My House Smells Like Campfire...

Truly! It does.  I have been so productive it is hard to handle.  I feel like if I pause for a second, I'm not doing enough for my business!  It has been a wonderfully rewarding experience.  I have been researching Etsy non-stop about how to really improve the look of my shop and more hits to my shop.  It is incredible how much knowledge I have gained within the last two weeks. For anyone considering opening up an Etsy shop, here is my biggest piece of advice: read their newsletters and join the community!  It will get you far.  So far I haven't sold anything from the immediate purchases, but I feel confident that my shop is clean, beautiful, and professional.  I've also improved the descriptions (although I am definitely working on these still) and the product photography is light years away from what it was just weeks ago.  I am very proud of my progress and I can't wait to keep producing even more art.  I have a goal of becoming part time in my work (whatever it may be at the time) in two to three years' time and to rely on my art as the rest of my income.

Now for an update of my actual work! Marici's Gift has sold, which was a mixed blessing.  Honestly, I think that is my favorite piece of art I've ever produced, in all mediums. However, it went to a dear friend and I know it will be loved and appreciated by him for years.

As for my new items, I have four new necklaces, all available for $25.00.

The first one is an anatomical heart necklaces, perhaps for Valentine's day!

The next necklace is based on the Tree of Life, with a highly stylized tree:

Another one is a fun mushroom one, a request I've heard from a few friends:

Finally, I finished this barn owl necklace just last night:

I think all of these necklaces are perfect for casual wear.  I've also changed the chains I used on all of my necklaces.  They're all 24 inches of sterling silver.  They lay approximately at the bust and I think it lays very well for the size of the pendants.  

I've also finished a box that I was working on forever!  I have had the top drawn for many months, but a lack of time and distractions from other projects had me pushing this one back again and again.  Finally, I've finished.  It is inspired by Victorian-era doors, which had such beautiful detail and mystery.  The images from the era both seem inviting and foreboding at the same time; you want to touch and see the details, perhaps peak through the key hole, but you just can't access the secrets inside.  This box has a lion's head knocker at the top, with a door handle in the front, and two key holes on each side.  The back has small clusters of leaves at each corner, with a small skeleton key surprise on the inside of the box!  I love the many dimensions that this box has, and it will be a gorgeous addition to a wonderful home.  

An angled view of three sides.

The top: a lion's head knocker 

The opposite side of the angled, three side view 

Detailing of the skeleton key inside

 Close up of the door handle on the front side

 Close up of key hole

All-in-all, quite a crazy week! All of these items are available at my Etsy shop, so click on this sentence to check out the full listing!  I also have a commission coming up, and many more ideas in my brain that are bursting to get out.  I am so, so excited for the future and what it holds for my art!

Quite the Holiday!

Hello, everyone!

It has been a busy time for me, what with chocolate-making parties, spending time with my loved ones, working coat checks for fabulous parties, and, of course, making art.

I feel very honored to have one of my cousins ask me to make a special Christmas gift.  This box was made to honor a very special person who loved his dog more than anything.  He also had a great taste in music (with Blink 182 being one of his favorite bands).  I focused on these two facts as I created the design, and I also incorporated poppies for remembrance.  I hope that the person who receives this will love it; it was created with a lot of love and good intention.

Stephen's dog, Snickers

The top of the box

Side 1

Side 2 (Blink 182 quote - not an easy feat to find a sentimental and appropriate quote from that band!  Must be why I like them...)

Side 3

I ship it off tomorrow, since the post office closes ridiculously early on Saturdays.  Just in time for Christmas!  I hope everyone has fabulous holiday/Christmas plans, and that they at least get to be with a loved one during this time.  It will be my first Christmas without my immediate family, which makes me sad, but I am so grateful that I get to spend this time with my fella. 

It is also my birthday and has been fantastic so far!  I have had a lovely, lazy afternoon and my man made me one of the most delicious lunches.  We're going out to eat  and then out dancing afterward!   Plus, I have had so many wonderful people reach out to send their good wishes.  I love you all! 

Coming up - I have several commissions in the works, all of which sound like exciting projects.  I will post as I complete them.  I also have a few images in my mind for upcoming wall hangings and boxes!  

In addition, there are just two more days to purchase gifts from my Etsy shop for Christmas.  Feel free to check it out, and maybe I can ship off another item or two tomorrow :-) 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/eminationartistry?ref=si_shop

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving!  I certainly did.  My parents flew in from out of town, my fella had the day off in order to spend it with the family, and we had a fabulous time.  The turkey was delicious, we had football playing all day long, and I was able to avoid pretty much all of the food responsibilities by taking baby duty!

I am currently working on one commission, and I have a few lined up for the upcoming months.  "Marici's Gift" is still for sale for any interested parties, as well as a few necklaces that I'm sure many women would love to have for Christmas!

Here are a few photos from a wonderful Thanksgiving:

I still have time to make a few custom necklaces or a small box or two before Christmas comes!  Please contact me if you want to give a handmade, one-of-a-kind, affordable piece of art!

Marici's Gift

Another piece finished!  I have had this idea in my head for a few months, but I have not really had the time to execute it.  It is called "Marici's Gift", but on Etsy I will call it "Origami Cranes to the Moon," since they don't encourage creative titles.  The wall hanging is $70.00 and is available on Etsy here.

This was inspired by a friend who often turns her thoughts heavenward, & I think it turned out beautifully.  The wall hanging is 9.5 inches by 6.5 inches.  It was an interesting challenge to really get the detail on her face without overworking the wood and burning it too much.  In fact, I did at one point, but I won't tell anyone where it happened!  I am looking forward to really working on people's faces and creating more ornate backgrounds as my skill set and imagination expands!

I painted the origami cranes with acrylic paint.  I think it really adds weight and vibrancy to the paper.  In the future, I also plan to incorporate ink and watercolors to pieces in order to allow for the wood grain to show when appropriate.

I have also been busy with other artistic pursuits.  I recently had a family photo shoot with the Lopez family, a lovely couple with the sweetest daughter and a very kind sister.  We had originally scheduled a few weeks earlier, but due to weather and an unhappy baby, we rescheduled on a gorgeous day!  These photos were taken around the Centennial Gardens area.  If you live in Denver and haven't been there, you should take the chance to visit- it is charming.

I plan on really focusing my efforts on being able to capture the quieter, natural moments within a photo shoot.   Plan on seeing more portraits somewhere in the near future, and 

Necklaces galore!

I'm back!  Literally, back in Colorado.   I had a lovely time back home, hanging out with the family and riding some roller coasters!  Plus, I now have a few ideas for new directions for my art, thanks to some great conversations with relatives and friends.

Great news! I had my first online sale - so exciting.  I always appreciate and love the interest I receive from my friends and family, but it is a different feeling to have someone who is not invested in your life decide that they want to purchase your product.  I did love making the octopus necklace, though, so I think I'll have to do a few more.

I currently have three finished necklaces, all being sold for $25 on Etsy.  The pendant is 2.5 inches and the chain is 18.5 inches.  Check it out here!

I also have business cards coming sometime this week!  So great.  It will be nice to feel like I have proper packaging and preparation for when people ask me about my art.

I'm slowly working on a few boxes to put up on Esty... but remember, you don't have to wait for me to think up ideas!  Commission me and I'll help you create your own vision for what you'd like to hang on your wall, wear around town, or set on your counter tops!  Plus, my prices are so low that it is silly NOT to buy something!