About Me

My photo
I have a studio where I get to work and play every day; love it! I'm one of those displaced workers you here about so I do freelance work for companies on occasion but my main priority right now is to support myself doing what I love, which is art and design.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

River Walking with Avery

I've been here at my daughter's house (apartment) to care for Avery, my 10 yr old grandson, while she is working in San Francisco. We get along great most of the time but we have both been shut up in our rooms for what seems days! He on his game systems or watching Netflix and I on etsy, blogging, or reading...

We've been living like hermits after our one trip to Taco Bell and to get groceries! It is sooo dang gorgeous outside this week and I did at least open windows for fresh air and little breezes, but today the sunshine was calling... wooing me to power off my laptop, pack a goody bag and walk by the river.

So I gave in and it wasn't too hard to get Avery to join me with some snacks and allowing him to bring one of those pocket game versions. We had a lovely walk through the few blocks to the boarded riverwalk, strolled along under the trees full of hanging spanish moss... this little town is truly a gem! I lived in this area myself for many years, albeit closer to the ocean in the thick of the resort traffic and hub-bub. I wish I had come inland 10 miles to enjoy the history and charm of Conway, SC.
It's Me!
Avery ;)

 I don't have any pictures of the town to post right now... I mistakenly took the wrong camera with me but I plan to walk again tomorrow and take plenty!

Cool Concept and Little Lovelies

I love running into someone on the street and feeling like I've known them my whole life.
It's such a pleasure to make an instant new friend! It's good to feel a similar kinship in a fellow artist. One of the members in the Madcap Life team (see links for the team to the left) appeals to me. Maybe it's because we're almost neighbors in Carolina, or his willingness to help other members, or his activity in the group... I think what it really is IS his ability to take a piece of wood (already beautiful- or not) and create something more beautiful that people can use and feel against their skin...

it's important for us to connect to nature. Isn't wearing a piece of it around your neck or gripping it in your hand for support a wonderful way to remember Mother Earth, where we come from, and connect?

Meet Hal Papan! His shops are You Wood Like This (and you would like this!) and Stick Staff Cane.

His favorite things to work with?
Peace & Eco Harmony Necklace
wood
sharp tools
imagination (presumably his own)
inspiration

Please check out both shops for stunning jewelry, ornaments, and other treasures AND if you would like a stick, staff, or cane for hiking and walking. Hal says "I use a cane to keep from falling down."

Wooden Spirit Cane- go see the rest!





Hal has created a new treasury called Peak at the Future: Items Under Construction... as a place for other artists to showcase works in progress, custom orders, or custom items. He plans to create more of this kind and I will, of course, keep you updated. (click Follow now)


This is a terrific concept and he deserves kudos!

Show some love to his most recent addition to his treasury list. Here's a sneak peek:

Jughead by 1234Jackie
Natural Perfume by Sweet Anthem


Enjoy these finds. 
Take your shoes off today and feel the earth beneath bare feet! It's a good thing to do!

Friday, February 18, 2011

How often do you get to sit down with a good book?
I used to read hours every day. Now I get by on a few hours a week... so what I read is more important to me. Right now, I am reading Light in The Wilderness (I will blog about it later) by M. Catherine Thomas.

I come across Friday Reads on twitter and thought I'd share with you. So when you have time to curl up with a cup of tea you may want to be holding one of these;)

Let me know what you're reading now or one of your favorites!
I'd love to hear your comments;)

Green Grass and Blue Skies

I love spring! 
even though I have been waking up with stuffy headaches... wait, that may be because I've been staying up later too. My body does not like change. My mind says yes! body says no! mind says You Better!

Hi! It's me and my daughter;)
One thing that has kept me up later is my new FB page for Modbrush- yah!!! Please check it out and leave me some feedback! (be nice please... it is new and vulnerable and lonely...) I will be adding things daily. It's a lot more work than my personal page... what have I gotten myself into??
ModBrush FB Page!




But it is fun! Everything I am working on now is. Modbrush shop on etsy is getting revisions. My daughter took some awesome photos of my art and I am posting them later today. I'm sooo proud of them!

Mayflower has a great new treasury and she was kind enough to include my little vintage woodland flower clip-on earrings in it;) Check out her lovely collection to see my little jewels and 15 other great items to inspired by springy blues and greens. It's right here!
Here's a couple sneek-peeks!

