles he found; he even used old mirrors. It was really fascinating to see this technique and what patience it takes. He said he does break them sometimes, but the outcome is marvelous. Chris even gave me some extra tools so I can practice and do it on my own. I was stunned; I have a leather piece for my hand, some carving tools such as copper sticks in plastic dowels, glass, and a metal file. I am super excited to try it out and read the book he let me borrow. I even told him to open up shop on etsy, so he can spread his talent.

You can read more about Flintknapping here, and here is a great link that you can follow to do this at home, a tutorial on taking an old beer bottle and turning it into a piece of art.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

From the Heart: a first look at new arrivals

Here is a first hand look at our latest reliquary from the Red Heart Cult. My Secret Lovers Reliquary necklace is gorgeous revamped necklace that has a heart breaking love story (in) itself. A twisted love triangle between a plain jane and two brothers. A secret love affair with the handsome millionaire and the other brother, a loyal soul mate who is off to war. Who will she choose? Riches or a dedicated man who pours his heart into a single love letter that comes once a month; but will he return to her? 

This relic necklace is one of a kind and is a revamped from timeless artifacts. A vintage black enameled pendant opens to reveal an assemblage of love's past. An antique oval cabinet card of two brothers and on the bottom a piece of a vintage letter that reads "Oh Dearest", a miniature key with blue rhinestone and a piece of baby's breath. On the brass chain holds a strand of five antique chandelier crystals, smaller glass beads, two links of leaf chain and a beautiful pink pendant detailing in gold.

Stop by
Red Heart 13 to check out some of our other new arrivals:

~ These Bubbly Rose Darlings are a perfect romantic statement, made with white/light pink pearls and a brass rose bead cap.

~ This Pink Posies necklace is a revolution for any doll who loves pink.

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WISHING YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAY!

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!
~ CHARLES DICKENS

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.
~ HARLAN MILLER
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RHC would like to wish everyone a Happy Holiday!
I am sure everyone is still working like busy little bees to get all the holiday gifts wrapped tied with a pretty bow, but when it is all said and done and presents are unwrapped, stomachs filled to the T, be sure to take a little time to relax, be safe and be thankful.
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Monday, December 22, 2008

New Arrivals Coming Tonight

It is a new week and I have some lovely new creations I will be listing in my shop tonight. Please stop by Red Heart 13 tonight after 10 PM to see these new beauties.

N  E  W    D  E  S  I  G  N  S     I  N  C  L  U  D  E: 

B R A C E L E T:

5   P A I R   OF   E A R R I N G S:

3  N E C K L A C E S:

S N E A K   P E E K: 
The My Secret Lovers necklace is in the works, I am working on doing a collage for the inside of the vintage black pendant that hangs at the bottom. The necklace is made of real crystal, gold leaf links, brass chain and a vintage enamel pendant that opens to reveal red velvet and has beautiful cursive writing on the back that reads "Change Plate".

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Friday, December 19, 2008

25% Off All Earrings Today!

It's Friday again, thank god. Keeping busy today, watching some lots on ebay and rocking out to the 80s here at work. First it was Madonna, and now the Cutting Crew. Since today is Friday, all earrings are 25% off today. Hoot Hoot!

F O R    Y O U R    E A R S:

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~ Who doesn't love chocolate; it is a girl's best friend?! These White Chocolate Rose Peeps are just to your liking, with glass beads, vintage bead caps and a whimsy lucite egg.

~ Mmmm, marshmallows! These Stay Puft Earrings are made from vintage glass and vintage bead caps that are perfect for the season.

F O R    Y O U R    F I N G E R S:

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~ It is all in the Eye of the Beholder, a vintage mirror / lipstick holder that can be used as a fabulous ring.

~ This Life or Death Reversible Ring has a swivel setting that is perfect for day or night.
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Wednesday, December 17, 2008

A True Romantic At Heart

A true sweetheart admires pearls swept over falling lace, rose gardens of pinks and luscious reds and occasionally tears of joy of pure emotion from the soul. Memories come to mind when I was creating some of my new pieces for Red Heart 13 this past weekend. One thought was my husband Bruce, and my first kiss with him; it was awkward but titillating at the same time. These are the feelings that are kept inside all of us, they are what life is all about, roller coasters of emotion and stepping stones on the path to being a grown up.

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~ This Love Me Tender Pearl Necklace reminded me of my wedding dance, even though it was "Can't Help Falling in Love", I remember the close secrets Bruce spoke in my ear on our wedding day. What girl doesn't love that, and can't resist the classic beauty of pearls.

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~ Memories of my nana Sarah Elizabeth; she was my queen. She had a beautiful rose garden, that her and I used to sit in. These were blissful moments when the world was calm as a child and we would caress a warm cup of tea. These Tea Rose Earrings, are a solid affection of my closest personal memories.

