Tuesday Tip ~ Shop with a Sense of Humor

A friend recently sent me the link to Hema, a Dutch Department store website that reminded me to shop with a sense of humor. It certainly makes for an adventure and a more enjoyable experience. Click the yellow "Hema" icon below, turn up the volume and wait for it to load. You don't have to click on anything else. Just sit back and enjoy!
Links:
Official website for the Dutch stores

Monday Musings ~ Mama, Don't take my Kodachrome Away

On June 22, 2009 Eastman Kodak Corporation officially announced the retirement of Kodachrome film. Due to celebrate it's 75th anniversary next year, Kodachrome had been the film of choice for amateur as well as professional photographers for many years. Unfortunately, according to the Kodak website, sales have fallen steadily to the point where Kodachrome accounted for less than 1% of the company's total sales of picture films. Even though I am now a fan of digital, I remember using the slide film for photo classes in high school and college. Because of it's place as a photographic icon in pop-culture history, I thought it apropos to pay this tribute here today:




Links:
A Tribute to KODACHROME: A Photography Icon

Saturday Art Feature - The Stoning of Soraya M

"In a world of secrecy, corruption and injustice, a single courageous voice can tell a true story that changes everything". The Stoning of Soraya M

Last week, the world closely watched as Iranians fought for a fair Democratic Election. Many Americans supported the idea that change is needed for this country and it's people. The film, The Stoning of Soraya M opened yesterday, June 26th. This is an important film depicting the harrowing account of an innocent Iranian woman as she is falsely accused of a crime under Shari’a law. This region of the world is long known for it's barbaric stoning and human rights violations of women. The stoning of women is still practiced in Iran, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Pakistan. See this film and get involved in giving it a voice. Visit the links below.
Links:
Theater listing and trailer: www.thestoning.com (click on the Flash link on this website for links)

Movie to Movement: www.movietomovement.com

Nationwide Theater Listing: http://www.thestoning.com/theaters/

Friday ~ My Town Shoot Out - Colors of the Rainbow

All photos by Denise Dion-Sullivan

"The true harvest of my life is intangible - a little star dust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched" Henry David Thoreau

I am excited to have joined a worldwide bloggers photo group called the "Friday My Town Shoot Out". This group was started by Patty and Reggie Girl. Each week the participants are encouraged to show off photos of their part of the world with a particular theme in mind. The idea is to share with others, what their hometown has to offer through the eyes of a camera lens. Visit other participating bloggers by clicking on the camera at the left of my blog with the title "Friday Shoot Out" (the participant list is on the left hand side of the official Friday Shoot Out Blog).

This weeks theme is from Deborah of The Pink BirdHouse ~ "Colors of the Rainbow" (the above photo was shot across the street from my home after a passing summer rain).

Red, Red....Strawberries! Strawberry season is upon us! It has been raining all week but despite the weather, I am hoping to get out to the fields soon and pick a couple of quarts of luscious berries for a pie. I took this photo at a favorite local place called Patten's Farm Stand.

Orange ~ a lovely display of Apricots at Patten's Farm Stand in Kennebunkport.

For yellow I decided I would feature the most photographed house in the State of Maine - the Wedding Cake House. The Wedding Cake House was a name applied to this lovely brick Federal-styled home that has a wedding cake-like appearance. Legend developed that George W. Bourne, a busy sea captain, had done elaborate carpentry work to atone for not having taken his bride, Jane, on a proper honeymoon.

There is much green in Maine, especially with all the rain we have had this month! I decided to feature Pine Trees as Maine is the "pine tree state". Here is a photo of Holmes Tree Farm, where we cut our Christmas Tree each year. Every time I drive by in the summer, I can't help but scan the fields for the perfect Christmas tree for the coming year. The trees look so different without the weight of the snow!

The deep blue sky and gorgeous blue water of Kennebunk Beach is what keeps me in this cold Northern climate!

Maine is the largest producer of wild blueberries in the world. I know they are called "blue" berries but we all know they are truly indigo! (ok - Maine blueberries don't come out for another month but here are some lovely ones from NJ at Pattens Farm Stand).

In the late Spring and early Summer, there is variety of color from the Maine Lupine dotting both the seacoast and countryside. The Maine Lupine has been a source of inspiration for artists throughout the state. The violet hue is a favorite of mine and is so magical as it can complement and enliven nearly any color scheme - in or outside the home!

all photos by Denise Dion-Sullivan

Thursday Thinking Green ~ The Wisdom of a Child

“At school, even in kindergarten, you teach us how to behave in the world,” she said with a poise and force that belied her youth. “You teach us not to fight with others; to work things out; to respect others; to clean up our mess; not to hurt other creatures; to share, not be greedy.Then why do you go out and do the things you tell us not to do?”

