Last month, interior designer Gail Doby provided some wonderful tips on how to decorate a new house on a limited budget. Since we recently bought a new house with a main floor in desperate need of a makeover, and to say we have a limited budget would be an understatement, I decided to try some of Gail's suggestions for our dining room. I took a look around our house to see what we already have to work with, and found out that we had more than I thought we did. Then I chose some colors and went to the paint store.
This is what I started with - a dull and boring color, an almost empty room and an old table with a missing chair.
And this is what I ended with. I painted the walls a bright yellow, replaced the missing chair and refinished the table and chairs, and moved an old dresser into the room along with some art that was in another room.
And the total price tag for supplies was under $300 if you can believe it. I still can't get over how much of a difference a few cans of paint and rearranging furniture can make in a room. And it is something anyone can do.
I would still like to change out the art work on the smaller wall. So, I searched the Design Style Guide website and found a few wonderful prints that I think would look great and complete our makeover.
Like this Sleeping Bunting print from Wannabes, Photography by Deborah Brackenbury.
And this Colorful Tulips print from Renie Britenbucher Glass Tapestry Artworks
And this Rooster Print from Torrie Smiley
So get inspired with Design Style Guide website and go makeover your home!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Decorating on a Limited Budget
Monday, May 4, 2009
Lauren Alexander: Etsy Artist from Kansas
This past Christmas I was looking on Etsy for something to get my mother for a stocking stuffer. What I found was a calendar designed by Lauren Alexander and it ended up being her favorite gift. Lauren does amazing things with watercolors. I make giant blobs of weak color with watercolors, so when I saw what Lauren does, and found out that it was all watercolors, I was fascinated. See what you think as you read this interview...
1. What is your shop name and what do you sell?
My shop name is Lauren Alexander and I sell my original paintings, prints, stickers, cards, and more.
2. What long series of events led to you doing this?
I've always been a watercolor painter for as long as I can remember. In high school I was dubbed the "guru" of watercolor painting class and won some school awards. In college I decided to be a children's book illustrator so I got online and tried to figure it out. Along the way another designer friend of mine started her own Etsy shop and that was the first I heard of it. She used her first and last name as her shop name so I did too. She taught me A LOT about being an artist. Her name is Suzanne Clements.
3. Who taught you the particular skills you use in your work?
Before I met Suzanne, I pretty much learned everything by my own trial and error in countless nerdy nights home alone with my paint supplies. My high school art teacher taught me some really great painting techniques that I still use today like under painting, using a really good round brush, and using a large and messy palette.
4. How long have you been selling online?
I got my Etsy shop in May 2006. I didn't really list anything and when I did it was an embarrassment. My first sale was in October 2006 but my sales were really spotty until really late in 2007 when I became very serious about it. That was when I discovered ACEOs and how much I love them. It shocked me that anyone wanted to buy them.
5. What is your favorite thing about Etsy?
My favorite thing about Etsy has got to be meeting a lot of really wonderful artists. I really feel like part of a community. It is a kind of community that I don't think I've ever been a part of before; one where I can have a kind of call and response to my creative impulses. All those nights I spent with just me and my paintbrush - I never dreamed that I could have a shot at a national audience.
6. What is your favorite thing about what you sell?
Painting itself gives me a lot of joy. It is like play to me. I love finding interesting color combinations. I love seeing how my style changes, how my mood effects what I'm doing. It is like looking at myself in a mirror sometimes - almost a visual diary of what I've done over the last couple years.
7. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why?
I have a lot of favorites. Sweet Tree is a fav. It was the first tree that I did like that and I don't know where the idea came from. I always go back to that idea. People love the tree and I love that it has made people so happy.
8. How does your work differ from the work of other artists in your field?
I think my work stands out because when people see my paintings (especially in real life) they don't assume they are watercolor paintings. I think people have a preconceived idea about what watercolors are supposed to look like. I try to do things with watercolor that most people wouldn't. Always going for bold and adding a lot of pop is important to me.
9. What teams do you belong to and what do you like most about them?
I belong to Watercolor Works Etsy Team. I like that we are a group of people that all work with the same media but in a lot of different ways. I love watercolors because they are so versatile. I like seeing what other people do with them. [Also Design Style Guide]
10. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop?
Blogging has been really fun for me. I really feel like I do it for me more than for the good of my shop. It helps my shop a lot but more than anything it helps me understand myself and keep myself in check so I don't get too neurotic about what I'm doing - I love that I get to meet other people that take an interest in my work. Talking to others can keep me sane.
11. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy?
Wow - I have found sooo many artists to admire. Two of my favorites are AppleandEve, GypsyandTwink. They were two that caught my eye really early on. I just love the simplicity and warmth to their designs.
12. What do you do in your spare time?
Between teaching and painting I don't have much spare time but when I do I like to try to relax. Maybe watch a movie, go to my favorite sushi restaurant, see a band play, just escape.
13. Do you have anything else you would like to share?
I would just want to share that I'm truly thankful to be a part of the Etsy/online artist world! I just want to contribute one small painting at a time.
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If you make Handmade Home Decor Items, come and join our team by clicking on the image below. Not only will you be able to network with us, but also you will have the ability to post your listing on our team website.
If you like this blog entry you'll love my blog, jn3 Hand Crafted Woodworks. Check it out. I'll be glad you did.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
5 Holiday Treats (but not for your tummy)
First up is a beautiful poinsettia mosaic tray from Catnip Studio Too. The tray itself is a vintage piece measuring approximately 12 inches across and turns atop a lazy-susan. I can't imagine covering up the terrific design with anything, but it would make a gorgeous centerpiece.
