"That's a Beautiful Thing"

I've created many different pieces since I opened my Shop, SensoryFelteds, a year ago this past Halloween.  I have also made countless felted creations not listed on Etsy.  Of course, as any artist, there's that idea, how do I translate it into felt, what colors to use, how to market it, etc.

When I created Felt Art Collectibles, ideas came tumbling out as the seasons changed...flowers, pumpkins,  mennorahs, birch trees, snowmen and then came the time honored wreath - I wanted to fill it with tiny embroidery stitches, beads, a bow all captured in a 4 x 4 1/2" collectible to display on a mini easel or hang on the wall.

I wet felted the background in white merino wool, with green for the wreath and a blob of red for the bow.

My daughter, husband, 3 1/2 year old grandson and our new 7 month old grandson came to visit.  The 3 1/2 year old and I were in the livingroom.  I had this very rudimentary piece there and I guess I was thinking of working on it when things slowed down.

He asked me, "What is that Gramsie?"  I told him what I was going to make and he said,

'THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING"

Here was this very simple piece not looking very festive at all.  I was amazed not only at the words my grandson uttered but at the sincerity and appreciation in his voice for something so basic.  Isn't that just the way it should be.  

To me, he is "a beautiful thing"!

Now, of course, it is all decked out and what I consider to be one of my best pieces......but to this day, it's still for sale on Etsy - maybe it's meant for me!

What's NEW?

What an exciting time - much has been happening here!


Boy,  you thought Halloween was SPOOKY what about BLACK FRIDAY AND CYBER MONDAY!!  


On Etsy, we're all atwitter (twitter, literally) promoting, tagging items, listing items and I'm No Different!


Here's what's new...


1. ******* COUPON CODE:  Sensory101648 - YOU GET 15% OFF OF ANY ITEM IN MY SHOP NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 30TH.  You just plug that coupon code in.


This is a new feature on Etsy and most of us think it's just great.  I'll see.


2.  I've been featured on this blog, which I love - the title is great - reminds me of "The Housewives of...".

http://baltimorehousewife.blogspot.com/2010/11/sensory-felteds.html

I had no idea that felt had a smell, but according to Sensory Felteds smell is just one of the reasons why Connie Berlin--the mastermind behind Sensory Felteds--enjoys creating using a felt medium.

A life-long artist, Connie creates her pieces using wet felting and needle felting techniques, and even embriodery and considers each piece she creates to be a work of art.

One of Connie's favorite pieces she's created for Sensory Felteds is pictured above and is titled "Charlotte's Dahlia". As Connie puts it,

"This is one of my felted mini art quilts - a gorgeous closeup of a Dahlia flower. I took quite alot of time to make this. I was looking at blogs (at random) and found one that had this gorgeous flower. This was in the summer. I thought it would be perfect for one of my quilts. I contacted her and she sent me more pictures of her Dahlias on her front steps. Soooo, I named my art quilt after her, Charlotte's Dahlia."

Stunning!

Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SensoryFelteds

Blog: http://sensoryfelteds.blogspot.com

Flicker: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sensoryfelteds

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SensoryFelteds

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ISN'T THIS GREAT?




3.  I've listed a three new brooches and one pendant

 The one above is one of my coils.  I added my favorite stitches - one of course being the french knot .  I painted, yes painted with fabric paint the tree inthe middle and a few areas around it..

 Nicely beaded - they sort of cascade down

 This is one of my favorites because it is so sculpted!

Here's a glitz glittery coil brooch - the light areas are sparkly in white and light purple


4.  New Christmas Cards made from photos of my Felted Art Collectibles

They come four to a pack with envelopes!  I have so much fun making these!  There are others also, I mix them up!

Daughter Glory

Hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day lonnnggg weekend.  Since I work Mondays and Wednesdays at school, I'm off again today.  We had a busy weekend with my daughter and her fiance!  We bought a lovely wedding dress for her - the fourth one she tried on.  Of course, she had done her research and knew exactly what she wanted.  We found one of the ones she had checked on her list - fit perfectly - only minor alterations will need to be done.

Here we are at a fantastic restaurant - Fogo De Chao in DC!

Didn't have much time for "arting" but did a bit of stitching!  Here is a new Felted Flower Mini Art Quilt - Morning Glories - I finished last night.  Of course, it's on Etsy now.

Show Time in West Virginia?

I got an e-mail this morning from a fellow Etsyian who asked me to participate in a Heritage Days Festival in West Virginia in mid-September.  There are a few things to consider before I respond.

I've done two local shows which were held inside.  I did fairly well.  As a vendor, there is alot of planning to do.  For example, do I take credit cards (some info. on this on the forums at Etsy)?  It's outside, I'll have to buy a tent.  What if it rains?  How do I package my items?  I have to pay for the space.  Will there be enough traffic?  This is the first time they have held it.  Do I have enough inventory?  If not, do I feel up to making more?  I have the time.  Do I have the energy?  Should I do a demo at my booth?  What should the booth look like?

Phew!!  My husband came with me to the last two shows (the money keeper).  He's not one for sitting around but is good with math.  The show is for only one day and is near a casino - maybe the promise of going there for the buffet after the show might lure him AND I'd treat (of course, depends on how much $
I 'd make at the show).  This could be a costly endeavor - ha ha.

So, these are my musings.  Here are some pictures of my first show

I remember looking at the other vendors' booths.  Wow, they came with tons of displays!  You know, cases and shelves, lights and little treats.  I bought this metal birch tree on Ebay.  I thought it was different.  We'll see what's my next move.  Maybe Buster the Beagle should attend adorned with a felted  collar - nope - he'd probably get the heeby jeebies and overturn the table - hey, at least I'd attract attention!