My Very First Painting Done on Canvas White Peacock

All right I finally broke down, and did my first painting on canvas. I am not sure I like canvas. It is smoother, and the paint flows much easier and nicer. So the texture is great. However, as I am painting this, I am thinking, how do I keep it clean. At least when I paint on Acrylic paper, and then frame it, the glass and frame protect the painting from dust and dirt. How do you keep a canvas painting clean? I have paintings on canvas, that I have purchased. They are always dirty and I hate it. You can't really clean them very easily. Also, I noticed that canvas is not all that sturdy. I had two canvases, and accidentally put a small tear in the second one. I didn't even apply hardly any pressure or strain on it to cause the tear. So, no I am not thinking I like canvas better. It is not more affordable, but it is somewhat more convenient because it is ready to hang, where as my others have to wait until I choose and purchase a frame. Now, back to the painting. This is the second of this painting. The first was a practice, and was quite lovely too.  It is a White Peacock with black background.  The first one was done on acrylic paper, and will be in my Etsy store soon. This one is on 8x10 canvas and I used a little bit of a different technique to enhance the feathers a little bit more. I really like it. This canvas one is a Christmas gift for a very special friend of mine. Tell me what you think.

Mourning Dove Acrylic Painting

I love Mourning Doves. They have a soft cooing bird talk. They are graceful flyers, and friendly, gentle birds. The kids, and I, each painted a Mourning Dove painting. Shown is mine. It is dated and signed and will be available to purchase in my Etsy store soon.

Completed Crochet Boys Viking Hat for Halloween and The Grinch

I finished my son's crochet Viking Hat. He is studying Vikings for History right now, so I decided to make him a hat for Halloween. Not sure how the rest of the clothes are going to go, but we will see. It isn't like the Vikings were real fashionistas. This is a made to order item, in my Etsy store. You can pick your color and size. Then I finished my baby Grinch cocoon with hat. I am working on Cindy Lou Who right now. I love the Grinch, one of my all time favorite Christmas specials, next to Charlie Brown. You can purchase either of these items by visiting my Etsy store. I offer a free layaway service as well and am accepting offers until Christmas. Unless you offer me something completely ludicrous, chances are good I will accept.

White Peacock Art Painting

My very good friend, loves the White Peacock. She likes all peacocks, but especially the white peacock. I have been meaning to paint one, to see how it would come out. You know with white sometimes details are not going to show up well. I really like how it came out. I will be doing it again, on canvas, as a Christmas gift for her. I will adjust just a couple of things. This beautiful painting shown will be available to purchase in my Etsy store soon. It is not yet framed, but I can not wait to get it into a black frame. What do you think? Would you hang this on your wall? Oh, and from now until Christmas I am accepting offers on all my Etsy store items, even sale and clearance items. Be sure to click the widget at the top of this blog to visit my store.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Oh my, I have been busy.  Last Sat, my mother, daughter and I, went to the Monarch Butterfly Festival as vendors.  I had never been a vendor at an event like this.  It was quite the learning experience.  For one thing it is a lot of work, and I mean a lot.  I did not sell anything, but my mom made 54 dollars, so I was very happy for her.  Caitlin had a ball as well. 

This weekend my husband, and son, went on a camping trip with our church.  Other than it rained, some, they had a ball and I am sure will be exhausted when they finally get home.  DJ had hurt his arm a few days before the trip, and he said it is sore now, but OK.  I have lasagna all ready to bake for them when they get home.

Yesterday, I had my first craft porch and yard sale.  My mom brought stuff, and I put out stuff, and it went well.  You never know what you will sell, or what people are looking for, so we always try to have a variety.  I did not sell any of my craft items, but I had a ton of people asking for prices and hopefully they will come back and purchase in future sales.  We are hoping to do this once each month, except December.  I think we should try to get one in, in Dec.  Will have to wait and see.  The benefits of doing it this way, is you can lower your prices, because you have no fees to website such as Etsy or Ebay, and you don't have to ship it anywhere.  Plus, I didn't haul tables and everything, it was all right there.

Caitlin had her first sleep over last night.  I was so tired, but I made it fun for them.  They loved it!

So, with all that going on, plus homeschool, Run Club and 4H, I have not painted, or made any new jewelry.  I did just start a new crochet cocoon, and I can not wait to share it.  Be sure to watch for that.  Especially if you have a new baby that you will need a gift for. 

Oh, by the way, visit my Etsy store, the widget is at the top of this blog.  From now until Christmas I am accepting offers on all my items, even Clearance.  It is free to sign up and be a buyer at Etsy, so no problems there.  I offer a layaway service too.  Message me on Etsy to make me an offer.

