Etsy Anniversary Gift

Just a quicky to show you the cool bowl I bought on Etsy for my friend for her 30th wedding anniversary.

Is that the cutest thing you've ever seen?! It's called Super Monster.

Monster op Maat is the name of the Etsy store, run by Ena, a very talented sculptor with a wicked sense of humor. I loved the bowl when I saw it and hemmed and hawed, wanting to make sure it was what I wanted. So I convo'd Ena to see if she could hold the bowl for me so that I could mail her the anniversary card I was making. She was a total delight to work with, letting me send her the card, drop shipping the package and communicating every step of the way.

Here's another cute one currently in her Etsy store.

This one's called "I Ate It All". Dontcha just want to rub his tummy!

If you like these examples, please look her up and be sure to click on her profile for an explanation of her shop name. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5754809

www.bearchick.etsy.com

Save the Date!!

September 27 Member Sale Bead Society of Orange County!

Every September, The Bead Society has an informal sale on the veranda of the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. Come see what our members have created this year. I’ll have my jewelry and sneak in a couple of ATC’s, too. We usually start around 10AM and go till early afternoon. Hope to see you there!

And while you’re there, plan to see the Terra Cotta Warriors. The exhibit really is amazing. Anything that’s survived over 2000 years ya gotta love! These figures feature details like strands of hair and the lacings on boots. What’s really interesting is that no clothing survives from this era and so these Warriors have provided great insight into the uses and symbolism of the uniforms and weapons of their times. And that's just one factoid among many. You won’t be disappointed!

www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.flickr.com/photos/bearchick

Adventures in Light Molding Paste

Last time I wrote, I mentioned working with the light molding paste. This week, usually at 6:45AM, I did some painting and experimenting. Here are some photos:

This is a great example of the texture and depth you can create with the light molding paste. I dry brushed acrylic paint onto this ATC-sized mat board in pastels.

On this one, once the molding paste was dry, I wet the entire surface, then dripped acrylic paints onto the mat board, ala Pollock. When the paint hits the water, it spreads out and makes beautiful, bold patterns. The full piece looks really groovy, man!

As much as I loved smearing the molding paste around on the mat boards, I wanted to do something a little different, with a bit more control. So I fashioned three long stripes, to see what I could make of them. A few days ago, I wondered what these inchies would look like between the stripes and this morning, I was inspired to take my gold leaf pen and highlight the tops. Now I have to find a good quote to fill the top and bottom and get everything adhered.

My plan is to eventually embellish these backgrounds with quotes, words and other interesting things. Two of the mat boards that I’ve played with but didn’t photograph yet have metal embellishments molded into the paste and I’ll tell ya, they ain’t comin’ out and I know that because I tried with all my might to pull 'em out!

I did get some more earrings onto Etsy last weekend and I’ll try to get a few more things on this weekend.

Thanks for comin’ by!

www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.flickr.com/photos/bearchick

*Sigh* Paris Dreams

It’s been a rather uncreative August. I have a few things in progress but here’s one thing I’ve actually managed to finish:

This ATC encompasses my own personal Paris Dreams (see my sister blog, maresjourney.blogspot.com, for more on that…), eating at sidewalk cafes, the iconic Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, the cute little gargoyle. Someday…

I’m sure this must be someone else’s sigh inspiring dream too, so pretty soon it’ll be on Etsy.

Last week I was finally experimenting with some molding paste I've had for months. It’s interesting to work with because it’s a soft consistency, like un-sticky marshmallow fluff, and you can make waves with it, stick things in it to make designs and paint on it, among other fun things. I’m planning to play with it some more, as I create backgrounds for some of my favorite words and inspirational sayings on ATC’s.

The Day Job is going well but we’ve already been warned there’s going to be a ton of OT during September as we’re merging a couple of units together, so creativity will be a challenge. But life, and art, will go on!

www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.flickr.com/photos/bearchick

The Journey Takes a New Path

I've decided to separate my creative blog from my more personal journey, so I created Mare's Journey, as an outlet for non-creative, wishing, dreaming, struggling, traveling amd general life-as-it-happens type missives.

I'd love it if you check in to both occasionally. Hopefully, you'll be able to relate to all the funky stuff happening in my life, creative and otherwise!

Bearchick.etsy.com

maresjourney.blogspot.com

Get Ready for Fall Sale!

I’ve put all my autumn colored jewelry on sale for the month of August. If you’re looking for jewelry in the mellow colors of the fall, come see what I have in my shop. Here’s a couple of examples :-)

Memory Wire Bracelet

Blown Glass Earrings

Vintage Necklace

What could be more refreshing when you're sitting in 95 degree weather than buying jewelry with a hint of cool breezes and rich colors?!

www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.flickr.com/photos/bearchick

Eddie Izzard and Other Things in My Life

Well, I’ve gotten back to work full time, so creative and computer time are at a minimum. And I’ve spent a lot of time in the last couple of weeks making badge leashes for work. They decided we should wear our badges full time when we’re in the building. I like that idea, makes me feel a little more secure, but I didn’t want to just clip the badge to my clothes. So I made a leash out of seed beads with a couple of pretty focals near the badge. Everyone liked them so much, I made enough money to pay for parking and dinner for our Eddie Izzard night, plus I still have enough to take myself to a movie and lunch!

Not everyone knows who Eddie Izzard is… You probably know him if you’re a Monty Python fan. Or if you watch The Riches on FX. We think he’s the funniest and smartest comedian this side of Robin Williams. Last night, we got to see him perform for two solid hours at the Kodak Theatre in LA. We’d never been to the Hollywood and Highland mall before, so it was a new experience. I like to get to a place early, especially on a weeknight when traffic is likely, so we got into town around 4:15, for an 8 o’clock show. Had dinner at Johnny Rockets, wandered around the Virgin Megastore, where the security guards are tougher than Attica’s, and had some Cold Stone ice cream. The Kodak Theatre, where the Oscar’s are presented, is a beautiful place with gorgeous architecture and the theatre itself is smaller than it looks on TV. We had great seats and as people filed in, you could feel the anticipation for Eddie. The show started a half hour late--not sure if they held because people were coming in so late--but by the time Eddie appeared, we were definitely ready for a good night! And he didn’t disappoint. For two hours, the man talked and cavorted around, without taking a sip of water! I don’t know where he gets the energy. He was so funny, The Husband had a headache from laughing and my throat was burning. He took us through prehistoric times, parts of the Bible, Vikings, Jazz Chickens, Intelligent Design and getting out to vote. It was so totally worth going to see him live. I think the LA shows are his last on the Stripped Tour but if I’ve got you curious, he’s got plenty of DVD’s out. I recommend Dressed to Kill if you haven’t seen him before.

www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.flickr.com/photos/bearchick