Season's Change Second Edition...Spring Week 2

For a whole year I will try to find the awesomeness included in all four seasons,

perhaps the weather or a nature shot...

maybe display the holidays in turn

who knows?

The sky is the limit.

Even the smallest simplest flower can make

a path, a trail or a sidewalk nicer to walk or ride your bike on.

Just a little bit of color, that's all is needed.

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The many ways of waiting

Last week it was parent-teacher conferences at school.  Luckily I didn't have any conferences meaning that my kids are at grade level.  That's a relief.  It also meant that Sophia got out early and like we've done it before we had to wait and wait.  

I can only thought of taking a little nap sitting in the truck or Xavi doing a little homework, yeah right!  Xavi had other things in mind. Sometimes I hate it that I am always thinking like a mom I need to be more flexible and relax at times.

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Featured artist: Susannah from SusannahTuckerPhotography

 Please Meet Susannah From SusannahTuckerPhotography

1. Tell us as little or as much as you would like about yourself.
My name is Susannah, and I love to create. I love to take photos, and then process them with textures, adding layers and words to create whimsical images. I love to then find a way to make them useful or pretty, not just as a photo but as part of an object. I love the colour blue. I love coffee, and chocolate, and a glass of wine at 5pm on Friday. I love snuggling on the couch and watching a movie with the kids. I love how much my daughter loves to draw. I love listening to my little guy come up with things he knows will make us laugh. I love watching my husband play drums.I love the beach, and swimming in a pool. I love Melbourne. I love where we now live – small town New Zealand.

Susannah's Little guy!

2. What do you sell?
I sell prints, photo blocks, note cards/postcards, and now jewellery through 2 collaborations/license agreements – Heart Works by Lori in the States, and Eden Ripley here in New Zealand.

Susannah's studio

3. What type of photography do you specialize in (for example, photojournalism, action photography, fashion photography, art photography, travel photography, portraiture photography)? Why does that type of photography interest you?
I specialize in fine art photography, which interests me as I get to work at my own pace, and have control over most aspects. I have a vision of the shots I would like, and I can make that happen.

Fine Art Photography

4. Where does your inspiration to create come from and/or your inspiration in life?
It comes from so many places, sometimes predictable, sometimes random – when the sky is blue, flowers at dusk, hot air balloons and other whimsical delights, magazines, peoples houses. A lot of it comes from things my children say and/or do. The photo ‘Today would be a lovely day to be a butterfly’ comes from a walk when Annabel was younger and we were out enjoying the sun. ‘i love you to the stars and moon and flowers and fairies’ photo is something Annabel whispered to me in the middle of the night.


5. Besides creating what else do you do? Do you have a full time job?
I am a full time Mum to 2 wonderful little people. Annabel is 5, so in school, and Otis is nearly 3 and will be off to Kindy soon, so I will have some time then to dedicate properly to work on my photography part time.

Hot Air ballons

6. When did you start thinking you were an artist?
I actually still struggle with calling myself an artist. At what point do we get to sit back and feel we have earned that title? I think being self taught and having no degree or diploma in photography, no piece of paper that officially states ‘you are an artist/photographer’, I might struggle on confidence a bit. I like to think more of myself as creative – and I have been creative since I was a child. Carving my name into furniture, writing on the walls, then graduating to learning cross stitch in front of the TV, and on to art at high school, taking photos as I travelled around London and Europe on my big OE in my 20’s, I didn’t seriously start thinking about selling my photos until 2008.

7. Who has been most influential in your craft work?
I think one thing I will always remember is something a most admired photographer {Fleur Wickes - www.fleurwickes.co.nz} said to me. It was about 10 years ago, and I was working as her assistant on a wedding. We were in the car driving to the wedding, chatting (well, she chatted, I was so nervous I think I said the odd sentence here and there!), and she said to me ‘ I think you would be really good at it (photography)’. Fleur was so encouraging, and to hear that from a photographer who is so talented and successful, well, I have always held that close.

Photo Locket Necklace

8. Where would you like to be in five years?
On a photo assignment of some sort in New York City!

9. Is there anything you'd like to try doing that you haven't done?
crafts, sports, life in general?
I would LOVE to learn how to sew! I have started a fabric collection, and dream about things I could make, but daydreaming and actually being able to create are very different things!

10. Besides online where else do you sell?
I sell at local markets, through Society 6 ( a website I adore!), to a few shops in Australia and Spain, and I license a selection of images to a wonderful company here in NZ, Eden Ripley, that stocks my work as jewellery, fine art prints and photo blocks to retailers in NZ.

 ways to contact you: 

* shop * website * blog * Facebook * email *

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Georgina is here!

Georgina is here! No, not my new baby niece. 

