Release the Hounds!

THE SALE IS ON!
Just finished a Fox Box for the shop and I'm pretty enamored with it I must say! The store is now fully stocked with boxes, vinyl record art, paintings, cute flower pots and some holiday cards...something for everyone! For him, for her, for the gardener, for the tea drinker and trinket collector, for the artistically inclined, rocker or a record lover. Do go check out the SWEET DEALS- take 20% off the price you see by using the code BLACKCYBER1 when you check out. And all the holiday cards have FREE SHIPPING on top of their 20% markdown. All hand made! All hand painted! Unique and made with Love!
Where? Here! http://www.tigerbee.etsy.com

Everything with the exception of paintings looks to be under $44.00!

Let's all give a warm send off to my Bike and Bunny record, he was sold yesterday and will be off to California soon. Bon Voyage Bun Bun!
I'm going to make another treasury today to thank some of the kind sweet people who have put me in some of late and then I'm going to poke around Etsy's Black Friday Sales and see what I can see.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and found lots to be thankful for!

Thankful

Sitting here waiting for the cold front to come in before I pop a pecan pie in the oven and feeling thankful. I'm about to prepare a few items to add to the Thanksgiving spread and will be spending Thanksgiving with my family and not logging on until this evening when I prepare to launch the Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale in my shop. I have a lot to be thankful for and I'm really going to focus on that, today of all days. This will be my first Thanksgiving without my loving Dad there, a bittersweet holiday, but again- thankful for all the times we had together and really am feeling like his warm presence is always with me.
Be thankful for these moments we take for granted, that won't always be there. Remember to say thanks for all you have, that many don't. And on that note Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thank YOU for keeping up with lil ol' me in the beehive, keep it kind!


(pictured above "Snowflake Holiday Keeper Box" for sale in my Etsy shop)

Blackcyber1

Starting on Friday you can use the code BLACKCYBER1 in my shop when you check out and your discount will be applied to your purchase.
If you have another discount code -put that in the "message to seller" field and I will manually discount it and refund it to your paypal. Confused yet?!
It's easy, you'll be fine! The code starts working on FRIDAY but people are already shopping. And since most of my stuff is one of a kind I do suggest if you want it-you get it ASAP.
I have been getting queries and questions on items and some of my favorite things are about to go. This time of season is a big deal for us little businesses so I appreciate your business and purchase- you are helping me continue on and for that I am so thankful!
Going to ship out orders first thing and then get cracking in the studio making, making, making...I have a feeling it's going to be a good time for business!

Good Mojo

My spidey senses were telling me to wait to go to the post office and lo and behold- another sale! This is my favorite little record that I worked super long on. Thought a lot about my Dad while I worked on this...Mexican cactus and pretty palomitas. Shipping day tomorrow and good mojo keep on flowing!
Thankful!

Bzzzy!

Yesterday was spent in the studio working on another box. My English Tea Time got lots of hearts so I decided to make another in time for the big sale this weekend. Also worked on some Christmas cards and hand delivered a painted record. Busy day!
Today may find me biking to the nearest post office to shoot off that Ramones box which brings me to the subject of packing and packaging! I've been seeing some very nice eco-friendly ways of packaging and need to wrap my brain around my own idea about what works for my items. HMMMM! Any ideas? Simple but eco-friendly, not a lot of paper and frills. If I come up with any ideas I'll fill you in.
On my walk home from the doctors I noticed a lot of nice little things I could use for my natural wreath I'm planning on making. I plan on doing a HOW TO on the blog when I get that started. I really should go scoop up those little holly boughs and nice vines before someone gets the wise idea to rake their yard.
My Mom gave me some nice little pieces of wood she found, they came off some old drawers and have the nice dovetails and everything. I am inspired to make me a sign to hang outside. Going to poke around the web for ideas on using these little niceties!
Today will be THANK YOU card making day and that will be my Creative Challenge offering this week. Will post pics when they're done.
Everyone is off enjoying the holidays this week but a busy bees work is never done. Am definitely looking forward to doing NOTHING on Thanksgiving day..nothing but eating and enjoying my family. Buzzing off, keep it kind!