Severn Cullis-Suzuki

Perhaps many of you have seen this short video of Canadian girl, Severn Cullis-Suzuki, who spoke to the United Nations when she was twelve years old. She and three friends raised all funds necessary to travel to the delegation, five thousand miles from her home to the Rio Earth Summit in Brazil - quite impressive. If only more of us had such passion and conviction! She is now 28 and continues making a difference for environmental justice. Click on the photo below to see what she is up to! Kudos to you Severn Cullis-Suzuki. You were and still are 16 years later- an inspiration for all of us!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Lobster Traps and Buoys

photo by Denise Dion-Sullivan

Tuesday's Tip ~ Selling your Art or Craft in the Retail World

If your handcrafted work is appropriate for the gift market, what better place to sell a portion of your inventory than through a local shop that already is established and has a customer base. It broadens exposure of your work and creates a sales opportunity. Here are a few suggestions when considering "getting out there".

1. Visit the shop, meet the shop owner and view their merchandise. Is the shop a fit for your art/craft. Will your items compliment the inventory and grab the eye of their customer or are there many competitors with the same product? Seek out retail shops that cater to your specific niche.
2. Ask the shop owner where your items will be displayed in the store? Will your work be given exposure at the entrance, in a space dedicated to other handcrafted items, or on a high shelf? It is really important to negotiate the placement of your artwork in the shop before you have committed to selling.
3. Marketing your product by dressing it up with packaging or a creative display is an important consideration. Does the shop owner allow you to label your product and if so, will they also allow business cards or artist profiles, to accompany the display? This is a important opportunity for more exposure as an artist/craftsperson. If you have a website, it can lead to direct future sales from your website.

4. The fourth thing to consider is the payment structure. There are many payment arrangements and each arrangement has advantages and disadvantages. What financial terms should you arrange with the shop? Should you sell wholesale, commission or is consignment the way to go?

• Commission is a common payment arrangement with galleries. This is when the artist is paid a percentage of the overall sale - normally a 50/50 split.
• Wholesale is a payment arrangement where the shop owner will buy your art/craft work at agreed upon wholesale price and pay within a certain time frame (usually 30 days). If you find the store owner is hesitant in buying your pieces up front wholesale, you may suggest a consignment agreement. This is a benefit for the shops as they will not loose any money should your pieces not sell.
  
• Consignment is an agreed upon commission as well (usually 60% artist, 40% shop owner). It is important to have a contract with a time frame on this type of agreement, this way if your pieces do not sell within that time frame you have the right to pull your pieces from the store and place them somewhere else. You also want to make sure the contract outlines protection for theft or fire,etc. Generally in my experience the shop owner's insurance should cover such expenses.

5. The last thing to consider is record keeping. If you are selling your work, you are also a business person. Understanding all aspects of selling - tracking inventory, creating invoices, etc. are all aspects which will help you become a successful artisan/crafts person.

Summer is here - How about a "Staycation"?

Kennebunk Beach - photo by Robert Dennis

"Staycation" is basically a "Stay at home Vacation". Great for the pocketbook but how do you make it interesting? Explore the idea and create a few cherished memories in your own backyard.

What are the advantages of a "Staycation"? Everyone gets to sleep in their own beds, so you are almost assured a good night's sleep. Since it is in your backyard, you are within familiar surroundings. You don't have to travel far with flights, etc., so the cost is minimal.

Some ideas we've done over the years as a family (not a new concept in our home):

• Consider a day hike. We purchased a book when my children were young, called "Hikes in New England for Children and Families". It was sectioned by state, town, and degree of difficulty. We used it as a checklist in exploring hikes around our state and surrounding states. Some hikes were almost literally in our backyard - places we didn't know existed. Despite the complaining, our sons now look fondly back as adults and have started hiking again with their friends.
  
• Seek life's simple pleasures - like Ice Cream! My husband and I love ice cream and in the summer, Maine has wonderful old fashioned, homemade ice cream stands. We often visited these places with our children (when they were younger) for a vacation treat. Now it is our mission, as a couple, to seek new places to try each week. My daring husband loves experimenting with their sometimes unusual variety of flavors (we always try two flavors in a cup).
• Explore what you love in your own backyard. I love the coast. In my opinion, Maine has some of the most beautiful and varied seacoast in America. The length of the coast line stretches 3500 miles from Kittery/Eliot all the way to Calais. Bar Harbor with Acadia National Park, Deer Isle, Portland's Old Port District, Old Orchard Beach and many gorgeous beaches in Southern Maine in the Kennebunks, Ogunquit and York (just to name a few) are all fun and interesting places in between. What's in your backyard?
• Free Cultural events and places to visit. You don't have to spend money to enjoy the arts. There are many free events in your communities that are waiting for discovery. Kennebunk the community in which I live, offers numerous art galleries, small historical museums, and free outdoor musical venues throughout the summer. There are also many festivals and fairs most weekends somewhere in Maine (and probably in your state also).
  
