New Artwork Pendants: Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Stephanie Corfee and Jennifer Gordon

New Art Pendants!  Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Stephanie Corfee and Jennifer Gordon.

Available in the Artwork Pendants Shop!

What is Art?

"The love of beauty is taste.  The creation of beauty is art." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Leonardo daVinci's Mona Lisa Artwork Pendant

I Am Loved - Artwork Pendant Collaboration with David Gerbstadt

This pendant was made with a miniature version of the artwork of David Gerbstadt. The message "I AM LOVED" is a message that everyone wants and needs to hear. Get it for yourself, or for a loved one to remind them that they are loved.

You can find out more about David and inspiring positive message on his website or in David's etsy shop

I did an interview with David previously. 

Artwork Pendants are:  Simple - stunning - eco-friendly.

- I use only upcycled (or previously used) scrabble tiles that are no longer useful to their owner. So, when you wear it you can feel great about recycling and when people ask about your pretty pendant you can let them know you’re recycling!

- Artwork Pendant Scrabble Tile Pendants are sealed in a glasslike glaze and are water resistant, but not waterproof. Do not submerge them in water – take them off before you jump in the pool, hot tub or shower.

Artist Interview - Lauren Startzman of Fair Rosamund

I first came across Lauren Startzman (Fair Rosamund) during the Mad Tea Party.  She won my giveaway.  I saw her artwork and was smitten immediately with her whimsical style.  Her style is colorful and fairytale inspired.  What could be more perfect?

The Interview: 

I asked her a few questions.  Her answers are in red below. 

How did you get started?

I have been doing artwork in some form or other for a long time--my mom is very artistic and always encouraged my sister and I to explore that. However, it wasn't until I discovered folk and mixed-media artwork a couple of years ago that I discovered that you can make amazing artwork without having to go to art school and do everything perfect! That is when I really started to explore painting again and having a lot of fun with it.

Do you have formal training or are you self-taught?

I am self-taught. I took a couple of art classes in high school but discovered that I much prefer being by myself and doing my own thing. And it is very relaxing! :)

What are your favorite art supplies?

Acrylic paint and canvas. I have dabbled in oil paint and some fun mixed-media techniques, but I always seem to find myself coming back to these two things.

What is your favorite subject matter?

I absolutely love fairytales, literature and history, so anything involving these things always intrigues me! I love painting people and animals, and I always try to tell a little story with my paintings :)

Have other artists influenced you?

Yes, too many to name! :) My creativity is always refreshed by looking at the amazing work and imaginations of other artists. I am inspired by so many other people's techniques, subject matter and use of color. A few of my favorites are Nicoletta Ceccoli, Vanessa Valencia, Emily Martin of the Black Apple, Tascha Parkinson, John William Waterhouse, my mom Joni Startzman and my sister Michelle Startzman, and a bunch of others!

How does each piece begin?  Do you have an idea of what you want your pieces to become or do they progress as you go?

I usually don't start with a ton of preparation--I start with an idea which I sketch lightly onto the canvas, then I go from there! Sometimes it stays very close to my original idea, but other times I end up changing it as I go if something a little different seems to be working better.

Do you ever get stuck with your work and how do you remedy this?

I definitely get stuck sometimes! I have found that the best thing for me to do when I get frustrated with a painting is to set it aside and come back to it with fresh eyes the next day.

Find Lauren:
 

You can find Lauren's work in her Etsy Shop, Fair Rosamund Art.

Keep up-to-date with her on her blog. 

I loved Lauren's work so much, I asked her to collaborate with me.  You can find our collaboration artwork pendants in my etsy shop.

 

New Artwork Pendants - Collaboration with Fair Rosamund

Brand new!!  

Artwork Pendants Collaboration with Fair Rosamund.  I knew as soon as I saw her whimsical, fairytale inspired work that her pieces would make adorable pendants!  (Also keep up-to-date with her on her blog.)

You can find them in my etsy store.

I have scrabble pendants and glass tile pendants available.  More will be listed as well!

(Artwork Pendants are listed in my "B.B. Bellezza" shop for the time being.  They will be listed in a separate Artwork Pendants Shop sometime soon.)

Starry Night - Vincent van Gogh

Starry Night is one of the most recognizable and most beloved paintings of Vincent van Gogh, and possibly of any artist.  It's difficult to believe that he only sold one painting in his lifetime.  

