Decorating With Handmade

What is your decor style?  Shabby chic? Rustic? Traditional?

Would you like me to tell you what looks great with every style?

Handmade.

Adding handmade decor to any style brings a uniqueness to your home that you just can't find in any big box stores or factory made furnishings.  A little touch here, and little touch there, and

VIOLA'

your home is uniquely yours.  Here's a few great ideas to get you started.

(If any links are available, you will find them under the pictures.)

Isn't this a great way to create mood lighting in a room?  Stop at any flea market and scoop up some old ladles.  Bend them and mount them on a piece of wood, add a candle...and perfect.  Use wonderfully white chippy wood for a shabby chic look, or use rough wood for rustic, and smooth painted wood for a more traditional look.  A great and easy DIY project.

UHL art

No home is completely "you" without an original piece of artwork that represents your style.  Not only does art express your inner feelings, it is also a great investment.

Ali's pots

And sometimes it's just the little things that can make a house your home.

What's your favorite decorating idea to bring personality to your home?

Be blessed,

Debbi

YBC Book Review - The Watercolor Course You've Always Wanted by Leslie Frontz

As an artist, I love to create beautiful things.  And as an artist, I love to try many different mediums.  One medium I have never really tried was watercolor because I thought it was too difficult.

Than along came this...

"The Watercolor Course You've Always Wanted"

by Leslie Frontz.

First, I just skimmed through the book.  Then I browsed a little more closely.  Then I got excited.

Every chapter is stuffed full of information for both the experienced watercolor artist, and for beginners like me.  I realized while reading this book, that you can't just jump into watercolor paint if you don't understand how they work.  It's not like painting with acrylic or oil.  The blending is different.  The shading is different.  And it looks like so much fun!  

Guess what's on my Christmas list this year.  A new watercolor set.  lol

This book takes you through everything you need to know to start painting.  How to choose the correct paint, brushes and paper.  Understanding the values of color for depth and shading.  Textures.  Mood.  And so much more.  When you get this book (and every serious artist should get it), you will want to keep it handy for easy reference while you work.  I know I will.

Now for a little background on the author.

Leslie Frontz is a studio artist with over 40 years of experience.  She teaches watercolor classes at a local community college about 2 hours from me!!!!  (I'm squealing with excitement.  Now I can join one of her classes to learn even more.)  And her work has been featured in several magazines and books.  You can learn even more, and enjoy her work, by visiting her website, Frontz Studio, and you'll meet her husband Harold, who is an accomplished artist in his own right.

I highly recommend this book for artists, and wanna-be artists.

Let your creative juices flow.

Be blessed,

Debbi

 "I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Scott's Marketplace

For many reasons I have chosen to close my shop at The CraftStar.  Which left me looking for a place to list my items, and in my search I've discovered

Scott's Marketplace.

It's a unique site, not because it's for handmade items only because it's not, but because it promotes local small businesses.  You can browse shop by location, so you can support your local economy.  

There is a vibrant handmade community at Scott's, so let's see what I can find....

I just love the bright colors of this statement necklace from Alice's Chic Boutique.  She even named it..."Lilly".

I love handcrafted soaps.  The prettier, the better.

And I love color...so this Pear Berry Soap by 

Belladonna's Soaps fills both those requirements.  And I bet it smells really good. too.

It's hard to tell what's cuter, this spring Easter hat, or the model wearing it?  I found this in the shop Blackberry Crochet.  There are tons of items in this shop, and well worth a look.

And lastly, here's my new shop there.

And to get into the holiday mood, here's a happy reindeer card to share with someone special.

Be sure to stop and check out all the great items at Scott's Marketplace.

Be blessed,

Debbi

The Other Booths at The Last Show

Yesterday I shared with you some photos of my booth at The Artisan Craft Expo.  Today let me show you the other amazing talent that was there...

my Hannah took these pictures, and forgot to get business cards, so I can't tell you who created what...but it was all lovely.

I'm already planning and looking forward to next year!

Be blessed,

Debbi

Friday Featured Artist - Kris from Lisianblue

Today we're going to visit a friend of mine from Handmade Artists, Kris.

Kris is a doting Gramma from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and because she is a multi-talented artist, she has 2 shops to showcase her creations.  

We'll start with her crochet shop...

Lisianblue.

I love this crocheted pastel cuddle bunny.  This is a great companion for your little one...perfect in size and shape for little hands to hold, and machine wash and dry.

Now, y'all know that orange is my color, and with the roaring 20's style of this cloche, well, I just love this hat!  (yeah, I know, I love everything, lol).

Her second shop, Reflections,  is for her handpainted ornaments and other creations.

The details on this Geometric ornament are great.  I tried painting on ornaments, and let me tell you, it's not easy keeping a "straight" line. :0)

Now this last item is spectacular...Kris hand painted the design on this Domino Art Pendant.  The clean lines and great detail...perfect.

