SERENDIPITINI

Broken Marble Table

2012-01-24T10:13:00.000-08:00

Several months ago when I was taking garbage out to the dumpster behind Java Journey our coffee shop, I noticed a wrought iron table in the dumpster. You know me. I couldn't let that happen because
I am a rescuer. So with some help, I wrestled the table out and brought it home. It was in sound shape except that the metal top was missing anything that resembled tile or formica and was a rusted mess. I wondered what the chances were of ever finding a top for it and kept pondering what I should do to finish it off.

Then about three months later I noticed that the furniture store next to Java Journey had a broken oval marble tabletop out sitting on the sidewalk in front of their store. It was massive and I elbowed my husband Jeff and asked him to see if we could have it. So, home came the broken table top and which we stuck out in the garden too. I realized that the table top I had been waiting for had shown up in pieces. So I took a sledge hammer and broke it up into small chunks. The pieces had to be broken down enough to fit the curve of the smaller round table.

I used tile adhesive to glue down the marble and then grouted between them. Along the outer rim of the table I used alternating black and white broken pottery pieces. I glued them with tile adhesive and then grouted. Then I took vegetable oil and oiled the wrought iron to clean it and bring out the black. The table can be indoor or outdoor and it is now consigned at the ReSource Warehouse here in Hickory, NC. I still have quite a few pieces of the marble left and they are sizable, so my plan is to use them to make a design in my garden.

Here's a top photo of the top.

The polished black marble has white swirls in it. Very pretty.

Spoondelier, Chandilier Made from Spoons

2012-01-19T05:27:00.000-08:00

I just returned from America's biggest trade show in Atlanta and was wowed by the ingenuity and creativity of designers and artists.

One of the floors was dedicated to High Design and featured all sorts of high end decorative objects for your home. I fell in love with the innovative designs of a company out of Nashville called Cake Vintage. Above is a chandelier, dubbed a spoondelier by the company. It is made from old spoons. They also utilize old door plates, china tea cups, glass insulators, plates and old textile spools in their designs, all of which are from salvaged materials.

Recycled Jewelry from Icebubble Jewels

2012-01-07T06:59:00.000-08:00

I like to feature items incorporating creative reuse. And here is an innovative site that works with plastic bottles, drink cartons, old newspapers and magazines to make funky jewelry. Not exactly my style but I love the originality of it.

It's featured on recycleart

Stamped Pet Silhouette Coasters

2012-01-02T06:30:00.000-08:00

I took over management of Silhouette Artist Lena Bengston's Pet Silhouette business. Lena has been a professional silhouette artist since the 1970's and she travels all over the east coast doing events at retail and department stores. She developed a side business which consists of her own designs of over 175 different pet silhouette breeds which can be inserted into ornaments. They are very classy and during the Christmas season are very popular. But the challenge we faced when I came on board to help manage the pet silhouette business it is that it was primarily seasonal. (Although we are now marketing to Christmas stores who will carry them year round). With all of these remarkable designs she already had on hand, I saw a virtual gold mine since pet merchandise is very hot right now. You can view more of her ornaments at mypetsilhouette.net

I began brainstorming ways we could expand her business using the pet silhouette designs she already had and I came up with the idea of coasters. Since everyone has their own favorite breed and everyone uses coasters, this seems like a marriage made in heaven. After doing quite a bit of research I determined on style, cost and how to make them, I decided the best option for us was to create our own stamps. Office Max wanted $30 minimum for each stamp created. Sorry, but I'm not willing to pay such an outrageous amount. I researched making my own stamps and learned that yes, you can make your own. I found a couple of companies that sell stamp making equipment for individuals and small businesses at a reasonable price.
The one that was best for us was through Martronics Corporation. (They sell a variety of things including stamp making, stencil making and etching equipment)/.

We use a permanent ink called StazOn. I got a matte finish semi-rough tile that is 4" x 4" from our local Lowes Home Improvement store in size and stamped the image on that after making my stamp. Most stamps will not fill in solidly so I used a dauber, which you can purchase at craft stores in the stamp or scrapbooking supplies area. For fine details I also use a small brush dipped in the ink. The ink is permanent and is also heat and cold resistant. I tested a coaster by sitting a hot mug of water on it. However, you can wipe everything off using a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol. You can protect the stamp image by lightly spraying with clear Krylon spray but be careful to spray at a distance, otherwise it will cause your ink to run. Spraying protects your stamped image so it cannot be erased with alcohol. You can however, with a little elbow grease take it off with Brillo.

If you have ever had left over tiles from refurbishing a bathroom or kitchen and wondered what to do with them, this is a great opportunity for creative reuse.

We sell these coasters 4 in a pack in a variety of places for $20 retail. They are retailing on artsydog.com. We only have a few designs listed as of today but keep checking as we will be adding more.

You can also purchase them wholesale, provided you are a retailer through the My Pet Silhouette website at mypetsilhouette.net. (Bear with us as we upload images and begin to list these on the site.)

Large Broken Pottery Mirror

2011-12-12T05:45:00.000-08:00

Our house has revolving artwork. If it isn't consigned somewhere it may temporarily find a home on our walls. The other day my husband, Jeff, came home and noticed a large broken pottery mirror in our family room. "Hey," he said, "where did this mirror come from? I really like it." I explained that I hung it up there to take a photo of it and then just left it there since we have an available wall for the time being.

The mirror in question is pictured and yes, it is for sale. I promised Jeff to make another one should this one sell. It is 32" high x 19" wide. This recycled mirror already had etching around its edge but still looked rather plain. I though it needed some dressing up so I added broken pottery pieces, recycled wine bottle glass, recycled soda bottle glass, copper and found objects. You can view a close up on my website.

All the Pretty Horses

2011-12-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

I finished reading All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy. The movie, which I have not seen, starred Matt Damon and Penelope Cruz. I won't do a full book review since this blog is more about the creative process but will point out some interesting things about McCarthy's style. First of all, there are no chapters in this book. I began reading and kept thinking I would stop when I got to the end of the chapter, but no...McCarthy only uses section headings and there are only four, marking drastic place and time changes. I had never seen only sections without chapters.

The other odd thing which I didn't even notice until I was far into the book was that he doesn't uses quotation marks to denote dialogue. Nope. Nada. At times it gets a bit tricky knowing who is talking if the dialogue goes on for too long. So, there you have it--proof that you can break the rules ones you know them and if you do it well.

Here's a quick book synopsis. I would call this a coming of age story and a modern day western. The story follows 16 year old John Grady Cole, the last in a long line of Texas Ranchers. Cole leaves his ranch after his parents split and his mother decides to sell it. With no real direction or purpose he and his cousin set out on horseback and cross into Mexico. They meet up with a third teen on horseback who lands them in serious trouble. Cole's tender heart won't release him from looking out for the kid, even though his cousin warns him he knows trouble when he sees it. And trouble certain finds them when this young man tries to recover a horse he has lost during a thunderstorm. During their adventures in Mexico Cole has a love affair with a Mexican rancher's beautiful daughter but this forbidden love has far reaching and dangerous consequences.

The theme of the story is justice and integrity as Cole ends up being a sort of modern day Joseph, wrongly accused who decides to take justice in his own hands. The end results say much about his character and integrity. I had friends who watched this movie at about the same time I finished the book. They said the prison scenes are very graphic. With no interior monologue, the movie may lose some of its deeper message.

Recycled Glass & Broken Pottery Mirrors

2011-12-05T06:17:00.001-08:00

Pictured is an example of the recycled glass and broken pottery mirrors I do. Each mirror incorporates broken pottery and pieces of recycled wine bottles and pop bottles, glass "beads" and found objects. Since every glass piece and found object is different, every mirror has its own unique identity. Like snow flakes, no two are exactly alike. These can be custom made in most any color. I choose glass that will compliment the base color of the pottery used. Reusing these items has come to hold a spiritual message for me. Just as we are all unique and have our own brokenness, so are these mirrors. But when we allow the Master Artist to work with us, he can make us into something truly beautiful despite our brokenness. Mirrors measure 8 1/2 x 11 and retail for $15.00. You can view a second example on my website.

Christmas Tabletop Wine Bottle Candles

2011-11-29T15:12:00.000-08:00

A friend has been after me for a while to paint on the wine bottles I make into candles. I also wanted to see if I could devise a tabletop candle. These candles are painted with a white porcelain paint. I came up with three designs: poinsettias, two trumpeting angels facing each other and deer in a winter wonderland. The deer in the winter scene by far are my favorite. They show up well on the dark green bottles.

