CaaT ~ Complementary ArT and Things

Miss Mellie ~a first-person visit with a gentle artist and vibrant soul

2011-07-20T17:26:00.000-07:00

Hi! Thank you for coming to our CaaT team blog. I am a long time member of the CaaT team! My name is Melanie – and I have always loved my name, and loved my namesake – Miss Mellie from Gone With The Wind. I would like to be as sweet and innocent and kind and accepting as she was, but I’m afraid I’m a little more human than that.

How would I describe myself?

In no particular order, I am...

~A wife

~A Mother

~An Artist

~M.E./CFS and Dysautonomia sufferer

~A follower of Jesus

~An Author

~A book-aholic

~An art Collector

~A Tea-aholic and Reviewer

~Friendly… Spunky… and Fun-Loving!

Bill and I have been married since 1984. We have 3 grown children, each of whom have their own unique artistic talents.

I consider myself a self-taught artists, though I have taken workshops, and studied many art techniques through DVD's and online. My favorite workshop was with Ron Ranson, a well known watercolorist who incorporates impressionistic technique with asian technique.

I love to paint with watercolors. The movement and dance that occurs between the pigment and water along with the unpredictable results are fascinating to me. Every painting I sit down to do is an adventure!

I have titled my art shops and website “The Creators Palette”. My goal is to share my love for, and awe in, the creation of beauty. I feel the best art touches my heart and makes me “feel”. The feeling may be joyous, peaceful, or even sad (one of my favorite art pieces makes me cry). Most of all, I want to convey a feeling of wonder and draw the viewer closer to the creator of all beauty.

I have always been a creative person, but it wasn’t until fairly recently that I began to paint in watercolor and sell my art. I was a very active person most of my life and my artistic/creative outlets fell in areas like competitive diving and gymnastics, garden design and most recently, developing and teaching a preschool dance program at Vancouver’s Columbia Dance. I am a published author, and I have also been asked many times to speak at women’s retreats and conferences which I enjoy very much and put a lot of artistic effort into my presentations.

All of that changed in Dec. 2001. During our annual run of The Nutcracker ballet, I came down with a severe virus that has developed into M. E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). I also have Partial Dysautonomia which means my Autonomic Nervous system is damaged and causes something called POTS, and Gastroparesis (among many other bothersome symptoms).

By June of 2003 I was barely holding on, teaching dance from a chair. I knew then that I had to quit. Thankfully, a wonderful new teacher came along and the program that I had started has more than blossomed under her direction. But I was left unable to do anything I had been doing the past 15 years of my life!

Anxious that illness would not ruin my life, I began looking for things that I could spend my time doing. Being stuck most hours in a recliner is difficult, but I am thankful that it has brought me to a point of developing new artistic endeavors.

I remain a very friendly, yet spunky and a fun-loving person. Sometimes I feel like I am a butterfly all wrapped up in a cocoon – struggling to let my wings spread and fly! This is why, when my husband lost his parents, he spent a portion of the inheritance they left him, on a convertible Miata for me! It’s my “flying” time. When I can get out in it, my soul soars. I drive with the top down whenever possible – and have even driven through a sudden downpour (laughing all the way), and in light snow (it felt like I was skiing).

I have many places online that you can visit me.

~I have a shop on Etsy call “The Creators Palette”.

~I try to blog regularly - about life, art, books, tea and I even offer occasional giveaways. You can also subscribe to my BLOG and have it delivered directly to your email if you like!

~I have a WEBSITE where you can see and purchase my newest paintings, and you can also purchase prints, framed prints, canvas prints and notecards! Since my website is new, I’m offering 20% OFF to my first 10 customers! Use code XUUTHP at checkout.

I have a Facebook fan page, and invite you all to come and visit and “like” it.

I also use twitter and you can follow me if you like

Thank you for dropping by to meet me!

~Melanie

Color Merge ~ the art of Bernice Wagnitz

2011-07-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

Bernice - in her own words:

"I've worked with my hands all my life. I had to create something even if it didn't turn out the way I thought it should. I have discovered digital art and fell in love with this new medium of expression. My art is called Color Merge and is as bold as they come. The colors blending and melting into each other making a simple pasture into a fantasy world. I have three groups of Color Merge art, human, flowers, landscapes."

