ByCoco's Art for Everyday Enjoyment

Beautiful Blues

2011-03-09T13:34:00.002-05:00

Here's a preview of just a few of the beautiful blue items included in this collection which was curated by one of my fellow artists on Artfire.com, PatchworkMountain.

To see the entire collection, click on the link button below.

Deep Sea Blues

Curated By: PatchworkMoun...

ArtFire.com

Craft Tutorials

5 Tips For Buying Quality Stained Glass

2010-07-05T08:49:00.007-04:00

Recently, I was once again asked to repair a piece of stained glass for a friend which got me thinking about customers who like stained glass but don't know what to look for when they are buying a panel or sun catcher.

If you are in the market for a nice piece of stained glass that will last, here are 5 things to look for before you buy.

1) This probably can go unsaid, but it’s not a bad idea to make sure the glass is indeed glass and not just colored plastic. Glass is heavier than plastic and sounds different than plastic when you tap it with a fingernail, coin or key.

2) The glass should fit tightly together with no “wiggle” room. If it’s not snugly encased by the foiled solder seams or the lead came, it will eventually crack or fall out.

3) Structurally, straight lines in a design are not as stabilizing as curved lines unless they have been reinforced with rods or stiff wire. This is especially important around the edges in a free-form piece, such as where the hands meet the sleeve on an angel.

4) Look for rounded (bulbous) solder seams. Flat seams will eventually peel away from the glass, especially around the outside edges.

5) Avoid buying a sun catcher or art glass panel with long narrow pieces of glass. When pieces of glass are very narrow (less than 1/4” and more than 5”, which is a ratio of 1:20), they are prone to cracking across the smaller dimension.

There’s nothing like seeing stained glass in person. However, if you are buying a piece of art glass online, read the description carefully. E-mail the artist with questions about tips 1, 2, and 3, especially if the answers are not evident in their product descriptions or photos. Hopefully the artist has included some detailed close-ups of solder lines, joints, and embellishments (as in the photo at the beginning of this article) and you will be able to see the quality of their soldering and look at their design elements.

If you have any other questions, just Ask Me.

St Patty's Day Blessings in Green

2010-03-16T17:58:00.004-04:00

Having a wee bit of Irish in me blood, I just couldn't let tomorrow pass without posting some clever handmade goodies that made me smile. Smiling itself is a blessing these days, and I hope seeing these bring a smile to you this Happy Saint Patty's Day.

Thanks to the artists behind these green pieces that were found while roaming the pages of Artfire and Etsy.

May God grant you every blessing, especially the ones you forgot to ask for.

Say I Love You with a Gift that Keeps on Giving

2010-01-16T13:46:00.010-05:00

Here comes Valentine's day, and if you are like me, you are still recovering from the pace of life during the Christmas holiday season. So, if you are looking for a simple inexpensive way to say "I love you" on Feb. 14 or for your anniversary, why not give a gift that keeps on giving.

Read on for the story behind the inspiration for this item and how it can take otherwise ordinary moments and make them extraordinary.

My husband and I went on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend in 1989 while stationed overseas, and for the past 20 years wehave continued to be involved with other couples who strive to enrich their relationships on a regular basis. This gift idea was inspired by a short presentation given by one of those couples about 15 years ago. They talked about how good solid relationships are built one moment at a time. At the end of the presentation each couple was given little hearts and encouraged to hide them for their spouse to find. At first it sounded kind of childish, but we decided to give it a try, and I'm glad we did.

We each took a heart and hid it for the other to find. The first time I found one I had an instant flush of excitement tingle in my cheeks that put a big grin on my face as well as in my heart. Over the years, I've experienced this warm and fuzzy sensation whenever I find a heart that my husband has hidden. I then spend a few minutes trying to think of a good hiding spot where he will stumble upon it and get a similar sensation. Sometimes they are so well hidden that it's days before we find one, but it's a little romantic gesture or game that we continue to play simply because it is fun. Sometimes, when one of us needs to travel we each keep a heart in our pocket so we can finger it, which prompts fond thoughts and feelings about each other.

Approximately 5 years ago, we shared the idea with another group of couples as an inexpensive way to introduce a little fun into their lives. Recently, they've begun asking about getting some new hearts to replace the well worn ones that have inadvertently gone through a laundry cycle and the ones that have either been lost when they fell out of a pocket or hidden so well they are considered missing in action.

Their inquiries and the release of the movie Fireproof, prompted me to dust off this idea, upgrade the quality of the hearts we were using as tokens of our love, and make them available to any couple who is willing give this simple idea a try. Or if you'd prefer to do it yourself, check out my article on HandmadeNews.org entitled DIY Valentine Project – Make a Gift that That Keeps on Giving. Its publication date is scheduled for January 17, 2010.

Whether you buy one of my packets of Love Tokens or decide to make some for yourself, my hope is that you will at least give this idea a try as a way to appreciate the unnecessary and add a spark of romance into your everyday lives.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Good Deal on Decorative Painting Books

2009-12-02T11:37:00.005-05:00

Bauernmalerei, a style of decorative folk art painting, first caught my eye while living in northern Bavaria in the late 70's. It seemed like every where we went, whether stopping at an inn for dinner, visiting a neighbor, or strolling through town, bright cheerfully painted functional items were plentiful. I was intrigued by the simple yet intricate stroke work that adorned everything from outdoor flower pots to old milking cans turned umbrella stands, to backs of chairs and kitchen counter-top canisters.

However, it wasn't until we returned a decade later to the Heidelberg area that I had an opportunity to learn the techniques associated with the hand painting done by rural peasants residing primarily in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. These commoners used the stylized stroke work to embellish household items from tiny wooden thimbles to large pieces of furniture.

My first and only teacher was a talented and patient woman named, Edna Terry. She taught her students the basic strokes by demonstrating proper brush techniques using a #3 round brush and a liner. She also taught us about paint consistency and introduced us to several of the different styles of European stroke work. As a hands-on learner, after 12 weeks in her class room, I was off and running. Everything else I've learned has been self-taught through reading decorative painting books.

Pictured here are two examples of my work that recently sold. You can see other examples of this type of folk art painting by visiting my online shop at ByCoco on Artfire and/or ByCoco on Etsy.

Recently, I ran across My Idea Center, which is a wonderful online source of decorative painting books being sold at a discount. The site carries books from many well know artists including Donna Dewberry, a popular American decorative painter, and Scottie Foster, one of my personal favorites who also lived in Germany for a while.

Decorative painting is a great way to add a little pizazz to ordinary items, turning them into extra ordinary pieces of art. It's also a great way to give new life to an old piece or turn some one else's trash into an eye-pleasing treasure. So, I wanted to pass along this site that is full of inspiring books, just in case it might spur you on.

Happy Painting!

Hunt for Hidden Santa and Enter to Win a Christmas Gift Bundle

2009-11-08T08:34:00.005-05:00

One of the online artist groups I belong to is the eSMArts team and we are "sharing the love" this holiday shopping season with a handmade bundle to warm your holidays!

Enter our Hidden Santa Treasure Hunt to WIN a Christmas Gift Bundle of unique handmade creations donated by the participating (sponsor) shops. The complete prize package, item photos and detailed descriptions will be announced on the Esmarts Blog shortly.

Our contest begins November 14th so check the Esmarts Blog for the full list of Sponsor Shops.
Sponsor Shop banners will be displayed at the top of the our team's blog (both left and right sidebar). To join in the fun and start hunting, simply click the banners to visit each of our Sponsor Shops.

How to Play:

Check the Esmarts blog for contest details and a list of participating eSMArts Sponsor Shops.

Visit each participating shop to find the hidden images of our Santa.

Make note of the URLs where you find our Santa pictured!

HINT: Santa images are not embedded yet. They won't be online until the contest start date of November 14, 2009.
Contest runs November 14-28, 2009 (close is November 28/09 at midnight eastern).
Drawing takes place November 29th.
Winner will be announced here November 30th.
Prize package ships December 1st, 2009.

Here's how to complete each entry:

Find 3 Santa images that you haven't previously submitted.