These can be done on any color wine bottle. You can see the full array on my website. www.serendipitini.com Pictured are the poinsettias. I am going to try to see if I can snap better photos. These just don't do them justice.

Wine Rack Table

2011-11-25T12:10:00.000-08:00

I bought a used wine rack at Good Will a while back and thought I could consign it at Java Journey our non-profit coffee shop. It didn't sell so then I thought we could use it to organize our coffee syrups at the counter. That is when I discovered that the wrought iron wine rack actually didn't fit some bottles, depending on which spiral design I tried to insert the bottle into. Some of them must have gotten bent out of shape. Maybe that is why someone donated it to Good Will.

So I toted the crazy thing home and it sat in my studio for a while, like a lot of the things I pick up. Then we had a need at Java Journey for a small end table in the back multi-purpose and prayer room we were getting ready for use. It's a small narrow room and the place where we put the couch has only enough room for a tiny lamp table.

Hmm, I thought looking at that wine rack. Could that thing possibly be an end table base? So I went to the ReSource Warehouse in Hickory, NC and looked for a cabinet door. ReSource Warehouse gets all kinds of odd things donated. Sure enough, I found a door for a couple bucks that was just the size I needed. The wine rack is taller on one side on the top than on the other so I had to shim one side of the underside of the cabinet door to even out the top. I think it turned out pretty cool and was very tempted to keep it for myself...ah but then I decided I should be generous so it found it's way into the back room at Java Journey. In my next post I will show you the rescued lamp and lampshade I devised for that room. It is now sitting on this wine rack table.

Review of Coraline--High on the Creep Factor

2011-11-10T04:37:00.000-08:00

I watched the movie Coraline last night. Loved the animation and the story line was great but the movie itself turned pretty creepy. I felt Coraline's pain as she tried to adjust to her new surroundings after a move. Her goofy writer-parents are too busy to pay attention to her and her real mom is a horrible grump. As Coraline, acting on the suggestion of her father, explores their new apartment, she discovers a small door hidden behind the wall paper. She crawls through a secret passage way to discover a parallel universe, with an alternate home and "other mother and other father." But then, the story gets down right sinister. It was like Tim Burton took over. These kinder parents have buttons for eyes instead of real eyes. And the creep factor escalates to where "good mom" turns into skeletal killer spider mom who wants Coraline's eyes. Yikes. I wonder how many kids had nightmares from this...http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327597/. Still I enjoyed the movie, a bit like the kid who is told not to touch the hot stove but touches it anyway.

Developing Different Choice Options for Products

2011-11-03T18:23:00.000-07:00

I have learned that stating "custom orders" are welcome entices potential customers to order from me, even if it means tweaking what they want.

For instance, I had already designed white beach glass earrings with a copper swirl but recently someone asked if I could do them in sterling silver. I told her yes...but due to the higher cost of the sterling wire, I told her the cost would be a few dollars more. Pictured is the new option for this design. You can see both the original color choice and this new sterling choice on my white beach glass earring page. The customer was happy and so was I.

Getting the Price Right

2011-10-20T04:58:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I had a call from a friend in Florida who is reselling some of my art items on commission. One of the items she is marketing is my hanging wine bottle candles. Here in Hickory these items are a rarity. I haven't seen anyone who carries them and I priced them based on ones I had seen in Asheville and on the Internet. In both cases they were asking $20 for undecorated hanging recycled wine bottle candles. My Florida friend informed me that she had seen quite a few in her area and that they were not only painted on but were $5 less than my current asking price. Hmmm. What to do. I had waivered over my price when setting it. Was I too high?

Pricing your artwork is tricky. How well you do with selling has much to do with the clientele, culture and location where you are selling. People expect to pay more in high end art galleries and gift shops. However, in other locations retail prices may need to be lower. Currently, I am working on getting my items into wine shops and vineyard gift shops. In California, the vineyards are long-established, classy and the clientele sophisticated. NC vineyards are quite different. They are new, more earthy and farmy...and even the wines they carry are less sophisticated...mixed berry, sweet grapes mixed with blackberries, etc.--not your Cabernets or Zins... The closer you get to the large cities, the more sophisticated the clientele and the more you can ask.

It's up to you to decide what your price will be. Take into consideration who your target market is, and the cut a gift shop or consignment store is taking from each sale of your product. Some do it on consignment others want you to wholesale--which means more money upfront but less profit in the long run. If it is a more sophisticated lot you can expect to sell at a higher price but perhaps sell fewer items. Choose your price and stick with it and stay with it across the board. Offering different prices to different sellers is only going to confuse those you deal with. Suggest a retail price range to them. That way retailers can mark it up the amount they feel comfortable. So, for instance, my suggested retail on my hanging unpainted wine bottle candles is in the $15.00-$20.00 range.

After giving it some thought, I did decide to drop my price to $15.00 on my website. It will be interesting to see what happens. You can see more of these candles by visiting this www.serendipitini.com

SERENDIPITINI: Recycle Bottle Ornament

2011-10-13T04:39:00.000-07:00

SERENDIPITINI: Recycle Bottle Ornament

Recycle Bottle Ornament

2011-10-13T04:29:00.001-07:00

I've been making hanging wine bottle candles by cutting off the bottom of the wine bottle. The discard from this is the circular bottom ... which has found new purpose as a central component for windchimes. I have also used broken bottoms to embellish some broken pottery mirrors. But I kept thinking there might be yet another use. (And I am sure I will find more.) What about Christmas ornaments? So here is one example of a Christmas ornament I designed.

I drilled a hole in the top and bottom and then wired a snowflake charm inside. The prism below is crystal. Makes a lovely ornament which allows the light to shine through. There are two different charm options and a variety of glass colors. Here is a link to more of these.

Recycled Beach Glass Ornament -- Deer

2011-10-11T06:07:00.000-07:00

The Christmas season is coming and I have been playing around with different designs for ornaments. Beach glass is one of my favorite mediums and the large pieces of frosted beach glass have always intrigued me.

I've had a friend after me to etch or paint on the glass I work with. So I decided to try it. This white porcelain paint gives the glass an etched look. I painted a freehand design of a deer in a winter setting. Another friend gave me some silver ribbon, which was the perfect accent to the frosted white glass. How did I drill the glass? I use a Dremel and a diamond drill bit and drill the glass partially in water....You can order these ornaments through my serendipitini.com website. I will be adding more ornament designs as I upload them.

White Beach Glass Earrings

2011-09-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

When we lived in Benicia, California we would walk down to the beach area on the Carquinez Strait. Lots of beach glass could be found on the shore and fascinated with this I began collecting it in various colors. Waves beating against the shore smoothed and tumbled this glass. I carried some of this with me to North Carolina. (It is nearly impossible to find quantities of this glass on the NC beach. The earrings pictured are from some of this California glass. They are embellished with swirled copper wire. You can view a second design on my website www.serendipitini.com.

Enlisting Your Own Sales Reps

2011-09-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

If you are an artist/crafter interested in selling your work, you know how much time and effort it takes to market it. You can make good money by consigning but it is unlikely you will make enough from one store alone. You need to get it out there in multiple places to find just the right fit for you and that takes plenty of time and energy.

One thing you can do is consider offering friends and acquaintances a commission for selling your work. I don't do this with just anyone, but those who seem to love my stuff, who are looking for extra income, and who I know I can trust are a good fit. Make your sales rep's commission enticing enough to make it worth their while. I offer 35% commission to those that represent me which is about the highest commission taken from places I consign at. Be sure and write down a list of what they take and then check in with them to see how things are going. You'll also need to determine if and how they will collect sales tax and when they get paid. In most cases they only need to collect sales tax if they are selling in the same state where your business is based.

I am doing this with items I have consigned elsewhere and which haven't sold that I want to move. One friend, who is retired, travels back and forth to NC and wanted something to do for a little extra income. Selling my smaller items like jewelry was a great solution because it doesn't take up a lot of space. My sister is also doing this in Virginia. If this keeps up I may not even need to consign my work. It's a nice plus to have these folks representing me.

Windchime from Recycled Glass

2011-09-01T04:43:00.000-07:00

What do you do with broken glass pieces and the bottoms of wine bottles? Make them into wind chimes, of course. The bottoms of the wind chime are cut from wine bottles that I turn into hanging wine bottle candles and after puzzling over what to do with these pieces I found that they make a nice weight and focal point for the wind chime. Without it they don't make much noise. With it these make a pleasant tinkling sound.

