Gift Ideas for Valentine's Day

Arthur Dove will be featured in the Frist's newest exhibit.

What are you getting your honey for Valentine's Day? 

My hubz and I exchanged last night (oops!) because he got me a fabulous gift that I would start using this weekend if I had it.  He got us a dual membership to the Frist Center, Nashville's premier art museum.  With the membership, we get free unlimited entry to every exhibit, free audio guides, and access to special events (among some other things).  We try to keep life on a tight budget right now so date night options are limited.  This, however, will allow us to go to an art museum whenever the fancy arises (and for me, that's often).  I can't be more thrilled about it as it will save money and let me go to all of the exhibits I want as many times as I want- yes I am that person :)  Plus, I love giving and getting experiences as gifts instead of just stuff.

So if you are looking for a V-Day gift idea for your sweetie, check out what your city has to offer in terms of memberships to museums, theaters and the such.  If you're in Nashville, definitely consider the Frist!

Store and Blog are back up and running!

Whimsical Paper Garland

Sorry for the long hiatus friends!  The past few months have been CRAZY busy.  hoop~da~loop exploded in sales, which was awesome and overwhelming at the same time.  I think us etsy sellers know how that goes sometimes :)  Andrew and I also moved to Nashville woohoo!  And are very glad to be back amongst our families and closest friends.  Bailey is also very glad that our new space includes stairs.  She loves running up and down them to get in a bit of exercise.  Posts here will probably still be on the lighter side, but I hope to post here and there with some DIYs, inspiration, and updates on the shop.  So check out what I've got going on for the spring... some new shapes!

Butterfly Garland- Totally Customizable!

Artist Highlight, DISCOUNT CODE and Giveaway!! Jo Arty Jo

So I am a HUGE proponent of educational gifts for kiddos and unique gifts for adults.  Jo Arty Jo has both.  AND THEY ARE AWESOME!  Seriously.  If you have kids on your list for Christmas, consider these coloring sheets.  They will really force your little munchkins to concentrate on staying in the lines and they will open their world to creative geometry and art!  If you have men and women on your list, check out these original pieces of art because they are fabulous.  Also, be sure to check out this inspiring interview, enter the giveaway, AND check out that discount!  Holiday deals aren't over yet!

Original Elephant

Hi Jo Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your awesome original drawings.
Hi and thanks! I am a stay at home mummy and self taught artist from St Albans in the UK. At the moment I am more than a little bit addicted to drawing with my black fineliner on white paper. I love the contrast! I occasionally add some color too, but usually stick to just the one. My work is mainly abstract, some zentangles. I draw whatever pops into my head, I find it very therapeutic and relaxing after a long day!
I am particulary addicted to making ACEO (art cards, editions and originals). These are collectable art cards which measure 2.5” x 3.5”, baseball card size! They are a way to collect affordable original art, fantastic idea- I like being a collector as well as an artist!

AWESOME Planner!!

Besides all of the drawings you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
My life at the moment is run by my little boy. I am so lucky to have him and not have to go out work. I draw and work on my shop while he is asleep. When he is awake I run around after him, take him to fun places, have play dates and generally try to keep him occupied and entertained. He is almost 20 months and has a LOT of energy!

What first drew you to drawing?
I have loved to draw for as long as I can remember. I started drawing more recently since I became a stay at home mum- I opened my Etsy shop so I have a hobby and second income, and to give myself some ‘me time’.

Coloring Sheet

What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?
Always create what you love. There is no point trying to create something because you ‘think it will sell’ if you don’t LOVE it. Art is about being inspired, loving what you do, and letting this shine through in your work.

Where else can we find you?
Etsy: www.JoArtyJo.etsy.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JoArtyJo
Twitter: twitter.com/#!/JoArtyJo
Pinterst: www.pinterest.com/jo1984


In addition to such inspiring words, JoArtyJo is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! Jo will be giving away a set of 3 printable zentangle coloring pages:

Seen Here

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on December 5th so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, Jo Arty Jo, and leave a comment here about your favorite item(s). Additional entries for: 1) becoming a first time follower of A Girl and Her Scout 2) Posting this giveaway with a link to my blog on your blog 3) Posting this giveaway with a link to my blog on your facebook and/or twitter 4) “Hearting” or adding Jo Arty Jo to your “Favorites” on Etsy and/or 5) making a purchase out of her store (one entry for every purchase). Be sure to leave a new comment for each additional entry!


In addition, until 31 December 2011 she will be offering a 15% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word “girlandherscout" at check out to receive your discount.

Artist Highlight, Giveaway and Discount! Melanie Caskey Photography

Just in time for Black Friday Shopping... check out this great interview with Melanie of Melanie Caskey Photography!  She's offering a discount and giveaway and her shop is filled with great wall art for everyone on your list!

2012 Calendar

 Besides all of the photography you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?I have this odd fascination with nature, the figure, and how those two things interact. So a lot of my work outside of photography is centered around the human figure in its most natural state. Gestural line drawings with watercolor washes really speak to me! I also have a degree in ceramics. So my interests are in a variety of places, but photography is my greatest passion. 

What first drew you to photography?
My parents bought me a Nikon N60 when I was in high school. After that, I took two years of classes (all film, of course) and decided I was going to go to get an art degree, focus my time in photography, and build a life out of it. Little did I know, the school I wanted to go to so badly did not have a photography program, but one (very talented) photography professor. So I dabbled in a little bit of everything, landed in ceramics, and now I'm back to where I started & loving every second of it! 

Tree Bark

Where do you find the subjects for your photographs?
I google "parks", drive to the one that is closest to my current location, and I hope I find something interesting. You would never know it, but most of my photographs are taken in heavily populated urban areas. I find a section of a tree, flower, anything that catches my eye and work around it until somethings beautiful happens in my camera. I just hope the people around me don't think I look too ridiculous crouched on the ground, walking in circles. 

