Awesome Artist - Liz's Wares

Another great artist to check out is Liz's Wares. Her store consists of jewelry from bracelets to earrings to necklaces.

Her bio: I've started making jewelry since i was about 12. I like to let the beads speak to me. I do this by sitting down with either a pendant or set of beads and I begin meticulously laying them out to create a unique piece. This tends to take an hour or more just planning the layout, then comes the stringing which is the easy part. I put lot of time and effort into my pieces. I'm always trying to experiment with new ideas, and supplies.

She uses a variety of colors and textures in all of her pieces. I love the thought and effort put behind each one. You can really see that in the finished product. Also, her jewelry will look great on anyone for any occasion.

Featured Item:



You can go to her store here.

Great Artist - Elements of Surprise

Another nice shop to check out is Elements of Surprise. Her store is mostly made up of beaded jewelry from bracelets to necklaces to earrings.

Her bio: When I was little I was one of those kids always sitting at the table "making something", while everyone else was playing video games. I would take fabric and try to make myself clothes - not that they ever fit! I moved on to making notebooks out my mom's jean pockets, and putting together - very strange - sewing kits for everyone I knew. But, I never really did any beading or jewelry until a friend dragged me off to a cute little bead store. That day, I made three pairs of earrings, and I've been hooked ever since!

Her store has something for everyone. Her designs are cute and unique. It's nice to see a variety of materials such as beads, shells, and crystals. There are lots of fun things to look at.

Here is my favorite:



Go to her store here.

Awesome Designer - Isla New York

A great shop to check out is Isla New York. Her store features handmade organic clothing for women, such as skirts, sweaters, pants, and shirts.

Her bio: My name is Regina and I live and work in Manhattan. After graduation, I worked a few fashion internships and then decided to start my own label here on Etsy (Although I also sell on Supermarketqh.com)! Right now I'm focusing my energy into bringing trendy eco friendly alternatives to women of all ages! I like to think that my pieces are unique because I add different elements that aren't necessarily marketed for clothing use. For example, for my fall pieces I've started using a lot of jewelry chains and charms.

These clothes are made for anyone to wear. They are very cute and unique. I love the detail she puts in every piece, like appliques, braiding, and pleating. The hoodies are really nice and colorful. Her tops are original and very well made.

Here is my favorite:



Go to her store here.

Awesome Artist - Ambient Girl Designs

Here is a great shop to check it out: Ambient Girl Designs. Her store has a little bit of everything from photography to cards to gift tags.

Her bio: I'm originally from South Africa and I'm living in Canada now. I'm a stay at home mom with a diploma in Crafts & Design majoring in glassblowing and a certificate in Art Fundamentals. I have loved crafting since I was little and I'm so happy to have found a community of crafters that love it as much as I do. Currently I design stationery, gift tags, custom cards and invitations.

Ambient Girl Designs are great! I love the variety offered in her store. The cards and gift tags are very creative and cute and would be the perfect addition to any gift.

This is my current favorite:



Check out her store here.

Great Artist - Stitchnmomma!

This is a great shop to check out: Stitchnmomma. She is a stitching machine and has all sorts of fun stuff in her store, such as ornaments, magnets, kits, patterns, and much more!

Here is her bio: I make and sell cross stitched gifts, kits & original patterns. I've been stitching for 30+ years have recently decided to start sharing my original designs with others. I have had my Etsy shop for less than 1 year.

You can tell she loves what she does. She takes stitching to a new level by offering things like tote bags, which are really cute. She also creates original patterns and sells them.

Here is one of my favorites:



Stop on by her store here.

Great Artist - JED Bridal

This is a great artist to check out if you like jewelry: Julie Ellyn Designs Bridal Showcase. Her shop offers bridal jewelry including necklaces and earrings.

Here is her bio: I began to make jewelry after I searched high and low for the perfect bridal jewelry and bridesmaid's gift for my own wedding. After commissioning a talented jeweler to design pieces for my girls I was inspired to create beautiful baubles on my own.

