Apothecary Art...

You know how sometimes you just need that little "accent" or a bit of art.

I've made these 3 x 4 inch canvases to fit in apothecary jars, cloches and other kinds of jars.

I also have a little easels if you want to display them on their own.

Or they make sweet little gifts.

I have some for every season and holiday, with more to come.

Jen

Junk in my trunk....

I am finally recovering.

My legs are sore, my feet still hurt and it seemed like every picture we took I had my mouth open in. Wide open.

I spent last night doing all of the laundry I had been neglecting for the past 2 1/2 weeks, and I have to admit also eating Oreo's and watching Goonies on TBS.

I know, I am a dork.

The trunk show...

The trunk how was interesting...

While it didn't go as gangbuster's as I would've liked, I did thankfully sell.

I also talked to a lot of people and passed out a lot of cards.

It was work, I won't lie. I envy those jewelry people who drag in a case or two and that's it.

My hair-do was a pretty wet hair-don't by the time I was done unloading. I wish I could say I glisten, but ladies, I am a full bore-on sweat-er. I was thankful I had put on the heavy duty Secret that night...strong enough for a man...

There's nothing like schlepping in plastic boxes of stuff wishing you had tennies on.

I had more left that I thought, but I think I over-made too... I had an over-flowing table and boxes still in the car.

(I had this last minute panic that I wasn't going to have enough so I put the Jen-factory on...now I wish I had taken it easy that day before. I worked on stuff up until I was leaving. Dumb- dumb!)

Even at the end of the night when I was many boxes lighter, it was still a lot.

So, I would do it again, but on a Thursday or Friday night.

Saturday was just too hectic of a day with the kids and family stuff.

It would've been easier if they were in school all day.

The staff is awesome there, and folks were so friendly. I even was able to meet a few of my local blog readers which was pretty cool.

The store was beautiful with awesome merchandise...

I was so happy just to be in there.

I know next time I will do the weekday thing and not sweat it out so much... and enjoy the process more.

I listed a few of the bits that came home with me in My Etsy store. I was happy the chair didn't sell, I'm keeping that puppy.

Thank you all for all of your support! I couldn't have made it through with out you!

And for a final parting,

I couldn't end the post without showing you what I was talking about....

There it is...

Jen

P.S. Wonderful Teresa is doing a giveaway of an art print in honor of my interview..

stop over and enter to win!

Inspire me Monday.. Women who create.. Teresa Sheeley

Thanks for stopping by again for Women who Create. Today is the uber-talented Teresa Sheeley. Teresa has been blogging since September of 2007 and has many of her original creations for sale on-line and in stores, and seems to have an endless reservoir for creative ideas...

Teresa, where do you find the time to create?

Wow, great question, because right now it's really been hard trying to find time to create, because of life's business, but I love waking up early to work on things, when my mind is fresh from thinking of things in the wee hours of the morning. I wish I was one that could create late at night, but I usually fall asleep by 10 pm! :)

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I love looking at different artist and always feel inspired to paint, but lately I have been really drawing inspiration from vintage items, like the vintage clock and vintage bra I just painted.

When the day is long and life makes tiredness set in.. how do you find a way to be motivated?

I love creating and art so much, that it draws a special energy to you, it's hard to explain, but it gets your juices flowing. Although working intensely on a piece of art can literally physically drain you, but the love of it keeps you going.

What is your eventual goal with your art ?

I am working on having my art licensed, so that's a new direction. But I think my big dream would be to have gallery work.

Do you have a favorite medium to work in??

I love watercolor! :) But when I feel like getting messy there is nothing better than mixed media work.

Teresa, What advice do you have for some one who wants to get started creating, but just hasn't been able to find the emotional strength to do it?

When you have that tugging at your heartstrings that just is pulling you to create, but you are afraid, tired, or whatever it may be holding you back, that is a good time to pull out a canvas, paper, fabric, whatever it is you are drawn to and just start. Like I said before when you love something so much there comes a time and point in your life that you can't hold back any longer. There is no greater emotional high than creating with your two hands, eyes, and mind. The fulfillment will give you a great peace.

