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Original Art - Three for Thursday

 

 

 

“The paint is simply an extension of my hand, my mind.” ~ Antonio Masi, Watercolor Artist

 

 

Having never been a painter - although I did dabble in watercolors for a bit and realized very quickly I had no talent for it besides “abstract blobs” - I am always astounded at the beauty that artists reveal on their canvas of choice.  I think you will also be amazed at the wide variety of techniques and styles of the three painters featured in this new Three for Thursday blog. The artists are: Sharon of RavensBendFolkArtRoxanne of watercolorsNmore; and Jacki of Christie Cottage.  I hope you enjoy these choices and that you will visit their shops to see more art.

New Handmade Jewelry from Shadow Dog Designs - Necklaces and Earrings

 

 

This quote by Rebekah Joy Plett pretty much says it all when you are a handmade artist:

 

 

“When you buy something from an artist you are buying more than an object. You’re buying hundreds of hours of errors and experimentation. You’re buying years of frustration and moments of pure joy. You’re not buying just one thing, you are buying a piece of a heart, a piece of a soul… a piece of someone else’s life.”

Gift Ideas for a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 7

 

 

 

Week 7 of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2018 blew right on past!   There are only three more weeks of this fabulous promotion opportunity hosted again this year by Julie of Blue Morning Expressions on her The Blu Print blog.  This week, sixteen handmade artisans and one vintage seller shared a total of 50 wonderful items items. Since Mother's Day is quickly gaining on us, on Sunday, May 13, this is the perfect time to start buying a gift for your Mom.  Why don’t you browse the wide range of unique shares for this week - many of them one of a kind designs - visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom something that was HANDMADE from the heart!

The Magical Color of Purple - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade

 

 

Since purple is a fairly rare color in nature, an almost magical aura has been associated to it throughout human history.  The first historical record of a purple dye, called Tyrian purple, indicates that it began to be manufactured in the Phoenician city of Tyre in the eastern Mediterranean in the 14th century BCE.  The dye was extracted from the glands of several types of shellfish, but especially the Murex brandaris.  The process to extract the dye took about three days.  Thousands of putrefied, crushed shellfish were left to bake in the sun.  Salt was then added and the mash of glands were boiled down.  (Can you imagine the overwhelming stench of the process!!!).  It took about 12,000 shellfish to extract 1.5 grams of the pure dye, barely enough to dye a single garment the size of a Roman toga.  In 301 A.D. during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian, one pound of purple dye cost 150,000 denarii or around three pounds of gold. This is the main reason the purple color was reserved for emperors or individuals with titles of royal authority.

Blossoms, Butterflies and Birds - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade

 

Blossoms, butterflies and birds . . . what beautifully wonderful elements of summer.  Even though the dog days of summer are on us, flowers are still blooming, butterflies are still nectaring and birds are still singing and raising their families.  Today’s Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade features a wide range of artisan creations that showcase the three B’s, each celebrating the wonder of Mother Nature.  If something catches your eye, please click the live link under the photo to be taken to the artist’s studio for more information and photos.  I hope you enjoy these Blossoms, Butterflies and Birds selections:

Modern Symbols that are Ancient - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade - May 25, 2016

Even though we live in modern times, ancient symbols are found everywhere.  Many people do not even recognize them as being ancient.  Think of spirals, the Zia symbol on the New Mexico flag, the Hamsa, the cross, flowers and many other symbols in their various forms . . . all ancient but still in use today.  

 

All Creatures Great and Small - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade - January 27, 2016

 

 

I have always been a huge lover of animals, whether they have hair, feathers or scales - always have and always will.  Growing up on a small ranch in the Texas Hill Country, all of the usual suspects were there:  dogs, horses, cats, goats, cows, chicken, ducks, geese, pigs, rabbits and many others.  As a science teacher, my room housed many animals, from a huge boa to fun Madagascar hissing cockroaches, from parakeets to African hooded rats, from punk rock guinea pigs to flying geckos, and many other creatures.  And my life has always been shared with dogs, all adopted or "strays that came to stay."

 

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