Email the URLs along with your name & address to esmartspromos [at] yahoo.ca to be entered. (Don't forget to substitute @ for [at] when entering the email address.)
3 new Santa image URLs equals ONE additional contest entry so enter as many times as you like by finding 3 new Santa image URLs!

Entries will be validated to ensure that contestants are submitting new Santa sightings.

Check the eSMArts blog often for hunting hints and tips.

Happy Hunting and Enjoy!

Tip: If while browsing around a sponsor shop you do not find Santa's image, try looking through that artisan's sold items as another shopper may have already bought that item.

Believe it or Not: Dreary Weather Inspired Bright Tropical Colored Fish

2009-10-27T15:41:00.003-04:00

Alas, here in Maine, the neon like autumn colors of leaf peaking season have passed and the past few days have been gray, chilly, and dreary. Being a southern gal who delights in bright sun light and the vibrant tropical flora of Louisiana, I caught my mood waning. But rather than give in to the call of the couch, a pile of blankets, and a good movie, I decided to create something that would transport my mind and my mood to a warm, sunny and colorful place.

Rummaging through a closet of projects that were put on hold, I came across 17 terra cotta fish shaped clay pots, which had originally been bought as supplies for a fountain I intended to make as a house warming gift for one of our sons when he moved into his own place. That was many moons ago, so I shook my head and chastised myself for letting my good intentions evaporate into "nada".

Then, "Ding!" The light bulb went off in my head. As I looked at the fish, I began dreaming about all the places I'd rather be. Tropical colors began dancing before my eyes, and it only took a few minutes to gather up some brightly colored paints, and voila... my mood brightened as I painted away.

These pots originally came from K's Studio in Portugal and are approximately 6"x3"x3". I used a glass enamel paint which was oven cured for durability. Each is a one of a kind original, but they were all painted using the same colors making them complimentary when grouped together. Each fish is a unique one-of-a-kind piece and has been assigned a number as part of this limited collection of 17 fish.

A grouping of them would make a stunning centerpiece in a beach side bungalow, or they could be used as decorations during a tropical themed wedding and then be taken home by members of the wedding party. Use as a pot for a small plant, fill with glass marbles or individually wrapped candies, or use as a pencil holder to brighten up your work area. Wherever you could use a splash of cheerful color, you can use one or more of these fish. You'll find them individually listed for sale in my Artfire Studio: ByCoco -- Art for Everyday Enjoyment.

This is the time of year, I'm usually focused on creating traditional holiday themed pieces, but even though these tropical looking fish don't conger up images of enjoying hearth side warmth during a snow storm, they do make me feel Merry, and I hope they'll do the same for you or for someone you know who likes tropical things.

Quick and Easy to Find Handmade Stocking Stuffers

2009-10-14T20:58:00.004-04:00

Are you looking for one of a kind stocking stuffers that won't break the bank? ArtFire.com, makes it easy for online shoppers to find unique yet inexpensive items as gifts this holiday season. Take a look at Artfire's Stocking Stuffer Trend Page.

On that page, you'll have quick access to items priced $10.00 and under that have been hand crafted and sized to fit in a traditional stocking. Below are just a few examples of what caught my eye when I went browsing through the stocking stuffer trend page:

Black Neck Warmer - Hand Knitted
by Orenda Luna

Lump of Coal Soap
by Alegheny Hearth (Soapsmith)

Ladybug Leaf Jumbo Paperclip Magnet
by RF Colorful Creations

Fleur de Lis (Pink and Black) Pendant
by Noisy Bird Studio

Amigurumi Hedggie Bubbles
by Rose Tree Creations

Please help the rest of us quickly find unique and fun gifts by leaving the URL of stocking stuffers that catch your eye in the comment section below. Or if you sell your handmade pieces through another online venue like Etsy, 1000 Markets, IndiePublic, Dawanda, etc. or even your own website, and your item would make a good stocking stuffer, feel free to post a link to the item you are selling.

Have fun shopping... And don't forget that most of the artists and artisans selling online are open to filling a custom order. Just contact them through their online shops to make your request.

And, as always, Kudos for buying handmade!

Tips for Transforming the Ordinary into an Extraordinary Experience...

2009-10-14T09:19:00.007-04:00

Sometimes good ideas are born from "mistakes" and excellence is experienced.

Last week, my husband made apple sauce from the Maine grown apples we harvested, but alas, there was "a little" more sauce than we had jars. (The Mistake: we ran out of jars.)

After dinner, while the left over apple sauce was still warm, we decided to spread it over some Gillford's vanilla ice cream for dessert...Umm, Ummmmm, Good! (The Good Idea: warm apple sauce over ice cream.) It was like eating hot apple pie a la mode, without all the work of making a pie.

I was amazed at how the apple sauce transformed plain old ordinary vanilla ice cream into an extraordinary dessert. So the next time you run out of chocolate syrup, or whatever topping the kids are asking for, open up a jar of apple sauce, add a little cinnamon and other pie spices (optional), heat up a portion (microwave works just fine), and pour enough to blanket a scoop of ice cream.

What's that? "Too out of the ordinary!" you say? You are afraid your kids will balk. Well, forget the kids. Sneak a private taste test. Yes, you deserve something deliciously uplifting. Why not treat yourself to a bowl of this heartwarming combo when no one is looking. Chances are you'll decide to keep this little tip to yourself to ensure that your household's apple sauce and ice cream supplies don't mysteriously disappear from the kitchen while you aren't looking.

However, should you decide to share this dessert idea with your family, and if you succeed at convincing little Mikey and the other naysayers to try it, I bet they'll like it. Be forewarned though; there's a good chance that they might not stop eating long enough to actually say, "Thank you, Mom." But, as you watch them change their tune from "Yu-uck!" to, "Umm, Ummmmm, Good!" you'll know that you're a cool Mom in their eyes, at least for the moment.

Have you used an unusual topping to turn plain ole vanilla ice cream into an extraordinary treat?
Share your tip in the comments below.

And, Enjoy!

Sell Your Handmade Arts & Crafts through ArtFire’s Free-For-All

2009-10-08T16:40:00.003-04:00

Do you like to dabble in crafts? Do you make your own gifts by hand? Have any of your family or friends suggested you try selling the items you create? Do you already sell online but want to try another venue?

If you answered yes to any of the above, now may be the right time for you to take advantage of the ArtFire Holiday Free-For-All--Just click on the graphic above. Artfire is the fastest growing handmade venue on the internet and is offering a risk-free way for potential sellers to test the market.

During the month of October, those who sign up for a Basic (free) account can use the the Global Product Editor and the Etsy Importer, which are features usually reserved for Verified ($12/month for life) account sellers. During October, even basic accounts can list an unlimited number of items in their studio. And there, are no listing, selling, or other fees.

It almost sounds too good to be true. But, Artfire is hoping that new sellers trying their venue will be so pleased with their experience that they will continue on as an Artfire seller after the holiday season. So this is their way of “Paying It Forward” and helping all handmade artists have a very merry holiday season.

This is one time you might not want to procrastinate. After all, it’s a Free-For-All.

Breathing New Life into Old Treasures

2009-09-24T12:35:00.000-04:00

While taking a stroll through cyberspace this week, something caught my eye and held my attention as it tickled my trash to treasure fetish.

Elena, of EP Designs based in Australia, wrote about what she did to breath new life into some old discarded gravy boats and a friend's well-used silver trinket box. Elena's store Timeless Treasures is hosted by BidMate.au.

I'm a decorative painter as well, but have never thought about painting some of my old, well-worn, silver plated pieces. So thanks Elena for getting that light bulb to go off in my head. The article that inspired me is entitled: "Created With Love" and can be found on Elena's Blog.

Not only did her article fan my passion for transforming trash into treasure, it also introduced me to something called "Pink Saturday". Now being a tomboy at heart, and not much of a girly girl, the color pink isn't usually something that captures my interest. However, what Beverly, author of the blog How Sweet the Sound, started on June 6, 2008 has caught on and spread like a wild fire among fellow bloggers. "So Just What is Pink Saturday" describes how Pink Saturday got started, and "Let's Talk About Pink Saturday" is an update on the goals and rules of engagement.

