My new store is up and running.

My new store is up and running! The store is located at www.jeanskipper.etsy.com Etsy is a site that's dedicated to promoting handmade works and supplies for artists. It's similar to eBay in that each artist has his or her own store within Etsy. It's unique in that it isn't an auction site. Store prices are listed, and collectors purchase at the indicated prices.

My art card of the day is "Green", and it may be viewed via the link to my eBay store in the column on the left hand side of this page. I'll also be shipping a mini-shrine to a private collector today. It's called, "Inner Diva". The outside of the shrine is pictured here. The inside may be viewed on my website in the "Shrines" portfolio at www.jeanskipper.com.

Can't Slow Down

I've been running like a madwoman since I last wrote. I've created three new artist trading cards, and the image of today's is shown with this post. All three are listed on eBay for your viewing and bidding pleasure. Today is number 14 of my thirty day challenge, and I'm already planning to up the ante for the next thirty days.

"What Beauty" is the title of today's piece. For me that's a major part of what art is. Beauty for the eyes in the traditional sense, and beauty for the soul as well.

I've been working diligently to establish a significant number of finished pieces so that I can begin to schedule and hold trunk shows of my jewelry and artwork in March. I had an extremely productive day artistically yesterday and I'm hoping for the same today. Stay tuned to my blog for a selection of images of the finished pieces during the next week.

You can also view my jewelry and other artwork on my website at www.jeanskipper.com.

"Find Love"

Sissie is a sweet-hearted, long-haired, mottled-grey cat who's been a part of our family, with her brother Cody, for five years. About two years ago, she was diagnosed with feline leukemia. This disease is basically a death sentence for a cat, and most often they're euthanized at the time of diagnosis.

In Sissie's case, she was already a part of our family. She was much loved, and while she had been showing some symptoms of the disease, overall her spirits were good. We brought her home. Made special arrangements for her care, and to protect the other cats in our home; and we've immensely and enjoyed her company ever since.

Two days ago, I noticed that she'd developed a bit of a sniffle. This morning, she's completely lethargic. She was always a petite cat; but it feels as if she's lost half of her body mass overnight. Sad doesn't begin to describe the way I'm feeling today.

My art card for the day is "Find Love". Through the years, we've received a tremendous amount of love from Sissie. I hope that she found the same true of us.

Lamenting Technology

Isn't technology wonderful! When it's working, that is! I've been trying so hard to develop my daily habits as an artist so that they include creative time, business time, and technology time. And today, the technology piece is not fully cooperating.

It's 6:58 in the morning. Yes, I've completed the 9th card in my first 30 day series. Yes, I've posted it to www.EBSQart.com . (I enthuse.) Yes, it's in the Art Cards portfolio on my website, www.jeanskipper.com . (I cheer) Yes, I'm blogging about it here. (Woo Hoo!) And it's almost listed on eBay. (I whisper in frustration.)

After numerous attempts to list the card, I've given up for the time being. It seems that the powers that be at eBay are messing with me this morning, as random error messages continue to pop up at various times during my posting efforts. I may try to sneak it by them one more time. Otherwise, it will have to wait for another day.

Today's piece is called "Life of Passion", and I'm certainly feeling passionately about eBay at the moment.

The Word-of-the-Day is, "Yes".

I just finished making and listing my Art-Card-of-the-Day, and the Word-of-the-Day is, "Yes". I'm having a ball with this challenge. Each card begins with a randomly selected vintage flash card. I don't know what the word of the day will be until I select it.

Then I wait for my inspiration. Sometimes the word itself is the main subject of my piece. At other times the word may play a supporting role. In either case, it leads me through a series of seemingly random thoughts that end up being relevant to my own place in life. It's my hope that these miniature works will touch others as well.

Card #1 sold on eBay last night, Woo Hoo! Yes, I'm a working artist; but I hope that I'll never get used to the thrill of selling a piece. I love the thought that something I've created holds a special place in someone else's heart.

It's President's Day, and my son is home from school. We'll be spending the day doing who knows what; but I can be sure that it will be an adventure.

Until tomorrow...

Sunday is a very good day.

