Washington County Review! Full of local Washington County happenings!!! Don’t miss what is coming up!
Finding the Light and How DO you hang art on the wall? September 11, 2011
To send light into the darkness of mens hearts – such is the duty of artists: Robert A Schumann
As an artist I am always challenged with finding the light, I want to get the reflection, the shine, the warmth and the heart into each of my artworks. When I have worked on a sheet of copper for some time and I finally get to the point where I want it, it is truly my happy place. It gives me great joy, to lay it down gently, and spray it with sealer to try to hold onto some of the light and warmth the flame has imparted to the carved and hammered work, that has been transformed from a blank sheet of copper.
The next challenge is to make sure it gets mounted in the best way to make it shine. Lately, I have let my copper wrap around a base to give the spotlight to only the copper and to show how well it warms against any surface. I have also mounted copper onto a black background, which makes the color pop!
I have yet to figure out how I want to mix my copper with Glass but I am sure that reality will present itself when it is ready. Then I will move forward on another adventure in trying to capture light, feeling and warmth… You can view my artworks on Etsy and see them in person at the Odgepodge Art Gallery, in Sherwood Oregon.
Do you have art you want to hang but are not sure how to hang it? Here is a video that gives you instructions on how to hang on different types of walls and using different types of hangers. Enjoy!
Like this:
Back from my travels and are the Holly-Daze as close as I think? September 1, 2011
I am back in the home saddle so to speak. It has been a whirlwind of activity as I prepared for the Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival artist booth. I also had to get the lovely daughter off to college out of state. All somewhat stressful events. It all worked out and now I need to get my artwork to the 20/40 art challenge at the Odgepodge Gallery for the annual show. Of course I really need to take some pictures of the artwork first. But all in time… I trust it will all work out as one can only do so much at one time. For some reason as we head into fall here is Oregon the Art season is heating up. There are local shows to deliver artwork to, soon the Art Studio tour for Yamhill and Portland will gear up and then the holidays will be in full gear after that.
I look forward to the calm that comes after the holly-daze when there is (hopefully) time to sit and think and create. If you are already thinking about the holly-daze, I recommend starting now on the search for the perfect item for the loved one you wish to gift to. Choose something special and unusual that you cannot find at the mall, those are gifts that can be treasured for their uniqueness. A great place to find locally handmade is on Etsy.com or at your local art/craft shows. You can find local shows on Festival.net. My link is for Oregon but you can specify your state or one you’re traveling to.
If you are looking to make some or all of your gifts this year, there are so many things that everyone would enjoy. An oldie but really good one is recipe in a jar. Easy to make and you can do it assembly line and have it done lickety split. There are all kinds of ideas, like soup mix, brownie mix, cake mix, muffin mix etc. The jar just holds the dry ingredients and then you affix a label with directions like add a cup of milk and 2 eggs, etc….
Whatever you decide to do please feel free to share it here!
New works in the making… August 21, 2011
I love the hot weather it is great for flame work on copper. I have been preparing for a couple of shows lately by creating some new works. For the second year I am participating in a local Galleries artist challenge. The Challenge is to create 20 8×8″ artworks in 40 days. This is the 4th year and it keeps getting better and better. This also the second year I will be an artist at the Vancouver (WA) Wine and Jazz Festival as well. Both occur within a week of one another, so prep time is definitely needed. I am so excited for the Festival, as the music is fabulous! Al Jarreau will headline this year and that voice is timeless! I looking forward all of the other artists as well and what works they will be bringing this year. Although you can check all of us Artists out before hand by visiting the Artist list on the Festival website. Many of the Artists have websites or other pages you can visit. Wine tasting will also be on the menu and they always have a good selection of wines to taste and purchase. They will hold your bottles for you as well until you leave so you don’t have to cart them around. It is a great service.
Right after the Jazz Fest I will be in the 20/40 Artist Challenge show at the Odgepodge Art Gallery. I will be one of 20 artist that are on record making art for this show and will be fabulous with all of the walls full of 8×8″ artworks in all kinds of mediums. If you are local please come down and see the show, it will be a wonderful display and it is a great way to find original art at very reasonable prices.
I found a link to a wonderful video that the Washington County Visitors Association did of the Odgepodge Gallery during last years 20/40 show. Enjoy!
Like this:
A little bit of everything for your summer vacay or staycation. . . July 15, 2011
As we head into the weekend, I realize that it is the middle of July. We are past celebrations for the 4th, and there are no major holidays until Labor day. Many are almost ready to go on their annual vacation, whether that be a staycation or a trip to the coast or to visit family, we all want to have some fun. I was thinking about our annual trip to the Oregon Coast where we relax and just enjoy our selves for a couple of weeks. I always take lots of different things to play with while we are there, and for me that means being crafty, or arty in some way. This made me think about what types of supplies I might want to take with me and of course I went on a search of Etsy. Here are a few of the items I found that would be good to take along…
For the sewer/quilter:
Nature Inspired Collection by Windham.
