Heritage

Listing my first pastel drawing in my SecondSite Etsy shop has been an introspective experience. For me, fine art is a bit more personal than the crafty things I create. This is becoming even more evident now that I'm pursuing my freelance artist/crafter career. I'm still pondering most of it and am reflecting alot on my creative heritage. The most evident source is my father. Here he is with my mom at a mid 60's "Pool Party" which were all the rage back then (hence the squinting):



There are other sources that I have found out about - Like my Great Grandfather whose job was at a "Bump Shop", getting dents out of vehicles but he also did "Bump Art", for lack of a better term. He would bump art into the side of vehicles, making a picture almost like a reverse embossing then paint it. Unfortunately, I don't think there are any pictures of his work.

OK, back to reflecting - one of the things my dad and I did in our adult years, on a regular basis, was draw together. One of us would start drawing a picture then hand it to the other person who would add something to the drawing. This would go on, back and forth, until the drawing seemed complete. Here is one of the better results:



I have stacks and stacks of my dad's work but I don't believe he would want any of it on the internet and, although I would love to share his art, I choose not to. He wanted to keep his work his own. That may be why there is an emotional twinge for me to be selling my art - not that it's a good or bad thing - it's just different. So, here is my first listing of my drawings:



Dad passed away in August. I want to share the legacy that has been passed down to me and keep it alive. I have something worth sharing and hopefully my contributions will add to the goodness in the world.
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.On a lighter note, I kept some of my dad's infamous hats and we take turns wearing them:

The trouble with Assistants....

The pictures say it all...

Eenie Meenie Minee Magnets...

What is it about these things?? They're almost as addicting as chocolate!!

Is it the hunt to find something to fit in that little circle? Is it hyperfocusing on finding just the right image? I can't figure it out but maybe I should stop trying and just enjoy it! I've made over 400 now!! Ahh!!!


Hello......my name is Sheli...... and .....

I'm a magnet-aholic.......

*****the crow responds "Hi Sheli"*****

Heehee

I've got some sets in my shop but I'm going to be adding more! Here's where they be....

www.craftinator.etsy.com

I'm Part Of A Team!!!

This is gonna be fun and exciting! In fact, it already is! I've joined the Etsy West Michigan Team! You can find out more about us here -

www.etsywestmichigan.blogspot.com

I'll be adding my new team member's blogs to that little area over there to the right but these things take time.

So many things to do..............

Look what I did!!

It's the first 2 pieces in my new "series"!!

Well, OK, it's my first series ever. heehee

I took a nap the other day and when I woke up, I just had this idea in my head! So, I painted the tray that night and the box the next night! I'll be adding things with the same design - you can look forward to seeing a plate, round balls (ok, is round redundant? I think round should be implied......I'll leave it in anyway), and maybe, just maybe, a bowling pin! HA!!

Ok, that's it for now - this is short but I have to get some painting done but I'm disciplining myself to go grocery shopping first.

I'll post more later! Enjoy!

Teaser (heehee)

OK, is this totally cool or what??? heehee

This is the first picture of my new crafty idea. I don't have it perfected yet so I'll post more pictures later but this is step one. This is a square piece of glass, kinda like a thick coaster but bigger and has a recessed circle for a candle.

I'm researching different products to see what I want to used to get the string on the glass and seal it with a nice hard glossy finish. Mod Podge is too sticky, darnit. I love love love Mod Podge.

So, more to follow! Can you hardly wait or what????

Part two of the Saturday trip

So, on to the second leg of the trip!

I heard about this place out in Portland that had a few different businesses in one building and one of them was going to have hand-made home decor on consignment. Sounds like that's right up one of the many alleys in my world. LOL

So, after leaving the Byron Center Farmer's Market with our bread and cheese in hand, it was off for a 45 minute trek to Portland. Once again, the trip was filled with conversation - EBAY - etcetcetc, PETS - yakyakyak, FRENCH FRIES AND A FROSTY FOR LUNCH!! hahahaha!!I BARELY noticed the exit and tried not to holler too loudly EXIT 76 !! TURN HERE!! Actually, come to think of it, I was cool as a cuke on the outside, I was just screaming on the inside. heehee. We hadn't really paid much attention to time, we were just driving and talking and driving and talking.

We kept on talking when we got out of the truck and meandered down the sidewalk and found Rafaelle's Marketplace!

OK, before we go any farther - credit where credit is due - I forgot my camera in the truck! AH! These pictures are courtesy of the CO-owner, Julie, who generously and expediently sent these to me. Thanks Julie!

Right before we put a hand on the doorknob, my friend saw a sign and said the dreaded word - - - CLOSED!!!! My first thought was - ohhhhhh, nooooooo, they HAVE to be open on Saturday! They just HAVE to!!! So, I looked around for the hours posted while in my head I was chanting - pleasepleasepleaseplease. We found it and whew! They opened at 10! We were just a few minutes early, that's all!


So, we decided a walk around the block would be a good idea. We found a grrreeaaaat Quilting shop while we were walking at the back of the buildings and I did my best not to drool directly ON the fabrics! What a totally cool place!

Sure enough, by the time we got back around to Rafaelle's Marketplace, the door was unlocked! We were greeted by the owner who has a great smile and demeanor and as we looked around, he turned on the boom box and - JAZZ!! Ok, he's now my bestest friend forever. heehee.

Just standing in the door is a lovely aesthetically pleasing experience:



Hey........does that guy have a cookie.................? That's the owner in the middle. He's too far away to tell if he has a cookie.

There are areas of storefronts - I wouldn't call them 'booths' - they're much nicer. With the great backdrop of hand painted walls and floors, all of the shops looked great. This is the shop where I'm thinking some of my things could go - it's still a work in progress:
Then there's a section in the back.......talk about drooling!!! sheesh!!! Faaaaabulous artwork. You just have to see it to really get the effect!


OK, I FOUND THE COOKIES!!!!!!



This booth is called "The Bag Lady". heehee. Clev. ver.

We spent some pleasant time chatting with the owner and finding out more about how he ended up with a business incubator and I am sure this will be a success for him and his wife. I think I'll have to notify him ahead of time of when I'm coming next so he cand Julie can make sure there are cookies waiting..................heehee

If you want to check out their site, here's the addy:

http://raffaelesmarketplace.com/

So, now it's thinkin' time. Thinkin' Thinkin' Thinkin........