Self Challenge

So, I bought these shells - they were $2.95 individually, $10.95 for 10 - I bought the strand of 10. I've challenged myself to try and create at least 6 fun pieces of jewelry out of them.

The colors are great, brown, peach, green, even a touch of light blue. They're a Lisway shell in bamboo - I'm not sure if bamboo is a name of the cut or just what they look like. They do look like bamboo - pretty nice of the shell to create itself in this shape.

I have the 1st completed and listed for sale in my Artfire store.

I'm pretty happy with how it came out. Now I just have to figure out what to do with the rest.

So many things to do this summer, so little time!

Going Buggy!

I just love bugs!  Rolly polly's are my favorite, maybe because they are so interactive.  I also love butterflys (who doesn't!) and decided to paint a few inspired by photos I found in an old book.

This black butterfly was a fun model.  The wings are so pretty, but she actually has a very creepy looking face.  It reminded me of the Sponge Bob episode where everyone was running from the butterfly - viewed up close, they can be a bit scary!  

Since the book was missing pages, this butterfly wasn't identified.  I was able to make an educated guess by searching the web that it may be a female eastern swallowtail.  Since she's black, I named the painting simply, "Butterfly Noire" adding the "e" at the end since that's the feminine form of the word.  

I have more fun photo's I've taken in my garden so I think I'll be painting bugs, at least for a little while!

Butterfly Noire can be seen in my Artfire store.

Make Your June Special

Okay, I'll say it out loud, I had no sales in either of my shops in May.  Very sad ):  So to stimulate my own economy, I'm trying an experiment.  Every Monday, I'm choosing 3 items to list at a clearance price of 30% off that will last all month.

If you're reading this blog, you can actually choose your own special.  Check out both my Artfire and/or Etsy store and if you see an item you like, contact me from the link on the item's page.  I will then do a special listing of the item just for you at a 30% price reduction.  I can hold the item at that price for 5 days, so you don't even have to pay immediately.

Sound good?  Here's the link to the pretty creamer set in the photo.  So, make my June a little more special - Thanks! Dee