Which I sprayed high gloss white.  I was going to use it as a big bulletin board, but then I decided I liked the way the white looked against the aqua walls with just the frame

Which got me envisioning putting a mini art gallery of vintage, industrial and modern items inside the large frame. So little by little, I have been adding to my creation.  My most recent addition to my my art wall is probably one of my favorites.

Last week as I was reading through my google reader, I was  intrigued when I read Barbara’s post.  Her blog is called, Hodge-Podge and she is from Canada.  Her blog reminds me of what I blog about,  DIY projects and design, one of the many reasons I love to read her blog.    She wrote about her 15 year old daughter who just opened an Etsy shop.   I loved the idea of a teenager wanting to be an entrepreneur, that was very impressive.  So, I just had to go check her Etsy shop out.  It is called Blue and Beyond   Wow, is all I can say.  I was pleasantly surprised on how beautiful her work was, she is a very, very good artist for her young age.  And I fell in love with this piece

And I knew right away it was the perfect little piece of art to add to my gallery frame.  So I ordered it. It was so exciting because I was her first customer! Barbara emailed me later and told me that her daughter had come running into the room after I had made my purchase all excited that she sold something.  She is an honor student, and her parents don’t want her to get a job and interfere with her school work, so they encouraged her to sell her art on Etsy to earn some money.  She is trying to save up for a Track and Field meet in Hawaii.  Once I read this, it made my purchase even more special.

Here it is hanging on my wall in my studio

The quality of the art is exceptional.  It is a 12 x 12 on canvas done with acrylic paints.  Love, love it.  I will be a returning customer that is for sure!

I haven’t finished the art wall just yet, I am waiting on one item to finish it off, so this is just a sneak peek

Ok, I hate when people do sneak peeks!  So I am going to show you the whole art gallery frame, just to be fair.  But keep in mind, the green “e” is being replaced with this metal highway sign letter “e”

Like my antlers?  I got them on clearance at West Elm last Christmas.  I use it to hold my flower balls that I make for my Etsy shop.  I couldn’t of found a better hook if I tried, isn’t that funny how things work out that way?

I was browsing Etsy one day looking for a sign to put inside the frame, and I came across the “etc” sign.  It just felt so me.  I haven’t decided if I want to re-paint it or not.  I kind of like the fun colors it was originally painted

I guess I need to take a picture of how the art gallery frame looks in the whole studio..something I will do when I get my new “e”.   The overall colors of my studio are watermelon pink, deep aqua, black and white.  The coffee table ottoman I recently did that I posted about here, is in my studio.  This might give you an idea of the style of my studio and how the art gallery frame works in the room

A mix of Hollywood Regency meets vintage meets modern. Everyone who has been in my studio feels the energy these colors bring to the room.  I wouldn’t normally use such bright intense colors for a room that I was going to live in, but when I step into my studio, the style and colors are really invigorating, and that is the feel I wanted.   It is eclectic, fun and so me!

An art gallery wall in my studio is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.

I thought it was a cool textured element she brought into the room above the bed.  I had never seen one of those before, so I did some research and that is how I found out it was a juju hat.    It struck me that a saying I have said for years probably came from the tradition of what a juju hat represents.

See, all of our lives, my sister and I have said when someone did something that was unscrupulous, you know not being honest or fair, we would say “oh that is bad juju”  Seriously, I never knew where that phrase came from, but I knew that it meant the person was probably going to have bad things happen to them because of their unscrupulous actions. {any one else superstitious like that?}

This is what the description says of the Juju Hat.

“The Juju hat is found throughout Cameroon, and is worn by prominent members of society, as well as the Juju dancers in West Africa  Juju hats are made from multi-colored or white bird feathers sewn into a raffia base.  The hats are a symbol of prosperity, wealth & the positive qualities associated with birds”  source

So I thought, having a Juju hat might bring good luck, so I ordered one.  {Ok, that is stretching it a little, I really just wanted one because I like how they make great wall art and  I have the perfect spot for it }. I ordered it on Etsy from AfricanHouse

I got it in the mail last Monday.  Wow, is all I can say!  This thing is a work of art!

Seriously, each feather is hand tied on separate stick and then tied to the base

It is truly amazing to see in person!  Then it folds up like this!

I can’t wait to hang it!  But that is a post for another day.  Cause I think it already brought me good luck!

Shannon, my daughter, was over last Monday, and I showed her the Juju hat.  She fell in love with it just like I did.  I told her to rub it real good and maybe she would go into labor and have Carter.  She of course laughed at me, but she did it anyway (miserably pregnant and over due I think she would of rubbed a lemon if there was a chance of having that baby!)

But guess what??? Yep!  She went into labor that day!  I am proud to introduce you to Carter, my new grandson

Born healthy and happy weighing 8lbs 5 oz.

Dang I look tired don’t I?  30 hours plus of no sleep…but oh so happy!

I love this picture of his little feet…

And this cute little grin…

Shannon laughs that I say my new Juju hat brought her good luck, but I don’t care, I love them both, Carter and my red Juju hat.

I think my new Juju hat brought me good luck is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.

The most amazing thing happened to my little Etsy shop today. I got an email this morning stating I was on the Etsy front page.  Are you kidding me?  I thought for sure it was some type of advertisement scam.  I clicked on it just in case and it was legitimate!  I can not tell you how loud I squeeled.  Two years I have had my shop open and never once had I ever been on their front page.  Not that I ever thought I would be, there are a TON of sellers with awesome creative items, but it has always been a secret dream to be on there.

I took a screen shot since I knew it would be gone in a couple of hours.  I wanted to savor it for as long as I could

Mine is the third picture on the left, the white and green ranuncula flowers.  It just made my day.

I also sent out my second international order today, {my first being to Japan} to the country of Azerbaijan.  Never heard of it, have you?  Here is where it is located.

So all in all, today was a GREAT day.  I am still floating from it all.

Are you kidding me? is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.

Etsyonsale.com

This is so perfect for me because I love handmade anything and I especially love giving them as gifts.  And now Etsy has a sale page!  Even more awesome.   As a crafter and a DIYer I truly appreciate the time and creativity that goes into making something handmade. I don’t have the talent to do all crafts, ok, who am I kidding, my craft skills are limited, but I like to think I have many.  As I was browsing this new found shopping haven, I thought I would share a couple of cute affordable gifts under $15 that caught my eye (I have no affiliation with any of these sellers I just thought their stuff was cute)

Little girls zippered coin purse $6

For the dog lovers on your list (I might be buying one of these for Daisy)  Dog Fleece Winter Coat $12

Make it official! Man Cave Sign $7.61

Great stocking stuffer Watermelon Hair Clips $2.85

I could sit here all day showing you pretty things I found!  But I can’t cause I have to do my own shopping.  So, go check it out, I am sure you can find something for some one on your list.

Etsy on Sale is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.