My Last Two Articles

The last two???
Well, only for the Just For Fun Dept. The first one is about 'Nothing'
Can you just see the look on my editor's face when she got the file titled 'Nothing' and then the first line said 'This is an article about nothing' I'll bet her eyeballs rolled right out of her head..LOL; at least that is what I was going for.
So if you didn't click on nothing above, here is your last chance: My article about nothing . I do believe it's one of my best, but you'll have to be the judge of that. I must say though, I am a little worried about PizzamanMike out there in Nothing, AZ. When I tried to send him a link to the article, the email bounced back to me. It would be sad if he invested all that money, to not even have nothing to show for it. If anyone will be passing through Nothing, I would really like to hear that Mike is still there.

And now for my last article in the Just For Fun Dept- It's all about BumbleBees and it too has an interesting tale - about some undiscovered gold still rumored to be near a ghost town called BumbleBee.

So you know the drill - please click over to my articles and vote me a thumbs up, and if you are so inclined, you can sign in and leave a comment. I promise you they won't spam you, if you sign in. I have had questions where is it to vote? If you go to the bottom of the article just beofre the comments you'll see a line that says "Tweet this article" "Share this article" and then "Vote for this artilce" with pictures of two thumbs; one goes up and one is thumbs down...you can just ignore the thumbs down for me :D When you click on the thumb, it registers a vote. And you can only vote once, oherwise I would vote myself a winner everytime!

My bestest news is, I transferred to the Featured Artisan Dept. where I will be doing interviews of shops/sellers full time! It makes no difference what venue you sell on, or if you have your own website; if you are interested in being featured you can leave a post here with a way for me to send you a set of interview questions. I am so happy to be doing this. Spotlighting people is my most favoritest thing to do! So please bombard me with requests. I love it!

Have a creative week everyone!

XOXOXOX
Cindi

ps I know I need to list another giveaway. I am really hoping to get that done this evening. Keep checking back. Look in the right hand upper corner for the announcement.

My First Main Feature

Yay! I finally got my first main feature published this morning! Absolutely Gourd-geous is all about gourds, and it features some incredible gourd artists and a couple of shops that sell gourd seeds. Take a look at this picture; it's one of the artists featured:

Can you believe someone made that from a gourd?


I would really appreciate it if you would click on over there and vote me thumbs up. You can leave a comment if you sign up. I promise they don't spam you; it's only for ID purposes to see where visitors come from.


My editor is leaning on me to improve my views...I'm doin the best I can, but I need your help.





Thanks and have a Great Day!


Cindi

Do you have an Idea?

Wow my articles are getting published faster than I thought they would! Here is my latest, and if you are getting a little thin in the memory area, this is perfect for you. It is something I have practiced for the last year. So instead of giving it all away here, I shall post a link to my Idea Basket. As always, please be sure to drop on by and leave a comment and a vote. This means a lot to our advertisers and keeps me in good standing with the editors.

It has been an extremely busy week for me, and here is what I have accomplished:

ClayItAgain is having a Christmas in July sale going on right now on Etsy and ArtFire. Those links will take you directly to the Christmas sale section. My most popular Christmas item of late has been my elves. I have discounted so much, I'm practically giving it away. And just for this weekend, I will offer an additional $10 savings on any wreath. With all the markdowns, they are 1/2 price now, and I would really like to get those out of here to make more room in my studio. Please feel free to share this info with all your rich friends :D

I also took the plunge and set up a fan page for ClayItAgain on FaceBook. My first goal, is 100 fans and when I reach that, I will have a drawing for a gift certificate good for anything in my shop. I also set up a fan page for 12MidnightOils. And I will also have a drawing for a gift certificate when I get 100 fans there.

Our garden has really kicked into gear now that the weather has turned hot. The 2nd round of lettuce is starting to thrive. I always thought that lettuce needed a cooler environment, but we've never had a shortage of lettuce...AS LONG AS WE KEEP THE SEEDLINGS WATERED ;) So maybe we will have something to donate to the food bank, after all, this year.

On Monday, I have a job interview. Yay! It's only for a temporary job while a lady goes on vacation. But heck! The $$$ I make in that 2 weeks could carry us financially for another month! So be thinking good thoughts for me on Monday afternoon.

