Art Fire

There is a cool new selling venue for all you craft and art makers/sellers. And a new place for all you who love to look at and/or purchase handmade items directly from the makers of such. Art Fire has a lot of advantages over the Etsy system. Go check it out. Click on the Art Fire link below, ok, and go on a fun journey!

Art Fire

Green Elf With Yellow Roses

I have something new in my Etsy store. This little Elf guy. I had so much fun making him. Ah well, even if not much is selling, I can still have fun making some things.

Hard Times

We all know the economy right now is awful. For sellers of artworks or crafts it is very slow. I guess all we can do is just hang in here until it all gets better. This is definitely something that I cannot make all better. Do you have a comment or want to vent about your hard times? Whining is a good thing. It is okay to vent and have compassion for yourself, as well as to have others hear you. I will hear you, Dear, and answer. Love, Aunt Jane

I Finally Did It

I finally chose seven blogs and notified them as to the Marie-Antionette Awards. There are so many great great blogs that it is hard to get it down to seven. Oh yes, the rules say at least seven. I could do more. Maybe in time I will. It is a lot of notifying.

I really took note of Lavendars Garden's blog. She is thinking of ways to help others. I think it is wonderful and I am going to participate.

http://lavendersgarden.blogspot.com/

I think it is great to help out the shops that hvae not had a lot of sales and/or have people in need. One of her ideas is to create treasuries with undiscovered shops!!!! What a great idea!!! I am working on it and a lot of other ideas. To see her ideas, please go to her blog.

Many Blessings To All!!!!

YOW!

I have been awarded The Marie-Antionette A Real Person , A Real Award from Tashai of Ultravioletwind: http://www.ultravioletwind.blogspot.com/ Thank you Tashai!

Here are the Rules for the Award:

1. Please put the logo on your blog

2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award

3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs

4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog

5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them.

OK I will now proceed to narrow it down to at least 7 blogs. There are so many great ones!!

1. http://navajosoap.blogspot.com/

2. http://lisianblue.blogspot.com/

3. http://lavendersgarden.blogspot.com/

4. http://jasyjensthoughts.blogspot.com/

5. http://goaskkatie.blogspot.com/

6. http://workathomemomrevolution.blogspot.com/

7. http://just4usgirls.blogspot.com/

PURPLEARTLOVE: When Doves Cry

PurpleArtLove: Amazing art from recycled, upcydled materials! Here is her shop announcement:

Welcome! My eclectic shop often features items that have had previous lives. I try to make items that are fun,fresh,funky, and if possible, upcycled. They could have been old game pieces, old jewelry or even dog tags. You might find anything.

When Doves Cry

This recycled beauty has a life of it's own. The shabby chic base is coated with crackle paint, paisley stamped images, white paint pen then topped with a coat of clear sparkle. The inside holds spanish moss with gold and copper balls. The white dove is perched on top a gold and silver glittery nest. The final touch are little gold bells giving the whole piece a great big hug. Toward the bottom the words "When Doves Cry" show your purple love. A must for any true purple hippie. Approx 8 inches high and 4 inches wide.

Please visit her Etsy shop:

http://www.purpleartslove.esty.com/

Upcycling Rocks!!!!

Purpleartlove has a shop on Esty: Art that is created from upcycled objects. I LOVE upcycled! Here are some creations from the shop in her own words:

"Upcycle Stainless Steel-Letter L
This began life as a stainless steel rabies tag. Two tags are attached together, words facing in, so a nice plain surface emerges. Applied to the 1 1/4 disk is a metal disk and initial. The pendant is then added to a brown neck cord. "

How did she get the denim-like patina on that?





"Dwight-a framed 4x6 collage

He has been Michael's #2 man for years. Make him your #1. This 4x6 collage shows Dwight with a transparency crown just as he deserves. Typewriter keys (faux) complete the "officy" Look. This would complete anyone's desk at The Office."

"Main Street Debt Relief-bell ornament- A team challenge
I recently read an article about how a lot of families in the old days used to "make do". Making do was taking an old tattered velvet slipper and making it in to a doll hat, etc. I remember my Grandmother used to do a lot of this "making do". I never thought anything of it. She would take and old tablecloth and make me an apron. She would make her own patterns for dresses for me. I never thought of it as a problem, I thought it was neat how she could come up with this cool stuff. In these tough economic times why not enjoy something made from something else? This began life as an aluminum rabies tag. I thought the bell shape reminded me of a Christmas ornament. So I adhered two tags together, words facing in, and a plain surface emerged. I then added an initial, ribbon, and tree hanger and Viola! a cool Christmas treat. What a fun secret santa gift or gift topper."

