TEACHING IS LEARNING

HOW I LEARNED TO TEACH

When the opportunity for me to teach a workshop arose, I jumped at the chance. So quickly in fact, that I didn't really think about how I was going to do it. So, not unlike the bear that went over the mountain, I went to the internet - to see what I could see.

Lucky for me, there are many people out there who enjoy writing about what they do - what they're good at. One web page I found had pretty much all the answers I needed. Actually, this site has a ton of helpful information I use all the time. (Check out Rena Klingenberg's web site for great tips on running a successful jewelry making business.)

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My teaching space – tool kits, materials, inspiration in samples and magazines.

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DECIDE IF YOU’RE READY – ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

1. Do I like to teach, instruct, or stand up in front of a bunch of strangers (or even friends) and talk?

Okay, this is really public speaking, which let's face it, is the number one phobia in the world. I'm not a big fan of it BUT it is super easy when I know what I'm talking about. It's that simple. If I'm the expert, then I can talk about it all day long.

Here's a clue for you to know if you can speak in front of strangers: When you sell your creations, do you speak to potential customers about your work and how you are inspired and what materials you use? If the answer is 'yes' then you can teach a class of strangers.

And by the way, your students are not strangers for long. People come to a class like this on their own free will because they want to have fun - nobody's going to give you a hard time.

2. Do I have the patience to teach?

This is easy. You know if you do or if you don’t. I have two kids – yes, I have patience for miles.

3. Do I have the expertise to teach my craft?

Well, one might find it difficult to call oneself an expert, but consider this: Do you sell your jewelry? Do you get complimented on your techniques? Do other artists enjoy your work? Similar to patience, you know if you are an expert in what you are currently doing or not. That doesn’t mean you’re not still learning – how else are you going to grow as an artist?

4. Can I facilitate effectively?

I’m a planner. If I have a plan laid out in front of me that I can follow, then I know I can get back on track if the class gets side-tracked. And again, if I know what I’m talking about, then I know I can get my points across.

DOUBLE DUTY

Here are some instructor pointers I picked up from my recent PMC class. I basically observed how my teacher was instructing and I was learning a new skill at the same time. Man, I should have paid her double!

Introduce yourself – explain how you got to where you are and what you enjoy about it.

Student intros – ask participants what level they’re at and why they decided to take your class.

Tool time – have a tool kit for each student and go over them all before you begin so they can handle them.

Inspiration – with so many design options, help students decide what to create by showing them examples and having magazines available for them to peruse.

Demo – show how step one is done and then let them do it, repeat with each step.

Room to move – give students a reason to get up and move around – artists need freedom!

MY ADVICE

After teaching a couple of classes, I picked up some of my own pointers. Teachers often say they learn from their students, and it’s true.

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My two students, Mary Jane and Becky, proudly sporting their new creations!

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Test all new materials – even if they look exactly like what you’ve used in the past.

Know what time it is – get a watch or a clock for your teaching space.

Be flexible – even though a plan is important, realize things may change in mid-stream.

Ask questions – find out your students’ expectations.

So that’s it. Through this article, I hope I’ve been able to assist another artist who wishes to teach a workshop!

LOOKING FORWARD

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FANCY FREE ME

Instructing: Beaded Jewelry Design
Mud Spun Arts Center
Belchertown, MA
6-week Workshop - 7-9 pm
Wednesdays beginning July 9

Craft Show on the Common
Town Green
Belchertown, MA
Saturday, June 14 - 9am-4pm

Crafts on the Common
Town Green
Amherst, MA
Saturday, July 12 - 9am-5pm

Etsy Arts Festival
Marketplace at Eastworks
Easthampton, MA
Saturday, September 13 - 10am-5pm

*stART in the Street
Park Avenue, between Highland and Pleasant
Worcester, MA
Sunday, September 21 - 11am-5pm

Arts and Music Festival
Mud Spun Arts Center
Belchertown, MA
Sunday, October 12

Winter Festival
Marketplace at Eastworks
Easthampton, MA
Friday-Sunday, November 28-30 - 9am-5pm


*pending jury selection

HAVE YOU MADE A STATEMENT?

