I was just thinking...

...is my life really that boring that I don't have anything to write about?? I pretty much work and then do art/craft/jewelry...play with Bailey the Cat. Well, usually he just sleeps a lot, right beside me here on the couch, his paws pushing against my side. I know that if I try to take a picture, he'll move. He's lying on his back, paws stretched out as far as they go, head twisted down the side. I don't know how he does it without getting a crick in his neck! (Actually tried to take a picture, but the battery was dead in the camera.)
Anyway, back to the important stuff. What's new? My computer crashed so I had to buy a new one. Windows Vista is NOT fun. :( Never used it before, and I can't wait to get Windows 7, in hope that it's better. Anyway, it's novelty to have a FAST computer. What with half of my free time spent on various online selling venues, it's great to have a fast computer.
I've been beefing up my Artfire store, and they have some really neat new features. If only I could make some sales...
Also, I've been art journaling some, so there are pictures to follow shortly.
Keep creating, and eat dessert first!

I made some more mosaic boxes . . .

It is boring to post about the same kind of craft that I'm doing, but I wanted to post something since it's been a while. Boxes galore, and my hydrangea under the bird feeder.

Check out the ACEO that was gifted to me...

You meet all kinds of interesting and kind people in blog land. June Crawford is a new friend and fabulous artist. Check out her blog HERE. I belong to at least five networking sites, and I've met her on two of those before. I was a lucky winner on her blog. Check out this beautiful mini painting/collage: "Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments the better."
I totally agree with her (and Emerson's) sentiment in that! That message came at a good time in my life as I'm trying to decide whether to quit a partime job and go "full blast" into the somewhat unknown future. Sometimes we have to take risks to get where we're supposed to be, and that can be very scary!

Tried my hand at some picture frames...

I've never made picture frames before, but I had some requests, so I gave it a go. One is titled "Sisters Forever," and the other "Friend." I don't have any sisters, but all of my girlfriends are like my sisters, so this is for you! :) And you can't have too many pictures of friends either. I have plenty, and usually everyone is smiling. I wonder why... 'cause we're friends, and we're having a good time. As they say: friends are the family you choose.
I used all my fave colors as usual.

Fly Free! As dragonflies do...

My latest polymer clay mosaic mirror. Love those blues and greens, with a touch of purple and pink. All my favorite colors for sure. :) The tiles are pretty labor intensive, but it's fun to see the finished product coming together. Then I had to try and take a picture that didn't have my hands and camera in the mirror.... Done that before. I've been taking the pictures without the mirror glass, but I thought I'd make an effort this time, or it'll look like a picture frame.

I've been spending a lot of time in blog land, reading other artists' blogs, and it can be very addictive. This whole networking online and all the groups and sites that I'm involved with take a lot of time. The hours add up, but I think it's important to have a presence out there so people can discover my art. (Maybe it's just an excuse to feed my addiction...??)
I find that I sell more locally than I do online.
See ya in the ethers.
Keep on creating!
xoxo
Maria

Polymer clay mosaic tiles...

Got busy last week and created some more polymer clay mosaic tiles for my mirrors and boxes. It's quite a time consuming enterprise, but it's always satisfying to see the finished product, and the possibilites it presents. This time I went with the shades of blue and turquoise. I will take a picture of the mirror that I made with them. You know how it is, the artwork in one place, the camera in another. I used clay of different colors, but in the end, they all blend in. I find it the easiest to use white clay, unless I want a deep, dark finish. Then I use black clay. Usually, there are three layers of acrylic paint and embossing powder on the tiles.

Happy creating!!

xoxo

Maria

Another collage...this one with oil pastels.

Was inspired to do another 12 x12' collage with paper on canvas with paint on top. I like the birds from the previous collage, so I put some in this one as well. The face is softer because I used oil pastels instead of acrylic paints. I like the effect better. For sale on etsy for anyone who is interested.