The Vampire Diaries

Many of my fellow TAG'ers (The Artisan Group members) had a great opportunity recently! They created some amazing accessories for the Stylist of the hit show, "The Vampire Diaries".

The show is based on the novels by L.J.Smith, geared towards young adults. I read those books about twenty years ago!! The show, for me, is a guilty pleasure. Like rag mags in line at the grocery store, if I catch the show while channel surfing, I cannot look away!

Here are a few of the pieces that have been spotted on camera!

This little beauty is a hand formed solid bronze pendant on a gold filled chain by Tag..You're It
The Vampire Diaries Episode 4x12 "A View to a Kill"

A beaded leather triple wrap bracelet by Julie Ellyn Designs
Worn by Elena on The Vampire Diaries Episode 4x11 "Catch Me If You Can"

Custom Fine Silver Necklace by 2SistersHandcrafted
Worn by Bonnie on The Vampire Diaries
Episode 4x12 "A View To A Kill"

Olde World Romance Earrings by Heidi Kingman Jewelry
Worn by Bonnie's Mom on The Vampire Diaries

Gunmetal Wide Band Ring with Chiyogami Paper and Glass Tile by BKDSignature
Worn by Bonnie's Mom on The Vampire Diaries

Original Handcrafted Necklace by Uni Q Creations
Worn by Bonnie's Mom on The Vampire Diaries

Swarovski and Amethyst Gold-filled Long Spike Necklace by Brooklyn Designs
Worn by Caroline on The Vampire Diaries Episode 4x13

Silver and Almandine Garnet Talisman Necklace by Metalmorphis
Worn by Bonnie on The Vampire Diaries, multiple episodes

Crocheted Brimmed Hat by Hunky Dori Boutique
Worn by Elena on The Vampire Diaries Episode 4x13

Stainless Steel Celtic Knot Warrior Pendant by Loralyn Designs
Worn by Galen Vaughn on The Vampire Diaries

Congrats, everyone! It's so great to be able to see all of your hard work pay off!
If you are a fan of The Vampire Diaries, keep your eyes peeled for some of these pieces and many more...;)

"Little" Collections

Why do we collect things?

I was looking around my workspace today and I seemed to be surrounded by small collections. It got me thinking about the connections we have with THINGS and why we collect them.  

Feathers

Feather Collection

Well, it should come as no surprise that I have a collection of feathers. This is about three years in the making, of found feathers and gifted feathers, which is pretty amazing. :) I love each one! 

So many beautiful patterns

Some North American Blue Jay feathers

I read "The Beauty of Life: William Morris and The Art of Design" a few years ago. It was the first time I had encountered his well-known quote which was given in his lecture "The Beauty of Life" delivered in 1880; 

"Have nothing in your houses which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful"

I wish I could live by those words, unfortunately, I have a lot of editing and downsizing to do before I get there! (This includes some ugly, but useful second hand furniture amongst other things.) 

Handmade Lampwork Beads

These lampwork beads have taken up residence on my desk. They're in a little glass bowl and I look at them every day. I pick them up in my hand and admire them often. They were each handmade by the artisan Christel Wille and I treasure them. 

Antique Buttons

I purchased a jar of buttons at an auction years ago. Recently, while going through them with the kids, I noticed there are some real beauties in there. Knowing nothing about buttons, I make up stories in my head about where they came from. The black ones, some sad mourning Victorian woman. Are some of them faceted glass? Black Jet? 

I have this one hanging on my pin board. How cute is that?!

Treasure! 

I think many of these are made from mother-of-pearl. 

Shells

 Is there anyone who can walk by a perfect shell on a beach and NOT pick it up?!

Pinecones

It's possible I am part squirrel. If I see a nice pinecone, or acorn, I have to pick it up. The kids have  apparently the same affliction, and there are larger pinecones in our mudroom along the windowsill. At the mall the other day, I noticed some HUGE real pinecones decorating the Roots store window. I had to restrain myself from going in and asking what was to become of those pinecones when they redecorate. Come to think of it, I may call the store yet. It would be a shame if they threw those away.

Smooth Stones

Cars...

Well, we pass on the idea of collecting to our children. Not only is there a "stick collection" at my front door, a "rock collection" in the back garden and all along our window ledge in the mudroom, there are "collections" of toys all over the house. 

Is collecting a good thing? Are hoarders considered "collectors"? I suppose there's a limit to a collection, when you stop admiring something for what it is, and want it just to HAVE it.

I hope you enjoyed a look at a few of the things that I enjoy. What do you collect? 

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!!!