IT's F@LL! PuMPkIn SPiCe L@TtE TiMe!

Hey everyone! Hope you're doing well...all things considered. Last post was back in March when all the craziness began. I don't need to post about all that stuff, cause, well, we've all heard everything about it...so let's just move right along!

What have I been busy doing? Well, time with my horses of course. Not riding cause it's been summer, and summer here in the south is sheer misery for me; hot and humid, and very buggy. I've been enjoying their company though, and just spending time with them. Both Simba, my heart horse, and Baby, my Mustang, are both doing well.

On a sadder note, I lost my big Toby dog, the last of my "pack" that I moved here to TN with. They're all gone....It broke my heart to lose every one, losing Toby hit hard. He was always there, my security blanket I guess, my rock. I thought he'd live forever. I think it was cancer that took him. He developed some large masses that couldn't be removed. With that came breathing issues. He fought and really wanted to live, but he finally succumbed. Thankfully it happened here at home, in an instant. I'm grateful for that little bit. He was the best dog. Well, they all were. I can't help but think that if I never moved here, they'd all still be alive. I blame myself for that. Huge regret....

Ok well, art stuff. I'm still home creating. Not working. Not sure when or if that will indeed happen again. Maybe when we move. I'm sure that's when.. So here I am. I have been doing art constantly these past 6 months. And I have to say, I'm loving EVERY second of it! My mind just won't shut off with all the things I've been making and want to make. I've met a lot of new customers through social media and have created many custom orders for them. It's been great! Here's a few things I've been working on:

And these are just a FEW things! Not only have I been creating, but I've taken several jewelry classes, a watercolor class, and an amazing marketing class too. Oh and baking! LOL! Lots of baking! I've made cheesecake, apple cinnamon scones, individual apple pies, lots of banana bread, cookies, you name it, I've baked it. AND ate it too! Yum, delish! I've even been chatting with Pastry Chef Dwayne, the winner of a multitude of championships on the Food Network shows. We vow to get together sometime this Fall and bake an apple pie together. Should be a blast! 

Anyway, just trying to stay as busy as possible to get through these difficult times. I know better days are ahead and that's what I'm focusing on. Staying positive and productive. Not to sound cheesy, but try and think good thoughts. We'll get through this. Be well everyone and take good care of yourselves and each other!

A Whole New World

Hey everyone! Yes, I'm alive and well and still living in Nowheresville, TN. But thankfully so now that we've got this crazy virus spreading across the globe. I guess it's sort of good to be down on the farm afterall.

I have to admit I'm a tad freaked out. I'm worried. Worried for the whole world, not just me, my family, or friends. The whole world. I've got relatives in France who are quarantined as well. My one cousine, I mean cousin, Priscilla, is a nurse. She said there is no protection in her hospital where she works. No masks, no alcohol or santizer. She just got over a desperate bout of pneumonia a month or so ago and she has a baby and a family. It's a bad situation. She wants to stay and do her part and help people, but she's also torn on what she needs to do which is stay home, stay healthy so she can care for her son. It's hard, it really is.

Yesterday I was laid off from my job due to this virus. Working for a small construction company, we're dependent on our projects. And of course with Nashville pretty much shutting down, so did our projects. I was only hired about 2 months ago, and I know my job is expendable because project managers can do estimates and get quotes themselves, they don't need me when we're not busy. They're hoping things will ramp up in a few months and they'll be able to call me back. I hope so too. Not just for the money but also to be working, and contributing.

Well so I'm home now then. I'm going to use this time to do a lot of art. I mean a lot! I'd already been doing that a few months ago before I got that job, so I'll get pick up where I left off. Hopefully I'll sell some more orders. I've found some wonderful customers via Instagram and they've reordered multiple times. It's a great feeling, not just the money, but that they love what I do, which is why I keep on doing it!

Anyway, I just wanted to check in with everyone. Stay safe, stay well!!

The Eyes Have it (and more fun stuff)

Finally after quite a hiatus, though really it's cause I've been too distracted (for many reasons), I listed some newly created items in my Etsy shop. Really I love making things, but more when I have a purpose or if I'm creating for someone in mind, then it kicks me in gear. To just list things to sell, that's not really a motivator to me for some reason. Guess cause it's not about the money, it's more about the validation of someone liking my work. That's what keeps this artist going.

