Artist Interview: Charmaine Olivia

If you haven't yet come across her work, then let this be your introduction to one of my favorite artists, Charmaine Olivia. She is able to use many medias: oil paint, drawings with watercolor, photography - not only is her work charming, seductive, and chimerical - some of it is just plain funny. The "A Deer Wearing Gym Socks" was my introduction to Charmaine Olivia quite some time again; and I absolutely adored the color, the style - and the gym socks! I had no idea of the versatility behind the artist of that funny little painting until recently...

You can see all of Charmaine's work at her deviantArt page; or purchase at her Etsy shop.

1. I can not believe that you have had no formal training (your work is exceptional)?! Please tell us more about your transition from soy sauce and napkins to oil paint and canvas?

I feel like the soy sauce "paintings" that I used to make when I was little were an important part of my development as an artist. I think that some parents may have considered this inappropriate behavior, but I am so grateful that my parents never told me to "stop that nonsense", even when in a public restaurant. They've always been supportive of me as an artist, which I am super grateful for. Then when I was a little older, around 8 or so, my aunt taught me how to use oil paints. We used to go down to the beach and paint  the waves and sky. Since then, I have definitely branched away from the traditional way of painting that my aunt taught me, but she gave me the confidence to do it on my own. However, it wasn't until a few years ago that I really started taking myself seriously as an artist. I ultimately decided against going to art school and took some time to really figure out if pursuing art was what I wanted. It was.

The artist, at 8, painting Plein Air on the Beach.

2. You came on the scene only a little over a year ago - at least at Etsy. You have gained massive exposure elsewhere - Envelop, Pingg, etcetera. Do you spend a lot of time marketing yourself?

I don't spend a ton of time marketing myself. I first started posting my work online through deviantArt and eventually I was able to gain a little following and some momentum. Since then I've started a blog, twitter and facebook fanpage. All these tools are extremely helpful for anyone trying to get their word out. Then I had my first big break last year when I started a contract with the Scandinavian design company Bolia and had my first solo show in San Francisco last October. It's all about getting noticed by the right people, and every little mention helps. I am so thankful for all you bloggers and art-lovers :) And now I'm proud to say Urban Outfitters is selling one of my prints as of last week! (Which has been my dream for a while now).

3. You use elements of the natural world in your artwork - aspects of your art have an aboriginal or tribal quality to it. Can you talk about the natural world as influence on your art?

I think my fascination for tribal and natural elements stems from my mother. She's always been interested in archaeology and history and we love watching documentaries together. We used to love flipping through National Geographic and looking at vibrant people and animals from other parts of the world. Now that I live in San Francisco, there isn't a ton of nature around me (at least where I live) so I sort of make up for that by including it in my work.

4. Honestly, you're just so intriguing - there's more I'd love to know...but I can't think which question to ask. If you want to tell us something else - feel free: (or, if like me you're equally intrigued about the multi-talented Charmaine Olivia, just follow her blog to learn more)

I really, really love tea. I'm kind of a tea fiend. Drinking peppermint tea with honey and doing crossword puzzles with my boyfriend Joe is probably one of my favorite things ever!

Ms. Charmaine Olivia, currently

I hope you all have enjoyed learning more about the strikingly talented artist and all-around nice gal, Charmaine Olivia. I will see you all next week!

Best,

Tara

The Stylish Medic Alert Bracelet FOUND!

I know what your thinking: "Tara, 'STYLISH' and 'Medic Alert' don't even belong in the same sentence. At least, that is what I've thought for nearly twenty years now. Parents, family, friends, and loved ones...I guess of course, good doctors as well, have all tried to convince me that for my own good, I really ought to just get one.

Like this:

Oh sure, it's for my own good...but since when has fashion been for my own good? I went through the whole high heel phase (thankfully, I came to my senses!). And I just couldn't imagine wearing such a sterile, sickly-looking, chain-gang contraption around my wrist 'in the event of an emergency'. Call me capricious, vain, or whatever other adjective comes to mind. For nearly twenty years, it wasn't happening.

