A Light for Night
Artist Ellen McHale has elevated the lowly nightlight to pure art form with her handcrafted glass tile fixtures. Her Nelley Kelley nightlights are great for the bathroom, bedroom, living room, hallway – anywhere you need a little extra light. But you won’t want to put them away once the sun comes up. They’re works of art, meant to be treasured all day, not just at night.
The images on the nightlights are adapted from Ellen’s original paste-paper collages. Paste paper is a centuries-old technique that involves mixing paste and pigment, layering it, and then using tools such as brushes, rollers and scrapers to carve designs and patterns into the painted paper layers. We’re featuring five of Ellen’s designs: Bunny, Owl, Eggs in Nest, Angel and Sunflower.
There’s a warmth and whimsy to Ellen’s work, brought to light on reconstituted glass tiles. We heard about Ellen from Valerie Thayer, who hosted a home show for Nelley Kelley that was a huge hit (especially with Valerie's interior designer friends). If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind baby gift or a special housewarming present (packaged beautifully), look no further. Nelley Kelley will light up every room.
Ellen
I'm Ellen McHale the founder of Nelley Kelley Studio and I am so excited to have my Wall Art Night -Lights featured on Daily Grommet today. I wanted to create gifts that were unique and packaged in a way that conveyed a simple elegance. I have been creating past- paper art for the past 5 years. It's an art form that dates back to the 16th Century when paste-paper was used as end papers for books or as covers for manuscripts. I use my paste papers to create beautiful and whimsical collages that have the look of a painting. These original works of art are then reproduced onto my Nelley Kelley gifts like the Night-Lights that you see here today. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do …
Linda Beal
10/12/2010 12:07 PMI have one of these night lights and they are truly a work of art. Not only do I love it, my children do as well. I also have an original print from Nelley Kelley; it is as beautiful as it is unique.
Brendan
10/12/2010 12:12 PMI think you are an artist of many capabilities. Your hand crafted specialties are well thought out and well constructed. There is depth of color, texture and technique which is sure to be a very lucrative accomplishment. And you also look very pretty on camera :)
Chrissy
10/12/2010 12:13 PMI am a fan of Nelley Kelley designs and am delighted to showcase a number of pieces displayed in my home. The Angel nightlight is by far my favorite - the detail is simply breathtaking. Great Grommet today!
Julene
10/12/2010 12:15 PMBeautiful!!
Ellen – Special Guest
10/12/2010 12:15 PMLinda-
Thanks for sharing that - I love the fact that you and your family love the night lights!
Ellen
Ann
10/12/2010 12:34 PMI have been a fan of Nelley Kelley for quite some time. I am the proud owner of a gorgeous night light which is special to me because I am the mother of 3 boys, and the subject matter is a little boy dragging a tree through the woods. The image is created in such a way that the boy could easily be any one of my sons. You can almost smell the pine needles!! I have given many night lights as gifts, and they are all received with amazement because of the way the prints all seem to come to life.
I cannot wait to see what is next with Nelley Kelley!!
Ann
Sarah Lazarus
10/12/2010 12:42 PMEllen is both a wonderful person and inspired artist. We have several of her paste paper tins on our walls and they always give me great pleasure when I look at them. We've also given her night lights as gifts to new parents. People love them!!
Katherine – Grommet Team
10/12/2010 12:42 PMEllen - these are beautiful! The process you go through to create all of the different layers of texture in your creations is fascinating!
I wanted to let everyone know that with each purchase you will also receive a signed card that is suitable for framing. Ellen will include a card from her bird series of cards. It measures 5 1/2 square in size, has a top fold and is blank inside:
Lorell
10/12/2010 12:45 PMWe have a gorgeous vintage tin from the Nelley Kelley vintage collection and guests always comment on it. I love the night lights! We always keep the microwave light on downstairs, but I think the bunny night light is so sweet and will be a vast improvement. Your art is spectacular - happy, colorful, whimsical, and unique. You are truly a gifted artist!
Ellen – Special Guest
10/12/2010 12:45 PMThank you for such lovely feedback. Daily Grommet has done a wonderful job showcasing the beauty of these night lights. They really do make unique and thoughtful gifts for children and adults. I, too, am a boy mother and these night-lights make the boys in our life just as happy as the girls! Ellen
Ellen – Special Guest
10/12/2010 12:52 PMKatherine, Thank you for featuring me today. I was so thrilled to be your Grommet today that I wanted to say thank you by including a little extra something in the Daily Grommet packages. Each Nelley Kelley card will be signed by me and makes a great addition to your package if you are giving it as a gift. You could also consider the card your own little gift and frame it. I hope you enjoy it.
maureen stachowicz
10/12/2010 1:14 PMI am the proud owner of Ellen's lighthouse design night light and proudly use and display it in my family room- the perfect accent to my room's nautical theme. Recently I needed a "special" gift for a dear friend who loves original artisan's work. The antique ceiling tile with a beautiful hydrangea was a huge success! Thank you, Ellen!