• If you have children, discover what their interests are and plan events exploring these interests. I'll never forget when our children were young and their cousins from New York came to visit. We took them down to the shore and wading in the water at low tide we discovered all types of sea life - baby lobsters, crabs, starfish,etc. My son (a budding young marine biologist who at the time read everything he could about sea life) recited various facts about the life we encountered. They were absolutely amazed and thrilled with an experience that didn't cost their parents a cent and they didn't have to stand in line for hours . Afterwards, we brought lobsters home and they had an adventure cooking them. Needless to say, they still talk about their summer vacation in Maine.

My personal list can go on and on as there is much to do in this beautiful state of Maine. Look at your State and discover what lies waiting in your backyard!

Quote of the Week ~ Happy Summer Days

Love is to the heart what the summer is to the farmer's year - it brings to harvest all the loveliest flowers of the soul. ~Author Unknown
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY ALL YOU DADS OUT THERE!

Saturday Art Feature ~ Cottage Style Street Team on Etsy

I belong to several Street Teams on Etsy. One group I enjoy is the Cottage Style Street Team. They are an energetic group of women who love all things cottage style, are very supportive of each other and love to chat. I do truly enjoy their on-line company. Here are some summer themed offerings from just a few member's Etsy shops (there are over 200 team members). Remember to also search for cottage items on Etsy by typing CSSTeam in the search bar. Visit their blog here:Cottage Style Street Team

Thursday Thinking Green ~ Thoughts and Facts on the lowly Earthworm

“The plow is one of the most ancient and most valuable of man’s inventions; but long before he existed, the land was in fact regularly plowed and still continues to be thus plowed by earthworms. It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world, as have these lowly organized creatures.” Charles Darwin

Earthworms:

- have been kept alive for 6 years, but in the wild probably live two years at the most;
- do not have lungs, breathe through their skin, and can live under water for a while;
- do not come to the surface during rain to escape drowning, but rather to find a mate since their mobility is much better on wet ground;
- lack eyes but are light sensitive;
- can detect the motion of a robin (that can hear the earthworm in its burrow);
- may survive being frozen if the freeze is not too rapid

Maintaining a healthy population of worms is easy.They need a moist, well-mulched habitat with plenty of decaying matter. Take care when turning the compost pile. A pile interior might contain dozens of worms, so try to relocate them to an area where they will have a good chance in which to burrow deeply. Worms are resilient, have a high reproduction rate, and can survive without us. But with just a little help they can be made to flourish. And you can forget about ever needing a rototiller.

My shop is featured in Apartment Therapy ~ Etsy Finds!

photo from Apartment Therapy - San Francisco

I was so excited this morning. I was looking through the June posts of "Apartment Therapy ~ saving the world one room at a time" and came across a June Post in "Apartment Therapy - San Francisco" that included items from my shop Seasonal Vignettes. Apartment Therapy is a website for those like me who view our homes as a constantly evolving work. Their mission statement includes this quote:

"A calm, healthy, beautiful home is a necessary foundation for happiness and success in the world."

I look forward to their daily emails for new ideas and inspiration. The June post - "Etsy Finds:Curios Cabinet Collectibles" was based on a Nicole Hollis designed foyer that was in this years "Decorator Showcase". The large curio cabinet featured items that included plant and animal themes. The "Etsy Finds Link" keeps with Apartment Therapy ideal of "Creating a home doesn’t require large amounts of money or space. It requires inspiration, connection to resources and motivation to do something about it."
The post featured items from my Natural Elements Section from my shop on Etsy Seasonal Vignettes. They featured and linked to the
Black Sea Fan and my Trio of Star fish. Thank you Apartment Therapy!

Click on the curio cabinet to be taken to the original post in Apartment Therapy - San Francisco. Click on the sea fan or starfish to be taken to my shop.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Downeast Maine

photo by Denise Dion-Sullivan

Tuesday Tip ~ Using Natural Elements as Props

As many of you know I have a shop on Etsy called Seasonal Vignettes. In this shop I enjoy creating what I call "Artful Arrangements". These are simple, little vignettes that usually reflect the seasons. I also sell seperate natural elements for others to use to create their own "Artful Arrangements", interesting displays for their shops, or to use as props in photographing their shop items.

