Fresh! Funky! Frames!

I have felt the urge to create some new picture frames and just got them photographed!



I found these great pieces for my friend's son. She has loved Curious George and I created this frame to give to her two year old son during the holidays this year. I'm not sure who's going to love it more!


I try to create frames with a sense of whimsy that compliment your photograph and not distract from it.


And, then, sometimes, I like to create something that I KNOW some little girl will love to have in her room with a photo of her friends or family next to her matching bedspread and curtains and dolls in the corner of her toybox.



If you would like to order one of these picture frames or have one specially made please feel free to contact me or check out the frames I have listed in my Ebay and Etsy stores! I love creating - if you have an idea please let me know!

Ebay Earring Extravaganza - Starting at $9.99 - Ending September 30, 2007!

September is almost over - I can hardly believe it myself! Be sure to visit my ebay store to take advantage of this wonderful sale! If you visit my ebay store before the 30th of September, you will find listed a bevy of beaded beauties to adorn your lovely ears and frame your fabulous face!



All pieces are original, hand-made, and one of a kind! I search high and low for unique gemstone beads for wearable works of art. I make jewelry to look good and feel good while you wear it.







Choose from linear earrings, to dangles, to tinkling clusters of gems in all the colors of the rainbow. And! Each one of these beauties starts off at only $9.99!





Not only is the season palette changing but the holiday season is right around the corner! Handmade earrings make excellent gifts for stocking stuffers, co-workers, secret santas, gift swaps, or just something just for you or your loved ones! Unique, one-of-a-kind earrings make everyone feel special!




Click on the link to the top-right of the screen to view my entire shop or click the logo above to go directly to the earring section! I always combine shipping!

SSSSSssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh - Zen at EBSQ

Today, I have the blues. It's Sunday, my body is exhausted, and I just feel a little down. But, this beautiful Etsy Treasury really did give a little boost to my tired little day.

Click on the image below to view this Treasury until Wednesday, September 28th!

Heide Hibbard created this Treasury. All of the fine art gifts and prints in this shop are from original paintings done by award winning artist Heide Hibbard. She is an absolutely lovely person and you can view her fabulous artwork by clicking her banner.

Umm...I Think That's My Drink.

I've seen it a hundred times, the one guy that drinks WAY too much sauvignon blanc, starts acting like a jerk, forgetting his glass, drinking out of any wine glass that has some red liquid in it, turning off the guests so people leave after about an hour and your party is ruined.

All because you don't have wine charms.


Really, one of the niftiest little inventions that very beautifully wrap around your stemware and let your guests distinguish their glass from another's.


Whether you just forgot where you put it down or you've had eight too many, wine charms help you avoid the faux pas and enjoy yourself. And, if you do find a theme you enjoy for your wine charms, make sure they are different enough for the most inebriated to find their glass. Having eight wine charms with the same charm and the same color will only lead to drunken embarrassment.


So, please, visit my Etsy shop, purchase a set for yourself, one for a loved one...I can even create custom orders with themes that are special to you or your friends. These are handmade gifts - functional art that will save your parties.

Knock! Knock! Who's There? Fall Colors at EBSQ!!

It really doesn't happen very often, but I am always honored when a member of Etsy chooses a piece of my work for their Treasury. Most recently Kris Jean created a wonderful Treasury that featured some wonderful art and one of my bracelets! Click on the image to view this Treasury until Wednesday!


Kris Jean is a member of EBSQ, WWAO and an excellent artist! Her work is extremely expressive and she is not afraid of bold colors and lines! Please visit her Etsy shop by clicking her banner!

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time I was 5 years old, performing tap and ballet and was actually this cute!








Now, I am older, have been through a fair amount of traumatic experiences and I look like this. I swear.

She Did This

I was very pleased to find one of my bracelets featured in an Etsy Treasury! Please click on the image below to view these wonderful works by WWAO artists until Tuesday, September 18th:



There are about 300 members of World Wide Women Artists Organization and I recently had the pleasure of discovering the fabulous work of this Treasury's creator. She is a diverse artists that creates phenomenal feltwork and uniquely wonderful hats. Please visit her site by clicking on the banner below:


AND! Don't forget to visit the WWAO online exhibit going on through September 30th!

34 of Worldwide Women Artists Online's over 300 members are exhibiting exciting works of art in a variety of mediums. Come on in and see the exhibit from September 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007! Texas artist, Sharon K. Shubert will be the first WWAO member to host this new series of international group exhibits on her website.

