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3:19 AM
mateng
What happened to November?
We rolled out of October’s Halloween madness and blasted right through November with lots of giggles and mayhem! Some of my favorite highlights from November:
The Hot Mama’s Club
A fun filled evening with wonderful, beautiful, engaging women, sharing adventures, hopes, dreams, goals and ambitions. It was hilarious and enlightening. I love this group of women! I can’t wait for the next meeting!
Jeannie’s Wine Tasting and Medallion Exhibition
Jeannie’s party was AMAZING! I love Jeannie and the wild crazy positive energy that surrounds her. This sexy little spitfire has charisma to spare and she’s absolutely contagious! Jeannie put a new twist on the Exalted Beauty Medallion Party by turning it into a Wine Tasting event as well! It was so stylishly sophisticated! I would definitely recommend this concept as an option for my future Medallion Party hostesses. The three best wines won Medallions as the prize. Congratulations to Clara, Deb and Beth! I was most honored and grateful to have had the stunning and gracious Clara as my assistant for the evening. It’s kind of a big deal to set up shop and Clara truly was awesome! The party was so much fun! Jeannie’s guest list consisted of 30 of Plainfield’s finest! Many of the guests were mothers of Caden’s school friends and it was so incredible to see these fun fabulous beautiful ladies in a relaxed setting letting it all hang loose. A Huge Thank You to Jeannie and Clara! And to all of the extraordinary women who have been so supportive of the Exalted Beauty Medallions!
Thanksgiving
We had a marvelous, relaxing Thanksgiving at home; filled with all of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions and dishes.
In-between: Hockey Hockey Hockey!
Hockey started in late October and has been happening 3-5 days a week ever since! Hockey not only happens at the rink, oh no, we have a hockey training center set up in the basement, hockey diagrams discussed before dinner and hockey training videos studied on weekends. Oh my! Have I mentioned I’m not exactly a fan of hockey?
And where’s the ART?
Well, instead of going right back to work on the Empress Medallion Collection as I had anticipated, I was completely side tracked when I was asked to design a logo for the Meriden Library (which we adore). How could I refuse? Caden and I are at the Meriden Library an average of 2 days a week! I was also invited to create a second piece for David’s House. The Library image is now complete and the David's House project is still a work in progress.
To learn more about the Exalted Beauty Empress Medallion Collection in progress go HERE and HERE. Click HERE to go to the Exalted Beauty Medallion catalog.
Here is a link to The Loon Project that I completed for David’s House in February of this year. The new project is entitled “Feed The Birds For David” Honoring David’s House at 25 Years (in 2011). I will post more information about Eastman Recreation's new David’s House fundraiser in the near future.
In the meantime, stay tuned, I’m going to share the Meriden Library image next!
3:01 AM
mateng
After days of mixing and contemplation, these 30 delicious shades are the new colors I’ve chosen for the upcoming Empress Collection:
Now that I have all of these beautiful colors to play with I’m very excited to begin the “Enamel” portion of my faux Champlevé process.
Here all 300 Empress Medallions set up in the studio, awaiting color:
However, now that I have your interest, I have to step away from the Empress collection while I honor the annual Mother Son Halloween tradition of hand sewing Caden a Halloween costume.
3:16 AM
mateng
The new medallions will now be referred to as: The Exalted Beauty Empress Collection.
Here are a few examples, still in progress, now with the addition of bails and triple coated in Antique Copper:
Here is a closer look, giving a better perspective on the depth and detail from the side:
Obviously these are still very much a work in progress, but I have to say, despite the mega hours of labor involved in this 300 piece project, I am thrilled about how these are coming along! The next step is color! Stay tuned!
3:08 PM
mateng
Remember my Hand Carved Flower Molds?
This is how the final flower shapes turned out:
Each flower was created by stamping polymer clay with the hand carved molds seen above. After the impression was made I carefully removed the clay from the mold and cut around the general shape of the flower. The flowers were then fired. After, I went back in around the rough edges with a knife and carved each piece, creating a smoother, rounded or beveled edge, depending on the design.
Believe it or not, I was so thrilled with the results that I ended up making 300 of these! I guess I was afraid that I liked so many of the designs that when they were finished, I’d want to keep them all for myself and wouldn’t have enough left over to share with my medallion junkies!