The "s" design in the center is from recycled electrician's copper. The large hoop came from some inventory I found for a song at Safe Harbor's ReSource Warehouse. The top hoop is from a local craft store and is a split ring such as those used on key chains. The hardest part about making these, other than drilling the glass, is getting them to balance properly. It took me several attempts to get it down to a system. Here is a link to the wind chimes which can be purchased through my site. I do have a few that have cobalt glass pieces but they are not yet listed on my site.

Amazing Telephone Sheep by Jean-Luc Cornet

2011-08-14T04:58:00.000-07:00

I love to share creative reuse ideas. This one blows me away. These life-size telephone sheep, made from old telephones, were done by French artist Jean-Luc Cornet and they are truly amazing... Click here to read more

What is it About Sunflowers?

2011-08-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

I think every artist has a subject matter he or she loves and keeps coming back to. One for me is sunflowers. I've painted several sunflower works. Have done several painted chairs, a painted table, a mixed media sunflower painting, a pastel one, and I decided to deviate from my usual mixed media and just paint for this one. This is based on a pastel I did a while back. But where that one is on a dark background, this one is bright and sunny....

It is an acrylic and is 21" wide x 24" high. You can see a close up on my website. Here's the link.

Recycled Wire Flower Necklaces

2011-07-31T13:52:00.001-07:00

A long time ago someone gave me a large spool of gray coated electrician's wire. It didn't particularly inspire me so it sat around my studio for several years. Then one day I decided cut away the ugly gray coating to see what was inside. What I found were white strands of intertwined wire that has different color stripes on it. Kinda fun. I began playing around with the wire and soon had devised some funky non-symmetrical flowers.

I added a different colored bead to each flower and then attached them together tying them off with bright ribbon. They come in several colors and I can also change out the ribbon, but the wire colors are limited to blues, oranges, and greens for the most part. I had some of these on display at Java Journey and one girl told me she was going to suggest them as accessories for bridesmaids dresses for a friends wedding. Sounds like a fun idea. These retail for $9.50 each and you can order these and the matching earrings through my website at www.serendipitini.com

Beach Glass Wine Glass Charms

2011-07-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

Here are some beach glass wine glass charms I just made. There are six in a set, three green glass and three white. I just got a new glass grinder I tried out on some of the edges to smooth them out. Some people smooth out beach glass to make a uniform shape but I love the uniqueness of how they break and the variations.

The components are sterling silver and silver plate. These sell for $12 for a set of six. You can find a more detailed description and a close up view on my website at serendipitini.com. I should be adding other wine glass charms as time permits.

Copper Wrap Bracelet

2011-07-21T11:59:00.001-07:00

I have designed some copper wrapped napkin rings that have proven to be popular as gifts. Several people suggested the design would make a beautiful bracelet and I agree. So at my friend Crystal's urging I created a copper wrap bracelet.

Unlike the napkin rings which are made from recycled electrician's wire, this bracelet is made from copper covered aluminum wire. It has a glass stone wrapped in thin copper wire and affixed to the bracelet which is adjustable. The lighter weight of the copper covered aluminum wire makes this much lighter to wear. You can purchase through my serendipitini.com website.

Hanging Wine Bottle Candle

2011-07-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

At last we have some samples of the hanging wine bottle candles we make. Pictured is the light green amber glass candle. We have several styles. Candles come with a copper wrapped wire votive and hang by a cable. The can hang outside as well. They sell for $20.00 and we can ship. See serendipitini.com for different styles and colors.

It Ain't as Easy as It Looks

2011-07-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

I am starting to focus more on working with recycled glass so I had this wonderful idea of getting used wine bottles, buying a glass cutter and making these things.

All I have to do is cut the bottom out. So, after watching a You Tube video on how to do this, my husband and I dove in. The first thing we learned is that many bars don't give away their bottles. Several cited regulations--either city or company--that said they couldn't. But I kept at it until I found a source that let me rummage through their recycle bins. I felt like a wino.

Next step, soaking bottles to get the labels off. Sounds easy until you realize that every bottle is made by a different company so some labels came off easily. Others left a very gooey residue. Then many of them have a thin, metal band around the neck which isn't that easy to remove. I used a sharp putty knife to scrape them off and small needle nose pliers to pull off the metal neck band, but not without bloodying my knuckles.

Next comes the cutting of the bottle. Supposedly you don't apply a lot of pressure, just make a cut once around the bottle and then alternate pouring boiling water and cool water. Looked really easy in the video. I think we've wasted about 10 bottles and got about three good ones so far. I know it will get easier. Next comes the sanding of the edges and then working with wire and cable to put the candle inside.

Rounding of these supplies wasn't all that easy either. Still trying to find more ample sources for wire, cable and even candles. I guess this is how all entrepreneurial endeavors are...they just take diligence, time and the willingness to do a series of trial and error until you get a polished result. Stay tuned...Photos of finished product coming soon.

DO IT ANYWAY

2011-06-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

Nothing takes away self confidence more than criticism. If someone comes along and finds fault with something you have done creatively, it can freeze you up and instill fear of failure in you. If every successful person had listened to critics, most would have never achieved what they have.

Be fearless. You may not always get amazing results, but the more you set aside your fears, the more likely you are going to come up with something truly astounding. Dive in!

Creativity Breeds Creativity

2011-06-02T05:09:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was the Grand Opening of Safe Harbor Rescue Mission's Resource Warehouse and Gallery, here in Hickory. I am in a new position, overseeing the start up and management. The site serves several purposes: to teach job skills and confidence to the women in our program, to provide income for our operating expenses, and to rescue items that would otherwise be thrown out or taken to land fills.

The warehouse had all sorts of bulk and individually priced items artists and thrifty people will find appealing. The front area boasts a gift shop and gallery where we consign vintage items, funky junk and unique arts and crafts that incorporate reuse. What has been most amazing is seeing the amount of creativity and the way creative people operate. Though we are just at the beginning and are still trying to install more consignees, the few we have are incredibly inventive. And as people walk through, they get all kinds of ideas based on what they have already seen. Viewing other people's creative works stirs the creativity in others like pouring gasoline on a fire. Here's the link to more info about the ReSource Warehouse and Gallery.

Trees, Mixed Media Artwork

2011-05-26T04:44:00.001-07:00

I recently finished this mixed media artwork which is done on an old cabinet door.

Trees is 14" wide x 11" high. Background is a painted cabinet door. Line prints of a variety of trees are lightly colored with colored pencil and the edges burned. The types of trees appear printed below each burned image which are affixed to wooden squares.

The piece is currently on display at Java Journey. You can learn more about it on my website www.serendipitini.com

Turquoise Choker Necklace

2011-05-15T10:38:00.000-07:00

I have loved turquoise for some time and am just beginning to dabble in using this semi-precious stone. What I didn't know was that there are so many variations in color and look. So when I ordered some large focal pieces, I soon discovered that the large center piece had a greener tint than the beads I had on hand and it took some research before I found just the right color, size, and look for the turquoise choker necklace I wanted to make.

This Green Turquoise Choker is part of my Legacy Line and features an 18" adjustable length. The genuine green turquoise focal bead is 1/2" wide x 1 1/16" tall, accented with green turquoise nugget, Tibetan zinc alloy swirl beads and bumpy silver metal plated beads with a lobster clasp.

You can order it through my website here at serendipitini.com

Burned Picture Mixed Media Works

2011-04-29T19:36:00.000-07:00

I recently completed two burned picture mixed media works. The first is called "Just a Dream" and the second is entitled "Words I Like". I found some small printed canvasses at Goodwill and Gessoed over them to make them reusable.

I love the look of old books because the artwork is often so beautiful or it reminds me of an earlier age. So when I found and old primer I zoned in on some of the text, which I find can have a subliminal message. For the main focal picture on one work I pulled out an old fashion ad. On occasion I will find a picture from a magazine or old encyclopedia that calls to me, for whatever reason and I will pull it out but I often have to wait to actually make a work of art while I wait for other components to surface that might work. On the second canvas I found a great black and white painting of a man reading a book. This came from an old encyclopedia. Then I added wings from a picture of an angel statue. Each of these canvases contain ceramic hand-made buttons that a friend gave me. Her deceased mother-in-law made them and she thought maybe I might use them. How right she was.

