Bead and Button Show here I come........

Ceramic Butterfly Charms

Well it is that time of year again.. The Bead and Button show is now taking place in Milwaukee and I will be arriving there on Tuesday to begin set up for the Bead Show which begins on Thursday evening til' Sunday.  For those of you going to the show for the first time, I am booth 1213 Lisa Peters ART which is the far right wall once you enter the exhibit hall. 

My beads are finally packed in their jewelry cases, which was the first time I could exhale in many, many weeks of manic-bead-creating and now the very arduous task of packing the car I leave to Hank.  I hate that part so I am glad he does it for me.  Mom and I leave Tuesday morning at 6am (we hope) and we  driving straight through, all 14-16 hours of it, so wish us luck.  If you need me you can shoot me an email which I will check on Wednesday morning after I leave or feel free to send me an email to my phone if you would like to get together or if you can't find my booth at the show. Either way I would love to hear from you!

There is a cute article here on Surviving the show that I just found while searching the floor plan...

So what did I make?  Well, If you are a Fan on My Facebook Page you can find a Preview Album here: Bead and Button Preview Album or in an album I have posted on my Flickr account.  (Same photo's both albums)  here are just a few pics..

Assorted Stoneware Components

 

 

 

Ceramic Owl Pendants

Assorted Stoneware Cabochons

Raku Jumbo Cabochons

SHOPPERS GOING TO THE SHOW: For those of you who have been shopping with me at the show you know by now the one problem that I have is overloaded bead trays.  It is the only thing that I have tried to change but for some reason, whatever the reason be it psychological, geographical, logistical or a combination of all of those things.. it is - what it is.  Have patience...  Cabochons will be on one side of my table and beads & buttons on the other.  I will have many trays behind the booth (mostly cabochons) if you are a "Cabby" you know where the "Cabby Chair is" have a seat and you can look through all of those trays.   If you need something in particular.. ASK ME., if you want to know if I have more of what you just found.. ASK ME.   I am taking credit cards, checks and preferably cash.  I am open to billing via Pay Pal if you are an established customer and would also prefer that to credit cards.   Atthe bottom of this blog post is a coupon for you to print out and bring to the show to use towards your purchase.  Please add your name and email on the back for my mailing list if you would like to.

NOT ATTENDING B&B:  I hope one day you can make the show but completely understand how difficult it is to go.  Lets face it - its an expensive trip if you are not local and there is just so much to buy it can be very overwhelming.  I am offering for those of you who cannot make the trip a coupon code for my Etsy Store which will be in effect from June 7th-14th, 2011.  The Coupon Code is: BeadButton and can be used as many times as you would like during those days for 20% your total order! (this cannot be combined with any other discount code) In July I will start packing the D*Stash store with lots of goodies..stay tuned for that announcement on my facebook wall.

I look forward to seeing my beady friends from all around the world!!  Lets have a great show and a fabulous time!  For those of you who cannot make the show this year -- you are in my thoughts and you will certainly be missed...

as always I wish you happy creating......

see ya soon

Is November really almost over?

WOW, I was just trying to figure out my schedule for next month when I realized in 2 days it will be...

As some of you may or may not know I have been very busy with personal things the last month and a half and have not really been active in any of my online groups or my filling my online stores as I usually would be..especially this time of year when that is all that anyone is doing.

The weekend of the Wonderful Soft Flex Bead Show in NYC my Great Aunt had taken ill and was brought to the hospital for a serious medical condition that no one thought would prove to be as fatal as it did and after spending almost 10 days by her side she finally passed and we were devastated.  I grew up with my Great Aunt as much a part of my life as my grandmother and mother and it was a very sad time for all of us.  Shortly after we began the task of taking care of her belongings & her place of residence which took almost three weeks, working very long days to do so that it was done quickly but with respect.  I was basically put in charge of everything, which I did so willingly & with much love and a very heavy heart.. but everything else in my life had to be put on hold while it was being done.  