Anyway, I created a couple soft sculpture art dolls recently and wow were those fun to paint! They are much harder to paint than say, painting on canvas or wood, since fabric is absorbent, sort of a rougher surface, and the paint just drags. But either way, I was happy with the final result. And as usual, I have this "vision" in my head of what I'm making but they never turn out that way really. My work sort of morphs on it's own. 

This first one is a hoot! Such an intense stare. She looks a bit scary and mean, but looks, as we all know can be deceiving. Someone may look mean, but as soon as you speak to them, a huge wide smile breaks out and their eyes sparkle with friendliness, and it's a whole other person. Agree? I know that's the case with me personally. I can look intense at times, but I'm a teddy bear (mostly, hee hee).
So this is "Gertie". A witch stitched of fabric, painted, then topped with a sculpted witch hat. Her cat is a separate piece as well and then attached after. This gal has so many layers of paint on that face she's going to have a heck of a time washing that make-up off!

Next is "Francie". She started as a witch doll, but then after adding the bolts on her neck, she sort of morphed into a "Frankenstein" type gal. Again, very sweet.

And finally, a new sculpture. Instead of paperclay which I love and I find I'm a bit better with, I chose papier mache. It's definitely more challenging because it's super messy, the shapes aren't as smooth and precise, but then I found when the consistency was right, it became easier to work with and fun too! My creation became a garden witch. I didn't start that way, but then here we go with the morphing! After adding bees and flowers, and not wanting to paint a mean typical witch face, my direction was clear, and she became a sweet, kind garden witch.

I listed them last night, and they were immediately snatched up by a buyer in Oregon who sent me a note saying she loved them all. And that my friends, is why I do my art. Feelin' the love!

Gobble Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Will you be partaking in "Black Friday?" I definitely won't be. I love shopping, the hectic hustle and bustle of the holiday rush and all, but Black Friday is just a bit too crazy even for this girl. I'll just shop local at some of the little mom and pop shops. Kind of cozy and a bit more intimate I think.

Nuts! 

What are your plans for the holidays this year? For me, it'll be a quiet one. It's been that way pretty much since my Dad passed away. Holidays just aren't the same without him at the end of the table. There's really only my brother and myself left and he's in California and I'm in Tennessee (for now), so we just celebrate on our own. Sort of lonely but we make the best of it. Try and find bits of joy....

My Etsy shop is always busy this time of year so I've been filling orders while watching Hallmark movies. I just love them! Do you have a favorite? "Christmas Under Wraps" is one of mine.

I also love, "A Christmas Kiss", though I don't think it's a Hallmark movie. It's still one of those happy, feel good, festive ones though.

I've been working a little also, just cutting hair for now until I find a regular day job, or maybe I'll stay cutting hair. I really do like it. I mean what a fun job!

Really I've been home more than I've been working, but that's ok. I love to spend time with my dogs and cats especially cause 2 of my dogs are getting old and every day counts. I give extra love and attention to them. The dogs love having me around too to keep them company. We all watch Hallmark movies together!!

Happiest of holidays everyone!!!

Kickin' It in 2017!

Hey everyone! How's 2017 starting out for you so far? I know, we're only 3 days in, but I'm heading into this new year at warp speed! How about you?

I've got lots of irons in the fire right now and changes on the horizon, and I'm really excited.

Me: I've got my favorite haircut back and I'm feeling like my old self again. Funny how that works. I needed a re-do to get "back to me", if that makes sense. Something edgy and fresh. Got it! I even ordered some of my favorite make-up that I can't get here in TN and it should be arriving tomorrow via Amazon Prime. Yes!

Loving this cut!

I've also been eating very clean and watching every single bite. No junk or processed foods. Extra vegetables and fruit too. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatories as well, all naturally found in foods and spices. So far so good and I've shed some pounds. Goal: 30 lbs.

Yum! Fresh food goodness!

House: Finally getting the bathrooms remodeled that are long overdue. That'll be the final thing needed for our whole house revamp. Looking cute and cottage-y.

Fresh, clean and stylin'!

Plans? Hoping to list and sell either this coming Spring or the next. Where to? Utah or Colorado. Skiing. Mountains. Aspen trees. NO HUMIDITY or weird bugs! OR tornados!

Beautiful Salt Lake City

Art: I'm working on lots of new designs this year for By Way of Salem; one-of-a-kind tree toppers, adding some new handpainted fabric old lady dolls, and of course lots of new snowmen! I'm also adding new items for spring/summer like whimsically painted trailers, garden art, and painted bunnies and birds. In the jewelry department for Salems Charms, I'm hoping to be working with my favorite crazy ladies group, Sisters on the Fly, and either being a vendor on their site or getting licensed to do some logo items. I'd love to do that since they are just the coolest group of gals.

