Fantabulously Frugal HUGE Giveaway!!!!

I just had to write a post about Fantabulously Frugal's Giveaway - 

You Deserve The Best Giveaway

She is giving away three amazing prizes - 

1st - Value $675

2nd- Value $550

3rd- Value $125

Go to Fantabulously Frugal site and see all of the great items!!!!

This ends December 14th so don't miss it.

 

Steampunk Giveaway

Catherinette Rings is having a

Steampunk Jewelry and sculpture Giveaway

Get a chance to win Steampunk Jewelry or a Sculpture.

1st prize : Steampunk Sculpture
2nd prize : 100$ Shopping Spree .

go to 

http://steampunkrings.blogspot.com/2009/11/steampunk-jewelry-christmas-bogo-deal.html

and her Etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatherinetteRings

 

 

Today's Mama Wish List Meme and Giveaway!

Today's Mama Wish List Meme and Giveaway!

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleigh full of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

• Some new jewelry tools.
  
• Plasma torch - doesn't every women need one of these?
  
• A Kitchenaid Mixer in Cobalt blue (mine got stolen and I miss it!)
  
• Hardwood flooring for the first floor.
  
• new slippers - I live in them and go through so many pairs.
  

What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

• My favorite handmade gift was a drawing that my daughter did - it was the two of us.
  

What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

• I would love to make some fine silver rings for all the women in my family.
  

What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

• I think it was a Lionel train set.  It had smoke that came out of the engine.  (Wish I still had it.)
  

What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?

• Both my son and daughter (15 and 18) want a car - but they are dreaming!
  

What is your favorite holiday food?

• I love all kinds of pies - but I am allergic to wheat, so that knocks out most everything. But I am going to make a pumpkin pie tonight!
  

What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

• I have been sewing a lot for the holidays - purses and reusable lunch bags.
  

What is your favorite holiday movie?

• A Christmas Memory
  

Favorite holiday song?

• Little Drummer Boy
  

Favorite holiday pastime?

• Visiting with family from out of state.
  

To enter and win all these fabulous gifts just fill out the same Meme I did above and post links back to Today's Mama and Provo Craft. Be sure to send an email with a link to your Meme to info@todaysmama.com with "Wish List Meme" in the subject line. What are you waiting for-hop to it folks! :)

Wednesday Window

Since Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I thought that this picture was appropriate.  I know these indians are from the South West, but indians everywhere were effected by what we now celebrate as Thanksgiving.

(I did not take this photo - and I do not know the person's name)

I am most thankful for my family.  I know most people would say that, but I really mean it!  I love them all very dearly and appreciate everything they do.  Each one is special to me.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!

OK THIS IS IT! 28th Seagrove Pottery Festival

This is the big weekend for the

28th Annual

Seagrove Pottery Festival!!!!

It is Saturday and Sunday - November 21st and 22nd.  10:00am - 6:00pm

528 Old Plank Road, Seagrove, NC

The Featured Potter is Rockhouse Pottery 

http://www.rockhousepottery.com/

There will be a Limited Edition Pottery Auction on Sunday at 4:00pm! All pieces will be signed and dated for this special event by the potters.

Come see the work of the largest pottery community in the U.S.!

There will be live demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Admission: One Day $6.00

Two Day tickets $10.00

Seniors 55+ & Military Family $5.00

Active Military FREE (Military ID Required)

Sponsored by the 

Museum of North Carolina Traditional Pottery

P.O. Box 500 - Seagrove, NC 27341

(336) 873-7887

www.seagrovepotteryheritage.com

Please come by and see our booth! 20% off if you mention you read the blog!

Deal Finding Chick Giveaway

OK Ladies (sorry guys this one is probably not for you),

Please go take a look at the Deal Finding Chick Giveaway!  Stuffed Full Christmas Stocking You would not believe everything she is giving away.  And if you win, you would really be able to pamper yourself - all you would need is a hot bath (ok, maybe a glass of wine).  But you need to hurry - it ends Wednesday, November 24th.

In the Studio

I didn't know that I was going to be the feature on Cafe Handmade till late last night.  But, I wanted to share it with everyone.  Please take a look and leave me a comment at the bottom of the article on Cafe Handmade. I would love to hear what you think.  But it would be nice if you could vote for me also (please).

http://cafehandmade.com/index.php/2009/11/in-the-studio-with-kitty-mecham-liquidambar-studio/

Thank you and I hope everyone has a great Wednesday!!!

