Member Artisan Profile: Black Dog Studio

If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Black Dog Studio, I encourage you to do so. This shop features pen and ink, &/or colored pencil drawings, some painting, a little handmade polymer clay jewelry. Artist Leah has been drawing since early childhood and it’s in her blood. “My first memory is at three years old my Mom gave me a pen to draw on the paper on the exam table in the doctor's office to calm me down,” she explains. Her grandmother, mother and sister are all very creative. Art is “just what we did,” said Leah.

When asked about her favorite piece, she has a hard time choosing but prefers colored pencil drawings on black Stonehenge paper, featuring a metaphorical image. Leah’s biggest challenge is one to which we can all relate: not having enough time! And yet, it’s important for her to carve out the time necessary to tap into her creative energies. “If I don't do it, I start getting coo-coo, so it is kind of like having to eat or breathe for me,” she says.


She offers the following advice to other artists/sellers: “Focus on what you love to do, don't spend lots of time on something just to sell it (easier said than done if you are really trying to get some sales going to continue your craft). Another thing...don't feel like you need to do art in one particular category. Artsy minds are eclectic! Feel free to experiment with different media and not feel pinned in to one medium.”


Leah’s connection to Louisiana is strong: she was born and raised in Baton Rouge. “I love the natural environment,” she says, “we are so very lucky to have such a beautiful place to live.” In fact, she draws much of her inspiration from nature, as well as ancient art and “peeps like Matisse, Van Gogh, and my fave Walter Anderson.”

One skill she’d like to learn is “PATIENCE! And silk painting.”

Perfect for the holidays, be sure to check out Leah's line of ornaments.

To learn more about Leah’s art, visit the following sites:

http://blackdogstudio.etsy.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackdogstudio

Wordless Wednesday

Forgiveness by Amazing Art Photos

Member Artisan Profile: 2 Virgos Designs

There’s a saying that when one door closes, another door opens, and Jackie, owner/creator of 2 Virgo Designs, embodies that. Looking for a creative outlet after discovering that damaged nerves prevented her from drawing like she used to, Jackie discovered soap making and fell passionately in love with it.

She’s been creating handmade soaps for two years. When asked what appeals to her about soap making, Jackie explains, “It is math, science, art, creativity, marketing, solitary and social all at once!”

Chocolate & Vanilla Soap

She draws much of inspiration from nature and life. Her favorite items are her hand milled soaps, offered in her Etsy shop. Her shop announcement states that, “2 Virgos Designs indulges my love for creativity, healthy living, and how wonderful lovely scented bath and beauty products and fragrances make us feel.”

Her biggest challenge as an artisan is hand painting her soaps, using a dry brush to paint accents. An example is pictured below in the adorable shar pei soap, part of her Primo’s Pawtourage dog themed soap line.

Shar Pei Handpainted Soap

A skill she’d like to learn is cold process soap making. Jackie says, “I value integrity and kindness above all!” This credo undoubtedly accounts for much of her success in art and business.

When asked to give one piece of advice to other sellers, Jackie offers this: “Do your research, make the best product you can, strive to excel at it!”

Oatmeal, Honey & Goat Milk Soap

Having relocated to Louisiana in 1992, Jackie calls the Bayou State home and her mother also lives here.

You can find Jackie’s scrumptious soaps here:
http://2VirgosDesigns.etsy.com
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/tygerhart
http://2virgosdesigns.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/2VirgosDesigns
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=33532

Member Artisan Profile: Jodie Flowers

Meet Jodie Flowers, winner of the Handmade Louisiana’s second Craft-a-Long (theme: "Education, School and Learning"). She is the artist/proprietor of Jodie Flowers - Animal Flowers Art Studio. Jodie is a true Renaissance woman! Her creations include mixed media, sewing, ceramics, polymer clay, among others.

