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 and Giveaway!! Ancienesthetique

A little contrary to my typical midweek post {it's been a crazy busy week},  I am hosting a wonderful international artist, Victoria from ancienesthetique.  Victoria and her husband reside in France but have a wonderfully romantic story of traveling around the world, which has resulted in a beautiful style illustrated by her store.  Some of my favorites:

Vintage Espresso Cups

 Vintage French Keyring 

 Vintage Floral Espresso Cups

Hi Victoria! Welcome!  Tell us a little bit about yourself and your wonderful vintage collection.
Well I’ve recently ( a year ago) moved to France with my husband and baby.. he was just a bump when we moved, he’s now ten months!
Previous to that we lived in Bolivia where we were doing volunteer work for some months….then I found out I was pregnant! SURPRISE! So we thought we should be sensible and be in one place for a bit, why not try France? Where my brother and family just live down the road….
Originally I’m Welsh and Trevor is from Oxford…we met in sunny Malta..
As to our vintage collection, well it’s a life project! Trevor is an antiques furniture restorer so he loves the old and the broken! We are avid goers to all things such as car boot sales in England, vide greniers ( empty attic in French) here and garage sales in the states…I LOOOOVE flea markets..
Some of my best finds have been out of skips or off the pavement in Oxford!
So basically we collect all over the place and have a constant space dilemma, we currently live in small apartment so it was time to share our finds with the rest of the world in a shop!
MMM the smell of old books.
We will never be minimalist , hard as we try!

{Bloggers note: SO JEALOUS!!!!!!}

Besides the vintage goods you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
I love sport, snowboarding and skiing particularly, I love reading and writing letters to my friends… not much time for the latter these days though! I love swing dancing and any excuse for a party, getting together with friends, picnics and swimming in lakes and rivers…
CHOCOLATE and RED WINE!!
Making jewellery, bits of stuff out of stuff!

What first drew you to vintage wares?
I’m a keen enviromentalist so try to recycle wherever I can, I don’t like having or wearing the same as everyone else, I like bargain hunting and feel like I’m getting a good deal and treasure find, and I simply find that with vintage you get something that has stood the test of time so therefore in my eyes has increased greatly in value… I also love handmade which many vintage items are…

What inspires what you put in your shop?
I just pick up things that I would like to have in my home or wear myself… in fact it’s pretty hard to part with some things and they stay in my home for awhile before I give in!
I also like to keep an eye on current London fashions as it always seems at the forefront of vintage and new trends that way.. so I like to read magazines on vintage clothing or homewares..
Also I think travel broadens my taste for different pieces or styles…

What advice would you give to aspiring vintage artists and Etsy shop owners especially the international sellers since you are in France?
Be careful how you post stuff!! I had a few breakages at first, and especially around christmas when the postal service is less careful it seems…don’t skimp on bubble wrap!
Try and explain as accurately to customers as possible how long it will realistically take, there have been major shipping delays recently due to increased U.S security but hopefully improving now….
I think get involved in the etsy world, join some teams, participate in bnr’s, make treasuries, comment on others…
I also have a recycled jewellery shop on etsy which is sorely neglected, and so I know the difference these efforts can make, as I practically don’t bother with my first shoo…due to time, not lack of love!
And also just really enjoy the ethos of etsy and promote it where you can.,,….have fun, don’t get too stressed!

What is your favorite part of French culture?
Ooooh la la, that’s a tricky one! It’s so different in some ways here… you know the scene in the film ‘Love Actually’?? where Rowan Atkinson is wrapping a necklace gift up for the customer’s mistress and he’s trying to be quick but it’s taking ages with all the wrapping, and the trappings and the faffings… well that’s very French I think! Why say it in three words when you could use fourty three?? Why just have a sandwhich when a five course meal is available…why start the wedding on time when you could delay by and hour or two by chatting about it first?
So basically I think I’m trying to say that the pace of life here is lots slower and smaller things, like eating, and talking to each other are more greatly valued.. so the quality of our life feels good!
I also love the markets, food or flea, I loooove them!

In addition to such inspiring words, Victoria is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! She will be giving away an espresso cup of your choice like one of these.

This is open to all international entrants!