Wednesday Windows

This shot is from when we were living in Kenya (I am sure there will be a lot of photos from there).  This is our friend Benson's mother and my daughter, Nancy.  Benson's mother lives in this tiny place with no water or electricity, but she was so full of energy! The red wallpaper is sheets of labels from a factory that haven't been cut. She makes the coiled bags, like the bright striped one in the back of the picture.  They are absolutely beautiful and she sells them for only a couple of dollars.  She is an amazing lady!

Wonderful Weekend and a beautiful Monday!

After such a rainy week it was 75 degrees and sunny this past weekend!  Of course we were at the studio working (playing), but we did take time to walk down to the river and see the after effects from the tropical depression that came through.  The river was down a couple feet, but it was amazing to see how much water was rushing by us.  For those that have been down to the river - these pictures were taken at the spot where there is a little "swimming hole" surrounded by rocks that we climb out on.  (I don't think I would try swimming in that right now.) The tree in the center of the picture is usually on a little island.

I have to add a couple others that I took along the way.

 

and the beast worn out from her run...

Today is also sunny and warm, so I better take advantage of it.  You never know when we will get another day like this!

For the Love of Art

Sunday is the last day that you can drop off your art piece for the Visual Art Exchange 26th Annual Art Auction & Gala, in Raleigh, NC.  Every year I say I am going to donate something and every year I let it slip by.  The VAE (www.visualartexchange.org) is great about sending out postcards and email reminders, but my mind is thinking February - not November.  I forget that there is so much preperation that goes into the Auction and Gala that they need plenty of time to get it together (excpecially over the holidays).   Since I will be working in the studio all weekend, I finally took my piece in today.  The majority of work that gets donated it 2d work - paintings mostly, so I am always glad to see when other 3d artist contribute.  I donated my ceramic piece "Generation".  It is a coil built ceramic piece that I stained with Iron oxide.  I then added a fish bone (that my daughter actually gave me for Christmas one year) and an old stamp that has our last name on it.  The wax flowing out of the piece is... well hopefully you can make the conection on your own.

Wednesday Windows

Ok, I know that it is now Fall, and we are having a tropical depression that is dumping tons of rain on us, but I thought that this would brighten up the day a little.  This was taken out by our front door. John says he doesn't like gardening and yard work - but I think he is a natural at it.

A doe a deer

Another watercolor that I did last night.  I put it on the computer and cut it out, then added the solid background.  Not sure why I am doing these, just a change of pace.

A couple of Watercolors

In my blog on Monday I mentioned that I had started on a watercolor.  I actually finished two of them last night.  They still need to be scanned in (these I just took with the camera).  For some reason I have been influenced by this whole "retro" style, but since I am a late 60's girl, I guess it fits.  Plus, I just like the hard lines and simplistic shapes.  Let me know what you think of them.  I always like feedback - good or bad. 

Wednesday Window #3

 Today was so sunny and the leaves were showing off.  It reminded me of this picture.  This picture was taken after a wedding in Rhode Island a few years ago.  The path we choose...

I have a problem.

Ok, I am the first to admit that I have a serious problem - I have AADD.  Everyone knows what ADD is, but I have ARTIST-ADD. 

I was trying to think of what I should work on next.  I envy the artists that can do the same thing over and over again.  I have tried pretty much every form of artwork out there.  If you look at my website www.liquidambarstudio.com you will see just a small part of the things that I am into, not to mention the stuff on Etsy and Artfire. 

This past week I worked on:
1) fabric bowls

2) jewelry - both clay and beaded

3) Setting up a new site http://liquidambarjewelry.bigcartel.com  I am starting a site for the jewelry that I have collected from other countries, plus some of my silver jewelry that I make. It is still a work in progress.  (My collections are taking over my house!) 

4) recycling Christmas cards - got the edges all cut
5) clay Christmas ornaments

6) fused glass - pieces cut and grinded
7) started on a watercolor
8) photgraphed work and vintage stuff to sell

9) started a crochet scarf

That is not to mention all the stuff that goes on being a mother and a wife... oh and the zoo.

(He looks like me screaming.)

I have found that I can waste soooo much time trying to figure out what the next thing I should work on.  I am lucky enough to have places to work on all of these things, so it is not a matter of cleaning up and pulling stuff out.  The only problem is that the clay and glass are at my studio and the rest I do at home.  That means that the days I don't go to the studio I am into everything.  I need to focus! I need help! Is there some sort of 12 step program for people like me?