Decorating with dishes is fun and easy with this line of decorative handmade ceramic plates from Blue Sky Pottery. This one is a playful green and yellow glazed design with pink and white accents, but there's also an subtler ice blue plate with a white Christmas Tree that is just as wonderful!
I spotted this jolly rendition in a treasury several days ago. The Painted Palm Frond Santa from Suzanne Rall-Smith measures 25 inches high and comes with a leather strap for hanging. I've never seen anything quite like this and I think it may just replace the Wreath as my front door decor of choice....
...That is, if it weren't for this shimmering beauty from Dancing Circle. The Golden Ring Preserved Christmas Wreath is made from Oregon copper salal leaves with a golden sheen (and may just unseat the painted palm frond santa on my front door),
Next up, I discovered this sweet scene from Catbird Studio, which I thought would make a perfect gift and would not even need a frame. It is an orginal painting of a wintry scene, measures approximately 4 x 6 inches and is painted on a sturdy slide mailer.
It dawns on me that prints make a perfect holiday decoration. All they need is a space on the wall or on the book shelf and they store easily the rest of the year (not that they wouldn't be just as beautiful all year round)! Winter Solstice by Gentry Art.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Special Birthday Gifts for Scott
Fun Day At The Beach
www.reniebritenbucher.etsy.com
original painting - 36 x 24
www.MatthewHamblen.etsy.com
Jimmy the Silly Sock Monkey 11 x 14 Print
www.ElegantSnobbery.etsy.com
Freshly faked mini Halloween green cupcakes!
from www.FrostedFakes.etsy.com
Lollipop Rack-Medium
www.Shauneil.etsy.comI hope you will visit these artists at etsy or at least search for your favorite artists with using the team tag of interiordesignteam the next time you visit etsy. Well I had better get back to painting...you may visit my etsy shop at http://paintwithbarb.etsy.com/ for all types of oil paintings.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
OUR INTERVIEW WITH JOANNA GOLDMAN
Lets all Go to the Lobby 8 x 11 poster
“Let’s all go to the Lobby” was created as part of a bigger animated piece. You can see the video here:
http://i307.photobucket.com
This piece is a movie night intro for my fictional TV Network “Retro Modern”.Everyone seemed to really like these guys, so I made them into a print!
Who are you?
I am Joanna Goldman.
Where are you located?
I’m in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
What do you create?
I specialize in creating cute characters. I then put these characters on all kinds of things like light switch covers, prints, pins, magnets, bags and clothing.
Where do you sell your creations?
I sell mostly through my Etsy shop (http://www.joannagoldman.etsy
Where do you create?
At home, at work- anywhere I can doodle. I then scan my doodles in and perfect them digitally.
One Big Elephant Light switch cover
What inspires you?
Great music, great art.
Is your Etsy shop a full-time job, part-time job, or hobby?
Etsy is part-time for me. My day job is as a Motion Graphics artist. I am currently working on a show called “Deconstructed”. It is due to air on the Discovery Chanel in September.
What role does creativity play in your marketing methods?
Creativity is essential. Each of my characters have a life of their own. Exploring as many different techniques as possible lets these characters have a unique life of their own.
What do you friends and family think of your creations?
My mom is my biggest fan. All my other friends and family think my stuff is super cute and always buy my things as baby gifts.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
OUR INTERVIEW WITH KAT
Jetaime - Mae and Bebe
Mae and Bebe series depicting the adventures of a Mom and her daughter.Kat Hannah
Where are you located?
Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA
What do you create?
Prints and original artwork.
Where do you sell your creations?
Prints – http://kathannah.etsy.com
Originals – http://mamenolan.net
Wholesale - http://trunkt.org/kathannah
Alice
An original painting inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland classic story.I’m fortunate enough to have a home studio with washable wood floors for the inevitable paint spills. Never far from me, are my two giant Newfoundland dogs. They have endured the occasional blue or red splattered fur.
What inspires you?
As a wife, mom and artist there is a well of untapped inspiration to draw upon. My works illustrate aspects of inter-personal relationships, past and present. Sometimes it can be a phrase I come across, a certain play of light, or a form, which provides a basis for a painting. Painting provides me with the opportunity to express emotions, resolve issues, or just have a voice.
Is your Etsy shop a full-time job, part-time job, or hobby?
Painting is a full time profession for me. I spend about six hours during the daylight in the studio. Also, I find myself with stashes of pencils and paper in every room, just in case a stroke of inspiration should strike.
The Looking Glass
This is a fine art print of my original painting The Looking Glass.What role does creativity play in your marketing methods?
As the old adage goes; “a picture is worth a thousand words”, so I post as many of my images as possible on blogs, forums, web sites.
What do you friends and family think of your creations?
As my family well knows, I can be a little off-center and sometimes odd. With respect to my more imaginative works, I will often hear “hey, that’s a little strange” so that’s when I know the piece is now finished.
What are your goals?
I always attempt to infuse my works with a heartfelt sentiment. My goal is to convey that sentiment through line, form, and tone.
How do you envision your creations being used by your customers?
Beyond the obvious decoration upon a wall, I would hope my works strike an emotion chord with a customer. For instance, my series Mae & Bebe celebrates the interaction of a mother and daughter. I have young moms who see themselves in the work from the perspective of being the mother, and at times being the daughter.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
In the near future, I am planning to open a second etsy shop titled “a kat tale” offering illustrations and drawings.
For more information please visit
KAT'S BLOG: http://indigomood.blogspot.com
KAT'S WEBSITE: http://mamenolan.net
KAT'S STORE: http://KatHannah.etsy.com
