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September 2nd, 2011
10:58 am - Upcoming craft shows and a peek at art
Granite Run Mall Craft Show
(Indoors, lower level)
Sep 3rd-5th, mall hours
Media, PA
DCCC Flea Market - Delaware County Community College
(Outdoors, parking lot)
Sep 11th, 9am-4pm
Media, PA
I'll have more shows coming up soon, too, but these are the next ones. :)
In preparation, I've been making tons of jewelry and art this week. My latest are clay pendant necklaces, chainmaille necklaces and dragon horns. Here's a quick peek at them:
My tables at craft shows are always colorful, if nothing else! ;)
Current Mood:  busy
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July 14th, 2011
11:32 am - Ear cuffs, earrings and a geeky dice keychain
I haven't posted the new things I've been working on in a while, have I? Well, here's some of the jewelry I've been working on. The first ones are all custom orders I made this past month or so and the bottom seahorse one is for sale in my shops.
 
 
 
And here's the seahorse ear cuff:
Can be found on Etsy and Artfire
I also finally got around to listing another geeky D&D keychain. Since it's beaded, I'll include it here. :)
"Blue and Silver Cleric Keychain" - on Etsy and Artfire
Current Mood: busy
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June 23rd, 2011
11:22 am - Birthday time!
Once again I'm running a sale for my birthday in my Artfire shop! I'll be 559, wait that's my Elfling age 28 on June 30th, so the sale is a good one! It's 28% off everything in my shop, not including custom dolls. :)
All you have to do is enter 28BIRTHDAY when checking out and it'll adjust the price. Easy as pie! (And now I want pie...)
Current Mood:  silly
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May 12th, 2011
12:37 pm - Lots of chainmaille. :)
I've been on an orange and black kick recently (even my gaia avatar has been those colors) so my art muse must be stuck in a time machine thinking it's near Halloween. ;) But hey, she's been giving me lots of chainmaille so I can't complain! And she does give me other colors, too. ;)
Here are the newest things:
And here's a peek at the other chainmaille I've been working on- handflowers and more bracelets:
And there's my first try at a wire wrapped pendant in there, too. ;)
Current Mood: busy
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April 27th, 2011
03:49 pm - Welcoming the warm weather with fiery art
Been working the warm side of the color wheel like crazy lately, considering that we skipped spring and went straight into summer. My art muse, who normally works in greens, is apparently baffled by this fact.
Here are my latest arts:
Stretchy Fire Chainmaille Bracelet in Red and Orange
- Etsy and Artfire.
Fiery Curly Q - Cartilage Ear Cuff in Red and Silver
- Etsy and Artfire
Eclipse of the Sun - Cartilage Ear Cuff in Silver, Black and Gold
- Etsy and Artfire
Current Mood:  content
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April 19th, 2011
07:06 pm - Talented Tuesday - Jannelle of Something Else Studio
Time for another interview! This time I'm featuring Jannelle of Something Else Studio; she's a very very talented fantasy artist and one of my guildmates in the Artfire Fantasy Guild. I love her pouches/pockets so much and check out her crowns, too!
What's your name?
Jannelle Olmstead ~ Something Else Studio
Where can you be found on the internet? (Website, Twitter, Plurk, shops, blog, etc)
http://www.artfire.com/users/SomethingElseStudio
http://www.somethingelsestudio.com
http://SEStudio.etsy.com
http://www.facebook.com/SEStudio
Describe yourself in five words.
Creative .. Optimistic .. Focused .. Family .. Dreamer
If you were a color, what would you be?
I would vibrate somewhere between sky blue turquoise and deep earthy teal green :)
If you were a "Dungeons and Dragons"/fantasy character or creature, what would you be?
I enjoyed my elven thief character back in the day when I ha time to play. I liked to move stealthily in the shadows where I have the freedom to move unseen and go where I wanted to go and disappear when trouble showed up :)
If you could live anywhere (or anywhen), where/when would it be?
A beautiful little English cottage surrounded by flower gardens with cozy shady places to rest with a cup of tea and read.
What is your greatest dream or goal?
To have my own business and be a full time artisan. I'm grateful that I'm living my dreams right now which includes hard work, long hours and more bookkeeping and organizational skills then I ever imaged would go along with it!
What was your very first piece of art? How long have you been an artist?
I spent my childhood drawing, painting, sewing and crafting. My mother had boxes of cards, drawing and other childhood treasures I gifted to her until they had to downsize to just memories. I made a lot of my own paper dolls as a child. In Middle School and High School I took all the Art & Independent sewing classes I could. When my two sons were in High School I went back to college and got a BFA in Fine Art, one of my greatest accomplishments.
If you sell your art, how did you get started?
I decided to just jump in! I started with renaissance style headpieces and that lead into designing custom renaissance wedding gowns and that lead into renaissance festival accessories. I decided not to wait for a "perfect" product idea but jump in and be willing to evolve and see what worked.
What is the strangest thing you've ever made?
