Artfire or Etsy?

or

I've been tossing the idea around in my head to go pro on Artfire for a little while because they are running a special deal of a locked in rate of $5.95 a month and that deal expires tomorrow (click here for the deal). I usually only spend about $3 a month on Etsy (and sometimes not even that), but it sounds like Artfire may be better in the long run, I'm just not sure and even though it's only six bucks, I hate to commit. Of course on the other hand maybe the miser in me will force me to create new things more often to make use of that six bucks.

I do already have a free shop on Artfire with only one listing at the moment.  I haven't really taken the time to study how to use Artfire and it looks a little more intimidating than Etsy. What about any of you out there? Are you Artfire or Etsy? Or both? Does anyone have a words of wisdom for me?? Any and all comments about Artfire vs. Etsy are welcome!

Reminiscing Florida

I took a little shopping adventure to the Historic District of New Smyrna Beach called Canal Street and snapped some pretty pictures. Here they are.

Quirky tree, beautiful lines though

Beautiful Old Live Oak Tree

Boy, if there was one thing that I would love to bring home with me it would have to be those gorgeous old Live Oaks with that romantic spanish moss hanging from them. I'm a sucker for trees anyway, but the moss just is the icing on the cake.

Gas light with that beautiful moss again

There is some sort of tree hanging on this light, so maybe a little bird (or a big one, that is a branch!) was trying to make a comfy nest.

The Historic District Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach, Florida

These palms almost look like a Hollywood set, it was perfect looking. There were strings of twinkle lights all through these beautiful palms, too. I didn't get to see them lit up, but I'll bet it is a site to see.

Quaint old Antique Shop

I really wanted to get into this place to snap some pictures, the gardens were beautiful, but it was for sale and closed up. How cute is this place??!! I were to ever own an antique shop, I'd want it to look like this.

Details of a doorway

They don't make them like this anymore

I love old architecture. I don't know why the care and design is not put into new buildings like this. Too time consuming and costly I guess. What a shame. I'm becoming more and more of the mindset that I want everything around me to be attractive and homey no matter how insignificant. I think it might be from reading those magazines Where Women Create all the way to Florida and back. I've also been reading from more and more artists that they advise your surroundings to be inspiring and I think they're on to something ;)

Have a great rest of the week!

Tie dyed

While we were in Florida, Asher and I got to tie dye some t-shirts. Well, kinda... we got to pick out the colors at least. We stay at the Islander, and they have fun things to do during your stay. All the T-shirts hanging up to dry were so pretty and colorful I thought it would make a pretty postcard. Asher's and mine are the 3rd and 4th from the left.

Here we are in front of our T-shirts. Asher's turned out great but I have to say, mine dried lighter and to my regret looks like Easter in full bloom... ha ha. I wish I would've picked a few more colors. Oh well, it was fun and maybe we'll have a tie dye day and do them over. 

The day after Funk in the City ARt Show

We had just a beautiful day yesterday in downtown Evansville, Indiana at Funk in the City. Traffic was great and people were having a great time. Good food down one side and fantastic art all around a beautiful rustic rock formation fountain that is in a tree lined historic neighborhood with beautiful old homes that celebrates the arts. I didn't take my camera and now I wish I had to share with you what I was seeing.

There were many different styles and creations and I was proud to be a part of it. I didn't notice a lot of people carrying around purchases, but there were some. We (GeeJayCreations) sold a few items and lots of people took business cards. Not the best show for us, but I had a great time and met some really nice and friendly people. I also offer a few of the things that I alone create (ArtsyFartsyMe), like my painted pots and I sold my poppies pot to a very nice lady who was crazy for poppies. I plan to paint another soon, since I was quite fond of that pot in my kitchen! ha ha

SOLD!

One person I noticed was an abstract painter, Don Clark, that I met there who was selling a lot of his paintings. What I noticed was the amount of men that carried them around. He had brilliant colors in them and most were framed but his prices were surprisingly low. His style must appeal to men because I have found that it is usually women that I see walk around with purchases. Don was a super nice guy and helped me unload my display and tent. I'm glad for him. That is just about the best thing about these shows, meeting other artists that are so interesting and nice people.

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful Sunday.

Witchy Woman

I have been working on some Halloween cards through GeeJaycreations and got into a fun and spooky treasury last night and I'd like to share it with you. A real nice eclectic mix. It's called "Don't make me get my wand" by curator Magpie Sue. Ours is the red headed sassy and brassy witch, which is a fun greeting card.

I've been getting ready for Funk In The City art show this weekend and it seems like it's slow going, but I keep plodding along. It sure makes me feel good to open up my Etsy and discover I've been included in a treasury, especially since I've been struggling with my newest cartoon illustrations. If you get a chance, check it out!

Keep creating out there!

The Secret is out

Well, my posts have been few and far between lately and that is because I have been basking in the Florida sun for the last 2 weeks. I got some much needed R&R but am glad to be back home. Not many of you knew I was gone, nothing like posting to the world "Hey, my house and all my earthly belongings are sitting there out by their selves for two whole weeks! Come and get 'em!" so I didn't.

The first week we spent every day on the beach and it was fabulous. The ocean was lapping on my feet but I really didn't come back with much of a tan because I was under the umbrella with a book most of the time... ahh heaven. Some of you may remember that I lost my dear mother to skin cancer last October, so we went through about 5 cans of sunscreen. I kinda go overboard, but better safe than sorry. I thought of her a lot while I watched the ocean. She loved the ocean. I still miss her terribly, I guess I will never stop.

