Button Rings

This morning, I decided to look through my collection of craft ideas waiting to be tried.  Deciding on 'button rings' I went downstairs to my studio to dig through my buttons.  Also collecting my jewelry making supply tin, I headed back upstairs ready to begin. 

I created two lovely rings with supplies on hand.  It was very simple and I plan on doing this with my granddaughters this summer.  You can read about and learn this craft here.

I tried making one with two different gauges of wire.  First, I tried 24 gauge.  I felt that it was too thin, so I made a second ring using 20 gauge.  I like it better. Here's a view of my two creations.

Now, you have no excuse for not having a ring to match your outfit!  :)  Hmmm...one more thing to watch for at thrift stores and garage sales - fancy buttons! 

Happy Friday to you...

Friends and Frappuccinos

Last Saturday, three of my friends came over for the day.  They had asked me if I would teach them how to paint with watercolors.  They arrived at 10 am. I made some frappuccinos to enjoy while we painted. 

First, we taped our paper to a board then mixed up a soft glaze of their choice of color.  We painted a light wash on our papers, then applied plastic wrap to the paper.  This creates a mottled design as a base.  We set those aside to dry. 

Our next step was to learn a little about hard and soft edges while we painted some roses.  That was fun.  When we finished with that painting, we took a break for a lunch of potato soup and home baked bread. 

After lunch, we removed the plastic wrap from our boards.  I passed out identical pictures to each lady and they spent a little time drawing the magnolia onto their paper.  Then I showed them techniques to use painting the flower.  Some expressed that watercolor was harder than they had anticipated.  We had a great day and are looking forward to getting together again in the future. 

I have painted six times from the same photograph.  I never tire of it.  I think magnolias are beautiful.  Each time I paint this flower's photo, the result is different.

Callalily Painting

This is a recent painting I did from a photograph of one of my backyard calla lilies.  I no longer live in the home with all of the beautiful flowers.  But, I continue to paint from photos taken years past.  This painting is for sale on Etsy for $20.00.  Cindy's Country Mix Etsy Shop

Busyness

It seems that for several years, seven at least, I have been keeping myself too busy to do what I love best.  Paint.  How do we do that?  WHY do we do that?  Or am I the only one? 

About 10 years ago, I painted this painting for a friend of her beloved horse, Dreamy.  It is done with watercolor and measures 17 x 19 inches.  Just last week, she called me and asked if I would paint portraits of two more horses.  "Of course", said I. Prince and Tomahawk are now in the line-up now.  Also last week, a friend found out that I used to teach art classes to children and asked if I would teach ten students for the month of June.  "Of course", said I again.  I am hoping these adventures will help me to eliminate all the 'other' busyness from my life as I focus in on what I enjoy most, art in all forms. 

Sweet Violet's

 My booth is now officially in business.  On May 2nd, I went in with my friend and set it up.  There was a small glitch in that the first number I was assigned was incorrect.  I was given a new number.  Sounds benign except that I had labeled all of my merchandise with my old number.  So, I spent a considerable amount of time crossing off the old number and writing in the new one.

Last Friday, Donna and I went out shopping at all of our local garage sales.  We found quite a few treasures to add to our little booth.  I took my items over yesterday and snapped a few photos while there.










My cards seem to be a big hit.  The owner told me that people comment on how lovely they are and are happy to see them added to the shop.  The larger of the two racks holds cards that measure 5x7 inches.  They seem to be the most popular, because the rack was sparse when I was in yesterday.  Today, I will spend some time printed up more to fill in a bit.  The open drawer of the small table holds gift cards.  I made 100 of them.  They measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches and come with an envelope.  Indeed, they are cute! 

Irish Countryside

I am not home yet, but I downloaded the pictures from my camera.  The color was not right for some reason.  I played with one and got it looking like the original painting.  The countryside in Ireland must be just breathtaking!  This particular painting called "A Walk in the Country" is an ACEO, Artist Cards, Editions and Originals.  The size format for ACEO is 3.5" x 2.5".  People collect them and store them in baseball card albums. 

Sahuarita

This weekend we are spending time with family in the little town of Sahuarita.  My husband is working around the house helping his brother make some upgrades.  I am sitting at the table in the large guest room, painting away the hours.  I painted three paintings today.  They are all paintings of the countryside of Ireland.  I have never been to Ireland, but I was looking at some basic pictures of the what the countryside looks like and decided to make up a few pieces.  I will post them when I get home and can retrieve them from my camera.  Hasta la vista!