For the princess in all of us.....

Did you get up early today?
I hit the dvr last night and slept in til 8, but first thing this morning I watched the wedding. Beautiful.

Quick shop note- My ETSY shop will close down May15-23 for vacation. I am working on a special project, so there will be no new artwork for a while. I am not taking custom orders at this time. Everything listed in my shop is in stock. Thank you for supporting my art.

April ARTIST at Creative Hands!

Good Morning!
Tomorrow is April first and I hope Mother nature will stop her winter rage on us. It was  blowing snow yesterday and COLD!!! The Cincinnati Reds open today and is too cold for us to go to the opening day parade :(  I could bundle up... but what fun is that??? I  guess the groundhog was wrong.....it is STILL winter! Enough with my morning weather.....tomorrow I have my spring items on display at Creative Hands Studio. I will be the featured artist ALL month so if you are local please visit the gallery. I have my art jewelry there along with lots of great jewelry from area artists. There are paintings, prints, cards, pottery..... so many great things! OPEN LATE Friday, April 1st-

Creative Hands Artisan Studio 

I may not have ever mentioned that I am an addict. I'm sure you think it is art supplies....which I do LOVE, but my real desire....purses, handbags, totes.....call them what you like ... I LOVE them all. I have so many that I need to purge ever so often. I will carry random purses daily, weekly, change with my outfit, you know the drill. What I'm trying to say is my purses are hardly used. I love Vera Bradly for summer, so I need to make room for more. I have 3 great bags listed on EBAY--Click here to get a deal

I also have decided to spread my wings a little further....until my vacation I am going to list smaller art pieces on EBAY. I will start the bidding at 1/2 of my usual asking price. It's a great chance to win a piece of original art. Thank you for supporting my art :)
~Swim Little Fishy~ is here

My cards and prints are always available in my ETSY shop.

NEW ART LISTED!

I just finished 5 new little paintings! These are all 6x8 on wood. I tried a different style face, I wanted this group to look a bit more "child" like. I used Tim Holtz tissue tape on the sides and LOVE the results! I think it really finished off the piece perfectly! I have this group up in my studio and I think they are perfect for anyone who loves playful child like art. I just listed these cuties in my etsy shop- Click here to find them

My favorite is "She has a BEE in her bonnet"

I love the honeycomb background :)
I am off to clean and do laundry I hope you have a HAPPY SATURDAY!

Inspiring designs

Have you seen this website? Magnolia Pearl {the image is from the site} I came across these incredible designs a few weeks ago. When the days are gloomy with no end in site I have a tendency to go search for my inspiration. That journey led me to these modern prairie girls. The beautiful images give me dreams of warm flowering fields, surrounding an old farm house. The clothes are beautiful, they remind me of old lace curtains and tablecloths. I imagine these blowing in a gentle breeze, smelling oh so sweet..... hanging on the line to dry.
The inspiration for my work this week.

Prairie Rosalie
18x18 wood
acrylic, watercolor, ink, illustration, collage.
vintage lace doilies, buttons
listed in my etsy shop

Shop update!

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This week I wanted to try a few more mini pieces before I move on to the large wood panels I am working on. Yesterday I finished 5 itty bitty petite 4x4 wood panels. I won't lie they were a bit challenging. I have 4 girls and a poppy piece. I have these listed already in my ETSY shop- Click here to check them out.
They will be great as a grouping or really just one sitting on a shelf is too cute. They are limited to one of a kind....no prints will be made (too small) or repeats......due to the tedious nature of these little cuties :P
I listed them at a low price. PERFECT for an Easter basket stuffer.......right next to the peeps :)

BREATHE....in the sunshine

Just finished. I  have been working on this piece for a while. I started yoga this year, part of my new years resolution. I also have been on a low calorie diet + more treadmill than ever before. I am on day 53, lost 10lbs......still more to go. As I wait for the warmth of summer, I painted a little fairy to remind me to breathe......sounds easy, but if you practice yoga, then you know what it means :)
Meditating fairy, dusted in glitter sitting upon her mushroom in a field of brightly colored poppies. Measures 12x12 wood panel. Acrylic, watercolor, ink, stamping and collage. Available here.

Monday Morning Thoughts.....

I get emails from artfairinsiders.com, today I read an entry from artist/blogger Patricia Hecker. She creates the most exquisite wood boxes, see them here in her shop TattooDreams . I wanted to share with you her words-

Why would you buy this from me? I can tell you all kinds of facts about how it was made, who made it, the size, the color - buy why would you buy this? Why would you spend $55.00 for a box? $800.00 for a painting?

