The Story's In The Beads - You Just Have To Listen

Sleeping Gypsy Bead Tapestry Wall Hanging - $350.00
This wall-hanging was woven entirely out of beads, and hung on a natural stick to recreate the picture “Sleeping Gypsy” by Henri Rousseau. The whole piece measures 10 1/2" x 9 1/4" for the tapestry, plus another 1" for the fringe, embellished with bells on the side.

Onathousandhills is the brainchild of an artist named Cheryl whose medium is beads painstakingly placed to create pictures much as a mosaic of small tiles builds a larger scene. I never knew that anyone else had ever heard of Henri Rousseau, assuming maybe he was too obscure and that I just happened by chance upon his work one day. Perhaps there really are no accidents, and whatever (or whomever) you need to draw creativity from is predestined to come into your line of vision. From that day on I have always loved his style of jungle animals and thick foliage that seemed to create a “where’s Waldo” effect with all the little surprises hidden within the thick canopy of a tropical rainforest. (I went on to explore bead-weaving as one of the jewelry mediums I work in). As I said, perhaps there are no random occurrences, just a fulfillment of what needs to happen so that we can develop ourselves and learn from those influences our eyes fall upon.

It is very fitting that with this bead-weaving artist’s attention to detail that she too would be drawn to the work or Rousseau.

It is quite amazing though that she was able to create this masterpiece after only 5 years practice! I must say, that $350.00 is an absolute steal, so I really hope you art enthusiasts know how great an opportunity this is to own such a piece. This wonderful work of art (shown above) would make some collector blissfully happy, trust me; snap this up!

This piece is lovely also, utilizing peyote stitch for the bezel and tubular Ndebele stitch for the necklace strand. Ndebele was named for the region in Africa where the stitch is believed to have been invented;

Break Forth - porcelain butterfly cabochon necklace - $50.00
A necklace made with a porcelain cabochon, featuring a beautiful blue and yellow butterfly, the stitched bezel done in peyote stitch, using complementary colors, strand in tubular Ndebele (also known as herringbone stitch).

Doing bead-weaving myself, I know the kind of time and care that this next embroidered piece requires. This technique is truly an art-form and up until fairly recently has not received the kind of recognition it deserves. This bracelet is worth a lot more than she is charging for it, as its sheer artistry far surpasses that of the cost of the materials alone;

Shimmering Heart bead embroidered cuff bracelet - $25.00
This cuff is made with Delica brand seed beads and wood, with an ultra suede backing, to fit a small wrist, but the artist can lengthen the toggle if you wish it to fit a larger wrist. From the toggle to the end of the loop, it measures 6 5/8" but the wrist should be slightly smaller to get the right fit.

Cheryl is a proud member of Christian Artists Street Team;
http://castteam.multiply.com/

andEtsy Beadweavers;
http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

To take a look at more of her beautiful bead-woven art, go to;
http://onathousandhills.etsy.com

To learn more about the artist and what she is involved in on a day-to-day basis, read her blog;
http://onathousandhills.blogspot.com

Speaking With A Voice Both Soft and Strong

King of the Garden (ACEO) - $5.00
A print of a watercolor, pen and ink original measures 2 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches; the same size as baseball trading cards. The paper is acid free, lignin free, and 100% cotton.

Glory2727 is an art-based business run by a painter Gloria Wilson who resides in Holly Hill, Florida. Using watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil, pen and ink, and a variety of other sealants and varnishes, she tailors her artwork to that which she is embellishing, be it a piece of watercolor paper, a glass, or a bar of soap.

This artist has an excellent command of her medium, blending and shading to achieve lifelike effects in her flowers and animals. Using a variety of styles such as impressionism, as in this painting, Bird of Paradise (note cards), a tropical and dramatic flower endemic to Florida, her work speaks loudly without being too deliberate, not to detract from the spntaneity of the moment. Created using gestured lines, and light versus dark on the same brush; reminiscent of techniques used in wood painting and Japanese brush painting, one can feel the warmth generated as well as the movement of each leaf and petal as it curves tenderly and shines in the sunlight, its parameters more defined by color gradient than by definitive boundaries.

Bird of Paradise Note card Set of 8 - $10.00
These cards measure 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 wide and fits into an invitational size envelope. The 8 cards and 8 envelopes are enclosed in a clear plastic box. All work done at home by the artist including the printing.

Others are rendered focusing more on fine details, accentuating line and crisp contrast to bring out the soft and dreamy watercolors inside.

This card set; called Two Butterflies shows exquisite depth and richness utilizing both lighting and darkness to give one a feeling of vibrancy.

Two Butterflies set of 8 - $12.00
These prints of original paintings are 5 1/4" x 4 1/4 ". The box comes with 8 cards (4 of each) butterfly image along with envelopes.

