Hemming and Hawing and Bartering, oh my!

Hello Lovely Blog Friends....

I was hoping you could help me with something.  My website that started it all http://www.cameron-art.com/ is coming up due for it's yearly renewal.  I have 21 days left to either pay the $135 dollars or let it lapse.  It has been a wonderful place to keep my work available for all to see, but now that I've started blogging, it seems like that money can be better spent elsewhere....

Sunflower Field  - Watercolor pencil and Ink circa 2002
 I just put this here to give you something to look at while you listen to me lament :)

for example:

I have a shop on Artfire, which has been a great place to offer my handmade goodies...but now that I have over 55 items in there...it's starting to look a little cluttered.  You see, the FREE account that I'm currently taking advantage of doesn't allow for making tidy categories to sort everything into...so as to provide a more polished, more professional look.  The upgraded price that would allow me to make categories, have sales, offer gift certificates, etc. is $16 per month!  I think that's a little high for the small amount of sales I've been lucky to make, so far.

I know that Etsy is extremely popular...and I tried it once a long time ago...but I'm thinking that instead of renewing my website, I'd use the money for listing and selling on Etsy.  I know you can categorize and all that there...I just worry that I'd get lost in a sea of artists....Plus, putting in all listings again...oy!  Any thoughts?

Suggestions?  Anybody? (*crickets*)

I did make a new banner though...I think it's pretty good for someone with modest computer skills :)

On a more exciting note!  I'm in the middle of a trade with the talented and oh, so nice Lauren from Fair Rosamund...

Have you seen her work?  So colorful and whimsical...She's picked out some journals of mine...and I'm gonna get her lovely Original Painting "The Strange Garden"...Wooohooo!  Jealous?! :)

Maybe just a little?!   Can you see that her skirt is made from painted and adhered tissue paper giving it a flouncy fullness...a fantastic 3D element to the canvas....a lovely bit of fanciness for her stroll thru the enchanted botanicals.  Gorgeous, isn't it?!    :)

And she's finished on the sides, ready to happily hang in my house, keeping the magic alive and inspiring me...

I must say my Adventures in Blogland have bloomed into quite a strange and magical garden of creative types and artists.... I am so pleased to be growing among you!  Your encouragement and support are my sunshine and watering can...... heck, your words seem to have a way of turning some of my poopiness into nourishing fertilizer...  (I like that expression...think I'll use it more often...lol "I'm feeling poopy today"...yeah, just saying it makes me smile...and, therefore, feeling less poopy )

Well, that's the poop for today (I know you've had enough... :-) and thanks to you all for helping me with my dilema...I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the matter!

And special thanks to you, Lauren :-D

All the Best,

Cameron
P.S. This is really so exciting!! Anyone else out there want to trade? ....Hmmm?(*eyebrows raise*)

On Experiencing Tag Lag

So, I might've mentioned that I started making gift tags a bit ago.  I think that I also admitted to buying the 100 pack of tags because it was a better deal (not at all because I'm a little mental and go way overboard on stocking up for my next, new, exciting project...*eyes roll*)....

I made some girly ones.

And some Christmas ones.

Sorry this one is blurry...but I wanted you to see what a fun time with the dyeing process I had.

I dried some on strawberry baskets and got this great crosshatch design.

Dried some on cookie racks and got these neat lines....perfect for to's and from's and all that!

I'm still in the process of using these suckers up!  I know...I don't have to do them all right now....but I borrowed some rubber stamps from a friend of mine, and I want to return them in a timely manner (though she probably wouldn't ask for them for another month...she's just nice like that).  I never understood the appeal of stamping... But, with the invention of clear stamps and all the fun accessories that you can use with them.... I'm finding them extremely enjoyable! 

Though, I need to use them and give them back before I buy anything else (because it's okay to get a few things since I saved money by borrowing the stamps, right?!)

I still have about 30 left...and that doesn't include the smaller ones I made with the new tag punch I just had to try.  I must say that this size was perfect, though, for making a set of Wonderland inspired tags.

Can you see the teapot watermark?

I've been making so many tags...that my little Girl had to make some, too!  This is one side.

And the other.

And tags for the Mother's day gifts she wrapped...

