My Birdsong

A Show of Friends

I can't wait for the Second Annual Tinsel and Treasures Show, Sept. 12, in our new location in Alamo, CA. I call many of these talented women friends and can't wait to meet the new faces we've added this year! But the big news is that a new blog for the show was unveiled today!

TinselandTreasures.typepad.com features two of the show artists, Susan Bartolucci of Tinsel and Whimsy and Sally Case. You'll learn more about them and even find a few pictures of the talented craftsmanship that goes into their unique art. After you read a little about them, visit their blogs to see the latest news coming from their studios.

You'll also find the show line up on the new Tinsel and Treasures blog. And while you're there, don't forget to sign up for the blog e-newsletter in the left column. Every week until the show, two more artists will be featured, complete with photos and interesting tidbits. Plus, you may even get a sneak peek at some of the art that will be available for purchase that day. Plan to be there early too to get the best selection!

Look forward to seeing you Sept. 12, 9 am - 2 pm, at the Alamo Women's Club in Alamo, CA!

Missing you with all my heart

"Nothing could stop you.
Not the best day. Not the quiet. Not the ocean rocking.
You went on with your dying."
 ~ Mark Strand

Brianna Lauren Grant, Jan. 12, 1990 - June 15, 2007

Brianna and some of her artwork, a self portrait below.

Tahoe at Christmas in Dec. 2006, our last family photo together.

I think about you everyday. It has been two years, yet your death feels like yesterday. It is not possible that this could have happened to our family, and yet it is our reality. I miss you with all my heart and soul. Your whole family does. Although you are on a different plane, we still feel your love. As I'm sure you feel ours, for it surrounds you daily. I am so thankful you were in my life, even for such a short time....Mom

Giddy with a Gorey June Challenge

As some of you may know, I love to create Halloween art all year long. In fact, I have a whole seperate blog dedicated to my October 31 themed art., Halloween Alchemy.blogspot.com. To help me maintain my creativity in this genre, I belong to a wonderful group known as EHAG, or the Eclectic Halloween Artists Group. It started on eBay and we've now expanded to include artists who sell on Etsy and other sites.

This month we challenge ourselves to create art that pays tribute to Edward Gorey. Check our eBay auctions  throughout the month to see what my talented fellow members have scared up!  I hope to pay tribute to this creative genius myself! After all, my husband and I never miss a PBS Mystery!, with stories from Agatha Christie and starring the shrewd Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. If you're not familiar with these PBS shows, they feature an introduction by Edward Gorey. (Here's the PBS Mystery! uTube intro.) I'm always inspired by it and am giddy with delight when the classic music begins to play. I know we are in for a real treat!

Speaking of which, you'll find all sorts of treats and no tricks from my fellow EHAG members. Snuggle in for mystery and intrigue and a touch of whimsy during the month of June. Search  eBay EHAG auctions this Sunday for our Tombstone challenge, too. Let the Halloween celebration begin!

A Wonderful Vacation

It's been far too long since I've posted, but I guess that what happens when you plan on a week's worth of vacation during a very busy time. I have lots of photos to upload of our travels in the Yucatan Peninsula, but I will leave you with this one for now - morning dawns over a portion of the resort where we stayed. So restful! Adios!

New Work on PFATT Marketplace

"Along the road of life, she looks within," (pictured above) and "Love" (pictured below) beeswax collages measuring 3-5/8 square on 1/2" thick board. Now on PFATT Marketplace.com.

In addition, I've dabbled in etched brass and have created several "junk" necklaces from found objects, vintage gems and some of this and that. See pictures below.

ZNE Convenzione '09 ~ A Wonderful Artful Event!

What a great four days of art, kinship and laughter! ZNE Convenzione '09 was wonderful. It kicked off with an amusing opening on Wednesday night at a downtown Pleasanton art gallery. Jon Troast seranaded the group as we met each other and put faces to the names behind the blogs!

Thursday began the classes. I decided to take one from the super fun and talented Lisa Kettell. She and her mother are a hoot! We laughed so hard in that class, my stomach muscles hurt. And, we made some whimsical little theaters, as Lisa gave away her tricks and techniques to art making.

The day was rounded out with the instructor dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. I was so proud to sit at a table with such notable artists as Anna Corba, Ruth Rae, Brandie Butcher Isley, Ann-Denise Anderson, Mica Garabino, Gina Gabriell and of course, Chelise Stroud-Hery, the woman behind the ZNE curtain. We shared about our lives and our art over margaritas, chips and queso. What fun it was!!