Before I knew it, Hank had his shoulder operation, and Thanksgiving was almost here and I could not believe how much time had passed since I had felt like I'd even held a bead in my hand!  If it was not for the  Fabulous Trunk Show at Bead Mosaic in Nanuet, I may have gotten a paper route and called it quits! (kidding) Things are finally getting back to normal and I want you all to know that I was so touched by your wonderful emails and messages.  I apologize for not answering any of them as I was completely overwhelmed..and when I tell you I have not answered any of them.. I have NOT.  I hope you can forgive me as I did it as a way to maintain the level of anxiety I would have suffered had I answered them in a rushed or hurried fashion, perhaps not expressing things exactly how I would like to therefore causing more stress and anxiety.  Its just my way of coping.   I hope to be able to answer each of you in the next few weeks.

I am very happy to say that I did get back to the business of Beads a little on Friday and alot today!  If you would like to see what new things were listed in my Etsy Shop please click on this link: Lisa Peters ART Etsy.   If you would like to see what products are on Serious SALE today please click on this link: Lisa Peters DeStash. and if that isn't enough by using the Coupon Code: CyberMonday in any of my Etsy Shops you will receive and additional 10% off your entire order.   It doesn't end there!  Lisa Peters on BIG CARTEL also is having a huge sale on any item in the store.  By using the Coupon Code: THANKS you will receive 25% off your order total!  How's that for a comeback?  I will begin getting back into the groove of daily listings and start opening those jewelry cases filled with beady-goodies for you to use!

I hope things are going to be calm for the next few weeks.  I could use a little calm.  Soon it will be time for me to get back into the studio to begin creating for 2011 and I am looking forward to doing so with a clear head and lots of wonderful ideas that have been swimming around in there even though I was not able to let them out due to my situation.. Ya never know, pain brought forth some phenomenal designs last year.. Maybe I can channel all the emotions I have been feeling the last 2 months into something meaningful for all of us to see.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Happy Creating,
Lisa

ARTISTS: You are so talented, so different - its cool to be among you

I believe this morning I took my first deep breath after the shock that is Bead and Button (show).  The first few days after coming home you are still in the "zone" and then after a few personal appt's and telephone calls to non beady friends and family you begin to realize where you are.  HOME.   I slept late, I made a good breakfast, not an I-dont-have-any-time-or-counter-space-left-breakfast...because I am getting ready for a show.  We sat down together, at a table, civilized, though unkempt and talked.  I actually heard what Hank was saying instead of watching his lips move and thinking... "did I pack my rectangle cabochons in the jewelry case or is it in the shoe box of extra's?"  I drank all of my coffee.   We discussed some new product I picked up at the show and then sat down and used it for a bit and made some funky new molds for bead making... because we wanted to not because we had to..   Hank and I have a special project that we will announce when the time is right.. (no, Im not pregnant :( ) so we are doing our best to prepare for that.   Yesterday it was decided that I would be having minimal surgery on my cervical spine so that this awful problem that has been with me since last August can be put to rest (for a little while).    It is not a cure, but it is what I need for now and I am 100% satisfied with the Dr and the procedure and so is Hank.  You will have to do without me for about 6 weeks (awww, can ya handle it?  Please say no! :) but after-wards I believe I will be happy physically once again.   I have a "diet" that I do when I am about to have surgery (I hate the word diet., but it is a diet of sorts) so that my levels are in check and the process of recovery is easier, for me.  So I started that this morning.. hmm, its been 45 minutes and I'm doing ok..so far-so good! LOL  I will keep you posted on events as they unfold.

This morning I was looking through my contacts on Flickr.  My Goodness, sometimes I just can't believe the talent I see from all the creative people out there.  It was not like this years ago, it just wasn't.  Though the internet has brought us all together, I still believe the products and inspiration were not getting to alot of people who are using their creative energies now, in the most fabulous way!   There is alot of product on the market yet I find myself still very interested in those works that are simple and done with found objects and media-though I must have those products (just in case)

I am a poser of sorts lately.  I have a studio filled from floor to ceiling of hoarded medium.  Seriously, you have no idea.  I know alot of people say that.. but seriously, you have no idea what the heck I have.. Hank and I always joke and say "Wow, look at this place.. our kid would have had some Harvard education..." LOL (insert any expensive college of your choice in place of Harvard)  So, Anyway, I am a poser... because I don't use it, I only use ceramic lately..  So I would like to make a loose-goal of incorporating more mixed media works into my schedule this year (was that my goal last year??) and I really do hope that happens.  I miss it.