AN ARTIST'S STATEMENT, THAT IS...

Recently, I realized I needed an artist’s statement. Being a writer, I had to make it the best I possibly could. Only one problem - I didn't know where to begin. So I did a little research (I love you internet!) and collected these tips...

Explore you

Be honest

Don’t be a cliché

Use powerful words

Give yourself credit

Write in first person

It will evolve as you evolve

More specifically, I learned a neat process - a self-interviewing technique - that really helped me uncover what was most important to convey in my statement.

As a writer, I learned long ago to completely spill every thought out onto paper - with total disregard to spelling, grammar or completed thoughts. Then go back, fill in the blanks and rearrange it into a masterpiece.

It’s like carving a whistle out of a branch. Build up your branch until there’s nothing left to say. And then start whittling it down, making sense of it all and connecting thoughts and ideas. That’s how I write. And that’s pretty much what I found through my internet research on writing an artist’s statement.

Here are two sites I found that had the most comprehensive help for someone with my specific needs:

Lapidary Journal, The Business Side

Molly Gordon, Master Certified Coach

I hope you find them helpful!

P.S. Here’s my statement. It's a one-pager, intended for hard copy use. Let me know what you think, or better yet, share your statement with me by adding a comment to this article (click on the word "comments" at the end of this article).

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Deanna L. Roux
Jewelry Artist
Fancy Free Jewelry Design
P.O. Box 456
Belchertown, MA 01007

www.fancyfreeme.etsy.com
www.fancyfreeme.blogspot .com


ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I can't help it. Creative juice runs through me. I love to create! Among my original works of art are: written works (news articles, poetry, short stories, children's stories), glass murals, wall murals, acrylic paintings, watercolor paintings, collage art, tile paintings, storybooks and jewelry – my favorite wearable art.

For me, the best thing about creating artful pieces of jewelry is two-fold: one is the personal satisfaction I feel when creating something out of raw materials, using my own hands and imagination; the other is watching someone pick up a piece I’ve made and compliment me on it by asking how it was made and listening to the story behind it.

The recurring theme in my work is an organic design using organic materials. I don’t like plastic and faux jewelry. So I’ll never use anything but natural stones, glass, sterling silver, seashells, leather and paper – things that began in or on the earth. I love to work with natural, organic-looking stones – stones that have blemishes; tumbled stones that resemble the way they looked when they were found. When I place a strand of these stones on my skin, they somehow make me feel connected to the earth. I begin a piece by observing the materials and letting them guide my interpretation of their beauty. Sometimes I don’t see it and have to put it down. Sometimes it never works out, but it’s hard for me to give up trying.

The number three comforts me. My two sisters and I make up a power of three – separate and strong, yet intertwined. Some of my pieces use a tri-dangle – each a solid individual, but when combined, create a beautiful, unique unit. And many of my tri-dangles hang from a circle – for me, a symbol of coming around to a full rotation of thoughts and behaviors. When I end up back where I began, the journey has fed me in a way that broadens my thinking and changes my behavior.

When people see my work, I'd like them to know it is an extension of who I am and what I feel; that I’m tactically translating my emotions into something personal and tangible – offering it up for someone else to own.

My New Venture

Fancy Free Me is Showcased in New Salon

Station 5 Salon is a new hair salon in Belchertown that used to be a gas station – for over 50 years. Before that, it was the site of one of the country’s premiere horse-drawn carriage manufacturers.


Back in the late 1800’s the carriage-maker opened up for business and the carriages were shipped all over the country. Our little town had a big name, as there was a little metal plaque on each carriage that read “Made in Belchertown.”

Anyway, as usual, I digress.

The new salon is very modern, but it carries an old-fashioned gas station theme throughout. There are shiny, rolling tool chests at each cutting station. And there’s a huge garage door that opens up to a cute outdoor patio – where you relax while your hair is processing. And there are shop lights that hang from the rafters. It is so cool and unique.

But, again, I digress.

The lovely owner, Deborah Lowe, has agreed to show some of my pieces in the salon – so I put together this sleek display. What do you think about it?


