Taking a Chance - The First eBay Auction in *AGES*!

As you may have noticed, it's been MONTHS since I've had anything listed on eBay...

Their new, higher fee structure, and policies favoring large electronic distributors over small artists left me feeling very frustrated - and I must admit I DO love Etsy...

But every once in a while there's a piece where pricing is unsure, and I'm willing to let the market decide.

Such is Baba Yaga, the old witch from Russian folklore. You can read about here here. She's quite a character with her chicken legged house, her cat and dog, and her fence of skulls! A wonderful folk tale though, one of kindness rewarded.

She was originally priced at $195, and I'm opening the bidding here at just $45 (eek!)...I was actually tempted to keep her, but sell her I must, so I'm holding my breath and taking a chance someone else will love her too. She's listed now, and the auction will run through Sunday evening. ♥

I must also add a BIG thank you to Lori Davis, leader of the Pfabulous Pfatt group, for making my auction look so good! (I'm completely clueless about graphics and html). :)

I'll be back very soon with four new chunky 5" x 5" canvases with button adornments. In the meantime, thanks for taking a peek!!

♥ Carolee

A New Path....

Have you ever felt like the universe is just pushing you to make a change, to move in a new direction? As though no matter how hard you try to hold on to the familiar, to that comfort zone, life has other plans?

Such is the current state of affairs with eBay. Like many longtime sellers there, I'm disappointed in the level of control, the ever increasing cost, and the distinct feeling as though I'm completely taken for granted...Basically, if eBay were a boyfriend, we'd have broken up a long time ago. ;)

Oh, I'll still maintain a presence there, and still list from time to time just to keep a foot in the water, and offer an option to those who prefer auction style listings. But the plan is to begin migrating the bulk of my work over to Etsy, where it will be offered for direct sale, on a first come basis. The Etsy site is wonderful, the fees are considerably lower (which means savings of as much as 10% passed on to collectors) and the checkout and communication process is quick and easy. What's not to love? ♥

But that's not all (drumroll, please)....

I'll also be offering my first prints there very soon! I'm so excited, and I hope this makes at least some of my work more accessible.

The first few will be listed just as soon as I receive them (hopefully in the next week) and I'm thinking they will probably be signed and numbered limited editions.

There's also a very special, and very elaborate sewing/craft chest in progress, which I hope to have in the Etsy shop soon, and possibly a clock.

As always, I'll give the heads up here on the blog and on facebook as to the approximate time new work will be listed, so please do check in. :)

Finally, a big thank you, and much love too all my amazing collectors. You've followed my work from eBay to Etsy, from blog sales and online marketplaces to shows...Without your support and encouragement, I would never be able to live this dream of being a full time artist. So I send you all much love, and many smiles. ♥

That's about it for now. I'll be back with details about those new prints, and in the meantime, I wish all those who celebrate it a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend!

I'll leave you with one of the images which will be offered as a print. ♥


♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ ♥ Carolee
PS - don't forget there's a giveaway in the previous post! I'll draw a name this Saturday. :)

The First of May!

Wishing everyone a very Happy May Day and a Blessed Beltane to all those who celebrate it!


I'll be spending the day immersed in books and sketches of Middle Earth, and doing a bit of work on a couple of commissions. Later on, the plan is dinner on the grill and a new salad recipe, accompanied by my new favorite drink (sweet tea vodka and lemonade - yummmm). :)

Wish you could all join us for a great big potluck! Wouldn't that be FUN?!

I'll be back very soon with new work, but until then (or at least until this evening) there's still the mending box up for grabs on eBay...


I'll leave you with this wonderful video...


Enjoy the day!

♥ Carolee

"Maiden, Mother, Crone"

Having experienced two of the three stages, or aspects of the feminine journey - and being well on my way to embracing the crone years - I thought it would be fun to paint a triptych depicting all three...

I suppose I could have painted these as Goddess rather than Witch, but I wanted them to have a bit of a magical feel...And the figures could have been painted in full light (which I may still do at some point), but I think keeping them in silhouette gives them more of an "every woman" feel, don't you?

These three little paintings are now up for grabs on eBay, and I hope they bring blessings and smiles to their new home. :)

More are goodies coming soon, although I find myself ever so slightly slowed down by another nasty head cold this week. And with snow falling as I type this, I'm thinking tomorrow may just be a homemade soup kind of day. ;)

(See? I'm sounding like an old crone already!)

Which aspect do you find yourself immersed in, and are you enjoying it? I do hope so. I think we are meant to enjoy the seasons of life every bit as much as the seasons of the year.