Van Gogh painted Starry Night while in an Asylum at Saint-Remy in 1889.  He killed himself the following year.  There are so many interpretations of the painting:  what it means, what van Gogh was trying to convey, etc.  I am much more interested in what you take from it.  What moves you about this painting?  Do you love it?  Do you not really care for it?  

Please click on "comment" below and tell us what you think!

If you love it, I have a Starry Night domino pin.  I also have a domino pendant or scrabble pendant available as well.  Just contact me to order. 

Swimming in the Deep End - Interview with Artist David Gerbstadt

I first posted this interview with David Gerbstadt on my B.B. Bellezza Handcrafted Jewelry blog.  Today I am happy to present our collaboration pendant, available right here. 

I am truly inspired by David Gerbstadt, and I hope that you are, too!

I first heard about David Gerbstadt at Hugs & Kisses from Studio B, an art show where I had my jewelry set up.  A friend of mine showed me his awesome match sculptures and told me about his $1 art by mail.  [Send him a $1 and a sase and he’ll send you art.  See his $1 Art Request facebook page for more info and to get your own $1 art!]

So, I got on facebook and found him and took him up on his $1 artwork by mail offer!

And this is what I got:

And that's just the envelope! 

And inside was not just 1, but 2 amazing pieces of art!  (I felt like I won the lottery or something!)

(and the chicken love piece at the top)

Somehow he knew just what to send me at that time, too.  Is it because he’s a mind reader?

Probably not.  It’s because he’s such a positive person.  He’s been through a lot – survived – and has decided to live each day positively.  

He makes "happy, accessible art for everyone!"

I asked David a few questions:

(his answers are in red)

What is your favorite medium (or mediums) to work with?  What are your favorite art supplies?

I work with materials I can find at any drug store or supermarket: crayons, markers, ball point pens, pencils. 

How long have you been creating art?  How did you get started?

I have been making art since I was a kid... building stuff in my dad's workshop.  I really did not think I was any good until I took a studio fundamentals class in college.  The professor said, "I was swimming in the deep end!" He said that I should take more classes.  So, I did and found my passion.  Art is in me and it has to come out.

I love your positive and uplifting message in your art. What inspires your pieces?

After my accident with the bicycle--- my life changed.  I knew with out a doubt WHY I was here and why I did not die!  I learned WE all are loved, we all matter, and we all are important!  I inspire my self... the fact I can get out out of bed and take care of my self.  For a long time I could not do this... Passion.  The people who have passion in what they do helps me go on.  The art I create heals me...

How does each piece begin?  Do you have an idea of what you want your pieces to become or do they progress as you go?

I begin by just doing the work...  I just let the art come out of me...  I repeat ideas and from repeating new ideas come. 

You make an astonishing amount of art.  Do you ever get stuck with your work and how do you remedy this?

I get stuck for  a moment.  I just keep going anyhow...  Right now I am drawing 51 drawings a day.  With a goal set at 10,000 drawings.  I read a few books, watch tons of movies, and just play... 

What made you decide to offer your art for $1 through the mail?

I had my art for sale at the first Dumpster diver art gallery on South Street in Philadelphia.  I noticed that on average 300 plus people came in on a Saturday.  Few people were buying art. I thought I had a ton of art at home.  What if I just sold a painting or drawing for $1?  I took my wall space and put up a bunch of paintings and a few boxes of rammed with drawings cut out of my sketch books on a shelf. Added a sign that said: "ALL ART $1".  People thought I was not going to do well.  I came back the next week to an empty wall...  Word traveled fast!  I kept the space as full as I could.  Then the gallery was to close.  So, I sold the drawings for .25 cents.  I remember  I sold a huge sculpture about 7' tall I made from my broken shop vac and made a monster out of it.  I sold that for .25 cents!  

People visited South Street on holiday from: France, Spain, and all over the USA.

Tons of people from L.A. and West Coast.  Tons of college students from Philly! 

they all went home with $1 art. 

I was sad when the gallery closed.  I wanted to keep the $1 art going...  I was on face book one day and saw I had over 500 friends and thought what if i did $1 art through the mail!  I posted if people send me a self addressed stamped envelope and $1 I would send them a piece of art 8"x10".  Within just a few minutes I got several replies.  Three days later I got the first wave of mail delivered to my house!  A couple days later I got requests from England, Whales, and Scotland.  

So far I have gotten requests from: England, Whales, Scotland, Norway, Canada, Rowanda.

In the USA: over 20 states.

