Friday, April 23, 2010

New Etsy Shop "Altered Revelations"...



I have had these sweet, tiny brass easels hiding away in a drawer in my studio for quite some time. So I played with some pieces of "stampbord" (great product with a multitude of uses) and created these teeny collages embellished with copper,metal filigrees. They were just perfect to rest on the easels! You can find these little burst of encouragement listed in my Healing Expression's Etsy shop!


ALTERED REVELATIONS....


I wanted to officially introduce my new Etsy shop called "Altered Revelations". I will be filling this shop with items that are created with the mixed media artist in mind. As an artist I am always on the lookout for items to incorporate in my own work and I thought it would be fun to create a place where I could offer these discoveries to those who also share a passion for mixed media collage and assemblage! Here you will find vintage style collections, unique trinkets, findings and other handcrafted items for use in your paper and fabric collage, altered books, assemblage and mixed media work! Below are a couple examples of two vintage-themed collections that are currently in the shop. You can find these and other treasures to inspire your creativity here at Altered Revelation's Etsy home!



GOODIE BAG OFFER: If you would be interested in helping me spread the word about my new shop by placing a button link for my Altered Revelation's Etsy store on your blog, I have a sweet goodie bag filled with a few Healing Expressions treasures that I would be happy to send you as a "Thank You"! Just let me know by email, include your address and I will send the goodie bag on its way!

Thanks for stopping by and may your day be filled with love, kindness and hope!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Colorful Creative Spaces.......



I finally got to the end of a long to-do list that has been following me around for awhile. I love the wide space that opens up in between crossing the last item off the list and before it fills up again! So I spent a quiet day in the studio and was able to create a few pieces. I added these new inspirational, vintage themed, glass pendants to my website today. If you would like to see more images and find these sweet little offerings you can see COLLECTION A here and COLLECTION B here!




I had the opportunity to create a special order journal this week for a dear buyer of mine who serves overseas in Iraq. Her only request was to "create whatever inspires you"! I love to create "journals as art" and often sell one-of-a-kind-journals with lovely metal picture stands to display them on. Placing your own journals in a special area of prominance, as art, is a wonderful way to honor this process of expression and encourage a daily practice of written or art journaling.

I seem to be entering a season of bright color!I am so drawn to the rich and vibrant jewel tones these days. I fell in love with these handcrafted "silk sari ribbons" and creations by designtalentedone on Etsy. She creates the most unique and colorful ribbons I had ever seen!I treated myself to one of her original hats recently! It definately brought out that funky inner artist in me!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Tapestry of Music.....

Music has been woven through my family history and my own story as long as I can remember. My father was a professional jazz guitarist and the sounds of his gift are etched in my memory. As a little girl I took quickly to singing and spent many nights with a hairbrush in hand practicing all the lastest hits in my bedroom. Later the hairbrush would be replaced with a microphone and the bedroom for a stage as I began to professionally pursue and explore my own expression of music. Sadly, I lost my father as a very young girl and we never had the opportunity to explore and share these gifts with each other. After many years of performing, there eventually came a time when I needed to set it all aside for a season as I let God take my heart on a journey to heal some of the broken places in my heart. My voice was quieted and instead my creativity began to move through art and collage. But I prayed the musical thread in my own life's tapestry would emerge again when the timing was right.

Meanwhile, in the years between, I have been blessed by the unfolding of my son Brandon's gift for music. He began to play piano at about age 10 but it was quickly apparent that being restrained by note reading or traditional lessons didn't fit for him. He saw and felt the music in his soul and just began to play from his heart. This past January as his grandmother was losing her battle with cancer he composed a piece for her. We rented a piano to bring to her home a few days before she passed away so he could play it for her. Later he played the piece for her memorial service and I offered my voice. It felt like life was beginning to come full circle and I could sense that our families musical heritage was entering a new season

Watching him play with such abandon stirred the musical longings I had quietly set aside. I have dreamed of writing and recording a collection of songs to comfort and encourage those on the healing journey and have slowly begun plans for this to become a reality. My heart explodes at the idea of my son sharing his talent on this project as well. This past week he played his heartfelt piece inspired by his love for his Grandmother at his Senior High School Talent Show (it is the second one on the video). Just wanted to share it with you all.....

Please pause the music playing on my blog on the lower right sidebar before viewing the video.....



PS. NEWSLETTER NEWS! For those of you awaiting my first newsletter, I am needing to take a little more time with it and decided to hold off its release until May! If you haven't signed up to receive it yet you can do so by clicking on the link to the left in the aqua colored box! Thanks for your patience!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Art Blessing Winner and Spring Break Getaway!



Easter Blessings to you all this weekend! I am happy to announce the winner of the Art Blessing Giveaway. The inspirational collage cube will be on its way to Lori Roberts at Altered Art Expressions! Be sure to stop by Lori's blog and take a peek at her creative world! Thanks to everyone who participated!

This next week I will launch my newsletter with another giveaway. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter on the left sidebar if you would like to follow this new journey with me and be included in the first giveaway!



Enjoyed a wonderful time away this week for spring break visiting family in Seattle. No trip to Seattle is complete without an excursion to Pike's Place Market on the waterfront.The fresh flowers, produce, seafood, street musicians and unique wares from a variety of artisians is a feast for the senses! It was a sweet time of relaxing and connecting with those we love! I will let the pictures do the talking!



My husband met up with some new friends! He obviously didn't see the sign below :)