seriously geeky etsy shop

I am in love with this shop:

Paw & Claw Designs!

Talk about Geekery! I am seriously considering trading in my old, boring earrings for these cool silver disks. They hold the answer to life, the universe and everything:

When I have all the answers, I will surely want to take a roll of the dice and play some D&D.

If you want to get in touch with your inner (or not so inner) geek, this is the jewelry shop for you.

This is what she has to say about her shop:

Paw & Claw Designs specializes in Handmade Bead & Wire Artisan Jewelry for One-of-a-Kind People with One-of-a-Kind Taste.From a funky signature piece, to a stunning set for your wedding day, Paw & Claw Designs has the unique jewelry you want, at a price you can afford.

Paw & Claw Designs is run from my design studio, which is a part of my (very) cat friendly home in Northern WI, USA. Our cats like to visit my studio, and sometimes help me make interesting color combos by knocking my beads all over the floor in a fevered attempt to divert my attention from my work.All pieces are cleaned before packaging in zip bags and stored to protect them from the household environment prior to shipping. Each piece is hand inspected prior to shipping.

I'm mostly self taught, spending my early mornings tinkering with wire and beads until they make something purrfectly pretty. ( sorry, I couldn't resist)I love reading about and learning new techniques, so check back in my shop often to see what I've learned to do lately.

Another treasury, somebody likes me!

I must be doing a good job with my tags because this is the second treasury this week!



This one is more of a Fall/Halloween theme. Most of the items are green and orange, making my pumpkin photograph a perfect fit.


I have been trying to create a treasury of my own. It is much harder then you would think! First, you have to be logged on at just the right time of day. Then you have to have all your choices arranged and ready to go. Lastly, you have to be quick about deciding on a name for your treasury or you might miss out. That is what happens to me, I take to long to type in a name and I lose it. The best help I have gotten is from this site. The treasury clock will tell you the next time the treasuries open up so you can be sure to be there on time.

Scary Treasury

Just when you thought it was safe to shop handmade...

This picture was featured in a "scary" treasury on Etsy. All the items in this collection are perfect for that vampire in your life. Lots of red and slasher themes. There is even the cutest pillow which looks just like a hockey mask. Be sure to check it out before it closes on Thursday.

Thinking of Fall

I always watch those fashion shows and am amazed how designers have to think about holidays and seasonal change half a year in advance. Now that I am a shop owner i have to do it too.

Just listed on Tracey Knits; Pink Baby Hat. It is so cute and little, just the right size to fit your newborn's head. Plus, it is made with the coolest yarn, it is anti-microbial! That means for you germaphobes that if it drops on the floor in your local mall it will naturally keep off any germs. AND it is machine washable!!!!

Also, I re-listed on Red Linc Art a great photograph entitled Tires. It has beautiful Autumnal colors and a rugged, manly theme. This would look great on the wall in a man's office or a fancy garage.

I'm Back!

Not that I was taking time off, I just wanted my giveaway to take center stage for a little while so I could concentrate on other aspects of my creative empire.

What I have accomplished thus far:

I sold some of my sports themed golf club covers AND one customer was so pleased he immediately put in an order for a complete set.

I have several new illustrations available for sale.

My August sale on prints is still on. All prints in all sections of my shop are listed at 60% off their original price.

I cleaned up my studio! A major accomplishment in and of itself.

Now I have to get to work on new items for fall, it is just around the corner your know. So far a have a small collection of baby hats, but I would like to make some kids and adult pieces as well. be sure to check out both my shops for the latest items.

Giveaway time again!

This time it is for my current favorite etsy shop: Studio Polka Dot!

The Ladies of Studio Polka Dot have generously offered to give away the coffee cuff of your choice from their fabulous shop. All you have to do is take a look inside and let us know which one you like.

Smart sleeves! Keep your coffee or tea warm and your fingers protected with a reusable coffee sleeve. If you frequent the coffee shops, you could eliminate as much as 4.5 pounds of waste per year. The outer fabric is 100% cotton. The lining is a white fleece to keep your beverage hot and your hand nice and cool. The cuffs fit standard cups from your favorite coffee shop. They will fit iced beverage cups too, keeping your hands dry and not too cold and reducing condensation drip. There are a variety of coffee sleeves to choose from in botanical patterns and whimsical fabrics. So show a little personality with your coffee and save some trees in the process. Take a reusable coffee sleeve and tell the barista to "hold the cuff."

How to Enter:

each of the following suggestions will get you one entry into the drawing

1) comment on this blog post and be sure to tell us your favorite sleeve

2) let everyone know about this giveaway on twitter (be sure to @TRedArt)

3) write a blog post about Studio Polka Dot (with link) and/or this giveaway and be sure to contact us with the info

4) Post about it on facebook to all your friends/fans and let us know

5) Post about Studio Polka Dot on the Etsy boards

6) Include Studio Polka Dot in your next treasury

7) come up with some crazy creative way to shout about Studio Polka Dot to the world!

Winner's name will be drawn on Friday. August 21st. Spread the word!

finally at peace

Only an artist can understand what it must have been like for me last week. I was forced to rest my arm due to tendinitis, as I discussed on my blog, so I could not paint, draw or knit. I only allowed myself on the computer in a well supported position. I was bored out of my mind!

The good news is that yesterday I was back to work. I felt totally myself again, at peace if you will, and ended up with this drawing. It is particularly good timing because I am having a sale on all prints. I am planning on doing several of these hand drawings with different signs; possibly "live long and prosper" and "devils horns", we will see.

Tendonitis and the Artist

IMMOBILIZED!

I had to put that in caps because that is how I am feeling. I cannot paint without pain. I am not knitting for fear that it will aggravate it. I really shouldn't be on the computer. This is far and away one of the most frustrating experiences of my life. The only thing worse would be if I had an actual cast so I lost full use of the arm. Or maybe losing the arm completely, but then I would just try and teach myself to be a lefty because I couldn't wait it out.

The good news is I have been seriously looking into selling my art. I know I have my etsy shop, but I am talking about getting into galleries and making connections with consultants that sell art to collectors. I have been in contact with at least a dozen art reps, consultants and advisers since Monday and have spoken on the phone to about half of them. They all have one thing in common, they want money. Ah, how we all love money. I don't even know how to judge if one is better then the rest!

SO... if you know of someone or you work with someone you can recommend that helped you kick-start your career as a visual artist, please let me know.

Sale!

In order to participate in an emerging artist art show in NYC, I need to raise money quickly. This means great deals for art lovers everywhere! Every print in my shop including photography, illustrations and paintings are 60% off their original price. This means an 8x10 photograph, regularly priced at $25, is now $10.

I am also including in this deal any "special request" prints of my paintings. So if you want a 20x24 poster of one of my larger pieces, regularly $60, you will now be paying only $24!

If you have ever considered buying one of my prints before, now is definitely the time to take full advantage of the deals. Check out my shop now for the full selection: Red Linc Art

Bleh, twitter

Social Networking can be a bitch.

I have tauted the merits of connecting via twitter but when the bad stuff starts to happen, it is hard to get motivated to start all over again. About a week ago I began to have a problem with some of the follower programs i signed up for. It was tweeting without my knowledge, but at least I was able to stop it by unsubscribing from their service. Then, out of nowhere, my twitter account sent out a tweet that got reported and got my account cancelled.

Well, this time I am doing it right! No more easy-way-to-followers programs. I am going to find people through organic means (like twellow) and hope they follow me back. I am going to tweet more about my day and less about my shop and blog. I am going to get involved in more discussions.

check me out on my new twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TRedArt