Birds in Maine Winter

It's a very frigid here. When I left for work this morning it was 0! On the way home it was 5! I hear tonight's temps may go down to -6. Something about this chilly weather makes me want to curl up under blankets, drink tea and go to bed early. Having my son coughing and recovering from a cold makes it all the more comforting to think about being under the covers.

I get cheered up when I look at the bird painting that was created as a demo in art class. It's bright and colorful and I was excited about having it printed at AdoramaPix. I was pleased with the quality but my one complaint is that they don't have a feature to put a little printed info on the back of the card. They suggested it go inside (which is what I did) or that you sign it yourself on the back.

The story behind this is that I was showing my middle school art students how to make art out of paint blobs or other discarded art. I keep a pile of recycled art in my classroom and encourage students to turn mistakes into masterpieces! You should see some of the works they have created.
I used this painting in several different classes so we watched it progress. When it was finished I decided I really liked it so I kept working on it until it became a finished piece.  Now it is waiting to be framed. In  the mean time I got such great feedback that I had it printed as individual cards.

I haven't tried Overnight Prints yet, but I have heard positive comments about them. I know some people like VistaPrints, but I have heard that some of the others are better quality.

I will be selling these cards in my etsy shop, so if you are interested please click on this link, or go to this web address: https://www.etsy.com/listing/120839458/birds-in-bright-colors-and-very

If you live in a place where it's cold tonight, I wish you many fluffy blankets and a cozy night!

Finally Finished the Bracelet!

Finally finished the bracelet! It took awhile, and then I had to photograph it. Kind of hard when I'm teaching all day, then it's dark when I get home. I know some people use light boxes, and I really should set mine up again. I've heard some people make them out of a gallon milk carton and a pair of lights! Perhaps I should try that since my work is small enough.

This was really fun to get into. Playing with titles like "Nutmeg Bracelet" or "Chunky Browns".

If you'd like to see it in my etsy shop, you can click here or go to:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/120214733/chunky-bracelet-brown-and-off-white

Heart Pin

 

Nearing Valentine's Day, and so it's time to share my heart pins. This one is a nice mossy green color. I love this color (you could tell if you looked in my closet). It's such a soft soothing green and can be worn in any season. Polymer clay is such a versatile medium and I have loved making beads and hearts with it for quite awhile. One of my mentors is Tory Hughes who is an amazing polymer clay artist. I took a workshop with her in Bennington, Vermont way back yonder and haven't stopped using the clay since! Thanks Tory if you ever read this!

I made a life long friend in that class so it's a very special memory of constantly working in the studio (sometimes till 2 am), long philosophical discussions, much laughter and crazy dancing! Meals at Bennington were wonderful, full of creative and interesting people. Such a memory. Can we go back in time Carol?

You can see this hear and more in my etsy shop. Click here, or go to this address:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/119674915/heart-pin-green-mossy-with-spiral

Saturday Ending

 

Thought it was time to put some Valentine's Day pins in my etsy shop, so I did that tonight. I love selling these pins and seeing them around town. I've given lots as gifts and they do put a smile on a face. I sure have made many of them in the past few years!

If you'd like to see some in my etsy shop, click here or go to this address:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/119624325/heart-pin-mint-green

Winter Beauty

Ahhhhhh, it's Friday. It's been chilly around here especially in the mornings. Below zero, or in single digits. The price we pay for beautiful frozen vistas. This view on a drive through the charming village of Day's Ferry across the Kennebec river from Bath. I always love driving around the bend and watching the river come into view through the tree branches.  Right now there is a lot of ice floating around in the river. In a few months they'll bring out the ice breaker boats to chop it up!

Free Form Peyote Necklace

Love this necklace. But I sold it awhile ago. Kind of feel like making another one if I can carve out the time. I learned how to do this years ago and I still love the spontaneity of it.

Flying Pigs

 

These cute flying pigs are back in stock in my etsy shop. Very popular. I often tell my husband and son, "Hey I made a sale today on etsy... guess what sold?" The reply is quite often "A flying pig" and you guessed it, they are right.  I could never have predicted how popular these would be at craft shows as well as on etsy. I guess it has something to do with the often used expression "When pigs fly..." So, have you ever seen a flying pig?

Roasting Chesnuts

I decided to put this necklace on my etsy site today. I had forgotten about all that's involved. Take good photos, edit them, upload them, write descriptions, save descriptions in a folder, make a new listing, put necklace in a safe place ready for someone to buy it!

Do you want to see it on etsy? Click here, or go to this address
https://www.etsy.com/listing/119231657/free-form-peyote-stitch-necklace

It's all a part of running a small business. I enjoy it, but often it's hard to keep up with all that's required to keep it in the public eye. Remembering that my father once told me tho make a product that "would sell while I slept" meaning multiples of something instead of one of a kind! My jewelry is definitely one of a kind, but the rubber stamps and note cards can sell while I sleep!

Glad that I have a job as a teacher which has always been a consistent provider financially and with health benefits. It's hard to be dependent on your own crafts, artwork or jewelry.

Oh, I'd be remiss not to wish everyone a Happy New year! Let this be a good year for us. Welcome to 2013.