Summer in Salem....By Way of Salem!

Hi y'all! I hope your Summer is going great so far. Up here in Washington, our summer has just begun. The weather has finally gotten warmer and the sun is peeking out now and again. The temps are hanging around the 70's for the most part, but last week we got up to the high 80's which was really nice for a change. We've had a pretty wet and cold winter and spring, so the heat felt great! I've even got a tan!


What have I been up to? Besides NOT making art right now? Well I've been riding my amazing horse Simba. THE most brilliant Arabian ever! And of course finishing school. I've JUST graduated cosmetology school and am set to take my State Boards exam next week and get my license. Yay!!! It's been a tough, and oh-so-very-long year. I thought it'd be a cake-walk. I had no idea "beauty" could be so technical!

After that, well it's onto a job finally. I've already had over 9 months on the "salon floor" at my school, so I feel totally ready to be out on my own and in the real world. Someday I might even have my own salon.....

At school last week, a few of the girls happened to spot my art through a link on my Facebook page and were raving to me about my Halloween creations. I can't tell you after being away from creating for so long, how great that felt! It gave me the boost I needed. I thought - what am I doing? Why aren't I sculpting/painting, etc? I really do miss it so much. Honestly though, school just sucked the artsy life right out of me. But I know that once I'm out, I'll be back at it. I did try to get reinspired throughout this past year and create a few things, but it really wasn't working for me. With all the distractions of school, I just couldn't focus or let my inner Halloween-ness venture out.

This year I'm planning on participating in some craft shows, as well as stocking my Etsy store full of new whimsies. I've got a ton of new ideas for either sculptures or paintings that I've been sketching out and saving and I'm excited to be starting on them soon too. It's kind of going to be a new re-launching of By Way of Salem!

Thank you all for staying loyal fans on my blog as well as Facebook and Etsy. Your support really makes a world of difference to me and gives me the encouragement and reason to keep on creating.

Love, Jeannine

Will You Be My Valentine?

I hope the answer is a resounding "YES!"

Last year I did a really fun Vintage Valentines Swap with Rabbit Hollow Prims. My swap was The Queen of Hearts; a papier mache doll that resembled Lily Munster meets Cruella DeVille. LOL! In return, I received a lovely handmade prim doll from One Mockingbird Hill. This year with school, I don't have the time to participate, but I'll sure be on the look out for what great things they come up with again this year!

So, some interesting facts about Valentines Day and just LOVE in general:

- Did you know that ONE BILLION Valentines are sent out each year?
- That women are the largest purchasers of Valentines? Come on guys!
- Valentines cards were popular back in the Middle Ages?
- The oldest Valentines Day card is on exhibit in the British Museum?

And L.O.V.E. - my favorite warm fuzzy feeling......Still a mystery even at my ripe old age... And how does one define it? I like this definition - simple and to the point:

"A feeling of intense desire and attraction towards a person with whom one is disposed to make a pair; the emotion of sex and romance."

Do you think saying "I heart you" means "I love you". I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments on that!

I wish you all tons of L.O.V.E. this Valentine's Day!!

January Snow and Snowmen!

My backyard

It's officially Winter here in Washington. Right now the weather is pretty good; about 40's, even at night. The last few weeks though had been in the 20's and lower at night. Way too cold for these old bones! We had quite a bit of snow also which was really beautiful, but living up on a hill, it causes problems trying to go down! LOL!

To go along with the winter weather, I'm painting snowmen. Lots of them! Currently I'm just finishing up an order I received on Etsy for a pair of my Snowman Mittens. So adorable. They're from a pattern by Renee Mullins (just LOVE her snowmen!).

One of the many paperweights I've painted

I keep a sketch book by my bed and I'll be laying there sleepless, like oh-so-many nights, and then suddenly BING! an idea! I'll quickly turn on the light and either write it down, or sketch it really quick, cause if I don't, by morning it's evaporated into the nocturnal nevermore...

And what do you think of this wooden stocking? Each part is cut out separately and painted, then wired together. It's about 18" long, so a nice big piece to hang on the fireplace. Do you think I should make some more of these? I'd love to hear your comments!

Pink Skull Charm Bracelet

And yet another quirky bedazzling creation!

