Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Featured Artist - Melanie Pruitt


I would like to introduce you to a wonderful artist named Melanie Pruitt. She is a watercolorist and her etsy shop is called the Creators Pallette. Melanie is a member of Design Style Guide, and you can find her paintings under Paintings and Wall Art.
Here's what she has to say from her bio,
"I love to paint with watercolors. The movement and dance that occurs between the pigment and water along with the unpredictable results are fascinating to me. Every painting I sit down to do is an adventure!
My goal with “The Creators Palette” is to share with others my love for and awe in the creation of beauty. I feel the best art touches my heart and makes me “feel”. The feeling may be joyous, peaceful, or even sad (one of my favorite art pieces makes me cry). Mostly, in my art, I want to convey a feeling of wonder and draw the viewer closer to the creator of all beauty.
"I have always been a creative person, but it wasn’t until recently that I began to paint in watercolor and sell my art. I was a very active person most of my life and my artistic/creative outlets fell in areas like competitive diving and gymnastics, garden design and most recently, developing and teaching a preschool dance program at Vancouver's Columbia Dance Center."


A Yellow Rose






"While teaching preschool dance, I began experiencing some strange physical problems. Over the past four years, these problems have developed into a newly understood chronic illness of the autonomic nervous system. This has meant that I am no longer active in my past activities and had to quit my dance teaching."

Melanie was not about to let illness ruin her life, so she began looking for other things to do to keep her busy.
"Being stuck most hours in a recliner is difficult, but I am thankful that it has brought me to a point of developing new artistic endeavors. My shop is growing in variety as I stretch and learn new art techniques and medias!"

Visit Melanie's website
Melanie's art blog
Melanie Pruitt's personal blog
You can't keep a good woman down, is what I think when I think of Melanie Pruitt. Be sure to check out her website and such.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Meet Kristi of Sassy Shades!

Kristi Uvence is the creative mind behind etsy shop Sassy Shades and she's a 4 Star Member of the Design Style Guide. I asked her to tell us a little about herself and her creations.




"I create custom decorative lampshades using an eclectic mix of various textiles and trims. I've always wanted to have my own business. One day while looking around my house I thought of how fun it would be to create lampshades in different and unique ways not found a your typical store. While looking through a magazine subscription there was an article on a woman in Vermont who gave Saturday lampshade making classes during her off season. I took the plunge, flew across the US, and from there Sassy Shades was born! "

What's your creative process? My creative process is simple....true inspiration comes from a happy heart! You never know when an idea pops in your head. For me it could be on the soccer field with my son, working in the garden, or walking to the beach. My mind never stops! At the present, I do not have a set schedule. I make lampshades day or night. A majority of the textiles I use are purchased from estate sales, online, antique shops, or garage sales. You never know when you have come in contact with a prized possession. The hunt is so fun!

Talk a little about your views on combining vintage fabrics with newly handmade items. I absolutely love the idea of bringing something old back to life. Often we come in contact with items that might remind us of our grandparents, a childhood memory, a special event or whatever. Ta king something vintage that is near and dear to the heart, that might be simply stored away, and creating it into something that can be displayed for daily enjoyment just thrills me! I have a friend who would like me to use the lace from her mother's wedding dress to make lampshades for her sisters so that they can all have a piece of their mother!

What kind of décor works best with your creations? My lampshades come is several different styles and sizes. Everyone has their own unique style of decorating. While I tend to be partial to vintage, I also love doing children's shades, funky and colorful shades, or something fun and whimsy. The sky is the limit! I do offer custom services for the shoppers who might not find what they are looking for in my shop. I would like to be able to provide something for everyone. A sassy lampshade can fit in any room, office, cabin, etc. depending on a person's personal taste and the ambiance they desire to create.

Is there anything new on the horizon that you’re working on? I'm always working on lampshades and I find that I am forever surprised with the "new" items that are about to be unveiled.

How do you promote your work? As a fairly new start up business, I find that promoting is crucial. One of the best avenues is word of mouth. The more you get your name and product out the more people will discover you. I do believe that a catchy logo and name is important. If it's "sassy" enough, it's going to be remembered!




I've been working on my own website and blog and hope to have those up soon. I do spend a fair amount of time in the Etsy forums. Recently, I purchased stickers which I plan to distribute and stick on everything. I did a few of the local markets in my town last summer and would like to start introducing my lampshades to interior designers. Wherever I go, I talk, talk, talk!

Outside of the lampshade business, what else do you like to do? Outside of my lampshade business, I am the part-time bookkeeper for our family restaurant, a personal gardener for a friend, and a full-time mom & chauffeur for my son.

