Cornflower
Dahlia
Hyacinth
Lily of the Valley
Delphinium
Geranium
Gerbera
Madonna Lily
Cosmos
Field Forget-Me-Not
Gladiolus
Tuberose
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wednesday Wishlist: Every Bloomin' Thing
The arrival of Spring brings one of my favorite tasks: gardening! All winter long I anxiously await for the temperatures to rise so I can finally get out in the yard and prepare the earth for my gardens. This year I plan to relocate my veggie garden from behind the garage to a spot where it will get at least 8 full hours, if not more, of glorious sunshine a day. But that little patch of earth behind the garage will not lie fallow. I will be transforming that spot into my Serenity Garden, a tranquil place just for me, where I'll be surrounded by a lush variety of both annual and perennial blooms. This week's Wishlist features some of the beautiful bloomin' things I'd love to have growing on my land. Enjoy!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Discover This: The Midnight Orange
I am truly honored to feature D. Antonia of Buffalo, New York, as the next indie artist featured in the Discover This series. Her work is beautiful beyond words, and I owe her a huge amount of gratitude for agreeing to participate. I am the proud owner of one of her amazing clay creations, and it's a piece I will surely cherish forever. So without further adieu, I present to you The Midnight Orange.
Description of work: I am a sculpture artist and my aim is to capture the spectrum of human emotion, from bright to raw.
Q: How long have you been creating your items?
A: I have been creating all my life, but found my specific niche in polymer clay at the beginning of 2009.
Q: How did you get started?
A: I struggled through a period of the blackest darkness last year and dredged through emotions that made every good thing in the world feel foreign to me. I hated talking to anyone about it because I genuinely sensed that this new and unsettling me made everyone uncomfortable and left them longing for me to be myself again. I got very tired of people expecting me to heal on a timeline, and trying to remedy my pain with blanketed cliches. Those around me tried to fix me, and really I knew that I just needed to feel what I was feeling and allow myself to move past it when I was ready. I couldn't relate to my family and friends. I couldn't relate to anyone. I got my hands on a block of clay one night and was shocked and startled at the very simple form that emerged. It was the epitomy of my ache. Somehow it made me feel better, like there was one thing in the world that I could relate to when nothing else could comfort my unease. I made dozens more of them, and they brought me a sense of catharsis. I finally got the courage to list them in my shop, aware of the possibility that although uncomfortable to look at, someone else may experience that place just prior to healing as well. I listed one in the evening, and when I woke up it had sold and my buyer wrote to me telling me that she works with abused children and planned to use the piece in sand tray therapy. I could not describe how this resonated in my core, and the healing that this knowledge brought me. I launched an entire collection called In Some Dark Place and have been humbled beyond compare at the sentiments of acceptance and healing that people have expressed over these pieces. It very much makes me feel that the pain in my experience and darkness of my journey was worth it by what it has been able to do for other hurting hearts.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?
A: I am inspired by a myriad of things. Sometimes it is a matter of expelling emotion, sometimes I hear a sound and can see it translate to shape and feeling. Color inspires me. It really depends on the moment.
Q: Do you sell your items? If so, where?
A: Right now I am solely based on Etsy.com, and my shop can be located via themidnightorange.com
Q: Do you have any formal training, or are you a self-taught artist?
A: I am self-taught, so trial and error has been it for me. At this point it is not likely I would pursue an art degree (not for lack of interest, but time and resources) but a business degree would be very beneficial for me and my fingers are crossed that this happens.
Q: Please supply a short paragraph of why you think someone would benefit from purchasing your designs.
A: If I may, I would rather provide testimony from a client. "D. Antonia does amazing work that helps people heal through times that no one should have to experience. She has no idea how much she helps those that have experienced loss heal through these pieces. Things like these are all we have to remember them with."
Q: If there’s anything else you’d like to share with readers, please enter it here.
A: I know I talked a lot about the heaviness of my artwork, but I did heal through that period of my life and my work evolved into more light-hearted pieces as well. It has been a journey, and my goal at the end of it is that any emotion conjurable can be found captured in my clay.
The Mouse Whisperer
Description of work: I am a sculpture artist and my aim is to capture the spectrum of human emotion, from bright to raw.
Q: How long have you been creating your items?
A: I have been creating all my life, but found my specific niche in polymer clay at the beginning of 2009.
Q: How did you get started?