Now on my Etsy, a charming pink skull charm bracelet with many dangling baubles. Actually this one is rather simple as I wanted the skull to be the focal point. But of course!

The color scheme is pink and black with some clear crystal beads tossed into the mix, along with black hearts for that "Betsey Johnson" flavor.

Fall Confetti Bracelet

It's no secret that I love Fall. Who wouldn't with all the beautiful Fall colors? There's a crispness in the air, the sky is more blue against the big puffy clouds, and then of course there's Halloween.

My Fall Confetti bracelet is a blend of my favorite Halloween and lovely Fall colors, with a touch of whimsy tossed in of course! There are about 4 layers of beads in the making of it including; freshwater pearls in soft peach, glass, crystals, silver lined, metal, strung on a base of black beads. It's finished off with a silver toggle clasp. I will be posting it on my Etsy store today.

I'm making lots more pretties right now, so check back soon!

Little Pretties!

Hi everyone and Happy Friday! If you've been following me on Facebook, or if not, (and that's totally ok!), I mentioned that I was taking a beading class last week to learn to make jewelry and little pretties to make and sell in my shop. Well heavens to Betsy (Johnson that is), and oh my gosh - I am totally addicted now!

(the beginning of my "Blue Crush" bracelet)
I took a private class with a super nice gal who teaches at our local craft shop. With my school schedule, it was impossible to make her beginning classes, so she graciously invited me to her gorgeous house and taught me anything I was interested in learning. Being the over-eager Bag that I am, we went right from A to D - moving past all steps in between. LOL! Rest assured, I learned all the basics and a lot more. I brought pics of jewelry I specifically want to make for my store, and we got right to it.

Since then, I think I've boosted the local economy - LOL! buying all sorts of beads and findings, storage containers, etc., and the collection has just begun!

I know that lots of people are making beautiful jewelry and selling it everywhere, so the market is probably considered flooded with the stuff. But that's ok and I'm not a bit discouraged! The more the merrier I say! There's always room for more creations as everyone's taste is different. No artist should ever be discouraged cause of that.

My goal? I am going to make my Halloween jewelry of course, but then I will also add for other seasons as well, hopefully putting out a good variety for everyone to enjoy any time of year. My focus will be great quality, reasonable prices, with a dab of quirk on the side! What'd ya expect??

What's Been Keeping Me Busy?

Hi Everyone! As you know, I've been really busy with school lately and haven't had a whole bunch of time to craft and create these days - at least my Halloween art. However, in the spirit of semi-scary, here's a lovely "backcombing" contest we worked on at school.

The theme was actually Punk Rock, so I did my best given what I had to work with which was only a mannequin head. Of course I painted on some black lipstick and Clockwork Orange eyelashes. LOL! And then went to "ratting" or backcombing the hair. I used about a can of hairspray as well. They've got this amazing holding spray there called Aerogel. I've never seen anything hold up hair as well as this stuff. It's fondly dubbed "Cement in a Can". That should tell you something! LOL!

As I've mentioned, I've been attending the Gene Juarez Academy - the NW premier cosmetology school. It's a really awesome place. Everyday I'm amazed at how much I've learned and how far I've come! (No - this isn't a paid advertisment). Ha ha!!

So be patient my Halloween friends as there are more Halloween-ies to come! Love ya all!

WIP - Witch in Progress!

After a bit of a break, I've started work again on some new pieces. Here's the first of many more lovely witches to come!


So far nameless, this is my heartbroken witch bride. Left standing at the alter waiting for her beloved, she died clutching her heart. Very sad indeed......


Sculpted of paperclay and papier mache, she stands 15" tall. She's not quite done - have a few more things to add.


Come back and visit her won't you?

My BY WAY OF SALEM Website

Oh I've been so remiss! I haven't worked on my website in ages and it so needs to be updated. I apologize to everyone whose gone on and seen the same old stuff. There's also been some big staff changes so I'll probably have to update those as well. Another episode of "As the Bag Turns"....

So I'm not sure whether to keep it a selling website with a shopping cart like it is, or to just direct to Etsy. We'll have to just see. It's really a fun site! I have "Bag's Corner's" for your reading entertainment, and more stuff about me on the "About Us" page.

Make sure to drop on in and take a peek in the coming week(s) and see what other stuff I've added.