The Countries represented are from Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, The United Kingdom, and The United States.

The 34 exhibiting artists will be showcasing a variety of mediums and styles. Shubert has put together an excellent, creative and interesting show. Among them, my original oil painting "Guitar", which I am very proud to exhibit!

Don't forget to vote for Guitar...er...your favorite piece!

Etsy - Your place to buy & sell all things handmade

As an artist and crafter that creates one-of-a-kind, handmade, unique items - Etsy seemed like such a great fit for me and my work. And, so far, I think I was right!

I have found it to be a wonderful community of supportive fellow artists and met some fabulous talent and wonderful individuals. I will say that while the administration is still a bit green, and it shows very painfully sometimes, there is an overall feeling of a genuine want for site improvement. This is something all members of Etsy definitely appreciate!

To go to Etsy please click on the orange Etsy logo:

Pumpkin Pie Spice

I live in San Francisco and I love the diversity, community, temperate weather, and it's a bonus that I found a great love and we share our lives together here. We have sun and fog, sometimes it rains, but I always miss the Green of the Pacific Northwest and the Seasons of New England.

I lived in the southern tip of Vermont for two years. I learned about leaf-peepers, I can only eat real Maple Syrup now and forever, I almost daily obsess over Tom & Sally's chocolates, and I was tossed several times into 6 foot snowbanks by friends that cared and adored me.

It's September and everywhere the leaves are changing, colors becoming absolutely delicious everywhere you look. I am pleased to share the following Treasury, not only because I am featured (which is wonderful!), but because the artists and their work will leave you craving for cranberries and pumpkin pie after jumping into a pile of fallen leaves!

You can view this Treasury of fabulous Etsy artists until Friday, September 14th, just click the image above!

Heide Hibbard created this Treasury. All of the fine art gifts and prints in this shop are from original paintings done by award winning artist Heide Hibbard. You can view her fabulous artwork by clicking her banner.

Into The Inkpot & the I [Heart] Blogs and Stars Award

I love reading Erina Hart's blog Into the Inkpot. It is a visually and emotionally expressive site that I find absolutely captivating. Please enjoy her site as much as I have by clicking the image below:


Little did I know a lovely surprise was awaiting me at her website! She had recently (and very deservingly!) received the "I [Heart] Blogs and Stars" and graciously passed it on to me and my humble little blog! I thank her from the bottom of my blog heart.


As the title implies, this award is to be given to bloggers whose blog you enjoy. The award was created by Tish and Mike at BlogsWeLove. I would like to pass the love on to the following bloggers:

Sherry's Creative Corner

Mitzvahlicious

52 Cupcakes

Kastroll Kreations

Learning to Step Lightly

Cathy~O'riginals

Please take a moment to enjoy these artists, writers, providers of information and entertainment. I hope you appreciate their ability to share their love through their blogs as much as I do!

Ecclectic Peculiarism - an Etsy Treasury created by Margaret's World

What a wonderful surprise to find I was featured in another Etsy Treasury! Click on the picture below to view until Tuesday, September 11th:





The author of this Treasury is a wonderfully creative artist herself. I am the very proud owner of her piece "She Took the Road Less Traveled"; the title alone simply sang out to me and the piece is just as wonderful in person.



Please click on the banner below to be delighted by the creations by Margaret's World.

More From EBSQ - An Etsy Treasury

I was extremely happy to find that I was featured in an Etsy Treasury featuring EBSQ artists. Click on the image above to view this Treasury until Tuesday, September 11, 2007.

There is no doubt that EBSQ has some amazing talent and I am a very proud member. It is a supportive and highly creative community:

Mission

EBSQ is an online art association whose members represent their own work to the public. Our mission is to foster an active community of independent artists, and to provide tools and services to bring our members greater exposure in the art market. EBSQ membership is open--we welcome artists at all stages of their career. All media and styles are welcome.

To view more excellent artists and learn more about EBSQ please click the image below to visit them.

Ode to My Little Sister

My little sister just celebrated her 31st birthday on August 26th. So, really, she's not so little, but she's the only sister I have. She has been married for 15 years (a feat in itself, I'm sure a lot of you know), has given me one fabulous niece and one excellent nephew, and she is an artist in her own right.

My sister and I are like opposites of the same species. She is a glass jewelry artist and excellent crafter in her own right. Talents, I believe we both possessed, but took in different directions.