So, that's what I have to say this morning.  This blog post was inspired by my husband Hank who I found fabricating a skull & chain link "bumper" for his new pimped out golf cart by the sound of electric current kicking on and off and the glow of a MIG welder coming under the door in his work shop.   This is ART.

   Art is everywhere.. Mom's who are making the perfect Barbie Cake for their daughters birthday party - you are creating ART, Men and Women who are in their garages sanding the fender of their custom motorcycle - you are creating ART..  I hope the image of ARTIST is changing for people who when they HEAR the word do not just, SEE an image of an old Frenchman dabbing oil onto a canvas with shaky hand and baguette crumbs in his beard.   Its you too.

With much love on this beautiful day,
I leave you with..... The Hankster..

Bead and Button Show - It's finally Here!

In Just a few more hours I leave for the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, WI! I cannot believe how much stuff I have -- I thought I would get better at this and it seems as though I am getting more and more unorganized! Here I am, 12:20am doing laundry and have not even sent out a blast email to my customers! I figure if you are going, you know I'm there! Right? Right? Um, right :O uh oh!

So for those of you who are interested I am in Booth 1213 and will be there all week! Just for stopping by my blog I have a special for ya. Here is a coupon good for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more at my table! (at the bottom of this blog post or also available on my Facebook FAN Page!) Just print the coupon and bring it with you!

I will try very hard to keep my booth organized and pretty -- but simple when it comes to my beads is not one of my strong points! Please tell me if you are looking for anything in particular because I have so much stuff that will be stashed behind the curtain (literally.. there is a curtain and behind it is where I stash stuff! ) or under the table! Just make yourself at home behind my booth and take your time!

So here we go again! I look forward to seeing you all and Look forward to meeting some of you for the first time. I will have my computer with me so I can check emails at night when I get back to my room, so please send me a message if you need something! Driving in 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-

I AM HAVING A BLACK FRIDAY BLOG GIVEAWAY

First I want to say to everyone HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I am posting this a little early so that as many people as possible have a chance to participate. Next Friday is the so called "Black Friday" where people rush the stores and get the good sales. I know some of you cannot get out to the stores for this event and I know a lot of people are having a rough time this year. So I took a few moments and tried to come up with a way that I could show my appreciation and Give Thanks to all of you for being the wonderful support you have been, my old friends and new!

I am so grateful for all the wonderful people I have "met" on the internet and in person at shows & classes. I never thought my creative soul-mates were just a click away! As an artist there are times when we feel closed off from the rest of the world because we can lose hours, days, whole weeks and months dedicated to a single project or many little projects as far as bead making is concerned. Its nice to know that when I look up for a moment at the screen next to me there you are! Not only have you shown interest in my work but you have shown concern for me personally when physically all isn't working as it should. Who knew I could be so lucky! So, with that said...

MY BLACK FRIDAY BLOG GIVEAWAY is............................ a surprise-I can't show ya! But what I will tell you is, The winner will receive $100 worth of Lisa Peters ART assorted beads, buttons, pendants and cabochons as well as some of my studio stash that is not ceramic related! I am a hoarde---- I mean collector of many beautiful things and would like to share a small bit of those things with you! I am hoping that with these things and some of your own you can put together some handmade gifts to share this holiday season or give yourself a gift and make lovely things for you to enjoy! My only wish is that it brings a smile to you! So again, $100 worth of LPA Goodies and on top of that a whole bunch of great Studio Stash.

