Diamonds are a girl's best friend ... you bet! Diamonds in April, May moons to spoon followed by weddings in June. Well I don't have any diamonds and I don't have any weddings about which to croon but here are a few interesting shops on Etsy that I found.
Diamonds are forever by OriginalsbyLynnette.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10658911
Pin and Green Diamonds - Original Painting on Canvas by Kipi
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9613838
Sassybellaboutique - lacy, diamond crochet trim
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10657228
Now when it comes to Daisies you can count me in. I have this gorgeous single strand necklace with a daisy in a flowerpot charm as the focal point. How many of you remember pulling the petals off of a daisy while reciting this little ditty, "He loves me, He loves me not...". I checked. If you could pull the metal petals off this daisy, you would finish with, "He LOVES me!" Right on. Follow the link below to check it out.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10447071
As we close the door on March and open the window to April, it is so nice to think of the cold weather, the ice and snow leaving too. We've had enough this year! So let's welcome April and her fields of daisies with arms open wide. And tonight, dream of fields of diamonds headed your way!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Etsians on Review - Southampton Creations
This is the first of my reviews of artists and artisans on Etsy. For those of you not familiar with Etsy, it is an online venue where artists, crafts people form a virtual marketplace for shoppers interested in purchasing hand made work.
I'd like to introduce to you Southampton Creations. Southampton Creations is operated by a delightfully charismatic lady named Patricia.
Pat is a retired grandmother living in a small town on the shores of Lake Huron in Canada. Pat is adept at crochet - hats, ponchos, sweaters and mittens. She also makes bib clips for children and adults. What an amazingly practical idea! They are the perfect item to have handy for those spaghetti dinners. Bright and cheerful ribbons and clips that are just the thing to help hold that napkin in place at the dinner table or for someone in the hospital or nursing home. At $2.99 each, you can afford to outfit the whole family!
Here is a link:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10483937
You can find unique and interesting gift card sets in her shop. If you are looking for something to please the most difficult person on your list, I'm sure you can find something here. Pat's gift card sets always have a little something extra. For instance one of the current gift sets listed is a Japanese Tea Set. The set includes a beautiful photo greeting card (blank inside) with envelope, a packet of loose tea (the packet acts as the tea bag so no worries about loose tea leaves floating around in the pot), a card with instructions for making a perfect pot of Japanese tea and a gift card. Plus you get a sticker in the shape of a kimono (fabric sticker) to seal your gift.
Here is the link to the item:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10229109
Pat has two talented daughters, each of whom has their own Etsy shop. I'll be reviewing their shop in this blog later on.
To visit Southampton Creations simply click the link to the right of this blog or copy and paste the following link:
SouthamptonCreations.Etsy.com
Have a wonderful day! And remember, BUY HANDMADE.
| Etsy Buy Handmade SouthamptonCreations |
Monday, March 17, 2008
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! And a fine day it 'tis too.
Starting this week I'll be reviewing shops on Etsy.com. For those of you unaware, Etsy.com is a wonderful online venue for artists and crafters to sell their wares. It is therefore a wonderful place to shop!
Please check out the links to the right of my postings. There is a set of links to fabulous shops on Etsy. And as well a set of links to venues where my work can be seen.
I expect the first of my reviews will be posted on Thursday, March 20th so do check back in then.
The list of shops to be reviewed in the coming weeks is as follows (as of 11:00 am, March 17th):
Southampton Creations
Invoke Photography
From Japan With Love
Soapdeli
Handmade by Annabelle
Artnjoy
If you are a shop owner on Etsy and would like to be added to my list of upcoming shops to be reviewed please post here:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5522529
Ta Rah and Toodle d oo
Mau
Starting this week I'll be reviewing shops on Etsy.com. For those of you unaware, Etsy.com is a wonderful online venue for artists and crafters to sell their wares. It is therefore a wonderful place to shop!
Please check out the links to the right of my postings. There is a set of links to fabulous shops on Etsy. And as well a set of links to venues where my work can be seen.
I expect the first of my reviews will be posted on Thursday, March 20th so do check back in then.
The list of shops to be reviewed in the coming weeks is as follows (as of 11:00 am, March 17th):
Southampton Creations
Invoke Photography
From Japan With Love
Soapdeli
Handmade by Annabelle
Artnjoy
If you are a shop owner on Etsy and would like to be added to my list of upcoming shops to be reviewed please post here:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5522529
Ta Rah and Toodle d oo
Mau
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Spring is coming
Today the sun is shining and the temperature is 1 degree celsius. Not that warm really but oh it does feel like spring!
I've been working on several projects this week trying to get caught up before Easter. As Easter is early this year I'm burning the midnight candles. The pain in my legs has also been bad and has kept me from sleeping so having the projects to do helps to distract me from the pain.
Finished my butterfly and turquoise necklace last night. It has the tiniest little metal butterflies black seed beads, silver lined crystal seed beads, turquoise coloured bicones, clear bicones, silver lined bugles and turquoise coloured cat's eye balls. The butterflies are silver coloured and burnished with black. It has plenty of bling to it. It would be gorgeous as either daytime or nighttime wear.