Good Mojo

SOLD! To the man with good taste on Etsy, whoever you are thank you! I'm gonna miss my boys!

one little, two little, three little treasuries

Good Etsy karma in the air this week! This is my third treasury...it's a mod, mod world! Check out the InfamousDB's treasury:
Arts+Crafts

So much clickitty goodness! I will have to do a Thanksgiving treasury and thank all these treasurers this week!

Black Friday-Cyber Monday SALE!

I've been working really hard to get ready for my big BLACK FRIDAY-CYBER MONDAY SALE. I'll be discounting everything in my shop by 20-30% so save your pennies because it will never be priced this cheap again!
If you have a coupon code you can use that toward your purchase on top of the discount! I have a whole range of things in my shop and will be adding more throughout the week, also lots of handmade holiday cards will be discounted too so add one to your gift and make it super special! I will ship immediately so your gift arrives on time. Peek at the shop and make your shopping list! TIGER BEE ARTS ON ETSY

Blogged!

A little THANK YOU to these blogs which threw a little love-ity love my way this past week! Check out these blogs:
http://elephanttrunkstudio.blogspot.com



http://grsgvintageluggage.blogspot.com/
and
http://hottentotvegan.blogspot.com/
Since my computer is running on an outdated everything it won't let me post comments to some of the blogs. Dag nabbit! Will have to sneak onto the boyfriends computer sometime this week and give you personal smiles :-)
*Also big THANKS to the friends who reposted my links on facebook, told your friends and put me in treasuries! We little businesses depend on word of mouth to help spread the word- if you did this you are helping me eat Thanksgiving dinner and keep my heat on this winter. Blessings to you!

Creative Challenge: CREATED!

I was thrilled to get a few bites on my Creative Challenge of the week. The Challenge being CREATE SOMETHING THIS WEEK- it could have been anything from a song, sketch, casserole (share the recipe please!), doodle...anything. Here are some creations for you to enjoy!
Featured above is Dexter Sleeping by San Francisco artist Rene Rodriguez. Not only is Rene a talented artist, triathalonist and awesome gal- she's also my sister! Dexter is my honorary nephew- isn't he cute! Sweet dreams Dexter!


Next in the queue is a wonderful poem/handmade creation by local (sometimes) Carlin Stultz. Carlin is one of my art collectors as well as being a wonderful supporter of the local music scene in DFW. Here is her creation Heartbroken and she has sewn up the heart with mementos inside, one of which is this little poem she wrote: "Teach me to sew & I'll sew back your heart.
To how it was before the lies & betrayal did start.
The innocence, the joy & hope for tomorrow.
You deserve it as well as I do, with no sorrow.
I'll reserve just a little space for me to abide.
So you can keep my true love & loyalty inside."
-Carlin Stultz
I think it's wonderfully sweet!
Here is one of my own creations this week:

This is just one of the many pair of TOMS shoes I had the honor of painting yesterday. If you scroll a few posts down you can read more about TOMS but the big thing to note is that for every pair of shoes thats bought at TOMS they give away a pair for free to a child in need. I think they just hit the millionth pair and are still trekking. It was really a lot of fun and made me feel warm and fuzzy inside to participate in this. The girl who got her cherry blossom shoes came to find me and tell me she loved them and THANKS!
Which brings us to our next weeks creative challenge. Since it's the week of Thanksgiving the Creative Challenge is to create a THANK YOU something this week. Whatever it may be, get creative and keep it kind!
(Want to participate in the creative challenge? Send your creation to djtigerbee@electriclollipop.com)

Gabba Gabba Hey!

Just finished a Ramones keepsake box for the etsy store. Perfect gift for that moody punk rocker in your life? Hey ho, let's go.....check it out!

A Tale of Two Treasuries

Have you ever just not been feeling the love? And then out of the blue you are pleasantly surprised from the most unlikely source? Well, that was me yesterday. I had asked my facebook friends to share my link around and got all of two people to help me. Little Red Hen much? I'm showing my age with that comment! :-)
Anyway by the end of the night I had been featured in TWO treasuries by total Etsy strangers, how's that for the world being a wonderful place? Funny thing is-they are both featuring the same record. Twiggy- you are adored!
Check out both treasuries as they are both stocked with wonderful stuff, first on the queue was a treasury by
GetReadySetGO with a vinyl record lean.