 

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on April 30th so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, Ancienesthetique, 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 Ancienesthetique 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 April 30th she will be offering a 20% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word “girlandherscout" at check out to receive your discount.

Midweek Artist Interview and GIVEAWAY!!! Reinvintage Jewelry

It's time for the midweek artist people!! Get excited!! Today I am welcoming Traci, the lovely wife of one of our previous featured artists Scott from Reinvintage Arts. (Love a creative duo in love!)  She is a jeweler that repurposes vintage wares into beautiful designs and sells the in her store, Reinvintage Jewelry.  Sustainable? yes. Creative? yes. Wonderful? yes!

Some of my favorite items from her store:

 Token Travel Charm 

 Keys, Keys, and more Keys Necklace 

 A Pair In the Hand Earrings

Hey Traci! Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your wonderful jewelry design.
I've been in Florida for several years now and it is, by far, my favorite of our temporary homes. My husband Scott of 19 years has a job that requires relocation from time to time and we've lived throughout the southeast. I have home schooled my two wonderful daughters from elementary to high school. They are my pride and joy. I work primarily in the re-purpose or altered art part of the craft, using vintage jewelry elements and an odd lot of antique collectibles, basically anything interesting I can fashion into jewelry. Whenever I look at an old object, whether it's a frozen Charlotte doll, a few milk bottle toppers or a tintype photo, I find myself asking “Can I use that in a piece of jewelry?”.

Besides the jewelry you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
I love music and I love to dance. Give me a new playlist and enough room to move my feet and I'll dance for hours. My girls and I frequently find ourselves singing and dancing until we collapse.

What first drew you to jewelry design, especially re-purposing vintage items?
I've always gravitated to older jewelry, but only recently stumbled across altering them, essentially by need. I had a couple of older pieces that were damaged and refashioned them into one new piece. At first I wasn't sure I could do it, but then I found myself “dissecting” other pieces I had that I didn't like the way they were. After a dozen new pieces, I was hooked.

What inspires what you put in your shop?
Everything inspires me. For instance, we went to the Renaissance Fair in early February and as soon as I got home, I started thinking of different ways to incorporate some of the feminine elements I saw at the fair. The lovely pinks and greens of the fairies and the deeper blacks and reds adorning some of the wenches. As a general rule, I never make anything that I won't wear myself. In fact, it's often difficult to let go of a piece once it's complete.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?
Whether you are online or working locally, networking is essential. I've learned so much from all the local craftswomen here and made some great new friends. Online, I've found more answers about the origins of my pieces from teams and forums than from the research sites.

Where else can we find you?
If you're local to South Florida, you can probably find me at any of the underground Craft shows. Next week I'm doing my first “mainstream” event, the Green Expo with the City of Plantation, comprising of eco-friendly businesses and vendors. In March, I have an event at the Kreepy Tiki, hosted by the Kreepy Kittens and also will be a vendor at the Odd Duck craft show. For more local events or to keep up with my new listings, visit my facebook fan page here.

In addition to such inspiring words, Traci is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! She will be giving away this Keying of the Forest Necklace. This one of a kind gold necklace has a painted turn of the century skeleton key, a lion pendant, and is accented with an orange ribbon and amber beadwork.

 

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on April 23rd so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, Reinvintagejewelry, 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 Reinvintagejewelry 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 April 23rd she will be offering a 10% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word “girlandherscout" at check out to receive your discount.

Midweek Artist Interview and Giveaway! HelloAgainVintage

Here's a little midweek interview, giveaway, and discount code from vintage dealer Grace from Hello Again Vintage who has the cutest vintage clothes in her shop.  I could totally rock this emerald dress tomorrow for St. Patrick's Day :)

My faves:

1970s Samuel Blue Emerald Dress

1960s Vanity Fair Dress Slip 

Cheetah Pendant Necklace 

 

Hey Grace! Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your wonderful vintage collection.
I have lived in New Jersey all my life. And I’ve always had a love for fashion. After graduating college in 2006 and getting caught in the economic slump, I started my own business, Hello Again Vintage. Since then, it’s been my priority and I love it.

Besides the vintage clothing and accessories you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
I recently learned to sew so lately have been working on reconstructing old, drab clothes.

