Friday 18 March 2016

Marie Antoinette Shoe

A belated Happy St. Patrick's day to you from Ireland. It's a lovely compliment that so many worldwide enjoy partaking in our special day.

This is a scheduled post so I hope that it has synced ok. Thank-you to everyone for kind wishes on last post.

I'm very happy to feature today over at the wonderful A Vintage Journey with a guest design piece. The remit for both my project, and the current AVJ challenge, is to create a vintage project referencing all 4 of the following:

Substrate – Board (eg - grey board, coaster board, cardboard)
Main Colour – Lilac or pale purple
Technique – Rust Effects (perhaps using rusting or embossing powders or rust coloured paints)
Product – Something metal

I decided to create something in the style of Frank Garcia, Prima Designer, whose work I love. I also took great inspiration from the lovely Terri of Artful Affirmations. Terri has made many Marie Antoinette style shoes and has kindly shared a super how-to video on YouTube. It, and Terri's blog, are definitely worth checking out.

Without further ado, here's my shoe!


The shoe upper is made of Grungepaper by Tim Holtz. This was perfect for holding all the media I applied whilst still remaining pliable. Started off with a coat of gesso. Then built up several layers of seed beads, glass beads, glass glitters (Finnabair violet and silver) and micro beads using 3D gel to adhere. Coated each successive layer with gesso and once that was dry sprayed it with Tattered Angels glimmer mist in 'Lavender Fields'. (Thank-you to Ger who gifted me this some time ago as I don't have much violet to hand). Also splashed on Twinkling H20 in 'English Lavender' and a little watered Distress Ink in 'Dusty Concord'. The top rim is adorned with Rhinestone chain and ruffled lace.


A metal bezel by Spellbinders sits atop the shoe. It was golden but I changed that with some silver gilding wax. Then gave it a little patina with a blend of Pearl Ex pigments. Filled it with lots of violet/silver glass glitter and opted for Finnabair's silver micro beads for the top layer. Set the mixture with Judikins diamond glaze. Finally, positioned Swarovski crystals on the bezel panache.


The ornate 'stand' has been made from cardboard sandwiched between layers of paper by Maja Design and SEI Velvet. These papers have been diecut with a Cheery Lynn die and remain relatively unadorned given so much bling on the shoe itself. There are little rhinestone accents atop each corner. The dangling baubles are by Prima. They were white but I coloured the white velvet with lavender ink to blend them in better. I've also added little silver dots around the perimeters using a Waco chrome pearl pen.


Using Tim Holtz 'Flourish' stencil, I stencilled crackle paste (DecoArt) around the shoe. When crackle was dry, painted on Twinkling H20 in 'English Lavender'. This gave a lovely fabric like shimmer and also served to highlight the cracks.


The shoe's sole has been made from cardboard with thin inner corrugation so as to bend nicely. This is layered between paper by Maja Design topside and SEI velvet paper underneath. The Maja paper has been painted with Silks acrylic glaze in 'Oyster' to give it a silken lustre (although most of this is unseen). Happened to have a stamp by 7 Gypsies (Avignon set) with a date mark of 1764 (during Marie Antoinette lifetime) so had to include same. Stamped date on a little fancy square (Spellbinders Fleur-de-Lys die), coated with crackle glaze and placed on inner sole. Used lace and cord to decorate and to hide joinings.


The 'heel' has been made from 2 pieces of white polymer clay by Scrapberrys (glued back to back). I applied silver gilding wax and patina as done on bezel. Also dabbed on slight touches of faux rust using embossing powder and Distress Ink in 'Rusty Hinge' as well as Distress Glitter in 'Rusty Hinge'. Heated mixture to set.

The stand's 'feet' are made from diecut chipboard (Sizzix 'Hardware Findings' die). Each 'foot' is made from 2 adhering layers of chipboard (including that crooked one that needs to be reglued!) These were aged and rusted similarly to 'heel', with some dabs of yellow and green inks for variation. Centred pearls on back and front of each.

C'est ça!

Terri from Artful Affirmations has kindly attached a printable template for this shoe to her YouTube video. Thank-you very much Terri for sharing.

Finally, thank-you so much to the very talented team at A Vintage Journey for including me today. Wishing all there a Very Happy 2nd Birthday this month.

Warmest wishes,
Nicola x

I wish to enter project to the following challenges:
Vintage Cafe Card Challenge - Neo Vintage
Rhedds Creative Spirit - Anything Goes
Creative Carte Blanche - Triple Trouble (Corrugate (hidden within sole), metal, lace)
The Craft Barn - Dictionary R for 'Reine de France'
Collins French Dictionary states Reine is feminine form for Queen, Épouse d'un roi (wife of King). Also states 'La petite reine' can mean 'the bicycle'.

