Friday, June 29, 2007

Head down and PEN down!

This is another component from one of my sample custom stationery packs created from my friend Rowan's artwork. Creating these stationery packs are so fun for me especially when I can take something totally abstract and ad a few simple elements to make funky creatures such as this gator face. Then I added flowers and ground cover by creating a pattern with some of Rowan's painting. These cards really did turn out fabulous!

I have been extremely busy with the many freelance projects. They are each so different and so exciting, I can't wait until they are completed and I can show them off! One of them is doggie for sure! I'm really savoring the process, I hope it's not getting tiresome for the project's creator! I can't help it, I'm really not sure anyone enjoys illustration, creation and design more than I possibly do! Another is a soothing babe to work on, pure bliss! And, another is Namely, fabulous and creative. Does that share enough information? Probably not, but I had to post something in my bloggie blog. It was beginning to snap at me when I surfed past it to read other blogs.

We have family visiting this week, we are so excited. Charlie's brother, wife and daughter are coming for a week. They are coming from Twin Falls, Idaho, and need to see the green life of Montana! We might even drive into the greener part of Idaho for a day float too. Which is one of my favorite things to do.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Fantastic Boost for Your Marketing Campaigns

Do you send newsletters? Do you want to beef up your subscriber's list?
Retaining a strong subscriber's list for your newsletters has never been more affordable nor easier!

Natasha is fantastic to work with too~
Check here for details! Honest, solid contacts that work!
Gain Solid Business Leads and Contacts for Your E-marketing Campaigns

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Stationery Made from YOUR Child's Artwork!


All created from one little girly's painting: here are a couple of examples of some stationery designs that I'm working on with children's artwork. Let's say, you have a couple of favorite drawings laying around or posted on the refrigerator? Wouldn't it be great to make use of those images in a full set of fine stationery? Check out the listing and see what you think!



Tuesday, June 05, 2007

New Flat Note Card Set



Set of 8 Groovy Layered Leaf Notie Notes

Paring with THESE ..... is a new Set of 8 note cards with a layered leaf design. Rounded corners and the flat cards are 5" x 4.25" and have lime green size A-2 envelopes.

Groovy Inclinations mwilson.etsy.com stamped on the bottom of the card. Plenty of writing space for short notie notes and celebrations too!

Monday, June 04, 2007

Interview with Dreams and Jewelry's Andrea!!





Dreams and Jewelry was kind enough to spend some time with me recently. See what she has to say about her creative process when whipping up her fine wears!



What products do you carry in your shop?


I create metalsmithed, pmc and enamel jewelry in my shop. I have a little bit of everything since I'm still in the process of narrowing down and refining my line.


Can you share a favorite marketing idea?

Blogging. I love blogging about artists and artisans and it's a great way to get exposure.How about a favorite advertising venture? I really think if there's a magazine that you love, check out their advertising costs...it's worth it to get exposure in a magazine if you can.


Have you always been crafty?

Yes, since I was little. I used to sew my own Barbie clothes and eventually moved on to sewing my own skirts in middle school. I've done a little bit of everything from faux finishing client's homes, sewing window treatments and custom pillows to painting art and now metal smithing. I've even built my husband's computer by purchasing the parts (motherboard, processor, heatsink, fan, drives, etc)buying an empty case and just going for it. I love it all.


Let's say you have an idea for a new product. Do you talk it over with girlfriends, sketch it out, start with a color scheme? Can you tell us something about your creative process?


I'm pretty erratic and unorganized. I just go out in my studio, get my tools ready and wait until something comes to me. I really need to write out my ideas, but I don't work that way.


What do you most enjoy about what you do? For me there are so many things, the feel of the paper, smell of the ink...I like arranging piles of creations on a table...But, what is it for you?


I just love the torch. For me, it's working with silver and seeing what I can create free form and the soft orange glow of the metal heating up. The quenching part is also my favorite part..there's something about taking a hot piece of metal and dunking it in cool water and the loud fizzle sound that comes after. It's almost like it makes the sound "quench".


What other activities do you enjoy?

Anything computer related. I like playing around in Photoshop downloading new brushes and textures to play with.


Were you parents crafty too?

Yes, my mother is a jack of all trades as well, that's where my creativity comes from.


Can you tell me, how you store your projects and supplies? (can you tell I'm desperate for a miracle myself?)


I went to Target and bought the plastic wall hanging garage organizers meant for nuts and bolts, used my label machine to make nice clear labels and put all of my findings, gemstones, and finished jewelry in their own Ziplock bags with the prices listed for easy access. I purchased two and stacked them so one is dedicated to unfinished parts and the other is for finished pieces..It makes it very easy to find things in a pinch.


Do you work outside the home?


I used to. The company I worked for closed the CA office so I decided to take a breather and now I'm doing great with my jewelry sales from my website and various craft shows so I may not return to the daily grind for a while.


Painted toes or natural? When you think of the summer months as they roll in, what do you think of most?


Painted toes! I right now have a deep, inky Gothic red on my toes and I love it. I saw the color in Lucky Mag and thought it was a nice look.



Andrea! Deep red is one of my fave summertime toe fashions too! In fact, my current fave red is Revlon brand~Valentine~ yumism.

Thanks so much for the time Andrea!

Something to do on a rainy summer day!--read an Ebook!



Several years ago I'd written a children's story, published by Synergebooks.com and illustrated by Ed Woodward III. This is a great story teaching something about good decision making and friendship.

Mindy met Megan Parrot in the fifth grade and they soon became fast friends.
Unfortunately, Megan soon became to copy everything that Mindy did, and it drove her CRAZY! What does Mindy do? Does she end her friendship with Megan? I mean who needs copier as a friend? What would your child do?

New Item!!



Custom Stationery Sets From Your Childs Art
Just a couple of examples created from little 2 1/2 year old R. Consetino's art!

This is the perfect gift for Dad, Grandparents, Aunties and Moms! What a great way to capture art created by someone you love! Let me design fine stationery with your child's artwork~Sets include:


  • TWELVE sheets of fine stationery paper (8.25 tall by 5.25)

  • FOUR 5 x 7 Greeting cards - such as Thank you

  • FOUR flat cards

  • TWELVE Stickers

Optional personalizing!

Friday, June 01, 2007

Great Noties and bad lighting again!!




New items for my store~ I usually don't use my stationery...but I had to this time!

Sweets




I made cupcakes for our son's 8th grade graduation. I think I needed better lighting for my photos...but these were tasty! Chris, thank you so much for your help and inspiration! These were vanilla with a sort of pineapple pina colada frosting. And the ones above were creme de menthe with a layer of melted chocolate added before the minty frosting. mmm.....
I will be getting myself a super large star tip for future frosting escapes. Geeky as it was...my late night hour creating these beauties allowed me to dream of making these as a side business.....sigh, I wised up after the second batch!


 
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