Giggle Goddess Creations

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2009-08-25T21:19:00.001-07:00

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Tips for Using Colors Effectively

2009-08-25T06:11:00.001-07:00

Color is a complicated subject and this article is intended to give just a few helpful tips on the uses of colors.

First, I must say that you should invest in some good quality paints. I work mostly in oils, but I occasionally paint in acrylics. I really made an investment in the oil paints, however, I buy cheap craft acrylic paints so that I can feel free to experiment with them. Make sure that you buy permanent paints that won't fade in the sun. There are many books that can help you with this. If exposed to the sun continuously, paints fade and a wonderful painting can be ruined fairly quickly.

A standard color wheel contains twelve colors; three primary colors, red yellow and blue three secondary colors, orange, purple and green and six tertiary colors. The primary colors are the colors that can be mixed together to make all other colors. The secondary colors are made when you mix two of the primary colors. The tertiary are made when you mix a secondary color with a primary color. With these 12 there are so many possibilities. Try to keep in mind that on the top of the color wheel are the warm colors and on the bottom of the color wheel are the cool colors. A colors compliment is always on the opposite side of the color wheel. There are three primary colors, red, yellow and blue. If a color is primary, it's opposite is whatever secondary color that is made using the other two primary colors. For example, orange is made of red and yellow and is the opposite of blue. If you are looking for the opposite of a secondary color you will look for the primary color that is not used to make that color, and that is it's opposite. So, what about tertiary colors? Tertiary opposites are always other tertiary colors and are always the opposite of the two colors that are mixed to get them. For example, red orange has an opposite of blue green because blue is the opposite of orange and green is the opposite of red. If you remember this, you won't always need a color wheel in front of you. How can you use this information? Well there are several ways. Knowing your color wheel can help you to mix clean color without getting muddy color. On one side of the wheel there are cool colors and on the other side there are warm colors. I make it a rule to never mix more than three colors at a time (black and white don't count) and to never mix a color from the top of the color wheel with one on the bottom of the color wheel. Try to keep cool colors mixed with cool colors and warm colors with warm colors. I feel like I should add a little side note here: it is extremely important to really rinse your brush very well when you switch colors, this will also help to keep the colors clean. Having said this, using a color's compliment to gray it down when needed is a good idea, just add a little bit at a time. Another way to use this information is to realize that when working on a painting you should try to paint with primarily either cool colors or warm colors. This isn't to way that you can't use both in one painting, it is simply that one should dominate. A rule that I have is that one temperature should take up at least 2/3 of my painting. If you really want to make your subject stand out, you can paint the majority of the painting in a muted grayed down version of a color and then paint the subject this color's much more intense compliment, or opposite not grayed down. This will make your subject really pop out and steal the viewer's attention. You may also want to let one value dominate. Either your painting is mostly dark, or mostly light. The subject should always be the most detailed and have the most contrast. It also makes for an interesting painting when there are colors in the subject that won't be found anywhere else in the painting. Although color schemes are beyond the scope of this article, it is important to understand that we shouldn't use every color in a painting. It makes it too chaoitic and unpleasant. An interesting color scheme generator can be found here: http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html. It makes me want to paint all the rooms in my house. A simple to read article about color schemes in paintings can be found here: http://www.artinstructionblog.com/art-lesson-learn-about-color-schemes-for-your-next-painting Also remember to keep an open mind. There are more to colors than meets the eye. If you look at leaves, most people would say that leaves are green. What we are discribing here is called local color. This is the color that objects appear to be. We must re-learn how to look at objects. They are never just green, eveor red or any other color. There are many different hues and colors in a singel object. Let's take a single red apple as an example. The apple is sitting on a blue table near a window at sunset. The blue table will be reflected in this apple, and you will see blue in the apple. Sunsets are warm and this will make the apple be a very different color than it would be at noon. Are you near the apple? The color of your clothing will effect the color of the apple too. Don't over think it, but try to be aware that color is ever changing and the color of an object is dependant on too many factors to put into a formula. I used the painting above to illustrate two points. The first is that the warm colors dominate the painting, remember to let one temperature dominate. It is also important to let your larger values connect to each other and your smaller bits of the other value connect also. this creates harmony and flow in the painting. In this painting the darker values connect to each other and the lighter values are connected. Notice how the focal area is the area with the most detail and contrast. It makes the painting very pleasing to the eye.

In this teeny little painting the colors could have easily been muddied because of the use of many color compliments. I made suer that my brushes were absolutely clean before switching colors and I also painted the background colors first, allowed them to dry, then put the clouds and mountains on top of them, making sure that the oranges, yellows and pinks never mixed with the purples and blues.

As seen in this painting it is not neccessary, or even desirabl to use a lot of colors in a painting. This painting of a duck has very few colors in it, and yet it is an effective painting.

Also notic the duck's head and back. Even though the local color is black, when I really looked close I noticed the yellow from the sun and the blueish tones, probably from the sky. Including these in my painting makes the duck look more three dimensional and interesting. This painting is very simple. I wanted the sunset to really glow, so I muted down the blue sky, and even the yellow around the sunset is grayed down. Then you come to the sunset which contains the most intense colors in the painting. It really makes it stand out. However, because the grass stalks create the most contrast, they are what the eye notices first.

Tips on Using Color Effectively in Your Paintings

2009-08-25T05:34:00.000-07:00

Color is a complicated subject and this article is intended to give just a few helpful tips on the uses of colors.

First, I must say that you should invest in some good quality paints. I work mostly in oils, but I occasionally paint in acrylics. I really made an investment in the oil paints, however, I buy cheap craft acrylic paints so that I can feel free to experiment with them. Make sure that you buy permanent paints that won't fade in the sun. If exposed to the sun continuously, paints fade and a wonderful painting can be ruined fairly quickly.

When looking at a color wheel you will

http://r0k.us/graphics/SIHwheel.htmlnotice that a standard wheel has http://r0k.us/graphics/SIHwheel.html

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twelve colors.

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Five Simple Ways to Improve your Paintings

2009-08-23T14:02:00.000-07:00

#1. Do not be afraid to experiment. I think that planning definitely has it's place, and it can be very helpful in creating lovely paintings. However, sometimes you just have to loosen up. The painting on the left was a painting that started out as strictly an experiment. I had no attachment to the outcome. I didn't care if it came out well or not. I wanted to play and I wanted to 'see what would happen if...' It was fun and I learned some things from this painting. If you are using super expensive paints and a pricey canvas, then you should do several sketches first and plan your painting carefully. If you feel like you just want to have fun and 'see what happens if...' go to the craft store and pick up some cheap craft acrylic paints (about $.49 a bottle) and a cheap canvas (about $5.00) and just throw some colors on and see where it takes you. Try different brush strokes and paint with different objects. The best way to learn to paint better is to paint, so just get started.
Don't judge your early attempts if you are a beginner. You are learning. You wouldn't judge a baby learning to walk, or a child learning to ride a bicycle, don't judge your self and don't allow others to judge you when you are starting out. Later on you can look for an honest critique - but not until you are confident.

#2. Simple is sometimes better. We sometimes want to add so much to a painting, but this can make it look chaotic. What we are looking for is harmony. The bird in the tree on the left was a small painting. I did several sketches to see where I wanted the bird to be and what colors I wanted to use. The first couple of sketches had trees in the background and other birds and more detailed clouds. It was too much. When I started eliminating all of the clutter a little at a time, this painting started to emerge. I kept everything simple. Simple colors, simple design and it works. It is eye catching because of the contrast and the clearly defined subject.

#3. Keep colors clean. This is truly imperative and some artists don't even notice when their paint is muddy or when the colors are dull. One way to make sure that colors are clean is to literally keep the brushes clean. I have three big containers of water to rinse my brushes in. I change them between paintings. The first has just a touch of soap in it. I swish it in their first, then a second to rinse it and a third for good measure. This ensures that you don't muddy up your colors by adding green to your reds. Another way to prevent muddy colors is to make sure that you only mix three colors from the same family (warm or cool) at the same time and to avoid mixing complimentary colors together. Read more about keeping your colors clean here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=7lEnMpgAXKwC&pg=PA65&lpg=PA65&dq=muddy+paint+color&source=bl&ots=CqdoZICyUA&sig=Bs5dMEIVhUgmt5tJOTFSeRQfJ_0&hl=en&ei=CNCRSsOEJYe2lAe1zrGYDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8#v=onepage&q=muddy%20paint%20color&f=false

#4. Add emotions to your paintings. There is something about this field, to me this is a very emotional painting. Although others may feel differently I feel like there is a silence and a calm to this painting. I achieved the calm with the blue sky and the direction and position of the clouds. Objects that are horizontal evoke calm feelings and the blue sky is also a relaxing color. However, there is also something a little unsettling about it. Some people may feel differently, but I feel alone and just a little on edge like a child alone in a field. The jagged stalks of grass give the effect of unease and the orange sky gives a subtle hint of danger. I feel like a child because the point of view in this painting is very low. I all works together to create a strange and moody painting. Read more on how to create emotion in your painting here: http://www.imaginefx.com/02287754332632571061/tutorial.pdf

#5. Repeat patterns, but not exactly. Repetitive patterns are very pleasing to the eye. However, if they are exactly the same, they become boring. Make sure that you mix it up, as you see in the trees in the painting on the right. They are all similar in pattern, but no two are exactly the same. Something to remember is to continuously vary the pattern. None of the trees are the same height or width, none are the same distance apart and the color (although you can't tell in this photo) also changes from tree to tree. This variety is interesting and pleasing to the eye.

Listing and shipping on ETSY - My Thoughts

2009-08-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

I am trying to create an easier system for myself to list and ship on etsy. Although I haven't made all that many sales, I have learned a number of things through trial and error and through reading other blogs and forums.

* Research the item that you intend to sell. I think that it is important to know if you plan to sell a pendant for $20 and everyone else is selling similar ones for $10 - you may want to know that. It also helps to know how others describe the item, what their pictures look like etc.

* Figure out a good time to list. There are two opposing thoughts that I have on this. One is to list is when the treasury is 700 or more. Many people list when treasuries are about to open up and your listing will quickly be lost on page 20. There are some who feel that the best time to list is right before a treasury opens up so that you have a better chance to get in one, and therefor a chance at making the front page. Try both, it is certainly fin to be in a treasury, but it is also nice if a listing isn't lost in the hundreds of others too quickly.

* If you want to increase your chances of getting in a treasury, make sure you include colors, and descriptive words like miniature or sunny. Treasuries are chosen by themes, so add tags that really describe your work (this is a good idea anyway.)

* Put thought into your title. A humorous title always catches me, but make sure that it is catchy and descriptive. Think about the way you shop. What would entice you? Believe in your products, and give them a worthy title. Example: " Six ounce bar soap, vanilla scented," doesn't attract as much as " All natural bar soap, richly scented warm vanilla." Put plenty of thought into a great title.

* Photos are EVERYTHING. Their importance can't be over stated. Buyers can't hold your product, the photo needs to 'tell' them a lot. Crisp, clean and interesting photos can be difficult to take. If you have a decent camera, that is a good start. A tripod is a good investment to get the clearest shot possible. Do not use flash, instead try to use natural light whenever possible. Go outside or at least take the photos near a window. Direct sun is too bright, so put tje product in the shade. I use a white sheet for the background of my photos. Keeping the background neutral makes sure that the attention stays on the product, where it should be.

* If you have taken the photos and they are clear and show the product at it's best - you can improve them even more. Visit http://www.picnik.com/. You can straighten a photo, sharpen it, and their auto fix is truly amazing. Usually I just use the auto fix and that is all I need. It really will make your photos shine.

* Before you even think about listing, you need to make sure that you know the cost of the shipping to where ever you ship to. I usually use http://postcalc.usps.gov/ to calculate the shipping. Choose the package that you want to send your product in. I put in a state close to me, a state furthest from me and then one right in the middle. If you want to make it super easy, use flat rate shipping, it is the same for all of the US and the International rate is the same too. For flat rates, go here: http://www.usps.com/shipping/prioritymail.htm They even give you FREE boxes, order them here: http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductCategoryDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10152&categoryId=13359

* Whether you choose to use flat rate, or ship in your own box, the packaging inside the box matters most. It should be attractive, and contain 'signature colors.' When you see black and red and white - you might think of Coca Cola. I know when I see red and blue I think of Petsmart (I'm in there a lot). Try to coordinate your packaging with your business card, and both with your banner. If you have all of this ready when you list the product, then when you have to ship it, it will be so much easier.

Don't have business cards, try Vista Print, you won't find a better price for the quality. I recently got 500 cards for $7.99!

Step by Step Painting "In a Field"

2009-08-02T07:59:00.000-07:00

The majority of the painting will be sky, so I paint the background with Apple Barrel's "20751 Regency Blue." This is a super cheap craft paint and I am often asked why I use these paints at all. Usually, I use these in the first layer or two to create a less absorbant canvas. This really cuts down on the amount of more expensive paint I use. The canvas is primed with acrylic gesso, but it is still absorbent and sucks up paint very quicky. This really makes the surface much easier to work on.

There are times though that the painting is coming along very well with just the cheap craft acrylics, as in this painting, so I just continue to use it to complete the painting. The paintings come out very matte and I am always asked if the painting is done in pastel. If you are looking for a soft pastel effect, this is a good way to go about it.

I brush on the color with a large flat brush. Because I like to let the layers of acrylic dry in between layers to prevent cracking, I always have several other canvases that I prime while I am waiting. I have done paintings that have cracked because I was too impatient to wait for the first layer to dry. This is why I feel that it helps me to have several paintings planned, it just makes things easier for me. Below is one of the paintings that I am preparing that I will officially start within the coming week.

I like my colors to be super pure, so I have three buckets of water to rinse them in. The first has just a little bit of laundry detergent in it, to really get the brush clean. The other two have just water in them. If you are going to try this, I would highly recommend using big containers and changing the water frequently, I change mine after every painting. I use grey water so that I am still being environmentally conscious.

In this painting the sun is setting, or rising, whichever you prefer. The top of the sky is darker and a little greyer, so I use a lot of the regency blue and a little Folk Art's # 964 " Midnight" mixed together. At the top I use more of the Midnight and as I go down toward the field, I use more of the regency blue. This softens the sky.

The bottom of the painting is yellowish where the sun is setting. I use Craft Smart's #23633 "Yellow". I use it full strength at the bottom and as I go up I thin it with more and more water, once again giving that soft effect.