The photos in the two works I just completed were then burned using a method of covering them with wood glue and lighting them with a blow torch. The wet glue prevents the photo from burning completely and give it a yellowed and aged look. I liked the significance of the words of these two pictures so I found scripture that went with them to give then an additional message.

For a close up of words and picture and prices, visit my website at www.serendipitini.com

Wrapped Glass and Copper Napkin Rings

2011-02-10T16:52:00.000-08:00

When an electrician finished his work up at our coffee shop, he left quite a bit of electrician's wire behind. Of course, since I am into creative reuse, I snapped up the wire and began playing with it. These glass wrapped copper napkin rings are just some of the things I've come up with. I used small glass pebbles (the kind people often use in flower vases) as the focal point and wrapped them with a smaller 20 gauge copper wire and then affixed them to the larger electrician's copper wire. Pictured is a close up of one of the napkin rings.

These sell for $5.00 each through my serendipitini.com website.

THE LEGACY LINE

2011-01-26T15:34:00.000-08:00

One day my brother handed me a cardboard box filled with unset gemstones he had purchased online. "Here," he said, "maybe you can do something with them." I looked inside to see a multitude of faceted stones. Many were heart shaped.

What on earth was I going to do with those? It was daunting. I had never worked with real gemstones before. So I began timidly playing around with them. The stones were so elegant and made such a lovely focal point, I knew I needed to use special wire. For the first time I began using sterling silver wire and I found just the right twisted wire neck hoops to display the wrapped stones on. Here is a sample of a blue, heart-shaped cubic Zirconia necklace. These gemstones are a part of my new Legacy Jewelry line. You can see a close up on my website http://serendipitini.com/id48.html

Chicken Coop Coffee Table

2011-01-09T16:07:00.001-08:00

I thought I would show a photo of the chicken coop coffee table my husband, Jeff, made me for Christmas. I found this crate looking thing at the local Goodwill. It was marked down to $6.00. It reminded me of a lobster trap but I was not sure what it was. But it was crying out to be made into a coffee table. So, when I brought it home I described to Jeff what I wanted. "All you need to do," I explained, "is to add some legs, some trim and some glass."

The trap door for the chickens is on the top side so, when we want to display collectables we have to lift off the top glass and put them in the door. Jeff did a little research and learned that the company that makes these is in Texas. They started as a chair making business which was just limping along. Then one day a man approached them about making chicken coops. They ended up using spare chair parts, old chair spindles for the sides, and suddenly the new business took off.

Okay, I know it's weird, but I just love recycling and turning trash into treasure. This one is a real conversation piece. All I need now is a stuff chicken to go inside it.

New Jewlery to Complement New Book Theme

2010-12-28T18:38:00.000-08:00

I am in the process of designing a new line of jewelry to complement my book, the Treasure Seeker which is due our this summer. The book has a treasure theme and is about us mutually seeking and finding God and a relationship with his son, all the while he seeks us his precious treasure. One chapter talks about our personalities including our quirks and inclusions. Readers will have the opportunity to determine which of a select few gemstones they are most like.

My current task is to create the Treasure Seeker line of jewelry which will tie into this theme. I plan to offer a discount on the jewelry to those who purchase the book. I had no idea that it would take as long as it has to even research the components that will go into each specific design...still not done yet. Stay tuned as this project develops.

Egg Angels

2010-10-18T04:37:00.000-07:00

With Christmas just around the corner I've been working on innovative Christmas ornament ideas. I came up with the idea of egg angels. Each angel is hand-painted on a 2 1/2" high wooden egg. They have wire wings and wire halos. These little darlings were much more time-consuming to make than I first imagined because there are so many different steps required in the process of making them. But if you want a unique Christmas gift with a whimsical feel, these would be a great choice.

They are limited edition, and are signed and numbered. Selling price is $12.50

You can see the up close and personal versions on my website www.serendipitini.com

Be Persistent When it Comes to Knocking on Doors

2010-07-18T04:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a triumph. After 4 failed attempts to meet with the owner of the Hickory Tree, a local upscale furniture consignment store, I finally managed to talk with her and she agreed to take several of my art pieces on consignment. This was attempt # 5.

My attempts went something like this....First I placed a call to the store on a Saturday to see if they consigned arts and jewelry. The clerk who answered informed me that they had not had much luck with consigning art because it hadn't sold but they did sell some jewelry. However, this was vintage and was purchased outright and only from this particular woman. She also informed me that they took a 50/50 cut on consigned furniture but took a 40/60 cut when it came to original art. Although I am sure they felt this sounded like a better deal for the artist (who rec'd the 60%) I thought it was still high for a place that didn't specialize in handmade gifts and wasn't a gallery.

After mulling it over, I decided it was probably still worth trying to get in since I am working on expanding the locations where I sell. If I found a better deal elsewhere, then I could always pull out of the Hickory Tree. The clerk told me the owner might still be open to talking with me about art consignment and to call back during a weekday to speak with the owner who was the person to talk to.

I hate the marketing aspect of art, but know it's a necessary evil. So, the last thing I wanted to do was to call back, but I saw little choice if I wanted to get my foot in the door. The next week I called back during a weekday and was told the owner was on her honeymoon but that they could leave a message for her.

The next week I received a call from Meredith, the owner, apologizing for missing me. She told me I could come by during the week and talk with her or that I could trying coming on a Sat. I explained that since I work full-time it is difficult for me to come during the week. I would try to swing by Sat. It happened to be July 4th weekend so I asked if they would be open. She said they would be closing early so to come early.

I loaded my car up with mixed media artwork and showed up at 10:15 am. The opened at 10 am. But I no sooner set foot in the door than a woman, whom I assumed was Meredith, rushed toward me and shooed me back out explaining they were closing ASAP for July 4th. I have to admit, by this point I was so frustrated I went home and cried. I told myself I would never set foot in that store again and she would definitely not get any of my business...

Then I stayed away for two weeks. Another Saturday rolled around again I felt that just maybe I should give it one more shot. If I got the same response, I would write the Hickory Tree off permanently. Once again I loaded up my car and as I entered the store I came with an understandably defensive attitude. Java Journey, the coffee shop ministry my husband, Jeff, and I run (http://javajourney.org) is finishing off a back room and we are looking for quality used furniture. I figured that if Meredith was on duty she wouldn't really remember me (she didn't as far as I know) and I would be free to come in and browse for possible coffee shop items. So I did.

The store was much larger than I expected and was nicely laid out with quality used furniture and accessories including reprint artwork. It even had a basement area. I tried to envision my artwork displayed on its walls. Was this the right place for my art? Possibly.

After spending a little time looking around I approached the front counter and asked about parson's chairs, a type of chair I was keeping and eye out for. I explained to Meredith about our coffee shop and why I was looking for them. We chatted for a while and it felt good to build a bit of a rapport rather than just asking flat out about the artwork. It was at that point that I reintroduced myself to her and she said she remembered me and apologized for having been so abrupt that weekend. Evidently they has been swamped with consignment customers and she and her husband were trying their best to close up and get out of the store for a family gathering.

When I brought up the second reason I had come was to talk to her about selling my art, she told me their past history of trying to sell original artwork. The store is only about a year and a half old and early on a group of watercolor painters had approached wanting her to display their work. Meredith described the work as amateurish but she agreed to let them have one particular room in which to display their work. It didn't sell and it was at that point she decided she'd had enough. Since that time she'd been approached by others wanting to consign art, but in each case the work had been below par.

When I brought my work in from the car I think she was pleasantly surprised. She took all four pieces, (three were my bullseye rose pieces) and she prominently displayed them over the mantle in the front room. Neither of us were sure whether the work would sell. Would it be the right clientele. Would the prices be higher than folks visiting a consignment furniture store would want to pay? Who knows. But I learned a valuable lesson that day. Don't give up. Sometimes the 5th time is a charm.

Here are the bullseye rose pieces I consigned http://serendipitini.com/id27.html

Bulls Eye Rose Series

2010-06-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

I just finished up my first official "series" of mixed media works. Having a series of paintings ads cohesion to work, something I personally feel is important to work on. I also hope to start working on prints of my work so I can feature them on cards, etc.

I've got three of them, the largest of which is 25" x 40." You can see them all on my website. I dubbed these bulls eye roses. They are collage with acrylic paint. I really enjoyed making these and might try doing something similar on painted furniture.