"Upcycle Stainless Steel-Letter H
Applied to the 1 1/4 disk is a faux bling, watch part and initial. "

"upcycle Stainless Steel-Letter A

This began life as a stainless steel rabies tag. Two tags are attached together, words facing in, so a nice plain surface emerges. Applied to the 1 1/4 disk is the letter A and a cute pineapple paperclip. Staz On Ink gives the piece a little pizzaz. A jump ring is at the top so you can attach it to your favorite necklace or use the attached chain."

Upcycle Stainless Steel-Letter H

The link to purepleartlove is: http://www.purpleartlove.etsy.com//

Happy Hollween

The veil is the thinnest at this time of the year..........watch for fairies and ghosts!

Original Artwork: Save The Artists

Save the artists! Buy direct from artists and craftspeople. Keep our economy going without the middleman. Do your self a favor and get something of real value. Let's break away from corporate greed by not feeding them anymore. Well, as little as possible. They don't deserve it. It's fun to shop at places like ShopHandmade, MadeItMyself and Etsy. I have lots of neat iems in my shop at Etsy. So do many other people.

You can buy jewelry, clothing- (even bras!) pottery, purses, toys, candy, jams and jellies, cakes, coffee, wood items, felted things, knitting, paintings, prints, cards, medicine bags and more! Do you really want to support factory made -assembly line stuff from China?

I am having a 20% off sale!!!!! http://www.auntjanecan.etsy.com/

Advice If You Want It

Dear Readers,
It has been a while since I have given out any advice to the troubled and downhearted. So let me remind you that I do run an advice column here if you would like to partake. Just leave me a comment or question about your situation and I will do my darndest to help you out- especially if you don't mind a little humor.
Most Properly, Aunt Jane

Made It Myself

There is a new handmade site called Made It Myself.

http://www.madeitmyself.com/

There are a lot of really neat artisians over there. The site is still in beta testing stage.

I have some of my fairy images on Made It Myself. Just enter the search term- fairy- and they will come up.

Feature: Darlene Martin of Bijouxbead

Darlene Martin is very talented and disciplined and it shows in her work, which is both unique and stunning. The necklace on the left here is titled, "Myrrh".


Darlene’s jewelry features materials such as handmade lampwork glass, handmade fine silver clasps, or semi precious stones. She gets a lot of press, including a full half hour feature on a television series about entrepreneurs. She was awarded a full scholarship at the Queen's University Executive Business School, and she was recently nominated for an Entrepreneur of the Year award in Canada.


Here is a link to Darlene’s Etsy store, Bijouxbead: http://www.bijouxbead.etsy.com/



















"National Treasury Collection- Ontario"

I interviewed Darlene:

Aunt Jane: What inspirations do you have for your jewelry?

Darlene: My muse is Canada; its nature, its people, its inimitability, and the horizontal links between them. My work has a distinct aesthetic that draws from several different mediums -be it glass, metal or stone. To feel the warmth that transfers from your body to these natural elements is what first inspired me to urge people to "feel what you wear, wear what you feel". As my handmade collection of necklaces, bracelets and earrings develops, so too does my passion for incorporating Canadian-ness into my work.

Aunt Jane: Do you listen to music while you are creating, and if so what music?

Darlene: I prefer complete silence when I am working. That way, I can focus 100% on it. The tactile and visual stimulation is what brings about the titles of each piece; three hours with nothing but the piece on my mind and in my hands is what helps me come up with these titles and very good reasons for them. It reminds me of defending a thesis; I love it when customers ask me to elaborate.

Aunt Jane: What materials do you like to work with?

Darlene: I work exclusively with glass, metal and stone. I have always purchased my materials in person; and all of my suppliers are Canadian.

I asked Darlene to elaborate some more:

"Being a Canadian triple gold figure skating medalist, skating has always been big part of my life. It was a big change for me to hang up my skates after 34 years of identifying myself that way. I feel Bijouxbead has allowed me to keep the discipline and artistry pieces of my skating identity and move them forward in a new and challenging direction.

My Etsy shoppe was born of the necessity to have some kind of on line presence, although I have no expectations to sell a lot of my work there. I do enjoy the Etsy community, and have gained a wealth of knowledge from them in a very short period of time. But my work is tactile, and no matter how well I present it online, it just isn't the same as touching it. When Bijouxbead is spoken about in the media, the web activity skyrockets; and then the sales spike at the galleries, in that order. I don't think that will ever change."


