So, by leaving a comment on my blog a random generator "thingie "from random.org will calculate a number that corresponds with the order in which you left your blog comment. To make it fun - I would like everyone to answer the following ridiculous question. How would you use Lisa Peters ART pieces to save the world? I will randomly choose some of your answers to use in my advertisements on Etsy and on My Facebook Fan Page. You do not have to, I do not think the random generator will show favoritism! :) If not tell me what types of pieces you are interested in working with from LPA. I show and tell most of the time on flickr, so take a few moments and have a look-see!

Good Luck! The Reader Comment Option has been turned off until The Blog Giveaway begins Black Friday, November 27th, 2009 at approx. 12:00am EST until Monday Evening, November 30th, 2009 at approx. 11:59pm EST. The winner will be notified on my blog on Tuesday, December 1, 2009! I will not comment back to any of you until after the giveaway so that I do not interfere with the sequence., but will hang out over at LPA on Facebook anxiously awaiting your comments! BTW, I would love it if you stopped by my FACEBOOK Fan Page and became a fan! Until then I will be listing items on etsy that will have their own special deals as well! Etsy shoppers will be offered FREE SHIPPING on any orders placed in my etsy shop on Friday, November 27th - so if you can't get out to the stores that day feel confident that you will find something to create with at lisapetersART's etsy store and you wont have to pay to get it to you!

Don't forget to check out the BAO IOTW (Bead Art Originals, Item of the Week) and the BAO Color Mosaic for Winter White & Gold Items from your favorite BAO Sellers!

I Thank You for making 2009 a wonderful year!
Much love from my home to yours,
Lisa Peters

Creative Jewelry is Right!

Creative Jewelry 2009 featured alot of great designs by alot of wonderful designers! It was alot of fun to play the "I know who made that bead" without peeking at the answers game while looking through the pages.. Do you do that too?

I had recieved a few emails regarding a stoneware piece I created that Jane Dickerson purchased from me a year ago. It was the only one I had ever made of this particular piece (gee, how unlike me) and I was really excited to see how it came out.. I had to rush out an get a copy of the mag and am really pleased with the results! The Stoneware Crescent shape was hard to make, Jane did a fantastic job on Rich Earth, I really love this and the piece that was shown on the opposite page entitled Sleepy Trees was really cool too!

For the customers who did request via email the Crescent Shape Pendant, thank you so much and I should have a handful of them created by this October (cross fingers please!). To my blog followers if you would like a piece like the crescent shown in the magazine please let me know in advance or I will show my progress on Flickr.com & the regular venues!

I am back from the Lake Ontario, picking vegetables from the garden and making lots of soup! When the laundry is done and the Lake Gear all put away I'm getting that clay bag out! I found lots of good textures waiting for me at some garage sales over the weekend and they are just itching to be pushed into some new buttons & beads!


Til Next time!

Bead & Button 2009 is over, see ya next year!

Hello everyone! ( all 3 of you who read my blog! LOL) Bead and Button Show is finally over! The drive to Milwaukee, WI with Mom was not so terrible. The ride lasted 16 hours but that was because Mom likes to drink coffee... alot of coffee, which means, she likes to stop for bathroom breaks ALL THE TIME! It was fine, we left a day early and my set up is very simple so we had alot of extra time to chill out. The show began with a BANG, Thursday Preview night was fabulous and Friday was just as good. Saturday was really slow, slower than I had imagined "slow" would be like at B & B and Sunday only a wee bit better! I love being there so even the slow days are ok, but I would have really loved it to be 4 days of Thursday night repeats! I am going back again next year, I have handed in my contract and that will decide my future at B & B. The show is so fantastic to be a part of and I hope I can continue being a part as long as I can. It was wonderful seeing the winners of the Bead Dreams Competition were some people I knew, especially a BAO sister, Janice from Naftali. It was very sad to see the lack of a variety of materials aside from those mixed in with Seed Beads and especially sad to see almost no representation of buttons. If there was I am sorry I missed it. I sometimes wonder if my next subscription the word Button may disappear entirely as it gets smaller and smaller with each issue.

