Changes at CMZ Art/ Etsy Shop

It might appear, at first glance, that I have sorely neglected my CMZ Art Etsy Shop.

Trust me, that is not the case.

I just wasn't happy with the direction I was taking it.

So, I have pulled more than half of the pieces I had listed there and I am slowly replacing them with pieces for which this shop was originally intended.

This colorful painting, 'The Gathering', is a piece I painted in 2005 and it has always been a favorite piece of mine. It sold very quickly. I've decided to produce some prints of this painting and offer them on Etsy, along with some other favorites.

I'm going to be very selective of the paintings and prints that I offer on this site from this point on.

I have also selected a few pieces, that I am very excited to be offering, painted by my late husband. I am going to offer only a few prints of his most popular paintings.

Be sure to watch for these!

A Day Off?

I normally try to take Sundays off. For one thing, Sunday is family day. Five of my six children..and their children..come over for dinner and to visit. It's a wonderful 'bonding' time...but, it's also pretty tiring. That comes from having such a large family.
By the time everyone goes to their own homes, I'm usually too tired to do anything else anyway. I am sooo tired tonight as well. But, I've been busy enough lately that I haven't posted any blogs, or worked on any of the other sites that I'm on in a while. So, I'm taking a minute to do a few of these things....then, I'll call it a day.

I Should Be Working

I should be working..I suppose maybe I am since I haven't updated any of my blogs in a while.

But, I have prints to print, shipping to do and a bunch of ACEOs to paint.

Today is 'family day'...everyone shows up for dinner and some visiting. Grandbabies make a mess (which is what grandbabies do) and I won't feel like doing much after everyone leaves...but, here I am...writing in my blog.

That's okay. Maybe I just work better under pressure..I have for so many years, it must be natural for me.

I back up on eBay again...after all of my complaining! Part of my problem...I love checking throughout the day, to see if I have any new bids. I've done it for four years and just couldn't break the desire.

I do list on ArtByUs..which is an art auction site. But, I haven't sold anything from there in a couple of years and the activity there is just not enough. I've sold on OverStock...but, only large abstract pieces.

So...for what I want to do in 2008...Etsy and eBay are the sites for me.

I love Etsy..but, I do get buried quickly.

I'm not as fond of eBay...because of the 'glitches' they don't seem to be in any hurry to correct..but, it's fun to see new bids coming in.

My First Treasury on Etsy

This little gal isn't part of my First Treasury on Etsy...she's one of my recent listings. I think she is quite cute.

I was originally going to wait until after the first of the year to try to snag a Treasury and include some of my favorite picks. I went ahead today and grabbed a spot.

The title of my Treasury is 'Black, White and Red Hot'....and the items are are related to the titled theme.

There are some very talented artisans on Etsy and I am very happy with my selection. From now until very early Christmas morning you can view my Treasury at this link....

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=19894

'Tis the season...

I know this is the season for sharing, caring, reflecting, loving, giving....and I think it should be.

For me...I'm still working hard at trying to 'get in the spirit'...maybe I will...maybe I won't.

I found this wonderful image on an ephemera site, after doing a lot of searching. I wanted to find something vintage..and quite sweet. This just seemed to 'fit the bill.' Already I feel more festive.

It's going to be a very slim Christmas this year...not much I can do about that! But, I do look forward to the family get togethers...always on Christmas Eve and again on Christmas, my children...and their children...gather at my house.

I think I'll probably do very few new paintings until next year....instead, I'm going to work on 'finding my spirit'...I'm sure it's here somewhere!

Yeah...so...waiting until next year!!

I am not giving up on my 'Treasures and Trinkets'...but, for some reason I keep feeling pressure to get them finished and listed in time for Christmas.

And, well....that's just not going to happen. I think the pressure I've put on myself is hindering the results I am wanting to get from these pieces.

So...I'm taking the pressure off of myself and putting my experiments away until next year...then, I'll take my time and come up with some things I'm really happy with.

In the meantime....I'll do a few more original ACEO's and small paintings...some new 8 x 10 prints and Limited Edition ACEO prints and that will be it.

I've got some new series pieces coming that I'm pretty excited about...so be sure to 'watch' for these.

Just A Very Quick Note..and a Preview

I spent my week-end working on an experiment...and I wasn't able to list it.

I printed a few select pieces onto heavy watercolor paper and then coated the small prints with resin.

I have worked with resin for many years, but never purposely on paper pieces, so I wasn't sure how it would work. I was hoping for lapel pins...these are going to have to be magnets. I'm going to have to reinforce them as pins or pendants...but, I will keep trying.

Another problem I am having is how to get a good...clear...photograph of the finished piece. On this one...the color of the magnet is 'washed out'.

I think I have a bit more experimenting to do. I did list one..of my 'mother angels' tonight though. We'll see how she does.