New at Angels n Everlastings

Wall Hanging Beach House Decor Topiary

 
Here is a new listing in my Angels n Everlastings Etsy shop.  It is a topiary that hangs flat against the wall. Fragrant eucalyptus and lavender are added to the seashells to create a rustic nautical home decoration. A few little bits of sea glass finish the piece.  If you like beach home decor, this is perfect for you. This nautical themed topiary measures aprox. 20" tall by 7" wide.  

Coastal Decor Grapevine Wreath

I also have some wreaths decorated with seashells and green moss.  A 6" grapevine is decorated with seashells, and sea glass. Fill a small bare spot with this nautical piece for a soft touch. Sometimes little things can add a lot of character to your decor. 

Nautical Heart Wreath with Green Moss and Seashells

 Here is a heart shaped wreath with assorted seashells and sea glass on a bed of green moss. This heart wreath measures approximately 18" across.  If you love the beach and coastal living this wreath is for you

Beach House Mirror

Here is a decorative mirror, embellished with seashells and sea glass.  

Ocean Theme Photo Frame

Some shells used in my photo frames or wreaths were collected on local east coast beaches. The sea glass is all natural and was collected by Lorrie of Wits End Design from the No. California coast. Visit her shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WitsEndDesign?ref=pr_shop_more The frame can hang or stand -- horizontal or vertically. 

Visit my Etsy shop for more beach theme listings here. Here are my other social links - facebook, twitter, stumbleupon, pinterest.

Special orders don't upset us on Etsy

Heart twig wreath

A great feature about shopping on Etsy is being able to communicate directly with the shop owner -- the creator, the artist.  Many shop owners on Etsy, welcome requests for special orders.  If you are unfamiliar with Etsy, it is an online marketplace where you can buy unique handmade and vintage items directly from independent sellers from all around the world.  Check it out here.  As you can see their are all sorts of categories with oodles of choices.  If you like handmade or one of a kind products you will love checking out these unique listings.

Recently I received a request for one of my photo frames but the customer wanted something a bit different.  She contacted me and told me what she liked about my photo frames but then told me what she wanted.
Here was her request - she referred to this listing:

Photo frame embellished with seashells & sea glass

"Do you do custom orders? Kind of looking for something a bit more simple, I think.... preferably a 3x5 photo size (but 4x5 would be okay too. It is for a horizontal photo... and I was just thinking some pieces of pale aqua sea glass, maybe on the bottom corner... and if that is too plain, possibly a couple of tiny shells sprinkled in. Maybe a few pieces in the top (opposite) corner.... but only a few."

This is what I put together:

 So, if you see something that interests you in my Etsy shop, contact me and I'll see if I can do something special for you.  If I put something together and it's not right, there is no obligation.  If you decide the finished product is not right -- I'll list it in my shop for sale.  In my shop I offer front door wreaths, silk and dried flower wall hangings and seashell decor.

Spring front door wreath

 Here are a few listings I found on Etsy offering "special orders":

Handmade modern crochet accessories by Loopdeedoo

Special order handebar bag by Savvysacs

Wreath Making Classes

Silk flower front door wreath $49.00

 I'm about ready for spring!  This hasn't been a bad winter compared to last winter when we got buried in snow. We've had some warmer days also, but regardless, by the beginning of February, we want longer days, warm sunshine, and visits to the beach. We are tired of our heavy winter coats, scarves, and gloves.  Spring can't come soon enough!  I have started to work on my spring wreaths in my etsy shop. You can check out my Etsy shop at my Angels and Everlastings Etsy shop.  I'd also like to introduce my wreath making classes.  This wreath sells for $49.00 plus postage in my Etsy shop. Would you like to create your own beautiful spring wreath at a fraction of the cost?  If you are in the Boston, Massachusetts area and are interested in hosting a wreath making night, I will bring everything needed.  I will carefully select flowers in coordinating colors and shapes so that you can create a beautiful piece that you will be proud to display on you front door.  The cost is $20.00 per person - 5 person minimum.   I can do home craft nights, women's groups, church fellowships, or senior center activities.  E-mail me at judyrussi@gmail.com if you are interested.  References are available upon request. 

The key to making a harmonious design is in picking the right elements, color and a variety of shapes that coordinate well. 

Large focal flower

For a pleasing wreath design you need a focal point - either a ribbon bow or a few (1 to 3) large flowers.  This wreath has a pretty purple plaid ribbon as the focal point. 

Ashland Bunches from Michael's

Smaller detail flowers

Long shaped silk flowers

I used a spring bush by Ashland for the medium sized accent flowers.   The bunch I chose was a nice combination of pink, purple and greenish yellow flowers. Michael's craft stores have these great bunches that include plenty of coordinating flowers and greenery. 








I chose to add a bright yellow flower in a more elongated shape along with a few smaller lavender flowers to brighten and add detail. 

Tall and thin shaped eucalyptus and silk grass

You should also include some  long and thin shaped pieces.  This will add some length to your design and create a eye pleasing design.   Any long thin greenery, or long thin silk flowers work well.  Along with the long silk leaves that came with the bunches, I used a long thin fuzzy purple silk flower and eucaluptus to add length and structure.






Fill in any holes or spaces between the flowers with any leaves from your silk flowers and bunches and you are done. 

Making a front door wreath

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77541944/silk-grapevine-door-wreath

Here is my latest wreath which is available in my etsy shop.   Kindly visit my shop at AngelsNEverlastings and check out my other wreaths and wall hangings.  If you like this wreath or something in my shop but would like something different, just send me a convo and tell me what you would like and I will design something for you.

Here are some tips if you would like to create a pleasing wreath of your own:

1.  Carefully choose colors that complement one another.  Two or three colors works well.  Light and dark shades of the same color family work well and look harmonious together.

2.  Choose one or three larger focal flowers.  Not two or four - odd numbers work best

3. Choose two or three stems of smaller accent flowers depending on how generous the stems are.   Repeat the focal flower color and add another color.

4. You will need something long to create structure.  I have used eucaluptus here staggering the lengths-some shorter and some longer.  Anything long and stemmy will work.   Pussy willows, sprigs of wheat, any long straight branches.

5. A good wreath looks balanced.  In other words one side doesn't look like it wants to fall over.  You can see that I added a small cluster of flowers across from the main floral cluster.  While this is optional it gives the wreath a balanced appearance.  

6.  You want to mirror nature where some flowers are placed so that they look straight at you and some are seen from the side.  

7.  Use all of the greenery that comes with the silk flower stems -- separate them and work them individually around and under the flowers.  

8.  Now, one last tip,  before you begin take a small amount of spanish moss and glue it to the wreath where you plan to attach the flowers.  This acts as a filler and provides a more secure surface to glue the flowers to.   (see picture below)

Start with the focal flowers in the center, then clip the accent flowers to separate so that you can attach each flower separately around the focal flowers at staggered lengths.  Glue the accent flowers, to each side with hot glue, then fill in around all flowers with the silk greenery and long stems.


I hope this is clear enough to follow, please let me know if you have any questions or plan to make your own wreath.