I had so much fun meeting "in person" Mary Lou Holvenstot from time2cre8.com. She is such a wonderful person to know over the net, and in person just as wonderful! Mom and I were very happy to have Heather Powers from Humblebeads stay with us on Friday night and tell us all about the Bead Cruise and her creations! I believe we have to say things like this nowadays, due to the nature of how we meet so many fascinating people via our computers. I am always describing how much I adore a good friend of mine only to then say, but we have never met face to face. I am happy when I hear that is becoming part of the norm! What did people do before they could meet their creative soul mates from way accross the country or accross the globe?

I displayed beautiful pieces created by Carol Dean Sharpe of SandFibers, Mary Lou Holvenstot from Time2cre8, Grace Danel from Grace Beading and Linda Themer from Textured Turtle. I also brought along Marsha Hedricks, Amazing Porcelain Beads alot of which were featured in Beads 2009! My favorite has to be the jointed teddy bear...if only you could see this piece in person you would just fall in love! The pieces created for the show by the artists I mentioned were such an integral part of my being able to sell my cabochons (large cabochons) that I truly owe them a commission on every sale! Potential buyers, who moved on from trays of pendants to cabs, wondered, "why dont these pieces have bails?" and all I had to do was point and the gasps began. (see photo of MOM) I cannot thank you enough ladies for supporting me in the way you have over the last few months (even years) What is most amazing is how each piece, using the same materials had totally unique outcomes. They were absolutely amazing and I love you all so much for spending the hours that were necessary to complete such wonderful works! Please check out the artists websites, blogs & flickr.com accounts to see these works in all stages of developement and I too will have photographs posted everywhere I can! My dear friend, Linda Themer was going through a very rough time as I was preparing for this show and I wish I could have been more supportive (email/phone call-wise) during this time, as she was very supportive to me when she assisted me in 2008 Bead and Button Show! Thanks for your understanding Linda! and people LOVE your Rusty Turtle Fabric!

To all the people I met this year at B & B for the first time, it was a pleasure to meet you and thank you for your purchases! To all the people who could not attend, I will begin stocking my ETSY shop next week, which I let run out prior to the show so I could have all new inventory! There are a few trunk shows in the works for different parts of the country which I will let you all know about as soon as they are "written in stone" so if you are local you can stop by and see the pieces in person! To B & B Faculty a BIG THANKS for sharing my pieces with your students and vice versa, that is always wonderful to hear that my work gets a thumbs up from "gals in groups". And lastly, Lisa finally bought a little kiln! So custom orders may be do-a-ble! And if I get my way Cone 10 & PMC Metal Clays will be added to the lisapetersART mix as well.. lets see how adventurous I become! Til then, I should be back to blogging next week, please check out Facebook & Flickr for photo updates and Thanks again for your constant encouragement and support - it really means alot! I'm back, Lisa

Do you smell smoke?

Well, that would be me.

I have been raku firing for the last few days Sunrise - Sunset. If I had to sum up how its going I would say, AWESOME! I believe that the pieces I have fired have been my best in the few years I have been doing this. Everything seems to be working. My glazes, my reduction. The styles I created this last time around really stand apart from previous firings. I hope everyone is as excited about them as I am when I debut them this weekend at Berks Bed Bazzar in Pa, and next week online on flickr - I am trying to build my inventory for Bead and Button Show so most items will not find their way to etsy, but please do not hesitate to check out flickr and inquire about a piece, YES they will be for sale.

This morning, before my eyes were even open I checked my email and saw a wonderful note from Patrizia Tager, from Triz Design, a bead designer which lead me to a link on her Face Book Pages. I could not believe it when I saw this gorgeous piece that started from a Raku Cabochon Triz picked up from me last year on Etsy. The photo and description are all taken from Triz's Flickr Photostream and are c. Patrizia Tager.