Baby, Put Your Records ON!
Check out the previous post for more on GetReadySetGO!



Get your kicks on CARNABY STREET at Flapperdoodle's fab little retro treasury! And DO check out Flapperdoodles shop and meet Ramona and Eloise, her fantastic flapper characters that are so whimsical and elegant I was smitten immediately.


Thank you unknown comrades in the handmaking army, thanks for taking the time to show a little care. And isn't that what it's all about?

Hive Five!

Many moons ago, before life got strange and complicated, I used to do a Five For Friday blog spotlight on Etsy sellers who just happened to be at the right place at the right time. That place being the Promotions Forum on Etsy and the right time being quick enough to just say "ME ME ME!" and be the first five.
I decided to resume the tradition ( and while I can't say it will happen every Friday it will happen at least once a month) and bring to you todays lucky 5, let's give them all Hive Fives for all their hard work. Handmaking is a labor of love:



Kneatknit Creations Kneatknit knits all kinds of lovely scarves and hats and I was particularly drawn to this "short" scarf- such a pretty green! It's an acrylic and wool blend and looks super warm for the upcoming winter ahead. Kneatknit will be running a Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale so go make your list and catch a deal!



Hampshire Rose You know darn well what is right around the corner, you've probably even stopped eating just so you can prepare for it. THANKSGIVING! Luckily for you all your fun photos and memories can be preserved in one of Hampshire Roses little mini albums! Each page looks so fun to turn and there are many themes to choose from so get snappin'!



Elephant Trunk Studio I am loving this print over at Elephant Trunk Studio! There is also a smaller mini version but wouldn't this look lovely framed on your wall? Love the "wrinkly" technique that went into this, lots of elephants over here-stomp on over!



GreenGabby is a new store and I really favor these unique holiday cards! Lovely design (you all know I heart Nature) and simple, not your average square card! These come with envelopes and are really striking, there are also snowflakes and other styles so go peep them out!

Our last Hive Five goes out to
GetReadySetGO.
Can you believe I only got FOUR takers for free promotion yesterday? GetReadySetGO just happened to put me in a Treasury last night as I was waiting for my fifth taker- and that dear sirs and madams is the stuff rewards are made of!
I chose this lovely case out of her collection of beautiful vintage hand embellished luggage and cases because- I have one just like it! Only it's not just like it really- it doesn't have that really cool black feather design and is rather beat up and dusty. These are wonderful for your cosmetics and have a gigantic mirror so you can get gussied up on the go. Check out her fab collection now!
Big HIVE FIVES to all the makers out there, you make the world a more wonderful place!

Would you care for a spot of tea ol' boy?

One lump or two? And do you take cream? Of course you do!
Just finished my English Tea Box which would make a fab gift for your favorite tea drinking mate! Cheers!

Commuting

Yesterdays trip to get art supplies proved fruitful as is proven by that lovely picture of my Paciugo treat! Dark chocolate vs Mediterranean Sea Salt Caramel...mmm!
I couldn't have chosen a better day to go box hunting, not only was the store fully stocked with new boxes but the weather was gorgeous. When you commute by train and bus you have to pay close attention to the weather forecast. When I heard Wednesday was going to be the warmest day of the week I marked that as THE day.
Overheard lots of funny and interesting conversations on my trip. One guy proclaimed he was going to see someone who he thought was dead but turned out not to be.
What a wonderful surprise it must've been to find out someone you thought was lost forever really wasn't and you could make up for lost time. He had health problems and used a cane. I sat listening to him and some other people talk about the cane he made out of pecan wood. When the lady he was talking to brought up making a cane from bamboo he said "Oh I've made a cane from bamboo before. You know those make good pipes and bongs?". He then regaled them with the tale that the lady he was going to see (the one he thought was dead) had hung out with Joan Baez in San Francisco in the 60's, his exact words were "they would walk down Haight, smoking marijuana and passing out flowers. If you can smoke marijuana and pass out flowers with Joan Baez then you are the right kinda person!"
Got a tasty lunch at Central Market and sat down at the long table facing the street. Midway through my charred eggplant and capers an older man sat down across from me and struck up a conversation. He was humorous and we talked about where we were in life. He asked what I did and I said "Starving artist" and then we both laughed at the full plate of food in front of me.
Turns out he is an actor and producer working on a movie. He asked if he could have the food I was going to toss to give to the birds outside. Apparently this is a ritual thing for him. We exchanged business cards and then I was en route to my Paciugo and art supply mission.