Using a super soft flat brush I mix a little of the yellow with My Studio's #72700 white to make some clouds.

The idea here is to keep the clouds VERY soft, so I lay on the whitish yellow and then add a lot of water and soften around the edges. As I get closer to the sun - the bottom of the painting I add more yellow to the clouds.

On the bottom of the painting I added some little background trees. I was 'into it' and forgot to take pics of this process. Basically, I used Apple Barrel's #20521 "Nutmeg Brown" and just made random little 'hills' on the very bottom of the painting. I softened the edges by adding some of the same yellow that is in the sunset. Anything that is far in the distance is always less detailed and contains more and more of the color of the sky (usually blue) as it recedes.

To add depth, I put Apple Barrel's #20512 "Burnt Umber" on top of the nutmeg brown, being careful to really blend out the edges and let plenty of the nutmeg brown show through. The more random you are with the pattern, the more it will look like trees. I mix a little Folk Art's artists' pigment #470 "Pure Black" in with the burnt umber and add that on top to create even more depth, always making sure that I am applying this randomly.

I felt that the sunset could use a little more warmth, so I added My Studio's # 72721 "Coral" to the very bottom and Craft Smart's # 23623 "Light Orange" just around the tree line on the very bottom. A lot of the process of painting involves looking at your work, making evaluations and then making adjustments accordingly. Remember that it will never be 'just the way you want it'. There will almost always be changes that you want to make. You can't go on making adjustments forever, you must decide that it is good enough and then move on. This was dificult for me, as I am a perfectionist, but I've come a long way.

I check my painting to see if any final adjustments need to be made to the background. Something to remember that makes painting infinately easier is that big shapes always come first and the details are always added last. It is SO frustrating to have to make changes to the background after you've added foreground detail and then have to do that detail all over again.

I am going to use my script liner to do the grass.

Load the liner with paint, test it on a piece of spare paper first to see how thin the line is and to get out the globs of paint. Then paint the straight lines for the grass using nutmeg brown, holding the brush at a low angle to create an even line.

After I have made a line for the stalk and for the little branches, I use a spotter to create the little seeds. These are a litte darker than the stalk and branches - so I use the burnt umber.

The leaves are larger and show highlights and shadows a little more. I paint the using a small round brush using the nutmeg brown and the burnt umber and even a little black for the shadowed areas. The highlight is light yellow.

These details are important, the little highlights and shadows, they can really make or break a painting. Be sure to take your time, and make sure that you ADD THE DETAILS LAST.

Brushes can be super expensive! Take good care of them. If you don't have time to wash them immeditately after you finish your painting, invest in a brush well, fill it with dye free, unscented laundry detergent and leave it overnight. If you leave any acrylic paint on your brushes it is impossible to get off without ruining your brushes.

Completed painting:

Summary of things to learn from this painting:

*To keep things soft by adding more medium (water in this case) to blend out the edges.

*As objects recede into the background, you see less and less detail and they take on more of the color of the atmosphere (blue most of the time, but yellow in this painting).

*Adding the little details, such as tiny shadows and highlights can really make a painting, but they must be added last. Add the big shapes first and then get smaller and smaller. The details are like sprinkles on a cupcake, they make a big difference in the appearance, but they aren't added until the very end.

* Let each layer of paint dry before adding another one. If it helps to have other projects to work on while you wait, then plan them ahead of time.

*It is important to have clean and pure colors. If you have the space, using 3 tubs of water, one with a little laundry detergent in it, the second one to rinse the soap and the third to make sure that it is truly free of soap will help to keep your colors 'unmuddied'.

* A brush well is a great place to let brushes soak if you don't have time to wash them right away. I keep one for my acrylic brushes and one for my oil brushes.

Pendant Sale!

2009-07-30T07:18:00.000-07:00

I am clearing my glass tile pendant inventory to start making and selling resin pendants. I will be changing the prices from $8 for the square ones to $4 and $12 for the larger rectangles to $6 and the free US shipping will still apply. Right now if you go to my shop, my prices aren't changed yet, but I am working on getting all of them changed.

Something Special about Mothers and Daughters

2009-07-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

There is something very special about the mother daughter relationship. My mom is my best friend and although my daughter is young, I can already feel that bond between us.
I find myself saying things like "Let's go shopping," and "Do you want to help me decorate?"
I am something of a 'free spirit' and I love my daughter's whimsy.
It seems that she went from trying to pull up on everything and taking her first steps to picking out her own clothes and wanting to wear lip gloss.
I hope that as she matures we will grow even closer and bake cookies together.
My dearest wish is that all three of my children find their true passion and that they succeed in their goals. Selene is a tough little cookie, I know that she will do well. I can't wait to see the wonderful adventures that await us.

Does Medatation and Visualization really help you to succeed?

2009-07-26T21:54:00.000-07:00

I believe that meditation and visualization are extremely helpful in helping one to succeed. Thought is where everything begins. Nothing in our experience would be as it is without thought. What is our experience anyway? We give our lives meaning and order. Life is different for every individual depending upon the way that they perceive the world. The wonderful thing is - we can choose our thoughts, and therefor we can choose how to experience the world. I am not suggesting that we should ignore the things in our lives that aren't fun or that we ignore our responsibilities. I am suggesting that we don't have to see things the way that we have in the past. Powerful thoughts are accepted by our mind as real, which then changes our entire outlook on life, so therefor our behaviors, habits and actions change accordingly. This helps us to meet new people, and creates new situations and circumstances for us. Whether bad or good, we can help to create our destiny each day. Visualization and meditation are different. Meditation is relaxing and stilling the mind, while visualization is actually picturing something in your mind. Many people claim that they can't visualize. If you can right now, imagine the face of someone close to you, then you are visualizing. The images that you see do not need to be crystal clear, and they don't even have to be in motion - still shots work just as well. The important thing is that you visualize with feeling and focus. Meditation is simply allowing yourself to just relax. Sometimes there is a focus, like a mantra (one word or phrase spoken over and over). The most effective meditations that I have done have been simply paying attention to breathing. It is a great way to reduce stress and also to open yourself up to the small voice within, your intuition.

Some statistics abut people who meditate regularly:

-Heart rate, respiration, blood pressure and oxygen consumption are all decreased.
-People who meditate are less anxious and nervous.
-People who meditate were more independent and self-confident
-People who deliberated daily were less fearful of death.
-75% of insomniacs who started a daily meditation program were able to fall asleep within 20 minutes of going to bed.
-Production of the stress hormone Cortisol is greatly decreased, thus making it possible for those people to deal with stress better when it occurs.
-Women with PMS showed symptom improvements after 5 months of steady daily rumination and reflection.
-Thickness of the artery walls decreased which effectively lowers the risk of heart attack or stroke by 8% to 15%.
-Relaxation therapy was helpful in chronic pain patients.
-60% of anxiety prone people showed marked improvements in anxiety levels after 6-9 months.

There is also the fact that placebos have been given to patients with just as much of an effect as a real medication, sometimes even more of an effect, because the mind believed it would work. Why then, are people so hesitant to believe that the incredible brain that we as humans have been blessed with is capable of helping us in other areas of our lives. If we believe that we will find that perfect mate, or truly believe that we are capable of being completely independent financially, or that we can quit smoking or whatever. I feel strongly that shifting our perceptions through intentional visualization and meditation can help us to accomplish so many 'impossible' things.

New Painting

2009-07-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

Last night I completed a painting of a woman who decided to rest near a tree frequented by fairies. At first I wasn't going to paint the fairies in because I always do fairies. I wanted to do something different.

As the painting progressed however, something was missing and I couldn't help myself. I was going to put wings on her and call it a day, but then decided that might create imbalance. So I decided to just make little ones that were all very curious about this human.

I think that part of what makes art awesome is the ability to twist and distort reality. Make colors brighter, and add a few things that were not there. I think it is so much fun to create and meke things more exciting and beautiful.

Clearing out my life

2009-07-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling so unfocused lately. I think there is too much clutter in my life, and it is making my thinking cloudy. I am the only one that can do anything about this, so I am going to take charge and clear out the clutter in my house and in my schedule.

There is something about throwing unneeded things away that is so cleansing. I know that at least half of my house is junk, stuff we don't need or want.

The first step is to clear it all out, I think that I will probably donate a lot of it, and I may even have a yard sale.

It doesn't stop there though, it must be maintained. Just last year I did this same thing and somehow I acquired even more stuff! UGH! I am going to take the advice of Julie Morgenstern in her book 'Organizing from the Inside Out,' and I am going to make a home for everything and make sure that when I am finished using things that they go back in their spot. She says that it is important that this is simple and easy system, because if it is complicated it won't work. Everything should be accessable. This one thing, putting things into a home, will help me tremendously.

The other thing that is very important for me is a planner. I am one of those people that will Another key to using a planner is to try to plan the night before. I am going to start writing my to do's in my planner the night before. I have also read that starting with the most unpleasant job that you have to do and getting it done first will put you in a better and more productive mood for the rest of the day, you won't have that horrible task in front of you the whole day.

I need to narrow and thin out my to do list also. My to-do's are two pages long and never seem to get done. I am going to stop expecting so much to get done. It never does. I will start limiting myself to 5 important things that must get done and I think that I will be much more likely to actually do them. Something that can be helpful is to 'do it until it is done.' I don't know where I read this, but it makes so much since. Instead of doing a little of the task and leaving it unfinished and then having a bunch of things to finish, just do it and keep on doing it until it is done. Ofcourse, there are things that need to be done a little at a time, like my house. I have no choice but to do a chunk at a time, it is weeks worth of work.

I will also be clearing out my store, I am selling pendants and tarot readings, and art, and astrological charts and hats and purses - WAY too much. I want to have the lazer focus that I see in super successful people.

So - to clarify, starting today I will:

- Start clearing out the clutter, throwing away everything I do not use.

- Find a home for everything, and make sure that it always returns to it's home when it is used.

- Make sure that this 'home' is easy to maintain and close to the place that is it most likely to be used.

- Start using my very pretty planner, every day.

- Plan the night before.

- Do the most unpleasant, most difficult task of the day first, to get it out of the way.

- Refer to my planner every day.

- Do a task until it gets done.

- Have a yard sale.

- Clear my store of pendants, charts, readings and everything but original art and prints.

This is a big list - but I am determined to have the peace of mind that I know doing this will give me.

Providence Children's Museum

2009-07-21T06:27:00.000-07:00

This is the Providence Children's Museum. This is a place where kid's can really just be themselves. I found myself saying things like, "Wesley, pick up that stick and hit that really hard," and "Run, run, run!" I didn't have to say no even once - except for when they asked to go to the gift shop.
Wesley loved the water room, and kept staring at this hermit crab that seemed to be staring right back at him. He asked me to take a picture of his 'hermit friend' so I did.

Outside, the Ocean State Circus Performers were teaching the kids to juggle and balance things on their noses. There was a huge musical thing to bang with sticks and a bunch of toys like stilts, balls and these foot pedal things that you could ride like a bicycle.

Wes and Selene were showing eachother the new things they found all night. They really had a blast. So much so, that I am thinking of having Wesley's birthday party there.

Another awesome thing about this place - they both slept so well that night.

If you are ever in the RI area and you have young children, you should definately stop by this place. So much fun!

Check out my funky etsy treasury!

2009-07-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

My Dream Kitchen

2009-07-13T07:29:00.000-07:00

Here it is, the kitchen of my dreams, with some little changes, like yellow paint instead of green. Behind the bar stool chair things is a big beautiful oak table that is not pictured. There is a sliding glass door that leads out to a huge fenced in yard where my kids are playing right now.
Life is good.

Innocent Victim or Man Eating Lava Shark?

2009-07-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

The kids and the dog were playing a rough house game on the bed. This dog likes anything rough and tumble, and I trust him to be good with the kids, although being that he is a dog and capable of biting, I stayed in the bedroom to supervise. They did great though and it seemed like too much fun, so I joined in. I took a quick picture of the dog and when I looked at it and said to myself, this dog is loving this game. Then we got back to "lava monster" and "attack of the lava shark."
No one could touch the floor but we had to somehow make it to the kitchen to save the dog from the various invisible evil creatures that live in the lava. The dog seemed to walk around with no problem in the lava, and even though the kids tried to save him, he didn't stay on the rocks (pillows) for very long. There was a lot of screaming and running around, accidently falling into the lava. The dog went from innocent victim to terrible child eating lava shark in less than one second.
It may be sad that this was the highlight of my day, but I thought this was one of those days with my kids that even the dog won't soon forget. I LOVE imaginary play!

I Met James Woods

2009-07-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

I live in Rhode Island where the actor James Woods is originally from. I've been told he still owns property here and that his family still lives here.
I was at a local pet store last night and this man walked by me and I instantly recognized him. I said to myself - 'Oh my God, that was James Woods!" I thought that maybe I was wrong. I continued on with my shopping and at the check out there he was again, right in front of me. He had bully sticks for his dog - which are made from bull penis (yummy!). So I said to him, "I love bully sticks, my dog goes nuts for them." He started laughing and said, "Do you know what they are made out of?" I said "Yeah, kinda gross." He said, "Makes it tough for a guy to buy 'em."
He then went to get his dog from the grooming salon. He looked like a totally normal guy, in jeans and a t shirt. He came back out with his dog and made a comment about having had her since she was six weeks old and now she is fourteen. She looked like a little mixed breed old grey dog.
He was very nice and although I don't like to think of myself as a person who goes crazy over a celebrity, I have to admit I was a little star struck.

I now offer layaway and a buy 2 get 1 free sale!

2009-07-07T06:20:00.000-07:00

I need clothing for basically my entire family, and I decide that it could not be put off anymore. I need to start the school shopping now, because I simply won't have enough money to spend all at once in August. Layaway seemed like the best option because I could pick out what I want for the kids and pay for it a little at a time. So I went to the store and put a ton of stuff on layaway. As I was waiting in line an idea struck me - I should have layaway in my etsy store.

I know that many people just can't afford to pay for things all at once. My customers might enjoy being able to buy gifts for others or themselves and pay a tiny bit at a time. I know I love being able to do this, layaway is one of my favorite things. The only thing that I don't like is the short amount of time that you are given to pay for all of it. Some stores only let you pay for six weeks! I wanted to let my customers have much more time than that. So I am now offering layaway for up to five months and customers can pay what they want, when they want.

