As my artist's statement explains, my work is utterly incomprehensible and is therefore full of deep significance. -- Calvin and Hobbes

Friday, June 25, 2010

Handmade Heatwave from the North Georgia Etsy Team!

Tomorrow, Etsy.com will once again go "Brick and Mortar", so to speak, as the members of The North Georgia Etsy Street Team host their second team show!

Come out and meet the artisans Saturday, June 26th from 10:00am – 4:00pm at the Brannon Heard House in Cumming. This show is a special summer show called Handmade Heatwave. It will feature arts and crafts by Etsy Team NorGA artist as well as other local Etsy.com artisans.

There is FREE admission to the show. Come meet your local Etsy.com artists, see their newest works of art and get some great unique items for yourself or for wonderful gifts.

This will be a great shopping event! Get a sneak peek of the participants & items by clicking the links below:

Artist Spirit ~ Glass fusion jewelry & plates

Caveman Pottery ~ Pottery

Chance Bramble ~ Jewelry

Classy Chic Boutique ~ Jewelry, Soy Candles, Coasters

Deep South Creations ~ Paper and Fabric Art

Duchess Designs ~ Jewelry

Glamit ~ Jewelry

Girl Sew Pretty ~ Art, Glass & Jewelry

Gnagey Gallery ~ Paintings & Cards

H20Colors ~ Art

Janiebee ~ Children’s Clothing

Jessica’s Jams ~ Jam, Jelly, Relish and Pickles

Jnelly Designs ~ Photography & Greeting Cards

Josies Beaded Jewelry ~ Jewelry

Lauren J Hill ~ Jewelry, art, hair flowers

Maria Luna ~ Jewelry

Prayerworks Studio ~ Prayer Beads

Priss Designs ~ Art

Fiber Felter ~ Fiber Art

Red Stilts ~ Paintings

Sharp Mountain Creations ~ Jewelry

Smelly Rhino ~ Paintings & Cards

So She Sews ~ Clothing & accessories

Spiderblue ~ Jewelry

Stress The Seams ~ Clothing & Metalwork

Sunshine Monster ~ Unique Crochet Creations

Trinity Soap ~ Bath & Body

Worthy Soy Candles ~ Soy Candles

Have a cup of lemonade and a snack while you browse all of the wonderful handmade goodies for sale… Enter your name to win a free handmade gift… Meet local crafters and talk to them about their creative processes… Stock up your gift giving stash and treat yourself to something special. We hope to see you there!

DIRECTIONS

Directions from Ga. 400 South (Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta)

Georgia 400 to Bald Ridge Marina Road Exit. Exit to your left across the Ga. 400 Bridge and head down the hill and around a curve toward town. Turn right at the town clock/electronicmarquee onto Pilgrim Mill Road. The Brannon-Heard House will be first house on your right. You may park across the street or Go 1 block to School Street on your left and park at the Cumming Playhouse. It is located at the intersection of Pilgrim Mill and School Streets.

Directions from Highway 9 South (Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta)

Travel North on Highway 9 into the town. Travel past Dairy Queen. Get in far right lane and continue through the upcoming intersection. The road name at this point becomes Pilgrim Mill Road. The Brannon-Heard House will be first house on your right. You may park across the street or Go 1 block to School Street on your left and park at the Cumming Playhouse. It is located at the intersection of Pilgrim Mill and School Streets.

Directions from Ga. 400 North (Dawsonvile, Dahlonega)

Georgia 400 to Bald Ridge Marina Road Exit. Exit to your right onto Bald Ridge Marina Road and head down the hill and around a curve toward town. Turn right at the town clock/electronic marquee onto Pilgrim Mill Road. The Brannon-Heard House will be first house on your right. You may park across the street or Go 1 block to School Street on your left and park at the Cumming Playhouse. It is located at the intersection of Pilgrim Mill and School Streets.

Directions from Highway 9 North (Dahlonega Highway)

Take Highway 9 and head South toward Cumming. School Street is just before the town square on the left and right across from the entrance to City Hall. Turn onto School Street and go about one block. Turn right on Pilgrim Mill Rd. The Brannon-Heard House will be just before the light on the left. You may park across the street or park at the Cumming Playhouse. It is located at the intersection of Pilgrim Mill and School Streets.

Directions from Canton and points West of Cumming

Georgia 20 headed east toward Cumming. Continue on 20 to Highway 9. (Dairy Queen will be on your left as you turn left onto Highway 9). Get in far right lane and continue through the upcoming intersection. The road name at the intersection becomes Pilgrim Mill Road. You will see town clock and electronic marques on your left as you pass through the intersection.The Brannon-Heard House will be first house on your right. You may park across the street or Go 1 block to School Street on your left and park at the Cumming Playhouse. It is located at the intersection of Pilgrim Mill and School Streets.

