brownbirdstudios

Wow, where have I been??

I see I've not posted on my design blog in many moons.  But I've got a springtime treat today.

May Baskets!!  So fun to make.  Soon their relatives under the name of friendships cones will be in my Etsy shoppe.  I just loved making these!! 

A little more detail...

CUPID'S HELPERS

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I've been busy in my "art dept." creating cupid helpers - fashioned of multiple paper layers, wings outlined in German scrap borders, a doily halo, stamped face and neck jewel, these charmers would make a wonderful Valentine for your someone special.  See more on my etsy site www.brownbirdstudios.etsy.com

Thanks for stopping by!

LOVE BIRDS GALORE!!

  The Valentine love birds are ready and in my Etsy shop  www.brownbirdstudios.etsy.com

No two alike, all handsewn of felt, embroidered, beaded, be-ribboned, jeweled and many bearing heartfelt sentiments.  Ah, this is how Mrs. Blossom spends the winter!!

NEW YEAR, NEW OUTLOOK, NEW SPACE

Here it is Jan. 7th and I am madly attempting a re-do of my "artroom" (feels pretentious to call it a studio) but I am CLEARING IT ALL -- TOTALLY  -- and re-vamping to accomodate the extra time, effort and energy that I will now have to devote to arts & crafts and my ETSY shoppe!!  Nothing like retiring from one's day job to get inspiration, eh?  As I seek to find room to accomodate all my crafting interests and supplies, it becomes quite a challenge.  Sewing, felting, mosaicing, polymer clay icons, collage, ATC's, painting. Wow, no wonder I'm feeling cramped for space!!!  But a complete clean - out, redoux with paint, flooring and IKEA should work wonders. In the meantime, check out my Etsy SHOP for some really cute new and lovely   LOVE-BIRDS.  Perfect for your VALENTINE!!

PAPER QUILTS!!

     Today was the gathering of the women of my family for what we refer to as Crafting Day. It's really Christmas with gifts, food, cheer etc. and we thought this year maybe we didn't need to craft, just visit... well, that idea went right out the window when my grandniece said "oh, we're all artists, we have to make something!"  And of course having every paper supply known to man and a few not yet invented, I immediately came up with we should make paper quilts and use all this beautiful wrapping paper which by then was laying on the floor.  Out came the gluesticks, gel medium, rulers, and the challenge was on - after only a few scrimages over who was hoarded the "best paper", we all got down to work including one of my twin grandsons, Will (he's a Tim Holtz in training, I think) the gal with the great yellow t-shirt is my granddaughter, Ebby.  (click on pic to better see quilts)

 

Ah, the birds, the birds...

Okay, peeps, I'm really getting into the on-line thing.  Check out my etsy site www.brownbirdstudios.etsy.com  and my blog www.brownbirdstudios.net to see what I'm up to creatively (loosely speaking of course!!!)  I've sold several dozen of these fun and funky birds to area shops on the South Shore and have finally gotten 15 or so on line so check them out.  They are great fun to make and anyone who knows me knows how much I love birds so it's not much or a reach.

I will be putting my mixed media mosaic mirrors - a la Laurie Mika- up on Etsy next week. (Still working out photo taking glitch).  Never thought I'd be an on-line guru but the entrepreneurial spirit runs strong in the woman side of my family so maybe it's destiny.  Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment with any random thoughts.  Thanks!

Yet another learning experience...

Jen & I did the Arts for Everyone show today and frankly, we might have been better served staying home.  It's a challenge in the arts & crafts business finding your target audience and then finding the venue that serves them.  This definitely was not that!  However, we met some fine folk and sometimes I do believe things happen for a reason. I met a woman whom I truly think could become a friend and that certainly is one of my on-going post retirement goals to find like minded souls to hang out with and this gal is a likely prospect, so the day was by no means wasted.  I had a few sales,  & a number of compliments  but that doesn't really justify the time and effort spent, so back to selling to shops and on ETSY. 

ALMOST READY...

Welcome to my new creative site, Brown Bird Studios.  Currently I am working on creating wonderfully whimsical stuffed felt birds which are beaded and embroidered and otherwise embellished. I just love making these and so far in the 80 I've done, there's not any two that are alike. Now, that's fun!

They'll be great for holiday ornaments or just a cheer-me-up, hand me up.  My daughter, Jen, & I are doing our first joint craft show this Sat. Dubbed Arts for Everyone, it's at the Bridgewater Middle School at the corner of Mt. Prospect & Center Sts. Stop by and see us or check out my ETSY shop under Brownbirdstudios.

Thanks for stopping by... please leave me a note so I'll know you were here (all this bird making gets kinda lonesome...)