So lovely to be featured in another Treasury!

I feel so lucky to have been included in another Treasury created by one of my talented CCCOE Team mates at AnnieKClothing . She chose my Alba Earring's to include in a beautiful selection of Citrus inspired item's for this Treasury. Please come and take a look at what some very talented California Crafters have to offer! All of these items are part of our CCCOE Black Friday sale as well! Please click on each picture when you visit to show support and help push us closer to the Etsy front page!



Thank you!

Here is the link:  http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=97085

California Crafters Treasury

I just posted a new Treasury on Etsy full of all my lovely CCCOE Teammates. Please check it out and give us support! Click on all the pictures and please, leave a comment. The more clicks and views we get, the better chance we have of making it to Etsy front page! ☺

Thanx!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=96589

I have to share the l♥ve.

OK, so I am an accessory obsessed person. Hats, scarves, sunglasses, handbags, SHOES!!! Yes! Scarves are an especially naughty obsession for me. To my happiness, and one day probably financial ruin, I met a lovely lady named Angel through my CCOE Etsy Team (California Crafters Club of Etsy). She is the owner of a lovely little shop called "Muse Silk Paintings". These ridiculously gorgeous scarves are truly works of art. She paints, yes paints, on silk. I never knew you could do that, and now I want to learn how!! Angel however had perfected this craft in breathtaking ways. Just take a look at her scarves, and you will see what I mean! Her colors are bright, and bold. Her technique, flawless. If you're looking for a Christmas, or any other occasion gift for that special accessory obsessed person in YOUR life, come and visit Angel. (I will take them all please!!) Have a wonderful holiday everyone! You can find Angel's shop at www.musesilkpaintings.etsy.com . And become her friend on Facebook too! www.facebook.com/musesilkpaintings!

Experiencing Technical Difficulties

OK, so for those of you who know me, I am not the most computer savvy of individuals. I got my blog looking all beautiful yesterday. Casey over at "hotbliggityblog" set me up with a new 3 column layout. I got a new background, text colors that you could actually see with this background. And then, something went horribly wrong. Now I am back to 2 columns and you can't read my text because it is the wrong color and I don't want to change it because it will just be getting fixed soon. Luckily, my girl Casey over at "hotbliggityblog" will be able to fix this mess up for me after the holiday. Until then, please bear with me, and laugh with me, as I learn about this new world I am adventuring in. ☺ Have a wonderful and delicious food filled Turkey day all!!

Rook No. 17: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE SHAREFEST ~ JOIN US IN PROMOTING ARTISTS, CRAFTERS, SMALL BUSINESS, YOU?

Rook No. 17: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE SHAREFEST ~ JOIN US IN PROMOTING ARTISTS, CRAFTERS, SMALL BUSINESS, YOU?

If you are a small business owner, or artist, have a shop on Etsy or ArtFire, check out my friend Jenn's blog, Rook #17. She is promoting small business and crafter's this holiday season! Be sure to check it out and let her know about you!!

Sometimes it's the little things.

So, I had a really great weekend of creative ego boosts. A very good show, nice feedback from other's in my little community, a spot on my first treasury. Today it was continued with a very old and very missed friend purchasing one of my pieces for a special someone in his life. Sometimes, it's the little things. The compliments and encouragement from unexpected places that really makes you feel good and lets you know your on the right path. He sent me a lovely little note in his purchase: "Irie, You are TRULY gifted. Please don't stop creating." Friend, you know who you are, and now you know how wonderful you made me feel. :) Thank you. He then proceeded to stroke my ego more by telling me, in response to my asking if he would like me to include a note, that he would not be buying one of my pieces if he knew what to say. The piece said it all. Can I just tell you friend that I love you, and what a lucky lady. I'm so flattered to be "the words". I hope friend that you do not mind me sharing our personal correspondence, but it meant a lot. For everyone reading, I would love to hear some of your stories. Those little things that made a difference and stand out in your memory. I love those stories! On that note, my happy, tired, midnight blogging self is off to bed to dream of new, beautiful things to make!  

Im in my first Treasury!!!

There is NOTHING more flattering than to be recognized by a fellow artisan in a common community. Today, I was so flattered to have been included in a Holiday Treasury by a fellow CCOE (California Crafters Club of Etsy) member!! WOW!!!!!!!!!! Please stop by and take a look at this beautiful treasury dedicated to all things Copper! Be sure to click on each photo! The more clicks and views we get, the better chance we have of making the from page of Etsy!!! THANK YOU!!  I am So excited!!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=96032

First show.