See more of Bernice's ART here:
BERNICE97

Become a fan on FACEBOOK

Purchase ART here at Digital Art by Bernice

~~~~

"Art is my passion..." ~ Darlene Howell

2011-06-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

Featured CAAT Artist:
DARLENE HOWELL

My name is Darlene Howell. I am married and have four children. I am for the most part a stay at home mother. I am a hairstylist as well but when I started having children I decided to stay at home with my children and I only do my family and friends hair now. I help children cross the street at the local school for an hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon, but other then that the only other income I have is from the sale of my art.

I am a self taught artist. I had a few basic art classes in highschool, but that is it as far as formal training. My family has always been creating something as far back as I can remember. I started fabric painting with my mother as a young child and also made beaded jewelry; mostly brick stitch jewelry, but other beaded jewelry as well. After I had my second child in 1995 I started teaching fabric painting as a hobby and I really loved it. Art is my passion I am always looking for something new to try. I love to paint animals on functional items. I paint on clothing [and objects]; shoes, hats, serving trays, vases, wallets, jewelry, you name it I have probably painted on it or will try. I also do love to create more "fine art" on canvas or paper. I found the great tiny little works of art called ACEO* on eBay in 2005 and fell in love because I do not have an art studio and do not have a lot of room for large paintings and ACEO's are perfect because they are small enough to put in albums. I also love to create scratchboards as well as make beaded jewelry.

*ACEO = art cards, editions, and originals; always 2.5" x 3.5"

I have two shops on Etsy one is for my more fine art and the other is for my functional and wearable art.

ARTBYDARLA on ETSY

http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbydarla

DARLASBEADS (on ETSY)

I also sell my items on eBay

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2011-06-14T10:04:00.000-07:00

Meet GENE FOUST

I am an impressionist artist and have been selling my original artwork online for several years. I became interested in art at a young age and received my BA from Truman University in 1990. I previously painted on commission before beginning my online art business. I favor landscape with the emphasis on color relationships. I value my customers and enjoy the opportunity to present a quality product to them. My work can be seen at www.foust.etsy.com

~Gene Foust

Find more of Gene's work on ETSY

...

Say hello to Flying Mule Studio

2011-03-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

Hello!

We're Jon & Sharon England of

Flying Mule Studio

We love vintage cameras, firmly believing film is not dead, and most of our Photography Art Prints are visual testimonies of the depth analogue has to offer. But, we do acknowledge that Digital has it's place and do offer Digital Prints as well. Although Jon prefers to leave that area to his wife as he stands firmly beside his trusty Zenit EM camera.

Sharon is an artist of all sorts. Painting, writing, sewing, sketching, and sculpting away in an effort to share the joy that bubbles up in her heart with the rest of mankind. She loves experimenting with new techniques and playing with colors and textures. So you just never know what whimsical pieces you'll find in their Shop.

Though we've been doing all the above for years, we've recently decided to join forces under the umbrella of the Flying Mule.

It's been nice sharing a bit about ourselves and we hope to see you sometime in the land of the Flying Mule...

Blog:

http://www.flyingmulestudio.blogspot.com/

Etsy Store:

http://www.whimsyartist.etsy.com/

Zazzle Store:

http://www.zazzle.com/whimsyartist

~~~~~~~~~

Beth S. Macre ~ Artist

2011-01-29T08:32:00.000-08:00

Beth S. Macre -- In first person:

I have been an artist for many years, but as an art teacher and mother, I have focused more on my own children and my student’s art than my own. When my oldest child moved off to college, I began to spend more and more time on my own art and looking for ways to sell some things online, to supplement college expenses.

