News From the Front!

News From the Front!

Well actually its news from The Desert Trail, which is my local Newspaper! I am so excited that because I entered a peice into a local Art Show, I was also selected to be showcased in the The Desert Trail! Nothing like this has happened to me before so I am so very excited and intensely grateful! Below you will find two photos of the clipping!

As you can see, my artwork is displayed over my left shoulder. 

I would also like to mention that the gentleman on the left, his name is Russell Richeal II and he had 2 pieces displayed that day as well. He is very skilled in larger cross stitch pieces, painting ceramics, and crafting jewelry and paracord accessories. I will leave a link to his Facebook Art Page (here)

I have to say, because of the amazing time I had the day of the Art Show, learning more about this town and its neighbors, I have gained a little more confidence in my art work and it has pushed me forward. I have started a secret stash fund so I can persue opening my own business for my crafts and art works. I plan to start small, local vendor craft fairs, then branch out to online using Etsy and similar sites, then someday maybe owning my own Store Front. It all seems a little far away but the first step is to do something, so I did the research and I started saving to do it.

Well I believe that's it for this Entry. Hope everyone has a fantastic day! D.L. Mannex out!

Valentines Frenzy Begins!

Valentines Frenzy Begins!

Good evening everyone! D.L. Mannex back for a second night of Blogging! I have fired up Pandora Radio and I am excited to announce my Valentines Frenzy has begun! I know the Holiday of Love is still a month away but I thought I would be the perfect time to get the crafting juices flowing. What better way then to start by making some Valentines Day Cards? Well besides baking the goodies but I cant do that yet.

So today, besides running out of the room to get the pile of Laundry under control, I had time to get comfy and make two Valentines. I know that doesnt sound like alot, but if you would have seen the pile of Laundry, you'd be amazed that I was able to make two. And I still managed to dig out my DSLR and take some decent pictures to put up.

Below you will find Valentine #1. Now, for not making cards in several months, five months in fact, I was amazed that my brain put this on together. 

I pulled out a few pieces of scrap cardstock and an Ivory Card. Now, for the Sentiment, this was a first. It was a rub-on, which I have never done by the way. But as you can see, it went well. I then distressed the edges of the card with a Pastel Pink Ink. From there I hot glued the ribbon trim, followed by the pearl trim. Placing the two pink ribbon roses and floral button came next. The sentiment was then adhered to the heart shaped dollie, then the dollie adhered to the red cardstock. The final touch was the two heart stamps in the upper right corner and lower left corner. And of coarse on the back it is stamped with "Uniquely Handmade Limited Edition" along with my signature and the URL to this Blog!

As for the second card, for once in my life, I got more creative as the day went by. Firstly I was playing around with a pack of Recollections Paper Flowers, hence the beauty lower center on this card.I also had the beaded stamins which just added to the epicness. Again I started with an Ivory Card but this time I adhered a themed piece of cardstock to the front. I then hot glued the three seperate ribbons, burning my finger in the process. Oops! I then dug out the cute little pink and white cameo upper center and hot glued her down. The Sentiment was stamped on pink card stock, then the pink pearl frame was placed around. I cut around the frame and adhered it to another heart dollie. The dollie was then adhered to the center pink and white dotted ribbon. Lastly I hot glued that epic paper flower to the bottom of the dollie. And yet again, on the back it is stamped with "Uniquely Handmade Limited Edition" along with my signature and the URL to this Blog!

I would appreciate any and all feedback on these two cards, in fact I always look foward to it.

Now I here my husband watching one of my favorite TV shows! Off I go!

Sweetest Dreams,

D.L. Mannex

Finally Back In Action!

Finally Back In Action!

Hello all of my loyal fans and fallowers, D.L. Mannex here! I am officially back! 

My husband and I are finally settled into our new home in our new town!

 I have unpacked about 75% of my Art/Craft Room, so I am pushing around some new creative energy! I am happy to report that all of my tables are set up, all me equipment is plugged in and ready to go!

I also discovered, while exploring my new city, a small Arts and Crafts Supply store! Sadly the closest Micheals, Joanns, and/or Hobby Lobby is more then 45 minutes away from my new location. So this little store and online retailers are going to be my new best friends. 

But this little store is the cutest thing and they are having their 3rd Anniversary Art Show coming up next Saturday (Jan 24th)! After talking with the owner and with some encouragement from the Husband and my other Friends and Family, I have decided to enter a piece! Which I dropped off today I am happy to say! And not only will it be featured in the show, it will also be for sale! The shop will be making 20% Commission on in, which I have no objection with because I am happily earning the other 80% if it sells! I have never tried anything like this before, but being in this new place and with art being so well recieved out here, I thought "Why not put my foot in the door?"

And there she is!

The title of the piece is "Spirit in Lights". She is an 11" x 17" beauty done with; Copic Markers, PrismaColor Pencils and Faber-Castall Polychromos, and Koi WaterColors. Oh and just a touch on White GellyRoll Gel Pen for highlights and my signature at the bottom. From Sketch to Finish, she took me about 21 hours total to complete. Oh and she is priced at $125.00 for the Art Show.