A: I struggled through a period of the blackest darkness last year and dredged through emotions that made every good thing in the world feel foreign to me. I hated talking to anyone about it because I genuinely sensed that this new and unsettling me made everyone uncomfortable and left them longing for me to be myself again. I got very tired of people expecting me to heal on a timeline, and trying to remedy my pain with blanketed cliches. Those around me tried to fix me, and really I knew that I just needed to feel what I was feeling and allow myself to move past it when I was ready. I couldn't relate to my family and friends. I couldn't relate to anyone. I got my hands on a block of clay one night and was shocked and startled at the very simple form that emerged. It was the epitomy of my ache. Somehow it made me feel better, like there was one thing in the world that I could relate to when nothing else could comfort my unease. I made dozens more of them, and they brought me a sense of catharsis. I finally got the courage to list them in my shop, aware of the possibility that although uncomfortable to look at, someone else may experience that place just prior to healing as well. I listed one in the evening, and when I woke up it had sold and my buyer wrote to me telling me that she works with abused children and planned to use the piece in sand tray therapy. I could not describe how this resonated in my core, and the healing that this knowledge brought me. I launched an entire collection called In Some Dark Place and have been humbled beyond compare at the sentiments of acceptance and healing that people have expressed over these pieces. It very much makes me feel that the pain in my experience and darkness of my journey was worth it by what it has been able to do for other hurting hearts.
Please Be Kind
Q: Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?
A: I am inspired by a myriad of things. Sometimes it is a matter of expelling emotion, sometimes I hear a sound and can see it translate to shape and feeling. Color inspires me. It really depends on the moment.
Q: Do you sell your items? If so, where?
A: Right now I am solely based on Etsy.com, and my shop can be located via themidnightorange.com
Q: Do you have any formal training, or are you a self-taught artist?
A: I am self-taught, so trial and error has been it for me. At this point it is not likely I would pursue an art degree (not for lack of interest, but time and resources) but a business degree would be very beneficial for me and my fingers are crossed that this happens.
Q: Please supply a short paragraph of why you think someone would benefit from purchasing your designs.
A: If I may, I would rather provide testimony from a client. "D. Antonia does amazing work that helps people heal through times that no one should have to experience. She has no idea how much she helps those that have experienced loss heal through these pieces. Things like these are all we have to remember them with."
Bottom Be Near
Q: If there’s anything else you’d like to share with readers, please enter it here.
A: I know I talked a lot about the heaviness of my artwork, but I did heal through that period of my life and my work evolved into more light-hearted pieces as well. It has been a journey, and my goal at the end of it is that any emotion conjurable can be found captured in my clay.
You Make Me Gleam
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday Wishlist: Fabulous Finds From Fellow Etsyans, Part II
There are so many wonderfully talented folks on Etsy that I decided to again shine the spotlight on fellow sellers in this week’s Wednesday Wishlist. Completely random, completely awesome, and completely wanted by moi!
As always, PLEASE show their shops some love by right clicking on each link and opening in a new window. Thanks!
P.S. Check back tomorrow for the next installment of the Discover This Series. I’m featuring yet another Etsyan. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this. The work is simply amazing!
As always, PLEASE show their shops some love by right clicking on each link and opening in a new window. Thanks!
P.S. Check back tomorrow for the next installment of the Discover This Series. I’m featuring yet another Etsyan. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this. The work is simply amazing!
Dichroic Bracelet with Pearls and Swarovski Crystals by MarrenDesigns
30 hr. Waterproof Bath Candle Sweet Tea by nettiescrub
Copper Peace and Love Baby by shellisxena
Purple Rain Scarf by IsabellesAttic
Yarn Hoarding Pin by RhondasOriginals
White Queen Shell Clutch by koopdegrace
Retro Congrats Card with Gift Tag by RueRenee
Rose Garden at Midnight Handspun Yarn by WhiteLotusDesigns
Rocking Horse Clock by JonPSU77
Silver Dangle Earrings by MissyM88
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday Wishlist: Fabulous Finds From Fellow Etsyans
For this week's Wishlist I sought the help of some fine fellow Etsyans. No particular "theme" this time, but a random selection of handmade goodies. I'd like to personally thank each seller who posted in my thread and helped create this list, as I found some great sellers with even greater items. Please show their shops some love by right clicking on their links to open their shop in a new window. I wouldn't mind owning each and every one of these. They are all beautiful! Enjoy!
Custom Bookmark from MyPrintedMemories
Patchwork Pin Cushion from splendidthings
Boutique Woven Braided Headband from CelticTideCreations
Midnight Dreams Cuffs from Crystalsidyll
Cascading Pyrite and Gunmetal Necklace from yjennings
Baby Loafer Booties (cuteness!) from handmadebabylove
8x10 Peacock Collage from PAINTINGCHIC
Black and White Striped Shirt Dress from BlackSheepFashion
Vintaj Flower Stamped Necklace with Gemstones
from MyHeartBeads
Lil Sugar Sack Hat from LoveThatCrochet
(say it with me now..."awwwww")
Vintage Ring Pot Cover With Stars from monkmama
Easter Egg Hunt Sugar Cookies from 2ladiescharitybakers
Trinidad Unisex Necklace from ElectricPenguin
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