Share What I See

One of the things I would like to do here is to share art where I find it. Hopefully, I am not infringing on anyone's rights to their work. I am not trying to recreate, or sale other artists' items, I just want to share what I see, and help a fellow artist out. You know, generate some business and recognition their way. Hopefully, when you see one of my pieces that you really like, be it jewelry or one of the many other things I do, you will do the same. If we don't help out each other, who's going to??

I would like to do this at least once a week, but let's be real here, I'm a single mom with a teenage son, doing all my "business" stuff on my own. You know, the making of a piece, the photo "sessions", advertising, blah, blah, blah, you get the message. So what I'm really trying to say is I will get these tasty pieces to you as soon as I am able. Sometimes it may be a blurb, sometimes an essay. I gives 'em how I gets 'em. Please let me know how you like them. I'm sure the artist I feature would greatly appreciate it. Time permitting, I will even do some research into these fine folks, dare I call them my brothers in creativity, to give you, my readers (that's wishfull thinking on my part. LOL) an incite into the world of modern art.

Today's juicy find is by Jules Muck. I found that out because I did as I said I would, and researched. Proud of me yet?? Ok, it's not about me, back to the featured at hand. I saw this painting one day after I dropped my son off at school, while on my morning work out. I thought it was way cool, so I took a picture with my HTC phone and uploaded it to my facebook page when I got to work, cause I don't have a data plan (don't laugh). I didn't even think to ask permission, though maybe I should have. I just saw something I liked and wanted to share. Heck I even made it my background, and my profile pic once.

Now while doing my research on Jules via, swagbucks.com; gotta get my points, I found out that she's a SHE. Don't know why I assumed that the artist would be a male, just the way our society is I guess. That was surprise number one. I also saw that she is white, I'm sorry cacasian, don't want to be pollitcally incorrect. Just assumed that the artist would be black, there I go again, African American, because it's Marley. Would that be making an ass out of me? Anyway, surprise number two. Then I clicked on a link to her art page: http://julesmuck.com/.

 I was blown away by the stuff she has. Her shi...er, stuff was off the chain. Sorry, almost forgot I was a Christian. LOL. But truely awsome. She makes me, as an artist, want to get some work done. You know, get busy. I feel as though I have been lazy, the more I look, the more I'm in aw. Isn't that what a good artist is supposed to do? Like, inspire, make you get off your lazy a...er rear and make a difference! Well, I know that today after I finish this post, I'm working on some art work. Thank you Jules for that lift, that inspiration, that drive! Keep up the good work!!

(Note, this past month I noticed that this awsome picture had been defaced by some idot. Please people, if you are not capable of art at this level, are trying to make a statement, or are just ignorant of the fact that this is a passion, find some other way to show your displeasure. Marking up another's work is just wrong. No other way to say it. Please don't!)

(Comments, reflections, and questions are welcome, but must first be approved by me. So if you don't see them right away, do be patient, I will post if they are appropriate responses. Thank you.)

Fretting about Crocheting

I have gotten a bee in my bonnett, tee hee, to crochet a beanie. My first several attempts have left me unralveling several times. I have been on this particular project for about a month. I thought that I could use the yarn I had on hand to complete my project. The problem with that was the pattern was a two yarn project, and I was using one color. Then my stitches were too tight. So I tried another pattern, but now I find out that it calls for an acrylic yarn, and I'm using an all cotton yarn which makes the piece smaller, and I have to make more rows. Well, what ever this thing turns out to be, it will be! I refuse to pull out those stiches again!! (Here's the result of the trial and error piece) I wound up giving it to a friend's daughter who just loves it! Now her brother wants one, but in boy colors! With that said. I have been making the rounds on the internet, searching sites, joined a few. I even joined a knitting/crocheting group. I swore I wouldn't be one of those little old ladies in the corner knitting. Technically, I'm not, I'm crocheting. Big difference people. At least I tell myself that for now. I am going to help those of you who feel the need as I have,  to crochet. Here is a nice easy to understand video that help start you on your way. It is starting you off on the Single Crochet. You can find it on You Tube, but I got the link from Lion Brand in their Learning Center section.

And by the way, I have started knitting, sort of. More to come on that too. Enjoy the video tutorial.

Pictures of the crochet hat taken at Yarns Unlimited. Thanks Brandie

A vegetarian leaks. Funny since I am currently eating a turkey burger.   This particular entry has absolutely nothing to do with crafting. Just testing something out to see if it works, so this is going to be short. Good bye.

Sock Animals and Sock Buddies are Sold! Subtiteled SUCCESS!!

Hello, people. It has been awhile since I have written. Partly because I had nothing to say on the subject of crafts, and partly becuse life happens. So I am a bit late in reporting a major thing for me. My sock animals, and their buddies, went on consignment at a local store; Soaptopia!

OK, let me start at the beginning. A friend of mine asked me to make something for her baby. I was, as usual, busy with stuff. At first I couldn't decide on what I wanted to do, and of course, like most of the things that I make for people, they give me a general ideal of what they want; color size, etc., and then it is pretty much left up to me on how the final project is completed, so that doesn't help. Not that I'm complaining, because I have yet for someone to tell me that the item was nowhere near what they had in mind.

So I finally decided on what to do, but kept getting blocked by the fact that there was a item I needed, couldn't find, and did not want to include because I thought that the child was pretty much still in that oral stage, that the piece could come off and present a chocking hazard. I finally found what I was looking for, completed the sock animal, and sent it to my friend. She said that her daughter absolutely loved it, when she could get it away from her father! (Shh, he's on my back order list).

No picture at this time )-;

Now, I have been creating things and coming into Soaptopia to show Jolie, "The Soap Goddess",  things for years.  She always has a kind word to say about what ever goodies I bring to share. This time I showed her the sock animal for my friend's daughter, complete with a get to know you card, and she absolutely flipped! She like it so much, she asked me to make five sock animals and she would put them in the store! This was in January. I didn't get finished until April.

Because this had to be just right, I made sure every animal and buddie was as perfect as could be. First I had amended the get to know you card into a birth certificate, which took forever! Then I got the idea to shrink wrap the card, but a hair dryer was too hot, so I used something else that would work, then not.  I have a high level of quality that I hold myself to, and now this was going into a store, not just to  a friend's friend, so I was determined these were going to great. Finally finished, I brought all five creations into the shop.

Needless to say that I was all stoked about it the day they went into  the store, taking pictures, stopping by later in the day when the store was closed to show my son that they were there. In the days that followed, I would make 12228 1/2 Mar Vista, CA 90066 on Venice Blvd. part of my morning workout by periodically walking by the shop nonchalantly peeking in.

Now for the first few days, I was good. I had a feeling of accomplishment. I mean, I had my product in a store, I told my friends, I called myself promoting on my Face Book page by posting pictures and mentioning the address, I felt accomplished.  I thought I was doing something. But by the next week, and the week after, when people would ask if any had sold, and I sheepishly would come up with a pliable "NO", the enthusiasm sort of died. Especially when I was that they had moved from a prime spot in the window to some where on the side! I just kind of stopped looking.

So imagine my surprise after coming home from a camp out this Memorial Day weekend with my son's boy scout troop, hey there Troop 67 of Santa Monica, while doing my walk, I casually looked into  Soaptopia's window and saw that they were back in there prime spot, and one Sock Animal and one Sock Buddie was missing from the basket! 

(See for yourself!)

 SUCCESS!!