On Etsy and Blogging in 2007...

If you don't know what etsy is, you need to! Watch this video and learn what Etsy is all about!

Etsy has been a great experience for me! I signed up to be a seller on Etsy just 6 months ago and think that it is the coolest thing ever! I have sold 60 items to people in 4 different countries, and 12 US States! I am really excited about the possibilities Etsy holds for me and can't wait to see what happens in my shop this next year!

In addition to Etsy, I have really enjoyed keeping a Blog this year, (and I think I need this T-shirt from thinkgeek.com!)

I feel like this blog is a great way to share my current doings, and a nice way to work out ideas. Also, I love knowing that people visit it (and even better, COMMENT on it!)

These maps show the cities that people have viewed my blog from in the last 30 days. How cool is that?! So, all you readers out there, feel free to comment anytime, I love hearing from people especially with feedback on my ideas!

So, here is to a great 2007, and an even better 2008 on Etsy and Blogger!

Navigazione Gallery

Just got these postcards in the mail and wanted to share! My work is now being carried at the Navigazione Gallery in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. If you are in the area stop by!

Snow in the Desert

Just proof that Christmas in the desert can be white! Happy Holidays Everyone!

Featured on Wickedly Chic!

Cool! A pair of my earrings was featured today on Wickedly Chic in the Daily Ditties Section. Check it out here.

Thanks Liz!

A Christmas Story and Some New Years Resolutions

So, this isn't exactly a Christmas story, but it definitely has the Christmas spirit. Yesterday I went and spent some time at my local Boys and Girls Club. I actually worked there for over a year as the Creative Art Supervisor. Now, I just occasionally go back as a volunteer. Anyway, I was there yesterday and I had SO much fun playing with the kids. I saw one kid that I knew when I worked there and was reminded of a special experience I had with him.

Many of the kids that attend the club are in disadvantaged circumstances. Every year the club puts on a program they call Child Spree, where they select as many kids as possible who get to go on a $100 shopping spree for clothes for school. For many of the kids, this is their only opportunity all year to get the things they need. Each child is assigned a volunteer to help them pick out necessary items such as socks, underwear, school uniforms, shoes, etc. Well, I was helping this particular boy pick out some new school clothes for his shopping spree. He had just about everything picked out that he could afford with his $100, when we walked by the jewelry counter. He looked up at me , with all his cool new clothes in his hands and said, "Miss Lynette, I want to put all this back and buy a gold necklace for my mom." His mom was a single mom and so he didn't ever get the chance to buy her gifts for her birthday or Christmas or anything because he didn't have anyone to take him. His mom doesn't have any family or anything, it is really just the two of them. It just really touched me that he was so unselfish, when all those things he was holding were things he needed, and wasn't going to be able to get them any other way, and he was willing to give it up to get a necklace for his mom. Can you imagine how exciting this was for him? To get $100 all to spend on himself?! And he wanted to spend every cent on his mom. I really was humbled by this experience.

Later when I told his mom what he had said, she just cried. It made me realize how much I take for granted and how much more I can give (and how much we can learn from kids!) . So, as a new years resolution this year, I am going to try to give more. Hopefully that means spending more time with the kids at the Boys and Girls club!

Other Resolutions:

Exercise More

Eat Better

and I'm still working on more...

Merry Christmas!

Break

Well, I am now officially on Winter Break. The word hallelujah has a whole new meaning! I survived my first semester at grad school. Over the break I will be working like crazy to accomplish some of the many goals I have set for myself that seem to always get put off. One being to get my work into a local gallery. Over the weekend I approached a gallery in my hometown of Tucson that I have been dreaming about being in for at least a year now. That was the first time I have approached a gallery. I'm not sure if they will want my work or not, but I am just proud of myself for finally getting up the courage to go and put myself (and my work) out there. Next step is to come up with some sort of a cohesive collection to pitch to them (I am thinking along the lines of what is pictured above). That is goal #3 for the break. Goal #1 is to finish all the things I have already started! Goal #2 is to do all of my planning for teaching next semester. I will be teaching 3-Dimensional design at ASU and am a little daunted at the task, but am getting more excited as I plan out projects and get things sorted out. Wish me luck and Happy Holidays!