But now I have a daughter - and I figure it's time to get over myself. There is far more at stake than my fashion sensibilities. So I scoured the internet far and wide and still, nada. Sure, the designs have gotten a bit better than the ubiquitous chain with dog-tag above; but nevertheless looked cheap and ugly. Like a light-bulb going off above my head, it occurred to me to search the Handmade realm of Etsy.

This is how I found Michelle Verbeeck, maker of custom leather jewelry - including seriously hip leather medic alert cuffs. This is the one I settled on, almost instantly:

I feel super-cool wearing it, and safe and sound now too!

If you have a loved one, or you yourself have a condition, and are in need of something more suitable for your everyday wear to protect yourself 'in the event of an emergency' I highly recommend Michelle's Etsy shop. Or, if you just want some unique leather jewelry, that too can be found with Michelle:

Interview with a.e.wilder & GIVEAWAY

Recently in the Etsy Forums, I came across one of those avatars that captures your attention. It was this sweet little ditty, beckoning me to click-through.

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Once I found myself in the Etsy shop of Abigail E. Wilder, I was so glad I took the time to follow my instincts and click on that wee thumbnail of linen and embroidered sweetness - because there is an entire shop chalk-full of even more sweet designs, all with a similar, simple aesthetic. As you well know, when I find myself inspired by a fellow Etsyian, an interview typically follows:

Although the use of linen and embroidery is not a new technique, there is something very fresh about your style. It's hard for me to put my finger on it exactly; but I'm definitely loving the colors and use of vintage buttons. 

     I think that’s what I love about the materials I use:  they’re all so sweetly mundane.  I’m a simpleton at heart so I was drawn to the clean look of color on linen.  Linen has that wonderful quality of elevating whatever design you apply to it. 

How has your personal style evolved over time - and where do you see it going?  When you began your Etsy shop, did you know that this would become your signature technique - or has it been a more organic process?

My Etsy experience has been born from necessity.  She truly is the mother of the invention of the shop.  After my second child I had a doosie of a case of post partum depression.  I couldn’t find an ounce of my “old self” in the aftermath.  And while I wasn’t feeling inspired or creative (at all) I knew there was something to be gained by at least pretending to be creative.  So I taught myself to sew on a machine my mother gave me.  It seemed like a wonderful combination of keeping my brain preoccupied while my hands could work on something.  Needless to say, what resulted were tiny tote bags, embroidered pants, tea towels, and growth charts strewn about the house.  What started as a practical way to stave of the crazies…turned into an awesome experience.  I love every aspect of embroidery and sewing.

I think my style in the shop has just been an offshoot of a “look” I’m drawn to myself.  I don’t know that I ever intended to develop a signature technique, but now that you mention it – there is a theme, isn’t there! 

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While I continue to love working with buttons and linen and embroidery, what I appreciate even more is a handmade piece that is timeless.  I wanted items that recorded my babes’ birthdates, but I wanted them to be around forever, not just until I changed the décor in their room.  Thus was born the BirthDate Hoop.  So more than the materials I use, my process involves providing handmade beauty that will stand the test of time.  This is important to me in case we ever experience another “’80’s”.

We all have many style influences. Who are some of the people you find inspiration from?

        One influence was my time spent in a Montessori classroom as an instructor.  The Montessori philosophy places a high value on setting up and caring for a beautiful environment for the children.  Art prints from the Masters are hung at the child’s level.  Tables & chairs are wood.  The materials children work with and manipulate are color-coordinated.  The color scheme in the room is monochromatic to keep things soothing.  I was amazed at the positive influence a beautiful environment could have on children and anyone, really.  I can’t pretend it didn’t influence my style.

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My first two sewing books were Amy Karol’s, “Bend the Rules of Sewing” and Lotta Jansdotter’s, “Simply Sewing.”  These two gals are amazing.  I also love Scandinavian design, Swedish design, clean lines…you know the drill.

