Carry Art With You!!

As I was looking through my hearts and saw a new-to-me shop named mmsomewhere. As I was looking through the shop I found photo wallets! What a clever idea! marybeth is the owner of this shop and I asked her a few questions to find out more. As I was looking through the store, I found myself drawn to the wallets with pictures of where I had been, but the Seoul series is excellent.

Tell me something about yourself:

Being aware of my immediate surroundings and place in time is captured with a camera constantly. Moving and traveling keep me constantly inspired and seeing the world with fresh eyes. When I am not gathering eye candy, I can be found in my studio.

I don't like the idea of wasted time so I keep busy constantly.

How did you start with your current craft?

The photography market is very difficult for me to crack, so I needed a different way to get it out to the public. I really enjoy public art and because the wallets are utilitarian, people bring them out into the world with them.

Not only do they have art in their pockets, but it is being seen by a larger audience than the possible photo in a private living room.

What do you like about your craft?

I like having the final say in my designs and that people buy my work because they like how I interpret the world around me.

Do you have a full time job? If yes, what is it?

This is my full time job at the moment.

I will be doing the renegade fairs throughout this spring and summer. The first one is in Austin, May 15th, followed by Brooklyn in June and so on.

I also do some design work on the side for cd's, websites, etc.

Thanks for talking with me marybeth!! I enjoy your philosophy of having art to carry around with you. She has passport covers, checkbook covers, bike wallets and card wallets!

I'll be coming back to buy my favorite item, soon.

Check out mmsomewhere to find your favorite item!!

Happy Easter!!

It's so great to see spring and all the flowers! I'm looking forward to using them in my paper real soon. We are hosting my cousin, Terry and her husband Rych at our house tomorrow. We are having grilled chicken, brown rice, asparagus, guacamole, potatoes onions and peppers and a strawberry dessert tart/pie. We always have a good time, although my sister and her husband won't be here because they had already made plans.

What are you doing or did you do on Easter? Sharing time together is important.

I enjoy finding new shops in the big etsy world, and one easy way to find new shops is to look through the shops who heart you. PrairieStarJewels is one of those shops. When you visit her shop, you see a variety of stones, techniques, groupings and word pendant necklaces.

Tell me something about yourself.
I was born and raised in a small town in Iowa. I was introduced to crafting at a young age. Dad did fantastic woodworking and Mom did many crafts during the years, going back to her love of sewing and quilting. I myself have tole painted, macramé , painted on wood, and made and antiqued picture frames for years. After so many years with successful craft shows with the frames, I had to turn to something a little more creative and it became jewelry. My husband and I love to travel and I am always bringing rocks, shells, crystals, and all kinds of things home in the hope that I might be able to make something someday from it!

How did you start with your current craft?
Back in the good old 70’s, my best friend and I made and sold earring with colorful little feathers on them. They were fun and easy. After a 30 year hiatus from jewelry and all the other crafting I had done, my love of jewelry and being creative was awakened in me again. I went on a trip to Arizona and bought way to much in supplies, took some classes and started creating. My first show was a Mystical show in Des Moines. I learned more about the meaning of stones than I ever thought I would. People were buying my semi precious stone necklaces by feel instead of by looks!

What do you like about your craft?
What I like about jewelry making is that I can make a piece that says something or depicts a mood. I love metals and stones and the message you can give in each piece. I have always been a creative person and jewelry making fulfills me. Plus, I can take projects anywhere I go.

Do you have a full time job?
If yes, what is it?I have been laid off since July. I worked for an insurance company for 11 years before my job was eliminated. I worked in a training department, helping to create and monitor training. I am still looking for a job but am hoping it is a little less than full time.

Would you like to be full time at crafting?
Yes, yes, yes!!! I would love to craft full time. My mind is so full of ideas there seems to be no room for much else. My Etsy business is just getting started and I need to find some other avenues of marketing. The thing with jewelry is that the sky is the limit. I love mixing metals and stones. I also want to take some more metal smithing classes.

Please visit her store, come back and list your favorite item in her shop. I will giveaway a FREE business card holder similar to this one:

Walk The Line

We are slow to watch movies, but we saw Walk The Line on Saturday about Johnny Cash and how he struggled to become famous. I love Reese Witherspoon!! She played the part of June Carter so well. I love her chipper, fun loving stage presence! The real June Carter worked really hard and loved Johnny even when his family didn't support him, give him encouragement or love. Those three things are (I believe) crucial to every human's being. After watching the movie, I have a new appreciation of Johnny Cash's music. And, I have a few songs of his on a zen(mp3) that I bought over ebay. His voice is amazing and the actor (can't spell it) was fabulous too.

I have got to do better about posting!!

Wow, is it March already?

I blinked and time has flown by. It snowed again, my husband has been sick (on his birthday :-(
and now I have been sick:-(. A stomach flu is the worst.

I'm trying to get back in the groove. Making, photog'ing products, uploading pics. etc, etc. As I am typing I know I am not better and I keep backspacing to correct major errors.

Things that are coming up:

News Flash---My plantable card is featured on this blog Simply Said. Go and visit and see all the wonderful recycled, repurposed products.

Later this month, I'll be organizing a craft show at my school.

In April, I'm sending my paper to a show in Georgia.

This summer I'll be involved with Asheville Art in the Park. Click for information.

So lots happening. What are you up to?

Can you think of 105 things?

Can you think of anything with 105 things or parts? Can you name 105 movies you have seen? Do you have 105 friends--probably yes with facebook and blog friends-and more probably more. My fantastic, amazing grandmother is 105!! Think back to 1905 and think of al lthe changes, innovations, and things that have become obsolete. My grandmother has seen them.
So I am in the prime of my life with lots more living to do!!

Chatting after Having Made Paper

Well, today was Saturday School in the county where I teach to make up for one of the many snow days we have taken....I was bummed about going to work and missing my grandmother's 105th birthday party, but school was only until 12:30. So I got to come home early and make paper in 53 degree weather!! The garage door was open and I had a blast. Seeing the paper I was making for a gallery put me in a great mood!!

Now I'm online, chatting for the SNS--Saturday Night Specials on Etsy!! Click on the link and find good buys all night long!!