Just a Preview Now...

I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday.  I could live off what I ate for days and days..:( We went to the folks house at Cave Rock, Nevada....I got one barely focused picture flying down the road on the way.  We've had days of snow since, but it is always lovely, no matter.

Yes I've been busy since, and here are some pics to give you just a little peek at what I am getting ready to list.

Yum?  Just maybe?  I am pretty pleased with this latest work.  I've been really focused on design and feeling my form, no matter how random I wish to be, my style is historically inspired by Victorians, Edwardians, Georgians, Flappers and Fiends. Pirates, Poets, Prayer and the Past.........So there you are, I am off to list while it is quiet and peaceful.  If you have a  moment I'd love it if you stopped by my ArtFire studio, only because you can see the rest of the pictures and it saves me just a bit of time.  I am still in the process of sewing vast numbers of market bags to use for Christmas gifts that I'll share with you next time.  On with the Holidays!

~Lis

Checking in and Out

One of the first pieces I sold on Etsy.....



I imagine everyone is sick to death of these sort of posts, I'd like to put them all to bed myself, but I just needed to get this out and be done with it.  I have officially closed, not just deactivated but closed both Etsy shops.  I don't want to belabor all the issues so please let it suffice to say that I am simply not pleased with the direction the site is taking.  I don't want to ugly up my blog with all the issues.  Anyone can be successful without Etsy and the associated headaches and heartaches....just watch. 

I still have a buyer account and will continue at times to purchase from artisans that I adore, I am not about boycotting the little guy or punishing people who choose to stay.  And don't misunderstand, it's been a very sad journey for me.

You can still find me easily on  ArtFire and I'm in the process of opening two more studios there!  One of the new ones in the works is for my husband, serious guy stuff for the Western Americana collector, and the last one, CobwebPalaceStudio, will be an extension of my original handmade studio.  I've recently updated Bonjourmadame with a nice selection of vintage, and CobwebPalace with new old redux luxe.... There are other plans and projects in the works to talk about later.....

So there you go, you know where to find me, and I only want to conclude with the fact that I feel hugely relieved and can turn back now to what I do with focus and joy.

Blessings,
Lis~

Christmas Ideas....

For ME!  or you.  Or anyone!  I put together a collection on Artfire, something I have no experience with, and I thought it was fairly cool and loaded with practical gift ideas.  I haven't received much response.  Do check it out if you have a moment, please? 

Practical Matters

Curated By: cobwebpalace

ArtFire.com

Indie Design

I've been building grocery totes with salvaged materials to use for Christmas wrap of late, and putting Victorian graphics on them, getting disgusted with the whole project.  I much prefer the look of silk screening and though I've been using nice quality transfer paper, it's just not the same.

I've put a few pieces in my ArtFire vintage studio lately and am off to list a bit more, before battening down hatches for our first snow storm.  Thanks for stopping by!
Lis~

New Old Things, Ready for Market!

Here are some pictures of what I've been working on....as soon as I am finished with this post, I am off to put them up in  my ArtFire Studio. 

Thanks for stopping by!

New Neighbors for Cobweb Palace?

And so it has been nearly a month since I was here.  There have been some incredible shifts in altitude thus my nutshell description for that is all I can offer;  Candy Dance Arts and Crafts festival as well as online sales have depleted my handmade inventory, we mourned the passing of my uncle, we got married, I hosted an intimate two day art workshop for two wonderful ladies, I will pause and take a breath here.... 

and so for the last few days I've been back to work in the studio, feeling very grounded, productive and pleased with my progress....next post for some of that....Needing a breath of fresh air, I looked outside my door to the east and noticed with much puzzlement, a lovely antique cast iron panel had been installed just this side of the curly willow tree.  The ivy had caught and was beginning to twine around the base.  I gasped, it's so incredibly lovely, the shapes and forms, the rich unfakeable patina, breathtaking and inspirational!

Then something caught my eye and seemed just a bit odd and so I looked further.  No, I am imagining things, it's been a whirlwind here of late.  *blinks hard several times*

Seriously, can you see it???  At the base of my curly willow tree?  Just there through the iron fence panel?