Selling my art was a whole new thing for me. I have always created…drawings, paintings, bowls, clay boxes…selling a few things along the way. I didn’t have the time to travel to art shows and festivals while the kids were little. I didn’t have the option of internet sales until a few years ago, when we actually graduated from dial up to DSL! It was pretty good timing. My kids were going away to college soon and I needed 2 things: to sell some artwork to help with expenses, and a unique item to create and sell online. I got an idea for a textured tile from a project that I was doing with my High School Art students. I made some samples for them to watch me create, and to look at the finished product. So I decided to put one up on Ebay to see if it would sell and it did! So I put a few more tiles on there and they sold. I was pretty excited about selling to someone that I did not know! Eventually I ended up switching over to Etsy and started selling textured tiles. I made one with a dog by a dog house and posted a photo. That is when I got my first ‘request’ for a tile. A lady contacted me about ‘trading’ artwork. She liked my tiles and she had the idea to put her dogs by her house on a tile and I could pick out any painting in her shop as a trade! So I created a tile for her (see the picture included), and the custom house tiles were born in my shop! Oh and I still love the painting that I received from her, all the way from Canada!

Later I made some house shaped magnets for gifts. That led to the idea of having 3D mini houses. I love little hearts, so I put a little mini heart on each little house I create. I call them HeartHomes. I’ve made teeny mini HeartHomes up to very tall HeartHomes. Each house is one of a kind and made by me from the wet clay that is cut and shaped into the little houses with a roof, windows, doors, shutters, flower boxes, and other individual and unique details. I am also painting little HeartHome villages on canvases now for those customers who like 2D art.

Whimsical is a word that often used to describe my HeartHomes and my other clay items and paintings. I am having a great time creating these little sculptures and I am thrilled each time that someone wants to buy one and take it home with them.

In my original Etsy shop, bmacre.etsy.com, I mostly offer custom pen and ink illustrations of homes. I will also be adding more paintings and illustrations in the near future.

FIND BETH ON FACEBOOK

BETH'S BLOG

FIND BETH'S ART ON ETSY

Joyefulart !

2011-01-22T14:32:00.000-08:00

Joyefulart ~ portraits,
fine art prints,

and website design

by Joye Schwartz

ARTIST BIO

WEBSITE

BLOG

WEB DESIGN

Find "CAAT TEAM" artist JOYEFUL art on ETSY!

Look for Joye on FACEBOOK

Find all of Joye's Etsy art here

Joye is on TWITTER

~.~.~.~.~.~

Pascale Toussaint

2011-01-16T06:37:00.000-08:00

in first person...
PASCALE TOUSSAINT

Title: Window on Nature 2 11x14

I have always been interested in Art; always loved to draw and paint. Although my life experience has taken me elsewhere, art has always been on my mind.

In recent years, I have come back to my love of creating art and have discovered printmaking, in particular, paper lithography, screenprinting and linocut.

Title: Blue Stem on Green Decorative Paper 9x12

In my shop, I am offering prints and also some collage. I hope you will enjoy my artwork as much I have enjoyed creating them!

Title: Anytime Card Set Green Stem on Green and Brown Paper 5x7

My website

My Etsy Shop

FACEBOOK

2011-01-15T11:03:00.000-08:00

WELCOME (back) to CAAT

~2011~

com·ple·men·ta·ry/ˌkämpləˈment(ə)rē/Adjective
1. Completing; forming a complement.
2. (of two or more different things) Combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize each other's qualities.

CaaT - Complementary Art and Things is an older online group (originally born in an eBay chat group) which has since expanded to the to FACEBOOK and ETSY. Throughout the new year (2011) CaaT is being reborn and renewed as the group seeks new ideas, fresh encouragement, and more exposure.

The artists of CaaT are varied and gifted - and sell their creations online as well as in brick & mortar galleries all over the world. Primarily seen on etsy.com and eBay, CaaT artists gather to encourage and promote their art online.

If you are a self representing artist - who enjoys encouragement (giving as well as receiving) - and if you sell on etsy or ebay (or other online venues, including a personal website) we would be glad to have you in our CAAT TEAM family :)

Begin by joining* our FACEBOOK and/or the CAAT TEAM on etsy and share all your arty links so CaaT members can visit you and see your shop. Once accepted, please jump into the discussion forums as you are able - you will find all the neccesary CaaT info there :) ... Once a member of CaaT on facebook/etsy you can begin to use the group acronym and explanation (and optional banner) right away. As you see - we are already high in etsy searches at over 2000 arty items ~ ! (and growing with the new acronym CAAT TEAM).

