Liz Revit Art Blog

Papier-Mache Snowball in Create & Decorate January/February 2012

2012-01-10T14:37:00.001-05:00

~image used with permission of Create & Decorate, January/February 2012

and Sean O'Brien Photography~

If you're looking for a new papier-mache project, be sure to check out the latest issue of Create & Decorate, which features my papier-mache snowball on page 44.

For this project, I used Celluclay from Activa Products. I also used Americana acrylic paints by DecoArt, American Painter brushes by Loew-Cornell, Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue®, and STYROFOAM brand foam by The Dow Chemical Company.

Christmas Eve 2011

2011-12-24T21:37:00.000-05:00

Wishing you and your loved ones a MeRRy ChRistmas!

Chiseler's hanging out before the festivities begin.

Christmas Inspiration

2011-12-10T16:24:00.000-05:00

The sights and sounds of Christmas come alive when you're surrounded with festive decor. To feed my need for inspiration, I paid Mary a visit at Home Again.

Mary has a natural gift for turning the ordinary into extraordinary. If she were a window dresser in New York City, she'd be making some serious cash.

Every time you walk into her store, you never know what you're going to see because her inventory changes all the time. That's what I love about Home Again.

A knickknack here, a knickknack there, everywhere you turn there's something new. This little birdhouse is quite charming. What a unique color.

Dinner, anyone?

~A bit of silver with a splash of sparkle~

~Snow white~

Bring on the scones.

Merry Christmas!

Berwick Lights 2011

2011-12-03T21:37:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year when everyone takes in the Berwick Lights along Market Street in Berwick, Pennsylvania. The charming display of Christmas decorations is sure to delight both young and old alike.

Outsider artwork is the term that comes to mind when I look at this cute, little snowman.

In its 65th year, the Berwick Jaycees put on a magnificent Christmas display.

~A little baby ice skating~

~Another "outsider" snowman~

~An angel in sparkles and gold~

~Two deer in the woods~

~One of the Wise Men from the East~

~A little scare for Christmas~

~An elf working on his laptop computer~

~The school on Market Street~

And may we never forget the meaning of Christmas.

Cover Artwork on Connections Magazine, December 2011

2011-12-01T09:59:00.001-05:00

~cover image used with the permission of Connections Magazine~

I'd like to thank everyone at Connections Magazine for choosing my Primitive Snowman With Garland painting for the cover of their December 2011 issue. This is the fourth time that my artwork has been chosen for the cover of Connections Magazine, and I'm truly honored.

To learn more about Connections Magazine and my artwork, click here.

A Primitive Glow

2011-11-27T15:05:00.002-05:00

My friend Mary, owner of Home Again, gave me this "snow cream" scented candle made by A Primitive Glow in West Virginia. I'm always picky when it comes to candles because most of them don't deliver when it comes to quality. "Snow cream" is a very robust scent that reminds me of a sugar cookie. This candle definitely delivers when it comes to the scent, so much so that John and I started craving sweets at 10 p.m. last night.

I'm so glad I bought two of the mini hand-poured candles for Christmas gifts. I might just have to go back and buy more.

Home Again For The Holidays

2011-11-25T15:08:00.001-05:00

Fresh, crisp, warm, and inviting are the words that come to mind when I shopped at Home Again this afternoon. Mary, the owner of this lovely store located at 69 Main Street in Luzerne, has a way with decorating and pulling everything together.

Mary has a natural flair for window dressing, and the inside of her store is even that much better.

Around every little corner, you'll find something new.

I picked up some of these adorable hand-poured candles in the luscious "snow cream" scent by the West Virginia company called A Primitive Glow. Thanks for the large candle, Mary! I can't wait to fire that baby up. It's sitting on my desk right now.

~A pinecone in the warm glow~

~A lonely, little pinecone lying on its side~

~The smile of a primitive snowman just hanging out~

~Berries in front of a stained glass backdrop~

~An evening dress of days gone by~

~Thoughts of peace and tranquility~

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

2011-11-19T15:15:00.001-05:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially at Cloe & Company in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. To read more about this new store, click here.

Donna did a fabulous job decorating her store for the Christmas shopping season. Walking through the front door, you're immediately taken into a unique shopping experience.

Cloe & Company supports local artists and all US companies by purchasing over 90% of goods domestically. Donna is also a talented baker and makes her own herbal, organic loose teas.

I purchased her 100% organic oatmeal raisin cookies, and they are to die for. Her pumpkin bread looks delicious.

Cloe & Company has something for everyone.

Wall decor, clothing, accessories, jewelry, and handcrafted items can all be found at this quaint, little boutique.

I'm thrilled to be represented by Cloe & Company. Perfect for children and adults alike, my paper mache star-shaped ornaments also work well as wall decor.

Cloe & Company also carries my line of miniature framed art prints. Be sure to stop by to see all the Christmas mini art prints that I just dropped off today.

I also dropped off this lovely hand-painted wooden box, which features one of my primitive snowmen. The words "peace" and "joy" are also painted on all four sides.

Merry Christmas!

In The Style of Piet Mondrian

2011-11-18T17:03:00.001-05:00

Teaching students about the primary colors is a great way to introduce them to Dutch artist Piet MondriaN (1872 -1944). To learn more about Mr. Mondrian, click here.

