What's in my Studio?

Bits and pieces...

I've been working on a couple of custom orders. One is this personalized heart pendant...

It is curing right now and I will have it on the way to it's new home by Thursday morning. Our weather has been a bit warmer than usual so perhaps it will be cured enough I can mail it off tomorrow. We'll see.

The custom order inspired me to finally get a listing up for personalized heart pendants. I've done a few, and doesn't it make sense that I make it easier to order? *rolls eyes* :)

Another custom order is a batch of small easels painted gold, for a customers wedding tables. The easels will be ready to mail tomorrow.

And I can't remember... did I show you how the torn paper demo went? I did post a bit here, however I'll add a few photos in case you're interested.

I'm having fun with torn paper, and will most likely have more to share soon. :)


To see what fun things others are working on, check out Julia's What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday!

What's in My Studio

I'm still working with torn paper...

These three background pages started out with Strathmore Mixed Media paper as a base. Using Matte Medium I adhered torn vintage papers to the substrate. For two of the backgrounds I used pages from an old atlas and the other used a variety of other bits and pieces, including an old school workbook. That is the one shown on top. 

Once the papers have dried, I put a layer of paint or gesso to unify the background - or mute the colors slightly, depending on how you look at it. :) 

The page on the right has a light layer of white paint. I'll add some colored paint.... still debating on which colors to use... and more details before I determine what these will become. 

Here's an example I showed last Friday using this technique as both a background and the focal image.

And that's what I have on my work desk today. How about you?



To see what other folks are working on, check out Julia's What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday.

What's in my Studio

Just a glance at what's going on in my studio this week.

Working on some collage/torn paper critters for a swap. These ones are just at the initial torn paper background stage

What I'll do next is cut out an animal shape, then add more paper and drawn or painted details. I need to get them done so they can be in the mail by Thursday... Wish me luck!

I've also been staining these easels a rustic brown.

I sell them in my Etsy shop, and needed to replenish. I do as many as I can stand doing at one time.

What's on your workdesk today?
Check in with other folks around the globe at Julia's What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday. 

What's in my Studio... and EPSTeam Treasury Winning Week

A mess on the computer desk... with a small book and some vintage buttons waiting to be listing in my Vintage Etsy shop. The rolodex, glasses case and display ATCs are always there on the left. And of course the cords connecting the USB hub and camera hook up. 

Totally stoked for my Vintage shop(naturegirl22.etsy.com) to be "Treasury winner" this week with my favorite Etsy team -  Etsy Pickers and Sellers Team (EPSTeam)! A gazillion treasuries (well, 28 so far) featuring my item and one from Victoria of MyPalPeppy.etsy.com. A fun time is being had by all!

I love being part of a fun, cooperative and caring team! They are a fabulous group of supportive people, and really I wish I had such a group here locally. Seriously, it seems like most of the supportive people I have in my life are online or at-a-distant art friends.
Not sure what that says, other than I'm not apparently not searching out and developing this locally. I must work on that.

Here's the item I chose with Fathers Day in Mind

Healey Coachworks Solid Brass Precision Tire Gauge

And here's Victoria's ... isn't this the cutest little rabbit?

Spanish Rabbit Jam Pot

In other news, the garden is growing by leaps and bounds. Here's a shot of some of the foxglove that is scattered about the yard. They are one of my favorite garden flowers.

Hope your week is going well!

Sharing with WOYWW - What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday hosted by Julia. 

What's in My Studio... After SeARTle

What's on my desk this week? 

Piles from SeARTle Art Retreat that I haven't put away yet. (I didn't photo the ones on the floor because it's not my desk...haha!)  

These are some of the gelliplate prints I made. It was such fun playing with the other gelliplate maniacs, and I learned a new technique I'll share later... 

A few ATCs for swaps on atcsforall.com

In other news, we have lovely sunshine and 66 degree weather today which is high for our neck of the woods. Yay for spring weather!  

Flowering currant in the sunshine! 

Dandelion fluff in the sunshine! 

