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.

Seeing Is Believing...

Just a few weeks ago, while getting my hair done, I was talking with my stylist about the new glasses she had just gotten for her teenage daughter and ... oh my goodness ... I had no idea that prescription eyeglasses were so expensive!

Well, now I can't wait for my next appointment because I have got to tell her about this online eyeglasses site, Optical4less.com. They have complete prescription eyeglasses for as low as $15. Can you say wow?!?

Optical4less.com has a great selection of prism correction, bifocal and progressive reading glasses, along with photochromic and tinted sunglasses. In addition, their complete prescription eyeglasses include free anti-reflective, anti-scratch and UV protection coatings, and they all come with a stylishly colorful hard eyeglasses case and a quality glasses cleaning cloth for free as well.

Especially unique about the Optical4less.com site is their Virtual Try-On System. Simply upload your photo in the Online Fitting Room, select the glasses you want and follow the Auto Fitting instructions in the step-by-step tutorial and ... voila ... you are now ready to explore tinting options, clip art additions and even create your own Poll Page where you can invite others to vote on which glasses look the hottest on you!

In addition to the great deals and stylish frames available at Optical4less.com, customers whose orders contain more than one pair of glasses enjoy complimentary free worldwide shipping with their glasses usually arriving with one week.

Looking for more reasons to give Optical4less.com a try, check out their customer reviews, testimonials and feedback with photos at http://www.optical4less.com/testimonial.htm.

More Bountiful Sales!!!

Many thanks to a brand new Etsian, Kornos, who just graced my Etsy Shop, harvestorm creations, with two more Bountiful Sales!!

I am happy to say that Kornos was able to take advantage of my new and improved "Bountiful Sale." She got a great 20% discount on one of the ACEOs she purchased and, in addition, since one of the items she purchased was an "ACEO Bounty" listing, she received Free Shipping on her entire order as well!

These two Limited Edition ACEO Prints, titled "Ruby Wages" and "Educated Woman" will soon find themselves in their new home with Kornos.

So, once again, Kornos, thank you ... and welcome to Etsy!!!

Bountiful Sale 2.0

I just finished updating my Etsy Shop to reflect the new promotion I am running as a participant in the Bountiful Sale. Whoo-hoo!!

The "Bountiful Sale" is an Etsy-wide Sale Event being put on by some of the artists involved in the "ACEO Bounty" Challenge.

As a participant in this "Bountiful Sale," I am currently offering 20%-50% Off + Free Shipping on a great number of items at harvestorm creations.

Many of these items, whose prices have been adjusted to reflect their "Bountiful Sale" discounts, can be found in the SALE SALE SALE section of my shop.

All of my "ACEO Bounty" listings are being offered with Free Shipping and, in addition, if you have a multiple item purchase that includes any of my "ACEO Bounty" listings, you will receive Free Shipping on your Entire Order!!!

Don't forget to do an Etsy search for "Bountiful Sale" to find additional sales on items from the talented artists of the "ACEO Bounty" Challenge!

And, for more information about the "Bountiful Sale" and a list of participating shops, please take a moment to visit the Bountiful Sale Blog. :-)

Sierra Adventure Gear

Planning a camping trip or an exciting outdoor adventure? Looking to add to or update some of the items in your personal collection of adventure gear? Want to find a quality gift for that outdoor enthusiast on your holiday list? Then click your way on over to Sierra Adventure Gear where you just may find everything you are looking for!

Sierra Adventure Gear is an excellent outdoor Web site that offers a wide selection of everything from Bags & Backpacks to Safety & First Aid items. They carry an excellent selection of Camping Gear, Electronics, Emergency Kits, Flashlights, Headlamps, Knives, Mulitpurpose Tools, Optics, Outdoor Navigation, Sleeping Gear, Sunglasses, Tents, and Watches.

Sierra Adventure Gear strives to ensure that you have the best possible experience when shopping with them. The site is very clean and easy to navigate allowing users to browse by Department or by Brand. All orders are shipped within 24 hours of being received (except for weekends and holidays). Orders received on Friday will be shipped Monday (next business day). If you would like to expedite your order, they also offer 2 and 3 day shipping.

If you have any questions about your order, or need to contact Sierra Adventure Gear for any reason, they offer a number of options including e-mail, telephone, and a Quick Contact Form that you can complete and submit directly on their site. It's just that easy!

This Post Sponsored by Sierra Adventure Gear ... love the outdoors!!

Award Winning Artist Sue Taylor

And now for some more Bountiful Goodness that I received as part of my September Mini ACEO Bounty prize!!!

The two amazingly creative and colorful ACEOs that I am featuring here today were created by gallery represented and award winning Artist Sue Taylor.

This first piece is titled, "Papillion," and was created by Sue in response to an "ACEO Bounty" Challenge to create a ACEO with a Butterfly theme.

This beautifully rich and vibrantly colorful work of art is an absolute delight to behold. Its smooth and creamy texture and the pureness of the carefully placed white highlights is like candy for the eyes!!

The second card that I received from Sue was inspired by an "ACEO Bounty" Challenge to create a ACEO on the theme of "Otters and Ravens." It is an original Prismacolor pencil drawing done on watercolor paper.

I just love seeing this unlikely pair floating along together, maxin' and relaxin' in a sea of beautiful blue. It's like a wonderfully welcome breath of fresh air for my mind!!

According to her Etsy Profile, Sue Taylor began painting six years ago and hasn't put her brush down since! Some of her favorite materials include Prismacolor pencils, acrylics, oils and pastels.

Sue says that it was in September of 2007 that she discovered and began drawing ACEO's. She goes on to say that her ideas are overflowing and that she can barely finish one before she has three more planned in her head!

Each of the cards I received from Sue were accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity along with some additional information about this very talented and award winning artist.

In reading these enclosures I learned that Sue won Best of Show at the Nebraskaland Days Competitive Art Show in 2007 and 2005. Additional awards won at that show include People's Choose in 2007, and the Nebraskaland Days Award, which she won in 2007, 2003, and two in 2005. At the North Platte Art Guild Show she won Popular Choice in 2008, 2007 and 2005.

She has also received Merit Awards that went on to compete at ANAC State Competition, two in 2008, 2007 and one in 2006 along with Honorable Mentions in 2006 and 2005. In 2007, both of her State entries were chosen to travel the State for a year. In addition, the ANAC Gwen McKenzie Fellowship Award was bestowed upon her in 2007.

Sue invites you to join her on her journey through the creative passages in her mind and to view her newest works in her Etsy Shop, artistsuetaylor.