Valarie Wade Illustration: acrylics and digital

New paintings

2011-11-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

I have posted these on my facebook fan page, but just in case you are not into facebook, I will post them here as well. I am also working on getting some aceo cards started again and will be selling them in my etsy shop. If these work out well, I will slowly add other products to the mix. :)

Long time, no post

2011-11-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

Yeah, the title says it all. Let's see, what has happened in my life since the last time I posted anything on this blog.
#1 I became a facebook addict
#2 Signed up to sell stamps with a couple of companies, one company I didn't give enough items to, and it is totally my fault for not keeping up with demand... (because of new job)
Still with second company, sweetpea stamps <---- so you can find newer stamps there
#3 OH! as mentioned above I have a new job, well at least it's kind of new. I have been with the company now for a little over 6 months.
#4 Starting to put stuff back up on etsy
The dream still lives to a certain degree.

Wonderful Zazzle Products Galore

2010-12-10T15:42:00.000-08:00

Check out zazzle for all kinds of wonderful products.

Mugs, mousepads, necklaces, iphone cases, keychains, stickers, posters, canvas prints, mugs, coasters, tote bags, cards, postcards, just to name a few.

Many many images of my mine are available.

www.zazzle.com/valarie79*

Christmas Angel posted on etsy

2010-11-17T12:12:00.001-08:00

Original painting for sale on etsy

etsy etsy etsy

NEW original acrylic on watercolor painting listed on etsy
only $35 dollars plus shipping and handling

a little bit smaller than 9x12 inches

New Stamp release

2010-11-03T22:20:00.001-07:00

My christmas kitties have been made into stamps and can be purchased at Queen Kat Design's Stamp Co. Webshop.

Available now.
I know a few of the readers can remember when I had stamps in 2007. Well, I am back in the game. Go check out these lovely little guys and help them spread some christmas cheer this holiday season.

~ Val

Kitties Set 1

etsy opened

2010-10-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

shop link

Pretty simple post, my etsy shop is reopened.

chat time

2010-08-24T21:59:00.000-07:00

Here's a blast from the past, for me anyway.

I will be having a scheduled chat on Sept. 3rd on the www.mytagart.com forum. The forum can be found by clicking on the forum tab on the main page. You will have to sign up to be a member of the forum to access the chat room.

Sept. 3rd
7 p.m.
Central Standard Time

If your are interested for who knows what reasons, I will be there. : )

the correct link

2010-08-06T19:16:00.000-07:00

The new blog

sorry about that... I have added the correct link to my new blog.

blog moving

2010-07-27T19:09:00.001-07:00

Moving my blog

I have started a new site. This blog somehow keeps getting hit with spam comments.

The new address is http://beccakaye.blogspot.com

I will keep this blog up for about a month or so before finally deleting it.

Thanks

Conversations Painting cont.

2010-06-21T19:20:00.000-07:00

Progress on the mermaid painting is taking a little bit longer than I thought. I will be finished by the time of the art show.

Some progress pictures are as follows:

Many more layers to go before I have what I was trying to go for..... some of my family members think she looks to fore lorn. Oh well, I'm not going to change the face now. I think of it as more somber and engaged in prince salmons concerns with the state of the river.

River Conversation

2010-06-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

Sketched out last night for the show on the 26th.

new works

2010-06-04T18:39:00.001-07:00

stuff to view

2010-05-29T18:08:00.001-07:00

New tags released today at Mytagart.com

2010-05-28T20:08:00.000-07:00

Drawing went to masonite panel.... (picture of that on facebook. I think I deleted it from my computer after I uploaded it, and I have it totally painted I just need to scan the final painting. Lots of blues, purples, and cream.

I need to take more time to keep up with my blog, but I've been sucked into the world of facebook. I visit facebook daily and neglect to do anything with my website or blog.

But that's not what my post is about lol... I got off onto a side thought.

4 new images have been released today on the www.mytagart.com site.

Don't forget to take advantage of the Mer-May promotion for the month. Great discounts on many fabulous artist on mermaid related tag art.

This is the only way to get my artwork online. I have no more licensing contracts or agreements going at the moment.

Upcoming events in the future:
Fairview Art Show June 26

Art in the Park- Winfield Kansas (still debating if I will attend or not)... this event is in October

I am trying to come up with a possible way to offer originals for sale. (prints and other items would be available from the wonderful printshop of zazzle.com... I have ordered from zazzle and the quality is superb : )

I use paypal and I could list available items on my facebook page and the blog and then list them for sale directly on my blog as a first come first serve basis. I am not a fan of ebay... I want to avoid ebay at all costs.

(shipping is another issue. If I offered flat rate shipping from usps, you know the ads if it fits it ships for one flat rate.... would that be acceptable. I know I hate overpaying for shipping and handling on items I purchase)

Just some things I am thinking about at the moment. : )

News and Updates

2010-03-24T16:48:00.001-07:00

I have a few updates to talk to you about tonight.

I am no longer a designing member of mygrafico.com. So all sets including clip art, digital stamp sets, and papers have been removed from the site. All sets you have purchased you are still able to use. So no worries for that. : )

Next, my paintings were available for tubbing at ami and had been for two years. I have decided to leave ami. That time was great and it was a huge opportunity for me. I thank them and everyone who had purchased images for digital tagging.

Lastly, I had taken the comments off of this blog because I was getting a huge amount of spam links in the comments section. I will turn the comments back on and see if my time with the comments off has distracted them from spamming this site. If it hasn't I will shut down this blog and start and new one with a different name. Out with the old and in with the new.

facebook fan page

2010-02-05T10:47:00.000-08:00

I will be working today on posting some dicussion board post for etsy, stamps, etc.
SOoo if you are part of the facebook page, drop by and share your thoughts.

new digi stamp

2010-01-08T18:37:00.000-08:00

find it in my etsy shop

link to shop on my facebook page

new etsy shop

2010-01-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

....well new items in it anyway. I do feel that I am finally at the point I wanted to be three years ago and have reopened my etsy shop. : )
Mostly digital printable files are in it at the moment, but I am working on making tangiable items that you can purchase as well.
I posted something about this on my facebook fan page last week. Look for me to really be posting a bunch of newer items in the coming weeks. (new single digital stamps, clip art sets, and papers)

Facebook Fan page

2009-12-21T10:00:00.001-08:00

I needed to set up something seperate from my main facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Valarie-Wade/50308952513#/pages/Valarie-Wade/50308952513

Auction this week

2009-12-09T16:17:00.000-08:00

My bad. I guess you wouldn't know about the auction if you receive the RSS feed through email or a reader online. I posted the eBay auction widget back on my blog. I have a .99 cent auction that I started Tuesday night. The link is at the bottom of the main blog.

~
val

I am spending way to much time on facebook. I totally forgot to post something on the blog.

