"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.

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. :-)

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.

"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!

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.

All 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.

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.

This 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!!!

This 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.

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.

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!!!

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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:

• alwaysartistic has a number of sales running in the "Bountiful Sale" section of her shop. Click here to read more on her blog...


• artistsuetaylor has Free Shipping on all of her Bounty ACEOs and will be adding to and changing the items in her Sale ACEOs and Sale Priced Card Sets sections of her shop on a weekly basis.


• backroomtreasures has many wonderful items in the "Sale" section of her shop.


• BaRbaRaGIOrDaNoArt has Select Art Originally $15 ... Now $13.


• bellsakabin has 20% off on All Items, plus, Free Shipping if your purchase includes any of her ACEO Bounty listings. Additional Special Sale items can be found in the "SALE ..... Bountiful Sale" section of her shop.


• GalleryJuana has selected works in the "Bountiful Sale" section of her shop reduced 25% from October 31 ~ December 5.


• Lazyhawk is running a "Buy 1 Item, Get the 2nd 1/2 Off + Free Shipping" sale on all items in her shop, including jewelry.


• LDphotography has every ACEO on sale ... buy one and get one of equal or lesser value free!


• lyekka has just reduced items in her shop and tagged them with "Bountiful Sale".


• pinkglitterfae has marked down many of her original ACEOs. Some of them are even half off! These items can be found in the Sale ACEOs section of her shop. Click here to read more on her blog...


• readingsully2 has 25% off everything in her shop plus Free Shipping with the purchase of any Bounty Cards.


• Snitterdog has created a special "Bountiful Sale" section in her shop filled with an eclectic mix of animal and surreal art, as well as hand cut mats.


• tapestry316 has created a special "Bountiful Sale" section in her shop. Items will be regularly added to this section and the sales will include special discounts - little extras! - and free shipping on selected items!!!


• thegreenefairy has created a special "Bountiful Sale" section in her shop filled with a variety of nature inspired treasures.


• Whimsicaldaisy has 15% off all items tagged "Bountiful Sale" plus Free Shipping on all items in her shop.


• WorldOfMoments has 15% off all items tagged "Bountiful Sale" plus free shipping on all items also tagged "ACEO Bounty."

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

No Trick! Just a Super-Duper Treat!

I just received a message from Etsian, daiseedeb, that harvestorm creations has been featured today on her blog, thinkyummythoughts. What a treat!

She chose to feature my "Pumpkin Fairy" ACEO ... a very timely selection!!

Be sure to check out daiseedeb on Etsy and visit her blog for lots of positively yummy thoughts and fantastically fun features!

"Frozen Dreams" Gets Featured...

Just one day after posting my newest ACEO, "Frozen Dreams", to my Etsy Shop, harvestorm creations, I was very pleasantly surprised to see that it was already featured in an Etsy Treasury created by Etsian, GulfCoastCottagePDF.

The Treasury (pictured below) is titled, "I dream of..."

I am honored to have "Frozen Dreams" included in such a spectacular collection of artistic works! I have discovered a number of new artists in this Treasury and have added a number of them to my Favorites!

Fun And Whimsical Pinkglitterfae Art

With Halloween only two days away, my husband and I have been watching any and every horror movie we can find on the télé! Therefore, I was super delighted to open this awesome ACEO from pinkglitterfae that I received as part of my September ACEO Mini Bounty win.

This fun and whimsical ACEO is titled, "Faerie," and was created by Betty, the artist behind pinkglitterfae, in response to an ACEO Bounty Challenge to paint 'movies'.

In the item description, Betty says that she created this piece as a spoof of one of her favorite horror movies 'Carrie'.

She also says that this ACEO "would make a great gift for someone with a warped sense of humor."

Well, I just love this card, so I guess, as the saying goes: If the shoe fits.... ;-)

I am a long-time admirer of the art created by pinkglitterfae and am so very excited to finally have one of her pieces in my personal ACEO collection!

According to her Etsy Profile, Betty is a mostly self-taught artist from Canada who tends towards whimsical art, fantasy, folk art, angels and mermaids. She says that she has taken classes over the years in order to keep growing, but found that the best thing for her was to try and find her own style.

Betty has a fun and creatively inspiring blog, Pinkglitterfae Art, where you can go to see/read about her latest artistic endeavors and happenings in her life. You will also find some interesting personal information about this wonderfully talented artist such as a list of her Favorite Books and Movies, which include:

• Artists Way ~ Julia Cameron
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV Series
• Mists of Avalon ~ Marion Zimmer Bradley
• Northern Exposure DVD
• Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen
• Quantum Success ~ Sandra Anne Taylor
• The Jane Austen Book Club
• Touched by an Angel DVD
• Water for Elephants ~ Sara Gruen

To see more art by pinkglitterfae, I encourage you to check out her EBSQ Artist Portfolio Gallery or her online Flickr Gallery. And, as pinkglitterfae says in her Etsy Shop Announcement, "make yourself a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy your visit."