Starting this Friday until August 1st, I will also be having a sale on my pendants - buy any two pendants and get one of equal or lesser value free!

A few steps to an interesting painting

2009-07-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do a nude ethereal looking woman and I was unsure of exactly what I wanted it to look like. I had no real plan. I painted the background blue and just got started.

I had cut out the sketch of the nude woman and traced around her, and started to lay in the glow.

Until I had this, which for some reason looks very reddish, but it is definately a dark blue.

I added a crazy background, I love tree silhouettes. I spread out the glow a little more.

I deepened the blues in the background and added a little green to the trees. I elliminated the little tree on the right, it just didn't feel right. I wanted her to be pale and almost ghostly, so I kept her skin very light and added a lot of blue. This is the final result. I am pleased, although I need to take better photos for print purposes.

Although the original

painting is sold, I do have prints available on etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27328801

Homeshows and Parities

2009-07-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

I am unsure of how I will do this, but I plan on having a home party in October. I have already been working on a catalog and some small paintings and pendants that I am reserving just for the party. My house is under construction so I will be having the party at my mother's house. Many of my friends and my mother's friends will come if there is alchohol, so I plan of serving wine and lots of snacks.
I don't know if I will stand up and give a presentation like you would see at a tupperware party, or if I will just hang my art up and just let people view it and mingle. I'm nervous about it, but I am going to feel the fear and do it anyway.
The sex toy, kitchen and candle parties that I have been to have all been very interesting and fun. I really want this to be a fun experience for all involved.
I have to some up with a menu, invitations, catalogs, display boards and packaging. This should be fun!

Wesley's Progress

2009-07-02T08:34:00.000-07:00

When Wesley was 15 months old, everyone told us that they couldn't believe how many words he could say. His articulation wasn't always perfect, but he definitely had language.

As he got older I noticed that his language didn't change, he didn't learn new words the way that he was supposed to be. Not only that but he stayed the same size. Wes will be three in a month and he only weighs 26 lbs. He wears size 18 month clothing, and sometimes 12 month. He is super tiny.

I lied to myself and told myself that he is just a late bloomer, and that he will come around. Finally, a few months ago, I decided that he really needed help. A woman from early intervention came to my house and decided that he really did need quite a bit of help.

A few 'team meetings' and evaluations later, Wesley is in a sensory and language play group. He has Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy once a week and I've been REALLY working with him on his speech and to help give him the sensory input his little body needs. He doesn't have an official diagnosis yet, but we just had a psychological evaluation done a little over a week ago, so that will give us a clear idea of what is going on.

The improvements have been incredible. He is a calmer child who is able to communicate much more effectively than ever before. I am so impressed with all of his progress and I truly feel that with a lot of work he will be speaking, reading, and behaving like any other child by kindergarten.

Highlights of the RI Airshow

2009-06-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

I made this video of the highlights of the RI Airshow. We went on the boat and although I haven't gone in a couple of years - it was the best show I've been to. The planes were so loud they shook the boat.

How do you gain confidence and respect?

2009-06-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to be a person that is respected by others. If you come to my house to see the way that I interact with my children, you would see that I failed to become a person that commands respect. I love them, but they sometimes walk all over me.

This really bothers me sometimes. At work I am in a leadership position and I have trouble getting the people that I teach to follow instructions. Sometimes I feel like they don't even hear me.

I am a proactive person, so I started to think, there must be something that I can do to change this. What are the people that are respected doing differently than me?

There are a few things that I noticed. They aren't wishy-washy like me, they make decisions quickly and give information very clearly. They speak clearly, and they know what they want from others. They stick by what they say and they even have a way of walking and moving that is clear and purposeful. To put that all in one word - confidence. Confidence is what they have that I don't.

Is confidence something that we are born with? I don't think so. When I went to 'school' to become a dog trainer, I had to teach a class by myself that had thirteen crazy, barking dogs in it. There were at least twenty people all staring at me, waiting for me to speak, and I had never spoken to a group of more than four friends. I took a deep breath, knew if I wanted this I had to 'pretend' to be confident. So, I did. I pretended. When I was done, I felt great. I was terrified, but I acted confident and as a result, I was able to lead the rather large class without a problem.

My lack of confidence has really held me back in my life, and I can't let it anymore. I just bought a book that will hopefully teach me to use NLP (neurolinguistic programming) to help me to gain some confidence.

In the past, I have been afraid to do so many things because of what might happen. Isn't that a ridiculous way to live? I believe that anyone who has succeeded at anything had to take a chance, and they had to take action. I really think that they had to learn to overcome fear and behave in a more confident way, even if they didn't feel that way.

Who is Georgia O'Keeffe

2009-06-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

I get out my work and have a show for myself before I have it publicly. I make up my own mind about it–how good or bad or indifferent it is. After that the critics can write what they please. I have already settled it for myself so flattery and criticism go down the same drain and I am quite free.
- Georgia O'Keeffe

Nobody sees a flower, really, it is so small. We haven't time - and to see takes time like to have a friend takes time.

If I could paint the flower exactly as I see it no one would see what I see because I would paint it small like the flower is small. So I said to myself - I'll paint what I see - what the flower is to me but I'll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it - I will make even busy New Yorkers take time to see what I see of flowers.

...Well, I made you take time to look at what I saw and when you took time to really notice my flower you hung all your own associations with flowers on my flower and you write about my flower as if I think and see what you think and see of the flower - and I don't.

- Georgia O'Keeffe

I am not one that normally puts a lot of effort into learning about history. To be honest, I don't usually think about the past much, my own or other people's. I am someone who attempts to live in the present, but is very much in the future, always thinking of the next step.

However, Georgia O'Keeffe fascinates me. Her art is beautiful, but it is more than that. She seems so strong and independant, not caring what others do or think. I want to be that confident and that sure of myself.

She was born in 1887 and really put all of her time and energy into becoming the artist that she always knew she would be. At the age of 10, she decided she needed to be an artist.

She used to paint very small, until her art teacher asked her why she did this and as a joke she painted on a very large canvas. After that all of her paintings were HUGE, her largest being 24' wide.
She was a woman that enjoyed a level of fame that put her on an equal playing field with men. In the 40's she had her first full-scale exhibit and this really changed her as well as the world.

I feel like a girl in school doing a book report, but I feel the need to get to know this woman a little better. I believe that finding someone to model is an important step in finding and creating your own success, and I want her to be mine. A question I am going to ask myself from now on is, "What would Georgia do?" Hee hee. I'm only half serious.

Our New Bathroom

2009-06-23T12:12:00.000-07:00

My husband is a very handy man. He is re-doing our bathroom and I can't wait to decorate. I will make a painting specifically to hang on the wall, but everything else I am going to get from etsy. I love handmade stuff. My absolute favorite color combination is brown and blue, I think it's beautiful. So here are some of the things on my wish list.

Clayton's 6th Grade Graduation

2009-06-22T04:38:00.000-07:00

I remember the day that I put him on the bus to go to kindergarten. He was so excited to go on a bus. I had a six day old baby at home so maybe that is why I was so emotional, but I cried so hard when that bus pulled away.

Fast forward to sixth grade, and Clay is taller than me, weighs more than me and wears a size 13 shoe! Once again, here I am crying because of another milestone that Clay has reached.

He's a good kid, and I know that he will do well in whatever he chooses to do. He is a determined and tenacious person, so he will do what he needs to do in order to reach his goals. He is kind and truthful, so I have no doubt that people will like him.

After the graduation dinner, the kids went outside to play. They played a game I'd never seen or heard of before. Basically it was like reverse dodge ball. My husband was the most competitive of them all. My little ones, the girl in the pink shirt and the tiny one in the green shirt, were also involved in the game.

It was so much fun. He told me that he is going to miss Greenwood School.

Summer Vacation is almost here!

2009-06-16T05:15:00.000-07:00

Summer Vacation is almost here!

There is a feeling within me of joy, and beneath that, there is a feeling of fear.

Summer vacation means lots of fun things with the kids, it means getting up late and going to bed late. It means beaches, picnics and walks. It also means keeping them busy, which is not always easy for my crew. They can be difficult to entertain. The youngest one wants to run around like a maniac and get into dangerous things, the middle one wants to collect small things, have 'girls nights', and play school. The oldest one wants to complain about being seen with me in public, wants to know why everything is so unfair, and he wants to go to the video game store.

I will have my hands full this summer. I am looking forward to it, I can really spend a lot of time with my babies (the oldest would have died just then). What do you do to keep an almost three, almost seven and twelve year old busy? I will let you know when I find out.

My Three Pendants

2009-06-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

I know that I shouldn't be so excited over only three complete pendants, but I really like them.
They were fun to make and I like the outcome. My biggest challenge has been getting the air bubbles out completely, and I am a perfectionist, so it bugs me even if it is one little tiny one.

So, I end up putting them in a cup of really hot water, letting the paper melt away and start over. I feel that it's too much paper waste though. It's frustrating, but I'm sure I'll get better at it, like anything else.

The following three pendants are all made from tiny prints of my art work. They are glass tile and they measure 7/8" square.

The butterfly was done from a photo my neighbor took in colored pencil and watercolor.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26255979

The Sunflower oil painting is actually quite large. The painting is hanging in my home, someday it will be for sale.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26333223

This is my favorite. I love fairies. This is an acrylic painting on one side of a wooden cigar box purse.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=26320583

Signs, signs everywhere

2009-06-11T05:57:00.001-07:00

My Kids

My Husband (still just using him for his body after nine years)

My Dog

My Mom and Dad (couldn't find any pictures that were suitable)

Walks in interesting places

Flowers

Swimming

Vacationing in warmer places in the winter time

Trees (some of the most peaceful and intelligent beings on earth)

The tarot

Blank Canvas

Holbien Duo Aqua Oil paints. They are the best.

Experimenting and being creativite with paint.

Butterfly Pendant

2009-06-10T07:21:00.000-07:00

This is the third pendant that I have made. The other two were practice and now my daughter wears one with her nickname on it and I wear one with a nautical star on it.
While I like mine, I must say, I was very tempted to keep this one for myself. I love things that are dainty and feminine and this pendant is both.
I did the original painting in colored pencil and watercolor over six years ago. I ended up giving it to a friend in exchange for huge amounts of brand new clothes she gave to me.
This is not the first time that I've gotten very attached to my work. It happens to me all the time with my art. There are certain pieces that I fall in love with and they are very hard to give up. I wonder if all artists and crafters have this problem?

I think that butterflies are lovely, but I know that this one is not for me. I am reluctantly selling it on etsy. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26255979

Thinking of Changing the Name of My Shop

2009-06-09T06:03:00.000-07:00

The above is the name of another shop that I have on etsy that I am essentially ignoring until I can get enough items in it to open it and not feel ashamed. I was told by a friend the other day that Serenity Art sounds sleepy, and although I hate to admit it, I think she is right. I like names that make me want to find out what is in the shop, and Serenity Art doesn't do anything for me. Giggle Goddess Creations, however, does. This is also a great name for my shop because my daughter and I are both named after Goddesses. Right now, the banner in my shop is the same as the above banner used in my blog.

So, I am taking a poll, Serenity Art or Giggle Goddess Creations?

My Personal Power Pendant

2009-06-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

For a long time now I have been wanting to make pendants out of my art. I think that they are beautiful and a way for people to wear art and carry the pieces they love with them.
The first one that I made I wanted to test to see how it came out. So I took some scrapbook paper and a square punch and got to it. It came out really good, and I liked it a lot.
The five pointed star symbolizes so many things that are important for me. I could wear it as a personal symbol , like a reminder of the things in my life that I want to achieve. To me it represents balance and guidance in the form of intuition.
I like the way that my first pendant came out, and I'm sure that I will be making many more. I am loving this process and can't wait to actually get started with my art pendants.

Newest Completed Painting

2009-06-05T08:05:00.000-07:00

A mama and her baby underwater. I like this painting, and although I think it's ok the way it is, I think that some life needs to be added. Perhaps some fish and some coral.

This piece was done on commission. If you would like to have a painting commissioned, see my etsy listing for portraits.

I do fairies, mermaids, dragons and really anything that you would like. All that you would need is a clear photo.

Monthly Goals

2009-06-04T06:10:00.000-07:00

I have many goals that I would like to meet before I pass on from this world. However, they are pretty big goals like, get interviewed about my art on the Oprah show, have a net worth of $250 million, own a vacation home in the mountains, and the list goes on. Do I believe that these are realistic? Yes, I do. People have been on the Oprah show, I know for a fact that there are people out there who are worth millions and I have actually visited a friend's vacation home in the mountains of Vermont. If they can do it, so can anyone else - it's just figuring out how. Anyway, I am getting off topic, the point of this post is not to write about these huge goals that I will someday reach, but to talk about a new approach that I am trying.

I have noticed that when I look at these goals I am a bit overwhelmed. "Make $5 million a year, sounds great. How do I start?" Don't get me wrong I have other goals that are smaller and involve my family, "Go on three dates with my husband this month," "Have Selene read me a full chapter book by the 1st of August,". Even these though, seem like I keep putting them off. So what I decided to do is to actually break down my goals into monthly goals. So, instead of reading "Make $5 million a year," I am instead reading, "Sell fifteen pieces by July 1st,". This gives me a definite number and is still challenging without being overwhelming. I will make millions someday, but I'm going to start by selling fifteen pieces of my artwork.

I then decided that even this was being put off. I was waiting until the last week of the month and saying, "Sell fifteen pieces this week,". I've had enough of me putting it off. I broke it down into weekly goals and then I broke it down even further into daily goals. For some unknown reason, this works like a charm. I write down my daily goals the night before and then I get them done one by one and cross them off as I go. It's so satisfying to cross each one off and such a sense of accomplishment to know that I am really getting things done to reach my goals.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by those big goals, break them down into smaller daily to do's. It might not be something that works for everyone, but I will tell you that it has made a tremendous difference in my life.

My Private Island Experiment

2009-06-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

To be totally honest, as a mother of three young children there are some days when I am just feeling the need to get away from the fighting and "I'm hungry," cries of my kids. I'm sure other mommies can relate. On this day I was feeling the need to escape more than ever and wanted to paint something to reflect that. I really didn't know when I started what this painting was going to end up being, so I just started and kept painting.
There is something magical about a blank piece of art board just waiting to be painted. So much potential.
I wanted to create some really off beat color combinations and see what would happen. So I basically dripped paint onto the board.

