The Pink Palace ~ Birdhouse Blinging with Beth & Karla

Here's my "Pink Palace". I bought 2 bird houses to paint quite a few years back. I started painting them & hated it. So, they sat for awhile (years). When I started blogging, I got back into collaging & found one of the old bird houses. It was still ugly & really dusty. It had moved maybe 5 times with us. She survived a few stints in storage & I thought it was time to rehab.

She got a generous coating of gesso then lots of pink acrylic in different shades. After that, I went crazy; scrapbook paper, rub-ons, rubber stamps, German scrap, & a cute pink bird I bought from a clearance bin. Of course, at the time I had NO idea what I was going to do with it. I seem to do that with good buys all the time.

These pics aren't the best & I couldn't take any new ones. I don't know where the poor palace is. It's still packed somewhere from our move. We just decided not to unpack everything since we knew we were moving again this summer. I took these before I started experimenting with taking pictures. I'm not any sort of expert now, but I don't take crappy ones like these anymore.

Go visit Beth & Karla to see our birdhouse hostesses & visit the flickr group.
Brandon wanted to join in on this one too. Here's a few shots of him painting his own. He borrowed one of my shirts for painting & it looked like a dress. He got the second of the ugly needed to be rehabbed houses.

RAK from the Wonderful Mary Ann

Look at this bunch of coolness I received in the mail. Mary Ann offered to send me some jewelry pieces for me to re-purpose, as she was destashing. I'm so darn excited. I don't know what to work on first. I've blogged about this before, but if you visit her other blog, Indie-Pendence, you can sign up to win some cool stuff. She uses this blog to feature indie artists. There's a few more days to sign up for the March giveaway.

This next set of goodies are some vintage MOP & Bakelite belt buckles. I won them on Ebay. It was the very first time I bid on something. It was kinda fun & nerve wracking watching the minutes tick by. They are really beautiful & in such good condition.

This last bunch is from my first flea market to go jewelry junking. I got all this junk for $25. I even tried to bargain & get her down to $20 because that's all the cash I had on me. She had a $20 bag, but of course I wanted THIS bag. She took a $5 check from me. There are a lot of fixer-uppers & broken parts, but there wasn't too much ickmo junk. Brandon really is my son. He saw the bag & asked what was in there. I replied "Junk". He then asked if all the junk was for me. I offered to share with him & asked what he was going to do with his junk. He said he would use some in his cities he builds & some for his artwork. I just love that he's so creative.

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 19

I'm here for day 19. I feel like I'm trying to get back up on the horse again. This is my royal dew drops bracelet. I love how this came together. When I make jewelry sometimes it begins with a really clear idea of what I'm going to do. This one took quite a bit of time. I started experimenting with the dangles. I wrapped some coral colored Czech beads around the carved coral flower. The radku flower bead has a bead cap on each end & hangs from a multi-colored Czech crystal. With the crown charm, I added a red rhinestone. The last dangle is a Czech rondelle, Bali spacer & turquoise heshi.

When I began constructing the bracelet, I began with the teardrop beads. I love how these hang. I added some contrasting Czech firepolish beads & twisted the 3 strands together.
I haven't listed this on Etsy yet. I hope to do it either Thursday or Friday. We're traveling again to see family for Easter. My hubby's been out of town so the kids & I are excited to see him.

Feelin' the Love

I met Mary Ann from OWOH. I was instantly hooked on her blog. Mary Ann tells it like it is, she has enough wit to keep you laughing for hours, she's ultra creative & she is one giving blogger. Every Friday she hosts Freebie Friday where out of the kindness of her heart she gives away some cool stuff. She's been destashing, so go take a visit.

Mary Ann also runs another blog, Indie-Pendance. I am so lucky to be a featured artist. Through out the month independant artists are featured. Go take a look at the eye candy & make a comment. One commenter is selected to win a goodie bag filled with handmade items. If you're interested in donating, here's the link.

OWOH has served it purpose in finding such great blog friends. Thank you to LisaOceandreamer & Mary Ann I heart you!

What I've Been Up To: 21 Day Challenge ~ Day 18

This flu/crud/snot factory in me took me down for almost 2 weeks. I have so much catch up to do. I have lots of thank yous & news to share.

I feel like I've abandoned my 21 Day Challenge. I was feeling so bad, that I didn't even want the computer some days. I kinda felt guilty not even checking up on everyone. I'm committing myself to doing this again. I do need to take some advice I give my 4 year old. I tell him artwork is to relax & enjoy. I really shouldn't associate guilt with it. This quote is perfect for me today. I've saved all of Rhonna's digital artwork & quotes. They are inspiring in itself & I can't wait to do something with them. I may put them on my inspiration wall that I dream about or in my altered journal I plan on making.

