Holiday Sale and new Christmas collection

We've rolled out a new nostaligic Christmas collection in our photo store this week and are introducing them with a special 30% off sale. We also put all non-Christmas prints 50% off. We welcome you to come explore our store.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, I know I've been away from my blog for months, but that's all about to change. I spent a few months working on two torso series and then was sick for 6 weeks, but now I'm back to Etsy full time. I wanted to wish all my friends and followers in the U.S. a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Facing (one) of my fears

Last week I took a zillion pictures. I've always been one to run around and shriek when a bee came near me, but last week I was intrigued by them and stood surrounded by stinging creatures and hid behind my camera...snapping away. The new prints just arrived and I'm slowly adding them to my mistflowerphoto store on Etsy. While I'm terrifed of spiders too, I don't plan on standing around photographing them anytime soon. LOL

Color....finally!

Despite being sick with some horrendous bug, I've started putting the base coat on some of the torsos today. I was so sick of looking at stark white for the last couple of weeks that I had to go bold and bright. I needed a color fix! :o) Stay tuned for more updates and the final reveal at the end of the month.

A sad week in the entertainment world

Above is one of my newest photographs, "Sorrow". I haven't had it printed yet, but it seemed fitting.

What a week of loss! Ed McMahon entertained us for years as Johnny Carson's sidekick, as the host of Star Struck and with appearances on so many other shows. How many of us hoped Mr. McMahon would knock on our door with a giant check from Publisher's Clearinghouse?

Like many little girls, I was in awe of Charlie's Angels. In 6th grade I had my hair cut like Farrah's, only to discover my mom didn't know how to use a curling iron and refused to buy one, so my hair looked like an A-frame house. It was awful! Farrah dazzled us with her beautiful smile and gentle grace for many years, but certainly not enough.

I've never been a fan of music, but Michael Jackson was a part of my childhood. In high school his music seemed to be everywhere. This often misunderstood man was on the verge of what could have been an amazing comeback and now we'll never know. Instead we'll have to endure weeks, months and possibly years of conspiracy theories, custody battles, lawsuits and questions.

To all three, thank you for sharing your talent with the world. May you rest in peace.

New series underway!

I have to have two new series of torsos done in the coming months. The first set is due at the beginning of August for a show that features the male and female form. My mother-in-law is flying in for the opening! We haven't seen her in over three years and I'm honored that she accepted my invitation to come in for "the big show". She'll be staying with us for 17 days. The second set of torsos are due at the end of September and they'll all be of the female form. The show benefits breast cancer research and some of my former classmates from high school have volunteered to be models. The torsos take an incredibly long time to complete and I've never worked on more than one at once, so this is quite a challenge, especially with my right arm not able to do very much. I bought some incredibly luscious embellishments for the torsos and I'm so anxious to see them hung at the gallery. I'm trying to capture all ages and sizes. I'll be sure to get lots of pictures!

Let the Yart Sale begin!

Last year at this time I was only a customer. This year all three of my Etsy stores are taking part in the Yart Sale!

mistflowerstudio is offering up to 75% off in a Yart Sale section and 10% off everything else.

mistflowermarket is offering $1 off all pocket mirrors and magnets.

mistflowerphoto is offering 20% off all fine art photographic prints.

All sale prices are good through June 14, 2009.

A Cool Breeze Blows In.....

Introducing my new mosaic, "Breeze". It's the first mosaic I've completed since injuring my shoulder. I started off telling myself I was going to make it without nipping any glass, but that only lasted several hours and then I had to nip a few pieces here and there. It was a painful progress, but I'm quite pleased with the results. "Breeze" went straight to a gallery for the month of June.

Talent a la mode!

I've had a particularly challenging couple of weeks and much to my surprise, a random act of Etsy kindness boosted my spirits. Linda, of alamodestuff on Etsy featured my First Family painting on her blog. What immediately caught my eye was Linda's sense of style and how fabulous her blog looks. She's obviously mastered blogging much better than I have.

I've shown a few pictures from Linda's store above. Please take a few moments and check out Linda's store, alamodestuff. You'll find everything from bags to switchplates to jewelry.

Thanks again for the delightful surprise, Linda!

Announcing my third store!

Two weeks ago I announced the opening of Mistflower Market, the new Etsy home of my pocket mirrors, magnets and soon-to-be pinback buttons.

