My Etsy Shop

Man oh man am I excited to finally have my etsy shop up and running. I'm still in the process of uploading new listings & I have only had a single sale, but it happened within 24 hours of opening my shop and has given me the encouragement I need to press on!  I know that my work is something many people will enjoy, but getting it out there seems to be my biggest challenge. Anyone else have that struggle? Eh? Just me?  I am not discouraged per se, but I definitely know that it takes time to build an audience and for people to simply find your work.  I look forward to getting into arts and crafts fairs/shows next fall, where I believe my work can be sold a bit more easily.  I sure know I am more willing to spend in December than in January. (got my credit card to prove it!) 

If you happen to be stopping by to read this, I hope you'll visit my etsy and see what's up!  Otherwise, keep reading the blog and I'll tell you visually anyway :)

My very first etsy sale ever!  The sweet lady that ordered it left a kind comment in my feedback. She will never know how encouraging she was as my first customer EVER! I packaged that little letter up and mailed it off with care and love (and a bonus mini bird painting for good measure).

Some other things I have started working on are mini pet portrait magnets! I have actually had an amazing time painting all sorts of pups with acrylic paints!  I'm really a watercolor girl...or so I thought.  I've really enjoyed using my acrylics as a flat medium. Who knows, may be my next passion! These little magnets are for sale and I am excited about a few custom orders that are coming my way. Everything is cuter when it's a miniature, am I right?

If you're feeling adventurous: thecuriouscritter.etsy.com

I also decided to make a flickr photostream!  Apparently I already had one, but forgot about it!  If you are on there, let me know cause I love perusing through snapshots of daily life, adventures, peoples' personal style, art, hair....okay I'll stop being creepy! But really I love seeing variations in our daily lives.  What a great reminder of how amazing the Lord has made us, each so unique!  

Goodnight blog world.

New Years Eve in Colorado

I'm shamefully delayed on posting a few pics from our Colorado New Years Eve trip.  I don't have much to say except that I am so grateful for the opportunity to go to this gorgeous place, stay in the cozy family cabin, and have an able body to attempt to successfully snowboard.  Enjoy these little snippets of our December visit. (hopefully there will be another one in February)

Upon our arrival, the deer welcomed us back to the neighborhood.  Politely, we welcomed them with cereal from our hands. They have just the softest little ears. I love deer! 

Upon arriving home, the neighborhood cat, Cat Friend, decided to help me unpack the car.

Also, these little lesser goldfinches showed up while we were away! They are here everyday now.  They are so tiny and only measure about 3" in length! I'm so glad to be back home in Austin!

I so look forward to when we finally have the ability to build on our Colorado lot across the street.

Letter Paintings

So I showed a few little close ups of a series of Christmas presents I made this year.  I am happy to reveal them as a whole today! These letters can be bought in multiples to spell out a word (home, mom, love, etc) or be purchased separately as an initial.  Although the image will have to be adjusted depending on the shape of the letters, the painting can be the same on different letters than what is shown.  I intend to have them for order up on the etsy shop this week!  Here's to hoping people can actually come across them and that they like them!  

So far, my focus has been birds, but I am working on some other creatures to expand the options.

And lastly, a little painting of my cousins' cats, Lady and Poncho.

Thanks for stopping by!

A Post Christmas Post

After taking time away from the art and computer life to spend Christmas time with my family, I am happy to return!  Christmas time is always my favorite, as it is for many others.  I have out of town family visit each winter, and then my husband and I take an annual trip to Colorado for snowboarding and scenery change.   

Here are some snippits  (and I do mean just snippits) of my side of the family's Christmas.  This year we celebrated on the 23rd and lots of the family got a 24 hour stomach bug.  It was a strange holiday for sure, but I am still to grateful to get the opportunity to see almost the entire gang, including spouses and kiddos.  I look forward to next year to continue traditions of puzzles, board games, blue bell ice cream milkshakes, homemade meals, stockings, and endless laughter!

I am so thankful to God for the incredible friendships I have with my close family.  What a blessing that I take for granted.  I see most of them once or twice a year and we pick up exactly where we left off.  I love them so much!  

I hope everyone had a splendid Christmas and that you are as excited as I am about 2014!