One of my customers Rhonda, is a woman of many talents. She has a shop on Etsy called SpankinArt where she creates wonderfully whimsical prints. She also is a talented Lampwork artist and creates gorgous beads which she sells on her website - Spanky's Bella Art. She has purchased my sea urchins and used them as props in photographing her Lampwork Jewelry. Click on the photo to the right and check out her blog to see her creative use of sea urchins as props in photography - Spanky's Lampwork Beads and Handmade Sterling Silver Elements

Monday Musings ~ You can't get more local than your backyard!

Well, after a five year hiatus from vegetable gardening, I have decided to give it a try once again. I have attempted gardening in the past yet always seem to end up feeding our animal friends more than my family. We now have a section of our large yard enclosed with a picket fence and in the last two years added two herding Shetland Sheepdogs that are quite protective of the area. I do think Peter Rabbit and his friends may not feel welcomed after all.

I began the planning process in March. The first thing I did was purchase the seeds. Apparently gardening has become quite popular this year with local shops in Southern Maine reporting a 50% increase in "seed demand". I'm glad I purchased early.

The second step I took was in April with the purchase of white cedar raised beds. I figured this would reduce the amount of weeds and keep our dogs from running through the veggies. I highly recommend these easy to assemble raised beds I purchased at The Farmstead . No tools are required as you simply slip the tenon through the mortise opening, secure with the provided wooden pegs and viola - a lovely raised bed! These garden beds are similar to ones used in Colonial America so I feel like I am keeping with New England tradition!

The third step consisted of clearing the section of yard debris. I then laid down mesh so my woodchuck and mole friends would not come up from down under. I laid down weed block on top of that and filled both beds with rich, organic composted loam (which I noticed had many worm friends in it - great natural soil aerators).

I used mostly seeds with the exception of a few plants, mainly tomatoes and peppers. We have such a short growing season I thought it better to purchase the plants. I planted at the end of May and with the help of Mother Nature's Spring rains, the seeds have now sprouted.

I am really looking forward to harvesting the produce that I know is truly organic and fresh. I also planted many varieties of sunflowers and am hopeful to see their smiling faces sometime in August.

Yes, gardening is a bit of work and expense, especially the first year. The real benefit goes beyond the monetary costs. It is a comfort to know we are eating, fresh and healthy food grown without the use of chemicals. Who knows, if successful maybe I'll add another bed next year!

Links:
The Farmstead for Natural Cedar Raised beds
All illustrations by Melissa Sweet from my favorite gardening book that provided me with the inspiration for my garden, "In the French Kitchen Garden, the joys of Cultivating a Potager"

Front Page of Etsy

Happy Dance! I woke up with my first cup of coffee to see this print "Rain" from my shop "The Seasonal Cottage" on the front page of Etsy! This was a collection created from a fellow team mate of the Cottage Style Street Team on Etsy, BrambleAndVine . Below is a copy of the FP created on Craft Cult.

Wordless Wednesday - one day late

photo by Denise Dion-Sullivan

Come One, Come All to the Yart Sale on Etsy

Today is the first day of the 2nd Annual Yart Sale on Etsy sponsored by the Etsy Street Supply Team. As mentioned last week, I wrote an article for Etsy's Blog, The Storque under my shop name The Artist's Closet. (You can find the article here: The Storque.) I invite you to join us and participate in the sale if you have an Etsy store. If you are a shopper - come and shop for five days! The sale begins today, Wednesday, June10th - Sunday, June 14th. There will be a wonderful selection of Handmade items and Vintage items, as well as a unique selection of supplies for that next project.

I have six Etsy shops - three handmade and three supply. I have included the banners for each shop below and what specials I will be offering during the 5 day sale. Click on the banner to be taken to each shop and please do join us on Etsy for the Yart Sale.

