I'm excited to introduce one of my all time favorite artists, Vanessa Walilko of Kali Butterfly.
Vanessa started out working with seed beads and created some stunning, award-winning pieces.
(Phoenix Reborn.)
(Dreams of the Fallen.)After that, she started to focus on chain maille and to make gorgeous aluminum jewelry.
She's also an accomplished fashion designer and has created some fantastic pieces out of aluminum rings, discs, and scales -- which I love because they remind me of sequins.
(Red Lizard Vest.)
(Chain maille and aluminum disc flapper dress. Possibly my favorite!)Not only is she insanely talented, she's an amazing person. She's been a great teacher and mentor to me, as well as a friend, and is one of my go-to people for discussing creative ideas because she encourages me to try the big, scary stuff.
Speaking of creative ideas, she's tackling one of her most elaborate pieces to date. A chain maille wedding dress! This will take a lot of material, which is why she's decided to fund her project through Kickstarter.
If you're familiar with Kickstarter, you know that creative people bring their ideas to life by collecting pledges, and then funding, from backers -- people who promise to donate a certain amount of money, and who enjoy different rewards based on how much support they give.
Vanessa is talented, as well as driven and hardworking. She finishes what she starts, and when she completes a project, it's always outstanding. I hope you'll consider pledging your support -- getting to see this project from start to finish will be an incredible opportunity, and you don't want to miss out on those rewards!
For more information on Vanessa and her work, visit her website. And in case you missed it the first time, here is the link to her Kickstarter project -- complete with a video!
Thanks for joining me for today's Featured Friday!
Have a sequintastic day!
I love that dancing leaves necklace! It looks super heavy, but I imagine it weighs next to nothing because of the materials. Crazy!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how lightweight aluminum is. Her flapper dress is something like five, six pounds, so I can only imagine how light the necklace is!
DeleteAlso, super duper congratulations on the shiny new addition to your family!
That lizard vest is STU-N-N-ING!!! Thank you for sharing this work, tfs much love Jennibellie xxx
ReplyDeleteIsn't it gorgeous? It would look so cool with a matching miniskirt. :)
DeleteI love love love that red lizard vest! It does look like sequins and I just LUST after it!
ReplyDeleteI do, too. It was so cool, getting to see it up close at the Bead Show. I'm always astounded by Vanessa's work!
DeleteWow! I loved the jacket in the first picture even before I realized it was chain mail! And there'd lizard vest is stunning. Thanks for sharing Vanessa's work!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing? I low how chain maille isn't just for renaissance fairs anymore. Now it's high fashion. :)
Deletewow! such amazing things you can do with that material! i especially love that statement necklace :)
ReplyDeleteI love the necklace, too. It comes in red and in silver, too. *Drools.*
DeleteLove...need...want that necklace! It's unique, makes quite a statement, and very chic! Enjoy your weekend...I'm sure you will be making more pretty little things:D
ReplyDeleteIsn't it gorgeous? I really want the red one. :)
DeleteEnjoy your weekend, too!