Saturday, December 19, 2009

Swedish Artist and Esty Seller Lejonklou







I have been working with Birgitta on a couple of projects trying to design special elongated hearts and larger wings for pendants. I so enjoy the process of working long distance, and the communications between artists from other countries. Everyone is so kind to work in English and has so much patience with me as we try to finalize the details for their projects. Birgitta is a dream to work with! And I love her art and how she uses her talent to bring comfort to those who wear her designs.

From Birgitta's Etsy profile...she says of herself...

Working with beads and jewelry is easy to become an addiction
I love to let my creativity and healing energy flow into some designs that hopefully will be used by someone who loves wearing it as much as I love creating it.

I LOVE to work with all different materials that mother nature is offering us and some more....so my home is filled with beauties hanging on the walls (strings of pearls and gems and lampwork and crystal and .....stuffed in my drawers -just waiting for me to hold them and use them
and the result will show up here- well at least some of it..

You can find her Etsy shop here...http://www.etsy.com/shop/lejonklou

Top two photos are from Birgitta's Etsy shop. The third and fourth photos audition two of my new designs and the bottom photo features Birgitta's incorporation of one of my raku wings in a bracelet. Isn't it lovely!!!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

What an Honor....I was Selected Artist of the Day at Musing About Mud


Carol Epp's blog is a great place to keep up with what is going on in the pottery world. And the photo above shows what a talented artist she is as well! http://musingaboutmud.blogspot.com/2009/12/artist-of-day-dorcas-midkiff.html

From jobs, to museum exhibitions, to applications to enter contests or be published all things pottery can be found here! I am so in love with this blog. Because of her blog I took courage to enter my Medusa's Sister for placement in Lark Books' 500 Raku. Time will tell if my work is published. But no matter, it was a learning experience and next attempt will find me better armed to fight the publishing fight!

And now I am honored to be one of Carol's Artists of the Day for the Month of December.
Stop by and leave a comment if you like and read my humble attempt at an interview!

Carol is of course a fellow Etsian...visit her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/caroleepp

Saturday, November 28, 2009

My Golden Dreams Treasury Capture


Treasuries are so much fun to do! All the colors and textures to choose from ...and you get to honor your friends works for all to see for a few hours. Here are some of my very favorite artists and some new artists that I love to browse their shops. Enjoy the time in my golden dream!!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=77448

Friday, November 27, 2009

Goodie, Goodie!!! New Photos of Amazing Felted Art using my Raku Buttons






Received photos to day of two truly amazing felted collars that are a work of art unto themselves. That you can wear this art makes them that much more special! Jane, whose shop is at JaneBoFelt.etsy.com, creates gorgeous work with natural and other fibers from her home in Moscow, Russia. You absolutely much visit her online shop! Such work...a feast for the eyes! My favorite is the colorful made to order Felted scarf/shawl called Orange Burst.

We had such lovely communication during the buying process. And I love how she has incorporated my raku buttons in her work! Please take time to visit her shop. Tell her I said hello!

You can fine these lovelies at the following links:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35327523
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=21124746
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=31153876 (Orange burst)

Enjoy my friends!!!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

I'm into Treasurys Today!!




These treasuries are just to lovely to let fade into the Etsy Ether ...I do have inclusions in each which drew my attention...but are they not just fabulous!!! The guests work is original and colorful...and please check out the curators shops as well. The links to each page are following...hurry, as you know they disappear all too soon!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=76009
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=94812
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=94975

Have fun...I certain did!

Monday, November 9, 2009

In the Wings of the Scarab Treasury by erraticneedle.etsy.com


Erraticneedle of Etsy included one of my Scarab Pendants in her treasury...this was such an outstanding treasury, I wanted to feature it in my blog. Just beautiful in color and composition! You must stop by her shop to see her wonderful needle work....as is seen in the above work...eratticneedle.etsy.com

Treasury can be found at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=93409

Sunday, November 8, 2009

What do you think? More color or leave as is? Or Much Ado About Nothing?




A challenge from my friend and pottery teacher, Suzon Martin, resulted in this creation. "Here", she says, "take this lump of earthenware clay and see what you can do with it." After a three year sabbatical from class, I was nervous to try anything larger than the raku jewlery pieces I had been creating to sell on Etsy. A prompt was necessary to get me away from the small raku pieces.