I couldn't find my sponge, and I was feeling experimental anyway, so I took some printer paper and just smeared the paint around.
I painted some rudimentary trees and blotted on some leaves, did some spattering with an old toothbrush - just to see what would happen.

I did some splattering with an old toothbrush on and around the trees - just to see what would happen.

Eventually, I got to this point, an island. How this happened, I don't know, but it certainly fits my mood on that day.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24760207

2009-05-29T07:51:00.000-07:00

I was chosen by Bellissima for the "One Lovely Blog award." Thank you so much, Bellissima. Here is a link to her blog: http://bellissimasblog.blogspot.com/. She has the most delicious looking soap and beautiful mineral make up - and she lives right down the street from me! I've never met her or seen her shop before today, but I am a future customer. Thank you Bellissima!

I humbly accept the "One Lovely Blog Award," and in doing so, post the Rules of Blog Award Acceptance:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

So if you are on the list below, please pass on the award by taking the above steps. LOVE these blogs!

http://audreyscountrycrafts.blogspot.com/

http://susanrodio.blogspot.com/

http://alloverart-nc.blogspot.com/

http://www.kalapohl.blogspot.com/

http://elizabethpujalka.blogspot.com/

http://brigabauble.blogspot.com/

http://2livelovecreate.blogspot.com/

http://jacarandagal.blogspot.com/

http://themidnightcarver.blogspot.com/

http://joltdelamorte.blogspot.com/

http://rubyspiritdesigns.blogspot.com/

http://appleblossomfl.blogspot.com/

http://roses7184.blogspot.com/2009/05/birds-word.html

http://art2theextreme.blogspot.com/

http://lynseyruml.blogspot.com/

My Young Entreprenaurs

2009-05-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

My Husband decided that he wanted to sell the extreme surplus of tomato plants that we had in our greenhouse. I thought this was a great idea, but wanted to add a little something to it. I wanted a lemonade stand. I had my husband make a sign. Apparently, he wanted a LEMONAIDE stand.

It was fun, just sitting around with the kids telling jokes and yelling out to all the cars. The older kids were yelling "Lemonade, fifty cents!" Wesley was yelling, "Come get some money!"

This wasn't the only thing that he was confused about.

I found a four leaf clover and added it to my collection. That's 50 now. I told my hubby that maybe I should go for a world record. I thought, "Hey if it's 500 - I could do that eventually." I looked it up, it's over 160,000 four leaf clovers belonging to one person!

I don't know if that person feels lucky, but I know I do.

The kids ended up making $23. Not bad for a tomato plant and lemonaide stand!!

Tips to Craft Show Success

2009-05-27T06:31:00.000-07:00

Over the years I have done quite a few art and craft show. I have done some that went very well, that I really enjoyed and I have done others that I left knowing that I would not be back next year.

I am not an expert, but here are a few things that I've learned from experience.

Where to find the shows:

* The easiest thing to do is to look up local art shows or craft fairs on the internet. Usually you will get enough shows to keep you pretty busy. However the smaller shows don't always list their events online. The best show that I ever attended was a smaller show that didn't list online.

* Go to your town's Chamber of Commerce, as well as the neighboring town's Chamber of Commerce. They can usually give you a better list of events than anyone else.

* Don't be afraid to ask other crafters and artists which shows that they attend and which ones they really like. People always think that others will be put off by this, this is not usually the case. Most artists and crafters want to help eachother out.

Some things I've learned the hard way:

If I could go back in time, I could've saved myself a lot of misery. While I love going to the shows, I also think that if you are not fully prepared, it can be chaotic.

* Make sure that you are aware of the rules and restrictions of the show that you are attending. The people who set this show up work very hard to get it to run smoothly, you don't want to make it any more difficult for them.

* Start preparing the weekend before the event. If it is a big event, you may want to set up your table with all of your wares on it to see how it looks and what you will need to add or take away in order for it to look attractive.

* Make a list of everything that you need. Check it off as you load it into the car.

Some thinigs that I ALWAYS take to a show are listed below.

- Rain gear, a sweatshirt, and a change of clothes. You just never know, and believe me there is nothing worse than having to sit in wet clothes for hours on end.

- Snacks and drinks. Pack a lunch and put it in a little cooler. The vendors at the show are usually on the expensive side, and I'd rather keep my earnings. Some shows don't allow a cooler, so be sure to ask before you bring one.

- Ofcourse, you'll need your table, table covers, a sign with your logo and slogan on it and your displays.

- Your product, packaged or displayed beautifully. The truth is, the average person will not spend a lot of time at your booth. Most will just walk by if there isn't something to really attract them.

- Extra bags, price tags, pens and paper. Like I said, you never know.

- Cash box with money already in it to make change, receipt book, a calculator, if you accept charge cards you'll need an imprinter and slips and your state sales tax license.

- Business cards, coupons, brochures or fliers.

- A mirror if you sell jewelry or clothing.

- Special order forms. Have a sign that tells customers that if they like a product but they're not crazy about the color or size, that you can make them one just the way they want. Have all of your prducts named or numbered and put this on the form. Write down exactly what they want, you won't remember later.

- A repair kit with tools to fix your displays, scissors, tape, a screw driver etc.

- Baby wipes and bandaids. I've found that I need these more often than I care to admit.

*Have everything ready to go the night before.

* Get plenty of sleep the night before. Craft shows can be exhausting, and you want to make sure that you have a lot of energy.

* Be ready to order out the night of the show, or prepare dinner ahead of time. Trust me, you will be too tired to cook.

* Smile at every person that stops at your booth, no matter how briefly, and no matter how much of a bad mood you are in.

* Talk to people. I am very outgoing, but I am aware that some people are painfully shy. My advice, pretend you are very outgoing. You really need to talk to the people that stop at your booth. Ask them if they need help, if they seem open, start a conversation about something else, their hair, the beautiful weather, their pets or children. People love to talk about themselves and I've sold things because people like me and enjoy talking to me. You are selling yourself as much as your product.

* Brag. Yes, tell people why your product is better than the competitions. Don't put it that way, ofcourse, but you do want to tell them the reasons why your product is great.

* Do somthing that sets you apart from the other booths. If you sell something functional, demonstrate how it should be used. Something fun that I did one year was I gave scratch tickets that I had custom made with each purchase. Instead of winning the lottery, they won a free print, or 20% off their next purchase. This seller on etsy sells some of these tickets: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5240424. They would be great to ship out to customers too. Just make sure that you are in compliance with the show's rules.

* Make sure that your booth is VERY attractive and eye-catching. Have a sign professionally made with your logo and slogan on it, it's worth the investment. Use bright colors and an attractive table cover that compliments your products without taking away from them. Move things around until you find an arrangement that is pleasing to the eye and makes it look like you have many products. This is very important, you only get a matter of a few seconds to attract customers, so put a lot of time and effort into this.

Things that you should NEVER do during a show.

- Bring children under 12 or pets. You can't possibly focus on your customers when you need to take care of the needs of children or animals. I have both and I adore them, but they don't belong with you at a show. I think that it is fine to bring older, helpful children with you, if they won't be bugging you every five minutes.

- Read. This is a tough one for me, because I am a big reader. However, I know that when I browse a show, if someone is reading I don't want to ask questions. You want to be available.

- Hang out with your friends. It's great if they want to come by and check out your booth, but do not ignore your customers while they are there and NEVER, EVER invite them to pull up a chair and stay a while.

- Listen to the radio. Once again, you need to be available. You want to leave hand held games, the blackberry and all other distracting electronics at home. If you need to have a cell phone on you, don't talk on it unless you need to.

- Break any of the show's rules. I don't care if you think they won't notice. You want to be invited back.

- Don't be doing your craft. This is another tough one for me, because I need to stay busy. This makes you unapproachable, and this is the last thing you want to be. If it is slow, than you can double check your inventory, your set up, have a snack or have someone cover for you while you take a break.

Lisa's Little Luxuries

2009-05-26T05:14:00.000-07:00

Lisa of Lisa's Little Luxuries creates beautiful jewelry that I love because it is truly the type of jewelry that you want to wear with everything and anything. I interviewed her for this feature and this is what she had to say.

Why do you create what you create? Uh, I originally got into it for the business part because of my mother. She can only wear really light and feathery earrings, but wanted something BEAUTIFUL. After all of her jewelry was stolen (including her wedding ring poor thing), I got to work and started making her sets, beautiful swarovski earrings that were light so she could wear them and other lovely things. Happy to say she has a full collection again.

What other talents do you possess? I am an amateur actress, singer, photographer, and used to do amateur modeling and make up. I am an author and am trying to get my books off the ground. I also make decorated baskets, wreaths, table center pieces (for the holidays) and picture frames.

What is your biggest goal for the year to come? I would love to gain some momentum in my shop to help myself and my family out in our financial struggles right now. I also hope to open up a new etsy shop.

Where else can we find your work? My work is all over the net. Only for sale here, but, I promote on myspace, facebook, even youtube.

These are my three favorites above, but she has much more at her jewelry shop, be sure to check it out.

2009-05-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

Ask any of my friends and they will tell you - I am a handbag freak. I love them. I probably have more handbags than I do clothing. So, it is not surprizing that I would find a shop on etsy that sells some very nice bags.

I interviewed Erin of RuJu, a shop filled with beautiful bags of many colors and sizes.

Why do you create what you create?hmmm...good question. I make purses because I LOVE bags. I sew at night, when my kids go to bed. Bedtime is very stressful for me. I have 2 kids, ages 5 and 2....neither one of them is a fan of sleeping...just like their mama. So, once they hit the hay I get to it by making bags. Sometimes if I really get into what I'm making I end up staying up really late, then I dread putting my kids in bed on time the night before cause I just want to sleep the morning away. Damned if ya do, damned if ya don't. he he he.

What other talents do you possess?Well, according to my 5 year old daughter I'm the "best cooker". (lol) Seriously tho, aside from sewing I also love photography. I have a studio and specialize in childrens portraits. I've also done a few weddings.

What is your biggest goal for the year to come?My biggest goal is to continue de-stressing myself by sewing. I have a habit of getting really into a certain thing, then out of know where changing directions onto a new endeavor. I've started to establish my name locally, and would love to be more recognized. So I guess it is to keep my fickle self focused.

Where else can we find your work? I do a few shows here and there around the central PA area. May 30th I will be in Lancaster, PA at the Eastern Market, and June 7th I will be at Crafty By Nature in Shupps Grove in Adamstown, PA. You can also find me on HandmadeInPa.net. It's an online community, and is a great place to find a whole bunch of Pennsylvania Crafters. RuJu also has a facebook page, where I update info on the shows I do. (all of these links are in my shop announcement)

Erin has 2 small children so everything you see in her shop was most likely created in the wee hours of the night. (I know how that is)She has been sewing since 9th grade, making purses for about 5 years. She rarely remembers to make patterns for her purses, so they are all pretty much one of a kind. She's married and has a pet guinea pig named froggie.

You should definately go have a look see at her unique handbag store RuJu.

Went Shopping!

2009-05-22T07:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went shopping with a friend and bought all kinds of neat things to paint on. I am so excited, because these aren't just canvas and art boards as usual. I bought a clock, boxes, some wooden ballish things and other really cool stuff to paint on.

I think that although I love painting, there is something fun and functional about painting on stuff. I think that being able to create beautiful things that are useful will be new and interesting. Let's face it, there isn't much that you can do with art except hang it. You can't even take it with you to show it off!

I am not putting fine art down - at all. Believe me, I love it. It's just something new that I am going to try and if nothing else it will be a learning experience. I've done this sporadically in the past - twice that I've taken photos of. Here they are:

I have fun with all of this, and isn't that what it is about. Although these are cute, I really would like more detailed painting on the things that I want to make.

I am really looking forward to this and I want to keep you updated. I know this sounds like a huge task, but my goal is to paint one new painting a day on the following surfaces (objects):

Clocks, canvas bags, pendants for jewelry, decorative wooden spoons, prayer or blessing plaques, signs for the home, journals, cigar box purses, treasure chests, small peices of furniture, and anything else that I can find or think of.

Part of my goal will be to post it here everyday. Ofcourse, they will all be for sale in my etsy shop.

I just shook my own hand and wished myself good luck. Today is Friday, I need three more days to finish the painting I was commissioned to do and then I will move on to this goal. So - starting Tuesday, I will be like a crazy woman - or insane artist, whatever you want to call me.

What I Learned from Self Help Books

2009-05-21T05:21:00.000-07:00

I read daily and finish about one book a week. This is a lot considering I have three children, work in the home (my art business) and out of the home (dog training).

I make it a point to read a lot of self help books. Sometimes I get a lot from them, and other times I feel that I'm reading the same thing over and over again. The basic points of these books that I think have helped me the most are the following:

Take responsability for your life, meaning that you can't blame anyone else for your mistakes, shortcomings or problems. You created them, and now only you can fix them. I think that knowing this is actually liberating. If you've created your life up until now, doesn't that mean that you can create a better life in the future. Jack Canfield says that you control your reactions to the events in your life and this is how you create your entire life. React better to the events in your life, and you will have better outcomes. You control what you think, say, believe and do. If you don't like your life, than change these things.

Prioritize. Know what is most important to you, so that you can narrow your focus. You can't do it all, you can't be everything to everyone, you will fall apart. Write down the three most important things in your life and focus 90% of your time and energy on these three things.

You need a purpose and a mission, something that you are excited about from the moment you get up until you fall asleep at night. Write down exactly what you think your life purpose is clearly in two or three sentences and read it everyday. Decide on the things that you really want. Write a list, let it be long. You deserve to have what you really want. Share it with others, tell them your desires, and then go after them.

Believe. Know that you can do it and that these things will happen for you.

Set goals that challenge you. Make sure that they are S.M.A.R.T. Specific, measurable, action oriented, realistic and timely. Meaning how much, by when and what do I have to do? The realistic part is relative - is it realistic for you?