New Art Update

2009-12-04T11:42:00.000-08:00

Until I figure out how to make a static blogger web page, I know there is a way, I just need to take the time and read some tutorials...I will be updating my gallery with posts. So here is the first of my new paintings post. For a faster way to find all the picture posts, you can click on the link on the navigation bar titled "the artwork" and then click on "gallery"

Also I have been updating my flickr site with the new paintings as well. The flick site is one of the big picture links at the top of the page. Plus for those you like to watch people paint, I have some youtube videos for the fast speed up versions or livestream for the actual time.

One more thing, if you want products, go to my zazzle site. I will only be selling limited edtion canvas hand embellished prints or the originals here. All open edition products can be purchased from zazzle.

Hello Birdie is one of four: others to be posted at a later date.

Originals for sale

2009-12-03T13:33:00.001-08:00

This is a listing for my hand painted christmas tree ornament. It waas done with acrylics and pencils and sealed with non varnishing gloss spray sealant. I have added a shimmering star in her hair and 6 circles of pink glitter on the outer edges of the snowflake shape. The piece is signed on the back 09, #1, Beccakay

Shipping is included if you live in the US. There is only one at the moment. will be mailed in a bubble mailer.

4 inch, watch the video on livestream to see it being made.

$12 includes the shipping cost to the US. If you live in Canada please message me for additional shipping charges. If you are returned to www.valariewade.com this is not an error, it means that the item has already sold.

New livestream video

2009-12-02T22:06:00.001-08:00

Watch live streaming video from beccakay at livestream.com

livestream

2009-11-28T09:38:00.000-08:00

I have a new livestream channel. What twitter for updates when I will be broadcasting. There is a twitter rss feed on my blog at the bottom of the page.

New group at mygrafico

2009-11-24T13:24:00.000-08:00

This might be a simpler way to share projects and talk to you in one place. I have started a new group for Beccakay Designs at the mygrafico ning site.

a new look

2009-11-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

Just a warning post. I am getting ready later today to try out a few new blog templates I found online. It might look a little messy for a few days while I tweak and revise the blog site.

(I will be saving the old template just incase the new ones don't work to my liking.)

Movie3

2009-10-31T15:57:00.001-07:00

mermaid painting part 1

2009-10-29T16:00:00.001-07:00

part one of my painting video....

I will try and record and post part two tomorrow : )

mermaid drawing

2009-10-25T21:10:00.001-07:00

the youtube video version... what I actually got the photos from.

Drawing version on canvas

2009-10-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

Ok...my digital camera is on the fritz first off. I couldn't get a good picture of drawing at all so I thought well why not try recording it and see if that works. So I recorded a video of the drawing, then captured the screen image off the computer, pasted the screen image into paint, and finally saved it. *sigh* so a lot of effort for these little pictures. Hope you like the before the paint goes on sometime this week.

ok after a long absence...

2009-10-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

I am back. So I had all kinds of fun stuff going on the past four months, but after going to a few different doctors we finally got it all fixed and I am patched up and ready to roll again. I haven't picked up a brush with in the four month period because most of my time was spent in agony....

New stuff... I have found a free to use website! holy cow
so my www.valariewade.com site is now being routed to my new website I am trying to put together. There are a few pages and some stuff up. Nothing special at the moment, just something other than the blog. I hope to have some originals and other offerings like digital stamps up sometime in November.

I need to take the time to scan my newer paintings, but here are a few bad camera shots to give you an idea.

drawings

2009-08-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

I thought I should post to tell everyone that I am still around. I am still not feeling that fabulous but am slowly trying to get back into some sort of a schedule.

Here are some previews of possible stamps in the future. I will be working on making them into acrylic paintings as well. If all works out, I will post the originals for sale on my website.

cupcakes

2009-07-16T17:52:00.001-07:00

I am slowly getting back into the swing of things. Here is my newest set for mygrafico. This is the digital stamp version of the cupcakes. I will try and get a colored version out by Saturday night. I just couldn't decide how to color each of them. I may make both vanilla and chocolate versions. : )

The set is at mygrafico under Beccakay and is priced at $2.95. The set includes 3 large 12x12 digital papers that can be resized to 8x8 if needed.

I will try and get back into a schedule again. I know for the rubber stamp buyers you may be wondering what it going on! Well I have a definite back log of line art for fairie song art stamps... I am working on the rest of the line art today, tomorrow, and Saturday so a new set can be released soon. As for my own line, I am putting that on hold for a little longer while I get ready for the only art show I have left this year and I am so far behind in painting *sigh* but I shall keep going and will get it all done.

Update

2009-07-08T18:52:00.000-07:00

K I went to the Doctors office yesterday night to see if my new cramping on my lower right side was appendicitis or not. I had been having extreme cramping there for 3 days until finally breaking down to go and get it checked out. No I do not have appendicitis, yes the new doctor said the bladder infection is finally over, I have occasional stomach cramping and lower abdominal cramping that goes away when I stop stressing about it all. So, I am going to try and put good bacteria back into my body with dannon yogurt, try! and this one is really hard lately <---- to stop stressing so much about everything and see if I can get the cramping to stop.

I am going to try and paint something later tonight and see if that can help lower my stress level to stop the cramping.

That being said... if you have facebook here is my new face book address:

http://www.facebook.com/Valarierkwade

still fighting something

2009-07-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

Bactrim Ds didn't work
cipro. didnt work
amoxicillin (allergic reaction, my muscles still hurt)
now on levequin (doesn't seem to be working)

I will be calling into the clinic again tomorrow morning. I just got off the phone with a Doctor who pulled my chart and told me it might take 14 days to get rid of the amoxicillin allergic reaction and to take an allergy medication for it and to call back after 10 am tomorrow to talk with the Doctor I have been seeing. I hope all is well. Wednesday when I went in, I was told that the infection wasn't as progressed as it was before. *sigh* crosses fingers that this will all be over by the end of this week because tomorrow July 6th makes one month that I have had this.

not much done this week

2009-06-19T20:26:00.000-07:00

I absolutely hate going to the doctors office but I finally had to break down and do it Wednesday of this week. I have had cramps and have been extremely tired since the 6th of this month. I thought it was at first a stomach virus, being that my other family members all had a brush with intestinal bacteria that healed in a few days... no!! the pain and the cramping kept getting worse so I went in and ended up having what the doctor said was a massive bladder infection, thank goodness it wasn't advanced enough to be a kidney infection. Anyway... most of last week and this week I have spent 80% of my time sleeping and the other part cramping like crazy. But the good news is I am feeling a lot better. (I can actually join the world of the living and the online)

But I haven't done anything all week art wise and I'm still a little tired. I will have to think about what to do about the art show next week. I guess we shall see if I still feel up to it all.

new clip art set fairies at mygrafico

2009-06-15T17:07:00.000-07:00

I just added this to the shop today. Just click the title to the post to go to the shop. It is also on sale for a limited time at $2.00 off my usual clip art set pricing of $4.95...so get it for only $2.95.

