One-of-a-Kind Finds

Reverting back to form, I'm going to talk about wood this month. I work with wood on a daily basis. I understand wood far better than pottery or sewing or stained glass. I'm most comfortable discussing this wonderful natural material, so that's what you're getting from me this time.

I decided to pick out a few items that are true one-of-a-kind finds. No matter how many of these a particular artist might make, no two could ever be alike due to the unique nature of the woods used in these marvelous works of art.

Ash Bowl by MaxWood Creations

I don't turn wood. I want to turn wood, but a lathe is a big investment and there are several other items ahead of it on my list. In the meantime I'll just have to drool over the beautiful turn objects at DSG, not the least of which is this bowl by MaxWood Creations. As a useful kitchen utensil it is an abject failure because it has a hole in it. As a piece of art, however, it is pure greatness of the highest order!

From MaxWood Creations: "This Ash bowl is so cool! As it was being turned, a knot was worked out creating a void in the side of the bowl. And because it was turned when the wood was still green, the wood dried after it was completed, and as a result, the bowl changed shape a little bit. So the bowl is not perfectly round. But it is striking and very unique! It would be a great focal point on a side table, on a mantle, or in a curio."

This bowl deserves to occupy a place of honor in someone's home.

Spalted Maple Jewelry Box by Welcome Woods Workshop

Jewelry boxes. I plan to build some jewelry boxes in the next year, and I'll be referring to this one for inspiration. This wonderful box features contrasting wood, visible joinery (the splines on the corners), and sturdy, simple lines that let the beauty of the wood shine.

From Welcome Woods Workshop: "A simple yet elegant hand crafted, solid maple jewelry box. It is made from Spalted maple which I hand milled myself with a small chainsaw mill and came from a large maple tree in an old churchyard here on the Sunshine Coast. The top is made from black cherry as are the splines. It is finished with a durable varnish clear coat."

This box will stand out in just about any décor, yet the design won't get in the way of your jewelry.

Elemental Slide by Holzfurhaus

Yeah... One more piece that makes me regret not owning a lathe. I love working with walnut because of the feel of the wood under my tools and the wonderful smell. I can just imagine how nice it would be to turn a bowl out of walnut.

From Holzfurhaus: "This is another bowl in the Elemental series. It is made from walnut, with a sanded natural edge to make it a lilttle more intersesting. It has deep dark shades of walnut color. This is an ornamental piece not intended for food or liquid."

This bowl should be in my library right now. I know just the place for it...

Mantle Clock by Marko Wood Designs

Tim Marko is a friend of mine. He live a few miles away from me, and I plan to spend some time in his shop stealing every secret the man has about finishing wood. The clock you see above has some wonderful design elements -- visible joinery, through tenons, the spalted cottonwood face -- but the true beauty of a Tim Marko piece is how well he finishes the wood. He has a very specific go-to formula he uses, but I think the real trademark is in the loving care he pours into every square inch.

Tim Marko says: "This clock is made from ash and spalted cottonwood. It uses a quartz chime movement that plays on the quarter hour and counts the hour. It has a natural finish."

Jagged Maple Burl Vessel by Natural Selection Studio

This bowl/vase/upside-down cone is turned from a piece of maple burl, a misshapen, malformed bit of a maple tree that woodworkers prize for it's beauty. And that beauty has been enhanced here by the gouge and the lathe, imposing a mostly symmetrical form upon a natural mistake. The results speak for themselves. And the real genius of this design is leaving the natural "wild" edge at the rim.

Natural Selection Studio says: "This wonderful vessel is overflowing with interesting color and figure. It measures 5-3/4" tall by 4-1/2" wide at the rim. Need a focal point in your decor? This is it! Finished with walnut oil."

And it would make a fine focal point indeed!

I trust this little tour through the wooded regions of Design Style Guide has given you some design ideas of your own. Check out the other offerings from all our woodworkers. You won't be disappointed.

•••••

If you make Handmade Home Decor Items, come and join our team by clicking on the image below. Not only will you be able to network with us, but also you will have the ability to post your listing on our team website.

If you like this blog entry you'll love my blog, jn3 Hand Crafted Woodworks. Check it out. I'll be glad you did.

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Decorating on a Limited Budget

Last month, interior designer Gail Doby provided some wonderful tips on how to decorate a new house on a limited budget. Since we recently bought a new house with a main floor in desperate need of a makeover, and to say we have a limited budget would be an understatement, I decided to try some of Gail's suggestions for our dining room. I took a look around our house to see what we already have to work with, and found out that we had more than I thought we did. Then I chose some colors and went to the paint store.

