I had a mini posse with me, which made me feel very special - my mom Peg, my mother-in-law Pat, my sister Deborah and my brother-in-law Wayne. Later on, my friend Brooke Lacey, came out to our little town of Belcher-tucky (as my friend Malinda Lastowski likes to call it).
Sketch artist Wayne Gagnon was in the back room (where clay workshops are usually conducted) with his son, who was playing the trumpet for a nice little bit of ambiance. Set up next to the snacks and beverages, Wayne was offering his own "visual hors d'oeuvres" - business card sized works of art. Very clever Wayne!
LOCAL COVERAGE
Rewind about two years (ish). My mom and I are at the Brimfield Antique Market (click image to the left to learn more) in, you guessed it, Brimfield, Mass. and we are on a quest: find vintage buttons to add to my (then small) collection. Here's why.
Todd of UCC Belchertown wrote an adaptation of a 1940s radio show for a Christmas performance that benefited the town fuel assistance fund; Rabbi Bauer of the JCA (pictured at left) was an opera director for 15 years prior to his current position; and Pastor Bruce of Hope United Methodist Church has a puppet ministry, performing part of his sermon to the kids as a bear from Maine named Portland.
The nearly universal concern shared by pastors is the need for individuals to enjoy a relationship with God. Most felt it didn’t matter where - their church or a church down the street - but having a spiritual relationship with God was more important than the actual religion. Pastor Dale from the Christ Life Fellowship (pictured with his wife and co-minister Fran) suggests religion is not even necessary. He said, “God doesn’t care about what religion you are; he only cares about what’s in your heart.”
Coming from a Catholic background, and never having considered changing my religion, I was surprised to learn many pastors were not born into their religion and some didn’t even have a religious upbringing at all. More interesting, were the churches where what brought the people together was not necessarily their religion, but rather a sense of true acceptance. At the Assembly of God in Wilbraham, Pastor Brian Tracy (pictured at left) shared a surprising anomaly: they have many more attendees on a Sunday (about 325) than they do actual members (189). He cited the reason as “specifically reaching out to people in the community who aren’t of faith.”
In other words, many have aligned themselves with a church, but far fewer actually participate on a regular basis. Most pastors with this concern had programs in place to help bring members back to the church community. At Immaculate Heart of Mary in Granby, Father Benoit’s congregation holds “town meetings” to help address the concerns of the people in order to attempt to fix the perceived problems. Father Vern of St. Francis (pictured at right - and my priest) implemented a post card campaign - a series of post cards sent to all members to bring awareness to the effects on the church when all members do not actively participate..JPG)
These photos are from December 10, 2005 - a friend took them from our back yard with his fancy camera.
Over the years, the pair have stockpiled furniture, collector’s items (records, stamps, cards, etc.), tools, ringer washers, organs, wood stoves, windows, doors and all kinds of knobs and gadgets from just about every state in the south. “We are like the General Store of the twenties,” Tetreault said “minus the food.”
Can you find me in both images? What about others? Not everyone keeps the same 'avatar' consistently, the little image that represents them in their shop and in forums, etc. How many Etsians can you find that are in both images?
Chloe's 'love', my 'peace', and Brendon's 'howdy'
So Chloe and I made cupcakes inside of ice cream cones, which when frosted with a candy placed on top resembles a real ice cream cone - but it's a cupcake. Cute, right?
Like the time when I blew up some pink balloons for little girl's birthday party - they just kept popping half way blown. So I made them small. But the ends wouldn't expand and stayed a darker pink (nipple-esque). Basically I was decorating the room with a bunch of D-cups.
Click on the image to the left to find out more about stART on the Street. You can even buy stickers, tote bags and the like with this image to show your support of the arts!
My schedule has changed a bit. So here's an update:
stART in the Street
Park Avenue, between Highland and Pleasant
Worcester, MA
Sunday, September 21
11am-5pm
Art to Wear Jewelry Show
hosted by my sister, Denise Blais
Saturday, September 27
(private party)
Arts and Music Festival
Mud Spun Arts Center
Belchertown, MA
Sunday, October 12
11am-5pm
Winter Festival
Marketplace at Eastworks
Easthampton, MA
Saturday & Sunday, December 13 & 14
10am-4pm
Recently, I realized I needed an artist’s statement. Being a writer, I had to make it the best I possibly could. Only one problem - I didn't know where to begin. So I did a little research (I love you internet!) and collected these tips...