(This post was nearly completely borrowed from the Team Norga Blog, making my job easier today!)

Have a great weekend!
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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

Baby Dove on a leaf
(at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens; taken from my iphone)





View from the car, middle America; Indiana

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Saturday, June 19, 2010

Peachy Deals! Get a mint julep and shop!


It's that time again!!! Time to get your Southern on! Come over to Etsy.com, grab some peach tea and meet the crafty personalities of the Georgia Etsy Street Team for our 2nd Annual Summer Sale!

Visit these Georgia Etsy Street artists offering fantastic sales between

Sunday, June 20st to Sunday, June 27th!
Search etsy for key word peachydeals

Participating Shops:

Addy B's Cakes
http://addybscakes.etsy.com/
Gourmet, homemade pound cakes in a wide variety of flavors
All cakes 20% off, use coupon code PEACHY. Discount will be refunded via paypal.

Amelia’s Soap Co.
http://amelias.etsy.com/
Handmade Soap Products
15% discount throughout shop; Refund through PayPal

ArtisticPaws23
http://artisticpaws23.etsy.com/
Fuzzy Butts t-shirts and folk art paintings of dogs
Free Shipping.

Artistspirit
http://artistspirit.etsy.com/
Glass Fusion Jewelry & Plates
All items 20% off

black tulip shop
http://blacktulipshop.etsy.com/
handmade accessories
Peachy Deals sale section

CraftersCrossing
http://crafterscrossing.etsy.com/
Handmade Swarovski and wire jewelry
20% off any purchase over $10.00. Discount will be refunded thru Paypal.

Darcey Lane Designs
http://darceylanedesigns.etsy.com/
Custom made Birthday Outfits. Sassy ruffle panty (bloomers)
Custom Children clothes traditional with modern twist.
All purchases 20% off, use coupon code PEACHY. Discount will be refunded via paypal

Daughters Vintage
http://daughtersvintage.etsy.com/
Repurposed vintage jewelry and accessories with sweet, Southern flair.
10% off everything, use coupon code PEACHY. Discount will be refunded via paypal.

deannatroupe
http://deannatroupe.etsy.com/
Free Shipping. Peachy Deals Sale Section.

Deuce Goods
http://panAsh.etsy.com
Handmade Beanies, Cozies, Bottle Cap Art & Badge Reels
PEACHY DEALS Sale Section 15% Off

duchessdesigns
http://duchessdesigns.etsy.com/
Handmade jewelry
Peachy Deals section that is 15% off, price is already marked down.

Freckles Galore
http://frecklesgalore.etsy.com/
Crayon Rolls, Ouchie Bags, Popsicle Wraps, Nerf Ammo Belts, Locker Magnets, Babydoll Diapers and Pee Pee Domes
20% off everything. Use coupon code PEACHY. Refund given via PayPal.

Handiworks by Janice
http://handiworksbyjanice.etsy.com/
Exquisite one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry
Free shipping and a $5 gift certificate towards a future purchase included.
Enter Peachy Deals in message to seller upon checkout.

Hartley Soap
http://hartleysoap.etsy.com/
Handmade Cold Process Soap
PEACHY DEALS: Buy one Bar and get a free travel size bar!

JenstheBestofcom
http://jensthebestofcom.etsy.com/
Artwork inspired by Music. Fine Art prints, wall plaques
free shipping



K. Berlin Metalsmith
http://kberlin.etsy.com/
Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry – Sterling Silver and gems
Free Shipping on All items

Maria Luna
http://marialuna.etsy.com/
Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry and Photography
15% off purchase, refunded through paypal with keyword PeachyDeals

mod momME
http://modmomme.etsy.com/
Handmade accessories for mom and baby.
$5 off every $25 you spend, not including custom items. Use promo code PeachDeals in notes to seller. Money refunded via Paypal.

Mommy So Sweet Boutique
http://mommysosweet.etsy.com/
Little girls' dresses (bandana dresses and pillowcase dresses) and shoes
FREE SHIPPING on select items

Outward Bound
http://outwardbound.etsy.com/
Recycled notebooks from your favorite TV shows and movies!
15% off your total!

Priss Designs
http://prissdesigns.etsy.com/
Modern affordable nature art prints
Free Shipping

Pumpernickel Hart
http://pumpernickelhart.etsy.com/
Handmade polymer clay jewelry and unique gifts.
Free Shipping

Smelly Rhino Studio
http://smellyrhino.etsy.com/
Paintings, pet portraits, prints, cards, and whimsy
15% off your total!

The Pink Locket
http://thepinklocket.etsy.com/
Modern Vintage Handmade Jewelry
20% off Summer Collection and FREE Shipping on all items

the StarShine Shoppe
http://brandylinn18.etsy.com/
Handmade beautiful bottle jewelry
Buy 1 get 1 half off all bottle necklaces



Happy Shopping!

