Downtown Studio Info Now Available!

Email me at kelly@searcyhomes.com and I will forward it to you! Thanks for your interest! Kelly

I Have Not Fallen Off the Face of the Earth...

...just yet! We have just been covered up since the changeover at work from Coldwell Banker Complete to Dalrymple Residential!!! We are now, however, going to get back on the downtown project after next week...Stuart came up with a great name suggestion, Artisan Alley, but if you think of something cool that may work, send it my way! We are also going to be needing someone fantastic to help run the place, so if you know of anyone, direct them to us! Be back soon...

Special Thanks to Interior Complex...

for the article featuring my artwork...you rock! Much appreciation to be included with other such fabulous artists and designers...

A New Business Adventure...

...has kept me busy in the last week...my dear friend and former broker Stuart Dalrymple, are currently working on a new project for downtown Searcy. There is a story behind this...a couple of years ago, I sold the building that housed the Van-Atkin's Department store for decades to Stuart...it was owned by Rick, my husband and his family...they did not wish to keep it even though I adored the place and would loved to have worked and lived in it...with that being said, Stuart purchased it with the intention of keeping retail space on the lower floor and turning the upper area into lofts...

The ground floor consists of 10,000 square feet, 5,000 of which is shared by The Boutique and Tara Dalrymple's Dance Studio...that leaves us 5,000 square feet and an idea of what to do with it...

Stuart knew that I love art and was looking for a place to display and sell it, that I love the building in particular with it's history and beautiful old details that it presents, such as the ceiling tin shown here...(it was built in 1895 and is included in our Main Street Searcy District which we became a part of a couple of years ago)...so he called me in to see if I would like to help in making the place into a gallery type rental spaces for artists, crafters, gifts, decor, etc...we are currently looking for interested parties and are working out the details...if you have always wanted a small business but didn't want the big overhead, or if you are looking to show off your work and a place to sell it, contact me today with what you have in mind...we are very excited about bringing a great place to Searcy where you can find something for everyone or a great place just to come and browse and see what's happening...you can reach me anytime by email...kelly@cbcompleterealty.com!

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

First Thursday Art Day...

...with my mother, Pat Eaton of birdnestontheground and some of her friends...they have a regular KNOT meeting every month where they discuss what they are working on, etc...but decided they would love to get together on a different day, strictly for the purpose of trying new art and craft projects! They all specialize in different areas of art, but like me, want to broaden their horizons!

It was such a fantastic idea...mom decided on an abstract art project, as some of the group had never painted OR did more fine art pieces instead of the freedom that comes from painting abstracts...with that being said, since that's what I enjoy doing, she wanted to have it at my house! I was tickled to be a part of their day... they are extremely inspiring and motivational, funny and like me, love trying new things...it was quite fun and I look forward to hopefully getting to attend more of their First Art Thursdays!

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...

The Finished Ornaments...

from our family get together the other night...mom will pass out that I have actually posted 4 times in one day - BUT, I wanted to share everything before I forgot!

I finished these up last night - I wanted to show you what the others painted, but sent them home with the kids for their tree without taking a photo!

Grab some clear glass ornaments, brushes, air bake enamel paint and some glitter glue and create away!

Remember, handmade is always better...

A Family Get-Together...

for a great pot of Rick's Santa Fe Soup (Aunt Betsy originally gave us the fantastic recipe!) and to paint Christmas ornaments! It was quite fun and definitely entertaining!

Mom's are, of course, perfect - like the work she does in her birdnestontheground studio!

Lindsay (Ty's girlfriend) was so cute, just putting paint and glitter on the ornaments ninety to nothing, not worrying about a thing!

Then there was Ty - I'm not sure if he thought he was too cool to paint one, but he did - only one but at least he contributed and actually enjoyed - I think!

And last but not least, Dad - impatient as all get out and paint going everywhere except where he wanted it! It was absolutely hysterical! I don't think he'll take up painting on a regular basis any time soon, but he's sure to appease me from time to time!

Get together with your family for a night of food and a craft or game...we don't do this nearly enough...we made more memories and hope you will too...

Custom Paintings...

done to coincide with my friend Nancy's birthday! Her sweet hubby Rob called me one day, asking if I would do some paintings for their newly decorated living room...I was flattered! I snuck over to the house to look at where they would be hanging and to decide on colors...they had some beautiful patchwork pillows on the sofa that were our inspiration, an idea from Rob himself...turned out great and she loved them, thank the Lord! It was a blessing to get to do...

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!

Etsy Gift Giving Guides...Just For Him!

yes...Etsy has gifts for men! Thousands of them...fun, funky, cool and handmade - a great combination! You won't have any trouble finding something for that man in your life that is unique and one that he'll love...

If you have a guitar playing guy, this custom silver guitar pick (he's 6 weeks behind on custom work, but you can grab a gift certificate!) from silversparrowdesigns will be a hit! They also have some on hand that you may find perfect!

Indivisual features this indie collective FRAGILE tee...too cute and a great adjective for alot of the fellows in our lives!

One of the neatest designs in jewelry for men comes from ashhilton - I love his hand carved power pole ring in sterling silver...really imaginative...

If you insist on continuing a tie giving tradition to someone, please look at toybreakers designs...they are definitely not your ordinary tie! I've added the Victorian Gears design here so you can see what I mean. Gorgeous!

Beer lovers will enjoy the 8x8 print of beer bottles and printed on metallic paper from f2images...they also have other photographic prints you will really enjoy looking through...

For those of us looking for a cool, green gift to give, this 100% organic bicycle tee from vital should do the trick...it's available in other colors as well!

And last but not least, 8milecreekdesigns has the neatest vintage hubcap clocks, great for the gameroom or bar! Check out the Etsy gift guide for men or browse through the category page for your perfect gift...

Etsy Gift Giving Guides...Just For Her!

Here are some great Etsy picks especially for her...

Check out mehran's gorgeous pleated shoulder bag - dressy or casual doesn't matter if you are carrying this one around - it stands on it's own!

Carolinableu offers these handforged and hammered beautiful raindrop hoops, a gift anyone would love...

Looking for some beautiful tops to wear or give this holiday season? Look no further than flutter...unique designs like elle shown here feature delicate hand cut petals across the shirt front and in a scrumptious chocolate color...check out their other offerings...

I love gocco and shoofly is one of my favorites in this department! Everyone needs a journal to write their thoughts in...this black moleskin shadow pod would make the perfect gift!

Appetite also offers a comfy and cozy scarf with her handprinted white mantra design on the front and warm fleece on the inside...a great find...

Finally, ilee has available these fantastic green flower letterpress cards, great gifts to give to those who still like to send notes the old fashioned way or have on hand for many occasions!

There are thousands of other products for her on Etsy...look through the gift guides today...I guarantee you that you will find the perfect gift for that perfect someone...