I've used this art project for students in kindergarten through college. It doesn't matter what age they are, the students automatically take a liking to this project.

Of course, students always put their own spin on things. And that's the beauty of art. The artwork above shows one of my students who titled her piece Give a Hand to Piet Mondrian. Now there's a creative thinker.

The piece of artwork above is a miniature Mondrian. The student titled this piece Mini Mondrian.

The artwork above incorporates a little bit of patriotism into the picture. Notice the red, white, and blue background.

In the style of Piet Mondrian, Yves Saint Laurent created his "Mondrian" day dress in 1965. See more about that here. So, what have you seen lately in the style of Piet Mondrian?

Paper Crafting with The Girl Scouts

2011-11-14T13:56:00.001-05:00

I had a great time this weekend teaching a paper crafting workshop for a group of Girl Scouts. Using a lot of recycled materials, I taught the girls how to create a paper snowman ornament.

The students did a wonderful job. I'm always amazed to see how each student puts her own spin on a basic design.

This student actually glued a penny to her snowman. How did I miss that penny in my bag of old buttons?

Look at that smile!

Marisa placed a green scarf around her snowman. Nice job!

Winner Wonderland

2011-11-13T16:36:00.001-05:00

As an artist participating in this year's window painting event for the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association, I had the pleasure of working at the Anthracite Newsstand yesterday.

For those who may not know, the Anthracite Newsstand recently sold a $4.2 million lottery ticket. Read more about that here.

Hence, the theme of their windows this year is Winner Wonderland. The owners came up with that brilliant idea.

All I had to do was paint the winning concept.

I had fun painting those dollar bills. Hee! Hee! Gotta love capitalism!

I worked from noon to 5 p.m. painting their windows, and had a most enjoyable time. A big thank you to Bob, Bettye Lou, Samantha and the entire staff at the Anthracite Newsstand for their kindness and generosity. I sincerely appreciate it!

Today, I took a walk around Wilkes-Barre to look at all the other window paintings.

The snowman in the window of Dunkin' Donuts looks very happy holding a warm drink and a doughnut. I wonder if he's drinking hot chocolate or vanilla chai tea.

My friend Diane Grant Czajkowski did a fantastic painting for Barnes & Noble.

The details are amazing.

Oh, Christmas Tree!

~A lovely Christmas wreath~

I love the colors in this Christmas tree. The artist did a wonderful job!

Paper Jack-O'-Lanterns

2011-10-28T15:53:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year again when all the kids get together to create some wonderful Halloween crafts.

There's something about all that glitter. It really makes this jack-o'-lantern pop.

I like how the glitter on this pumpkin is strategically placed in the eyes, nose, and mouth. The pastels look fabulous on the brown craft paper.

Cute!

This guy's up to something. I can see it in his eyes.

Happy Halloween!

Chalk Fest 2011

2011-10-08T20:53:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Chalk Fest 2011 on the River Common, Wilkes-Barre. I'd like to thank Mary Therese Biebel from The Times Leader for featuring my students in the article titled Chalk It Up, which appeared in yesterday's paper to promote Chalk Fest. Click here to read about it.

It was wonderful to see so many people come out to enjoy the day's events along the Susquehanna River.

The little kitty in this chalk drawing caught my eye. Look at the tire swing in the tree. I love all the details in this chalk drawing.

Artist Leigh Pawling was busy working on drawing the logo for one the event's sponsors. Leigh transferred the design to the sidewalk using a technique similar to how Michelangelo transferred his cartoons (full-sized, detailed drawings) onto the plaster surface of the Sistine Chapel.

During the Renaissance, it was customary for fresco painters to use a stiletto to transfer their cartoons onto a plaster surface. Many of the frescoes still have little holes indicating how the cartoons were transferred.

Leigh's hard at work, but she's having fun. Be sure to check out her beautiful artwork here.

One of my students came out to enjoy the day after art class this morning. Marissa loves to draw Manga characters, and I can see the beginning of some interesting designs.

Here's a closeup of some of Marissa's artwork. Is that a heart with a halo?

We couldn't ask for a more beautiful day. The weather was warm and sunny, and by noon it started to feel like it was 80 degrees.

At first I thought this was an Easter egg. The closer I looked, it appeared to be a hot-air balloon. Nice colors!

What a difference a month makes. On September 8, 2011, this entire area was under water, and we were ordered to evacuate. Tropical Storm Lee drenched Northeast Pennsylvania with unprecedented amounts of rain. Thank God for the levees.

You can still see some of the mud left after the high water receded. In fact, I saw two girls throwing mud at each other this afternoon.

Here's an interesting sketch. It looks like a prehistoric bird. Remember Land of the Lost?

Here's a picture looking north. Again, you can see the mud on the stairs.

~A pumpkin~

~Heading back home up the river bank~

Pastel Pumpkin

2011-09-24T16:03:00.002-04:00

It's that time of year. The leaves are falling, and the air is getting crisp and cool. I created this quick sketch in approximately five minutes using soft pastels on purple construction paper during one of my art classes this week.

Soft pastels are easy to blend, and you can keep building details with every layer that you place on the paper. I'm not a huge fan of pastels; however, I'm always amazed at how quickly one can create a piece of artwork using this medium.