Crochet Viking Hat for Halloween

Well I had my first vending experience today. I did not sell anything, but I learned a lot. Most people were looking for items in the 5-10 dollar range. None of the items I had with me fall into this range. Matter of fact most jewelry you can make, unless you buy junk, would not fall into this range just because of the cost of supplies. But, my Mom sold quite a bit, she had the right range, and that was awesome. She just had to put a lot of money into her car to be fixed so she really needed to earn some back. It was extremely hot, and I won't do a craft show this time of year again, at least not outside. Caitlin had a ball too. DJ is studying Vikings in History class right now. So, I decided to make him a Viking hat to wear for Halloween this year. So far I have the hat and the beard done, as shown, and just need to make the horns and attach them. He picked the colors he wanted, and since I can not follow a pattern to save my soul I just make my own. This will be available to order as a custom order in my Etsy store, once it reopens next Saturday. It is currently on vacation until after my garage/yard/craft sale next Saturday morning. I really like the beard, it is cool, lol!

Happy New Year or Snowman Infant Cocoon with Top Hat

I hurried to finish this before my Craft Fair this Saturday, and got it finished today. It can either be a Snowman set or Happy New Year, and I have to say this top hat would look as cute on a small dog or cat as a baby. I will have to make more of these. The hat takes almost three hours to complete itself. To see all the images visit my Etsy store. The cocoon is off white with a blue scarf to match the ribbon around the top hat. It is so cute. I will be shortly be beginning work on two cocoons for Christmas, that I just can not wait to see how they come out. If there is anything you want in my store, put it on Layaway, or purchase because my shop will be put on vacation for a week, for the two craft fairs. I am taking all my items with me, so better check for your favorites before the 13th.

The Common Grackle Bird Painting

The kids and I were supposed to paint the Common Grackle on Friday, for our Homeschool Art class. Unfortunately it is too hard to fit Art into a class day. So, we will be painting a new bird, each week, on Monday after dinner time. Today, we painted the Common Grackle. The Common Grackle is a type of blackbird with and iridescent and beautiful feather scheme. They have a very distinctive yellow eye. These can be seen in Florida and most of the Southern states. They usually travel in large flocks, and are quite aggressive to other birds. The kids decided to paint their bird on the page I printed out from the Audubon Bird coloring book. I painted mine free hand, and it will be available to purchase in my Etsy store. If you love birds, or know someone who does, this would be a lovely gift idea. Share your thoughts with me.

Theme Friday: Halloween

I think I might have to stop the Theme Fridays for a bit. Now that we are back in homeschool mode, I just don't seem to have the time to dedicate to it. I am doing my first vendor fair, next Sat, and am excited by that. Then, the following Sat, my mom and I are going to start a monthly garage sale/craft sale, where we sell garage sale items and our handmade items too. It seems to make more sense to use my garage than to open a shop somewhere and pay rent and utilities fees. We will be doing it on one Sat a month. I hope it does well. The theme this week, is Halloween or Fall. I have three awesome items to share with you. You can go to each Etsy shop, by clicking the corresponding link. First is a European style Halloween bracelet, next is a counted cross stitch Witch and cat table runner, and finally is a cute orange and black crochet baby witch hat. How cute are all these?

I Can Not Make Hair Sticks!

I have been trying to make hair sticks out of wire, and other hair accessories. Bleh not happening. I hate wasting supplies, so for now this is on hold. I did make a really nice wire heart with pearls, but now I don't know what to do with it. It is quite large. Anyway I did finish the angels, they will be in my Etsy store soon. I only have two. I also made a pair of silver hoop earrings with faux white and green beads. Also, I got two watches done, using European beads. These are simple enough to make, but the supplies to make them are extremely expensive. I have seen some beads upwards of 40 dollars for one bead. They are lovely beads, but seriously. Anyway I made the pink and white flower one, which is glass beads and they are quite lovely. Then I made a more Fall color motif watch with warm browns and yellows. Both are shown below, and all will be available in my Etsy store. I did not get to paint at all this week. I know, gasp! I wanted to start the bird painting project with the kids, but it has been put off until Monday. Next week I am doing my first vendor fair, with my mom. I hope it doesn't rain. Anyway if there is something you love in my shop, better get it, or place it on layaway, because most of it is going with me. Of course I hope it all sells. I want to go back to my traditional gemstone setting jewelry. I really like the European watches as well, and will do more Angels and crochet. Of course painting too.