Here's a link to the entire series bulls eye rose artwork

Competition

2010-05-20T04:31:00.000-07:00

A little over a month ago I stopped into a new business in Hickory called Warehouse 2120. Seems the owner stopped into Java Journey where I display some of my mix-media artwork and jewelry and really loved what she saw. She was opening her store across the street and less than a block away and wanted to find out if I was interested in consigning my work.

I was busy at the time so several weeks passed before I managed to get down to the store with some of my things. I love the store. It's a combination of shabby chic, antiques and gently used items and they have some really unique one of a kind things for home decorating. The owner was thrilled that I had come and took several pieces of artwork. I asked if she was still interested in my jewelry and she was excited to think I would bring some in.

Fast forward a couple of weeks. Time passed. I was busy at work but I kept them in mind and worked on some pieces for them. I also planned to bring in a few more pieces of artwork. I swung by on my very short lunch hour and walked in the door.

The place was bustling. The two owners were at the counter and also some new retail sales clerks. I sailed by one clerk who asked if she could help me and told her I was there to talk about some consignment items. The two owners looked at me with a glazed expression..."Here's another one," said one. "We're going to have to start making appointments."

"This is the last one," agreed her business partner. With what can best be described as an overwhelmed and weary attitude, the one lady agreed to look over what I had. She suggested we go outside because the store was so cramped.

We sat in a couple of handmade chairs outside in the front of the store while I pulled out my pieces. We quickly clicked through them and she sorted out what she wanted, rejecting several. When I mentioned I also had some wall hangings, she walked with me to my car, took one look at the very large mixed-media work I had created just for them and said, "no."

The wind went out of my sails. I had come in thinking I was one of their favorite children, only to come back and find out that I was only one of many. After leaving I fell into a black hole of depression. You know how we artists get. It only takes one small thing to throw us into the abyss. Later I ruminated on what happened.

1. I learned that you can't have a corner on the market for long. If you've got a good location, pretty soon other people will learn about it and will also try to use that source.

2. You've got to be competitive. This place was just testing out selling jewelry and they were green at it. The more expensive pieces were not selling as of yet so I was wise to include less expensive pieces like earrings(which I informed the owner sold well at the coffee shop). I also kept my prices competitive. Though people may admire more expensive items, if the economy is struggling, people have less expendable income. They'll opt for the better bargain every time.

3. I was not a complete flop. She didn't outright reject me. She took the majority of what I had to offer.

4. It pays to develop a relationship with shop owners, treat them with respect and develop relationships with them. If you want to work in a professional capacity, act like it by respecting the shop owners time and listening to what they want and know about their customers.

5. Shop owners are human. They get overwhelmed and frazzled. Find out if they can take you on a drop in basis or if you need to make an appointment; then respect that.

If you want to make it professionally, you've got to become business savvy. Keeping up with the competition is an ongoing battle. You'll have to find ways to gain an edge over competitors so you outshine them. More than ever, this means developing good relationships with the people who will either sell or purchase your items. They are your bread and butter.

Camels Anyone?

2010-02-13T12:25:00.000-08:00

Just a little over a month ago my husband and I realized a long-awaited dream. For two years we had been working at launching a non-profit ministry-related coffee shop. Java Journey is finally up and running. You can view some of the photos of the shop at www.javajourney.org website.

I had wanted to include the works of local artist on the walls and sell artwork and other handmade items through the shop on commission. So of course, I started with my own. Our hope is to feature an artist a month. But for now, it's primarily my work. I've been pleased with the results and have sold two paintings. Not long ago I ran into an aquaintance who was very enthusiastic about the coffee shop. I noticed she was wearing an attractive necklace with a camel design. I commented to her about how much I liked it. "I love camels," she quipped but I can't ever find anything with camels on them. You know why I like camels don't you?

I had to admit I didn't. "Because," she responded, "a camel gets on it's knees before rising in the morning and on again on it's knees before bed." Hmm. Food for thought. She went on to tell me that I should consider putting some camel jewelry and artwork in the shop. I told her I'd consider it.

I just finished several pieces with this lady in mind. Camels are not my passion, but I have to say I had fun creating this mixed media work. You can view a closeup of it and the camel jewelry I made on my serendipitini website. Will it sell? Who knows. But it was fun making it.

Being Creative When You're Short on Time

2009-09-13T06:05:00.000-07:00

Lately I've found it more and more difficult to find time to create. With working full time and trying to help get Java Journey our coffee shop store front ready for opening...there is little time left for creating. Add to that additional demands of my job which require me to be at conventions on occasion (like this weekend) and it gets even harder.

Maybe you are in the same type of situation. What works best for me is having both designated times for creating and also learning to work in small snatches of time.

Our lives are busy and it depends on what season we are in as to how much time we have. But if we don't make time, creativity probably isn't going to happen. Here are some things I have learned to do in order to still be able to work it in.

First, get up earlier and work later. I get up one hour earlier than I have to and try to work on writing at least for an hour before I go to work. Some days I make more progress than others but if I have it on my schedule, it is more likely to happen. I also try to do the more creative part of the writing in the morning before I leave. When I get home, after dinner, I try to write an hour more. Some days this is the last thing I feel like doing but at least I am doing it. And, I tend to do more editing in the evenings when my brain is more tired. It takes less energy for me.

When it comes to my art, I usually reserve Sunday afternoons for that. But, being human and having other things to tend to sometimes--such as family gatherings--that doesn't always happen. When I miss my Sunday creative time I try to work some other time in elsewhere. It is possible to create in small allotments of time--not the best method--but it can still be done.

For instance, if I only have a few moments to spare I can still prepare a canvas with gesso or draw out what I plan to water color. If I am working on jewelry, I've found I can streamline my efforts if I work on certain components at a time rather than trying to do an entire piece at a stretch. For instance, I might work on earrings one night where all I do is is put beads on pins. Or I might work on the central focal components of a necklace wrapping beach glass.

If I want to watch a dvd but haven't got my creative time in, I cart what I can work on and enjoy the movie. So I might be bending copper wire into shapes or putting jump rings on finished necklaces.

The general rule is, the larger the task, the more time it takes. By doing small tasks and certain components I can then put the pieces together to make a finished piece.

Movie Review: Lost in Austen

2009-08-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

I have long been a Jane Austen fan and have read just about every book she's ever written mutiple times. I've practically memorized Pride and Prejudice and own both the Two-Part BBC version of it and the more recent version starring Keira Knightly. So it was with great anticipation that I sat down last night to watch an Austen-related chic flick by myself, in this case Lost in Austen.

Many a story has entailed a character going back or forward in time and this is precisely the device that the author uses in Lost in Austen. Not exactly a new device, but I found that it worked.

I don't want to give away the plot but, suffice to say, that Amanda Price, an ardent Austen enthusiast is enamored with Pride and Prejudice and, like many women, has read and re-read the story to the point of knowing its characters intimately. But her dreary every-day life leaves her unfilfilled, especially when it comes to her beer-guzzling boyfriend who has just proposed to her.

One evening while reading her beloved Pride and Prejudice for the the umpteenth time, she finds a stranger, Elizabeth Bennet, has entered her apartment via a hidden door in her bathroom. What follows is an adventure for Amanda as Elizabeth stays behind and Amanda finds herself right in the thick of the Bennet household. But without Elizabeth there things quickly go awry as familiar characters such as Mr. Bengley and Mr. Darcy are introduced to the Bennett ladies, with the addition of Amanda and no Lizzy to be found.

The author tinkers with just about every relationship and takes them down other roads so that soon are are a tangle. Despite her best efforts to salvage them, Amanda finds that things quickly go from bad to worse and we get to see what happens had the characters been paired up differently.

The story is fun, and clever, but also a bit exasperating at times because Darcy and Bingley are not paired up with the right people. Darcy's pride and snobbishness are magnified, while good-natured Bengley drowns his disappointment in love in drink and becomes a lush. It does not bring out their best character traits.

I would love to hear from other Austen fans who have seen this movie. I found it quite enjoyable thought at times frustrating as Amanda didn't get to experience the full-force of Darcy's honorable traits as Elizabeth does.

Climbing the Next Rung on the Ladder, Part II

2009-04-18T11:17:00.001-07:00

Creativity breeds creativity. The more we are exposed to creative works and the more we are around innovative people, the more it ignites and hones the creativity in us. In my last blog post I promised to share what I am doing to reach my goal of taking my creative arts to the next level.