Here's my artwork for today. This bracelet is called ice & I made it for Brandon's school. His class is in charge of a beauty basket for the scholarship dinner & auction. I think I'm going to make a collaged crown also, but I'm sure some people would be like "What's this for?" This is not normally a color scheme I would do, definitely out of my norm, but what is my norm anyways? This bracelet is made of Czech firepolished crystals, Swarovski crystals & a stunning focal slider bead with crystals & faux leather. The elements all kind of found each other.

I need to go to bed. I'll post more tomorrow on an award I was given, a swap I participated in, another swap I just joined in & a wonderful feature on another blog.

One Lucky Gal

Thanks Angela! I received her beautiful pictures from the OWOH giveaway. They are photos she took in the Jacksonville beach area. I used to live in Florida, so this is quite a treat for me. This is just a sampling of them. I'm only half way through scanning them. I'll put what I have so far on my Flickr album. I'm planning on displaying them in my art room. I may mat them & hang them on the wall. No telling when I may get my inspiration board up :)

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 7

I am officially behind. I'm still under the weather. I feel like I'm getting better, then I get knocked back down. I added the bracelet from day 6 to Etsy today. Here's the listing. I love the quote for today. It reminds me of my kids :)

Today I started editing the photos for my Florida necklace. This one is a stunner. It took me a couple of nights to finish it & that's kinda rare of me. I'm an instant gratification type of gal. Each bead is wire wrapped to the next. The necklace measures 60" & has a beautiful dyed agate slice as the focal pendant. I just love this piece. It holds a special place in my heart. It was one of the pieces I worked on in Florida while my husband was deployed overseas. I sure hope I get over this sooner rather than later.
The weather has been nicer here & I'm dying to get the kids out. Brandon has been hard at work to complete his blinged out birdhouse. We're both participating in Karla & Beth's Bling Your Birdhouse Event.

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 6

Hi everyone! I'm barely getting this post up. I have something that has really kicked my a**. I knew I was sick when I fell asleep last night around 8PM & missed the final episode of Project Runway. Thank goodness Bravo runs episodes a million times.

I haven't posted my jewelry in the Etsy store yet, but I've started editing the photos & here they are. I hope I'm feeling better tomorrow. I hope everyone is enjoying their 21 Day challenge. Here's the link to day 6.

My kids are not enjoying mom telling them they have to wait for dad to come home. Before I was on the way downhill yesterday, the boys & I went to play at the park.

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 5

Well, here we are at day 5. Here's the link for the challenge & the link for the message board. I really believe this quote. I've wanted to start a jewelry business for so long. I'm one of those perfectionist types & nothing was perfect. I had to have everything done before I could start my business. Everything changed when I became a stay at home mom. I thought this was the time to do it. The ironic thing was my calendar was more jam packed than when I was working. After some trial & error & the help of my life coach, Anna Harding, I finally took the plunge. I still have a lot to learn after my first year, but I am so much more confident as an artist & presenting my work.

Here is today's piece: Go LSU. No I'm not a Louisiana State grad; I'm a proud Florida State grad. This one is in homage to my cousin. (Thanks Trell) As you can see I got a little crazy with the pictures for this one. Woo hoo! Here's the link for today's listing. I have 10 pieces listed in my store. Thanks Rhonna for this challenge. It's making it easy for me to make it happen.

Here's one for all the SAHM/WAHM. I got this in my email today from my cousin Trellee who inspired the piece I listed above. My sister & I were just talking about this. Read on; I got a chuckle out of this one :)

OH MAN I'M TIRED!

A man was sick and tired of going to work every day while his wife stayed Home. He wanted her to see what he went through so he prayed:

'Dear Lord: I go to work every day and put in 8 hours while my wife merely stays at home. I want her to know what I go through, so please allow her body to switch with mine for a day. Amen.'

God, in his infinite wisdom, granted the man's wish.

The next morning, sure enough, the man awoke as a woman. - he arose, cooked breakfast for his mate, awakened the kids, set out their school clothes, fed them breakfast, packed their lunches, drove them to school, came home and picked up the dry cleaning, took it to the cleaners and stopped at the bank to make a deposit, went grocery shopping, then drove home to put away the groceries, paid the bills and balanced the check book.

He cleaned the cat's litter box and bathed the dog. Then it was already 1 P.M. And he hurried to make the beds, do the laundry, vacuum, dust, and sweep and mop the kitchen floor. Ran to the school to pick up the kids and got into an argument with them on the way home.

Set out milk and cookies and got the kids organized to do their homework, then set up the ironing board and watched TV while he did the ironing.

At 4:30 he began peeling potatoes and washing vegetables for salad, breaded the pork chops and snapped fresh beans for supper. After supper, he cleaned the kitchen, ran the dishwasher, folded laundry, bathed the kids, and put them to bed.

At 9 P.M. He was exhausted and, though his daily chores weren't finished, he went to bed where he was expected to make love, which he managed to get through without complaint.