I am not a wheel potter. I fashion with my hands and roll slabs of clay to make my pottery. This piece is a slab draped to follow the contours of a bowl I had on hand. I took a walk in my yard and grabbed a couple of different kinds of leaves that happened to be close and started impressing these in the clay to form a background for the three dimensional work.

Another thin rolled slab let me impress, cut, then attach more life like leaves to the still wet clay in the bowl. I work wet...less scoring and magic water application that way. I seem to be more spontaneous that way.

Dragonfly's and a beetle or two and I have taken a perfectly functional form and made it unusable! Can't say why I have the need to clutter up a piece of pottery...it is just what the muse has me do!

I imagined a goldfish bowl? A bowl filled with water to float a votive? A bowl to float my favorite Gardenia blossoms in? Something fanciful?

Now, my dilemma is this... I imagined lots of color in the leaves and flowers against a natural background. The raku muse wanted this bowl...but the clay can not be rakued. I put a wash of white under glaze on the elements, thinking I could layer color later. In a change of mind and taking the under glaze off...the details of each leaf and creature began to pop. So, with the encouragement of teacher and fellow students...it has been fired with a simple clear glaze over the details of the leaves and creatures.

Should I fire again with vivid blues, reds and greens against the earthenware red, or leave well enough alone? That is the question! Should I make another in a raku clay to get those glorious iridescent colors I like so well and leave this one alone? Perhaps it should be all white glaze with the red earthenware showing in distressed areas? Look at the close ups in close up again to see the detail.

Too many options...just can't make the decision....help!!! What do you think about it ...as is?? The bowl measures 11 inches in diameter and is 3 1/2 inches deep. Is this much ado about nothing?

Sunday, November 1, 2009

An Autumn Whisper...

I have been out of the treasury business for a while....just happened to catch an opening. I have included many of my favorite artists and a new Etsy artist, Amy68, from North Carolina. Hope you enjoy browsing these wonderful shops with their amazing art work!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=91438

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Echo's ...“Only through art can we emerge from ourselves and know what another person sees” ~ Marcel Proust


I am excited to be a part of a new journey. You must enjoy a visit with in the blogs of both Christie and Susan! Their project called Echo's will touch your creative spirit.

I offer this photo to be paired with another artist's vision of completion. I can't tell you why I love this photo...it just makes me feel warm but poised to embark on an adventure. Perhaps even emerging from childhood into adulthood.

Read the following from Christie's blog posting, follow the links on her site and visit with Susan to see how other photographers are sharing their work...and a new understanding emerging from the pairing of two views of artistic creation.

http://chrysti.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/echo-week-1-emerge-roundup/

" I am excited for the chance to take a creative journey with Susan; to get a glimpse on how she views this miraculous world. I am hoping, that you too will join us in the project we simply call: echo. Every 2 weeks we will each post a seperate set of diptychs based on a prompt we decided on prior. The final result is not only a surprise to each of you, but to us as well. What a true delight that is for me! Be sure to take a gander over to Susan’s blog, where she shares our second diptych.

We invite you to take this journey with us .. to take our bi-weekly prompt and interpret it through your camera lens & share it on your blog (or flickr). Be sure to let one, or both of us know in the comments section that you have done it too, I will post a roundup of all the posts I am aware of in the next 2 weeks. If you haven’t yet guessed it, the first theme is ‘emerge’. Whether you work alone, or pair up with someone we look forward to seeing the world through your eyes, your echo.

Warmly, Chrysti

Update: Week 1 Roundup is posted here… see all the creative folks joining in! "


Enjoy my friends...You are in for a treat !

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Win It Wednsdays At Christie Cottage




























Christie does a giveaway each Wednesday. The items are sponsored by different artists. You can view the giveaway on Tuesday, then enter on Wednesday...and find out at the end of the day if you won!
I am one of the sponsors on Wednesday,November 4th and I am offering this Celtic Cross in the give away... http://christiecottage.blogspot.com/ and you can visit her Etsy shop at... christiecottage.etsy.com

I will be the 2nd featured shop on the Tuesday before the giveaway and then on Wednesday Christie will have my giveaway.