One major step I took this past month was to join Full Circle Arts a local artist’s co-op here in Hickory, NC. They offer art and craft courses, and have a local art gallery in which members can exhibit their work. The co-op has several levels of membership. The higher level costs a monthly fee of $50 which allows members to display their work any time in the gallery without having to put in volunteer hours. It also gives them a sizable discount on any art classes the co-op offers. This higher level membership takes 15% commission from any artwork sold.

The co-op’s less expensive level of membership (the one I signed up for) costs $100/year, requires members to serve 6 hours a month in the gallery or in some other volunteer capacity for the organization and allows members to display their work in the gallery. These members pay 30% commission on any artwork sold.

This one step alone has already caused me to raise the bar on my work so that it is of a quality suitable for exhibition and I’m already getting to know a few of the folks who participate in Full Circle, which is great because I’ve badly needed to connect with kindred creative souls. My task now is to focus on creating theme-related pieces that create a cohesive grouping which in turn could possible be exhibited as a show. For instance, I have produced several pieces that are board game related. Here’s one called Get a Clue About Life. I actually made two small companion pieces to go with it. If I wanted to keep going with the game board theme I could tie several pieces together.

I am still forging my brand which centers on taking discarded, broken or seemingly valueless items and turning them into art. I attach a small piece of printed parchment paper on each finished work that tells about me and the inspiration for my work. This small self-promo piece is also a part of the branding process. More importantly, to truly develop a brand, I need to be consistent in the look of the works I develop. I mentioned previously that I have two styles developing, a playful, colorful style, and a more serious, abstract side. It’s not unthinkable to have several looks, but is important that each type of style have cohesiveness.

Below is the text I include on my promo paper.

On the front it reads: Another Unique Original by Teena Stewart

On the backside it reads: Teena Stewart experiences wonder & worship regarding the Master Artist when she works on artistic endeavors. The world can be broken and ugly at times and our lives sometimes mirror that brokenness. Teena delights in finding discarded, broken, and valueless things and reworking them into something beautiful just as the Master Artist can do with our lives if we let Him.

She whole-heartedly dedicates her life to the teachings of Jesus Christ. To learn more about her and her work, visit http://www.serendipitini.com

Climbing the Next Rung on the Ladder, Part I

2009-03-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

One of my goals I wrote down for 2009 is to take my art to the next level and part of that goal included focusing more on style, theme, and brand.

What I have found in my art is that I am still trying to develop a style. I’ve moved away from just doing paintings and drawings to more mixed media and collage. I have also begun to toy with jewelry making.

Currently I am working on developing professional looking pieces I can begin marketing online, in shops, shows, and even galleries. My passion is to work from discarded or broken items and turn them into art. I rummage through second hand stores and yard sales looking for interesting items that might work. Since many of these finds are one-of-a-kind this has allowed me to produce some interesting pieces. The down side is that there is little continuity. One finished piece is very different from another. If I plan to do a show, this presents a problem because just as people come to know a writer for his genre and style of writing, the same should be true of an artist. This is known as branding.

If I have too many styles or unique looking pieces that have no distinct style people might think they are produced by different artists. This won’t develop loyal collectors. I need to reign myself in and begin to work on developing cohesive pieces. Yes my style is developing…the use of found, broken and discarded objects is part of that. I’ve also noticed I’ve got a playful, whimsical, colorful style, and then a more serious style which leans toward golden and earthy colors. The picture above is a work I did called the Queen of Hearts. It's an example of my playful style. You can see more examples of it at my Serendipitini website Serendipitini . (I’m still working on getting more of my artwork displayed there.)

In my next blog post I’ll talk more about actions I’m taking to reach my goals.

Great Website for Free Graphics

2009-02-25T16:28:00.000-08:00

While working with my daughter, Rachel, to create the Serendipitini blog and Serendipitni website (serendipitini.com still under construction) we wrestled with the creative look of the blog and website. Self-promotion is a necessary evil for freelancers and we are no exception but getting the right look to convey who you are is also imporant.

Rachel pointed me to an awesome website that offers a free graphic a week. This is more than your standard clipart. I thought I would share it with you. The site carries
abstract, background, free, grungy, purple, swirl, texture, vectors

I love the style and look of what they create. We found graphics to work for our logos on both our blog and website there. Here's the link if you want to check it out.

2009-02-18T13:33:00.000-08:00

What is art? It's a question debated in every freshman art history course.

The 2003 film Mona Lisa Smile depicts just such a scene. Katherine Watson, a liberal and feminist art professor teaching at Wellesly College in 1953, attempts to challenge her conservative female students' narrow minded definitions of art. Watson flashes a slide of "Carcass" by Soutine on the screen.

The following discussion ensues:

Katherine Watson: "Carcass", by Soutine, 1925. Is it any good? C'mon, ladies, there's no wrong answer. There's also no textbook telling you what to think. It's not that easy, is it?

Betty Warren: Alright, no. It's not good. In fact, I wouldn't even call it art. It's grotesque.

Connie Baker: Is there a rule against art being grotesque?

Susan Delacorte: Aren't there standards?

Betty Warren: Of course there are! Otherwise, a tacky velvet painting could be equated to a Rembrandt!

Connie Baker: Hey, my Uncle Ferdie has two tacky velvet paintings. He loves those clowns.

Betty Warren: There *are* standards! Technique, composition, color, even subject. So, if you're suggesting that rotted side of meat is art, much less *good* art, then what are we going to learn?

Katherine Watson: Just that. You have outlined our new syllabus, Betty, thank you. What is art? What makes it good or bad, and who decides?

[Slide changes to reveal a childlike drawing of a cow]

25 years ago, someone thought this was brilliant.

Betty Warren: Who?

Katherine Watson: My mother. I painted it for her birthday. Next slide. This is my mom. Is it art? [referring to a photo of her mother]

Susan Delacorte: It's a snapshot.

Katherine Watson: If I told you Ansel Adams had taken it, would that make a difference?

Betty Warren: Art isn't art until someone says it is.

Katherine Watson: It's art!

Betty Warren: The right people.

Katherine Watson: And who are they?

So, who decides what is art... and what is not? Artists have always pushed the boundaries and limits of art, challenging the standards prescribed by society and academia. Determined not to be limited by something as limiting as a definition, these artist rebels broke new creative ground through unique and progressive techniques, at times bordering on the bizarre and macabre in their attempt to elicit a new reaction from their saturated audience. Picasso, Van Gogh, Dalie, and Warhol--artists whose work we now house in fancy French museums and accolade as reference points for aspiring artists ("Here. THIS is art.")-- were rebels in their own time.

But as time has gone on, each generation of artists has had to push further and harder to create "new" art, to challenge our pre-concived notions of aesthetic beauty.

And today... well, it's gotten weird. Take a look at the following work created in 1917 by Marcel Duchamp, a ground breaking modernist. Entitled "Fountain," this sculpture was displayed in a number of prominent museums including Indiana University Art Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Tate Modern.

Huh. Art? Anyone who's every scrubbed yellow crust off a public urinal might disagree. And if you think that's weird, talk a look at this. The National Ceramics 2000 show at the Everson Museum in Syracuse, New York featured works of art that are... "odd" at best. The follow is a sampling of the pieces on display:

-A human head with a steering wheel attached

-A piece of rotten fruit covered with maggots

-The severed lower torsos of a man and woman, topped with steak and chicken dinners sitting on plates

-A Bozo the Clown mural adorned with toilet plunger, mousetrap, and other objects

-A portrait of a woman the artist tells us was abused—depicted bloody, cut, with lizards skittering over her body

-A face-off between Jesus and an Indian medicine man

-A pair of amputated feet hanging from an industrial chain

-A mother getting her throat cut, graphically, by a baby.

Karl Zinsmeister, a colomnist for artrenewal.org, comments on the exhibit in his article "When Art Becomes Inhuman": "This is the high art of today... 'anti-art.' It ridicules, it desecrates, it celebrates vileness, it rejects all rules, conventions, and decencies."

While I'm not likely to showcase any of the items on this list in my dining room, I don't know that I agree with Zinsmeister's scathing review. And though it's true I would rather spend my time gazing Van Gogh's "Starry Night" than Duchamp's "Fountain," I also will be the first to tell my daughter that her fingerpaintings are --without reservation or limitations-- ART.

Perhaps as they say (and who are "they," anyhow?!), art truly is in the eye of the beholder... Or better yet, the creator.

