“Come And See What God Hath Done”

Settled In Heaven Blog

“Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.”– (Psalms 66:5 ESV)

In the context of Psalms 66:, the Psalmist invites all of us to see the great things God hath done as He delivered the children of Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians.  Folks, some of the Lord’s greatest displays of His power and mercy were on display as He brought the ten plagues upon the Egyptians which resulted in Israel’s release.

However, this was not the greatest display of His power and mercy found in the Bible.  In a small city in Israel, Bethlehem, God the Son willingly came to the earth to live among sinners in the face of temptation, abuse and mockery.  And then, motivated by love, He chose to willingly die to redeem those sinners.

In my mind, this is the greatest display…

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Valentine’s Day on it’s way

If you have a loved one, you probably love Valentine’s Day.  What a nice day to put all of that hustle bustle on hold and bring out the romance.  Everyone has their own ideas about what romance should be.  To me, it doesn’t have to be a big fancy thing, like dinner or some special event.  I just love having my sweet husband look into my eyes and tell me he loves me and just snuggling up together and spending some special time with each other.  Although, not necessary, flowers are always wonderful to me….I just love flowers.  I’m one of those sweet, sappy romantics. 

For those who like to show their love through getting a gift for their woman, the love of their life, jewelry is always something most women love to receive.  That special sparkle, the thing that a woman can wear that makes her think of her sweetheart. 

I as an artist, enjoy creating jewelry that may be that special piece.  I love working with pearls, crystal, gemstones, wire….the materials used to make that one special piece. 

Please take a minute and look at the special pieces that I picked for Valentine’s Day.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BohemianIce?section_id=7692497

If you’re interested in the sterling silver vintage upcycled heart in the picture, here is the link.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66450687/beautifully-romantic-sterling-silver

OK…This is OT…Deadliest Catch is on tonight!

I know this is “off topic” since this is basically my art blog, but I just LOVE the show “Deadliest Catch” on Discovery channel.  Tonight’s episode is in honor of the great late Phil Harris, captain of the Cornelia Marie, one of the crab fishing ship’s in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska.  For anyone who has never watched this show, you are really missing a great one.  This show documents the rough life of the Bering Sea fisherman.  They are like family to each other….and I believe, in a way, a part of each viewers family, in their hearts.  The show not only shows how hard it is to fish for crab (and sometimes other catches, like cod)…but, also tells the story of each fisherman’s life and the trials that they have to deal with.  It sure puts a new perspective on each time you sit down to a crab dinner.  Many fisherman have died performing the job in which they do.

Tonight they will show the episode that will honor Phil Harris….a great captain, who always showed his love for his sons and crewman.  I remember in late January and early February of this year, when the news alerted Phil’s fans of his massive stroke….I believe most fans hearts sunk….I know many prayers went out for him.  He will be greatly missed by many.

Anyway, I don’t usually get really “tied up” in most TV shows (well except for Lost and Eureka…), but Deadliest Catch has become a regular in my life and my family’s life.  Tonight we sit down and watch with heavy hearts and a tear in the eye….Goodbye Phil….you will be missed!  God bless.

Also, on an artistic point of view….I would love to paint those beautiful ships….hum…gives me an idea.

Freshwater Pearls are the Bomb!

As a jewelry artist, next to Swarovski Crystal, freshwater pearls are my favorite to work with….when making a piece of jewelry with them, it’s like instant gratification seeing how nice the piece is turning out.  Pearls are so classic and beautiful.  They go with everything. 

I just finished a necklace and earring set done in green freshwater pearls and unakite (a green and brick colored gemstone) and I’ve just posted them for sale in my etsy store “Bohemian Ice.”  The earrings are gold-plated (earwires & dangle) and the toggle on the necklace is gold-plated also.  I always try to use quality materials in all of my creations, and that includes jewelry, painting, photography, etc.  

Here’s the links to the necklace http://www.etsy.com/listing/49738703/green-freshwater-pearl-and-unakite  and the earrings  http://www.etsy.com/listing/49737907/green-freshwater-pearl-and-unakite?ref=v1_other_2

Is It Art?

Art….it’s beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  What one person may consider art, may not be considered art to another.  This fact becomes very real to you if you ever entered an exhibit.  Sometimes you may think that the judge of the exhibit has a real handle on what works are deserving of a ribbon…..and then there are the times when you may think to yourself, “What was the judge thinking?”  Well, I’ve learned, just as probably most artists have learned, that your artwork may not please everyone all the time.  You can spend hours and hours working on a piece of art, thinking that you’ve done pretty well on this piece…and then the ribbon goes to a piece of work that looks like a Jackson Pollock work, like someone slapped paint on a canvas in a matter of a few minutes.  Don’t get me wrong…I’m not knocking Jackson Pollock or contemporary art, but I bet most artists have felt this way at one time or other.  If you throw paint on a canvas and get someone to promote you, you too can make $2,000. on each painting.  This definitely proves that art is in the eye of the beholder.  

