Brooch Artist - Brooch Florist

My Art has been on Hold… as my creative vision is exploring new ventures.
It's funny how all things come together.

For example, ever since I was young I have always wanted to own a second hand store.  I have always watched Antique Roadshow and more modern shows like American Pickers and Pawn Stars, where people are either collecting or holding on to something "old" that is now worth money.

I have also always been a collector.  I have held on to every "extra" button that has come attached to a shirt.  I have old coins.  Movie stubs. Random "things".

In addition to Brooches, I have had my eye on collecting small vases.  However, I didn't have a justification to buy them… until now.

My new venture… as a Brooch Florist.

So, the Brooch Bouquet is something that I have talked about before.  I created one last year for my friends wedding.  The thing about the current Brooch Bouquet process, is that your brooch is "wired" to the stem.  So, once it is attached, you can not wear it again.  However, my one of a kind brooch stem design changes that!  I have designed a way that you can affix a brooch to a stem, but still have the opportunity to wear it if you want.

So, My vintage enamel flower brooches + brooch stems = a justification for me to buy small vases!!

I'm a Brooch Florist!

My brooch collection

I have been on Pinterest looking up unique ideas to display my brooches. I have come across jewelry frames, and dress forms, and wire tree holders... However I wanted brooch art! I made a visit to my boyfriend Michales (arts and crafts) and came across stretched burlap. I had a vision..........

A vintage Christmas...

This year, I decided to decorate my tiny Christmas trees with vintage brooches!

Next year, I may add ribbons and lights. This was a trial run. 

Blooms in the Winter

Since I now have a "large" collection of vintage brooches... I am inspired to paint! Only problem is, I need to sell sell sell. My little art studio is running out of wall space. 

I need to do a push to sell some Midnight Blooms this winter! 

I am a Broochaholic!!

I am now ready to openly admit and share with the world that - "I - LCherise - I am a broochaholic!!"

My love for brooches has gone too far now, as there is no going back.  I spent some vacation time back home in San Diego dropping in antique shops and second hand stores just to, by chance find a unique, reasonably priced brooch. 

I found lots!! 

I'm in love with brooch shopping...

Here are some photos... I loved how this vendor displayed brooches using picture frames!

Here is a pic of a few brooches I purchased...

And even more exciting... When I returned home, after being away for 2.5 weeks - I had brooches and drawer pulls waiting for me to open. (Thank you Etsy and EBay!)

LCherise... on Display

I love seeing my art on walls other than my own!  I'm currently on display at "Sunshine Smiles a Kids Spa" in Virginia Beach.  I'm trying to do more to promote my custom wall hooks! 

Yay... I made a Brooch Bouquet!!

For the past two years, I have been an admirer of Brooch Bouquets.  Given my interest in vintage brooches, it is no surprise that the Brooch Bouquet idea is at the top of my list for a “must have” on my wedding day.  In the artist community (on Etsy) brooch bouquets are very popular, AND very expensive.  So earlier this year, I set out on a mission to create my own bouquet.  And I had the opportunity to create one for a friend’s wedding.  After a few you tube videos, and several (did I say several) days of bidding and losing and bidding and winning brooches on Ebay, I was able to create a gorgeous bouquet!! 

I now understand why people charge so much… J

Go Fish...

I love my Walk With Me collection and I have received a lot of positive feedback about how cute and unique the collection is. However, everyone who has expressed an interest has asked for a specific breed of dog. Considering I buy vintage, I have limited options when on a search for dog brooches.

My desire to have art that more People could relate to, led to my new collection Go Fish!! I'm loving the concept!!

My First Art Festival...

I can't believe in less then two years I had my own tent in an art festival...

Vintage Brooches...

Vintage brooches speak to me... On a recent drive from my home in Chesapeake VA to my friends house outside of Raleigh, NC I stopped at an antique store located around the half way mark of the 3 hour drive. This store had some fabulous brooches! Many to highly priced for the $40 budget I had given myself. Nonetheless, I looked all of them over and quite instantly found 3. One in particular spoke to me... It said buy me, and make me beautiful. It said a whole lot of other things too. I just can't remember. Once my creative thoughts start to flow my mind is bombarded. Anyhow, I learned from this visit to the antique shop, that I need to charge more for my artwork when I use vintage brooches.

Painting from Pictures...

 When I started painting almost a year and a half ago, I did not think it would be possible for me to paint an accurate picture from a photo.  All of my faces to date, have been what I call free style.  I just paint and whomever emerges, emerges.  Recently, I gave myself a project to paint my nieces.  And overall, I think the outcome was great!

Layer 3

Layer 2

The Outline - Layer 1

Layer 4

INSPIRED... By San Diego

I had a chance to go back home... it rained the entire length of my trip, up until the last day.  It was a gorgeous crisp day, so me and my friend decided to walk around Balboa Park!  We happened upon the Spanish Art Village and got some artistic inspiration from the local artist vendors.  My friend makes jewelry...

757 Creative Space

I found an awesome spot in the heart of Norfolk... 757 Creative Space "a one of a kind collaborative business incubator..." And most interestingly a venue to display my art, for free!

I had a great time at the "Gobble Up Some Art" event on Friday, November 16!

If you aren't able to make it, my Midnight Blooms Collection and my Walk with Me Collection will be on Display for a few weeks (or months).  Go Visit 757 Creative Space at 259 Granby St. Suite 250, Norfolk, VA; and check out other artists too!!

My Solo Art Show...

My Solo Art Show was a Success.
There was a decent turn out; and the ambience was awesome.  The music, food and wine and art all meshed for a wonderful atmosphere.

Girlfrens Collection - Series 1

Meet all 6! Patience, Wisdom, Grace, Faith, Joy and Hope! I love them. Can you guess who's who?

My Solo Art Show... One month away...

Girlfrens - The New Collection

My creative vision shifts just as much as this Hampton Roads, VA weather...

One minute, I'm obsessed with painting mini canvas for the Walk With Me collection, and the next thing you know, I'm up at 4am painting faces again.  My latest project - will be profiles of women, faceless for the most part; with a focus on the hair (which I'm pretty good at) and the earring.  

I vacillated about naming this collection Girlfrens OR Gossip and Cocktails...  the concept for the Gossip and Cocktails came about because I wanted to title each piece after a cocktail drink; based on the look of the earring.  After some thought, I decided to stick to giving each painting a first name.  

I have completed 3 paintings in the collection so far, but haven't come up with names yet... I don't know for sure.  

It will come to me...

Art Show Pictures

Setting up for an art show with brick walls was very challenging.  And it took a whole lot longer than I anticipated.  But I was very pleased with the outcome...

The Ms. Marie Collection - Each painting is wearing a Button Cover, donated from my friends mom - Ms. Marie.

My Abstract Art was very popular... here I stand with a Happy LCherise customer.  I sold two paintings from my "Midnight Blooms" Collection.  And I'm inspired to paint more Abstracts.