When asked how she got her creative start, Jodie replies, “My mom basically built the house I grew up in from scratch. She combined two old shacks and fixed them up with tons of salvage stuff from New Orleans. She taught me to sew and I used to make clothes for my dolls when I was little. I loved making things with paper and scotch tape too. Then I went on to school and thought I wanted to go into journalism (because I love to write too). Liked it [writing] in high school, but in college, things took a turn and all I wanted to do was to take every Art class available. I stayed in college for seven years just making stuff. I graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from SLU.”

Monster Patch

Jodie finds inspiration all over, including from her son, cartoons, nature, the sea, bugs, poems, Dr. Seuss, Tim Burton, Alice in Wonderland, Shell Silverstein, Maurice Sendak, Flickr, and “my mind's eye.” This explains the wonderfully eclectic nature of her body of work.

Her favorite pieces include her Crazy Leg Wall Vases and Screen Porch Spiders. Also popular are her monster patches. And let’s not forget her winning Craft-a-Long entry: Book Bugs.

Crazy Leg Vases

The best thing about being an artist, Jodie explains, is “doing what I love, when I want to and always having $$ in my pocket for myself, my husband and my son.”

When asked what she finds most challenging about being an artisan, Jodie says, “Juggling being a Mom, Wife, Daughter, Friend, and a full time Artist, when all I want to do is create all the time. If I had an island I could seclude myself on, I would!”

Jodie has this piece of advice to offer her fellow artists: “Promote, Promote, Promote! Tell everyone about your work, take chances and make something every day!!!”

What’s next for Jodie? One skill she’d like to learn is lampwork (glass bead making) and knitting. “I wish I could knit something more than a long scarf and learn to bind them all off properly. LOL!” she says.

Winning Craft-a-Long Entry: Book Bugs

Jodie explains her Louisiana connection: “I was not born here. I was born in Ismir Turkey, but my mom and dad are from here. My dad was a dentist in the Army, they returned to Louisiana when I was very young and I have lived here ever since.” She’s lived in Baton Rouge, Jackson, St. Francisville, Zachary, Hammond and now Abita Springs. “Louisiana is nice. I have traveled to some great places and this seems to be the place for me,” Jodie says. “You can make friends easily here. The weather could be cooler, but as long as there is AC, I am fine where I am.”

Visit Jodie online at:

http://www.jodieflowers.etsy.com/
http://www.jodieflowers.webs.com/
http://www.jodieflowers.synthasite.com/
http://www.waterstreetpottery.com/
http://www.lalunaarts.com/
http://www.twitter.com/jodieflowers
http://www.myspace.com/jodieflowers

Vote for the October Craft a Long Winner HERE!

This month's theme was "Happy Fall Ya'll!" And our fabulous artisans came up with some great work!! Please check these out and vote for your favorite in the poll on the sidebar.

Neon Orange SLS Free Soap in Cranberry Apple from Mama's Little Monkeys

Crochet Scarf and Hat from BarbsMacrameandMore

Autumn Spice Soap from HerbFriend

Farmer 2 by BlackDogStudio

Autumn Glory Handpainted Silk Scarf from Splendiferous Fiber

Canaima Earrings from Etco

Thanksgiving Aline Dress With Pumpkin from Georgannaandcompany

Nuts for Fall Handpainted FloorCloth by RueDesign

Autumn Leaves Flamework Glass Necklace by DebiDeaux

Graffiti Painted Canvas Placemats by CTStudios

Please get your votes in and pick your fave!! The winner will be announced in a few days and meanwhile our artisans are cooking up the next Craft a Long!!!
~~~Thanks~~~
Amy/Mama

Wordless Wednesday

Brown, Blue, Green Floral Print Baby Shoes by PachaMamma

October Giveaway Winner Is.....................

Christina from Gaudet's Gems! Congratulations Christina and thanks for entering!!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered! Remember to read all rules for all giveaways so you can be sure to be entered!! Our November giveaway will be up ASAP and I can't wait to show it to you!!

Thanks again everyone! The winner for Benjy Davis Autographed poster was Blue Violet and Rock Ridge Music will be in touch with you!! Thanks so much for playing everyone!!
~~~
Amy