What first drew you to vintage wares?
My parents were always pretty cheap so ever since I was little, going to garage sales, flea markets, and thrift stores became a weekend ritual. My very first find was a Vintage 1980’s Orphan Annie Doll – I loved her little red dress.

What inspires you?
A lot of my inspiration comes to me while browsing fashion/design blogs & magazines and from seeing others personal style. Here is my little collection of photos, videos, and quotes that keep me motivated.

What advice would you give to aspiring vintage artists and Etsy shop owners?
Buy and sell what you love. Because vintage clothing and accessories are not always perfect, you’ll have to follow your gut. After a while, you’ll get a feel of what’s sellable and what’s not.

Find Grace on her blog, Facebook page, and Twitter.

In addition to such inspiring words, Hello Again Vintage is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! She will be giving away this Vintage 1980’s Flower Necklace.

 

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on April 2nd so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, Hello Again Vintage, and leave
a comment here about your favorite item(s). Additional entries for:
1) Become a first time follower of A Girl and Her Scout
2) Post this giveaway with a link to my blog on your blog
3) Post this giveaway with a link to my blog on your facebook and/or twitter
4) “Heart”or add Hello Again Vintage 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 March 31st 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.

Party Day 3~ Artist Highlight and Giveaway: Water Between Stones

To finish off this spring break party, I was to introduce another vintage collector and artist, Wes from Water Between Stones.  He is gracing us with a great interview, a discount to his shop, and a giveaway!! His store is filled with fabulous and unique vintage goodies.  

I happened to pick some favorites here:

 Japanese Moriage Teapot

Vintage Japanese Painting

Spy Camera (It's the size of a quarter!)

Tin Tray 
(would look great with some plants on it in the center of the table)

Hi Wes, Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your wonderful vintage collection.
My name is Wes, the “husband” part of our husband – wife – daughter team who moved across country not long ago, bought a house sight unseen, to follow my job. Renee (the wife) found a great job and Shyla (the daughter) started elementary school just down the road. Then less than two years later both of the “steady” jobs fell through and we were suddenly without much income. We had gathered an interesting little collection of stuff but never really enjoyed it, mostly due to the fact we also love animals, and with a few dogs and cats in the house, pretty things on shelves just don’t fare well! So we opened up a shop at an antique mall not far away and began our vintage journey on Etsy. Now our house is part inventory warehouse in tubs and closed cabinets!

Besides the vintage items you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
I love photography and nature, which was the genesis of WaterBetweenStones.com. The name seemed very fitting for a vintage shop as well. We all love helping others and enjoy a simple life, with as little hustle and bustle as possible.

What first drew you to vintage wares?
Primarily the fact that I can’t find any in Wal-Mart! More importantly it’s the connection we’ve discovered with our past through the stories, and the deepening of the desire to learn more. Finding interesting vintage pieces and then researching them reminds me of an inspiring college professor who taught me the most valuable lesson of those 4 years, well… six, and that is that I really don’t know that much!

What inspires what you put in your shop?
Beauty is a big part. We like things that seem a bit distant from the ordinary, a bit of contrast, eclectic, and a touch of cool.

What advice would you give to aspiring vintage artists and Etsy shop owners?
1. Remember you’re not a museum
2. Don’t take yourself to seriously

You can find Wes here:

His Vintage Blog

His Zen Nature photography

His CafePress design shop 

His Facebook Page

His Twitter

His Newly launched handmade shop

In addition to such inspiring words, Wes is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! He will be giving away this awesome wood and tile trivet!

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on March 24th so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to his Etsy Store, Water Between Stones, 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 Water Between Stones to your “Favorites” on Etsy and/or 5) making a purchase out of his store (one entry for every purchase). 

Be sure to leave a new comment for each additional entry!

In addition, until March 24th he will be offering a 17% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word “girlandherscout" at check out to receive your discount.

Party Day 2~ Artist Highlight and Giveaway: Head on the Wall

The Spring Break party kicked off quite nicely yesterday!  Thanks for joining in if you stopped by! 

In case you missed Part 1 of 3 check it out here.  

Today I have the privilege of introducing another wonderful local (to me) artist.  Cynthia from Head on the Wall has fun and funky scarves and beautiful paintings in her shop.  Today, she is gracing us with her wise words, offering a discount to her shop and hosting a giveaway of anything $40 or under from her shop. SO GENEROUS!!