If you are more the type who buys things you can use, why not buy something with a little bit of art on it in the process. These are not like the dime-a-dozen commercially painted shakers you find in Rich's department store housewares department, but instead original and one-of-a-kind;

Pick a Pair - $8.00
Grapes painted with acrylics on a salt and pepper shaker

Salt and Peppers - $8.00
Gerber Daisies painted with acrylics on a salt and pepper shaker

If you would like to see more of what Gloria has available, go to her shop on Etsy;
http://Glory2727.etsy.com

and read her blog to learn more about the artist and her activities;
http://frommybrush.blogspot.com

Living With Intensity!

Baltimore Aquarium - $300
Original, One of a Kind, Watercolor/Mixed Media on Heavy Watercolor Paper Artwork Size 11x14 Presentation: Beautiful Gallery Frame (Black with White Double Mat)

Pamela Miller of allyon67 has a very soft, dreamy style in watercolor, mixed-media, pen, and acrylics. Her subjects include cityscapes, and other landscapes, animals, still-life, fantasy, and a few abstracts. Some of her works are symbolic of significant life events.

“My art reflects my beliefs in love, warmth, generosity, loyalty, and honesty. I’m inspired by science, fantasy, martial arts, architecture, and nature (especially water)”, says the artist in her own words. She admits to feeling emotion deeply and uses her medium to communicate her many moods from peaceful, to flamboyant, to stormy and angry. The core message that comes through is one of fondness; of all living things, of beauty even in the architecture, an intention of working for the greater good.

There is a gentle, loving quality to a lot of the animals and people depicted in her work such as these two horses below, one nuzzling the other for a kiss;

Gimme Some Sugar Baby - $125.00
Watercolor on Heavy Watercolor Paper Presentation: Double Mat Brings Size to 16x20


Hearts and Kitty (#2) - $49.99
Original, One of a Kind Watercolor Mixed Media on Heavy Watercolor Paper Artwork Size: 4 x 6 (SFA) Presented in a Silver Floating Frame


Rainbow Rover - $15.99
2.5x3.5 * Original Watercolor, Mixed Media on Watercolor Paper * * Signed by Artist, Pamela Miller * Protective Plastic Jacket**COA and Artist Bio Included

In the painting below, Shy, it appears the girl on the left is hiding behind her long hair and her more outgoing friend. Painted in black and white the artist’s utilization of line illustrates the wish to blend invisibly into the background. There is a little bit of a ghost-like feel to it, as though the girl is observing while trying not to be observed, herself.

Shy- $100
Watercolor on Heavy Watercolor Paper Artwork Size: 18x 24


Pamela has received formal art training and other education at the Maryland Institute of Art-Summer School,
Howard Community College-Liberal Arts,
and Capital College-Computer Engineering

Most of the artwork she creates comes with a certificate of authenticity.
This is one online shop you should definitely take a serious look at if you are seeking some powerful art for the walls of your home or office!

To see more of Pamela’s work, go to:
http://allyon67.etsy.com

Read up on the artist and her activities on her blog:
http://pmillerabstractart.blogspot.com

Potions from Exotic Places

ZAJA Dead Sea Mud Foaming Face and Body Scrub - $6.95
Exfoliant scrub created with pure handmade cream soap, genuine Dead Sea mud, camelina meal, strawberry seeds, grapeseeds, jojoba oil, pure cane sugar, Dead Sea clay and rhassoul clay, chock full of minerals.

Aromaticbodyoils is an Etsy shop that lists its location only as Zaidat.com but from the look of it’s products one can tell that they are truly handmade in the real sense of the word!

The shop’s owner makes;

Whipped Shea Butters

Cold Processed Handmade Soaps

Hot Processed Body Washes

Lotions

Body Butters

Deodorants

Perfumes and Colognes

Incense

Candles

Quite industrious, this woman is 24 years old, married with 2 young children, a senior in college, but still finds time to sell her bath and body products on 6 different web venues! A minimum of 100 packages a week are shipped to customers. By her own admission she is “addicted to smelling good” and that’s why she provides so many fragrances, and I guess others must be addicted to smelling good too!

She takes pride in her items, but believes in recycling, so you won’t see any pretty packaging here. It’s what’s inside that really counts, and apparently customers keep buying, so that tells you it must work!

One of her unique products is Charcoal Soap. This is the first time I have heard of soap of this type. This set of soap bars that look like blueberry brie cheese has a long name and an even longer list of ingredients which are all natural, and is supposed to be good for a whole variety of skin conditions. It would make a nice Valentine’s Day gift to that special someone who loves to luxuriate. These products almost look edible, and they have some of the most unusual ingredients!