Home Decor by CherryWalls

Beads by Bijii Bijoux


My own Vintage Little Woodland Flower clip-ons!
Does everybody love turquoise? I didn't realize there were so many different kinds and that the value varies a lot on the kind and cut of it... I have a terrific silver and turquoise bracelet I need to take to the jewelers. It is worn out! but still so gorgeous! It was a great find for only a few dollars at a flea market... can't part with it!
BijiiBijoux' beads are a Chinese Turquoise and are quite lovely!


Our Frenzy Team 
is creating FIVE wonderful collections throughout the day.
Little birdies from im2keys
St Patty's Day cupcake kit;)











Treehouse Herbs just posted this one at 10:00am called The Birds and The Bees and Some Color. Check it out for some great finds.



Let's Turn up the Heat was posted at Midnight by My Handmade Crafts

Delish Cherry Cheesecake Fudge!
Pink Petal crocheted Neck Art;)











You can help spread the word by Tweeting, Stumbling, or posting a link to my blog on your Facebook! If you are an artisan or crafter, let us know where to find you too!



A new treasury posted at 2:00 by Glitterbird Glamour  called Perfectly Natural  and it is perfectly beautiful! Muted tones in blue, red, and gray... soft and lovely. Please go see it.

Grapevine & Shell Floral- Beautiful!
Tulip Drop Dangles by Krystals Jewelry
                                              



Thinking Pink is always fun... my daughter is a pink PINK freak, any shade! My favorite is very pale; the items Terra Verde Goods found on etsy today for her 4:00 treasury is soft and mellow and 'pink'. Here's a couple items she chose but go see them all!

A peek from AnnieDesign
A treat from SoftlySweetly- yum!

 Another collection called Colorful Days Waiting the Spring (very poetic) has brighter colors of yellow (yah!) blues, and red/oranges. It was put together by LBtoyos

A beauty from Laurali
Chocolate Orange Truffles!















Here's a collection by Always Snazzy featuring one of my shirts (another yah!) Nothing says it like Red!
Tribal Heart by GaleazGlass
My sweet little Chandelier Tshirt!



I hope you enjoy all these etsy finds!! Let me know which ones you like and want to visit again!
You can help Handmade Artisans spread the word by Tweeting, Stumbling, or posting a link to my blog on your Facebook!

 
If you are an artisan or crafter, let us know where to find you too!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Want Mustard with Your Coffee?

That does sound quite horrible, doesn't it?
Unless you're putting the mustard on your eggs with your morning coffee...

Actually, I am referring to the colors Mustard and Coffee. I absolutely adore a dark brown and my favorite color is yellow. Jewelry with both tones really appeal to me.

My daughter once said that brown is the color of "E". By that, she meant that it is plain, unassuming, sort of blends into the background, perhaps over-used... like the letter "E" (so plain it is often silent!). Take a look at  Coffee Beans Ahhhh.. though. It is vibrant and rich like warm chocolate cake and strong coffee!

This mug cozy looks good enough to eat!
Yummmy Goodness!!


This steamy collection was created by another etsy shop (galla15) who makes really beautiful jewelry!
Handcrafted Czech Glass Button rings, and Swarovski rings! Handmade, wire wrapped Button rings, Pearl and Crystal earrings, necklaces and more unique jewelry. She can also use sterling silver, or gold filled, or pure gold upon request for an additional fee.
She is having a contest!WIN A Swarovski Ring in this Contest! Now through February 14th!
See how to enter here!


Yellow coordinates with everything and makes us happier. It is scientifically proven to improve mood! You need more yellow in your life! Here are some amazing little treasures found by Tyss Handmade Jewelry; her style has a simple elegance.

This is not caramel popcorn...

 
and this is not a sweet powder to add to your cocoa!



Check out the Stunning Mustard beauties here.  Enjoy mustard with your coffee today!


Day Tripping ... to see my Babies!

I've had such a busy busy week! That's a good thing. Part of it was spent trying to learn more about blogging and tweeting and stumbling... it even sounds tiring! But I've also been having lots of fun with it.

A local church had me do a design for them and I've been airbrushing shirts for the congregation. I wanted to get the first round of them finished before I left town to visit my daughter and grandson. I also did a mock-up for their motorcycle ministry jacket patches. Here's some pix of the shirts they wanted.

This version shows the main design on the front with a gear symbol with church info center back near the collar.
This version shows the main design on the back with the church name and logo on the front.
I think they look so pretty stacked. I'm showing one of each color they chose in this shot. 