I also priced my just ducky digital stamp set to $2.95 and the weather papers to only $1.95 for the 8 paper mini pack. 8x8 inch mini digital papers to print out or use for projects online.

I'm still working on paintings and drawings for the show.

Just a note

2009-06-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

I thought I needed to write something on my blog. This is just a short note to say I am working on several new paintings (for the art show in Fairview... and some not so expected mail-in shows I found online)

I have a few doodles I need to squeeze in some time to scan and digitally color for mygrafico. Oh and I have started to make a new layout plan for the reopening of my website. For those who have been routed from www.valariewade.com , it is almost time for that to end and you will finally have an actual website to visit. (I need to do this and have it finished before I start going to all of these shows I have scheduled. Believe me, nothing can close the door faster on buyers than going to the website url and finding nothing really but the blog or a very slow load rate... <--- I've been known in the past to just leave a site if it takes to log to load. *guilty*

There should be a huge update this fall when I decided I would release all 20 + paintings on my website and show some on the blog.

Digital stamps will be slow because of the time it takes to do these paintings. I will try *TRY* to get some out possibly every 2 weeks...but no guarentees that it will be a bunch at a go. (maybe just a couple every 2 weeks)

To fill in the gaps on my blog, I think I will start showing some fabulous tutorial sites or clips I have found. I really need to go finish a painting I have been working on for almost a week. (the reason why I've been so slow on this one is I have spent most of the week in bed. I've had some strange sinus infection again and while trying to get over this run with it, I decided I needed to take some multi vitamins with a calcium tablet (from carbonate) <------ That one! The calcium tablet (from carbonate) caused an allergic reation. I am never taking that one again. I spent the past two days with a very ichy and sore rash on my face and other random areas. I still have some spots on my face that are taking some time to go away.

So...

With that explained, I'm going to go paint.

Now what?

2009-05-23T17:19:00.000-07:00

good grief

So I tried to make a painting video earlier this week without any success. First off I have a webcam built into my laptop. I tried to record with it, but the big problem was I couldn't find an angle that would show what was going on. It wasn't showing what was happening on the canvas at all. A lot of white and shine, but no drawing and the lighter colors of the paint wasn't showing either.

* My side note for the post... I paint on a flat surface, being number one my kitchen table or two on the floor of the front room while either listening to music or letting the Tv talk to itself. I swear it has been a long time since I actually listened or watched a show and was able to comprehend or should I say absorb myself enough in the show to know what is going on. lol My mind wanders off to other places while painting, so I guess there really isn't much reason to have these items going in the first place.

I don't know if I will ever paint on an easel! I have one. My younger brother bought me one for Christmas... I just don't know where I put it because I am a creature of habit and it just felt wrong painting with the canvas up right and tilted.

I might buy an artist table one of these days when I actually take the time to set up an art room or a craft shop. ( <----- for the scroll saws, drimels, carving tools, bits and pieces of random stuff such as beads, wires, glass, cutters, kilns, etc. ) I also have a bad habit of wanting to do other crafting things besides painting) I own three different sewing machines and haven't really used them yet. At one point I was going to make rag dolls with a pattern I would make. Many post ago I actually had a doll made from a very basic pattern I drew out. I think I posted it sometime last year. I had material bought up and everything, but I let that fall into the background with school etc. Something extra to take to shows... I may drag something out and try again later this summer because I do have a couple or shows during the fall schedule coming up. I have my 10 x 10 purchased and in a shed in the backyard. Ah!!! lol I told you my mind tend to wonder off....

Ok, back to the video thing. I have two older webcams. Much much older. I purchased it when any webcam that came out was well over $150 dollars and I was in my first year of college. I tried plug and go, because most programs can be loaded off of the internet and I didn't want to get out the CD to load it. I got an error message stating that the program wasn't compatible with windows vista. Ok.... I got the CD out and put it in the drive. Again... the cd loaded and then it said again wasn't compatible with windows 98, program configured for windows 95. No updates available. So a webcam from 1998 doesn't want to work with a computer bought in 2009. lol so The two cams I have from roughly 1998 and 2001 will not work even though they would be perfect because I could rig up a stand to angle them the way I need. The camera with the laptop doesn't want to angle... and I am not going to duct tape the laptop in a weird angle just to film my painting.

Soooooo if you are actually still reading this. No videos for a while. I still really do love the whole concept of watching others paint. I know I have watched many on you tube and am hooked on finding more because I find it very fascinating.

(cough cough) I'm also a penny pincher in a huge way and somewhat stubborn : ) but I know the easiest way is to just go buy a new webcam. It takes me a while to talk myself into a purchase so I would give it maybe another month before you might see a video. lol

I wonder if making a podcast would work with postings of pictures on the blog to go along. Kind of like the read along books on tap you used to listen to as kids. hmmmm??? something to think about.

Have you seen this before?

2009-05-16T21:22:00.000-07:00

Room made at ArtRoom

I went on a search today for virtual rooms. If you have ever spent time browsing art on eBay I'm sure you have seen these. I always thought it was pretty neat to show your artwork in a virtual room that scales it pretty much to size. This was the first virtual room maker I have tried and I think it work out fairly well. I thought I would post this to share for others who might have wonderder how this was done without having to use photoshop to do it.

It was super easy and the link can be found under the image to the virtual room maker.

Hope this helps.

~ val

a video

2009-05-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

Wow! I have no idea how to make a video or what I am doing. I googled to see what programs were out there and found out in my search that duh... lol my computer with windows vista has a video program already on it. So I opened it up and a little bit over an hour I have this. Why so long? Because I had to search for royalty free music to use and after a while I found a site with something that would work. Then I found the terms and conditions for using said music. *that was an experience* But I have seen so many other artist do this and have wanted to try my hand at it for months... so here is it. I really want to try a painting video next. I have a web cam and can record. Hmmm we shall see if I do it or not. Podcast is another thing I think would be fun, but I'm pretty boring so I would have no idea how to fill even a 5 minute show. Now to decide if I want to put this on YouTube or not. *comments on YouTube* yikes!

Acrylic painting for the week...

2009-05-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

We shall see how long I can go on making weekly paintings : ) but I really do believe that I need to keep painting them up no matter what the outcome maybe.

Here is the finished version of "Something Orange"

I will be listing this tomorrow night on eBay. I will combine shipping cost for paintings purchased on the site, please just message me that you are waiting to buying another painting before paying so I don't charge you shipping twice.

Wow! I love the mail box

2009-05-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

US is increasing shipping charges so don't shoot the messenger on that little note. (It shouldn't affect the cost to much on the paintings I ship anyway. I can always move to shipping with the flat rate envelopes that are $4.95 for whatever you can jam into them. We shall cross that bridge latter I suppose. I just shipped off the eBay auction painting from last week. She is safely on her way to her new home (the fairy painting that is : )

And while I was at the post office I had a pink slip (at our post office that means you have a package that is to large to fit in the mailbox.....