This is what I started with - a dull and boring color, an almost empty room and an old table with a missing chair.




And this is what I ended with. I painted the walls a bright yellow, replaced the missing chair and refinished the table and chairs, and moved an old dresser into the room along with some art that was in another room.




And the total price tag for supplies was under $300 if you can believe it. I still can't get over how much of a difference a few cans of paint and rearranging furniture can make in a room. And it is something anyone can do.


I would still like to change out the art work on the smaller wall. So, I searched the Design Style Guide website and found a few wonderful prints that I think would look great and complete our makeover.


Like this Sleeping Bunting print from Wannabes, Photography by Deborah Brackenbury.




And this Colorful Tulips print from Renie Britenbucher Glass Tapestry Artworks




And this Rooster Print from Torrie Smiley




So get inspired with Design Style Guide website and go makeover your home!

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For The Flowers

I'm hanging onto summer by my fingernails and still clipping the roses to bring inside, even the tiny little dried up buds that never quite enjoyed their full blooming glory. What to do with the endless summer bouquet? Why, put it in a handmade vase, of course!

This a Large Upcycled Glass Vase from Twofold Designs is handmade from recycled magazine pages and features a water resistant gloss finish and glass interior....bring in the sunflowers!



This Multicolor Raku Cylinder Vase from Madstone Raku might compete with your flowers for attention, but its sleek design makes it a lovely piece long after the flowers are gone.



The Mountain Mist Sculptural Vase from Rising Sky Pottery is a truly artful design for a smallish wildflower display. Includes one mysterious portal underneath.


Some poppies for your poppies. The Sunshine Poppy Garden vase from Love Art Works has a contemporary hand painted design that's positively playful. And, I'll let you in on a little secret...it's yellow inside!


One or two flowers would look just right projecting from the small opening in this organic, nature-inspired ceramic vase from Claytastic

Ah, Summer....parting is such sweet sorrow!

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Featured Artist - Arlene Taus Salomon

I would like to share the work of Arlene Taus Saloman with you, she is a 4 star member of Design Style Guide. Arlene resides in Hawaii and her Etsy store is iliahi.etsy.com

She is a very talented photographer, her photographs are exotic and beautiful and come in different photo sizes from 5x7 to 11x17 inches. Most images are also available in Giclee print and Gallery Wrapped on canvas, sized from 11x14 to 24x30 inches. So you have many options from a small simple print, to a large fantastic gallery wrapped print. All depending on the look you want.

Here are some of her images that are available;

Hawaiian sandalwood flowers

Red Orange Wiliwili Flowers

Ohi'a lehua Hawaiian Tree

The Mighty Silversword

Trees Of The Lava Fields
Straight from her Bio;
"Arlene Taus Salomon has her B.F.A. in Fine Arts and is an ISA Certified Arborist. She is an instructor of art and plant sciences and has taught workshops at the Art Center and Community College on Maui. She has a multimedia studio in her home where she experiments mostly with photography, fiber art related mediums, metalsmith and jewelry design. Her photography features views of Hawaii with dazzling botanical prints and sweeping landscapes reproduced as large size giclees. Her handmade papers are made by cooking and pounding local plant fibers. Recently, she has begun to print her images onto her handmade papers using alternative photographic techniques like cyanotype, Van Dyke brown printing and photogravure. Another aspect of her life is Arboriculture or tree/plant biology. When she is not in her studio she is out in the field managing her horticultural business in which she consults, specializes in native plant landscape design and all aspects of tree care."

I hope you enjoyed seeing Arlene's work as much as I enjoyed sharing them with you. Make sure you check out her etsy shop.

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A French Country Style Dining Area

Maybe it's because I've been refinishing my dining room table that I have dining room decor on the brain. I love the French Cottage style and here are some great finds for your French Country Dining Room from a few of the wonderful artisans that are found in Design Style Guide.

I love this Rooster painting. It would add a touch of whimsy to the room.

Young Rooster -- Original Oil Painting From: Jean Levert Hood - Fine Art See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

And here is a beautiful cottage style China cabinet and serving buffet to go with the rooster painting above.

Shabby Cottage Style Vintage China Cabinet & Serving Buffet From: Pink Paper Rose See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

This gorgeous vintage chandelier will make dinner sparkle and seem like a special occasion every night.