If you're a blogger, you may want to look into this. This past Saturday, 157 bloggers particip a t ed. There were six new participants this week, so it's not too late to jump on the bandwagon. Even if you decide not to participate by posting something pink on Saturday, visiting the blogs of those who do and seeing some of their "Pinks" is a hoot. So, have fun poking around. It's so much more entertaining than most of what's on TV these days. I even saw a photo of a live pink poodle. (I suspect the photo was altered digitally, but maybe not.)

Enjoy!

Photo Courtesy:

Top and Middle Left: Elena of EP Designs

Botton Right: Beverly of How Sweet the Sound

Pennsylvania Brick and Mortar Shops Dedicated to Handmade

2009-09-20T06:41:00.008-04:00

Seems like the handmade movement may be really catching on through out America, or at least in Pennsylvania. Michelle, the jewelry artist behind Michabella Creations, recently wrote two blog posts about brick and mortar shops dedicated to promoting the work of local artists and artisans.

In Michelle's article entitled "Hello Bluebird Grand Opening" she introduces an online friend's brand new boutique and gallery located in the historic business district of West Reading, PA. By going to Hello Bluebird's website, you can learn all about why the owners dreamed of establishing such a shop and how they turned their dream into a reality.

In another article entitled "My First Jewelry Class", Michelle mentions The Hod g e Podgery, an establishment located in Midtown Harrisburg that is dedicated to promoting the independent arts and crafts movement in Pennsylvania. Besides offering artists and crafters the opportunity to consign their functional handmade creations this shop also runs classes and workshops to the DIYers interested in learning how to do a specific craft themselves.

Where there are two, there are probably three, four, or even more. So, if you know of other brick and mortar shops throughout the country, or the world for that matter, please leave their name and link in the comments section below. If enough of you reply, I'll try to include the local shops and their links in another article about making your Christmas this year a Handmade Christmas.

Etsy Artists Help Fellow Etsy Artists

2009-09-01T11:40:00.013-04:00

Visiting blogs is often like going on a treasure hunt. This past weekend, while checking out others’ blogs I found a wonderful, inspiring and uplifting nugget on a blog called “Bags by Melanie.” In the right hand sidebar, Melanie, who has an Etsy store also called Bags by Melanie, has a short write-up that Introduces H.O.S.T.

H.O.S.T. is the Etsy “Helping Others Street Team”, which is comprised of over 100 Esty artists who share the virtuous quality of compassion. HOST has its origins in a discussion thread started by Heather, of Heather R. Lange Art, at 3:15pm on December 20, 2007 entitled “Is Anyone in Need This Season?”

The response was overwhelming—almost 3000 posts in only 7 days. There were a lot of sad stories relating the need of Etsians and their families, but each sad story was answered by an outpouring of posts with words of encouragement, freewill gifts and donations, and leads on resources that might help meet a specific need.

Approximately five hours after the thread began, an Etsy buyer of handmade who goes by GeauxOrganic, commented “I think there needs to be an Etsy gives back street team.” Many participating in the discussion, agreed and 3 days later HOST became an official street team on Etsy.

I think Melanie’s mention of the HOST team caught my eye, because I recently wrote an article for HanmadeNews.org which was published in their Guild and Team Department. “Virtual Strangers Offer Surprise Support to Team Member with Cancer” tells the story of Etsy Artist Joyce Richards of Wild Orchid’s Beads of Glass who was recently diagnosed with Cancer and how members of her Etsy Twitter Team (ETT) reached out with the same kind of compassion that members of HOST show their fellow Etsians.

“Hosties”, as they call themselves, offer friendship, emotional support, help with shop promotion, and basic financial assistance. If you’d like to help the Hosties help others, you can become a member, go to their team blog and make a monetary donation, purchase an item from their team store or donate an item to their store. Below is a glimpse into the HOST Etsy Store.

I do believe that when we have compassion and act on our compassion, we make the world a better place. I also believe, that in a time when so many in our country are struggling, it’s wonderful, inspiring and uplifting to hear and share good news. I hope this brief article, warms your heart and stirs up even more compassion in all of us.

New Type of Button Creatively Crafted

2009-08-17T11:23:00.006-04:00

Normally when I think of a button, I think of a fastener sewn onto clothing. However, these days in the internet world of blogging and websites, creatively crafted buttons can add eye pleasing pizazz and polish for online readers.

Recently while cruising down blog lane, I stumbled upon "Critical Mass", a blog written by a Texan named Rae Ann. As I began reading about her travels, my eyes kept wandering to the sidebars which are loaded with "buttons". And then, I finally realized that Rae Ann designs web buttons, banners, and backgrounds which are for sale online at the Button Box.

There are many other graphic artists out there who also design web buttons and other "branding" aids for the online entrepreneur. I did a quick search on both Etsy.com and Artfire.com, seeing as those are my favorite two handmade selling venues.

I found the variety of styles amazing, from cartoon like depictions, to vintage collage, to professionally business like to name a few. Somewhere, there is a graphic artist that can give you the style you're looking for. So if you're in the market for web buttons or other graphic design services, here's a list of artists I ran across in my preliminary search, all of whom would be happy to work with you on a custom design to fit your exact needs.

I designed my own logo, avatar, and banner, but if you used a graphic designer for your shop or blog, please tell us about your experience in the comment section below. Also, feel free to leave a comment if you are a graphic designer and want to add your name to the partial list above or just tell us more about your style or the services you offer.

It's great when we can support each other artist to artist.

Photo Courtesy
Top Left: Rae Ann of the Button Box
Bottom Right: Joyful Rose

Read through the comments to see graphic artists like hotgluemedia.com that have been recommended by other readers!

Working Magic with a White Elephant

2009-07-21T17:49:00.008-04:00

I truly believe “Necessity is the Mother of Invention” and nothing stirs up my creative juices like the need of a friend. And Mezz, of MezziG Creations and author of Creative Outlet, is a perfect example of exactly that. She took a friend’s sentimental white elephant and worked her magic by turning it into 8 upcycled heirloom pieces for members of her friend’s family. To the left is a picture of one of my favorites. To get the whole story and see the other 7 necklaces as well as a picture of the original piece of jewelry that she creatively re-purposed, I suggest you read her article entitled “For Friends.”

Mezz is a talented jewelry artist from Sydney, Australia who recently picked up kumihimo. “Wh at is k u mihimo?” you may be asking, at least I sure did. Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese art form of “gathering threads” and braiding them into intricate and highly decorative designs. It’s sort of a refined macramé that is done using a special disc as a loom. If you’d like to learn more about kumihimo, I once again point you to Mezz's blog where you will find these three articles: Braiding One, Braiding Two, and Using My Kumihimo.

I very much enjoyed running into Mezz in cyberspace. She comes across as energetic yet grounded. Her writing has a casual upbeat tempo and I found the samples of her handmade jewelry intriguing and her stories heartwarming. I thought you too might enjoy meeting her. And if you head for her blog, I hope you enjoy your time there as much as I did.

Honoring American Women and Being Honored

2009-07-05T16:44:00.011-04:00

Mary Anne Gruen, of Startlight Blog, blew me away twice today. The first time was with her July 4th post (which I just read yesterday) about four American Heroines I had never heard of before. And the second time was when I discovered that Mary Anne had bestowed upon me (for my blog) the Neno's Award.

Most importantly, I hope you'll visit her blog and read In Honor of July 4t h. It's an enlightening article about the impact four women had on our developing country--these were four women I had never heard of before: Sybil Ludington, Deborah Sampson (alias Robert Shurtliff), Nancy Hart, and Phillis Wheatley. Reading a short recap of these women's stories reminded me that no matter whether we are men or women, slave or free, young or old, we all have a contribution to make and a chance to leave our mark on the world.

Secondly, I admit that I'm better at tooting someone else's horn than tooting my own. So it was a very pleasant surprise to discover I had been given the Neno's Award by Mary Anne. I was both honored and humbled when she recognized me as a "team player who's always looking to support other artists." It's so empowering and uplifting to be recognized for who I am, and not just the quality of my stained glass and decorative folk painting. So thank you, Mary Anne. You made my day!