OH OH OH!!!! Guess what came in the mail?

These and they are fabulous : )

My deep etched, red rubber, cushion backed rubber stamp sheet 4 x 6 inch set Flutter Fairies #1. They are all prettied up in their retail packaging (extra cost, but so worth it if I decide to sell them wholesale)

I only have 10! When I order my next stamp sheet to be made, I will order more. But here and ready to ship off is 10.

The above photo kinda shows what's on my working table at the moment. The new stamps, which art 4 x 6 inches for the sheet of rubber and the paintings behind them are the current eBay auction mermaid and the mermaid I will finish painting either tonight or sometime tomorrow. ( 9x12 inches )

Last photo shows the current eBay auction painting on my work table. The outline around the painting is the acid free art bag that they all ship in. She is just waiting to see what her fate is. Right now it's looking like she will be shoved in the art drawer and saved for the Fairview show.... but there's still a little time left.

new work for the week

2009-05-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

The first image is a scan I just made of a painting that I just finished laying out and will put acrylic paints on later tonight. I do my best painting at night when I have no other distractions going on. (Usually I'm watching my 4 year old nephew most of the week... so when he is in bed, I paint.)

and I am on a mermaid kick for the time... plus it is easier to fit the mermaid in on the 9x12 inch canvas : )

Second scan is the side profile of my hand covered in lead from drawing on the canvas... it smudges a lot!

progression from last night:

I work in several layers and with blending.

Another acrylic painting

2009-05-09T09:23:00.001-07:00

I keep getting pulled back into the fantasy art realm because these are so much fun to do. This one was started and finished late last night... roughly around 3 am. : )

I'm a night owl.

"bubbles and green"

Now listed on eBay

Auction

Mygrafico summer clip art set

2009-05-08T17:12:00.001-07:00

*shhheesh* I had to really work to get this one out on time for the bi-weekly set submission I have going on.

Now I am going to take a little break tonight and then start on a couple of new paintings for ebay auctions. I want to have one up immediately if not a little bit before the current auction ends.

Newest acrylic painting on ebay

2009-05-02T18:48:00.000-07:00

9 x 12 inches on canvas sheet. I went out an bought another pad. The canvas sheets are thick fredrix canvas, just needs to be matted and framed after arrival. This will cut down on the cost of shipping and I can then reopening shipping world wide!

Title: "Sleeping Garden"
Date: May 2nd, 2009
Medium: Acrylics and colored pencils on canvas

Click Here for the Auction! Now on eBay

Big 40% off sale! Digital clip art

2009-05-01T20:14:00.000-07:00

This sale is on the www.mygrafico.com website for National Scrapbooking Day! Forty percent (40%) off all items in the shop. Digital Stamps, clip art, printable scrapbooking papers, tags, web graphics, semi-exclusive sets, commercial use items, greeting card templates, etc.

~ Val

new set on mygrafico

2009-04-27T18:17:00.000-07:00

I have a new digital stamp set on mygrafico. I started this at 10 am this morning and with a few breaks finally got it finished about 5 pm. : )
It contains transparent png and jpg files at 300 dpi.

New artwork being mailed off tomorrow

2009-04-23T18:00:00.001-07:00

I am mailing this off in the morning to go to the UK. We shall see how this goes : )

*painted in acrylics on the front of a yellow mailing envelope*

Greeting Card Challenge

2009-04-22T11:04:00.001-07:00

I have a handmade greeting card challenge going on at my beccakaydesigns.blogspot.com
site. The deadline is May 8th and I am giving away 3 digital sets and or images, winners choice.

If you are interested, go to the beccakay blog to find out more.

updates

2009-04-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

While I was moving my paintings out of the gallery.... while cleaning the mirror on which they hung, I cut my right hand on one of the hanging wires I didn't see. It hurts something horrible and it will be a few days for it to heal enough to get back to drawing and using the computer mouse to color. *OUCH* as I am finding out now just typing...

so I'm not gone lol just stupidly injured : )

Friday updates

2009-04-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

new for the week...

Working on a BBQ clip art set for mygrafico with matching digital papers.

Cleaning up more new line art for digital stamps.

April I will launch a giveaway / blog challenge on the beccakaydesigns blog.

(drawing new images to be used for rubber stamps)

and lastly, tomorrow is my last day in the gallery in the mall.

New! Rubber Stamps

2009-04-13T09:56:00.001-07:00

I didn't know when I should announce this. I have just placed my first order for my own line of deep etched red rubber stamps. (these are a seperate line from any of my other adventures in the stamping world)

The first set is 4 x 6 inch red rubber on cling cushion. They are not precut.

I'm not certain when I will receive them from the stamping company but here is a look at plate set #1. I have only ordered 10 to see how things go. I will list them on the beccakay designs blog for sale when I receive them.

I think they will be $15 plus shipping charges.

Tell me what you think! I have three more plate designs setting in the background waiting to be burned if these will find happy homes.

Update. Estimated time of shipment is April 30th!!

Three sets, one already available

2009-04-10T17:51:00.000-07:00

Doggie Clip art, Doggie matching mini digital papers, and soon to be line art in .png and .jpg will be available at www.mygrafico.com next week. (The clip art set is already listed and on sale for the Easter weekend on the site.

Hmmm I'd also better start painting new art for my upcomming art show in Fairview Oklahoma on June 27th. ...... I won last year for graphic design but my style has evoled since then, I'm at a loss on what to paint. I only have to fill a 5 x 10 foot area. : ) soooo maybe 10 new paintings plus prints should do it. We shall see.

Oh and have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

~ val

Preview New clip art set

2009-04-08T18:42:00.001-07:00

Here is a preview for the new clip art set I have been working on for mygrafico.com

There are 7 elements and they are supper cute to boot. : )

I will be making another set of coordinating digital papers to go along with the new set. Look for them to make there debut sometime tomorrow evening.

A journey back in time...what did my art look like!!?!!

2009-04-06T22:32:00.000-07:00

I took down my original website because art sales weren't making enough to pay for the monthly cost to run it.... but on my website, I used to have a gallery of my works. I haven't taken the time to set one up on the blog yet. I do have a flikr account I should link to... mayber later this week.

Anyway, here is a quick look at some of my past work. Way back in 2005 I started with a watercolor pad and scanned my images to show online. Since then I have had ups and downs in this journey called art. I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to quit it all... in fact I still have days I debate about throwing in the towel, but I get over it and continue to push forward. These paintings were made during a time before I worried about if they would sale or not...

I hope I have improved in drawing since my first attempts, but they do have a certain something that I'm afraid that if I tried to duplicate now would be lost in the process.

