Oh, Etsy!!!

So for a while now I have mostly ignored the idea of the Treasury lists on Etsy.  I have had some of my work added to other lists, and really didn't think too much of it.  Tonight I decided to create a single Treasury of my own, mostly out of curiosity.  4 Treasury lists later- and I'm here to share them with you, as they were so much fun to put together, I just can't help but share!
I'm showing a preview of each, with links for each as well if you want to click and peruse the real deal.

Here is the first one I created (based on the idea of happy color and joyful pieces):

Followed by another (based on the idea of organic, natural, earth friendly):

and another, this time color themed:

and finally, my last one of the night- also color themed:

So if you feel inspired- head on over to Etsy and create your very own Treasury- you might have fun doing it (and be up all night!).  Cheers!

GROWING UP WITH LAUMEIER

Several times a year we visit Laumeier Sculpture Park- usually when the weather is crazy beautiful, and it feel like the perfect thing to do.  It is one of our very favorite places to go- and if you live in St. Louis, and haven't been there- you are missing a real gem!

Every once in a while I hear someone who lives here, say that they have never been- and I can hardly believe it!  SO- if this is you- put it on your to-do list- you will be surprised at what you've been missing!!!

Bring your dog, too!!!  They have doggie related stuff going on right now- a dog run, a dog exhibit, etc...

We usually take the camera- and something that we've done is compare how our son has grown by looking at photos of him in relation to some of the sculptures year after year....for instance:

"THE WAY" 2006

"THE WAY" 2011

"CROMLECH GLEN" 2005, 2007 and 2011


My personal FAVORITE!!!

"TRIANGULAR BRIDGE OVER WATER"  2005 and 2007

Then there are just those sculptures that are perfect photo ops...

"LAUMEIER PROJECT" 2007

"LAUMEIER PROJECT" 2011

Lastly, some are favorites just because they are BIG and creepy!!!

"EYE" 2010 and 2011

SHARING GIVEAWAY 2

So today is the day- for my 2nd giveaway in my "One Great Year of Sharing"!!!
I made only a few of these- and would love to give one away.  It is one long strand of vintage beads- approximately 7 feet in length!!

All the beads are vintage- a mix of beads from the 30's through the 70's- hand strung by me from my uber collection of vintage beads.  There is a tiny hook on one end- so you can hang it anywhere you want, or loop it around stuff...It will add an eclectic touch of fun to any room!!

                                                use your imagination!!!


To be this weeks winner- please leave a short comment about what you think you might do with it, or what it would be fun for- and tomorrow at 12pm CST (Monday/Labor Day) my son Gramm will pick the winner!!!
Gramm is genious at creative play and ideas, so I know he'll pick a great winner!!

                                      OK- send me your comments!

VISUAL LIFE.

Tonight my sister sent me a blog link, which she only does when she is sure I will really like something- and she was right- so I wanted to share.

I will only post 2 of them- from a series of short films for Intel called "Visual Life".  A media campaign created by ad agency Amsterdam Worldwide, each film is emotionally captivating and creatively inspiring!

Artfully composed, each is a look into someone's world that creates for a living- narrated by the subjects; graphic designers, photographers, musicians, actors, animators, etc...

This is what Intel says, “The people you know, the places you visit, the things that inspire you… together, these represent your unique Visual Life, and we want to celebrate it! People from around the world have uploaded photos and videos giving us a peek inside their visual lives.”

So enough from me- take the brief journey- you will be so glad you did.
Cheers.

NEW!

I've been spending lots of time in the studio lately, making new work- good times...
All available in my newly updated SHOP - take a look!!

SING!

So tonight, a good friend asked me why there wasn't any audio on my blog....what he was referring to was my singing.

Singing is sort of a new/old friend in my life.  I've been singing all my life, I grew up with music, living with singers and even a vocal coach, but I've only been training for the last 5-6 years, and performing for the last 3 or so years.

On August 5th of this year, I had a solo performance called "Sight. Sound" which coincided with a showing of my art.  It was at a beautiful venue in University City called The Chapel.  A gorgeous renovated space that is now a non-profit performance and gallery space.

I created a piece of art for every song in my show- totaling 15 pieces, and it was a really special evening.  Some of the songs, I had been wanting to sing for years.  It was very personal for me- with snippets of stories of my experiences in life, where I've been, where I am going, etc...The show was sold out a week in advance, and a real hit- I hope to do it again real soon!!!

Here are a few images to share...

Me on stage at the Chapel- with my rockin' music director and brilliant beyond words collaborative partner, Rick Jensen.