So last night I had my first ever show. The ARCO IRIS handcrafted Holiday Party. What a fun and successful night! Not as many people showed as a we had anticipated, but that ended up being OK because everybody who came ordered something, and it was a great way to break into the whole standing in front of people and talking about myself thing. I AM NOT GOOD AT THAT!!! LOL :) I have always hated being the center of attention. I really enjoy having an online business because I can talk and sell my products on here very easily. Standing in front of a room of people though, even friendly faces of friends and people I know is rough for me! I had a nice little speech prepared that I completely forgot as soon as I got up there. Then, my friend Keira (who was kind enough to host the party at her house) decided to start taking pictures!! Oh my. I forgot everything!! This is definitely something I need to work on, because I have decided that shows are a GREAT way to sell my product and get my name out there. Anyone have any good tips for being a used car salesman, err, I mean public speaking? After that part though it was a really fun evening. It's so strange to see other people wearing your creations. Things that I wear religiously now as my own walking advertisement. Its awesome. Strange, but awesome. I especially liked how great all the pieces looked on everyone. So, now I prepare for my next show, a craft fair in December. I'm a little nervous about that one. Then I get to go back to my home town of Pacific Grove California for another fun Holiday Party where I will get to reconnect with old friends I haven't seen in about a decade! I can't wait! Until then, I will be practicing my public speaking! If anybody has any tips, I would love it if you shared them so that next time, I can make the attempt to not look like a total boob! :) 

Photography. It's killin' me.

Today is a beautiful, if cold, sunny day here in Fair Oaks. I have been waiting all week for some sun so I can get some more shots of my Harvest Leaves Collection. This photography part of my business ifs freaking killing me!!!! I have a decent little camera. It's a roughly $350 Olympus. Perfect for what I bought it for at the time, my kids. I can drop it from 6 feet, its waterproof, etc. Now however, I need it to take lovely detailed, clear pictures of little things. Not working so much. It's not I'm sure that the camera can't do it. Im sure it can actually turn out a rather decent, not professional, but decent photos. I, however, do not know how to get it to do that. This is my 7th? set of pictures for my jewelry. I am so unbelievably over the whole process of setting up, taking pictures, editing the pictures, uploading the pictures. UGH!!! I finally got some fairly nice ones last time, but the pixelization was too small, or something for my Etsy shop, so now they are blurry. Sigh. The process begins again. So, now off to take some more. Please, please wish me luck in doing this. Because seriously, if I can't get some pictures to turn out, I just mind loose my mind!! ( Oh wait. I lost that years ago!! LOL) 

New to Blogging

Well, this whole blogging thing is new to me. Im not really sure what it is that I will write about. I have always enjoyed writing, and thought it would be so cool to be a writer, and as blogging has become more popular, a blogger. Sadly however, I am not the most eloquent of individuals, and most of what I hear in my head that sounds so good dosnt quite make it onto the page sounding as good. I was actually sharing this with a friend of mine yesterday. I told her how I had always wanted to write an autobiography since I was a kid. Im not sure why. Probably some narcissistic need I have. :) Anyway, due to this, since I was a kid, the little voice in my head, my conscience I guess you would call it, is the voice of the narrator for that book. LOL. I really must be crazy! :) Oh well. As for this blog, I think this is a great opportunity to take something I am good at, my art, and to share with you all my processes. I think it will be good for me too to take the time to think about things like that. I don't usually. For me, the artistic process is something that just happens, like weather. Some days its bright and sunny and happy, Im rocking' to some reggae, the creativity is flowing. Other days, its dark and stormy and turbulent. Punk rock is probably playing in the background, and while creativity is definitely flowing, it's much more angst filled. Those are some of my favorite days actually. The things that get created are always really fun. Well, I sat down to type not quite sure what the heck I was going to babble about here, but I think Im enjoying this. It is now time to brush my little ladybugs teeth (My kids, not real ladybugs) and get them kicking and screaming into bed. :) Ahhh, my favorite time of day. No, seriously, because after that, NO ONE BOTHERS ME!!!!! :) Im such a night owl, those few precious hours of solitude are incredible!! I guess until tomorrow, or a couple days from now. Ciao!

Where to find Me

I can be found in several places.

If you would like to contact me, either submit a message at the bottom of my page, or email me at

arcoirishandcrafted@gmail.com

My Jewelry can be found at :

www.arcoirishandcrafted.com

or

www.arcoirishandcrafted.etsy.com

You can also find me on FACEBOOK at:

www.facebook.com/arcoirishandcrafted

and if you TWEET, I am on Twitter at:

http://twitter.com/ArcoIris_hc


and you can find my latest products on my
FLICKR page!
 