I am so excited about all these new ventures in my home town!

Calling Etsy Artists

Organizing Fall Show Now

We're looking for some of Etsy's finest to show at a beautiful indoor venue in Easthampton, Mass. This will be an Etsy-only show to be held this fall. All the details have not yet been determined, but thought we'd get a jump start on at least finding interested artists. We'd love to find a wide range of artists working in all mediums. Please contact me if you are interested.

Date: Fall - possibly two days

Time: 10-5 - most likely

Venue: Marketplace at Eastworks (search my blog for 'eastworks' to learn more about the venue)

More Info: coming soon!

I've shown in this venue for over a year now and they are well-communicated shows. I always make about eight-to-ten times my booth fee. Won't you consider joining us?

GO OUT FOR A WALK - AN ART WALK

I've been invited to join Art Walk Easthampton. It's something I've been considering for a while but couldn't fit in. Last year I did more than 15 venues, including Marketplace@Eastworks, one of the stops on this walk and where I'll be showing.

This year I'm cutting back to just the finest art shows. So that's why I am officially signed up to show at this incredible event. It's the second Saturday of each month and is from 5-8 p.m. - perfect substitute for the (somewhat lathargic) movie scene.

More than a dozen venues host visual, musical and performance art in an energetic sampling of local, regional and national talent. You can explore Easthampton's best galleries, shops, restaurants, pubs, and music and theater venues.

Located on Pleasant Street in Easthampton, this amazing old refurbished factory building has an open floor plan and is home to artisan studios, retailers and residents. The first floor (street level) is where you'll find cute little shops and boutiques and where resident artisans show their wares.

ODDS AND ENDS

Drawing in a Winner

To attract some attention to my blog (and to the charity bracelet project), last December I had a drawing for those who joined my mailing list. But I needed to drive folks there.

So I hit the Etsy forums and proceeded to post the bracelet, my blog and my shop in any forum I could find (related or not). I did this for a few days until I received a lovely-worded e-mail from Etsy Admin stating that some people might consider this spam.

Luckily, I had already received a ton of hits so I gracefully and apologetically bowed out of the forums for a while. I sincerely didn't think of it as spam until the admin mentioned it and I am sorry if I annoyed any of you.

Anyhoo, I did have enough participants to hold an official drawing. A person by the name of S. Thompson won and chose one of my festive Holiday Bells On magnetic pins. Thanks to all for participating!

Writing for My Dinner

Woo-hoo! I am so excited to get a regular paycheck for something that I love to do - write! I've written and had published ten (or so) articles in my local paper, The Sentinel. It's a great little community paper. My articles are about local businesses that have either just started out or have major change afoot. I enjoy getting to know the people behind the business and sharing, through my article, what made them who they are.

I Gotta Get the Numbas!

"Did you do the numbers yet?" "Are you gonna get me the numbers this weekend?" The numbers. The numbers. The numbers!! Argh! I hate numbers. It's not that I can't do it. It's just that it's such a process!! But yes, I finally did it. I figured out what Fancy Free Me spent last year - all the Etsy and Paypal fees, post office costs, jewelry supplies, event costs. And all that we took in - customer sales at shows, Etsy, gallery venues - all of it!


I got him (my sweet, bean-counting hubby) the numbas! Phewf.

So you wanna know? How'd I do in 2007? Well, I can only say this, I had a 200% growth rate. That's good right?!

Here are some numbers I can share:

2 - number of galleries that represent my work

17 - number of times I packed up my gig, showed, sold and packed it all back up and brought it home.

72 - number of merchants, venues, artists I paid for goods, fees or services

175 - number of revenue sources - customers, sales, etc.

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR................... ARTIST DEBORAH SPRAGUE.........

ARTIST BACKGROUND

Deborah grew up watching over her two younger sisters. Her family moved quite a bit when she was young – from coast to coast and back again – until they settled into a small New England town. She spent her high school years in that small town and made many special friends.

Deborah has two handsome boys – one currently in Army Special Ops Training and one studying to be a fire fighter. She has spent the past several (almost ten) years with a wonderful man, with whom she recently exchanged wedding vows.

