TURQUOISE TUESDAYS & MOTHER'S DAY UPDATE!

Although it's been a while since I've posted, I have not been slacking off...I've been busy making lot's of new designs for last weekend's Lone Star Ladies show and for my upcoming Annual Mother's Day Sale! The show will take place over two days, April 28th & 29th, from 9am to 3pm AND from 6 to 8pm on Wednesday, and 9am to 3pm on Thursday, special offers will include buy 2 pair of earrings receive the 3rd pair free -OR- 20% off your entire purchase! I will post all the details on my Facebook Fanpage this week! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Debbie-Carroll-Designs-Art-Jewelry/171141211086?ref=ts


For those of you who were unable to attend The Lone Star Ladies Present: Shop Austin, be sure to plan on attending their future events, there was a fantastic array of goods from some of the most talented (and fun) artisans in Austin, along with a few new ones from Dallas and Houston! A great time was had by all, and there was even homemade pie and gourmet chocolate & popcorn! 


I had a great show, and the icing on the cake was getting awarded the first place prize for the Vendor Booth Contest sponsored by Texas Store Fixtures; I now have a $300 gift certificate to spend at their store and a "big check/gift certificate"! I feel even more flattered due to the stiff competition, including friends & fellow artisans Christine Terrell of Adaptive Reuse, http://adaptivereuser.com/home.html  and Kristen Pumphrey of Pomme Frites, http://www.pommefrites.etsy.com/ who were awarded 2nd and 3rd place - congrats! It was very exciting and very unexpected!

This week's featured item was chosen because turquoise & copper are a hot combination with lot's of appeal!  http://www.etsy.com/listing/45187671/turquoise-tuesday-copper-canyon-turquois

TURQUOISE TUESDAYS!

I've been wanting to add some new items to my Etsy shops for ages now, but have been bogged down with the paperwork and accounting side of business - inventory and taxes....not one of my favorite aspects of doing business!

So, it was really nice to get back to showing some new designs, most of which will be debuting at the upcoming Lone Star Ladies show in Austin on April 17th:

http://thelonestarladies.com/SA/shopaustin_home.html

You will be getting more info on the show closer to the date, so stay tuned!

In the meantime here is this week's Turquoise Tuesday offering - perfect for Spring!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43822743

TURQUOISE TUESDAYS - Back from Dallas!

Friday night's reception at the Artisan Style gallery in Dallas, proved to be exciting with a larger-than-expected crowd to view our art! I finally met fellow artists, Gina Marie Dunn, Michelle Stroesu and Kate Wickham in person and was amazed at how great our art looked hanging side by side! The show runs through April 3rd, so for those of you in the Dallas area wishing to see it, be sure to stop by, or check it out online:  http://www.artisanstyle.net/  and http://www.artisanstyle.net/#/gallery/46/0

I visited Brandon & Steve, the owners of Artisan Style, at the Dallas Flea the following day & can't wait to get back up there for the next one - lot's of cool wares and vintage goodies - I spotted a really cute purple and white 1950's sundress and am kicking myself for not trying it on.....

Today's turquoise item? This very much photographed and painted truck that sits in front of the Arroyo Seco Mercantile, a favorite subject of mine:

Originally $40, offered for $28 this week!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37398048

"Uncommon Ground" show begins Friday, March 12th!

I missed posting for "Turquoise Tuesday" this week, because I'm gearing up for the reception  and opening of the show "Uncommon Grounds" beginning at Artisan Style in Dallas on March 12th - April 3rd!

If you are from the Dallas area, be sure and drop by, the reception will be from 6 to 9pm on Friday, and if you miss us, the show will be up until April 3rd.

I'm very proud & excited to be showing my work with three very talented women, Gina Marie Dunn, Kate Wickham and Michelle Stroescu and can't wait to see all of our work hung together - it is guaranteed to be very colorful!

For more details on the gallery, be sure to visit:

http://www.artisanstyle.net/

Here are a few of the pieces that will be in the show!

      

TURQUOISE TUESDAYS & GEM JUNKIE!

This week's special feature + cool stones from Kelly Pratlett of Gem Junkie - check out her shop on Etsy!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/GemJunkie


I so want to use these cool beads in a project! Kelly has tons of beautiful
beads and stones in her shop, **almost** too many to choose from :)

Skulls:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41796265

Mosaic Stones: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40739702

Featured this  week is my "Muy Caliente" necklace:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10983565

TURQUOISE TUESDAYS! THINKING ABOUT SPRING....

