wednes-diy: featured artist rachael rice

May 4th, 2011 / Posted by fp julia / Permalink

if you love dreamcatchers as much as i do, you must check out the work of rachael rice. she’s a very talented artist who makes dream catchers that are beyond anything i’ve ever seen. and that’s just one thing she makes – she is extremely creative and was kind enough to share some of her projects and how she makes them for our blog!

r1 wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

r2 wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

once you have the basic steps down for making a dreamcatcher, it becomes much easier to experiment and get a little crazy with them! here, rachael demonstrates how to make small ones using bangles and string – these would be adorable for key chains, bag charms and hanging in your car!

5678574574 f5b0e2a343 b wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

r3 wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

r4 wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

r5 wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

r12 wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

once this part is complete, attach feathers or any other embellishments using string!

r7 wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

rachael has also been making more conceptual dream catchers using pieces of cardboard or thick paper, vintage doilies and hand-made paper feathers!

“Doily is a funny word. What I love about them is that they’re like lace mandalas, and whenever I hold one I think that some woman’s hands probably created it. I like collecting them, and you can find them for next to nothing at yard sales and antique shops.

Pieces of cardstock, cardboard, or even stiff paper can be a home for a lost doily reincarnated as a dream catcher.  Paint or collage on your disc (I used silver) and glue your doily on top!”

5677322393 41ce8ffc9d b wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

“To make the feathers, start with some heavy paper and use crayon or oil pastel to create designs.  Add any collage elements you’d like (you can use FP catalogs!) - be random, don’t think too much.  Paint over those designs with watercolors, or thinned out acrylics or tempera paints. Let dry.  You can also do the back!  Cut feather shapes out of the paper: I made a stencil and just traced it with pencil.  Use markers to make feather designs, or just doodle – you can’t do it wrong  :) Attach the feathers to your dream catcher with some embroidery floss,  simply hang them where you like!”

r8 wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

5677886144 748a08dc1c b wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

r9 wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

amazing! on the right is an example of another one she made called “dark star.”

and last but not least – i think these are my favorite – lace quartz pendants!

5677875256 c7661768d8 b wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

“Vintage lace and doilies find new life when cut up and glued onto the tops of quartz crystals. That way we can wear pretty rocks without having to drill holes in them!  Simply cut a strip of lace or doily and use a glue gun or regular Elmer’s to attach it to the top of a pendant.  A little jump ring or piece of wire run through the holes makes it ready to hang from a piece of leather cord, or a chain.”

5677315151 48635fae9f b wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

5677317769 5929fddc42 b wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

r13 wednes diy: featured artist rachael rice

be sure to check out more of her amazing work on her website. thank you so much rachael!!!

33 people like this post.

17 Responses to “wednes-diy: featured artist rachael rice”

  1. Bre says:

    It’s official – I NEED to make these, thanks so much for sharing the wonderful artist! :) :) xx

  2. Mary says:

    this is easily my favorite diy you’ve posted so far. everything looks so lovely, thank you!

  3. alexxandra says:

    i agree with mary. by far the best diy!
    and youve inspired me to order a pair of those amazing bird scissors.

  4. Anonymous says:

    I have a “craft” bookmark list- this blog is responsible for about 90% of everything on it! :)

    http://www.runwayrundown.com

  5. I have a bookmark list of crafts I’ve found online- BLDG 25 is responsible for about 90% of them! :)

  6. Taylor says:

    love love love love this! I often make dream catchers when I am bored, so this DIY brings me new inspiration and a new perspective! ~I also just bought some crystals on the boardwalk last week at this little Native American store (ironically called Dreamcatcher)! This is another way for me to make crystal jewelry! I will be looking at this post for a long time! Thank you! :)
    http://www.forsurejadore.blogspot.com

  7. Liz says:

    MOST CREATIVE BEAUTIFUL LADY EVER!!! I have a giant god’s eye that Rachael created hanging in my guest room…so talented.

  8. y’all are the BEST. honored and grateful to share ways that anyone can make beautiful objects. much love! <3 <4 <5

  9. Gina says:

    Such a unique and beautiful take on the classic dream catcher. Now I want to make a giant one to hang above my bed!

    inagaddadavida.etsy.com

  10. anne says:

    be careful of cultural appropriation ….

  11. yash says:

    beautiful

  12. Anonymous says:

    omg, chill out anne…it’s a dream catcher, not an atom bomb. besides, there are no new ideas.

  13. amy says:

    i have to do this, right now!!!

  14. P. says:

    great ideas ^^

  15. Samantha says:

    I actually own one of these beautiful creations, and it is gorgeous. Rachel makes some wonderful things.

    This is a great DIY.

  16. Cele star says:

    I know this is an Old free people DIY but its sooo creative and inspirational!

Leave a Reply