Mod Monday...

...I have a true love of mid-century modern furniture and artwork and sometimes wish I had been a homeowner back then...I love the clean lines and the saying that less is more, plus, I hate to dust alot of accessories, lol! I also love blogs that I visit that have themed posts...sometimes you want to share something you love, but can't figure out just what to do...I thought since Mondays are generally a crazy day, browsing through things I enjoy would be a great way to end the day and I could show off some fabulous finds!

...one of my favorite Etsy sellers is Atomic Lodge, featuring artists SuZanna Anna and Mykl Stanley...they are a husband and wife team from Milwaukee! They both have their own shops on Etsy, but this one in particular is for their joint projects and mid century inspired art that they do individually. Atomic Lodge is what they call their house because it's a really funky mid- century home, modern, but rustic at the same time...if you know me and have seen my house, you know why I love them!

...the individual print shown here is a digital painting by SuZanna Anna and I love how she grouped it with other Cell Block Series prints, also available in their shop...they use high quality inks and all prints are signed and dated...mat, frame and hang them like they did in this modern retro room setting! I love the retro vibe...they have prints in vibrant colors too...check them out!

Soaking Up Art in the Rock...

My hubby Rick and I started the day off last Saturday by going to the Arkansas Arts Museum in Little Rock to see the Andy Warhol, 15 Weeks of Fame exhibit...

Warhol was and still is, a pop art artist, international celebrity and cultural icon. Warhol changed the art world's definition of what art truly is. The exhibit features Warhol's paintings, drawings, celebrity silkscreen prints, three-dimensional objects, famous screen tests and his Silver Clouds installation, which we both really loved. This show is the first of its kind in Arkansas and we are lucky to have gotten to see it! The exhibit runs through February 1st, so be sure to go and check it out...

Our next pitstop was to the Cox Museum, simply because it's located in the library parking lot where we usually end up! I love the Cox Museum building and would live in it if I could! Kathy Bay is one of my favorite artists that you will find there...

Next it was on to my favorite gallery, the River Market ArtSpace...I wish I lived closer so I could go in more often! Megan Chapman's current work is available there, so I wanted to see it in person...I've enjoyed her blog and she is also fellow Etsy seller artmaven, so I had to support her in some way! Three of her paintings are shown here and she has a new body of work entitled "Fire and Noise", that will be on display starting February 13th! She is a beautifully talented artist and is very inspiring to me...Debra Wood, the owner of the ArtSpace, has done a fantastic job of bringing the world of art to Little Rock and I appreciate all of her efforts...go by and see her when you are in town and soak up some wonderful art yourself...you will be so glad you did...

Artwork by Megan Chapman

A Few Days Late...

...but we wanted to wish you all a very Happy New Year! We hope you try something new in 2009 that has always interested you, but you never took the time to do...

Rick, my sweet hubby, you know - the one always golfing, lol, is definitely into painting...he is totally entertaining to watch, he's loving it and we've had a blast doing it together. Stay tuned to my Etsy shop, as I will be adding some of his work soon!

We wish you much happiness, hope, prosperity and health in 2009 and thank you for a fantastic 2008...

From our House to Yours...

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and a very blessed 2009!

What a year it's been...the negativity of the economy has been in the forefront of most of the media's coverage, along with an election year that has made history in so many ways...I, as I'm sure you are, are only going to focus on the positive, as having a glass half empty is not living as we should...I thank the Lord for all of the many wonderful people I have met this year...

...in my real estate career (yes, we will all survive this mess the industry is in!) and in my new endeavor into the art world...I have painted for a couple of years prior to this one, with no confidence or outlet to share it...between Etsy, the blogging world and hundreds of friends, that all has changed...I truly thank all of you who have expressed such kind and encouraging words regarding something that I love doing...it has made my world truly an extraordinary one and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart! My hubby Rick does too...gotta keep the wife happy, lol! I hope 2009 will be the year you do something you've always wanted...life as short as alot of us have realized this year after losing people we love...until next time...thank you all...again and again...

Introducing...SnappyBibs...fellow AREtsian...

and the maker of my fabulous secret santa gift! Check out her Etsy shop - she does great embroidery! Thanks!

Special Thanks...

to aspasia for including my painting "blue maze" in her treasury! If you don't know what a treasury at Etsy is, it is a selection of themed products, picked by fellow etsians! It's a great way to look at all of the amazing handmade work from fabulous artisans...thanks again aspasia!!!

My AREtsy Secret Santa Recipient...

is Briana from nest!!!

AREtsy is a group of artists who all live in the state of Arkansas and sell our handmade, handcrafted items on Etsy. We work together to get the word out on the street about the best site on the web...ETSY!

Erin at idyllhands, our fearless, tireless and motivational leader, put together a secret santa gift exchange in our group and she drew nest for me...I wanted to share with you the painting I did for her...keep in mind, we've never met in person, I only know her through our common thread on the internet, so it was a challenge to come up with something she would love...

I looked through her flickr and blog sites to get some ideas and saw pictures of a beautiful family, with a fabulous remodeled home that appeared to be simply modern, divine and truly a nest made of love! She picked the perfect name for her Etsy shop! The nest is a family run business, making wonderful handmade soaps from natural products and also original artwork.

I am blessed to be a part of this fabulous team and I hope you will take time to look through their wonderful work through our team page or blog!

Special Thanks to My Fellow Etsian, ShopRedLeaf!

As some of you have read in previous posts, I've had so much fun posting my favorite picks that are available from Etsy...

I did a travel section featuring shopredleaf's fabulous bath and body products, and in the mail, I received this great sample size of the beeswax lotion in a beach scent! I couldn't wait to try it!