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~ Love Notes and Tears of Joy, this necklace reminded me of my years in the big city away from my beau. Two years of phone conversations, of a voice miles away; and loneliness on the cold hearted subways. Finally... I came home.

~RED WEDNESDAY: Buy 1 piece of jewelry, get the 2nd half off!
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Monday, December 15, 2008

Reached My Goal!!! And With Open Arms!

This has been a glorious day for me, my goal for the end of the 2008 was to reach 400 sales. Today it happened, I made front page and then BAMMMMM! Made it to 403. My 400th customer bought my Robin's Egg Drops, these are the cutest earrings ever, I am planning on making a little something special, possibly a nice necklace to go. Looking back at my stats last year, in 2007 I had 53 sales, I sky rocketed this year with 350 sales and counting. I wanted to thank everyone for the support and stopping by Red Heart 13, I couldn't do it without you all!

I am truly excited about 2009, I have some planning to do, here is a little secret for you though, you should look forward to three special months in 2009. Every Friday the 13th I will be having a sale in my shop; more to come on the details. You can find all the latest updates and promotion news at the Heart Chronicles and my twitter.

You can also look forward to more relics from my Sweet Heart Collection and new featured artists in association to the Red Heart Cult. I am in the currently looking for inspiration, so if you have any in mind please pass them my way. I am in the works of having a theme for February, but March will be our third annual Medical Madness theme. Everyone stay tuned, and I am with open arms for 2009. I can only imagine what is in store for next year.
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Friday, December 12, 2008

Killer Wolf

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Painting by Keith Parkinson.

I have always had a fascination with werewolves; and since I was young I'd always watch classics like The Wolfman and the cheesy horror movies like Silver Bullet. Lycanthropes, or werecreatures are humans that have gained the ability to shape shift into a beast from the result of the disease known as lycanthropy. 

These creatures appear are a normal human but later have subtle physical and behavioral traits in association with the animal. The full moon may increase these creatures ravenous side but it is merely their animalistic feast within them that drive them mad and are soon over taken with fur and piercing fangs. Once a human's state changes to the beast, it looses it's human tongue and a strong craving for for fresh meat overtakes them.

In order to kill a lycanthrope, these creatures can be harmed by using a silver weapons, magic or the plant known as wolfsbane. Contact with this plant will stop the beast and send it the other way; but if you are infect you will become a lyncanthrope within a few days or to a couple of weeks; it depends on the victims health varying the first stages. Magic can be used before the disease has fully taken over the body, but the cure can often times be long sought out and expensive according to person's time they have left.

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This engraving depicting a werewolf attack. "The Werewolf Delusion" by Ian Woodward.

The lycanthropes disease is feared in most cases, but the Druids, who worship nature, embrace this curse. Druids live to maintain a balance amongst nature within themselves and live for the devotion to communicate with plants and animals. Some even look towards lycanthropy and infect themselves purposefully.

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Lycanthrope Reliquary created by Leila Marvel. ©All Rights Reserved 2007.

Being drawn to these dark creatures I like to intertwine my inspirations into my assemblages, whether be film, folklore or even music. Two of my all time favorite songs "Killer Wolf" by Danzig and Motorhead's "In the Year of the Wolf". My Lycanthrope Reliquary is one piece that holds some inspiration of the tales and films about werewolves. It is made from an antique glass dome that holds relics of dried animals fur, a fabric plant that resembles wolfsbane, a crucifix and a painted silver bullet. It also reads the famous quote from the Wolfman film "Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers at night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright." I recently just listed this relic in my etsy shop Red Heart 13, it was one of the pieces that was featured in my art show back in October and November. You can also find my Dracula Reliquary in my shop as well, it has the same matching glass frame. These pieces are perfect for anyone who loves these creatures of the night or who are into old classic horror films like me.

REFERENCES: Lycanthropes. Creatures of Chaos: A Selection of Creatures from Fantasy Realms. www.nascr.net/~jcburd/index.html
Werewolf. Wikipedia
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Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Vintage Medallions and Talismans

We could all use a little good luck and some added strength to our world now and days; whether be love, guidance or prayer. This week's theme for my work was "talismans". A talisman is a small amulet or object, usually bearing magically symbols or something that is worn for protection against evil spirits or the supernatural.

Some of our new arrivals include, four sets of earrings and two vintage inspired necklace at Red Heart 13. Also don't forget today is RED WEDNESDAY: buy any piece of jewelry and get the 2nd half off!

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A Golden Prayer Talisman of guidance embellished with rhinestones and two diamond shaped pendants.

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Attract love and romance with Love Potion No. 9; made from a lucite pale pink pendant and fabric rose.