Vintage Wedding Cake Chandelier From: Sheri See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

And here is a nice set of table and chairs. I like the contrast of dark wood with the white paint.

Harvest Dining Table From: Black Mountain Furniture See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

And why not add a bright floral arrangement to add a bit of color to the room.

Rhapsody Floral Arrangement From: Wreathmic Creations See Product Details Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

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Village in Late Summer by Carl Sandburg

Lips half-willing in a doorway.

Wallflower by ArtSnark.

Lips half-singing at a window.

Cat in a Window by Gary Heller Photography.

Eyes half-dreaming in the walls.

Linger by Robin Maria Pedrero.

Feet half-dancing in the kitchen.

Red by Zombie Penguen.

Even the clocks half-yawn the hours

Framed Photograph on Canvas by The Painted Lily.

And the farmers make half-answers.

Cultivating the Peas by Walt Curlee.

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Featuring Georgina Soojian

I want to share with you a talented artist who designs wreaths and floral arrangements. Her name is Georgina Soojian, or Georgy for short. Her shop name is Wreathmic Creations.

All of Georgy’s creations are her own original designs, some of them being one of a kind that cannot be duplicated. wreathmiccreations are handmade in her smoke free and pet free shop.

This one is called Celtic Cross.

Georgy Soojian lives in a small suburban town in Northern New Jersey. Her family has been vacationing in Cape May, New Jersey for the last 15 years. Cape May is a beautiful Victorian Era seashore vacationing spot that is famous for it’s Victorian homes that have been turned into Bed and Breakfasts. Georgy loves visiting these beautiful homes, with their gorgeous flower gardens and learning about the people who once lived there. It is from memories of her past vacations in New Jersey and nature that Georgy gets her inspiration for her beautiful designs.

This beauty is called Cardinal Swirl Wreath

Georgy started making floral wreaths as gifts for friends about 15 years ago. She is a self-taught floral designer, and a couple years ago she took an online Floral Designing course and got her Certificate.

Georgy spends most of her time gardening and watching the birds that come to her feeders and of course, making her beautiful floral creations.

Visit her etsy shop

You can visit her website at www.wreathmiccreations.com

You can find her listings on Design Style Guide here.

Summer Geranium Planter

A faux silk geranium plant on a charming metal bicycle planter.

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Purple Rain

I only wanted 2 see u laughing in the purple rain
Purple Rain by Prince

When I think of springtime, it is rain and freshly blooming flowers that come to mind first. And one of my favorite spring flowers is lilac, both for its beautiful color as well as the intoxicating aroma.

Talented members of the Design Style Guide have used a number of media to recreate that lilac fresh ambiance so you can enjoy springtime indoors all year long.

Photographer AnnWilkinson offers a set of five spring flower photographs including this beautiful lilac. They come as 5”x 5” prints perfect for an office, den, child’s room or bathroom setting.






Ceramic artist Dorothydomingo adds a touch of purple rain to the kitchen with this set of hyacinth bowls. They’re made of speckled stoneware clay and are a perfect size for your morning cereal, luncheon soup, or an ice cream dessert.







A touch of spring elegance is found in this gorgeous glass bowl by rdgdesigns. It is made of handblown glass that was dipped in cold water and then reheated to give the exterior a beautiful alligator look.






Einstein’s E Equals MC Two is the name of an original silk painting by Mysticsilks. I love the way she has combined the geometric shapes of a left-brained scientist with the beautiful arrangement of colors by a definitely right-brained artist. It’s a stunning piece of fine art.









And for a touch of springtime whimsy, this Simple Soul Daisy Doodle Bowl entitled BLOOM by loveartworks is both a work of art as well as very functional piece of ceramic pottery. The design continues on to the bottom of the bowl, giving pleasure to everyone, including the one in charge of washing dishes!





Extend the springtime season in your home with these and other items made by the artists of the Designstyleguide.net

- Deb Babcock

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Good Day Sunshine

I woke this morning with the song "Good Day Sunshine" in my head and decided to see what sunny yellow items I could feature for my post today.

I love these sherbert lemon flowers from ffflowers. They are so bright and sunny. And the best part about these flowers is that they never need watering and they never wilt.

This Spring Sunshine giclee print from Karen Faulkner is so sunny. It would definitely brighten up your room! Karen Faulkner is also featured in the first Design Style Guide giveaway, which ends June 3, so hurry for a chance to win!