I have been working on a new project for my sister's baby girl.  I found a series of videos on YouTube on how to read patterns because truth be told I don't know how to read them.  So I found a great easy to follow amigurumi  giraffe tutorial.  Now the original Georgina (that's what they call her in the tutorial) is yellow with orange spots but I am one to think that colors are just colors and I wanted a pink giraffe.

It took me several days to complete her, as I worked on her on parts.  Lots of body parts, Frankenstein? maybe.  At the beginning she looked to me more like an octopus. Little by little she started to get a shape. She has a thicker neck than she should and I won't deny that she might have lost a stitch here and there or have an extra one here or there.  Now little Miss Georgina has trouble sitting and I believe her tail is higher than it should be. But since this is my very first try at reading patterns, first try at amigurumi and  a gift for  the new family addition 

Georgina is very special. 

 

Since she is very delicate I will advise for her to sit on a high place and enjoy the view. I do have to tell you that I love the snapshot of the little tail.

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Season's Change Second Edition...Spring Week 1

For a whole year I will try to find the awesomeness included in all four seasons,

perhaps the weather or a nature shot...

maybe display the holidays in turn

who knows?

The sky is the limit.

Spring is here!  One of my favorite season's (the other one is Fall) 
Have you tackled your Spring cleaning yet?
I am in the midst of it.  Happy Spring to you all.

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Morning Laughs...baby switching? maybe?

During school days morning time is precious here in this household.

The kids go to bed at 8:00 pm I wake up them up at 6:00 am early enough so that we have enough time to get ready. I really really hate rushing and being late.  Inevitable there is always the hurry up factor specially with Xavi "put your shoes on" "let me comb your hair" "eat your breakfast" "don't forget your jacket"... "and backpack"

Lately Sophia has been very understanding and has taken sort of like a mothering role towards Xavi.  Whenever I say something to him and he is in lalaland, she says something like "Xavi listen to mom" or "did you hear what mom said"

But this morning frustration came upon her and asked me "mom are you sure they didn't switch babies at the hospital?"  because if they did (here picture Sophia snapping her fingers with an attitude) We can go right now and get the little sister I asked for!!

 I am sure they didn't switch babies I answered and asked her to hold the pose I needed to get a picture!

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Worth the pain

I've got so used to shaving my legs...or not shaving at times.

I do have to confess.
It's been so long since I waxed.

This morning I used a hair removal wax kit to wax my legs.

Only one word to say:

OUCH!!!

via

But I won't complain much because after 

the pain the results are great.  

Now I need some color on these legs of mine! ;)

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Featured artist: Linda from Artsysewin

This Monday I bring you Linda  from Arstysewin she also has another shop Glasstortoise

Please read on and enjoy this interview!

1. Tell us as little or as much as you would like about yourself.
My name is Linda and I live with my husband in the desert of central Washington State. We moved here from Portland, OR, which I love and miss like crazy, about 6 years ago. I have, though, learned to appreciate the uniqueness of the desert in comparison with green dampness of Portland.

 Linda

2. What do you sell?
I have two Etsy shops. In one shop, GlassTortoise, I sell my handmade glass and beaded jewelry items. I have worked in glass – stained, fused, lamp work – for many years. I love seeing the glass melt and take on a different form and color. I create glass beads to use in the jewelry I make and sell. I also slump recycled bottles into spoon rests and trays. I also create many focal beads and other glass and bead items.
In my other Etsy shop, Artsy Sewin’, I sell handmade recycled felted wool and needle felted items, and doll clothes for Asian ball-jointed dolls and high fashion tonner dolls – these are collector dolls, not toy dolls. I also sell handmade needle worked items

Felted recycled Wool Stuffed Bear

3. Why handmade?
I love handmade items, receiving and giving them. I think there is something very special about a person taking the time to hand make something for someone else. It takes a lot more thought and planning than running into a store and buying whatever is on sale.

4. Where does your inspiration to create come from and/or your inspiration in life?
I get inspiration from everything around me - from the colors of nature and the changes of the seasons to taking notice of what others are creating. I spent many hours when I was a little girl drawing and painting my own paper dolls and then, when I was older, making my own clothes. To me, someone’s birthday or Christmas, was an excuse to create something homemade for everyone.




5. Besides creating what else do you do? Do you have a full time job?
I have spent the last 20 years working as a legal assistant, but am now pretty much retired and finally have much more time to spend on my love of creating and working on my Etsy and Artfire sites.

Blue Glass Beads, Faceted Rondelle, Silver Beads Bracelet

6. When did you start thinking you were an artist?
Art has always been a part of my life in some way or another. I took art classes every chance I got and have always expressed my art and creativeness in any way possible. I think I have always been an artist.