The Neno's Award was originally created by Retno Sofyaniek from Denpasar, Indonesia and first distributed to her exchange-links on March 16, 2009. Retno, who goes by her childhood knick name Neno, did a search for "Neno's Award" just for curiosity sake on May 2 and was totally amazed to find out that in those 6 weeks thousands of bloggers had received and posted the award. Neno is an English teacher working for an educational company in Kuta and the name of her blog is "I Can't Stop Smiling All the Time".

Neno initiated this award as a way to recognize and applaud those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging. She also wanted the receipients to share why they enjoy blogging. These were the "rules" she suggested for the receipients of the award.
• Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it.
• Don’t forget to mention the person who gives you the award.
• Answer the award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging.
• Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.
• Don’t forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

What amazes me the most about this award, is that when I searched "Neno Award" there were 358,000 results, yet it has morphed very little. The "rules" cited by Mary Anne asks that the reciepient includes links to the person's blog who game them the award as well as links to the blogs they are recognizing witht he award in their post about the award. And the new stipulation is that one nominates 5 fellow bloggers to receive the award instead of leaving it up to the receipient.

I don't think it's important to follow the specifics of the rules, but rather to remain in the spirit of the award's creator. So with that in mind, I'd like to nominate the following:

Military Spouse Web for their tireless efforts in promoting and supporting the businesses run by military service members' spouses. It's a noble patriotic thing to do and a great way to recognize the sacrifices made by the spouses and families of our soldiers. Thank you.

TeriB of S & T Creations for her openness and eagerness in sharing her expertise through several on line venues. I often catch myself wondering if she ever sleeps.

Arlene of Spirit Essence Art for her creative enthusiasm and her willingness to spur us all on by sharing both her struggles and her successes in living an artist's life. A stop by her blog always leaves me inspired.

And lastly, I should mention why I like to blog...it's simply I love to write, I love to connect people with other people, and I love to reflect on life. Blogging lets me do all three at once.

Copper Wire Caught My Eye

2009-07-05T15:51:00.008-04:00

Recently, I was refered to the blog By Earth Expressions where artist Suzy of Earth Expressions on Etsy.com was showing off some of her latest handcrafted copper jewelry. I was immediately drawn in and found many of her jewelry pieces to be intriguing.

As a stained glass artist, I often work with copper wire as reinforcement as well as decorative embellishments for my pieces. I also enjoyed seeing the way Suzy used glass, wood, and resin to make one of a kind necklace pendants. So I thought I'd share the links to her blog and her shop with you, in case you have a minute to take a look.

For a quick trip to see either of these items in Suzy's Etsy just click on their photo. And, thanks Suzy for letting me use your photos.

Enjoy!
Coco

Military Musings

2009-06-22T12:47:00.009-04:00

Once a military wife, always a military wife! And as a (retired) military wife I enjoyed reading the musings of Amanda, author and owner of the blog: Confessions from Household6. As soon as I read her subtitle, "life from my quarters to yours" I felt a connection. (For those of you that aren't military, our "quarters" are our homes especially when living on base in military housing.)

I don't know Amanda personally, but many of her stories made me smile as I reminisced about the good ole days when our kids were still living at home, and our life was full of moves, TDY's (involuntary separations due to Temporary Duty assignments), and ways to have fun without spending much money like BYO (Bring Your Own) meat BBQ's and neighborhood street parties.

Even though, because of PCS' (Permanent Change of Station), friends came and went as if through a revolving door, the friendships we made with other military families have lasted through the years and long absences just make the cherished reconnections by phone, email, facebook, and real life visits all the more precious.

If you'd like a glimpse into military family life that's told with a sense of humor, and yet smacks of a reality show, you might want to grab a cup of tea, stop by her blog, and settle down for a good read. But if you only have time for a quicky, I suggest her one (1) paragraph story entitled "Busted". Amada is a creative and disciplined blogger who takes her digital scrapbooking seriously and posts a new article virtually everyday.

Families of our military also deserve our thanks and our support. You can give her a boost, by leaving a comment under one of her blog posts. As a fellow blogger, I can tell you that it's always nice to know that someone read what you spent time writing. And, if Amanda ever turns her musings into a book, you can say you were reading her stories even before she became famous.

And speaking of supporting the families of our military... The next time you are in need of a present for a special occassion consider buying something handmade from a Homefront Artist. Homefront is a support community for the artistically talented military spouses of active duty, reservist, or retired United States Service members who are selling their artwork on Etsy, Artfire, or 1000 Markets.

I'm a member of the Etsy Homefront Street Team and our motto is: "We keep the homefires burning for our uniformed service members worldwide." To learn more about this group of artists, visit their blog by clicking here.

When you make a purchase from a member of Homefront, you are supporting a military spouse. Most Homefront Etsy artists have tagged their items with the words "Homefront Team" in order to facilitate a search for their items. However, the quickest and easiest way is to just click on one of the buttons below.

To Shop for Homefront Artists on Etsy.com

To Shop for Homefront Artists on ArtFire.com

To Shop for Homefront Artists on 1000 Markets.com

And, if you know of another Homefront group, please leave their link in the comments below.

Extraordinary Work Space

2009-06-21T17:42:00.007-04:00

While out cruising the web this Sunday afternoon, I saw something that made me stop and take a second look. A couple of weeks back, Kim, of The Polka Dot Press, gave us an inside glimpse of her workspace and cited the source of her inspiration as the magazine "Where Women Create."

I'm not usually the jealous type, but seeing her space made me think about revamping my own. I could take my ordinary space--a studio with a cement floor like a basement or garage and lots of shelving and flat counter tops made of plywood--and turn it into something extra ordinary.

July sounds like a good month for that type of project. Maybe I'll take some before and after pictures to share. Maybe I should get a copy of that magazine and read it first. Or at least I should dream about it for a few days... I sure would like to work in an environment that was comfortable, esthetically pleasing, and inspiring rather than just utilitarian or functional. Thinking cap on...

How about you? Any ideas??? Don't hold back. I may just incorporate your suggestions into my revamped space. So open up a comment box and tell us about the best feature in your workspace? Is there anything about your space that motivates or stimulates your creative process? Do you have a unique organizational system for storing your supplies or finished pieces?

Petty Cash Box photo courtesy of TippleandSnack of Etsy

Felted Pencil Cup photo courtesy of CozyCottageCreations of Etsy

Writing for HandmadeNews.org

2009-06-15T17:43:00.011-04:00

I highly recommend HandmadeNews.org as a great resource for both buyers and sellers in the world of handmade. It's a comprehensive site, with a dynamic staff of columnists and editors writing for 14 sections or departments including:

Main Feature
Craft Techniques
Guild & Teams
Just for Fun
Craft Trends
Marketing
Business Tips
Inspiration
Green Wise
Featured Artisan
Item of the Day
Crafty Kids
Front Page
Most Popular

This site was launched on June 8th and is quickly growing in popularity. Some of the articles I've found most interesting include:

Create Your Own Seed Paper
An article about making seed paper that you can write a note on and
then the recipient can plant it rather that put it in the trash

Vetrazzo-The Ultimate Example of Trash to Treasure
An article about a company who makes gorgeous counter tops out of recycled glass
that competing as an elegant alternative to more expensive granite

Snow Globes For Any Occasion
These would be a great craft project for kids--even teens, a fabulous table decoration for a fundraiser or as a wedding favor or a get well present for someone stuck in bed.

Sock Coffee Cozy: A Craft Supply Challenge Project
You don't even have to be crafty to do this project. All you need are a stash of lonely socks who lost their partner to the hungry monster in the washing machine or dryer.

Recrafting Yourself in the Second Half of Life

Some of you may not be there, but at 50+ and in the second half of my life, all I can say is, "Amen!"

That's a sampling just to whet your appetite. New articles are published every day in each department. Now that I'm a columnist in the Guild & Teams department, I don't have as much time for perusing. So, why don't you go to HandmadeNews.org and read an article for me. If you really like it, use the comments below to recommend it to the rest of us.

Enjoy!

