DIY Fringed Feather Earrings

From the moment I saw these amazing feather earrings from Love at First Blush, I was in love.

Sadly for me, though, I've had to cut down on my "fun" expenses to invest in school supplies and rent, so these hold a coveted place on my Birthday Wishlist this upcoming summer (hint, hint).

For now, I had some pieces of genuine leather floating around from fashion class, so I decided to make my own Feather Earrings (though I'm still madly in love with the Turquoise and Gold ones from LFB).

So without further ado, a DIY Post:

 (please feel free to share/repin/repost, but please link back!)

These took me about 30 minutes to make, plus drying time. So easy!

You need: leather (real or faux), scissors, x-acto knife, 2 jump-rings, 2 earring-posts, paint (optional)

And if you don't like the little frays, you can tame down the edges with clear nail polish ;)

Thanks so much for reading and for all of the support!

We're almost at 300 followers!

You guys are so snazzy!

Artists' Illustrated Book

I want you all to know that I nearly lost a thumb making this little book.

You know what's the weirdest feeling? Showering with a bandaid on your finger. Am I right?

But I digress...

this quarter one of my electives is Printmaking,

and we've had the opportunity to use some of the letter presses. At first, I was really nervous (mostly because I have a tendency in any given situation to be a klutz, hence the maimed thumb), but then warmed up to the studio. Actually, there's something really calming about setting and printing type the traditional way.

Our first project was to pitch an idea for an artists' book. Without getting too emo, I proposed exploring some of the symbolism and memories from growing up with a single (and wonderful) mother. My illustrations were based around the giant oak tree that grew in the very center of my backyard growing up.

I also wanted to explore using translucent vellum papers to convey a layering effect, mimicking the layering of emotions and the lack of "black and white" in life situations and our relationship with our childhoods.

The drawings are all done in ink (no pencil underlayer) and acrylic paint, then scanned in. The type was hand-set in the letterpress, and the stitching, binding, and covers were all handmade by me.

My professor encouraged me to submit to the Artists' Book Symposium we're having at SCAD, and so today I did just that. Here's to hoping my work will be chosen for exhibition :)

{ art & photos (c) erin mcmanness 2012 - if you repin/repost, please link back! }

In-Progress: Florence + the Machine

Snapped this little photo of a sketch-in-progress. I really love seeing works half-finished, when the skeleton of a form and unfinished areas are still left bare and revealed. This part of the process is very charming to me, and quite beautiful.

At SCAD, one of the coolest demos I went to was Erik Jones - aka Theirison. At the end, he showed us his portfolio, and shared with us the secret of process images. He said a lot of times, potential employers are really interested and intrigued by WIPs. As I've been putting together my portfolio, I'm definitely trying to take more and more shots throughout the drawing process.

"I am building a fire, 

and every day I train, I add more fuel. 

At just the right moment, I light the match."

-- Mia Hamm.

White Blossoms - Wedding Jewelry

Today I woke up early before fashion class and poured my coffee. The weather in Atlanta has been gorgeous this Spring, and it was a lovely sunny day. I cranked up the music in my apartment, opened the windows, and shot some new pieces for my shop.

(Sounds picturesque, doesn't it? Don't worry - I made up for it by taking an unlady-like spill on the stairs later, haha...)

These new pieces are inspired by the gorgeous white magnolia trees all over the South. To help me focus, I've been jogging a lot lately, and there are some really lovely neighborhoods around my area of Midtown. Everyone seems to have magnolia trees, with big white blossoms and lots of shade.

That's the best thing about my jogs,

serene & peaceful.

I designed these pieces specifically for brides, and have hand-cut and carved every single piece and detail. Some pieces feature vintage elements, like brass button centerpieces and tear-drop pearls.

These pieces are all completely one-of-a-kind

and are available now in my shop.

And as always, thank you for reading! And hello to all new friends - glad to have you with us!

Also, enjoy some jams: 

Sun in My Belly

My friends got me hopelessly addicted to Instagram... and also to this cool place in Atlanta called Sun in My Belly. 

If you're local, I highly, highly recommend it - 

really laid-back atmosphere (okay, a little hipster, but the food makes up for it)

breakfast dishes like "the hangover" (who can say no to that?)

and really, really good coffee (they brew a blend called "the dancing goat," seriously)

Here are some shots from our breakfast adventure.

Also, did I mention they have cupcakes?

And not that you need another thing to follow, but if you wanna follow me on Instagram, my name is Mirilittlebird. If you like, wanna see cool pics and stuff...

I'll be putting together a little fun Instagram project in the coming weeks... stay tuned to see what it is.

Drawing Faces is Fun

For our Markets class, we have the opportunity to pitch our own assignments, which is pretty cool. It's helpful that we can put special emphasis on targeting pieces to our portfolio.

I've been working on some digital portraits - including The Black Keys, The Black Swan, and Adele. So for our next assignment, I am developing the series with Jimi Hendrix, Florence + the Machine, and Hayao Miyazaki.

Just for a bit of fun, I thought I'd take some process shots of Miyazaki. 

Enjoy!

{ all drawings (c) erin mcmanness 2012 - if you repin or repost, please link back }

And the final drawings of Miyazaki.

Love this guy, he looks so wise :)

And his cute dimples and his triangle fluffy eyebrows are so fun to draw!

Runway Illustration

So I was telling you guys how I had to illustrate a fashion collection based on a literary quote about bowler hats, right?

Here's a few of my favourites from the 20 final illustrations.
I would say more, but I pulled an all-nighter on these.
Worked straight from 6 in the evening to noon of the next day. Yep. Ouch.

Enjoy these, I'm getting in my PJs, putting on some Dexter, and going to sleep.

{as always, if you repin or repost, please give credit and link back! }

They look a lot better in real life... ain't it always the truth?

Happy Easter

A little doodle I whipped up for one of my favourite holidays :)

 { art (c) erin mcmanness - please, if you repin or repost, link back/give proper credit! }

Fashion Homework

Bowler hats, cherry lips, pearls, lots of lace... and 50 sketches due tomorrow for class.

Part of our assignment was also to make a 3D accessory to go with our collection. I made a pearl necklace, crystal earrings, and tonight I'll be cutting leather and making a lace bowler hat. Who comes up with this stuff?

{ all images (c) erin mcmanness 2012 }