The next morning, he awoke and immediately knelt by the bed and said:
'Lord, I don't know what I was thinking. I was so wrong to envy my wife's being able to stay home all day. Please, oh! Oh! Please, let us trade back.'

The Lord, in his infinite wisdom, replied: 'My son, I feel you have learned your
lesson and I will be happy to change things back to the way they were. You'll just have to wait nine months though. You got pregnant last night.'

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 4

Today I added my Lilac in Spring bracelet. It was a blistering 71 here in Dover yesterday. Today is more of the same.
I added this bracelet to my Etsy store today & here's the link. It's part of my Chunky Funky bracelet line. I started making these last summer & I haven't stopped. All the bracelets are one of a kind & full of lots of elements. They are very eclectic. The designs are asymmetrical & random. I always throw in 2-3 larger elements & design around them.

Here is the packaging I did for the special order for my sister's friends in Tampa. I've been playing with packaging & trying to find my style & look. What do you think?

This challenge is so much fun. Go over to the Two Peas message board & take a look around. It's fun to look at everyone's layouts. I don't really scrapbook although I should. Here's the link for Rhonna's day 4. You can download the quote & artwork above. Rhonna also linked to this wonderful blog: Desire to Inspire. WOW, total eye candy.

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 3

I am so super excited about this challenge. I ADORE Rhonna Farrer. She designs with the icons I love, swirlies, crowns, winged things. Her color combos are wonderful & I just love all her fonts. She is hosting a 21 Day Challenge over at the Two Peas message boards. It takes 21 days to make a habit, hence the 21 day challenge. It's day 3 today, so I'm jumping right in. Rhonna is supplying us with wonderful artwork & a quote for each day.

I thought about what I wanted to do creatively to work on my business goals. One of the big ones is to get my Etsy store stocked. I have more than enough goods & photographs to do this for 21 days. I planned to do this in an altered composition book I use to take notes for business, but I decided to do it on the computer. I can just cut & paste the info. I can print them up & use them as product sheets in my portfolio. Not as pretty as the journal I planned to make, but much more efficient in obtaining my goal. I plan to edit my photos, write the copy describing the piece & dump it all into a Word doc. I enjoy writing the copy & coming up with names for each piece. I have a bit of a sarcastic streak in me & I love for my personality to come out in my copy.

Here's the link to my new necklace I posted at my Etsy store. Yea, 1 item listed.

It's funny how this energizes me. My work area has been a disaster since the Christmas holidays & I'm so ready to clear it out. I'm currently making artwork in the kitchen office, my bedroom, & my craft room. It's driving me crazy looking for glue, cutting implements, my brain in all 3 places. I also completed some special orders this weekend that I needed to finish up. I did all this & still managed to do housework.

Moroccan Nights Necklace

I finally found some time to finish this necklace & I LOVE it. I don't normally do 3 color combos. All these colors & components work well together. It's made of Czech firepolish crystals, hexagonal turquoise beads & coral chips. The pendant is a double slider bead. I threaded the necklace through the top set of holes & 2 Swarovski crystals through the bottom. I just need to find time to list some stuff on Etsy. My store is kinda bare!

Art Award + a Spotlight Feature ... Thank You

Thank you Julie of Fabulous Finds Studio bestowing upon me an Art Award. It's nice to know that your art & words touch others. Julie, you do the same for me :) We met on Etsy; we bought the same checkbook cover (isn't she cute?) Julie's work is amazing & I just love reading her blog. Thanks so much for the award. I'm so glad to have "met" you!

I thought I'd do something different in passing the award to other bloggers. I found so many new artists during OWOH. There are sooo many amazing ones out there. Here are a few new ones I stalk :) I totally heart these gals!

A Fanciful Twist: Vanessa does the most amazing work. She is so generous with it, too. She has shared Valentines, St Patty's day cards, & a rockin' Shamrock pin tutorial.

A Very Mary Design: Witty, creative & Freebie Fridays... What else could you ask for?

Figments of Cindy's Imagination: She makes some COOL flower pendants. Really got the gears going in my head & the inspiration just came out.

Mosaic Cottage: Michelle's work is incredible. I LOVE the sweet cupcakes. She's got pink hair, too :)

Something Sublime: Deryn makes the jewlery I dream of making. She just got published in Belle Armoire Jewelry 3. I could just go on & on & on...

On another note, I've been featured on someone else's blog. It was such a nice surprise for me. It actually made my day when I found it. Again, it's really nice to have someone recognize your work. Katelyn of Stampin Mad (cute blog name!) featured me & my pink palace on the Wednesday Spotlight. Thanks so much! It's a fun blog with lots of links for inspiration & ideas.

I'm holding off on posting my pink palace for Beth & Karla's Bling Your Birdhouse day :) Karla was sweet enough to give a tutorial with some tips & ideas. Go take a look at their blogs for all the details & the sweetest blog button.