Well I think that about wraps it up for this post. Don't forget to enter the drawing for my giveaway. There's only 2 weeks left til I announce a winner, and I think there are only 7 entries...incredible odds I must say!

Featuring -2Good Claymates

I found 2 Good Claymates when I went blog jumping one day. When I came across this blog I was mesmerized by the blog header and one particular gecko on it. It was absolutely beautiful! The green swirls on it were perfect; not a crooked line or distortions on any of it. I was envious to say the least. Needless to say, I was quite happy when she answered my call for blog features. Here's a little more about this shop:

What is your favorite item in your shop?
I have a lot of favorites but I like my candle collars the most. They were something I dreamed about making and I love how they turned out. I have several pairs I use in my home and get comments on them all the time.
This is one of my favorites as I love the colors and the mokume gane design.

What inspires you to create?
I would say colors inspire me the most. One of the first things I did with my clay was mix my own colors! And I was so excited when I discovered you could actually save the “recipe” and make that exact color again. I have all my color samples and recipes on index cards and organized in a photo album. When I’m trying to decide what to make I will usually browse through my album and pick out color combinations I like and then dive in. When I see the colors together it will help me decide what to do next -- a mokume gane -- canes, flowers, etc. One thing I like about my work the most is the wide range of colors I use -- there is something for everyone!

And do you have any inspirational advice for other artists?
Don’t worry about trying to find your own “specialty” technique or “trademark”. Just dive in and have fun and it will eventually find you! Then again that may never happen -- lol -- I enjoy so many different techniques with the clay that I don’t think I will ever settle down and focus in on only one or two.

Do you create in more than 1 medium?
I use to oil paint as well as papier mache. I also sew a lot and have designed and made most of my own clothing and accessories. Years ago I use to have a line of specialty eyeglass cases I designed and made myself and sold to various Optical stores. I'm now making my own jewelry pouches (a simpler version of those cases I use to make) which makes the pieces I sell a little more special.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose? And why?
We lived in Mexico for 9 years and that was an adventure of a lifetime. We moved back to Canada in 2001 and last fall we moved from the big city and settled down in a cute little town and absolutely love it here and can’t imagine living anywhere else now.

What is your favorite food?
I don’t have too many favorite foods -- I like most things as long as it is meatless!

Favorite animal ? My favorite animal is a dog -- although I loved the geckos that were in our home and yard when we were in Mexico! Maybe that is why I like making those out of clay the most.

Favorite color? My favorite color is green -- preferably yellow greens like lime or olive. Whenever I see something in a shade of green I like, it immediately causes my head to turn and I can’t help not feeling attracted to it. Many people have told me it is because that is the color of my eyes.

Do you have a favorite quote you'd like to share?
I have a lot of favorite quotes and most of them centre around happiness and laughter. (My middle name is Joy and some people have nicknamed me “giggles”). I guess I would say, “The shortest distance between two people is laughter” by Victor Borge. He is my favorite artist who has always made me laugh the hardest!

Do you have anything else you would like to share? My name is Carolyn Good -- my hubby (and best friend) is Dave Good and that is how we came up with the name “2 Good Claymates”

2 Good Claymates can be found in several places on the web
Blogs (3): http://www.2goodclaymates.blogspot.com/
http://wearableartgallery.blogspot.com/
http://jewelryforthehome.blogspot.com/
(last 2 blogs are set up in a magazine style with links to our Art Fire Studio or Etsy Shop)

Art Fire Studio: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=28096
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/2goodclaymates/
Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6563828
Member of the Art Fire Artisan Jeweler Guild

Member of the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild
I'm a new member of The Shuswap Lake Festival of the Arts Society in the area where I live -- I have 4 pieces I'm entering in the juried part of the show this year (3 jewelry pieces plus a mosaic tiled coffee table) as well as selling a lot of my pieces in the gift shop that will be set up for the 9 days at the festival. I will also be demonstrating on making my floral canes at the show.
Thanks again!
Carolyn Good--

Thank you Carolyn for taking the time to share your talents with us and showing us your many beautiful peices. Please be sure to check out 2Good Claymates on Etsy and on ArtFire. I fell in love with several of their pieces, and you may just find something you just can't live without any longer, too!

