Sorry if you missed my sale.

The snow falls yet again, it's gloomy out there, and my little sale is over.

Sorry you missed it.

The unsettled spring weather is making me anxious for warm weather and

sunshine.

I don't feel very motivated, but a coffee and a shower should fix that,

then it's off to town & my day job.

Tonight I'd like to clip Spike's claws, which is an ordeal. It takes both me

and my husband to get it done, (he hates it when we mess with his feet.)

Enjoy your day.

Everyone loves a sale!

I've been meaning to try out the Coupon codes for my shop on Etsy,

and today's the day.

When making your purchase, enter the code: MAKEMYDAY10 and you'll get 10% off on your item!

The 1st thing I had to consider is, should I offer a percentage off, or free shipping?

I already offer Free shipping on my purse charms.

My other items vary in size and shipping costs, and I usually pay a bit more than what I charge for shipping, so I'm sorry, I doubt I'll be using the Free shipping option.

So I'll go with a percentage discount.

I don't have a lot of wiggle room in my pricing either, but 5% just doesn't seem like much of a deal. So I'm going with a sale of 10% off, for a limited time.

If you enter the code: MAKEMYDAY10 you will automatically get 10% off the listed price.

Please take advantage of my sale. You will save a little money and brighten up your life with something unique and handmade.

Make my day, and yours!

Note: sorry, but this sale is over.

Bright flower paintings

I usually have some paintings, in various stages, on the go. Some don't look like much- just a blank canvas with a coat of white gesso, or a base of colour, while others just need some final touches to be completed .

Different ideas, themes, colours, textures and techniques gives me a buffet of beginnings to select from.

As the snow falls, yet again, I've spent some time in my studio working on several paintings.

Bright colours and cheery themes, always make me happy.

Yesterday it was sunny and a balmy 8C, and I heard my 1st robin of the year. Today it's grey, dreary and snowy.

I miss the colours of summer, the flowers, sunshine and bright blue skies and thought it's a good time to finish these two little flower paintings.

I've added them to my Etsy shop - in the "Paintings" section.

Sunflower painting= $12.00

Summer Flowers = $15.00

I've just made this beautiful little mirror using a print from my summer flowers...

affordable, portable and practical, piece of art.

Funny stuff...

I could use a little laugh, and Maxine comics never disappoint me.

Just thought I'd share and I'll just add other links once in a while.

I Fixed it myself. Photos that show how creative people can be.

I enjoy "blonde jokes".

Feeling Treasured on Etsy.

There's a new feature on Etsy, it's called Circles.

I've just started using it, and am happy to see it shows

when I'm included in a Treasury.

To my surprise, I've been included in FOUR treasuries

over the last three days! How amazing is that?!

I recently finished this pair of "Fleur de Lise" wall sconces, and I just added one to my Etsy shop. It's included in this "Cinnamon taste test" Treasury.

I have been hesitant about adding paintings

to my Etsy shop. I am not a prolific painter, so my collection is rather small & intimate.

However, this past year I've been concentrating on painting, and am just getting the courage to present them on Etsy.

My "Flaming Lotus" painting is in this Lotus Treasury.

And my "Big Fish" painting is in a collection

called "Rage in the cage".

This ceramic sun face is featured in

"Let the sun shine in" Treasury.

Jan 25/11

Check out this awesome Dragon Treasury, it includes my last hatching dragon.

Feb 8/11

A stunning collection of trees in numerous colours, styles and mediums.

My "Love Tree" button is included.

Feb 14/11

Some more recent treasuries:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d585c38d1ab8eeff04b9eba/some-bunny-loves-you

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d580f0bc36e6d91a4cc14c3/even-dragons-cry

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d58c5d3ef648eefc6a27153/sheepy-time

I've only curated a few treasuries, but know the time and consideration it takes to make one.

Trying to stay on task is hard! There's so many wonderful things to see on Etsy. I spend a lot of time deciding what to include, and where.

I also end up feeling quite insecure about my own skills as an artist, when I see some of the other artists' amazing pieces. So it's very encouraging to have my work (paintings especially) featured in someone else's Treasury.

So I'd like to send a sincere " Thank you! to the amazing curators of Etsy Treasuries!"

You make us all shine :)

Another Fire in Nelson

Last night, (Jan 5/11) while the snow continued blowing, many of us slept,

and another Heritage Building went up in flames.

The Kerr Building (built in 1911) was home to a lot of people.

Fortunately it seems everyone got out safely.

However, their modest belongings are gone, and so are their homes.

Here are a couple of links- how you can help, story here and here.

***UPDATE- June 08, 2011: The Nelson Post- The wall comes down.***

The charred remains of a rocking horse and a pillow...

I walked up there on my lunch break, following the smell of smoke, and took these pictures.

Thurs. Jan 6, 2011.

(Here's a link to some other Heritage buildings in Nelson.)

Update: Jan 13/11

Our community is helping out.

Emus in the snow paintings

Here are the 2 paintings I made, inspired

by the emus I saw yesterday.

They are 6" x 6"

"Emus in the snow"- $35.00

I'm drawn to these beautiful birds, the way

they move, the purring sounds they make and their

unusual plumage.

It was such a treat to see them up-close,

the texture of their feathers, the contrast and strangeness

of seeing emus in snow, appeals to me and urges me to

do something with it.

I'll try & do "in progress" photos of some of my paintings.