This week I'm happy to announce that my Mistflower Photo store has finally opened. This is actually a store that features photos by myself AND my husband, so there's a different twist to it. I will be doing pretty much all of the online communication.

I invite you to check out the store for fine art photograph prints.

Talent is in full bloom at Taylor's Eclectic!

I remember the first time I came across one of Taylor's blooming vases. I was absolutely fascinated with them. Since then, Taylor has added more delightful items to her taylorseclectic store, including a fabulous line of intricate, colorful jewelry. I was thrilled when Taylor agreed to be my latest featured artist. Please take the time to get to know more about the talented Taylor and then go check out her store!

How long have you been making paper sculptures? Did you develop the process or did someone teach you?

I have been making paper sculptures since June of last year. I also sculpt with clay, and I had just finished a piece that took me about six months to complete. That piece beat the love of clay out of me for a period. I could not stand the feel of clay on my fingers and did not want to progress with the series any longer. I decided to progress in another direction, and from there I developed my paper sculptures. After a few months of tinkering and working out technical kinks, I developed my first necklace. From that point, my work has progressed and evolved in ways I never expected. Every time I finish a piece, I am amazed at what it has become. I have always believed that life takes you in directions you never planned for, and I am always amazed at the directions life has taken me in for the past year or so.




How long does it take you to make one of your sculptural vases?

Between prep time, working the wire, application of the paper, and finishing details, a ‘Petitie Rosebud’ takes me about four hours. A larger, more complex vessel such as my ‘Harlequin’ series takes anywhere from twenty hours to thirty. The larger versions of my ‘Red Rose Blooming’ series can take fifteen hours, depending upon the complexity of the curves. The series that is the most time consuming is my ‘Under the Sea’ series. Every single bubble is hand formed and hand pieced. To protect the translucence of each bubble, I piece the outer, solid color around each bubble. It is a very time consuming process, so much so that I do not like to keep track of the hours ticking by!

What is your earliest memory of creating art?

I am an only child who was raised in the middle of nowhere...a teacher of mine once compared me and my family to wolves! My parents were very much about teaching me to entertain myself. They gave me crayons and paper, and I, being a bit of a magpie, collected every form of junk that I could find, from little pebbles to empty toilet paper rolls. I wrote poetry when I was younger, and I still do. I used to write poems on empty toilet paper rolls and decorate the roll with feathers, paint, glitter, and anything else that I could get my hands on. I have a picture of me from when I was five where I was wearing a tutu skirt, some white tights with kisses on them, and a leotard. In my hands was some creation that I concocted from bits of paper and anything else that I could find. I think that I’ve always bordered on the quirky line, haha.



If someone gave you a box of 64 crayons, which would be your favorite color?

Hmmm...this is a very difficult question...I guess I would say turquoise, with a close second of the other 63 colors.

What other forms of art or creative expression do you dabble in?

I dabble in a lot of things! I haven’t been able to of late, but there are aspects that I miss. I am a writer. I have written two fiction novels which I have had sitting on my desk for the past year, untouched. I have story lines and characters floating through my head most of the day, fussing at me for not writing their story. I love writing. I love the feel of the keys beneath my fingers and I love watching characters unfold and develop on my screen. I’m usually surprised at what goes on in their heads and what they are capable of, or not capable of. It is my dream to be a successful writer, as well as an artisan. For now, though, I am focusing on my art career.



Do you have any tips for someone that might be suffering from creative block right now? What inspires you?

I had a teacher in university who told us that if you are not doubting your work, you are not progressing. I believe that creative block usually stems from self-doubt. Doubt can either be that thing which allows you to examine your work objectively and see the flaws and the beauty, or that thing that stunts you and gets you nowhere. I have no magical solution for creative block, except for the age old solution: get back to work. Your fingers won’t do what you want them to, and your results will very likely be atrocious, but it is a step out of creative block. Get your fingers working first, the mind will follow later.

What are your future plans for your paper sculptures and your art career in general?

My plans are to succeed. I plan to progress my sculptures as much as I possibly can, and then progress them some more. I plan to get my work out to anyone who will have it, and live a life of creating colorful gems to bring a bit quirky color to as many people as I can.



What is your favorite item in your store and why?