Anyone who knows her would say Deborah has a passionate and caring spirit. Always a good friend, she’s willing to lend an ear or a hand whenever needed. Her character has lended itself to her art. Deborah’s paintings reveal her emotions and point of view in a very pure way. Her art is not guided by technical strokes or channeling other artists. It’s guided by what’s inside.

I hope you enjoy the words and art of my beautiful sister, Deborah Sprague.

IN HER OWN WORDS

droux: When did you realize you were an artist?

dlsprague: My first love comes from appreciating nature and the beauty in it, and the feeling that it brings to me. I never thought of myself as being creative or talented, but envied those who are. When my children were older I had some time on my hands to spend in museums and galleries with the new love of my life. I found that the feeling I would get when looking at a beautiful piece of art was the same as when I was in nature. It was a real connection for me. I figured what the heck, I'll purchase some supplies and try it out. I just wanted the feeling of creating. I wasn’t expecting perfection or anything. It was really about the process - a journey. From there, my husband encouraged me to continue and gave me art lessons at the Boston MFA as a birthday gift. It was so inspiring to be surrounded by great works and then to be surrounded by other students who were also learning. I continued to take classes in oil and pastel. Some day, I hope to think of myself as an artist - but I love the journey.

droux: Where do you find inspiration?

dlsprague: I find my inspiration in nature; I love the colors of the natural world - the greens, golds, blues and the reds. I love to look at other artists' work; I love texture and thick brush strokes and vivid colors

droux: What was the first piece of art you ever created?

dlsprague: When I was about eight, I made a puppet out of paper and crayons for my little sister for Christmas. I loved giving it to her.

droux: What is your favorite medium?

dlsprague: That’s a hard question. I recently learned to paint with pastel so that is what I'm doing right now the most. I love the intense colors you get with pastel and the fact that I can leave it out and work on a piece when I can get to it. I love oils too; how you can put it on thick and be creative with mixing your colors. AND I really enjoy doing mixed media pieces with acrylic. This technique opens the door to doing pieces that are so different.

droux: How do you feel about parting with your art?

dlsprague: First I get nervous. I hope the person I give a piece to really likes it or at least appreciates it. When I'm doing a piece, if I know I'm giving it to someone in particular, I really think a lot about that person when I'm working on it. Since I don't live right next door to my family, it is a nice way to stay in touch - even if it is only in my mind. I love to give my art to my husband. He really loves my work and that I express myself in this way.

Deborah lives in New Hampshire with her husband Wayne, her two boys (when they're not at school, working or in training), and their black lab, Summer.

Coming Soon: Look for her art on display at my Etsy shop!

Invitation: Please leave a comment and tell me what you think about Deborah's art seen above (first two are pastels; last one is oil) - you can click on the photos to enlarge.

Mud Spun Arts Center Opens in Belchertown

What is this? Deanna Roux, instructor?

Yes, that's what I said, sista (or brotha - whatever the case may be).

Okay, slow down droux. You're getting a little ahead of yourself. Do you want the long version or the short version? ... Just what I figured. Fine, short version it is.

A woman, by the name of Becky Laliberte (a mom and a potter), decided to open an arts center in our sweet little town called Mud Spun Arts Center. She carved out a spot in a building she owns - really a strip mall. (P.S. It's the same strip mall where my kids take music lessons and I had put my business card up on the music shop's bulletin board.)

Becky lined up several artists to instruct 6-week workshops for adults. She was looking to fill a jewelry making slot when she came across my business card at the music shop.

See, I can do short version.

The arts center is currently conducting open registration for the following:

~Elements of Drawing
~Clay Tile Making
~Beaded Jewelry Design
~Woodcarving

Mud Spun also offers:

~"Clay with Us" Get Together
~Individual Potter's Wheel Instruction
~Art Camp for Kids
~Oil Painting Workshop

Check out the Mud Spun registration form for all the details, including dates, times, and very reasonable prices.

Oh, and did I tell you? I'm instructing a workshop!

It's been a while...

