by Kelly | May 27, 2012 | art, Henna
Kelly Caroline – Michigan Henna Artist
Here are a few photos of me doing henna again today in beautiful Ann Arbor, Michigan. I really love doing henna outside on a lovely afternoon like today. I feel very blessed to be a henna artist in the great state of Michigan. ivermectin solution for humans Living in Michigan, we get to experience every season (although we have had some strange occurrences with the weather this year). how much ivermectin do you give a baby goat
Anyways, its lovely to live here in Michigan. heartgard ivermectin customer service <3 hope you enjoy the pics.
*This is not an original design by Kelly Caroline Henna Art – my client found the design online and I’m not sure where so I cannot properly credit the artist*
*This is not an original design by Kelly Caroline Henna Art – my client found the design online and I’m not sure where so I cannot properly credit the artist*
by Kelly | May 26, 2012 | art, Crafts
A new feature today: a very talented & creative artist (and busy mom- like me) Misha Blaise from Austin, TX. I am very inspired by her mixed media artwork that is a take on nature and cultural embroidery designs. I really love the floral prints as well as the intricate embroidery representations. Super excited to see what she comes up with next!
**Also, note that each purchase from her Etsy page goes to help support a woman survivor of war that Misha sponsors through WomenForWomen.org **
Meet Misha :
Where do you get your inspiration?
I am obsessed with beautiful and elegant textile design from around the world.
For example, my father is from Croatia, and I have been collecting old Yugoslavian embroidery patterns to transfer into some of my digital pieces. These people make some of the coolest designs: the colors are super bold and the images are elegant and complex. I like reinventing patterns like this within my pieces by merging them with more modern elements.
What is your creative process ?
My creative process took a major blow when I had my first child because I just didn’t have very much time to work anymore. But this limitation eventually became an asset to me. I started planning my art mentally ahead of time as detailed as possible. Then, when I would finally have the time to work all I would have to do is execute my ideas. So my usual process now is that I think through a piece of art while I am doing something with my son, like taking him on a walk or whatever, and then when he goes to sleep I run to my studio space like a bat out of hell and work as fast as I can!!!
What’s your favorite item you make?
I love making mixed media prints! I enjoy just throwing down paint and drawing and then scanning it all into the computer where I can merge it all together into a cohesive piece. This format is also cool because it allows the final product to be printed at any size and on various mediums.
What’s your artistic philosophy?
I think the spirit of uninhibited experimentation is crucial to being an artist. It can be so hard to work when you are worrying if the piece will look good or if will be well received. I think there is something very mysterious about the creative process in the sciences and the arts that we can’t ever really understand—somehow humans have the capacity to bring forth something new that never existed before. I guess my philosophy is just to treat that process as something important and crucial to the human experience, even if all I am doing is making a pretty little art print. (Is that philosophical enough☺ )
When did you start creating ? 
Like most people I made art as a child. I was influenced by other design around me that was cool at the time, so Idefinitely went through a phase of drawing psychedelic dolphins leaping over rainbows and hearts as inspired by the Lisa Frank art on my Trapper Keeper. Then I made some really bad art in college which I have most thrown away or kept hidden. I would say I only really started finding my “voice” as an artist when I was in my mid-twenties. I was living in Chicago and I was starting to meet a whole community of artists who lived and breathed their craft. This really pushed me to take my art more seriously and to develop my style in a more focused way.
What’s the future for your business?
I am working really hard this year to improve my on-line presence. I would love to be able to show art locally, and at the same time have an international audience who can browse and buy my work online!
by Kelly | May 20, 2012 | art, Crafts, Henna
Many of my henna designs are inspired by nature – hibiscus flowers, vines, daisies, water, succulents, dahlias, peacocks, feathers etc. I like to make what nature gives us as inspiration and make it more fantastical in my henna designs. Today’s feature is nature-inspired art to reference many design elements in nature that inspire us all.
henna tree design on ribcage at the henna salon
This adorable Micro Marimo moss in a glass gourd by MyZen is a cool display and has an interesting story: “About Marimo Balls:
These delightful little balls of algae also called Cladophora originate in Lake Akan Japan. They are revered and adopted as “pets” in Japanese homes and offices and are believed to bring good luck. Marimo name is derived from Mari meaning “bouncy play ball” and “mo” meaning underwater plant in Japanese.” Neat!
Shadow boxes make a great frame for art. But what’s more beautiful than something nature has designed? -nada! Gaze at the loveliness of nature with this air plant terrarium and hand-built shadow box by MIDNIGHTinSEATTLE .
Happiknits brings us a lovely knit chartreuse cowl that has a cozy, mossy feel as well as being quite stylish.
A natural, beautiful stone is mystic topaz. Passionate Jewelry sets mystic topaz in a great silver bezel to create this unique ring.
This nature-inspired origami lotus flower by Fish & Lotus is crafted so perfectly that you almost don’t realize its made of paper! These would be great as wedding favors or given as a gift.
I will admit, if I owned this incredible miniature terrarium necklace by Woodii I would wear it EVERYDAY.. Between the small pebbles at the bottom, the variety of moss and the adorable cork stopper, this pendant has en entire little slice of nature in an adorable glass vile.
If you want the more traditional yet elaborate nature display in your house, these succulent terrariums by Another World Plants and Terrariums is the way to go. I have a soft spot for terrariums with succulents because there’s just something so cool about moss and succulents mixed together. <3
Another great mini collection of nature is this moss, lichen & citrine filled rectangle glass pendant made by fawn . Ideal to “keep nature close to your heart”
Mojo Spa Style brings us this ahhhhdorable stylish accessory that has almost limitless potential for where it can be placed. Its a made-to-order, crocheted flower pin that is a must-have accessory in your collection.