It's all a blessing, isn't it?

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

Finally, Some eBay Magic....

To say I've been having anxiety over my empty eBay page would be an understatement - in the nine years I've been selling my work there, I've nevereverever gone so long (weeks - eek!) without an offering...But such is life when preparing for a show. ;)

So I'm happy to report I've remedied the situation this evening, with not one but two new pieces listed...

The first reflects my love for my beautiful black cat Merlin, and for all things TEA - indeed a magical potion, a cure-all for what ails you - truly a cup of liquid wisdom and tranquility...

This hand painted tea chest is listed on eBay now, with a buy-it-now option. :)

The second piece was also inspired by Merlin, and by the old English charm I've written around the edge, used to invoke the blessing of a black cat...

(As anyone who's ever been owned by one of these gorgeous creatures knows, they are indeed good luck!) It's also listed on eBay.

I'll try to list another piece or two before the big show, but no promises. ;)

In the meantime, it's back to the studio....

♥ Carolee

Tea Time!

I think this is my favorite clock to date...full of whimsy, and that child's tea set you see on top is the last of my daughter Courtney's childhood china tea set (don't worry, she didn't want it, and understands that everything in this house is fair game for art, hehe!)

I'm just loving these little mice...

The sugarcube has a touch of sparkle, and the hours are marked by Swarovski crystals.

It's hand made by a local clockmaker of solid maple, measures 13 1/2" tall (including the tea set and feet) x 9" x 4 1/2", has a glass front, runs on one AA battery, and is listed now on eBay. :) UPDATE - SOLD

I'll be back very soon with new goodies...Until then, enjoy this beautiful weekend!

♥ Carolee

♫ Hippity Hoppity ♫...

♫ Easter's on it's way ♫ ...(Whether I'm prepared or not!)

I'll tell you what, it really snuck up on me this year...Most years I have an entire menu planned by now (or occasionally reservations made, hehe). But this year time got the better of me and the upshot is that we've decided to take advantage of the absolutely perfect springlike weather here, and throw something on the grill. Probably salmon. With lemon dill sauce and steamed asparagus. I may even bake a carrot cake, although that will depend on how productive I am with the painting. Yes, I'm afraid I'll be painting tomorrow - no rest for the wicked, eh? ;)

It's been true insanity lately, as I try to catch up with commissions and still keep offerings on eBay, Etsy, The EHAG Emporium and the PFATT Marketplace. But it feels so good when a favorite project is finished, and I can send it out there into the world. Here's a peek at what I've been working on the last couple of days - a table/bench shown here in progress:

And here all finished:

It was quite literally a dream to paint (as in, it came to me in a dream last week) and I'm hoping a bit of the dream magic stay with it wherever it ends up traveling. As of this writing, there's a "buy it now" option on the eBay auction at a price well below (by about $240) the regular commission price for a piece like this.

The barn owl is still listed on eBay as well, inspired by Molly and McGee of live owl cam fame. If you haven't checked out the owl cam, you really must - it's truly amazing! The picture is in color during the day (California time) and goes to a night vision camera at night. Feeding time is not for the squeamish, but it's truly fascinating to see this wonderful owl family up close. Fair warning though, it can be addictive, hehe. :)

That's about it for now. I'll be back very soon with tales of tea and springtime, and hopefully a few more pieces to share...In the meantime, whether you celebrate Easter or Ostara, I wish you a *joyous* day tomorrow!!


♥ Carolee
PS - Be careful with those jelly beans! I bought what turned into THE most expensive box of jelly bellys EVER this week, when they caused a crown to come loose, resulting in an emergency visit to the dentist - ouch! :-)

Sketches and Paintings and Projects, Oh My!

Have you ever experienced such a rush of creativity you hardly know where to begin?

I'm not talking artistic creativity necessarily, but any kind of creativity - whether it's art or music, cooking or writing...knitting, sewing, tending a garden - whatever your particular bliss is. Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by it you completely lose track of time, of days even, and one idea sparks another until there are so many images swirling around in your head you feel breathless, and can't decide which ones to grab first?

It's been that kind of week here, completely inspired and exciting, - although there's also been a bit of sadness too, but I find that even that can fuel creativity. Self expression in any form is good for the soul, don't you think?