My goal is to mail to all 50 states and as many countries as I can!

 

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am a full time artist.  I have a children's book 'the red heart book' on amazon.

I am also a motivational speaker, and artist in resident for schools and organizations.

Please contact me to book or for more information.

Find David on facebook or on etsy.  
David Gerbstadt's Website

To get your own $1 art:

Mail a self addressed stamped envelope and $1 and David Gerbstadt will mail an original piece of art to you! Send SASE + $1 To: David Gerbstadt, 54 Aiken Ave., Berwyn, Pa. 19312 USA. Outside USA - will accept paypal for payment: davidgerbstadt@gmail.com

Get your own piece of wearable art to inspire you as you go through your day. 

Artwork Pendants

What are Artwork Pendants?

I collaborate with artists to make their artwork into jewelry!  We miniaturize their art and I make it into jewelry.  The pendants are made from upcycled scrabble tiles.  You can then start a collection around your neck.  You can get a ball chain to put them on, or I have cotton cords in natural, white, black, dark brown or pink.

Want to work with me?  I would love to work with you!  Just send me an email and I'll give you all the details!  Know an artist that I should work with?  Let me know!

{Image above is of Artist Collaboration Artwork Pendant with Iolanda Reinsmith's Happy Tree.  See the "Artwork Pendants" tab to see more pendants and to purchase.}

Well, Isn't This Awkward?

That's me!  I'm at my booth at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER and wearing 2 scrabble pendants:  1 is an artwork pendant and 1 is an Outta the Way photography pendant.



I didn’t want to, but something is drawing me to write one of those awkward “welcome to my new blog” posts.  I guess it’s difficult to jump in when you feel like your reader doesn’t have any context.  (Although, who knows how many people will even read this first awkward post?!)

Me

I’m Kimberlie Burkhart.  Maybe you know me as B.B. Bellezza around the internet.  I make jewelry out of upcycled materials.  (Basically I take everyday ordinary objects and make them into jewelry.)  I also make recycled dolls and coasters.

My interest in making things started at a young age.  My mom made all sorts of crafty things and sold them at craft shows, and often my brother and I were also in attendance. 

My jewelry-making began at a young age as well.  I mostly make beaded bracelets on stretch cord as a child.  I did other things through the years, but all the while I was making things, although not necessarily jewelry.  Several years ago I once again came across my bag of beads from my childhood and I was hooked again!

I love beautiful beaded jewelry.  So many people make such beautiful things with all the gorgeous beads out there.  I decided that enough people were making that sort of jewelry and I didn’t add anything to the world by also making it.

So I started experimenting with other items that aren’t made to make jewelry.  I don’t know where the inspiration came from originally – surely there were others doing the same thing.  But each piece I make is uniquely original. 

Often my inspiration comes from the piece I am working with.  I tend to be a bit of a collector of odd or interesting things.  (We have moved into a much smaller home, so I am no where near as much of a collector as I was!)  I will go through my collection and come up with a design idea.

Artwork Pendants

The idea to make artwork into jewelry was not my idea at all, although I wish it was.  My friend, artist Stephanie Corfee had purchased a necklace from me with a photo on it.  She contacted me with the idea for me to make her art into jewelry. 

Since then, I also have made Iolanda Reinsmith’s “Happy Trees” into pendants.  And, coming VERY SOON a collaboration pendant with David Gerbstadt’s positive artwork.

I have come to know each of these three of these artists as positive, beautiful people.  Each has a fascinating story that I want to share with you.

There are other artists’ stories I wish to share, too.  I love art and wish to have it everywhere I go, which is why I love these collectible pendants.  I want to work with more artists and be able to offer even more wearable works of art.  

That’s why I’ve taken Stephanie’s idea for me to make her art into pendants and decided to expand it to a whole new line for my business:  Artwork Pendants.

Just imagine if you could have a different artists’ piece of work to wear everyday!  How much easier your day would be to get though when you can glance down to see your little artwork around your neck!  How inspired you can be throughout your day, no matter what your job is or your day is like!

Art 

I also want to explore the “art” of collecting art, visit art galleries, discuss artists, attend the openings of art shows, share indie art and more!  So, I’ll be sharing all my art experiences here with you!

Thanks for stopping by! (Come back soon for the not-as-awkward posts!)

Feel free to contact me anytime regarding artists you like, tips for collecting art or anything art related.  Also, if you are an artist who would like to work with me or you know someone I should get in contact me, please let me know!