If all this nature has inspired you to get into the terrarium lifestyle, then pick up this air plant zen garden terrarium kit by Xerces Art . Easy to care for, the air plant inside “requires little attention and happily sits amongst the other items in the terrarium.” Perfect for first-time terrarium owners.
by Kelly | May 17, 2012 | accessories, art, Crafts
The feature today is UntamedMenagerie – Penny & Nikki – a mother & daughter creative team that specializes in making whimsical, wearable modern art accessories.
Here’s the Q&A with UntamedMenagerie :
►Where do you get your inspiration? — We are inspired by so many things, but our primary inspiration comes from nature and architecture. sportfogadás online An unexpected influence is music. sportfogadás tippek naponta The music we listen to while designing can sway us from edgy to sweet or from subtle to bold. játékok nyerőgépes
►What is your creative process? — A design usually starts as a sketched doodle that Nikki both adds to and takes from until the paper is completely smudged and worn thin. When we are satisfied with the design, it is scanned to her computer where she cleans up the image so she can resize and perfect the lines and curves before cutting the test piece. From sketch to finish, this usually takes around 2-3 weeks. We’ve had some breakthroughs where we have worn the finished piece just days after the idea came, and at least half a dozen that we have been working on for more than a year. In-progress designs hang all around while we wait for ideas to spark until a piece feels complete — and wearable. Sometimes a design may not be practical for wear and we choose to start over. 
►What’s your favorite item you make? — Nikki’s favorite is Triple Threat (a very industrial feeling three finger ring). Penny loves the Eccentric bangles best.
►What’s your artistic philosophy? — We create what we love. We’re whimsical, bold, and quirky. We want to make you smile.
►When did you start creating? — We began making jewelry together in 2005. Nikki previously worked as a seamstress; Penny dabbled in interior design.
►What’s the future for your business? — We hope to expand our business to include household items and large wall art, and we want to explore different mediums and learn new techniques. It has long been our dream to open a brick and mortar shop to display our work as well as that of other artisans.
by Kelly | May 17, 2012 | accessories, art, Crafts, Henna
When it comes to knowing if the henna paste you are using is quality, the color of fresh henna is key. This is something only henna artist or henna enthusiasts know but henna powder is actually a leafy green color and when its mixed with essential oils, sugar, lemon and black tea, the fresh henna paste is a dark kelly-green color. After the paste undergoes dye release is when it changes to that familiar chocolate brown color and its applied to the skin. When I tell my clients henna actually starts out green, most are surprised.
Here is a collection of beautiful handmade items that remind me of the color of fresh henna powder and henna paste (as well as some other items that are just a lovely shade of green!)
This is a great “everyday bag” by Marbled Bag . I really like the large bow and the functional yet appealing quality of the design.
Hope Johnson brings us these hand built ceramic dishes that are painted with chartreuse green to make this simple yet elegant decoration. I really appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into these.
We always need an effortless, fashionable accessory and Rayna Robinson gives us just that with this chartreuse turban headband. .. and how cute is she?! hah
Can you tell I’m diggin the chartreuse? I just love the color and how it just makes items POP! and this elephant from The Original Animal Magnet is no exception! I can think of the perfect spot on my bookshelf for this little guy.
Yummy watermelon scented bath salts by Sudz ‘N Saltz ! A great way to take your relaxing time in the tub and make it a spa-like experience .
From Angie’s Sweatshop is a really AWESOME screen printed octopus on a chartreuse green skirt. I like maxi skirts and all things octopus and this skirt falls right into those categories.
Asymmetry is a great way to shake up the expected. I dig this asymmetrical black and green Czech glass beaded necklace with small lime seed beads by chr designs .
This “chuplette” by Chuppy Love is a baby “chuppy” Amigurumi – read as: an adorable stuffed friend made of yarn. These are some adorable creatures and I want a whole collection!
Bright Bold & Beautiful brings us this lovely watercolor print of a hydrangea in all its green-hued glory!
Do you know an adorable little boy who this bow tie by Sharp Dressed Little Man would look so cute on? I know I do and the cuteness level he projects would go through the roof if he wore this!
I admire hand beading and embroidery because it takes serious devotion and concentration to bring an overall vision together. Not to mention the amount of time attaching each thread or bead takes. Hats off to MillieICARO for this intricate beaded peacock sash.
Heron and Lamb‘s rustic moss necklace is such a uniquely designed accessory! “This beautiful, earthy design features a lead-free soldered glass circle, which encases live preserved reindeer moss. An ode to spring, this necklace is finished with an rustic antique copper patina and and sealed for maximum protection.”
I am a big fan of stacked rings that’s why these peacock stacked rings by CameraSHY Photography really caught my eye. I like that each ring is different by fits together as a cohesive set very nicely.
I don’t often find statement bracelets so when I came across this wire wrapped bracelet by Vera Nasfa I knew it had a special place in this collection. I am fond of the craftsmanship and attention to detail.
This stylish linen dress by Camellia Tune is custom made for each person! How cool is that?
Laura Kingrey presents a handmade bracelet with matte light green sea glass as the focal point accented with Czech glass, copper wire and bronze framing. I appreciate when something has such a hands-on & made-with-love look as this bracelet does.
A stunning blue-green turquoise cabochon ring with silver bezel from Bones & Stones finishes up the feature today. The long natural stone is just the right accessory for some henna-ed hands!
by Kelly | May 16, 2012 | art
Superman!
I had to share this because of how adorable it is.. <3
