Going to Hawaii!?!

Stop whatever you are doing and run...don't walk...run over to Felicia Kramer's blog for a week-long celebration of artists from Hawaii. There will be two, fabulous giveaways each day!!!

What are you waiting for?? Let's go!!!! Let's start by reading the intro to this fabulous week - http://feliciakramer.blogspot.com/2010/02/id-rather-be-in-hawaii.html

Then dive in and meet some cool artists!!

Thanks for inviting us along, Felicia!

Imagine Living...

in a treehouse...

Image from The Treehouse Chronicles

OR a houseboat. Which would you prefer?

One additional note: Bird, creator of CrowTarotTours, wanted to share some interesting marketing info with all of you, TSTers! Thank you, Bird.

From The Handmade Marketer - http://www.handmademarketer.com/
If you'd like to improve your "Social Media Success", "Niche Your Products" get some "Newbie Tips" and more sign up at the following link (it's free!)

And from 2Chicks Yolanda A. Facio & Candy Zulkosky aka CaZ, their amazing e-book "Sur­vive the Work from Home Jun­gle" is free until February 15, 2010.
http://2chicksathome.com/work-from-home-ebook-survive-jungle/

PS - Please check out Creative Nachos and tell me about the last time you made a mess! http://creativenachos.com/blog/

Theme 45: A Bright Bit of Sunshine Mixed With ...

How you choose to interpret the theme is completely up to you. It simply needs to be tasteful – no pornography or messages of hate here. When you sit down to create, you cannot think about how people will or will not receive your work. You are required to simply enjoy the act of creating.

So, you were taking a stroll along the yellow brick road when you ran into......Take a bright bit of yellow and mix it with ....whatever you can imagine...one color, several? Use fabric, crayons, paint - whatever inspires you! Simply take this Spring color, introduce it to something and see what beauty is born.





Important Guidelines


The work submitted must be something you have created and/or worked on between the time the theme was revealed and the Thursday unveiling. Please submit your response to Natasha@creativenachos.com no later than end of day Wednesday, February 17th if you would like it to be posted on Thursday, February 18th. OR send me a link to your response to include in the comments section of the post.




With your response please include:

1. Your name - either first name, shop name or both.

2. The name of your piece (if you choose to give it one)

3. Something you'd like to share (process of creation, idea behind piece) if you'd like to share anything. Please limit this to 2-3 sentences

4. The shop and/or blog links you'd like to include

5. Two photos of your piece or of each of the pieces (3x5 or 4x6 and 72dpi or a max of 96dpi - if you need any help with that please don't worry I'd be happy to help!)


Most importantly, mix it up!

Exceptional Artists Use a Bead, a Button, and a Little Bit of Flair to Create Sensational One-of-a-Kind Works

SPECIAL NOTE: Please check out the exciting competition and giveaway information from two of our TSTers at the end of this post. Thanks!

Take a bead, a button and a little bit of flair and what do you have? The recipe for unique artwork! This week is by far one of the best weeks on the TST because every single artist stepped out of their comfort zone and created a work of art that they'd wanted to for some time. These professional, talented artists challenged themselves in new ways and the results are simply extraordinary.

But don't take my word for it, please take a trip this artistic wonderland and celebrate risk-taking, beauty and the transformative magic of art.


Amanda, creator of Persistent Green, created this sensational inspirational video titled, "Crooked." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJGNvZoss0U

"This week's prompt sent me way outside my comfort zone, into something I've been wanting to do for a long time but was too nervous about. When Natasha talked about flair, all I could think about was how much flair we all have inside ourselves...and so this video was born. If you're wondering where my button is, just hit the "play" button! ;)"

http://persistentgreen.etsy.com/
http://persistentgreen.blogspot.com/















Maureen, a talented artist, created this gorgeous piece.

"Hmm . . .lavendar . . a button . . something you've never done but wanted to try . . . when Amanda/Persistent Green said, 'Why don't you try sewing?' then this prompt just exploded for me!! I ripped apart, literally, a purple gauzy skirt that was no longer flattering, sat down at my new sewing machine and pushed its buttons and repurposed that old skirt into a new flowing dress--something I've always wanted to try!!"

http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com/

Jodi, creator of Jodi Horgan - Beaded Art to Wear, created these stunning pieces.

"Purple is an easy color for me to work with and I work with it often," Jodi said. "I've been experimenting with silk soutache trim lately."

http://www.jodihorgan.etsy.com/













Teri, creator of Giraffelabel, created this simply unforgettable BELLA (button) bag.

