Frog

Vintage...styrofoam...(I know, huh?)...soon 2b in my Esty shoppe.

Drool Book of South American Folk Art

Folk Art of the Andes

Another stunner from the Museum of International Folk Art, a super fat hardback with superbly photographed handmade art from the Andes (featured in an extended exhibit in Santa Fe).
The book is written by Barbara Mauldin, and I have to say "Thank you Miz Mauldin and Mz. Bartlett (visionary founder of the museum), for pictures so real that I 1. cried when I opened the book to page 20-21; and 2. got chills on page 250. The big tome covers all the major media of the area, from pottery to weaving, to jewelry, to religious art and regalia.

The last time I felt like this about a book, it was The Shining Cloth. Judging by that experience, it looks like I'll be studying Folk Art of the Andes for a long time...

~~~~~~~~~~ 

Random Etsy Things That Bother Me and What Moods They Put Me In

Calling a rhinestone a cabochon (and vice versa)

• MOOD: Frustrated while searching

Referring to oneself as "we" apparently to try to impress people with your professionalism

• MOOD: Unimpressed

Calling it "Lucite" just because it's plastic

• MOOD: Concerned about accuracy

Overpriced vintage junk

• MOOD: Scoffing

Copycats

• MOOD: Depressed

Calling anything more or less flat a "sequin" just to get more hits

• MOOD: Irritated cause you're steppin on my search results

Being invited to join an exclusive group for sellers that has a membership of thousands and also encourages buyers to join

• MOOD: Don't waste my time

821,000+ search results for "earrings"

• MOOD: Heading for nearby cliff to leap from

People who complain about vintage items not being in perfect condition

• MOOD: Almost a migraine

Constant updates to Etsy seller's pages

• MOOD: Groaning but willing to learn new tricks

~~~~~~~~~~



Simple Art Attack Greeting Cards

While visiting my mother recently, I felt an art attack coming on. And me without any beads or art supplies! So I hustled on over to Joann's with my niece, who works there (lucky girl). While she headed for the beads section I was stopped in my tracks by the 40% off sale on all paper crafting supplies.

Next thing I knew, I was loading up my basket with a couple of postcard-sized cardstock pads and a box of 40 bright cards and envelopes. Couldn't resist those $1.00 rub on sheets, either, and then let myself go with a couple of K and Company goodies (so sparkly!). While I was at it, I picked up black and white gel pens, a glue stick, and one of those fancy corner punches.

At the register, I found out I also qualified for Allie's employee discount -- woohoo! That kept the bottom line down even more.

Back at mom's house, I searched and searched for some magazines or old books to cut up and collage onto the cards, but her coffee table was totally bare as she'd just sent her old mags out for recycling.

So we headed out for a quick trip to Borders, where even after scrounging the sale shelves once or twice, I hadn't found any pictures that moved me, until my nephew spotted a little book of world mythology for under $6.00.

Back home and still looking for something unique to affix to the cards, I think it was my mom who suggested using old lace. The upshot of that story is I came home with a huge bag of her vintage lace, most of which were purchased for making doll clothes, so they are tres petite and precious, and perfect for cards.

Banded card stock (punched at 2 corners), East Indian image,
presstype border, vintage lace, teardrop rhinestone

Gold and purple cardstock (punched), Buddhist mandala,
vintage lace, rhinestone, white gel pen

Patterned card stock, 2 images from paintings,
flowered border sticker and vintage lace

Patterned card stock, image from a painting, rose stickers
(I have the urge to add some glitter to this one!)

All in all I've made 20 cards (2 batches of 10, each batch using one of each color in the box). Only 20 more cards to go, hehe. Although I'm back home now where so many other artsy things are distracting me...

~~~~~~~~~~