Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Just taking a quick minute before all the gobble-gobble madness starts to wish my readers a Happy Thanksgiving and a beautiful start to the Xmas season. Who's putting up their Xmas trees tonite? :)

Today, I'm thankful for my awesome and hilarious husband, my pain-in-the-butt cat, my mom and brother and those friends who stand beside me every day. I couldn't wish for a better gang of people to surround myself with.

Off to turkey races!

Everyday I'm Hustlin...

I didn't have anything on my 2011 Xmas production schedule for today so I was just going to take it easy and watch some tube with the hubby. Then I said to myself, "Oh, you can probably crank out some Xmas cards tonite in a few hours." And that's what I did!

Handmade felt trees with paper, foil, metal brad and button decorations.

Needlefelting is so fun! I came up with this idea a few years ago when I first got into needlefelting and I've used it occasionally to give cards at Xmas. Looking forward to debuting these babies at market!

Hot off the Creation Station!

Here's one of the drawings I made tonite:

"Macabre"

Marker & Ink on Bristol

3.5"x5.5"

I've got 14 more in that style. Check out my Flickr because I uploaded all of them. Now I have to decide on how I'm going to package them for market. Eep!

not enough time in the day, not enough sleep in the nite

Another nite I'm up and raring to go but I'm being smart and trying to get some rest. I laid in bed for about 2 hours before I got up to submit some paperwork and tweak the Etsy shop. I finished a ton of stuff in the last 24 hours and I have the blisters on my hands to prove it!

Here are some non-excellent photos of what I've been working on:

xmas-themed wooden spool dolls fully outfitted

bottle cap earrings

embellished photo frames

nifty, huh? and the mad dash towards holiday market continues!

time crunches me

I sent off an email late last nite inquiring about a spot at a craft fair on December 3. I hope I can get in, it's a pretty popular event. I also found out about Second Saturday Craftacular. If I can swing all the making I have planned for myself, I should have enough stuff to vend there. If not next month, then maybe January.

So exciting! I went through all my craft stuff last nite and got so excited about the possibilities. I didn't go to bed until almost 2am and then I was just laying there thinking and thinking. I'm so glad I'm a creative person. Life would be so boring without craft adventures.

I'm actually going to try my hand at inspired jewelry as well as my usual prints and paintings and dolls. I raided the Bead Society's Bead & Jewelry Market last week so I have lots of fun stuff to work with. In the meantime, I have fun music on the stereo, delicious incense burning and the house all to myself!

i forgot the 5th of november

so yesterday was my main job's big fundraising gala and 30th annniversary celebration. i was so wrapped up in tissue paper, glitter and tablescapes, i forgot to remember, remember, the 5th of november! i'm so sorry, guy fawkes!

i've also been busy preparing for several holiday art shows. i had an opening reception at a local gallery last friday and the closing reception is this coming friday. december has two, possibly three shows for me. i'm looking into acquiring a display system. i have no idea where i'll keep it since my studio is busting beyond busting between art supplies, auction items and clothes. ugh.

i'll be revamping my website in the next few weeks as i get more shows and exposure. i usually go all out on my websites which is why i use this blog as my main site now. i really wear myself out with all the html drama. hoo wee, chere.

october, october

i'm actually using my laptop at work today. i also brought three goblin dolls i've been slaving over for weeks for a class project. i think i finally hit my stride on this project last nite. i was totally in the zone! however, they are due bright and early on monday morning. that's the way it always goes, isn't it?

i wanted to post a process post after i'd finished them, but they've been so ugly for so long, i just couldn't bring myself to do it. i have still taken photos here and there throughout the process so maybe when they are finally born and totally beautiful and spooky, i'll post all that drama.

these goblins are really getting me in the mood for halloween, especially with the cool weather that came to houston a few days ago. mmm hmm. somebody needs to get herself a pumpkin or two!

it's been a while, my friends...

so...i got married, moved in with my husband, finished spring semester, started fall semester and i'm picking up my G&A blogging and facebooking. i'm determined not to slack any more. i made a ton of bracelets, necklaces and earrings today to list on etsy.

here's some samples of one style of necklace:

i had a ton of fun making these. my husband called all my hammering "the foundry." he's ridiculous. the process was hilarious. i can't wait to stock up on more metal blanks to hammer more things out!

The Beginning of a Very Long Day

Which actually began yesterday about 2pm when I finally got out of bed. Of course, I was on the borderline of being late for something, so I ran out the door and was gone til about sunset.

I worked all evening and part of the early morning on a project for school which I dubbed "Operation: Elsa!" I didn't quite finish it as some parts too much longer than expected, but I will post pix as soon as I do. When I finally went to bed, my stomach was putting up a fight so, after about an hour, I got up and started cleaning my studio. I also finally set up the massive canvas that I'm donating to a charity art auction on Wednesday. I did a rough sketch of what I want to paint. Now, to paint!

It will probably take me all nite and then I'll be going on two nites with no sleep. *sigh* Such is the life of a busy girl!

T Minus Forever!

I've been working up a storm at school, planning a wedding on a shoestring, still working at my job and getting ready to move. To say that I am stressed is an understatement. However, my loving fiance is helping keep my blood pressure down through his calming influence. Tonite, I placed the order for his custom wedding jacket. And I sent my attendants emails regarding their attire. Need to place orders soon!

My final projects for school are massive but attainable and definitely a challenge to my time-management skills as well as my technical skills. On top of these things, which are all due within the next two weeks, I signed myself up to paint a 4'x5' canvas for the Young Texans Against Cancer "Kiss My Grits" Gulf Coast Throwdown Art Auction. Say THAT five times fast. I'm surprised I remembered it all. I have to have that behemoth canvas ready by next Wednesday morning. The subject is the Texas state flag. Since my sanity is flagging, I'm pretty much going in with all guns blazing.

All this and I'm happier than I've ever been. Art, not blood, is pumping through my veins with a good helping of Love and Good Will. I just updated this blog with a new Artist Bio, Statement and CV as well as added a sample of my art in anticipation of "Kiss My Grits" traffic.

Currently Listening to: The Decemberists - "Down By the Water"

Zero to a Million in Five Seconds

I am so glad I did nothing over Spring Break and got lots of rest. This week is jammed packed with school projects and art activities. I got my roots bleached on Saturday and I haven't even been able to apply my color, I've been so busy. So I'm stuck hiding my white/green hair under a hat all week.

Today I have a time management workshop here at the University, my Artist's Way Meetup and a visit to my friend at her tattoo appointment because it's her birthday. She's having a sushi party before the tattoo sesh but I can't make it. I love sushi so much.

I am entering the final 6 weeks of the spring semester. It's only gonna get crazier from here on out. I better fasten my seat belt!

Yay New Materials!

I was able to find some of the materials in my new mixed media book. I even found a black velvet remnant at Joann. I think I have just about everything else.

It's just a matter of starting...which is where I get stuck. I never start or I never finish. Conquering procrastination & poor time management are two of my artistic goals this year.

Onward, ho!

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Books, How I Love Thee

I love books! I owns hundreds of books. Mostly arts-related non-fiction. My fiance surprised me this week with a book off my Amazon wishlist: Mixed Media explorations by Beryl Taylor.

It's about combining paper, fabric and metal to make multi-layered, multi-dimensional art. Really beautiful art in the examples.

It's currently out of stock on Amazon but definitely worth the wait!

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