More specifically, I learned a neat process - a self-interviewing technique - that really helped me uncover what was most important to convey in my statement.
As a writer, I learned long ago to completely spill every thought out onto paper - with total disregard to spelling, grammar or completed thoughts. Then go back, fill in the blanks and rearrange it into a masterpiece.
It’s like carving a whistle out of a branch. Build up your branch until there’s nothing left to say. And then start whittling it down, making sense of it all and connecting thoughts and ideas. That’s how I write. And that’s pretty much what I found through my internet research on writing an artist’s statement.
Here are two sites I found that had the most comprehensive help for someone with my specific needs:
I hope you find them helpful!
P.S. Here’s my statement. It's a one-pager, intended for hard copy use. Let me know what you think, or better yet, share your statement with me by adding a comment to this article (click on the word "comments" at the end of this article).
I can't help it. Creative juice runs through me. I love to create! Among my original works of art are: written works (news articles, poetry, short stories, children's stories), glass murals, wall murals, acrylic paintings, watercolor paintings, collage art, tile paintings, storybooks and jewelry – my favorite wearable art.
For me, the best thing about creating artful pieces of jewelry is two-fold: one is the personal satisfaction I feel when creating something out of raw materials, using my own hands and imagination; the other is watching someone pick up a piece I’ve made and compliment me on it by asking how it was made and listening to the story behind it.
The recurring theme in my work is an organic design using organic materials. I don’t like plastic and faux jewelry. So I’ll never use anything but natural stones, glass, sterling silver, seashells, leather and paper – things that began in or on the earth. I love to work with natural, organic-looking stones – stones that have blemishes; tumbled stones that resemble the way they looked when they were found. When I place a strand of these stones on my skin, they somehow make me feel connected to the earth. I begin a piece by observing the materials and letting them guide my interpretation of their beauty. Sometimes I don’t see it and have to put it down. Sometimes it never works out, but it’s hard for me to give up trying.
The number three comforts me. My two sisters and I make up a power of three – separate and strong, yet intertwined. Some of my pieces use a tri-dangle – each a solid individual, but when combined, create a beautiful, unique unit. And many of my tri-dangles hang from a circle – for me, a symbol of coming around to a full rotation of thoughts and behaviors. When I end up back where I began, the journey has fed me in a way that broadens my thinking and changes my behavior.
When people see my work, I'd like them to know it is an extension of who I am and what I feel; that I’m tactically translating my emotions into something personal and tangible – offering it up for someone else to own.
Station 5 Salon is a new hair salon in Belchertown that used to be a gas station – for over 50 years. Before that, it was the site of one of the country’s premiere horse-drawn carriage manufacturers.
Where do you find inspiration? This is an interesting query to me. I always ask this of other artists. Common responses seem to be: materials, nature, emotions and people.
Material Girl
Sometimes my materials are an inspiration. Like when I helped my son with a grade-school project. He had to make an unusual hat. We went “shopping” down in my craft room. We found tiny colorful rubber bands, and small wooden beads. Can’t remember how, but we made a musical hat. A string hung about ear level on each side of his head. When he pulled the string from side to side, the hat strummed like a guitar (if it were made out of rubber bands).
Nature's Bounty
Nature is so vast and is what lends itself to a ton of art I see: trees, oceans, leaves, birds, rocks, fruit, and so on. You see it in paintings, drawings, pottery, jewelry, everywhere.
And who could forget nature’s presence in poetry.
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
~ Joyce Kilmer
Emotion Commotion
When I was heavily into writing poetry, emotions were what guided my pen. When my emotions were in turmoil or at the very highest of highs, I wrote a ton. But when I was in a content place emotionally, I’d be at a loss when I'd sit down to write
Personally Speaking
In my current work at the newspaper, people are what inspire me. I enjoy having a meaningful conversation with my subject and uncovering what makes them unique and just like everyone else. Everyone has a story to tell. How someone became a small business owner is always related back to the person’s life story. I think articles are much more interesting to read (and to write) when you can learn about the person behind the scene.
