I am so thrilled to share with you a custom order I completed for a return client all the way in the UK. This client comes back each year to have me make a custom hair piece that he can gift to his wife for Christmas. This year he told me it is the first present she opens every year! I am so honored to be a part of this couple’s special holiday tradition across the globe. This year the theme he requested was Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. Here is what I conjured up…
The wife was very pleased and they sent me this stunning photo of her wearing it by the Christmas tree. I just love how perfect it looks in her hair.
A return client contacted me before the holidays asking if I could make a custom hair piece for his wife. This was not just any hair piece but one that was very special and meaningful. Her Dad had passed away and was a squadron leader for the Royal Air Force. The goal was to make the barrette in his honor. A memorial piece she could wear and cherish for years to come to help keep her Dad close to her.
First we needed fighter planes and that is when the wonderful world of 3D printers came into play. The client was able to help me find the exact planes he wanted. Since they were 3D printed they were “clear” in color so I painted them with model paint to get them the right shade of grey.
Next he wanted me to stick with the colors of their emblem. He sent me this photo to use for inspiration He didn’t care how I did it but the colors were important. Which when I saw it immediately thought of one of my favorite movies.. Tank Girl but I had to stay on course ha ha.
I decided to use the emblem as my basis for the barrette itself. I wanted to stick with the same layout as I felt that would make it much more meaningful and literally symbolic. I kept the same layout with the feathers. Alternating the colors exactly the way the emblem was.
Here was the end result….
The client was very happy with what I came up with and said his wife absolutely loves it. I could not be more honored to be asked to make such a memorable piece of wearable art. One that brought light and happiness into someone’s holiday and when they look at it they can think of someone that meant so much to them.
Making this barrette reminded me of one of the reasons I love making hair pieces and how different they are from what you can buy in the store. What I create is not only unique or customizable, but when it is not being worn it can be clipped on to something as a decor or put on display. Sylvia Soska recently told me her and Jen have their American Mary barrettes I made them on their alter. They are very versatile pieces which is why I refer to them as wearable art… because really that’s what they are.
I apologize for being M.I.A, I have been working on a very large commission painting and trying to get it done by it’s deadline. It’s consuming my every free minute. However as soon as I received these photos I knew I had to stop for a while and share them.
LeAnne reached out to me after I announced the creation of my S.O.P.H.I.E Lancaster Foundation barrettes. She asked me to hold one of them for her before they sold out. See she was not only a supporter of the foundation but also a close personal friend of Sophie’s. On top of it she was getting married in a few weeks and wanted to wear it so Sophie could be a part of her big day.
“Thank you again so much for saving me one it meant the world to me to be able to wear it for my big day” – LeAnne
Doesn’t the barrette match perfectly with her flowers and their accessories?!
Congratulations LeAnne you look beautiful. I am honored that something I created could bring you closer to your departed friend. Especially on such a very meaningful occasion.
Blick is running a Wearable Art Contest! Which as we know is right up my alley. The winner receives a nice art supply prize package that I can definitely use as well!
I chose this particular piece because it is still one of the funnest, wearable art commission pieces I have made to date. I am sure I will be one of the few whose entry comes from the dark side, but I hope to make Clive Barker and Doug Bradley proud! Plus, when haven’t my creations stood out from the norms 😉
This is a commission piece I completed for a Hellraiser horror movie fan. The center symbolizes Doug Bradley as Pinhead. It was made from Fimo Clay and hand painted to give it depth. Small nails were used as “pins”. The flower petals were all artificial flowers in various shades of blues, black and greys that were alternated between pieces of of patent leather snakeskin fabric that I cut to look like petals as well. I took necklace chain to symbolize the torture chains used in the film and of course splattered it with red paint to give that blood effect that all horror fans love! The customer was beyond happy with the end result.