I don't know if it's strange but I was included with a group of artists invited to adorn the walls of The Springs Of Clifton. It's an alternative healing center located within a traditional hospital in Clifton Springs, NY. Each artist got a room to decorate and I was lucky enough to get the waiting room! I painted a large sprawling tree mural encircling several walls including a real branch near the ceiling where I hung 4 sparkling seasonal garlands.
Pick your favorite project/artwork- what is it and what inspired you on it?
When my oldest son decided to have a renaissance themed wedding I made them matching outfits and headpieces. I made the brides bouquet, bridesmaid garland and special family headpieces. I had so much fun that after the wedding I decided to launch a business doing custom renaissance wedding gowns and headpieces. I designed sample wedding gown for my runway models in bridal shows. It was a fun way to start! But after several years I decided I would rather design and sell accessories for renaissance festivals. So here I am today as an artisan doing renaissance, Faerie and Celtic festivals!
What kind of advice would you give to other artists?
Don't be afraid to fail. Try something... see work works. If it doesn't catch on move to the next grand idea as you improve and expand your artwork. You will be surprised at how many life skills will come into play to support your growing business. Whatever your dream you just have to BELIEVE in it and keep moving forward.
What is your favorite:
Color? I adore all the jewel tone colors but a red burgundy somehow finds its way into most of my attire! I use it everywhere so it is one of my all time favorite colors.
Quote? I have had this poster for 20 years and it's still hanging up on my office wall: "How high I aim, how much I see, how far I reach, depends on me"
Book? I'm a bookaholic. I have a rooms full of books so it's hard to love just one! I enjoy my gardening books in the summer, cook books in the winter and a good mystery novel anytime, anywhere.
TV show and/or movie? Lord Of The Rings trilogy movies
Season? Autumn in all it's fabulous golden glory!!
Animal? I'm an allergic Cataholic :( I would still have my beautiful cats if breathing was only optional. But it's not so now I live with my adorable little Cairn Terrier named Goblin :)
Art medium and/or supply? I LOVE to paint on wood, walls and fabric. I adore all the great textures and colors of fibers and I love to weave art and fabric together to create magical items of wearable art.
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April 15th, 2011
12:24 pm - Dragons, fairies and dice. :)
Lots of geeky things this week!
Here's my latest ear cuff/cartilage chain earring. Click the picture to find the listing on Artfire.
Another D&D dice keychain, this time a pretty D12:
I can turn this into a cell phone charm, too! Clicking that picture will also take you to a listing.
And here are the latest embroideries I've been working on. The dragon is now finished, but I'm going to wait on framing it until I have a few more finished, then do a bunch at once. Obviously I don't have these listed yet, so the pictures will take you to the flickr pages.
Current Mood:  geeky
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April 6th, 2011
12:11 pm - Earrings and Embroidery
Was trying to not update this blog so much, thinking that making posts on the same subjects was messing with the google searchablity of my main blogger, but I don't think it was making a difference. So I'll try posting here again. :)
Been working on earrings/ear cuffs again! Here are the latest- click them to find the listings and more pictures.
 
 
Also put up a bracelet:
And I've been working on another embroidery, this time a green dragon:
Current Mood: busy
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April 5th, 2011
04:44 pm - Talented Tuesday - Kathleen of Welcome To My Whimsy
It's been over a year since I ran these interviews, so I figure it's time to get back into them, huh? I'm starting them up again by interviewing Kathleen, one of the super-talented members of the Artfire Fantasy Guild. And when I say "super-talented", I mean it; she makes amazingly detailed and intricate fantasy sculptures.
What's your name?
Hi, I’m Kathleen (Kathy) Summers. C. Kathleen Summers to those in the govt. or Artistic circles or C.K. Summers to the govt. offices with older systems (They can’t seem to process a first initial. I’ve always wondered how J. Paul Getty or F. Lee Bailey managed it.) To many I’m Barcy or BarcyD short for Barcelona Divine, my handle when some 25 years ago I began stumbling around the cyber world. (LoL this is just the first query. "What’s your name?" Perhaps you had best get a cup of coffee and settle in.)
oh yeah, the C. is for Carrie.
Where can you be found on the internet? (Website, Twitter, Plurk, shops, blog, etc)
I’m actually all over the place. I do have an always under construction website, www.welcometomywhimsy.com.
I have a blog, www.ckathleensummers.blogspot.com
I have an ArtFire gallery, www.welcometomywhimsy.artfire.com
an Etsy shop, www.ckathleensumers.etsy.com
About this one, I misspelled my own name when I signed up and too late realized I couldn’t change it. So I am C. Kathleen Sumers (note the one ‘m’)to etsyites.
I have a page on Epilogue and Deviant Art, a presence on NoBullART as well as FoundMyself.com. and FAEBAE’s Enchanted OOAK. I still have a MySpace page, I think, and a twitter account and a Facebook page where I wonder lost most of the time. You can find me at mycraft.com and Creative Living, although I can’t remember what that one’s about. :0/ I was involved with ByHand.me and Winkelf but sadly those are gone now. I’m sure there are a few more out there I’ve completely forgotten about. You see, when new to the on-line art scene I rather bit off more than I could keep up with and still produce wonderful, whimsical, wares.
Describe yourself in five words.