Success leaves clues. Read books written about what you want to do. Talk to people who have done it.
Visualize your desires as already happening. Make them real in your mind, and really feel how you would feel if you had reached your goals. Do this everyday and make it very real. You are in your dream home - what color are the walls? What does it smell like? How do you feel? Are you relaxed and content?
Act as if. This is my favorite. Act as if you have already accomplished what it is you want to accomplish. You want to be a famous artist, well dress, walk, talk and behave like one. Have you ever heard the saying, "A man should always dress for the job he wants." It's not just a free credit commercial - it's true.
Take action. Nike says 'Just do it', and she would be right. (Nike is actuallty a Goddess). Stop planning, stop talking about it and do something. Even if it something small, this will help you to build momentum. Take steps if you need to, but DO it! Don't be afraid to fail - I know that this is a fear of mine, but I think at one time or another we will all fail, especially if we make BIG goals. This is ok, do it anyway. Fear is a clue that we are about to do something that is breakthrough.
Be willing to work VERY HARD. Know that some things just take a lot of work. You need to be willing to put your time and energy into something. If your goals involve a skill that you are trying to perfect, practice, practice and more practice.
Ask for what you want. Ask those that are able to help you. Ask again if they say no the first time. Ask a new person if the answer is still no, and keep asking until you find someone that says yes. Don't take rejection personally, not everyone is going to say yes all the time.
Look for the feedback around you. Feedback is everywhere and if we pay attention to what it says and make adjustments, than we can start living a better life. Are the people around you happy with the way that you treat them. Ask them, than make changes. Try not to defend yourself, just say ok, and then adjust yourself. Is your home adisorganized mess? If you can never find anything then it might be feedback telling you that it is time to organize the house. Moodiness and irritability might be telling you that four hours of sleep a night just isn't enough.
Caizen - constant and never ending improvement. I like this one too. It is a Japanese word meaning that you make tiny little improvements constantly in your life and keep building. For example, if you never exercise, don't start off by jogging for 45 minutes, instead, walk in place in front of the tv during the commercials of your favorite show.
Be persistent, don't ever give up. Change your approach if you think that it will help, be flexable, but don't stop. Practice the rule of five. I do this everyday and I have seen huge changes in my life. The rule of five just means that whatever it is that you want to do, do five things each day to meet that goal. DO five things, don't write them down, DO it...
Hang out with positive people that build you up, rather than tear you down.
Create a focus journal to help you make improvements. Write all your successes in this journal and then next to each one write the reason you did it, what you could do to make even more progress and what is the very next action you need to take, and then DO it...
Plan your day the night before and then visualize how you want your day to go. Do the thing that you dread the most first thing, this way it is out of the way.
Figure out the things that are irritating to you, write them down and then take action to fix them.
Remain flexable, make sure that if you notice that something really isn't working, that you are willing to change the way you do things until it does work.
Everytime that you catch yourself saying something negative about yourself, write it down and next to it write a nice way to say it to yourself and one action that you can take to make it better. Then (you guessed it) DO it...
Focus on the positive. State your goals in the positive, focus on what you do want rather than what you don't want. Focus on your own strengths and the strengths of those around you. Be grateful for what you do have. Use what you already have to get you to your goals, be resourceful. I believe that you already have everything that you need to succeed, you just have to figure out how to use it.

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Real Joy

2009-05-20T05:25:00.000-07:00

Real Joy

I think that the state of happiness can be fleeting, if we allow it to be. However, I plan on doing everything that I can to sustain my joy, not false joy that I find in novelties, but real joy. So what is real joy? Where do I find it and how do I keep that feeling once I do find it.

I guess that every person on earth has a vision of what happiness would look like for them. There is one thing that I do know with absolute certainty - happiness is a choice.

I have met some truly miserable people in my life. People who have a wonderful family, a nice house, nice car and good health. Yet these people are miserable. Why? They have made a choice to be miserable - that's why.

I am not saying that people should never be in a bad mood - everyone has their days. I am saying that the vast majority of the time, there are too many things to be happy about. Come on people, life is way to short to hate your job, your house, your neighbor, your cat, the news, your piece of sh!@ car! Quit being a complainer and start being a celebrator!
After much research on the subject (about half of my life actually), there are some things that seem to be consistent in the books I've read and people I've talked to. I have listed them below.

Find out what you like to do.What is it that you enjoy, what is it that you love? Focus on these things for a while. DO them, don't just plan to do them. Actually make a list of things that make you happy, that make you feel alive. Don't worry if they aren't productive or won't help you reach your list of goals. Let the things that bring you joy lead you to more joy. Even if people think it weird, or stupid, or a waste of time. Who cares? They are not you! Stop living your life for others and start living the life you want to live.

Don't wait for something to happen to feel happy. I hear this a lot - "When I get my own house, then I will be happy," When I get promoted, then I will be happy," When we get married, then I will be happy," and so on. I can promise you one thing if you live in this mentality, you will always be waiting. Why would you do this to yourself? You know how you keep yourself busy at the Dr.'s office with a really good book, or knitting or something else you enjoy? Yeah, well keep yourself busy being happy waiting for things to happen that will bring you even more joy.

If it isn't fun - find a way to make it fun. I am the crazy lady with headphones on while I wash the dishes singing loudly out the window for all my neighbors to hear. Ask them, they'll tell you how not so great my singing voice is. However, I enjoy singing and dishes are something that I don't enjoy, so I made them more fun until I get a housekeeper to do them for me. Let's face it, there are things that you will need to do, throughout your life. I always kid around with friends that I hate to pee when I am in the middle of something fun, like painting. I will literally hold it until I do the pee pee dance and then run to the bathroom. It just seems to be such a waste of time to me. Anyway, I have left my idea journal in the bathroom so that I can read over one of my past brilliant ideas and maybe feel inspired to act on one. Sound stupid? Well maybe it is, but I want to live every moment as happy as I can be.

I need to emphasize right now that I do not mean just pretending to be happy, I mean real happiness. This brings me to the next thing that you can try - be grateful. What is in your life that you are happy with. If you can't think of one single thing, then ask yourself, "If I could be thankful for one thing in my life, then what would it be?" This will get the ball rolling, do this everyday. Write it down if you want. I have a journal that is completely full of things that I am grateful for. The reason that this works is it puts your focus more where it should be, on the things that matter in your life. It helps you to make these things even better, and who knows where this will lead you.

Be present. I have a really hard time with this one. I am usually somewhere in the future, either tonight making dinner, or three years from now relaxing by a pool in my enormous yard that I don't have yet. Be here, notice the wonder and beauty around you. It doesn't have to be something big. Even tiny things are beautiful if you take the time to notice them. Personally, I love the way that light effects things, bright sunlight, blue moonlight, it doesn't matter, I think it's lovely. Take that extra second and notice the miracle of life around you. It is not "just a tree." It's a tree that was once a tiny seed and now stands as tall as a three story building, and whose root system extends beneath the earth as far down as the tree is tall. Isn't that AMAZING! It is, and there are other amazing things around you to, just notice them. How about your children who love you with such intensity that they cry when you go away even if it's only for an hour, or your husband who wants to please you so badly that he was willing to give up his T.V. spot just so you could be comfortable? These are personal examples, but they are also personal miracles, these are the beautiful things in my life, what are the beautiful things in yours. NOTICE.

Tell the people that you love how you feel. You only have so many opportunities in your life time to do this. Tell them now, don't wait for a birthday or Christmas. Today is special because they are with you. You don't have to just say "I love you," all the time. That's wonderful too, but tell them in other ways. Let them know they've done something that made you happy, "That was great, you are such a sweet person." Smile at them, for God's sake, even if you're having a bad day. Maybe they're having a great day, who are you to ruin that? Be kind to the people that you love, show them the same courtesies that you would a stranger.

Think beyond yourself, give back to people and animals - and plants for that matter. You don't have to set aside ten hours of your week to volunteer at a nursing home - than don't! But thing outside yourself. Let the person with one item go ahead of you in line when your cart is so full that stuff is falling out. Smile at people and say thank you, listen when people when they are talking to you, and take the two minutes to answer a question thoughtfully. This should be the same for animals too. After studying different species of animals Darwin said that they are our intellectual equals, they just don't communicate the same way. He also believed that they had a wide range of emotions that they experience on a daily basis. I believe this, and I know it is true when I look at my dog. There is no reason to be cruel or indifferent, you have the time to be kind.

Don't forget to take time out for you, to give back to yourself too. You are as important than any King or President ever was, treat yourself nicely. Give yourself a gift and stop putting yourself down. Make yourself feel good. It is your responsibility to do this, no one else can do it for you. Stop blaming others or expecting others to bring you joy. Create your own.

That's it, that's my wisdom for the day. I don't know if it right, but it feels right so I do it.

2009-05-19T06:25:00.000-07:00

While growing up in the North Atlanta suburbs as an only child, KBerlin's imagination was always a great source of entertainment. She loved playing outside, exploring wooded areas, creeks and fields or just her neighbors’ back yard. By picking up anything she found to be interesting or necessary, her pockets were always full of tiny treasures, and she was very accustomed to hearing the words "PUT THAT DOWN!"

Now she combines her love for tiny treasures with an appreciation for craftsmanship and detail. As a metalsmith, she creates artisan jewelry from precious metals and gem stones with a focus on original design and solid construction. All of KBerlin's pieces are handcrafted from Argentium sterling silver sheet and wire with some gold, brass or copper occasionally thrown in to add interest and contrast. Her fulfillment comes from creating beautiful jewelry without sacrificing wear-ability, durability or comfort. All of her jewelry is fashioned to be worn, to last, and to be loved. Just as her skills and craftsmanship have developed over time with experience, she realized that her work will always be ever-changing, ever-evolving in a natural progression.
Today, she still lives in the North Atlanta suburbs with her husband, their cat Cricket and two house bunnies, Heidi & Gretchen. In addition to creating her own jewelry designs, she has worked two days a week as a studio assistant to a locally well known jeweler since June of 2006.
She is a member of the following Etsy teams:- GaEtsyTeam- SEUS - SouthEast US Etsy Team- MSIA - MetalsmithsInAction team

Why do you create what you create?I create jewelry, not just for the sake of making jewelry but because I love tiny things with lots of detail and I thoroughly enjoy the process. I have a great appreciation for skill and craftsmanship, so I've dedicated myself and my time to learning the art of metalsmithing.

What other talents do you possess?I play in the dirt. I am an avid gardener and I love to take a plant that someone has neglected and nurse it back to life and watch it flourish. I enjoy working in my yard and my garden. I'm handy! My husband and I have done all of our home repairs and remodeling work.

What is your biggest goal for the year to come? My goal for this year is to find a few more galleries around the country to carry my work. For this reason, I've recently built a new web site: http://www.kberlin.com/ and I've worked diligently to improve my photography skills to create professional image.

Where else can we find your work? You can see my work at Raiford Gallery in Roswell, GA.

Rhode Island local shows and events

2009-05-15T06:23:00.000-07:00

I think that one of my major goals for the coming year is to really go to a lot of art events. I have done a few shows in the past, but I never really put my heart into it. I've read tarot at shows with huge success, but then not really done that well with the paintings.
The first local events that I would like to be involved with is the Providence Open Market. I know that there is also one in Boston. This is the 3rd season the market has been open, it is the state's only outdoor market where you sell your handmade artisan goods and fine art, every weekend throughtout the spring, summer and fall.
Another one that I'd like to do nesst year (I missed the application deadlind is the Scituate Art Festival. If you have never gone to this event and you live within 300 miles, you NEED to check this out. There are literally thousands and thousands of people that attend from all over the country, the art and food is amazing. There is every kind of handmade goodie that you can think of on this huge stretch of land. I was a little overwhelmed the first time that I went, but it is a must see. For me, it is a goal to be a vendor at this awsome festival.
The Wickford Art Festival is another event that I am making it my mission to be a vendor at.
From what I have heard, they only accept the 'best of the best' and the fee for a booth is much more than I've ever paid, but this makes even more of a challenge, and I love a challenge.
The Virtu Art Festival in Westerly is another fine art event that I get invited to every year, but never seem to come up with the money.
One show that I have done in years past and enjoyed was Uncommon Art on the Common in Bristol. I plan on doing this one again next year.
I don't normally do shows that are not jurried, but I may check out The Narragansett Art Festival, Narragansett is a nice town, and I know there are many art lovers there.
Although it is not an event, I'd like to join the Providence Art Club. They have many events and I've been told that I should join by more than three different people who've never met, so i'm thinking there is something to it.
Another place that I really want to check out is AS220. It seems very edgy and I may have to do some special pieces, but I want to check into it.
There are other very small shows, such as The Oakland Beach Festival, Apponaug Family Festival, New Bedford Summerfest and Summerfest Providence come to mind. I will probably do tarot readings here as well as sell art.
Being a vendor at these shows means that I am going to be a very busy girl next year. I think that

Something that I really enjoy doing is painting on the mini canvas. It's fun and it is a way that I could sell for a reasonable price. This is not to say that I won't do any large pieces, I definately will, but I think that the minis could do well. If you interested in buying any of the paintings below, simply click on one.

Habits

2009-05-14T05:05:00.000-07:00

Habits

I am a self improvement junkie. I love books about improving your life, increasing success, being a better mom, better artist etc. I read a lot of these books - a lot. You'd think that I am a famous artist that lives in a big house on a lake with an enormous backyard and is ridiculously happy. This is not the case. I have big dreams, but as of yet, they are still waiting somewhere for me to find them. I think that I know what I need to do.

I don't think that you can take the actions that these books all suggest some of the time, I think that they need to become habits that you do every single day.

I have read this before, but it never truly sank in, until last night. Every single day, no matter what else is going on, I paint, for a least three hours. When I went to Florida on vacation, the paint came with me. When I am not feeling well, the paint comes to bed with me. It is always, every single day, I never have an excuse. Well, last night I stumbled upon one of my first oil paintings I did over eight years ago. This painting took me almost three weeks to complete and it is - crap! I could finish a better painting in less than two hours now.

At the time that I did the crappy painting I was lucky to get in an hour of painting a day and I would go for weeks without painting at all. It wasn't until about two years ago that I started painting everyday. I learned more in the first month of this practice of painting every single day than in the seven years of painting that came before it, and this is not an exaggeration. I recently decided to really challenge myself and complete on painting a day. This has taught me more than I could ever learn from books or years of painting 'every once in a while'.

When I saw the painting, something within me stirred. I literraly felt a chill of realization, if I could improve my skills this much, just from daily self discipline - than what else could I improve?

I have read it a dozen times, - form better habits, it takes 22 days to form a new habit etc. etc., but I never really heard it.

The other thing that I noticed is that at first, when I started painting everyday, it was an tremendous exercise of will, I had to really force myself. It only took about two weeks for it to feel like food, if I didn't start by the afternoon, I was starving for it.

