This time, I've done a collab with that awesome Lily & Gus and Shanna's Tie Dye.
With Shanna's magical rainbow skills and Ashley's imagination and talent at work, the tie dye whales were brought into being. A while ago I was asked to paint some of these beautiful creatures, and now you have a chance to win it all!
I am so excited to be participating in a giveaway hosted by Shanna's Tie Dye.
You can enter to win one of my Butterfly Nest prints and some other amazing pieces by some fab artisans.
Take a look at all of the great items there are to win! Good Luck!
I was very excited to be participating in the Heirlooms show on June 14th and 15th at Vermeer's Garden Centre in Welland, Ontario. The event, in its inaugural year, was organized by the fabulous Erin Snow, who ran the First Sunday Stroll that I was a part of in the Spring of 2012. Erin's selection of high quality artisans is top notch. I will do any show that she organizes, because it is sure to attract a wide variety of beautiful handmade work by established and up and coming artists. Here's a small taste of some of the work that made its way to the Heirlooms show that weekend.
For more photos, you can find the whole album, HERE
Amazing design and branding, these are little embroidery kits. Yes, you have to do the "work", but I assure you it's all good fun, and you will feel so proud when you've accomplished making one of these quirky, sweet characters. I want them ALL!
Lisa at Skinny Dip Soap was my tent-neighbor for the show. You have to smell these soaps. OMG! All natural, no GMO is the way to go. I also LOVE her packaging. One of her soaps is called "Wash A Hippy" which I find totally hilarious.
For those of you not in "the know", Jordin is one of those triple threats - - maybe quadruple even. LOL.
She's a recording artist, songwriter, actress, philanthropist, spokesperson and designer! Amazing!
At seventeen, she was the youngest winner of American Idol.
Her debut album, which was released in 2007, produced 2 hit singles "Tattoo" and "No Air" (the latter featuring Chris Brown). The album then went platinum, and Jordin earned her first Grammy Award nomination for the song "No Air".
Jordin has gone on to win many awards, including the following : 2 Teen Choice Awards, a People's Choice Award, an American Music Award, an NAACP award, and a BET award.
Recently, Jordin performed an emotional tribute to Whitney Houston at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards. It's hard to imagine what meeting one of your idols would feel like. Jordin, not only met Whitney Houston, but performed with her, acting alongside her in the film "Sparkle" which is set to debut in August.
You can imagine the pressure I felt in creating something for this talented starlet!
I wanted to paint some of my feather studies for her - - feathers have been trending lately, but I think they're transcendent and appeal to everyone. I painted three different feathers and associated different traits that I think Jordan embodies to each one.
This is the Red Carpet feather that suggests her Drive and Passion for her work
This polka-dotted feather evokes her Style and Personality to me. Classic and Contemporary.
Did you know Jordin has created her own fragrances?
The final feather for the Songbird, Jordin. To me, this one illustrates her Talent.
Also, I read that her fave colour is purple, so I thought that was fitting!
Would you like a glimpse at some of the other things made especially for Jordin? You're in luck! Here's a peek at some of the fabulous things made by some of my fellow members!
Enamel, Copper and Sterling Earrings - Quite possibly my favorites of all of the swag Jordin received. These, to me, are so perfect! I would wear them all of the time, and I'm sure Jordin will be sporting them often. So gorgeous and unique and versatile!! The companion pendant is totally fab. I would definitely wear it with my fave tee and jeans and feel A-mazing. (Don't you just love the amethyst cabochons?)
This luscious Passionflower and Acai Berry Gift Set by bodyspell sound amazing! Exfoliating Foaming Sugar Body Butter and Cashmere Dreams Lotion created for Jordin, personalized with a "J" on the lids. Packaged in a lovely black cosmetics case for traveling, with a darling bodyspell charm on the zipper.
This is a romantic and sweet locket from The Black Star Boutique! Perfect for a late summer afternoon with her Honey, I think she'll love this necklace.