A bead embroidered collar inspired and beaded around one of Lisa Peters’ Art’s ( www.flickr.com/photos/lisapetersart/ ) beautiful handmade raku fired ceramic cabochon and small olivine Swarovski flat back. Bead-embroidered using bronze and grey Czech seed beads, gold-lined and cream-lined grey Japanese seed beads. Embellished using sand opal Swarovski crystals, fresh-water pearls in various shades of grey and cream and Czech fire polished glass beads in different shades and finishes of grey.The back of this collar is lined with grey ultrasuede and the clasp is an antique gold pewter toggle and ring.The collar measures 17” (c. 43 cm). The centrepiece measures 3 ½” (c. 9 cm) at the widest part and 4 ½” (c. 11.5 cm) in length. The side panels measure 1 ½” (c. 3.5 cm) at the widest part and ¾” (c. 1.8 cm) at the narrowest closer to the clasp.This is a handmade original One-of-a-Kind piece of wearable art, never to be repeated again!
Is that not an amazing piece of artistry? Wow.. It certainly inspires me to get back to my studio and begin another day of smoke and fire - Raku'ing more creations for you to have fun with. I will be firing until Wednesday night and then I will begin to organize for: Berks Bead Bazzar. Please come see me if you are local!

For those of you who cannot see me this weekend, I will photograph my inventory on March 3rd and upload to my flickr.com photostream for you to review. If you see anything you like please post a note on the photo OR send me the link to the page (not the photo title) the actual link from your browser so I can easily locate what it is you are interested in.

Til' then - Happy Creating!

Lisa

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Happy Holidays Everyone! Yesterday was my Moms Birthday-thats her & I in the Black and White Photo in 1970 I believe. I have a confession to make -- I still to this day, LOVE White Christmas Tree's!

Today Hanukkah Begins and Thursday Our Family will be celebrating Christmas! Whatever Holiday you and your loved ones observe I wish it to be a warm, wonderful and special one! They say the bad economy is bringing everyone closer to home this year and if this is true there is a silver lining in every cloud! I am looking forward to having fun, laughing and enjoying the time spent with my family. My brother and sister in law have us for Christmas Eve which is always a great and then I have Christmas Day, here in my home with my husband and my side of the Family. I do hope we can get the construction materials and everything in order so that our guests can see what we have been doing down there, in the dreaded basement we have been working on 24/7 for the last few weeks. We do not have a ceiling yet, but what a great use for all the extra christmas lights we did not have the time to put up around the house! ;) We did not decorate as we usually do for the holiday's - our window is simply a beautiful Red Pointsettia on small pedestal with Gold Backround..Hank and I will put a small table top tree up and decorate with a handful of ornaments but other than that we gave eachother permission to set ourselves free this year of our usual routine and we will get back to it next year, with the addition of a beautifully finished basement!

I have posted some photo's of previous Christmas Holiday's just to get me in the spirit and wish everyone much love and happiness during their Holiday's and a fantastically creative new year ahead of us! I hope to keep you inspired with new works and look forward to seeing all the beautiful things you make with them! Lisa

Our Christmas Window 2006

Grandmother Next to the Tree 2007















The Most Fattening Egg Nog in the World Made by my Mother in Law















Our Christmas Card in 1994 with our Kitty Petie!

Its Snowing, I should be Cleaning and I am just sitting here Admiring

Hello Everyone, I have been out of My Own Loop, I think. I really used to love Flickr.com and ever since they changed the formatting It is not the same to me, therefore I have not been hanging out there that much lately... Today, as I watch the snow fall and listen to everyone who calls me to complain they can't do this or can't do that and as the TV News Crews scenes of Snow Covered Roads and Snow Plows I secretly wish it would fall and fall and fall as I absolutely LOVE Snow Days.. I am sure if my husband, who is dutifully riding his bicycle from client to client in NYC wearing his Artic-Gear would disagree right now and if I were him, I guess I would too. As I type this I am listening to Mayor Bloomberg, speak to everyone about "how to get around in the snow", with the slightest amount of sarcasm in his voice and thinking I would do the same. ;) Well, back to Flickr.com -- So, today I decided to check out some of my "old flickr stomping grounds" LOL and take a look at what ya'll have been doing and I stopped in to Lisa Peters ART for a bit and revisit some of your work that included a little bit of me. Everyone makes such great things but one piece really caught my eye. My Great Friend Linda Themer, from Textured Turtle made a piece that really spoke to me. She dyes and rusts her own fabric (which I believe she sells on her etsy shop). I love the fact that this piece is round -- and I could spot my tiny little bead dead center which was really cool to see. So, Thanks Linda for making such a great piece and posting it on my Flickr Pool! I also would like to thank everyone else who has taken the time to post photo's using my pieces in their creations on my flickr pool.. I REALLY LOVE TO SEE finished products with my pieces in them and encourage everyone to do so!