Just five words? Are you kidding? Okay, then, I’ll try to keep it to five.
Caring
Spiritual
Funny (at least that’s what they tell me)
Gifted
Fat (hey, reality can be a bitch, but it’s a big part of who I am. Ooooh did I just say that?)
If you were a color, what would you be?
I’d be a bright, glittery, sunshine yellow because I’m so shy. People wouldn’t notice me for the glare. LoL
If you were a "Dungeons and Dragons"/fantasy character or creature, what would you be?
I would be a bright shining golden dragon collecting all the sparkly bits.
If you could live anywhere (or anywhen), where/when would it be?
Anywhen there’s indoor plumbing. LoL I would like to live in the future. Oh, wait, I am!
What is your greatest dream or goal?
Truly? 1) It’s to see people being able to see each other without the bigotry and preconceived notions of what they think others ought to be.
2) to see people stop hurting and punishing others for what they themselves feel uncomfortable or inferior or insecure about.
What was your very first piece of art? How long have you been an artist?
When I was but a wee lass my mother would help me cut and paste cards to send to those who were ill (or who had maybe sneezed that day) or who had birthdays, new babies, any excuse or occasion. I cut up old wrapping paper and Christmas cards and product wrappers. I loved the Northern T.P. babys. Still do actually. Then I discovered C L A Y!
If you sell your art, how did you get started?
It just happened. I made a little something, a pig in a picture hat, I think. Someone went "ooooh" and handed me some money and told their friends who also gave me money. I rather liked that. Positive reinforcement, you know.
What is the strangest thing you've ever made?
I would think my "Bone Worms" sculpture would be in contention but recently I was asked to make a frog about the size of a soft ball that looked like the singer Meatloaf.
Pick your favorite project/artwork- what is it and what inspired you on it?
My daughter, Charlotte, is my bestest piece of work and as to inspiration, lets just keep this a family blog.
Although of my other creations, without doubt my best would be my favorite gargoyle. I haven’t a good name for him but he touches me deeply. I love his various textures and colors and his expression and posture. Everything about him is so evocative. Hmmm, much like Charlotte.
What kind of advice would you give to other artists?
Always try the new-to-you. Don’t let your work get stale and stagnant. Push yourself, learn new techniques, try new approaches. If your mermaids look as though they swam full tilt into a coral reef don’t give up. Keep trying. It’s important to challenge ourselves.
What is your favorite:
Color? Rainbow? It actually depends on the day but most of the time I lean toward earth tones, browns, beiges, tans. The color of the pages of weathered, stained, old books or dirt. You know dirt. Pale, dry and cracked or that dark, dark loam that’s fresh and moist and healthy. Ahhhhh.
Quote? "As long as you know you’re green you grow. As long as you know you’re green you grow and grow and grow. As long as you know you’re green you grow but as soon as you think you’re ripe you start to rot" Paul Sechrist
Book? La Petite Prince
Character? (book or whatever) I have several, but the one that comes to mind this morning is Slippery Jim DiGriz, The Stainless Steel Rat. I’m also rather enamored of Snake Plisken.
TV show and/or movie? I love camaraderie like in Tango and Cash, Turner and Hooch, Starsky and Hutch. There has to be humor and snappy, clever. dialogue.
But my all time favorite movie, which has little of that, oddly enough, is "Savage is loose" with George C. Scott. In part it challenges the concept of taking things as right just because someone else, society for instance or a religion, tells us it is.
Season? I am in love with the Autumn, all those earthy colors and smells and the breezes with just a hint of chill. But then there is the spring. . .
Food? I never met a potato I didn’t like.
Animal? Love 'em all but a wire haired pointing griffin is wonderful. Remember the dog from the "Story Teller" series? He sat by the fireside with John Hurt. Love that dog.
Art medium and/or supply? Polymer clay and Swarovski crystals, and glitter, and shimmery, shiny, glowing stuff. I’m such a magpie.
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February 27th, 2011
10:10 pm - Crochet and random jewelry
Crochet:
Here be dragons! ... well, dragon, anyway.
 
This crocheted dragon was a Valentine's day present for my fiancé, who always gets geeky yarn things. ;) One of his main NPCs in his D&D game is a silver dragon, so I figured that would be the perfect surprise gift for him.
I had crocheted this pattern a few years ago, but here I used thinner yarn and a smaller hook, which didn't work out so well. This took me longer to do and I had some trouble with the smaller stitches, especially on the wings. But it came out cute, so it was worth it.
My grandmother loved the two hats I made my mom recently, and wanted one in a neutral color. I used really soft yarn and she loves it! Yay!
Hair thing:
Calling it a "hair thing" because I honestly have no idea what to call it. LOL! This was made for a custom order- someone asked me to make one of my ear cuffs longer so it could be attached to a braid. After thinking about it, I decided to make the beaded part like I do my long keychains, but attach an elastic hair tie to the end.
Here's the prototype I made originally:
This one is only about 5" long. I changed it around some after taking the photos- I switched out the top two coins with ones without holes. I didn't have a lot of holey ones left and didn't want to waste those since I'm keeping this for myself instead of selling it.
Current Mood: geeky
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