Saw a few of these boogers. Out of Service trains that get your hopes up and then kick you in the shins when they get close enough to read.
There was a generally friendly vibe in the air, strangers talking to each other, sharing stories and advice. Not long after I got home the winds started howling and the temps started dropping. Got my supply run done in the nick of time!
Todays project is finishing the English Tea Box I've been working on and visiting my Mom.
Have a great one and keep it kind!

Style Your Sole

This Saturday I'll be at Nordstrom at Northpark from 1-4 doing a Style Your Sole event! I can custom paint your pair of TOMS on the spot! I'll be there with a few other artists working hard to customize your Toms so that they are uniquely yours. What I love most about this event, besides making your feet happy- for every pair of TOMS shoes you buy they donate a brand new pair of shoes to a child in need. ONE FOR ONE is what they call it. I'm really looking forward to participating and helping the cause along. You can find out more about their efforts on their blog and check out their site-they have some super cute shoes! Be sure and come check me out at Nordstrom this Saturday in the BP shoe department!

Taking time to smell the leaves

The leaves have turned some amazing shades of yellow, orange and red and today I get to step out and enjoy the foliage. Sort of. I'll be en route to gather more supplies but will take time to smell the roses....er, leaves.
I'm going box hunting! Need some boxes for some commissions and I'd like to stock the store with a particular favorite- Tea Boxes.
I'm also out of felt and want to glance at holiday stamps. Slightly addicted to making Christmas cards right now shall we say?
While I'm out and about I suppose I'll stop at Paciugo and treat myself for all my hard work. The Mediterranean Sea Salt Caramel I had a sample of has been singing it's siren song to me for weeks. I will just get the smallest size, Thanksgiving is coming up and I don't need any more extra calories if I can help it.
Yesterday I did some more cards (sequin and swarovski card pictured above - now in the etsy shop ) and primered some commission boxes. Had a couple of friends tell me they would be taking me up on my CREATIVE CHALLENGE so I can't wait to see what they come up with. Slowly but surely the Etsy store is being stocked for the BLACK FRIDAY-CYBER MONDAY SALE. I'll talk more about that soon.
Until then, happy creating and keep it kind!

Challenge: Create

Yesterday I posed a challenge to my facebook friends: create one thing this week and I would spotlight it in my blog. It could be a dish you made, a painting, sketch, song, photo, poem, story, a well writ blog post...it's pretty open ended as long as it was created this week. Fresh and new!
As a gal with NO CAR I rarely get to go to art openings, see bands play, dinner parties, etc. I thought this would be a great way to keep up with my talented friends as well as get my friends brains buzzing. So check back for updates on that front mixed in with my usual rants and raves.
Did not accomplish cleaning the studio yesterday as my Pilates class drained every ounce of my will to stay vertical. Yep, the afternoon and evening succumbed to eating tamales in bed, napping with my cat and some of that TV watching business.
All business today though, Tuesdays are my Mondays. That makes perfect sense.

National HOW ARE YOU DOING Day or how the Like Button Killed Dialog

So you've tweeted how many beers you drank at Bar X, logged your heart rate and exercise workout on some fancy schmancy app and let your friends know every detail of your lunch and @what restaurant you ate it.com....you've had a BUSY day!!!

You've "checked in" to buy groceries at Walmart and I can only hope twitter.com/catburglar hasn't been tracking your every move and knows you're not at home babysitting the XBOX. You pressed the LIKE button about 40 times on your FB friends pages and that qualifies as "keeping in touch". Some people who used to be good friends of mine I only know are still alive because they "LIKED" a youtube link I posted.

The world is becoming weird. Do you know what your Mom had for lunch @what restaurant? Maybe let's "check in" to the real world and maybe send a comprehensive and concerned message written in the English (Spanish, Japanese, whatever you speak) language to a friend or family member instead of hitting LIKE and moving on with logging our every move of the day. I declare today "Ask someone how they are doing day!"
How do you celebrate this day? Simply ask someone "How are you doing?" be it a stranger or friend. A good candidate could also be the person who asked how you were doing and your reply was something that resembled :-) or THX!
And maybe lay off that LIKE button just a little bit, just for today.