I have three pieces to share...the first is a sea witch treasure box, my version of a magical mermaid of sorts. It was inspired in part by music I was listening to last week; "Atlantic Driftwood" by Norland Wind - always the perfect inspiration for something from the sea - and Blackmore's Night, "Ocean Gypsy" in particular, (although this one is more of an ocean witch). Wonderful imagery in their music. The shell handle atop the box is one I found on a beach in Freeport many years ago....

The next piece is another painted from an aerial perspective (soooo fun painting things from a different vantage point), "Merlin's Magical Flight", an acrylic painting on gallery canvas....

Does it make you feel like you're flying?

And third, "Wisdom", an owl plaque inspired by the now famous Molly of the San Marcos owl cam. Yes, I admit it, I'm completely addicted, hehe....

Owls are such magical creatures, aren't they? I've been sketching Molly all week, and can hardly wait until the owlets are a little bigger - I'd love to paint the whole family, or at least Mom and a baby or two. This one will list on eBay tomorrow night.

As if all this isn't enough (insert loud fanfare of trumpets) tomorrow is the day the door opens on the March EHAG Emporium (at 9 PM eastern)! I have a super fun piece for this one, something completely different for the yard and/or garden, so check back tomorrow (March 31st) at 9 for details.

In the projects department, I have something very exciting to share which I hope will make at least a few collectors happy. There have been several requests over the years to illustrate a deck of cards, and I'm thrilled to report the opportunity has finally presented itself! The very talented Lunaea Weatherstone (who readers of Sage Women magazine will know as a contributor and former editor) approached me recently about illustrating an oracle deck she is in the process of writing. What fun! Working these illustrations into the regular schedule will be a challenge, and probably result in a limit on new commissions, and in getting a much earlier start on Ghoultide Gathering pieces, but I'll work it out. ;)

Next up (just a few more days) is a truly special piece for eBay; a table or bench, painted with mystical imagery from a recent dream. I often dream I'm painting something, and the subject is so vivid I wake, thinking it was real, and want to run to the studio to continue the painting. Is that crazy? Don't answer that, hehe...

In the meantime, it's another cold, rainy night here, so I'm off to warm a kettle of leftover soup, and call it a day.

Back tomorrow with details on that Emporium piece....

♥ Carolee

Of Alice Tea and Gypsy Moon...

Sometimes even the most positive, glass half full, borderline manic kinda girl can have an off day....

This morning, mine began with a messy house, a broken vacuum cleaner and a very painful day for the bad ankle. I wouldn't say I was grumpy exactly, but John would probably disagree. ;)

There were good things too - a sunny day, chickadees galore singing in the backyard, and lots of time to paint...but it's hard to stay "up" when you're in pain, you know? Sooooo, what to do? Procrastinate of course, hehe. Which in the end only adds more pressure because I'm behind schedule....So by the afternoon, I was....well, OK, I'll admit to perhaps just a weeeee bit of grumpiness.

Then a package arrived!

A lovely, cheerful, pick-me-up kind of package - the kind of package that banishes the grumps and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. A very dear collector sent me this beautiful Alice in Wonderland tea cozy with two matching hot pads, and of course, I had to make tea RIGHT away, hehe...... How adorable is this???


Thank you, Susan!! You did indeed brighten my day!

After a cuppa Stash Lemon Ginger with honey (soooooooo good!) I settled down at the work table to work on two commissioned signs, both with a kind of magical theme - fun! I also managed to squeeze in a sign for eBay this week - The Gypsy Moon Cafe....

I can almost hear the guitars and tambourines, hehe...It's listed on eBay now, along with a couple of tiny trinket boxes - a Maine Coon Cat with a little red button...



and a Celtic black cat....

I just love the knotwork on this is one. :)

More goodies are coming soon, but first there's that commission work to finish (I'm actually getting caught up - YAY!) And work for the Ghoultide Gathering will begin soon as well....

In the meantime, it's dinner and a movie.

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

♥ Carolee

Halloween Twenty Ten

Is it ever too early to think about Halloween?

Naaaaawwwww.....

This whimsical little treat box is listed on eBay now, along with a new Innkeeper's sign for the cat lover. With three rescue cats here, I think I need one of these myself, hehe (click on the photo for a close up of the eyes - I LOVE painting the eyes!)

Lots of new goodies in the works too - a clock, a table, and a few other surprises. More ideas spinning around in my head than I know what to do with...Yep, I'm thinking 2010 will be a magical, creative year!

Back very soon!

♥ Carolee

Halloween Eye Candy!

Well, another Ghoultide Gathering has come and gone, and I'm still giddy with excitement, and inspiration! There are some highs in life you just don't come down from easily, and this is one of them.

