Refined Halloween Designs...

I was browsing on Etsy and stumbled upon an artist with an amazing shop filled with wonderful mixed media designs. Several of her creations caught my eye for a refined Halloween party idea that has been lingering in the back of my mind for several years. 

Mirjana Cesar’s designs are a fusion between acrylic painting and fiber collage with emphases on incorporating natural and recycled materials. It's constantly evolving with extensive use of old artisan techniques to achieve original, one of a kind pieces.  She incorporates weaving, beadwork, and embroidery in her mixed media artwork.

I think the fiber art spiderweb heart and the beaded bird from her Etsy Shop would be fabulous on the fireplace mantel for my refined Halloween party...

She says that she is greatly influenced by nature, with its inexhaustible beauty.  She is inspired by the plants and flowers of central Florida, as well as vivid memories of her naturally diverse Croatian heritage and seeds of creativity from her artisan grandparents.

“Beauty lies all around us. We forget to look at the simple, small things, like fern buds unfurling, unfolding just like life itself. We should walk the fields of flowers instead of concrete sidewalks.“

The fiber cuff and collar below would work well with my idea of the modern refined witch. No flowing skirt, pointy hat or broom stick, my modern witch would wear a fabulous little black dress and these lovely accessories.

Mirjana works with burlap (rather than canvas) because of its organic roughness and its receptivity to her specific techniques. Acrylic paints, fabric cutouts, various yarns, threads and wood beads allow her to achieve a dimensional, primitive but contemporary theme.  Fabulous!

Take a peek at her shop, there are many fun and colorfully works of art available: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Cesart64?ref=si_shop

Cheers!

She's on her broomstick again.....

Witches and black cats have become the standard symbols of Halloween.

But where did these traditions come from?

Legend tells of witches arriving on broomsticks and gathering each year on Halloween to celebrate at a party hosted by the devil. The superstitious claimed that witches cast spells on unsuspecting people, could change themselves into different forms, and caused other magical mischief. One superstition said if you wanted to meet a witch, you had to put your clothes on inside out and walk backwards on Halloween night, at midnight a witch would appear. When European settlers arrived in America they brought many superstitions with them, including their belief in witches and the mischief they take pleasure in on Halloween.


Original Art Available on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82093506/halloween-wicked-witch-original-art
http://www.etsy.com/listing/72329769/halloween-owl-picture-horned-owl-photo
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58542704/scrabble-tile-pendant-are-you-afraid-of

The black cat has often been associated with a witch. One old tale said that a witch could shape shift into a cat. Other tales said black cats were the spirits of the dead. The most common superstition, "if a black cat crosses your path you will have bad luck" still causes people to go in the opposite direction to avoid a stretch of bad luck.

Original Art on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/79927363/mean-kitty-bites-jack-o-lantern-necklace
http://www.etsy.com/listing/75052838/halloween-gift-tags-scary-witch-be
http://www.etsy.com/listing/54386345/love-under-the-moonlight-original


 There are many other superstitions associated with Halloween.

For example, the Welsh believed that when you sneezed you blew the soul out of the body. this is where “God bless you” originated. If someone sneezed on Halloween, it was especially dangerous because the devil could capture their soul.

Other cultures believed that owls swooped down to eat the souls of the dying. If an owl was heard hooting, the superstitious would get scared and believed that turning pockets inside out would keep them safe from Owls.

While eating dinner on Halloween, Africans brought to America as slaves would eat in complete silence to encourage spirits to come to the table.

There is also a lot to be said about babies born on Halloween. It once was thought children born on this day could see and talk to ghosts and spirits, it was called the gift of second sight. Additionally, Halloween babies are supposed to enjoy lifelong protection against evil spirits.

 

Halloween is one of the oldest and the second most popular holiday (only to Christmas) in America. Today it is portrayed as time for fun, friends and family. Some still see it's superstitious nature or ties to the deceased. Some religions even view it as an unholy holiday. But whatever your view, you can't deny the fascinating nature of Halloween.

Break out the sewing machine....

Have you been working on Halloween costumes this week?

Have you ever wondered what brought about this Halloween tradition?

Halloween has long been thought of as the day when the dead can return to the earth. Even though the superstitions and customs surrounding Halloween have evolved over the years, wearing costumes on October 31 is still a tradition. Below you'll find a little history of Halloween costumes and fabulous costumes ready to ship today (just in case the sewing machine needle is mysteriously broken). Spooky!



http://www.etsy.com/listing/80570607/haloween-costume-for-child-or-baby-ghost
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82944115/ready2ship-wickedly-sweet-witch-tutu
http://www.etsy.com/listing/68721023/superman-superhero-cape-or-custom

The ancient Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is the present day United Kingdom, Ireland and northern France, celebrated Samhain (sow-in) on November 1. It marked the end of the autumn harvest and the beginning of the cold, dark, winter.

The Celts believed that on the night before Samhain (October 31) the boundary between the living and the dead was unclear. Ghosts of the dead were believed to return to earth causing trouble and damaging the community’s food supply. To protect themselves, Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes, typically of animal skins and heads, to fend off the wandering ghosts. When the celebration was over, the Celts lit their hearth fires from the community bonfire to protect them during the coming months.



http://www.etsy.com/listing/83225301/roxy-fox-custom-handmade-adult-or-child
http://www.etsy.com/listing/83183560/lion-halloween-costume-for-boys-or-girls
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58570112/mix-and-match-cats

 As European immigrants came to America, they brought their Halloween costumes with them. The early settlers had many superstitions and continued to believe they could avoid being recognized by the ghosts that came out on the night of Samhain by wearing masks. They would also place bowls of food outside their homes to satisfy the ghosts and prevent them from entering the home, which could be how trick-or-treating originated.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82343644/hocus-pocus-adult-witch-halloween
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82859350/fairy-costume-the-secret-garden-faerie
http://www.etsy.com/listing/81253012/bride-of-frankenstein-halloween-costume

Today Halloween is one of the oldest and the second most popular celebrations (only to Christmas). Millions celebrate the holiday each year without knowing its origins. Some view Halloween as a time for fun, friends and family. Others still believe in the superstitious of the past or ties to the deceased. Some religions even view it as an unholy holiday. But whatever your view, you cannot deny the fascinating nature of Halloween.

One Key Piece...

Only 37 days until Halloween! I’m a diehard do-it-yourselfer when it comes to costumes, but this year I need a little inspiration. All I need is one good idea and I’ll be able to create unique Halloween costumes for myself and the grand kids. I turned to Etsy for motivation….

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80069265/halloween-2011-the-pierrot-clown
http://www.etsy.com/listing/60459671/day-of-the-deaddia-de-los-muertos-custom
http://www.etsy.com/listing/67171154/baby-hat-raggedy-ann-wig-for-baby-girl
http://www.etsy.com/listing/72524063/zebra-boogie-set-half-calfs-and-wrist

Sometimes a creative accessory can influence the entire Halloween costume. I’ve also found that my best costumes are often the simplest using bits and pieces I have on hand with the key element. Here are some great examples of costumes made using one key item and very simple clothing already in the closet....

The Halloween count down is on!