Good Luck Sculpture: BUTTERFLY

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun

                      And find your shoulder to light on,

To bring you luck, happiness and riches

Today, tomorrow and beyond.

~Irish Blessing ~

The butterfly is a powerful symbol in myth and religion. Universally, it represents change and transformation. The significant meaning lies in its impressive process of metamorphosis by starting its life in one form and ending it in another. 
In many traditions around the world, the butterfly is also a symbol of the human soul (in Greek myth, Psyche - which literally translates to mean “soul” - is represented in the form of a butterfly), resurrection (Christianity), longevity & love (Asia), creativity, freedom, joy and colour (Native Americans). 
Because of its very short life span the butterfly reminds us that life is precious and short, and not to waste it. It also teaches us to embrace the inevitable transformative changes in our lives with grace and lightness.

The BUTTERFLY as a Good Luck charm:

According to an old European tradition, butterflies are creatures that portray the souls of the dead in transition, similar in belief to many birds and therefore are to be treated with great respect.

The first white butterflies seen in the year are connected with the onset of good fortune.

Three butterflies together mean good luck.

In Scotland the appearance of a golden butterfly near someone who is very ill represents good omen possibly indicating recovery, although there are many meanings attached to this sighting, one being happiness after death…

Dreaming about a butterfly among flowers indicates prosperity. 
(from “Your Lucky Book – an encyclopedia of all things Good Luck” by Jim Rose & Bébé Aschard-Rose/Olympian Publishing). 

This lovely Good Luck steampunk sculpture is a new addition to the family and is available in my Etsy shop. She's made with a wire armature, up-cycled papers, fabric & plaster, and embellished with found objects, image transfers, jewelry parts and beads. 
This sculpture is signed, dated and coded.

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."  

~Hans Christian Andersen ~

Good Luck Sculpture: SKELETON KEY

~ An Irish Blessing ~

"May your pockets be heavy

And your heart be light.

May Luck pursue you

Each morning and night."

We all wonder at times if we can improve our luck.

Luck is certainly the most common belief of mankind. Good luck, good fortune, chance, success have been desired by humans since the beginning of time. Luck can de defined as fortuity gained as a result of chance; it is taking advantage of any fortunate opportunity that might increase the quality of life. 

I recently added to my eclectic family this one-of-a-kind Good Luck sculpture with a Skeleton Key image, available in my Etsy shop. She's made with a wire armature, up-cycled paper, fabric & plaster.

The Skeleton Key as a good luck charm:

"The most common use for a skeleton key (or 'passkey') as a talisman relates to opening doors and gateways. Such a key provides the freeing force of passing through a period of change from old situations into new ones with ease.

Greco-Roman people believed it represented the Key of Life with the power of unlocking the doors through which prayers reached the Gods. The skeleton key was worn as an amulet to promote reflection of things from the past and vision of things to come.

Romans attached special significance to keys made of silver, the metal sacred to the Goddess Diana, protector of doorways and thresholds and the special guardian of mothers-to-be. They also used them as symbol of Janus, the God of doorways who kept out unfavorable energy from the home. The greeks used them as symbol of the Goddess Hecate who unlocked the mysteries of magic. 

In Europe, a skeleton key given as a gift between lovers is considered a symbol of unlocking the door to the heart. It is believed that the giver will be lucky in love. Luck in love is echoed among the Japanese: three keys tied together are regarded as a powerful lucky charm. They enable the wearer to “unlock” doors to health, wealth and love.

According to the Gypsies of eastern Europe, a skeleton key attached to a metal ring will ensure a good night's sleep and prevent nightmares if it is hung upside down over the head.

The effective way to use a skeleton key as a talisman is to charge it with positive energy to symbolically unlock the doors of opportunity and success will come."

(from “Your Lucky Book – an encyclopedia of all things Good Luck” by Jim Rose & Bébé Aschard-Rose/Olympian Publishing).

(click on image for more info)

This sculpture is signed, dated and coded. 

Let good luck come to you...

Throw Your Heart Thru An Open Door

“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”

~ John Lennon ~ 

This original free standing sculpture is one-of-a-kind (OOAK). It is handcrafted without the use of molds. Imperfections or irregularities are intentional to give it character. It is not meant to look mass-produced. 
The armature is made of wire and up-cycled fabric. More layers of different types of fabric & papers were sewn and glued, and plaster has been added here and there to create various textures. The fabric face is hand stitched and beads have been sewn on the eyes. I "carved" a niche to add the clay heart.
Embellished with acrylic paint, image transfers, a flat bead on the crown. It is coated with a protective acrylic varnish. The sculpture is light but strong. 
This art doll will sit pleasantly on your bookshelf, mantle or desk, and is suitable for collecting.
This is not a toy. For decorative display only. 
Height: 15" - 38 cm - Diameter at base: approx 5"1/2 - 14 cm 
This piece is signed, dated and coded. It will be carefully packaged to insure a safe trip to its new home. 
Enjoy!

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery ~

(click on photo to go to my Etsy shop)

WISH

"Every heart sings a song, incomplete, 

until another heart whispers back.

Those who wish to sing always find a song.

At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet."

~ Plato ~

"Wish"

I created this one-of-a-kind whimsical sculpture with paper & fabric maché without the use of a mold. Imperfections and irregularities are intentional to give it character. 

The armature is made of wire. Layers of up-cycled fabric and papers have been sewn and glued to create various textures. I hand-stitched the cotton face and sewed glass beads and sequins to the eyes.

I embellished it with acrylic paint, collage of vintage paper, cheesecloth and brass chain. The raised heart and black "dots" are made from clay. The word "WISH", taken from an old book, is glued on the red hat.

This light but strong sculpture is coated with a protective acrylic varnish. 

The art doll is suitable for collecting, and will sit pleasantly on your bookshelf, mantle or desk. 

(available in my shop - click on photo for more info)
~ 14" high - signed & dated ~

Go ahead….let your heart sing and make your wish come true….