My Inspirational Spot
In jewelry design, I gain inspiration from all things: a beautiful painting, my kid’s art, a piece of glass, my sisters, a stone or my excitement for creating things I love. My studio space is full of visual inspiration – post cards that I pick up at art galleries, my jewelry sketches on scraps of paper, an animated butterfly an old boss gave me, a Waterford crystal seashell a friend gave me commemorating our trip to St. Thomas, and of course all of my sterling and gemstone components that I shopped oh so meticulously for.
So, where do you find inspiration? Add a comment to this article and let me know. Your inspiration doesn't have to be about art. Maybe you draw on inspiration for other things in your life. Sometimes I seek inspiration just to make dinner.
I've been invited to join Art Walk Easthampton. It's something I've been considering for a while but couldn't fit in. Last year I did more than 15 venues, including Marketplace@Eastworks, one of the stops on this walk and where I'll be showing.
This year I'm cutting back to just the finest art shows. So that's why I am officially signed up to show at this incredible event. It's the second Saturday of each month and is from 5-8 p.m. - perfect substitute for the (somewhat lathargic) movie scene.
More than a dozen venues host visual, musical and performance art in an energetic sampling of local, regional and national talent. You can explore Easthampton's best galleries, shops, restaurants, pubs, and music and theater venues.
Located on Pleasant Street in Easthampton, this amazing old refurbished factory building has an open floor plan and is home to artisan studios, retailers and residents. The first floor (street level) is where you'll find cute little shops and boutiques and where resident artisans show their wares.
Luckily, I had already received a ton of hits so I gracefully and apologetically bowed out of the forums for a while. I sincerely didn't think of it as spam until the admin mentioned it and I am sorry if I annoyed any of you.
ARTIST BACKGROUND
Deborah grew up watching over her two younger sisters. Her family moved quite a bit when she was young – from coast to coast and back again – until they settled into a small New England town. She spent her high school years in that small town and made many special friends.
Deborah has two handsome boys – one currently in Army Special Ops Training and one studying to be a fire fighter. She has spent the past several (almost ten) years with a wonderful man, with whom she recently exchanged wedding vows.
Anyone who knows her would say Deborah has a passionate and caring spirit. Always a good friend, she’s willing to lend an ear or a hand whenever needed. Her character has lended itself to her art. Deborah’s paintings reveal her emotions and point of view in a very pure way. Her art is not guided by technical strokes or channeling other artists. It’s guided by what’s inside.
I hope you enjoy the words and art of my beautiful sister, Deborah Sprague.
IN HER OWN WORDS
droux: When did you realize you were an artist?
dlsprague: My first love comes from appreciating nature and the beauty in it, and the feeling that it brings to me. I never thought of myself as being creative or talented, but envied those who are. When my children were older I had some time on my hands to spend in museums and galleries with the new love of my life. I found that the feeling I would get when looking at a beautiful piece of art was the same as when I was in nature. It was a real connection for me. I figured what the heck, I'll purchase some supplies and try it out. I just wanted the feeling of creating. I wasn’t expecting perfection or anything. It was really about the process - a journey. From there, my husband encouraged me to continue and gave me art lessons at the Boston MFA as a birthday gift. It was so inspiring to be surrounded by great works and then to be surrounded by other students who were also learning. I continued to take classes in oil and pastel. Some day, I hope to think of myself as an artist - but I love the journey.
droux: Where do you find inspiration?
dlsprague: I find my inspiration in nature; I love the colors of the natural world - the greens, golds, blues and the reds. I love to look at other artists' work; I love texture and thick brush strokes and vivid colors
droux: What was the first piece of art you ever created?
dlsprague: When I was about eight, I made a puppet out of paper and crayons for my little sister for Christmas. I loved giving it to her.
droux: What is your favorite medium?
dlsprague: That’s a hard question. I recently learned to paint with pastel so that is what I'm doing right now the most. I love the intense colors you get with pastel and the fact that I can leave it out and work on a piece when I can get to it. I love oils too; how you can put it on thick and be creative with mixing your colors. AND I really enjoy doing mixed media pieces with acrylic. This technique opens the door to doing pieces that are so different.
droux: How do you feel about parting with your art?
dlsprague: First I get nervous. I hope the person I give a piece to really likes it or at least appreciates it. When I'm doing a piece, if I know I'm giving it to someone in particular, I really think a lot about that person when I'm working on it. Since I don't live right next door to my family, it is a nice way to stay in touch - even if it is only in my mind. I love to give my art to my husband. He really loves my work and that I express myself in this way.