"This was a great theme!" said Teri. "I have had this fabric for a long time...I expected it to be an apron when I bought it. I love buttons, and I have an incredible stash of vintage buttons that my Dad has collected for me at yard sales. So, I was happy to be able to put all of these elements together."

http://www.giraffelabel.etsy.com/














Felicia Kramer, creator of Another Bright Idea, created this Framed Collage titled, "Ready for my closeup!"

"Hard to tell, but this actually does have some little “jewels” on her dress and hair," said Felicia. "I still have some work to do on this but it’s pretty close. I think it was Amanda who mentioned in a previous post about me holding on to things for a long time. Well, that movie clapboard (actually a notepad) was given to me by a movie producer I worked with back in the mid-80s!!! I knew I would use it some day …"

www.etsy.com/shop/anotherbrightidea
http://www.feliciakramer.blogspot.com/













Natasha, creator of DoodleStar, created this doll for her little Doodle.

“I’ve wanted to make a doll for a long, long time I just never made time. It was hard work but the reward was Doodle carrying “Princess Dolly” everywhere. I loved making this.”

http://www.doodlestar.etsy.com/












Trina, creator of Woven Chains Jewelry, created these phenomenal pieces.

"What a great challenge," said Trina. "I had a hard time using new materials (due to time and budget), but I tried to use new techniques...

First, I made a little pincushion using counted thread embroidery and some really fun threads. I carpool with my husband (90+ minutes each way), so this is what I keep busy with in the car. On this one, I tried adding a tassel.

Second, I made a little wall hanging using Hardanger embroidery. It still needs its beads and beaded fringe. I guess I bit off a bit too much...

Finally, a pendant using some different colors (reminds me of Mardi Gras) and some earrings using a brand new weave for me with some really pretty amethysts for "flair".

Rose was so honored to have so many comments on her work last week, and she wants to come play again soon. This week was taken up with preparation for Valentine's Day, though, and we just ran out of time. "Maybe next week, Mama," she told me."

http://wovenchains.etsy.com/





















Bird, creator of CrowTarot Tours, created this beautiful piece.

"More cheerful than I'd expected it to be, but that's not a bad thing," said Bird.

http://www.crowtarottours.com/ - In Progress!
Talismans by CrowTarot found at http://www.crowtarot.etsy.com/
Twitter: @CrowTarotTours




After viewing this one-of-a-kind TST are you feeling full of desire to step out of your comfort zone and create, create, create??

Well, the next theme is theme is.........."A Bright Bit of Sunshine Mixed With...". Take a bright bit of yellow and mix it with ....whatever you can imagine...one color, several, bits of fabric? Take this Spring color, introduce it to something and see what beauty is born.




SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Jodi, creator of Jodi Horgan - Beaded Art to Wear, just finished a bead embroidered purse for the Etsy Beadweavers competition.

When you have a moment, stop by the Etsy Beadweavers, check out the amazing entries and celebrate Jodi with a vote :). She is #34!

http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/


2. Amanda, creator of Persistent Green is offering one of her incredible paintings in a giveaway at http://choosingbeauty.com/. So, hop on over and enter today! The contest ends Friday night, midnight CST.

Snow Day Wednesday!

Last weekend parts of the Northeast were walloped by a massive snow storm. Meanwhile, NYC saw absolutely nothing BUT we are getting it today. YAY!

Two fabulous TSTers were kind enough to send along snow photos from last Saturday for all of us to enjoy!

Althea, creator of Salvaged Expression, sent along these gorgeous photos.

Jodi, creator of Jodi Horgan - Beaded Art to Wear, sent along these amazing photos.

"I took all the photos while snowshoeing on our property," said Jodi. "The first one is our woods. The second is the imprint of a bird either landing or taking off. The third is a picture of the decorative window in our tree house.









AND here are some NYC photos from about an hour ago.

Thanks so much for sending those along Althea and Jodi.

Hugs, warmth and hot cocoa to all the TSTers!!

25 Word Tuesday

Yes, it's time for the 25 word story challenge entries! YAY!!!

Trina, creator of Woven Chains Jewelry submitted this awesome story.

"The close call"
by Trina

"Horns blaring, tires squealing. Eyes closing, arms waving. Cars stopping, tears starting. You asking, “Is everyone alright?”

Natasha, creator of DoodleStar, created this story.

"Tomorrow"

"He sat at the table - candles melting, dinner cooling - till his eyes closed and first light broke on the horizon of a lonely, new day."

Imagine a Life...

where you had a choice...either your diary could beturned into a one time TV movie

OR

everyday of your life could be turned into nightly sitcom?

Which would you choose??