Birds on a Wire

I did not grow up with birds. 

And I live in the city so there's not really any good bird watching moments for me to observe them in.  We have pigeons, big black crow looking ones, but neither of those are very pretty to look at. We have a few other more common ones that are pretty, but they don't hang around long enough for me to sketch and study. 

However, we have lots of birds that seem to flock to one area and hang out in trees and on near by wires. Like hundreds of them at a time. It's crazy! I love to watch their silhouettes from afar (not under them unless I'm in a car). I love looking at the spacing, poses and little personalities that happen several feet up in the air. 

So on this beautiful, bright, sunny day I bring you just that. Birds on a wire. 

5x7 Mixed Media

5x7 Mixed Media

Collaged Flowers

Time for something a little more feminine!

FLOWERS!!

5x7" Collage

5x7 Collage

5 Reasons Why I love ArtFire!

ArtFire.com is an amazing platform to sell (and buy) your handmade or vintage goods. 

 And here are 5 reasons why (in no particular order). 

1. ArtFire Customer support is the best! 

They are always checking in on forums, answering emails, and creating help guides for you to peruse at your leisure and to make your business a success. AND...If you sign up for a Pro account there even a number you can call and speak to a real person!

2. SEO is key!

The ArtFire team works really hard at making sure you understand all the techy lingo by providing a vast supply of help guides and forum posts to make it super easy to understand. You always have access to them in case you forget after a while.

3. The support of the community is incredible.

I have not met anyone on ArtFire who is not super friendly and willing to help out. If you are struggling getting your first sale, having SEO troubles, have a silly question, need critiques, or just want to get to know other sellers, you have come to the right spot. There is a vast amount of knowledge not only from the ArtFire staff, but also from the other sellers. It's a very positive environment and supportive place to have a business.

4. The staff listens to sellers requests...and makes them happen!

I know that on other venues similar to ArtFire, sellers beg and plead for certain things to change, get updated, or added and we end up not feeling heard. Nothing changes. 

Not at ArtFire. Your suggestions are heard and are either in the works, soon to be added, or if not possible, then you will at least get a viable reason as to why it can't/won't be done...at least they respond to your request and make you feel like your opinions matter, right?!

5. The bottom line. 

Other sites have a ridiculous amount of fees for the seller. Listing fees per item, percentage of sale fees, and expiration dates on listings. 

Not so at ArtFire!! 

One monthly fee is all they ask. You get unlimited listings, (and all the perks mentioned above plus some) and they do NOT take a percentage of your sales! You can keep more money in your pocket and prices lower for the customer too! 

Now, who doesn't like saving money?!

I really couldn't recommend ArtFire enough to other sellers....so here's your chance!

If you sign up through a friend (me) you get you're third month FREE! 

Interested? Have questions? Let me know what you think. 

-Nikkie

Collage Bicycles

Maybe you are athletic instead of a musician? 

Interested in bikes?

These will be for sale a the Etsy Denton show June 4th (as well as a few others). 

Let me know if you are interested in them before the show!

5x7" Collage

5x7" Collage

A Little Art & Art-Making

This weekend was full of art and art-making.

I visited a friend's booth at a local art show and am so grateful for all her wisdom. I consider 

Amy Taylor a mentor (is that what she is even if she's younger than me?!) and a friend who was very generous with her time and patience with me and all my questions.

She makes wonderful watercolors that are both abstract and realistic. 

Check out her stuff. You won't be disappointed!

For my own art-making, I made this wonderful little birdy! Ok. Two of them.

I made these with my Citra-Solv papers so no two are alike! 

They will be for sale at my Denton show June 4th, but if you are interested in purchasing them online or before the show, email me and I'll send you pictures of the other four for you to choose your favorite. 

5x7"  Matted Collage

5x7" Matted Collage

Lesson Turned Into Art

I was working on a stamping demo with my students the other day and showed them how to use a stamp to create repeated patterns and radial designs. 

In the picture below, the purple radial design in the middle was my stamp example and 

I also showed them water-soluble crayons they could use (it created all the color in the background).

One of the girls pointed out that it looked like tie-dye. 

I didn't even notice till she pointed it out, but I agree!

I used a piece of paper from a book that was laying on the floor in my classroom. 

It had some random paint splotches on it, but I think it adds character.  Then after I stamped and colored it, I added the words in sharpie. It was a quick little piece that took about 15 minutes.

5x7" Mixed Media

Etsy Denton Summer Bazaar

Oh happy Day! 

I received word this weekend that I was invited to participate in another juried show.

If Indie Genius was too far south for you, how about one in Denton?

Etsy Denton is having a Summer Bazaar on June 4th. 

I will be there along with my good friend Christie Cone, so mark your calendars! 

I know you won't want to miss it!