Nature's Best and Giveaway #5

2009-06-12T18:10:00.008-04:00

I'm intrigued by the NaturalKids team on Etsy. They have their own blog and their own store front where you can shop by category. But I had never heard of them until I read about their giveaway on a blog called Woolies-Woolies. The specific prize was not announced, but browsing through their items, I'd be happy to win anything.

To enter, all you need to do is visit two of their members' etsy store and pick a favorite item from each and mention them in a comment at the end of the Natural Kids Giveaway #5 article. Hope you have as much fun as I did.

One of their members named Sara is the author of Woolies-Woolies. She is an artist and avid knitter who has two shops on Etsy: Woolies & Buster and Boo. She creates knitted shawls, baby items, stuffed animals, as well as jewelry and accessories.

Here is one piece from each or her shops to whet your appetite. (Click on the image for more details.)

Diamonds for Your Shoulders

Photo courtesy of Woolies

Vintage Typewriter Key Necklace, the letter H

Photo courtesy of Buster and Boo

Enjoy!

Is Life Art?

2009-06-11T13:55:00.007-04:00

I have no clue which Ernst Fisher gave us this art quote of the day, but his words could have been my words:

“I don’t want life to imitate art. I want life to be art.”--Ernst Fischer

I believe there is an art to enjoying life. No one ever gets to live a fairytale life, for each of our lives is full of “curve balls” and every once in a while we are dealt a bad hand. I’ve come to realize that the secret to life is not in getting the right cards, or even the best cards, but it’s in how we play our hand.

A good poker player can beat three of a kind with a pair of deuces. I saw that happen once. And, I’ve heard a friend who lost their job tell me that he and his wife decided to take an evening stroll instead of their usual Friday night dinner at a fancy restaurant, and ended up having a wonderful time. They took lemons and artfully made lemonade.

Life is art, when we enjoy the people we love and the beauty that surrounds us. My life is living art when I take the time to sit with my husband at the edge of a lake, and we open our senses to the natural beauty that is before us just waiting to be noticed.

As we sit there, we soak in the beautiful changing colors of the sunset. The dazzling diamond like sparkles of light bouncing on the rippling water mesmerizes us. We are lulled into a relaxed peacefulness by the soft lapping sound of baby waves. A hint of pine from the forest just behind us fills our nostrils as we breathe in slowly and purposefully. We are caressed by the feathery touch of the gentle breeze. Two birds frolicking in the air just above our heads provide entertainment, and we giggle over the frog that has perched himself on a nearby log and watches us with curiosity. We share the secrets from our day intermittently with moments of intimate silence. We experience life as a taste of heaven and life becomes art.

Unfortunately we can’t stay at the edge of the lake forever. But we can continue to live our life in an artful way. A good artist uses their medium to create a piece of art that stirs our souls into seeing something in a new and appealing way. We become the artist of our lives when we not only look for beauty in every person and situation but when we open ourselves to really take in that beauty and experience it in a new way.

Please leave a comment about a time when you experienced life as art…

Award Winning Blog

2009-05-28T16:46:00.005-04:00

ByCoco's Art for Everyday Enjoyment is now an award winning blog thanks to Studio618. That blog received this award from MandiBeads who received it from from Anna of Life, Craftiness, and Everything Else who received it from Leslie of Shrimp Salad Circus... You get the idea...

I'm thrilled to have received it, not only because it's my first award, but because I really enjoy passing along good things and this gives me the opportunity to do just that--sort of like playing Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.

Let's see, while envisioning myself as One Lovely Blog Award Fairy, whose blogs come to mind?

In my humble opinion, I think these fellow blogs also deserve this award because... Well check them out for yourself.

Artfire Cafemom Team
Etsy's Homefront Team Blog
Etsy Maine Team • the way handmade should be
Folk Art and Primtives on A...
Military Spouse Web
DjStoreRoom
Spirit Essence Art
Bows for Baby
Resweater
Dose of Creativity
Half an Acre
LoopDiLoops
Mother Goose and Gear
Crochet Thoughts
Spa Goddess Speaks

Cheers! & Congratulations!
This is one of Studio618's jewelry pieces for sale on ArtFire.

If these blogs choose to accept this award, they should post it on their blog along with my name and a link to my blog and then pass the award on to 15 other blogs.

Thank you, Studio618 for passing this award on to me for this blog and for the opportunity to introduce my readers to these other noteworthy blogs. Hope you had fun checking them out and I hope they enjoy passing on the honor by recognizing other blogs.

I can't resist showing off one more piece of Studio618's jewelry. This wire pendant with turquoise beads is for sale in her Etsy shop. I thought it was both unique and intriguing.
Click on the picture to take a closer look and get the details about this piece.

Trash to Treasure Using Old Plaques

2009-05-26T13:09:00.007-04:00

Fellow artist, Sayo Granich-Lee, found some old discarded plaques and wants to turn them into display pieces for her jewelry. In an article entitled "New Displays" on her blog she solicits ideas from her readers. Her article got my creative mind to whirling and believing that the more ideas the merrier, I thought I'd try to direct a few creative geniuses her way.

I'm thinking she should go ahead with her plan to strip and refinish the plaques. I'd do it in a natural wood finish (either light, medium or dark). I would then mount a hand on one, a pair of ears on another, and maybe a neck (with or without a manikin style head) on yet another turning them into 3D displays similar to taxidermy mountings. The protruding forms could be made of styrofoam, paper-mâché, clay, or other easily sculpted material and then covered in a black flocking giving them a velvety felt like finish. Plaques could then be hung on a wall or other vertical surface and rings could be displayed on the fingers of the hand, earrings could dangle from holes in the ears, and a necklace could be draped around the neck.

The remaining plaques could be topped with a raised black velvet pad and placed flat on a table or shelf (like a plate or tray) and Sayo's jewelry pieces could be laid on top. Or maybe...

Oh, Oh, Oh, my brain is racing away with me. Another option would be to affix a cork pad to front of the refinished plaques and a frame brace on the back. Pins could hole the jewelry in place and the plaques could be displayed angled slightly back on a table or shelf. Or she could prop them up on an angle for a more sophisticated look.

Enough of my ideas. If you enjoy transforming trash into treasure as much as I do, why don't you head over to the article on her blog , let your imagination run wild and leave your ideas in her comment section. I know she would appreciate your creative insights as she takes these ordinary plaques and turns them into an extraordinary display for her artwork.

A Memorial Day Thank You

2009-05-25T09:36:00.003-04:00

As a retired military spouse, I know first hand the sacrifices required of service members and their families. Some are huge like loss of limb or loss of life for the sake of others' freedom. Some are not that life altering, but still huge, like missing the birth of your child, missing milestones in their life, or not being to together to celebrate your anniversary. Some are small, like early morning PT (physical training), living on a tight budget, or short TDY's (periods of involuntary separation because of a temporary duty assignment).
My husband has been retired for over a decade now, but we still miss those good old days. Looking back in time and reflecting on our time in the military, I can see all the sacrifices we made. Back then, while living it, we were too busy sacrificing to notice. It was a way of life, and a way of life that brought the best out in us and our children.
Anyway, as a tribute to all those who have served, and all those serving, I wanted to say "thank you." So I started the following thread on Etsy.com and hope that you will go there and leave a comment of thanks.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6160266
I had originally planned to send the link to my husband as a present this Memorial Day, but think I will also forward it to many of our military friends. Feel free to do the same.
When I last checked there were 41 comments. Hope there's many more by the time you add yours.

Proud to be a Mainer and Even Prouder of My Fellow Etsy Mainers

2009-05-20T17:03:00.005-04:00

Click here to read all about it!

Fiber Artist Makes Pouches with Pizazz

2009-05-18T14:00:00.007-04:00

Had it not been for Jenny, author of Creature of Craft, I may never have stumbled upon fiber artist, Robyn of ShibaNg Designs, who creates these attractive pouches and purses. I was immediately drawn to her use of splashy color on neutral backgrounds and kept hearing the fuzzy texture whisper in my ear an invitation to reach out and touch it. Ooh, la, la.