Take care y'all! Jeannine

My Valentine Swap

Good evening everyone! Valentine's day is almost here! I'm sure I won't be getting diamonds this year, but I got something just as lovely today!

My Valentine swap partner, care of Rabbit Hollow Prims, was Wendy of One Mockingbird Hill. She makes handmade and handpainted dolls. I received my special doll today and I couldn't have been more delighted! She's just lovely, and reminds me of my old ragdoll from when I was a child. She wears a vintage print dress and holds a large stuffed heart. Her face is handpainted and stiched, and her eyebrows are little french knots (I think). So unique! I love her. It totally brightened my day when I opened up the box and took her out. Wendy was so sweet to include some Valentine treats as well in my package. What a dear! I can't wait to do this again next year!

Thank you Wendy!!

New work for the New Year!

Happy New Year's everyone! Out with the old, in with the new is my motto. Anyone have any interesting NY's resolutions? I try not to make them, but I'm actually going to this year, AND stick to them.

As some of you may know, the past 12 months have been extremely difficult for me; a serious head injury, losing my beloved horse, a major surgery, and the letting go of several not-so-healthy friendships. Well enough of that gloom and doom I say! I'm onto a bigger, better, more positive life/year ahead. I'm vowing to get healthy, rid myself of any negativity; either by others or myself, and be surrounded by a light of positivity, happiness and love all around me!

So having said all that, I'm working today on some new fun pieces for Valentine's day and the coming Spring; hearts, rabbits, and all things blooming. First I better clean up this craft room!

Woodland Winter - Full Size

As promised, though a few days later, here's the full picture of my Woodland Winter. I am really happy with this piece. The more I see it, the more I might keep it! LOL! See her on Etsy later today!

Woodland Winter - Sneak Peek!

Ok, ok! Some impatient folks out there! LOL! Here's a few sample pics of "Woodland Winter". Now these are just partial pics ok? Couldn't get a good full shot cause of the lighting, but I will get right on that tomorrow.

Carrying her snowman bucket filled with Christmas lights!

You can't see them here in this pic - but she's got a few of her forest friends with her to share her wonderful holiday; a slumbering earthworm, a whimsical snail, and of course a little boo pumpkin, with a sprinkling of flowers and leaves. A real Woodland Winter!

Somethin' New & Different

On one of my road trips, I spotted something in a darling shop on Main Street, and got a "spark" for an idea. Simple and fun! I set them amongst my other Halloween decor, and voila! They fit right in!

Delvis is in the Building!

(Sing to the tune of Tom Jones' "She's a Lady")

He’s a swinger, he’s a lisper,
Man, he'll charm you with his kisser,
What a scorcher!

With a swagger and a sneer,
You'll be trembling when he's near,
Oh it's torture!

This is Delvis, oooooohhooooohhoooooooh

This is Delvis.....
Talking about that sizzling Delvis,

And the man is all mine.....

May I introduce: Delvis VonUberWanken - a swingin' ladies man!

Delvis is sculpted of paperclay, painted with acrylics, varnished with a clear sealer, and mounted on a wood base. His hair is alpaca wool. He's dressed to thrill in a skull embossed undershirt, flaming boxer shorts, and orange crocs. So the shirts a wee bit short. Whose looking at the potbelly with biceps like that! D. is sure to warm every fair maidens heart as he shares his bottle of, what else but Love Potion No.9. (...it smelled like turpentine, it looked like India ink, I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink...). (I am a singin' fool tonite!)

Arts a Flutter and Us!

In addition to our website, blog, and Etsy store, we're very excited to announce that By Way of Salem will be joining the gallery of very talented artists at Arts a Flutter starting on October 1st.

Our work will be displayed for sale among the other featured artists as a way to further promote our craft. Please stop by and see us!

My Pumpkin Fairy is Back!

Well, I'm sort of sad to say that my Pumpkin Fairy listing on eBay didn't sell. But that doesn't mean a whole lot to me and I'm not discouraged. I've never been overly thrilled with eBay anyway, oh maybe in the very beginning, like years ago, when the policies weren't so restrictive and the fees so high. I just don't think it's the right venue for me. There are some really great artists who do fabulous on Ebay and I wish them nothing but the best! Maybe I'll be back...who knows.