 Friday began with my Woodland Fairy Boudoir Lamp class. Everyone was excited about creating a magical little theater that lights up, and their enthusiasm showed in the gorgeous lamps they made!! Although my students all started with similar materials, each one created a lamp that was uniquely their own. That night, Michelle Beschen was the guest speaker at the hosted dinner.

At this time, I think I started coming down with a cold, because I was so excited and yet so tired from all the activities!!

Saturday and Sunday brought the Art Paperie and Pleasantries Art Faire with a myriad of talented artists selling their works and vendors selling all sorts of fabulous ephemera to use! Book signings and a variety of Make and Takes made the event grand. Being a vendor myself, I couldn't get away for any of the quickie art projects, but I was drooling over some of the Make and Take projects taught by the creative artisans.

I need to say thank you to Chelise, who coordinated the entire event. It took a lot of hard work and organization and everyone I spoke to just loved being there! Next, I need to say thank you to my lovely students who participated in my class. What a talented group of ladies! And finally, I want to extend my gratitude to all the instructors I met and talked with who shared their talents and were so humble about their successes. And of course, to all my collectors who came by to purchase some of my eclectic mix of vintage-style creations.

It was a grand affair and I look forward to seeing everyone again next year!!

"Seaside Memories" Shellwork Class May 21

There is something about the sea that makes me think of the many people who throughout time have shared happy memories on her shore. Old photos, glass glitter, iridescent shells, white sand and the sparkle of the water conjure up images of happy times or melancholy moments.

Please join me Thursday, May 21, from 4:30 - 7:30 pm, when I will be leading a class on creating a "Seaside Memories" shellwork plaque. You will make a piece like the one above, or personalize it with a photo of your own. The class will be at Cottage Jewel Antiques, 125-D Railroad Ave, Danville, CA, in downtown Danville, and the fee is $45 prepaid. You will need to bring a basic supply kit with tacky glue, preferably Aleene's. Limited to 8 students. Please contact me to register or for more information, iva@ivascreations.com. Or simply hit the Paypal button below to guarantee your spot at our shoreline table. If you'd like to pay by check, please email me.

I look forward to sharing some of the seas natural beauty with you.

$45

Something Different for me

I have had this idea for a Victorian cuff floating in my head for a while now, and I finally was able to finish one. It's now on PfattMarketplace.com. I have more in the works and should have them ready just in time for the show and sale at Art Paperie & Pleasantries, Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3, from noon to 5 pm, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA. I'd love to see you there and maybe you can tell me what you think of my new altered jewelry!?

Also, there's still time left to sign up for my Woodland Fairy Boudoir Lamp class, on Friday, May 1, from 10 am to 4 pm. You find more details and register here, or go to my Events and Workshops page here on my blog for information. Look forward to seeing you there!

Living Vicariously Through A Friend Visiting Paris

This is one of the lovely places the talented artist and my friend Gina Gabriell, owner of Tangerine Shop, in Dublin, CA, has visited while in Paris this past week. She will be there until April 9, when she flies home to the states. You really must visit her blog, http://tangerineshop.blogspot.com/, to read about her adventure so far. I can't wait to hear all about her trip and see what wonderful finds she discovers at the markets and brings back to the shop. As they say, au revoir for now!

Honored to be a part of Marie

The much anticipated Marie magazine by Stampington &  Company arrived in the mail a few days ago, and I am so proud to be among the very talented artists who grace it's pages. In fact, I was surprised to find my inclusion, even though I was secretly hoping something of mine would be selected. (See my Marie inspired postal parcel below sent to the magazine.)

You'll also find two of my dear friends Colleen Moody and Donna O'Brien are featured. I guess we all inspired each other to submit and who knew? And, I mustn't forget my friend and very talented Connie Govea Stuart, whose beautiful Marie-inspired paper shoes were highlighted, as well.

(And to think that we four and eight other artisans will be in the Second Annual Tinsel and Treasures Folk Art Show and Sale, Saturday, September 12, in Alamo, California! An event  not to be missed!)

I was just telling someone that I am fortunate to live in an area with so many resources for artists and with so many sweet and creative people that I see on a regular basis.

In fact, a quick trip last week brought Colleen and I to the studio of Wendy Addison of the Theater of Dreams. And that is exactly what it is!

We were there to pick up our very own personalized books she created. I was humbled by the magic that surrounded us, sitting in her antique-filled apartments while she told us about her muse. I was overcome by emotions on several occasions enjoying the special moments while Wendy put the final touches on each of our books and we chatted about the artistic life. Something to treasure indeed!