One of the paintings I made- this one, "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us".   A song about Sister Rosetta Tharpe- she and I share a birthday!

"Some of These Days"- yes, the old Sophie Tucker tune.... (this piece is still for sale)


I sold 5 paintings that night- yay!!! That means there are 10 left, so contact me if you are interested in seeing any of the others.

Rick and I earlier this year, recording a 3 song demo CD at Phat Buddha studios- downtown STL.  Rick is also a sound engineer in addition to his amazing piano skills- so I had 2 engineers that day- good stuff.

So, to fulfill the request for some audio, here is a short audio/video piece- the painting goes with the song...hope you like it!!!

Having a Ball!!!

OK- I must admit, I'm quite obsessed with these little yellow balls of wonderment- they are called "Billy Balls" or Craspedia.  We used them for my sister's wedding last weekend, as they added a sweet a sense of fun and artistic flavor.

Now that the wedding is over, I asked for a large bundle- as I just can't get enough of these fun yellow creatures, and hated to see them thrown out.

Tonight, I took every vase I could find in the house and filled them- now it's craspedia city around here, but I don't care....without water, they have a very long life- I have some older ones that still look great, and they are at least 2 years old.

First, I filled my favorite vase of all- a handmade, wood-fired, stoneware vase by my awesome friend, David East.  Every important occasion in our life seems to get a bouquet in this vase- so why stop now?!?!  Painting in the background is a fave of mine by Jennifer Mercede from Portland, OR.

Then my friend Susan Arruda's 2 beautiful vases- porcelain, wood-fired goodness!  I miss Susan so much- we were 2am studio pals way back when- what a talent.

and then Diana Fayt's cool hand carved vase- wishing now it was one of her blue or green ones, to contrast the yellow, but I cannot complain- I love this piece.  

Lastly- some vintage Pyrex beakers- I found them a couple of years ago, just before they were being tossed out by an old science classroom- what a find!!!

SO, next time you are looking for a fun addition and pop of yellow color in a whimsical arrangement or bouquet- give the "Billy Ball" a try.  Dear Craspedia- you rock!!!        And you are quite photogenic, too.

ONE GREAT YEAR OF SHARING- #1

Hooray!!!
I'm so excited for today- my first giveaway in the One Great Year of Sharing.  This is one of my all time treasured books- which was a great source of inspiration during our big bakery rehab in the city.
The "Essential House Book" by Terence Conran is a staple is the world of home design books.

I'm tossing in a sweet box of unsharpened pencils that were given to me by a paper rep back when I worked at KO.  They are so beautiful, I never could bring myself to use them- hopefully you will!!

The first person to respond will be awarded this package.  You must be able to pick it up this week in St. Louis (63141).

SHARING.

Right now marks a new path for me- a time of big changes, new challenges, a new sense of myself as a creative being, and a time to share.

When I was little, and going to church every Sunday, I remember a program they had called "One Great Hour of Sharing".  It was always during Easter, and was a special little cardboard box that would assemble into a little bank- and go towards a hunger mission, if I remember correctly.

While I look around my home, I see so many wonderful things- that I would like to share, that I have enjoyed, but now they look a little bit lonely.

So, starting tomorrow, I will begin my own "One Great Year of Sharing", and each Sunday, for one year, I will post an item to give away.

This will not be junk, or just stuff I would give to Goodwill, but things that are special, but also need a new path of their own.  I'm starting in my library- one of my very favorite places of all.   We'll see where it goes from there.

The items I post will go to the first taker every Sunday.
Please respond by commenting.
If you are the recipient of an item, I ask that you please wait a month before you try again.
Each item will be available for pick up in St. Louis once awarded, or you can have someone in St. Louis pick it up for you if you give me their info.
I really prefer not to ship any items, but if I know you, and you chip in some money for shipping, we can likely make it work.
Items will not be large.
They will just want your love and appreciation.

Have fun-
See you tomorrow!!

LOVE.

Ahhh, Valentine's Day- it's right around the corner, and the perfect time to post some fun Etsy posters about all things LOVE.  Even if you aren't in love right now, maybe you will find inspiration in a

self-loving message such as "LIVE WHAT YOU LOVE"....  Take a peek, get inspired, buy your sweetie a handmade message that speaks from your heart, even if that 'sweetie' is you.

1, 2 and 3:  THEBIGHARUMPH    4:  HIJIRIK   5, 6 and 7:  LOVESUGAR
8:  AUSSIEKN   9:  ISCREENYOUSCREEN