*no spammers, adult-content, or hateful art admitted - abusers will be removed

Look for the art from CAAT artists here
ETSY

Gene Foust ~ the artist

2009-01-09T09:30:00.000-08:00

I am a Missouri artist who became interested in art at a young age, majored in art in college, and graduated from Truman State University in 1990 with a B A in art.

I painted commissioned artwork for a few years before recently deciding to sell my work online.

My work is featured at the following: http://www.foust.etsy.com/

~Gene

Stilosissima ~ full of style!

2008-11-15T05:45:00.000-08:00

Isabella ...

Stilosissima

I was born and raised in Italy, in the Venetian area. Being Italian, I've been surrounded by fashion and jewelry my all life and even though my background is about sciences, I found myself so passionate toward something artistic and very creative, that this now is my life, together with my beautiful daughter and my lovely husband.

I have been living in Southern California for about 9 years, and I love it. I am very busy with my jewelry company, my classes, and of course my family and my house; everything I do makes me happy. I am in love with creating my jewelry pieces and my ceramics and I feel very lucky that I can dedicate myself to my art and my family.

My art is varied. I am constantly taking classes to add more techniques and to explore the many possibilities of expressing myself in jewelry and ceramic too.

Stilosissima is a new hot Italian word used by the young generation, it means full of style.

The story behind the choice of this word is that one day I sent few pics about some of my work to my young sister in Italy and she answered me using this "new word".

I sure understood the meaning of it, but I never heard that word before. Anyway I loved that new expression so much that it became the name of my company!

~Isabella - Stilosissima

http://www.stilosissima.com/

http://www.stilosissima.etsy.com/

LAKE ERIE BEACH GLASS

2008-11-06T05:34:00.000-08:00

LEBG...

meet the extraordinary Jodie Pastor

in her own words

I am a wife, a mom, a homeschooler, a business owner, and artist all wrapped up in one.

Lake Erie Beach Glass is where I freely express my artistic side and my love for nature. The jewelry and art I create range from traditional and classical styles to one of a kind, unique, and sometimes "way out there" pieces of art.

My family has dubbed me the "moody maker" because my jewelry and art often reflect a mood or feeling that I am having. One day I sat down and decided to make romantic looking swirls for earwires while on another day I slow fired copper to give it a rose patina, work hardened it, and hammered it for a rougher look!

I grew up in the small town of Spencerville, Ohio and often spent summers on Lake Erie swimming, boating, and of course beachcombing. The draw to the water was always very strong for me and I’ve always found myself with my head down wandering the beaches looking for interesting finds.

It wasn’t until I met my husband Andrew that I started seriously collecting sea glass among other beach found materials. Andrew grew up in the town of Erie, Pennsylvania where we reside now. My family and I enjoy weekly visits to our local beaches where we collect sea glass, melted aluminum, drift wood pieces, stones, and what we like to call, "flotsem and jetsem". Flotsem and Jetsem is the trash that gets left behind carelessly that can hurt our beaches and water. We try to collect as much as possible when we are beachcombing to give a little back to that from which we take.

Together, my family and I make up Lake Erie Beach Glass. We have found everything from Native American trading beads to antique black marbles and fragments of vintage shipwreck lanterns. Part of the intrique of a sea glass hunt is trying to figure out what the pieces were and where they came from! I enjoy searching through antique dealers looking for examples of what a piece could be. I also spend much time researching online and in various libraries and historical societies to further enhance my knowledge of glass history.

I have been collecting glass for over 8 years now widening my area from the western part of Ohio, Pennsylvania and now to the shores of New York state. We have traveled as a family of six to the shores of the Pacific, the Chesapeake, and to the shores of the Atlantic. I’d love to make it to Puerto Rico some day!

My educational history is varied as I have studied fine arts classes at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio along with continued metalsmithing courses here in Erie, Pa and in Cleveland Oh. I am currently embarking on a quest to catalogue the unique colors and rarites of glass found within the confines of the shores of Great Lake Erie.

