Extraordinarily Talented Artists Create New Works that Will Make You Want to Dance

ANNOUNCEMENTS: My "Impossibly Possible Hippo" card is in this week's Artisan Challenge at Blockhead Radio. I would LOVE it if you would vote for me! Here is the link for Paper Crafts: http://blockheadradiolive.com/paper. In addition, please share some love with several other Thursday Sweet Treat participants/cheering members who have pieces in the challenge as well - please look for mkc photography, Huckleberry Arts, GlassElements and Dorset Hill Beads! If you have a piece in, please let us know. Congrats to TheClayMuse on a big win last week!!

Help support the many, amazing artists in this challenge and Blockhead Radio. That station and it's entire crew do SO much to help other artists like YOU. Please take a moment to vote, enter a work of your own and support a wonderful, amazing radio station! http://www.blockheadradiolive.com/

Finally there will be lots happening here over the next couple of weeks so be sure to pop in and say hi when you have a moment. I love when you visit :)



This week's theme is beautiful, simply beautiful. In all of the works that were created there is a sense of movement but also a deep sense of grace. It amazes me that these incredible artists were able to create elegant, vibrant pieces that have an exciting undercurrent of electricity running through them. Whether these artists were having a week from hell or taking time to dream as they created, they all brought unforgettable works to life and that is a testament to the professionalism, talent, beauty and passion each artist has within their heart.

Now, it gives me great pleasure to invite you to the dance......




Sherry, creator of The Silver Lake Studio, created this truly phenomenal piece titled, “Boogie Nights.”

“While I worked on this piece, I could hear that old song bouncin' around in my head,” said Sherry. “At first, I thought I would make some sterling high heels but I found out that I can't draw shoes. I got the dress on the first try, so I went with that. I sawed the dress out of sterling silver sheet, made the flower, belt and heart and soldered it all together. The pendant is a smidge over 2" long and a little over 1" wide at the bottom of the skirt. The dress has a belt with a 14kt. heart for the buckle and there is a flower with a 14kt. Center on one shoulder. Using antique metal stamps, I added some pattern to both the top and bottom of the dress. This pendant hangs at an angle from a jump ring in the top of the flower.”

http://thesilverlakestudio.etsy.com/

Maureen, a talented artist, created this dazzling piece.

"I pirouetted in my journal, playing with simple markers," said Maureen.

http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com/

Ruth, creator of Allover Art, created this magnificent Flight of the Bumblebee Hand-Painted Adjustable Art Ring. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23068979

“Nothing inspires great art like the wonders of nature,” said Ruth. “Did you know that bees "dance" to give directions to food supplies to other bees? I think that's pretty darn cool.” :)

website: http://www.alloverart.net/

blog: http://www.alloverart-nc.blogspot.com/

shop: http://www.alloverart.etsy.com/

Michelle, creator of mkcphotography, created this unforgettable work titled, "Dancing Shoes".

“Between my father and I, we have decades of dance experience,” said Michelle. “He was a fabulous tap and ballroom dancer in his youth; I danced ballet and modern until I graduated from college. My dad chose the song for our dance on my wedding day - a lovely waltz that seemed to last forever, yet not long enough. I felt like a princess swirling around the dance floor, guided by his confident steps. Of all the dance shoes I've worn in my life, these are by far my favorite.”

http://www.mkcphotography.com/
http://www.mkcphotography.etsy.com/
http://www.mkcphotographybymichelleciarlo-hayes.com/

Mary, creator of Design Diva of Bear Chick, created this gorgeous Artist Trading Card titled, "Let's Dance".

“I'm not much of a dancer myself, but what I really love about dancers and ice skaters is their sparkly outfits!” said Mary. “For this Artist Trading Card, I created a silhouette of a glittery pink dance dress with light molding paste mixed with a bit of pink acrylic paint. I love working with molding paste since it produces such great texture. While it was still wet, I sprinkled the parts I wanted sparkly with silver glitter and later I did the edges in pink glitter. The words, “Let's Dance” were adhered to bits of color from a paint deck, then affixed to the ATC. Hmmm... I might have to watch Dancing with the Stars now!”

http://www.bearchick.etsy.com/

http://www.bearchickart.etsy.com/
http://www.bearchick.artfire.com/

Agathe, created of Meherio68 of Le Bar du Vent, created this truly stunning piece titled, “The Joy of Dancing Clouds".

