CONGRATULATIONS NANCI !!!

Congratulations to Nanci Konsavage of Boiling Springs, South Carolina. She won a free labrador retreiver wall clock in our first clock giveaway which ended December 15. Thanks so much to all who entered.... better luck next time. We will do this again. It was fun.

Meghan Burch creates fabric works of art

Aren't these coasters just adorable? I love the pop of the light green on the dark green. The frosty cold drink looks pretty chill too. Meghan is from CHICOPEE, MA, just a little northeast from here. This is what she has to say about her designs.

“My work is about playing with simple, two dimensional materials, images, shapes and patterns and transforming them into objects that are comfortable, useful and beautiful. I’m inspired by nature, the intersections of natural and man-made materials, creative non-artists, patterns of light, sound, food and architecture. My work with young children continually reminds me of how I think creation should be approached: as both play and work.”

Very well put, and very nice product.

Care to see what's around the bend?

Some really pretty jewelry designs, that's what. Meet Becky of ATBcreations (around the bend). Becky started making jewelry because she needed a holder for her badge for her day job. That was 3 years ago, and she has been having a blast making her whimsical creations ever since. She lives in TOLLAND, MA., selling her wonderful creations through Etsy and soon her own web site. She even teaches beadwork in Southwick. Becky is a very busy girl. Keep up the good work, Becky.

Get Hammered with Style

Hammeronsteel is a blacksmith. He makes these very cool church keys. Located in beautiful NORTHAMPTON, MA., he does stair rails, lighting and more, but those things aren't easily shippable, so he makes these nifty bottle openers so people who dont live in this area can also own some of his art. If you do live here, and have a larger project in mind, you can contact him by clicking on the photo, and then clicking on the contact link. If I drank beer, I would use one of these even for the twist-off bottles :)

Stars & Stripes American Flag Baby Hat with a Message

I wanted to post an american flag here, but instead, I found this adorable hand knitted baby hat made by BUTTERFLY DESIGN of BOSTON, MA. Butterfly Design makes these baby hats for newborns through Large child sizes on circular needles so that the hat will be comfortable. Click on the hat to go to see more.

I would like to take a moment to say how important it is to buy AMERICAN MADE whenever possible. Folks, we are SELLING our future buying imported stuff. We may save a few bucks if we buy at Walmart, but as our jobs evaporate, only to be done by someone who will work for peanuts in a foreign country how can we act surprised when unemployment numbers rise?
I can't help but think that if we ALL got together, and said enough is enough, we won't buy foreign stuff anymore, suddenly factories would be adding on, and American people would need to be hired to man those factories....here....in the good old USA. The government has been selling us out for years, giving big corporations tax loopholes so that not only do they make HUGE profits by taking formerly American jobs overseas, but if they spend the money there, they don't even have to pay taxes on it. So we get to pay more taxes to make up for that. You may think you're saving money buying that cheap china stuff....but are you REALLY ? Every time we open our wallets, we make a choice. Choose AMERICAN !

FaithP3 Cozy Country Painting and Cross Stitch

Say Hi to FaithP3, a WESTFIELD, MA. artist with an Etsy shop. She paints slates, cards, ornaments and more with a cozy country flavor. She is a twin mom of twins that also loves to cross-stitch. She recently completed a portrait in cross stitch. Shown is my personal favorite from her store, her Summer Heart Welcome Slate.

PICK A HAND PAINTED CLOCK WESTERN MASS ARTISTS BLOG GIVEAWAY

To celebrate this brand new blog, I will be giving away one clock of choice to a winning email address on December 15. You must choose a clock and send your choice and email address to dancindawn125@yahoo.com. To choose your favorite clock, just visit my online store by clicking on the picture link at left. (The only clock NOT INCLUDED is the custom pet portrait clock.) On December 15, just in time to ship for Christmas, I will get together with at least 1 of the artists mentioned here, and we will draw one email address from a hat. That person will win the clock of their choice.

THERE WERE ALSO OTHER POSTS IN THIS BLOG ADVERTISING UPCOMING CLOCK GIVEAWAYS, BUT IN THE INTEREST OF MAKING THE BLOG EASIER TO VIEW, AND HAVE IT NOT LOOK LIKE IT WAS JUST ABOUT MY CLOCKS, I CHOSE TO REMOVE THOSE POSTS AND JUST LEFT THE WINNERS NAME POSTS.

Meet Krystal of Krystalswallaccents.etsy.com

Krystal lives in PITTSFIELD, MA., she takes really cool digital nature photographs mainly of animals, insects, and flowers here in New England, but there are also some scenic photographs of Arizona. She also does some very neat celebrity portrait drawings. Her photos are very reasonably priced, I own a couple myself including the Koi fish shown. I liked this photo so much, that I created a clock from it. Check out her store at www.krystalswallaccents.etsy.com
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Murals

Yes, it's my ad in the Westfield Evening News and Pennysaver. I give the address of my etsy store and advertise murals and activity tables, which I will come paint in your home. If you want a mural, you need to either contact me about it very soon, or be prepared to wait till after Christmas. The period of time leading up to Christmas is very busy. You can email me at dancindawn125@yahoo.com and I can send you some photos of murals I have done. You can also let me know what you have in mind.
I only work in Westfield or very close to it. I love interior design and have a knack for dealing with problem spaces. If you rent, sometimes murals can be painted onto sheets of luan, and then attached with a few screws so you can take your mural with you when you go. Shown at left is a basement mural. of a path leading out to a beach.

Met a really nice Etsy seller yesterday

If you need vinyl graphics for your car, go here: fleanine.etsy.com
He gave me a great deal on some graphics for my vehicle. I liked them so much I ordered more ....BIG ones ! If you live close to WESTFIELD, MA., he can put some on for you too.
He put them on for me, and for a very reasonable price. To the left is one of the decals offered in his store, click on it to check him out.

Knit/Crochet

What a beautiful day ! Just like yesterday I hope. It's great to have a break from the heat and humidity. It was feeling like new England is the new rain forest. Maybe soon I will even get out and tame the yard. The plants and trees LOVED the daily rain storms. The bleeding hearts all look like somebody sprayed them with plant killer, but everything else looks good and two feet taller. Fall seems to be coming soon to a backyard near you.

I crochet like crazy. I have knitted some, but I'm not good at it, and don't do well learning from books. Is there anybody in town that would trade some crochet instruction for some knitting instruction?

Have you heard about Etsy?

Etsy is like having Ebay for artists... except the fees are much more palatable. You can put your art, and by that I mean ANY handmade items on for 4 full months for just .20 cents !
The community at Etsy, judging from those I have dealt with or spoken to seems to be very thoughtful, generous and well educated. People that go shopping at Etsy realize that there is time involved in art and don't seem to mind paying for it. You too, may be shocked to find that your crafts or art actually has value that someone besides your friends and family will pay to procure.

I have been selling my hand painted clocks on Etsy since April of this year. I work out of my home-based studio in Westfield, Mass. I know there are a few other etsy artists in town, and I'm sure there are scores of artists in Western Massachusetts wishing they knew where they could market their crafts or paintings.

Check Etsy out just as soon as you can. If you want to check out my stuff in particular here is my Etsy store address: http//bearlyart.etsy.com