After the 300 flower carvings were completed I added my standard bail, also previously referred to (by me) as the bead head. A bail is generally a hoop-like attachment for a pendant that allows a pendant to be worn on a chain or necklace. In my case it is a wooden bead encased in clay which involved a second firing and additional carving. I was very happy with the results of this step as well. Still thinking I’m going to want to keep most of these…
Anyway, at this point, 242 hours into the project, I’m happy to report that I am finally ready to start working on the finish. I’ve chosen an antique copper base for these faux Champlevé medallions. I’m still thinking about colors. I’ll keep you posted about this work in progress. Stay tuned.
8:34 AM
mateng
After a long hiatus I have decided to pursue a rather ambitious medallion concept that has been plaguing my brain for ages. I’ve been inspired to create a floral collection with a Champlevé look. Champlevé is the French term for ‘raised field’. It is the technique of enameling in which enamel is placed in stamped or cut recesses of a metal form. I wanted to combine various design aspects from the Tapestry collection, the Amulet collection, and the Flourish collection to create a bigger, bolder, more detailed flower collection in a Champlevé style. But in order to do so, I had to rethink how I normally build a flower medallion…
I chose to approach the construction of this collection with an Intaglio technique that has probably been around since man discovered clay. Intaglio is a method of decoration in which a design is cut into the surface. Intaglio is commonly used to make engraved seals, where it leaves a raised design on the material being stamped. In my case I plan to use the carvings as molds, casting a relief version on the clay, creating the wells or recesses in which to place the colored enamels.
Here is the first look at my Hand Carved Flower Molds:
I have created the 42 flower designs above using simple tools such as a nail to draw the image into the wet clay and then an X-Acto knife to carve and clean out the nail groves after the clay is fired.
I plan to cast 5-10 of each design. After the flowers are cast, and cured, I’ll need to carve, clean and bevel the edges, then add the bead heads and eventually I hope to finish this collection with a faux bronze or copper base with acrylic glazes in place of enamels. However, this is definitely a work in progress so I’m figuring it out as I go. I’m really excited about the process and I hope it turns out as I’ve imagined it! I’ll keep you posted!
1:51 PM
mateng
Here is an updated list of the Exalted Beauty Medallion Collections that have been SOLD OUT:
Copper (2005)
Countenance (2005)
Gold (2005)
Stained Glass (2006)
Spirally (2006)
Heart (2006)
Black (2006)
Antique Gold (2006)
Floral (2006)
Rhinestone (2006)
Summer (2006)
Charmed Life (2006)
Resin (2006)
Tapestry (2006)
Frost (2006)
Ornament (2006)
Sparkling Elegance (2007)
Spiralicious (2007)
See the Exalted Beauty Medallion Catalog Index for a closer look at the SOLD OUT collections.
But don’t worry! Most of the sold out collections are not new *news*, I’m presently doing inventory and updating the Exalted Beauty catalogs before Ro-Ro’s Big Medallion Bash Friday night! I still have over 1,000 Exalted Beauty Medallions in stock, including the brand new 2010 Athena and Geared collections. Happy Shopping!Hope to see you at Ro's!
1:57 PM
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7:40 AM
mateng
Here is the first look at the new Exalted Beauty Syncopation Medallion collection:
“Syncopation has been an important element of musical composition since at least the Middle Ages. For some musical styles, such as jazz and ragtime, syncopation is an essential part of their character.” To learn more about Syncopation go HERE
Click here to see the new Exalted Beauty Syncopation Medallion catalog!
Wondering how Syncopation came to fruition?
Here’s a glimpse into my creative process: My main goal was to create something fun and abstract that coordinated well with some new accent beads I recently purchased. The first thought was to mimic the splashy painterly feel of the new beads. But somehow the original concept evolved and the medallions took on a life of their own. While I was sculpting, an odd feeling of familiarity set in, as if there were a memory or sensation tugging at my subconscious, but the answer as to what these medallions were, or felt like, refused to surface. At first I was thinking circuitry, motherboards or even alien spaceships, but it was my son Caden who determined that these pieces looked like brass instruments! That was the “ah-ha!” instant. He’s obviously brilliant. So I shared this with my friend Nina and she came up with the equally brilliant collection title, Syncopation. Love it. So there you have it, the story of how the Exalted Beauty Syncopation Medallions came to be.
