That's funny

1978 Widescreen. We have come a long way.

Friday Give-Away ~ Art of Andrew Daniel

The Art of Andrew Daneil

http://www.artofandrewdaniel.etsy.com/

Isn't this artwork amazing? I demand you go immediately to this shop and see all it has to offer...but then come back. You will not be disappointed. Just look:

1. Tell us a little about yourself and what inspires your creativity the most.

I live in rural Northern California, about 6 hours north of San Francisco, in a small college town of Arcata. After studying art at three universities I went into working with kids for seven years. While I spent so much time with the wee ones, I found myself inspired by the bold "crayola" colors and the imaginative exploration that I was around. Also, I loved to check out the childrens books from the school library and share them with the kids.

Religious art has inspired me for a long time as well, and I have been looking for ways to express some of those feelings...in a more secular language.

This year is my first year as a full time artist! It has been quite interesting, learning to deal with the issues of self discipline, self promotion, and isolation that comes from the studio life. Growing and adjusting I guess...

2. How long have you been creating?

Well, I guess I have been doing this since I was a kid, taking it more seriously as time moved on. These days I try to take it less seriously, more intuitively.

3. Where did you learn your skills?

When I was in second grade, I knew this kid named Gan Golan from summer camp. Man could he draw! All the kids would huddle around him to see what he would come up with. His father was an artist too. It was then that I decided that art was something I wanted to work at. Along the way, I have turned to many, many masters throughout history, by spending lots of time in libraries and museums. Art history is such a rich well to dip from! Also, I had many great teachers, professors and artists who have been very generous with their time. I only hope to create something that really reflects potential of what I learned someday!

4. What is your most memorable creation?

Usually my mind is more focused on the future, but there are a few pieces that I hold up as ideals in my mind. Probably the painting that I have in my living room called "Radiant Forest" is my current ideal painting. I would love to be able to use it as a spring board for growth and some day look back on it and laugh at how it tormented me. Right now it boggles me a bit. I nailed so many issues that I still struggle with today!

5. How did you find Esty?

I came across Etsy often when I was using online artists forums. Many artists had links to their shops. At one point I was looking into getting a shopping cart for my own website. That was when I remembered Etsy and decided to give it a try! It has been much better than having just a regular shopping cart on my own site, because it comes with this huge base of customers that see your items as well as those you can bring yourself.

And now, THE GIVE AWAY!

The Beautiful Print!!

Just post a comment saying what you like about the shop. Contest will close Thursday at noon Mountain time. Winner will be announced that afternoon.

And the Winner is...

Randee

winners are chosen through random.org

Tomorrow will be another great give-away!

Chairs

I am loving the mix-matched dining room chairs here. I just love anything eclectic!

Photo borrowed from this trip to Paris.

Can I please have that headboard?

The Friday Give Away ~ MD Sparks

http://www.mdsparks.etsy.com/

Monica with MD Sparks is the feature this week! She has a fantastic Etsy shop full of gorgeous jewelry! Her shop has so much style and class, not to mention the photos are great! All of her jewelry is feminine and affordable.

Now, a little more about Monica:

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a college graduate! YAY! I earned a bachelors degree in philosohpy and am currently working in the commercial investment world. I love literature and writing, (although I am awful at grammer). I am currently training for a half marathon, and I'm addicted to playing with beads and string:)

2. How did you hear about Etsy?

I found Etsy through a friend. She emailed me a link to the homepage and suggested I start selling my jewelry online. Prior to this, I had made jewelry for myself and friends - but had never thought about actually selling it to other people. So I decided to give it a shot.

3. How long have you been making jewelry?

I started making jewelry during my last semester of school, so about October-November of 2007.

4. How did you come up with your shop name?

My initials are MD. And sparks are pretty flashy things - like my jewelry!

5. Do you sell your jewelry anywhere else?

Besides Etsy, I am currently selling my jewelry in three local boutiques.

And now, THE GIVE-AWAY:

Adorable

Like I said, adorable.

via:: here

And the winner is...

Cyndyava

winners are chosen through random.org

Another contest tomorrow!!!

Funny

Remember when movies would talk about "The Year 2000" (I certainly hope you all read that phrase Conan O'Brien style. If not, I am disappointed). It was all supposed to be like the Jetsons would live. Silly.

via:: Threadless

Friday Give Away ~ Reyney

www.reyney.etsy.com

This weeks give-away is splendid! I love the creative approach to Renee's jewelry. She has unique ideas that are fun, but her jewelry looks so classy!

A little more about Renee:

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Renee and I am 30 years old. During the day I am an art and music teacher in a NYC public school. I love working with children and seeing the things that they create. Now that I am on summer vacation, I get to devote most of my time to my Etsy shop and planning for my July 2009 wedding! I also enjot crocheting and collecting vintage dolls.

2. What inspires your creativity the most?

I love the materials I use in my creations. I experiment with different color combinations. I especially love using brass and vintage plastic pieces.