“Do you have any idea how many more or less fantastic ideas danced around my mind all week?!” asked Agathe. “How could I bring across onto the world wide web how very wild, irrepressible - and mostly unartistic - the joyful, pulsing impulse can be? I did have an idea for a whirly, twirly and, of course, pearly, ring... That might be ready for the next mini-monthly. Hopefully.

So many ideas, so little time!

Luckily, one of my time-consuming activities was, last week-end, a trip to the nearby town of Blaye, with its ancient fortress (going back to the Roman occupation). Crossing the river towards that site on a ferry, it gave me great joy to shoot away at the spectacular dancing clouds above... The kind that you can spend hours "recognizing" figures among.I'm quite willing to provide prints on archival paper, or blank cards (see the roses in my Etsy shop), or even postcards.”

http://meherio68.etsy.com/

Meherio68blog : http://lebarduvent.blogspot.com/

Salvaged Expression created this fabulous piece.

“I ended up stretching two sets of muscles for this project,” said Salvaged. “I haven't really drawn much in the last year or so and yet again the black paper was calling to me. The drawing really evolved as I was doing it and I didn't know where it would actually end or what it would look like but I am pretty happy with it and the different feel that both figures have. I definitely have some tone work to do both with my drawing and my dancing but I'm definitely back on my feet. I still can't figure out what to call this piece but we'll see if inspiration strikes when I list it.”

Any title ideas for Salvaged?

http://salvagedexpression.etsy.com/

Laura Pugh, creator of SleeplessImagination created this fantastic work titled, “Joyful Dance.”

“I loved the topic for this week,” said Laura. “I knew immediately I wanted to try drawing a dancer. I've never drawn a dancer and didn't think I could, but it's the only thing I could think of to illustrate my interpretation of the topic. So, I had to give it a go. The dancer turned out much better than I thought and I'm happy with her. However, the overall picture didn't turn out the way I wanted. I imagine I will try again. No doubt this blue girl will show up dancing through some other future painting!”

http://sleeplessimagination.etsy.com/

Lorrie Veasey, creator of Our Name is Mud, created this stellar piece.

“This week has KICKED MY ASS so while I am expecting that this week's Sweet Treat will have many beautiful dancers twirling through the rainbows or waltzing with their unicorn partners; here is my take on The Week From Hell,” said Lorrie. “I know I am very blessed to have a job that allows me to be creative on a daily basis, but sometimes it just feels like it is creation On Demand.”

Earthenware mug with underglaze and LOTS OF ANGST.

http://www.ournameisblog.blogspot.com/

Marja, creator of Glass Elements, created this truly exquisite piece titled, “Elegant Dancer.” Check out the listing here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23108894

“Elegant Dancer is flowing, curvaceous and elegant like a beautiful dancer waltzing across the ballroom floor,” said Marja.

http://glasselements.etsy.com/

Patti, creator of Peacoxcreations, created this incredible piece.

“When looking to make a little sweater cover up for one of my Christening gowns, I came across a little kimono pattern that I adapted,” said Patti. It reminded me so much of the sweet ballet sweaters that the dancers wear that I'm going to call it a "Baby Ballet Sweater". Then I thought of your "dance" inspiration and although it's a stretch, thought I'd send the pictures on to you.”

http://peacoxcreations.etsy.com/

http://patti-peacox.blogspot.com/

Kelly, creator of Backward Glances, created this stunning piece titled, “Dragonfly Waltz.”

“This theme was lot's of fun - it allowed me to combine many of my interests: nature, living history and beads!” said Kelly. “During the Victorian and Edwardian era, a ladies hair was her crowning adornment. For an evening dance she might embellish her hairstyle with an ornament "en tremblant" or a trembler formed on wire which moved as she danced. I choose a dragonfly, both as insect motifs were very popular and because dragonflies seem to dance through the air as they go about their way.

Picture an elegant lady, in full evening dress with upswept hair, held in the arms of a dashing gentleman; they waltz round the ballroom and moving with them, an equally elegant dragonfly in perfect time with the music.