This would be a very cool version of the 'Family Tree', just tweak it a bit to make the gears central to the family's values or the names of each person in the family... or a Club or Team shirt (hmmm)
the 2nd side could be customized with person's name, player number, monogram initial, or other.

This morning I had to decide what I was bringing with me, pack my clothes, pack the car, shower... it was 11:00am before I got gone. Normally, I wouldn't have taken so long but another reason for this trip is to get my daughter to take professional photos of my paintings so I can have quality prints done. I guess I could have quality prints done anyway but I do not know about shadows and light and composition and such... I just sit the painting up and snap a picture on my little digital... who'd want that to hang on their wall?


Stephanie is an awesome photographer! It's how she makes her living when she's not finishing up her last year of college. Check out her website - she is not your everyday snapper! Actually, that is why I come down at this time. She is flying across country to do a wedding! I'm jealous because it is in San Diego and I've never been and I hear it is absolutely beautiful... just like my little girl!

 



I'm looking forward to hanging with my babies... but I brought work with me too. I'm updating my listings and tweaking my shop on etsy. Please check out my shops if you haven't already!

Monday, February 14, 2011

A Little Birdie Told Me ...

http://twitter.com/#!/modBrush
I now have a Twitter account! Chirps all round! Winged applause!!
Please follow my tweets and let me know if you fly around so I can see what you're up to as well!

Speaking of birdies!
One of my favorite pieces was featured in a Treasury called Midnight on etsy. The collection was put together by a charming 14yr old (Taylor) who has a photography shop. Check out Midnight and Taylor's shop called  The Forest Faery.
This is the painting Taylor chose to showcase! 



Many pieces in my Airbrush Shop and my paintings are birds. I put them all together in a little collection. Which one/s do you like most? Please make a comment below the Treasury itself or come back here and share!  Click on the items in my A Little Birdie Told Me... collection to see larger images and the story or meaning behind each one. Thanks so much for your input! Here's a few samples:


I am having so much fun creating new designs, especially owlies and peacocks. I do henna tattoos in warm weather at festivals and have taken that flowing, swirling design as inspiration for the peacocks. I began doodling owls for all the new babies in the family...

I'm also having a good time writing and hope all of you enjoy my ramblings!
Have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones and friends! I'm excited to see my own out-of-staters this week- Yah!!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Southern Nature Jewelry Maker

I recently joined a team of artists that are fast becoming like family... you know how I feel about family!
One lady on the team makes FANtastic jewelry that reminds me of the beauty found in nature. All of her work is good and deserves oohhs and ahhs. Some of her pieces are truly ART! Go to Momadonna's shop for hours of enjoyable shopping pleasure!

A few of my favorites:
Can you see the possibilities- how many outfits you can dress up with this colorful and funky flower- LOVE IT!
these sweet little earrings make me remember summer walks down a dirt road, stopping to sip the nectar from honeysuckle... oh to be ten again!
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... perfect little BumbleBees! and no fear of stepping on them when barefoot if they're resting on your ears! Great color for year round wear. Bumble Bees are a lucky symbol too, aren't they?

See more treasures from Momadonna here!

One reason I want you to see Momadonna's work is she is going through a really hard time right now. In my last post, I told you how I've been reminded about the important things in life. So, this lovely lady's story really touched my heart. I had to go immediately and check out her shop and now I'm sharing it with you.

Her husband is in the hospital. He had surgery Friday a week ago and is still in ICU. She has been spending all her time with him... so nobody is working bringing income in. They are both self-employed during these difficult economic times and now they are struggling.

My heart and prayers go out to them. This is a way we can help a total stranger. That's one of those things that make us human, shows we have a heart, that we care for something or someone other than ourselves....
ok, I'm off the soapbox. Show some support any way you can and buy a lovely piece of jewelry for yourself or your mom or your sister or that BFF for Valentine's, Mother's Day or birthday.

It's a nice thing to do, y'all!
You can see a very nice sampling of this jewelry designer's work in this treasury curated by New Creationz, another terrific artisan worth checking out!

I'm a Carolina Girl in a Material World...

Yeah, I had Madonna in my head!
It's been a very busy week for me and I have to admit I have been more focused on my own material world. That's when you usually get snatched up and made to remember what's really important... it's like God says 'this one is getting too big for her britches' and whammo!