...and labeled herself :)

Oh, and as an aside.... I was so proud of myself for having her make a project from something we used to throw away.  She used paint for the gifts (I won't say what they are, in case the recipients are reading) and we always use a paper plate for her pallette....all the colors usually gets all mixed together by the time she's done, she even took a popsicle stick and scratched white lines into it.  In the past I would toss it out...but in the spirit of finding new uses for things, we let it dry.  I cut out some eye holes and contoured the bottom...and she made a mask!

She glued on feathers, glitter and some sequins around the eyes...  I thought this was a delightful project and wanted to share :)

Anyhoo, back to tags....tags...

....TAGS....

But in the back of my mind...I've been thinking of this...

Finally had to sketch it to get it out of there.  I went looking online for ideas like it...and came across this great site called the Enchanted Gallery where you can print up these wonderful paperdoll templates for free! 

It's so nice to have kind people offer things like this out of the kindness of their hearts... I don't know if I will actually use these in bringing above sketch to life, but I wanted to make you all aware of this resource in case you wanted to make something yourself :)

Oh, and I got an advertisement the other day from a vinyl sticker company.  They make waterproof/ scratchproof 3 x 2 inch vinyl photo stickers....so I tried them out with some of my artwork.  They arrived today.  They have a matte finish and are not quite as vibrant as I would like.

....but, I did a little experiment..... I've always wanted to sell my own artwork candles.

This is not quite ready for retail, but good enough for a gift for a friend...
For those of you who'd like to try the service, you can find it at Picstickers.com.  I have a coupon code for you...enter GET1PICS at checkout for 99cent sheets and free shipping w/ order of 5 sheets.

Well, I thought I'd get more done today (or should I say, get all those darned tags done).....but, it wasn't too bad, I guess....

All the Best,

Cam

Am I going Mad?....Yes!

So I'm sitting here on my computer typing away when I hear clanking, rustling and an odd amount of giggling coming from the back yard.  Now, I live in an apartment where the yards are back to back, so the sounds of children playing, neighboring voices, household noises, etc.....are not unusual coming from back there.....even had oppossums digging around once....but this was different....

Like the tinkling of chandelier crystals and the scratch of metal chairs being dragged across concrete.....

Like the tromp of footsteps thru tall grass...and an eerie laughter...strange laughter....high-pitched then suddenly low and booming like something, or someone of a delirious nature....

I walk to the window and peer outside.  What on Earth could be going on out there?!

I don't see anything out of the ordinary, but decide to step out there and take a better look.  And then I notice it...a little mirror that wasn't there before.  So, delicate and pretty, I decide to peek in.

It looks like my garden, but things are a little...off.....everything in it appears to have changed ever-so-slightly.....and instead of being clear, the reflection is hazy and much too bright!  I close my eyes, despite trying to keep them open...there is only white behind my eyelids...and when I open them....
Much to my surprise....

lay an array of colorful and magical costumes just beckoning me to wear them.....

and a gorgeous tea pot filled with, what I gather to be Cinnamon Tea....since the spicy aroma fills the air around me.....begs me to come closer.

Sweet offerings  and pretty fabrics adorn the beautiful setting.....

Even a cute brown Bunny has dressed up for tea.....

I'm enthralled and ready to join the celebration!  I smile and pick up a candy heart to pop in my mouth...when....*POOF*

It all disappears!

I shake my head in disbelief...and in dissappointment...who doesn't like an excuse to dress-up and play for a while?  I'm thinking I need to go in out of the sun...when the familiar, spicy fragrance of cinnamon wafts by me....and that laughter, again!....softer now...with an echo, as if in a dream.....

I hurry now, as if getting inside will make my hallucinating less serious :) But before I get to the door...I see this hidden in the Lavender......

It's For You!

Inside it says,

"Be Mad, be glad, be oh-so silly,

Come revel in your insanity,

Wear hats with bats and socks or spats,

Come dressed all willy-nilly"

"Don your mask,

And your glittery bows,

No need to ask,

For I already know....

Of course, I've saved you a seat!....

Now....how would you like your tea?"

Come join the Festivities on Saturday, June 26th

by signing up to be a part of this year's Mad Tea Party! The link is at the top of my sidebar. 

Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist is hosting, yet again!  I'm excited to be a part of it..to get kooky and have fun.......being my first time, and all...hahahahah! (now, I'm the one with the maniacal laughter!!!)

Hope you enjoyed the prelude to the madness.....