Lake Erie Beach Glass jewelry is displayed at Glass Grower’s Gallery and KADA Gallery in Erie, Pennsylvania and at Pure Art Gallery in the Cayman Islands. I am an active member of The North American Sea Glass Association (seaglassassociation.com) . I also have jewelry and art listed on eBay and Etsy under lakeeriebeachglass.

www.lakeeriebeachglass.etsy.com

Robin Leath

2008-09-11T07:31:00.000-07:00

I have the privelege of introducing you all to the gifted and incredibly warm artist ROBIN LEATH. Below I am copying a questionaire given to Robin by her son that gives you all a glimpse into her loving world and her beautiful art.

Enjoy,

katey~D, editor CAAT

http://www.blueyeduckstudios.blogspot.com/
http://www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com/

Hi Mom,

I have to write an artist bio for the Dayton Right to Life Viva program on you. What jobs in arts and crafts have you held (basket making, graphic design for church, etc.)?

1. I started as a teenager assisting our school district art teacher working with the elementary kids & I worked freelance drawing homes for a real estate company that used them to promote their listings.

2. I have always enjoyed teaching art to adults and children especially the homeschoolers!

3. After my youngest son started kindergarten I was offered the opportunity to make the baskets for Heart Warming Creations in London, Ohio - did that about 3 years...til I started having carpal tunnel problems.

4. Working at the churches I did all of the desk top publishing - brochures, bulletins etc, the PowerPoint presentations and Web Page design & publishing.

What age did you get really involve with your art?

Coloring books and paint boxes were always my favorite toys....by age 10 my teachers and family considered me the little artist.

What types of arts and crafts have you dabbled in?

I think I've tried everything but mostly enjoy pencil drawing, watercolor, acrylics, paper arts, doll making, wood carving, chair caning, basket weaving, glass fusing, & now, pottery

What types of your works have you sold?

I have sold original watercolors & acrylic paintings (nationally & internationally - thanks to Ebay!). I made & sold (over two thousand) hand made baskets to Heart Warming Creations.

Where do you see yourself going with your works in the future (selling, keeping as a hobby, contact works, etc.).

This is the way God made me and even at age 52 I'll never tire of learning new things or trying to improve what I'm already doing but whatever opportunities or challenges God sees fit to offer me I will be happy to take on!

~Robin in first person ~

Name: Robin Leath
Born: 9/8/55
Married 10/6/73 to Bill
We are the proud parents of two children, Kristi and Josh, both who are married and a beautiful 2 yr. old granddaughter, Allie.

I was a stay home mom and later after the kids graduated high school I happily worked at a couple different churches as an administrative assistant and media secretary but after 5 or 6 years I began to miss home and hobbies so now I am full time creating and enjoying my art. My husband's company closed up last fall so I am blessed to have him at home with me everyday as we adjust to our "empty nest" stage of life. My husband loves carpentry, gardening and yard work so with our combined interests we have been very busy this summer working on a number of projects:

The "yard art" is so much fun! I have been making fused glass windchimes and covering bowling balls and patio stones with glass and mosaic tile. I just finished up these two stepping stones this week. They are gifts for my son's anniversary and sister who is coming for a visit from Atlanta:

I've also been melting glass. My son needs 65 pendants for the Right To Life fundraiser this fall (he is the Public Relations person) so I am busy cutting and stacking glass to the make the cabs and making choker cords for all of them:

This is the painting I did for the Right to Life Fundraiser featuring Laura Ingraham. This was used for the stationary, invitations, posters and magnets. Laura will sign it and it will end up being sold at the fundraiser's auction.

I've been very excited about my new potter's wheel! I've been watching YouTubes at night that demonstrate how to throw pots...(Simon Leach's are the best) and spend hours and hours during the week practicing. Here are the tiny little pots I've come up with so far - oh, also I bought a OLD USED ceramic kiln at a yard sale a few weeks ago and took it the Vulcan Kiln manufacturer in Dayton, Ohio to get it all fixed up and will pick it up this week! WOOHOO!!!