Some of my favorites from her shop: 

Sardonyx Tie-Dye Scarf

 Eat Clean Tee 

Chicago Nude Giclee Print

Hey Cynthia! Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your art.
First off I would like to say thank you for featuring me in the artist section of your blog. I have really enjoyed reading the past posts and seeing what other people are doing out there.
I am a painter and graphic designer living in Knoxville. I am drawn to the images and lifestyle of popular culture and its icons. People like Andy Warhol, and Roy Lichtenstein inspire me. I believe that what makes these people and their objects so popular is their ability to communicate boundless information, efficiently, quickly and repetitively. I have a theory that as individuals we say everything we intend to say about ourselves in the first 3 seconds we meet a new person. We do this with the outline of our silhouette. The things that create this outline is our hairstyle, the clothing and accessories we wear, our posture, and gestures among others.

Besides the beautiful paintings and scarves you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
I love to screen print, and design logos, business collateral, posters, menus, etc. for clients. I also like to paint murals. Last summer I painted a bicycle billboard for Veg-A-Rama vegetarian restaurant. I also designed their menus when they opened. Recently I held my first workshop, so I am adding teaching to my list. At the workshop we tie dyed scarves and clothing items, shirts and paints. We had a blast! Outside of art I enjoy cooking and being with my family.  I have 2 nieces and 3 nephews they are crazy and I dig it! Three of them live here and they are 3yrs., 4yrs., and 6yrs., old. My other niece (11yrs.) and nephew (15yrs.) are in Chicago. I hope to go visit them in the summer.

I also enjoy hanging out with friends at the pub, and going to see live music is always a good time. Being outside, walking, riding my bike is a great way to spend my afternoon, and in the spring and summer I like to garden at the studio. It usually consists of herbs like, basil, sage, thyme, and parsley and tomatoes. Last year I grew an amazing garden and so much stunning basil (it must have been the soil) that it inspired me to paint the oil painting on canvas that’s currently for sale in my etsy store. It’s was also recently selected for a ”Treasury” this month on Etsy.com.

What first drew you to art, especially painting?
I have been drawing or creating things for as long as I remember. When I was about 8 or 9 yrs. I had my mom requesting catalogs for Parson’s School of Design in New York. I wanted to attend the school for fashion design. I remember crocheting dresses for my barbie dolls. In grade school I was always involved in art classes. I went to college at Belmont in Nashville, initially going for music business. In my sophomore year, I took an art class in Knoxville at Pellissippi State and my instructor, pulled me aside and convinced me that I should be pursuing fine art. Painting just came naturally... the smell of the oil and turpentine was intoxicating. When I am painting, I “zen out.” By that I mean that I am truly in the moment. The only other thing I do that I can compare it to is going on a long bike ride. I am never more aware of myself and my surroundings as when I am participating in these activities.

What inspires you?
People, color, faces and things! I find that after all things said and done I am inspired by a late night in my studio with the perfect music, the The Velvet Underground and the best of David Bowie for example, coffee brewing around the corner in the kitchen and the sound of colors swirling through my head. Color is the music of my soul. Anytime, anywhere, I am inspired by what I see and how I see it. Inspiration happens all the time. The question is more, when can I act on my inspiration!

What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?
Be diligent with your shop. When I first started I didn’t really have a focus. Last November I redid my shop and am looking forward to having my first sale. In the past month, I have really participated in the events on the community page on etsy. The symposium at the beginning of February helped immensely. Since then I have created my own blog found here. and I am not only reaching out to the online community, but with in my local community as well. I am really starting to have fun with my shop. It all of a sudden doesn’t feel like work.  Etsy continues to impress me with the amount of information that is available on their site for free.

Where else can we find you?
I am present on facebook under my name and Head on the Wall Productions, on twitter here, on my portfolio site here and of course on my blog here.

In honor of highlighting local, east Tennessee artists, Cynthia is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! She will be giving away any item of a $40 value or less from her store.

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on May 1st. Just in time for Mother’s Day! So be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, HeadOnTheWall, 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 HeadOnTheWall 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 Mothers Day Cynthia will be offering a 30% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word “girlandherscout" at check out to receive your discount.