3. How did you find Etsy and what made you decide to sell on Etsy?

My brother (www.geekgear.etsy.com) sent me the link in October 2005. I believe he found it on the MAKE blog. I was a buyer for a couple months and then finally decided to open my own shop in June 2006. I just thought it would be fun to sell, and never thought I would become addicted to it!

4. How long have you been creating?

I have been an artist for as long as I can remember. My mother and grandmother taught me how to draw and as a child I always occupied myself by drawing, painting, coloring, sewing, creating anything, etc.

5. Where did you learn your creating skills?

I studied drawing, painting, sculpture and ceramics in college but my jewelry creating is self-taught.

AND NOW THE GIVE-AWAY

This adorable necklace!!!

Just leave a comment to enter. Make sure you tell us what you love about Renee's shop. And leave a way I can contact you if you are the winner. Contest ends at noon mountain time on Thursday. Winner will be announced that afternoon.

If you would like to receive a once-a-month email informing you of what items will be featured at the give-aways, please let me know by emailing me or mentioning it in your comment.

And the Winner is...

Kelly

winner was chosen through random.org

The Find ~ The Pot

I found this baby at an Estate Sale in Midvale, UT. She's enamel and pretty. I like her. Not to mention I have been in need for another large pot for a while now. And did I mention she is in prefect condition and cost me only $3?

Is that Wallpaper?

Brilliant. Check out the Before and After of this desk at Design Sponge

The Weekend Report

• I began knitting something cute and fun, which cannot be revealed at the moment.
  
• Went estate/Yard sale hunting on Saturday. I found this adorable vintage enamel pot for $3. In good condition too. I will post it up later so you can all see! Then a long nap followed by knitting and a movie.


• We also took a little road trip to Park City, UT. Beautiful! It is this little city burrowed inbetween a hilly landscape. There are so many cute little shops and scenic ski-lift rides! Not that we did any of that, but I plan to in the future.

An Invite

Brilliant. That's all I have to say.

via:: here

I am gonna have to try this

Seriously, I am loving the needlepoint idea with sketches.

VIA:: THE SELBY

The Friday Give-Away ~ Vintage Gardens

www.vintagegardens.etsy.com

I am in love with Rebecca's jewelry designs. The perfect name for her shop too! Her designs are stylish and trendy with serious vintage flair to them! Here are some of my favorites:

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I work full time as a sales assistant at a local TV station here in Jacksonville, FL. I also have another shop, The Artful Garden , that I maintian and create new pieces for. Other than that, I spend my time with my wonderful boyfriend, Gene, and our 2 puppies, Angus and Frodo.
2. What inspires you the most?

Antique stores, magazines, the internet, and sellers of Etsy.com are just a few of the places where I get my inspiration for creating a new piece. I search for a centerpiece that catches my eye and then create around it.

3. What is your most memorable creation, or one that you are most proud of?

I would have to say my art nouveau necklaces that show the works of Alphonse Mucha. The centerpiece is made of polymer clay showing some of Mucha's beautiful women in his art, and the necklace is created around it sticking with the vintage look and feel.

4. How did you find Etsy and what made you decide to sell on Etsy?

My cousin actually stumbled upon Etsy and told me about this awesome new site she had found. It took no time at all for me to start creating and listing jewelry. It was such a cool feeling getting to be crafty doing what I love and then share your art with others who sometimes even buy it! I was hooked.

5. How long have you been creating?

I've loved crafting and creating things all my life, but I've only been creating jewelry for a couple years now. Before that I was very passionate about photography, mosiacs, and I did a few paintings over the years too.

AND NOW THE GIVE-AWAY:

These adorable earrings! Love the green!

Just post a comment to win. Tell Rebecca what you love about her shop. Also, leave and email or a way I can reach you if you are the winner. Contest will close Thursday and noon mountain time. Winner will be announced that afternoon. If you would like to receive an email reminder once a month of the prizes to be given away, make mention and leave your email!

Will be back tomorrow

Today is a state holiday, Pioneer Day, which means I do not have work today (the benefit of living in Utah, be happy for me!)

Basically, we commemorate the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for fleeing persecution in the east and traveling by hand-cart on foot to the Salt Lake Valley. There was a lot of death and suffering during their travels. They left the east because their homes were being burned, husbands being tarred and feathered and mobs killing there families, all because of disagreance of religious beliefs. It became to dangerous to live there.

You can read about the devotion the pioneers had and the extreme trials they went through here and here.

LOVE this!

Please take a trip over to Treats and Treasures!! Here is the blog profile:

Treats & Treasures is the journal - playground - laboratory - portfolio of Marieke Berghuis Leewens (28). I live in Amsterdam, Netherlands where I fill most all of my days drawing and designing - if I am not attending graphic design classes in art school that is. On this website you will find pages of my (paper) journal, notes & doodles, designs I made and references to merely anything that I find too interesting not to pay attention to...

It makes me want to have one of my own!! I used to actually...not sure why I don't anymore.

See the List

I have added a lot more fantastic links to my list (lower left). Do check them out, they are worth your time!