Interview with Arthouse 525, Artwork

Today's feature is brought to you from Arthouse 525 on Etsy. Arthouse525 is sure to amaze you with a variety of artwork including collagraphy, prints of original art, photographs, paintings, and jewelry! I am pleased to introduce you to Sandra, the owner of this awesome Etsy Shop.

Tell us about yourself, your shop, and what you make.

I am a craft and decorating fanatic. I love to paint anything: on canvas, on walls, on the house (inside and out). Only the cat is safe. I am most happy when I am dreaming up my next art project.

For about fifteen years, I made a living as a craft teacher and author. (Google my books- they are still available on Amazon). I also designed rubberstamps for Judikins and Stamp Oasis.  Then I decided that I’d better get some health and retirement benefits going so I took a full-time job with the post office.

The creative muse is calling me again, so my latest project is my ETSY shop. I named it “Arthouse 525” because my husband and I always say that we live in an Art-house and our street number is 525.

My shop is fairly new, so it is mostly paintings. I have prints as well as original art available. I plan on putting up more jewelry too. (Beads are another passion.) Assemblage and fiber arts will be posted in the near future.

How did you get started?

mmmm…do you mean, specifically how did I get started on ETSY or on all things creative?

I have sold my arts and crafts practically my whole life. Money was scarce when I was growing up, so I would draw paper dolls for the girls in grade school and super hero posters for the boys. They paid me well, considering. <g>. Then, I graduated to making purses and accessories to sell to the girls in high school. In fact, I designed the flag girl’s uniforms for my high school marching band. So, I’ve always been into something. As far as how I got started in writing books and traveling all over to teach at stores and conventions, that is another long story. As it happens, it is all really the same story. “One thing leads to another."

Tell about your favorite piece.

Right now, my favorite would be Crow’s Dream. I love crows and I like all of the layers and colors in this painting. Eraser carvings are another favorite craft so I used them to stamp on the canvas. I think the little sprinkling of stamped flowers in the background and on the crow turned out to be a fun addition.

  
Here are some of Sandy's other wonderfully unique pieces from her shop!

What inspires you?

Everything inspires me. Seriously. I wake up and see shapes, colors and textures. I close my eyes and I see full paintings that I can’t wait to get started on. BUT, I will say that cruising around ETSY and Pinterest boards is really inspiring. There are so many amazing artists in the world that it can actually be overwhelming at times.

I've been working on my blog too. That also generates inspiration. Thinking about ideas for my blog and then writing them down makes me think of things that I want to paint. I often have to stop typing to make notes about the next project. Again, "One thing leads to another." You've just got to start- anywhere. Just start.

 
Thank you so much Sandy for sharing your incredible shop!

I would like to add that I love that you used to make things for other kids while you were still in school! That is truly remarkable!

Find more on Arthouse 525 and Sandra here!

http://www.sandramccall.blog.com/

https://www.pinterest.com/sandramccall/

https://www.facebook.com/SandraMcCall525
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/Arthouse525?ref=seller_info_count

Flash Cash Giveaway! Ends at 11:59pm tonight!!

Hosted by Mama's Mission!

Its my birthday and I'll give out prizes if I want to! Okay, no more corny jokes. Seriously though, enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance at one of two prizes $20.00 Grand Prize and $5 Runner Up Prize. You tell me if you prefer Paypal Cash or Amazon GC.

You gotta be in it to win it!

A big THANK YOU to my fellow bloggers and entrepreneurs: Jenn's Blah Blah Blog, Simply Shawn & Jenn, Mom to Grandma, Make or Break, Clays Craft and Candle Creations, Danielle's Dandys and Cotton Candy Totes!

Love, Mama
  
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Flash Giveaway! Mama's Birthday Bash - Cash - Ends at 11:59pm 7/9!

Mama's Mission is celebrating her birthday today and giving away prizes!! 

Enter here for your chance to win one of two prizes. $20.00 Grand Prize and $5 Runner Up Prize. Winner will have choice of  Paypal Cash or Amazon GC.

GOOD LUCK!

Free Blogger Opp : Back to Preschool Blast - Bloggers Wanted

Tots and Me is hosting an awesome Back to Preschool Giveaway Blast!! Please see details below and let them know Clays Craft and Candle Creations referred you :) 

The month of July is going to be filled with reviews of some great products geared toward older toddlers and/or young preschoolers in anticipation of the giveaway which starts on August 1st.

The giveaway will run from Aug 1st through Aug 18th

How can you join in?

(and there will be ways to join in even if you don't want to join in with the Free Blogger Sign Ups, please see below.)

