Happy New Year!

the Tree of Joy
Originally uploaded by ginamstudio

I hope everyone has the loveliest new year. xoxo

Ready for the end

Everyone seems to be writing their end of year posts. I haven't been good at posting here lately. It's been a strange year for me.

I've been trying to figure out who I am lately. Sadly, I still feel like I don't really know. Some words that will soon really describe me (single mother, disheartened, divorced, bone tired, sad) are words I thought I had worked very hard to avoid, but there they are.

Word that I have flippantly described myself with in the past are suddenly very important to me. The "Diva" idea gains a whole new perspective when I used it to prop up my whole being, not just my ego. All kinds of self-empowering ideas are coming to mind for me right now. I am trying to be open to all of them.

My new year's resolutions in the past - lose weight, be more organized, be kinder - have paled to what I hope to accomplish this next year. A full realization of what I can and want to be. It sounds daunting, but I am determined to be every single bit of it.

ART:GIRL Aimée

I love studio tours. I can spend entire days looking through flickr and youtube oogling where people create. One of my favorite people in the artosphere, Aimée, recently put up a studio video with some great art...including me!



I love love love Aimée's work. I find her mixed media works so inspiring. I'm in awe of her ability to work and take care of her sweet little girl, Lo. Lo recently had a little misadventure. You can read all about it on Aimée's blog creativeFlutter. Check out what's she's been doing lately!

How Cool!

I had a happy surprise this morning. I am the "Art of the Day" on EBSQ. I am agog. In Bloom happens to be one of my favorite paintings, too. I also talked my niece into trying rowing and she LOVED it. Plus my daughter and I managed to get pedis.

All in all, a lovely day.

Now, if I could just find a great job, my week would be complete!

Creating a life

I keep meaning to do a blog post, and then I don't. So, after having some wicked weird weeks, I am going to try this again! I have been painting like crazy.


I am working full-time now. My life is going through some interesting changes, so being gainfully creative would be good. I am checking out and selling paintings on several different venues.


A LOT of trial and error coming up....both professionally and personally.

big. fun!

It's Etsy Day!

Today is the *unofficial* day to celebrate all that is Etsy.com. Etsy shop owners are uniting to tell everyone all that is wonderful about Etsy. If you love any kind of art (and who doesn't!), Etsy is the best place to find the most amazing handmade things.

I could go on and on about all of the reasons I love Etsy. I happen to belong to some wonderful "street teams" and one, the Etsy Twitter Team, has an in-depth article by our leader, Vickie of In My Head Studios. She does a great job of explaining all of the ways you can use Etsy.

Another great team is the Disciples of Etsy, the Oklahoma Street Team. I am literally in awe of some of these people. The talent is just divine. 

So, check out Etsy today. Here are some of MY favorites:

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade ginamstudio.etsy.com

* The Fine Print: This promotion is being sponsored by independent Etsy shop owners, not Etsy.com. But Etsy is excited about it!!

Lamp Score

I love it when stuff like this happens. I found this awesome lamp at walmart clearance priced at $17. Then I re-did the lamp shade with Darla (LOVE) fabric from Tanya Whelan. I am so thrilled with how this turned out.

Etsy Twitter Shop of the Week: Rhodes Annals Designs

This week’s shop has extermely lovely handmade items. Claire Elizabeth Annals (her maiden name was Rhodes), of Rhodes Annals Designs, sells bags, hats, crochet purses, knitted scarves and cowls. She also sells some of her sister’s jewelry and vintage patterns.


Rhodes Annals Designs is located in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK, and ships internationally. She is more than happy to make custom items just for you.

As a member of the Etsy Twitter Team, Claire Elizabeth twitters about art, home, and family. She also has a facebook page and blogs.

Special for the Week: Put “Twitter Rocks” into the “Messages for the Seller” box and await a revised invoice with a 10% discount off the item price.

Done!

Done!
Originally uploaded by ginamstudio

I have been working on this painting for a few weeks now. I'm really thrilled with how it turned out! It's a 3'x4' commission for a playroom. The room itself is just gorgeous, so I am excited one of my paintings will be featured.

Part of my relief in getting this done is that I have discovered that handling big canvases is HARD. This is the biggest painting I've done and it was very physical. I will now enjoy making some small paintings.

bleh

I am still aspiring to be a better blogger, but it's not happening today. So, here's a preview of a movie I CANNOT wait to see. I hope your day is going well.
xoxo

Etsy Twitter Shop of the Week: L'élephant Rose

The Etsy Twitter Team has been busy this week. I wish I could show all of the wonderful things I have seen this week! One busy shop in particular is  L'élephant Rose which happens to be the Team's shop of the week. It's run by the sweet and darling Sherisa Vassel. Everything she produces has a unique charm! 



Right now, Sherisa is offering free shipping on any US domestic orders and 50% off international shipping on orders placed this week. Use code “ETT” in message to seller to redeem.

Etsy Twitter Shop of the Week: Curious Mess

Starla Petersen's Etsy shop curious mess is a funky cool mix of art. You'll find wood paintings, jewelry, and, my personal favorite, her fabric bowls. I'm currently drooling over these prettys.

Be sure to check out her twitter with! *Free shipping worldwide April 6th - 12th. Just mention “EtsyTwitter” in your message to seller and shipping will be refunded.

Oh, the cuteness!

I am a huge fan of Alyssaa of Penguin and Fish. She is by one of those artists that can do anything! I just LOVE this short animation created by her...

Twitter Love/Shop of the Week

So much for keeping up with my blog. I have been helping my mom get her new house ready the last three weeks. She finally got all moved in this last weekend. Now I can look forward to getting some stuff done at home. I've been twittering all morning. I am lucky enough to belong to the Etsy Twitter Team and that group has been busy! I love how Renee Suich of "L-Shack" Studio makes such lovely beads. I would love to do some lampwork some day. Renee is the Etsy Twitter Team Shop of the Week.

I also "met" a lovely artist on Twitter the other day. Her name is Gina Lee Kim and her amazing blog highlights just how wonderful her work is. I am now a HUGE fan of Gina's paintings. Plus, she just has the coolest name!



If you happen to be on twitter, follow me and we'll chat. I also follow some of the coolest people - evah. Check them out, too!

Get your twitter mosaic here.