Robyn’s zippered pouches come in several sizes: a 3.5" x 5" coin purse, an 8" x 5" pencil case, and a 2" x 4" x 8" cosmetic bag. Not only are they beautiful, but they are functional and versatile as well. For, instance, the coin purse is also the right size to keep keys, most cell phones, mp3 players, tissues, rosaries, or individually wrapped hand wipes. Just use your imagination, and fill them with whatever pieces you need to keep protected or bundled together inside a pocket, a bag, or even a drawer.

The process Robyn uses starts with a screen print. Then she applies hand-dyed felted wool to create the flower applique, making each one unique yet in a style that is recognizable as her own. Her pouches feature a vinyl lining for durability and a zipper closure for functionality. In my mind, Robyn takes these ordinary useful items and gives them artistic pizazz, making them extraordinary and a delightful way to keep items organized in your purse.

Speaking of purses, Robyn also makes purses. The purse pictured here is 17”x13” with a shoulder strap that is 25”. To help the bag hold its shape and to add durability, Robyn uses heavy duty polyester interfacing as an interlining between the bag and the cotton lining. This purse also features an inside zippered pocket and a magnetic snap to keep it closed.

If you’d like to learn more about Robyn, her education, and her craft check out Jenny’s May 15^th Artist Feature Friday article on her blog, CreatureofCraft. And while you are there, check out Jenny’s bead weaving. She too is a gifted artist, offering some exceptional handmade items through her store, JMackJems, on Etsy.

Clicking on any picture in this article will take you to that item’s online listing. If you know someone else you think would enjoy Robyn’s pouches and purses, please send them the link to this article. And don’t forget to leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts and reactions to either Robyn and her work or Jenny and her work.

Favorite Time to Shop Online

2009-05-17T16:53:00.000-04:00

Time has run out to vote on your favorite time to shop online, but the results are in.
And, there was a tie!
The two most popular times to shop on line were, in the morning with a cup of coffee/tea in hand and in the evening after dinner while one's spouse watches TV. Both of those times received 33% of the votes.
The second runner up was late at night when one can't sleep with 22%.
11% voted for "Other", and I wish I had figured out how to allow them to leave comments. My curiosity has me wondering when they shop online or maybe they don't shop online at all.
Believe it or not, no one took advantage of their lunch hour or down time during an afternoon lull to shop, which didn't take me totally by surprise.
I also ran the same poll on another site with similar results but late at night came in first by a narrow margin.
My conclusion, is that most of us who shop online, use the quiet time in the morning, in the evening, and late at night.
Thank you, to those who participated. Though not definitive, I found this interesting.
What is your take on the results?

Who's Afraid of the Swine?

2009-05-07T16:28:00.006-04:00

With all the scuttlebutt about the swine flue, I thought I give us some reasons not to fear our farm yard friend. So I went looking through Artfire and Etsy, and rounded up some handmade items that made me fall in love with pigs all over again. Click on an image to go to that item in the Artist's online store or click on Artist's name to see all their items.

First up is a Piggy Pincushion from Blackbirdfashion of Etsy. Measuring approximately 4" tall and 5" wide, this sweet pincushion was crafted from a Japanese pig mug, some fiberfill, and a scrap of wool sweater. Any crafty guy or gal would enjoy having this little piggy hold their pins.

Then I found this adorable pink Pig Hat by Pigatopia on Artfire. This one made me wish it was Mardi Gras time all over again. The artist is donating all the money generated from the sale of this item to help pay for food shelter and vet bills of abandon abused and rescued animals.

This rubber ducky pig soap made me giggle. It is hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic(does not clog pores) and meets vegan guidelines. DuckySoaps of Etsy makes a variety of rubber duck soaps that are soft and child safe. They come in many different fun themes for any occasion, and they'll even take custom orders.

This wonderfully vibrant piggy bank makes me want to feed him all my spare change, which could be very helpful in this time of economic penny pinching. He measures 5 3/4 inches high, 6 inches long and 4 1/2 inches wide. Ronalyn of Artfire, covered this ceramic bank with slices of her polymer clay cane and added solid color clay details using Premo brand clay. With proper care, this bank will last forever.

I had never heard of a clean pig before. Offered by Lesliejanson on Etsy, this 22" grain sack pillow is made of cotton cotton and has a lapped back for easy removal of the down and feather insert for cleaning. It sports a great pig graphic and a sense of humor as it reads "A clean pig is a happy pig". If my kids still lived at home, I think I'd buy one for each of them.

Now here is something for all the piggy lovers out there. Approximately 10" x 32", this piece of garden art was cut from heavy 16 gauge steel and then welded onto an "h" shaped stake for easy "planting". The artist, SteelMyArt, coated it with Instarust to initiate the natural rusting process and has this pig listed in her Artfire studio.

As a first time grandmother to be, this bib caught my eye. It is offered on Etsy by SherrifPea nut, a one woman bib making machine hailing from the Berwyn, Illinois. This bib was inspired by the scene in "A Christmas Story" where the mom says to the little brother "Show me how the piggy eats!" It is
covered in clear vinyl for easy wipe-ability, is machine washable in cold water, and should be hung up to dry!

I had a nostalgic moment when I happened upon this wooden pig toy made by HappyS quashToys of Etsy. This farm friend is an originan design, and was cut by hand from poplar wood. It stands 4 inches tall and is 6 inches wide. Two coats of non-toxic water based paint were applied for a smooth finish and then topped off with a child safe protective coating to ensure that this piece will provide years and years of imaginary play.
.
Last but not least, this set of four 1" plus half marbles feature 3/4" inch rare earth magnets would look wonderful on any fridge. These piggies are darling as they flirt from their blue-green background. Their creator, HoboMoon of Etsy, says, "The magnets are super strong, however all fridges are built differently. They may or may not adhere to your fridge depending on the surface or build of your fridge."

Hopefully viewing this collection of friendly pigs has taken your mind off the swine flue and restored your trust in these wonderful animals. Let me know which of these is your favorite pig, or if you know of another noteworthy pig themed piece of art, please leave a link in the comment section below. Have a happy Oink Oink day, and don't forget to wash your hands.

Overcome Procrastination

2009-05-04T16:48:00.002-04:00

Thank you, Mr. Wordsworth, but that's easier said than done. None the less, today's art quote, "To begin, begin," by William Wordsworth is simple, direct, and full of truth. At least for me, beginning a project is the only thing that is harder than knowing when to say it is done.

"To begin, begin."

By William Wordsworth

I remember in high school sitting in front of a blank piece of paper wondering how I should start my essay. As the minutes ticked by, my brain seemed to freeze up all the tighter, until the teacher leaned over and whispered in my ear, "just write anything, so at least you have starting point."

She, like Mr. Wordsworth, was absolutely right. Once the first few words were on the page, I immediately scratched them out and replaced them with what I really wanted to say. Then, the rest seemed to just flow out of my pen. I’ve applied that lesson to many aspects of my life, but when it comes to my art work, well… if the truth be told, I often get stymied.

So why do I still get "stuck" before I start a project? Most often it's my fear of failure, my fear of wasting good art supplies, or my fear of running out of time. Yes, I'd say it's always fear of some sort that causes my procrastination, my writer's block, or more accurately my artist's block.

Overcoming my fears is the key to overcoming my tendency to procrastinate. This process always seems to start with self reflection and the ability to recognize my unconscious fears and bring them into my conscious thoughts. Once I know what my fear is, I can decide if it is a legitimate fear that I should heed or if it is something I can choose to ignore without suffering any severe or unwanted consequences. If it’s not a legit fear, I’m freed and ready to dive in and begin.

So the next time you think you might be procrastinating, ask yourself, "What’s your worst fear?" Decide if it’s valid. If you’re afraid that you’ll burn the studio down trying a new technique, then maybe you shouldn’t begin, but if you’re worried about the embarrassment of failure, you might upon further thought decide that trying and failing is better than not trying at all.

If you’ve ever caught yourself procrastinating, how did you overcome it? Let the rest of us know in the comment section below.

An After thought: Procrastination is just one form of artist's block. Other issues artists and creative types might face include physical or emotional exhaustion, stressful circumstances, bad habbits or vices that are taking a toll, etc. And there are many great articles out there addressing the topic of artist block. Gail Miller has written "Overcoming Artist's Block" and "Overcoming Artist's Block (part 2)", both of which are worth a quick read.

