Peach Picks: Nature Edition

from rctees


First off, I want to thank you all for taking the time to weigh in on my poll yesterday! I couldn't believe the response I got! And I'll have you know, it was the highest voted design (A) that is actually the final product for what will be an amazing DIY wedding! You guys are too funny! I was most surprised, however, by not one vote cast for my favorite of the three (B). A woman of simple tastes I am :) I loved hearing all of your comments and critiques and will definitely be asking more from you in the future!!

After our eye opening and relaxing day in Central Park this week, I couldn't help but get on Etsy and search out some natural inspired items :)

Enjoy!



from artandphilanthropy



from jwhite2



from Zygopsyche



from knitalatte



from dailythreads



from somethingshidinghere



from Jealousydesign



from jessjamesjake

Which Do you Prefer: VOTE!!

Well, Hi there!

The custom order I wrote about last week is done! I'm sooo very in love, it's hard for me to think of parting with it :)

We went through a few revisions along the way and I'm super curious as to what you all think of each design!

If you could leave a vote in the comments sections I'd most appreciate it!! Feel free to add an "other" vote if you'd prefer it in a totally different way!



Vote A



Vote B



Vote C


Thanks in advance for putting up with my secret, sly marketing research technique!

Back on Solid Ground

We had an incredible afternoon in Central Park yesterday! In all of our 1 hour and 15min on the row boat, we saw:

1. A Gray Squirrel
2. Robin Red Breast
3. A chorus of Blackbirds
4. Deep diving Cormorant
5. Sunbathing Turtles, large and small
6. A Black-Crowned Night-Heron
7. Backwards rowing Bride and Groom
8. 2 1/2 foot long Snapping Turtle (AKA Giant green Central Park swamp monster)
9. Two Geese in love
10. Blue Jays
11. A lone Mallard
12. A long legged Tree Spider hitching a ride
13. Giant multi-colored Koi (one of which breached about three feet from our boat!)
14. And what I believe to be a brilliant Greater Yellow Finch


I need to find a birding book to take along with us next time. It's said that more than 275 species of migratory birds have been sighted in the Park. That's a whole lot of flocking together!

And it sounded like you guys had a great weekend yourselves!














You can check out more pictures from the ride here :)

The Boat Ride

twoguitars


Howdy there!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend :) With the way our schedules work, Monday's usually signify the start of ours. A light spring breeze is lofting through my open window and I'm ready to get out and enjoy the day!

I'm thinking a picnic and a boat ride in Central Park should do the trick :)

Anyone do anything exciting this weekend??

Oh! And if you didn't get the chance already, check out
UnaOdd's Featured Artist interview. It's incredible!



PisforPaper

*FEATURED ARTIST of the week* ~~UnaOdd~~

UnaOdd





1. What is your craft?

I primarily work with polymer clay, acrylic paints and resin. I make pendants based on, and incorporating, my favorite subject...the patterns of nature. I also do a little painting and love doing sketches and marker drawings. Recently I've added sheet acrylic to my materials and am having a lot of fun exploring its possibilities.


2. What led you to take it up?

After graduating from college I had tons of sketch books and doodles. I was playing around one day and thought it would be fun to turn one of my sketches into a pin so I poured resin over it. It wasn't terribly successful, but I was so intrigued by the idea that I messed around pouring resin on just about anything for almost 2 years. Polymer clay had the results I liked the best.







3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?

Checking the pieces in the morning after the resin has set overnight. When you first pick up a finished piece and find it bubble and dust-free, you let out a sigh of relief. Then you see how the resin has saturated the colors...it's just so beautiful.


4. Which part do you find hardest?

Physically -the actual resin pour is very draining. The pieces need to be level so the pour sets evenly. You need to check and re-check to catch any bubbles or dust. I use dental tools to work out bubbles and pick out dust. I cover the pieces while they are curing but sometimes a tiny speck gets on them. That's unhappy.

Mentally -editing photos and listing. I find it very time consuming.


5. Where do you get your inspiration?

My garden, nature, biology, insects, fossils. If it is or was alive -I'm interested.




6. Do you participate in any Etsy groups, and if so, which ones?

I have just recently joined my first Etsy group, Handmade in PA. Until now I haven't been involved in any groups -I tend to focus on my artwork, raising my two children, spending time with my family, and gardening. I'm excited to see how my new involvement will develop.