For the jewelry maker:
Lucite Pansy Flower Beads – Mixed Color
AAA – Mixed Precious Rondelles – Ruby, Emerald and Sapphires – 1/2 Strand
For the cook:
Vintage Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book circa 1953
For the knitter/Crocheter:
Hand Dyed Worsted Weight Yarn – Mission Fig
Oregon Timber Brown DK Alpaca Yarn (50 g)
And finally for the scrap booker:
Freshmemoriesstudio If you need a project check out Red heart for free crochet and knitting patterns! Here is a 3 part tutorial on making resin jewelry: Part 1: Part 2 Part 3:Like this:
Such Opportunity and Crafty Corner! July 8, 2011
It is truly remarkable how much is available to us in this day and age to be creative and market our wares. This is powered by the Internet access, that allows anyone to find components, to be inspired, and fuel the creative individual. A search of the internet with a simple word can net you a barrage of information about what you are looking for. Some relevant and some maybe not so much. The same search of the internet on a site such as Etsy can net you a list of choices that can be more easily digested and perused and sometimes more applicable to your creative spirit. I have found it to be both informational and inspirational.
For example the other day I was searching for supplies of roses, the internet search engine told me about every flower type, several business that would sell me flowers and a list too long to reveal here of items I was not interested in. The search in supplies on Etsy, lead me directly to a rose lampwork bead, rose-colored yarn, a digital collage sheet etc… Much more in tune with my creative side. It provided me with both a physical source and inspiration that could carry me forward work with my creativity. I bet this happens more times than we could count, and what a gift it is. It always makes me think that the possibilities are endless (which they are) when you open your mind and use past experiences to bring together a creation you can be proud of.
I thought I would share some of the shops that provide supplies that also inspire me…. and how to make a flirty ric rac flower in the crafty corner.
Mermaids Dowry (this shop has wonderful components, I did not get away without buying from this shop)
Beautiful Additions Source for Ric-Rac
Crafty Corner!!
Here is a link to a video on how to make Ric-Rac Flowers
Independence Day – God Bless America July 1, 2011
Independence Day. This year the celebration of the Independence of our country from the British Empire is on the tail end of a weekend. In the all American way this means that we get to party all weekend AND on Monday. Wow, do we have something to celebrate! Of course we do, we are a free country, free to pursue our own interests and to make of ourselves what we will. We can travel where we wish, observe the Deity of our choice (or none at all). We are generally respectful of our fellow citizens (the few that are not, seem to always make the news) we generally help those in need from our own generous hearts. We are a good people.
With that all said I will step down off my, God Bless us all soapbox… Ha Ha and ask what are you doing this fine weekend?
I know I will making something! or things! Since the weather is great, (meaning warm, finally) I plan on working on some metal, and am I going to have fun! I have some idea’s in my head, that need to get carved into some copper.
Someone asked me once if I ever sketch out my designs. I told them I do not. I actually tried that once, when I was out of commission with a rotator cuff issue. I couldn’t do any carving so instead I thought I would draw designs! Logic was that I would have a huge stash of drawings that could then be translated into metal. Wasn’t I the efficient one? Well, maybe not. Once I was healed, I had no desire to carve ANYTHING I has sketched. The sketch had worked it all out for me, so for me it was done, no need to do it again in metal. Now I keep the idea in my head until faced with a blank sheet of copper, then I let it flow…
Yup, it is time to let it flow out of my mind and into something solid…
Have a wonderful Independence day!
Visit my Etsy shop to see more of my metalworks: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SharonOrella
Here are some other favorites of mine on Etsy:
Like this:
Amazing Creativity June 26, 2011
If you have every visited Etsy to see what they have available, you know that they have almost everything that is related to Handmade items, Vintage and Supplies for the creative soul. I spend quite a bit of time on Etsy as a shop owner and I am constantly amazed by the quality and creativity of the handmade items. Sharing these with the rest of the world is my pleasure.
I love fabric roses and this shop really caught my eye, True Rebel Clothing. The embellishment of clothing with fabric wound roses and a bit a bling really turns out beautifully in this shop.
For lampwork I fell in love with this Lampwork Vessel, by Rapunselstower.
I have also posted another artwork on Etsy of my own and you can find it here. It is called Deep Air, it reminds me of a deep dive underwater where you can see the small air bubbles floating upwards towards the surface, from the unusual creatures and plants that might live deep beneath the sea. As you can see in the photo’s below, these artworks reflect a lot of light. They continually look great whether using sunlight, indoor light or lamplight. Each type of light gives them a different feel and brings out the different colors. I hope you like…
Like this:
Saturday, February 5th February 5, 2011
Wow, it hardly seems true to find that January has come and gone already! Less than week and the Gallery will reopen and artworks will be on display and the Loving Red show will commence. Was working down at the Odgepodge today and seeing some of the artworks coming in for the show, and to say wow! is just not enough, there is some truly spectacular art happening and for this show. I certainly hope it draws a crowd! It should.
The artworks are all 12 x 12″ each and by some truly wonderful professional artists and are priced to sell. They will run anywhere from $50- $150. Barbara Paanakkers work alone at $150 would truly be a bargain as would Melody Clearys and they have priced at lower than that. You would be lucky to normally find it at $450 or more. Teffany Ingram has outdone herself on this one as well and hers will no doubt sell early on in the show. We are so looking forward to having them on display, that I want to jump up and down over and over again! Dana Keena has organized and invited artists from all over the Portland Metro Area for this show and had quite a few acceptances.
This will be a great way to kick off the new year! I had better get working on mine they are due pretty dang soon!!
See ya there!
Peace