Have a wonderful weekend :)

Cameron

I am Here!

Hello my Friends in Blogland!! I've missed you so!  Without a computer, I've felt a bit like a Who in Horton Hears a Who....screaming, "I am Here, I am Here".... but not able to be heard :)....

I wish I could say everything is all fixed...we ran a few scans and saved some precious photos elsewhere, but have not wiped the whole thing clean.  The darn thing is mysteriously running normally....though, I'm just waiting for it to seize up again...  My thrifty husband wants to hang on as long as possible, then get a new, faster version...so, don't be surprised if I suddenly fall off the face of Blogland when that happens (it took him 4 months to buy a car after his was totaled back in November).  Let's just say he's very thorough when it comes to checking out deals and weighing options........ah, Men, gotta love 'em, don't we... ;-P

To quickly fill you in on the happenings around here....

Started making gift tags.  I don't know why...just had the urge.
And of course, I'm not satisfied just making a handful.  I have to go out and get the 100 pack!  I sure had fun dyeing them, though! Such pretty colors.

Finished those journals I started decoupaging for the Art walk last month....phew, glad that's done!
Listed them all in the shop to find happy homes :)

Over the weekend, my daughter and I had fun making "Witches Brew" in the front yard....

 ....from various mystical ingredients like....

Sparkling Pixie Potion....

Bubbling Starflower Stew......

.....and Wishberry Nectar

Those things on the bottom are rice grains.  We had a dish tub full of it for her to play with when she was little kinda like an indoor sandbox...No judgement on my housekeeping skills, please, lol...but I just found it the other day stashed on the very tallest shelf in the linen closet.  Thought I'd get rid of it by letting her play with it outside.  Turned out to be a bad idea....big gooey mess when mixed with Witches Brew....oh, well!

But, enough of computer troubles, housekeeping tidbits and "what not to do with rice".... I know you all want to find out about the results from my super Duper FANTASTIC Birthday Giveaway *lights are flashing, obnoxious music blaring in the background* :)

Trying to think of a new way to choose from the 10 kind people who entered, I suddenly had a metaphysical epiphany....(don't worry, it didn't hurt) ....I would use my old friends....the Medicine Cards to choose!

There are 44 animal totems represented in the book.  I decided I would pick a card at random...if it were 1 thru 10, great...easy peasy.....if it was a greater number, I would add the integers together til I got a number between 1 and 10 (like in numerology...y'know 32 would be 3+2=5)

So I shuffled them....

mixed them....a lot!

Then spread them out in an arc in front of me.

Hmmmm......is there a message I'm supposed to give the winner when their card is chosen?.....Hand hovered over the pile while feeling a great flood of gratitude...for all that I have....for finding a venue to connect with other kindred spirits...for being able to create, express...to give...

Then I chose....my hand moving to the left and diving in....

26...Squirrel...The Gatherer

2+6=8!  I wonder who the 8th commenter was?

Peggy! Congratulations to you....and thank all of you who participated in my humble little drawing!  It is such a joyful experience to be able to come here, share what I love to do....and have others care that I exist and appreciate my expression.... For that, I can never thank you enough :)

As for you Peg, the squirrel sends this message,
"If Squirrel has scurried into your cards today, it may be that you are being told to honor your future by readying yourself for change. The message could be to lighten your load if you have gathered too many 'things' that do not serve you. These things can include thoughts, worries, pressures, stresses or gadgets that have been broken for years. In understanding the balance involved in gathering, you need to look at the idea of circulating the stock of what you've gathered.  Call the nearest Thrift Store & give the gadgets to someone who can benefit from them."

One more part I'd like to share,
"Squirrel has another lesson which can aid you if you observe what is obvious, and which can prepare you for anything.  It has to do with the safe place in which you put your gatherings.  This safe place is an untroubled heart and mind, and that which is gathered to put in its place is wisdom and caring.  The energies gathered will set your mind and heart free, so that you will know that all will be taken care of in its own time.  Apply this to your fears of the future and they will vanish."

There is more Peggy, if this speaks to you...I'd be happy to give you the long longer version ;-D
Please peruse the shop and pick the hair clips of your liking!  I'll get your info after you have fun choosing!



I'll talk to you soon, as long as the computer holds out. *mumble..mumble*

Take care, Everyone!

Cam