Jewelry Making Goes Green at The Banana Factory

2011-09-18T20:54:00.001-04:00

I always meet the nicest and most interesting people when I teach at The Banana Factory. Today was no different. The students who joined me for my Jewelry Making Goes Green workshop came from New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania.

Lorene created the laminated earrings above using pages from an old wrapping paper catalog.

I brought a lot of aluminum soup tabs to class today so that the students could make these funky pendants. Diane did a great job using monochromatic colors for her design. Believe it or not, that's not a pearl. It's a mushroom button. Deceiving, isn't it?

I love how Lorene used paper clips, paper, natural fibers, and unique stones create these earrings. Nice job!

Natural fibers have a way of adding just that little extra touch to a pair of earrings. Ilisa's ensemble is fabulous.

I'll leave you with more pictures from today's workshop below. Enjoy!

Featured on When Creativity Knocks

2011-08-16T17:33:00.001-04:00

Here's a glimpse of me working on one of my latest design collections inspired by the beach. You can see more of my work and a recent interview on my art licensing and design business on the When Creativity Knocks Web site by clicking here.

A big note of thanks to Theresa Cifali for featuring me on the When Creativity Knocks Web site. She's a fellow CHA designer who is an inspiration to us all.

Liz Revit Designs Featured at CHA Summer 2011 Trade Show

2011-08-05T17:21:00.000-04:00

~ Image copyright Christoper Hanson ~

I'm honored to have had my jewelry designs featured in Westcott's booth at the summer 2011 CHA trade show. Although I was unable to attend this year's show, I obtained a photo of how my jewelry looked on display.

Since my jewelry ensemble consisted of interchangeable pieces consisting of Duck Tape's "flames" and "camouflage" motifs, I'm thrilled to see how they arranged my necklace on top of the camouflage print. Nice job!

The CHA designer challenge was a lot of fun. I might add that there was a lot of pressure with this year's challenge due to a delivery problem with one of the products, which resulted in a week-long delay in my receiving the product. Working under pressure is never a problem. You just do what needs to be done.

I'd like to thank the generous sponsors of this year's designer challenge: Westcott, Velcro Brand Fasteners and Duck Brand Duck Tape.

A big note of thanks to Marisa Pawelko aka Modern Surrealist for organizing this challenge. She was so gracious to reach out to the CHA designer members to participate in this event, and she was very helpful throughout the designer challenge.

As a reminder, our projects will be auctioned to raise funds for CharityWings.org. Please be sure to check out this wonderful organization and all that they do.

I'd also like to mention that I used Swarovski crystals and Beadalon's German-style wire in my designs. As always, Swarovski always provides that extra sparkle, and I love using Beadalon's wire as an alternative to sterling silver.

Patriotic Ornaments in Create & Decorate August 2011

2011-07-21T13:05:00.002-04:00

~image used with permission of Create & Decorate, August 2011

and Sean O'Brien Photography~

If you haven't already seen the latest issue of Create & Decorate, be sure to check out page 78, which features my grand old flag star ornaments.

For this project, I used Celluclay from Activa Products. I also used Americana acrylic paints by DecoArt, American Painter brushes by Loew-Cornell, and Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue®.

If you love making primitive crafts, give this project a try.

Bazaar Season

2011-07-16T20:59:00.021-04:00

It's that time of year when bazaars are in full swing in northeast Pennsylvania. I opted for a dozen of clams tonight in lieu of potato pancakes and pierogies. Somebody better check my temperature. How did I pass up that traditional Polish/Lithuanian fare? Although, this bazaar wasn't serving Babushka Betty's pierogies, so that's probably why I passed on them tonight.

Every year, St. Nick's parish draws a great crowd because the food is always delicious.

An old water tower stands in the distance. You'd think the city of Wilkes-Barre would rip this eyesore down already.

St. Nick's parish has one of the best flea markets. The doors were wide open, and the flea market was calling my name.

All the Christmas items were 50% off today.

I was in heaven when I spotted a grammar book. I don't collect things, but I do acquire well-written grammar books. I'm always on the lookout for vintage books on sentence diagramming.

I fondly recall my fifth-grade teacher, Sister Carmelita, teaching me how to diagram sentences. Since then, I've always loved grammar. Thanks to her, I've had the opportunity to use my writing skills in a variety of different ways throughout my career.

When was the last time you saw sentence diagramming in a grammar text book? Forgive me, but they no longer call the subject grammar. I believe it's referred to as language arts or some other watered-down version of grammar. No wonder why Suzie and Johnny can't write coherent sentences.

Look! It's a chapter on dangling modifiers. I can't wait to start reading.

Art of the Doodle

2011-07-15T18:57:00.002-04:00

My Art of the Doodle workshop at King's College was lots of fun. The kids created wonderful works of art, and I had the pleasure of teaching a great group of kids. Following are some pictures of what the students created this week.

Third Cover for Country Flag Artwork

2011-07-12T00:39:00.000-04:00

Wow! This is the third time that my artwork titled Country Flag has landed the cover of The Country Register. I'm thrilled that the editor for the Maryland edition of The Country Register chose my artwork for the cover of their July - August 2011 edition.

To learn more about this fabulous publication, click here.