Gotta love sunshine... although you can see I need to get some weeding done.

Sharing with Julia and What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday. 

What's in My Studio...

Working this week on some of the gesso and watercolor paintings I started and are still in progress. My sister made an unexpected trip up to visit this weekend, so of course we had to play with our art supplies. This was a technique I showed her, although we didn't get one totally completed. (They take time with all the drying needed, and heat drying just does not give the same cool effect.) I meant to get a picture while she was sitting across the table from me, but we were too busy chatting and playing and it didn't happen. 

What is remaining today is this painting, right before I put another layer of green. You can also see some copper tape (an estate sale score) being made into inchies. The copper tape was attached to strips of mat board and textured using an embossing plate. 

In other news, this morning we went to our favorite Joe's Gardens for a few plant starts. It was sunny and beautiful (although not exactly warm). Here are the kale, beets and spinach waiting to be planted. (The large kale in the background wintered over.)

Oh my goodness, I love this time of year when the sun shines. :)

Check in to see what other folks have on their workdesks at What's on your Workdesk Wednesday, hosted by Julia.

What's in my Studio

It's another What's in my Studio Day... and Whats on my Workdesk Wednesday. 

So many things going on this week! One of my priorities has been making more of these vintage bottles with replica labels for my Etsy Shop. Folks seem to like them, so I like to make sure I have a few of each design in stock. 

You can see some Artist Trading Cards scattered about. Partially getting ready for our local ATC trade this coming Saturday and partially just playing. The things on the ledge are just there on their way to some yet-to-be-determined final storage spot. The terra cotta pot is from the office, and the pens are also awaiting their final storage spot. It will happen one of these days. 

I'm unlikely to make my re-organization deadline for myself of my upcoming birthday, but that's okay. Messy is just the way it flows most days in my studio. :)

And just to celebrate the Spring Equinox this week... a view of crocus in the yard. Yay for Spring! 

Check out what others around the world are doing at Julia's What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday. 

What's in my studio... busy-ness

I'm showing the workspace in the office again this week. I've spent more time here this week. And look! It's still not too messy. :) The framed photograph was dropped off earlier today at Allied Arts for the Members Show. I've done it the past few years, and this is the first time I've entered a photo. The Show opens Friday at the monthly Art Walk in downtown Bellingham. 

You also see some boxes... one on the scale, and the other to house the bubble wrapped item (near the scale) that was shipped this morning. It's been a busy week so far in my shops. Love that! 

Here is a better view of the photo for the art show: 

This was taken on a winter bird watching trek looking for raptors (birds of prey). It was a successful field trip. 

Winter Rosehips

So what are you working on this week? You can see what others are doing by visiting Julie's What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday. 

Only Human - and The Mess on My Workdesk

Oh my goodness! I made the most monumental mistake last week. I managed to mix up the shipping labels on two orders from my Etsy shops, one of which was a large custom order... and what a mess! Both customers were understanding and are returning the wrong package (at my expense) and both now have what they actually ordered. 

The bright side is that both orders were of the items I have a lot in stock, rather than one-of-a-kind items. So I was able to resend their orders before their return packages get to me. Blessings! But sheesh! :)

In other news, I am in the midst of sorting my office and making an attempt to, yet again, reorganize. It seems to be a never ending process with me. Repeat after me... I am organized! I am organized!
Unfortunately, I am in the very messy midst and have papers and stuff EVERYWHERE! I was so hoping to share a lovely organized table with you all. But I AM getting to the bottom... if you look close you can see some of the table top. 

The shelves in the closet are looking better... 

These are the shelves for my Etsy shops mailing envelopes and small item storage. They are still being tweaked, but are getting closer.  

So what's happening on your desk?  

Check out what other folks are sharing with Julie's What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday. 

First Day of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Low Tide - Abstract Landscape

This painting was actually finished early December. However, it has just been listed in my Etsy Shop today.

It's early and I have a lot of today left to work on the paintings in my studio. More tomorrow on what I accomplished today.

Happy New Year!