P.S. If you have any great ideas for 3-D class projects feel free to send them my way!

The Wrap Up

With the end of the semester approaching rather QUICKLY, I am wrapping up unfinished projects and trying to tie up loose ends. (There are many ends to tie, believe me!)

These are some small enamel panels I am working on. I think they will turn into a series of 3 or maybe 5. They are about 5" square. The colors are a little off because I scanned them instead of photographing them (its raining outside today), but you get the idea.

Finals

I will be spending the next 72 hours writing a paper for my Modern Mexican Photography final paper on artists like Graciela Iturbide and her photograph "Nuestra Senora de las Iguanas". I know you are jealous.

Actually, I have really enjoyed this class. I am just looking forward to the 14th when finals are OVER and I get to go home to Tucson for Christmas!

Intaglio Final and Portfolio Exchange

Today was our final critique in the Intaglio printmaking class I took this semester. For our final project we had to make an edition of 18 identical prints (to exchange with all members of the class). The print had to include 3 processes we learned this semester and had to involve 2 or more plates. This was not an easy assignment!! I spent 3 full days printing in the studio and 2 days sewing onto my prints at home. Progress was slow, but I love printmaking so I didn't mind. I had so much fun in this class! The classes I always love are the ones that push me the most.

Inking...

Rolling...

Sewing...

Taadaa! My final product. I am pretty happy with how it turned out, I had some other things in mind to do with it, but I think it came out ok. So much more graphic than I was intending though. Fun and different is never bad I guess!
Here are some of my favorites by other members of the class...

Lindsay LaMonica

Kristina Runyan
Jackie Lindmark
Angela Nimmo

Olivia Timmons

And last but not least, our professor, Mary Hood.

WooHoo!!! I heard that I was included on the front page of Etsy.com today. Too bad I missed it!! Thanks starwillowstudio!!

Buy Handmade This Holiday Season!!

Buy Handmade Video from Etsy on Vimeo.

Why? Because it is more unique, more personal, more eco-conscious, and it supports artists like me!

Tagged

I was tagged by Margaux Lange (her work pictured above, and I LOVE it!) and must share 5 weird or random facts about myself so, prepare to be shocked...

1. I am totally grossed out by hair. People ask, "How can you be afraid of hair when you have all that?" Well, its not the attached hair I am freaked out by, its the detached hair...the loose ones that can be anywhere...any place...yuk! So, I hate public swimming pools, I avoid public restrooms if at all possible, and cannot bring myself to go into a gym lockeroom. Ok, now you all know what a freak I am (and what big hair I have). This pic was taken when I was like 14...by the way. And, ironically, I have recently been using hair in my own work. Hmm... 2. I raised livestock as a kid. Goats, sheep, chickens, pigs and rabbits to be exact. I was in 4-H and we had a pig breeding "farm" called Hanson's Hog Heaven. (Hanson is my maiden name). Yup. laugh it up. 3. My best friend and I have been friends since we were 2 years old and lived one house apart. We have been friends for over 20 years! Oh yeah, and we were in chess club, jumprope club, and astronomy club together as kids...dorks I know! ( I love you Kristin!!) (This picture is of us and our prize winning alien in astronomy club in like 3rd grade.) 4. I am at least a 3rd generation redhead, and more than half of my family members also have red hair! (This pic is of me, my grandma, and my great grandma.)
5. I can't think of anything else, other than I am a little feisty. And by a little, I mean a lot. If you know me, you already know this. If you don't know me, well, there is still time:) I have been a little ball of fire since the day I was born (notice the t-shirt in the picture). I Tag...
Ashley Akers
Cally Creates
Julie Lake
Jenny Windler

Jennie Yin

the rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.