Elysian Field Originals » nature spirits

2010 Here We Go!

Valerie Ashley — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:54:30 +0000

It’s a new year with many new things happening here at Elysian Field Originals. I took a break from figurative sculpture in 2009 and started a line of wearable art pieces I call Nature Spirits, based on flora and fauna. I am having so much fun with them and they are traveling all over the globe to new homes, but I miss sculpting those crazy quirky characters you all love. So this year I will be doing a few sculptures along with my jewelry, and wearable art pieces.

I will also be doing a giveaway each month on my blog , posting some tutorials, and I will…drumroll please…blog more frequently. It is definitely a habit that I have to learn. Those who know me, know I am never at a lack of anything to say but writing it down is another story.

The FAE magazine article was a wonderful jumpstart for the new year and new friends and contacts. If you’ve not seen it you can pick it up on their website or in Borders, Barnes & Nobles, Books A Million, Hastings, & Indigo/Chapter bookstores.

For fun I’ve been creating some whimsical character earrings that are super lightweight and are accented with precious and semi precious gemstones for a bit of pizazz… here’s a peek!

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably…
Never regret anything that made you smile. “

FAE Magazine and Silas…

Valerie Ashley — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:29:35 +0000

Yes, I know, dear reader, I am a bad blogger, and as many of my artist friends would say, “Valerie stand in the corner!”

Ok…now that my stint in the corner is over, I’ve trudged back over to my laptop in tutu and combat boots to write to you. (I am very unorthodox fey you see in dress and deed)

For those of you who are newly come to my art…WELCOME! For my regular readers and friends, I’m glad to see your lovely shining faces once again.

Things have been crazy busy at Elysian Fields, many new techniques to try out and I’ve been working on stretching the boundaries in my work with polymer clay. I’m also thrilled that the medium is enjoying new kudos and has begun to be taken more seriously as “fine art”. Many amazing artists have pioneered and paved the way to make it easier for the rest of us to focus on creating, and for that I am truly grateful and inspired.

I also want to give a very special Thank You to Karen Kay, editor of FAE Magazine in the UK, for launching my first exclusive feature as an emerging fantasy artist. She is a truly amazing lady and I’m looking forward to the day I can fly over to give her a hug in person. Thank you also to the many emails I’ve received from all of you on my art as well, it really is great to hear from people and connect with you all…it is inspiring and always a welcome surprise when I open my mail.

So, now the seasons are changing and we’re heading into Winter, and that means all ten fingers and toes will be very busy creating new and unusual Nature Spirits, as well as a return to some

of my popular miniature sculpts. If nothing else that will silence, Silas, my house Brownie, who loves to sit amongst them like he is High King of it all and they his court paying homage. I don’t dare correct him for fear I’ll lose another necklace to his mini rampages. In the past if I forget to leave him his milk and honey he wreaks havoc around here and scowls most ferociously at me. I act duly chastened but really love the scolding he gives me, he sounds like a squirrel chattering away.

That’s it for the moment…I’m busy today finishing up on some new pieces to add to my Etsy shop. For those unfamiliar with Etsy it is a venue for all things hand made and a neat place to show and sell my art. Stop in, take a peek around and let me know if I can help you with anything, if I’m busy I’m sure Silas would love to help, although I’d keep a close eye on any sparklies you may be wearing…

Valerie & Silas

Autumnal Equinox

Valerie Ashley — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:45:31 +0000

The days are slowly waning and as autumn approaches many of the gorgeous Maple trees are beginning to change color before they shed their leaves. It’s an ancient cycle of life/death/rebirth that plays out over and over again. It is the beginning of the Autumnal Equinox , one of the only times in the year when day and night are almost equally long, it also marks an ancient holiday whose roots are traced back to before the Middle Ages! On this special day, the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator, from north to south; this marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. In tribute, here is a lovely tree spirit who is ushering in the long days of autumn.

Lovely iridescent colors shimmer in this beautiful 2” sugar maple pendant. I’ve drawn the face of the tree’s spirit using quality artist pencils, accented with mica powders, and sealed in resin to protect the artwork. A gorgeous green jade bead, sterling silver spiral, and sterling filigreed bail complete the piece on an 18” buna cord with sterling clasps.

You can see more of her in my Etsy shop. Please stop by and say hello!

Lovely Way to Start the Day!

Valerie Ashley — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:40:00 +0000

What a lovely way to start the day than seeing one of my pieces featured on my friend, Silke Janas-Schloesser’s blog. Silke recently purchased one of my Nature Spirit pendants which was a real honor as I have been a fan of hers for a long time.

For those of you unfamiliar with Silke, you must visit her sites to look at the gorgeous fantasy creatures she creates!

Here are just a few of the many adorable faeries, trolls, and witches she has done:

Thank you, Silke!