I really need to catch you up on things around here. I think I'll give you a short list now and then a few full-blown articles in the next week or two.

Bob and I at the DCU Center, Worcester, MA 12/09/07

HOLIDAY ARTS HAPPENING

I'll start with the HUGE art show by stART on the Street at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA on December 9. Their shows are so well-organized and this one was set right before the holidays in a very popular venue with the Boston Pops on hand. Wow! So what was so huge about it? My expectations. Great people, low turnout. But ma hubby was there to keep me smiling!

HARMONY OUTREACH DONATION

My husband, Bob, and I - along with about 30 people from around the country - were able to donate a nice bit to Harmony Outreach this holiday season. Our bracelet project is still going strong - but with a change. A portion of the proceeds will go to sponsor a child at Harmony Family House. I'll be sending out a summary to all who participated and of course write about it here as well.

ON TAP FOR 2008

A few things I'll be focusing on this year:

~taxes (ugh!) - I need a system
~show schedule - only the best of 2007
~collaboration - with my sister Deborah
~gallery/boutique presence - I have some new contacts
~skill enhancement - precious metal clay, silversmithing
~new products - fun ideas coming
~writing - my local newspaper and my blog

I'm looking forward to getting back out to shows and meeting new people. That's what keeps me going.

I wish you and your family a healthy and safe new year!!

WRITING FOR AN ONLINE AUDIENCE

by Deanna Roux, published in The Storque, Etsy.com

My last job was for a corporate communications department - in employee communications. I was assistant editor for an employee magazine and online publisher for an employee intranet. I have some good info to share that I think you can use for writing up shop listings and blogs.

Let me begin by saying this – I’m not done learning. Times change, technology changes, and peoples’ needs change. Things are always evolving and you have to keep up if you want to stand out.

With that said, here’s where we were last I checked.

What’s In It For me?

People have little time and even less patience. Readers want to know “what’s in it for me?” in the first few seconds, otherwise they‘ll move on. Potential customers are consumers of your writing. Wow them with your art, but grab them with your voice first. And don’t wait until the end of your blog post to present a call to action (e.g. sign up, join, visit me, etc.).

Write As If Your Audience Doesn’t Know Anything

You are the expert of what you create. You know the size, length, and dimensions. You know the materials and components. Your words should tell the story your photos can’t. Don’t make them search. A shopper wants to know if it’s sterling silver or plated; cotton or rayon; and porcelain or ceramic.

KISS – Keep It Simple And Short

Yes, you need details, but don’t overwhelm the reader right to the nearest exit. Reserve space for sharing your personal views, techniques and inspirations. Go back and read what you wrote. Remove big words used only to impress and information that is redundant. Don’t drown your clever cut of meat with too much gravy.

Trick: Don't know all the ins and outs of Photoshp? Create a simple box with text and clipart in Word or PowerPoint - then paste it into a new Photoshop doc. Now just "save as" a .jpg.

Speed Bumps

It’s your job to slow the online eye. Give your reader something to stumble upon. Instead of using a large block of text, break it up. Use bullets to make a list easier to read. Use caps and/or boldface to make subtitles in your post pop. The use of whitespace will give the eye a break and it’ll make your blurb easier to read.

So what do you think? Are you up for the challenge? The challenge is not “writing.” The challenge is “taming the writer within.” So here’s your whip and here’s your chair. Now go tame.

Gifts That Give Twice Are Twice As Nice

My fellow Etsian, Phyllis Mufson, and I have quite a few things in common.

First, she is super busy being crafty, like many of us indie artisans. But she kicks it up a notch with TWO Etsy shops! One (Personal Treasures) with very high-end, gorgeous jewelry featuring quality gemstones in silver and gold. And another (Mufi Jewels) featuring equally stunning pieces with a more casual appeal.

Phyllis also blogs, like ma-self. Her blog is dedicatd to creative people and the creative process. On her blog, she features other artists and is currently showcasing a group of crafters who create for the good of others.

Check out her blog to see the many Etsians (like Phyllis and me) who are creating Gifts That Give Twice. Shop these artists this holiday season and your purchase will benefit all kinds of global groups including those who support children, breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, leukemia, animals and eating disorders.

