New Paint, New Ideas

Okay, I have been looking at the website http://decoart.com and checking out their new paints, I have to go shopping! They have new colors in the Patio Paints that I just have to get; Grey Skies, Honey Dew, Orange Poppy, Desert Turquoise (I already have this in their regular paint, beautiful color) Salmon, and Coastal Surf. They are all colors that inspire me to get painting. I love the Patio Paints on the birdhouses not only because they are formulated for the outdoors, but they give our projects a really nice feel. You don't have to put any sealer on the houses after using these paints but we do just because we like the extra protection.
Today I'm working on a couple more gypsy wagons and a bird feeder (I get bored working on just one project at a time. So, I thought I would add a couple of pictures of where I work. Just remember, I'm a painter not a neat-nick.
 

Painting Again!!!

Hello everyone,

I am painting again! Yay!!! This year has been a tough one to get inspired in, Steve has had health problems and his dad passed away, but it's getting better.

I was looking at a website that I adore ordering from, http://www.cupboarddistributing.com , they have quick service, their prices are pretty good and they show patterns and ideas that get me doing, I love that. Anyway, they are advertising the new colors for http://www.decoart.com , and I can't wait to see them in person. The colors are exciting; Banana Cream, Cinnamon Drop, Irish Moss, Natural Buff, Oyster Beige, and Spiced Pumpkin.

Color always inspires me to get back to my brushes and start being creative but sometimes it takes more, like sunshine and warmth. I'm thinking of doing a project of the new colors from Decoart, I'm not sure what kind of project yet but I'm thinking of a sign for my studio. These colors remind me of sunshine and warmth.

Another project I'm thinking of doing is a mural in my bathroom, since there are no windows I'm thinking of painting one with a garden scene. Just a thought.

Well, here's to inspiration and painting! Life is good, we need to enjoy it and it's blessings.

Here's to you Pop, we love you and miss you! Your smile and love will always be with us.
 

Happy New Year!!!!!

Happy New Year!

I am so excited about this New Year and I can't explain it. It feels like such a new beginning,a fresh new way of  thinking, a time of wonderful new ideas and a time to be grateful for everything that has happened in the past to give us strength to accomplish all of these new things. Thank you Lord for blessing me with this.

Today I will be painting again, finishing up some projects and starting some new ones. I know there are other artists out there doing the same thing. In particular, there is one artist I know that is a fabulous hand bag creator, she has some wonderful ideas that are going to stretch her abilities and probably her patience but she is going to add some new looks to her already wonderfully beautiful line of products. Her shop name is http://hottiehandbags.etsy.com , you have to check out her shop.

Susan, Hottie Handbags creator, sews some of the most original bags I have ever seen, hardly any two alike. She uses materials that contrast each other but also compliment each other. She uses textures in a way to bring in different elements to her designs and the accessories she adds just adds another layer of interest.

Susan has been featured in magazines and there will be more features in the future, that is how popular her designs are. She deserves this attention and when you check out her web-site you understand why. Way to go Susan, keep up the wonderful work!

Well, I'm off to do some creating myself.

Out with the Old, In with the New.

What a beautiful day to end the year of 2012, it is cold, cloudy, and absolutely beautiful with the birds flying in and out enjoying whatever they are finding in our yard. It inspires me to start painting so that is what I am doing today.

I am working on VW hippy vans, bird feeders, two barn birdhouses a New Orleans style house and probably more before the day is done.

When we build a birdhouse we always seal the house with a clear coat and then I prime it with a white primer. After the primer dries I paint the roofs black (except on the cars and RV's) and I use DecoArt's Patio Paints (http://www.decoart.com). I started using these paints last year when they asked me to do some projects for them and I really like them. When they dry the paint feels like there is a skin on the birdhouse.

The Patio Paint is an outdoor paint that is water and weather-resistant. The colors in the line are wonderful, in fact I'm going to use the metallic Patio Paints such as Pot O' Gold and the Sterling Silver on the RV birdhouses, I'll let you know what I think of them.

Changes Come in all Shapes

 

 This year we’ve had changes that we weren't expecting, we were unable to do many of the craft fairs and Grower's and Crafter's Markets that we usually did. We both missed the customers that would come back year after year to see our new houses and to just visit. In turn, we did much more business on the internet.

The internet was certainly a life saver this year, Etsy was great, Made in Oregon did great for us and I have learned more and more marketing ideas. I even went to a seminar at the Country Club put on by Facebook, I still need to put that to work but one step at a time.

Between selling from the computer and selling in person I would prefer selling in person. But I have to say the set up and take down of the booth is much more difficult. I learned that, at the Nazarene Church Christmas Fair, thank God for family. My sister, brother and sister-in-law all came to help me set up, Pat, my sister also came both days and helped me sell. I couldn't have done this without their help.

There are good aspects of both ways of selling but I’m really hoping we’ll get back into the swing of things and be able to go to some festivals this year. If not, then the Lord has a different plan for us and we are okay with that too.

I keep getting that nudge to teach, but I’d have to have a lot bigger studio or empty out a lot of birdhouses.

Made in Oregon

We have had other firsts, this year that I think are pretty important. We have decided to offer some of our birdhouses wholesale.

We started out the wholesale business with “Made in Oregon” and I just love working with Ron who is the contact person. We have ten different birdhouses on their website; http://www.madeinoregon.com  and they have sold several for us.

The only down side for offering wholesale is that Steve’s health problems have slowed down the manufacturing. I can build a birdhouse but I am not as quick about it, but I’ll do in a pinch. Anyway, I’m anxious to offer more of our designs but I think it will be a little while until we have the inventory to offer.

If you get a chance, check out Made in Oregon, they have an absolutely beautiful website full of gift ideas. They have gorgeous Pendleton blankets, various art pieces, food, wine and beer made here in Oregon. I know I love going through their website.

The Year of Firsts

We've had a lot of new things happen to us this last year that kept us on our toes. The new challenge for me was when Tabitha from DecoArt emailed me and asked me if I could come up with a couple of decorating designs for some birdhouses that are sold at Michaels Craft Store.

I have to say, designing for someone else took me completely out of my box. Not only did the design have to be appealing and pretty basic, I had to write the instructions on how to do the project too. I never did well in English in High School, so, you probably know how difficult this was for me and I have realized that is an area I need to work on.

But the wonderful part of this is that I was able to try out DecoArt  Patio Paints and I am so thrilled that I did. These paints are one-step paints, you don't have to seal or varnish after your project is done. they hold up well in the weather, they are water-based and compatible with the other DecoArt paints I use.  Most importantly they are non-toxic.

The paints being non-toxic is very important to Steve and me, we are trying to make sure our birdhouses are as environmentally friendly as absolutely possible, from the wood to the finish. These paints have a really good feel to them when they dry, you can almost feel the seal of the paint when you touch the house. I definitely recommend these paints to anyone painting projects that are to be put outside.

Out of two of the birdhouses that I turned in to DecoArt they used one of them on their website in their project library. What fun this was, I really appreciated the opportunity they gave me. This was one of the great first's of the year.