Nineteen years ago I created my first
"Photo Keepsake"
and they have never lost their popularity!
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Here is the process of "breathing life" into clay!
The Body
It all starts with packages of clay and my pasta machine!
I slice the clay into strips with a tissue blade so they will fit
between the pasta machine rollers. Each strip of clay is rolled
through the pasta machine 25 times to conditioned.
I take the strips and roll them into a lump and set it aside while I prepare
the other colors in the same manner. Now the clay is prepared to form
"Little Sweetpea's" parts and assemble the tiny body.
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The Frame
A grid pattern is stamped onto the clay and then hand cut to
form a frame around the re-created, laminated photo.
"Specialty Frames" are treated with a chemical finish to create a
more elegant, formal look or for my personalize love of antiques,
an updated effect of an old world gutta percha frame.
The Photograph
Some pictures have backgrounds that are to "busy"
or have "things" in the way to make a nice Photo Keepsake
therefore, I remake the photo. Here is some examples:
The tigers paw is to close to the little boys head
therefore, I make a copy of the photo. I paint
the tigers paw out of the photograph and
repaint the background to match the sky.
The photo is now ready to crop and size down. It is laminated to
give it a water resistant finish. The next step is to fit the photo into
the handcrafted frame and cure before placing in "Little Sweetpeas" hands.
After the frame and "Little Sweetpea" are created and baked
I varnish the bunting and sprinkle it with "diamond dust" plus
another type of "glitz" to make the sparkle last forever!
I am the only Artist in the world creating these
one of a kind Keepsakes to be treasured for a lifetime!
to place an your order or for further information contact:
Sweetpea
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