Sweet Spring Bluebirds Emu Egg Jewelry Box

My first of the 2 jewelry boxes with the curved vertical cut is finished. Emu eggs are big and sturdy and measure about 5 1/2" tall (7" with the stand) and 10 1/2" at the fattest circumference.

So as you might know by now if you've been reading my blog, I start with the egg with its original color, which is a dark and may I say luscious green/black. The surface of the egg itself is very textured and can be fun, if not challenging to work on. I basecoated the egg a pale blue and white and then sketched on my design.

I like to create the design on these particular pieces so that it flows well around all the sides of the egg. I like to have visual interest that is well proportioned and try to carry the design to both halves of the egg. I decided to paint some sweet spring bluebirds, a mother and a baby actually, perched on winding vines.

This is a close-up of the smaller, baby bird. The vines are full of little purple flowers and crystals in different sizes and different colors for lots of sparkle.

This is a view of the back of the egg and as you can see, I've carried the design all the way around and also, when I basecoated the egg, I painted the hinges the same color as the background.

The top is open here, with the inside lining showing.

Last but not least, don't forget where it all stated, the two eggs that I received in the mail are below. This is what the egg originally looked like before I started working. I've got some ideas for the second one, we'll see what I end up doing with it. The bluebird egg is available at my ETSY shop: http://www.eleganteggart.etsy.com/ .

Orchids In Bloom & New Miniatures

I wanted to post some photos of two of my Phaleanopsis Orchids that are currently in bloom.

This one is such a beauty, it sits on the side of my house, just inside one of my sunroom windows. "Kaleidoscope" has been blooming for 2 months now.

Since my move is next week, I haven't had any time to really paint anything at all, including orders. I've been spending my time moving my garden up the street and then most recently, trying to get the inside of our new house painted before any furniture gets there. I did make some time for some recreation painting for myself and painted 2 new miniatures. Well, I was at the garden center again a couple of weeks back and saw a table full of African Violets. I've decided to buy some to go on my diningroom windowsill. Seeing them at the garden center inspired me to paint the African Violet pin above. As always, the background is done in watercolor and the African Violets are painted in acrylic.

With this little pin I tried something different, I created the background using a thicker application of watercolor. I attached little porcelain roses and pearls . I had thought about painting a design around the edges but I felt it stood on its own without that. Both are available on my ETSY site.... http://www.eleganteggart.etsy.com/

This beautiful Phaleanopsis sits on my work desk and has also been in bloom for 2 months now. Pretty soon the last flower will be falling off.