I'm still painting ACEO's (2.5" x 3.5" format) to sell on Ebay:

I mentioned in the questionaire for my son that I was a basket weaver. I will still sit down at Christmas or special occasions and weave a few for gifts. Here is a picture of the lot I made last Christmas:

This is my studio....believe it or not I just "cleaned" earlier this week.

~Robin

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZleath

RIGHT TO LIFE CHARITY OPPORTUNITY
http://www.daytonlife.org/

I would like to spread the word that if there is anyone out there that has a "miracle birth" story, theirs or somebody they know, Dayton Right to Life is currently looking for their true life stories and as a charitible donation these individuals may submit their story and a piece of their own original art to be auctioned at the charity auction the night of the Laura Ingraham fundraiser. Please contact me a rrleath@woh.rr.com for more details and the address to send their contribution. THANK YOU!!!

Pamela E. Miller ~ in first person

2008-07-06T13:00:00.000-07:00

Pamela E. Miller
Contemporary Art

About Me:

“By cultivating the beautiful we scatter the seeds of heavenly flowers, as by doing good we cultivate those that belong to humanity” ~Robert Heinlein

These are just a few words that I like to live by.
I feel that creating art is a way of sharing your soul with others.
As you will see in my artwork: sometimes I am very flamboyant and always colorful, sometimes confidant and peaceful, other times angry or chaotic.
I think all of my emotions; passions come out in my works.
Sometimes I layer it on thick (paint and words) and other times I flirt with the canvas with light feathery strokes.
My art reflects my beliefs in love, warmth, generosity, loyalty, and honesty.
I’m inspired by science, fantasy, martial arts, architecture, and nature (especially water).

Education~
Maryland Institute of Art- Summer School
Howard Community College-Liberal Arts
Capital College-Computer Engineering

Exhibitions~
DMG Artwork– Annapolis, MD “Let it Snow!” Dec 2006
Capital Arts Network Dec “125 Show” Nov 2005 & 2006
DMG Artwork- Annapolis, MD “Enter the World of Abstracts” Oct 2006
DMG Artwork– Marley Station Mall, MD “Paintings by Pam” May 2006
DMG Artwork– Marley Station Mall, MD “Kung Foo Circles” February 2006

Corporate Collections~
Days Inn-Annapolis, MD 80 “Volvo Boats in Annapolis” Prints

Gallery Representation~
DMG Artworks– Annapolis MD
Chesapeake Gallery– Prince Frederick, MD
The Gibraltar Gallery-Little Rock AL
Tutti Fruiti’s French Market- Fairhope AL

Awards~
Artist of the Year (Arts and Entertainment)- H.H.S. 1985
2nd Place: African Americans in Science and Technology Poster Contest 1985
Honorable Mention- H.H.S. 1984
Ebay Art Group-Summer Art Contest Winner 2006
Artwanted.com– 2007 Landscapes/Outdoor Calendar
Artists Spotlight Interview-Creative Spotlight -August 2006

Blog: pmillerabstractart.blogspot.com
Ebay Store: http://stores.ebay.com/P-Miller-Contemporary-Abstract-Art
Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=57441 or allyon67.etsy.com

Easing into green - zJayne's wonderful world of upcycling

2008-06-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

Secret Garden Altered Art Assemblage ~ Approx. 7.5" x 3.5"

How I Found My Niche ...

If you would have told me a couple or so years ago that at the age of 50 I'd be writing this short article on how I found my niche, I would have just tsk tsk'ed and considered it wishful thinking.

Alas, I think it's happened. Why am I saying 'I think' when I should know? Well, that's because if there's one thing I've noticed a lot in the art community, it's the 'never quite sure' status of our psyche. With that said, I now share with you that I am blessed to have found my niche in art.

I guess I'm a closet recycler and find it hard to toss a piece of metal away that might have another use. Thrifting was becoming a hobby for me, and my favorite finds were vintage belts, purses, and fun tshirts. So when I took a buckle from a vintage belt and collaged a face under it, then cut a piece of soft leather to fit here and a broken piece of earring to fit there, the next thing I knew I was creating Altered Art Dolls. I like knowing that what I am doing has a name, so I found myself at the library looking for words for my art form. That's how I found Altered, Assemblage, and Mixed Media. These were words I was not familiar with, yet I felt like another person was making these dolls and I really liked that other person. It was me, but I was making excuses to those around me for how my art dolls kind of fell together. I was apologizing for my art. Imagine that? I can't believe it myself, but I worked on that behavior, and I've grown in my art and am proud to share.

