Longing For Spring Give Away

THE WINNER IS:
I picked two winners. I wasn't going to do that, but......when it comes down to the time to give away I wish I could afford to let everyone win! Thank you so much for all the lovely color combo ideas!!!! I appreciate your input and your comments! ***cue the drum roll***
Comment #5 is......Kary!!!! Kary can go pick anything she wants from my shop.
and Comment #13......Joon.....you can choose anything from the Small Pendant or Oopsie sections of my shop.

I thought that I would like to break up the monotony of winter a little bit and have a give away this week. But you have to work a little bit for this one. I want some information....what are your favorite color combinations? My daughter Jessica loves greens and purples together.

Now, here are a few springy flowers for your viewing pleasure.










To enter my Longing For Spring Contest, leave a comment telling me your favorite color combination. Don't forget to make sure I have a way to get a hold of you!!! Oh, I almost forgot to tell you what you get!!!! You may choose any item from my shop! I will use the random number generator on Sunday, February 24 at 1 pm Central to choose a winner.

blessings, ZudaGay

Knitsteel - Handforged by Kirsten Skiles

I remember, as a child, reading stories about blacksmiths making horseshoes and various tools . In my little girl mind I envisioned a person who worked with metals as a big guy who pounded steel and iron into shape. I can remember at a young age standing and watching a blacksmith working. It must have been at the county fair. This person wasn't large and he wasn't making horseshoes. He was making lovely graceful wall sconces and hooks. I love when our preconceptions are jolted into change!

I'd like to introduce you to a lovely artist whose work literally takes my breath away. I came across Kirsten's Etsy shop a couple of months after I joined Etsy. I loved her crosses which were elegant, rugged and very powerful! Her leaves so lifelike and beautiful and the tools she creates for other artist to use have these lovely simple lines that somehow call me to pick them up and do something. Kirsten lives in Wisconsin with her family. Here is an excerpt from her Etsy Bio.

"Kirsten Skiles is an Artist Blacksmith and Jeweler creating nature themed romantic home decor and jewelry.

Kirsten has taught at a number of well known craft schools, including Touchstone School of Crafts, John C. Campbell Folk School and Appalachian Center for Crafts.

She has exhibited both nationally and abroad. As a self-employed artist she works frequently on commissions for private residences through interior designers, architects, and other blacksmiths."

Here are some of the lovely items you will find to purchase in Kirsten's Etsy shop, Knitsteel.

This piece is my favorite in Kirsten's shop right now!!
Hand Hammered Sterling Silver Ginkgo Leaf Pendant No. 2

This lovely Textured Twiggy Copper Bangle Bracelet

And this beautiful Grape Leaf Trio - wall art

Kirsten also does commission work. I had such a hard time choosing what two pictures of Kirsten's commission work to share! They are all so amazing!! I implore you to take some time and go look at Kirsten's Flickr site.

Water Lily Railing

Copper Angelic Lectern
a commission piece for the Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse, WI

If you would like to know more about Kirsten Skiles and her work please visit her blog Hand Forged by Kirsten Skiles. To see more of Kirsten's work visit her Flickr site. And to buy Kirsten's lovely work you may browse in her Etsy shop, Knitsteel.

Blessings, ZudaGay

Here In The Land Of Pink And White

Recently a customer wanted off white and pale pink round petal flowers. I thought Humm, I've been wanting to try out an idea of an off white and pearl clay blend. So that is what I did. I think it came out lovely!! I love the subtleness of the veining in the petals. I think it looks quite elegant! And I always love pink, almost as much as I love red.....nope, not even close, but I do love pink.

Round petal off-white with gold center

Pale pink pointy petal flower with silver center

Round petal off-white flower with cute knotty silver center

Round petal pale pink flower with silver centerOff white pointy petal flower with elegant swirly gold center
which has a new home.

Just a show and a bit of a tell in this post....
blessings, ZudaGay

Alis Clair Art - Bright and Colourful

One of the first people I became acquainted with when I joined Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team at Etsy is Alis. Alis is a multi media artist who lives in UK. I believe Alis can create beautiful things from just about anything!!! One of the things that draws me to Alis's work is her masterful use of color. I love her color choices and blends and contrasts, they are a delight to my eyes!!

This piece sold some time ago, but I just had to include it in this feature as I think it is one of my favorite Alis Clair Art work.

There's a Sunflower in my Garden

This is what Alis says in her profile in her Etsy shop:

"Hi I'm Alis, just made 50 and loving it.

Living on the North Devon coast I have inspiration all around me in the colours and textures that I see everyday.

I enjoy playing with all sorts of materials - fabric, paper, beads and anything else I find in my stash!

I try to make sure that all my pieces have the attention to detail necessary to make them special.
I also hope my love of bright colours and textures shines through in my work."

I love flowers and this one is so sweet!!!

Flower Power Brooch

The colors in this piece are just so yummy!!!
Sunset

This mini quilt is lovely with a Victorian woman showing off her flowers.
Sunny Day: Mini Art Quilt ZNE

I love the colors and shimmer as this adorable star flashes through the night sky.
Star

Please take a bit of time and browse through Alis Clair Art Shop and enjoy the colors and moods and lovely art work of this very special artist! Also you can read her very enjoyable blog: Alis Clair

blessings, ZudaGay