Financial/practical folks would say "Do you want it or do you need it?"
Of course you don't need it.
You buy art because you want it.

Will it improve your life? Debatable.
If smiling when you see this object counts, then 'yes'.
If feeling that you have helped contribute to the life of an independent artist to continue living their creative life makes you feel good, then
'yes'.
If surrounding oneself with unusual one of a kind treasures makes you feel
like you're creating a personalized pod to live in, then 'yes'.
If by owning this, you vicariously are living with a piece of this artists spirit in your home or office - then 'yes'.
Pretty compelling reasons I would have to say. Then again, I'm the artist who wants you to buy my work!

So - if this is the case.....think about these things the next time you hesitate. The next time you think,"should I buy that beautiful work of art that seems to be tugging at my soul".......just say 'yes'.

There is no right or wrong in buying art.
Buy what you love.
Buy what ignites your spirit.
Buy what makes you feel whole.
Buy what makes you miss a breath.
In becoming attuned to your inner voice, you come to count on it's intuitive input
when you need the push to say 'yes'!

As 2011 unfolds, make it point to buy at least ONE handmade piece of art each month.
At the end of the year, your collection will have grown,
your sense of collecting strengthened -
your passion expanded.
You will have grown too!
You may find yourself smiling more.
You may find yourself showing others your collection - having people into your home.
These are some of the wonderful aspects of art.
It is beauty and grace all wrapped in one!
--this is art!



Patricia

Happy Collecting!

I started this year off with purchasing a piece of art from ETSY. It was a very small investment, but I wanted to support other artists, they way people support my art. I know the economy still sucks, I feel it every time I sit all day at an art fair or check my email for online sales. I contemplate every day, should I put this all on hold and go back out in the "real world" and get a job.....or wait in faith that this is the right path. I think Patricia has it right, I want people to buy art because it will make them feel something....I buy art because it makes me feel happy. I want to look at the creation and know a kindred spirit created this to pass on the joy. I will continue this year with a purchase a month.....something tiny, just a little reminder for me to see every day and know that someone else out there is working with me.

Happy Monday!

Happy Day Everyone! I'm up early, so I thought I would blog a little this morning. I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who has supported me....by supporting my art. This is my full time job, I feel comfortable with saying that now. I have managed to work at home now for two years, it would not be possible without the many people who support my Etsy shop, and now my online shop. I also have a big supporter right here at home ;0).....he has my back, when things are slow.

First up......Valentines CARDS!!! these turned out soo cute, but I only have a few. This is my new 2011 Queen of Hearts- Cards are high gloss, blank back (tiny logo on bottom of back) I am selling these in sets of 6 ($1 each....wow....great deal) perfect to send to your loved ones:) Just a heads up to card club members...this is the February design, your club cards will be the usual 5x7 version, not the postcard. Click here for listing

New items listed!

This will be a really quick update! I tried to get here last week, but I have been soooo busy! First- ETSY update, I added three of these adorable necklaces. I started with several but when I showed a sneak peek on facebook, few got snatched up! My photo skills are poor, but trust me....these are too cute! I have experimented with jewelry making in the past, but this time I love the results. They are cropped images set under glass and then glued into a silver tray. I add a little gift tin, perfect for storage or gift giving! They are in my ETSY store.

I will have new cards coming this week, so please check back!

Monday Morning Update!

I hope everyone had a wonderful new year! All of this weekends sales have shipped including the card club. New card is posted to the right. Memberships are now closed until next season. I have set my art goals and I am ready to start the new year!

I created a new Frida this past weekend.... In honor of a new creative year :) She has her paint brushes stuck in her hair....which is a popular hair style for myself ....on just about any given day :)

My sister-in-law gave me a Susan Boyle cd for Christmas, it was accompanied by a letter explaining her choice. She said, if a woman over the age of 50 can find her voice and have the courage to share it with the world, then she... being a woman over the age of 50 would support her and purchase it (and pass it on to me.) She ended her letter with a quote "find creativity at any age" This has really resonated with me, she is right. After high school I put away my "paint" I was nearly 40 years old before I found my way back. You can find your creativity at any age.

Monday Morning!

I hope you all had a happy holiday, we had a quiet one at home. We visited family the weekend before and stayed home to watch the snow fall. We also had a little movie marathon..... Lil Fockers on Christmas eve and Black Swan on Christmas night night. Now back to work :)

First up---- FREE Shipping in my web store on purchases over $50 this includes original art! If Santa left you some spending money, why not give yourself the gift of art?? ( I did:) I will tell you more when it arrives!) or better yet.....4 days left to join my card club! you will get a card every month for the next year! Current members....I have the January card ready!