"Window To My Heart"


"Have My Eyes On You"

To learn more visit Darlene’s main website: http://www.bijouxbead.com/

Next television appearance: The Slice Network, November 3, 2008 2:00pm ET.

Darlene's next exhibition will be running from November 13 through November 27 at a high end gallery in Toronto.

Nora's Beautiful Medicine Bags

I have a dear dear friend , Nora. She is so very kind and wise. It shows in her work, too. She has an Etsy store called: Cardinal Designs. Within the store are beautiful handcrafted medicine bags and gourds that inspire me so very much. Nora's medicine bags and jewelry can also be found at Susun Weed's site in the gift shop section. Here is a link to more of Nora's work:
http://www.ashtreepublishing.com/bookshop/medicinebag.php

Look at this medicine bag: The Three Muses. To die for! This is the Cardinal Designs store link at Etsy: http://www.CardinalDesigns.etsy.com/

Here is Nora's description of this beautiful bag:


"~The Three Muses~


This handmade medicine bag has three of the nine muses on it depicted in a acrylic cameo set in the middle of the flap. It is framed with twisted sunset floss. The cameo is brown and gray and the muses are white. The bag body is made from rich blue deerskin and accented with milk chocolate deerskin for the fringe and neckstrap. The fringe is decorated with blue disc beads, white and clear tile beads. The fringe measures about 10” long. The neckstrap is 37” long and also decorated with the same type beads as the fringe. On the back of the bag is a natural opening that has been reinforced with the contrasting milk chocolate color deerskin. There is a piece of fox fur on the front of the body of the bag. The bag measures 4” long by 2 ½” wide.


What Wikipedia has to say about muses:
In Greek mythology, the Muses are a sisterhood of goddesses or spirits, their number set at nine by Classical times, who embody the arts and inspire the creation process with their graces through remembered and improvised song and stage, writing, traditional music, and dance. They were water nymphs, associated with the springs of Helicon and with Pieris, from which they are sometimes called the Pierides. Not only are the Muses explicitly used in modern English to refer to an inspiration, as when one cites his/her own artistic muse, but they are also implicit in the words "amuse" or "musing upon". Who are your muses……?"
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Now, this White Moon Goddess bag! Nora's eloquent description:

"~Moon Goddess Diana ~

Goddess Diana is a well known moon goddess representing both the hunted and the hunter. She stands tall without constraints and is a free spirit. She is a virgin, extremely independent and self-sufficient. She is a major Goddess for women representing all phases of feminine life, from birth to death and everything in between. Diana represents our comfort level at being ourselves and living by our wild instincts. She is called Lucina by the Romans, Goddess of light. She oversees things of the wild and feels responsible for the young and most naive. She is comfortable in the wilderness and with solitude.

This feminine medicine bag is made from soft, white deerskin suede. It measures 1 ½” by 1 ½” with fringe that is approximately 6” long. The fringe is lavishly decorated with gold tone spacers and gun metal seed beads. On the front of the flap is a filigree charm with a pearl in its center to represent the full moon Diana likes to travel with. The neck strap is 30” long and decorated with larger gold tone spacers and gun metal seed beads.

I really like this size bag for wearing. It can house a small gemstone, pinch of herb, good luck charm, amulet or something near and dear to you."
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I love this Deerskin Medicine Bag! Again, Nora's description:

"~Harvest~

This soft and supple medicine bag is made from rich deerskin that looks good enough to eat. There are natural striations on the bag that are subtle but earthy. The bag measures 4 ¼” long by 2 ¼” wide. The taupe strap measures 34” long. The taupe fringe is almost 6” long. It is hand sewn with sturdy sunset color floss. There is a natural cut flap that has a round full moon in dark brown deerskin framed with the same sunset color floss. On that moon is a polished piece of horn and two orange acrylic oak leaves. The moon is 1 ½” and the horn and leaves measure 2 ¾” long.


This bag is meant for somebody who is down to earth, earthy and grounded…or who would like to be that way. This is a no frills, salt of the earth bag. Random House: "The gathering of crops. The result of any act, process or event. To gather or reap". I see harvest as this but more. There is the harvesting of ideas, inner awareness, goals, accomplishments etc. Harvesting on all levels. Let us continue to harvest and reap the benefits of our harvests well and share them."
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Take a look at this awesome medicine bag!~ White Shell Woman ~ Words of Nora:

"White Shell Woman strolls the seashores bringing blessings to all she gently touches. She drifts, she sways, she, ebbs and flows. She moves with the moon in its monthly phases. She’ll flow into your heart. White Shell Woman is earthy, flowing and in harmony with her surroundings.