Favorites, as with love, for me, is a healthy balance of adoration, wonder, with a splash of want mixed in. My favorite piece in my store is this piece. Without this clay sculpture, I never would have touched paper. I never would have been an artist. I am grateful for my university education in London which opened my mind to being an artist first, and then opened my mind to possibilities of clay. I began the sculpting process with this clay sculpture, which in turn has led me on this journey to sculpting with paper.

What is West Virginia known for?

I have no idea! Haha. I am originally from Pennsylvania. I moved to West Virginia a few years ago. I can say that on a summer evening, I can sit on my back porch and hear folk music floating across the hills well into the night. I can hear people laughing and I am sure that they are dancing. Every town I go to in West Virginia has an arts community of some sort, celebrating many styles of work, from primitives to outsider art and everything in between. Sitting here now at my computer, I can look out my window and see acres upon acres of trees with fresh green leaves, a bubbling creek, and distant mountains. All of this is what I have come to expect of West Virginia.




Do you have anything else interesting/odd/unique about yourself or your art that you'd like to share?

I’m obsessed with Ghost Hunters, but would never venture to seek ghosts for fear of what I would find. I saw the city lights of London for three years, and still prefer back country roads to all of that blurring excitement. I wear a lot of black, and it never ceases to amaze me how much color my work has in it. I think that the most important thing about being an artist is having respect for other artist’s talent. Without that respect and appreciation, no matter how much talent you have, you will always be stunted in some sort of way.

Do you have a favorite quote?

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - and sings the tunes without the words - and never stops at all.”, by Emily Dickinson.

Thank you so much, Taylor for sharing more about yourself and your fabulous art. I'm sure I speak for many when I wish you continued success!

Announcing a new store...and more!

Mistflower Studio is pleased to announce that their new Etsy store, Mistflower Market has finally begun to launch. This store will carry the pocket mirrors, buttons and magnets that Mistflower Studio used to carry, plus assorted other items like vintage button rings and pendants. Why the second store? I felt that the above items were making it hard to focus on my actual art in my Mistflower Studio store. I just posted twelve new pocket mirror designs tonight.

In the next week I hope to add some prints of my favorite mosaics to Mistflower Studio.

I'm also getting ready to open my third and final Etsy store as soon as the rest of my shipping supplies arrive.

My featured sellers series is about to begin again. I will be planning a treasury to go along with the interview on my blog.

I hope everyone is happy, healthy, creating and enjoying Spring.

Time for a facelift

No, silly. I'm not talking about for me. I'm talking about for my website. After six years, my art website finally got a facelift. I'm quite happy with how it turned out and the best part was that I did it myself. I still have to fix a couple of minor pages, like Links, but overall it's already in much better shape.

Lost & Found: The Art of Making Art After An Extended Interlude

My latest art opening through the Public Art Commission of Aurora, IL at the David L. Pierce Center. Twenty-five artists were chosen to display their work. The opening is Friday, March 27, 2009 from 5-7:30PM. Food, drinks, live music, fabulous art and great conversation will be available for all to enjoy!

An interview with the talent behind fancypicnic!

Many of you on Etsy, Dawanda and Flickr have seen pictures of Charlotte's creations. The tufts of silk, glistening beads, intricate stitches and fabulous textures immediately capture a person's eye. When I saw my first fancypicnic creation it took my breath away. Now I've gotten accustomed to that reaction whenever I see what's new in Charlotte's Etsy store, fancypicnic. I always envisioned a woman in a beautiful garden surrounded by beads and fanciful fabrics...quite the idyllic life. Imagine my surprise when I saw the photo below of Charlotte's lovely garden! She really does live in a magical part of England! (Please click on it to enlarge and admire.)



I asked Charlotte if she wouldn't mind answering some questions about her textile creations. I left the British spelling intact. Enjoy!

How old were you when you first learned to sew, and who taught you?

I seem to remember that I was quite young - as a child I was only ever interested in creating things, whether it be drawing people in wacky clothing, making shelves and 'televisions' in my bedroom out of paper and cardboard or squeezing aluminium foil into weird shapes to wear as jewellery. My aunt was incredibly talented with her hands, and embroidered and sewed throughout her life. I spent a lot of time with her, and I'm sure she was responsible for nurturing my interest in fabrics and threads! When I was about 4, she helped me to blanket stitch a tiny felt stuffed teddy bear. He was swiftly followed by a stuffed Christmas tree decoration, covered in tiny beads...yes, I still have them today, boxed up somewhere in the garage!