After a VERY late start due to a perfect storm of delays, we got on the road about 2PM Thursday last, which left us unable to make a lunch date in Pittsburgh we had been looking forward to for weeks. It also left us a little frazzled and less prepared than usual, having left behind our business sign and business cards (eek!) Thanks to a little magic worked by a very sweet and very persuasive collector, business cards were printed on the hotel copier, although I was unable to paint another sign in time. I was also unable to visit the other building (this show is housed in two historical buildings) as I cut out said business cards....

By the way, John says he's getting me a flashing red light and siren for Christmas because I always seem to have some kind of emergency. Isn't he a smart aleck?

Okay, back to the show! It was nothing short of amazing, and I have to stop for a minute and express major THANKS to Scott Smith and Stephanie Rawson for their months of hard work producing this wonderful event. I've exhibited at quite a few shows in my time, but nothing even remotely like this. It's a class act right down to the last detail, leaving artists and collectors alike clamoring for more, and already looking forward to next year!

I managed to snap a few photos inside the building we were in, but missed soooooo many others! And the photo of my own display is shaky at best, so I cropped it to show a little detail.

Here are a few highlights:

Part of my own display...


Scott Smith's incredible work...

Nicol Sayre's beautiful dolls...

Lori Brechlin's gorgeous needlework...

And Kristen Beason's wonderfully whimsical characters

I promise to post more photos if I can get ahold of them!

We did come home with just a few pieces - four of which just listed on eBay a few minutes ago, and several I may try to sell directly from the blog...Check back here tomorrow afternoon for details!

Oh - and for Wicked Jack fans, I sill have one piece (a very large one) available, which I need to sell to make room in the studio for upcoming Yule and Christmas pieces. To that end, I'll be reducing the price by about 20% if anyone is interested in purchasing it directly. Photos in a day or two, I promise. ;)

In the meantime, I'm off to walk the Aussies, feed the kitties, and catch some much needed sleep! I've been operating on 4-5 hours a night for so long, I think it's finally catching up with me, hehe....

Goodnight, all!

♥ Carolee
PS - It was soooooooooooooo wonderful to meet those of you who came to the show, and I'm hoping next year we can find a few minutes to chat. :)

Giddy Over Ghoultide!

Teeheeheeheeeeee!! (That was my best witch's cackle) :)

With less than a week until the big day, you can only imagine the madness around here...

The signs and boxes are all completed, a few treat bowls in progress, and one very large piece will be started later this evening. My dining room table and buffet look a bit like the Halloween art explosion at the moment, hehe...

Just four days until we pack up the Beetle and hit the road!

I did manage to list one piece on eBay, probably the last until we return from the show. It's just too difficult to manage listings while out of town - but collectors who can't make it to the show will see lots of new goodies listed the week of the fifth. It's funny, you'd think I'd come back exhausted and tired of painting, but it's the exact opposite. :)

Anyway, here's the eBay piece listed now, a little homage to the raven, with a sparkly twist...

I'd forgotten how much fun a little glitter can be. ;)

Now, back to the Ghoultide Gathering (and apologies if I sound like a broken record) I cannot tell you how inspiring and energizing it is to be in the company of so many wonderful artists, and then to meet collectors in person, too....it's just the BEST. I only wish there were more time to spend with everyone - it gets CRAZY busy at times! In fact, if you're planning to attend, do try to get there early - people start lining up well before the doors open to get first pick of all the goodies. And do stop by and introduce yourself! I'll be the goddess-size woman dressed in black, lol....

Okay, that's it for now....there's a trio of treat bowls calling my name, and I must get them finished. No rest for the wicked, eh? :)

Hope to see you soon, and if not, I promise to post lots of photos!!

♥ Carolee

Sneak Peak

A bench-like table (or table-like bench?) in progress, featuring a pair of autumn cats....


Merlin and Arthur make great models, yes?

Look for the finished piece on eBay tomorrow. :)

♥ Carolee

Witches and Goblins and Ghosts, Oh My!!

Now that the Fourth of July is behind us, it's time to kick Halloween preparations into full gear, teehee!!

Around here, that means new work galore; sketches and notebooks strewn all over the house, orders placed for materials and supplies, and pieces in various stages of completion for eBay, for Etsy and for the upcoming Ghoultide Gathering (don't even get me started on how excited I am about this year's show! BEYOND excited!!)

I listed a very special piece on eBay last night (probably silly timing on my part - I mean who, at least in the US, is on the computer looking at Halloween art on July Fourth?) Just couldn't help myself though - had to share this one right away. It's a large, wooden ornament chest, featuring my own little version of "My Favorite Things"...