Deborah lives in New Hampshire with her husband Wayne, her two boys (when they're not at school, working or in training), and their black lab, Summer.
Coming Soon: Look for her art on display at my Etsy shop!
Invitation: Please leave a comment and tell me what you think about Deborah's art seen above (first two are pastels; last one is oil) - you can click on the photos to enlarge.
What is this? Deanna Roux, instructor?
Yes, that's what I said, sista (or brotha - whatever the case may be).
Okay, slow down droux. You're getting a little ahead of yourself. Do you want the long version or the short version? ... Just what I figured. Fine, short version it is.
A woman, by the name of Becky Laliberte (a mom and a potter), decided to open an arts center in our sweet little town called Mud Spun Arts Center. She carved out a spot in a building she owns - really a strip mall. (P.S. It's the same strip mall where my kids take music lessons and I had put my business card up on the music shop's bulletin board.)
Becky lined up several artists to instruct 6-week workshops for adults. She was looking to fill a jewelry making slot when she came across my business card at the music shop.
See, I can do short version.
The arts center is currently conducting open registration for the following:
Mud Spun also offers:
Check out the Mud Spun registration form for all the details, including dates, times, and very reasonable prices.
Oh, and did I tell you? I'm instructing a workshop!
Back in October I became interested in the work of Harmony Outreach, a 501(c) (3), non-profit organization, that literally saves abandoned babies in China. It’s run by an American couple, John and Lisa Bentley, who live in China with their six children. They took a huge leap of faith when they moved from their safe and predictable life to one quite the opposite.
I’ve communicated with them via e-mail for the past four months and have found myself looking at their photos, reading the many articles about their work and even listening to interviews that Lisa has given to a radio show – all to both confirm and understand their work.
“A six-week old, badly burned baby is left to die in a field. The villagers stand around staring, unwilling to burden themselves with the responsibility of helping him. Despite its heartbreaking beginning, this remarkable story has an ending that's full of hope and inspiration.”
Learn the rest of their story here in an interview Lisa gave to In Touch Magazine.
Lisa goes on to write her first book, Saving Levi, which tells of her and John’s struggles and triumphs after their decision to help this dying baby. Later, Levi is the first child to be adopted into their family.
That was the title of my first e-mail to Lisa and John – “I want to help.” Simple. After reading the article in In Touch, which literally brought me to tears, I didn’t just want to help – I needed to help.
Sometimes when you gain knowledge, you also gain responsibility. I’ve always had a strong urge to help people who need help. Not people who want help or people who behave like they need help – but people who really have very little means of helping themselves. When I see that in someone, there’s no way I can turn away.
I decided to help by creating and selling a bracelet that symbolizes Chinese adoption. My husband Bob agreed to put up a few hundred dollars so I could purchase the supplies for the bracelet. November 12, 2007, the first day the bracelet was in my online shop, I sold two. The first week, I sold four. Our goal of selling thirty bracelets was reached before Christmas.
We are so happy and proud to report that through the sale of this symbolic bracelet we have been able to donate over $750 to Harmony Outreach. We have chosen to have the funds go directly to Baby Hope, who was in need of heart surgery but didn’t have the entire cost covered. Her surgery is now completely paid for thanks to the thirty folks who have purchased this beautiful symbol for their loved ones and for themselves. Hope’s surgery was just a few weeks ago. I’m told she’s back at Harmony House and doing very well.
Through this work, I’ve been able to meet so many wonderful people. Many of whom were willing to share their personal journals and photographs – all devoted to their journey to adopt a baby from China; many who are still on their journey, some sad, some anxious, but all ever hopeful. My customers (they feel like more than customers really) tell me the bracelet has such meaning to them and they fill my e-mailbox with special messages of thanks. But it is really them who deserve the thanks. They are the ones who are helping the world, one child at a time.
Word has gotten around about the bracelet, so instead of abandoning the bracelet project, Bob and I decided to sponsor a child from Harmony House. Hope is completely sponsored, so we turned our attention to the other 32 children in the orphanage.
A portion of the sale of each bracelet will go to help sponsor sweet little Helen - Wang Xinrui. Helen will turn five years old this year and is described as having a love of performing. She does not like sitting in a chair for long unless she’s drawing or reading a cartoon book. It was difficult to choose who to sponsor, because all the children really tug at our heartstrings. We chose Helen because her name holds a special meaning in our family. Look at her photo – she looks so happy and sweet!
