Bad Bad Blogger

Wow - so it's been exactly a year since I blogged! I had decided it was just not for me but since a new year is starting and I really want to do some tutorials on how to create seashell items I'm going to try again.

Was busy last night creating a new seahorse with a vintage pearl bridle. Think she turned out pretty cute!

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION - I WILL BLOG...and will do more original artwork as I did on this box!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Froggie Puzzle

Here's a puzzle for you ... can you find the real frog in the picture? This little guy appeared in my frog birdbath and sat there calmly while I photographed him.

Cinnamon scents...

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=89534 This treasury reminds me of going apple picking up north and then going home and baking apple crisp - could never get the hang of pie crust or it would have been apple pie! Cinnamon was a main ingredient so was pleased to have my box included this treasury on Etsy. Enjoy your fall!

A sad time...

Can't believe how lax I have been on my blogging. My only excuse is that my beloved mother in law Glo has tragically died after some time in intensive care and surgery. She never came to after the surgery and died last Friday. We are headed up to MN from our home in FL tomorrow to celebrate her life.

On a lighter note I got featured in two treasuries on Etsy today - one of them picked two of my mermaids to include which is a first!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=79393

It's been a while...

This blogging thing just doesn't seem to be me - was inspired though recently by some people who included some of my seashell things on their blogs...http://www.shopindieonline.com/blog/ for example.

Thanks Chris!

Also did another seashell person - I call her Seashell Diva!~

Fish Lips

Sort of forgot about my blog here -been so busy creating and working in one of the shops that sells my creations. We just opened up a new section of the shop right on the road to the beach in New Smyrna Beach Florida which should bring lots more traffic.

Here's my Fish Lips mirror...

An early Katherine Hepburn???

So here I am with another "wig bust" from my customer BJ of the aforementioned "death mask". I decided it needed to look like an old time movie star so gave her a black abolone "hat" and shelled her in strawberry blonde whelk shells. The picture was taken way before she was completed and then like an idiot I got in a rush to get ready for a show last weekend and never took a picture of the finished bust. It did turn out quite striking though and was purchased right away by some interior designers so thank you Gribble Interiors!

If anyone out there has any great ideas I have two more busts left to do!

A Death Mask???

This was an interesting commission. A really nice woman named BJI met at an art show had this "death mask" done for her by lying on a kitchen counter with straws in her nose and her husband standing by holding her hand until it dried. Once she got it done and air brushed she wasn't sure what to do with it until she met me at the art show and saw a seashell bust I had on display. She happened to be the former owner of a wig shop and had some beautiful busts so brought me one and I attached the mask of her face and shelled it. It turned out quite beautifully I thought and somewhat regal so I named it "Princess BJ". When I delivered it she was laid up in bed with a very serious foot surgery so I wish her a speedy recovery and thank her for the extra busts she gave me. Check out my next blog for what I did with one of them!

The luck of the Irish...

Like just about everyone these days we are scrimping to get by - but I told my husband the other day that I felt our luck was going to be changing - with a little hard work by us. Went out to check out the new veggie garden we have planted and the following picture is what I saw!

Right after that got a call from one of the shops that sells my seashell artwork and they sold a whole lot of things for me plus I got a commission of a bust to be shelled. I'm passing the four leaf clover on to all who read this blog and wish you a lot of luck in the coming months!

I'm in another treasury on Etsy!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=46384 Thanks to Marcy of www.studiomarcy.etsy.com for including me in her seashell related treasury. It's always so much fun to see what people put together for a treasury...one of these days I need to try creating one myself. It's on my TO DO list which just keeps getting longer and longer.

It's another beautiful day here in Florida ... hope it's the same wherever you are and best wishes for getting well soon to my Dad who's in the hospital!

Wow -I'm embarrassed to have waited so long to update this blog. I can only blame it on spring in Florida which when you are from the north (MN) leads to lots of house guests. Also lots of spring art shows. I did so well on the New Smyrna Beach Art Fiesta which really surprised me considering the economy. Never give up!! Now Easter is closing in so I've been working on some jewelry cabinets with vintage Easter images and of course lots of seashells and coral. Happy Spring!!

There's hope...

I've been keeping busy creating new items for an art show in New Smyrna Beach coming up soon...but have been depressed everytime I look out at my pool area because the cold snap has killed just about everything. Today we uncovered the pool to clean it and I was checking out the gardens and lo and behold the dill was blooming! I got so excited I had to pick the bloom and then thought I need some more flowers to fill the vase. In the 5 years we have lived here in Florida I don't think I 've ever NOT been able to find plenty of flowers in my garden but was so unhappy this time to find not a one. Went to let our cat Sami out in the front yard and couldn't believe my eyes! Our beautiful pink azalea was blooming like crazy ... and the ferns along the front walkway were doing great as well. I filled my small vase and hope was restored... it is always springtime in Florida!!!

What happened to the picture??

baby it's cold outside!

We moved to Florida to escape the snowy MN winters but the last couple days and a couple to come are way too cold for me. When my husband calls and tells me to leave a note to remind him to turn on the pool at night and to drain the water from his motor on his boat I KNOW it's cold outside!! To compensate I made a Beach Cottage sign - to remind me that the warmth of sunny FL will return...

As usual, a computer mistake by a novice!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=36573 Here's the correct link to the Treasury my seashell cross is in ... still learning this computer stuff!

Thanks for the exposure Jennie!

Jenny at www.busybeeworker.etsy.com has included me in her latest treasury which is always much appreciated for the exposure it brings. Be sure to check out Jennies Croison Pony stuffed animals at Etsy - they are so cute and come complete with saddles etc. The treasury link is http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=36573

A Sad Assignment

I haven't blogged lately because I was spending every waking (and not working at my two day a week job) minute completing my latest job. I was asked by the owner of one of the shops that carries my work to do 7 seashell encrusted boxes to hold the ashes of her beloved Dad. When she asked me to do this he was still alive but in hospice - then the day her and her Mom and sister came to my house to discuss the job their eyes looked really red and puffy and I knew he was gone.

Sitting for that 45 minutes or so and discussing what he loved - the ocean, pelicans and collecting sharks teeth on the beach - was really difficult for all of us. Having lost my little brother to a motorcycle accident years ago I know firsthand how sometimes sympathy given can cause your emotions to overflow when you least want them to so I was torn on whether to hug them or just be businesslike. We all got through it but as I worked on those boxes I couldn't help reflecting on just how lucky I am to still have both of my parents alive and well.

I'll attach a picture of one of the boxes - see if you can find the pelican and take a minute to tell someone you love how much they are appreciated.

I'm included!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=32959

It's always such an honor to be included in a Treasury on Etsy.com!

Error!

Sorry Sheree I got your site wrong - the heart tiles are found at www.firedandfused.etsy.com.