It is official. The new Etsy team that I have created with three other Etsy shop owners is now a fact. We are all based in Eagle, Wi. USA. We are planning local events for our little town as well as events that will encompass our worldwide following.
So far ( new members are coming aboard ) what the three of us offer and what some of us make is different from each other. Of course, that can change in the future.
The other three Etsy shops are; promisespromises.etsy.com
scrapbookingforever.etsy.com
and debsdetails.etsy.com
Now, a little about each shop.
promisespromises is a shop that features two artists...actually a mother & daughter. The mom, Sheri creates extremely interesting horse totems. I am still learning about the totem meanings, but from what I have seen of Sheri's work it is all handmade and painted with the symbols and meanings of what I take to be American Indian lore. Very fascinating. Sheri does keep horses on her property so she has first hand knowledge of the animal that she observes on a daily basis. Eagle is a bit of horse country (many people keep horses here). Her daughter, who also shares her shop specializes in mixed media and especially pet portraits. Alyssa can paint a portrait from a snapshot...this enables her to paint for people worldwide. Alyssa's portaits are engaging and beautiful. Be sure to check out this shop and tell your friends about it.
scrapbookingforever's owner is Angie. Angie like me just opened her shop this past November. Angie carries hundreds of scrapbooking supplies many of which I have not seen before. She also specializes in making up custom scrapbooking pages and custom calendars. When you are short of time or don't have the know how or creative abilities that she has contact her and see for yourself what she can offer you.
debsdetails is a shop run by two sisters that in their spare time teach belly dancing! Deb creates and has just started getting into cement and her sister, Cindy paints. They also sing together as a music group called 'Fallen Angels'. See their unique items in their shop. You don't know what you might find! All very creative I might add.
When you access their web Etsy stores be sure you find an item or two that you like and please 'heart' these items. This always helps a shop owner because it allows the shop owner to get a handle on what interests the public as well as helping to make that shop more active. With 170,000 Etsy shops local artists such as ourselves need all the help we can get.
Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
A Good Friend's Geranium
Here the wallpaper is. I call them scatter geraniums because it is almost like someone cut a handfull of geraniums and tossed them into the air...and, then they were painted that way. It's so artistic!
She has collected geranium prints, flowers, books, recipes, knick-knacks, etc. and continues to do so. See below two beautiful prints hanging in this room.
I, several years ago made a gift to her of a 3 dimensional rosy geranium pillow that she perches on the kitchen's bow window padded seat. What do you think?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Hand Eye Coordination
The first question 99 out of 100 people ask me when I show them something I have made is invariably , "How long did that take you?" And, they almost seem to me to imply that I am crazy for putting time into an artistic endeavor. Do you really suppose that when Michelangelo completed a sculpture that this was the first question on everyone's lips? I don't think so and by the way I am not comparing my work to his.
But that question does give me pause and I have actually come to hate it. This innocent question rankles me because a creative and artistic piece of work SHOULD take time. It probably should take a lot of time! It's just that in this day and age, with all of our technological wonders that can mass produce items very fast... the handmade is not common any more. Indeed it is less expensive by far to accumulate the cookie cutter items in life.
All of this brings me to the reason I am writing this blog. In the December 2009 issue of Forbes Life magazine, ( this is a special issue ) editor Gary Walther has devoted the entire issue to handmade luxury. As he writes, "The desire for the handmade and handwork is the hallmark of luxury now, and reflects a longing for all the adjectives on Ms. Glover's shopping list." Priscilla Glover told The New York Times in December 2001 , "I don't want some brand trophy right now."
Mr. Walther adds, "For decades, luxury had denoted scarcity, quality, pedigree, authenticity, and class ( in the Gary Grant sense of the word )." And then, since the 1980's "boundaries have blurred and logos have blossomed. A cotton T-shirt could be marketed as a luxury garment with the right label inside and a few spoonfuls of sequins sprinkled on the front. Up until last year we were living in an era of luxury inflation that not even the tech-bubble bust could halt."
He makes the point that this "mass luxury" has now made connoisseurs of former consumers. Again, Mr. Walther quotes Ms. Glover, "I want something original, special, beautiful, charming, and even precious..." He calls to one's attention that his December issue is not about things, but it is about "the mind, eye, and hand of the artisan that imbue an object with the spirit of authenticity."