7. Who has been most influential in your craft work?
My mother was probably the first person to get me attracted to making things. She certainly gave me my first sewing lessons when I was very young and encouraged me always to be creative. My daughter now gives me inspiration in the art she creates.

8. Where would you like to be in five years?
In five years I am hoping to be healthy and creating and producing beautiful artful items and enjoying my family.

Soft Sculpture Stuffed Doll

9. Is there anything you’d like to try doing that you haven’t done? Crafts, sports, life in general?
I am constantly seeing new crafts or thinking of new ideas that I want to try.

Grey and Multicolor Wool Recycled Sweater Bag with Flowers

10. Besides online where else do you sell?
I sell on Etsy and Artfire and spent last summer selling at the local farmer’s market.

Ways to contact me:

 *shop * shop* shop* facebook* twitter* email * email *

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Season's Change Second Edition...Winter Week 12

For a whole year I will try to find the awesomeness included in all four seasons,

perhaps the weather or a nature shot...

maybe display the holidays in turn

who knows?

The sky is the limit.

Last Thursday of Winter, as if it ever came but oh well!

This picture reminds me of the TV drama series "The little House on the Prairie"  Laura Ingalls was my favorite.

12 weeks out of 13 I didn't do that bad 
this section of the series wouldn't you say?

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First Date

Today exactly thirteen years ago I went out on a first date with whom today is my husband.
One of the first things he learned about me when he asked me out was that I don't dance.
Hey! I had to tell him straight out I-DO-NOT-DANCE I told him no clubs or alcoholic drinks for me.
I was 26 yrs old weird you might think no?? 

So I picked the place, Corvette's Dinner in San Diego a burger joint with humongous and delicious chocolate shakes and greasy fries.  The waitresses are dressed in 50's gear, throw straws at your table  and often dance. I remember glancing at the  menu  laughing at the thought of eating 'The Rory burger'  a burger with peanut butter and bacon.  Of course the guy wanted to impress me and he ordered it.  I remember he said it was quite good!  Now I don't know if it was true or not.

Sophia and Xavi like it when I tell them these kind of stories like  how me and their dad met.  Or their birth stories I guess one day I will blog about them I repeat them time after time on their birthday's.  Have I told you that Sophia likes perusing through this blog over and over? and so does Xavi he likes the pictures the most.

Back to the story, we really didn't date much as we married in 5 months.  He is a man with a strong character not easily influenced in fact he is not influenced by anybody at all and me...well :/  He lacks patience and I have much more than he does.  He likes watching zombie movies and falls asleep on chick flicks.  We are different in many ways but complement each other in so many others.

I have experimented so many different things by his side like my first non virgin margarita and my first shot of tequila which was actually on my last Birthday.  Now I sip on a glass of wine once in a while.  He has taught me so many different things and I am pretty sure he has learned from me too (like not wasting toothpaste ah! I remember as we were newly weds I gave him a lesson on not wasting). He has helped me and protected me in this dog-eat-dog-world.

We might not agree on everything but we have learned to compromise most of the time.  Over the years we have grown together.  We have experienced triumphs and cried over defeats.  Although I do not take this date as an anniversary I remember it from time to time.  The question is does he remembers it??  you know the specific date and the details I doubt it...he would say "I did not try a burger with peanut butter!" he has a bad memory Oh I know he tried it!

In his words "one of his all time favorite songs" is this: Ball and Chain from Social Distortion



When I really had a chance I listened to it while reading the lyrics I asked him do you feel that way? (I was getting worried there for a minute) no he said I just like it.  And  if you listen to it you just can't help but sign to it.

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Featured artist: Judy from JudyBFreeman

Today I'd like you to meet Judy from  JudyBFreeman and her whimsical and colorful ceramic and pottery creations!  Enjoy the interview my dear readers.

1. Tell us as little or as much as you would like about yourself.
At the core of my heart I am a ceramic artist and potter. Some days all I want to do is throw on the potter's wheel. I don't really care what I'm throwing, just that I'm focused on the clay going around in circles on the wheel. Other days I'm working more as a sculptor creating animals and fish and then I have other days that I'm concentrating on glazing. I've been doing all of this since college, where I fell in love with clay work. I had the right teacher that gave me the right nudge in the right direction. It's been over 30 years and I still get a kick out of opening the glaze kiln. I live in Tampa, Florida and work out of my garage studio.

Ceramic Butterfly mug

2. What do you sell?
I have an eclectic mix of things that I sell. Fish teapots, tabletop fish, cats, various other animals, mugs... lots of mugs with a variety of glaze themes including butterflies and rainbows... lots of rainbows. I love bright colors so I manage to include color into my work and I love whimsy so between those two themes it pretty much sums things up.

