What are you up to this week? I'm still playing catch up. Some kinda flu slowed me down for the last couple of weeks, but I'm finally back among the living. Desperately trying to tidy up the workspace... although my head is in the clouds with all of the new artsy ideas banging around.
I think I'm sticking with the oldies this week. I've got a really cozy time-warp vibe going on. I'm off to crank up the Victrola & whip up a new batch of lemonade. Wishing you a fantastic week!
Hey you! How has your day been? I'm just heading over to The House Of Decadent Delusion - care to join me? Susan Gualtier's Etsy shop is full of all sorts of lovely creations & crafting supplies. I've also heard a rumor that she is sponsoring the new random drawing here (more info on this later). C'mon, grab your hat and let's go check it out...
I recently met Susan over at the Time Travelers Team on Etsy. We've been talking about crafting supplies and Art trading cards for a couple of weeks and she invited us to pop by and say hello. While we are wandering around, if you need additional info be sure to click the links.
Susan Gualtier: Welcome to the House of Decadent Delusion, where you can find handmade jewelry and fiber arts by the most decadent of crafters.... myself! This shop is my "house in the countryside," where I can feel free to retreat into an ideal artistic world of my own creation.
Sometimes people ask about the name of my shop. It's derived from the decadent movement in art and literature, and in particular from the book "Against the Grain", by Joris-Karl Huysman, which has greatly influenced the way I think about art, aesthetics, and life. If you are curious, you can find out about this book from this excellent Wikipedia article.
Hi, Susan. Many thanks for letting us drop in today! I have oodles of questions for you. First up - You work in a variety of materials. What are your favorites and why?
SG: My favorite media are wool and metal collage. I love combining colors and textures, and both spinning and metal collage allow me to do that. Both are a lot of fun.
You have everything from cute-n-fluffy to spooky Halloween in you shop. Are there any special Muses that influence your creations? SG: I am very interested in art nouveau and the literature and culture of the fin de siecle. I also love surrealist art and literature. Finally, I am a fashion junkie. I admire designers like Alexander McQueen, who blurred the line between art and fashion. If I could have one particular talent, that would be it.
Do you listen to music while creating? If so, what is on your current playlist?
SG: I usually like it to be quiet when I create, but I do listen to a lot of music. I mostly enjoy punk rock and indie bands. Right now, one of my favorite bands is actually Taylor Momsen's band,the Pretty Reckless. She has a great voice.
((blushes)) Is there anything you want to share about your new found love of ACEOs?For anyone unfamiliar with ACEOs (Art Cards Editions & Originals), they are mini-artworks. ACEOs can be made in any medium, always measure 3.5" x 2.5"... and are a great way to collect pieces by your favorite artists without breaking the bank.
SG: No, just that it only takes one to become an addict :)
Thanks, Susan, for letting us pop by today! Oh, and I think I heard something about a new prize? What wonderful goodies are you giving away to one lucky winner?
SG: A pair of white lace owl earrings. These fabulous lace earrings are a collaboration with my Mom (She goes by Millinery Mary on Etsy) She embroidered the owl pendants using a computerized embroidery machine. They are "free standing lace," which means that they are super lightweight, yet sturdy and rigid enough to function as beads and pendants for making earrings and other jewelry. I have accented each owl with a clear AB Swarovski crystal. Each earring measures approximately 1 1/2 inches long and is attached to a silver plated ear wire.
Ooh, thanks for sharing! These are really cute (& perfect for Halloween).
Want to enter the random drawing for a pair of Susan's Lace Owl Earrings?
Want a second entry? Next jump over to DecadentDelusion.Etsy.com, pick out your favorite item & share it back on this blog before the deadline.
I want to thank Susan again for letting us drop in on her today & for sponsoring this fun random drawing. I also want to thank everyone who came along for the ride and took the time to share their thoughts. The featured artists and crafters really appreciate your comments. Plus it is your interest that keeps these interviews and giveaways coming.
Want to see more of Susan's creative world before you head out today?