Click here to visit SouthEndGirlsARt.com

Warm Wishes!

I am snowed in, so what better way to celebrate winter than with a new painting? "Snow Angel"

This glistening beauty measures 16x18 and was created on wood panel. She is wrapping her winter arms around a tiny village. Sparkling snow dances in the air and glass glitter adorn her hair. I photo layered this print and added text to create a card. The original is full of tissue texture, glass glitter, stickles and metallic paints. She will join me at Artfest at Icefest this January in Hamilton OH.

If you are an ice queen fanatic like me and are interested in the original, feel free to contact me for a price on the painting. Prints will be offered late in January.

Monday UPDATE

Just a quick ETSY update! I listed two new card designs- The first is here. The original will be available in my web store. Click here to view. This is the the altered version I created with bold text. I had this made into 5x7 cards available in my ETSY store now.

Christmas UPDATE!

This morning I received an email from a customer asking for a print to be framed. I just happened to have a framed print left from a recent art market, I generally never list a framed print. Why am I telling you this? because it never hurts to ask! If you are looking for something to give that special person and do not see it in my shop, just ask! I have a variety of items that I take to local markets and never list in my stores. I have a few ornaments, cosmetic bags and a variety of print sizes left. What are you interested in?......just ask!

Pictured is a mini print (5x5) Christmas Angel from last year :)

Holiday Countdown!!

My family is celebrating early this year....so I am nearly finished with all my preparations. I am shipping daily, so you still have time to shop in my stores! Everything I have listed is ready to ship, most items ship same or next day. My art cards are great stocking stuffers, I have a couple pocket mirrors left and for that special, hard to buy for person I have several one of kind pieces of original art. Go to my new store, and get free shipping on orders over $50- CLICK HERE

Snowy Sunday

Good morning! We had a nice time at the event in Covington last night. I came home in the rain, but found a few awesome online sales took place while I was out, so that makes the night a success. My next show is in January, ARTFEST at IceFEST. I am working on new pieces for this show. This is a peek at a new painting. It measures 14x18 on cradled wood. She is nameless right now.

I have learned a lesson and I will pass it on. When someone you really do not know, but you thought was a genuine person.....gives you a suggestion that starts with, "I tried this and failed miserably....." be wary of taking that suggestion. When you make it successful, by giving it your own spin...they will call you a thief.

Monday Morning Update!

Good Monday Morning! I had a long weekend full of snow! We got our first FULL snow. The ground was covered and it is sooo cold! I had a small Christmas Art show this past Saturday, it was very enlightening to say the least. I move on. I met some great artists, bought a fabulous cat hat and beautiful cat magnets. I sold a little, I think the snow scared off shoppers, online sales were moving faster, so I am off to the post office today with my bundle of packages. I left my car packed, we are going to another show Saturday night and that will be all for this year.

Northside ART show!

Just a quick post to let you know I will be set up at the Northside Art show tomorrow!!! Come out and visit early, snow is in the forecast! I will have new art, lots of cards, new ornaments (just for this show!) and some very special fabric accessories created with my art, this is all I can tell you about my latest items. I created these for all my sisters for Christmas (they will read this) so you will have to wait until after Christmas to see my new goodies...UNLESS you are local, then you will see them tomorrow......... if you brave the snow at shop at Northside :)

I will keep my online shops open tomorrow and hopefully keep track of sales with my iphone. If you see an original you have to have....don't wait!

Give the gift of art for Christmas......no one wants another toaster :)

Happy December!

December is finally here! I am getting ready for a Christmas art sale Saturday, have new art cards and a few stuffed glass ornaments I am working on.....so things are busy here!

I received my Christmas angels from Somerset yesterday. I listed the originals on ETSY, they will make a wonderful addition to your holiday decor! Click here to make the original your own! My favorite is "City of David" this piece has an antique Christmas feel. Here is the listing :) I ship all art priority, so there is still plenty of time to get it displayed for Christmas!

Just a QUICKIE!

This is just a quick post, I'm on my husbands work computer. I have a virus on my laptop, it is in the shop being fixed.....hopefully they will save my photos. I failed to back up my newest styles, so when I can I will post the picture of this months members only card. It will not prevent me from mailing cards tomorrow, they were printed a couple of weeks ago. TODAY is the last day to join for the intro price of $40---------------->>> pp button on the side bar

JOIN TODAY AND I WILL SEND YOU THE NOVEMBER CARD AND THE DECEMBER CARD!

cards are being shipped tomorrow.....don't wait....the card club price moves to 49.99 tomorrow and memberships close December 31