Latest Charm Bracelet

Here's a photo of my latest creation - Carnival Time Charm Bracelet - £129.99 - as with all my work, this is a unique piece. I often explore the same theme over and over again, but each one is different to the one that went before. This is meant to conjure up the joy of carnivals - whether it's a masked ball in Venice or a street carnival in Rio or Notting Hill. There are seven, handmade by myself, bisque fired porcelain heads which measure approx. an inch in length. These are all dressed-up with masks or make-up ready to attend the carnival and are individually painted and varnished by myself. There are lots of interesting vintage and new goldtone charms too, as well as rhinestones and sparkly crystals. As with all of my fuller bracelets this works well as a necklace too, just by adding an extension chain (let me know when you buy this if you would like a free extension chain.) Enjoy the carnival!

Sefton Open Art Exhibition

Well I was thrilled this morning to open my post and learn that I have been accepted to exhibit at the annual Sefton Open Art Exhibition! Here's a photo of my entry, it's called In The Blue House - and shows the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo at work in her studio. I made the Frida figure from porcelain slip in a mold I made myself. I've used real hair, made the tiny clothes and painted her with acrylics (she even has the famous mono-brow and the hint of a moustache.) The Day of The Dead style skulls are hand carved bisque fired porcelain - and inside the hollow ones I have put tiny lights. If you look in the background you'll see Diego Riverra, her husband, looking through the window - and on the windowsill are a fawn and an elephant - this is Frida and Diego. Scattered around her studio are bottles of booze, cigarettes and drugs - as Frida needed these to help her endure the horrendous pain she was in after the life changing traffic accident she had as a very young woman. At her feet on the floor is her diary - this was published after her death. And on her back is a monkey - Frida kept monkeys as pets and often featured them in her paintings - but the monkey on her back also symbolises her understandable dependence on painkilling substances. Hope you like it as much as I loved making it.

LEANDRA HOLDER FUNKY BAGS

AND HERE ARE THE FUNKY BAGS! (see more on my website)

My Latest Project - Leandra Holder Art-Ts and Funky Bags!

So sorry I have not posted for a while, but have been incredibly busy with a new venture - Art-Ts (T-shirts) and Funky Bags! By getting back into fashion I am actually returning to my roots. In the 1970s I was a stylist/designer to various rock bands and their families. This time round I am designing T-shirts and using the same designs on fabric bags in 2 sizes. I will post a few photos on here but if you want to see the full range then you'll need to look at my website - http://www.leandraholder.co.uk/ - some are also available at accessoriesonline and at socharming. The T-shirts should appeal to a wide range of tastes, from the surfer/skater to the funky rock chick. The strong thick cotton bags are the perfect stylish answer to NOT using environmentally damaging plastic bags. The large ones are enormous and will fit masses of shopping inside them, or all that you'll need for a day at the beach. The medium size is ideal for everyday use and work, and will easily carry your purse, make-up, lunch and a paperback book! These funky bags will last and last, being incredibly useful as well as good looking (a bit like my man!) As an opening offer I am including a Leandra Holder bag charm with each funky bag order - but this won't last, so order now to get the special offer! Hope you love these as much as I loved designing them.

ALL DESIGNS REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF LEANDRA HOLDER LIMITED AND ARE REGISTERED ON THE ACID DATABASE.

25th March 2008 - Working on commissioned charm bracelets

Well, I am still hard at work fulfilling all the commissioned pieces I have orders for - here you will see one of them. It's a charm bracelet for a lady who loves blue parrots. The fabulous parrot beads are made by a wonderful US bead artist - JTW. She has done a marvelous job - they are really detailed and pretty. I've complimented these great beads/charms with dozens and dozens of sparkly and colourful Preciosa crystal beads, as well as some lovely yellow roses made by the same bead artist. I am very pleased with the result, but more importantly - the customer is too!

I'll post more photos of the commissioned pieces as soon as it is safe to do so! (A lot of my orders recently have been placed by kind people who are planning to give them as gifts to their loved ones - so I have to be certain that the charm bracelets and necklaces have been given to the intended recipients before posting photos on here - as I don't want to spoil their surprise!) Later ...

4th March 2008 - David Mitchell One Man Art Show

My partner, David Mitchell, is now back from New York where he has a one man art exhibition called "Be Sure To Wear a Disguise" at the B. Beamesderfer Gallery in New Jersey. It's on until the 10th of April, so do go and see it if you get a chance. Here are a few photos he took while he was there - though I can guarantee that they look even better in reality.

I am working away at my jewellery designing, trying to catch up on commissions as well as making new pieces for my own site - Leandra Holder.