"Happy Boy" Gets Featured

I just received a notification that "Happy Boy," one of my 2.5" x 3.5" original Mixed Media ACEO Collages, is currently featured in an Etsy treasury created by fellow Etsian, Melanie.

It is truly an honor to have "Happy Boy" included in such a fun and happy collection of artsy, handmade, and vintage items. The treasury (pictured below) is titled, "Shiny Happy People."

"Flutterby" Gets Featured

Flutter by, butterfly ... :o)

I just received notification that my 2.5in x 3.5in Art Card, "Flutterby," is currently featured in an Etsy Treasury created by Etsian, Ice Beautiful, made in honor of the Etsy Success Symposium.

As always, I find it to be an absolute honor to have something that I have created included in such a unique collection of handmade items! The Treasury (pictured below) is titled, "Findings For Success."

"Mermora Borealis" Gets Featured

I received a wonderful message yesterday informing me that one of my 2.5in x 3.5in Limited Edition ACEO's, "Mermora Borealis," which is a piece I created of a Mermaid Watching the Northern Lights, is currently featured in an Etsy Treasury created by fellow Etsian, Gilliauna.

It is truly an honor to have "Mermora Borealis" included in such a diverse collection of pieces inspired by the Northern Lights! The Treasury (pictured below) is titled, "Once Upon The Northern Lights."

I Believe ...

... long time, no blog ...

wow ... i've gotta' say i'm almost surprised that this blog-o-mine is still in existence over here ... especially considering the extreme lack of activity it has seen in the past few years. but all of that (or rather, the lack thereof) changes now ... :o)

my return to school is the main reason that i have shelved much of my artistic pursuits for this long period of inactivity ... but now i have decided to take a much needed break from my academic pursuits in order to pursue my more creative ones (once again).

so, stay tuned folks! i'll be right back with a brand new show ... :o)

A Bountiful Iris Folding Sale!!

If you will recall, (as mentioned in my previous post) my latest area of artistic exploration has been in the increasingly popular area of Iris Folding. Now, in addition to using this technique to create fun, unique and interesting ACEOs, I decided to expand my use of this paper based art form to include the creation of fun, unique and interesting Greeting Cards.

The first card that I decided to make was that of an Evergreen Tree that I thought would make a nice Holiday Greeting Card for someone who would truly appreciate the sentiment of a one-of-a-kind greeting card that was lovingly and carefully handcrafted by a real-life person (and not mass produced by some machine owned by the large and impersonal greeting-card industry and its conglomerates).

Many thanks to Etsian, corkjl, who found this card of mine on Etsy and purchased it from my shop, harvestorm creations. In an e-mail message from corkjl, she wrote to me: "I absolutely love the card--so beautiful, so unusual."

It warms my heart to know that this card I made was not only liked enough by someone else to purchase it, but that it will be going out to an individual or family carrying the greetings and warm holiday wishes of corkjl, who thinks enough of that person or family to send them a wholly unique and handcrafted work of art to brighten their holiday season and welcome in the upcoming new year!

"Butterfly By Night"

I want to take a moment to give a thankful shout-out to Etsian, readingsully2, who introduced me (and a number of the other "ACEO Bounty" Challenge Artists) to the increasingly popular art form of Iris Folding.

So, what exactly is Iris Folding, you ask? According to Squidoo, the technique of Iris folding originated in Holland. Using this technique, color coordinated strips of folded paper are taped into place over a pattern, creating a spiralling design that resembles the iris of an eye or camera. Originally, Dutch crafters would cut their strips from envelopes with patterned interiors, but now it is common to use lightweight papers including those used for origami to create iris folded designs.

The ACEO I am featuring here is titled, "Butterfly By Night," and was my first attempt at creating an Iris Folding piece. The title for this miniature work of art came about from the fact that I was having such a great time creating this piece that I actually continued the work I had been doing all day with it straight on through the entirety of the following night!

To create the Iris Folding design that forms the wings of this butterfly, I used scrapbook paper (three different patterns) comprised of various browns, pinks, red, and white. The body and antennae were made by creatively looping and knotting a couple of pieces of soft black wire.

The butterfly itself is surrounded by a piece of maroon colored acid-free card stock that I embellished with a glittery pink gel pen which, due to its metallic properties, sparkles and shines in some lights (as in the photo above) and is more matte-looking in others (as in the photo below).

To add further textural and visual interest to this piece, I stamped a crackle pattern around the butterfly using black archival pigment ink and then finished the piece by inking an outline around the butterfly wings and the outer edges of the card as well.

I have initialed this one-of-a-kind 2.5" x 3.5" work of art on the front, and have signed, titled and dated it on the back. It is currently available in my Etsy Shop, harvestorm creations, and is currently priced at $10.00 (USD).

The texture and depth that you see and feel when handling this carefully crafted Iris Folded ACEO (or any other Iris Folded work of art, for that matter) is the very best part of such a piece. And believe you me when I say that it is extremely challenging to capture these qualities in a mere photographic image. When seen in person, you are sure to be pleasantly surprised and even more impressed with this carefully and creatively crafted collectible work of art.