A lot of gratitude and appreciation goes out to the many families who have adopted babies from China, sponsor a special little one from China or are waiting for their angel to be delivered safely into their family. You are truly making a difference in our world by saving lives from a land not seen - out of pure love and faith.
You can read all about Harmony Outreach and the progress of the bracelet project, by searching my blog for the word “hope.” (see the word "Labels" at the bottom of this article - click on the word "hope")
Please learn more about the needs of many children in China as well as Chinese adoptions by visit Harmony Outreach online at www.HarmonyOutreach.org.
Happy birthday - hope you get lots of love today!
What’s In It For me?Yes, you need details, but don’t overwhelm the reader right to the nearest exit. Reserve space for sharing your personal views, techniques and inspirations. Go back and read what you wrote. Remove big words used only to impress and information that is redundant. Don’t drown your clever cut of meat with too much gravy.
It’s your job to slow the online eye. Give your reader something to stumble upon. Instead of using a large block of text, break it up. Use bullets to make a list easier to read. Use caps and/or boldface to make subtitles in your post pop. The use of whitespace will give the eye a break and it’ll make your blurb easier to read.
So what do you think? Are you up for the challenge? The challenge is not “writing.” The challenge is “taming the writer within.” So here’s your whip and here’s your chair. Now go tame.
When I was in high school, I was allowed to leave early and go to work from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. I worked in a factory right next door to the beautifully repurposed factory building, Eastworks. Well now I'm back and what a wonderfully different atmosphere there is to enjoy!
Located on Pleasant Street in Easthampton, this amazing old building has an open floor plan and is home to artisan studios, retailers and residents. The first floor (street level) is where you'll find cute little shops and boutiques and where resident artisans show their wares.
Don't miss me at the Winter Festival this weekend - Friday, Saturday and Sunday - where Eastworks artisans and other invited artists (like myself) will be open for business right on the main wood-planked hallway. Hours are 10am - 5pm the first two days and 12pm - 4pm on Sunday. Come shop, have lunch and shop some more!
My fellow Etsian, Phyllis Mufson, and I have quite a few things in common.
First, she is super busy being crafty, like many of us indie artisans. But she kicks it up a notch with TWO Etsy shops! One (Personal Treasures) with very high-end, gorgeous jewelry featuring quality gemstones in silver and gold. And another (Mufi Jewels) featuring equally stunning pieces with a more casual appeal.
Phyllis also blogs, like ma-self. Her blog is dedicatd to creative people and the creative process. On her blog, she features other artists and is currently showcasing a group of crafters who create for the good of others.
Check out her blog to see the many Etsians (like Phyllis and me) who are creating Gifts That Give Twice. Shop these artists this holiday season and your purchase will benefit all kinds of global groups including those who support children, breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, leukemia, animals and eating disorders.
This gorgeous bracelet has a very special meaning. It’s a symbol for anyone who is lucky enough and blessed enough to have built their family by adopting a child – more specifically, a child from China.
This bracelet is custom made to fit a specific wrist – either adult or child. When you purchase the bracelet, I will contact you for measurements.
100% of the proceeds from the sale of these bracelets will go to Harmony Outreach, a 501(c) (3), non-profit organization.
Harmony Outreach helps to save abandoned babies and children in China by ensuring they receive the medical treatment, therapy or schooling they need while they complete their journey from abandonment and hopelessness to redemption and love.
They do this through Harmony's “Three Steps to Hope” program:
The significance of each element of the bracelet is explained below:
I was approached -- via my Etsy shop, by a potential mom, Rachel Meyers, of a potentially adopted child from China -- to help Harmony Outreach … please read my original post to learn more.
LUCKY BUG
The ladybug is a symbol of good luck in most countries. As a child who grew up in the US, I was taught if a ladybug lands on you, make a wish and blow her away saying “fly away home.” And, among the adoption community, a sighting of a ladybug means your child was born or perhaps the referral stork is in his flight. Either way, a sighting of that spotted beetle is lucky.
