The Artisan Group, Backstage at the CMA Awards Gift Lounge

Here's a look at some of the fabulous pieces made by talented members
of The Artisan Group for some of the biggest names in Country Music! 

Participating in the CMA Awards gift lounge was such an honor! I would like to say Thank you to the CMA's for your support and approval, to The Artisan Group's Founder, Valerie Propst Guerrero for her tireless efforts in getting The Artisan Group to the CMA's and representing us with such dedication and zeal! To Ashley Berthelot, a fellow member and All-star who did an amazing job representing all of the participating artisans at the event.

To the awesome musicians who stopped by The Artisan Group table backstage and posed with the members' displays. Thank You, it means so much to us artisans! (Kelly Clarkson! ;)

I hope that all of my 85 Original Feather studies have flown to new homes where they will be treasured and appreciated!

One Original Watercolor Feather was included in each swag bag from The Artisan Group.
I really wonder who received each feather, and like to think if some of the band members put them together,
they'll have a small collection of my art! :)
If you want your own collection, click HERE

Kelly Clarkson with my Mallard Feathers painting, backstage at the CMA Awards Gift Lounge

"Dancing Mallard Feathers"

The Artisan Group Founder, Valerie Propst Guerrero,
 showing off some of the display pieces to Clay Cook of
the Zac Brown Band

One of the All natural, vegetarian, hand crafted soaps from Nashville, Tennessee's
Music City Suds
I loved the genius names given these babies. This one is "I Walk the Lime"
Other great names include: "Friends in Aloe Places",  "Stand by your Mandarin",
"A Bar Named Sue" and " If Tomato Never Comes" among others! LOL!

It looks like Clay Cook of the Zac Brown Band thought the names were awesome, too!
I want some of that soap!!

Chris Fryar of the Zac Brown Band looking stoked with a colorful dog toy guitar
from Wags and Wiggles

The Wags and Wiggles Display
If you want a Dog Toy Guitar click HERE

Jimmy DeMartini holding Wags and Wiggles' guitar and wearing
the Guitar Pick Necklace by River Valley Designs

A hand-stamped aluminum guitar pick from River Valley Designs
Buy Yours HERE

Country Music Royalty came through the gift lounge in the name of
Vince Gill! Here he is with one of the pieces from Popnicute's
"Studded Glory" Collection.

Southwestern Fusion Collection Necklaces and Bracelets
were in the swag bags. I am so amazed by the attention to detail
and originality of Kharisma's work. Exceptional.
If you are interested in any of these pieces,
click HERE 

Fellow TAG team member, representing us at the CMA's was Ashley Berthelot of  Fancy Designs
Here she is, showing off display pieces to the legendary Mickey Raphael and his lovely wife.

Fine Art Notecards from Paper Angels Photography 

Mickey Raphael with "Teardrops on my Guitar" photo by Beth Engel

Willow Creek Jewelry Studio's Copper Cuffs display.  

Daniel de los Reyes of the Zac Brown Band was totally diggin' this copper cuff by Willow Creek Jewelry 

Valerie explaining The Artisan Group to Coy Bowles and Daniel de los Reyes of the Zac Brown Band

These gorgeous blank Photo Notecards by Biff Rendar Photography were included in  every bag. 

Coy Bowles of Zac Brown Band with "Beauty" A fine art photography print by Biff Rendar
on display at The Artisan Group table.

Will Hoge with the Lone Star Brown and Brass 12 Gauge Cuff
by SureShot - Shotgun Casing Jewelry and Accessories

A few of the awesome pieces displayed by SureShot - Shotgun Casing Jewelry and Accessories

Jon Jones of the Eli Young Band, holding the display piece from Java Jane Designs

A collection of "Alphabet Art Prints" from Java Jane Designs

Brantley Gilbert with a great leather bracelet by SariBlue

The SariBlue CMA display

Chris Thompson of the Eli Young Band with some delightful soap
from Barefoot Bath and Body

Some of the soaps included at the CMA's "Wide Open Sky", "Margarita" and "Juniper Aloe"

Jana Kramer with some bling from Trinkets N Whatnots

Some of the many rings gifted backstage. Love the little cowboy hat boxes!