Haddonfield Art Festival 2011

2011-07-11T17:28:00.006-04:00

Welcome to historic Haddonfield, New Jersey. It's a quaint, little town that plays host to an annual art festival each July.

The charming storefronts make a great backdrop for all the activity that takes place during the art show.

Vendors lined the streets while patrons browsed and shopped for those special purchases.

Even the local church got in on the action by catering to the thrifty shoppers in the crowd. The church had a lot of hidden gems in the basement.

By looking at this cloudless sky, you can get an idea of how hot it was this weekend.

After leaving the festival, I had the chance to cool off in the train station. While sitting there, I was intrigued by the design that the elongated gates created.

The train tracks provide an excellent example of a vanishing point. It's a great study in perspective.

Now I'll leave you with some colorful pictures of a New Jersey garden. John's aunt knows how to make a garden an inviting experience.

One can never have too many kitties in a garden. Even those made of concrete add flair.

This guy's coming in for a landing.

~ Orbs of blue ~

~ You're a grand old flag. ~

Lucite Grapes

2011-07-09T14:23:00.007-04:00

The weekends are fun, but they're even more fun when you've scored some fantastic finds at an estate sale.

Here we have what looks to be a tangled mess of colored orbs, wire, and wood. If you scroll down, you'll see what these lovely things really are.

~ Vintage Lucite grapes ~

~ They're so 70s. ~

What a catch; green and blue grapes on the same vine!

According to dictionary.com, Lucite is a trademark name. Lucite is a "transparent or translucent plastic, any of a class of methyl methacrylate ester polymers."

Call it what you will. I think it's fabulous. Look at those colors!

These grapes are going to provide some great inspiration for future artwork and designs.

So, what did you find in your travels this weekend? Stay tuned. I have a feeling tomorrow's going to be even better!

Art in The Park

2011-07-06T14:29:00.000-04:00

Lackawanna County's Art in the Park festivities at McDade Park in Scranton was a huge success. Today's turnout was great.

Afterward, I had the chance to get a few snapshots of these lovely birds.

Here's to another fabulous, hot, and sunny day in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Happy Birthday, America!

2011-07-04T23:30:00.000-04:00

Here are some sights that we took in this evening as John and I waited to see the fireworks in Kirby Park. The music was divine. There's nothing like a good dose of patriotic music on this 4th of July.

This is something to think about as we enjoy our freedom in this great country.

God bless those who have lost their lives fighting for our country.

I couldn't resist this T-shirt that one of the vendors was selling.

You're a Grand Old Flag

by George M. Cohan

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

Happy birthday, America!

Monday, June 27, 2011

2011-06-28T22:44:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was another fun-filled day at Knoebels. The weather was hot, but there was a constant breeze.

The views from the Giant Wheel were amazing. There's my beloved Twister in the background.

The rolling hills of Pennsylvania make for a lovely backdrop for this scenic view.

When the sun sets, the park really comes alive.

I love the blaring yellows in this picture.

~ More yellow ~

When I look at this picture, I think of the song "Flashlight" by Parliament. The lights on the The Flyer are bright!

I can almost smell the campfires again. When can I return?

CHA Designer Challenge Update

2011-06-26T22:22:00.001-04:00

With a deadline looming over my shoulders, I devoted the entire day to creating my mixed-media project for the CHA designer challenge. There was a delivery problem with one of the products, and it resulted in a week-long delay in my receiving the product. Designing under pressure is not a problem. It forced me to pick one of the many designs that I put to paper.

Wanting to offer both depth and versatility in my design, Velcro Brand Fasteners worked marvelously. The animal print Duck Brand Duck Tape served as the bottom for each link, while the flames and the camouflage prints worked well for the interchangeable pieces.

The Duck Tape folks provided me with many colors and prints to choose from, but the prints just jumped out at me.

This is what the necklace looked like from the beginning. Then I decided to shorten the length of the chains because the design can not be more than 12 inches long. At this stage, I was cutting it close because I didn't even start to add the beads.

I chose to keep the clasp as an animal print because when I added another layer to the mix (a total of three pieces stacked on top of one another), it was just too cumbersome as a clasp.

I thought a bit of blue thrown into the mix would work well with both the flames and the camouflage.

Miyuki seed beads and Swarovski crystals were added for a bit of bling.

I created scroll headpins for each dangle. Again, I think the hint of blue adds just a little extra color to this piece.

~ The finished necklace with flames ~

If you prefer camouflage, this is what the finished necklace looks like.

I love the way the Velcro provides that added lift and dimension to each link. The Westcott Titanium Bonded non stick scissors were fabulous to work with. As mentioned on the product packaging, the scissors provide superior adhesive resistance. With that said, the Duck Tape did not stick to the scissors. This is the first time that I've used Westcott products, and I'm sold!

Here's a quick look at the earrings in progress. I only need to add the ear wires. I like these earrings just the way they are without the beads. Any thoughts? If so, feel free to comment, but I'll be shipping these babies out on Tuesday.

CHA Designer Challenge

2011-06-24T21:39:00.001-04:00

Westcott Brand is giving 24 designer members of the Craft & Hobby Association the opportunity to participate in a designer challenge, and I'm happy to participate. The sponsors are Westcott, Velcro Brand Fasteners and Duck Brand Duck Tape.