Tots and Me is offering one free FACEBOOK link for helping to promote by posting the giveaway on time with all links intact and sharing on either Facebook or Twitter at least 3 times during the event (1- at the beginning, 2- sometime in the middle and 3- on the last day as a reminder)

There are also some optional ways that you can help:

1. Share about this Free Blogger Sign Up Opportunity on either your blog or Facebook page and place the event button on your sidebar to earn a Twitter link and 10 bonus entries into the Giveaway. (While this is optional I would encourage you to share, as the more people sign up the bigger this will be which will help everyone's numbers.)
2. $3.00 will get you your choice of Pinterest link or email subscribe in addition to the above links. This money will go directly into the Gift Card.
3. $5.00 will get you both the Pinterest link and the email subscibe giving you a total of 4 links, in addition to your blog being named on the giveaway post with a link back to your blog. This money will also go directly into the Gift Card. 
4. If you don't want to purchase the additional links Tots and Me is offering the choice to supply a prize (worth $10 or more) to the Grand Prize Package. You will be responsible for shipping the prize to the winner unless you plan to get someone to sponsor it. This is completely optional, but you will receive the same benefits as #3!!

Requirements:

You must have a family friendly blog to participate!

You must post on time and submit a your direct link to your post to Tots and Me (both in email and on Facebook Group-Tots and Me Celebrations and More.

You must promote the giveaway at least 3 times (the more we share, the more entries we get and the more likes/follows for you)

You must join the Facebook page- http://www.facebook.com/groups/155423947919589/

Prize:

There is one Grand Prize Pack worth at least $225 which includes craft items, games, a DVD, a book and learning activities.

There will also be a Second Place Prize pack, worth of which is to be determined.

Referral Benefit:

The top referrers will get to host a Facebook or Twitter link page. 

Click here to go to the sign up form.

Fragrance of the Week July 9 - July 14 is Twilight

This warm musky blend opens with citrus highlights that accent
a heart of fresh white flowers. Lily and muguet bloom in a
soft bouquet as a highly textured wood complex soothes the
senses. Exotic musk is sweetened with golden amber and black
vanilla at the base of the scent.

Mention "Twilight" at checkout to receive 2 FREE votive candles with any purchase this week.

www.clayscraft.etsy.com

Free Blogger Opp - Sizzling Summer Giveaway - Bloggers Wanted

Wonderful Free Blogger Opportunity!

Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog and Diva Fabulosa would love for you to join them in the Sizzling Summer Giveaway!

Sizzling Summer Kindle Fire/PayPal Cash Giveaway!  This event will run from July 20th until Aug 18.  We may get started a day or two later.  Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog will be going to Las Vegas, for a much needed vacation.

This event is open worldwide!

Giveaway prize includes:

• $200 Amazon Kindle Fire or
• $200 Amazon Gift Card or
• $200 Paypal Cash

The prize will be up to the winner, we realize that so many people already have a Kindle Fire, so we want everyone to be happy!  Don’t want the Kindle Fire, take an Amazon Gift Card, if that doesn’t work there’s the PayPal Cash option up to $200!  That’s the best way to do it right? Leave it up to the winner!  Anyway lets get to it!

What you get!
If you are interested in joining us for this wonderful event you’ll receive 1 Facebook link on the Rafflecopter or Giveaway Tool FREE!

If you would like additional links there will be a fee of $2 per link.  Any money collected from people buying additional links will go to a second prize!  The more links everyone buys the better the 2nd prize will be for our readers!

If you wish to receive a free Facebook link on the Rafflecopter we ask that you blog about this event, the more people we get to sign up the better the event will be for us and our readers!

If you are buying additional links please send all payments to jennsblahblahblog@hotmail.com.

If you would like to host a page on your blog you can leave your bid.  Co-hosts spots available for $10 as well.  If we end up with enough money we will just keep adding to the prize, to make it a better event with more winners!

Event button is in the making, It will be emailed out or posted in the group for everyone to grab it if you wish to post on your sidebar!  Thanks, we look forward to working with you on this and many more events to come!

Be sure to join BlahBlahBloggie Giveaways Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/418443788194054/

Sign Up Here

Free Blogger Opp - Michelle B Cookware Event - Bloggers Wanted

This is a free blogger event. You will receive one link at no cost as a thank you for participating in this event.

 Prize: Michelle B. 10-Piece Induction Ready Forged Aluminum Cookware Set (retail value $199)

Giveaway Open to: US residents The event dates: July 23 – August 6 Blogger Notes: You do not have to live in the US to signup for this event. It is required that you have at least 50% readership that is US based though.

Requirement to join * Announcement post OR you may elect to pay a $3 fee to not post the announcement * Agree to post the giveaway html on the date the event begins (or pay as a nonpublisher – see below for details)

Additional links {$2 each} – You may only purchase up to 4 additional links (options include facebook, twitter, stumbleupon, pinterest, rss or email) Page Hosts {$10 each} – A small number of additional host pages are available for purchase (once these are sold out the option will be deleted from the form) Co-Host {Bid} – Accepting 3 co-host for this event. Benefits are html link on all blogs participating in the event, up to 6 links on the rafflecopter including one enter/comment link worth 10 entry points and hosts will receive a follow/like page to be hosted on their blog

SIGN UP HERE