Your Etsy profile alludes to "bows and arrows" as well as Montessori. You've got my attention, and curiosity piqued. Please elaborate.

       Well, I mentioned above that I taught in a Montessori classroom.  It was the best time.  And I love now how much the philosophy has seeped into my own parenting.  And yes, I do shoot bow & arrow. My husband handcrafted a traditional long bow for me on my 30^th birthday.  I just think it’s an amazing, primitive form of defense.  I only wish it were more acceptable to grocery shop with a quiver of arrows on my back.

Not only has Abigail graciously, honestly, and humorously answered my questions - but she's also agreed to do a special giveaway just for the readers of Elan Vital Anthology! One lucky reader will win the pencil case of choice from her shop - and they are super-cute! This one is my personal favorite:

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To be entered to win you absolutely must do the following:

• Visit Abigail's shop, come back to the blog and comment about your favorite item in the shop, as well as which pencil case you hope to win. (1 entry)
• Follow the Elan Vital Anthology blog, be sure and comment to let me know you've done so.

For additional entries, you can (each of these is good for 1 extra entry):

• Tweet about the giveaway, be sure and leave a comment with your twitter id so I can find your tweet
• Blog about this giveaway, comment with a link to your blogpost.

The giveaway will end on March 16th, at the stroke of midnight - when this blog post turns into a pumpkin. Until that time - it's fair play. The lucky winner will be randomly selected and announced on March 17th!

If you can't wait to see if you win, or if you don't end up winning - Abigail's done us all one better - she's extending a secret sale just to Elan Vital Anthology blog readers. At checkout, simply enter "ELANVITAL" in the "Message to Seller" section of Etsy for 15% off your entire purchase.

Good Luck!

I Heart Hearts Headband DIY

It takes less than an hour (or maybe a bit more time if you are hand sewing) to stitch up this adorable velvet 'i heart hearts' headband! After I made the heart garland earlier today, I began to crave a stylish little something with hearts to wear...I've been meaning to attempt a headband for a while now (to keep my unruly bangs in check), and those hearts were just the inspiration I needed to set out.

To make this sweet and simple headband, you will need the following supplies (most of which you probably have on hand):

• 2" velvet ribbon in a rich red
• felt: i used a sparkly red and cotton candy pink - and since i didn't have wool felt on hand, just used the squares you find at the craft store.
• vintage cotton scraps, cut out into hearts
• coordinating all-purpose thread (or embroidery thread if sewing by hand)
• pink, scalloped elastic

1. To get started, make two heart templates on paper, one large and one small.
2. Using your templates, cut out hearts (one big, one small) from your vintage cotton.
3. Using templates again, cut out hearts from the felt, but make both big and small hearts about 1/8" bigger all around.
4. Pin the vintage cotton hearts on top of the felt hearts and sew.
5. Use a sewing tape measure to determine the circumference of your noggin. We'll pretend it's 14". You'll want to cut the ribbon to be 10" and the elastic to be 4". Be sure and cut your ribbon with a "V" at the end so it looks pretty where the elastic attaches.
6. Determine where you want to place your biggest heart, and pin. When sewing to the ribbon, try to trace the stitches you made when assembling the heart - this looks nicer.
7. Place the smaller heart layered slightly atop your secure big heart. Sew.
8. Secure the elastic to the ribbon with a pin, leave about 1/2" excess. The excess inch of elastic is to make sewing easier - you want the finished headband to be 13" so it's not loose when you wear it. Sew the elastic to the ribbon.
9. Repeat with other end of the ribbon and elastic. Trim off the excess elastic.
10. Wow! You're all done and you made a super-sweet headband! Wear and smile!

I Heart Hearts

I've been a bad little blogger: about a week ago, I made promise of a Valentine's Day Mobile tutorial. Prior to beginning this little project, I had a magical concept in my mind of silk-wrapped branches, gemstones, hearts and birds. Upon execution, it looks like a couple of sticks with a lot of notions and bobbles dangling from them. Call me crazy, but I doubt you'd want (or need) instructions to whip that up.