A few years ago, my sister created these wonderful holiday pot holders.

This year, you will be able to find her booth at the:

2007 PORTLAND PIRATE FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 22ND & 23RD
CATHEDRAL PARK, ST. JOHNS, OREGON

Click the photo for more information on this event!


The Beaded Elephant: Something for everyone! Specializing in handmade, beaded jewelry, hairsticks, and wire-wrapped serverware. One-of-a-kind designs by a local artist with over 10 years experience! Custom orders gladly welcome. — Heidi Leslie

If you are in the Portland area, be sure to stop by her booth and tell her that her sister sent you! ;-)

Ebay Earring Extravaganza - Starting at $9.99!

If you visit my ebay store during the month of September, you will find a bevy of beaded beauties to adorn your lovely ears and frame your fabulous face!


You'll find a huge assortment that displays a range of creativity meant to accessorize your own special individuality!


Choose from linear earrings, to dangles, to tinkling clusters of gems in all the colors of the rainbow.


And! Each one of these beauties starts off at only $9.99! Not only is the season palette changing but the holiday season is right around the corner! Handmade earrings make excellent gifts for stocking stuffers, co-workers, secret santas, gift swaps, or just something just for you or your loved ones! Unique, one-of-a-kind earrings make everyone feel special!

Click on the link to the top-right of the screen to view my entire shop or click the logo above to go directly to the earring section! I always combine shipping!

Sherry's Creative Corner - Something to Think About

While visiting Sherry's blog I came across this excellent entry:


1. I create anything my mind stumbles upon. I paint, write, sing, bead, design jewelry. I like to keep my hands busy with crafts like wine cork trivets, mahjonng menorahs, wine stoppers, wine charms, decorated boxes, picture frames, and mirrors, test tube mezuzah, custom orders.

2. I remember the junk drawer. My parents had a drawer in the kitchen by the phone that had all the odd bits and pieces of a home. I took the screws and pen caps and empty spools and would create diaramas.

3. My inspiration comes from my life, experiences, the odd meanderings of my brain. When I create jewelry, I do what the beads tell me to do.

4. My favorite tools are my paintbrushes. They are beautiful, worn, work hard for me, and let me paint exactly what I want - sometimes whether or not I thought so. (My second favorite would have to be white clay - what else lets you pulverize it without giving you a bad feeling afterwards?!!)

5. Since my creative process is so varied, I'd have to say that is my favorite part!

6. There is no motivation. There is only me. It's just who I am, I can't turn it on and off, decide not to think or create.

7. My main goal within the next 6-12 months is to network, blog, create. This blog is a lot of fun and I have met some wonderful people I wouldn't have otherwise. I belong to several communities - WWAO, Etsy, EBSQ, Ebay - and am grateful for the give and take of ideas and support. And, I can't help creating! I just can't!

8. Words to describe my work: functional, unique, one-of-a-kind, abstract, sincere, emotional, passionate, helpful, tactile.

9. Some of my favorite designers/artists include masters like Monet and Rembrandt, contemporary artists like Michael Parkes, Joan Miro, and Irving Amen and self-representing artists such as Melia Dawn Newman, Diane Casey, Mark Seabrook, Veronique Perron, Jennifer Lommers, Margaret Conte, Lisa Bartlett, Jessica Torrant, Mandy Budan, Angelina Kasroll, Robin Tucker, H. Hinkle, Julie Persons, Fabio Napoliani, and David Torres. Of course, the diverse artistry of the members of WWAO!

10. The perfect day is filled with friends and family, love and sharing, creating that piece I am so proud of that I am almost surprised it came from my being, and a day free from my chronic pain. Sigh...

Please feel free to express your feelings in the comments section!

To visit Sherry's blog - click on the image to enjoy her thoughts and her work!

Special WWAO Online Showcase Exhibit!

34 of Worldwide Women Artists Online's over 300 members are exhibiting exciting works of art in a variety of mediums. Come on in and see the exhibit from September 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007!



Texas artist, Sharon K. Shubert will be the first WWAO member to host this new series of international group exhibits on her website.

The Countries represented are from Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, The United Kingdom, and The United States.

The 34 exhibiting artists will be showcasing a variety of mediums and styles. Shubert has put together an excellent, creative and interesting show. Among them, my original oil painting "Guitar", which I am very proud to exhibit!

Click on the image blow to view this wonderful work:

PS! Don't forget to vote for me...er...your favorite work of art while you're there!