My whammy (this time) was not personally directed at me. It came as a gentle reminder that life is fragile and way too short. My family is close knit (that means we love each other so much we can't stay out of each others business- just ask my brother-in-law in texas!). Usually, we just pass around family gossip and offer opinions (unsolicited, of course) which, on occasion can ruffle some feathers... but we all know no matter what, we got each others backs.

You can probably tell I am the one that can't focus (the rambler... in more ways than one).

People who marry into this family have to expect certain things:

[1] you're considered one of 'the' family and all rules (there are no rules) apply
[2] we're short but fast so you need to be light on your feet (and in your heart) to keep up
[3] you will be the topic of conversations (and butt of jokes)
[4] you will be loved loved loved as one of our own

So, my tap on the shoulder this week was death. That reminder that we are on borrowed time here.
A sweet man from a branch of our extended family recently had a second surgery in three months and the stress was too much. He did get to go home and spend his last day with the love of his life and yes- he did tell her that only hours before he left her. I think he knew it was his last night.

She said he was restless all day; couldn't be still and kept looking out the doors. Was he watching? waiting?
That evening, he asked her to sit close to him as they watched a favorite show and he held her hand. They snuggled on the couch for hours. He told her how much he loved her over and over again in bed but left her when she fell asleep...

she woke up at 2am and found him... it breaks my heart all over again! It reminds me of Momma waking up to find Tommy when he died several years ago. It brings back my grandparents' deaths and the awfulness we all felt... so my heart goes out to Judy. I haven't lost a spouse... I can only imagine the devastation she is going through.


My Mom knows firsthand. I can see her own pain as she remembers Tommy. Death is always harder on the ones left behind.  Mom talks to Tommy at night when she is sleeping. They are still in love and I'm so thankful she still has a connection to him. It gives me hope and strengthens my belief that 'Families are forever' and that we are all connected on a deep deep level...

I just found out yesterday that my niece's Dad passed a few ago. My sweet niece inherited from my first marriage. Once family, always family! I knew he had had a stroke but thought he was stable. I was shocked and told my son he was mistaken when he told me. I had to get verification from my daughter; she and my niece have been BFF's since childhood... I know! I've been so wrapped up in my own stuff lately I wasn't open to what's happening in the lives of people I love!

So I am thankful for the reminder to be grateful for life, love, family, good friends, spirit, and laughter! I am thankful for the reminder to remember what is really important and not focus so hard on the material aspects of life... we have to leave time for talking, hugs, laughing, and just hanging out and BEing!!

Go hug someone!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

It's A Crazy Madcap Enchanted Forest...

I have recently become part of a community of artisans; 
we refer to ourselves as the Madcap Life Team.
We are all artists of some sort: jewelry, clothes, bags, decor, art, handmade supplies...
as artists, we get to do something we love.
I found this quote that perfectly describes our bunch.


"In order that people may be happy in their work, these three things are needed: They must be fit for it: they must not do too much of it: and they must have a sense of success in it—not a doubtful sense, such as needs some testimony of others for its confirmation, but a sure sense, or rather knowledge, that so much work has been done well, and fruitfully done, whatever the world may say or think about it."
In_order_that_people_may_be_happy_in. (n.d.). Columbia World of Quotations. Retrieved February 09, 2011, from Dictionary.com website: http://quotes.dictionary.com/In_order_that_people_may_be_happy_in

Hope it describes you too (or at least who you want to be)!
 
I've created a special treasury to show off some of these amazing artists! Check out my Enchanted Forest and please let me know what you think about the wondrous works of art you find there...  
Watercolor by lenikae



Green Apple necklace by loopinloop

Little felted fairy Made4ubyMagic






If you'd like to meet the whole unruly bunch, you can do so at the Grand Hall at Madcap University!

Have fun exploring... and remember to come back and share your adventure with us!

Your Mission if You Choose to Accept...

Okay, I have finally decided to accept the challenge and dive right in here!
I'm one of those over something-something's who have been refusing to catch up with technology and her kids; so the kids win out this time. And I'm not talking just about my kids. I'm talking about all you kids younger than all of us over-something's... I have to admit that playing with the techy toys is a little fun!

My first post is just a hello to let you know I am here; I made it!
I'll be here as often as I can tear myself away from painting shirts and designing awesome, amazing bags and creating weird stuff in my studio. I also spend some time on etsy.com and will share my creations and those of other artisans and treasure finders here.

Hope we become friends.
We all need more friends!

Cyndiella.art