In addition to using the tools and supplies provided by the sponsors, designers can also use at least three
other items in their pieces.

Our mixed-media projects will be on display at the Westcott booth at the summer 2011 CHA show in Rosemont, Illinois. Our projects will also be auctioned to raise funds for CharityWings.org.

The tools and supplies have arrived, and I'm ready to roll. Now all I have to do is decide if I want to make a necklace or earrings. I'm torn, but I have to decide soon as I only have a week to create my mixed-media project. I'll keep you posted.

A big note of thanks to Marisa Pawelko aka Modern Surrealist for organizing this challenge.

Fun With Small Works of Art

2011-06-21T19:13:00.000-04:00

I'm teaching my Fun With Small Works of Art workshop at King's College this week, and the kids are creating some of the most interesting pieces of artwork.

This little kitty never goes out of style.

~ A patriotic sailboat ~

Love is in the air.

Happy Cat

2011-06-14T13:11:00.000-04:00

It warms my heart knowing that Chiseler is a happy kitty.

So Long for the Season

2011-06-12T14:24:00.002-04:00

Last night John and I attended the last auction for the season at Kemler's Auction in Bloomsburg. As always, there was a lot to take in. If you were looking for furniture, you should have been there. The gallery was loaded with wooden chairs, tables, cupboards, and and some unique items including shutters and old chicken crates.

Tom (the auctioneer) and I had a little chuckle when he spied me taking pictures before the auction started. He thought I was taking pictures of one of the auction goers. It turns out the guy Tom was referring to sat behind us, and I got to hear his whole life story. His tales of woe were ready to throw me over the edge.

Trays of rings, pins, pendants, bulky chains, and rhinestone bracelets and necklaces filled an entire table.

~ Vintage Pennsylvania license plates ~

~ A tray of salt-and-pepper shakers and other glass items ~

What a lonesome bunny. Nobody wanted him, and he ended up going home with the original owner.

Earlier that day, John and I had the chance to take in an estate sale in Kingston. This attic was strewn with boxes of old photo albums. Check out the green mist in this photograph. It's creepy.

Help me. I've fallen, and I can't get up.

I'm always intrigued to see what people store in their attics. I found old wrapping paper and bows in this section of the attic. Sound familiar?

If I owned a hunting cabin in the woods, this baby would have come home with me.

Canned Heat Coming Up!

2011-06-05T12:18:00.003-04:00

Having a boyfriend in the collectibles business is always an adventure. You never know what he's going to find at auctions, flea markets, and estate sales (not to mention those dirty, dank basements). So, when John scored these old concert posters, a bit of local history emerged. Wilkes College has since gone on to become a university.

The West Side Armory in Kingston, Pennsylvania is now referred to as The Kingston Armory, which hosted many good shows over the years. One of which was the famous Blue Oyster Cult concert on September 25, 1980, where many non-ticket holders tried to storm the doors. See some actual footage from that incident here. From the looks of those overturned cars, I think those concert goers were a bit upset.

Here's another vintage concert poster. Three bands at $7.00 a ticket sounds like a good deal. The only song I can relate to the Chambers Brothers is "Time Has Come Today." The band Mountain is still going strong. Check out their Web site here.

The subtle gradation from one color to the next is very soothing. Perhaps I should say it's hypnotizing. How appropriate for that era.

Volunteer Orange

2011-06-04T23:12:00.002-04:00

My choice of color at today's bead show was orange. We're not talking any old orange; we're talking Volunteer orange. I don't recall seeing this much orange at past shows, but I'm glad to see it gaining popularity.

The Chinese crystal was in abundance, and I saw several vendors selling it. There's that orange again.

This summer's show seemed to have more vendors than last year's show. I was pleasantly surprised to see more people in attendance this year as well.

~ copper findings ~

~ strands of silk ~

~ beads ~

~ pretty flowers ~

Retail Inspiration

2011-05-27T14:40:00.001-04:00

With Memorial Day approaching, I finally forced myself to get away from my drawing table today. It's a hard thing to do, but I did it.

Cracker Barrel always has the neatest gifts, especially when it comes to our patriotic holidays. This is the first time I ever saw red, white, and blue DOTS.

Here's a sassy, patriotic jumper for the little ones. Where was this dress when I was a kid?

Hats off to bright orange and tropical blue. Did someone say beach? I'm thinking of Tybee Island or St. Augustine at the moment.

Speaking of the beach, I'm currently working on a new nautical-themed design collection with lots of seashells. You know summer is right around the corner when the retail stores start showing their beach-inspired home decor and tableware. I love those sea-foam greens and shabby-chic colors.

Blue Daisies

2011-05-13T16:31:00.000-04:00

The May 2011 issue of Bead Trends arrived on my doorstep yesterday. My mind drew a blank as to which project was scheduled to appear in this particular issue. It wasn't until I flipped through the pages that I stumbled upon my Blue Daisies project on pages 78 and 79.

This necklace is the companion piece to my earrings that were featured in the Earrings, Earrings, Earrings book (below) by Barb Switzer. The photographer for Bead Trends did a wonderful job photographing my necklace.

I particularly like the story that Tatia Meyer, editor of Bead Trends, tells about a designer who was discouraged by a jewelry instructor. The instructor said that no magazine would want the student's work. Well, it turns out that this student's work is published in this issue of Bead Trends.