How long have you been making your textile jewellery?

This is quite a new departure for me, really. My degree is in graphic design, although I specialised in illustration: every brief I completed always resulted in something three-dimensional, and usually involved collage in some way.
Just over a year ago, my youngest daughter started school, and I had a little time to myself. I've never been able to resist the lure of a gorgeous piece of material, so I dived into my stash that I'd collected over the years, and started sewing. It felt so good!

When I started, I didn't really know where I would end up - I just let it happen. About nine months ago, I created a collar that was basically a collage of fabrics, built up piece by piece, and loaded with buttons, beads and sparkly things. I made a few different pieces, and decided to take the plunge to see if anyone would like them enough to want to own them, and set up a shop within Etsy in June last year.



How long does it take to create a piece - for example, Regalia Pendant?

This is quite a tricky question...I'm always thinking about whatever I'm going to make next whilst I'm working on a piece. I usually mull it over in my head for several days. Despite years of keeping sketchbooks, it is extremely rare that I sketch my ideas down, although I will put pencil to paper to solve a construction problem, or to draw out the basic shape of an item (which then becomes the pattern piece for it). I tend to work mainly instinctively; each piece is built up in layers, usually combining different techniques and materials. I run with an idea, and keep going until I'm happy with it. Knowing when to stop is something I've had to learn!

Do most of your pieces require you to sew by hand as well as with a sewing machine?

Each item has a basic structure which is stitched together on a sewing machine - I need to be assured that it is secure! Quite a few pieces involve freemotion machine embroidery to build up texture and detail. Once I'm happy with the overall design at this point, I gather together embroidery threads, buttons and beads and set to with adding more points of interest. I'll often add french knots, couching or freestitching to create little nubbles of texture, and then I'll embellish like mad with ribbons, beads and buttons which are sewn on by hand.



Do you ever wear your own creations?

Hmmn. I think generally, no! My mum, however, is a huge supporter of my work, and never leaves the house without a little something of mine attached to her person! That reminds me...I really must give her some business cards to hand out whenever she's asked about them!

What is your favorite item in your store and why?

I have to say that I probably have a soft spot for all of them - if I don't like a piece for whatever reason, I don't add it to my shops. That's probably a bit daft, because we all like different things...but I usually deconstruct them to reuse the materials in another piece. I like to be completely happy with what I'm selling.
If I was pushed, though, I guess I would pick the Collar of Delights. It's a new version of the original one that I opened my Etsy store with; I just love the abundance of embellishments, the playfulness of it and the bold shaping.



What other forms of art have you dabbled in?

I like a bit of photography; I'm a complete novice, but I really enjoy it. I love looking for the detail in something. I've always found it therapeutic to draw plants and flowers...again, it's all about the detail!
Collage work is a love of mine, along with papier mache - I just need more time!
I've also been tinkering with ideas for making dolls. I'm thinking art dolls, that maybe combine paper techniques as well as sewing...and of course, gorgeous textile elements!!

Do you have a favourite quote you'd like to share?

The one that springs to mind - I've mentioned it on my blog before now - is that line from a Crowded House song:
'Colour is its own reward'.
It says so much, don't you think?



I'd also like to add that Charlotte is amazing at doing commissioned work. I asked her to make a Christmas present for a very dear...and fussy friend of mine. I gave her a few colors and asked for some sort of heart on it. I didn't want to box in her creativity too much. The amazing results can be seen above. I cried when it arrived at my house. It was more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. My friend absolutely adores it.

Please be sure to check out Charlotte's Etsy store, fancypicnic. You can also see more of her work on her website and read more about her on her delightful blog, filled with all sorts of fanciful pictures.

My treasury for the week

I once again aggravated my injured shoulder, so I've been relatively quiet online. I did manage to make a treasury this week and thought I'd share it.

Woo hoo! I've been featured on a blog.

Donna of dzfantasy on Etsy creates fantastic art dolls. She was kind enough to feature me on her blog today. Donna has agreed to be part of my featured artist series in the future, so stay tuned to learn more about her and her whimsical dolls.

