Monday, November 24, 2008

"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!

Butterfly By Night by harvestormTo 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).

Butterfly By Night by harvestormTo 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.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

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!

Ruby Wages by harvestormEducated Woman by harvestorm












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!!!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

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. :-)

Saturday, November 15, 2008

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.

Papillion by artistsuetaylorThis 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!!


Raven and Otter by artistsuetaylorThe 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.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

"Butterfly By Night" Gets Featured...

"Butterfly By Night" is my latest ACEO and is available for purchase in my Etsy Shop, harvestorm creations. This carefully crafted 3D work of art is currently featured in a Treasury created by Etsian, Always Artistic.

This Treasury is a marvelous showcase of some of the items included in the "Bountiful Sale" that a number of participants in the "ACEO Bounty" Challenge are currently running on Etsy.

The Treasury (pictured below) is titled, "Sales Sales and More Sales."


If you would like to check out "Butterfly By Night" and the other items featured in this Treasury, just click here. But be sure to do so before Saturday afternoon, when this Treasury expires and is sent off into the ether!!!

And, be sure to search Etsy for "Bountiful Sale" to find more than 300 items that are currently on sale from the artisans of the "ACEO Bounty" Challenge!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Blockhead Rod And His "Potty Mouth"

I received a message yesterday from Rod G, (aka Blockhead Rod of Blockhead Radio), informing me that "Snippets From My Brain" has been featured on "A Blog On Etsy Blogs," a site that features blogs run by Etsians and Etsy Teams.

Blockhead Rod is an artisan who says that he "loves Etsy and what it stands for." You can find Rod's surreal, unnatural, and outsider block prints and sculptures online at The Artisans Shoppe.

Potty Mouth by Blockhead RodAll of Rod's block prints are carved from lino blocks and printed on acid free handmade paper and all of his sculptures are sculpted by hand. He uses no forms.

This piece by Rod is titled, "Potty Mouth" and is one of my favorites. In the item description, the caption for this completely hand formed sculpture reads:

Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? Why yes I do, but I don't slip her the tongue anymore.

"Potty Mouth" is signed, dated and numbered 1/1. It measures 4" by 3 1/2" (not including wire) and was made with das clay, gourd, acrylic paint, and wire. It is priced at $49.00 and will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail for $5.00.

Check out this and other of Rod's works at The Artisans Shoppe. There you will find five new listings every day from a fine selection of 30 very talented artisans.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

3D Art From KathyMartinStudio

Believe it or not, I still have not finished showcasing all of the wonderful items I won in the September Mini ACEO Bounty!! Today I am pleased to feature these two wholly unique and very Zen-like ACEOs created by Kathy Martin of KathyMartinStudio.

Many of Kathy's paintings are created using a six-step three-dimensional process that she has spent many years perfecting through trial and error. She says it has taken her a few years to perfect the process, and she is now having lots of fun with it! The vast majority of her paintings have been base coated in 24-karat gold. Some are embellished with 18-karat gold leaf, silver leaf, or copper leaf.

Sunset Fall Tree by KathyMartinStudioThis first piece that I received from KathyMartinStudio is titled, "Sunset Fall Tree," and is part of a series of what Kathy calls "Tandem Art."

The background was created by Dolores Raml of CraftydsCreations using ink, gel medium, and masking tape. Kathy received the background from Dolores and added her style to it to form a unique painting created by two artists.

It is interesting to note that this painting was started in South Dakota and finished in Nevada ... and it now resides with me here in Ohio!!!

Green Zen Dragonfly by KathyMartinStudioThis second piece is titled, "Green Zen Dragonfly," and is a wonderful example of Kathy's six-step three-dimensional process mentioned above.

This 3D, highly textured work of art was painted with 24-karat gold paint that was then made to look antique. The vines were treated in copper leaf, and the dragonfly was treated in 18-karat gold leaf.

According to her Etsy Profile, Kathy is an artist, musician (she plays the saxophone), composer, and teacher who lives in Las Vegas, NV. She has lived in ten different states all over the country and moved to Las Vegas two years ago to start a new career as a 3rd grade teacher. In two years she plans to switch to teaching middle school band ... and she can't wait!

Kathy says that she always tries to find the positive things in life and that she loves to make people laugh and smile. She invites everyone to visit her blog, Kathy Martin Studio, where you'll find posts about teaching and songs for teachers, her music and art work, and her crazy life in general.

Friday, November 7, 2008

My First Bountiful Sales!!!

Many thanks to Etsy Artist, Lazyhawk, who just graced my Etsy Shop, harvestorm creations, with its first Bountiful Sales!!

I am happy to say that Lazyhawk was able to take advantage of the 20% discount on everything at harvestorm creations. In addition, as part of the sale, she received Free Shipping on her order as well.

These ACEOs, titled "Pumpkin Fairy" and "Holiday Toasts" are now on their merry little way to Lazyhawk.
Pumpkin Fairy by harvestormHoliday Toasts by harvestorm













It's nice to know that these ACEOs are going to the home of such a talented artist and to someone whom I know shares my appreciation for these tiny, collectible works of art!!!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

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"Drawing Down The Moon" Gets Featured...

My Goodness my Goddess! I received notification yesterday that my 9in x 12in Original Painting, "Drawing Down the Moon," is currently featured in an Etsy Treasury created by Etsian, MoonLitCreations, showcasing items from members of the Pagans of Etsy Street Team (POEST) honoring the Mother Goddess.

It is truly an honor to have "Drawing Down the Moon" included in such a diverse collection of Goddesses! The Treasury (pictured below) is titled, "Mother Earth."


To find more items from POEST Members, please visit our Etsy shop, PagansOfEtsy, or search Etsy for "PaganTeam" to find member items in their individual shops.

Bountiful Sale!!!


Some of the Etsy artists from the "ACEO Bounty" Challenge have decided to get together and have what we are calling a “Bountiful Sale.”

I am pleased to announce that, as a participant in this “Bountiful Sale,” I am currently offering a 20% discount on everything at harvestorm creations. To be sure, you will receive an additional 20% off the item prices as they currently appear in my shop.

In addition, if your purchase happens to include any of my "ACEO Bounty" listings, you will receive FREE SHIPPING on your entire order. Please wait for your adjusted invoice to arrive before submitting payment.

Be sure to do search Etsy for “Bountiful Sale” to see all of the wonderful items on sale from the talented artists of the "ACEO Bounty" Challenge!

Here are just some of the deals you will find in these participating shops:

For more current and up to date information about the "Bountiful Sale" please visit: http://bountifulsale.blogspot.com/
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