7:43 AM
mateng
2:46 AM
mateng
“The Holiday Group Show”
I will have paintings and Exalted Beauty Medallions on display
November 20 – January 2
Opening Reception:
Friday November 20, 6-8pm
Red Roof Gallery
11 High Street, Route 4
Enfield, NH 03748
(603) 632-5143
http://www.redroofgallery.com/
-----------------------------------------“AVA’s Holiday Sale and Exhibition”
I will have paintings and Exalted Beauty Medallions on display
November 27- December 30
Opening Reception:
Friday November 27, 5-7pm
AVA Gallery and Art Center
11 Bank Street
Lebanon, NH 03766
(603) 448-3117
http://www.avagallery.org/
------------------------------------------Nancy’s Medallion Party!
I will have Exalted Beauty Medallions on display (invitation only):
Friday November 20th 5:30pm
"Hidden Valley"Lyme, NH 03768
------------------------------------------HOLIDAY MARKET
I will have Exalted Beauty Medallions on display:
Saturday November 28th 10am – 5pm
Hanover Inn,
Hanover, NH 03755For more info contact:Margie Lim-Morisonmlim-morison@colby-sawyer.edu
------------------------------------------Hope to see you at these exciting art events!Also - stay tuned to the blog! I have two brand new Exalted Beauty Medallion collections on the way, Snowflake and Syncopation are coming soon!
12:06 PM
mateng
11:58 AM
mateng
Here is a first look at the finish on the new Exalted Beauty Wildflower Medallion collection:
If you would like a closer look at these fun new floral medallions, please join us for the Powerful Gals Charity benefit where I will be presenting the completed Wildflower collection! (A huge variety of Exalted Beauty Medallions from all the other collections will also be on display).
Powerful Gals Charity Benefit
* Friday, July 31st 6 o'clock At the Workout Studio, West Lebanon, NH
* Cocktails, Refreshments, Music, Raffles, Give-Aways and Munchies will be provided!
* Casual Dress - Be Comfortable
* Come Enjoy - 6-8 PM
* First 30 women will receive amazing gift bags!
* Ms. Keely will draw a $500 Personal Training Give-Away
(winner must be present to receive)
* Other giveaways and a great opportunity to network & learn more about PowerfulGals
* The $20 door fee will be donated to fighting hunger - KP Point to Point $10,000 goal. * Contact Keely at: www.theworkoutstudio.com - if you want to RSVPWe can't wait to see you!
5:14 AM
mateng
Here is the first look at my NEW Exalted Beauty Wildflower Medallion collection (in progress):
I am VERY excited about how the Wildflower Medallions are coming along! I think this is my favorite collection so far!
Look closely at the Wildflower Photos I’ve presented here on the blog and see if you can figure out which species served as the inspirational basis of the new Wildflower Medallion designs!
In related Exalted Beauty Medallion news, I am really looking forward to Melissa’s Medallion party tomorrow as well as Keely’s Mega Medallion party/Foodbank Fundraiser that is happening next Friday, July 31st!
Everyone is welcome to attend Keely’s party!
It’s happening Friday July 31st!
Sponsored by Powerful Gal!
Starts at 6 pm!
At The Workout Studio in West Lebanon!
There will be fabulous gift bags, prizes, a $500 drawing for Personal Training in The Workout Studio or Online Training and lots of adult beverages! It is going to be a blast! And you will be supporting a great cause! :)
And as an added bonus I plan to present the first showing of the new Exalted Beauty Wildflower Medallion collection at this event! Don’t miss it!
3:30 AM
mateng
The Exalted Beauty Medallions are now on display and available for purchase at Wolfeboro Casuals in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire!
WOLFEBORO CASUALS
11 SOUTH MAIN STREET
WOLFEBORO, NH 03894
Telephone: 603-569-5558
5:02 AM
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4:59 AM
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4:54 AM
mateng
Here are my Mr.’s out enjoying a breezy spring afternoon, flying a kite:
It has been a rough week at the Exalted Beauty household with both Caden and I coming down with an evil bout of the stomach flu; but we are well on our way to a full recovery and grateful that the sun finally decided to grace us with it’s healing presence. As for the catalogs, they were inevitably delayed, however I am unbelievably thrilled to report that all three new collections, Divinity, Reliquary and Flourish are now completed and will be ready and available at Penny’s Medallion party tonight! Miracles never cease! I’m really looking forward to a fun night out with the Exalted Ones and I’m very excited to see everyone’s *in person* reaction to the new collections! The photos just don’t do the deep luminescent finishes justice (If I must say so myself!). But stay tuned, the new Exalted Beauty Medallion catalogs will be posted for your perusal next.
6:02 AM
mateng
Here is an overview of the new Exalted Beauty Flourish medallion collection in color:
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3:19 AM
mateng