I Heart Mondays

Mondays, mondays....the bane of everyones existence. I happen to like Mondays but then again I'm not reporting to a cubicle right now. Maybe in due time I will hate them again too. I like that Monday is the start of a new week and as sadistic as it sounds it is a day I put myself through a lot of pain. 3 miles on the elliptical machine, 30 minutes of strength training and an hour getting my butt kicked by Delia- my Pilates instructor who has a killer body for a woman who I'm guessing is in her late forties/early fifties. Yowch you should see this woman! So I basically physically disable myself for about two days after class. But every week I can feel my body getting stronger and I remember my very first class with Delia and how broken my back was and how weak everything was. It's enough to keep me on track every Monday like clockwork.
Monday is also studio cleaning day. I'm really going to put some thought into this today and try to make my studio neat and comprehensible, I'd like to submit my studio photo to the Etsy group pool. I have a thing for looking at other peoples studios. Nerdy, I know.

Yesterday I made some Christmas cards and gift tags and practiced "staging" photos. I think my gift tags photo came out pretty snazzy if I may say so. And of course, playing with Christmas decorations is always fun. I made a small advertisement for my Black Friday-Cyber Monday sale which you can peep here
and just tightened up some things in my Etsy shop.
New week, lots to do. Busy in the hive trying to stay alive!
Keep it kind.

Have paintbrush will travel

Keeping your eyes open for opportunity is a great way to not be on the far side of the house when Opportunity comes a-knockin'. Woke up to find that I've secured a gig for next Saturday...painting! I'll get a nice days pay for a few hours of painting work and I get to get out of the house and hang out at the mall. I never go to the mall. Maybe once a year. Will have to fight the temptation to go into Bath and Bodyworks and spend all my pay.
Thank you for listening Universe and please keep it coming!

Spent yesterday finishing the Mondrian record and completing a Chinese folk paper cut design record. Read a TON about marketing, what I need to do to sell for the holidays and how to take better photos. I am experimenting with these settings I never knew I had on my camera and practicing "styling" the photo. Here is my simple attempt at staging with my Mondrian record

Staging makes the photo a little more interesting and creative. It will draw the viewer in for a better look. Need tons of practice with this but will have plenty of opportunity to practice.
Today I'm working on Christmas cards and gift tags. Found some wonderful paper in my stash of remnants I can't wait to start on. Crafty weekend for me! Look for me at the mall next weekend, I'll have more details on where I'll be this week. Until then- have a great weekend!

Everybodys working for the weekend

And some of us are working ON it!
I've found that I like working on the weekend- in the studio that is. Have been doing lots of research on marketing, advertising and how to sell during the upcoming holiday season. Can we say MAJOR TO DO LIST?! ACK! I have missed most of the major trade shows this season but have to give myself some slack- I've been busy building "product" that was sorely needed. And now I have to make more.
Also interested in link swapping -so if you have an artsy/crafty blog or link let's swap and help spread the word together.
Ok much to do, much to do...getting ready for a Black Friday sale on etsy means more time in the studio. Have a great weekend everyone!

Freshen it Up Friday

It's Friday and it looks like rain in the forecast so I've decided to spend a good chunk of the morning CLEANING and freshening up the place. My studio has gotten a little on the messy side as you can see from the photo. By the by... I put gridwall up around my table to kind of "lock" myself in away from my cats who like to come a'bothering when they see me not giving them my every minutes attention. It sort of works, sometimes and of course my guy has taken to calling me Louie DePalma (the show taxi, Danny Devito sits in a little dispatch cage) which is hilarious!
Yesterday found me working on some Christmas cards and a Mondrian record and researching more marketing advice. One sale a week is not going to keep a roof over my head so I need to ramp things up, look for some local consignment places and hit a different audience. Should be getting some nice promotional materials I ordered next week.