~ Val

Currently working on:

2009-04-02T11:42:00.000-07:00

These posts are to just give a basic idea of what I have going on...

#1 I have 4 designs I have cleaned up for the digital stamps blog and I will be adding these files to the blog/shop sometime tomorrow. (Friday)

#2 Hurray for ebay and their seller sales for listings... I have two wooden plaques on my art table and have plans to add 3 new auctions within the time period between now and the 14th. (I will update on policies ect. I have had time to think about what I should make my options)

#3 I am still working on finding out costs etc. for a big project later this year... stampers would be excited about this, I think.

#4 Trying to figure out how to handle my etsy shop???? Should I take it down or add digital items... (so still thinking about what to do next)

#5 My grafico ( I will start one new set and finish up with the mermaid set I have been working on sometime next week.) updates later next week.

and I think that's about it... oh!

SHOWS

My first show this year that I will be present at is the Fairview Art Show scheduled for June 27th!! If you are in the area, feel free to stop by and say hi. This event is free to the public and all items in my both will be for sale.

~ Val

ahh, I almost forgot, stamp orders my be a little late sending out if you order Saturday April 2, 2009. I will be out of town to a funeral. Orders will be emailed promptly Sunday April 3.

new free banner and backgrounds

2009-03-31T12:28:00.000-07:00

I thought I would mention the free ducky banner I added to the freebie blog.

As for art, I have several inkings on my kitchen table, I just need to scan them and hopefully get an update ready for the blog tonight.

New ebay shipping charges and changes

2009-03-30T09:40:00.001-07:00

Short and much sweeter posting:

Due to a huge difference in posting charges between shipping in the US and shipping outside of the continental US, I can not ship wooden plaque paintings internationally.

I can however, still ship prints and flat canvas originals.

(I think to with ebay listings I will post the original on the blog for grabs before posting the painting on ebay. This would be a paypal cart set up on the blog with inventory set at 1. Once purchased, it is gone... so a first come first serve set up. If it doesn't sell on the blog, I will be posting it on ebay.)

Ebay auction ending, new for the week

2009-03-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

My "bi-weekly" lol ebay auction ends in less than an hour. I have it all ready to ship, I just need to write the winning address on the package.

I have purchased another wooden panel and have sanded it down to a smooth finish. I will be starting the third painting this week.

Im not certain if it will be another angel , which have been very popular on ebay... or if I should try making one of my more whimsical cartoonish characters on the wooden panel like :

I haven't decided yet. My all time favorite image is the one shown above. Peaceful sleepers. but one thing I have learned in the journey of selling artwork online is that more than likely the piece you absolutely are so fond of is not popular with your buyers and the piece you thought should be trashed and you totally hate has massive appeal. lol go figure. :)

So for a run down of the year on ebay...

#1 sold and shipped to owner
#2 bid and will be sold in less than an hour:

______________________

now the new infomation: I am working on several sheets of stamps images. I have plans in the works and will tell you more in the next month or so once everything is finalized.

New images for my current project of digital stamps... again I couldn't decide on how to go with this image. Any comments would be helpful : )

And still busy trying to find a part time job, not retail related, to help fund my massive project listed above. I like to fund my own with paychecks not go and get financing. Sooo the faster I can find something locally the happier I will be to get my business ideas going again.

Best wishes,

Val

Free blogger skins! New blog adventure

2009-03-26T20:13:00.001-07:00

I came down with some sort of second round on the "bug" going around.... so I stayed in today and messed around on the internet playing with codes and html : )

Here is my newest blog!!!

BK designs Freebies

I have posted to free to use blogger skins. These were super fun to make and I will be cranking out some more in the days to come.

Digital clip art/ stamps example

2009-03-25T13:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick example of a card made with the soon to be added "just ducky" clip art set. I have submitted the easter set shown below and it should be on the my grafico site shortly.

Easter clip art set for Mygrafico

2009-03-24T16:22:00.001-07:00

I'm not listing this set on mygrafico until tomorrow. This is another sneak peek.

I spent a good 9 hours making this set which includes (hand drawing, inking, scanning, digitally cleaning and adjusting, saving as digital stamps, coloring for line art. Shhheeesh! so I'm calling it a day. :)

Folk Art Angel #2

2009-03-22T17:31:00.000-07:00

Link to ebay auction listed below: (I haven't figured out how to get the link color to change to something more legable : )

New Ebay Auction, Click here!

previews of upcoming sets and papers on mygrafico

2009-03-22T14:02:00.000-07:00

Hippo paper and mermaid paper are two examples of what is in the works for mygrafico. There will be matching digital stamps, clip art sets, and various other items.

Folk / Outsider art angel #2

2009-03-22T11:27:00.001-07:00

This one took a little bit longer to paint because I stained the wood grain that wasn't painted with acrylics.

I will announce when the painting is listed on ebay.

Mygrafico new digital paper set

2009-03-19T14:22:00.000-07:00

New set added to mygrafico. I just finished this set 10 minutes ago.

Digital paper set can be purchased here!

Also, the folk art/ outsider art angel painting is almost finished. I will be posting and adding a link on the blog tomorrow.

Weekly Updates: What's on the work table

2009-03-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

First off, I am finished with medical classes... and I signed up the same day I was finishing to do something I should have done 3 years ago GRAPHIC DESIGN! Sooooo... I have some more classes to take but at least I can use these directly.

Secondly, I have turned in my resignation to the Enid Gallery. I have been with the gallery for 3 years and it is time for me to spread my wings and fly. I will be moving my inventory out of the mall on April 14th!!! If you want any of the original paintings and your in the area you have almost a month to go purchase them. After I move them out, I will be posting the originals on this blog for purchase directly from this site before offering them on ebay. Anything that doesn't sell will travel with me to shows etc. So for the next question, no I am not stopping making original acrylic paintings. They will posted for sale online unless they are inventory for shows around the state and out of state.

I am working on:
* folk art painting #2 (original to be posted again on ebay)
* clip art Just Ducky set
* Mermaid set
* mermaid mini digital papers to print and or use on your computer

Other than that, I will be applying for real world work tomorrow to fill in the gap that classes took up. Fun times. :)

~ val

Digital Stamp Set on mygrafico

2009-03-13T14:05:00.001-07:00

Here we are. This is the cute ducky set I've been working on this week. I will get a colored version up to for my second clip art set. Until then, have fun with the digital stamps.

sneak peek....

2009-03-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

In the works, Mr. Quack and his duckie friends will make their debute very soon...

Updates

2009-03-08T12:14:00.001-07:00

This week look for a new auction painting for ebay. I am going to create another folk artsy painting... I am working on it today :)!

Updates for clip art. This week in class because we are finished and grades were turned in already, I will be working on my new sets for mygrafico. Check back later in the week for the updates.

