ETSY treasuries

I have occasionally posted here about some of my jewelry being chosen for an Etsy treasury.  You've probably thought, "gee, that's great, what the heck is it?"

Treasuries are  lists of sixteen items created by members of Etsy – shoppers and sellers. They’re often based on a theme or other commonality between the items. They could be inspired from a color, song lyric, place, movie, a holiday or season.  The possibilities are endless, and it's fun to come up with new ideas. They are not intended for self-promotion, but instead to acknowledge and share the many cool things for sale on Etsy.

I like treasuries because they’re a fun way to browse on Etsy. It’s such a big place, and this is a great way to begin. I’ve discovered many shops that I wouldn’t have otherwise found. Also, especially unique or beautiful treasuries are chosen by Etsy staff to appear on the front page, so there are benefits for sellers like myself who create treasuries.

I'm so happy and flattered every time one of my items is chosen to be in someone's treasury.  I'm now returning the favor, I have created my first treasury!  If you're curious, take a look...it's called....

                         "A Fairy tale wardrobe"

    Photo from etsy store Beadmask


Enjoy!

Spring Inspiration

My new bracelet was chosen to be in an ETSY treasury called Spring Inspiration

 

...and it sold!

New Painting

I finished a new painting, at long last.  Well, it's not really finished-finished, but it's as close as it's going to get for now.  At this point I will only ruin it if I continue to poke at it.  Time to start something new.  

                                                 Through the trees

                                                     detail

I'm eagerly awaiting gardening weather.  I've planted my peas, and have many seedlings started.  I hope to document my garden a little better this year, maybe make a gardening journal.  

 

Peeptastic

Last night was creative night.  (Yep, we're still doing them!)  I hosted this time, so I got to pick the project.  I know Easter is a ways off this year, but the peeps are out and they are calling to me.  After stuffing my self with their marshmallow yummyness at work, I decided they would be our muse for the evening.

There is a website called "Daily Paintworks"  where artists put their work up for sale.  They have a "weekly challenge" you can try, and post your results for free.  These results are also for sale so you could make some money while you're at it.  I chose the "10 minute challenge"  for this weeks project.  You have 10 minutes to paint in each 3x3" square, when the timer goes off you rearrange your still life and start again.  It's a great challenge, it forces you to stay loose and not get too tight and meticulous about what goes on the paper.

Here are our results:  

H's Peeps

C's Peeps

My Peeps

I love how they are all so different!  T made us a healthy dinner, and we had peeps for dessert.  Except for C, she hates peeps!  :-O

Super-moon mural weekend

I'm catching up here, only a couple of weeks behind now!

2 weekends ago I went home to paint a mural on my Mom's friend's kitchen wall.  She *so* loved the birch mural that A and I painted for my brother and his wife that she wanted birch trees too.  She re-painted her kitchen a lovely color, and I think they came out rather nice against it.

  

                                        It was also the first weekend of Spring, and the Super moon.  We went down the street to Peggoty beach to better view the moon.  When we got there the moon was HUGE and RED, after much oo-ing and aah-ing I finally thought to snap a picture.  It was now fully up so doesn't look as huge and red in the photo as it really was.  It was amazing though!  

I'm back...

Wow, August??

I'm afraid writing just isn't my choice of creative expression, plus, I'm lazy.  So if anyone still checks this blog to see if I've actually posted something new, I apologize for my extended absence.  I'll try to be better, I promise.


SO, when I last left you all at the ends-of-your-seats waiting for my next post, it was mid-August.  Let's pick up where we left off and catch up from there, shall we?  


I was trying to keep up with the harvest from my garden, I had a very bountiful season.  In addition to the huge pepper harvest (I've provided a picture of some of the types I had) I also successfully grew: Sugar Snap Peas, Collards, Kale, Garlic, Zucchini, cukes, 2 types of Eggplant, Lettuce, Strawberries, a few varieties of tomatoes, and a wide selection of herbs on the back porch.  

                             Pepper Harvest 2010

                               Habanero, Anaheim, Big Jim, Jalapeno, Hungarian hot


As Summer led into Fall, I was judged and accepted into a Christmas Art Fair in Jamaica Plain.  The date was the first Saturday in December so I began making jewelry non-stop.  I ended up having a great day, not *as* great as last year's fair, but the other 2 connected art fairs that usually run the same day didn't happen this year, so I think as a result there were far less people.  The place is usually jam-packed but this year not so much.  Still, I was pleased with my results.  I made some good connections which resulted in some etsy sales as well.  Sadly, I did not take a picture of my beautiful table all set up, I'm so mad at myself for that!!

Etsy HandofStone

With the fair over, I breathed a sigh of relief.  I could now *finally* begin my Christmas shopping and preparations for the family Christmas we hold at my wee little apartment every year. 

Then, a couple of weeks before Christmas I received a request from a former client, she wanted a toy chest and rocking chair for a Christmas present for her grand-kids.  OY!  I love this woman, she is so nice, which is probably why I said "yes".  

Let the insanity begin. 

It wouldn't have been so bad, but it was all raw wood so I had to sand, prime and paint before I even began the design work...
She wanted a "sports" trunk, with everything you see painted on it, plus a rocking chair with daisies and wording.  I know they both would have been better, had I more time.  Not to mention the rotten cold I acquired didn't help.  

All in all, I was okay with the results, and my client was thrilled.  Sent me a sweet thank-you saying how special I made Christmas for her family.  *sniff* Made the stress all worth it!!  

  

 The rest of the Winter was pretty quiet.  The girls and I continued our "Creative Wednesdays" I dabbled with some painting, and Tim and I took a really nice trip to Montreal with G and L.  I've never been there, it was a beautiful city.  It reminded me alot of Boston except larger, and I have to say I think in general they dress much more fashionably there.  Even in winter!  Here is a picture from our lovely suite of downtown Montreal.  







   

February was a sad month, our little buddy Spot passed away.  He outlived 3 dogs and 2 apartments.  He is greatly missed!  :(                                                     

So, to wrap things up, I also attended some live entertainment.  Some local metal bands with C and J, also the more well known Clutch, Motorhead, and the most excellent "Dead Weather"  I saw some Fantastic Burlesque shows courtesy of  Rogue Burlesque, as well as The Bread and Puppet theater with A., a record release show for my friends in the band "They will hate us" and some other fun events and dinners.


That's pretty much it in a nutshell, more to come soon!!!  I *promise*!

New Painting

I've finally finished a new painting, please forgive the crappy photo.  I'm happy with it, it was done from a photo I took years ago on Boston Common.  

I have a new one started...do stay tuned!