I have a mission now that I am giving myself, to form better habits. Where do I want to be in ten years from now, and what new habits do I need to develop in order to get there?

I don't know all of them, but I think that some universal success habits will really help me. They are:

* Writing down my specific and measurable goals down and reading them everyday.

* Networking more, with people in my field and outside of my field.

* Being grateful for what I already have.

* Doing the most important things, and saying no to the unimportant things.

* Taking action on my ideas. I have so many that I write down in a notebook, but I have yet to do anything about them.

* Figure out what is working, and what is not, and focus my efforts on what is working.

* Visualization. Research has shown how incredibly effective visualizing your goal as if you've already reached it can be.

* Reading, attending workshops or otherwise learning about my field.

* Practice, practice, practice and practice some more.

* Know what I want, exactly what I really want.

* Don't give up, keep taking action, notice what is working and do it, stop doing what isn't working and keep on taking action. I heard someone once say that if you find that you are in a rut, change one thing to it's opposite. If you find that you aren't selling online, sell off the computer. Go to a store and ask if they sell on consignment, be a vendor at a show, or have your own show - it can't hurt.

* Feel the fear and do it anyway. I love this saying. If no one did what they were afraid to do, or what they were apprehensive about, there would be very few successful people in the world. Not many people would stand out.

I'm still working on a way to make these things every day habits. I think that keeping a planner with a to do list in it and crossing out the unimportant things will help me to keep my focus. I was also thinking of having a short survey that my customers could take so I could figure out what is working and what isn't working. I would give them a discount for taking it ofcourse. There are many steps that I could take to incorporate better habits into my life.

The Begining of a Mermaid painting step by step

2009-05-13T05:12:00.000-07:00

The Begining of a Mermaid painting

I worked on the sketch before I got to the point that I felt comfortable trasferring it onto the surface. It is very important to make sure that your sketch is exactly the way that you want it before you transfer it onto the surface you will be using. I spent a full day getting the sketch just right. It is my opinion that a great painting starts with a great drawing. To me, this doesn't mean a ton of detail, you can see that my drawing is not that detailed. I will add detail with paint as the last thing that I do. By "great drawing" I mean good composition, good lines, proportion and design.
I use both canvas and gessoed art board for my surfaces. For this project I used gessoed art board. I like the surface to be ultra smooth, so I sand it down with very fine sand paper until it feels like porceline.

I did several sketches and sometimes there are parts that I like of one and I want to combine it with a part from another etc. This one I like the body and the baby, but not the head - so I removed it. There is not law about decapitation in the art world, I don't even feel guilty. So I took her head off and replaced it with another head. I suggest you do several sketches, invest in some tape, and do this with your sketches. It's much easier than resketching over and over.

Once the head is taped on, I tape the sketch to some graphite paper (available at any art or craft store - for a hefty price) and then taped the entire thing to the art board. Make sure that it is secure and won't slip around - this can be disastrous.

Now you simply redraw the skecth. Make sure that you cover every line. Don't be afraid to press hard, we're going to cover any graphite smudges. I use a colored pen, because pencil just doesn't cut it, and it's much easier to see which lines I went over already .

This is my happy spongepaint dude. My son calls him and all other sponges spongebob. Bob is ready to get some work done. I use a sponge because the blotting is much less likely to smear the sketch than painting is.

I blot, lightly. You want to be able to see the sketch. I use acrylic paint for this because it dries faster. Actually, to cut costs, I use the cheap craft acrylic paints for this. It is only the first layer in the painting, later layers I will use oil paint

So now the sketch is covered lightly in acrylic craft paint. This ensures that the later layers of paint will not smudge the sketch. The graphite can also get into your paint and really change the color - we don't want that.

I did blue because there is going to be a lot of blue in this painting, it just makes life easier later on. Think before you apply this base color, what is the predominant color of the painting?

Now we wait about an hour for it to dry. Acrylic dries very quickly, so it may be done before this, but I like to be safe.
Ithen paint with midnight blue the outline of the tail. There is no reason I start here, it just seemed like a good place to begin.

After I did the entire tail this way, I decided it wasn't dark enough, so I added some black.

I then painted the floor of the ocean. i just did some greyish blue. As you get further back toward the horizon, you want to add more and more blue and make it lighter and lighter to macth the color of the sky, or in this case the water. You also want to make sure that objects further away are a little blurry, with less and less detail, they should also get more blue as the get further away.

I then painted the tail, and as it so often happens to me, I got so into it that I forgot to take photos of the stages of the tail. Basically I just painted the two tails slightly different shades of green. I then added a little dark blue on the shadowed side and some black as the shadows got darker. This is what I have so far. For the next week I will be working on this painting and blogging my progress and showing you how I did it. I have lots of little things that I have learned to make the painting proccess a little easier, so be sure to check back.

The Serpent's Dance

2009-05-12T04:25:00.001-07:00

I can't even describe how much I LOVE this jewelry. It is gorgeous. I don't wear jewelry that much, but I would treasure every piece in this store. The name of the store is The Serpent's Dance, and it is owned by the ver talented Amber Justice. Go visit her beautiful jewelry store.

Amazonite Spiral Hair Stick by Serpent's Dance Designs

Crazy Lace Necklace

Wayfarer Cat Necklace

Amber Justice I have been making jewelry since I was old enough to put beads on a string. She loves beads. You can find them everywhere in her house. In boxes, in drawers, on shelves, in her fiance's shoes, in the vacuum cleaner...so she decided to start sharing her love of sparkly things with the general public a few years ago. She has sold locally, on ebay, through various internet forums, and now here on Etsy. Her work is heavily influenced by fairy tales, mythology, history, and nature. She loves working with vivid colors and interesting textures.She works mainly in silver and copper. Her leather corded necklaces are her way of offering intricate wirework without the hefty price tag that a necklace done completely in wirework and gemstones would carry. Amber lives in a fairly rural part of Kentucky with her fiance and her pet goat, Biscuit.

Look for her silver and leather necklaces soon. She'll be doing a limited run of those to test the market. If successful, I'll offer them with greater frequency.

2009-05-11T06:37:00.001-07:00

I have completed my paintings #13 and #14. Last night I started on a portrait I was commissioned to do, so I didin't get a chance to complete a painting. Priorities, you know. Anyway, these are the paintings from Friday and Saturday night.

The Native Americans believed that the fox was a trickster. He is a quick-thinking and clever fellow. He was wise and cunning, but at the same time ammusing and fun. He was able to adapt to his environment and always had a strategy to not only survive the harshness that mother nature can dish out - but thrive.

The sunflower symbolizes vitality and health as well as an ability to experience joy, no matter what is going on around you. I love the sunflower because it is always keeping it's head toward the sun. This flower knows where to keep it's attention in order to get the most out of life.

2009-05-08T05:39:00.000-07:00

I cam across a very cute little shop. I am always looking for pretty things to put into my hair and my daughter's hair. Tea of Sugar Lotus Designs creates art to be worn in your hair.

She's drawn to vintage inspired designs, flowers, and delicate things. I'm inspired by textures, shininess, touch, and color. Tea is a writer, blogger, reader, world traveler, compulsive recycler, and computer geek. When you put all those things together this shop is what happens!- You should go check her hair accessories out at Sugar Lotus Designs.

Paintings #10 and #11

2009-05-07T04:49:00.001-07:00

A Fantasy World
These are two new peices that I have completed in the past two days. I feel like they both give us a little glimpse into a vast and beautiful world where all things imaginary live. Especially the tree, I want to go there and sit for a while.

Maybe it's just because I'm feeling the need to escape for a little while. Or maybe I just need a break in my routine. Either way, they are for sale on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24685206 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24655341

2009-05-06T05:22:00.000-07:00

There is nothing quite like a beautiful photograph. I m obsessed with my camera, but I am not great at taking pictures. JLynnPro however, takes gorgeous pictures. She is an award-winning photographer based in the Washington, DC area. She travels several times a year, and most of her photos come from those experiences. She specializes in abstract, landscape, and still life photography. She does take commissions, and ships internationally.

She lives with her boyfriend and their cats in the Washington, DC metro area. When she's not out getting great shots, she's in her art studio making something, curled up with her boyfriend watching movies or absorbed in a good book or article.

That last part sounds like my life, only not boyfreind, it is usually my kids, my husband or my dog that I curl up.

These photos are my favorite in her shop.

Go visit JLynnPro on etsy.

2009-05-05T04:59:00.000-07:00

Painting #9 in the painting a day challenge. I wanted another side to my purse. So although it is not in keeping with the Creative Everyday Challenge theme, I decided to go ahead with it.

I used one of the many sponges that my littlest one calls Spongebob and painted some pastel blues and ponks. The fairy this time will be blue - no relation to the Disney blue fairy, so I went a little heavier on the pink.

This is the sketch of how she will look.

I tried a trick I read recently to transfer a drawing. It's a way of making your own transfer paper. You color the back of the drawing in colored chalk and then just put it on the surface and transfer it. It wourked well, except next time I will definately use a different color, one that matches the colors I will use in the painting.

I outlined the chalk in paint and got to work 'filling it in'.

This is the finished product. It is for sale in my etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24601367

2009-05-04T06:17:00.000-07:00

So far, this is my collection of the painting a day challenge paintings.

Rainbow Fairy #1 The original painting was sold on Saturday, so prints are available.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24469823

Little Tree #2

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24313092

Whimsical Dragonfly #3

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24258566

Pink Fairy #4. It is actually painted on a cigar box that will eventually be made into a purse.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24387594

'Through My Eyes,' #5

It is an interesting title, because this is not my eye.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24425371

'Christen's Protecter,' #6

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=24452984

'Summer Snack,' #7. This one is my favorite so far.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=24510963

'Oak Leaves,' #8. I love trees and leaves so it is ode to the big oak in my yard.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24556441

2009-05-03T19:12:00.000-07:00

Today's painting is of leaves. I believe that it is painting #8 - so we will go with that.

I start off with yet another tiny canvas and paint it a very light blue. I want this to be the background color. I will end up changing my mind, but I don't know this at this stage.

I very lightly block in the leaves, just to make sure this is where I want them, and that they are the correct shapes and sizes.

I do the first layer of the colors over the leaves - darkening them up. I then quickly add the fuzzy colors of the background.

The colors of the leaves need some warming up, and the background needs to be darkened to make the leaves stand out. As you can see - there is less and less light blue.

I've darkened the background a little more and I started to sketch in the veins of the leaves.

I completed the veins on both leaves to finish the painting. It was a quick one. Not my best work, but it's a learning experience.

Painting a day #6

2009-05-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

I never do still life. It is not my thing. However, this challenge is all about trying new things. So, I went to the store and bought a few more mini canvases that I am becoming addicted to and I got started.

This canvas is tiny - about 2"x2". I wanted to make the red of the strawberry really stand out so I made the background a very dark green (red's compliment).

I blocked in the colors that I wanted the berry to be.

I then added a little definition and highlights. It needed depth - so I gave it some extra shading on the left top side.

I brightened up the highlights - added a few teeny seeds and voila - The tiniest painting of a strawberry I've ever seen.

This painting - as well as quite a few others are for sale in my etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24510963

Painting a day #5

2009-05-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

This is #5 in my a painting a day challenge. I think this is my favorite, it was a lot of fun to do. I wanted to see how a darker, less intense color, makes it's lighter and more intense compliment color really stand out. In this case, the brown is a little darker and greyed down. The blue eye really stands out.

It is another mini canvas - this time a 3"x3".

It's for sale for only $10 in my etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5292039

2009-05-01T06:55:00.001-07:00

I came across this beautiful shop called Cats Paw Artifacts. I do not own a lot of jewelry, mostly because nothing I see suits my taste. I find it boring. Well, Cats Paw has some of the most beautiful jewelry I've ever seen. I love the uniqueness and the bright and unexpected color combinations. I think that this is one of my top five favorite shops on etsy - and that is saying a lot. I want everything in the shop! Take a look:

Those are just three of my favorites! There are many more beautiful things to see at her store.

The owner of this shop, Judy Richards is a Portland, ORMember of the International Society of Glass Beadmakersseller on ebay for 5 years - over 500-100% positive feedback. She is a member of the Portland Bead Society, the ORBS (Oregon Regional Beadmakers Society) and the ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers). She also belongs to PdxEtsy, Etsy BEAD team, and CGGE. Judy makes lampwork beads and designs jewelry - unique and hopefully artful jewelry. She is always striving for new ideas, new shapes in glass. Judy is inspired by nature (flowers, birds) depicted in glass. She loves abstract lampwork most of all with layers of glass and complexity. She is always striving to that goal.She has done the work of reasonably exact glass beads - but yearns to break out of that toward something more complex and deep in an artistic sense. She also has a sense of humor and doesn't take herself too seriously - she is the owner of 2 cats, hence the cat beads. Judy likes to laugh and make others smile with her work.Judy's dream buyer is the Sundance catalog.Probably the best things she has made are jewelry with her own lampwork beads and semi precious stones that have sold that are really pushing the envelope of what we think of as jewelry and adornment.

You can find her here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5053222

2009-04-30T05:06:00.000-07:00

Day #4 in the painting a day challenge. As you may know, the theme is color and I wanted to try some monochromatic colors in my painting's subject. I also wanted something that I could carry around with me - as sort of a walking advertizement for my store. I love purses - so I decided to do a cigar box purse. Since fairies are my favorite thing, there was really only one thing to do.

So I got everything ready on my dishwasher - paints, sponge, spray bottle, the box and most importantly - my coffee, and settled in for the 30 seconds it took to sponge paint the background.

I chose the colors that I thought would look feminine and soft in the end and smudged them on a wet sponge.

Wet down the box ....

and sponged away.

Someone needs to take this sponge away from me - I want to sponge paint everything now.

This was the result. I let it dry completely. Because it's acrylic paint - it only took about 5 minutes.

Then I went outside so Wes could dig in the dirt and the dog could get some fresh air. The lighting out here is much better. I got out the best and girliest color I could find - pink and blocked in a fairy shape.

I then played with Wes and the dog for a half hour and came back in the house. I started adding darker paint and lighter paint to areas that needed it.

I went to work, came home at 9:15, cleaned the house, ate dinner and finished.

2009-04-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today is my forth day on the painting a day challenge (for some reason I feel like I just started some delicious healthy new diet) I am a little behind on keeping a blog of it though, so this is an entry of my second day doing the painting a day challenge.