All of the pieces are beautiful! Each piece is detailed and made very well. Any bride or bridesmaid would be lucky to have any of these necklaces or earrings! They are also the perfect thing to wear on your wedding.

This is my favorite:

Neat Artist - Browns Country Originals

Here is a neat artist to look at and get some fun things from: Browns Country Originals. This shop offers a range of items from paper mache to pins to chalkware figures. They have something for everyone!

Here is their bio:

We are a husband and wife artist team. I work with wood, chalkware, clay and papier mache. My wife works with dried, fresh and artificial flowers and hypertufa. These creative passions led us in 2008 to start Brown’s Country Originals. The name came from living in the country and our last name.

Hypertufa is a lite weight concrete. Besides the paper mache and chalkware we have a line of garden items my wife makes country/primitive hypertufa birdbaths, flower planters and flower pots. I make country/primitive wooden potting benches, planter and garden stakes.

They have lots of cute stuff in their store. This time of year Christmas items are big, and they have many to choose from. The snowmen figures are very cute, as is the St. Nick paper mache. They would look great in any house.

Featured item from their store:



Visit their store here.

Great Artist - MamiMadeIt

Great artist to check out and get some cute items from: MamiMadeIt.
Currently in her shop are toys and bottle bags.

Here is her bio:

My mom showed me making things by myself when I was a little girl. Knitting, sewing, embroidering, crocheting, doing handicrafts are always part of my life. And there are so many things I still want to learn such as pottery, making mosaics (tessellation), knot a carpet. Recently I read something about making paper. Isn’t it exciting?
I hope my daughter will be interested in these things too and I am able to pass on the joy, pride and satisfaction of making things by herself.

Her bunnies are really cute and would make a great gift for a little girl or boy. I can also picture them in a home sitting on a bench in the foyer welcoming all guests. Also in her store are bottle bags perfect for Christmas time. They are reusable and would be a great accent for a Christmas gift.

My favorite item is:



Get to her store here.

Great Artist - LOC Design Studio

Here is a great artist to check out: LOC Design Studio.
There is a large selection of all things beaded including: earrings, necklaces, bracelets, charms bookmarks and fobs.

Here is the artists bio: I create one of a kind, handcrafted beaded jewelry items. I LOVE beads, especially glass and crystal, freshwater and glass pearls, and white metal finishes. In addition to creating adornments for your ears, neck and wrists, I also design jewelry for your books, cell phones and keys.

Her earrings are really nice and well crafted! There is a big variety to choose from. If you are an avid reader, her beaded bookmarks are unique. Any of her pieces would make a great gift for someone or even a gift to yourself!

I think my favorite would have to be this one:



Visit her store here.

Artist of the Day - Simply Delicious Diaper Cakes

This is a great idea to have a cake made out of diapers! Check out stephstowell's etsy store!

Here is the artists bio: I make these adorable cakes made completely out of diapers. They are great for baby shower gifts or for a centerpiece at a baby shower. They are also great as a hospital gift for a new mom. I made a couple of these for baby showers I attended and got such positive responses that I decided I would try to make money at it!

I have to agree, they would make a great gift for baby showers, especially for a new mom! They come in many different themes and are all put together perfectly.

My personal favorite is this one:



Again the store is stephstowell. Check it out!

Featured on Hapagirls Blog!

Check it out! I am one of the Etsy stores featured on Hapagirls Blog.

Thanks so much for putting me on there!

To get to it, click here!

Last Chance To Vote

Today is the last day to vote!!!!!

I uploaded some photos to a Chicago Photo contest. Please vote for me!

Click here.

Featured on The Art of Craft Blog

My etsy store is featured on The Art of Craft Blog.

Thank you Art of Craft!! Check out their blog here.

Vote for me!!

I uploaded some photos to a Chicago Photo contest. Please vote for me!
Click here.

Support local artists!!

I will be participating in some trunk shows throughout October. The first one is this Saturday Oct. 3rd. It takes place in Evanston from 11-6. Come out and support local artists!!

Featured on Lanakinbuddys Blog

Check it out!!

My etsy store is featured on Lanakinbuddys Blog.