Mixed Media World - Vintage
Card and Scrap - Lace
Creative Artiste - Anything Goes
Scrappiness - No cards, pocket scrapping or layouts
Scrappelyst - Substance or Thread

46 comments:

  1. Wow Nicola, this amazing project and post is mind blowing and full of inspiration and creativity. The layers and bling used to create this masterpiece are incredible and your attention to detail second to none. Thank you for sharing your wonderfully artistic talent with us at AVJ and making such a unique shoe.
    hugs Brenda xx

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  2. This is a real treat for the eyes Nicola, so much intricate work and a super colourway and for one on of the historical characters who always fascinates me.

    B x

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  3. Bang!!!! (That was my jaw on the floor)..... Nicola you have completely out done yourself with this project, honestly I can't tell you how much I admire your skill in working in 3D like this. The different techniques and details in this are just incredible, - I am completely lost for words.....

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  4. What an amazing shoe, Nicola, oh what a work of art, you did, it is like out of Cindarella or another fairy tale.
    Beautiful with all the glitter, and the wonderful sole/heal.
    Dear Terri`s blog is surely worth following, and I do....I`m happy she started blogging again, last year .
    Warm wishes, to you from Dorthe, xx

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  5. Wow, what a wonderful shoe, thanks for joining our challange at Scrappiness:)

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  6. Completely pinned!!! I LOVE shoes and this gorgeous old world, regal, and industrial looking shoe takes the cake and eats it too...no pun intended...well maybe!!! Fabulous!!!

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  7. This is an amazing project. The shoe is gorgeous! And quite creative making it's way into the Craft Barn challenge with Reine de France. Totally inspiring challenge entry.

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  8. When I first saw this over at A Vintage Journey, I was dumb-struck Nicola!! This is truly the most stunning creation I have seen for a long time. I want to be Cinderella so that I can wear this shoe, even if only for a few hours. The shoe is so clever, astonishingly beautiful and must surely be every girl's dream! Pinned!!! Hugs, Anne xx

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  9. WAUW what an intrigant piece of art here, it´s absolutely stunning. I just LOVE all the amazing details everywhere, and it just turned out sooo perfect and gorgeous. It´s totally out of this world geaorgeous.
    Thanks soooooo much for joining the challenge here at Card and Scrap.

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  10. Truly Nicola - this is UNBELIEVABLE! A collectors item! I cannot believe you thought this up and were able to assemble it so perfectly. GAH! I mean jaw dropping gorgeous, dearie! Biggest hugs to you and do hope things are on the upside. <3

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  11. Oh my word, this is jaw-dropping gorgeous, Nicola! Wow!! The show looks amazing!! I love how you decorated it!! The heel is fabulous!! This is a show-stopper!! A work of art!! Wow!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  12. WOW! You did a awesome job! The shoe looks amazing! Love the fabulous heel and lace you used!
    Hugs
    Ann

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  13. Nicola, this is simply breathtaking! The work you put into this is amazing and the final product is splendid. You can't get any more detailed than this.
    Thanks for the inspiration and have a great weekend!
    Hugs, Katie

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  14. wowsers such a beautiful shoe. Thank you for sharing with us over at Rhedd's Creative Spirit this month and hope to see you again in future challenges.

    Handcrafted by Ellapu
    Mother Hen for Altered Eclectics
    Mother Hen for Eclectic Ellapu
    DT Rhedd's Creative Spirit

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  15. Nicola....Leave it to you to come up with something absolutely fantastic and unique! This slipper is amazing! I love how your mind works! This combination of corrugated paper, lace and metal is just beautiful! So many wonderful elements and detail everywhere! Thanks so much for joining us at Creative Carte Blanche and sharing your art with everyone!

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  16. Stunning! Truly fit for a queen. I especially like the stenciled crackle paste, looks very elegant.

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  17. Stunning, beautiful and a work of art ...WOW! Marie Antoinette would certainly be proud to wear this shoe. Love the finish you have achieved on the front of the shoe and all the details of the design. Going to have another look or 3 lol.
    MaggieH

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  18. Wow, this is just incredible Nicola!! I don't think I've ever seen that many beads on one project before, holy cow that must have been difficult...and messy! tee hee. Love the colours and even the stand is done to perfection! You are so creative and this is absolutely amazing! happy weekend :)

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  19. Absolutely Stunning... I am just glad that I was not Marie Antoinette, as I think my feet would be aching with every step, with the weight of all these products you have used... lol Thank you so much for entering our challenge over at Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge Blog, we hope to see you join in again...

