A Few More

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Still Into Simple....but...

The bracelet making is still holding my attention, right now I'm focusing on learning new ways to do the finishing.  Knotting and burning seems a bit sloppy so far so I am continuing to practice, but would also like to discover ways to avoid some of that (I'm not a fan of the burning to seal things) so I spend a lot of time searching online for tips and tricks.  Today I was working on mastering the uni knot, its a nice way to attach a hook (the way fishermen do) when I don't want to do the adjustable closures I've been doing so far, and no burning involved! Here's a couple bracelets I did today.

The one with the hook closure is my first attempt at using the uni knot and it worked out well.
I now have 51 bracelets in my collection!
Next chance I get to work on these I want to start working on more complex knots/designs.

Sweet and Simple Bracelets

I seem to be focused on very simple bracelet designs.  Here's two of the latest that can be found on the website in the 'Bracelet' link.

Just Great!

In the past few weeks I have spent over $1300 getting the floor of my 1991 car repaired as well as getting one of my car windows fixed...last summer I drove the car with no AC and no working windows and I couldn't go through that again!  So now that I have maxed out my credit cards and never have spare money in the bank some idiot decided to break into my car this past weekend and he did it through the roof!! Just cut a big ol hole.  There is no money (or insurance money) to fix this one, just plastic and duct tape til whenever the car decides its time to go to that big junk yard in the sky. Ugh.

On a happier note I spent much of the weekend working on my website and making more bracelets. Check it out if you get a chance. karenhetzer.com

Checking In

I haven't been doing much (ok any) painting lately. I have a couple of small paintings and some prints listed on ebay but its like their third go around and no one seems interested. I think my style is out of favor right now......if only I could (or rather would want to) paint cats, they seem to be very popular.

 

Anyway.....I haven't been sitting idle, I'm boning up on my knitting skills and I'm learning to make macrame bracelets, I find both crafts very meditative.

I have closed my etsy shop, it never got any attention.  After listing some bracelets a few days ago I did make one sale after announcing on a community post that I was leaving etsy.  The sale was for a box of cards for $15 and after etsy took out for my listing fees, taxes etc I made $2.67, and they've decided to integrate with Paypal and disable peoples stand alone Paypal accounts which means you would have to wait for payment through etsy......ugh.  Doesn't matter, like I said that was the only sale I ever made and I just couldn't compete with 7.2 million other sellers, so many talented artists out there!
So........everything that I create to sell is now listed on my website , I still have prints and cards listed there for sale.

I have a Weebly website that I created a few years ago, they offer a few plans, one free and a couple other 'pay for' options including a way to sell through them.  I decided to keep my free plan and just direct folks to contact me if they want to purchase something.  It's hard to sell online when you can't afford to pay to promote/market stuff and I just can't bring myself to pay a monthly fee to set up a shop through a site provider on the hopes a sale will happen. I'm still in the process of redesigning my website to accommodate the changes and addition of new interests, my craft skills are still at the 'beginner' level, it feels like starting all over again.  I'm not complaining, it feels good to develop other interests, I haven't felt inspired in a really long time and that worried me more.

New items on ebay

I've also listed everything in my revived Etsy Shop :-)

Unfortunately my bird mural doesn't seem to get a lot of attention, no takers yet, may have to rethink its future 😕

Aceo Notecards

Six prints of my original ACEO work presented in photo frame note cards.  This is the Fall Collection and the set is listed on ebay.

Listed!

I decided to set a fixed price rather than an auction.

I can't tell if its really finished or if I might just be tired of working on it, I think its true most artists are never really happy/satisfied with their work.  I'm going to start working on some sketches for a new one, take a break, list it, see what happens.

More changes!  I think I'm being affected by the fall weather we are finally having.  I'm trying to deal with a couple of issues with the mural so far, one I just didn't like all the green and wanted to bring in more color.  I also was bother by all the branches on the smaller tree having too little foliage, and I'm thinking with the new autumn look too little foliage makes more sense as trees lose there leaves in the fall.  I'm going to be adding 'dropped' leaves to the ground.  Still more to do :-)

Another Mural Update

I'm getting closer to finishing this and hope to list it on ebay soon!

 

I added a hummingbird feeder with one Ruby-Throated Hummingbird and a Rufus Hummingbird.  I think there are enough birds on the upper part, I'd like to add just a couple of small birds (sparrows or finches maybe) on the ground and I need to address the area around the tree trunk on the left.  My plan is to add some simple field type flowers with some tall grasses, then also add a bit more leaves, stones, sticks, acorns etc to the ground.  May be able to finish this up tomorrow or Thursday :-)

Bird Mural Update....

Making some progress, constantly making changes and additions and enjoying the process.

Its been several months since I've done any painting but I've finally started up again. This is a 5'x 8' canvas mural I painted a few years ago (on the left) and I decided to get it out and make some changes (still in progress). I got interested in birds over the past couple of years from watching Red Tailed Hawks on the Cornell Website's webcam and tuning into live stream tours done by Ferris Akel on YouTube most every Saturday afternoon.
My intention is to list the mural on ebay hoping to interest bird lovers and then I will start a new mural, subject undecided at this point but I'd like to do a mural a month to sell.  I'll post progress pictures as this one evolves.

Fall Collection Note Cards

 This is a collection of my aceo prints I think are appropriate for celebrating the arrival of fall.
There are six cards in a set and each aceo size print is easily removed from its blank photo frame card (3.5"x 4.75") if wanted. These are frame worthy prints which makes them not just a note you're sending to a friend but also a small gift :-) Cards are boxed with a clear plastic slip on cover.
Set of six cards/envelopes $15.00 plus $1.50 shpg/hdlg

Finished Wall