A chronicle of the meanderings, false starts (which in retrospect, while sort of embarrassing turned out to be highly instructive), epiphanies, selective apathy (still evolving), wild mood swings, opinions (subject to frequent change), and life lessons of an inveterate dabbler (and her latest dabblings).

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

I Scored Big

Sandra at Marbella Jewelry Designs invited me a couple weeks ago to do an Art Exchange. It was sort of chain-letter-style, rather than draw-names-style. I was a little skeptical because of the chain letter thing, but I thought for heavens sake don't be such an old woman (sorry, old women everywhere, about the stereotype thing). What's the worst that could happen.

Well I have to say I rather hit the jackpot--not in terms of quantity, but quality. And I discovered two new artists!

I received these lovely sodalite and sterling silver earrings from Tammy Easterling--she has an Etsy shop, Tammy's Treasure Chest, and a blog. Her jewelry is GORGEOUS. She is a metalworker--ha! I scored jewelry from a metalworker!! She made the little ball headpins on these earrings herself, of course. (This is my first project for when I get my torch. And when I have money for fine silver wire. I think I will start out with something I will call "blob headpins").



Check out these other earrings (I've hearted them in her shop)--aren't they FABULOUS? So delicate and ethereal. For more info or to purchase from Tammy's Etsy shop, CLICK HERE.



And look at these (I'm leaving like a dozen out that are AMAZING):

I ADORE sunstone. And aren't these the coolest earwires? To see this in Tammy's shop, CLICK HERE.

And as if that weren't enough, I also received a fabulous, OOAK matted photograph from Julie Magers Soulen, a professional photographer (ha! scored an art photograph from a professional photographer!!! I LOVE photography! I must have been less bad than I thought...) She didn't enclose a business card, but I tracked her down anyway. You've been stalked, Julie. You can visit her Etsy shop, or her blog. The photograph she sent me is of little butter yellow crocus peeping through a layer of spring snow--the photograph is entitled "Spring." The image is no longer available for sale so I landed an exclusive item! I know just where I'm going to hang it! I sort of can't share it with you because that would involve photographing it and I don't think that would work out very well. With Julie's permission, I share some of my favorite photos from her shop below:







Gorgeous, no? Makes me want to build an addition to my house so I can have more wall space. But it would probably be cheaper to take down all my Leif Garrett and Shaun Cassidy posters, they're kind of faded now anyway. I just can't quite bear it.

7 comments:

  1. Thank you for the wonderful compliments!
    That photography is stunning. I wish I could take pics like that!

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  2. That's great! You definitely scored, lucky you, they are gorgeous, yay!

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  3. So awesome! I was invited to play too, but unfortunately had to decline due to the impending move and all...and I am so jealous of all the luscious goodies you all are posting. Doh! Thanks for sharing. Hope there will be a next wave to ride on. Enjoy the day! Erin

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  4. Thank you so much for featuring me on your blog. I appreciate it! The earrings you received from Tammy Easterling are amazing. She is a fabulous artist and I am so glad to have found her. Thanks again!

    Cheers!
    Julie
    Julie Magers Soulen Photography
    Blog of Note

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  5. I love Tammy's pieces! I don't think she's paying herself anything though!

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  6. What a wonderful surprise! Love Tammy's work and those sunstones are gorgeous. Off to see her shop...

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  7. You scored big time! I can't wait to see what I get---I have high hopes after seeing the gorgeous things you got!(I'm participating, too!) :-)
    Laurie
    http://madebyswirlygirl.blogspot.com

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