Creative Swap

Hi Friends...

I want to share with you the gift I received in the "Art Swap!" Each participant was a student in  Jeanne Oliver's "Creative Business E-Course." 

 Stacey Curry from Star Hitched Wagon, organized the details.   Each participant was given the name and address of a fellow artist, and we then sent out one of our hand made items to her.  There was a wide range of talent in this class, mixed media artists, jewelry designers, etc.  I LOVE the gift I received from Lis Dunn. She sent me two jewelry pieces from her new line "Dream a Little Dream." You know how I love unique hand made jewelry, so I was so excited when I opened the package, and found her beautiful pieces.

Thank you Lis!!!!

www.lisdunndesigns.etsy.com

For More designs, check out her etsy page!! 

 

 

You can check out with I gave to Stacey!

Here are the names/links  of all the "Art swap" participants.  You can check out all of their beautiful

blogs, and see what everyone else received.  Some of the names on the list are the artist's website, which will direct you to her blog.

 I am a huge supporter of independent artists, and appreciate and time and talent in creating

 "Hand Made."

Enjoy!

Carolyn Carelton

Cathy Purcell

Christa Thomas

Deborah King

Jenna Alexander

Joanne Freeman

Kate Gadd

Lis Dunn

Lisa Lovestrand

Liz Bradley

Mikel Lyman

Pam Klenczar

Renee Ortiz

Renee Sendelbach

Sheila Rumney

Stacey Curry 

                       

  

Finding new art in "Yesterday"

Hi friends...

"Re-purpose" I see this word everywhere.  Really it's just another phrase for turning something old into something new.  Crafters and sewers, have been doing this for years, (I know I am one of them), but now there is a trendy name for it! 

Recently on a trip to New York City, my son and I were shopping in Tribeca and Soho. Making our way though all the  boutiques and shops,  we came across these wonderful reverse image posters with graphic images of New York City landmarks. What really caught my eye though was that they were printed on, New York City maps. I couldn't think of a better background for these images, and what a wonderful way to re-purpose old maps.  With today's GPS navigation devices & cell phones, who really uses maps? I am sure we all have them lying around the house somewhere.  Now I certainly don't have the artistic skills to paint a city scene, but I would try using a map from a vacation as a background on a canvas and then add pictures from the trip, or add the map to scrap book, and journal pages.  Here is the poster we purchased, we don't have an apartment yet, but we have artwork!

Here is a re-purposed project of mine.

  I had this old white plastic mannequin that really had seen better days. Having been tossed around art fairs, and the knit shop for a few years, she was REALLY showing her age. Equipped with some "Matte Medium" from a recent art class and some old sewing pattern pieces, I began ripping and gluing, before I knew it my girl had a face lift, and proudly sits in my sewing room!

Have you re-purposed anything? I'd love to see it, leave a comment or share a photo.
Brenda

Starting out!

I think the first post is the hardest!  Not sure where this will take me, but I'm excited to be on the journey.  I guess the most appropriate place to start is to thank all those people who have encouraged me along the way.  A huge thank you to my husband and boys, who have put up with my relentless questions.  How do I do this?  Does this look ok?  Would you buy this? (I don't know why I asked them that question, but I did!) I am the first to admit  that I am a bit "Technologically challenged", but they were  sooooo  patient!
Also, thanks all my loyal customers and friends, who always have such encouraging comments.
My last thanks goes to a person who I have never actually met, Jeanne Oliver.  I stumbled upon this talented women's site Jeanne Oliver Designs, and was immediately drawn to her style, enthusiasm, and her "down to earth approach."  I immediately signed up for her "Creatively Made" e-course and then recently took her business e-course "Building a creative business".  It was through that experience that  I learned  so many other artists shared my questions, fears, and apprehensions. I now have a forum of friends & artists that openly share ideas and support each other.  If any of you are interested into jumping into this crazy, creative world, I highly recommend her class, you will walk away with a wealth of information and a bunch of creative friends!
Speaking of "creative friends," stay tuned (That sounds dorky!) Several artists from the e-course have come together for an "art swap."  One brave artist organized it Stacey Curry, and basically we were all given a name of a fellow artist to send one of our designs to.  I quickly jumped at that idea, the thought of getting an "surprise" gift in the mail is sooooo exciting!  I received my  gift yesterday, and I love it.  In a week or so, we are all supposed to share photos of our gift on our blogs.  So look forward to that!  I am also going to include the complete list of all the artists who participated so you can check out their beautiful items!
Brenda