For stamping, I have 5 digital stamps up on the beccakay designs site. The angel policy is listed on the site. (certain restrictions because of the stamp companies I already work with) Thank you.

~ Valarie

Winner of the Free clip art monster set

2009-03-05T15:39:00.000-08:00

The winner of the free clip art set with background papers and all is...........

Patti! For post #1. If Patti will contact me by leaving a comment on the blog (with the email address that you want the clip art set sent to) I will email the set off ASAP.

(I am turning off the automatic comment posting so your email address will only be viewable by me and I will then delete the comment before turning the automatic post back on. )

Art and why the delay

2009-03-04T12:10:00.000-08:00

Friday of last week I came down with a horrible!!! horrible allergy / sinus infection which has moved to my chest etc.... so I haven't made any new artwork. I spent all weekend in bed taking various pills which knocked me out for several hours.

I hope to be over all of this by the weekend so I can start painting on my second folk art painting and it get scanned and up on ebay. The first painting has sold and was shipped off two days ago. If I can get a good rhythm going, I will have at least two paintings posted per month and then go from there. I have two plaques bought and ready... I just need the energy to actually make them.

Same info for clip art and digital stamps. I will have two new sets out by the end of the month. I just haven't started making them as of yet because of all of the above. (any suggestions for sets would be accepted : )

I have plans for a fairy one, mermaid set, unicorns and Pegasus set, holiday related sets, etc. ( I do have one of the mermaids already made up)

If you have suggestions from there, just leave a comment.

New clip art set,blog giveaway

2009-02-25T17:01:00.000-08:00

This is my first blog giveaway. I am doing it in announcement of my new clip art set. You can win a set of your very own by leaving a comment below. The giveaway will run until Wednesday March the 4th. That gives you 1 week to post a comment below. I will use a random number generator to find the winner.

Only one set will be awarded. (I will announce the winner on the blog March 5th. This is a digital package and I will need the winners email address to award the prize)

If you can't wait for the giveaway.... check out the link below to purchase the set for only $4.95!!

This is my first clip art set and it can be purchased at www.mygrafico.com

or the quick link by clicking here --------> Monster clip art set! "

BeccaKay Designs

2009-02-23T12:23:00.001-08:00

After much consideration and some personal request, I am setting up a seperate blog for digital images and stamps. A few users have requested I start offering my stamp images as direct to you digital files...

This is why I have created:

Right now this is just the start...but I will be adding some files this week.

The ebay auction link for folk art painting...

2009-02-20T18:42:00.000-08:00

Click here for ebay auction

New painting plus some info...

2009-02-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

I really need to think of better post titles... (I have problems naming each painting I make as well!!! Titles elude me.)

Anyway, I made this 9 x 12 inch wood painting last weekend. I will be listing her on EBay sometime tonight and then re posting the link to the auction. I have never made a folk art painting before. This is the first one!! I need to find a folk artish style for some original paintings for the Blue Grass Festival in September. I have some ideas for my girl paintings... such as bears playing guitars and banjos ect. but not everyone is going to go for my illustrative styling. This is why I will be making some stuff like this as well. I thought I would try eBay to see how this style goes over. I haven't listed on eBay in several months.

These are the painting specs:

9 x 12 inches on wooden panel

I sanded and primed it before painting.
I then drew the image onto the wood and painted her with acrylics.
After that, I took out some sand paper and sanded around the bottoms and sides to give it an aged look. Then I put crackle medium on the painting. Let that dry.... and stained the outer edges before sealing the whole thing with non yellowing varnish. There is a hanger attached to the back for instant mounting after the winner receives the panel.

The halo and heart patch on her shirt were painted with metallic gold acrylic paint which the scanned image doesn't do the metallic paint any justice.

The info is that if you live in the Enid, Oklahoma area, I just took a bunch of 5x7 prints that I have listed on etsy to the gallery in Oakwood mall. You can pick them up directly from my booth in the Gallery for $6 each.

Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T17:05:00.000-08:00

I spent my day with relatives in Kansas. We spent most of the day making plans for the booth I will hopefully have in the blue grass festive in September.

I have to make my examples now and I must supply three photos of each of the items I plan to have at the event. This means I will be extremely busy during the next few weeks. I will try to show some of the items I will be offering on the blog.

These items will not be sold online until after the event is over in September. Why so long to wait and why do I need to start making now?!? After reading the application, this is not just a week long event lol, oh no. This is actually a 2 week event.

I have prints, keychains, and some originals. I have plans to create wooden jewelery boxes, necklaces, and some wooden wall cut outs to name a few..... but I have to have 3 of each asap.

So see you maybe once a week for the next month while I create :)

New prints have been added to the shop

2009-02-13T18:34:00.001-08:00

If you look on the right hand side of the blog, there is a link to my etsy shop. I have added a bunch of new prints.

Currently adding to my etsy shop...

2009-02-07T17:28:00.000-08:00

This is my first printable stationary set with a winter plus love theme. Maybe a little something for valentines day :)

very bad camera photos...

2009-02-06T11:05:00.000-08:00

This isn't a tutorial... I'm just stating a fact. I need to purchase a new digital camera. Until that time comes around, I have these very bad photos to show you of all of the precut prints I will be adding to my shop.

These are what the photos look like after many adjustments and sharpening in photoshop.

The prints I will be adding are all 5x7 inches, cut without any white borders. They are ready to place directly into a 5x7 frame.

.... next post will show my first stationary set .pdf file for printing at home.

How to make photoshop 7 brushes

2009-02-02T12:18:00.000-08:00

This is how I figured out how to make custom brushes in photoshop. I am by far not an expert. I find things out by trial and error. Hopefully this will help someone who is just starting out to play around in photoshop like myself.

1. Hand draw your brushes that you want to define.

2. Scan the file onto your computer.

Great!

Next open up your photoshop 7.

3. With the scanned file open, go to adjustments and pick brightness/contrast. Slide the bars around until you get a good black and white image file. ( You can also use curves to achieve a better black and white file )

4. After the file has been adjusted, pick the lasso tool. I have it circled in blue on the picture below. Draw a circle around the image you want to define as your brush. I have the lasso selecting the flower image...

Under the edit tab, go down the list until you reach "define brush".

Name your new brush file : )

As you can see, repeat step 4 to select, define, and name the remaining images.
Below I have a few of my new brushes stamped out with red.

Once you are happy with the brushes, save them with a new set name.

And you are finished. You can share your brushes with others or just make a bunch of new sets for your own personal use.

Etsy,My journey.

2009-02-01T11:46:00.000-08:00

I started my current etsy shop Febuary of 2007. It has been 2 years! wow...

Anyway, I didn't do any planning when I opened up my shop. I didn't think of a branding name. I just signed up with an online user name I have called myself since I first was on the internet as a teenager.