This unusual raku ornament has such beautiful colors in the light...Coppers,blues,greens,purples...even some silver highlights. These photos are representative of all. It will measure approx. 3 x 4 inches. Could be used as a pendant on a silk ribbon as well. Or hang by your door way.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30694004

I have a collection of crosses in my foyer beside my 1930''s glassed door. The morning light is wonderful to show them off.

Visit Christie's blog and enter if you would like to win this unique Celtic Cross. I wish you great luck!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Sweet Treasury by Saffron of ElementsOfSaffron.etsy.com
























I love meeting new artists on line...especially when they are kind enough to take time out of their busy schedule to comment on my work and give me the opportunity to also view their work.

Saffron is new to Etsy...an August babe in the Etsy Forrest. She chose to feature one of my little pendants in her treasury. Saffron has quite the eye for treasury building ! Stop by and look around her shop...really sweet, delicate creations. ElementsOfSaffron.etsy.com

Isn't her "The Naturalist's Journey" Necklace quite the inspiring piece? Perfect to remember a sunny Autumn day.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

New Project in the works...A Gorgon Sister




As those of you know who follow my work, I like unusual projects and subject matter. I have in the past introduced you to some of my digital alterations that collage my photographs with vintage work by artists and scientist like Ernst Haeckle, DaVinci, Galileo, etc.

This image of a Gorgon's Head is a collage of several elements. Not knowing when to leave well enough alone...I thought I would try to bring it to three dimension in clay. And to take it even further to try to raku the piece. I love a challenge...the more remote success, the better I like the project!

After weeks of drying, then firing to bisque, it took me several more weeks to get up the nerve to glaze and do the raku firing. Those who raku know every piece stands a better chance NOT to do what you want it to do. It will crack, or the glaze not reach temperature and bubble, or if it stands the quick firing and extraction from the more than 1800 degree kiln into the 70 degree air, your tongs may chip it, or crack it...or worse still you drop it.

When in reduction...timing is critical to expose to the air again to get the colors you want...then you only have moments to freeze those colors by dousing with water. Another chance for the piece to crack.

I love raku! I love the process, the danger, the final piece... either small like my raku pendants, or large like this Gorgon's Head. This is to date my largest raku piece. Definitely my most detailed and ornate raku piece.

Though not exactly as colorful as I would have liked...she is definitely a keeper!

Now that she exists in the real world...I must make a home for her. Not until I looked into her eyes did I see this. I wonder where this adventure will lead me? I lay awake at nights trying to sort out how to protect her with out diminishing her over all presence. I think I have it figured out...so check back in a few weeks to see how this will end.

You know that if you look into a Gorgon's eyes...you will turn to stone...oh, the places this leads my imagination!!!

Only her eyes are not clay. I left a hole in the back of the piece ititally for hanging...but my imaginaion runs wild with possibilities to have those fire red eyes gaze back at you. I am a novice at electrical wiring...but this posses another challenge that I may take up. She measures 13 x 10x 3 1/2 inches.

Can you imagine opening the lid of an ancient box, covered in bones turned to stone...with warnings not to disturb...curiosity getting the best of you...and when you ease open the lid...in the darkness the Gorgon's red eyes lazer back at you?

Now only if skill can match imagination...I will have a true Curiosity for you to look at! Wish me luck!!!

Monday, October 19, 2009

So Loverly It Is...Don't You Just Love Cashmere!!!




The postman arrived today with this beautiful cashmere collar that I won as a give away at http://kerreraskye.blogspot.com

Shirley has outdone herself. This is magnificently soft and the colors will go with so much of my winter apparel. No jewelry needed when I wear this...can't wait to hear the compliments!

Be sure to visit her shop at Etsy.
www.kerreraskye.etsy.com

I'm off to audition this beauty with my navy pea coat...it's going to be Loverly!!!!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

New Art from my Raku Stash




You have seen Jeniffer's work here before...she always amazes me with her original designs featuring my little raku treasures. Here are five more designs from her Etsy shop....TocadoraLeather.etsy.com. All her work is wonderful...I am just partial to seeing my little buttons on her gorgeous creations:)

If you want to get to know her and her work a little better, be sure to drop by GlassAddiction's Open Studio Friday interview with Jennifer a couple of months ago...you can find it here...http://glassaddictions.blogspot.com/2009/08/open-studio-friday_14.html

Promise it will be a good read!!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The Beating of the Drums

I love all things percussion! Rhythm, visceral, like the beating of a heart. Drums touch the core of me. Can it be those genetics from ancestors millennia ago...pulling the vibrations inward...they awakening from a deep sleep?