I could not agree more with Mr. Walther. It's what I do in my work. Do we really all need the next mass produced item that our neighbor also has? And, I am also like Ms. Glover; I would rather have something original and special and charming and meaningful to me. Let's face it. Our homes and lives are stuffed with stuff. People are now beginning to reevaluate (I think the economic times have brought this on fast) what means the most to them and what they can live without and actually don't even really want. As the slow food movement has gained steam and is going mainstream; I believe the true luxury of an original handcrafted work ...for one to possess... will mean more to the consumer...to more consumers in the near future and rightfully so. This is why I joined Etsy.com, the headquarters for the handmade movement.
But that question does give me pause and I have actually come to hate it. This innocent question rankles me because a creative and artistic piece of work SHOULD take time. It probably should take a lot of time! It's just that in this day and age, with all of our technological wonders that can mass produce items very fast... the handmade is not common any more. Indeed it is less expensive by far to accumulate the cookie cutter items in life.
All of this brings me to the reason I am writing this blog. In the December 2009 issue of Forbes Life magazine, ( this is a special issue ) editor Gary Walther has devoted the entire issue to handmade luxury. As he writes, "The desire for the handmade and handwork is the hallmark of luxury now, and reflects a longing for all the adjectives on Ms. Glover's shopping list." Priscilla Glover told The New York Times in December 2001 , "I don't want some brand trophy right now."
Mr. Walther adds, "For decades, luxury had denoted scarcity, quality, pedigree, authenticity, and class ( in the Gary Grant sense of the word )." And then, since the 1980's "boundaries have blurred and logos have blossomed. A cotton T-shirt could be marketed as a luxury garment with the right label inside and a few spoonfuls of sequins sprinkled on the front. Up until last year we were living in an era of luxury inflation that not even the tech-bubble bust could halt."
He makes the point that this "mass luxury" has now made connoisseurs of former consumers. Again, Mr. Walther quotes Ms. Glover, "I want something original, special, beautiful, charming, and even precious..." He calls to one's attention that his December issue is not about things, but it is about "the mind, eye, and hand of the artisan that imbue an object with the spirit of authenticity."
I could not agree more with Mr. Walther. It's what I do in my work. Do we really all need the next mass produced item that our neighbor also has? And, I am also like Ms. Glover; I would rather have something original and special and charming and meaningful to me. Let's face it. Our homes and lives are stuffed with stuff. People are now beginning to reevaluate (I think the economic times have brought this on fast) what means the most to them and what they can live without and actually don't even really want. As the slow food movement has gained steam and is going mainstream; I believe the true luxury of an original handcrafted work ...for one to possess... will mean more to the consumer...to more consumers in the near future and rightfully so. This is why I joined Etsy.com, the headquarters for the handmade movement.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Luncheon
It is the day after and Marion and I, Candy, the two hostesses are a bit tired but happy. Everything went well including the weather. Just before the arrival of the guests I sprinkled antique German mica snowflakes on the carpet. My how they glistened! Just like diamonds! All noticed when they entered. The snowflakes looked like fresh fallen snow.
We began with button mushrooms filled with crabmeat as the appetizer and washed these down with apple chips in cider punch.
Shortly after we tasted Marion's Apple Rutabaga Soup which all proclaimed was most delicious as indeed it was. Smooth and very tasty some of the ingredients were sweet potatoes and granny smith apples. This was our first course.
Next on the plates was juicy beef tenderloin with cranberry sauce, pomegranate pilaf, red cabbage, lemon braised brussels sprouts and crescent rolls.
More favors were passed out including the gingerbread mini wreaths (pictured in a previous blog) and decorated sugar cookies.
Note that the rubber bands were cut off after the glue had dried. Don't they look professional? Do know that our guests are long time crafters. Crafting these candles with embroidery is the kick off to this Holiday season.
Pictures of our guests come next:
After finishing our candles we ate the last two desserts; the chocolate raspberry roulade and the lemon pot de creme with crystallized rose petals from my garden. During all of this time soft Christmas music played in the background. The rose petals I picked last September and crystallized them then and stored them until today. Yes! You can eat rose petals.