Do you have any fears about creating or your art?

I used to, but I finally found peace with it. The fear was more of trying to find my style, questioning if I ever would find my own style. It really bothered me for a long time. But finally I decided to stop being afraid and just paint & make what was calling to my heart. It will wash those fears right away and put a smile to your face instead.

Teresa, thank you so much for taking the time to be interviewed!

You can see more of Teresa's creation's at her blog and visit her Etsy store for her amazingly creative original designs and artwork.

Thanks again! I hope you are enjoying these interviews as much as I am! I have another amazing artist lined up for next week. :)

and I'll try to post pics of my trunk show tomorrow..I am going through them and find good ones..., but it seems like my mouth is open in every picture.....

Jen

P.S. I want to know, is there an artist you would love to see featured here? Let me know!

All photos are property of and used with permission of Teresa Sheeley

Women who create... tomorrow....

Can you guess?

Jen

P.S. I'll give you the dirt on the trunk show in Tuesday! I need a few days to recover! :)

If you're in the area....

More sneak peeks.....

Thank you so much for all of your comments about my hair! I am so glad I did it.

I feel ready to go for tomorrow!

It's almost time!

Here are few more things I am bringing with me..

A painted and decoupaged nightstand with a toile top.

A painted antique chair with a hand stamped burlap seat.

crocheted and embellished hats.

Lots of linen pillows...

And a few apothecary jars.

I am finally done making things except for a bit of tweaking... I've priced and packed!

Thank you all for all of your support!

By the way, I also wanted to mention that you can find many of the vintage graphics I've used for projects here at the Graphics Fairy. She has a really cute Etsy store too where I bought the enamel numbers for the pillows.

Also, anything I don't sell tomorrow I'll be listing this week in my Etsy store.

I am also going to be listing Apothecary art... little canvases just for you apothecary jars that you can change with the seasons! Brilliant Tara gave me the fabulous idea!

Wish me luck!

Jen

The hair show..

Ask and ye shall receive...

I did it today, got my hair cut and colored.

You all were soooo supportive.

You're awesome.

See, I have the mange goin' on here.

I used the picture from this post and one that Lindsay had sent me.

My amazing stylist and I decided to blend them.

It was hard to sit through the color, but thank goodness I had my gallon of sweet tea to get me through it... we went not as blonde because of the upkeep and I am pasty enough already.. though Vintage girl at Heart told me I have the "Grace Kelly thing" going on.

She, of course, is my new best friend.

soooooo......

What do you think???

I think I like it!

Jen

p.s. In case you were wondering; did you know every one loves a Polish girl? :)

trunk show sneak peek..

I am sorry, my camera was dying so these are like the worst pictures ever, but I wanted to give you a little glimpse into what I have been doing for the show...

For my table I made a burlap skirt and hung vintage sepia pictures off of hand stamped ribbon.

I saw something like that in the Pottery Barn catalog and then on Melaine's blog and knew I wanted to take it for inspiration.

The hand stamped crate is going to hold my linen pillows.

I've been crazy busy making those square decoupaged frames that I have seen all over blogland, my flower caps, hand crocheted/embellished hats, bit's of art pieces and these which are my favorite...

Hand collaged and decoupaged cake plates. I want to keep them for myself.

They each take me hours to do, but I think they are worth it.

I did a few different sizes.

The bottom of the cake stands are finished off with vintage seam binding tape. And the undersides are decoupaged with paper as well.

What do you think I should charge for the larger and smaller plate?

I think theses two look cute stacked on each other.

I'm back off to the work table! I have to paint a few piece of furniture tomorrow. I hope you enjoyed your peek!

Jen

Also, my good friend Kim is having a get your craft on party at TCB! Stop over!

Women who create...Inspire me Monday.. Interview with Wendy of the Shabby Nest

A lot of you guessed it! It was Wendy of the Shabby Nest.