Thanks so much to Sarah for highlighting my store on her blog. Check out her blog here.

branching out to frames

I've branched out a little to photo frames. Here are some photos of them:

Day/Night Project

I've had this concept for a long time now and just recently took photos for it. My idea was to take a photo of a scene during the day, preferably around noon. Then around dusk or a little bit later, I would take another photo from the same exact location. The next step is to print them and cut them into strips, up to an inch wide. Combine the 2 photos so they alternate. Here is what I came up with:



After completing this, I realized that they don't completely line up. I still like the outcome very much, but will try again and line it up better.

Thanks Arlington Heights Art Show

Thank you to all who came out to the Arlington Heights "Walk in the Park" Art Show this past weekend. It was a perfect day!!

Filling up space

One of the things I like to do in my photos is to completely fill up the frame with a repeating item. For example:






I think by concentrating on one item, you can really focus on the textures and lines it produces.

Arlington Heights Art Show

I will be at the Arlington Heights Art Show, A Walk In The Park. It will take place this Sunday August 23rd from 10-5. It is located at North School Park. Hope to see you there!

Thanks Mt. Prospect Fine Arts Show

Thanks to all who came out to the Mt. Prospect Fine Arts Show this past weekend. It was a great day and great music as well. If you are interested in purchasing some of my work, you can go to my etsy store (ginaphoto) and purchase there. The website is ginaphoto.etsy.com. I will also be at the Arlington Heights show in August and will announce it closer to the date.

Mt. Prospect Art Show

I will be at the Mt. Prospect Art Show on June 20th. It is an art show/blues fest. Come for the art, stay for the music!
To learn more, click on this link: http://www.mountprospect.org/community/special_events/af-bf/art-blues_fest.html

New Project: Pieces of images to make a whole

I'm working on a new project and would love any feedback you may have. My goal is to take an image, blow it up larger, cut it up, and mat it in sections. Here is a sample of what I'm talking about:

Here is a photo I normally frame whole.



Here is the same photo cut up into pieces and matted.

How to Cut a Window Mat

Matting photos make them complete and professional.

First, choose the mat color you would like. I usually stick to black or white.

Measure the length of the photo. Subtract the length of the photo from the length of the mat. i.e. if you have a 10 inch photo and a 14 inch mat, you'll have 4 inches.

Divide that number in half. That number is the amount of mat you should have on each side. So, using the previous numbers, 4 divided by 2 is 2. So, you will have 2 inches of mat on each side.

Repeat this for the height of the photo.

When you found your vertical and horizontal numbers, measure from the end in with your vertical number and make a mark towards the bottom of the mat. Measure in from the top of the mat and make another mark. Draw a line between the marks. That will be your 2 inch border.

Repeat this for the other vertical and both horizontal lines.

Now that you have your square drawn, get out your bevel mat cutter.

Line up a line from your drawn square with the cutter so that the square is on the inside. i.e. if the blade is on the left, the square should be on the right.

Make your first cut, rotate 90 degrees and make the next cut and so on.

The middle should fall out after the last cut.

There you have yourself a window mat.

Film Vs Digital

I know we are in the age of everything digital, but what happened to film? I studied photography in high school and college, and learned the art of film. I learned how to choose the right speed of film, manually shoot it, develop it, and make enlargements. In my opinion, that was the best part of photography. It was creating a piece of art from start to finish.

But the times, they are changing. Now you shoot the image, upload it to a computer, and print it out. It doesn't seem as personal as it used to be. Don't get me wrong, I do love how easy shooting digital can be. But I do miss all the time I spent in the darkroom trying to get a print just right. Or being able to choose more than just glossy or matte finish.

I think it's sad that some schools don't even have darkrooms anymore. They have gone completely digital. I remember how to burn and dodge without using Photoshop. Gone are the times when we'd be in the darkroom for hours. We no longer have to tone our images ourselves. Now we just have to click a button on Photoshop, and it will take care of it for us.

I embrace the future of photography and welcome the digital era. But I will remember and miss the days of the darkroom.