You can also follow Kris on Twitter, and check out her blog.

Until next time,

Be blessed,

Debbi

Window Shopping Wednesday (Yes I Know It's Thrusday)

It may be Thursday, but Window Shopping Wednesday has a certain ring to  it. lol

I don't know how others do it, but we get paid only once a month, so while yesterday we were dead flat broke, today we are loaded! (at least until I budget my monthly bills, hahaha)  So let's go shopping.....

First stop, The Craft Star...

Don't you just love these sunny fun feathered friends?  I saw a goldfinch in my yard yesterday...and the color was so bright it took my breath away.  This is a vintage painting framed and ready to hang from Timely Treasured Threads.

Cute, cute, cute.  Here is an adorable crochet hat, just in time for the back to school fashion parade.  According to the description, togs4tots2 can make this up to size 5T.  And I bet she could make it the color of your choice also if you just ask.

Here's a new item from my buddy Alix at The Alchemist Vessel.  I am amazed by chainmaill, and Alix is very talented with these little rings.  I just love these earrings with genuine amethyst beads.

Now let's visit Handmade Artists...

If you're a country gal (like me) you'll like this new offering from Tom's Crafts.  A working wooden horse mailbox.  Giddy up!

Then I hopped on over to Etsy.  I don't usually shop there anymore because it's hard to find original handmade items on the front page, so I checked up on some of my favorite shops.  It turns out that so many of my favorites are no longer selling there, but I did find an old friend of mine, Mystic Wynd.

Karen and I spent a lot of time together promoting other shops through our blog ring team, the BESTeam.  I see her more now over on facebook, but I wanted to share these totally groovy retro earrings.

Now I have to take some of you handmade artists to task...I absolutely love sharing and promoting new shops and items, BUT if your item photographs are dark or blurry, OR if you have not taken the time to fill out your profile and make up a shop banner, I will not feature you here.  No matter how much I like your item, I want my blog to be followed, and liked, and respected, and that will never happen if I don't work hard at it.  And I want my featured artists to feel the same way.

Do you have an online presence where you sell handmade or vintage?  Drop me a link in a comment, and you could end up as a featured artist too.

Be blessed,

Debbi

Sensational Saturday - or - Lookie What I Found!

The best part of handmade and original artwork is finding a piece that really moves you, and you just can't get it out of your mind.  That's what I want to share with you today.  A few days ago a friend of mine posted an item on facebook that took my breath away.  Of course, I didn't take the time to pin it, or share it, or bookmark it.  So I just spent the past 30 minutes scrolling down my facebook page to find it, and I didn't get sidetracked once!  Here is it....

Isn't it amazing? I can just feel the wind blowing as the tree bends, can't you?

The artist of this piece is Matthew Hamblen, and he sells on Etsy at MattsArt.  Let's see what else he has to offer.

This feels like something from a sci-fi story.  I love the colors and to me it seems almost peaceful.

Here's another one that makes me feel that I could just follow that "water(?)' trail.  While I'm not usually a big fan of abstract, I find Matt's work invigorating.

If you would like to check out the rest of his work, you can click on any picture or the link to his shop at the top of this post.

So, how about you? Do you enjoy abstract art, or more traditional works?

Be blessed,

Debbi

*yes, I know that pictures are overlapping the edges here, but they are so amazing that I didn't want you to miss the full effect.*

Those where the days, my friend

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today, and since I have been relegated back to my dinosaur desktop computer, I thought I would take a walk in memories.  With pictures.  Lucky you, lol.

This is my mom...Nana...hard at work at the Allentown Art Festival in Buffalo, NY.  It was probably the late 60's or early 70's.  That's my brother Butch (when he had hair, lol) and me in that stylish plaid skirt with matching knee socks.  If you think that's fashion fun,  check out this...

here I am again, sometime in the mid 80's.  Yep, permed hair and red wire rimmed sunglasses...what a fashionista.  My style has always been my own. hahaha.

And this is my baby, best friend, hubby Chuck, on base at the Navy.  I've always been drawn to a man in uniform, but it was usually a policeman, and not in a good way. lol just kidding (sort of).  This was probably late 50's or early 60's.  The great thing about this picture, is that while our grand-daughter was in boot camp for the navy, she was stationed at the same base Chuck was at, so we sent her this picture.  And she recognized the area.  :0)

Ok, that's it for memories today, time to get back to work.

Be blessed,

Debbi

It's almost here....Spring!

This past weekend we moved our clocks ahead one hour and I'm still looking for that hour of sleep. :-P

But on the plus side, it's daytime longer, and spring is almost here.  Let's see what fun spring tine handmades I can find...

At The Craft Star I found...

Pansy Bunch Watercolor Print by Gerda's Garden

a mini wallet card case by Purse and Pocket 

and this adorable Daffodil Mouse by Warmth.

And from my shop Yankee Burrow, how about a pretty 

pastel seed bead memory wire bracelet.  