HOMESTEADERS!  I can't believe it!  Turn your back for just a moment and see what happens? 

 

Well, those old iron hinges are very lovely, and the door is framed by golden moss on one of my very favorite trees.  It's a good, happy tree.

Gosh, I suppose I don't mind so much as long as they're behaved and don't make mischief in my studio.

 

I wonder who they are??

 

Yes, I think it will be nice having new neighbors, and I hope their house is as full of flowers as mine. 

 

 I will leave them some tomorrow....

The Cherry Tree

The Cherry Tree fell, Lis...he said as he brought her coffee early in the morning....she rubbed her eyes and said no, can't be true George...but George (my dear Ron) was telling the truth....it had started about 4 am with some wind and noise, big nudge in the ribs...what was that??? Hmmmm???? Sounded like lots of metal banging?  I dunno.....snore.....Later I arise and casually survey the sunrise and it's indeed blocked by a fallen tree, spanning my backyard and so, everything else aside, burying our beloved tree is now the order of the day.   No pets, buildings or humans were harmed with the exception of our sore backs.... We rolled up our sleeves and it took the two of us with the help of a neighbors chipper, nearly three days to fix it all....

There was a huge branch that looked like it was meant for a swing, that kept the tree from crushing the back of the barn as it fell.   You can't see it well at all in these pictures, but if it had not cushioned the fall, severe carnage imminent...we were so blessed...

My gentleman  of perpetual pants falling down worked like a demon to repair the damage, and the darn rock wall kept crumbling, I had my own chainsaw for the project and felt like a warrior queen.

It's pretty much all better now, wood hauled, mulch spread, lawn recovering...yay!

Remember Me?

My first online workshop, and it's been so incredibly amazing, thank goodness it goes until December because I've been interrupted.   Of Towers and Turrets , please do check it out.....lots of wonderful ladies from all over the world, sharing the most incredible work as they/we learn from these fabulous instructors!!!  I am hooked, Sharon and Deryn are an amazingly complimentary and effective team and I highly recommend this workshop.  It's not too late to sign up either.....A series of very professionally executed and just plain fun videos guide you through everything from tools and sources, detailed instruction and review....forums filled with lovely, encouraging and highly inspired people bouncing information and encouragement all over, a veritable treasure trove, all of it.  Our instructors seem to never be further than a whisper away when you have a question...I really wish I could spend more time hanging with this particular gang, I know I could make some new friends.  My only  regret is that the workshop will be closed at December's end, so much to absorb and to really appreciate what everyone is doing, well....that's my own fault and I knew I had conflict.  I review the vids as I can, paint and plot and poker face me laughs out loud regularly at their banter, I jiggle around and hum to the funky music...I love how relaxing yet inspiring it all is.  For many examples of the class work, and personal works of Sharon and Deryn, do click away.   For a workshop that will potentially alter your perspective, teach and refine your skills, and add layers of soul to what you create, just do it.  You won't regret a minute of it.

I've been occupied, truly overwhelmed with tasks and things which have required a great deal of time and energy.  Consequently, much catching up to do.  And so then life literally dropped a huge and antique cherry tree  across our backyard this Sunday morning early, and I'll post on that at some point, when my back stops aching from the clean-up.  Most fortunately, no people, pets or buildings were damaged.  This weekend is also Candy Dance, the huge art and craft festival that's been happening since the 1970's, and the dinner dance which is celebrating it's 90th something anniversary.....but for now....I've done more work on my studio and it's a magical place.  I can't wait to get back into it! I think I will just let my pictures speak for themselves a bit here.....This place has become very important, I love being here surrounded by pretty, interesting, inspiring things and all alone.....things are happening here.....

the little owl clock I told you about, Susan, in front of your fabulous bridal shadowbox....

Yes, things are happening here.  I just listed this piece on ArtFire.  Until next time, check in with me if you happen to come to Candy Dance....

Smooches,

moi