This one-of-a-kind buckskin medicine bag is 3 3/4" long by 2 1/2" wide. It is hand sewn with gold seed beads along its seam. On the flap is a sliced shell with a small black and white striped shell (snail shell shape) inside. The black deerskin fringe measures 4-4 1/2" long and is decorated with white glass tile beads, red seed beads, and cowrie shells. The strap is 36" long and has two red tile and black & white oblong, etched beads on it.The cowrie shells represent the maiden, mother and crone aspects of the Goddess. Cowrie shells have always been symbols of the Goddess. These shells have been used as rebirth symbols as far back as 20,000 B.C. They have also been used as charms for healing, fertility, rebirth, magical powers, and good luck. "
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More words from Nora:

"Everything in my shop has been handcrafted by yours truly. My bags are probably more accurately described as keepsake pouches for the wise woman, man, magical ecologist, naturalist, mother earth stewart ways. You know, tree huggers, earth lovers or just earthy folk in general. People who choose to stay connected and celebrate Earth's diversity.

The honoring medicine bags I make are for personal items that the caretaker wishes to keep safe and sound. They are used for housing sacred objects, fetishes, and intentions, as well as small gifts of kindness, and they may well help to empower their keeper’s goals and aspirations since everything is perception. But they have also found other uses. Some people have used them for housing sewing needles, gum, the visiting tooth fairy, their daughter's first moon time celebration, tucking jewelry into, gifts, as protection bags suspended from vehicle mirrors, tucked in glove compartments or suitcases when traveling, it seems they have varied uses."

Hard Core Reality

Hard-core reality can be hard to take. That's why sometimes I like to escape into fantasy land: It's nicer there. The good guys always win.

I created this image of a fairy. It is truly mixed media. I started out with colored pencils, moved to watercolors and then finished it off on the computer with The Gimp!

Only problem is, when I printed it out on my crappy printer, it did not print true! I guess I have to get it professionally printed because I cannot do it with the resources I have at home.

Thanks for looking and if you have any problems you would like me to help you with, drop me a line here and I will answer all posts!

What is bothering you?

Aw, I can see it in your eyes. Something is bothering you. What is it? Tell Aunt Jane all about it and I will answer you.

Handmade

Next time you need a card for something, why not make one yourself? It's so much more personal. Or buy a handmade card from someone who made it. That is personal, too. And you are supporting someone who is making something with thier own little hands. Bypass the corporate mindset that says we have to get everything store bought. Why not?

There are a lot of great cards over at Etsy or Dawanda. This card pictured here is made by yours truly. It is from my original painting, "Time Space Geometry". I printed it myself and mounted it upon recycled paper. I think it looks a bit handsome.

Creating and Buying Handmade

In order to make our lives more meaningful we can create handmade arts and crafts. That's where our lives get more real. I want to sluff off the corporate world and the made in China syndrome in our lives. To buy handmade is to is to buy something of real value. Etsy is a great place to buy all things handmade.

Now if you need any advice, Dear, please leave a message here. I will answer all posts. Come on, I know something is bothering you and I can make it all better.

The Diverse Works of Kathy Crabbe

She is an artist, a poet, a cartoonist, a printmaker, a psychic, a publisher and works in several mediums. I had a lively and gentle chat with Kathy. She put me at ease, entertained me and intrigued me. The time flew! I met Kathy on the Etsy forums. Etsy is a popular online marketplace for all things handmade. Kathy has had her Maude Shop there for three months. She also has 2 other shops on Etsy with the links below.
Childlike, yet sophisticated - is how I would describe Kathy Crabbe’s work. She discovered that by drawing with her left hand, her non-dominant hand, that her work took on some added dimensions. I asked her if she thought that it tapped more into her subconscious that way. She replied, “Yes, accessing the right side of the brain and also more of an Asian aesthetic.” And so the “Lefties” were born. As Kathy describes in her Maude Shop: “In the winter of 2001 I discovered my non dominant left hand had something to say so I listened! Over the next 5 years I discovered a whole bunch of new friends. They just appeared on my doorstep, ALL 500 OF THEM (!!!)” The Lefties come in the forms of greeting cards, small prints and laminated silk earrings in the Maude Shop. The lefties were made into a deck of cards when she was doing psychic readings.
Her Maude Shop on Etsy is named for independent, feisty and fun troublemakers like Maude, 79 year old star of the 1970's movie "Harold & Maude." Kathy’s lefties certainly deliver. Here is what some of her customers have to say:

"The world needs more of your kind of clever silliness" - Linda B.