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Sophie

"Sophie"
Aceo, Faber-Castell colored pencil on Bristol Smooth

This piece is for Elsie. Her sweet Irish Setter Sophie loves attention and loves to tell you when anything is happening. I took this photo in her kitchen, and you may have noticed that I like the perspective of dogs with noses up front! Silly. It makes me smile! Last week, I drew a graphite illustration from the same picture, but I took some liberties with it.

Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils are nice to work with. Dick Blick has some great pricing on them, too. I bought mine at Sam Flax and paid a bit more, unfortunately, although my set is not yet complete! I think I'll finish it off at Blick.

Order a Custom Pet Portrait at Smelly Rhino Studio!

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Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Yea, yea, yea. I heard it all before!

In studio all week. Painting in Progress...

For quite some time, 2 years, actually, I have been kept away from any sense of normalcy when it comes to a workday in my studio. My desire to learn more about this internet/blogging/social networking/online selling world of ours has made, well, an addict outta me. It was innocent at first. I thought, "well, I'll just learn this stuff real quick like so I can do my own marketing!" Did I mention that was 2 years ago?

Monday, I decided to alter this freakish course of action because the perceived outcome wasn't lookin' good for my art career. I have no inventory!

So, I intervened on my own behalf, and legislated a self-imposed computer ban in my studio. I had to add (to myself) that I also have to BE in my studio (or it wont work). he he

Today was day two and I have made a lot of progress. I even wrote in my journal 3 mornings in a row! I know, unbelievable.

I told Eric I needed a little push toward that manifest destiny thing. I work on it constantly by saying aloud all the weaknesses I'm dealing with so that he can regurgitate them back to me at strategic moments. It's my own way of holding myself accountable.

I asked him for help and he gave it to me!

He said, "Ok, well, first of all, no computer during the day. You can get online at night while you're hanging on the couch with me! Pretend your boss is there and you can't surf!

The other thing: Stop making lists and plans. Just paint. You need to just paint without worrying about all that other stuff for a while.

You are doing what they do in the corporate world...lists and schedules and planning, it's like Dilbert, for crying out loud! Nothing gets done this way at the office either! That's why they wrote a cartoon about it. Just allow yourself to let loose and be creative. Let yourself see some progress that makes you feel good. This is your goal, after all. You are having anxiety about it, but once you start to see progress, this will pass."

I was listening this time.

Well, the reward the past 2 days has been real progress on a painting and a nice feeling of satisfaction after focusing for a change on what I really want to do.
He is really smart.

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Sunday, June 6, 2010

Drawing Day 2010

"Waiting for a scoobie snack"
Graphite on Bristol smooth paper

Today was Drawing Day!
Here was my little drawing.
I hope they got to 1 million worldwide!
What a fun goal, and to see the drawings everywhere, on facebook, flickr, youtube, imagekind, deviantart, you name it, they were everywhere!

Join in the fun next year! Until then, check out the results of the day here!
drawingday.org



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Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Prayer; admission of a semi-secular girl

"Saying Grace"
"Thank you for my Mommy, and my Baby Monkeys, and my Daddy!"
ACEO: Faber-Castell Colored Pencil on Bristol Smooth

I AM NOT INTO RELIGION.

I constantly say I am not a religious person. I often mention my distaste for organized religion and the hypocrisy that makes company beside it.

That being said, if I break down my day, hour by hour, and record my thoughts and utterances, (aloud and under my breath), the truth is that I pray all the time!

Wow. I pray all the time. And I mean, all the time!

"Thank you, Lord!"
"Oh, please, God, help that person!"
"Please, Lord, help me get through this!"
"Lord, Thank you for this day!"
"Thank you, Lord, for showing my humility!"
"I am so grateful for such an understanding partner!"
"Lord, Thank you for bringing what I need exactly when I need it!"
"Oh, Thank GOD!"

I am quite proud of my good parking Karma..my ability to get parking spaces just about anywhere when I need it. I also have an incredible ability to win concert tickets. It's almost crazy! We only paid for one of the last 6 concerts we've attended. Positive thinking, praying, it's in the wording. The power may come from within myself, from the Universe, wherever...but it does come. I can't explain it, but I believe in good luck. I believe in goodness.

I am not one to discuss religion at all, and really hate when people try to shove it down my throat, but I think you ought to know what I take from all this....

What comes around, goes around. So, catch yourself next time you are about to yell at someone, or say unkind words to them or do something wrong. Instead, find one good thing to focus on and try a smile. It may get you a lot farther. If not right this minute, in the future. Take a breath and say "Thank you!"

I am so lucky!
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Things to Ponder

Don't pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches. -Andy Warhol

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
-Walt Disney
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