I had a lot of fun with this piece, especially the calligraphy around the edge...


I'm offering to personalize the inside too - a family name, a favorite quote, or what have you. I think it would be a nice touch, don't you?

It's listed now, with a "reserve" price of $295 and a "buy it now" option, which as I understand remains in place until the reserve is met. But I thought I'd add the option just in case someone doesn't want to deal with the bidding process.

Oh! Can't forget to tell you about the wee break I'm taking from Halloween too! Not a long break, I promise, just a piece or two....

The PFATT Marketplace is hosting "Jingle Time July" beginning at midnight on the tenth, so I'll have a Christmas offering for sale there (first come basis on this one!) No clue what it will be yet, and I probably won't know until I actually begin working, hehe....the most FuN thing about this "job" is that every day, every piece, is an adventure. Soooooooo, stay tuned. :)

I've been making great progress on commissions too, with three completed and three more to go (waiting for materials to arrive on these). Due to time constraints, I'll probably only accept another two or three commissions this year, so I can devote the rest of my time to preparing for the show. So if there's a piece you want, now is the time to email. :)

On the home front, there have been some challenges with John's health again, but we're staying positive and taking things one day at a time. I don't mean to be cryptic, and I certainly don't want friends to worry, but we'll know more after the next visit with his cardiologist, so I'll post something then. In the meantime, he's doing fine, cracking jokes, and just...well, just being his general smart-assed self about the whole thing. ;)

That's about it for today. I'm off to grab a quick breakfast, put some tunes in the CD player and get to PaINtInG!! (No rest for the wicked, eh?)

Have a wonderful rest-of-the-weekend!

♥ Carolee

Quick Update :)

The large bench is now listed on eBay, on a three day auction with a "buy it now" option. I just discovered the "buy it now" option stays in effect until the reserve price ($300 on this one) is met. (UPDATE - SOLD) Here's a detail (you can click on it for a larger view)...

Back soon with another piece, this one in black and white, for the EHAG group's Edward Gorey inspired challenge....stay tuned. ;)

♥ Carolee

Spinning and Spinning and Spinning...

Life is such a whirlwind sometimes....but in a good way. :) Ideas and inspiration spinning around, faster than it could ever be possible to execute them all. Orders and commissions pending, and more coming in - almost daily, it seems. Ebay and Etsy. A big show for which to prepare. Emails, blogging, art groups, facebook....It's enough to make a body dizzy....

And that's just the King of Mice stuff. There's also home and family, the fur-children, friends...Never, as they say, a dull moment. A good thing, as I'm not really big on dull moments. ;)

So here's what's been keeping me busy these last few days - the bench is finally finished! I've already received an email about purchase, so I'm not sure if it will be listing on eBay or not, but stay tuned....Here's the front view....

Here's the back....

The side....

And the interior...

I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. :) (Oh, and excuse the older than old background - this house was built in 1892 and it's the original floor).

I've been busy around the house too...

Last evening, around twilight, I finally finished planting the herb garden and salsa garden. I can hardly wait! There's nothing like walking out the back door for supper ingredients, and it's quite a savings too.

And at the risk of boring you to tears with a weather report, I have to tell you that being only a few days before the summer solstice, it's been downright chilly here. 59 degrees at the moment, which is making me think prematurely of autumn....I mean, summer has barely started, and here I am thinking sweaters and pumpkins and hot apple cider, hehe....Of course, it's NEVER too early to be thinking of autumn. ;)

John's been a huge help as I try to juggle everything around here. He's in the kitchen as I write this, making spaghetti sauce and garlic bread - yummmm.

So, that's about it for today. I'll be back soon, with photos of a candle box, and some wonderful links to share. In the meantime, I'm going to slow down for just a couple of hours, pour myself a glass of sangria, enjoy a delicious supper, and catch up on some reading.

♥ Carolee

Monday Madness and a Recipe

Ah, who am I kidding? Every day is madness around here, hehe...(but in a good way!)

At the moment, I'm up to my ears in boxes - treat and treasure boxes, trinket boxes, tea boxes, candle boxes...


These are just a few of them. I'm not yet certain which will end up where....some for eBay, some for Etsy, some for the PFATT Marketplace and some for the Ghoultide Gathering show. I'm not even certain yet what direction most of them will take. As you can see, there's a bit of sketching, but for the most part they'll lead me where they will...