"I've never seen anything like it...I laughed out loud" - Michael P.

"I think I know all these people" - Susan R."zen-like" - Mary F.

To see Kathy’s fun and feisty cards go to The Maude Shop on Etsy: And there are laminated silk earrings that Kathy told me light shines through them…
http://www.themaudeshop.etsy.com/

Did I mention her work is diverse? Kathy also has silk paintings at her other shop:
http://www.luludesign.etsy.com/

She has a press with prints for sale!
http://www.ookpikpress.etsy.com/

Kathy Crabbe’s blog:
http://www.themaudeblog.blogspot.com/
Follow along with The 123 Day Big, Hairy, Scary, Dream Vision Challenge begun 06/24/08

Kathy V. Crabbe resides in Temecula, California, with her pet dog and pet husband.

Let Us Create:

Here are images of beautiful handmade creations by an American artist, Ravyncrow.

Looking at them makes my spirit sing.

The titles are: Early Spring Morning and Blue Bayou - Fling Your Bling.

Thank you, Ravyncrow for creating something unique and adding joy and beauty to the world!

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So much of of our (crappy) lives are thrown at us, or sold to us by corporations - the government. Let us create our own lives with our own meaning. We need to create our own culture instead of having it crammed down our throats without our scrutiny. Let's buy from American craftspeople and artists! Buy American!

It is very unpopular nowadays to complain. Whining and complaining is a fine art. It takes reflection- and remember: An unexamined life is not worth living. There is nothing wrong with having compassion for one's self! Please participate in my whiner's poll. And if you would like to let it out, please post under comments here! I want to hear from you, Dear, and I can give advice if you want. I will answer all posts!

***

Below is an interview with Ravyncrow and more photos of her work.

We Can Make It!

Dear Readers,
From food to art. We can make it ourselves. A lot of it anyway. A recent comment poster that visited here said, "And bring back barter!" I think that is a great idea!
We can make a lot of food from scratch instead of using pre-packaged mixes. Something you might not want to eat in that box of cake mix?
Knitting has had a great revival recently. IT is fun and relaxing if you don't lose count or drop too many stitches. You could even have sheep and shear them if you live in the country.
Entertainment: Ok some of it is fine, but I also like creating my own entertainment. Learning to play a musical instrument, knitting in my rocking chair is my idea of a rip roaring good time. Oh, the agony and the ecstasy!

Take Back Our Lives

Almost everything is manufactured, marketed and sold to us and then it is disposable to boot. Even our entertainment. Let's take back parts of our lives by creating it ourselves. Why don't you get out of that lab where you're making biological weapons or something horrible and create something good instead???? Like art. Give something good to the world. And let's buy handmade things from others. I think the industrial revolution is one of the worst things that has ever happened to humanity. Below is an interview and showcase of a talented artist, Leah WooHoo. You could get inspired by her!!

Get Well

A fresh egg from a local farmer is so much more nutritious and healthy than a factory corporate egg. Of course, you have heard this many times and you know. This is just one example. How about we also try avoiding buying things from overseas as much as possible. Let's not encourage corporations to think that we support this and we protect our health at the same time. I ain't eatin no Chinese egg!
What's on your mind? Click the comment button below and tell me all about it.

Create

Now that the higher prices of everything has put the squeeze on us it's spawning some creativity. Some people are planting vegetable gardens in their yards. Some people are buying food more locally than having it shipped from across the world. I read a good book called "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. Great read!
Jeepers, if I could have a horse or a burro I would pack it to the store and back instead of driving a vehicle. I know that I am creating more cuisine at home instead of going to restaurants. I am sewing more of my own clothing. It would be so nice to have a couple of chickens. But noooooooo, zoning laws in residential neighborhoods prevents that. I need to move to the country. How about you?
And what's bothering you, my Dear? Do you have any ways that you are getting creative lately? HMmmmm? Click on the comment button below and just tell me all about it.

come on, now

Don't be shy- tell me all about it. See below here it says comments? Click on it and tell me all about it, Dear.

What's bothering YOU?

Hhhhmmmm...my little Sweetie,



Your face looks so drawn and long. What's eating you? Now don't pretend that it's nothing. I can tell there is something in those eyes of yours that are saying... "HELP, Aunt Jane!" Tell me all about it, Dear.