Thanks again Cynthia and happy crafting readers!

Artist Highlight and Giveaway: Mellow Mermaid!

 To get this spring break party started, I would like to introduce an awesome artist and vintage collector that not only has an Etsy shop for her vintage wares, but a brick and mortar shop as well.  Oooolalala :)  Lori has the cutest items in her shop, Mellow Mermaid.  I literally spent an hour going through it and had so many favorites that I had to remove half of them so my blog post was readable.  Anyways, you get the point... So without further ado here is Lori from Mellow Mermaid with an interview, discount (I'm totally using it!), and giveaway (a gift card!) here!

Some of my favorites from her store:

Vintage Train Case

Upcycled Wall Sconces 

Stiched Map of the South Pillow

Fabulous Vintage Crewel Work

Besides the vintage items you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
My college degree is in Studio Art & Art History. I've been fortunate to have always worked in the arts. My many "Art" hats include: Gallery Artist; Art Teacher; Artist in Residence; Summer Art Camp Director; Gallery Sales; Ceramicist; Painter; Mixed Media Artist; Decorator; Creative Recycler.

I opened my brick & mortar shop in 2005 in a rented space at an Antique Mall in Virginia Beach. My plan was to use this as a test market for a shop I would open in a historic beach cottage 2 blocks from the Oceanfront. Six years later, I still fantasize about my vision for Mellow Mermaid Studio, but my terror of being trapped indoors keeps me from seeing it to fruition. My shop at Barrett Street Antiques is still going strong. I work there 1 day every week or two, rearranging, restocking & merchandising. I spend the rest of my time working in my home art studio, where I can see the ocean from the deck where I prefer to work whenever the weather cooperates.

I treasure hunt regularly & especially love it when I'm traveling. Thrift shopping is like a social experiment for me. I learn so much about the people from the things they cast aside. I love imaging the stories of how an item ended up on a shelf in Goodwill store. I even once found a pair of framed postcards that I had designed for a postcard company, while living in New Orleans. The cards were large colorful underwater & beach scenes that sold in the Caymans, Bermuda & Virgin Islands in the 1990's (Maybe still do). How they ended up professionally framed in Virginia made me wonder, smile & know what it feels like to have your "art" be discarded. Better that than in a land fill, anyone's trash is someone else's treasure, no matter who you are.

I make up my days as I go. My time goes to gardening in my over crowded cottage rose & perennial garden, photographing & posting Etsy finds, making stuff in my studio, loving my family, wishing I had a personal organic chef to feed us, and collecting washed up sea glass, shells, driftwood (& trash) while I walk the beach with our very funny looking dog, Josie. Running on the beach helps keep her personality disorder in check. She probably says that about me.

What first drew you to vintage wares?
My parents both were thrifters & vintage recyclers long before it was chic. Dad used to pull our green Chevy station wagon over on trash day to pick up floor lamps & lawn furniture from the curbside, while I hid on the floor biting my finger nails & praying no one from my junior high school would id the car. Mom painted, refinished or 'antiqued' every piece of furniture in our house. They taught me to see possibility in everything. When I was 9, we moved from coastal California to the east coast & our new home was near a landfill turned city park, called Mount Trashmore. I made a decision to do my part in not adding any more than was absolutely unavoidable to any more mountains of trash.

What inspires what you put in your shop?
I'm like a magpie, with an eye for anything that glitters with images from my childhood. I'm always attracted to things we had in our homes in the seventies & eighties. Often times, that meant mid century modernist, crushed velvet upholstery, swag lamps and seventies crafts. I love finding things that make me smile. I figure if it works for me, it probably will for someone else. Color is my muse. Every room in my house is a different color, I can always find just the right spot to suit whatever my mood happens to be. I have to rearrange my Etsy shop whenever I post new items, so the many colors aren't conflicting.

What advice would you give to aspiring vintage artists and Etsy shop owners?
Don't be afraid to 'just do it'. If you find you aren't getting as much activity as you'd hope for, join a team. Make treasuries. Help others when you can, I've found that my most active selling times coincide with when I've been paying it forward by promoting other Etsy sellers. My main attraction to Etsy is the spirit of sharing the love & encouraging others. I've found that whenever I get outside of my own concerns about if MY shop is successful enough, & focus outside of MYself, the positive energy flows. Kind of like life, huh?