So onto Plan B: Etsy and Arts a Flutter. Both are really great sites, and offer a lot of support for the artist as well as great selling, blogging, marketing, and advertising tips and advice.

In fact, Ms. Pumpkin Fairy will be a featured item on Etsy this Friday, September 18th, in the Holiday Showcase, so be sure to watch for her there!

Till then, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing; making the crafts that I love, and posting them for all my dear friends to see and share with me. Thank you ALL for your support and encouragement!

Beware, the Tattie Bogle!

"Alane upon the field she stood,
The Tattie-Bogle, tall an' prood.
But certie, she wis smairt an' braw,
A bonnie lass, tho' made o' straw...."

And so begins the old Scottish poem about the singing Tattie Bogle (Scarecrow), who was at first nice to the birds but soon learned to screech them away from the farmer's fields.

I had a lot of fun creating this Autumn-inspired Tattie Scarecrow. He's made of overlapping pieces of cut wood, and handpainted with many layers of acrylics. It was befitting that a proper tartan bowtie adorn his collar, with a small patch of it on his hat, whereupon two sassy crows perch. Genuine straw makes Tattie's hair and eyebrows.

My own straw hat off to Sister Bag, Jeannine, for helping me with the finer details of tole painting! She's the expert in this field. Tattie was my first venture in this style, and I look forward to creating many more folk-art pieces in the days and years to come.

Interested in adding Tattie Bogle to your collection? Please visit By Way of Salem for information!

Welcome, Dearies!

Come take a ride with us into our world of charming and whimsical imaginaries.

This is our first post for our new endeavor... and we could not be more excited! But first, a few words on how this all came to be...

In the beginning, there were Clowns…
So very, very many Clowns.

Which is to say, this was precisely how Jeannine and I first met: Over an enormous table full of clowns.

It was back in 1984; a hazy, smoggy L.A. summer. I’d just gotten hired at a studio that produced 24-karat gold statuettes of Red Skelton clown figurines that were hand-painted and mounted on a block of onyx. It was a meticulous, painstaking type of production art job under less than ideal conditions (read: sweat shop), utilizing perfect hand-eye coordination, and a multitude of special acrylic paint colors. Jeannine took me under her wing by sitting me next to her, and showed me the ropes of painting these things, which was not as easy as you’d think. You were not allowed to ‘color outside the lines,’ so to speak, like adding any of your own artistic flair to them. Any personal touch was strictly verboten. They all had to be uniform, consistent, and perfect, or you’d catch hell from the horrible harpy who ran the front office; fondly referred to as "horse face." She took evil pleasure in tormenting us piddly little production artists.

To be honest, clowns kinda creep us both out now. I’m not scared of them, mind you. I mean, if a clown came up to me and tried any sort of threatening postures I’d be all over its polka-dotted butt in a flash! I just think they’re rather unsettling. It’s like looking at a beautifully-wrapped birthday present, with pretty bows and colorful, sparkly paper, then opening it up and discovering a writhing nest of poisonous spiders. EEEK!

But alas! I digress.

Jeannine and I bonded quickly. We discovered that we had a lot in common. We loved the same music, same foods, and were prone to bouts of hysterical laughter over silly, kooky things (too long to list here). We even grew to look alike. Everywhere we went, people always asked if we were sisters, and after a while, we just said, “Yes.” We became ‘The Bag Sisters’ after our term of endearment to one another (that we’re just a couple ‘o old bags, ha ha).

And in the long hours we worked at this hot, stifling facility (which shall remain nameless!), we further bonded and talked of how one day, WE would create our own business! WE would share our specialized, offbeat artistic vision with others! But in the meantime we sweat, toiled, and squeezed all of our brain’s creativity onto these clown statuettes, exhausting our own creative muse in the process.

Several decades and a continent later, we’re finally at the point where we can fulfill our dream! Thanks to the magic of the Internet, our reach is far greater than anything we hoped to achieve back in the dark ages (the 1980’s, that is). Our shared vision of all fun things to bring a smile to the face includes a plethora of Halloween whimsies, animal and human (sort of) characters, stitchings, lovely Prim items of all varieties, and much more. All items are lovingly created, and all are 100% hand-made!

So, from our heart and kooky inspirations, to your home. Welcome to our world!

So go on… send in the clowns. There have to be clowns.

Don’t bother… WE’RE HERE!