More About the Poor Man’s Copyright

2009-02-12T18:19:00.000-08:00

After responding to my friend regarding his copyright question I wondered if what I told him about the “poor man’s copy right” was still considered valid. So I posted a question about mailing your own work to yourself on one of my writer’s lists to see if that method is considered effective.

Several writers responded with virtually the same answer. The general consensus is that if you don’t have money enough to register your copyright, then you won’t have money to defend your postmarked copy in court if it ever needs defending. It was felt that the method isn’t reliable.

With book manuscripts, if the publishing house you submit to offers you a contract and does not register copyright on your work, you would be wise to register it yourself. Here is a link to where you can go to register your work.

The latest version of the Copyright Office's FAQ tackles this urban
legend http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html

How do You Copyright Your Creative Work? Part I

2009-02-03T05:38:00.000-08:00

How do you protect what you’ve created? A friend who knows I am a published writer recently wrote asking for advice. You’ll find his question and my response below.

Teena,

I need some advice. John* and I have collaborated for some time on a book. I am now ready it's one of my 2009 goals) to submit the book proposal and a couple of
chapters to Christian Manuscript Submissions to see if it gets any attention.

They recommend people get copyright on their submissions. However, I don't have the whole thing written, only about half of it. So here's my question. Do I submit my unfinished work for copyright or do I wait until it is finished to submit it for copyright?

What have you done?

Thanks for your help.

Mark*

*Not their real names

Hi Mark,

I am not a copyright expert but the fact that they recommend that you get copyright on your work raises my suspicions. Are they a self-publisher?

A traditional book publisher's job regarding copyright is to ensure that your work is an original and not "borrowed" from another source before they sign a contract with you. Once they accept a manuscript and you sign a contract it is their job to see that the copyright notice is placed on the published work and supply the copies of the work to the Copyright office. (Chicago Manual of Style explains this.)

In the case of an article, a magazine publisher will buy specific rights to your article. Some buy all rights, but the ideal situation is to sell first time rights.

My understanding it this--any time you put your work on paper it is automatically copyrighted by law. When I was still a novice (not that I am an expert now) I put the copyright symbol on my book manuscript cover page where my name, address contact info and work count was. But then someone told me that was a mark of an amateur.

To prove the work is yours is another matter. You must have proof that you own it. If this is a self-publishing company, the fact that they are telling you that you must copyright your work indicates they are trying to protect themselves from people who might sue them claiming your work is theirs.

Here is a suggestion I have heard from several writing sources. Write yourself a letter that talks about you manuscript, your working title (sometimes titles change) and print and sign your name. Date the letter. Then mail the letter to yourself. Keep the postmarked envelope with the letter and file it. That is your proof of copyright. You can also register your work but that is more expensive and more of a process. If you are going to self-publish your book and your publishing house is saying they won't register the copyright (which sounds like what they are saying) then you would be wise to go through the more formal process and jump through the registration hoops.

Here is a good online source regarding copyright. See section entitled Copyright Registration

http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#wci

I hope that helps. I know just enough to be dangerous.

Teena

Movie Musings: Miss Potter

2009-01-28T09:24:00.000-08:00

Do the names Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny ring any bells? They're the colorful creations of Beatrix Potter. When each of my three children was born my mother presented them with their own china place settings depicting Potter’s furry friends.

I fondly remember the tale of Peter Rabbit from my childhood, the little bunny who at great peril disregarded his mother’s warnings to stay out of Mr. McGreggor’s garden. A few years ago on a trip to Scotland, we passed Potter’s home during our tour of the region. As an artist, I've long admired her charming artwork. But I never knew much of her history until after watching the movie Miss Potter starring Rene Zelweiger as the artist.

Potter took every opportunity to perfect her drawing skills and create fanciful tales involving her characters. As any young woman of proper upbringing during the 1800s, Potter’s future depended on a well-connected marriage within her own social standing. Her mother was determined to marry her daughter off to a properly connected suitor no matter how unattractive or how dull. Moving in the right societal circles was her mother’s driving force and she saw Potter’s fixation on painting and sketching as improper. By the time Potter was in her early thirty’s she had rejected all of the proper suitors and had had aspirations of becoming an independent single woman.

She set off with her sketches to a local publisher and landed a book contract which was given to Norman Warne the youngest of three brothers involved in the publishing company who had no previous publishing experience. Warne was innovative and knew Potter’s work needed to be in color in a day when black and white was the norm. To cut costs he opted to reduce the number of illustrations and book’s size and produce the illustrations in color.

Potter’s books became very popular and after publishing a string of successful children’s books she became quite wealthy. Despite her success, her parents, particularly her mother, were embarrassed because her wealth was connected to trade rather than old money. When Potter became secretly engaged to Norman, her publisher, it caused a breach between her and her parents. Sadly, Potter never lived to marry him as he died before the wedding could take place. After moving to the Scottish countryside, Potter eventually found a new love and married, using her wealth to purchase and preserve vast acres in her region.

In many ways Potter’s life bears resemblance to Jane Austen’s another independent woman author who successfully established a career in writing at a time when women were expected to merely marry and bear children.

Here is a link to the Miss Potter Movie. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Miss Potter

The Denver Music Scene: More to offer than bad country covers and... The Fray?

2009-01-26T11:20:00.000-08:00

Today, I stumbled across an article by music columnist Dave Herrera, writer for Westword (a local Denver publication). Herrera's article "Show Business" discusses the growth and transformation of the Denver music scene over the last five years.

I know... you may be tempted to ask, "Music scene? What music scene?" I mean, let's be honest. Until The Fray broke onto the national charts five years ago, most people probably thought that the Denver "scene" primarily consisted of a spattering of mediocre country cover bands, Garth Brooks wannabees and--the one and only rock band in Colorado--Big Head Todd and the Monsters. (I know... you probably haven't heard of them either, right?)

It's true: five years ago there wasn't much of a "scene" to speak of in Denver. Herrera explains, "the talent pool was more shallow and the scene itself fragmented, revolving around only a handful of bars and clubs. There was no hi-dive, no 3 Kings or Bender's Tavern, no Marquis or Oriental theaters, no Walnut Room... no Rhinoceropolis — places that today devote a great deal of their programming to local music. [Back then],...locals were thought of as openers, not headliners — and not just by promoters, but by the media."

In fact, the lack of unity, talent and venues weren't the only challenges facing the Denver music community. Herrera identifies a far more crippling issue. He states, "the music industry had difficulty [even] finding Denver on a map, making this a city starved for national notoriety." Thus, it's no wonder so much excitement surrounded the success of Colorado band, The Fray. "For many of us," Herrera explains, "[the Fray's] success transcended the music. We were living vicariously through the Fray and drunk with possibilities." We watched their every move, celebrated each success, turned up our radios with pride to hear their music.

But The Fray is not all Denver has to offer.

For those of us kicking it cookie cutter style in suburbia, we may be unaware that Denver is home to a diverse and dynamic range of musical talent and venues. With bands like The Fray, OneRepublic, Flobots, The Photo Atlas, and Tickle Me Pink garnering deals with major record lables, national radio play, and even a couple Grammys, the music industry is finally standing up and taking notice of Denver musicians. As Herrera writes, "Our diversity is our strength. If we must compare our scene to another, Denver's actually like a composite of numerous cities across the country. It's a little Portland, a little Austin, a little Brooklyn, a little Omaha, a little Montreal and a lot of Toronto. The vast, unexpected collaborations and camaraderie we have here — arguably one of the best aspects of our scene — recalls that last town [Seattle], in particular, and its Broken Social Scene."

So, if you haven't been paying attention... start. Each month we'll spotlight one or two local Denver bands. It's time to celebrate the talent, diversity and vibrance of the Denver music scene.

Look for our first "Locals Only" article later this week!

Unified By Grace

2009-01-22T16:46:00.001-08:00

Do you think he giggles? I like to imagine him that way. I like to imagine that there are moments when he is so filled with joy, so overwhelmed with excitement, that he giggles like a kindergartner hopped up on pixie sticks. Not just any joy. A contagious joy. A joy that is so full, so big, that it bubbles over with sticky sweetness.

It might sound ridiculous--irreverent even--to imagine God giggling. I’m sure there are some who see God as a distant and reserved figure, stoic and unmoved by our lives.