I've always wanted to try sponge painting. However, because I am such a control freak, I never did. Well, the entire purpose of this challenge is to loosen up and become more skilled and creative. I had to try it.

Because this months theme in the Creative Everyday Challenge is color, I wanted to choose my palette carefully. I really like split comliments - so that's what I went with. I know this photo is blurry - but you get the point.

I grabbed the nearest thing to use as my pallette, because I just wanted to get started. My poor daughter can never use this Strawberry Shortcake plate again. I wanted to do some color searching (continuously changing the colors as you paint) so I made sure that I had a dark version and a light of each color.

Before I started with the paint I used a light colored pencil to sketch in a cartoonish dragonfly - not usually my style - but that's why I'm doing this - to experience new things. Then I got on with the painting. I thought that the colored pencil would show slightly through the paint, but what actually happened was the paint didn't stick well because of the wax, so it remained light. I was excited about this and knew I would have to use this in a future painting.

I started with the cool colors and did the background with a giant sponge. It took maybe ten seconds to do the whole thing and I was satisfied with the results. Hmmm - I like sponge painting.

I then used the darker colors to outline the dragonfly.

The green body went fairly quickly - I'm not so sure how much I like the green against the blues and purples - I wish I would've done a different color - but too late now.

The only real detail that I added were tiny dots of highlights on each section of the body and on the head.

I then completed the wings by throwing some white on the wings and randomly adding some of the same colors as the background.

Overall, I don't like this one as much as the ranibow fairy that I did on the first day, but I did a technique that I have been dying to try (sponge paint) and it only took about an hour - so it was a good day.

Air boat rides at Camp Holly

2009-04-28T04:41:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite highlights of our Florida trip were the air boat rides at Camp Holly. Camp Holly is a place in the Florida Everglades. We wanted the kids to see the most beautiful parts of Florida, and you can't skip the Everglades! To my surprize when we got there we were able to order drinks form a small Karaoke bar right next to the air boats. The kids were actually allowed in the bar, which was interesting and there were games set up on the tables. Clay and I played a 'friendly' game of checkers. We were close the entire game, but he beat me in the end. The only real food that they served there (besides packaged ice cream) was alligator meat. We got in the air boats and the captain gave some warnings. He told us that there were life preservers in the front if we needed them, but we would be eaten before we could drown. We put them on the kids anyway.

The boats were loud and fast. The first alligator we came across was sitting so still I honestly though that it was fake. Then the real action began. There were alligators EVERYWHERE! Big alligators, baby alligators, alligators on the shore, in the water, 4 feet away from the boat.

The captain was absolutely right. There was no doubt that you would be eaten before you would drown. We came across an emergency shelter in the middle of no where - where no one would hear you scream. I think I'd rather brave the extreme weather than get off the boat here.

We had a blast, and I definately want to go again. The ride made me almost wish there were 'gators in RI, almost.

2009-04-27T04:45:00.000-07:00

Now that I am back from my awesome vacation, I am ready to go full force. I have a lot of work to do and I am feeling renewed and refreshed. Even though Florida was so beautiful, there is a part of me that is very relieved to be home. I like my routine, and living out of suitcases and eating takeout food every night gets old after a while. Although I enjoyed not cooking or doing dishes. Today I plan on doing another painting, focusing on how I use color. I'll keep you updated!

A Painting a Day

2009-04-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

I have decided to take a challenge. I have been wanting to jump on the 'a painting a day', train for a long time now. I never thought that I could ever complete a painting in one day. I am a perfectionist. I want to loosen up and experiment. I want to improve my speed and skill. I think that this will help me to do both, so I decided to just dive in. I don't know how long it will last . I was given a website to check out called Creative Everyday: http://creativeeveryday.com/creativeeveryday/2009/03/ced-april-theme-color.html

I plan to participate in the theme of the month and blog my paintings as much as possible. This painting took me about four or five hours. It's not perfect, there are still some pencil lines visible, but I didn't want perfection, I wanted a learning experience.

It is for sale in my etsy store:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5292039

2009-04-19T05:38:00.000-07:00

The second night, at our first hotel in Florida, I decided to play a joke on my mom.

2009-04-18T17:12:00.000-07:00

I am having an unbelievable time at Florida. I have never had so much fun in all my life. We are going to the beach and pool almost everyday. We went to the first motel and met a man from South Carolina. We asked him if he had ever had coffee milk. He said no, so we gave him some. He told us to wait a minute and went into his room and came out with moonshine! I don't drink, but I had to try it. It tasted - not so good. I don't care, it was a once in a life time thing. Then we went in the pool and were swimming for about three hours. When we went to leave, my little Beanie asked,"Daddy, why does that sign say pool closed?"

2009-04-10T20:25:00.000-07:00

Leaving for Florida first thing in the morning. I am so excited! I'll be blogging the trip from my dad's laptop!

2009-04-08T06:44:00.000-07:00

What is Intention Art?
Intention art is a wonderful way to declare your intentions to the world through visual art. Symbols and colors will help your psyche and spirit align with your desires. It is much like the normal Fantasy Portraits except for the specific intention is worked into the painting.
Have a clear idea in mind of your intention and send it to me. Be VERY specific. Ask yourself, What do I REALLY want? Then write it in a sentence or two. This picture below is an Intention Art painting that I did for myself. I used night time because the moon represents creativity and imagination and the full moon is symbolic of motherhood. Each of the symbols in the corners have meanings that I wanted to incorporate into my life. Of course, I painted myself a little thinner than I really am. The wings symbolize to me the freedom and ability to go where I want to go when I want to.

What is Intuitive Art?

Intuitive Art is more than just a painting. I have done hundreds of tarot readings and I work with dreams and other vehicles of intuition that I have found to be very effective and accurate. Intuitive art is perfect for you if you are seeking objective insight. An added benefit - you get a beautiful piece of original art for your home!

Store is having a HUGE vacation sale!

2009-04-06T05:19:00.000-07:00

Astrological chart: $6.00 Relationship Chart: $7.00

Find out all about yourself and your relationships with others.

Complete and detailed tarot reading, was $15.00 is now $8.00!

Three card tarot reading was $8.00 is now $4.00!

Celtic Fairy: 5"x7: $3.00, 8"x10": $5.00 8"x10" with mat: $14.00 11"x14": $13.00 11"x14" with mat: $25.00

Intention and Intuitive portraits: was $75 now $50

Sunflower Fairy print: 5"x7: $3.00, 8"x10": $5.00 8"x10" with mat: $14.00 11"x14": $13.00 11"x14" with mat: $25.00

Custom Fantasy Portraits: They were $100 - now $75! For a size 9"x12".

Rune Fairy: 5"x7: $3.00, 8"x10": $5.00 8"x10" with mat: $14.00 11"x14": $13.00 11"x14" with mat: $25.00

Lucky Green Fairy: 5"x7: $3.00, 8"x10": $5.00 8"x10" with mat: $14.00 11"x14": $13.00 11"x14" with mat: $25.00

Pretty Purple Fairy: 5"x7: $3.00, 8"x10": $5.00 8"x10" with mat: $14.00 11"x14": $13.00 11"x14" with mat: $25.00

We are leaving for a two week vacation on April 11 at 3:00 am (are you kidding me?). My store is having a huge vacation sale - be sure to check it out: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5292039

You will not find better prices anywhere, that I can guarantee.

2009-04-02T06:12:00.000-07:00

I have excellent news! My work is now being sold at The Sage Cauldron in Coventry RI. First of all it is an adorable shop. They sell the most unique items, things that I haven't seen elsewhere. They even sell the old style trolls! I was so excited when I saw those - because you really can't get those anymore. Their prices are also excellent. I don't know how they do it, but the manage to keep prices very low, the lowest I've seen.
My prints come mated and are in two sizes for now, 8"x10" and 11"x14". The following mated prints are available there:

Go check it out, I'm telling you, you'll love that shop.

The Writing on the Wall

2009-04-01T18:34:00.000-07:00

My two year old has taken on the habit of writing everywhere there is a smooth surface. It doesn't matter if it is a pen, pencil, crayon, marker or chalk, that kid finds something to write with and goes to town. It takes him two seconds if he finds something to write with. When we catch hime he says, "I need paper."

So, because we kept catching him writing on the wall and taking away his marker or whatever, he stopped. YAY!!! ..... and then proceeded to write on the furniture:

He actually lifted up the sheet on the bed and wrote under it because he thought we wouldn't catch him. Are you frickin' kidding me!

2009-04-01T06:58:00.000-07:00

I need help in figuring out how to improve my shop. I will choose three people randomly, to recieve a full tarot reading free, seen here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22714454 Answer the following questions honestly:

1.Describe in one sentence the following two items:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17800884 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17721107

2. Briefly describe what you like about my shop.

3.Briefly describe what you do not like about my shop.

4. Why would you buy fantasy art?

5. Why wouldn't you buy fantasy art?

6. What improvements would you make to my store?

Thank you so much for your help.

Spring in the backyard.

2009-03-31T17:41:00.000-07:00

It really is starting to feel like spring. I went by the bank today and the signs that tell you the time and temperature said that it was 68 degrees. I was impressed! I went home and decided that I would skip painting, skip cleaning, and just hang out in the yard with the kids. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

It really was beautiful out, just a few clouds in the sky, but they were pretty clouds.

We found a new crocus that bloomed and it was this pretty marble like purplish. I decided that this will be my next painting - when I decide to finish the other two I have going right now.

The men folk - my oldest son and husband, decided to do some yard work. Clay wants money for everything that he does, so we offered him $1 per bag and he agreed. They actually got a lot done.

So I hooked the dog to his tie out - because he's been getting out through the tiniest hole in the fence. I can't believe he squeezes through it! But he howled the entire time. I waited until he was quiet, ( like a good trainer) and then let him free. I know if we are back there that he won't leave - and he has good recall, so I felt safe.

Selene has a new stuffed animal ferret that she is obsessed with. So she talked to it on the swing and held it like a baby. She wants a real ferret and honestly - I would get one - or maybe two, but the husband says no way.

Then she wanted to play with Kipper and his favorite game of course is ....

Fetch!!!!

He's a corgi mix, so he's got short legs, but let me tell you that dog can RUN! If you saw how fast he can run around in circles over and over again in the back yard for no reason at all, you'd be impressed.

And then, like she usually does, she talked to him like he was a human. She pointed to the swing set and was telling him all about it, but he didn't seem to care that much. Maybe we'll teach him to swing next year.

Then, as soon as Wesley spotted the camera, he tried to grab it. I said no, he got upset, and Selene tried to comfort him. Of course, it worked and they were laughing together again in no time.

Then they ran around for a bit - but Beanie took Wes' toy, and he took off and hid in his little play house.

His face looked like it usually does when he doesn't get angry.

But then we all found worms and he was happy once again. The children trapped them in plasic containers so that they could perform evil experiments on them. But I stopped them. They asked if we could keep them - I thought about it for a minute and weighed the pros and the cons - like certain death for the worms - and decided we have too many pets. I said no. Wesley cried once again.

I decided to use the fact that he has the attention span of a rabid hamster to my advantage. I gave him a ball - and everything turned out fine.

In reality

2009-03-30T12:29:00.000-07:00

I enjoy things that are not as they seem.

This might look like a girl getting eaten by a shark, but in reality it's just a really bad picture of my daughter.

This is Kipper. I love this picture. Ithink that it's funny because he looks like he's angry. He looks ferocious. In reatlity he was licking his paw.

This may look like child possessed by a demon, in reality it is my twelve year old son who doesn't know how to smile for a picture.

This might look like a black and white photo - but in reality it's a drawing. Yes - I'm that good. I'm very modest also.

She might look like an old lady who's lost her mind completely, but in reality it's just my Grandmother who's lost her mind completely. No - I'm kidding, she's only slightly crazy.

2009-03-27T05:12:00.000-07:00

I went to an art show at the elementary school last night. We got there very early, it was just Beanie and I. So I suggested that we go on the playground. We were playing this game that involved finding pictures of objects on the playgroung equipment. I was enjoying spending time with her. Then her friends showed up, and instantly I was forgotten. She ran off and didn't look back. Now I know that this is what is supposed to happen, but I actually got a little upset and felt my eyes well up with tears. I was thinking of her as a teenager and being embarrassed by the fact that she even has a mother. I thought about when she gets married and doesn't even call me for a week. She's only six, but I can imagine these things. I made a decision last night that I must become closer to my kids. I am pretty close to them now, but there is always a way to be an even better mother. I just want them to want to be around me when they have the choice not to be.

Anyway, the night wore on and the art was very good. The art teacher did a great job getting everything together.

I found Selene's painting first. How adorable.

I can't say that I was surprised when I found Clay's art work. Very nice though.

Sparks on my Fingers

2009-03-26T05:05:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been experiencing a very odd phenomenon. It seems like I am constantly getting shocked when I touch things. It happens with such regularity lately that my husband actually noticed and said something. Not just little shocks either, but big ones - relatively. I was in the grocery store and I went to grab milk and I got a shock so bad that I yelped - like a puppy. This guy near me started laughing, it was embarrassing. Is it the change of season? Is it my new shoes? I don't know, but I doubt it.

I truly believe that the universe gives us signs and signals to guide us to our true joy and right path everyday. Eckankar, or the light and sound of God, (no, this is not my religion) would say that the sparks on my fingers is called dreaming while you are awake. It means something, it isn't just random, and I am meant to recognize it. The question is then - what is the message?

Bored bored bored ......... and loving my camera !

2009-03-25T05:08:00.003-07:00

Most of the time I have plenty to do. I don't get a lot of time to sit around. I don't watch that much t.v., I find it to be a huge waste of time. I am pretty busy. On most days you can find me either cleaning, cooking, painting or running errands. I know - it's all very exciting. Yesterday however, in between painting and cleaning I was just bored. I haven't experienced this that much, like I said. So I decided to fill my time by taking weird pictures, because I find it theraputic.

Like this one of a rainbow that was made when the sun reflected off of a cd in my son's room:

I thought it was pretty.

I then decided to clean out my Beta's tank, look how dirty the water is - very pretty fish though:

Then I wanted to see if I could get a few good pictures of myself to put on facebook, twitter and other places as my avatar. This is what I got:

I tend to like super close ups - the eyeball is my favorite. I was just experimenting. I must say - I really enjoy having a digital camera.

Spring is here!