It's an absolute gorgeous, sunny morning here - the kind of morning that makes you feel like jumping right into it at 6AM, squeezing every single, productive second you can out of the day! Which is what I intend to do, but not before I've brewed up some tea and put some tunes on - something "up" sounding today - Santana, Jazon Mraz, maybe a little Corrine Bailey Rae...Isn't it funny how music can set the tone for the whole day?

Assuming I'm actually as productive as I hope to be, I'm also thinking I may throw together a batch of chai later on. LOVE it, especially iced. Do you want the recipe? It's dead easy, and soooooooooo yummy. And LOT cheaper than the kind you buy at the market. My niece Sarah gave me a canister of this for Christmas a couple of years ago, along with the recipe, and I've been hooked ever since! I use decaf tea....

Instant Chai Tea

1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
2 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea (decaf or regular)
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
a pinch or two of white pepper if you like it extra spicy

In a large bowl, combine milk powder, non-dairy creamer, vanilla flavored creamer, sugar and instant tea. Stir in ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. In a blender or food processor, blend 1 cup at a time, until mixture is the consistency of fine powder.

To serve: Stir 2 heaping tablespoons Chai tea mixture into a mug of hot water. For iced chai, stir the same measure into a small amount of hot water, then add cold water and ice.

Enjoy!

Doesn't that sound yummy? If you try it, let me know what you think :)

That's about it for today....OH! Almost forgot - I just started reading "Twilight". Coming on the heels of the last book I read, "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" (soooooo beautifully written, and by an alumni of the same college our daughter attended), "Twilight" is much simpler - but I knew this going in, so my expectations weren't that high. One friend told me to just keep an open mind, realize it was written for teens, and try to enjoy it for what it is. Good advice, and so far I'm enjoying it. When I'm finished, I'll check out the movie. I have a thing for never, ever seeing a movie until I've read the book. ;)

Okay, I've rambled on long enough - don't want to spoil my plans for a productive day!

Back again soon with photos of all these pieces completed...Until then, wishing everyone a happy and creatively mad Monday!

♥ Carolee

Update :)

At the risk of boring you to death with this one, I have to share I finally finished and listed it!



More goodies tomorrow....

♥ Carolee

Just a Peek...

Listing on eBay tomorrow night. :)

♥ ~ Carolee

New Work and a Road Trip!

I've been busy as a bee these last few days - completed a commission, and listed four new pieces of art (two on eBay and two on Etsy!)

The first I have to share with you is a bit of a departure for me, and completely primitive. If only the pieces in this assemblage could talk....the homes they've graced, the lives they've witnessed....Very cool to work with materials so steeped in history!


The shutter still has it's original layers of paint, and the lettering is pieces of antique hardware. It's listed now on eBay. :)

The next two pieces are tiny trinket boxes listed on Etsy. Actually, only one is still listed. The siamese sold overnight.




Lots of fun these two! Their collars are Swarovski crystals.

And finally, the birthday canvas shown in the post below. Tempting as it is to keep this one, it's more tempting to pay the bills, haha...So it's listed on eBay now, with the offer to personalize the top layer of cake! I thought it would make a fun birthday gift if someone wanted to purchase it and have the recipient's name or number of years painted on for posterity....

That's it for new work, until the wicked cool stationary box I've been promising - look for it early in the week. ;)

In the meantime, I'm off on a little road trip today!! This one will be all by myself, as John is down with the plague this week (I'm pounding Airborne and echinacea tea in an effort not to catch it) Sooooooo, I'm off to the wilds of northern Pennsylvania all by my lonesome....

You may remember a mention here a few months ago about my favorite wood supplier going out of business - another casualty of this economy, and so sad. I bought everything I could before the closing of course, but supplies are dwindling. At any rate, after failed attempts to contact the former owner, I did a bit of sleuthing, and was able to contact their woodworker - a retired gentleman who lives a few hours north of here, who very kindly agreed to accept an order from me. (I was doing the happy dance for DAYS!) His work is just exquisite, and I'm thrilled to say I'll be picking up some pieces I thought I'd never see again, including the large chest shown on my banner, a couple of ornament chests, and several smaller boxes. (YAY!!)

I'm told the trip is a beautiful drive, much of it running north along the Susquehanna river, so even though this is technically a work related trip, I'm hoping it will feel like a real, live day off. And I couldn't ask for a better day - 70 and sunny - just perfect! :)

I'm off now to grab some tunes for the car....Hoping to take some photos too...

Wishing everyone a magical day today!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee