Lah, Dee, Dah Wreath

I've added a new wreath to my Etsy shop. I used 105 yards of incredible, "Lah, dee, dah" handspun yarn by Rachel-Marie or Knitty, Dirty, Girl. Visit her site here. I have one more featuring her yarn that I'll post tomorrow.
I've been working on creating a new website on the cheap (well, cheap as websites go!). A friend referred me to bludomain.com which sells website packages for $100-$400. Super-easy! You just fill in the blanks! Does anyone know of any other similar website stores? I'd appreciate any knowledge you might have about it. I've heard that you shouldn't have them host the site -however if they don't host you pay more! What do you think? xo

Amanda M. Lynch

You know how sometimes you discover a new artist whose work makes your heart immediately ache and pound because its so magical, wonderful, different?? That happened to me this morning when I happened upon the ceramic paintings of Amanda M. Lynch via If the Birds Knew blog. (Enlarge the images to see the amazing relief details.)

A Girl and a Golden Goose 2007

Ceramic
11"h x 8.25"w x 1.5"d

Candy Trees 2006
Ceramic
205"h x 22"w x 2"d

Rickshaw Walla 2006
ceramic and oil paint
10.5″h x 13.5″w x 1″d

Outnumbered by a Small Army 2007
Ceramic with decal and Gold Lustre
14″h x 14.5″w x 2″d

Birthday Party 2006
Ceramic and Oil Paint
10″h x 13.25"w x 0.75"d

Flight of the Little Girls 2007
Ceramic and Oil Paint
17″h x 5″w x 1.5″d

Quail 2007
Ceramic and Oil Paint

yarn goodness

I'd love to collaborate with Sui Li, the artist who makes these pretty crocheted flowers.
She also makes amazing paper sculptures! Visit her Etsy shop here.

Crocheted Baby's Breath by Sui Li.

Crocheted Ginko Portland by Sui Li.

Crocheted Plum Blossoms by Sui Li.

Crocheted White Plum Blossoms by Sui Li.

I purchased some amazing handspun yarn from Knitty Dirty Girl to
hopefully make some extra-special wreaths! Thank you, Rachel-Marie!

Lah Dee Dah Handspun Yarn by Knitty Dirty Girl

Evergreen Handspun Yarn by Knitty Dirty Girl

Scribbles Handspun Yarn by Knitty Dirty Girl

Cupcake Handspun Yarn by Milky Robot

Mossy Handspun Yarn by Milky Robot

The Knitting Fairy by Green Phoenix
Visit the artist's blog here.

that puppy in the window

I found this little Jack Russell mix puppy lost last night in our neighborhood. Trying to locate her owners. She has really enjoyed people watching from my studio window today. Wish I could keep her! **Update!! Puppy's name is Lydia and she lives in the neighborhood behind ours! She is happy to be back home now! **

Craft Biz Books

These three books are proving to be invaluable to me now. If you are concerned or confused at all about what steps to take to move your craft business forward-or even if you should continue- these books will answer all your questions and provide insight from folks who have been there and done it all! Click on the book to find out more.

Apolline à Paris

Visit this artists website here. It's magical! Above image via Crust Station

Newbies

New Wreaths Today! See here.

Branch and Yarn Wreath

Nest and Yarn Wreath

Marcus Kenney

Thank you to my friend Amy Z. who also sent me an amazing goodie box for my birthday-which included this great new book about Savannah artist, Marcus Kenney! SCAD was behind the creation of this book-proudly made for one of its most prolific alumnus. I don't know what happened to his snazzy website-but a very factual one, complete with publicity excerpts and gallery links can be found here. Just click on a show under his Exhibitionscategory for an easy view of the work. His book can be purchased at shopSCAD (912)525-5180 or here.

Yes, Teacher 2003

Vintage poster, end paper, notebook paper, magic marker, pencil, ink, oil, acrylic,
linseed oil, school book cutouts, acrylic polymer medium on canvas 59" x 59"
Collection of King & Spalding LLP Atlanta GA

How The World Will End PT.I , 2005
stamps, acrylic, children's book cut outs, vintage paint by number, tracing paper,
magazine, medium on canvas 11" x 14"

Lost in the Word, 2005
Original typed sermon, vintage wallpaper, acrylic, tracing paper, personal papers,
acrylic polymer medium on canvas 48" x 48"
Collection of Michael and Stephanie Schiavone

From I'm Tempted to Begin with the Ending Series, 2007
(Apologies-I couldn't find the title of this one)

boat throat note float, 2005
original oil painting, vintage wall paper, marble dust, vintage paint by number,
childrens book cutouts, medium on canvas 18 " x 24"

Everything Ever Said , 2004
Paper, comic book, and acrylic polymer medium 14"x 23" x 32 "
Collection of the Artist

Please Mr. Tiger, 2004
vintage wall paper, paint by number, acrylic, cutouts, medium on canvas
20" x 30"

Inside Out

A HuGe Thank You to my friend Nicole who sent me the most awesome goody box from Australia- which included this fantastic magazine that I'd never seen before- Inside Out! I love it! Maybe your Barnes&Noble or neighborhood seller has a great selection of international mags-but mine doesn't and I'm just eating this up! Thank you Nicky!! Photos below are all from InsideOut May/June 2008.

Technical Difficulties

I apologize for the lack of posts! I am having trouble with Blogger lately and it seems I'm not the only one. It won't let me upload photos again today! I think they are working on the problem-so hopefully I'll be back up tommorrow! Please come again! xo

a very happy birthday!

I turn 31 today. Thanks to my husband, friends and family for making this day so much fun! I'm going to have to share photos tomorrow! For now- here is a sweet photo I found of some little ghosties having a birthday party-found here on ebay.

New Wreaths

I've added some new wreaths to my Etsy shop! See here. Have a wonderful weekend!

Baby Bird Wreath

A Deer Wreath

Bird on a Wire Wreath
Sold-Thank you!

Elizabeth Soule at Rare Device

These quirky photographs mounted on wood by Elizabeth Soule are super affordable and available at Rare Device. You will feel super smart when you realize you've invested in a twofer! These works can be displayed as sculpture or wall art.

Horse on Polka Dots

Swan on Blue

Two Sheep with Wool

Elephant on Map

Julie Arkell

Here's some eye candy from the incredible UK artist, Julie Arkell. She is represented at Twig and Earth Angels in the US- but isn't yet online herself. She did however create a beautiful book that shares her work and studio with us-some images seen below. Her book can be purchased here or on Amazon if they're out. I've been collecting these images from all over the internet-so I apologize if I have forgotten where I clipped the image-but just know all are copyrighted by Julie Arkell.

Image above from Embroidery Magazine Nov/Dec 2008

Dolly Badges available at Earth Angels

Watches available at Earth Angels

Pull Toys photo clipped from Treefall Design

Big Eared Animal- found at Twig

Homespun available at Twig

Photo of Julie with her work clipped from Earth Angels

The Artist's Book

Arkell's Studio as it appears in her book
above and below