Featuring Artfire shop- HaffinaCreations

I found haffinacreations one day when I was blog jumping. I noticed a purple something or other, and since I am a purple freak I figured I would check this blog out. After all, anyone who shows purple is worth a few minutes of my life...and then I saw the giveaway.... In order to win the prize you had to pick out your fav in her shop. I immediately clicked on her ArtFire store link and was amazed with all her work. I had seen very little chainmaille jewelry up to that point, but when I saw haffina's, I was in awe! It took me nearly an hour to pick out my fav. (I take opinion polls very seriously..lol) I had never seen any such kind of workmanship and colors. Then when I saw she was in the ArtFire Polymer Smoosher's Guild and incorporated polymer clay with her chainmail, I knew I would have to find out a little more about her:

What is your favorite item in your shop? I don't have a favourite really, so I am quite happy for you to pick your favourite. So, you know what that meant, don't ya?...I lingered and labored for a couple of days trying to pick just the right thing. I mean, have you peeked into her shop? Can you pick out just one fav? I finally settled on this one; how did I do? The pattern is so intriguing and the colors mesh so well. I just love it!
What inspires you to create? Anything and everything. I get ideas from really weird things sometimes, and I tend to dream in clay and chainmaille.. its a bit freaky.


And do you have any inspirational advice for other artists? The greatest source of inspiration is within each and every one of us, just find the outlet that lets you tap into yours. Try new things, never stop exploring, and you will find it.

Do you create in more than 1 medium?

I create chainmaille, seed bead pieces, jewellery in general. Plus I paint mandalas when the mood is upon me. I have been known to knit, crochet and cross stitch, but not as much any more. I also write, mainly poetry, but also short stories on occasion.


If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose? And why? Halfway up a nice hill with a great view, in a big house with lots of room and light. I would prefer it to be in South Australia, because it is home to me.


What is your favorite food? Black Forest Cake

Favorite animal? Butterflies

Favorite color? Purple with Teal.


Do you have a favorite quote you'd like to share? 'If words and ideas flowed like water and wine, I'd never be thirsty or sober.' Its one of mine, and I think it sums up creativity, and how sometimes it seems to dry up. LOL

When someone gives me a quote I usually look it up on the web to see who wrote it, and guess what? This quote IS actually haffina's! She is one talented lady. She hasn't mentioned it, so I will, she also writes for handmade.org She is an Adminstrator on an online forum, a Moderator on another forum, Guildmaster of the ArtFire Chainmaille Guild, a member of four other guilds, including the ArtFire Polymer Clay Smooshers, maintains two blogs and to top that off - she is a stay at home mum of 5 children.

haffinacreations can also be found on the following sites...and be sure to look at her Flickr . She has some pictures of her beaded work there.
Wordpress blog - http://haffinacreations.wordpress.com/
Blogspot blog - http://haffinacreations.blogspot.com/
Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/haffinacreations/

The Original Haffina Creations - its on a forum - http://www.theacforum.com/index.php?board=121.0
Haffina Creations Facebook Fanpage - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Haffina-Creations/62034704023
I'm also on Plurk, Twitter, MySpace, IndiePublic, CafeMom, byhand.me and lots of other places.

Thank you so much haffina for taking the time to share a little of yourself with us. Be sure to check out haffinacreations on ArtFire. If you're like me, you'll find a favorite in her shop to put on your wish list.

Featuring ArtFire Shop - Creative Critters

I am slowly but surely getting to know the other members of the ArtFire Polymer Smoosher's Guild. I want to give you all a chance to see some of the member's ArtFire shops, and what better way than to start with Creative Critters ? Let's take a look into this shop and learn a bit more:

What is your favorite item in your shop? One of my favorite items right now is my Scorch the Rockin' Dragon sculpture.

I put a LOT of work into this sculpture, and I think he came out really cool!
And I agree with you. I know the work it takes to apply each scale individually to a dragon, and you are right to be proud of Scorch-he is Rockin!

What inspires you to create? Creating is in my blood. I've been creating things since I was a child. I find inspiration everywhere. I love the world of fantasy, and find inspiration in books, paintings, movies, even screen savers. Animals and nature are also very inspirational. I love all animals and really enjoy being outside, taking walks in the woods, etc. I'm the sort of person who HAS to create. If I don't have at least one project going, something is very wrong.