My son had a blast as always but I think two weeks was just a little too much for him because by the second Wednesday he was crying that he wanted to go home. With the hurricanes that had been around churning up the ocean, we got some beautiful shells that we usually don't get. Nothing spectacular, but still treasures to me.

So today it's back to a normal day, school and work so I'm quickly trying to catch up but wanted everyone to know why it's been a little lean around here. While I was gone I had my mail on hold so I got home to my beautiful earrings by A Word From Plantress and they look even better in person... Thank you Plantress!! I love them!!!

I took 528 photos while in Florida, so I'll be sharing some of them along with thoughts and other stuff coming up. I even bought an original piece of art and will share that in a post coming up. This week is crunch time for me though, I have an art show this coming Saturday so I will be very busy getting ready for it. But I will be visiting everyone's blogs very soon!

Thank you all who have stuck with me, I really enjoy all the friendships I've made here in this wonderful blogland. All your comments make my day and I love to read about your days and what you all are up to as well. Stay tuned because after this next show I plan to have my very first give-away!

Everyone have a wonderful week and enjoy this last bit of summer that we have.

Where were you?

Burnt into my memory with only a handful of days is September 11th... or more correctly 911. I was at work and someone must have heard about a plane crash in New York and turned on the only TV which was a small 13" in the conference room of our ad agency. We all watched in horror as we discovered it hit the World Trade Center and then as some of us continued to watch, we actually saw the next plane hit. I remember crying at work, unable to stop the steady stream of tears even though I did not know anyone there. Shortly after, we learn of the Pentagon and the plane crash in Pennsylvania.

I worked with my dad and we watched together and as I watched him watch the coverage I felt such awe and admiration for him. He was telling us younger crowd how this will affect our lives for the rest of our lives. He was right. He is a history buff and also had been drafted into the Vietnam War when I was very small. He was a lucky one and got stationed at the Pentagon. As it turns out, his office was not far at all from the area that was hit and he told me that he may have even been affected by the blast if it had happened while he served.

While I had work to do that day, we all were constantly in that room checking on the reports. I did watch it for about 2 hours at the beginning and still remember Matt Lauer and Katie Couric reporting tearfully and the others from the Today Show.

I often think of the people who lost their lives that day and their loved ones that lived. Children who died, parents, friends co-workers, neighbors. I wonder how their lives are now, nine years later. How hero's were made that day. How we all were rudely reminded that the US is very much a hated country by many and how they despise our way of life. How lucky we all are that there are men and women who defend that way of life. I salute the defenders and am thankful to them and the hero's. I thank them for their service. I certainly have a more solemn and serious feeling yet am proud when I hear the national anthem and the pledge of allegiance now. I think we all became patriotic after that faithful day. Do you remember the terrorist threat levels that was always on the Nightly News... red, yellow, orange... and how all the news casts showed Smalltown, USA with all the flags and banners for months after, even years. It does seem the patriotism has waned some. I hope and pray we all won't get that jolt again.

Remember. Never forget.

God Bless America.

The Fall... an alternative perspective!

I can't believe my luck! Another treasury for my partnered Etsy Shop, GeeJayCreations this time, a piece called "When two people fall in love". We have an art show the 25th of this month called Funk in the City, and I hope that we'll have this kind of luck then too!

If you have a chance, please look at the talented curator of this treasury named Tash Goswami and her Esty shop called VioletSands which currently has beautiful jewelry in it. Tash also has a well rounded interest in illustration, painting, beadmaking, ceramics and many different media.

I have many things to share with you all... in due time.

A Study In Red... a treasury

Take a look... one of my painted terra cotta pots made it into a lovely treasury by stampgirl45.

Thank you Theresa! What a beautiful treasury, I'm proud to be a part of it.

One Hot Mess

Anyone who knows me and has read this blog knows that I am quite the unorganized mess... my new catchphrase is one that I found on a t-shirt that said "I am one hot mess" which accompanied a stack of hot pancakes with butter and syrup all over it. I should've got that shirt.

Anyway, my latest mess that I've spent at least two hours the other day looking for my sketchbook. It has simply disappeared. It is so aggravating spending so much time looking for something. I don't want to be this way, but I can't help it. I've always been this way, no matter how hard I try. I think some people can't help it. Just like it is a compulsion for some people to have everything in it's place, some people like me need everything around them. My husband makes fun of me, swishes his arms around as he says you like everything you own to be all around you... even in my car, and not in a flattering way either I might add. Sadly, he's right and it's not just on the outside either. I'm kinda a mess in my head, too.

I've just picked up the latest copy of Where Women Create and I read about and see all the neat studio's these creative women create stuff and I long to have a nice and organized space. I have the space, just not the organization skills these women seem to have. I'm sure I would accomplish a lot more if I did. But I've got some great ideas from them and am sure going to try!

Have you all read WWC? What an inspiration packed magazine this is!! I managed to get a sitting spell and was so turned on creativity wise that I am just packed with new ideas and creative messes floating around in my head! I can't wait to get them out... just as soon as I can get more organized! haha

I've got a new mantra thanks to Wendy Addison in the latest WWC... there are lots and lots of good quotes in there.

"I usually create a giant mess in the studio when I am inspired. If it is all clean and organized then it is a sign that there is not much going on!"

I haven't had a chance to visit everyone's blog lately, so if I haven't been to yours lately I apologize and plan to this week... some downtime is finally here and I can't wait to catch up with what everyone is up to. Thank you all for reading.

Happy Labor Day friends... enjoy your long weekend if you have one. Oh, and I never did find my sketchbook, I bought a new one today.   ;^/