Paintings emerge from the basement ...

So - I haven't painted in years, but I pulled out several paintings from my parent's basement this weekend. I've posted them on Etsy today ... feel free to take a look. A year or two ago someone bought one of my hubcab paintings, maybe someone will want one of these framed ones.

It makes me remember how much fun painting can be. Perhaps I can do some painting this winter when it's too cold to break plates in my outdoor studio.

Broken Plates

About 4 or 5 years ago I wanted to start making bits & pieces mosaics, but between no studio space and looking after a pre-schooler and going to work it didn't happen. But I did begin breaking and collecting ceramics.

Two moves later, all those bits an pieces made it to my current home. And I built an outdoor work bench in the shade of several pine trees using scraps of lumber, furniture pieces, a hammer and a drill.

This new "studio" gets covered with leaves in the fall, snow in the winter, mud in the spring and bugs in the summer - but it works! If you break a plate, bring it on over.

When making mosaics, I arrange the pieces using tile adhesive, apply grout and sand the piece, seal the grout, cover it all in shellac - and ta-da! Art for you. Check my etsy shop to see peices that are currently for sale.

Buy Local, buy handmade - barter if you can!

Hello -

I am a big fan of buying handmade, buying local and bartering when possible! I live in the hills of Western Massachusetts.

I sell my handmade goods at: http://earthskyfirewater.etsy.com
My husband's handmade goods: http://oakandacorn.etsy.com
My mom's handmade goods: http://marybethknits.etsy.com

Some good buy local sites:
- buying local food: http://www.buylocalfood.com/
- buying from local businesses: http://www.pvlocalfirst.org/about

Bartering:
- locally with Craiglist: http://westernmass.craigslist.org/bar/
- International Association: http://www.irta.com/

And just another favorite on the theme:
- The EF Schumacher Society: http://smallisbeautiful.org/