I can't believe there are people who would act in such a childish way, especially a teacher. I had a similar experience when I was seeking to learn metalwork many, many years ago. I approached a metalsmith at a local arts festival, and I asked her where she learned how to design jewelry. In a very nasty tone, she replied, "From the school of hard knocks."

Little did this woman know that her answer drove me even more to find a metalsmith instructor, which I did. A year later I saw that same woman at my very first craft festival. It turns out she couldn't take the competition from a young girl who had the same skills, and she actually picked a fight with me at the festival. Back in the day, there weren't many metalsmiths, and I think she was intimidated. Yes, there are definitely nuts out there.

On Trend with Buttons

2011-05-13T16:29:00.001-04:00

While shopping at JoAnn the other day, I was thrilled to see the latest in patriotic home decor.

Do you think this is a cherry tree or an apple tree? Regardless, the buttons work well as either.

The buttons on this painted slate add that extra touch to the primitive-colored background.

It looks like we have more buttons here. Am I seeing a trend in patriotic home decor this year?

Let freedom ring.

The center of this star reminds me of an old, tin ceiling.

It appears that buttons are big in patriotic decor this year. Although they've always been a constant in the country/prim market, it's nice to see more buttons used in patriotic decor for this summer.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T15:50:00.000-04:00

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! You're the BEST!!!

Five-Minute Card

2011-05-08T15:38:00.002-04:00

Perhaps you need a Mother's Day card or a card for that special person. With minimal supplies, you'll be able to crank this baby out within a few minutes. Here's what you'll need to create this card.

Materials

* A piece of white construction paper
* Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue®
* Faber-Castell PITT "S" artist pen
* Scraps of decorative paper

Tools

* Fiskars paper edgers (scallop)

* Fiskars scissors

Instructions

1) To create the card, fold your construction paper in half, and then fold it in half again.

2) Using the scallop paper edgers, cut a stem, leaf, four petals, and a center from your decorative paper.

3) Glue the stem in place with Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue®.

4) Glue the leaf, the petals, and the center in place. Let dry completely.

5) Draw light outlines around the flower with the Faber-Castell PITT artist pen.

Blossoms Galore

2011-04-30T20:34:00.000-04:00

The sun finally decided to make an appearance today. The sky was a deep blue today, and the trees are full of magnificent colors. Enjoy the photos.

Sharing More of My Students' Artwork

2011-04-26T22:16:00.000-04:00

Here's to teaching another group of wonderfully talented students at Crestwood's adult education program. We just wrapped up the spring semester, and I thought I'd share some of the students' artwork with you.

The last three pictures were painted by students who had no prior experience with watercolors. As you can see, they did an amazing job.

Chizzy's In The House!

2011-04-23T20:03:00.000-04:00

Since the Gray Baby's left town, Julius and Chiseler are back to their old routines. I washed the cat house that the Gray Baby used to call home, and I washed all the blankets. Now Julius and Chiseler take turns sleeping in the cat house. I guess you can call it a timeshare for kitties.

Hearts On My Mind

2011-04-22T09:45:00.002-04:00

Sometimes the neatest things appear on your palette when you least expect it.

Estate Sales

2011-04-09T16:02:00.002-04:00

Here's to another fun-filled Saturday spent at several different estate sales in Kingston. Our first stop was at a house on South Dawes Avenue. Since I often jog by this house, I was curious to see what it looked like inside. I'm going to miss saying hello to the woman who lived there with her scruffy, little poodle named Muffin.

From the outside, one would never dream that the house would have so many interesting rooms, such as the one with the fireplace. The ceiling was so high, and there was so much light. This room would make a great studio.

This is the breezeway between the house and the attached garage.

There's nothing like the old sparkle of vintage, glass ornaments. Although they've seen better days, I'm sure they'd still look great on a Christmas tree.

~ Old, aluminum cake trays~

I like how the shelves are accessible via both sides of the wall. As you can see, there's nothing but junk sitting on the shelves.

~ Artwork on the face of an old TV tray ~

If anything, estate sales are great places to pick up good books. I already have the book on the right, but I thought one of my friends would enjoy reading it. I never heard of the other author, but for a quarter, you can't go wrong.

The Gray Baby Update

2011-04-07T19:56:00.003-04:00

The Gray Baby is officially in good hands as of this afternoon. After desperately searching for a good home for this adorable, little kitten, a neighbor gave me the name of a contact at the Delaware Valley Second Chance For Animals.

I immediately called the number and was thrilled to learn that they are, in fact, a no-kill shelter that seeks to find good homes for stray cats. I was also happy to hear that there was room for the Gray Baby. Several other no-kill animal shelters in our area never have room for strays when I call.

John was in charge of meeting with our contact, and she was kind enough to stop by our place to pick up the Gray Baby. I'll miss the Gray Baby, but I know he's in good hands, and I'm confident he'll find a good home.

Watercolor Inspiration

2011-04-06T15:32:00.000-04:00

I have the pleasure of teaching some very talented students at Crestwood's Adult Education Program. I'd like to share some of my students' watercolors with you. Mark paints magnificent landscapes (above and below).

For a first-time watercolor student, Renee is doing a great job with her painting (above).