Madonna Noire Altered Art Assemblage

Often, growing up, my friends would call me artsy, and I found myself always wanting to explain to them why. It was a way to justify why my brain works like it does, yet can you ever explain that to another living soul. My dolls come together in a way that works for me. Often I will not know what my intentions will be until I put on some favorite music and start setting my jewelry pieces before me this way and that. My children, who are grown now, always called my music "cleaning music" because I'd get into this mode where I could get something done. I clean much less now and create much more. Music and art make a difference for me on a daily basis.

Having a niche takes away the wondering if I am an artist or not. Often it's not about what I know, it's about how I feel after a piece of art is made and I'm sharing it with others. I do remember wanting to find my own niche. Pretty much all my life I wanted something that made a difference. Art and the wonderful art friends I've crossed paths with make a difference.

I like to call my dolls "Little Things" with this definition:

"No two dolls can ever be identical; each doll has been exquisitely designed and presented for enjoyment, conversation and the unique ability to take a shot at making a difference. Treat yourself to the experience of owning something you like but may not have a reason for… it's surprising how empowering little things can be."

Little things can last a lifetime.

~Jayne Pierce

aka zJayne

http://zjayne.googlepages.com/ or http://www.zjayne.etsy.com/

"Capricorn" ~ Copper ACEO Art Card

Amazingly useful wristlet(s) bag/purse and for storage ~ Sizes vary.

Approx. 5/6/7” by 7/8/9” …or smaller or larger (need an exact, just ask)

_______________________________

zJayne’s tShirt Market Bags

So Fun, So Easy to Use, So affordable – Make a Difference

::Upcycle::Recycle::Reclaim::Repurpose::

________________________

"Paper or Plastic No Thank You"

Paper or Plastic? How about neither.

It takes as much petroleum to make 14 plastic bags as it does to drive a car one mile.

Helpful answers to questions you might have:

Q: Do you make the bags from t-shirts or t-shirt material?

A: *All my bags are made from reclaimed tshirts. Even the pouches/wristlets are made from the sleeves of the tshirts cut for the market bags.

Q: If someone purchases a bag, do they choose what the front says?

A: *Yes they can, I have a list of bags that I try to keep current. I keep it on my Profile but it’s always good to pick an extra or two, just in case (or I can pick for you too, just let me know). Sometimes in a ONE bag listing, I will feature a rare, unique, fun bag and the listing says you can choose this bag or another from a current list.

Q: Why are there differences in bag prices?

A: *One bag is $5, Two bags $9, Three bags $12, Six bags for $24 w/low ship price and so forth. Pick the listing for the number of bags you want (ONE, TWO, THREE, SIX, THIRTEEN or TWENTY-SIX)…the more you buy, the better the cost. Not because any one bag is worth more than another…it’s the quantity that lowers the price. Even a ‘featured’ bag can be chosen in a multiple listing, if it’s requested and available.

It's always MAY

2008-03-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

I'm May Terry. I'm 56 and live in Portland, Connecticut with my life partner John and three wonderful kitties.

I started working with the visual arts in 2005, and found myself increasingly drawn to digital collage and image manipulation.

While I enjoy working with many different media, digital work allows me a broad outlet for my imagination.

I love to blog, and put a lot of my art up there.

My listings can be found on etsy and on eBay

Stop by my blog and say hello!

(c) 2008 May Terry

SouthShoreArtist

2008-03-26T15:28:00.001-07:00

I am Leola Walker. I am 54 and retired. I live in a resort community in Saskatchewan with my husband and two cats.

I started painting a few years ago. I painted on anything I could get my hands on…cement, wood, canvas. You name it, I painted on it.

By chance I learned of Artist Trading Cards (ATC) and mail art. Soon I had collected well over 400 cards. (I'm still collecting). I soon branched out to ACEO's (art cards, editions, originals - the same as ATC’s only ACEO’s are sold rather than traded. Both are always 2.5” x 3.5”) and miniatures (small format art).