Final thoughts:

Each lampshade is handmade from my own recipe (no secret):

“Sassy” Shade Ingredients:

An array of fun and colorful textiles or unique finds (old and new)

Tossed with an armful of imagination and charm

Add a dash of trim Sprinkle with a passion for detail

Handle and combine cheerfully

Put on top of a lamp base and indulge!


Be sure to stop by Kristi's shop to see her entire selection of shades for all your home decor needs!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Some Summertime

Summer is.....

1. Gorgeous nature photography. "Blizzard Daffodil", 8x10 photo printed on cotton rag with archival inks, by Deborah Brackenbury.















2. A Floral Lampshade. "Summer Fun" floral beaded trim lampshade by Sassyshades.














3. Rich Watercolors. "Red Orange Zinnia" original 4x6 watercolor painting by Karen Faulkner.














4. Seaside Reminders. "Sanddollars by the Sea", 24 x 24" original encaustic painting by Susan Najarian Art & Design

















5. Outdoor Dining. "Fruitylicious" 4 piece silk cord placemat, coaster, napkin ring set by The Home Centric.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Village in Late Summer by Carl Sandburg

Lips half-willing in a doorway.

Wallflower by ArtSnark.


Lips half-singing at a window.



Eyes half-dreaming in the walls.



Feet half-dancing in the kitchen.




Even the clocks half-yawn the hours



And the farmers make half-answers.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Candles

The Latin word "candere" means to flicker.

According to Wikipedia, a candle is a source of light and sometimes a source of heat consisting of a solid block of fuel (commonly wax) and an embedded wick.

As the mass of solid fuel is melted and consumed, the candle grows shorter. Portions of the wick that are not evaporating the liquid fuel are consumed in the flame. The incineration of the wick limits the exposed length of the wick, thus maintaining a constant burning temperature and rate of fuel consumption.

OK, that’s the information bit now let’s see what we can find with the Interior Design Team!

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Votive Candle Holder by Nonnie’s Treasures

This lovely candle holder is constructed of four 3" beveled glass pieces, and sits on a plain glass base.


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Stained Glass Frog and Lily Candle Holder by Glassnwood

Ideal for scented candle, or to create a romantic atmosphere. This table piece is 8.5 inches high and 8.5 inches wide.




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Raku Dragonfly Candle Holder by Fehustoneware

Wheel thrown Stoneware clay raku fired.
Flashes of copper blue and green.



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Unity Wedding Candles – Bird of Paradise by Pleasant Ridge Candles

Unity Wedding Candle White 3”X 9” pillar, 12" tapers, Bird of Paradise Flowers with Leaves.



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Fresh Cut Roses Type Jar Candle by Bliss Candles

FRAGRANCE: Fresh Cut Roses ~ A beautiful interpretation of the YC favorite. This smells just like real roses.


Don’t just take my word! Go on, search Etsy.com using the word ‘interiordesignteam’ . You will be blown away by the products you will find. Enjoy!

Monday, June 22, 2009

things to fill my home

Hello all!! June came round so quickly!

I have been super busy with making new pictures (check out my etsy store HERE to see what I have been up to... ) My big news of the month is that my hubby and I are packing up and moving to our dream house in the country! We have found ourselves a beautiful 16th Century Farmhouse in the depths of the English countryside (but only 10 minutes to the coast so I can still get my daily sea air fix). It has lots of rooms to spread out into, a cottage garden and an orchard, and (best of all) it has several outbuildings so I will be able to set up my darkroom and studio onsite too, yeay!!

So with my head filled with thoughts of finding lots of lovelies to fill up our new space... this months contribution from me is a collection of a few things I think would fit in nicely in our new home from my fellow sellers on the Design Style Guide network....


First up is this lovely tall grass handmade pillow by pillowhappy. Our bedroom is mainly decorated in soothing whites with green accents, and this would be a perfect addition :)

As would this Hand Blown Glass White and Green Bowl by SassyGlassy, an great looking decorative item with a plethora of uses!

On nights when I am home alone I like to curl up under a blanket with a good book and my pup snoozing at my toes, this gorgeous handmade Diamonds in the Rough Quilt by warmnfuzzies would certainly keep me cosy while I delved into my literary delights....

I just bought a vintage dresser from a trash or treasure store near my studio - it's been varnished to a state of extreme unattractiveness, but I can see that with a few hours of paint stripping, sanding and repainting, it will be a treasured piece of furniture for years to come, and these Citrus Lemon Yellow Fused Glass Knobs with Snow White Confetti Art Glass from UneekGlassFusions will give it a perfect modern twist.