Harmony Outreach Bracelet Project

This gorgeous bracelet has a very special meaning. It’s a symbol for anyone who is lucky enough and blessed enough to have built their family by adopting a child – more specifically, a child from China.

This bracelet is custom made to fit a specific wrist – either adult or child. When you purchase the bracelet, I will contact you for measurements.

100% of the proceeds from the sale of these bracelets will go to Harmony Outreach, a 501(c) (3), non-profit organization.

Harmony Outreach helps to save abandoned babies and children in China by ensuring they receive the medical treatment, therapy or schooling they need while they complete their journey from abandonment and hopelessness to redemption and love.

They do this through Harmony's “Three Steps to Hope” program:

• Step one is foster care – the child is cared for in a loving home setting at Harmony Family House.
  
• Step two is surgery – the child’s special needs conditions are corrected.
  
• Step three is adoption – the child graduates from the program and is adopted into a loving family!

The significance of each element of the bracelet is explained below:

• GENUINE GARNET BEADS – The Chinese believe that an invisible red thread connects a child to loved ones throughout their life. The color red has become a symbol of Chinese adoption and safe travel.
  
• STERLING SILVER CHINESE FAMILY SYMBOL BEAD – The Chinese symbol for Family is the focal bead in this bracelet and the focal desire for so many who come to adopt a child.
  
• STERLING SILVER LADYBUG – The ladybug has been a symbol for good luck and Chinese adoptions for the past several years. Among the adoption community, a sighting of a ladybug means your child was born or perhaps the referral stork is in his flight.
  
• STERLING SILVER HEART CLASP – The heart represents the love you will or currently do share with your special adopted child and your family.
  
• STERLING SILVER HOPE CHARM – This charm symbolizes the hope you have in your heart that you will find a child and your child will find you. It also stands for the hope that we share for all children who need a family to love them. Additionally, the hope charm represents Harmony Outreach's Three Steps to Hope.

I was approached -- via my Etsy shop, by a potential mom, Rachel Meyers, of a potentially adopted child from China -- to help Harmony Outreach … please read my original post to learn more.

LUCKY BUG

The ladybug is a symbol of good luck in most countries. As a child who grew up in the US, I was taught if a ladybug lands on you, make a wish and blow her away saying “fly away home.” And, among the adoption community, a sighting of a ladybug means your child was born or perhaps the referral stork is in his flight. Either way, a sighting of that spotted beetle is lucky.

LADYBUG LORE

In the Middle Ages, in Europe, insects were destroying the crops. The Catholic farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary for help. Soon the Asian beetle came and ate the aphids. The farmers began calling the insect ‘Beetles of Our Lady’ - eventually known as ‘Lady Beetles’- then ‘Lady Bugs.’ It is recorded that the red wings represented the Virgin’s cloak and the black spots represented her joys and sorrows.

It was a much later invasion that forever connected the ladybug to the Chinese adoption community. In 1998, there was a delay in referrals. That was the summer that much of the US had an invasion of ladybugs. Immediately after, referrals poured in with larger numbers than ever. So, there is a solid foundation for the lore.

WHY CHINA?

Chinese adoptions are becoming increasingly popular in the US; American families choose to adopt from China more often than from any other country. In fact, since 1992, more than 50,000 Chinese orphans have been placed with American families.

Adoptive parents consistently cite the same reasons for choosing to adopt from China.

• Chinese children are generally very healthy and well cared for.
• Both girls and boys available.
• There are many waiting children with special needs available.After 3 months, all parental rights of birth parents are severed, and all rights revert to adoptive parents.
• Adoptive Parents need only make one trip to China.
• Adoption can be finalized while in China if both parents are present.
• Chinese adoptions are very affordable compared with other international adoptions.
• Travel conditions in China are extremely safe.

WANT MORE?