Now that the luncheon is over I am getting back to my embroidery projects that will soon be appearing in my shop on Etsy: candytheartist.etsy.com
And, last but not least each lady was presented with an embroidered Holly & Berry pin embroidered by me. You can purchase this very same pin on my Etsy web site. Click on the link above. It is pictured here. By the way, the Holly pin as pictured here is very close to actual size!
We began with button mushrooms filled with crabmeat as the appetizer and washed these down with apple chips in cider punch.
Shortly after we tasted Marion's Apple Rutabaga Soup which all proclaimed was most delicious as indeed it was. Smooth and very tasty some of the ingredients were sweet potatoes and granny smith apples. This was our first course.
Next on the plates was juicy beef tenderloin with cranberry sauce, pomegranate pilaf, red cabbage, lemon braised brussels sprouts and crescent rolls.
More favors were passed out including the gingerbread mini wreaths (pictured in a previous blog) and decorated sugar cookies.
Before doing our intermission craft project we decided to eat one of the three desserts. The little Christmas tree cupcake was served and enjoyed by all with many questions as to how it was created. When serving it I added some snow (powered sugar) to the plates.
Now we proceeded with the craft project. Each lady gittered and decorated two candles with paper snowflakes and embroidered (by Candy) Christmas ornaments and the words 'Merry Christmas'. Each candle creation was different and unique.
Pictures of our guests come next:
Now that the luncheon is over I am getting back to my embroidery projects that will soon be appearing in my shop on Etsy: candytheartist.etsy.com
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The Day Before
Well, tomorrow December 2 is the day of the luncheon. I am SO EXCITED! I love to plan these affairs and entertain my guests. It is a highlight of the year. I love to surprise them with many small gifts some of which I have already written about. And, the food itself is creative to make and prepare. More pictures of the food will be taken and posted tomorrow.
Today I worked on finishing the three different desserts. One of them is a Christmas tree cupcake. Of all the desserts I have ever made this one although simple was challenging. It consists of a tree base and a tree top that are baked separately and then put together via frosting. The two parts must be level and the assembled tree must be frosted as it is being turned so as to keep it level. See the pictures.
Tomorrow I will plate the tree cupcake and add a little snow (powered sugar) to the base. I can't wait to present it! Unusual yes? What do you think?
Today I also finished making the individual pots de lemon creme that will have some crystallized rose petals as the top garnish (picture tomorrow). The crystallized rose petals I picked from my garden in September...that is I picked the rose petals and then crystallized them. They are perfectly edible as I use no pesticides in my garden.
I also set out the gingerbread and decorated sugar cookies on the table as part of our centerpiece. The smell is yummy!
Several pictures from different angles are posted here.
The center clear glass bowl with the snowman inside will have 'real snow' in it tomorrow. I will explain this tomorrow.
A few more pictures of the Christmas decor now follow. Be sure and look for the red fireplace mantel scarf that I embroidered with snowflakes...some in a metallic thread.
This is a Christmas tree cut from one sheet of paper without any breaks. Very time consuming...but, oh so rewarding! I made this.
These are wreaths
I have made
from vintage holly from Germany
and assorted ribbons I shaped into
poinsettias.
A portion of the Christmas tree where I have made most of the decorations. These would include Victorian embroidered cones, velvet birds, glittered real pinecones and sumac, individually strung one by one acorns from local trees, and more. Please post a comment. You must sign in to do this.
Today I also finished making the individual pots de lemon creme that will have some crystallized rose petals as the top garnish (picture tomorrow). The crystallized rose petals I picked from my garden in September...that is I picked the rose petals and then crystallized them. They are perfectly edible as I use no pesticides in my garden.
The center clear glass bowl with the snowman inside will have 'real snow' in it tomorrow. I will explain this tomorrow.
A few more pictures of the Christmas decor now follow. Be sure and look for the red fireplace mantel scarf that I embroidered with snowflakes...some in a metallic thread.
This is a Christmas tree cut from one sheet of paper without any breaks. Very time consuming...but, oh so rewarding! I made this.
I have made
from vintage holly from Germany
and assorted ribbons I shaped into
poinsettias.
A portion of the Christmas tree where I have made most of the decorations. These would include Victorian embroidered cones, velvet birds, glittered real pinecones and sumac, individually strung one by one acorns from local trees, and more. Please post a comment. You must sign in to do this.
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