Okay, well a girl can dream!”

http://www.backwardglances.net/
http://www.backwardglances.etsy.com/

http://www.mackin-art.com/

Steph, creator of A Paper Buffet, created this lovely Sweet Chocolate- Handstamped Wedding card with satin ribbon rose. This card is for sale in my Etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23116115

“What could be more joyful than the first dance of a bride and groom?” asks Steph. “The partnership a dance requires mirrors the partnership a marriage thrives on. My wedding card is rich with chocolate brown and raspberry pinks; I was also able to try a new ribbon technique. I created a rose out of satin ribbon with just a few folds.”

http://apaperbuffet.etsy.com/

Amanda, creator of Persistent Green, created this gorgeous original mixed media painting titled, “Flamenco.”

“When I read this week's theme, "The Joy of Dance," I immediately saw flashes of swirling color, rhythm and movement,” said Amanda. “I chose to play with Dr. Ph. Martin's Hydrus liquid watercolors, which are vibrant and bold and fantastic! I loved the way these fiery colors intertwine--they spin and twirl like a flamenco dancer.”

http://persistentgreen.etsy.com/
http://persistentgreen.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth Chandler, creator of Moon of Glass, created this spectacular piece titled, “I Hope You Dance.”

“This was a fun vase to work on!” said Elizabeth. “It's an abstract representation of dance, with purples and blues dancing across a clear background. The glass has created fanciful drips down the side of the vase. They look like they're dancing on air!”

http://moonofglass.etsy.com/

Felicia Kramer, creator of Another Bright Idea, created two, amazing works, “On with the Dance” and “Abby’s Dance”.

“On with the Dance”
“I am an avid collector of quotations,” said Felicia, “so when I saw the theme for this week I knew I had many inspirational quotes about dance and dancers. I had a hard time deciding which of two quotes to use for this collage, but Lord Byron’s quote was right on the mark for “The Joy of the Dance.”

“Abby’s Dance”
“One of my all-time favorite quotes, and this image of my great-niece Abby is one of my most cherished family photos,” said Felicia. “Her mother reports that Abby, now in college, “still likes jewelry, short skirts & high heels!”

http://anotherbrightidea.etsy.com/

“On with the Dance”

“Abby’s Dance”

Giraffelabel created this awe-inspiring piece titled, "Dance With Me."

"This week's theme had my head spinning a bit. (or, should I say pirouetting?!) Having a gymnastics and dance background, I thought it would be easy for me to "whip something up." And, the ideas did start to come flowing in right away," said Giraffelabel. "But, as I thought about it more, when I really thought of dance, I thought about my younger sister. She is a dancer. Not in the classical sense...no ballet here. In fact, she is the only one of my siblings that did not take gymnastics or dance as a child. (we used to make fun of her lack of flexibility and grace!) But, now, she teaches ballroom dance, and is fantastic at it. She got married recently and her wedding song was "You make me feel like dancing". She loves to dance, and has so much fun doing it...no matter where she is. So, now that I had an inspiration, I needed to decide what to do with it. I have been wanting to work on my sketches more, so this drawing came from that. I originally drew her wedding dress, which I designed, but I wanted to do something with color. I can imagine her in this dress floating around the dance floor. Who knows...maybe I will actually make it for her one day!"

http://giraffelabel.etsy.com/

Kelsey, creator of CaffeinatedFrenzy, created this sensational piece.

"The scarf is belly dance inspired," said Kelsey. "I hope the lace shows the mysterious, exotic quality of dance mixed with some sequins-the look at me! part." :)

http://caffeinatedfrenzy.etsy.com/

This week I stepped way out of my comfort zone. I am bead obsessed. Honestly, I can spend hours in bead stores and dream of a million creations. Often, I bring home bags of beads that sit around for a long while because each time I sit down to create, I chicken out thinking that my creations stink. I'm not a jewelry designer. However, this is one piece I'm proud of because of the colors (I adore color) and the little pendant. From the designs to the word, "Play" that little pendant makes me want to dance. This piece is a personal reminder to me to enjoy life. :)

The title of this bracelet is "Judy Booty Jazz Hands." It's named after an awesome friend of mine who shares my love of beads, all things sparkly and always inspires me to create.

http://doodlestar.etsy.com/

Tell me, didn't these works fill you with joy and make you want to dance around the room in celebration of life?

Please share your thoughts, ask the artists questions, leave a comment and some love here. Then, go visit these artists at their shops and blogs, share some more and tell a friend! Thanks so much for visiting!!