Beauty Under Glass...

What's a girl to do when she's in the middle of work-related deadlines but has an opportunity to create a gallery show project with a shoe theme? I'll tell you what... she leaves the dishes in the sink, the laundry in the hamper, and the vacuum in the closet. And, instead she...

Goes to the local Salvation Army and finds a cute pair of pumps.

She covers them with a light coat of gesso, to give them a nice tooth... and paints them ruby red.

Adds tons and tons of fun and funky red gemstones using gel medium to adhere them.

Then she add tons more!

Fashions a pretty bow made from wired ribbon. Then she checks for the perfect placement on the shoe. She knows it's the right spot when she squeals... "how cute is this?"

She distresses the bows with sandpaper along the edges and random spots... and paints with a wash of brown acrylic and water to make them look old.

Ages the shoes by toning down the bling with dry white paint.... removing some with a wet paper towel.

Then she brushes the entire piece with watered-down red paint to make them look more cohesive (we're going for hundred year old shoes here!).

When she's all done... she takes a step back.... feels the sense of pride in her work... senses a giant smile come across her face and says, "what dishes?"

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If you're local and would like to see my Ruby Slippers in person, they'll be on display this month for the Hats & Shoes exhibition at the Art Alliance of Monmouth County, 33 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ. Opening reception is tomorrow, May 7th from 6-8pm!