For Artful Seasonal Arrangements visit my shop Seasonal Vignettes. During the Yart Sale on Etsy I will be including a small sample bag of tiny seashells with each purchase.
For a Variety of Paper, Vintage Ephemera and 7 Gypsies products visit my shop The Paper Source. During the Yart Sale on Etsy, you can find a special designated Yart Sale Section with reduced pricing on digital postcards! For an eclectic assortment of French inspired creations, visit my shop Simply French Designs. During the Yart Sale on Etsy, I will be offering free shipping on all jewelry and accessories orders over $25.00 (prior to shipping costs. Excluding Home Decorative Art). I will credit your paypal account upon shipping.
For all your Mixed Media, Book Arts, and Altered Art supply needs visit The Artist's Closet. During the Yart Sale on Etsy, you can find a special designated Yart Sale Section with great pricing on unique are supplies which cannot be found at big box shops!For a unique selection of Eclectic and Original Jewelry Collection. Featuring Seaglass, Sea Inspirations, French Themes and Youthful Trends, visit my shop Dion Designs. During the Yart Sale on Etsy I will be offering free shipping on all orders over $25.00. I will credit your paypal account upon shipping.
For a unique selection of Imported Die Cuts and Dresden's visit my shop The Seasonal Cottage. During the Yart Sale on Etsy, you can find a special designated Yart Sale Section with great pricing!

Tuesday ~ Unusual and Unique Home Decor

I found this great shop on-line that not only has a wonderful and varied selection of unique and unusual items but is also eco-friendly. I love their philosophy shared in their shop announcement:

"Welcome to our store and thank you for shopping with us. We offer an eclectic collection of organic, renewable, eco-conscious products made in America, helping provide jobs, products created under the Fair Trade Act, and individual works by artisans using earth-friendly materials."

Click on this hyperlink and on the Juicy Orange clock above to visit Unusual Home Decor for a view of intriguing, unique American created items, as well as a selection of Fair Trade World Decor!

Monday Musings ~ Happy Day: Congratulations Evan!

"Always be a first rate version of yourself,
instead of a second rate version of someone else." Judy Garland
All the best in your new adventures in life and know we will always love you and be here for you!
For more pics click below and visit my photo album on facebook:
Evan's High School Graduation 2009
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017945&id=1083825814&l=934e0fa07b

Quote of the Week

Painting by Vincent Van Gogh
"Let no one think that real gardening is a bucolic and meditative occupation. It is an insatiable passion, like everything else to which a man gives his heart. " ~Karel Čapek, The Gardener's Year, translated by M. and R. Weatherall, 1931

Saturday Art Feature ~ NOVICA

NOVICA is a unique website that gives artisans of the world a space where they display and sell their works to a global audience. It is one of the world's leading providers of Fair trade, artisan crafted home decor, apparel and jewelry. Working with over 2,000 talented artisan groups, Novica does not charge artists any fees for listings on their website. Best of all, the artists remain fully independent and are free to raise or lower their prices and decide what they will feature. Check out this fabulous website for great home decorative items as well as jewelry and apparel. They have a great selection of more than 20,000 handcrafted works of art. Click on the banner above to be taken to their website.

Fabulous Friday Food Feature ~ Buying Local

There are so many benefits to buying food locally. It is fresher than what you would find in the grocery store and it is great for your local economy. Participate in your local and state agri-business. Support your farmers and help them stay in business. Visit the Local Harvest / Farmers Market website and find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainable food in your area, where you can buy organic produce, grass-fed meats, and many other tasty foods. Click on the banner above to be taken to their website.

Thursday Thinking Green ~ Alternative Home Decor

Think outside the box and pick something extraordinary for your home as an alternative to the usual artwork. The work of Etsy Artist Jalex Studios is a great interpretation of modern home decor with an Eco-friendly touch.

How about a side table created from recycled parquet flooring. Jaxel Studios has fashioned its dashing L-Modern side table from recycled Brazilian Walnut parquet flooring and window curtain brackets. An inventive use of materials otherwise landfill-bound. Click on the photo to view the pieces in his shop and on his name here to be taken to his shop on Etsy - Jaxel Studios.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Stonington,Maine

photo by Denise Dion-Sullivan

2nd Annual Yart Sale on Etsy

graphic by misosoup

Here in the Northeastern United States, June is a time when graduations take place and school's out, when you plan your summer vacation, go swimming and beachcombing, shop flea markets, attend summer art shows, and.... shop on Etsy at the annual Yart Sale! Yes it's that time again!

What is a "Yart Sale" you ask? Come visit The Storque - Etsy's blog, for details and read my latest published post on how you can get involved in this Etsy site wide promotion. Whether you are a shopper or an Etsy shop owner, you will not want to miss this year's Yart Sale on Etsy. The 2nd annual Yart Sale will be sponsored by the Etsy Street Supply Team (ESST) and run for five days - Wednesday, June 10th- Sunday,14th. Check out the Team Blog during the Sale for updates.

I will be participating in this event in all six of my Etsy shops (shown in this blog sidebar) during all 5 days, so be sure to check back here and in my shops on Etsy for specials. See you at the Yart Sale!

Click on the "Gotta Yart" banner above to be taken to the Storque article for further information about the Sale.