The lotion is wonderful and the beach scent is very clean and refreshing...my hubby thought it was very nice as well and I just wanted to say thanks - shopredleaf has great products, beautiful packaging and excellent customer service...they offer alot of samples, so try them today...there is still time to get some for a gift or stocking stuffers!!!

New to Gift Guides! Modern Design...

my absolute favorite design style of course! Etsy added this gift guide after I completed my picks from the others and I know we're cutting it close to the holidays, but I just HAD to show you these fabulous Etsy sellers! If the items are not available for you on time, remember, most of the shops offer gift certificates! I came across stepanka and fell in love with her porcelain sculpture "day like no other" - very modern and unique and absolutely sweet...

Modica makes the coolest wood and resin necklaces, circular in shape and unlike any other you will find. There is a great selection with different designs and colors! Cristina is currently away visiting family and restocking her inventory, but you can sign up for a return email is soon as she is available!
If you are looking for a beautiful artist that will add a wonderful edition to your room, go visit gretchenmist...she does beautiful drawings, paintings and collages like "snowed in" shown here...
Cosedolci is a new seller I came across looking through the gift guides! I adore how she combines felt with every day objects and makes them simply divine! Her circles embellished plate is great and a bargain at $20! If you are looking for a handmade, one of a kind and originally designed coffee table, check out michealarras's work...I am eyeing one of these tables now!!!
If you love the atomic era and need something to add a punch of color in a corner, or over a table, check out debmobiles! Her mobiles are available in lots of colors and are made of polymer and stainless steel wire. Lindasolovic offers prints from her original collages at a great price! I love the blooming buddies - wildflowers print, very organic modern and the color will inspire any nature lover...

Another newbie seller to me is baldmanmod - this mod mid century style table is beautifully handcrafted and has a walnut veneered finish...extremely swank!!!! Emmajo is an accomplished tapestry weaver and painter...the memory landscape features breathtaking colors as does her other works...
I have loved Tracy Melton of focuslineart since I discovered Etsy! Of course the tree rings series is just perfect...wonderfully intricate circles, again, my favorite, and are available in different sizes and colors. Great for groupings too! The ones shown here have apparently sold, but take a look at her others...
Pilotdesign features these mod wall clocks, like the red one shown here, made from a bamboo laminate - a great accent piece for any room!And finally, I love the tweed berry pillow from mogwaii! Made from pure wool and expertly sewn, it makes a great addition to spruce up your home accessories...Thank you to all the Etsy sellers who allowed me to share their work with you - please support them and the thousands of others who work hard to share their craft with us!

Etsy Gift Giving Guides...Travel Picks...

These are the last of my pics for the holiday season...just remember, these are all handmade, so if you see any that are a must have for you gift list, act quick! It's only weeks away!

Etsy has curated a great guide with the travel section! Here are my faves...

Babbittdesigns offer these beautiful votive candle holders adorned with paper and handstamped...take them with you to have your favorite scent in your hotel room!

Looking for a cool checkbook cover? Take a look at this design from tinymeat - the orange blaze against the blue background is awesome...

Moop is the best bag maker on Etsy...check out The Porter bag in provincial blue corded canvas is durable and fashionable! There are other fantastic selections available as well...

The emotional 5x7 print from couragemylove entitled "baby i'm home" would make a wonderful gift for that recipient on your list who loves photography and travel...

For that long haul in the car, molebabybuttons has a unique tic tac toe travel game that would be perfect to kill some time and have some fun!

Do you have a guy on your list and don't have a clue what to get? Visit shopredleaf's store and pick up a shampoo bar and tin set...great for throwing in a bag and taking off...

I love New York, so of course the 10x10 NY print from the "on the globe" series from buckscountyframes had to be on my list!

And last, but certainly not least, rosiegoa's travel bag in a pink stripe is a great carry on size and the perfect gift for the traveler on your list...

While you are looking, pop in my Etsy shop and let me know what you think!

Shop Handmade...Shop Etsy Today!

Etsy Gift Giving Guides...The Enviro Friendly Hot List!

I really love this gift guide, the enviro friendly hot list from Etsy...I've begun trying to recycle, or upcycle as some call it, items around the house and making them look new and incorporating them, instead of just getting rid of them like alot of us do! It's one reason I admire these artists who do this as part of their daily work...check them all out...they are extremely creative and the items on the list will make beautiful gifts...

I love annarubyking's use of scrap fabrics...the set of 2 bright japanese gift cards are really a great utilization of something most people would just throw away...they would also be beautiful as framed art!

I think the drawstring brew bag from javagaldesigns is definitely original and too cool! Handmade from burlap and recycled leather and beads, it's a handy bag to grab on the go...

For the wine and cheese lover, take a look at bigsky's serving set, made from emerald green wine bottles! A great use of a normally disposable item...I so appreciate the designs from this shop!

While looking through the guides, I came across artsyrubbish and oh, how I love her art! The mixed media piece entitled "confidently moving forward" is inspiring and amazing...the one-of-a-kind, 6x6 tiles can hang on a wall or sit on an easel...this particular one has apparently sold, but check out her other tile designs...

I have a couple of dear friends who love sailing and when I saw reiter8's pillows made from recycled sails, I had an absolute fit and sent them the link! Check out their other products too...

Looking for the perfect journal for someone on your holiday list? Interiorpieces has this beautiful embroidered coral on linen edition that will hold thoughts and memories in the years to come...

And finally...there is maidenlove...the recycled envelope set entitled "little rock loop" caught my eye of course, being from Arkansas! A real art it is to be able to take magazine pages and make a cool, everyday used item...beats those plain white envelopes for sure!

Browse Etsy today...you never know what you might find...