Ellen – Special Guest
10/12/2010 1:31 PMThank you Maureen - these night lights really do make a great host/hostess gift when visiting someone's summer or winter vacation home and they come to you already packaged-ready for gift giving. How easy is that?
WP
10/12/2010 1:49 PMI thought the DG video was cool. The night lights are beautiful. How do you get the original piece of multi-layered art onto a piece of glass?
Nice work.
WP
Christine
10/12/2010 1:50 PMI could not resist purchasing the "Eggs in Nest" wall art light for my home - early Christmas present for my family! The layering of textures is so interesting and I adore the family theme. Could you share what your inspiration was behind creating this specific piece? Thanks!
Ellen – Special Guest
10/12/2010 2:17 PMI thought the Daily Grommet video was cool too! The night lights feature reproductions of my original art. I work with a really terrific company in Vermont that produces my artwork onto eco-friendly reconstituted glass.
Great question!
Ellen – Special Guest
10/12/2010 2:23 PMHi CV~ Nests seem to be a recurring theme for me. I actually build each nest using close to 15 or so different paste papers and that is the reason there is so much texture and color to the artwork. Most of my nests have one little egg residing in them but this one was representative of my family so I made room for more eggs. I'm so glad you liked it and so glad you bought yourself an early present.
Kym Fischer
10/12/2010 3:40 PMI bought the Maine Lighthouse night-light for a good friend last year. I bought it for her to thank her for letting us stay with her during our vacation in Boston (we had recently moved from Boston to Atlanta). I wanted to get her something special and different and a friend recommended Nelley Kelley. The night-light was a perfect gift for her because she is originally from Maine! The ordering was easy and you even went the extra mile to include a note card from me in the gift. Thank you and good luck!
Jo
10/12/2010 3:44 PMBeautiful artwork-vibrant and fun but intimate and personal too. Any chance of 3-pin plug versions for your UK fans?!
Grace
10/12/2010 3:55 PMOur mermaid night light is beautiful and a work of art when off and when gently lit at night - just the right amount of lovely light to see by. Lots of happy summer memories come to mind!
Ellen – Special Guest
10/12/2010 4:15 PMMy family and I lived a very happy life in the UK years ago so it is exciting to know that there are some Nelley Kelley fans across the Pond! Currently my night lights are made for the electrical system in the United States - I appreciate your lovely comments about my artwork. Thanks
Erin
10/12/2010 4:38 PMI love your nightlights I have one with an angel on it. I also love your shir who is your stylist? :)
Ellen – Special Guest
10/12/2010 4:59 PMThank you Erin - I'm glad you love your night -light. My stylist's name is Erin too! :-)
Courtney
10/12/2010 5:29 PMI love all of Ellen's work, my favorite is the Sunflower vintage tin, it is an unique and especially beautiful mixture of new and old. I'm adding the egg in basket nightlight to my wish list.
Barbara
10/12/2010 5:53 PMWow! These are beautiful. My favorite work of art is the angel. Somehow it makes me feel peaceful and protected. The night lights will be on my Christmas gift giving list. Ellen, I have taken a peek at the Nelley Kelley web site and just adore all of your work. I look forward to staying in touch. Best wishes!!
Andres Espinoza
10/12/2010 6:00 PMEllen, this is wonderful !! The video show us the effort on each piece of art that you do is just amazing. I'm exciting to get from you cars for xmas and birthdays and more.
Congrats Nelly Kelly!!
Brendan
10/12/2010 8:18 PMI know for Nate Berkus, and he would love these. I might have to refer Ellen's specialties to him......
Kate
10/12/2010 8:38 PMI received a lighthouse night light as a gift and I love it! It adds a special touch to our bathroom and works so well with our "ocean" theme. I love the night light and thought it was such a sweet gift - I can't wait to give one to someone else so they can enjoy it as much as I have.
Jane
10/12/2010 8:49 PMI received a dove night light as a gift and it truly is an art work that displays 24 hours a day in the downstairs bathroom. To see the dramatic colors and shapes in the picture, the light doesnt have to be on. We love it!! Its a very unique gift.
Alice
10/12/2010 9:01 PMWhat a magical nighttime presence! I can't wait for the next baby shower or birthday for a chance to send one of these lovely and unique lights. I have one of the trivets that Ellen also sells. I especially like Ellen's sense of color and her lyrical shapes. The light makes her happy colors glow.
Meredith Howard
10/12/2010 10:28 PMWhat a great Grommet today! Loved the insight into the technique/process used to make your Nelley Kelley creations come to life. We proudly display your artwork in our home and always get tons of compliments. Our 2 boys especially love their animal print t-shirts!
John
10/12/2010 11:38 PMGreat find, DG! We have a Nelly Kelly night light that we love. The "owl light" even goes with us on family trips because our boys won't sleep without it!
Mary Anne
10/13/2010 11:37 AMEllen's artwork is as unique and special as she is. I have two antique tins in my summer home, every time I walk by them they make me smile.