As always, Eleanor does a fantastic job with her landscapes (above and below). Her colors look like pastels.

The following paintings are various murals at Crestwood High School. I've always admired the workmanship of these murals. The students did a fantastic job.

The eyes say it all. This student definitely captured the insanity of Dali.

This is my favorite mural in the school. The artist's name is Rachael Acri, and the mural is dated 1987.

Junkin' in New Jersey

2011-04-04T16:24:00.003-04:00

There's nothing better than spending a Sunday afternoon perusing through old junk at The Berlin Farmer's Market in Berlin, New Jersey. Save for the whipping wind, the weather was perfect for a day filled of junkin'.I love the turquoise color of these glass bottles.

It turns out that the bottles were made at Wheaton Village in Millville, New Jersey. If you ever get a chance to visit Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, do so. The museum of glass is filled with wonderful objects, and you can take a variety of different glass workshops and see glass-making demonstrations.

~ old gasoline cans ~

Although the sky was clear, I didn't see any seagulls. They're usually diving down at the people looking for food. Jersey seagulls will eat anything.

~ Inside Charlie's Clam Bar ~

They're all lined up for clams and oysters. I've never eaten at Charlie's Clam Bar simply because I'm always full after a good breakfast at the Stratford Diner. Perhaps one of these days I'll give it a try.

The Gray Baby

2011-03-26T18:07:00.001-04:00

The gray baby still hasn't found a home, so he continues to sleep in the cat house on the porch. John didn't want to name the cat, so he dubbed him "the gray baby." I think it's John's way of not wanting to get attached to this little guy.

Gray Baby looks so peaceful when he sleeps. I'm trying desperately to find him a good home.

Today's sun was a pleasant surprise. Chiseler heads toward his favorite patch of grass. There's still a bit of snow on the ground.

Chiseler emerges from his favorite play spot. From the looks of the landscape, you'd swear we lived in the desert. Although, we're right next to the river.

~ Chiseler heading home ~

Looking For a Good Home

2011-03-12T15:06:00.002-05:00

We've had a visitor for a few days now. He's a beautiful, gray kitten, and he's super friendly. Even though Julius and Chiseler like this little guy, John and I are looking for a good home for this kitty.

He has a pleasant demeanor, and he'd make a great pet. I hope he finds a good family.

Kemler's Auction

2011-03-06T11:38:00.002-05:00

Auction night at Kemler's is always exciting. The place was packed last night, and we couldn't get a seat until an hour and a half into the auction. I like the graphics on this feed bag.

~ Some Eastern Star dishes ~

Rolling Rock, anyone?

~ An Art Nouveau art print ~

~ A mixed-media artist's dream ~

I can't put my finger on it, but the portrait of this young girl looks very familiar.

Thanks to The Citizens' Voice

2011-03-04T20:15:00.001-05:00

~ image used with permission of The Citizens' Voice~

Kristen Gadydos, staff writer of The Citizens' Voice, stopped by my studio a few weeks ago to try one of my art classes. She wanted to write about the experience of taking an art class and what it would be like getting back into the swing of things.

Staff photographer, Gale Figlerski, did a fantastic job with the photos. In the picture above, I'm giving Kristen some drawing pointers.

~ image used with permission of The Citizens' Voice~

Kristen did a great job on her watercolor painting. Read the article and see more pictures by clicking here.

~ image used with permission of The Citizens' Voice~

This picture shows some of my watercolor and acrylic paintings in my studio. The pineapple painting was licensed to Toland Home Garden for use on garden flags. And the olive oil bottles, tomato, garlic, and olive branch are some of the many individual paintings that I used to create my Taste of Italy design collection. See that design collection by clicking here.

A big thanks to Kristen Gaydos and Gayle Figlerski of The Citizens' Voice for visiting my studio at Arts YOUniverse. We appreciate your supporting the arts in Wilkes-Barre!

Yesterday's Snow

2011-02-22T16:06:00.000-05:00

~ A lonesome bench covered in snow ~

~ Julius on the porch ~

~ Wishing for warmer weather ~

Love Heart Design Wins Award

2011-02-21T14:37:00.001-05:00

I'm honored that my Love Heart card has been "hand-picked as an example of creativity at its finest." There's something about my heart designs that Zazzle really loves (no pun intended). In July 2010, my Valentine Flower design was also chosen for a Zazzle award.

As a reward, my card will appear at the top of this page in the "Featured Designs" section for approximately two weeks.

Thanks, Zazzle, for this wonderful award!

Down at Palisades Park

2011-02-16T19:18:00.000-05:00

Now this is a piece of artwork. It's sculpture at its best in the form of cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and all those other scrumptious ingredients. There's nothing like authentic New York cheesecake.

If you're lucky to be in north Jersey, be sure to stop by the Golden Eagle Diner in Palisades Park at 239 Broad Avenue at Brinkerhoff Avenue. Their menu is loaded with tasty-good treats, and they have the BEST Greek dishes. Take the Broad Avenue exit off of Route 46.

Check out the escarole soup with homemade meatballs. Are you getting hungry yet? Wait. It gets better.

The homemade mousaka is to die for at the Golden Eagle Diner. Pardon the picture. I didn't have my good camera with the macro lens.

Strawberry shortcake is calling my name. Now I'm kicking myself in the butt because I didn't get a piece of cake to go.

