I received my order and these are now
available for your purchase!

I am adding something special to my etsy store, artful bliss, and I wanted to give you a sneak peek…

I love to use hands in my artwork and I had a lot of fun taking these pictures. The last picture is an example of a pendant I made for a round robin I’m participating in. I have also used these hands in assemblage and other mixed media work. I hope these will inspire you to create many beautiful and creative masterpieces.

I will be listing the first set of hands tonight. I should receive more sets of hands later this week and will add them as demand dictates.

I am so excited to be participating in this worldwide giveaway: One World – One Heart, created by Lisa Swifka. This is a fun way to get acquainted with new people. All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment on this post. You’re not even required to have a blog or host your own giveaway (unless you wish to). On Thursday, February 12, I will draw a random participant to win the prizes below! Make sure you leave your email or a link to your blog so I can contact you if you’re the winner.

That’s it… that’s all you have to do… although I do hope you stop by the blog to say hi every once in a while.

If you would like to host your own giveaway, learn more about this event, or if you’d like to meet other participating bloggers, they are listed at the One World – One Heart site. Clicking the logo above will take you there.

UPDATE: If I get 200 entrants, I will add another set of prizes!
Stay tuned!

Here is what the lucky winner will receive: one vintage German doll torso, one frozen Charlotte doll, and five antique medicine tin lids.

These dolls are perfect for creating unique works of art. They are beautiful as the focal piece for a pendant. Add a bit of lace and make a special ornament. Alter and art them up… the possibilities are endless. Because these dolls were dug up from an old doll factory, the amount of detail, distress, and dirt will vary. The doll torso has holes for the arms and legs and measure about 1 3/4 inches tall. The frozen Charlotte is about 2 inches tall. The jewelry box and the hand are not included in the giveaway and are used for display only.

The small tin lids are very old. There are no bottom pieces, only the tops. The color is a deep yellow with very decorative trim. These would be so perfect for making ornaments or charms. Find small treasures to encase in resin. Attach to a chain and wear as a pendant. Or paint it and make a mini collage. Each tin is about 2 inches in diameter.

I only have time for a short post… I should be sleeping right now! I listed some really cute new items in my etsy store: artful bliss. Here’s a little teaser for you…

Happy shopping!

I think my etsy shop looks better than ever. I got rid of most of those eBay-type-mug-shot thumbnails I had on my listings. I hope the new snazzy pics entices everyone to buy, buy, buy! Click on the photos below to link directly to the items at artful bliss.

The Charmsters, a charm swapping group that I belong to is holding a charity auction on eBay. The auction is for a beautiful hand crafted charm necklace. This necklace features 15 soldered, Christmas-themed charms. Each beautiful charm has been created by a member of the group. We collaborated to make a very special work of art which can be yours just in time for Christmas. You can leave the charms on the necklace as shown or remove them to be worn individually. This would be a perfect gift for someone special. All you have to do is go out and bid on the item.

One hundred percent of the sale of this special item will benefit A Place to Bark. This non-profit is a no kill foster and adoption rescue dedicated to the welfare of animals and was founded in 2001 by artist Bernie Berlin.

Please help us support Bernie’s efforts by bidding!

Here are thumbnails of the charms from the swap.

Here is a charm on the necklace but not in the swap.

I attended a wonderful workshop at Sally Jean’s gorgeous studio in the Pearl. Her studio is heavenly and her personality and style is imprinted on every single square inch of the place. Spending time in her studio is an inspiring experience. If you haven’t already done so, pick up a copy of Where Women Create… you will be amazed. And Brad was the photographer! His photos are wonderful and he’s got a couple more spreads in the next edition. Great work, Brad!

The women in class were so very creative. It is always fun to meet new people and learn about their lives. Watching how others compose their artwork is always interesting. It was truly a pleasure to see everyone’s finished work. What talented artists! See for yourself…

I apologize I didn’t get everyone’s name to give them credit for their work.

Going back to Sally’s lovely studio tomorrow for round two: soldered angel tree topper! Yippee!

I haven’t been very good lately about updating my blog. I’ve had a lot going on. And it’s so much easier to post a sentence or two on facebook or twitter. Not only have the holidays snuck up on me, some life changing events are working their way into my world. More on that later (maybe).

Anyway, I’ve opened an Etsy store and have listed a few items on eBay. I can honestly say, I love selling almost as much as buying! Thanks to my friend Keli for encouraging me and for being my first customer! Most of the items I’ve sold are found objects and little antique German dolls…

Aren’t these little babies so sweet? They are tiny and each one is unique. If you’re interested in buying, click on the picture to get to my Artful Bliss Etsy shop.

I have vision of what I would like to make for sale and I actually started some art but it still needs some work.

Yesterday I was so happy to get together with my art friends (Melissa, Diane, Sue, Marci, and Michelle). Marci was inspired by the cover of the latest Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. She brought all kinds of goodies and we all had fun filling up little jars and bottles and then glittering and glamming up our little snowmen. Michelle was kind enough to post pictures and is allowing us to borrow them.

Last week, before I knew what Marci had in mind, I bought one of Kecia’s little snowmen on her new 1000 Markets site. She still has a couple out there if you’re interested. Here’s a picture of my cute trio at work…

In addition to the fun art sutff, Marci and Sue brought home-made goodies. I’m trying to wrangle the recipes from them both.

Before we know it Christmas will be here. I still haven’t pulled out any decorations and I’m not sure I will.

I found this really cool new ecommerce site. Setup is free and easy to use. Transaction fees are $.20 plus 2% of the sale.

You may use this coupon code (SPECIAL10) to receive a 10% discount from your purchase greater than $15. Plus, all items are listed with free shipping! Click on the picture below to access my site.

Just celebrated a special occasion. Unfortunately, they’re sneaking up all too often these days. I think this is the year I’m going to start lying about my age… I think I can pull off 39. Who’s going to know? Ha! Anyway, I bought myself a beautiful gift at the Art & Soul vendor sale. This is a beautiful painting by the very talented Stephanie Lee. I love the colors, the way she finished it with wax, and the composition. It’s so lovely! And I deserve it.

This painting can hang either portrait- or landscape-wise. Because the area above my sink is such a weird space, I have been searching three years for the perfect artwork to hang here. I am so happy I finally found it.

It could probably be bigger but I think it works… I didn’t want something that over took the whole area. What do you think?

This weekend is the JouJou Workshop with the wonderfully gifted Deryn Mentock. It is going to be such a great time. We still have some spots open AND there is still time to register. Let me know if you can make it and we’ll get all the details worked out ASAP!

I had such a wonderful time at Art & Soul. It’s always over too soon. The people who attend are some of the most wonderful women I’ve met. And the classes are always great. I don’t know why, but I was extremely tired the whole five days. I was feeling foggy and slow; not creative at all. I didn’t take my camera so no pictures this time. And even though I tried as hard as I could, I felt disorganized. I did learn some things though and did create some things I’m happy with. But next year, I’m staying at the hotel!

my Gridlocked piece from class with Lisa Kaus

The best things were seeing friends again and meeting online friends in person. Oh, and of course, the shopping!

Anyway, if you want a different perspective of Art & Soul, wander over to these talented artists’ blogs:

Kecia
Laurel
Leslie
Kelli
Dede
Allegra
Michelle