Where else can we find you?
If you're ever visiting coastal Virginia, you can check out my shop at Barrett Street Antiques. You'll find beach inspired home decor, cottage style brightly painted furniture, hand made souvenirs & things you just have to have to make you smile! I also have a 1950's-80's retro home decor shop there, as well as an antique, vintage & hand crafted jewelry display case. The warehouse is nearly 30,000 square feet of showroom space where 200 vendors sell their vintage wares. Great fun on a rainy day! And... Greyhound will ship your loot home for you if it doesn't fit in your luggage, or you could just purchase a vintage Samsonite suitcase from me while you're there. :)
 

Also, my website is embarrassingly amateurish, but is on my list of things to focus on in 2011, you can find it here. 

In addition to such inspiring words (for real!), Lori is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! She will be giving away a $25.00 gift certificate to be used in her Etsy shop, Mellow Mermaid to use on cute things like this:

  Antique German Children's Dish

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on March 30th so be sure to get in your entries by then!

 

To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, Mellow Mermaid, 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 Mellow Mermaid 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 April 7th she will be offering a 20% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word "girlandherscout" at check out to receive your discount!!!

Thanks again Lori for your inspiring words! 

Spring Break Party all week!!

Hello All!  Get excited because this week we are going to party hard with not 1 not 2 but 3 awesome Artist Highlights and giveaways!  It's my way and all of these wonderful artists' ways of celebrating the upcoming spring! 

So check back daily for artist inspiration, Etsy shop tips, discounts, and GIVEAWAYS!

Midweek Artist Highlight and Giveaway!

 

Wooden Bowl with Spindels 

This week we are welcoming vintage artist/collector Patti who has two great vintage stores cabin windows and Northern Lodge.  They are both filled with so many beautiful goodies! She is here with an interview, a giveaway, and a discount for our readers so CHECK IT OUT!!!

Some of my favorites from her stores:

Vintage Clutch 

Vintage Baby Dress 

Vintage Tin

Rooster vase

Hey Patti! Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your wonderful vintage collection.
I'd love to tell you that I come from a family who LOVES antiques, and that someday I will inherit wonderful things that have been passed down for generations. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that my mom thinks everything looks better with a NEW coat of paint, and she is horrified that I am enamored with chippy paint. Anything that once resembled a "family heirloom" was left behind at our cabins when my parents sold our island property.  I got started collecting antiques when I owned my own landscaping business...people were always giving me "junk" to haul away. Before long, I had a booth in the antique mall and a new business..dealing antiques.  One of my favorite past times is collecting things that remind me of my childhood in Canada..berry buckets, minnow pails, fish decoys to name a few.

Besides the vintage items you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
I'm a Biologist-so anything that involves Nature or the outdoors is my idea of wonderful. I canoe, fish, garden, and chase birds around with binoculars. I write poetry, dabble in nature photography, and I hike with my three dogs. I love to read and spend time with any of my four great kids-who are all grown-up now-sigh.

What first drew you to vintage wares?
I was drawn to vintage because I wanted to create a comfortable, warm "day at the cabin" feel in my home. I want people to feel like they are on a mini-vacation, when they step into our cabin. I love to tell stories and when someone asks me..what is that, or how was that used..they get one of those stories, and in return I often get one of their childhood stories.

What inspires what you put in your shop?
I love anything with a story..patina and chipped paint tell stories. I am especially attracted to the things that remind me of my Canadian roots-snowshoes, sleds, ice skates, fishing tackle.. Love the naive, primitive look too.

What advice would you give to aspiring vintage artists and Etsy shop owners?
Your Etsy shop is never finished..keep working to make it better. Find yourself a wonderful friend on Etsy like I did.. Anita from Rollinghillsvintage is my Etsy bestie and we both inspire each other to new heights.

In addition to such inspiring words, Patti is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! She will be giving away this vintage crock, and some wonderful vintage linen from her stash.

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on March 16th so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to her Etsy Stores, cabinwindows, and Northernlodge 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 cabinwindows to your “Favorites” on Etsy and/or 5) making a purchase out of either of her stores (one entry for every purchase) 6) following Patti's blog found here

Be sure to leave a new comment for each additional entry!