No matter what type or style, you can usually tell when someone spends a lot of time and consideration on a piece of art.  I guess, maybe, this is what I look for in art….the time, thought, consideration that was put into it by the artist.  I try to be open-minded when it comes to art….I like most styles, but I like to see when you can tell that the artist really spent time creating and thinking through what they wanted to achieve with their creation.  There are times that you may not totally like that piece of art, but you can still tell that the artist really worked at it, and I appreciate that in itself.

So, we are back to the question…is it art?  This is a question that we all have to answer individually.  For more information on this subject…see ART  and  VISUAL ARTS  

Wholesale Beads and Jewelry Making Supplies – Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Wholesale Beads and Jewelry Making Supplies – Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.

Whether you are a jewelry making novice, who makes jewelry for yourself, or a professional jewelry designer with a shop or small business, you will want to save money by purchasing your tools and supplies wholesale.  It’s amazing how much money you can save when buying wholesale.  In many instances, the way it is done is the more you buy, the more money you save.  For example, the above link is for Fire Mountain Gems, who has increments where if you buy 15 to 49 items, you get the first stage of a discount, and if you  buy 50 to 199 items, you get the next stage of a larger discount and so on.   I must say out of all the jewelry supply companies online, Fire Mountain Gems  is my favorite for one, saving money, two, huge variety of everything you need, and three, excellent shipping (reasonably priced).  They also offer free jewelry instruction and video tutorials.  They’re your one stop shop for everything you need to design and make jewelry.  They frequently have sales too.

Jewelry Supply Company would be my next favorite for their weekly sales and clearance items.  They also have discount levels.  I especially like the variety of pearls that they offer.  I have purchased pearls for wedding jewelry there.  Their items come packed very well and shipping is reasonably quick.  They have DIY projects and videos for free instruction. 

There are many other jewelry making companies online and most offer a free catalog and newletter.  It is good to sign up for these, as I feel you are continuously learning new techniques and the newsletter, especially, informs you of upcoming sales.

Princess’ Adornment Gemstone Jewelry

During the month of May 2010, I had this gemstone necklace and earring set exhibited in the Lake Shore Artists Show at the Ashtabula Arts Center in Ashtabula, Ohio.  I designed this set using antique gold findings and gold-plated earwires, along with assorted pearls, amethyst, jade, green aventurine cabochons, crazy horse beads, and assorted glass seed beads and leaf beads.  I also used Swarovski bicone crystals for that extra sparkle.  The pearls were freshwater in bronze, copper, gold and white.  Where jump rings were used, I doubled up each link, giving it a bolder look.

When I design, I usually create as I go along, instead of planning out the project.  I tend to do this also when I paint or do digital art.  I find this approach works best for me, although, not everyone does it this way.  As in all forms of art, each individual artist has their own style and way of doing things, and I feel that this is really part of the art and the individual artist.  To me, art is not only the finished product, but the process by which it is created.

Web presence is a constant job for any artistic person, AUUGGH

This is the “one thing” that I have to say I hate about being a person who is trying to promote my art….having to update and create a constant web presence.  I know that it is necessary, but think of all of the time spent doing it, while I could be painting, or making jewelry, or playing with my photoshop….doing the “one thing” is frustrating to me.  Maybe it’s just me…..and I’m really not trying to complain….I’m not like that.  I just wish that there was another way to promote and build an art business other than putting all of my info on every imaginable website. 

Well, now that I’ve gotten all of that out of the way….sorry….I truly would like to write about artsy things that would help another artsy person…  so here goes!  I updated “MyArtPlot” today….I started it in 2007 and didn’t do much with it, but take a look, I think it’s a pretty good promotional site….mine is here.

Of course, Facebook is a promotional tool too….it’s worth a try, it’s pretty easy to use and you can easily link to twitter and other sites.

As I go on in my future entries, I’ll include the various other sites that can be used for promotion.

Hello world!

"Sunflowers"

 

First of all, read the “About” to give you an insight to where I’m coming from….I’ve finally given in….ararar….I’m attempting to blog about a large aspect of me.  It is not really easy for me to write about myself…don’t know why, really, guess it’s just my personality.  Anyhow, as I talked about earlier, I’m a Christian first, at least I always try to be.  My love for my Lord, Jesus Christ, and for what He has done for all who believe in Him, on the cross, is what I try to put first in my life. 

John 3:16-18“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” 

To me, it’s so easy to open up your heart to Jesus.  Give it a try and change your life forever for the better! 

Ok, now to my artistic self….I paint, (have tried most mediums…love watercolor and also like to mix it up with mixed media) I take photographs, (love my Canon EOS) I constantly monkey with digits…(digital art, photoshop, corel…any artsy digital thing I can get my fingers on)…and I make and design jewelry….(love gemstones and pearls and crystals).  I have done a lot of other crafty / artsy things in my life too, like sew, ceramics, countless other art-like activities.  I wish I could sew like my mom, who quilts beautifully.  She’s a very talented lady also, with painting, quilting, ceramics, and other things.  I’ll have to include some of her work in this blog too, as time goes on.  

Well, for a first entry, I think this may be enough.  I’ll include a little pic of one of my artworks. 

Please friend me on my Facebook and Twitter and Twitter 2.  Yes, that’s right, I have 2 Twitters….enough to drive you crazy!