But I imagine him differently: like a little boy playing hide and seek with his mom, so excited to be found, so excited to jump out and yell “Surprise!”--I think that’s how God feels as he waits for us to discover an unexpected blessing.

Some might attribute these “blessings” to fate, coincidence, dumb luck, or even serendipity, but I believe they are sent with great joy and anticipation from the Creator himself.

A few weeks ago, I received just such an unexpected delivery. I received an email from QuickStar Productions, a Baltimore based, Christian owned music production company, asking if I would be interested in participating in a compilation CD. It seems that Brandon Bosemans, a project manager with QuickStar, somehow stumbled upon my myspace page (a page I’d set up months ago solely for the purpose of sharing my songs with close friends and family) and liked what he heard.

Brandon was writing to express his appreciation for my song “Bring Me Back To You” and to ask if he could include it on a new project he was putting together. He wrote, “I heard your song, "Bring Me Back To You" and I am very impressed with it... I believe that your song would be a perfect fit on this project and I would be honored to have you take part.”

The project he wrote of was a benefit compilation CD entitled Unified By Grace. The profits from this CD will be used to purchase anti-malarial medications for health clinics in Uganda.

The inspiration for the project, Brandon shared, came from a recent mission trip to West Ankole, Uganda during which he served at a Christian medical clinic called the Nuymbarie Clinic. He went on to describe the difficult circumstances facing this clinic: “...Run by one nurse and [serving] a town of 2000... [the clinic] was in need of refrigeration, electricity, clean water, and most importantly, medications. Malaria is a major problem in this area. These medications are very expensive for the Ugandan’s, but reasonable by American standards... As Jesus said in Matthew 25, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

I was truly touched by his heart and by the opportunity to bless others in such a profound and tangible way. I think as artists we sometimes wonder why we create. What is the purpose behind our art? I am excited to have an answer to that question... at least for the moment.

My song, “Bring Me Back To You,” will be included on the Unified By Grace compilation, released digitally in February to I-Tunes, Amazon.com, Walmart, Napster and Rhapsody.

An unexpected blessing, and an opportunity to bless others. You can listen to my song below. I'll be sure to let you know when the CD is released.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

No Fear: Creativity Even at the Risk of Being Tacky

2009-01-19T18:44:00.000-08:00

Roadside Americana (Lifestyle)

My husband and I received more than our usual share of gifts cards this Christmas season including one for each of us from our son Jordan, from Barnes and Noble.

With mine I bought a chick flick DVD—“Ms. Congeniality 2,” and Jeff purchased a large picture book which he hopes to put in our coffee shop once it opens (see http://www.javajourney.org for more info.) The book, Roadside Americana, is a coffee table book, a sort of photo journalistic work of unique, larger-than-life creations by average Americans.

Categories include unique landmarks, weird architecture, the world’s largest statues and objects, quirky gas, food, and lodging stopovers and a class of just plan weird stuff that doesn’t fall neatly into any other category. As I flipped through its pages I became intrigued with these “works of art” and the warped minds that created them. For some of the artists it was a life work that began in a moment of creative heat that needed an outlet. Some were ongoing through the artist’s lifetime as they worked in their spare time.

Some of my favorites include:

Carhenge in Alliance Nebraska, an architectural arrangement of stacked junked cars painted a dull gray arranged and installed by engineer Jim Reinders with the help of relatives at a family renunion.

Forevertron in North Freedom Wisconsin which is considered the world’s largest sculpture. It was the brainchild of retired junk collector Tom Every and resembles a futuristic although some-what junky looking amusement park.

UCM Museum (pronounced You-See-‘EM) in Abita Springs, Louisiana was created by artist John Preble. The exterior of the building is an old service station. On the premises you will find everything from mosaics made from broken pottery, a collection of pocket combs, paint-by-number masterworks, a miniature river town, and even a moble home impaled by a flying saucer.

The book also depicts tacky statues around the U.S. and Canada many of which were intended to be advertising tools for businesses. As I leafed through the book I was impressed by the imaginations of those who conceived the works. Though many of them are laughable and without class, the sheer courage it took to them is admirable. There is a fine line between tackiness and genius. Sometimes what we have in our head is dying to come out and we squelch it for fear that it won’t look beautiful. Or we produce it only to destroy it or chastise ourselves for poorly rendered work.

The American artists who created these works inspire me to “do it anyway.” It may not be pretty but it will certainly be creative. The more fearless we are when creating, the more outstanding and notable the outcome. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you. Do it anyway.

Teena Stewart's Published Books

2009-01-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

Successful Small Groups

Everything you need to know about launching and managing small groups.

Follow Your Dreams:
Wisdom & Inspiration for Graduates

A collection of inspirational short stories for graduates. Enjoy Teena Stewart's contribution, "Carpe Diem."

Christmas: Celebrating the Joy of Faith and Family...

(God's Way)

A collection of inspirational short stories with a Christmas theme.
Enjoy Teena Stewart's contribution, "Room in the Inn."

Graduates: Discovering Your Destiny... (God's Way)

A collection of inspirational short stories with a Graduation theme. Enjoy Teena Stewart's contribution, "The God of Second Chances."

Soul Matters for Mothers

Teena Stewart's contributions include the stories, "An Important Message" and "A Love Letter from a Porcupine."

Soul Matters for Mothers tackles the crucial life issues you face, weaving together poignant personal reflection questions, inspirational quotes, real life stories from others, God's promises, brief - but hard-hitting - Bible studies, practical life application ideas, and prayer starters to help you discover ho to let your soul take flight and soar. SALE
PRICE $6.00 plus shipping. Email Teena for an autographed copy.

If you would like an autographed copy, order from Teena directly. SALE PRICE $6.00 plus shipping. Email Teena for an autographed copy at smartwords @ embarqmail.com

Soul Matters for Women

Soul Matters for Women tackles almost 50 of the crucial life issues you face, weaving together poignant personal reflection questions, inspirational quotes, real life stories from others, God's promises, brief - but hard-hitting - Bible studies, practical life application ideas, and prayer starters to help you discover ho to let your soul take flight and soar.

Enjoy Teena Stewart's contribution, "Labor of Love". If you would like an autographed copy, order from Teena directly. SALE PRICE $6.00 plus shipping. Email Teena for an autographed copy at smartwords @ embarqmail.com

Stories for a Teen's Heart 3

Heart touching stories about and pertaining to teens. Enjoy Teena Stewart's contribution, "A Promise."

The World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Money and Marriage

Teena Stewart co-wrote this book with her husband Jeff and Christian financial advisor Larry Burkett. It's packed with financial tips and disciplines for those considering marriage so that couples start off with a solid financial foundation.

A Goal is a Dream Put on Paper

2009-01-12T13:37:00.000-08:00

Some wise person once said that a goal is just a dream that is written down. How often do we have great creative ideas in our head, stories we plan to write, artwork we plan to create that we plan to get some day. Sometimes we actually realize those dreams, but I’ve learned that writing them down somehow spurs us on to actually make some of them possible.

I belong to SALT an online writer’s support group and every year at this time we share our goals with one another. Hearing what others aspire to inspires and motivates me.

So, here are my goals for 2009. I’d love to hear some of yours…

Teena’s Goals for 2009

Spiritual/Ministry Goals:

Launch Java Journey Coffee Shop or die trying (http://www.javajourney.org)
Arrange a networking op for Java Journey with interested area pastors and leaders
Find or start a small group that will provide spiritual growth, fortification and encouragement
Launch a divorce recovery group

Personal Goals:

Eat healthier
Decrease waistline and tighten up
Increase my income by 25% in order to reach concrete goals: mini-van, beachhouse reservation for kids’ visit, completed bathroom to replace torn out tub

Overall Professional Goals:

Market my writing, art and speaking more efficiently to increase blog & web traffic and sell my skills/talents and increase book and art sales
Take MIM ezine to the next level so that it is more professional and increases traffic
Take my art to the next level which includes more focus on style, theme, brand
Find marketable artwork product(s) I can sell successfully online
Take an art class and/or join an art association
Sell at least one more book ms this year
Land a paid writing gig that provides repetitive income

Professional Goals/Writing:

Begin posting twice weekly blog posts to Serendipitini Blog
Dump ShoutLife Blog
Create Website which will feature my art, writing, and speaking
Find a new agent who will market my proposals and manuscripts more effectively
Finish fiction book and put it to rest
Finish writing Tattered Love on strained mother-daughter relationships
Come up with one, good, new book idea