And do you have any inspirational advice for other artists? I guess my inspirational advice for others would be to just relax and take in everything around you. Sometimes if you try too hard to come up with an idea, you just get stuck. I usually come up with my best ideas, and solutions to problems when I just relax and let my mind wander. When I'm out walking around the neighborhood I take in all the flowers and trees, animals, kids playing, everything going on around me.

Do you create in more than 1 medium?

I create in several mediums. I knit stuffed animals, sew cloth dolls and plush World of Warcraft characters, and make jewelry with a variety of beads (including polymer clay). I enjoy variety in my artwork and I like to learn new crafts. You just never know what I'll come up with next!

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose? And why? It would have to be in a nice rural area with a good growing season. I love to garden, and I enjoy nature. I'd also like to live near water. When I was a teen I lived on a lake and discovered I love swimming and playing in the water. I don't have a specific place in mind, just somewhere a little warmer than NE Ohio, and much more rural (I live in the suburbs now).

What is your favorite animal? It would be a toss up between cats and ferrets, and both together are hilarious. Favorite food? I guess would be most any type of fruit- strawberries, bananas, peaches..., I love them all. Favorite color? Purple (just check out my studio!). I like most colors though, and enjoy playing with color in my artwork.

Do you have a favorite quote you'd like to share? "Just do it!" is a quote I often repeat to myself. That applies to so many things, from my workouts, to housework, to difficult creative projects.

CreativeCritters can be found in several other places on the internet

my blog http://creativecrittersblog.blogspot.com/

MySpace http://www.myspace.com/artistcreativecritters

JoAnn.com http://community.joann.com/chelle33

ByHand.me http://creativecritters.byhand.me/

Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/creativecritters

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1310241551

Artfire PCS Guild http://artfiresmooshers.ning.com/profile/MichelleAdkins

Thank you Michelle, for taking the time to do this interview and sharing all your talents with us. Please be sure to visit CreativeCritters on ArtFire and check out all her creative items.

Featuring ArtFire Shop - ColtPixy

As some of you know I joined ArtFire.com at the end of last year. When I joined, the deciding factor for me, was that they had different craft guilds that one could join. So this is how I came to know ColtPixy- thru the Polymer Clay Guild on ArtFire known as Polymer Clay Smooshers. ColtPixy took over as the guildmaster and has really been trying to get our guild organized. I learned that she has studied arts & crafts her entire life. For many years she painted with watercolors and acrylics, and then for awhile became obsessed with quill pens and ink. And then her husband introduced her to stained glass. More about that later, but first let's find out a little more about this talented artist:

What is your favorite item in your shop? Bitchy Peas In a Pod. I love how they make people smile. Which is exactly what they made me do when I saw them :) What inspires you to create? I get inspiration from everything I see and hear. I keep a notebook with me everywhere and I am always jotting down ideas or making sketches.

And do you have any inspirational advice for other artists? Do not ever stop experimenting and playing. Remember when you were a kid and made things just to be doing it? Don't stop just because you grew up. I got inspiration for some of my best creations from just doodling or playing.

Do you create in more than 1 medium? Yes. I paint and draw. I work with stained glass and draw my own patterns. I have made stained glass mosaics for 12 years and used to earn my living at it until a tendon injury cost me the use of my right hand for 6 months. My orthopedic surgeon suggested I switch mediums to clay and not do mosaics full time. I still do mosaics part time. Here is a photo of one of my favorite pieces.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose? And why? Honestly, I could be happy anywhere as long as it is with my husband. He is my rock

What is your favorite food? Favorite food is a tough one. I love all kinds of food. Favorite animal? I love all animals but I am a dog girl. Favorite color? My favorite color is purple and there is something about purple in combination with dark blue that really attracts me

Do you have a favorite quote you'd like to share? "Failure is not an option. It is a privilege reserved only for those who try." It is the tag line I use everywhere. It is a reminder to myself to always give everything my best shot.

You can find ColtPixy in several spots on the web:
Blog ColtPixy.com

Shop ColtPixy.artfire.com

Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/coltpixy/

deviantART http://coltpixy.deviantart.com/

twitter http://twitter.com/ColtPixy


Thank you Star, for taking the time to do this interview and share a piece of yourself with us. Please be sure to visit ColtPixy on ArtFire and check out her polymer clay items. And do check out her other sites for more of her creations. She truly is multi-talented!