I am SO ready for Spring, we have had enough of the cold, nasty weather - it's actually sleeting here in Austin today!

With that in mind, I thought it would be nice to for today's Turquoise Tuesday featured items to be something to make us think of warm weather, sunshine and best of all, summer clothes!

I love white and turquoise together, especially with the pop of lemon yellow; a fresh color combination that would be just the thing with a crisp white sundress or to punch up a plain white t-shirt!

The Lilypad Necklace - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26052195
Featherweight Earrings - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=26052878

And please be sure to visit my Etsy shop for more designs! debbiecarroll.etsy.com/

Meet Gina Dunn, A Featured Artist from Artisan Style! Upcoming Show, "Uncommon Ground", March 12th in Dallas

With the upcoming group show at Artisan Style, rapidly approaching, I'd like to introduce fellow artist Gina Dunn whose wonderful work will be feautured!


The theme of the show is "Uncommon Ground" and this title is a perfect description of Gina's art, especially her lovely depictions of trees - a common subject, but presented by Gina with a fresh perspective!

Name: Gina Marie Dunn

Education: BA in Communitcations/Public Relations from Loyola University New Orleans, Minor in Studio Arts

Current City/Hometown: live in Dallas, originally from Brooklyn, NY

Tell me about your work in one sentence.  With the subject matter of my paintings varying from cellular abstractions to modern landscapes, there is a dreamlike, organic aspect to my work that pervades.

Describe your normal day. What would your *ideal* day be like?  On a "Normal" day, I am up at 6:00 a.m. to get in a run before my husband and three kids are up at 7:30 (I am training for my sixth half marathon), then hubby is off to work and the kids and I spend the morning either hanging out outside if weather permits, playing with toys, or going to and from activities.  While the kids take afternoon naps I usually get some time to paint out in my studio. Painting time has been very limited lately with the arrival of our third child just two and a half weeks ago, but I look forward to painting more when the baby gets on a more regular schedule in the next few months.  Right now I am just trying to enjoy my kids as much as possible because they grow so fast.

What are your passions? my family, art, yoga, writing 

What are your goals?  to become an internationally recognized artist 

Who are your creative influences? Marc Chagall, Vincent Van Gogh, Joseph Cornell, Frida Kahlo 

Are there any other relevant experiences that shaped who you are today and what you do?  It is in my blood to create. My mother is an amazing artist who has taught me so much about painting. I still have so much to learn from her.  She's the only one in my family who will give me an honest critique! :) 

Is there anyone (celebrity, dead, alive, in your life) that you really look up to as an inspiration?  While pregnant with my third child, I have painted more than I ever have in my life. The pregnancy was a very difficult one, full of concerns and worries, and to process all of the stressful news we received I took the term "art therapy" to a while new level.  I took bouts of insomnia and turned them into productive hours in the studio. Luckily our prayers were answered and our son was born perfect and healthy, but the experience of carrying him has changed me forever, and I lovingly call him my little muse.  I feel some of my best work has been created in the past nine months. 

What motivates you on a daily basis?  Do you have a "guilty pleasure" that you can't miss out on to get you going?  On a daily basis, I am motivated by fresh air, sunshine and the laughter of my children. My "guilty pleasure" comes at the end of the day when the kids are in bed and my husband and I cuddle on the couch and indulge in our favorite TV shows and nightly dessert of chocolate chip cookies or an ice cream sundae.  I would rather run five miles every day mainly so I can enjoy dessert at night!  

What's your working style?  Do you work for 12 hours straight nonstop, or do you take lots of breaks?  Although I could easily work the day away if given the opportunity (I have too many ideas for my own good sometimes),  being the mother of three children under four simply does not allow for that.  Instead, I work in spurts, whenever I can carve some time out of the day, whether that is late in the evenings, early mornings, on Fridays when I have help at home, just whenever.

What are your websites/social networking links?

website:  web.mac.com/utopiapkwy

Follow my art blog  http://utopiapkwyarts.blogspot.

Etsy site:    http://www.etsy.com/shop/UtopiaPkwyArtStudi0

        Twitter:  @lvartmom

      Facebook group:

      http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=32300883549&ref=ts