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Special Give Away By Kerrera Skye


Go have a look and work toward receiving this beautiful cashmere collar as a give away at http://kerreraskye.blogspot.com/2009/10/giveaway-cashmere-necklet.html

Shirley has the most beautiful fiber work. The colors are always attention getters...either soft and dreamy or bright and bold.

Be sure to visit her shop at Etsy as well!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

My Own little Cabinet of Curiositie...







Pam at Alittlepieceofmyart.etsy.com has a contest going on that I could not resist entering. For a mere eleven dollars I got ten items to peak my imagination...really wanted the little German boy's head... and I get a chance to win money as well. The more artists that enter the more the winning pot.

Having no idea what I would do to pull all these items together...I opened the package and inspected each little item. Like a two year old...the first thing I did was pop the head off the skeleton to see if the little boys head would work there....yes!! The little leg was not a stretch of the imagination to work as well. So off to create...a necklace? That was my first impulse...but the amber pointed dangle could be dangerous! I envisioned wearing my stunning new goth masterpiece to the airport and being locked up for trying to slip on the plane with an object of destruction. I suppose you could even hold an unsavory at bay with such an item?

So wearing my new creation was out! I have been admiring Spirit Boxes for a while and thought I might have all the needed oddities to create a box. The little boys head on the skeleton reminded me of my digital collage in my cabinet of curiosities shop...Do One Thing Every Day that Freightens You. Perfect...I had plan. I had created a nice little ACEO of this one collage, with glitter and all, that would be the tie in for color scheme .

My next inspiration was from Steph at http://vladthebatsattic.blogspot.com. I received the lovely faux bone earrings that I had won in the same postal delivery that day. They were so lovely I decided to use my Spirit Box more as a jewelry display. Don't they look lovely in their little nook? I added her bracelets, and my wonderfully colorful necklace from Elsie at http://elsiee.etsy.com to the mix and I was off and running with ideas.

The display box actually fell into place rather quickly once all my little additions were in one place. Can you find the ten original contest entries? Such fun, such a challenge....hope I win!!! As I was telling Pam...I am already a winner! Look at each of my friends work, displayed not in a box hidden from view...but out in the open for stories to be told...and touched and worn and not forgotten for even a moment!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Hidden Missives


That's all I can say right now....but look very soon for a posting about folklore, fairytales, and the genius who created the Babba Yagga portrait that helped me win those gorgeous earrings by Steph at http://vladthebatsattic.blogspot.com. A rare talent herself!!!

New Etsy artisan and shop on the horizon! ...I'll treat you soon... I promise!!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Straight from the Pumpkin Patch!





I am so happy with these little guys. Could not have wanted a better firing or colors for them. They are so small... 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter.













I was playing around with an old broken deer bone and it leaves just the greatest impression in the clay...pumpkins were a must from the first beads. My hubby's idea actually. I thought it would be too much trouble to make the leaves and vines...but it was doable...is that a word? Such pretty little treasures...I don't mind if they don't sell!

I am doing my first festival in many years this Saturday in Reidsville, NC at the new Market Square. It is an afternoon event with music and food and lots of other artists as well. IF I make it through the day...will let you know how it goes. Tim Amos, a friend and fellow potter is sharing the booth with me...wish us many sells and good exposure for our work. I'll get some snaps of Tim's work and share as well.

There are so many talented potters in this area...I think maybe I should start featuring them in this blog space. I'll see what I can do about that!!

Take care and everyone have a great weekend!

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Free Treasure to Purchaser of 200th Item




wondrousstrange's Shop Announcement

I am so close to my 200th sale!!! To celebrate...the purchaser who buys the 200th item will receive free one of the following items...your choice...just convo me with your selection and I will tuck it in with your order! Good luck!

1. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30402243 pumpkin beads

2. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=30441423 Halloween ornament

3. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29750232
Sliding Slim Snake pendant



Have fun looking around. Thanks to all who have written with their impressions of my work, and how certain things have brought back pleasant memories...I love hearing from you!!

I hope you will take time to view my work in closeup. I spend a lot of time trying to get detail and colors correct. Makes all the difference seeing the larger view!