In addition, until March 23rd she will be offering a 10% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word “girlandherscout" at check out to receive your discount.

Thank you for sharing such inspiring thoughts Patti!

MidWeek Artist Review and Giveaway!

 

Vintage 8mm Camera

I am excited this week to announce that our artist is a vintage collector!  I love vintage items for so many reasons.  They help to conserve material and energy by not having to make new stuff, prevent waste, and always provide a unique touch of character to your decor.  

This week, Scott from ReinvintageArt has a great interview, a giveaway and a discount for you! 

Hey Scott! Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your wonderful vintage collection.
I'm currently living in Plantation, a small suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but have lived a nomadic life in the south from North Carolina, George, South Carolina and Alabama. I've been lucky, for the last nineteen years, to hold on to my wife Traci. She has blessed me with two sweet little girls, who are now both in high school. I've been a collector my whole life, primarily of vintage and antiques. I love the craftsmanship and quality of older things – the phrase “they don't make them like they used to” is one that I truly believe in.

Besides the vintage items you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
I love to create, but have a very short attention span. This, unfortunately, means that I've always got a few “projects” in the works. Currently, I have a Victrola cabinet I'm restoring, several 70's harvest boxes to update, and a 1940's parking meter that needs a good cleaning and a new stand. Not complaining – I love to bring items back to life, but I don't usually start and finish a project without finding a few new ones along the way.

 

Woodstock Piggy Bank

What first drew you to vintage wares?
I'm sure this answer should start with “when I was a little boy...”, but I can't remember if that's accurate. I do remember when I was going to art school, back when Winthrop University used to be Winthrop College, going to a thrift store and stumbling accross an old Scooby Doo lunchbox that reminded me of the kind I carried in elementary school. Maybe that's how most people get started – looking for things they had when they were young. I still have the lunch box.

What inspires what you put in your shop?
It's probably easier to answer the question “What sort of things do I look for to put in my shop?” I seek out items that I want to have in my home; things that have a history or story to them. Of course, like most men, I'm attracted to rusty treasures and mechanical wonders, but my “artsy” side is attracted to interesting colors and textures. Between the two sides, I get a pretty diverse mix.

Vintage West German Alarm Clock

What advice would you give to aspiring vintage collectors and Etsy shop owners?
Buy what you like, when you like it. Regret eats at a collector. I passed up a 1967 Beatles Beat Time pinball machine at an antique store in 1990 that was in mint condition, only $400. When I went back the next week, it was gone. Still bugs me...
I'm more likely to ask advise on Etsy shop owning than give it, but I will say that I've learned how important the quality of the pictures in your listings are. The first few pics I took were awful. My wife told me that I needed to represent what I was selling. Since I started working on the quality of the pictures, I've had more hits and been included in more treasuries.

Email Scott at reinvintagearts@gmail.com if there is a specific item you are looking for and he will keep his eyes open!

In addition to such inspiring words, Scott is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! He will be giving away an early 1900's Nippon Dish with a windmill scene.

 

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on March 23rd so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to his Etsy Store, Reinvintagearts, 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 Reinvintageart to your “Favorites” on Etsy and/or 5) making a purchase out of his store (one entry for every purchase). 

 

Be sure to leave a new comment for each additional entry!

In addition, until March 23rd he will be offering a 10% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word “girlandherscout" at check out to receive your discount.

Vegan Gifts for Vegan Friends

 Weekly Eco Planner

 

If you have a friend or relative that is vegan or environmentally-conscious (yay!!), sometimes it can be hard to find great, unique, affordable gifts.  Well I have solved your woes and wanted to share that I found a WONDERFUL artist who makes beautiful vegan planners, calendars, and journals out of materials like vegan hemp and recycled rubber- shweet.  They also have the coolest cards for every occasion and from experience, I know they have incredible customer service.   

Snaps to Nature's Cubbyhole!!

Rustic Eco Journal Made of Vegan Hemp and Recycled Rubber

Constellation Eco Cards

Check out Nature's Cubbyhole here.

Artist Interview and $150 Limited Edition Print Giveaway!! Smoky Mountain Art

Original Watercolor Iris

One thing I have loved about Knoxville is the close proximity of the Smoky Mountains.  They are gorgeous and perfect for a hike, picnic, or bike ride. 