What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?
Do what you love. I heard this somewhere once, "If people see that you do what you love, they will love what you do". Also, don't be afraid to put yourself out there and brag a little. Learn how to talk about your work and surround yourself with it! Most of all, don't get down on yourself if you don't meet your goals the first time (or the second time). No one ever said being an artist was easy, it's our determination that keeps people coming back. 

Vintage Book

Where else can we find you?
Let's see... My blog is here: http://melaniecaskey.blogspot.com/

My Flickr is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniecaskey/

My Twitter machine is here: https://twitter.com/#!/MelanieCaskey

My Etsy Shop is here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MelanieCaskey 

 

In addition to such inspiring words, Melanie Caskey Photography is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! Melanie will be giving away an 5x7 print of your choice. 

White Wild Flowers

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on November 28th so be sure to get in your entries by then!


To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, Melanie Caskey Photography, and leave a comment here about your favorite item(s). Additional entries for: 1) becoming a first time follower of A Girl and Her Scout 2) Posting this giveaway with a link to my blog on your blog 3) Posting this giveaway with a link to my blog on your facebook and/or twitter 4) “Hearting” or adding Melanie Caskey Photography to your “Favorites” on Etsy and/or 5) making a purchase out of her store (one entry for every purchase). Be sure to leave a new comment for each additional entry!


In addition, until December 8th she will be offering a  15 % discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word “girlandherscout" at check out to receive your discount.

Artist Highlight and Giveaway: White Bear!

Anybody know what time it is?  HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIME!!  That's right folks, the holidays are upon us, that's why I am super duper excited to introduce you to Lindsay from White Bear who is incredibly inspiring and is hosting a giveaway for you lovely and creative readers AND is giving us a code for FREE SHIPPING!!  Her shop is filled with uber unique and perfect finds for the holidays and great accessories for yourself for some festive holiday partoes so be sure to hop on over!  Check out her coolness below and leave a comment to win!

Awesome Lace Earrings!

Hi Lindsay! Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your fun accessories.

Well hello there! Thank you so much for having me. This is my first interview so excuse me if I get all giggly and start to ramble...I'm pretty excited. Anyhow, a little about me...I am a 26 year old native New Yorker (yes, Manhattan...) who moved to sunny Miami Beach almost three years ago. It was too cold for me up there, so I opted for the warmer life. I was a professional actress and dancer since age three but decided to take a break from that crazy life and concentrate on my other love, jewelry. My mother had her own accessory company when I was a kid which got my sister and I into creating fun things at a very early age. I've been making my own jewelry for about 15 years now! Only recently did I finally start selling my creations because I got tired of my friends saying, "You need to start your own company! We love your jewelry too much!" So, here I am.... Creating, selling, living and loving. I reside on the ocean with my puppy Chloe and my amazing boyfriend John, (who is a chef!) Yeah, life is good.

So as for my accessories, well I do a little bit of everything. I make beaded earrings, make headbands of all sorts, I dabble in feather extensions and my new favorite thing is LACE! I think it is so simple and girly but can be made into something so extravagant and exotic. The versatility it provides is extremely exciting for a designer. I hand paint all of my lace and try and create a new and interesting statement piece that no one has ever seen before! 

Hand Dyed and Crochet Necklace

Besides all of the accessories you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?

Since I live on the water, we are always on the beach or in a pool! It's really too hot here not to be! I also love photography, interior decorating, fashion, website designing, dancing, singing, I'm starting to do real estate, promotional modeling, event planning...yeah I kind of do a little bit of everything. I'm weird and ambitious like that lol. I'm a rockstar.

What first drew you to making accessories?

I am a creative person, through and through. Whether it's acting on a stage, singing karaoke at a local bar, helping a friend decorate an apartment or doing a photo shoot of my jewelry...I am ALWAYS creating. Art is all around us and it's just too much fun to not be making something beautiful constantly! Designing jewelry and accessories is a fantastic way for me to get all of my built up creative energy out there for the world to enjoy.

Tassel Earrings- SO great for Holiday Parties!

What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?

If something isn't working, find out why and change it. My motto in life (which many people think is silly, but it works for me...) is "never be satisfied." There is always room to improve something. Take different pictures, think like a buyer, find your niche, try different ideas. At first I wasn't getting sales, so I thought to ask around for suggestions, for help. I was told to change up my photos on Etsy because they weren't clear and bright enough. I did what was suggested and honestly, it was like magic. Business began to pick up instantly. So if something isn't working, if you aren't happy, if the sales aren't coming in...it's usually for a reason. Ask for help. Change it up. Live life on the edge. It can't hurt!

Where else can we find you?

You can check me out on facebook for special sales, giveaways, etc: www.facebook.com/WhiteBearAccessories

I also have a blog I'm trying to get going at www.WhiteBearAccessories.blogspot.com

And my personal site: www.LindsayBleier.com

In addition to such inspiring words, White Bear (such a great name!) is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! Lindsay will be giving away these fabulous lace earrings in any colors you want! 

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on December 1st so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, White Bear, and leave a comment here about your favorite item(s). Additional entries for: 1) becoming a first time follower of A Girl and Her Scout 2) Posting this giveaway with a link to my blog on your blog 3) Posting this giveaway with a link to my blog on your facebook and/or twitter 4) “Hearting” or adding White Bear to your “Favorites” on Etsy  and/ or 5) making a purchase out of her store (one entry for every purchase) Be sure to leave a new comment for each additional entry!

Don't forget, you can get free shipping over at her shop!  Use coupon code "girlscout" to receive that wonderful discount.  It's what's so annoying about shopping on the internet right?!  Can't stop you now!