Harmony Outreach:
http://www.harmonyoutreach.org/index.cfm

Adoption process:
http://www.harmonyoutreach.org/index.cfm?pg=doc&id=188

Adoption info and resources:
http://www.harmonyoutreach.org/index.cfm?pg=doc&id=153

Featured Etsy Shop - Coconut Palm Designs

Coconut Palm Designs offers art with a tropical flair. Joanne, owner of this spicy Etsy shop, is a Canadian living in Belize, Central America. She’s an artist working in a variety of mediums, a graphic designer and now a woodworker.

Designing signs is her newest crafting passion but art has been in her blood since birth. The colors and designs of many of her pieces are rich and vibrant in color and point of view.

I’ve chosen to showcase Joanne’s amazing ACEO art. But first, let’s have a little lesson on ACEO art.

I didn’t fully understand this particular craze among artists until I went on a little online hunt. Here’s what I found out:

• ACEO stands for “art card, editions and originals.”
• They started out as ATCs or “artist trading cards” and were traded among artists.
• Artists realized this was an opportunity for the public to share in the fun, thus ACEOs were created.
• They’re individual art miniatures which pass hand to hand.
• The only standard requirement is that it measures 2.5" x 3.5”.
• It’s basically a way for the average person to own some art, at the same time offering exposure for the artist.

Okay, now that we have that out of the way, here’re the goods:

This ACEO (above) is an original pencil crayon illustration of a red eye tree frog (Agalichnis callindyas). These frogs breed in isolated ponds in lowland forest habitats. It is drawn on watercolor paper and is signed and dated on the back.

This ACEO (above) is an original drawing of a wildflower that grows in Belize. It is drawn on watercolor paper and colored with pencil crayons. It is signed and dated on the back.

This ACEO (above) is an original acrylic abstract painting done in primary colors and edged with black marker. It is done on watercolor paper and signed and dated on the back.

Want more?

Visit her blog.

Visit her Etsy Shop.

Featured Etsy Shop - Mommy and Me Boutique

Many have featured the gorgeous items in The Mommy and Me Boutique. The shop boasts a variety of high end aprons and skirts for mom and daughter, plus some adorable baby bibs and burp clothes.

As I visited this sweet little Etsy shop I was transported straight into a chic fashion show. The photos are as classy as the items themselves.

I’ve chosen to highlight these three aprons for the domestic fashionista.

“Welcome to my kitchen. Can I whip you up a five-layer butter cream cake?” That’s what you will feel like in this rich looking color block apron with its heavy grosgrain ribbon sash.

This apron screams “I can bring home the bacon AND wrap it around some scallops AND pour you some pinot before you can say FLIR-tee.” Everyone will love love love this.

Put this one on and you’re going to feel like baking up a batch of biscotti. “Anyone up for some cappuccino and some chatty catch-up?”

No matter which one you may choose, these aprons will make you feel like a W-O-M-A-N. Very feminine and very capable.

Want more?

Visit her Etsy shop.

Visit her blog.

Featured Etsy Shop - Kreative Mindz

Kreative Mindz is comprised of three individuals. Aly and Beau are a husband and wife team, supporting each other through love, laughter and creativity. An-G is one of Aly's best friends, who is a wonderful seamstress and enjoys sewing in her free time, when she isn't being a vet.

Together, the three of them make funky clothing, kicked up accessories, rockin’ hair wraps, soothing hot packs, bags, purses, wallets, and just about any other thing their creativity and sewing machine will allow.

In addition, Beau is a skilled craftsman and carpenter, so they’ve got some awesome wooden boxes and other wood features in their shop.

I chose to highlight these two beautiful artful pieces. They remind me of Kreative Mindz’s shop, work and the general feeling they exude – organic and natural.

The first one above, titled The Autumn Harvest, uses different fabrics consisting of organic cottons, batik cottons, hand dyed canvas and a piece of vintage upholstery fabric for the moon. It was appliquéd together with different colors of embroidery thread.

This gorgeous piece (left) is an Elemental Cloth, representing the water element, which can be used as a meditation wall hanging or altar cloth. It’s made with hand-dyed cotton muslin and a printed cotton blend fabric. It’s embellished with beads, stones and an abalone shell and has a pocket for intentions (or anything else you would like to use it for).