Sally was very interested and was watching me closely as I beaded away. As I put the finishing touches on my iridescent ebead and butterfly necklace she came right over and was raising her paw to 'help me out' when I screeched. She also thought it might be fun to sit on my bead tray! LOL! This is a cat who won't sit on anyone's lap. Right!
I spent 3 hours working on a colonial fashion doll outfit (Barbie (C)tm). It is a pale dark blue. I want to say dusty blue. I finished the overskirt and crocheted a white picot edging around it. Still to go are the arms, neckline, underskirt and slip.
On the drawing board is a yorkie puppy. A lovely lady wearing a bright pink bow in ther forelocks. Charmed!
I've been exploring all the wonderful shops and people on We Love Etsy. What a talented group!
Keep on Crafting!
Mau
I've been working on several projects this week trying to get caught up before Easter. As Easter is early this year I'm burning the midnight candles. The pain in my legs has also been bad and has kept me from sleeping so having the projects to do helps to distract me from the pain.
Finished my butterfly and turquoise necklace last night. It has the tiniest little metal butterflies black seed beads, silver lined crystal seed beads, turquoise coloured bicones, clear bicones, silver lined bugles and turquoise coloured cat's eye balls. The butterflies are silver coloured and burnished with black. It has plenty of bling to it. It would be gorgeous as either daytime or nighttime wear.
Sally was very interested and was watching me closely as I beaded away. As I put the finishing touches on my iridescent ebead and butterfly necklace she came right over and was raising her paw to 'help me out' when I screeched. She also thought it might be fun to sit on my bead tray! LOL! This is a cat who won't sit on anyone's lap. Right!
I spent 3 hours working on a colonial fashion doll outfit (Barbie (C)tm). It is a pale dark blue. I want to say dusty blue. I finished the overskirt and crocheted a white picot edging around it. Still to go are the arms, neckline, underskirt and slip.
On the drawing board is a yorkie puppy. A lovely lady wearing a bright pink bow in ther forelocks. Charmed!
I've been exploring all the wonderful shops and people on We Love Etsy. What a talented group!
Keep on Crafting!
Mau
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Friday, August 31, 2007
ATCs I've received
Receiving ATCs is just as much fun as making and sending them out! Not only do you have cards to add to your collection, but you can learn so much from the different ways other artists have used to create them. I don't think I've received any made the same way twice.
The most recent set I've received came from Origami Grace. It was for a blind swap of 3/3. I loved them all. One of the cards was especially delightful. Grace created an origami heart, tied on a gold thread, then affixed this to the card as the centre point.
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The most recent set I've received came from Origami Grace. It was for a blind swap of 3/3. I loved them all. One of the cards was especially delightful. Grace created an origami heart, tied on a gold thread, then affixed this to the card as the centre point.
Technorati Profile
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Mini Art Pieces (ATCs/AECOs)
I decided it was time to try my hand at mini art pieces. For months now, I've been working in a larger size and then making mini prints. These are the first hand drawn mini originals. It was easier than I had at first thought it would be.
It was a matter of first sizing up the available space and then deciding what of my subject matter would fit. No different really from what I do with a larger space. Odd how we are sometimes our worst critic.
Here they are.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
3 Red Marbles ... A Story
I received this in an email today and wanted to share it. It may seem a little 'hokey' to some of you and it may be an 'urban myth' but I think it is still worth reading and sharing. The 'I' in the story is not me.
~~~
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.
Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
"Hello Barry, how are you today?"
"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good."
"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"
"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."
"Good. Anything I can help you with?"
"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."
"Would you like to take some home?" asked Mr. Miller.
"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."
"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"
"All I got's my prize marble here."
"Is that right? Let me see it" said Miller.
" Here 'tis. She's a dandy."
"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?" the store owner asked.
"Not zackley but almost."
"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble" . Mr. Miller told the boy.
"Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller."
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store."
I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.
Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.
"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt."
"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ."
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.
The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~
If you don't send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a hurry to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur.
~~~
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.
Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
"Hello Barry, how are you today?"
"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good."
"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"
"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."
"Good. Anything I can help you with?"
"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."
"Would you like to take some home?" asked Mr. Miller.
"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."
"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"
"All I got's my prize marble here."
"Is that right? Let me see it" said Miller.
" Here 'tis. She's a dandy."
"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?" the store owner asked.
"Not zackley but almost."
"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble" . Mr. Miller told the boy.
"Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller."
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store."
I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.
Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.
"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt."
"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ."
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.
The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~
A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself.
An unexpected phone call from an old friend.
Green stoplights on your way to work.
The fastest line at the grocery store.
A good sing-along song on the radio.
Your keys found right where you left them.
Send this to the people you'll never forget.
I (meaning me) just did...
If you don't send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a hurry to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER
THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
ATCs and AECOs - Color Pencils
I've been busy making ATCs and AECO's.