In a hopes to make it up to you all, I tried to rework the concept; but it's a concept that's either meant for another time - or another life. Instead, I made a sweet and simple little heart garland perfect for adding some life and color to my studio supply armoire:

{there are those little butterflies I've also been loving lately...(not sure what to do with them, but they are fun to doodle for now!)}

...which, since I love hearts so much...is giving me more ideas. We'll see how those turn out, and I'll post the results later...

Twenty Ten: A Year of Planning

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season - mine was amazingly blissful, thanks for asking. It's been hard to put an end to my winter wonderland shenanigans; but I've been feeling awfully bad for not connecting with all of you. So, as of this chilly January eve, I am officially back "on", back to the blog, back to the shop, and down to business.

I've got some exciting ideas swimming round in my head for Elan Vital Anthology: both the shop - and the blog. The past several days I've been sketching like mad for some great new products to make and list (I hope you all like butterflies!); I've also been thinking a lot about what direction to take with my craft, and how much emphasis to put on my Etsy shop. There's a lot up in the air, and it's time to put the pen to paper, crunch some numbers, and pencil in some dates!

While all I really want to do is spend some time with my newest endeavor: quilting; my first priority has got to be...bookkeeping. Ugh. For a decade prior to Marley's birth and subsequentially starting this little business, I was a full-charge bookkeeper, staff accountant, and tax preparer. This work wasn't completely awful: it paid well (have I mentioned I have a shopping problem?), was challenging in the same way puzzles are, and I was able to glean a lot about business from many successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurs. I knew when I became an entrepreneur that I would be doing the books, that I wanted to keep my finger on the pulse of the financials, that it would be one of the last tasks I'd feel comfortable outsourcing. And yet, a year and a half out of my day job - this is the LAST thing I want to do. I was completely awful about it in 2009 - in fact, I have a photo for you all to see the "files" I will be working from for the next few nights:

Fortunately, I treated myself to Quickbooks Pro 2010, being that this was the primary software I used for accounting over the past ten years, I just couldn't settle for a free online version. If you have a good accountant, then you might not need the bells and whistles either - but if you keep track of inventory, cash and credit, payables - you really owe it to yourself to take the plunge. If you don't want to or can't do your own bookkeeping, there is a great Etsy Seller, Holly at Accounting Spot, who could be a great help to you.

I can't wait to hurry up and finish this bookkeeping and get to the good stuff.

Make Believe

Have I told you yet about the Brown Paper Package Exchange? Chances are, I haven't mentioned it. I've been so busy trying to boost my Etsy shop, that my creativity was null when it came to the gift for my recipient. Not good. I wanted to give her an Herbal Eye Pillow, but create a design just for her - this is what I started out with:

It was so 'blah' - and not very attractive.

Last night, I was looking at my latest little something I made for myself:

I find this little banner really inspiring, and I have to admit I'm proud of how great it looks. I wish the photos didn't include the kitschy furnishings and decor of my furnished rental - but for now, I'm too excited not to share. It reminds me daily to create, believe in myself, and believe in the possibilities.

As I was saying - as I gazed upon my "Make Believe Banner", it hit me! I had the perfect fix for the blase eye pillow I had made:

Think she'll like it?

New Herbal Blends

I've got some exciting news for fans of my Herbal Eye Pillows: I now offer three more complex and sophisticated herbal blends! As with all of my other Herbal Blends - these are also composed of Certified Organic herbs and flowers:

• Halcyon Days: Need some tranquility? Joyful and calming blend of Egyptian Chamomile, Cornflower, Honeysuckle, Lavender, Lemon Thyme, and Spearmint.
• Cottage Garden: If you're trapped in an urban jungle, escape with this refreshing blend of: Red Rose Petals, Lavender, Cornflower, Lemon Thyme, Honeysuckle, Ginger, Jasmine, and Spearmint.
• Silk Road: This exotic blend will revitalize your body and mind. Red Rose Petals, Honeysuckle, Ginger, and Cinnamon.

