Sunday, February 16, 2014

Design-abilities: Mixed Media Medallion IV



Welcome to the Spellbinders Design-abilities Blog Hop. The Blog Team at Spellbinders has decided to hold this online event on the 16th of every other month. This is our way of doing something fresh, fun, and creative to bring our team together. The Hop is not officially sponsored by Spellbinders, just something that we were all inspired to do. We all have different creative strengths and the posts you will see may focus on mixed media, die cutting, paper arts, DIY projects, jewelry, or home decor. There is no theme -- we all get to do whatever we choose.

Today's post is presenting the fourth in a series I am creating using the new releases from Spellbinders. Among my favorite are the items from their collection A Gilded Life. Created in conjunction with Debbie Murray and Shea Fragoso, the line consists of bezels, pendants, dies, texture plates, and relics. Filled with European flair, these items seem at first glance to be ready-made for jewelry projects and home decor. For me though, they scream mixed media.

I am preparing for an exhibition in NYC in April and have decided to create what I am calling Mixed Media Medallions to use as components of my artwork. But as you will see, if you attach a chain to these pieces they would actually make some pretty cool jewelry -- which would be a first for me.

I wanted to create a very detailed and dimensional look for this medallion and started with the antique gold Crowned Angel pendant. I removed the loop at the top with snips as I would not be attaching a chain to the medallion.


I am in love with the design of the Iron Cross bezel and decided to use a large one in bronze as a base for the Crowned Angel.


Wanting to add a cool touch of whimsey, I used the new Bird Stand die to cut and emboss a piece of hand painted paper - to which I added some dye ink to better match the paper with the bezels. I thought having these tree branches and bird shooting from the angel's head would add a humorous touch.


I started building the base to this piece by cutting a piece of gold foil using die #5 from the Standard Circles Large die set.


Feeling the need for a bit of steampunk edge, I cut some decorative paper using one of the dies from  the Sprightly Sprockets set.


Wanted this medallion to be quite detailed and dimensional led me to cut one more piece of gold foil using a die from the Snowflake Pendant set. Perhaps the fact that it was snowy and freezing in NYC when I made this contributed to my choice.


Had to add an element of grit and I chose two pieces of found metal hardware to fit the bill.


Now that I had all the elements prepared, I started to stack and glue all the components to create this...








I look forward to showing you in a few months how I will use this in a mixed media artwork for the exhibition.

Supply List

Spellbinders Paper Art Supplies:

MMM-001 SpellbindersTM Artisan X-plorer 
GL2-004 SpellbindersTM A Gilded Life Crowned Angel Pendant Antique Gold 
GLLB-005 SpellbindersTM A Gilded Life Iron Cross Bezel Bronze - Large 
IN-016 SpellbindersTM Shapeabilities® Die D-LitesTM Bird Stand 
S4-114 SpellbindersTM Nestabilities® Standard Circles Large
S5-048 SpellbindersTM Shapeabilities® Sprightly Sprockets
S5-185 SpellbindersTM Shapeabilities® 2013 Snowflake Pendant 
F-012 SpellbindersTM Premium Craft Foils Precious Metals

Preferred Promotional Partners: Tsukineko® Memento Dew Drop Dye Ink Peanut Brittle, Imagine Crafts® Inkblushers Sponge

Other: found objects, hand painted paper, decorative paper, adhesive, tinner snips

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Head on over to the blogs of the other Blog Team members. Not every person will participate in every Blog Hop but you can check out their blogs anyhow. You are sure to find inspiration along the way!

Seth Apter (you are here)


31 comments:

Sue Marrazzo Fine Art said...

Thanks for sharing!!
I like the angel with the crown...he is too sweet!
Happy Sunday ( :

IZA said...

Your medallions are amazing!

Becky said...

What an awesome medallion.

Joyce said...

Love this...can't wait to see the final piece!!

Maryanne said...

This is fantastic! I can't wait to see what you do with this series.

Unknown said...

Wow, not sure how I ever missed your blog!! True die hard fan of Spellbinders!!! OK, well anything I can run through my Big Shot, but theirs is on top of list! I enjoy seeing things created outside of paper! Glad I finally came across you!

Jackie P

Sherry Cheever said...

Seth this piece just blows me away! I can't wait to see what you are going to do with it.

Michelle Woerner said...

Wow, Seth! This is amazing. Brilliant!

Miss Marple said...

The medallions are gorgeous! - Irma

Sheila said...

Kudos for showing ways to create a piece which can be used for jewelry or as an emblellishment. It will be fascinating to see how you incorporate this piece in your final design project.

Heather said...

Thank you always Seth for sharing. always I enjoy your work!

Joanne said...

What an interesting combination of dies. Thanks for sharing.

elle said...

I'll be looking to see how you use this in your final art piece. It is an interesting story already about how it has come to be. :)

joy said...

Wonderful creation! Beautiful work and I look forward to seeing how you use it.

Karenliz Henderson said...

WOW and WOW. This one is my favorite. Gorgeous!

tips kecantikan said...

very unique and interesting

home decorating ideas said...

how do I have it?

home design trends 2014 said...

I can make a unique collection

beauty tips fashion said...

Your medallions are amazing!

auto review specs said...

Love this...can't wait to see the final piece!!

gambar desain rumah said...

Thanks for sharing!!
I like the angel with the crown...he is too sweet!
Happy Sunday ( :

lucu unik aneh said...

Wow, not sure how I ever missed your blog!! True die hard fan of Spellbinders!!! OK, well anything I can run through my Big Shot, but theirs is on top of list! I enjoy seeing things created outside of paper! Glad I finally came across you!

tipskecantikanz.com berbagi tips kecantikan said...

Seth this piece just blows me away! I can't wait to see what you are going to do with it.

Jo Murray said...

What wonderful 'bits'. Those links will keep me amused and inspired for a while. Thanks Seth.

Unknown said...

Great piece as always, Seth, love your medallions a lot!

Renee said...

So Royal looking! Love it, looking forward to seeing more.

Create Beauty with Laurajo said...

Hey Seth, You must be excited to have access to all the amazing bezels and dies from Spellbinders? They are all so very cool. Good times ahead!!

Linda D said...

WOW Seth! Your medallion is awesome… I LOVE your art, and can't wait to see what you do next.

Kathleen Harrington said...

Oh wow! (Maybe that's what you should call it, given that so many have had the same reaction). I love the way you layer things. Wouldn't have thought to use a snowflake, but it really works! Looking forward to seeing the whole piece.

Kathleen Harrington

Unknown said...

I love theses Seth one of my favorites you have done! Keep up the great work I love seeing what you make next !!

Nan G said...

Another fab medallion, Seth!