Charcoal Rhassoul Dead Sea Clay Shea and Chamomile Face and Body Soap Bar (tm) - FULL Log of 12 Bars - $50.00
Each bar weighs about 3.5 to 4 oz. Shape of bar may vary from picture from batch to batch!
Each bar is made of saponified Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, and 40% Shea Butter, along with other skin nourishing oils and herbs. Made with the cold process method of soap-making, each bar retains all of its naturally created glycerin. Natural handmade soap, 100% vegan.

And for natural skin regeneration there is Squalane Serum, a derivative of olive oil.

Pure Fitoderm Squalane Serum 1/2 Oz Natures Natural Facelift Perfect For Normal Skin- Acne Prone Skin - Rosacea - Dermatitis - Eczema - Wrinkles - Stretch Marks - $8.95
Apply 3-5 drops to your face and throat twice daily for ideal moisture. Moisturizes and repairs skin and is a natural antibiotic.

To see more of this great line of bath and body products go to;
http://aromaticbodyoils.etsy.com

Check out her blog to learn more about this proprietor’s activities;
http://www.zaidat.com/blog

Beads For A Better World

Dragonfly anklet - $24.00
An anklet for larger women with large, sexy ankles.

Shannon Saylor has thought of everything. She makes jewelry using mostly glass beads and wire and chooses the road less traveled to make her creative statement. As shown in the thoughtful piece above, even big gals need to be pampered on Valentine's Day (or any other day of the year for that matter).

Shannon belongs to the street team Etsy for Animals and donates money to charity for such purposes. The Buckeye House Rabbit Society is January’s Charity of the Month. She is also a member of EtsyBloggers.

She uses an eclectic mix of different colors, types, shapes, and sizes of beads in her designs for that “boho” look.

On her Etsy site, Shannon offers to custom-make reasonably-priced sets;
Earrings and Necklace for $25.00
Necklace and Bracelet for $35.00
Earrings, Necklace and Bracelet for $40.00

Blue Glass Bead Bracelet or Anklet - $24.00
A mix of blue and green glass beads, measures 9 inches (16 cm) long. It has a heart toggle clasp.


Tri-colored pearlescent bracelet - $5.00
Green, pink, white and silver faux pearl beads, with a barrel clasp, 9 inches (20 cm) long, strung on beading wire.

See more of Shannon’s work at;
http://ShannonSaylor.etsy.com

Or learn more about her by reading her blog;
http://shannonsaylor-etsyshop.blogspot.com/

A Bunch of Fruit

Rhodonite Briolette Necklace - $10.00
Necklace made out of a Rhodonite briolette bead with a Rhodonite tumbled nugget.
The drop measures about 1 3/4 inches long, and the chain measures about 16 inches long.
(Be sure to look at the matching earrings in her Etsy store; great for Valentine’s Day)!

Scorpienna is an Engineering student from Rolla, Missouri, who loves parrots and has one for a pet. The look of her jewelry is consistent with this interest in that the colors she chooses are bold, bright, and dramatic. Her style is crisp and bright with a simplicity that is unencumbered, yet never boring, accentuated by a bright white background in most of her pictures.

These below remind me of balloons you would see at a street festival, bursting with fullness and billowing out in all directions. The artist has a number of designs that are reminiscent of balloons, candy, or fruit hanging, and she has more earrings than anything else. Whether this is intentional or whether it just ended up that way I am not sure, but it seems to be working because she has sold 125 items since October 17, 2006. Aptly names, these earrings really do look like hard candy sour balls, now that I think of it.

Candy Cluster Earrings - $18.00
Rainbow, candy-colored cat's eye glass beads with all silver plated findings. They measure a total of 1 1/2 inches long.

Curled like a snake, this necklace has a creamy blend of colors and is beautifully photographed. The length can be changed upon request.

Pink and Gray Swirl Necklace - $24.00

Made of round and rounded diamond/nugget-shaped pink and gray swirl Czech glass beads with black Czech glass spacer beads. The necklace attaches with a silver-plated lobster claw clasp. It measures about 21 1/2 inches long.

For those of you who love contrast and oxidation, these are definitely rich with depth. These large circles are really in right now and the pink really pops against the dark metal. Again we see a reoccurring theme of pink and black (or a very dark gray) for maximum impact, using contrasting dark and light colors.

Oxidized Pink Circle Earrings - $18.00
Earrings measure 1 1/4 inches long from the bottom of the ear wires, with fancy sparkly, spiral-cut, pink Czech glass beads on oxidized sterling silver circles and ear wires.

You will be happy to know that most of Scorpienna’s jewelry can be obtained for under $30.00.
She wants her customers to be satisfied and will do whatever she can so that you will be happy with your purchase.

Why not pick a pair today?

http://scorpienna.etsy.com

Read more on the artist and her activities on her blogs;

http://myspace.com/scorpienna

http://scorpienna.livejournal.com