I am very excited to be part of the show and am happy to have busted out a new drawing! BUT!! I look forward to getting into crafting again very shortly. Unfortunately, until now, I have been forced to neglect my Blog, my YouTube, and my Artist FaceBook page. Now I have no reason to push out drawings and craft projects like a pro, and to film and post more tutorials on YouTube to help those interested in my type of hobbies and works!

So with all of that off my chest, I am going to go for a quick stroll with my husband, then race back to my new craft room to get creating! I want to thank you all for sticking with me and for your continued support!! Please feel free to leave comments or ask questions below! 

With love,

D.L. Mannex

"FLOOD the streets with ART" Contribution

"FLOOD the streets with Art"

Contribution

Hello everyone!! D.L. Mannex here! Long Time No Blog! I am so sorry for not being around very often but as many of you know, my Husband recently came back from being deployed for over 7 months and we are currently in the process of being restationed. I currently dont have access to any of my crafting supplies because they are all in storage until we can settle into our new home in late Jan. However, I was able to keep some of my drawing/art supplies in my hands and have been busy with my doodles and even started a series of 12 pieces for a 2016 Calendar! You can all Thank my Husband for that one!

But to get to the topic of this Blog Entry, I recently was invited to an Event on Facebook titled "FLOOD the streets with ART(Part II)" which also was a group under the same title. You can find the link to the Group HERE .

In short, it is an event that an Artist makes a piece or Art that they are willing to give away, made specifically to give away. Then on Friday November 28th, 2014, yes Black Friday, they simply drop it off in a high human traffic area, such as a store or in my case a coffee shop, in the hopes someone will pick it up and take it home. Also you make a Tag to go on it, so people passing by realize that it is free to take home.

Below you will find a picture of the piece I will be dropping!

Above is the piece I did specifically for this event. It took me 4 days from Sketch to Transfer to Finish in full Color. And I mean 4 Days, at least 12 hours a day. I used several types of supplies. The final is on 11 x 14 Smooth Bristol Paper. The beautiful Lady is done with Copic Marker, Faber-Castell PolyChromos, Gel Pen, and Sakura Pigma Micron Multi-Liners. The Background is done in cheap Watercolor Paints.

This was my first attempt with using all of these things in one piece, and my first time using Watercolors all together. I also went to my local Dollar Tree Store and bought Red Sale Tags for the Tag Option. Under Sale I wrote " FREE!!!! I'M YOURS!!!!" and on the reverse side I explained why it was free and left my contact information and a link to the Event page on Facebook, which can be found above.

For those who might want to know, I will be dropping this outside a coffee shop in my hometown of Apple Valley, Ca. I have yet to decide which coffee shop and most likely wont decide until that morning. I want it to be a spur of the moment choice, just as it will be a spur of the moment choice for who will pick it up.

I want to Thank Everyone who is taking the time to read this, and for all those who have continued in their support of me and my crazy ways of expression.

I would also like to extend my Prayers and Wishes for Everyone to have a Wonderful Thanksgiving,and a Safe Black Friday. And if I am forced to neglect my Blog for a long amount of time again, I want to extend my Prayers and Wishes for everyone to have a Safe and Very Merry Christmas!

D.L. Mannex Out!

Prize Mail from Sonya Winston!!

Prize Mail from Sonya Winston!

Hello Everyone! About 3 weeks ago a Crafter named Sonya Winston announced a Giveaway on her YouTube Channel. I had been a subscriber of hers since her first video was posted, so I decided to enter for the prize. A week later she posted a video to announce the Giveaway Winner, and to my shock, it was me. I was extremely excited not only for the prize, but it was also my first giveaway win!

Below you will find my video, showing off Sonya's generous giveaway prizes and a beautiful hand crafted card! And then below that you will find two links. One to her YouTube Channel, and another to her Blog! Please show her some support, she has been incredible generous!

Sonya : YouTube

Sonya : Blog

Thank you so much everyone! Till Next Time!

~D.L. Mannex : Devon's Divine Designs~

First Tutorial Video!

First Tutorial Video!

Hello and Good Evening Crafty Bloggers and Friends! I am happy to announce that I have posted my first crafting tutorial to my recently created YouTube Channel. I am so excited, I have already recieved 6 Subscribers and a few nice comments and emails. I look forward to many videos in the future and hope you will take some time to stop by and take a look.



Anniversary Card

My Parents will be celebrating their 31st Wedding Anniversary on 8/20/14! I am so happy for them, and went ahead and made a simple yet elegant card for them!

Below you will find the Video Tutorial I posted on my YouTube Channel. Please feel free to leave comments and/or questions either here or in the comments section on Youtube. I am so excited to share this with you and would appreciate a thumbs up on the video! 

Thank you so very much for visiting my blog! Have a fantastic evening!

~D.L. Mannex : Devon's Divine Designs~

My Intro to YouTube!

My Intro to YouTube!

Good Sunday Afternoon to Everyone! I know it has been a while since I have posted but I am back and I have plenty of things planned in the future!! 

Below you will find the link to my YouTube Channel and my first video. It explains a little bit about me and what I believe I can contribute to everyone in the Crafty Community.

YouTube Channel

Thank you for your time, and I hope you will share this with your friends as soon as I get my first craft video uploaded!