I love printing in all it's forms, and this gorgeous silk screened artwork called Wear T Red Shoes Madam by Mwilson is just adorable... it's on my wishlist (hint hint) I have a vintage frame that would make the perfect partner to this picture!! I particularly love it as it feeds my shoe fetish too :))

So, I will leave it there before I get too carried away..... but as the song goes those were "a few of my favourite things" ....

Until next time......... happy summer days to you and yours

Jo Bradford xoxo

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Room With A View - Jean Levert Hood

Today is my birthday, and one of my most memorable past gifts received was a fine art painting from a dear friend. I had admired it on one of our weekend shopping-and-latte trips, and I even returned to the gallery several more times to visit my new love. The painting was an impressionist still life of potted geraniums, colorful and elegant, with sweeping strokes and stabs of color that softened with distant viewing. It beckoned me to step closer, to be among the flowers, to enter the canvas. A treasured element of my home decor, it gives me joy each and every day.

Arroyo Seco Gate

The original oil paintings of Jean Levert Hood, a Design Style Guide artist from Texas, contain her own striking style of impressionistic magic - I am compelled to take a walk behind the gate, jump the fence, wander the waterline, or just breathe in the scent of a lovely bouquet.



Quiet Creek

Tranquil Day, Nueces

Plumbago

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Giveaway #2 featuring Lindy Wood of Woodsheddesigns

It’s time for the Design Style Guide GIVEAWAY #2 !!! We are going to be having giveaways approximately every 2 weeks! So be sure to check in often!

This giveaway features Lindy Wood at Woodsheddesigns.

Lindy says, “Hi, my name is Lindy. I live in Turner, ME with my husband of 33 years. I work full time as an LPN clinical assistant in an OB/GYN office.

I started sewing around the 5th grade at 4H. I think my first project was a heart shaped needle cushion. I didn't sew much for the next 20 years until a friend gave me a log cabin table runner pattern and I promptly told her I could not possibly do that. Here I am 13 years later.”

“I love color and texture. Fabric jumps out at me. I can walk into a store and instantly know what I will be walking out with. I don't like traditional pastel colors. I love the Amish and feel inspired by their bold quilts. If I can't make a decision about what border goes with which fabric, I just ask my husband. He is always my best advisor.”


“The best thing about my product is that every stitch, every piece of fabric and how it matches up is thought about. I don't sit down and just sew. I look and think about where every log is placed upon another. I wonder if the consumer will care or even notice but the bottom line is that I care and notice the quality and placement of my fabric. I can only hope that others will feel the attention that I give to each one of my runners or pillow covers.”

I personally had a great time searching through Lindy’s shop! I had a Grandmother who was an award winning quilter, and I quickly spotted the quality of work and love that Lindy puts into her items.

As a member of Design Style Guide (a group of artisans working to reach out to the Interior Design community ) Lindy is offering one US reader, $30.00 credit and free shipping to be spent in her shop on Etsy. The winner will be able to pick any item from Woodsheddesigns that is within the given credit limit.

(credit is NOT transferrable for cash or to any other shop)


To enter this giveaway:

There are 3 ways to enter this giveaway. You may do any OR all of the three. But each one must be posted as a separate comment or it will only count as a single entry. Here are the three ways you may enter this giveaway…

1. Visit the Design Style Guide.net website. Leave a comment to this post telling about something you found or liked in the “Pillows and Quilts” section .

and/or
2. Visit our featured shop and tell us, in a comment to this post, what you might spend your $30.00 on if you win.

and/or
3. Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your blog in a comment.

*Note: all comments that do not follow the entry rules will be deleted before winning post number is drawn.

Please ensure that the profile you use for your comment(s) is public or leave your email address in your comment. If we are unable to email the winner, we will pick a new winner.

This giveaway will end on July 1, Noon PDT. We will use Random.org to choose the winner, email the winner, and post the win here. Giveaway is only open to US addresses, legal residents of the 50 United States and at least 18 years old at time of entry at this time..

**Note General DSG Giveaway Rules

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Discover "Mystic Silks"


Mystic Silks is a great place to shop if you're looking for beautiful, one-of-a-kind, paintings. The artist also offers hand dyed silk scarves and decorative pillows, as well as watercolor, oil, and acrylic paintings. But original paintings on silk are her hallmark, and they are absolutely stunning. As a quilt-maker, I stand in awe of this artist's use of vibrant color to create depth and, often, the illusion of movement. Her style varies from abstract to landscape to breathtaking closeups. Perhaps most unique is the option to commission a painting from the buyer's own photo!

Click on link below each painting to see details and pricing.




"Fickle Winds"

You can contact the artist via the contact link in her shop. Learn more about the artist through her Etsy profile. Check here for her shop policies. See the artist's portfolio on Design Style Guide.com.