I may blog again this afternoon, some snow photo's!

Until then enjoy some of this years collaborations between me & my customers! Pictured below is a Mixed Media Creation by Linda Themer and A Mosaic of Bead Weaving Collaborations between Carol Dean Sharpe of SandFibers and myself.

COLLEGE FRIENDS, YELLOW BRAS AND MY ETSY

It was really great to see photo's of a trip we took as a group of friends to Hilton Head Island or candid shots we took of eachother in school. This morning I was equally happy to see 29 more photo's had arrived to her facebook page -- it appears that the digging has begun! A few more friends have gotten on board and I can only imagine how far they have to dig to come up with some of these great photographic memories. Here is the link to the photo's if you would like to take a peek at the newest upload: PHOTOS and here for another album: PHOTOS and here for the album I uploaded: PHOTOS
They are all just too precious.

I would also like to tell you about an event in which I participate each year. It is called The Yellow Bra, hosted by the Best Little Frame Shop and Art Gallery in Mahwah, NJ. Each year artists exhibited works depicting a Yellow Bra to help raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. The shop Owner Ruth Ann Hawkins and her dedicated staff, family and friends really put together a fantastic evening of art, poetry, food and prizes. I am happy to report that I was also the recipient for Best In Show for the 2006 and 2007 exhibits, click here to see my artwork. This year things are going to be a little different: Below is the prospectus for the show. Anyone can join. It would be lovely if you were local and could come to the exhibit for the reception but if you cannot and would like to participate you could always mail your piece with your $10 entrance fee. 40% of all sold artwork proceeds this year are being donated to The Avon Foundation Cancer Crusade.
PROSPECTUS - THE JOURNEY - The Yellow Bra Event 2008
Once again, it is time for The Yellow Bra Event art show and sale. This year we have renamed the show "The Journey: The Yellow Bra Event, 2008", so that we can experience broader creative images relating to the emotional, physical, and psychological journey that breast cancer survivors face each day. In the past three years the Event has donated several thousand dollars to breast cancer research and awareness. ARTIST GUIDELINES: Open to all media (watercolor, acrylic, oil, pastel, pen & ink, mixed media, collage, intaglio, photography, textile art, 3-D). The artwork DOES NOT have to include an image of a yellow bra, but must represent the beauty, strength and courage of breast cancer survivors. Think of faces, relationships, landscapes, towering mountains, stately trees, endless oceans -- let your creative energy flow. There are size limitations. The minimum art size is 8" X 10" and the maximum size should not exceed 32" X 40". Artwork can be framed or not, but unframed artwork must be matted. Artwork can be matted at the shop for a minimal fee (be sure to leave a border beyond the image). Please submit your artwork on October 1st and 2nd, and October 8th and 9th between 1:00 and 4:00 pm. Pieces needing matting or frames should be submitted sooner. There is a $10.00 entry fee payable by check or cash for each piece. Multiple entries are accepted as space allows. The Gallery retains the right to not accept artwork if not deemed suitable due to execution or content. The show will be on display in the Gallery from October 26th – November 21st. The opening reception is scheduled for Sunday, October 26, from 2:00 – 6:00 pm. There will be prizes awarded at the opening reception. A portion of the proceeds from artwork sold will be donated to The Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. New artists, and those that have participated in the past are called to join us in the celebration and participation of this anticipated event. For more information please contact: BEST LITTLE FRAME SHOP & ART GALLERY64 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430Tel: 201-529-3030 • http://www.bestlittleframeshop.com/
*** IMPORTANT NOTE *** If you do not wish to participate in this event but you would like to donate something you may do that as well. Please contact me for the donation form.