I love Sundays. It's mid-afternoon. My husband has been in a training class since 8 am, and it's me, the cats, and the dog here by ourselves. It's sunny and cold outside; it's warm and bright inside; and I've been arting my day away in my pjs.

We have three cats. Cody, the man of the house, is long-haired and orange; Sissie, his sister, is a petite grey long-hair with beautiful funky markings; and Gracie, is a white short-hair with brown, black and orange artfully arranged splotches all over her. All three came from challenging circumstances, and they seem quite happy to have adopted us as their family. Jesus is still hanging around periodically; although we haven't seen him today. He's a short-haired orange boy who looks surprisingly like Cody. I believe that he's been making time with several of us in the neighborhood.



I just finished creating and listing today's art card from my thirty day challenge. It's called, "See", and you can see it here and on eBay. Yesterday's card is pictured in both places as well.


This Sunday has been a very good day for me. I hope that yours has been equally uneventful.

Another Busy Day

It's Friday! When I was a kid, this day held such special significance. Lately, it's become just another day. I think I need to work on that.

I've just posted art card #4 on eBay. It's called, "Old Soul". My niece is an old soul. I knew it in my heart the first time that I looked into her eyes. At the time, I'd never even heard the term before. When I created this card, I was thinking of her.

I realize that four days may not seem like much; but I'm enjoying the consistency of the habit that I'm developing. Tonight I'll be taking the second of three classes in the business of art. The first was wonderful, and I'm looking forward to another. Last week helped to point out some areas of my business practices that need improvement, while also reinforcing that I'm right on track in other areas. All in all, I left the class feeling pleased with my progress and optimistic about my future. It's a good place to be.

Under the Surface

"Under the Surface" is the title of my latest miniature piece (number three in a thirty day series). For me it represents all of the dreams that linger just out of site; but within our reach.

Often the difference between those who succeed and those don't is the simple act of saying, "I will." instead of "I wish." I love to observe, and at times I analyze things to death. In the past this has left me on the sidelines thinking of all the things that I would do or could do if only...

In the first forty years of my life, I often found myself observing my dreams. In the next forty years, I plan to be an active participant in them.

Day Two of the Challenge

Well, it's only 10:00 am on the second day of my challenge, and I've already created my original artist's trading card, and it's listed on eBay. Woo hoo! I'm off to a good start, and I hope that you enjoy this offering.

It's a "business of art" day for me, so I'm off and running. Check back again tomorrow for day three of the challenge.

30 Day Challenge

I've been creating like a madwoman today, and it feels wonderful. Lately I've been getting lost in the business of art, which leaves little time and energy for the artistic process. I'm aware that I need to achieve a balance between the two, because the last thing that I want is to have my passion become just another thing that barely fits on my to-do list.

To that end, I will be challenging myself for the next thirty days to create a one-of-a-kind original art card each day. I'll also be posting each day's card here and on eBay as I create it. This art card challenge should provide a manageable daily commitment to my creativity while sparking my inspiration for other larger pieces.

I considered a longer challenge....."Maybe a year?"; but I need to be realistic. Baby steps are good. Who knows what the next month and future challenges will bring!

Stay tuned, and check back often for exciting creative developments...

Time...

Well...here I go again. It's been over a month since I committed to blogging regularly. I did create a blog entry in late January; but somehow I managed to erase it before posting. (oops.) It is with the best of intentions that I will start again.

Time seems to have gotten away from me. It's such a cliche; but I really don't know where the time goes. I can remember hearing adults utter this same sentiment when I was a child; but the older I get the more true it becomes. I notice it even more when I watch the children in my life. They really do seem to grow right before my eyes.

The amount of stuff that I try to do in my limited time seems to grow as well. It can be overwhelming. I seem to have so much to do, and so little time in which to do it. If I focus too long on what remains to be done, it can be completely overwhelming; but somehow, if I manage to focus instead on all that I've accomplished, I'm impressed with my own progress. Balance is the secret. I need to stay focused on the task that's immediately at hand; be proud of all that I've accomplished; and be aware of all that still needs to be done. I'll have to work on it!

For today that means housework, finances, preparation for a training session that I'm conducting later today, a thirty minute walk, and setup for a day of creativity tomorrow. I think I can....I think I can...