ATCs
ATC stands for Artist Trading Card. The idea for this comes from the sports trading cards many of us used to get for free in a pack of bubblegum. ATCs are created as an original work of art (hand drawn, painted, etc.), or collage, or by any other craft medium you can think of and/or also created as prints. The size for these is 2.5 x 3.5 inches. ATCs are not to be sold. They are intended only for trade or swapping from person to person.AECOsAECO stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. Again this appaarently originated on EBAY.
The main difference between ATCs and AECOs is that AECOs are not given away but are created with the intention for them to be sold.
Colour PencilsI think I may have finally gotten 'it' with this media. It is extremely time consuming and a big tip 'o' the hat goes out to all those who work in this media every day. It requires a huge amount of patience - patience to work on the painting and patience to keep sharpening those pencils!!!
I've tried 3 different kinds of pencil sharpeners - plastic, metal and battery operated. It is unbelievable how often the pencil leads break off when sharpening. With the cost of the pencils these days it just adds to the frustration.
The trick with these pencils is layers - many, many, many layers. I also used a solvent after the first 3 layers to blend the colours together. I used rubbing alcohol because that is what I have on hand. I used a q-tip and just a very light dab of the rubbing alcohol. I used it in such a small amount that any ill effects from the odor would be small. Others have used turpenoid. I don't know what this is but I have used turpentine and know that I can't use that.
Anyway, I was very pleased to finally have some success with this media. It didn't scan very well but here is a glimpse at my grapes in a bowl.
Cheers,
Mau
ATCs
ATC stands for Artist Trading Card. The idea for this comes from the sports trading cards many of us used to get for free in a pack of bubblegum. ATCs are created as an original work of art (hand drawn, painted, etc.), or collage, or by any other craft medium you can think of and/or also created as prints. The size for these is 2.5 x 3.5 inches. ATCs are not to be sold. They are intended only for trade or swapping from person to person.AECOsAECO stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. Again this appaarently originated on EBAY.
The main difference between ATCs and AECOs is that AECOs are not given away but are created with the intention for them to be sold.
Colour PencilsI think I may have finally gotten 'it' with this media. It is extremely time consuming and a big tip 'o' the hat goes out to all those who work in this media every day. It requires a huge amount of patience - patience to work on the painting and patience to keep sharpening those pencils!!!
I've tried 3 different kinds of pencil sharpeners - plastic, metal and battery operated. It is unbelievable how often the pencil leads break off when sharpening. With the cost of the pencils these days it just adds to the frustration.
The trick with these pencils is layers - many, many, many layers. I also used a solvent after the first 3 layers to blend the colours together. I used rubbing alcohol because that is what I have on hand. I used a q-tip and just a very light dab of the rubbing alcohol. I used it in such a small amount that any ill effects from the odor would be small. Others have used turpenoid. I don't know what this is but I have used turpentine and know that I can't use that.
Anyway, I was very pleased to finally have some success with this media. It didn't scan very well but here is a glimpse at my grapes in a bowl.
Cheers,
Mau
Thursday, July 12, 2007
From the drawing board - July '07
I've been busy making ATCs and AECO's.
ATCs
ATC stands for Artist Trading Card. The idea for this comes from the sports trading cards many of us used to get for free in a pack of bubblegum. ATCs are created as an original work of art (hand drawn, painted, etc.), or collage, or by any other craft medium you can think of and/or also created as prints. The size for these is 2.5 x 3.5 inches. ATCs are not to be sold. They are intended only for trade or swapping from person to person.
AECOs
AECO stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. Again this appaarently originated on EBAY.
AECOs
AECO stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. Again this appaarently originated on EBAY.
The main difference between ATCs and AECOs is that AECOs are not given away but are created with the intention for them to be sold.
Colour Pencils
I think I may have finally gotten 'it' with this media. It is extremely time consuming and a big tip 'o' the hat goes out to all those who work in this media every day. It requires a huge amount of patience - patience to work on the painting and patience to keep sharpening those pencils!!!
I think I may have finally gotten 'it' with this media. It is extremely time consuming and a big tip 'o' the hat goes out to all those who work in this media every day. It requires a huge amount of patience - patience to work on the painting and patience to keep sharpening those pencils!!!
I've tried 3 different kinds of pencil sharpeners - plastic, metal and battery operated. It is unbelievable how often the pencil leads break off when sharpening. With the cost of the pencils these days it just adds to the frustration.
The trick with these pencils is layers - many, many, many layers. I also used a solvent after the first 3 layers to blend the colours together. I used rubbing alcohol because that is what I have on hand. I used a q-tip and just a very light dab of the rubbing alcohol. I used it in such a small amount that any ill effects from the odor would be small. Others have used turpenoid. I don't know what this is but I have used turpentine and know that I can't use that.
Anyway, I was very pleased to finally have some success with this media. It didn't scan very well but here is a glimpse at my grapes in a bowl.
Cheers,
Mau
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