LADYBUG LORE
In the Middle Ages, in Europe, insects were destroying the crops. The Catholic farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary for help. Soon the Asian beetle came and ate the aphids. The farmers began calling the insect ‘Beetles of Our Lady’ - eventually known as ‘Lady Beetles’- then ‘Lady Bugs.’ It is recorded that the red wings represented the Virgin’s cloak and the black spots represented her joys and sorrows.
It was a much later invasion that forever connected the ladybug to the Chinese adoption community. In 1998, there was a delay in referrals. That was the summer that much of the US had an invasion of ladybugs. Immediately after, referrals poured in with larger numbers than ever. So, there is a solid foundation for the lore.
WHY CHINA?
Chinese adoptions are becoming increasingly popular in the US; American families choose to adopt from China more often than from any other country. In fact, since 1992, more than 50,000 Chinese orphans have been placed with American families.
Adoptive parents consistently cite the same reasons for choosing to adopt from China.
WANT MORE?
Harmony Outreach:
http://www.harmonyoutreach.org/index.cfm
Adoption process:
http://www.harmonyoutreach.org/index.cfm?pg=doc&id=188
Adoption info and resources:
http://www.harmonyoutreach.org/index.cfm?pg=doc&id=153
Coconut Palm Designs offers art with a tropical flair. Joanne, owner of this spicy Etsy shop, is a Canadian living in Belize, Central America. She’s an artist working in a variety of mediums, a graphic designer and now a woodworker.
Designing signs is her newest crafting passion but art has been in her blood since birth. The colors and designs of many of her pieces are rich and vibrant in color and point of view.
I’ve chosen to showcase Joanne’s amazing ACEO art. But first, let’s have a little lesson on ACEO art.
I didn’t fully understand this particular craze among artists until I went on a little online hunt. Here’s what I found out:
Okay, now that we have that out of the way, here’re the goods:
This ACEO (above) is an original pencil crayon illustration of a red eye tree frog (Agalichnis callindyas). These frogs breed in isolated ponds in lowland forest habitats. It is drawn on watercolor paper and is signed and dated on the back.
This ACEO (above) is an original drawing of a wildflower that grows in Belize. It is drawn on watercolor paper and colored with pencil crayons. It is signed and dated on the back.
This ACEO (above) is an original acrylic abstract painting done in primary colors and edged with black marker. It is done on watercolor paper and signed and dated on the back.
Want more?
Many have featured the gorgeous items in The Mommy and Me Boutique. The shop boasts a variety of high end aprons and skirts for mom and daughter, plus some adorable baby bibs and burp clothes.
As I visited this sweet little Etsy shop I was transported straight into a chic fashion show. The photos are as classy as the items themselves.
I’ve chosen to highlight these three aprons for the domestic fashionista.
“Welcome to my kitchen. Can I whip you up a five-layer butter cream cake?” That’s what you will feel like in this rich looking color block apron with its heavy grosgrain ribbon sash.
This apron screams “I can bring home the bacon AND wrap it around some scallops AND pour you some pinot before you can say FLIR-tee.” Everyone will love love love this.
Put this one on and you’re going to feel like baking up a batch of biscotti. “Anyone up for some cappuccino and some chatty catch-up?”
No matter which one you may choose, these aprons will make you feel like a W-O-M-A-N. Very feminine and very capable.
Want more?
Kreative Mindz is comprised of three individuals. Aly and Beau are a husband and wife team, supporting each other through love, laughter and creativity. An-G is one of Aly's best friends, who is a wonderful seamstress and enjoys sewing in her free time, when she isn't being a vet.
Together, the three of them make funky clothing, kicked up accessories, rockin’ hair wraps, soothing hot packs, bags, purses, wallets, and just about any other thing their creativity and sewing machine will allow.
In addition, Beau is a skilled craftsman and carpenter, so they’ve got some awesome wooden boxes and other wood features in their shop.
I chose to highlight these two beautiful artful pieces. They remind me of Kreative Mindz’s shop, work and the general feeling they exude – organic and natural.
The first one above, titled The Autumn Harvest, uses different fabrics consisting of organic cottons, batik cottons, hand dyed canvas and a piece of vintage upholstery fabric for the moon. It was appliquéd together with different colors of embroidery thread.
This gorgeous piece (left) is an Elemental Cloth, representing the water element, which can be used as a meditation wall hanging or altar cloth. It’s made with hand-dyed cotton muslin and a printed cotton blend fabric. It’s embellished with beads, stones and an abalone shell and has a pocket for intentions (or anything else you would like to use it for).