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A vintage G.I. medal of honor to hang near your heart, an Armored Saint amulet of strength and safety.
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Monday, December 8, 2008

Pray For My Little Birdie!


UPDATE: Nikki, my bird is doing much better, she is eating and moving around. Even came out and sat on the swing. Thank you everyone for your prayers and thinking of her. It is truly appreciate and I thank you from the depths of my heart. LM

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So this evening I had plans to work at home and getting some jewelry shipped off and get some new listings done for my online shop. Well I was enjoying my Cappriotties sub and my cat Randal Flag was trying to steal some meat.

When all of a sudden I saw the cat jump off the desk and attack my bird cage, my two birds Mic Jagger and Nicita went flying, the cat jumped and caught the female bird in his mouth and tried running off with it, he ran and took it out into the hall. I went after him and I kicked him and got the bird and quickly put her in the bathroom. I yelled at the cat and shut the office door to keep Jagger in. Oh my god I was freaking out, I didn't know what to do. So I went into the bathroom and the bird was on the sink there was a couple blood pools, surely lost alot of blood. I grabbed a towel and tried catching her, and she flew on the wall, the shower curtain, and then to the window curtains getting blood everywhere. It was like a murder scene in my bathroom. I finally grabbed the bird and held her and put the towel on the wound, seemed the cat ate part of her tail. I put her back in the cage and it took me a half hour to catch Jagger in the room, finally with a plastic bag.

Oh the poor soul, what is Jagger to do without his little wifey, they have been together for about 10 years, had some kids about 6 over the years, they are long gone and now it is just the two of them, like two old fogies. Seems I left the clip off of the lock and they opened the door. I don't blame them wanting to escape. But Nikki seems to be doing ok, she ate and is in the little house with Jagger.

This is some tragic accident, we must all pray for little Nikki, let's hope she gets better and doesn't die during the night.

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Nikki on the left, and Jagger on the right.

The alleged assailant when he was 2 months old. Never knew Flag would grow up to be an attempted murderer.
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Friday, December 5, 2008

Perfect Universe!!!





















"Our heavenly realm beyond earth is filled with a universe made of  the sun, moon and stars. The divine Starry Skies holds the essence of the unknown, it holds heavenly bodies which are perfect things. We sit up glazing into every night while acting out in an imperfect world we call home. My being is imperfect, I hope to walk in dimensions I cannot see. For now, I caress the coming twilight painted black."

25% OFF EARRINGS TODAY!
You can be reminded of the beauty of the universe with these Starry Skies vintage inspired earrings; and be sure to stop by today, December 5th for our discount of 25% off off earrings only at Red Heart 13.
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Wednesday, December 3, 2008

RED WEDNESDAY!!

Today stop by Red Heart 13 to get this lovely discount, when you buy 1 piece of jewelry get the 2nd half off! It is great for the last minute gifts you need to get and have had your eye on.

Here are a couple new arrivals, I found  a lovely vintage pink pearl necklace over the weekend, so you will see alot of pretties in pink in my shop. And you can't forget about lovely red, perfect for the holiday season!

~ What girl doesn't have Secrets? This necklace is perfect to put little love letters or your favorite dried flowers.
~ These Cotton Candy Acorn Earrings, are perfect for the season, but also have a twist of pink to them.
~ Add some Peppermint Twist to your day, with these crackled glass earrings.
~ These retro revival Cherry Vixen Hoops are made of enamel and have a little pop with red poked dots.
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Tuesday, December 2, 2008

The Skeleton Krew is Back!

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SK no.0017, antique cabinet card painted with gouache and signed / numbered on the back.

We have two new unveilings from my Skeleton Krew Collection: The Backbone to the Dead. These macabre family portraits are finally back!

Skeleton Krew portrait no.0017 is surely sweet with a twist of madness. What is behind this child's eyes? This lovely little girl stares at the viewer, and is painted with black gouache. There are no markings on the back of this photo but I believe it is circa early 1900s. You can purchase this portrait at Red Heart 13. Take home a part of this collection!

This lonely boy reminded me of Damien from the Omen, so innocent yet there is evil behind those eyes, or was his soul lost in a tragic accident. Stare into his piercing eyes and imagine how he lived in the 1800s. Did he have a brother or maybe a twin? SK no.0018 will be arriving in my shop in a week or so, I am in search of a odd frame to put him in. If you would like to reserve this portrait, please feel free to contact me and I can put him on hold. 

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Skeleton Krew portrait no.0018, antique photo 3.5" w x 5" h, gouache paint.

I love doing these portraits, and often never want to let them go. I wonder how these people once lived, are they still living or have they passed on to another dimension in which they try to connect with us by these little pieces of evidence from their lives. If you would like to see more from the Skeleton Krew Collection please click here
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