7. What's one material your shop can't live without?

Leaves! Winter is a tough time. I have to make a lot of unfinished pendants in the summer when I have an abundance of leaves and finish them in the winter. Also in the winter my houseplants become afraid of me.


8. What is your favorite item that you have purchased off of Etsy?

Oooooooooo! My favorite new purchase was just bought today! I've been so excited since I saw this shop. Her work reminds me so much of fossils and sea urchins.




I have to follow up with a second purchase made tonight. While pouncing undiscovered shops I found this piece in a shop with no sales. It was so visually serendipitous after the knitalatte purchase that I had to get it, and I love that I was their first sale!




This is another favorite. Heidi's work is just so fun. I love her illustrative style.



Was that too many? :^)


9. If I could sell one item from my shop today, it would be...





I really loved doing this series of paintings. I wish my technique had been a little looser, but if it sold I would take it as a sign that I should do more paintings. I'd love to do more paintings...


10. If I had enough money to pick one item on my wish list from any shop on etsy to buy, it would be...

Well I had originally chosen a piece from the wonderful jaimejo



However, my husband gifted me that piece, (deliriously happy!) so my next choice is:

An original, large scale, custom piece by Betsy Walton



That one I'll buy with my own money!


11. What are the top three favorite items currently listed in your store?


I like this piece because I enjoy doing marker studies...and one of the faces is a study of my husband. :^)



I like this because it's a reminder of where I came from. This piece is twelve years-old. I initially put a few of my older pieces up just so people could see a little of my work history. They sold! I love that people still value the work after all that time.



The wings....this one is about the wings. I love doing the details on the wings.




12. What undiscovered artisans would you recommend the world to know?

Fantastic art quilts by Betty Busby....Cytology and Macro Leaf. I'm in awe.




I like the shapes and colors in Alice Kresse's jewelry work.




I like the colors and nature studies in glass by Seamoth




13. What is the best advice you have ever received?




Go play outside.

Happy Etsy Day!!

HAPPY ETSY DAY!!

That's right, Friday, April 24th, 2009 has been declared Etsy Day!!

They've even set out a few examples on how us crafty crazies can celebrate:


1} If you get people to sign up for Etsy on Friday make sure they mention your Etsy username in the Referrer Username box at sign up! If we see a user who really rocks this, we'll automatically include you in our Etsy Day follow up post. So if you print out flyers, get on the news, or get Ashton Kutcher to tweet about Etsy, make sure you get your username in there, too!

2} Tweet your endeavors via Twitter and make sure to add the hash tag #EtsyDay. (And send it to @aplusk. Let's get Ashton Kutcher's attention on Etsy Day. Ha! Mr. Most Twitter Followers.)

3} Support a new seller on Etsy Day! Buy an item from someone with no sales (you can find them on Pounce Undiscovered), and wish them a "Happy Etsy Day" in the Message to Seller field when you check out.


4} Print out schugirl's Etsy sign to stick in your car window or download and print out the design Anda made for Etsy Day!

5} Get an Etsy tattoo!

6} Dress your family in all orange. When you get weird looks, whisper "Etsy".

7} One final clarification..."Etsy" is pronounced like "Betsy" with no B.


I'm totally down with #6 but am honestly considering #5!!

What will you do to celebrate??




ATTN!!

¤¤ ¤¤ ¤ THE PEACH TREE IS CELEBRATING ETSY DAY!! ¤ ¤¤ ¤¤

~~~~ Free pair of Pearl earrings with EVERY purchase!! ~~~~

SHOP!!

The Valley of the Dolls

Wow, I must say, it's been ages since I've done a "What are you reading" Post.

I truly couldn't resist at this point as I just finished Jacqueline Susann's, Valley of the Dolls. Having honestly heard nothing about it but its title before reading it, I was really taken aback. I still have yet to be able to let any of the characters stray from my mind. I have a serious problem with getting to attached too books and the lives and ways they lead!

I don't even think I can watch the movie, which I didn't even know there was before starting this blog post. Any encouragement out there? Thoughts, advice?

I ultimately get sucked into any classic novel but this is definitely the most recent publication I haven't been able to shake.

Read it if you haven't already!



MaidenRaptureVintage

Something Fresh

from Shoogi


Going along with the fresh April showers, I wanted to share some of my latest pouncing finds! Broken record I may be, but MAN is there some amazing budding talent to be found around EVERY turn!

Hope you like!



from capsandpins



from plingstore



from carinissimo



from lynswan



anniejewelry



from BlytheUrbanTrends



from AndersenStudio


See you tomorrow!