    Hugs Rhonda DT & Owner xxx
    http://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.co.uk

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  20. Oh my! This is a totally amazing shoe! Marie would be proud : )
    The materials and details are gorgeous. The photography too is stunning. Well done!
    Thank you for mentioning me and my video : )

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  21. My jaw has dropped and I have not picked it up yet! This is just unreal how beautiful !!!! Love the colors! Nicola...truly amazing project!!!

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  22. AMAZING!!!! Nicola, wow, I think I'm at a loss for words (for once) over your wonderful work of art! Such fabulous creativity, and obviously so much work and attention to every single detail! That heel with the texture paste and shimmery blue just seals the deal for me! This should be in an art museum somewhere! Or you can send it to Wilmington, NC! Huge round of applause!

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  23. Latest follower...why haven't I done this before????

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  24. What a shoe fit for a Queen! So many wonderful elements I am speechless! Thanks for sharing with us at Rhedd's Creative Spirit this month! Nanette, DT

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  25. I saw this at AVJ Nicola and had to come over for a closer look at this wonderful shoe. The attention to detail is amazing I am in awe of your talent, and patience producing such beautiful piece. Mo x

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  26. I've made several of Terri's fabulous shoes, but nothing that looked as great as yours. So glad I got to see it for the Craft Barn's R word this fortnight. It's a beauty.

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  27. Wowza Nicola! This is totally dreamy! So feminine and absolutely beautiful project! Thank you for sharing with us at CCB!!

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  28. Wow! That is one gorgeous piece of art!

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  29. Nicola, this is an absolutely stunning piece! I love the purple and all the amazing texture! The detail is incredible - Marie Antoinette would be proud! Thanks for sharing with us at Creative Carte Blanche!

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  30. lovely! a lot of creativity. thanks for play with us at card and scrap. DT Graciela

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  31. Nicola, how very clever!! So many details combine to create a lovely and unique piece of art. I love your blog post explaining all your process and the media you've used. This could be a resource to check back for ideas when I need "just the thing". So very happy you've shared this with us at Creative Carte Blanche!

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  32. Oh my word - what an incredible creation, Nicola - stunning creativity and imaginative inspiration. Beautiful work with the contents of the travel bag - thanks so much for joining us on A Vintage Journey.
    Alison x

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  33. I am free of words. This was just so incredibly beautiful. Thank you for joining the scrappiness its challenge. Hugs DT jorunn

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  34. Wow. This is gorgeous. Thank you for joining us at MMW

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  35. Nicola, there are no words to describe the beauty in this project! Your creativity knows no bounds... not only is the idea spectacular, but your detailing is complete perfection. I am awestruck. This is a masterpiece and it is a blessing to see it. Thank you for inspiring us so deeply! :o)

    Hugs and blessings,
    Karen

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  36. Wow, Wow, stunning so much work has gone into your creation
    thanks for joining our challenge over at
    http://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.com.au/
    Debbie Dt

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  37. Wow, you must have spent ages on this beautiful project! Thank you for entering The Craft Barn's Challenge.
    Jane x

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  38. WOW!!! I cannot get over this incredible creation! Amazing and beautiful. So much detail and love went into this. You are truly an inspiration! Thanks for joining us at Creative Carte Blanche.

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  39. Just on a catch up and so pleased I didn't miss this stunning creation. So many beautiful details and wonderful textures and the shades of colour - just gorgeous. Marie Antoinett would be proud to wear this

    Avril xx

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  40. This is elegance and grandeur at its best. Such a wonderful creation! Love the purple hues and the embellishments you have used. Thanks for sharing this with us at Rhedd's Creative Spirit this month. Good luck, Rupa(DT).

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  41. WOW! What an amazing creation you've done! Thanks for joining our challenge at Scrappiness. Hugs, DT Helga <3

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  42. Gorgeous shoe!

    Thank you for participating in our challenge at Scrappelyst!

    DT Linda

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  43. Wow what a stunningly beautiful creation, thanks for sharing with us at MMW this month
    Love
    Amanda x

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  44. So wonderful! A flight of creativity! Thank you for sharing with us at VCCC!

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  45. Hi Nicola ! I'm so sorry to have forgotten to post a comment on this marvellous piece of work. It's amazing. You are very talented. A warm helll from France.
    Véronique.

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  46. I don't even... How do I.... what can I...Oh my word...
    Words, words, nice things, stuff and words...OMG...I'm speechless!!!
    This is flipping spellbinding!!!
    fainting and applauding all at once....
    Lisa x

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Thank-you! Your visit and comment is very much appreciated. Nicola x