The holidays are coming up and it's nice to be home and in the moment to enjoy them. Am going to work on some Christmas card sets this afternoon and hopefully discover some magic marketing venue online that won't require a big advertising fee. Being your own boss is the hardest work you can do. Poor but happy right now and sure things will start looking up in time.
The Winter Solstice treasury had three sales last time I checked. That is pretty cool, I am glad I was able to promote some other peoples shops and get them some business. Support handmade! If you've not seen my latest stuff go here:
TIGER BEE and if you want to get 20% off your next purchase sign up for my mailing list here:
http://www.electriclollipop.com
Happy Friday everyone!

Winter Solstice treasury

I'm trying to create a Treasury or two on Etsy a week. Here is my latest treasury dedicated to the holidays, which will probably be a recurring theme for a bit!
WINTER SOLSTICE
Candy canes, snowflakes and wintry whimsy- do check it out and support handmade!

Stew-dio!

Not only is the studio overflowing with vinyl, canvases and paper bits but I've added flower pots into the mix. It's a crafty stew over here!
Yesterday was post office and pots day and today is a studio lockdown. Only stopping for lunch and hot tea.
Featured above is my little JAGPOT, I do love my friendly jaguar. And then I've been enthralled with Chinese folk paper cuts and did a pot in yellow and red
these will be nice for little herbs in the winter. Start them inside or bring a delicate little one in from the cold.
Starting to feel the season and will begin making some Christmas cards and other festive things. The hive is busy and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Hump Day

Happy Wednesday everyone! Yesterday found me busy in the studio working on vinyl, finished this Mondrian record and sold it not long after posting! I really needed that sale to perk me up, I was having one of those bouts of the blahs I couldn't seem to shake. Big thanks to my official Oak Cliff collector Kevin who bought the record. :-)
I also finished a small record mirror that looks suprisingly well on my studio wall. Hmm, will have to make one for my own keeps.

Did a lot of experimenting with materials yesterday and also different spots to photograph indoors. Trying to ramp up my photo quality. I've decided to make a small "staging" area where I can photograph some of the pieces on the wall. Will take some time to get it right but should make for some lovely photos.
Working on another Mondrian piece today and visiting the post office to drop a Beatles record off. Feeling blessed.
Theres a little rainy cloud icon on my weather bug for tomorrow...hmm, good painting weather.
Jump over the hump and make it good!

November

Yesterday as I was out priming records I noticed a mosquito hovering around me trying to get a good angle on a bite. A mosquito! In November! Usually about this time I am rounding up sheddings from the trees and vines to make my natural holiday wreath but it has still been pretty warm and of course- the mosquitoes. Where is my Fall? I shan't curse it too much though because I do rely heavily on the weather for most everything. I need the good sun for taking photos of my art and crafty things so I can put them on the web to sell. Rain and cold temps are not conducive to good paint priming either. Not to mention I have been carless for going on three years and ride my bike and bus wherever I need to go.
I have adapted a new style of "grocery" shopping that involves me only buying what will fit in my backpack and perhaps a small parcel for the handlebars. I have mastered the art of tying a small brisquet to my bike with twine. While it seems the bike is enjoying a newfound renaissance of late I can't help but think my old 11 year old Shimano mountain bike as less than glamorous and view it more as my horse...my little packmule. Hardly anything stylish about it really. Anything too heavy for the backpack gets walked home from the Family Dollar down the street, not my preference to buy crappy milk there but sometimes I have no choice. But that brings me back to my point, the weather...I rely on it like a farmer these days.
Living simply and frugally these days but thankful to be working in the studio as much as possible. Each day I get to create is a wonderful day.

Monday Monday

Had a perfectly wonderful day yesterday at the Buddy Walk. I was glad that Aidans Angels were able to not only make their goal but surpass it! The weather was gorgeous and the family was in good spirits.
Buckling down now for a week of working hard in the studio. Preparing for the cold winter ahead and possible bad weather that will hinder me priming records so while the sun is shining I'll be priming.
Trying to navigate google analytics and other stat monitoring sites to see where my marketing needs some help. Thanks to everyone who has already shared my links to etsy and my website. Next stop some more business cards and such!
Started Monday with good karma and made another treasury on etsy, peep out other peoples cool stuff here: she comes in colors

