Beachcombing Bliss - The Shore is Reborn With Every Change of Season

Ahhhhh.... a cold and seemingly endless winter has come to an end. Spring has sprung - you can smell life in the air. People start to move, colors and sounds change... the days become longer - there is a rebirth. Summer is around the bend and even the waves on the shore change to bring forth the turning of seasons.

I haven't stepped on the beach to collect all winter. My hibernation got the best of me. I have recently returned to the peace the ocean brings - it is my therapy... my connection... and in doing so have cultivated a plentiful bounty... coveted... admired... and the first of many.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

These pictures are the first bounty of the season. We went out for the first time last Sunday - which is rare for me seeing as I cultivate all year - however, couldn't muster up the gusto this winter.

New Collection Listed on Etsy: "The Shores of Essex" Collection

I have just added a piece of my newest collection "The Shores of Essex" Collection to my Etsy store. This is a beautiful necklace with brown/bronze freshwater pearls, chocolate and aqua sea glass, bronze swavorski crystals, sterling findings, bali spacers and sterling silver .999 Karen Hill Tribe starfish that I purchased directly from the Hill Tribe in Thailand. I always try to cut out the "middle man" when purchasing my Hill Tribe - so 100% of the profit is returned to the community. I most likely will be making a bracelet and earrings to match as well.













Check out the collection at http://seaglassthings.etsy.com

Etsy Featured Artist - Week of April 7th: Snitter Dog

Oh boy... looks like I will be posting featured artists randomly now - seems like I just can't make it to the computer to post as much as I would like. Last week was crazy busy so I didn't get anyone posted. So - here it is April... and the April 7 - April 11 featured Etsy artist is Kerry from Snitter Dog. Read her story, check out her store and leave comments!

Snitter Dog by Kerry: http://snitterdog.etsy.com/

If you are looking for some fun and funky artwork to spruce up your bare walls... look no further! Kerry, of Snitter Dog, may have just what you need... color, passion, talent... and artwork that tells a story. Whether you are in the mood for cute, mod, or something slightly bizarre... she has it. Kerry's bold colors, and attention to detail sets her apart - and she has something for everyone. Since being on Etsy only five months - she has already built a client base and continues to thrive. Oh - and if she wasn't talented enough already - she also creates jewelry and paper goods that she sells in her two OTHER Etsy stores: http://thegreenefairy.etsy.com/ and http://pookietown.etsy.com/ - Check out her amazing talent in her store and find out more about her below!

Question & Answer with Snitter Dog!

Q: Tell me a little about yourself… your background and how long you have been involved in your art/craft/hobby…
A: I am originally from southern WI, and have been doing art since I was a very small child...When I was a kid I was always doing something creative-- drawing, painting, making friendship bracelets...I wound up at UW Madison at age 18, where I studied fine art. I received my bachelor's degree in 2001....It was here in college where I started using watercolor a lot-- It's the medium I use most frequently now.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration?
A: I get my inspiration from a variety of sources...While in college, I was very interested in dream imagery and personal symbolism...I use this occasionally still--if something is on my mind, I will try to create a piece of art based on what I am feeling...Also, I often just see something in the world-- and it inspires me-- like certain color schemes, textures, and it makes me want to create!

Q: What mediums are involved in your work?
A: I currently use a lot of mediums-- I have trouble sticking to just one!...I probably use watercolor and gouache most often...I also am very fond of a fine point bic pen, colored pencils, and embroidery thread....

Q: What would set you apart from your competition?
A: I think what sets me apart from the competition, is that I am reluctant to throw just anything out there...I spend A LOT of time on most pieces....I like to make sure that if I am trying to sell it, that it is worth the price I put on it...often more....

Q: What piece are you most proud of?
A: I am probably most proud of my painting, The Conception of Dorothy Gale-- it is a watercolor/mixed media piece...I worked on it on and off for a couple of years, and it's fairy large scale in comparison to the sizes I usually work in...I think it turned out pretty well :)

Q: How do you market your products in and out of Etsy?
A: I try to market my products in a variety of ways-- I am a member of Indie Public, Flickr, Marmalade Pink, I blog, and I also participate on the Etsy Forums....there's probably more ways I market...these are the first ones that pop into my head! :)

Q: If I were to ask you – “Where do you see yourself in five years.” – What would you say?
A: In five years, I will probably still be a poor artist!...Although I hope I won't be :)

Q: Lastly, tell me something I should know about you – funny, quirky, profound etc. anything you would share with the Etsy community?
A: ...something to know about me-- my Dad was my high school principal :)...It was actually not that bad-- if I ever forgot my lunch money, I just had to go and hunt him down...and I got to alter my class schedule to get my favorite teachers :)

Thank you to Kerry for taking the time to answer the questions and much continued success in the future!

Stayed tuned for more great artists to be featured in the up coming weeks!!

Feel free to drop me a line of someone you would like to see featured as well - just email me!

2nd Annual Salem Jazz Soul Festival

The Annual Salem Jazz Soul Festival was founded to bring jazz back to Salem, MA and support music education in the city. Through the efforts of many community members, corporate sponsors and In A Pig's Eye Restaurant - last years event brought over 5,000 people to the festival. The festival will be held again this year at the Salem Willows on August 18th, 2008.

Please visit: http://salemjazzsoul.com/ for more information about the festival, events, and how you can be a sponsor or make a donation.

The 2nd Annual Spring Fundraising Gala will be held April 12, 2008 at The Knights of Columbus - 94 Washington Square - Salem, MA - 8PM to Midnight. The doors will open at 7PM and there will be live and silent auctions held, raffles, prize and lots of great music by Ken Clark Organ Trio, The Mystix, Boston Horns with special guest Barrence Whitefield. If you live in the area - don't miss this event as tickets are going quickly! You can also purchase tickets at In A Pig's Eye or online at http://salemjazzsoul.com/ - Tickets are $15.

I was asked to donate a sea glass jewelry set this year. Look below to view my finished pieces that will be at the fundraising event April 12th. This set is valued at $1800 and consists of 65 total pieces of cobalt blue, seafoam and white North Shore sea glass (hand cultivated by myself and drilled), swavorski crystals, deep blue freshwater potato pearls, and peridot freshwater pearls. The focal points for the set include Karen Hill Tribe Sterling Silver Starfish - purchased directly from the tribe located in Thailand. The necklace features a 53mm starfish that is stunning.

The "North Shore" Collection