Spirited, fun group of ladies

How cute is that trailer?!

I think I mentioned awhile back that I got laid off from my job back in October and while I've been job searching, I'm also really enjoying the time off from work and being able to be with all my critters as well as do my art.

I know 2017 will be a fantastical year of changes and new adventures!

What's Going On?

Well, wow, so much! I've been so busy creating and planning my display for my 3 upcoming shows. 

This is the banner for one of the shows - Sweet Tea and Shopping, Sept. 16 & 17. I love it. So well done. And they even did a promo banner for By Way of Salem too to show on their event page. Love it!

Isn't it great!?
I've got some more things done and I wanted to give you a few more peeks at what I've been working on. And I'm also working on some FABULOUS jewelry too.

More work to come! Stay tuned. Next time I'll tell you about my other shows; Paisley and Plaid, Fall and Christmas Markets. Two more great shows!





A Tiny Bit of Fall - Works in Progress

I just wanted to share a few of the things I'm working on for my upcoming shows in September and November.

I've got 2 shows in September; 1 is in Murfreesboro, TN at Paisley and Plaid's Fall Market on September 10th, and the other is Sweet Tea and Shopping's Fall Frenzy in Gallatin, TN on September 16th (preview night) and September 17th. Then in November, it's Paisley and Plaid's Christmas Market on November 12th (also in Murfreesboro, TN). They should all be fantastic shows and I'm very excited to be a vendor and be part of these holiday events!
So here are a few quick pics to bring you up to date;

First my helper. This is Lucy, my Staffordshire terrier and helper extraordinaire. Always by my side now that Freckie is gone, and willing to lend a paw. LOL!

Papier mache pumpkin on a wooden candlestick base. I'm excited about this one! I haven't done papier mache in awhile and I think this'll be fun when it's all finished. I'll post a finished picture. Update: Last night I finished the head. I painted it a warm buttermilk color and did the facial features in a deep brown wash instead of the usual black, and then antiqued the whole thing with a nut brown color. I am loving it! Hope you will too.

This is the start of a wooden and paper clay wire witch. I'm going to be sculpting the witch head out of clay, painting it, then stitching up a fun pointy witch hat. She'll have wire arms as well, perhaps holding a bucket of treats or maybe a magic wand, we'll see. Another project that I think will be really cute when it's finished.

And finally, here's one I'm just not sure of. I want to do a set of Dia de los Muertos wine glasses, and I'm not loving the paint. It's hard to cover and streaky. Painting glass may look simple, but in reality, it's not, at least for me. But again, we'll see how it turns out.

Ok, back to work! And feel free to leave a comment, I love to get feedback on my work. Keeps me on my toes!

She Said Create!

Summer is in full swing here in middle Tennessee and NOW I remember why I want to move! Hot, humid, storms, bugs...need I say more. Oh well, Fall will soon be here and all will be well in my world once more....

But in the meantime, I'm preparing for two upcoming shows for Fall and Christmas that I'm excited about! I love doing shows because I not only get to sell my art to people who appreciate it, but I also get to meet other vendors that are so nice. It's really fun! I may be adding a third show somewhere in between but we'll see because that means you have to have an awful lot of stuff made and right now I've got a little glitch in the process.

A few weeks ago we came upon 4 stray tiny, tiny kittens that were dumped in the bushes down the road from us. Sad I know. They were wet from the rain, shivering, and shaking in the road so we picked them up and are caring for them. In my house. In my craft room. They've since perked up and are tearing around, into everything and well, being kittens. Adorable.

So I've had to relocate my work area. And it's not working. Hmmm...not much area to choose from to set up in this small house. Tried the 3rd bedroom, not working. Dining room? Maybe. Better get it figured out really quick cause I've got to get to making things!
What will I be making? Monster dolls, maybe some voodoo dolls too. Lots and lots of painted items. Some clay sculptures. Maybe some stitchings. And jewelry. Yes I know, I have a love/hate relationship with it but I really do like making it! LOL! I get fueled and inspired by other jewelry artisans and it gets my own creativity flowing.

Back to my craft area. Oh how I wish I just had ONE BIG craft studio! I've just GOT to figure this out!

A shed turned into craft room? Like it!

She shed craft room

LOVE!

Wow, that'd be amazing!

This could work....

I may have to settle with just working on my dining room table for awhile. Sigh............