Sunday Morning

Sunday is usually the perfect day for getting busy in the studio but today I'm stepping outside and doing something different. I'll be walking in the 2010 Down Syndrome Buddy Walk in support of my cousins son Aidan. It will be nice to do something for a good cause while reconnecting with family I hardly get to see. The weather looks great for it too.
Sold my little Jaguar 45 rpm that's featured in the photo up there and just finished a Beatles commission so it looks like I'll be visiting the post office next week. Next week will find me buckling down and working hard in the Tiger Bee hive while the weather is good. I rely on the sun to take photos and prime records, guess I better get on that lightbox making project soon!

thanksgiving time

Every day this week I've been in the studio trying to work on something. Just finished a Beatles record commission, my latest canvas painting, a Mondrian box and started work on a new box I'll post soon. I did want to pause today and thank everyone who has been helping to keep me going...either with kind words of support, feedback on how to make my site/stuff better, helping to promote by sharing links and putting me in Etsy treasuries, etc. So many wonderful people out there and I just wanted to say THANK YOU! Here is my little show of gratitude for today- I made an Etsy treasury with some very nice Etsiers stuff. Check out the wonderful arts and handiwork of these wonderful and kind sellers.
Thanksgiving Time

Electric lollipop

So I took some time to revamp my website finally and you can view and give me some feedback on it if you wish. electriclollipop.com It's the poor mans website that doesn't have a fancy shopping cart feature and all that jazz but it should do for now. I need to figure out how to connect my Paypal to it for easier shopping. Learning as I'm going. Most of my customers just buy through my etsy or contact me on facebook and ask for things there. Really want this site to pay for itself at some point.
Would love to hear your feedback though!
http://www.electriclollipop.com

Riding the Strange Waves

Since last I visited here my life has been touched with melancholy and grief. I see my last post was joyous and triumphant. How was I to know that in that very month my Dad would pass away unexpectedly.
I had always cringed a little to read such personal accounts on other peoples blogs. I wondered at how they had the courage to let the whole world know, the extent of their sadness. I had no idea, the weight of it all...but now I do.
But I won't dwell on the sadness but rather on all the wonderful gifts my father gave to me. Not only do I have a renewed appreciation for life and the fleeting beauty of each day but also for my artistic abilities my Dad always nurtured in me.
So in my sorrow I find comfort in the paintbrush and pushing my skills to those my Dad would be proud of. To sign his last name to every piece when it is done gives me a pride inside - that his legacy lives on through me.
I will be showcasing a bunch of stuff I am making for Etsy here,as well as my own personal paintings... trying to make a living with my own two hands and my paintbrush for now. Prepared to sack groceries should things get dire but for now...painting is my therapy.
My Dad wrote in my birthday card once "Enjoy the Life"... and I am and invite you to do the same.
Thanks for reading and happy creating!
(image featured: detail from my latest canvas "NEST: Little Dreams")

This One Goes To 11!

11 Songs of Jangly Rockin' Pop from Deep in the Heart of Texas!
The album sees the light of day today! On sale officially! What a long and winding road to get here. What a struggle! What a fight! And here it is at long last!
So where can you get one? CD BABY for one, just follow that fancy button up there. It will let you preview songs and download the ones you want or buy the whole album and have them send it to you!
It is also on itunes and locally can be snagged at Good Records. So go snag. Or if you're super smart and savvy you can meet us at the Windmill Lounge tonight for the CD RELEASE LISTENING PARTY AND RADIO TAKEOVER! It really couldn't get a longer name.
It's the long awaited (by us) release of our debut album! We'd love to have a drink with you as we share the sounds of our very first full length!
Bring a radio or your favorite boombox and we'll build a mountain of sound! We will be broadcast on the radio (Sonic Assembly Power Hour KNON 89.3) at the Windmill Lounge with entertainment by DJ MR RID who will be playing the whole album for your listening pleasure! Then we'll meet you over there for drinks and fun! The album will be on sale for only $6 at this event only! On site screenprinted shirts will be available for sale by SHIRTS=AWESOME
Shapes stickers will be free for all our guests!
Can't be there in person? Even if you can't be there in person we invite you to tune in as Lance and I will be ON THE AIR!
Listen to KNON 89.3fm or webcast at www.knon.org TUESDAY AUGUST 3RD 10PM
*Thanks To DJ Mark Ridlen and Reid Robinson for not only helping to put this event together but for actually working on the record to make it sound good for your ears!
♥