Thursday, July 30, 2009

Come see...what Art-Is-In {Artisan}

Welcome to the first artisan chat! It seems everyday I find another artisan whose work I admire (and covet). This particular artist, AwakenJournaling comes to you from the magical world of Etsy.

Personally, as an artist I own volumes of journals and sketchbooks as does my husband, a theatre professor. We both have a great love for these empty books that wait for our words and impressions.

Crafting remarkable leather journals,
AwakenJournaling presents inspiring vessels for our dreams, art, poems, and those special, secret and random thoughts. And now...on with the chat!

{Fire's Essence }

Where can we find you and your work?

On Etsy for now. I do have a twitter but I'm still experimenting with it to see how I like it.

What type of environment do you create in?

My apartment; I have a craft table set up, along with bookshelves and boxes of crafting stuff. My livingroom is pretty much overrun with craft items when I'm working!

{Sunburst}


What inspires you?

Often, the materials themselves - finding an unusual antique button, a perfect piece of seaglass on the beach, or a thick, crinkled piece of leather that has character to it...often I'm inspired by the materials themselves. I love to find truly unique materials and then begin to imagine how they can be turned into a lovely book.

Who is your creative hero?

I don't know that I have one -- I'll say nature! Because you can find such beautiful designs in nature. Even a walk in the park can reveal textures, shapes, and designs that are completely inspiring.

{Simple Scarlet}

What is your favorite aspect of selling on Etsy?

I love that Etsy is very oriented towards unique products and good photos. The forums are also very friendly. So I'd say the whole atmosphere of promoting creativity and individuality.

Do you use social networking? How has it worked for you?

I don't use it much. I recently started on Twitter but I'm not sure I like it that much yet. I am thinking of trying facebook. For now though my Etsy shop is enough.


{Reptilian Steampunk}

What do you look forward to?

Sales of course! :)

I'm very much looking forward to Christmas time. I just opened my shop in January so I 'm excited to see what will happen around the holiday season! I'm also going to my first craft fair in September and I'm very excited for that!

{Aqua Pearl Necklace}

If you weren't creating these wonderful journals, what would you be doing instead?

I would always be creating something. I go to school full-time but I love to create in my spare time, it's very relaxing. I doodle all the time-- when I'm talking on the phone, when I'm taking notes in class... I love to draw and create things with my hands. So if I didn't make journals, I'm sure I'd be making something else!

{Undersea Garden}

What have you always wanted to try?

I want to try to make my own paper at some point, I just don't have the space now. I also love to try new techniques, and incorporate new materials!

Is there anything else you would like to share?

If you're looking for some inspiring books to read, I can recommend: 'The Richest Man in Babylon,' 'Think and Grow Rich,' and 'Light from Many Lamps.' Two are more about building wealth and success in business, and the last is more inspirational.



{Contemplation}

Thank you so much AwakenJournaling for being the featured Artist in our Come see...What Art-Is-In {Artisan} Chat!

To celebrate the first Artisan Chat, I am offering my readers free shipping on any order in my shop, K. Nice Artworks through August 10th. Just mention 'AwakenJournaling Rocks!' at checkout in message to seller.

Make sure to stop by AwakenJournaling's shop to see her newest creations! She also has an exciting new shop, ArtisanJourneys for other leather items such as rings, bags and cuffs!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Walk with me Wednesday July 29

Welcome to Walk with me Wednesday! I love to take walks on my lunch hour whenever I can fit it in. It's amazing how much a simple stroll can de-stress you in the middle of the day. Here are some of the sites I see on my midday jaunts...

Sweet yellow in the sun
Stunning sky...

Pretty pinks...


Reminiscent of hopscotch...
As Always, thanks for joining me!




Monday, July 27, 2009

Mellow out Monday July 27

Welcome to Mellow out Monday!

Today is my first day back from vacation - I think those Mondays are always the toughest. I came back to 11 voices mails, 126 email messages and a broken fax machine
:(

So join me and take a moment to...mellow out.

Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Simple Beauties Giveaway

I've been a bit out of touch the past few days - my husband and I had some family come into town - including our young niece and nephew (4 and 5). They had an absolute blast - we live on the coast and they live in the Midwest. They loved the ocean and we spent hour after hour there looking for shells and feeling the waves crash against us. They were able experience things here they hadn't before and we were able to share that experience and create some family memories.

The magic simplicity of the family vacation.

I started thinking about the vacations my family took when I was a child. Every year we went to the UP to visit my grandparents - which was great! One year we took a camping trip with them to Copper Harbor. This was such a fun trip - I remember thinking it seemed so far away and how cool it was to travel with them - my parents and I had a "three man tent" (which we all know is really for one) and the grandparents were in a camper - which I thought was just the coolest thing! The trip was jam-packed - we toured lighthouses and mines, hunted for fossils and copper (found some too), when to tourist trap souvenir shops and bought postcards and tee shirts. It was a fun trip and definitely created some lasting memories. Thinking about this trip reminded me how exciting it was to find those glimmers of the copper we hunted - the simple beauty.

So now it's time for the giveaway! Leave me a comment with a few lines about your magic family vacation or share the simple beauty you find in your family and enter to win your choice of my new Simple Beauties line of jewelry.

Want to enter more than once?

1. Feel free to share as many stories as you like - You receive one entry for each tale you share.
2. Or for an additional entry, visit my shop and tell me what you like best or what you would like to see more of.
Make sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.

Remember, you can always sign up to find out about giveaways and sales by joining my mailing list.

Giveaway will run until 9:00 pm (est) Saturday, August 8 and the winner randomly chosen and announced the evening of Sunday, August 9.

Have fun reminiscing!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Mellow out Monday July 13

Wow - it is a crazy rainy day here! Is your day crazy too? If it is (or even if it isn't) take a moment to mellow out. Rainy days always make me mellow - and usually wish I could be at home curled up with my cat and watching movies with my Dixie dog and beloved husband. But, since I'm at work instead, I think I'll make some fresh, hot coffee and enjoy the sound of the rain. Will you join me?

Ahhhh...I feel better - don't you?

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Walk with me Wednesday July 8

Welcome to Walk with me Wednesday! This particular post is one of my favorites - because it was so much fun to hunt and collect these!
Won't you take a walk with me?




If you have any prints you would like to share I would love to see them!
Thanks for joining me!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Mellow out Monday July 6

Welcome to Mellow out Monday! Do your weeks start out crazy? My sure does - especially after a holiday, the phones seem to ring louder and more often and everyone is a little cranky that they aren't still enjoying their holiday. So take a moment, and mellow out - you deserve it!

*contented sigh* I feel better - don't you?

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Kudos Collection for the week July 5

Welcome to the Kudos Collection for the week!
Kudos to WHIMSYlove featured on the Etsy front page!

Kudos to ThePeachTree featured on the Etsy front page!

Kudos to PetitPoulailler featured on the Etsy front page!
As always, if you have a Kudos you would like to share, feel free to leave a comment with the link.
Thanks for visiting!



Thursday, July 2, 2009

Celebrate!

Happy Fourth of July!!

To help celebrate, I am offering Free Shipping on everything in my Etsy store!
Enjoy and have a safe and fabulous holiday!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Walk with me Wednesday July 1



Welcome to Walk with Me Wednesday! Often during my walks I enjoy the birds chirping away. They gather near the pond and sing about their day.


Here's a little ♪♫ music ♪♫ video for our walk today...




As always, thanks for joining me!


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