Painting in miniature is a passion with me.

I use mainly acrylics, but have dabbled in oils and pencil. I am known mainly for my "element" paintings because of my love for the ever the changing western sky.

You will find me on ebay and on etsy when you search for Southshoreartist.

southshoreartist on ETSY

~

southshoreartist’s BLOG

~

southshoresartist on eBay

and

Living Sky Art Print Emporium
on CafePress

Robert Sloan ~ meet the artist

2008-03-25T16:29:00.000-07:00

Covered Bridge ~ original ACEO art 2.5" x 3.5"

Robert's ART on ETSY

Robert A. Sloan, 54, is a disabled science fiction writer and ACEO artist and collector.

He lives in Lawrence, Kansas with his daughter, son-in-law, two toddler grandchildren, their Siberian Husky, Zoe, and his devoted Siamese Samurai, Ari~Cat.

Robert paints, draws, scratches, and creates ACEO's (art cards, editions, originals: always measuring 2.5" x 3.5") in most fine art mediums out there.

He is currently working on a series of oil ACEO's on canvas boards and masonite panels.

You will find more art and writing from Robert by visiting him on...

eBay , DeviantArt , and LiveJournal.

CaaT on ETSY - WELCOME REFUGEES

2008-03-12T06:45:00.000-07:00

~ Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ~

We got somethin' we both know it ~ We don't talk too much about it ~ Yeah it ain't no real big secret all the same ~ Somehow we get around it ~ Listen, it don't really matter to me baby ~ You believe what you want to believe ~ You see you don't have to live like a refugee ~ Somewhere, somehow somebody Must have kicked you around some ~ Tell me why you wanna lay there And revel in your abandon ~ Listen it don't make no difference to me baby ~ Everybody's had to fight to be free ~ You see you don't have to live like a refugee ~ Now baby you don't have to live like a refugee ~ Baby we ain't the first I'm sure a lot of other lover's been burned ~ Right now this seems real to you ~ But it's one of those things ~ You gotta feel to be true ~ Somewhere, somehow somebody Must have kicked you around some ~ Who knows, maybe you were kidnapped Tied up, taken away and held for ransom ~ It don't really matter to me ~ Everybody's had to fight to be free ~ You see you don't have to live like a refugee ~ I said you don't have to live like a refugee

Welcome To CaaT ~ Complementary Art and Things

CaaT was founded in 2005 by Blueyeduckstudios for artists on eBay in the form of an eBay discussion board. With all the recent fee and feedback changes imposed by eBay, many art sellers have fled to other selling venues to broaden their selling horizons. Dozens of CaaT members have expanded their vision, blueyeduckstudios included, to sell primarily on the HANDMADE venue of Etsy.com.

This blog is a gathering place for CaaT artists and the blogging community - to exchange encouragement and commentary. We will discuss our showcased art found on both ETSY and eBay - as well as on other venues. CaaT artists no longer need to feel like eBay refugees - scattered all over, alone ... we are a community no matter where we offer our art.

~~~~~~~~

CaaT ~COMPLEMENTARY ART & THINGS ~ is a fabulous place to talk about your art, your website, your ETSY shop, your eBay auctions, ETC! We are simply a gathering of friends and artists (with art of all sizes, styles, and mediums) discussing and promoting one another's art and/or other arty items.

We hope to COMPLEMENT one another in the creating process as well as help to make our fellow artist/seller find a completeness in her/his ART by way of fresh ideas, reviews, encouragement and brainstorming! Our arms are open to the art collecting community - to exchange meaningful dialogue as we showcase or wares and delight one another with our fabulous creations.

We are so much more than "just another group". We support and encourage the ARTIST - we promote the spirit of the Artist along with his/her art! We have a SUCCESSFUL group acronym (exclusive to CaaT members) for seekers to use to find our fabulous ART on eBay - which is now expanding to ETSY.

We welcome comments and discussion from buyers and the blogging community as we showcase our art here.

Joy in the journey,

katey-D / blueyeduckstudios (on etsy and eBay)

CaaT Founder