2009-03-24T05:09:00.000-07:00

It is apparant that spring has arrived, even though I still wear my heavy winter coat when I go outside. My tulips are coming up already and I have these in my front yard:

I was told by my mom and some other people that they are crocus. They could be lying, but because I see no reason for them to do that, I tell other people that they are crocus also. I'm not one of those people that knows the names of plants and flowers. Show me a dog and 8 times out of 10 I can tell you the breed, even if it's mixed. Flowers - don't have a clue. I can tell you that they are very pretty though. Then I have these tulip that are coming up - and let me tell you when they bloom - absolutely gorgeous.

I'm just so happy that the warmer weather is coming. Talk to me again though in mid-summer and I will be wanting cooler weather.

Don't know how to wake up today

2009-03-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

It is 3:30 pm and I am still half asleep. I don't know if it is something in the air, but for the past two days I have been so tired. Yesterday, we had a meeting at work at 8:00 am, not all that early and I literally almost couldn't open my eyes to get there.

I haven't been dreaming lately either, which is very unusual for me. I remember my dreams every single morning.

Something feels off, I feel like something is about to happen. Have you ever had that feeling. It is very distinct. I've had it a few times and it's never been wrong. I am not saying that I am special, I think that we are all very intuitive beings. I really think that my intuition is trying to tell me something. I don't think that it is bad by the way. Actually, just the opposite. I feel like something really great is going to happen. I have to have that faith.

Latest on the Sunflower

2009-03-20T06:19:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have show the progress of my paintings. This is because - there isn't much progress. I have been so busy with work and blah blah excuses excuses. Anyway here is the most recent Sunflower and Fairy Friends paintings.

I's coming along - slowly - but it is coming. I am hoping to have it done be March 31st so that I can send it in to the Jury for the Scituate art festival. If you don't live in RI or New England you may not know what this festival is, but I will tell you that it is HUGE. There are literally thousands and thousands of people that go every year. I really hope that I can be a vendor this year.

Check it out:

http://www.scituateartfestival.org/

Inspiration

2009-03-19T05:22:00.000-07:00

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
- Aristotle
"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."
- John Wooden
"The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."
- Walter Bagehot
I love these quotes. I am a firm believer that hard work comes first and if inspiration comes that is great, but if not, create anyway. Supposedly, it is not within our control, when we feel inspired. Why let something that you have no control over dictate when you do your work and when you don't . Not me, I refuse. So what if I'm not inspired? Ideas come to me in dreams, in nature, in passing thoughts and in everyday conversation. If every time I felt the need to create from an interesting idea, I'd never leave my canvas. Doesn't sound like a bad idea, but I have kids, a dog and a husband that need me.

I guess my point is - don't wait for inspiration to find you. Start the work and it will come.

Newest strange project

2009-03-18T06:13:00.000-07:00

I am sick of being so uptight. I've decide to loosen up and just paint. No photos to work from, no references to compare to, just me, paint, a brush and a surface to paint on. I just really need to relax and just have a good time with art - instead of feeling pressure to make it perfect every time.

2009-03-17T05:25:00.000-07:00

Intuitive art is a way that I express my intuition on paper (or in this case, hard board). I have been a tarot card reader for ten years, an interpreter of dreams and artist for about 8 years, so I wanted to combine them. This is how I do it. I paint a picture and then give a full written interpretation. I think it's interesting what comes up and have feedback from others that say how accurate it is.

Getting ready for some spring shows!

2009-03-16T05:56:00.000-07:00

I love spring and summer. The warmth, the flowers and the shows! So many art and craft shows, so little time. I want to do them all. However, taking every weekend out of work would not sit well with my boss.

Here are a few that I am entering:

http://www.scituateartfestival.org/ (everyone in New England knows about this festival - it is HUGE)

Uncommon Art on the Common - no website.

http://www.providenceopenmarket.com/

These are the three that I am focusing on and there are some local ones that I am going to attend, but they are not juried, so I just pay the fee.

Every Sunday I run a promotion - so make sure that you check out this weeks at my shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5292039

I love my dog

2009-03-13T05:52:00.000-07:00

I don't dress him up. He's not in shows or competitions (he's a mutt as a matter of fact). But I love my dog, like a forth child. There I said it. I love him. He melts my heart and makes me smile. He gets into things and makes trouble and drives me crazy sometimes when he follows me around everywhere, but I wouldn't have it any other way. He is my friend when no one else is there. He knows when I am upset and plays with me when I am happy. He brings me back to earth. If only he could read this.

He's so frickn cute.

Broke my camera :(

2009-03-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

I don't know what happened, but somehow my digital camera is broken. I want to add pictures to my blog and other places online, so I'm a little peeved. I'm gonna take it to E.G. photo and see if they'll fix it for me, just out of the kindness of their hearts, then I'll be able to add some pictures. Until then, boring pictureless entries is all that I can manage. Sigh........

Make sure you stop by

2009-03-11T07:20:00.001-07:00

Many times a sale makes me think that the store marked everything up and then brought it back to it's normal price to make people think that they're getting a bargain. I promise, that is not what I am doing here. My prices are great, and I promise that you will LOVE the art. Check out my etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5292039 and then tell me that I don't have great prices.

Pretending

2009-03-10T12:41:00.000-07:00

Jack Canfield (co-author of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul," series) hosts a party called the come as you will be party. Ordinary people come dressed as celebrities. They come with signed copies of books they have yet to write ... you get the point. Since I will not be able to attend his party this year I thought I would do something similar now on etsy.Just for fun...My name is Rhiannon and I am a world renowned artist. I am written about in magazines and seen on T.V. I have millions of fans and collectors from all over the world who must have my art. I am becoming a household name. I LOVE painting and creating! I am 30 years old but I look like an incredibly sexy and fit 20 year old.I am very close to my husband and I am a wonderful mother, my “job” allows me to spend a lot of time with my children. We go walking, hiking and biking in our community. We live in the quiet suburbs in a house that is big and open, but comfy and “homey”, with an enourmous fenced yard for my six dogs.I volunteer my time, with my children at local animal shelters and raised tons of money to open up a place much like “Dogtown” on T.V. I am happy, healthy, centered and balanced and looking forward to the new opportunities that come to me consistently.

This is a quickie

2009-03-10T05:25:00.000-07:00

Ahh- I feel much better. I was tempted to delete that post from last night, but you know, I'm ok with it being there. It's a reminder. I am in a better mood today. I can't write alot, I need to go to work in about 15 minutes. I had some weird dreams again last night. I need someone to tell me what this means. I was down on the boardwalk with my dad (not on a blanket with my baby) and we were throwing rocks up into the air, trying to hit a plane that my mom was skydiving out of. We wanted to hit it so she would know when to jump. ????????? Anyway, we kept missing. It was odd. 'Ugh - off to work I go.

I'm not sure I care ...

2009-03-09T15:53:00.000-07:00

As I write this I am on the verge of tears. I know that I am supposed to remain positive, but I am finding that so difficult right now. It's hard when you want something so badly and NOTHING is happening. I just spent so much money on prints, and I don't think they'll sell. It is so incredibly frustrating that I can't even put it into words. I don't even care that I am putting myself way out there. I don't care that I am coming across as very negative. I don't care because - NO ONE READS IT ANYWAY!!!!!!!!! I know that there are many people who are wanting to become an artist. It doesn't make me feel any better. This is the only thing that I am good at. I SUCK at my day job, I SUCK at being a mom and wife, I SUCK at everything else. I can paint though, there is no doubt about it. I can, but it doesn't even matter. I know this is going to sound so whiny, but I feel like the smallest fish in a very large ocean - completely unnoticed. I am telling you right now, there is a big part of me that wants to give up. There is a part of me that is ready to sell all of my paint and brushes and just give the FUCK up. Why did I invest in it? There are about 3 million other things that I could've done with that money, and yet I thought, maybe I should take a chance. I don't know what the hell I was thinking. How is this going to make anything different. And yet ......... come back tommorrow and I will be painting. Why am I SOOOOOO OBSESSED!

A weird dream and a fun day

2009-03-09T06:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my hubby was pretty sick so I gave him a rest and went to my mom's with the 3 kids. My mom took the girl child shopping and me and the boys (dog included) went for a walk down by the beach. This is where I grew up. While I was walking I thought about how this was a great place to raise children. I would love to live in this neighborhood. Look at how cute they are:

On the right, there is a steep incline all the way along the beach. The trees are twisted and weird and beautiful. I used to call this "the twisty tree place" when I was a kid.

We went to the beach, which everyone here calls "the point". It's small and there isn't ever a soul there. I love it. We found a few little jellyfish looking things.

On the way back we found little gull prints in the sand.

Kipper was obsessed with the sea gulls.

That night (last night) I went to bed and had a dream that I went to a shop called "White Light Books," I've never been, but there is a shop in Cranston by that name. Anyway, it was at the top of this hill, and I took Wesley. I had money in my pocket and was looking to spend it, but I couldn't find anything good. I realized they do tarot readings. The woman was in the back giving one, but I didn't want to wait. I asked the woman at the desk if she would do it for me, and she said yes. Then I woke up! I wanted so badly to get a reading in my dream. I was dissappointed.

My cute kids

2009-03-06T05:42:00.000-08:00

Last night my family had a silly night. My littlest one decided to put on a giant helmet and I took this picture. He was so funny, everytime we tried to take the helmet off, he'd yell at us. He wore it all night.

Besides this silliness, there is something I must say. I am uptight. Not in general, but I am uptight about my art. I am so nervous about making a mistake, that it is tough for me to actually finish works in a reasonable amount of time. This is why I have decided to open a second store on etsy. I want to be free, and unafraid. I want to be creative and have fun. So, I decided that this store will be just for fun. If I sell, great, but if not, that is ok. I just want to enjoy creating unique things.

Enjoying blogging

2009-03-05T10:17:00.000-08:00

I started a blog because I was told that it could be a great marketing tool. I really didn't want a blog, I thought that it was a waste of time and that I would never be able to keep up with it. So - I started one about a year ago and did one entry and then didn't do another one until a couple of weeks ago. I've really been trying to keep up with it and I have to say, just getting little things out, feels pretty darned good. I am actually enjoying this. It's theraputic, like a journal. Reading other people's blogs makes me feel like the huge internet world is a little more personal than I thought. I'm working like crasy to get a new online store open, and I've been spending so much time on the computer that I think I'm getting sores on my butt. Sorry, I didn't mean to give that much info. Anyway, this is my time to get away from all of the hustle and just enjoy being able to share a little bit of me with the world.

Giggle Goddess Creations

Testing

This is a header

Tips for Using Colors Effectively

Tips on Using Color Effectively in Your Paintings

Five Simple Ways to Improve your Paintings

Listing and shipping on ETSY - My Thoughts

I am trying to create an easier system for myself to list and ship on etsy. Although I haven't made all that many sales, I have learned a number of things through trial and error and through reading other blogs and forums.

Step by Step Painting "In a Field"

Pendant Sale!

Something Special about Mothers and Daughters

Does Medatation and Visualization really help you to succeed?

Some statistics abut people who meditate regularly:

New Painting

Clearing out my life

Providence Children's Museum

Check out my funky etsy treasury!

My Dream Kitchen

Innocent Victim or Man Eating Lava Shark?

I Met James Woods

I now offer layaway and a buy 2 get 1 free sale!

A few steps to an interesting painting

Homeshows and Parities

Wesley's Progress

Highlights of the RI Airshow

How do you gain confidence and respect?

Who is Georgia O'Keeffe

I am not one that normally puts a lot of effort into learning about history. To be honest, I don't usually think about the past much, my own or other people's. I am someone who attempts to live in the present, but is very much in the future, always thinking of the next step.

However, Georgia O'Keeffe fascinates me. Her art is beautiful, but it is more than that. She seems so strong and independant, not caring what others do or think. I want to be that confident and that sure of myself.

She was born in 1887 and really put all of her time and energy into becoming the artist that she always knew she would be. At the age of 10, she decided she needed to be an artist.

She used to paint very small, until her art teacher asked her why she did this and as a joke she painted on a very large canvas. After that all of her paintings were HUGE, her largest being 24' wide.

Our New Bathroom

Clayton's 6th Grade Graduation

I remember the day that I put him on the bus to go to kindergarten. He was so excited to go on a bus. I had a six day old baby at home so maybe that is why I was so emotional, but I cried so hard when that bus pulled away.

Fast forward to sixth grade, and Clay is taller than me, weighs more than me and wears a size 13 shoe! Once again, here I am crying because of another milestone that Clay has reached.

He's a good kid, and I know that he will do well in whatever he chooses to do. He is a determined and tenacious person, so he will do what he needs to do in order to reach his goals. He is kind and truthful, so I have no doubt that people will like him.

It was so much fun. He told me that he is going to miss Greenwood School.

Summer Vacation is almost here!

Summer Vacation is almost here!

My Three Pendants

Signs, signs everywhere

Butterfly Pendant

Thinking of Changing the Name of My Shop

My Personal Power Pendant

Newest Completed Painting

Monthly Goals

My Private Island Experiment

My Young Entreprenaurs

Tips to Craft Show Success

Lisa's Little Luxuries

Went Shopping!

What I Learned from Self Help Books

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Real Joy

Rhode Island local shows and events

Habits

The Begining of a Mermaid painting step by step

The Begining of a Mermaid painting

The Serpent's Dance

Amazonite Spiral Hair Stick by Serpent's Dance Designs

Paintings #10 and #11

Painting a day #6

Painting a day #5

Air boat rides at Camp Holly

A Painting a Day

Leaving for Florida first thing in the morning. I am so excited! I'll be blogging the trip from my dad's laptop!

Store is having a HUGE vacation sale!

We are leaving for a two week vacation on April 11 at 3:00 am (are you kidding me?). My store is having a huge vacation sale - be sure to check it out: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5292039

The Writing on the Wall

I need help in figuring out how to improve my shop. I will choose three people randomly, to recieve a full tarot reading free, seen here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22714454 Answer the following questions honestly:

1.Describe in one sentence the following two items:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17800884http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17721107

2. Briefly describe what you like about my shop.

3.Briefly describe what you do not like about my shop.

4. Why would you buy fantasy art?

5. Why wouldn't you buy fantasy art?

6. What improvements would you make to my store?

Thank you so much for your help.

Spring in the backyard.

It really was beautiful out, just a few clouds in the sky, but they were pretty clouds.

In reality

1.Describe in one sentence the following two items:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17800884 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17721107