James Young of the Eli Young Band with Sparetire Design

Display from Sparetire Design

Scotty McCreery with Kiki Bird Jewelry's gorgeous display pieces

The "Bright Lights Swarovski Crystal and Brass Necklace" gifted to 85 lucky celebs
from Kiki Bird Jewelry 

John Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band with a Wee Bindery leather bound journal

For a look at some great bound books by Wee Bindery, click HERE

Mike Eli of the Eli Young Band with Four Black Paws

Collar and Leash by Four Black Paws on Display 

"Gone Country" Dog Collar available HERE

It doesn't end here! More to come in another blog post! Stay Tuned!!!

85 Feather Watercolors backstage at the CMA Awards

My official Sponsor Ad in The Artisan Group's Talent Gift Lounge Event Guide

Well, the big day finally arrived! The CMA Awards!!
I haven't been keeping up here on my blog - - being a Mom/Wife/Artist/*awake* is a bit of a juggling act. I'm trying to keep my balance with Family, Work and regular "life" LOL. Social media is kicking my butt. How do you do it?! Sleep? Who needs sleep?!

The CMA's - - sorry. Off on a tangent, there.
Yes, through the amazing The Artisan Group, I was able to participate in Country Music's Biggest Night! The 46th Annual CMA Awards! Backstage in the official gift lounge.

This summer I worked on painting and packaging 85 of my original watercolor feather studies to be included in The Artisan Group swag bags for some of Country Music's most talented musicians and entertainers. Leading up to the event, I was so excited. The 3.5 days of the gift lounge, I was beyond elated. Those feathers that I had been working on for so long were now in the hands of some of Country Music's biggest stars - - and I think it's a perfect fit. :) Who better to send my art to -- people whom, like the rest of my customer base - - are wonderful, down-to-the-earth, country-loving folk!

Jody Edwards / jodyvanb Artist of Original Feather Watercolors
Photo credit: Katie Mueller

So, thought I'd pop in here and say, the event was amazing. We had live updates from Valerie Guerrero, the Founder of The Artisan Group and Ashley Berthelot a fellow TAG member, who were manning The Artisan Group table at the event. I will have more info to share this week (and possibly some photos from the event backstage - - and some of your fave Country stars with The Artisan Group gifts! ) I can't wait to share! Stay Tuned!! :)

For now - - Here's a print, made from 4 of the 85 original feather studies that were sent to be gifted at the CMA's. You can purchase it in the shop for 20% OFF in celebration of the Country Music Awards. Just use the coupon code : COUNTRYMUSIC

Mallard, Great Horned Owl, Cardinal and Crow Feather
Archival print on Museum quality Hahnemuhle paper. Will look beautiful matted as an 8x10
www.jodyvanb.etsy.com 

Original Art Giveaway!

Two Mallard Feathers

To help celebrate my participation in the CMA Awards official gift lounge, I am offering a 20% discount in my online shop www.jodyvanb.etsy.com by using the coupon code COUNTRYMUSIC at checkout. Those who purchase anything in the shop, from now until Nov 1st (Country Music's Biggest Night!) will be entered into a draw for the above painting, unframed. The original watercolor of two mallard feathers is almost identical to the piece I sent to be showcased at the CMA Awards gift lounge!

85 of my feather studies will be showcased & gifted to the biggest names in Country Music backstage at the CMA Awards ( CMA’s Facebook page: CMA Country Music Association) Watch LIVE on Nov. 1 at 8p/7p Central on ABC.

Beautiful Veggies

It's not often that you hear someone say " These vegetables are delicious." This definitely has never occurred in my house - - though I dream of the day when my kids will eat some form of vegetable other than a carrot or something I have hidden in spaghetti sauce.

Maybe you are one of those people in the produce aisle, enamored by the sight of seasonal fruits and vegetables, ripe and luscious in their prime. Maybe not?! Well, you should be! Bask in the blush of an apple, picked in a local orchard, or a giant head of broccoli fresh from the field. You shouldn't have to wander far to find a market with local faire.

I photographed these beauties at Holla's Produce and Greenhouses while on a getaway up North.  I never knew veggies could be so photogenic!

There's something so satisfying about growing your own food. When I  think of all of the time and effort put into a garden over a season - - I find it amazing that fruits and vegetables don't cost more money.

After months of watering and pest control and weeding - - you end up with a beautiful plant that will be harvested and consumed rather quickly. (Which, come to think of it, makes me feel extra guilty that I let that last head of lettuce wilt in the fridge.)