Studio Shel Nola

Carnival 2024: Seven Custom Pieces, all from the who are amazing clients. These ladies put so much intention into their beading and costumes and they want designs that compliment their skill and workmanship in addition to their own personal take on the year's theme. They graciously give me a ton of creative freedom and share my love of big drama. It was a honor to be trusted so much. I appreciated being able to focus on quality over quantity for once, and am really proud of the results. I managed to document the process of making them and will be sharing a more in depth look at each soon. But first I have a Cruise to Jam on! It's vacay time!

The theme was Southern Nights.
1: Bali Ha'i on the Beach
2: Porch Songs
3:Love on the Avenue
4:Evacuation
5: Siberia/ Memorial to Hollis
6:Night People
7: Jacques Imos

I have been holding on to this secret for awhile and plotting this banana take over since October! Get your yellow banana fits right for this year's Carnivoid! We'll be doing bananas in honor of The Iceman Special's Lundi Gras takeover at ! When daylight comes you won't want to go home! 🍌🍌🍌
Sick Poster Art by

We got this y'all!

Peppermint Daddy .

Who's going to the Bad Santa Claude's Holiday Costume party tomorrow night ?

See y'all there!

This commission had me deconstructing a rather sad factory made giant red foam flower that looked nothing like a poinsettia. I was able to use the flower petals and after some cutting, reshaping, and painting a whole new bloom appeared. If you are less than dazzled by a costume or headpiece that you have purchased, or one that is just old and already had its moment, don't let it go to waste. Give it a revamp! I'm always willing to work with existing materials if my clients have them. Keeps the process interesting!
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Tis the season! Special holiday edition of the fake Jell-O shot crown for my one of my favorite babes . I'm still loving these so you know there will be some Mardi Gras versions coming! Stay tuned I'll be making those to sell in a very limited supply.
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Party in pink! I am officially obsessed with these fake Jell-O shots. This was commissioned a gift which is so cool. Everyone needs a friend who buys them custom headware! Cheers to that!
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This custom Halloween commission was a repurposing win! My client had a handmade costume that didn't fit and needed a revamp. I disassembled the old costume, salvaged my favorite parts, and created an entirely new look. The color palette was a delight to work with, and it always feels good to reuse materials. If you are like me and you won't repeat a costume, and you also have major guilt about textile waste, repurposing is the way to go. Don't trust yourself with the process? Hire me. 😉✂️🪡
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Reflections of . There were around 300 of these glass prisms strung around the trees of the Avons Stage this year. Did you catch their twinkle? I got the idea for this installation in a quiet moment after the festival last year. Seeing them sparkle in the light of the forest, and watching people discover them nestled in the branches this year was a pure delight. Once again, I could not have pulled this one off without the help of who helped me tie each crystal and individually hang them. An act that required many trips up and down the ladder in the blazing sun. Thanks to for this beautiful photo.

Magic hour . When I'm in the warehouse I tell the time of day by the change in light. The golden glow is glorious. Come see for yourself. Ten days until the Portal opens. Link to tickets in my bio and . 🌅

Who do you think you are? New groceries to try on .nola!
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The research and development on this piece put me in a sticky situation, but was necessary to nail the proper explosive flow of my favorite flavor of Big Shot. This new piece is ready to try on .nola in the Makin' Groceries exhibit. If you are thirsting for a good time out of the heat .nola is the place to drink up cool fun.
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Did a little fArting this weekend for . This year is going to be extra stanky, but I can only give you a whiff of the good 💩stewing. New projects from different artists. Community art. Immersive art. Healing art. Joyful art. There is also live music, comedy, puppetry, roller skating, yoga and wellness activities and support, cool vendors, delicious food, dancing, and a ton of fun loving folks on a beautiful property. But you'll have to go follow to find out about all of that. I'll be over here fArting. Keep checking in for more whiffs of what's to come this year and get your tickets! Sept 28-30. Oakdale, LA. Link in bio and over at .
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Style score! All these vintage babies are for sale! More info on each in previous posts. DM to purchase.