3. Why handmade?
Why handmade? Because if you're reading this, you're human. We need to get back to being human. Having the human connection and one of the ways to do that is to relate to the maker. Hear the story behind the creation process, share those stories with our friends. When you buy mass-produced there are no stories. One of my stories is that if you look at my mugs, all of the handles lean to the right. When I attach the handles I take great care to line them up so that they're straight. The amazing thing about clay is that even though it's inanimate, it has a memory. The wheel thrown mug remembers where it was and when it dries and is fired it tries to go back to where it started and unwind and when it unwinds it takes my handle with it. Yes, I could try to figure out where to place the handle to end up with a straight one but I think it's more interesting crooked. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Cat sculpture figurine

4. Where does your inspiration to create come from and/or your inspiration in life?
Hmmm. My inspiration for cats and their expressions came from 4 cats that we had. I started out sketching them and then created my first out of clay. I've made hundreds since. Inspiration for fish came from a wonderful book that my wonderful husband purchased for me, Coral Reef Fishes. When I opened the book I was in awe of the artistic beauty of these fish. My mind went crazy and the ideas just flowed like a tsunami. Alot of the time inspiration flows one off the next. I also find that talking things out with my husband will lead to some suggestions from his perspective. Sometimes ideas actually come from customers who ask if I've ever thought of doing _____ (fill in the blank). I'll think it out for a while and quite often come up with a new path to wander down.

5. Besides creating what else do you do? Do you have a full time job?
No full time job for me. Been there, done that. I'm happy to be at a time in my life where I'm back to the person that I was meant to be. Clay is one of my passions and I'm thrilled to be doing clay during the age of the internet. As for other things that I do, my husband and I have found great fun riding his motorcycle with friends. The bike has opened up such wonderful opportunities for travel and a way to meet new people. I love to take photos and I create pendants using my images. I have a second Etsy shop called jbfphoto

Ceramic bowl

6. When did you start thinking you were an artist?
It's funny because even after college and graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, I didn't really feel comfortable calling myself an artist until about ten years ago. This is what I wanted to do when I grew up.

7. Who has been most influential in your craft work?
Most influential number one was my college ceramics teacher, David Tell. He passed away a few years ago. But he was the one that looked at my horendous square bottle that I constructed and said "Ginerbread House" Two words that have stuck with me through the decades.

8. Where would you like to be in five years?
Five years - I'd like to continue to be working with my clay, coming up with new wacky ideas and continuing to learn and grow. There are so many things to learn that to fool yourself into thinking that you know it all is a crazy notion. I think that applies to every art or craft medium.

9. Is there anything you'd like to try doing that you haven't done?
crafts, sports, life in general?
I'd love to one day work in porcelain.

Ceramic fish photo holder

 10. Besides online where else do you sell?
I sell in a few local galleries in the Tampa Bay area (A Little Room for Art, Clay and Paper and Florida Craftsmen), also in a gallery in Chicago called Chiaroscuro. I sell at local, low-key, no tent required art and craft festivals.

ways to contact you: 

* shop * shop * blog * facebook * twitter * email*

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Season's Change Second Edition...Winter Week 11

For a whole year I will try to find the awesomeness included in all four seasons,

perhaps the weather or a nature shot...

maybe display the holidays in turn

who knows?

The sky is the limit.

 Full Moon last night.  
I have to watch out because I have a little 
one at home that would like to become a wolf.  
He said so himself a full moon ago.

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February's winner from moncy3

Good bye February, Hello March!  I know I am about six days late on this 

but you see every first of the month I contact the winner from my shop

and then wait for an answer and sort out the details so I can mail the item of choice to the winner.

February's winner from moncy3 the monthly drawing is:

anne cronin from Ireland

and this is her item of free choice.

I made 14 sales on February.

Oh and also remember my survey?

Which one of these would you like to receive?

1.  Box of chocolates

2.  Homemade meal

3.  Dozen Roses

4.  Love letter

7 people answered the survey and 

2 answered a dozen roses (27%)

5 answered Love letter (71%)

What do you think??  surprised or expected?  I think expected :)

These are the featured artist for February:

The light fantastic

BijuBrill

 ArtStich

I've been so busy this week helping my sister 
finish up the details on the nursery

...less than a month away!  go baby!

UPDATE:  totally forgot to tell you that yesterday I twitted and announcement
I made my 666 sale and did not want to get stuck in that number.
I started a 99 cents sale any one item in the shop (any additional items purchased will be regular price)  So sale # 667 came along and the sale ends today March 7th  refund will be via paypal 
if interested just write 'NO666' in notes to seller

Happy Wednesday! 

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