Thank you so much for stopping by and I look forward to hearing from you!!

Promotion's & Giveaway's

THANK YOU for stopping by to checkout my Promotions and Giveaway's.

Is currently having a SALE!!
20% OFF for Mother's Day until Friday!!
Go to my Etsy page to browse and shop!
ALSO,
a GIVEAWAY over at 504 Main where I have been Featured!  So, stop by and enter to win!

Good Luck!!

If you are interested in promoting your product through a Giveaway on this Blog, please feel free to contact me at arcoirishandcrafted@comcast.net.

Thank you!

Friday's Fashion Find's

Welcome to of my weekly spot,

Friday's Fashion Finds!

      ♥ Friday's Fashion Finds, or F.F.F, features weekly collections of Handmade or Vintage pieces that I love, all of which comes from designers and artists primarily from the Etsy community.  I feel that it is so important for people to see the quality and beauty produced by these amazing designers. Why would you EVER want to shop in a Department Store when you can support Small Business owners and Artists.  Who said "handmade" had to be frumpy? These designers say otherwise! This is couture at it's finest!! ♥

Why do I do my "Finds"? 

     Well, I love Fashion. I'm a girl, I can't help it! I was definitely a fashion victim as a kid. Not that that meant I always wore what was "cool" Usually, I didn't. I definitely had unique taste! LOL. However, I've always loved clothes and design and fabrics and patterns and the way they lay on someone's body. If I could focus more on the details, Fashion School would have been fun. Alas, I just enjoy finding things.



      I am not embarrassed to say that my main staple clothing however is, has been, and will always be, jeans and a tee-shirt. I just know how to rock it a little better now. I'm obsessed with accessories and as I've had two little girls, I've finally become a girl ( was ALWAYS a Tom Boy) and I love make-up. It's so much fun!


     Now, don't go pegging me as some shallow fashionista obsessed with looks, cause I'm not. I wear make-up and pretty things because it's FUN! I love expressing myself with clothing and make-up and as an artist there is no greater satisfaction than "composing" your own look each day. I'm not afraid to get dirty either. I love being in nature, hiking, camping, working in my garden, being filthy. Ya, I said filthy. It's FUN too!! ;)


      So, all that being said, that's why I love doing my "Find's". I've also discovered the AMAZING potential on Etsy of handmade designers. It blows my mind. I feel the very strong need to share what I find with the world, so alas, my "Friday's Fashion Find's". I hope you love it as much as I love putting it all together and finding and getting to know the designers.

SAMPLES of Find's Past:

    

(Please click on pictures for larger view.)

HERE ARE LINKS TO ALL FIND"S PAST:


1. 12/11/2009 -http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2009/12/fridays-fashion-finds.html
2. 12/17/2009 - http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2009/12/fridays-fashion-finds-fff.html
3. 12/25/2009 - http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2009/12/fridays-fashion-finds-fff-new-years-eve.html
4.  1/1/2010 - http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2009/12/fridays-fashion-finds-new-year-new-you.html
5.  1/7/2010 - http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/01/p-is-for-possibilities.html
6.  1/14/2010 - http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/01/weekend-in-big-sur.html
7.  1/29/2010 - http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/01/summer-dreams.html
8.  2/05/2010 - http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/02/down-rabbit-hole.html
9.  2/11/2010 - http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/02/cocktails-for-valentines-day.html
10.  3/12/2010 - http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/03/fashionable-simplicity.html
11.  4/9/2010 - http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/04/tee-and-jeans.html

Featured Artists

Welcome to my weekly Featured Artists:

♥ Featured Artists are artists that I just love. Their work is unique, imaginative, thought provoking and beautiful. They come in all forms. Any artist can be a featured artist, no matter what medium they use. I have very eclectic taste, so I really want "Till death..." to reflect that. Here, you will find new, emerging, raw talent. And perhaps a few veterans as well. ;)

CURRENT ARTIST:

 Jon Swift

 

UPCOMING ARTISTS:

* Mariana and Paula of Branda *
* Lisa Falzon * 
* Rachel Vitko *
* Brian Holstein *

Links to ALL Featured Artist's Past:

1.  Angel Ray of Muse Silk Paintings:  http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/01/featured-artist-angel-ray.html
2.  Stil Novo Design:  http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/01/featured-artist-stil-novo-designs.html 
3.  Walter Rose:  http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/01/featured-artist-walter-rose.html
4.  Mike Smarr:  http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/02/featured-artist-mike-smarr.html
5.Michael Garbutt:  http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/03/featured-artist-michael-garbutt.html
6.  Jasmine Worth:  http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/03/featured-artist-jasmine-worth.html
7. Michelle Pyxus:  http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/04/featured-artist-michelle-pyxus.html
8. Zebedee Zaitz and Sparrows Gate:  http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/05/featured-artist-zebedee-zaitz-and.html
9.  The Roost House and 4th Street Records:  http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/05/introducing-4th-st-records-and-roost.html
10.  Jon Swift:  http://tilldeathdousart.blogspot.com/2010/10/featured-artist-jon-swift.html

ARCO IRIS

ARCO IRIS handcrafted,

handcrafted jewelry . wearable art

     ARCO IRIS is about all things handcrafted. For now, it is all about jewelry. I started making jewelry for myself when I was in high school. I spent many a wonderful afternoon at the local bead shop with my best friend. As an adult, I could never find things I liked at the stores, so I fell back on making my own jewelry. I got compliments on my work. A LOT of compliments. Things kind of started from there, and ARCO IRIS (which means Rainbow in Spanish by the way) handcrafted was born. My artwork is very abstract, and I have discovered that so is my jewelry, which is why I like to call it wearable art. I enjoy bringing opposites together; the simple and the ornate, the natural and the manmade. I like to get my hands dirty, and to "create" a piece. There is a little bit of my soul inside of every piece I make. My goal is to create jewelry that makes you feel beautiful, radiant, and inspired each time you wear it! I hope that you will enjoy wearing my art as much as I enjoy creating it.


     You can find ARCO IRIS handcrafted on ETSY, at www.arcoirishandcrafted.etsy.com, or on my Official Website at www.arcoirishandcrafted.com.


     Occasionally I will have a guest artist on my website for a period of time, usually when someone is starting out so they can test the waters. If you are interested in being a guest artist on ARCO IRIS handcrafted's website, please let me know.

Thank you!

About this Blog

  "Till death.." is a place for artists of all kinds. Painters, writers, photographers, fashion designers, even chefs (because food is art to me too). It is a place for artists to connect and share their ideas, inspirations, and work.

     I have started a couple of weekly spots, Friday's Fashion Find's and my weekly Featured Artist.

     ♥ Friday's Fashion Finds, or F.F.F, features designers and artists primarily from the Etsy community, but that are all either Vintage or Handmade artisans. I feel that it is so important for people to see the quality and beauty produced by these amazing designers. Why would you EVER want to shop in a Department Store when you can support Small Business owners and Artists and get couture that rivals what you find in the mainstream.

     ♥ Featured Artists are artists that I just love. Their work is unique, imaginative, thought provoking and beautiful. They come in all forms. Any artist can be a featured artist, no matter what medium they use. I have very eclectic taste, so I really want "Till death..." to reflect that. Here, you will find new, emerging, raw talent. And perhaps a few veterans as well. ;)

     I feel that it is extremely important as artists to support each other in our community and I love nothing more than helping to promote and support other amazing talents. I have been so lucky with the people who have supported and promoted me over the years, I really want to be able to do the same. I have made some amazing friends on this adventure of mine, and I am looking forward to meeting a whole lot more!

     If you are, or know anyone who is, an artist and you think they or I would be interested in meeting, send me their info., I am always on the lookout for new talent!!

THANK YOU for stopping by, and THANK YOU for supporting this wonderful community of talented artists!!

Please, help us spread the word!!

About Me

Hello!

      My name is Iris. I am the writer and artist behind "Till death.." and the owner and designer of ARCO IRIS handcrafted, jewelry and wearable art.

     I have been an artist ever since I can remember. I come from a family full of various artists (writers, musicians, painters, cooks, bakers and photographers). I was blessed with the opportunity to learn the freedom and joy of creating from a young age. I remember my Mom telling me when I was a kid that it was OK if I messed up or made a mistake when I was drawing. It could always be fixed. A scribble could become a flower. I live my life the same way, serendipitous.

     I am a stay at home Mama of two amazing little girls, Brooke is 4 and Savannah is 2. I am a full-time online student and accidental entrepreneur. I paint unique children's furniture, am an avid food and wine lover, and love nature and the outdoors. I enjoy nothing more than cooking for my friends and family. Food is how I show my love. I am inspired by the world around me, nature, buildings, clothes, people, my kids, food.

     My lifelong goal: to be an artist. And not a starving artist either, but an artist who can fill the mouths of my family with my work. I love to support and promote my friends and fellow artists of all kinds. I am truly lucky to have this opportunity to meet so many other like minds and talented people and share their talents with the world.

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