Dollycas, you have won your choice of 3 bottle cap pendants from the Etsy shop LilyBellesJewels. I will contact you today with instructions for claiming your prize.
Many thanks to everyone who entered this great giveaway! Your interest keeps them coming. In fact pop back later today for a fresh prize announcement and a new featured Etsy seller.
Want to find out more about LilyBellesJewels? Check out the links below.
I'm just playing around with some photos before I get my Monday moves on.
Xmas Dollyhas posted her new MM theme - today it is all about the 1970s. I've been enjoying Tom Waits with a side of coffee & photoshop today, so here's my 70s contribution.
Thanks to disco & really nasty fashion, the 70s have a bad rap. It is kind of amazing how much good music actually came out of such a glittery era. What Me Decade tunes are you digging today? Pop on over to Dolly's place & add a link. Looking for a blast from the past? Jump into her blog hop time machine.
Whatever you're listening to today, hope you have a great start to a stellar week!
Wow - is already time for IllustrationFriday again? Another fabulous art challenge this week - the new prompt is "Mysterious." Come out & play if you get a chance. Just post your mysterious interpretation and link up over at IllustrationFriday.com.
Skull doodles WIP
Sadly, I missed last week's prompt, "disguise." Time slipped away from me.... but I am playing with the mask doodles again this year. So happy to find more paper mache skelly parts when cleaning up my messy space. Last fall, I found that although I don't stick to art journaling, skull scribbling somehow clicks for me.
I'm thinking about listing this 2010 mask on Etsy. It has been finished (oops - never did take a final photo) & is displayed on a modified doll stand. The question is - should I add holes & ribbon so that it can be hung on a wall before listing? What do you think? I'd love any suggestions.
Time to get back to my day. If you are feeling doodle-iscous remember to post your mysterious creation & share over at IF.
Oh, & if you haven't entered the Sept 8th random drawing for 3 pendants from LilyBellesJewels and would like some more info, click here. All who comment on this blog before the drawing are automatically entered.
School has (finally) started and I am at last tucking into these mountains of madness. If you don't hear from me before the first snow falls, send in the troops!
This is the matting & framing areawhen I can actually see it. I am tackling this corner tomorrow, as the first half my print order just arrived - yay!
Want to see some real workspaces? Pop over to the Stamping Groundfor links to 100+ desks today. If you feel like sharing, link your desk up while you are there.
Ok, maybe I need more coffee but I (almost) love this drummer as much asNeil Peart.
Definately in my Top 20 of Wake-your-tired-@$$-up Monday Music. I never post it: A) because it got overplayed with Rescue Me(great show) &B)you can't embed a decent version, only some okay live ones. For a balanced sound & better take on this song, click this link to catch the official video.
After a late nite chattering over at the Time Travellers Team sale on etsy, 2 giant espressos & loud music are the only things waking up these insomniac's bones.
Question for you - remember how much you hated getting up for school? Am I the only Mom that somewhat resents having to do it again (not only that- but to do it earlier so that fresh pancakes are on the table when I drag an unnamed sleepy bum out of bed?) - ok,ok feeling petty. Please forgive me - it happens on a Monday.
Sorry i'm so grumpy/sleepy. I want to make sure to thank Xmas Dolly for prodding me into the Spotlight Dance today (without poking I do tend to be a wallflower). And thank my wonderful partner this week, DeniseisRunDMT, for not wincing when I accidentally step on her toes.
I invite you to play along - post what you are jump starting your week with & then add a link over atDolly's place.
On a side topic, it has been crazy busy lately - I'll share details soon. Until then, enjoy this silly cat that my son is completely enamored with
Not a feline fan? Pop back later this week & I'll have something for you.
Until then, have you enter the new random drawing for 3 (yes, three) pendants from Etsy seller LillyBellesJewels ? No, well clickty-click here for sample photos & giveaway details.
This is where you can get a peek at my latest creations. I also tend to ramble about favorite artists, curious objects, local events & other obsessions. Hope you enjoy your look around. All questions & comments welcome.
, which has greatly influenced the way I think about art, aesthetics, and life. If you are curious, you can find out about this book