Take time to smell the roses at Joanna's Photography

Okay, so you can't actually smell them, but Joanna's photographs are so good that you can certainly use your imagination and be transported into a garden. Yes, that's right, the featured artists series is back. I asked Joanna if she'd like to be interviewed a couple of months ago, but due to art deadlines and my nagging shoulder injury, I had to take some time off. Without further delay, let me introduce you to Joanna of JoannasPhotography on Etsy. Joanna offers a wide selection of prints in a variety of sizes. You can choose from tranquil flowers,soft landscapes, architecture and some edgier, industrial prints. I asked Joanna if she'd be kind enough to answer some questions and she happily obliged.



How long have you been interested in photography?
There has always been interest in photography. It was harder in my early years, when not having my own camera was a limitation. I mostly borrowed my parent's very simple point and shoot film camera. I think the big change for me came when about four years ago I got my first digital camera that had a few nice manual overrides and lens with nice lens- capable of regular shots as well as macro. This is how it all started.



What is your favorite photograph in your store right now and why?
It's really hard for me to choose one photograph, when most of them carry certain baggage of memories. There are a few I favor over other. One of photographs that I would call my favorite would be "Magnolia's Secret". It was taken in one of the most beautiful gardens I ever went to. This print, when printed on metallic paper (which that is type of paper I offer it for sale) looks very warm and magical in a way. I have composed this picture the way, that in the first moment you see a big and proud magnolia flower in full bloom, but when you start looking more carefully, there is the center bud of this flower hiding under petals.


Do you usually take a camera with you everywhere you go?
I try to take with me as often as possible, but that doesn't happen often. At least, it didn't happen until very recently, when I started my 365 Project blog I am trying to capture a picture a day, something I will remember this year by. (Editor's note: Check out Joanna's photo journal, as I've come to call it. It's such a fantastic idea and it's always fun to see what she'll be capturing next.)



What are your future plans for your Etsy store?
I am thinking about expanding my store by offering some additional services for photographs, especially matting. Also I am contemplating expanding my photo cards section.

Besides Etsy, where else can your photographs be purchased?
Besides Etsy my photography can be purchased through
1000markets,
ArtFire
RedBubble


Do you dabble in any other forms of art or crafts?
Yes, I do. I love to knit! It's my really big hobby that started when I was about 7 years old. I also love to read.



Do you have a favorite quote you'd like to share?
There is quote I came across recently: "Art is not a handicraft, it is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced." by Leo Tolstoy

Thank you, Joanna for taking part in my featured artist series.

Stepping out of your comfort zone

Have you ever done anything totally against your nature? I took a bellydancing class this week. First, let me say that my body is riddled with pain from old and new injuries, I'm clumsy as all get out and I am seriously lacking in the rhythm department. My husband took me to class and he later told me I looked like a scared little kid that's being left at school for the first time. I tried my best with the class. I was absolutely horrible, was an anxious mess, but my hips learned to move like they never have before. Whether I go back again next week is still up in the air. Yes, it was a great 90 minute workout, but I know as the class progresses I'll be falling into walls and bumping into people, so I'll wait and make a last minute decision.

What matters most is I tried it and I put myself in a position where I knew I'd do poorly and that's very rare for me. I normally avoid any activities I don't think I'll excel at. Some people call me a "control freak", but I prefer to look at it as trying to avoid public embarrassment.

2009 is here!

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope everyone had a safe and fun time over the holidays.

Each year I make at least one resolution. Last year I did pretty well. My resolutions all came to fruition except one. My littlest dog, Magoo still won't use the doggie stairs to go up onto the bed by himself. I was really going to give it my all in December, but due to my injury I had to let that goal go. He turned 3YO on New Year's Day. My little boy is growing up! But I digress, once again I've made some resolutions and while I don't usually share them at the start of the year, I'm anxious for this year to get going.

Yesterday I began a very labor intensive project. My studio has racks and racks of china and bins of tile all along the perimeter of the room. I'm going through everything and parting with some things...either to sell or to donate to a thrift store. I'm trying to make some space for some new projects I want to try this year. So far I've unearthed some things that have brought back many fond mosaic memories of past projects.

I have a series of art deadlines between now and March. Everything is getting scrunched into a tighter timeframe because my right arm is still recovering. I'm trying to design everything in my head and get all my supplies ready so I'm ready to go whenever my arm will let me.

It's my sincere hope that 2009 will bring a better life for so many people that are struggling right now.