Aly and company have more of these fantastic elemental clothes in their shop – each representing respectively earth, mineral, nature and fire. These particular elements are derived from the African culture. Here’s how you determine which element you are. It goes by the last digit in your birth year ... Earth : 0 or 5, Water : 1 or 6, Fire : 2 or 7, Nature : 3 or 8 and Mineral : 4 or 9.
Want more?
Harmony Outreach is an organization that helps to save abandoned babies and children in China by ensuring they receive the medical treatment, therapy or schooling they need while they complete their journey from abandonment and hopelessness to redemption and love ... learn more.
Harmony Outreach is run by a husband and wife team, Lisa and John Bentley ... learn more.
They need help raising money to pay for Harmony House, where the children are cared for by a local Chinese family who act as their house parents until they're adopted ... learn more.
You can help by sponsoring a child ... learn more.
Other mediums she enjoys are paper, altered art, mixed-media, knitting, crocheting, jewelry, artist books and photography. She says, “Pretty much, if it will hold still, I'll make art out of it!”
Rachel also loves to write and she does a great job at it too! So, below you’ll learn more about Rachel, in her own words (from her Etsy Profile).
“I have always been an artist. I have always drawn, cut, pasted, painted, collected, sewn, written and dreamed. I have been driven by the question, ‘What if?’ (and fighting against its archenemy, ‘That won’t work!’)”
I like a good hat"Among other things, I am a sign language interpreter, an energy worker, a minister, a blogger, a wife to a wonderful and creative man, and a mother to two wild and amazing little girls. All of these roles shape and change and inform my art.”
Inspiration abounds“I am a 5th generation Oregonian. This lush and verdant envir
onment is in my blood. I grew up in a valley surrounded by tree-covered hills. I memorized the names of flowers as a child. I picked baskets full of mushrooms in the damp woods and studied moss and built forts inside of blackberry thickets.”
Rachel’s work has appeared on the cover of the 2005 Quilting Arts Calender, in Artella Magazine, Art/Quilt Magazine, Fiberarts Design Book 6.
Rachel is also member of Etsy’s EarthPath Artisans Street Team (E.A.S.T.).Visit Rachel’s Etsy shop, Indigo Luna.
Check out Rachel’s blog.
It seems so many are in a special time of need. I look at it two ways - either our world is in a state of turmoil or the media has been working double time to show us all the pain our fellow human beings endure on a daily basis. Maybe we've always had this amount of trouble but it wasn't always exposed. Or maybe in my ignorant youth, I chose not to see or understand the magnitude of things.
I don't need to go into all the details of war, abuse and destruction for you to know what I'm talking about. We all live the lives of others through the eyes of news reporters.
So now that I'm in a heightened state of awareness, as you may be too, how do I decide what to do about it? Well, it’s hard. Not everyone can get on a plane and fly to the places where they can help or reach in their pocket and give to those in need.
What seems to work for me is something I read in a request to help with my church’s religious education program. It simply suggested to “share your gifts and talents.” That really makes it simple. Realize you have something to offer: baking, event planning, computer work, sewing, etc. and then put it to use.
Recently, I was asked to donate a piece of my jewelry to an auction. The auction is being run by a person who wants to raise money for an organization that provides foster care, surgeries and adoptions for special needs orphans in China. The organization is called Harmony Outreach.
It sounded like a great opportunity to help. But what I’d like to do is take it a step further. I’ve asked a couple of my vendors to donate supplies so I can create a bracelet with a cause. So far, I haven’t heard back from them, which can be discouraging, but I’m not giving up that easily.
Once these vendors come through (I have faith in them!), a sweet bracelet will be created and sold on my Etsy shop, at the shows I attend and hopefully at the gallery venues that currently represent my work. 100 percent of the sales of these bracelets will go directly to Harmony Outreach. Look for future articles on the progress of this work.
To donate an article to the auction, please contact Rachel Meyers. She is from Columbus, Ohio and is currently in the process of adopting one the fortunate children in the Harmony Outreach program.
Harmony Outreach is the ministry of John and Lisa Bentley and provides foster care, surgery and adoption for special needs orphans who would otherwise be cast aside and unwanted. The ministry is also creating partnerships with other orphanages, many of which need the wisdom and guidance that John and Lisa are able to provide.