Vote in Artfire Cafemom's Weekly Contest

2009-05-02T08:55:00.005-04:00

See if your favorite is the most popular. Go to the Artfire Cafemom Team's Blog to place your vote and see the results. Just click here:

This weeks theme is flowers, and the pieces submitted range from a felted broach, jewelry, a zippered pouch, a painting, polymer clay creations, and a hand painted box. Voting takes place on Saturday and Sunday and the winner is announced on Monday's.

The Artfire Cafemom Team is a guild of artists who all sell their artwork through a studio/store on Artfire.com. The common detonator is that all of their members are Moms, which makes this an eclectic group representing many different artistic mediums and many different geographical locations.

Their blog is also full of recipes and helpful hints for Mom's like time management and parenting tips. It's a great group, and I'm proud to be one of their members.

And, yes, one of my pieces is entered in the contest. To see which one go to: http://artfirecafemomteam.blogspot.com/2009/05/weekly-contest-flowers.html

Hunting for Treasure

2009-04-28T13:14:00.005-04:00

The Treasury an exciting and much used feature within the Etsy Community. Introduced in August of 2006, the Treasury gave community members an opportunity to to act as a curator by personally handpicking 12 of their favorite items and posting the grouping for others to view. Each collection is based on a theme that ties all the featured artwork together for an effective display. These individual lists remain active for 2 days, often soliciting comments from viewers and potential buyers who, with one click, are taken to the featured item in the artist’s store. The best of the best of these member-curated collections are occasionally promoted to the front page of Etsy, making this a valuable promotional tool.

Many artists who belong to an Etsy Street Team will create a treasury to highlight and promote the artwork of their fellow team members. It’s always exciting to get an email from the creator of a treasury announcing that one of my items has been featured. But not all curators contact those whose art they have featured.

I just learned of a site, Craftopolis, that allows an Etsy Artist to search through all the treasuries to find any of their items that are currently being featured. To my surprise, when I entered my shop’s name, ByCoco, under the “Treasure Hunt” tab, it told me that I was a featured artist and gave me the link to the treasury. What a thrill.

On that same site, an artist can perform a gift guide search to see if they are featured in one of Etsy’s popular gift guides. Alas, just as I expected, none of my items are currently featured in a gift guide. But that won’t stop me from returning to Craftopolis every day or two to check again.

Checking for Etsy shop hearts on Craft Cult or checking to see if I’ve been featured in a treasury or gift guide on Craftopolis, may not be the most productive use of my time, but it’s fun. And we all need to mix a little fun in with the task of promoting our shops and selling our wares. So, if you haven’t already tried using Craft Cult and Craftopolis, I suggest you try them both and let me know what you think.

Artists are Explorers and Pioneers

2009-04-22T16:56:00.005-04:00

Never thought I’d have anything in common with Picasso, but I too can say, “I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.”

Today’s Art Quote

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.
Pablo Picasso

Some of the people I’m closest to have referred to it as a disorder. I can’t tell you how many times throughout my life I’ve fielded the question, “When are you going to settle into one art form?” But I somehow manage to brush off their comments because little brings me as much satisfaction as learning how to do something new.

Pablo Picasso is probably best known for his paintings and his sculpture, though he also left the world with a collection of ceramics, drawings, prints, tapestries, and rugs. Right now, I specialize in stained glass and Bauernmalerei from different regions. Over the years, I’ve also caned chairs, made cut and carve candles, sewn clothes and home décor, refinished furniture, laid tile, sculpted figures out of both salt dough and polymer clay, dabbled in ceramics and photography, and recently have been learning taxidermy. I may even have forgotten a few…

What about you…

Leave a comment and tell us what you’ve dabbled in and what you specialize in and leave a link to your online store if you have one.

Claypatties from Manchester Maine

2009-04-17T16:17:00.007-04:00

Potter, Kim Brennan, alias Claypatties on Etsy, is a fellow Maine artist. Her specialty is pottery and her creations are inspired by vintage Weller and McCoy pottery that she and her mother used to find at flea markets. “Those were the good old days,” she grinned. “I work primarily in the drippy greens, blues and earthy browns that are steeped in historical references.”

While reminiscing, she recalled stories of growing up in suburbia, playing hide and seek with the neighborhood kids, and trading prizes they found in Cracker Jack and cereal boxes. Her mother was an avid antique collector, and as a child, Kim, became fascinated with train sets. She says that it was the hours spent creating scenery and staging for the trains that sparked her work with dioramas.

Kim enjoys experimental and non-traditional firings and one of her platters was recently published in the Lark 500 series, “500 Plates and Chargers.”

Some of her favorite things in life include listening to all types of music, Air Stream travel trailers, dogs, New York City, and drinking beer under the stars while firing a kiln.

Living in the northern woods of Maine, I can certainly relate to the star gazing and hope someday to visit her studio in person.

A few of Kim's pieces are pictured in this article but there is also a collection of her pieces spotlighted at the bottom of this page. Clicking on any picture will take you to that item in her shop Claypatties.

Feel free to comment on her work or on this article.

Make Your Voice Heard

2009-04-17T10:56:00.006-04:00

I’m not talking about voicing your opinion about the things going on in our nation…no, no, no. I’m talking about having a little fun.

Now’s your chance to vote for your favorite Eco-friendly item out of 60 selected by Etsy from their handmade categories. It’s quite an impressive collection and worth a look.

Want to see? Click HERE.

I found out about this contest from another blog called Circles Are Forever. As you can see from the photo, this artist upcycles bottle caps by painting them and turning them into other functional items. She sells these through her shop on Etsy. That’s worth a look too. I was amazed at all the different things she’s done with bottle caps. Her creativity runneths over…
Have fun and leave a comment if you wish.

Tips for Transforming the Ordinary into an Extraordinary Experience...

2009-04-16T09:29:00.003-04:00

When making a turkey or ham sandwich, try adding some of your favorite jelly (cranberry, currant, mint, raspberry, etc.) for an unexpected but deliciously complimentary flavor that takes an ordinary sandwich and makes it extraordinary.

Adding jelly to a grilled cheese is also scrumptious.

This “tip” is something my Mom started doing a long long long time ago when I was a child while making sandwiches with the leftover turkey meat from Thanksgiving, and I think of her whenever I do it for my children. And yes sometimes I even do it just for me, and I do it anytime of the year when I want to add a little pizazz.

So Thanks Mom!

Did your mother have a special tip or trick she used to take something ordinary and make it extraordinary? If so, leave it in the comment section below and let me know if I have your permission to post it on the main page.

What does it mean to appreciate the unnecessary?

2009-04-14T13:54:00.004-04:00

I’m glad you asked. Many of us are pinching pennies during this time of economic struggle. But if we focus solely on what is necessary for our survival, we can become so pre-occupied with satisfying our hungers (and the hungers of our loved ones) that we become weighed down with practicality. I know that when I slip into this “all work and no play” mentality, I become stuck in a downward spiral of anxiety and miss out on much of the beauty that surrounds me.
Remembering to appreciate the unnecessary in life is the way I become unstuck and the way I reopen myself to enjoying life’s little freebies. For example, eating food is a necessary part of living. It satisfies my hunger and fuels my body so I can accomplish the work I need to do. However savoring the flavor of a bite before swallowing is an act of appreciating the unnecessary that elevates my experience of eating by adding enjoyment to my satisfaction.
Other examples of appreciating the unnecessary might include stopping for a second on my way to the car to listen to the birds sing, or waving back to the child in the rear window of the school bus ahead of me in traffic, or inhaling the aroma of a cup of coffee before taking a sip.
Art is all about appreciating the unnecessary in life. Artists are extraordinarily sensitive to the beauty that surrounds them, whether a physical beauty or the beauty of human experience. They see something beautiful, then they try to depict it in such a way that others will experience a heightened connection to that beauty.
Auguste Rodin, one of the greatest sculptors the world has ever seen, depicted the ordinary everyday act of thinking as something beautiful and noble when he created “The Thinker.” When I saw this piece in person, I was struck with awe at the magnificence of a man pondering his thoughts. Yes, this piece of art pointed to a simple truth that I probably already knew, but I had never before given it a conscious thought. As I circled around “The Thinker” in the garden of the Rodin Museum, I remember marveling at how at man’s ability to think and how that really elevated us above all other animals. The longer I gazed at this statue the more clearly I saw the dignity of every human person. That is an example of how an exceptional artist and one of his masterpieces was a catalyst that triggered a life-altering moment for me.
But what about art that we can enjoy everyday, like the pictures that hang on the walls of our home, the knick knacks on our shelves that remind us of special people and events in our lives, the jewelry and accessories we use to complete an outfit, and other ways we enhance our experience of the ordinary.
All of us can use our creativity to help others appreciate the unnecessary by highlighting the lagniappe in life. Maybe it’s as simple as singing songs with the kids on the way to school, or lighting candles so dinner becomes a dining experience, or leaving a “love” note in your spouse’s pocket where they will find it in the middle of their workday. Maybe it’s taking that old but still functional table and giving it a new coat of paint, or making an arrangement of fresh flowers from the garden for the coffee table. And all of us can pay even closer attention to the beauty that already surrounds us. Making a habit of appreciating the unnecessary (the extras) in life can lift us out of survival mode and give us a general sense abundance.
How do you appreciate the unnecessary? Share your answer with us in the comment section below.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-11T17:31:00.004-04:00