How could anyone resist this dainty beauty? I can almost smell those lilacs, can't you? So sweet!
This is a lovely sterling silver pendant with the artisan Tracy Kavanaugh's photograph featured and a tiny purple, czech glass bead, dangling at the bottom.
William Morris lived by this ideal, "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful". I love that quote, but it makes me think I need to de-clutter my own home. LOL.
This clutch was hand crafted using vintage William Morris wallpaper! It includes a zipper pouch and vintage button closure. Also included - - a pair of gold spiral wire wrapped earrings with Citrine stones.
I would love to see these in person. Dichroic glass has an amazing look to it, like a fiery opal, it seems alive. I'm sure these earrings and pendant flash in the light.
How about these show stoppers? These earrings are statement pieces in themselves. Made by Deborah of Bead Indulgences. I think these will be perfect for her next Red Carpet event!!
Black, faceted spinel, jet and clear swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, expertly wrapped in 14k gold filled wire? Yes, please! :)
After any event in high heels a woman needs to pamper her tootsies. What better way to do that, than with a Simply Caprine Blissful Foot Scrub and Blissful Foot Balm ! Made with simple, natural, fresh ingredients to nurture your body. I personally can't wait to get my hands (and feet and elbows) into some Blissful Balm!
Check out the great earrings and necklace set from Kim at Kiki Bird Jewelry! I LOVE them!!
So, I hope you've enjoyed taking a quick look at some of the lovely things made for Jordin! If you're interested in The Artisan Group, please check the group out here: www.theartisangroup.org
I would like to wish Jordin all the best as she promotes her new film "Sparkle". There's probably no end to her travel schedule at the moment. Here's hoping she has a chance to kick back and relax with family and friends this summer!
Thanks, Jordin, for sending this pic. :)
Here she is, opening up her Artisan Group bag!
I participated in the "First Sunday Stroll" today - - my first outdoor show of the season. A great Art Show partly sponsored by Etsy, it included a great selection of local artisans and some who came from great distances to take part in the event.
My back wall
As far as one-day shows go, and considering this was the "first annual" First Sunday Stroll in the area, I wasn't expecting huge crowds. In my mind, no crowds mean, no sales. Rain = no crowds. The whole prospect didn't seem too promising.
When my wonderful Hubby woke me, just before 6am and I could hear the rain outside, well, let me just say, I wasn't enthusiastic about packing up the work van and getting a tent up in the cold rain. I'm always excited to participate in a show, but I tried not to think about the fact we would have to take it all down within the same day. Mike made me a coffee, a little breakfast and was very enthusiastic that it was going to be a good day. I smiled and believed him. :)
Clouds, Wind, Rain, Blue Sky, Sunshine, Repeat.
Cloudy and brooding as it was, the sky did not open up in a great deluge while we set up the tent. Things were looking up!
View of my table - people loved my MOO business cards
To my surprise, there was quite a turnout! The selection and variety of artisans was wonderful and there were many people, despite the weather, who turned out to support Handmade!
I would like to share a few of the great artisans with you. Unfortunately, I couldn't get around to each booth without abandoning my own, so this is a small sampling of some of my own faves which were a short distance from my own tent! LOL!
Harwin Pottery - "The Accidental Potter"
Great colours and an eclectic selection of shapes and sizes
The delightful and engaging, Mike, amidst his handiwork
Mike with his Sisters, who both did an excellent job.
The mug I purchased. Small enough to fit the One Cup coffee maker.
Stitch & Spoke
Fabric art by Linda VareKamp
Linda, very charming, in her lovely tent.
Earlier in the day, I had been telling my "neighbor" that my eldest son is really, really into recycling. So much so in fact that, he wanted recycling bins for his birthday. I mentioned that you find boys' clothes with fire trucks and dump trucks and race cars, but very rarely do you find a recycling truck. 'Lo and behold, I pass by this great looking tent and I spy some green t-shirts with the recycling symbol. Made, with recycled materials!! How awesome! I had to buy one.