FOR SALE: Gorgeous golden vintage Rosenfeld Made in Italy barrel purse. The purse is entirely metal. All good color inside and out. It has a hidden clasp on the inside of its stylishly curved lid. The straps are double golden chains that are connected. The purse has four dainty golden ball feet and sides are 3 dimensional roses. It is in excellent condition with minor imperfections (a few small spots and scratches that aren't very visible unless close up). Very sturdy and durable for a vintage purse. Elegant and edgy. Measurements: 6" wide, 3 1/2" circumference. $50 DM to purchase. Local Nola pick up or delivery. I will ship if buyer pays shipping.

FOR SALE: A shiny and sassy vintage Goldstrom metal basket weave box purse. It has a rectangular shape featuring silver strips woven like a basket, and a marbled gray lucite top. The handle is clear with silver glitter flecks, and it has a silver double locking clasp and silver hinges and rivets. Black fabric interior. The body of the purse and hardware are all in excellent condition. The lid or purse top is very slightly curved away from the body at the corners, but this does not effect the functionality of the purse. The top stays locked thanks to the double clasp. Fanciful fun! Measures 8 1/2" wide and tapers to 7", 5 1/4" depth at the top and tapers to 4" at the bottom. 3 1/2" tall not including handle. $50 DM to purchase. Local Nola drop off or pick up. I will ship if buyer pays shipping.

vintage

For Sale: A sleek vintage Dorset Rex Fifth Avenue box purse. It is a rectangular shape made of pearlescent gray lucite featuring a clear handle and brass hardwear. The bottom front and side edges are wrapped in a strip of brass. It has a brass hinge, rivets, front clasp, ball feet, and really cool ball joints holding the handle. Mint condition! Measures: 9" wide, 3 1/2" depth, 4" tall not including handle. $75. DM to purchase. Local Nola pick up or delivery. I will ship if buyer pays shipping.
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For Sale: A sleek vintage Dorset Rex Fifth Avenue box purse. It is a rectangular shape made of pearlescent gray lucite featuring a clear handle and brass hardwear. The bottom front and side edges are wrapped in a strip of brass. It has a brass hinge, rivets, front clasp, ball feet, and really cool ball joints holding the handle. Mint condition! Measures: 9" wide, 3 1/2" depth, 4" tall not including handle. $75. DM to purchase. Local Nola pick up or delivery. I will ship if buyer pays shipping.
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FOR SALE: Fabulous Vintage Barrel Purse. It has clear carved lucite handle and sides. The handle remains standing up. The circular sides are carved in a starburst pattern and reflect beautiful light. A brass ball lock clasp keeps the purse closed. It has brass hinges and four stylized peg legs. The body of the purse is a striped black and pearlized white celluloid. It is in near mint condition. She's a beauty! The kind of purse you want to keep on the table! $75 DM to purchase. Local Nola pick up or delivery. I will ship if buyer pays shipping.
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Visited a project from a year ago ! I will be going back soon for the grilled chicken caesar salad which looks amazing. I see you and your lunch posts!
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I remember every minute of making this piece from the afternoons of sketching in my back yard when the pandemic first hit to the moment of triumph when we hoisted it onto the wall and it didn't fall apart. The journey in between those moments was pretty rough at times, hilarious at others, and also joyful, as the making of any fulfilling work should be. Seeing it continue to shine is a true gift. I've said it a million times but it bears repeating: THANK YOU for blessing me, and to and for helping me in all the ways. Y'all go cool off at .nola this summer!
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"Living With Water" is a tribute to the role that water plays in shaping life in New Orleans.

🌺💐🌼 Recycling but make it art. Watch this garden grow over the next few months as I turn every plastic bottle that comes my way into flowers for an installation .

FOR SALE: Minnie Mouse mascot head. Previously owned, but like new. Handmade (not by me). Light and easy to wear. I do not have the outfit. Head only. $100. DM to purchase. I also have a Mickey Mouse head. See previous post.
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FOR SALE: Mickey Mouse mascot head. Previously owned, but like new. Handmade (not by me). Light and easy to wear. I do not have the outfit. Head only. $100. DM to purchase. I also have. Minnie Mouse head. See next post.