Either later this month or March I am opening up a completely new shop with a catchy name and items that have a similar direction in mind. This weekend I have been printing, measuring, framing, and creating all to get to the final goal.

I will be announcing my first blog giveaway mid February with one of my shops new artist proof prints.

Now I will retreat to finish up some etsy listing pictures so when I launch the shop, I will be ready to go full fledged.

~ val

p.s.

( I have been thinking about going with my middle name because there is another valarie wade that sells online furniture and people keep getting the two confused.)

New Drawings for the week

2009-01-31T10:47:00.000-08:00

I have two new sketches to share with my readers. They were created last weekend while I was sitting in the gallery in the mall.

The elephant has been redrawn and painted on canvas. Once it is finished I will add a photo to the blog.

how to upload a free to use blogger template

2009-01-30T11:40:00.000-08:00

This is how I have figured out how to update my blogger page. This is just a basic post on how to upload and use your free to use blogger template. First off just do a google search to find a free to use template.

After you have found and downloaded your template, extract the file onto your computer where you can easily find it again. I use win achieve to extract files. It is a free to use program.

Next: log into your blogger account.
Like the image below, click on the layout tab followed by edit html....

This is the next step. On the edit html page there is the "upload a template from a file on your hard drive" Underlined in blue below: click to this to find the file that you extracted earlier and saved where you know how to find it.

This is just a picture of me picking the new template:

Once it is selected, there will be a message stating that you agree to delete your old widgets. The new template you picked may or may not have your widgets built into the file. Click that you agree to delete the widgets.

Now your new template is ready to view and has been saved. : )

Saving Widgets: This is an extra step I take before uploading a new layout.....

Before!! adding the new template if you want to keep the widgets you added with html go to the layout tab and click on page elements:

Next open up notepad...
You are going to use notepad to save your html to cut and paste into your new widgets after the template change.

and that's it. After the change, just add new html widgets and instead of logging onto all the different accounts to get the files, you now have them all on the notepad document. This made it a lot faster to update my site.

Hope this helps.

For more hints and tips check out the tutorial category on the right side of the blog. I am working on more to add to the list each week.

New digital package

2009-01-28T20:34:00.000-08:00

Dital package 11 has been released with AMI for your digital tagging needs.

To see the package visit www.artisticmindsinc.com

Three of the images included in the package are my dollies created last year.

snow days and artwork

2009-01-27T20:13:00.000-08:00

I have had my classes canceled for tomorrow and I was out of classes today because of the ice storm in my area. : ) that has made a lot of extra time for artwork. I have also made three blog post ahead of time. Thank you blogger for scheduled posts!!!

Here is a peek at what I have been working on today. I love the idea of .pdf files. I have one set of .pdf embroidery patterns in my etsy shop at the moment... so why not printable items as well.

This is my first set of printables that will be added to my etsy shop depending on my connection. With ice, I may end up loosing my internet connection tomorrow.

Anyway.....

There's an Etsy blog party going on!

2009-01-27T13:24:00.001-08:00

The party is going on right now with some wonderful free giveaways. Hurry go and check out the party at .... Bella Casa

Free to use scrapbook paper for valentines day

2009-01-24T12:11:00.000-08:00

I spent much of this morning working on blog posts content. I have been working on a tutorial for how to make photoshop brushes from scanned files. The tutorial is almost complete so keep a look out for this. I will be adding a tutorial section to the categories list.

With some of the brushes I made during the tutorial, I went ahead and made a couple of free to use digital background pages. You can use these for digital scrapbooking, digital tagging, print them and use them for card making, and/or scrapbook pages.

SIZE: 8.5 x 11 inches or approximately 8.5 x 11 inches
DPI: 300
saved as: .png file

(if you post about the paper please link back to the blog...if you are able to use it in an item you made, I would love to see it : )

~ valarie

Promoting your art on artwanted.com

2009-01-19T12:26:00.000-08:00

For those who are curious about where I started promoting my artwork online, this post is for you.

ArtWanted.com
is a free to join art community. I discovered and joined artwanted.com in 2005.

There are two types of accounts on artwanted.com
the basic and the premium membership. I have had a basic account from the beginning. With a basic account you are limited to a total of 200 portfolio images.... and a maxium of 3 image uploads per month. (this may have changed since I didn't see this message on my control panel). I have had over 12000 unique views to my account for 2008. This has been directly from the site because I haven't given out the url to this account page, except the one from my blog!

How! Users view images from the search directory on the site. With keywords, categories, art of the day promotions, and best of the day in several different categories.

From the control panel you have the following options:

Upload artwork
manage portfolio
portfolio statistics: image shown
portfolio feedback
manage favorites
edit contact info
user preferences
print program: you must have a premium membership for the print program
referral program
bank account
premium upgrade
and back to main menu

click image to view larger: This shows the views of my art for 2009. This is the mid point of the month! I already have 403 views.

My two favorite options on the portfolio stats page is image stats. The break down for image stats is by month and listed for each upload artwork. From this, you can see what are the most popular listings you have availalbe for viewing.

Click to view larger image:

On the above image I have four areas circled. First in red is the button option you need to click in the user area on your portfolio page. These options are found to the left of the page. After clicking on the link you then see the drop down options listed underneath. Click the image hits. I circled this in yellow. From this you will see the screen showen above for your images. The image is listed, followed by the rating (this is an option you can turn on for each image. users rate the image on a scale of 1 to 10 My 9's and 10's came after I had been drawing for a while. I do have some 7.5s of my earlier work. It's just a fun way to get some feedback from the viewers. ) Next is total hits for the month for each image.

My second favorite link is the comments link. You see the images icon followed by the date of comment and the comment itself.

Click to view larger image:

Not only is this a fabulous place to show your art, you have the option of listing the originals for sale. When you upload the image on to the site there is a place to type all of the artwork information such as image size, medium, etc. You set the selling price you would like to receive. Artwanted takes a 15% commission from the sales if the site accepts the payment. If you receive the payment from a paypal account, there is no commission fee taken.

Then there is a print program. The print program takes a premium membership that is only $5 per month or a yearly fee of $39. That's a great bargin! Consideriing how many views I already receive...

Some of the items available in the print program are mugs, tee shirts, mousepads, canvas prints, and many others. You of course then earn a commission on each sale of items with your unique artwork.

___________________________________

Another interesting thing ArtWanted.com
does is hold submissions for their yearly calendar. Any artist on the site may submit to be considered for the calendar. Submissions start sometime mid year.

To find out about art calendar submissions you might want to check out the very active message boards on the site. There are a few members only boards, but the majority of them are open to the public. From the forums you can find art contests, artist support groups, and art critiques. Are you looking for a job in the art field? Art wanted has a classified ads section post in the community online forum.