How about you?  Are you ready for the snow to go and the flowers to bloom?

Be blessed,

Debbi

How many of you have heard of Storeya?  It's a cool site/app that allows you to import your shop into your facebook page and The Craft Star is a part of it.  So I took the plunge and added it to my pages.

This is what it looks like...

It's really easy, and you can change it up with different colors and number of items per page.  

Like it?  I feel so professional. :-)

Be blessed,

Debbi

The colors for spring 2014 - Placid Blue

I enjoy checking out the Pantone colors for each season (but I don't strictly adhere to them) and so I've decided to feature one color each week.

This weeks color is Placid Blue.

(previously known as sky blue, powder, blue, light blue, etc. lol)

Here is a collection I made of amazing blue items you can find at The Craft Star.

Click on the link under the photo to visit the collection, and from there you can chose and click on any item to visit that shop.

Placid Blue for Spring 2014

Remember to support small business and buy handmade.

So, do you follow the fashion trends every season?  Or do you just wear what you like, regardless?

Be blessed,

Debbi

You're looking at one proud Gramma

Ah, what a wonderful life.

Being a Gramma is so much fun.

I love all my grandkids, and they range in age from 27 to 2 months, but today I am going to share...

OWEN!

Owen will be turning 5 next month

(NOOOOOO)

and started pre-school this year.

(NOOOOOO)

This is his first school craft.

A lovely mixed media abstract self-portrait.

I love it.

Before you know it, we'll be listing his art for sale.

:o)

Just this past week, he brought home his first award.

He always did like to read, and Brandon says that Owen brings books home from school all the time.

Just another trait he got from his Mom

(and me)

(and Nana)

Speaking of his mom, Amanda started her Remicade treatment this week.

Chrones is a terrible disease, so hard to fight, and just draining all around.  It breaks my mothers heart to see her hurting.  But don't tell her that, she hates to be coddled or questioned about her health.

She/I/We believe that the symptoms flare up under stress, and her life has been super busy lately, but the Remicade did wonders for her before, and we expect it to do wonders again.

Well, basically, that's been life here in NC lately.

Quiet, and full. :0)

Be blessed,

Debbi

The Craft Star artist feature - Yankee Girl Art

Today I want to share with you the wonderful art of an amazing artist on The Craft Star, 

Carol Bruno of Yankee Girl Art.  

Carol is from New Jersey, a fellow Yankee like me, only I'm originally from the other side of New York State, Tonawanda to be exact.  Carol is a lover of nature and it reflects beautifully in her art.

Here's one that Hannah would love, especially after her week at the Dude Ranch.

This watercolor painting of a running horse is so perfect, I can almost feel the wind whipping through her mane. 

This is a signed original, so you won't find another one like it anywhere.

This watercolor of a bunch of sunflowers has been my favorite since I first joined The Craft Star...actually all of her painting have become my favorite, hahaha, along with her painting of the beach.  I could so see myself relaxing in these beach chairs, feet dipping the in the surf.

Carol also has 2 other shops, This Girls Stuff, which is all vintage (yea vintage) and The Girlfriends, where she sells customizable original artwork of girls having fun, celebrating the friendships we girls share.

You can also like her on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest.

You can click on any link above to visit Carol, and while you're there at The Craft Star, check out the other amazing shops there too.  You'll be glad you did...

Be blessed,

Debbi

HAF artists feature - vacation with The Alchemist Vessel

The week our artist feature at the Handmade Artists forum is our best bud (and slightly off center) Alix of The Alchemists Vessel.  Alix is a really cool girl, lots of fun, and her sense of humor...well...let's just say it's like mine, how very ironic. hahaha.  And our theme is "vacation" because we all need one.

Can't you just see me wearing this totally awesome Kahlessi Necklace from her Handmade Artists shop, while floating down the Nile on a barge powered by some hunky handsome shirtless young men?  oh, yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

Now, if I can't ride a barge, how about jumping on a plane and flying off into the wild blue yonder? I found these amazing plane earrings in her Etsy shop.  The blue beads even make me think of the sky we'll be flying through to get to.....THE BEACH!  And I'm not picky, I'll take any place with sand and surf.  Like this one...

...what an amazing view.  Amanda and Brandon got married on a beach like this one.  I found this beach print in the shop of CTCostaPhotography.   Oh I can just feel the warm sand under my feet while I search for shells, or the soothing rocking of the water as I just float while watching the young men with their tanned skin skimming the waves...oh there I go again. :0)  Hey, I may be old(er) and married, but I'm not dead!!

And then once I get home, I'll hang up this beach plaque that I created myself and have listed in my Handmade Artists shop, so whenever I walk past it, I can remember all those wonderful young men I met on my travels...sailors, pilots, and surfers. hahaha.

You can find Alix and her creations at these links...

Etsy / Handmade Artists / Facebook / Blog / Pinterest / Linkedin


Be blessed,
Debbi