To learn more about Harmony Outreach and all the wonderful work they’re doing, please visit their web site.
Here's another great place on the web that features stories and photos of a group who visited China to work with 3 orphanages and more than 100 children.
So yes, our help is needed in so many places. I hope you find a way to use your gifts and talents to make a difference in our world.
There are 164 Etsy members who are celebrating a birthday today! Happy birthday - hope you get lots of treats.
I love the way they took the car fuses and made them into earrings. But some items are perfect just the way they are, like the glass owl bank. And then, sometimes they create new items from scratch, like the crocheted cuff. Then there’s always the find that sort of (re)creates itself, like the plastic slide necklace.
Thank you for the honor ContasBrasil!
-ContrasBrasil Etsy shop
-ContrasBrasil Blog
She also has a second treasury out there. Both feature the 90 day challenge participants.
About the challenge
The 90 day challenge charges participants to write feature stories about 90 Etsy artists in 90 days. The stories are posted on the writers blogs each and every day. To learn more about the challenge and participate, read the forum thread here. We're still looking for more Etsy bloggers.
The sweet little pink rose bush has hardly had an eye spy it all season. But this beautiful blossom comes out to greet the warm air as well. Her sibling buds were ready and waiting for their turn.
This very hardy dianthus stands tall among the old dried stems. She lifts her face to the sun and tells her sisters the coast is clear and bright.
Look closely and you’ll see the stamen inside the radiant glow of this vibrant bloom. It’s my favorite, reliable friend; always open to hear me say “good morning glory” when I come back from the bus stop each morning.
Their pretty pink and purple presence have me yearning for summer already, but I know I’ll see my friends again when the days are longer and steady.
(Photos taken Oct. 25, 2007)
Media masters: "When I'm learning a new technique or process I find people I consider to have mastered the media and take my inspiration from them as I learn."
Natural inspirations: "My best inspirations always come from nature. Whether it's a walk through the woods or a visit to the beach, I always come back to my workshop refreshed and full of new ideas."
Personal matters: "No matter what you do or how skilled you are at your craft, there will be people who are attracted to it … and people who are repelled by it. In any case, don't take it too personally."
Before you ask, yes, it’s all handmade by Eva. And yes, it’s all very well-crafted and quite attractive! Her passion for crafting is evident in every item, as well as her passion for making everything look just so.
My top three Eva Felicity Designs were not easy to choose. But here goes…
First up – Eva’s scrumptious-sounding Deja-vu Vanilla Milk Bath, which is handcrafted in small batches from 100% pure essential oils and top grade natural products. It’s a “soothing smoothing and relaxing milk bath” that does not use synthetic chemicals or dyes. Yum.
Number two is Eva’s Vintage Style Apron. I absolutely love this beautiful little number, which is of course handmade by Eva. The fabrics are a perfect choice for any domestic goddess. Or, if you just want to pretend to be a super star in the kitchen, wear it out to get the mail – it’ll impress the neighbors.
Third one - now, if I just said “check out some paper cone decoration thingies.” You might think, “yah…no.” Luckily through the magic of computer graphics, you can see for yourself. These are the neatest and the sweetest! I love a vintage flair and these definitely have it.
It was such a pleasure stepping into Eva Felicity Designs' well-rounded shop. I leave, with my senses heightened and my creativity inspired.
I think I … do I smell … cookies?
Vintage can mean so many things these days and it’s used in so many applications. I think these have a vintage appeal because of the color pallet, the imagery and the quotes that are used.
For me, what sets them apart from others is the combination of simple graphical elements and tongue and cheek sayings. A sense of humor is always important to maintain, even when you’re telling someone they didn’t do their part as expected.
Earmark offers many other handmade goodies as well; like journals, magnets and even computer graphics for your own Etsy shop. Oh, and they can customize your order too!
I wanted to be a writer when I was young. I loved to take pencil to paper and create something out of nothing but my imagination. It must have been the 5th grade when my teacher called me up to his desk and asked me a very confusing question that left me feeling confident yet a little guilty. He wanted to know if the story I wrote was really written by me. Oh, I get it; he thinks someone else wrote my well-constructed work of art entitled, Pink Ink. Of course not, but it has stuck with me all this time. And thus entered the eternal, ever-present question lurking in the mind of the true artist - "am I really that good?"
