3.25.2011

In the Studio...

This week has been a busy one for me - I have been putting the final touches on a HUGE batch of new necklaces, and I was up until the wee hours of this morning getting them all loaded into my shop. Please stop by and check them out... With Easter baskets to fill and Mother's Day right around the corner, you may find the perfect gift for some special ladies in your life.... ;o)

Here's a little preview of what you'll find in the shop...


I am linking up today with Jennifer at Studio JRU:


StudioJRU

Have a lovely weekend!

3.17.2011

It's not easy being green...

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Did you remember to wear GREEN today? (For instance, like an article of green clothing, or, alternatively, blobs of green paint on your face???)

After writing the above, I got a little curious as to WHY people wear green on St. Patrick's Day, and this is what I discovered (thank you, Google):

The Irish flag, which features three stripes of orange, white, and green, symbolizes the Protestants (represented by the orange stripe, coming from "Orangemen" or "King William of Orange," a Protestant), the Catholics (green, the color worn on St. Patrick's Day since only the Catholics celebrated Catholic saints), and the (theoretical) peace between the two groups (white) (...so long as we leave Northern Ireland out of it). That's one explanation.

Another explanation was that the supporters of the 1798 Rebellion in Ireland acknowledged their support by "the wearing of the green," or a shamrock stuck in the brim of their hats. And of course, the shamrock comes from the tradition that St. Patrick used the three-leaf plant to teach the Irish people about the Trinity, or the three-in-one Persons of the Godhead.



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Another explanation given for wearing green is, "So you won't get pinched." <Durf!>

As a Protestant, I guess I should be wearing orange today. But green has come to symbolize Ireland (the "Emerald Isle") in general, so maybe I'll wear a little of both. (I don't want to get pinched, anyhow.)

Does your house need to get a little green on? Check out the prints below.... (plug plug):


Sparrow's Nest
Sparrow's Nest
Watercolor on Arches 140lb CP Paper

Abandoned Nest
Abandoned Nest
Watercolor on Arches 140lb CP Paper

The King of Love My Shepherd Is
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Mixed Media


P31 Ireland
Proverbs 31 Woman Series: Ireland

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands....
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. (v. 13, 18-19)
 
Acrylic on 3/4" Plywood

Shop for these prints and more HERE.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

3.08.2011

New Collage: George Washington

I've been working on some commissioned pieces lately, and I can show you this one now (since the recipient has already seen it)...

George Washington Collage

I have two nephews who have February birthdays. One of them really admires George Washington, the other admires Abraham Lincoln (and shares a birthday with him). Their grandparents asked me to create collages based on these two quotes as birthday gifts for my nephews, which they received yesterday.

Abraham Lincoln Collage

If you are also a fan of these two great Presidents (or simply like these quotes), I now have prints and greeting cards of both collages available in my Etsy Shop. Hang them as a set in your own home, or give the set to your favorite history buff!

I hope you're having a lovely week!

3.01.2011

Going green...

...but probably not in the way you're thinking. I'm not replacing all my incandescent bulbs with those compact fluorescent monstrosities or buying carbon offsets or whatever.

Nope.

Just welcoming a little hint of spring green in...


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....and basking in the sunshine when I can...


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...and dreaming of spring and gardens and flowers and warmth...


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...while getting geared up for St. Paddy's (which is kind of a big deal around our house).


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Even my prim and proper black and white shelves decided to get their green on...


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...and my shamrocks, which had been looking a little sad over the winter, are making a comeback... just in time!


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And to celebrate all of this glorious greenness, I made another green wool buttercup bag....


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...that has a detachable green posy pin that can be worn as a brooch....

...and a green swirly lining with lots of green pockets...


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...but it's already promised to someone, so it won't be making an appearance in my Etsy shop.

I will be shipping it out of Greeneville to its new owner soon...

If you are feeling a little GREEN with envy, you can visit my Etsy shop, where you can order your own custom buttercup bag. I am an authorized seller of this fantastic design by Made by Rae.
Are you going green too??? ;o)

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