I want to wish every one a Happy Easter. I hope it is a blessed time spent with family and friends and filled with the hope and joy that Christ's ressurection offers to us all. This is a short post as I'm off to celebrate the Easter vigil Mass.

Artfire Cafemom Team: Giveaway #4: aBitofColor!!!

2009-04-10T11:45:00.001-04:00

The earrings that are being given away by aBitofColor are the cleverest I've seen in a long time. If you love nature, or live in the woods like me, You owe it to your self to at least take a look. I'm not much of a jewelry person, but I wouldn't mind having these and it's easy to enter. All you have to do is leave a comment to enter.
Are you up to a little friendly competition? Click on the link below and I'll see you in the comments section.

Artfire Cafemom Team: Giveaway #4: aBitofColor!!!

A Two Penny Post

2009-04-07T12:26:00.004-04:00

Today’s Art quote is credited to Wilson (“Bill”) Mizner, who was quite the character and dilettante. Born in 1876, he was one of 8 children and spent part of his childhood in Guatemala. As an adult, he covered a lot of ground from Alaska, to New York, to Florida to California often taking advantage of the unsuspecting in his varied entrepreneurial endeavors. One might even consider him a scoundrel. However he is best known as a playwright and for his clever sayings and witticisms.
Today, Mr. Mizner is cited as having said, “It is not in life, but in art that self-fulfillment is to be found.” Immediately, I want to disagree because I find self-fulfillment in my close relationships with family and friends, and in and through living a faith-filled and faithful life. So, my experience tells me that self-fulfillment can indeed be found in the everyday living of life.
However, after reflecting on his sentiment a little longer, I have to say that creating something artistic in my shop does make me come alive inside in a way that nothing else does. Even being able to gaze at a particularly appealing work of art from another artist can cause a joy to bubble up in my soul that satisfies a longing I didn’t even know I had. So there is most definitely a special type of fulfillment that comes from both the creation and appreciation of art.
I dare say that our ability as humans to create art and to appreciate its creation by others is a distinctive human quality, much like our free will, that separates us from the other animals and connects us in a special way with the divine.
Well that’s my two cents worth. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this subject in the comment section below.

Not an Ansel Adams

2009-04-04T16:20:00.005-04:00

"The Long Long Tracks of Life"
by Coco Watkin

Which One Would You Rather Be?

2009-04-04T11:36:00.007-04:00

Ansel Adams, a world renown photographer, author and conservationist, is best known for his ability to capture the natural grandeur of our environment. He is quoted (in today's art quote) as having said, "There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." And that got me wondering which end of the camera I'd rather be on. Right off I'd say I'd rather be the photographer, but when I view a family photograph that captured one of life's special moments, just seeing that picture brings back all the joy of that moment.
How about you? Would you rather be the photographer or the viewer and why?
Leave your answer in the comment section below.

About ByCoco

2009-04-03T15:20:00.000-04:00

ByCoco is the shop or studio name being used by Coco Watkin on Etsy and Artfire, both of which are online venues for buying and selling handmade. Right now, she offers heirloom quality stained glass and folk art collectibles, which are hand painted in traditional European styles of decorative painting. Because she likes to dabble in so many mediums, she will occasionally offer other unique items.
Coco's husband operates a small apiary and is an excellent caricature carver. All five of their children are also creative. And her mother in law is a phenomenal water colorist.
Do you know what an apiary is and what other types of products might be available for sale?
Leave your answers in the comments below...

Tips for Transforming the Ordinary into an Extraordinary Experience...

2009-04-03T14:58:00.000-04:00

Have you ever tried this?

Use pure maple syrup instead of honey or sugar in your tea. Hmmm, Hmmm, Good!

Leave your tip for transforming the ordinary into an extraordinary experience in the comments section.

Excellence vs. Perfection

2009-04-03T13:14:00.001-04:00

Today’s art quote: “Have no fear of perfection—you’ll never reach it,” brings back terrible memories of my childhood and young adulthood when I was a perfectionist.
Have you ever been afraid you weren’t good enough? I grew up with that constant fear and lived moment to moment always doubting myself. It was an oppressive attitude that kept me from reaching my potential.
It wasn’t until I began to see my value as a unique person, that my compulsion to be perfect began to subside. And the more I realized and came to believe “that I am fearfully, wonderfully made” by God (Psalm 139:14) the more free I became to reach my potential.
But in giving up my need for perfection, I never gave up striving for excellence. I’m always in hot pursuit of self-improvement.
As a person, that means ever taking time to consciously recognize my vices and replace them with good habits. As a wife, it means choosing to honor and cherish my husband even when I don’t “feel” like it. As a Mom, it means learning to listen better and to accept my children right where they are even when it’s not where I want them to be. And as an artisan, it means striving to master the tools and materials of my craft. And how do I do that…
I do that by asking questions…
Some would refer to me as “over the hill”, and I have to admit that white hairs are quickly replacing my dark brown ones. My body may be getting older, but I’m young at heart, because despite the wisdom of my years, I’m still eager and ever ready to learn and to grow.
Earlier I said that gaining confidence in my own goodness, freed me to reach my potential. But there’s a funny thing about my potential--I’ll never really reach it either. However, I’m having a good time in the process, and I just keep on getting better and better.
So, do you have a question for me. Just leave it in the comments below.
And enjoy today!
Coco

Who is Coco?

2009-04-02T16:06:00.000-04:00

I was born and raised in New Orleans where the atmosphere is rich with culture and where imagination is celebrated through its architecture, its music, its food, its Mardi Gras and its other festivals. New Orleans is a large city with a small town flavor and a special love of the arts—visual, performing and culinary.

As a military wife of 30+ years, I've experienced different cultures within the United States and abroad, each exuding their own indigenous artistic flair for transforming the ordinary in life into something extraordinary. Beauty abounds if we just take time to notice.

As the mother of five children, necessity has often been my inspiration and on a fairly regular basis has proven to be the mother of invention. Parenting has been a wild and unpredictable ride, and I'm excited about becoming a grandmother this July (2009).

Among other endeavors, I am a self-taught artisan specializing in stained glass and decorative folk painting (European style stroke work). Over the years, I've also dabbled in carved candles, soap, clay, needlework, fountains, basic carpentry and refinishing, various types of sewing, and jelly making. Often while creating something in my studio, I am tapping into my knowledge of and skill in more than just one artistic medium.

My other passion is for transforming trash into treasure or giving new life to something old. Both the process of creating and the process of transforming objects are spiritual experiences for me--It's when I feel most alive.

I look forward to sharing my infatuation with everything creative. Hope you will visit often (bookmark me now or subscribe to be a follower of this blog). Read about what interests you, and please, Please, PLEASE, leave your comments, make suggestions, and ASK QUESTIONS. Questions can be about art & craft techniques, selling on line, life in general, or even about me personally.

Enjoy!