LISA PETERS ART - ETSY SHOP NEWS
(Info repeated from yesterday's blog)
As for work. Well, I have been filling my etsy shop with items getting ready for the holiday's so I can think about getting back in the studio and creating new designs. I love etsy, but as you all know it is pretty time consuming...so thats kind of where I will be til I leave for Vegas on the 21st. I want you to know that I appreciate you for reading my blog and having an interest in my work. To show this appreciation I would like you to use the code: BLOGDISC on your next order(s) or etsy shop order(s) for a 20% discount on orders over $50. Discount will appear after I adjust your invoice through pay pal if that is your chosen method of payment. (I also take MC/VISA) You can convo me or add that to the notes to seller. This discount is good on all orders until October 15 (One month from today) and is only being advertised here, on my blog.

lisa peters ART - Special Item of the Week!

Hi Everyone,

I am having a special sale on etsy for my SUNSHINE LOVE Bracelet, which includes 9 handmade stoneware hearts glazed using a variety of Yellow Glazes and Textures. The bracelet is not BRIGHT Yellow like Majolica Colors it is very subdued, very mustardy. If you mention that you read about my bracelet here on my blog, or on the BAO Blog or Web Site (Bead Art Originals ) in the notes to seller you get an adorable little yellow heart ring for FREE. The Ring is Rhodium and adjusts to any size finger - at $13.50 Value.

I can also make this bracelet for you in 4 other colors - pink, blue, cream & green & brown. All in a very subdued pallette on dark stoneware clay.

Thanks for stopping by today

Happy Creating!

Lisa

Beautiful August Days!

I cannot believe how gorgeous it has been outside lately, aside from the horrible thunderstorms which, in my opinion are really beautiful and create the most gorgeous, polarized light against all the herbs in my garden and the water droplets look like diamonds glistening off the leaves-something that would have encouraged me years ago to break out my large format camera and shoot for hours and hours. It saddens me that I do not do that anymore, I miss it sometimes. My bird feeder has been taken over by Doves and the little guys dont stand a chance at the feeders unless we go outside and shoo the doves away to give them a break., which we do very often. Each day I go for a long bike ride to get the blood flowing and exercise a little which I really need. It has made a big difference in my health, which took a back seat last year and my energy level is now natural and not adrenaline produced which is my usual mode of operation. I have been taking some of my inventory outside to photograph and little by little have been putting items on etsy and flickr.

I never used to create beads and now I just love doing it. Pendants were my thing until I got the idea for the exhibit using beads and I really became interested in them. There are a lot of beads in my inventory that need to be shown --- soon., I promise.

So check out my flickr site and as usual if you see something you like.. put a sticky note on it and its yours!

Til then,

Time To Get Back To Work (Before my Next Vacation)

Ok. I know I have been very "lazy" lately as far as being "Clay-Productive" but I have not been spending my time watching TV.. I Promise. After Bead & Burnout, I knew I wanted to take some time and experience some real life outside my studio and I have been doing that. I have been reading and trying to learn new techniques & I have been spending more time in Museums and Gardens and other places of interesting-ness. I am well rested and also getting some fresh air into my lungs and blood moving through my body - one thing I was really lacking a few months back. Hopefully this will make for some wonderful new pieces.

I created so much inventory for B & B that I could not show everything., which is okay because all of my designs style were pretty well represented. I had anticipated that I would put some of the pieces that I did not put out at B & B right away on Etsy..but as described earlier, life outside the studio took over.

Porcelain Slip Cast Beads and Pendants. I wanted to see how my glaze techniques looked on a really blank canvas, without texture, without a design to play upon. I really love seeing how certain glazes love to run all over eachother and others stay well defined. There is no rhyme or reason as to why I choose certain colors that just happens every time I pick up the glaze brush I just go to what I feel at that moment.

I have some photographs of items that are available on my flickr.com site - u can just add a sticky note if there is something you would like to know the price on or would like to purchase. Some of the photo's have a SOLD sticky note on them from recent purchases. I have also put some items on Etsy and will be putting more on as the day/week continues.

Enjoy,

email me - would love to hear from you