I've also decided to give my customers more freedom in choosing their favorite blends. I've always enjoyed custom orders - but I thought better to save you, my client, the hassle of contacting me for one. So as of tomorrow - my Herbal Eye Pillows will be listed solely as the design - the Herbal Blend will be your choice, and can easily be specified in the "Message to Seller" upon purchase.

Also, I'll be releasing new handmade products this weekend, and more in the month of January. Can't wait to see you in the shop!

Going Home To Roost

Photo: Heaven Scent Simmer Sachets

If you don't know this blog yet, you really should. Going Home To Roost is an wonderfully written blog, resplendent with fun tutorials, shop features, and great gift guides. I recently contacted the mastermind behind GH2R, Bonnie, about my shop - and specifically, my organic home products.

She's done a wonderful write-up about my shop - which you can see here. I'd like to extend a special offer to anyone who is making a purchase: 10% off your entire purchase (on top of the 15% off Vintage Holiday section). Just write: "goinghome2roost" in the Message to Seller section upon purchase. Your discount will be refunded via PayPal.

Recycled Crayon Tutorial

Everyday, I make sure to have 'Arts & Crafts' with my daughter, Marley. She definitely enjoys when we scribble together with crayons or dabble in paint. Funny thing is, it seems her favorite part is eating the art supplies. When she's not nibbling on the crayons or chewing on the paint brush - she's throwing her crayons on the floor, breaking them into pieces - of course while saying "uh oh". Since her crayon set was trashed, I decided to gather up all the pieces and make big marble crayons which will be easier for her to color with anyway.

Collection of Marley's broken crayons (note the nibble marks).

It took a little bit longer for me than the instructions to be found online suggested, but the results were worth it. This simple craft took me back to the many crayon-days of my childhood: 'stained glass' with crayon shavings, the pleasure and satisfaction of the names of colors - like 'cornflower blue' (this was really confusing for my six-year old brain), endless hours of coloring books. I could continue to wax nostalgic, but instead - I've made a tutorial for you:

First, you'll need to remove all of the paper. This is the most tedious part of the task, it seems Crayola has decided to glue their paper to the crayons these days...

The next step is to sort your crayons. I wanted marbled crayons, but not too crazy-colored, so I created six groups based on colors: reds, oranges, greens, blues, purples, and browns.

I highly recommend a mezzaluna for this craft - it lets you just rock the blade back and forth over the crayons, and keeps the bits from flying everywhere.

Once you've chopped each color group of crayons, pour into baking cups.

Baking cups placed in muffin tin, oven set to bake at 200F. Keep an eye on the crayons while they melt. And while you're waiting (other instructions promised a ten minute wait - these took nearly thirty minutes).....

Munch on one of these yumyumyummy all natural ice cream sandwiches from RubyJewel. Obviously, this isn't a necessary step for your crayons to come out great - but it does make the time pass more pleasantly.

Once you remove from the oven, simply allow to cool until hardened. I LOVE the green one...not sure why the others look so completely un-marbled. Ah well.

Not bad, eh! Of course, now Marley's sure to eat her crayons - they look like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

They work good as new - only better!

Wanderlust

It must be the cold weather that prompted this search for sea-faring fun. Searching Handmade and Vintage alike for: sea, ocean, nautical, and wanderlust...it's amazing what you will find.

Since it's too hard to read the details, here are links to the items:

• Over the Seven Seas Belt Buckle
• 1940s Sea Foam Green Capelet
• 'Neptune' by Bumble Belly Designs (SOLD)
• 'Sea' 8 x 8 Print
• Handmade Stationary Set
• 10 Wanderlust Invitations
• Teal Wrap Journal
• Clipper Ship Screenprinted Tie
• 2010 Letterpress Poseidon Calendar
• Vintage Sailboats
• Pearl Nautilus Fine Art Photograph
• Sexy 70s Secretary Dress
• Recycled Sail Messenger Bag
• Modern Lucite Globe (SOLD)
• Mint Green Mini Dress
• Mermaid Rowboat