This Silver Copper Sunrise sun catcher from Nature's Studio would bring the warmth of the sun right into your room.

Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers. I love how this Sunshine watercolor by Sagewest captures their weight and sunny disposition.

Be sure to visit Design Style Guide

or search designstyleguide on etsy

for more beautiful, handmade, sunny home decor items.

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Lauren Alexander: Etsy Artist from Kansas

This past Christmas I was looking on Etsy for something to get my mother for a stocking stuffer. What I found was a calendar designed by Lauren Alexander and it ended up being her favorite gift. Lauren does amazing things with watercolors. I make giant blobs of weak color with watercolors, so when I saw what Lauren does, and found out that it was all watercolors, I was fascinated. See what you think as you read this interview...

1. What is your shop name and what do you sell?

My shop name is Lauren Alexander and I sell my original paintings, prints, stickers, cards, and more.

2. What long series of events led to you doing this?

 

I've always been a watercolor painter for as long as I can remember. In high school I was dubbed the "guru" of watercolor painting class and won some school awards. In college I decided to be a children's book illustrator so I got online and tried to figure it out. Along the way another designer friend of mine started her own Etsy shop and that was the first I heard of it. She used her first and last name as her shop name so I did too. She taught me A LOT about being an artist. Her name is Suzanne Clements.

3. Who taught you the particular skills you use in your work?

 

Before I met Suzanne, I pretty much learned everything by my own trial and error in countless nerdy nights home alone with my paint supplies. My high school art teacher taught me some really great painting techniques that I still use today like under painting, using a really good round brush, and using a large and messy palette.

4. How long have you been selling online?

 

I got my Etsy shop in May 2006. I didn't really list anything and when I did it was an embarrassment. My first sale was in October 2006 but my sales were really spotty until really late in 2007 when I became very serious about it. That was when I discovered ACEOs and how much I love them. It shocked me that anyone wanted to buy them.

5. What is your favorite thing about Etsy?

 

My favorite thing about Etsy has got to be meeting a lot of really wonderful artists. I really feel like part of a community. It is a kind of community that I don't think I've ever been a part of before; one where I can have a kind of call and response to my creative impulses. All those nights I spent with just me and my paintbrush -  I never dreamed that I could have a shot at a national audience.

6. What is your favorite thing about what you sell?

 

Painting itself gives me a lot of joy. It is like play to me. I love finding interesting color combinations. I love seeing how my style changes, how my mood effects what I'm doing. It is like looking at myself in a mirror sometimes - almost a visual diary of what I've done over the last couple years.

7. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why?

 

I have a lot of favorites. Sweet Tree is a fav. It was the first tree that I did like that and I don't know where the idea came from. I always go back to that idea. People love the tree and I love that it has made people so happy.

8. How does your work differ from the work of other artists in your field?

 

I think my work stands out because when people see my paintings (especially in real life) they don't assume they are watercolor paintings. I think people have a preconceived idea about what watercolors are supposed to look like. I try to do things with watercolor that most people wouldn't. Always going for bold and adding a lot of pop is important to me.

9. What teams do you belong to and what do you like most about them?

 

I belong to Watercolor Works Etsy Team. I like that we are a group of people that all work with the same media but in a lot of different ways. I love watercolors because they are so versatile. I like seeing what other people do with them. [Also Design Style Guide]

10. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop?

 

Blogging has been really fun for me. I really feel like I do it for me more than for the good of my shop. It helps my shop a lot but more than anything it helps me understand myself and keep myself in check so I don't get too neurotic about what I'm doing - I love that I get to meet other people that take an interest in my work. Talking to others can keep me sane.

11. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy?

 

Wow - I have found sooo many artists to admire. Two of my favorites are AppleandEve, GypsyandTwink. They were two that caught my eye really early on. I just love the simplicity and warmth to their designs.

12. What do you do in your spare time?

 

Between teaching and painting I don't have much spare time but when I do I like to try to relax. Maybe watch a movie, go to my favorite sushi restaurant, see a band play, just escape.

13. Do you have anything else you would like to share?

 

I would just want to share that I'm truly thankful to be a part of the Etsy/online artist world! I just want to contribute one small painting at a time.

•••••

If you make Handmade Home Decor Items, come and join our team by clicking on the image below. Not only will you be able to network with us, but also you will have the ability to post your listing on our team website.

If you like this blog entry you'll love my blog, jn3 Hand Crafted Woodworks. Check it out. I'll be glad you did.

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