This week I am interviewing Tracy from Smoky Mountain Art.   He has beautiful prints of scenes from the Smoky Mountains in all different sizes and on note cards as well as the cutest painting of elephants!  I love elephants!

Some of my favorites:

 

Marshes of Gynn Sunset


Boat Dock


Elephant Dance


A Time to Remember

Check out his inspiring interview, HUGE $150 PRINT GIVEAWAY, and discount details below.

Hey Tracy! Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your art.
I am from Cosby, TN; a small rural community located Northeast of Gatlinburg. I have been married to my wonderful wife Jennifer for sixteen years and we are expecting our first baby this April. I have been painting for about seventeen years in both oil and watercolor.  The abundance of subject matter in and around the Smoky Mountains has become the focus of most of art. Flowers and the changing seasonal landscapes of this region all find their way into my art.

Besides the beautiful prints and note cards you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
Spring is my favorite time of year and I always enjoy getting my hands a little dirty planting flowers and freshening up the landscaping around our home.  We have three cats that like to try to help and they are always fun to watch hiding and playing in the shrubs and flowers. I also like spending time in the mountains maybe hiking, a picnic in Cades Cove or just taking a scenic drive.  The last couple years Jennifer and I have enjoyed visiting outdoor arts and craft shows in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. I love to see all the interesting things people create with their hands. It is really inspiring to see these artists creating unique handmade art.

What first drew you to arts and crafts, especially painting?
I got a late start in art.  I drew a little when I was young but our local schools did not have any art classes so I was never encouraged to develop my artistic talents until my senior year in collage when I took an introduction course in painting.  After college I still thought of my art as a hobby until I visited the Jim Gray Gallery in Gatlinburg and finally realized painting is what I want to do. I was so inspired by Jim's art and the fact that he was making a living doing what he loved.  I later applied for a job with Jim Gray Gallery and was given the opportunity to doing custom framing while I developed my painting skills.  I have been selling my work at the Jim Gray Gallery for about fifteen years now.

What inspires you?
The beauty of nature more than anything.  After a trip to the mountains I am always inspired to paint that new smoky mountain scene I just discovered.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?
I am new to Etsy and still learning but as far as being an artist just do what you love.  I always seem happier when I am working towards a goal.  Set your artistic goals high and don't give up.

Find Tracy on his website here, at his Etsy Store here, and on Facebook here or e-mail him at tracy@tracywebbgallery.com

The following businesses carry Tracy Webb fine art prints. Please visit them if you are in their area!

Woolworth Walk/ Asheville, TN 

25 Haywood Street (828) 254-9234

www.woolworthwalk.com

The Shops At Carousel Gardens / Gatlinburg, TN 37738

     At Red Light #3  Parkway / 321 intersection
     www.shopsatcarouselgardens.com             

Jim Gray Gallery / Gatlinburg, TN 37738

     On Glades Road in the Arts and Crafts Community  (865)436-8988
     www.jimgraygallery.com

Jim Gray Gallery/ Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 

Across from the Old Mill  (865)428-2202

     www.jimgraypigeonforge.com

 
In honor of highlighting local, east Tennessee artists, Tracy is
hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! He will be giving
away a $150.00 Limited Edition print on watercolor paper of  "Foothills Autumn."


Also seen here.

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on
March 16, 2011 so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to his Etsy Store,  Smoky Mountain Art, and leave a comment here about your favorite item(s). Seven possible additional entries for each of the following. 

(Be sure to leave additional comments for each entry.)

1) Making a purchase here at Tracy's Gallery or  here at his Etsy shop.  2) Signing up to receive his new print release e-mails at Tracy's Gallery  3) "Like"ing Smokey Mountain Art's Facebook page 4) “Heart"ing or adding Tracy Webb Gallery to your favorites on Etsy 5) Becoming a first time follower of A Girl and Her Scout. 6) Posting this giveaway with a link on your blog. 7) Posting this giveaway with a link on your facebook and/or twitter.

In addition he will be offering a 25% new customer discount at his Gallery (here) to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use Promotional Code "Blog Promo" at check out to receive your discount.

Happy shopping and painting and many thanks again to Tracy for participating in my Artist Highlight of the week!