There is so much information on the site and things to do I haven't fully utilized it. This was my starting point, and it's free. I highly suggest you check out ArtWanted.com

Selling Art Online #2 : Separation

2009-01-13T15:27:00.000-08:00

So here is my second post for selling art online. These posts are little blurbs about my own experiences and mistakes of online marketing. Maybe we can learn together. : )

When I first started blogging and didn't really understand about reader content... and well, if you look at most of the blog actually, I'm still trying to learn this. I used to be a very active "chat room" and ICQ user back in the day and had no problems talking to people online, in fact I loved meeting new people. When it comes to trying to promote myself or my art I fall short. It doesn't come natural to me. I feel like I'm trying to hard to push my way along with not to much success.
This in turn leaves me extremely tired. I have tons of back files but they may never surface because I have not learned the key of separation of your self and your art.

I would say I'm over sensitive. I hate giving or taking criticism, but this seems to be a part of selling art. I know I am one of my biggest critics. Personally I think several of my drawings are far below my expectations. lol (I'm told this is an artist personalty, fabulous. : )

The lesson I must learn and most others must learn as well with putting yourself out there is: Not everyone is going to think your art is the cats meow. ( Gush)

People have different tastes and that's what makes us unique.

That being said... If you can get beyond the critics, you can also realize that because people have such a large range of likes and dislikes there is probably a market out there for your style. Don't despair!

Personally, I'm still trying to find my niche.

~ Valarie

( I have a few shows this year and will be trying to keep all of this in mind because I will be seeing reactions and interacting with people IRL. fun times immediate approval or disapproval. I'd better find a protective shell to hide in. )

New artwork

2009-01-12T17:26:00.000-08:00

I spent today working in photoshop. These are my accomplishments for the day...
Now I'm tired.

I guess we shall see what the rest of the week will bring.

watch you step :)

2009-01-11T21:18:00.000-08:00

Oh my! I think I have finally found a blog layout that I am totally in love with.

Watch your step though... after tweaking and adjusting most of the day I'm still not finished. I should have the links and new pages added sometime tomorrow after I get out of my morning classes.

Thanks for understanding.

~ val

A thank you to the card makers : )

2009-01-08T16:05:00.000-08:00

I've had a few people stop by the blog because of the stamps I have created during the past two years. Some of my website visitors may not know about them. Two years ago I agreed to make some designs for rubber stamp plates and I thought I would share a few of those images here with links to the creators blogs.

This card was created by dawnsrubberroom.blogspot.com

This card was created by dannisdreamscrafts.blogspot.com/

This card was created by sparkleshimmerandtwinkle.blogspot.com/

I also have a series of stamps made in England. Here are some lovely from this newer series... and of course links to their prospective blogs.

by DT member Sarah - of CraftsByCarolyn fame - 'Primaflower'

Taken from the dewdrop craftz blog.dewdropcraftz.blogspot.com/

Please respect the rights of the card designers and do not copy the cards. These are for references only : ) I just thought I would make a post on my blog to share some of their wonderful talent and give the links to check out some fab blogs.

~ Val

Update week 01/05/09

2009-01-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

First off I have an original mixed media watercolor painting in the etsy shop.

I finally figured out how to keep all the detail from my hand drawn scans and how to color them in photoshop. There are several back files I have to work on and they will be added to the etsy shop as prints in the next few weeks. (no one in my area carries the ink for my professional printer...*sigh* I found that out last week when I needed to buy three cartridges! I was upset but thanks to the internet I'm not out of options. I have placed my order and should have them at the end of this week. Until then, no new artwork prints can be added to the online shop.)

For AMI, I will be submitting a bunch of backfiles for tagging options.

For Embroidery patterns... I am working on several different .pdf files and I may be dropping the price to $3.00 for each set in my etsy shop.

I hate to give delines for all of this because I have learned that life tends to get in the way when you commit for a deadline. Let's just say by the end of this month the patterns should be listed.

Selling online (A series of posts #1)

2009-01-01T14:40:00.001-08:00

I have thought a lot about why do I read the blogs that I do.... Because I love to research and learn new techniques and secrets I wouldn't have found out any other way. It's so fabulous to find some hint or suggestion that you bookmark to read over again just to let the information sink in. I will be covering in the next few posts how I research and find items, some of my favorite book marked resources that I use and order from for my supplies and products, information about preparing digital documents, and finally creating traditional works.

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The best place to start would be the beginning. (I thought about adding my drawing history, but I think I will save this for another post)

I jumped on the ebay wagon way back in 1999. I was buying on ebay but never thought about selling on ebay. I didn't discover self representing artist until 2004. With the self representing artist category I found out about ACEO cards!

If you want to try your hand at selling some artwork online, ACEO art cards are a pretty good place to start. Many people collect art cards. ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals". The number one rule for the cards are: they are 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches - the size of a trading card.

I personally measure and cut my own cards out of watercolor paper or bristol vellum. Just make sure your measurements are correct! Some artist buy card decks and paint over them. Anything goes from there! Collages, woodburning, painting, mixed media, pencils, watercolor....
Some people draw the card size on the paper and paint the card images out before cutting. This is probably an easy method...I'm just so used to drawing on precut cards.
Cards are also sold either as originals or editions. Make sure you know which you are buying! If it is a print it should say so, and it should be numbered and signed, usually on the back.

Flickr would be another great place to view ACEO cards. I'm sure there's a group on flickr.

When I first started selling ACEO cards on ebay I joined the group
http://www.art-cards.org/ to learn more about this hobby.

I occasionally do a few cards each year just because this is the art form I started with. : )

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T15:56:00.000-08:00

To you and yours.

See you on the blog in 2009! : )
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Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne?

Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl't in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o' thine,
And we'll tak a right guid willie-waught
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint' stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

Translation:

Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And days of long ago !

Chorus:
For old long ago, my dear
For old long ago,
We will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago.

We two have run about the hillsides
And pulled the daisies fine,
But we have wandered many a weary foot
For old long ago.

We two have paddled (waded) in the stream
From noon until dinner time,
But seas between us broad have roared
Since old long ago.

And there is a hand, my trusty friend,
And give us a hand of yours,
And we will take a goodwill draught (of ale)
For old long ago!

And surely you will pay for your pint,
And surely I will pay for mine!
And we will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago!

new sketches

2008-12-30T14:31:00.000-08:00

Not to much to talk about this evening. Pictures speak louder than words in my world so here are the new sketches I have for the week. I still don't know if I should color these digitally or the traditional way.

My digital kid room animal prints have been deactivated on etsy because the 90 days after posting has expired. I am thinking about opening an art fire account and see if I can sell more successfully on there. My listings just seem to fade into the jumbled up massive uploads.... they sell rather fast in the local gallery. I just need to find a place to be seen.

Twitter

2008-12-28T18:42:00.000-08:00

I just joined twitter. You can find my link to twitter on the top of the page on the left side. See it? <------------------

I have been debating for a few months if I should join or not. Well.... I finally gave in and am going to give it a try.