Aly and company have more of these fantastic elemental clothes in their shop – each representing respectively earth, mineral, nature and fire. These particular elements are derived from the African culture. Here’s how you determine which element you are. It goes by the last digit in your birth year ... Earth : 0 or 5, Water : 1 or 6, Fire : 2 or 7, Nature : 3 or 8 and Mineral : 4 or 9.

Want more?

• Visit Kreative Mindz Etsy shop.
• Visit Kreative Mindz blog.

Reach Out With Harmony Outreach

Harmony Outreach is an organization that helps to save abandoned babies and children in China by ensuring they receive the medical treatment, therapy or schooling they need while they complete their journey from abandonment and hopelessness to redemption and love ... learn more.

Harmony Outreach is run by a husband and wife team, Lisa and John Bentley ... learn more.

They need help raising money to pay for Harmony House, where the children are cared for by a local Chinese family who act as their house parents until they're adopted ... learn more.

You can help by sponsoring a child ... learn more.

Featured Etsy Shop - Indigo Luna

Rachel Kitterman of Indigo Luna is a self-described art addict. Her primary passion is fabric and she’s been making art quilts and dolls for over a decade now.

Other mediums she enjoys are paper, altered art, mixed-media, knitting, crocheting, jewelry, artist books and photography. She says, “Pretty much, if it will hold still, I'll make art out of it!”

Rachel also loves to write and she does a great job at it too! So, below you’ll learn more about Rachel, in her own words (from her Etsy Profile).

What if?

“I have always been an artist. I have always drawn, cut, pasted, painted, collected, sewn, written and dreamed. I have been driven by the question, ‘What if?’ (and fighting against its archenemy, ‘That won’t work!’)”

I like a good hat

"Among other things, I am a sign language interpreter, an energy worker, a minister, a blogger, a wife to a wonderful and creative man, and a mother to two wild and amazing little girls. All of these roles shape and change and inform my art.”

Inspiration abounds

“I am a 5th generation Oregonian. This lush and verdant environment is in my blood. I grew up in a valley surrounded by tree-covered hills. I memorized the names of flowers as a child. I picked baskets full of mushrooms in the damp woods and studied moss and built forts inside of blackberry thickets.”

Art-complished

Rachel’s work has appeared on the cover of the 2005 Quilting Arts Calender, in Artella Magazine, Art/Quilt Magazine, Fiberarts Design Book 6.

Rachel is also member of Etsy’s EarthPath Artisans Street Team (E.A.S.T.).

Want more?

Visit Rachel’s Etsy shop, Indigo Luna.
Check out Rachel’s blog.

Happy Boo-thday

I just found out there's a birthday page for Etsian's. Geez, they think of everything, those Etsy makers.

There are 164 Etsy members who are celebrating a birthday today! Happy birthday - hope you get lots of treats.

Check it out...right here.

Featured Artist – Creative Sundries

Creative Sundries is a mother (Carol) and daughter (Sarah) working team who have an obsession for things of the past. Below, we have four examples of their passion.

I love the way they took the car fuses and made them into earrings. But some items are perfect just the way they are, like the glass owl bank. And then, sometimes they create new items from scratch, like the crocheted cuff. Then there’s always the find that sort of (re)creates itself, like the plastic slide necklace.

No matter what you admire about their work, I’m sure you’ll agree that it is unique and will make a statement in your home or on your person.

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR CREATIVE SUNDRIES

Inspiration?
Carol and Sarah take inspiration from whatever catches their eye. They seek and find many different types of treasures that they take back to their studio and repurpose, recycle and/or alter.

Favorite materials?

• plastic charms
• vintage game pieces
• odd papers
• Loteria (Mexican lotto) cards
• images from kitschy cookbooks
• vintage children's books
• glass
• sterling silver
• buttons

Still to learn?

• stained glass
• soldered pendants
• copper and other metalwork and jewelry
• crochet

Can't live without?

• mod podge
• scissors
• glue sticks

Shoutout?
“We're thankful to have each other's encouragement, and have found awesome support and friendship through the Etsy Minnesota street team.”

Please visit Creative Sundries on:

Etsy

Blogger

Indiepublic