Blogging since October of 2007; Wendy has charmed her followers with her clean decorating style and artistic creations. Published in the Creative home and 100 decorating ideas under $100, Wendy is also known for her home projects and fabulous pillows. I loved doing Wendy's interview because her story seems like so many of our own.

Wendy, you always seem to be creating... with a family, where do you find the time?

It's not always easy to find the time to create, but it is so important to me that I make it a priority in my life. Once I started having children, creativity had to take a bit of a back seat in my life. Of course, I still did projects here and there, but I just didn't devote myself to it the way I had before. Then a couple of years ago, I came to a creative crossroads in my life, where I just couldn't ignore the need I felt to create any more! So in order to fit it into my life with four kids, I really do a lot of my creating at night or while my big kids are at school and my little kids are napping. I need a stretch of uninterrupted time, and I just can't get that unless their little bodies are in bed!

Do you have a certain area you create in?

Oh how I dream of having a creative space of my own! I pour through issues of Where Women Create longing for my own studio! But right now, I mostly use my kitchen! Luckily I have a large breakfast bar where I can spread out and sew, draw, make paper crafts or anything else my heart desires. I have to stay very organized with my supplies, however, because I have to cart them back and forth when I want to work on something!

Do you have a certain medium you prefer?

Where do I begin? I love paper craft. I have an infatuation with paper, and using it to create is one of my absolute favorite things. I love drawing and manipulating paper to create little sculptural pieces. I also love fabric! I love to sew (although I am not a great seamstress). But I do enjoy making beautiful things for my home like pillows and curtains. I combine my drawing and sewing skills to create my own pillows which I sell online in my Etsy store.

And I am really starting to love photography. My husband is a professional photographer and I have come to know the process and to love the medium by watching him work. It got to the point where I couldn't let him have all the fun...and after a little cajolling, I got my own SLR camera - A Nikon D60 - which I adore! He even let me act as second camera at a wedding he photographed last summer...let's just say I'm hooked!

Finally, I have always had a love of writing! The combination of a love for the visual arts, and a love of writing lends itself well to blogging which is why I think I have become so addicted to blogging as an outlet for my creativity!

What is your goal with your art and creations?

Mostly, I create for my own enjoyment. That said, however, I love to share the things I create with others. I love to bring joy to others through my creations.

If someone gave you unlimited time and resources to create with, what would you make?

This is a hard question for me. Unlimited resources would be wonderful....I'd stock up to my heart's content on beautiful papers and embellishments as well as wonderful fabrics. Then, of course, I would love to get some more camera equipment. As for what I would create, the possibilities are endless. I'd just have to begin and see where it takes me!

What advice do you have for another artist who is just starting out and needs to be motivated?

Follow your bliss. Take time to nourish yourself creatively. Learn the things that really inspire you. Is it music? Is it a favorite book? a movie? a blog? Feed your muse - that part of you that inspires you creatively. Fill your well. If you allow yourself the opportunity to be inspired, the inspiration will come.

Do you have a favorite project that you've done so far?

Usually, the latest thing that I am working on is my favorite. Ha! But if I had to pick one thing...I'd probably say my little pixies are my favorite. I enjoy coming up with new pixies for different occasions. They each have their own personality, and I love to see how they will turn out!

How did you get started? Were you always an artist?

I have always loved creating! From the time I was very small, I was always writing and illustrating my own books or making little trinkets and treasures. I knew I wanted to become something creative when I grew up, but I tried to be slightly more practical so I chose Fashion Merchandising as my major in college. As I have started to follow my own bliss I have realized that what really makes me the happiest is creating beautiful living environments. It allows me to combine all of my creative loves into one whole! So this is my passion!

You never know where your creative journey will lead. Just follow it and use it to grow into your own most beautiful creation!

Wendy, thank you so much for an amazing interview! You can view more of Wendy's creations at her blog and her Etsy store.

Thanks for stopping by,

I have another amazing artist lined up for next week on Inspire me Monday.

Jen

Pictures belong to and are used with permission of The Shabby Nest.