Yum!

~ Pure heaven ~

There's something about New Jersey diners. They know what they're doing when it comes to diners. Look at the audacious, silver bling on the outside of this building. It's classic Jersey. It makes me want to move back.

One last observation: The gas in New Jersey is 22 cents less than it is in northeast Pennsylvania.

Spring Peep in Create & Decorate

2011-02-14T10:43:00.003-05:00

~image used with permission of Create & Decorate, April 2011

and Sean O'Brien Photography~

Although there's plenty of snow and ice on the ground, spring is just around the corner. In fact, I understand we're supposed to have some warmer weather this week. I'll take 50 degrees over single-digit temperatures any day.

Speaking of spring, be sure to check out the April 2011 issue of Create & Decorate. My paper mache spring peep is featured on page 58. I had visions of marshmallow peep candies when I was sculpting this little guy.

I use a lot of different clays in my sculpting projects. For the spring peep project, I used Dixon Prang DAS Pronto Modeling Clay. I also used Americana acrylic paints by DecoArt because they're smooth and easy to work with. For the base of the peep I used some STYROFOAM™ and a little bit of old newspaper. I chose American Painter brushes by Loew-Cornell for this project. If you're into sculpting and painting, give this project a try.

~image used with permission of Create & Decorate, April 2011~

A big thanks to editor Beverly Hotz for choosing this project for their April 2011 issue, which is loaded with fabulous craft projects and recipes. I especially enjoyed the article about Jim Healy, the junk architect. I also love Nancy Malay's Blue Bird of Happiness project on the cover as well as the Spring Chicks project by Cheryl Wall on page 86. It's a great issue. Be sure to pick up a copy today.

Happy crafting!

Thank You!

2011-02-13T11:52:00.001-05:00

A big thanks to everyone who stopped by Barnes & Noble yesterday for my jewelry demo and book promo to promote Tammy Powley's newest release titled The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making as well as the other two books that I'm featured in by Barb Switzer.

It was so good to see former jewelry students, art students, friends, and family. I appreciate your support!

More Valentine's Day Crafts

2011-02-11T10:08:00.002-05:00

The kids in my mixed-media workshop created the neatest works of art yesterday. Going with a Valentine's Day theme, the kids came up with all kinds of cool stuff.

My glue of choice for this project is Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue®. This glue does a fantastic job in gluing hard-to-glue items, such as buttons.

Crafty Hearts

2011-02-10T16:31:00.007-05:00

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and I just finished making some heart-shaped, paper ornaments that can also be used as gift tags or door hangers. Following is a quick tutorial on how to make these crafty, little hearts.

Materials

* Construction paper in the colors of your choice
* Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue®
* Glitter (gold and silver)
* Twine
* Ribbon
* Buttons

Tools

* Fiskars paper edgers (pinking and scallop)
* Fiskars scissors
* Nail

Instructions

1) Using the scallop paper edgers, cut a heart out of construction paper that measures approximately 4" in height by 3 1/2" wide.
2) Using the pinking paper edgers, cut two small hearts out of construction paper.
3) Using Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue®, glue these two hearts to the large heart cut out in step one.
4) Cut a small piece of plaid ribbon, and glue it to the bottom of the heart-shaped ornament.
5) Glue a small button on top of the plaid ribbon. Let dry completely.

6) Place small dots of Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue® around the ornament, and then sprinkle some glitter on top of the glue. Shake off any excess glitter. Let dry completely.
7) Use the nail to make a hole in the top of the ornament, and then add a piece of ribbon or twine to the ornament.

Love is in the Air

2011-02-05T16:11:00.000-05:00

How I love (no pun intended) to make artist trading cards (ATCs), and with Valentine's Day right around the corner, you never know what one will be inspired to create. I designed these ATCs several years ago using watercolor paper, watercolors, and waterproof ink. I was in a prim mood at the time, so these designs have a decorative/country look to them.

I don't know about you, but I'm starting to think about a good dose of chocolate right now. Preferably, I'd like some dark chocolate. If it's not from Belgium, I'll take some chocolate from Victoria's Chocolates in Hazleton, Tallarico's Chocolates in Bethlehem, Jon L. Stopay Candies in Plains, or Michael Mootz Candies in Wilkes-Barre.

Be sure to check out Cathy Cano-Murillo's blog here to see all the heart-inspired craft tutorials and guest posts she has on her blog just in time for Valentine's Day.

Inspirational Patterns

2011-01-25T20:07:00.000-05:00

I love interesting patterns. When I designed hand-painted wedding runners, I used a lot of swirls and interesting shapes reminiscent of the Art Nouveau era to paint what seemed to be never-ending pieces of fabric.

Today, I had the chance to admire the beauty of stained glass windows at Wyoming Valley Montessori School in Kingston.

The bright colors remind me of the neon lights you'd see in Las Vegas. The black background really makes the colors pop.

I love how the deep red slowly morphs into the black background.

I'm starting to see popcorn here.

~A medallion~

~The Mother Ship~

~Electric blue~

Look at those colors!

Here's to another inspirational day.

Ad in Total Art Licensing Winter 2011

2011-01-22T17:43:00.003-05:00

Just in time for the winter 2011 trade shows, I'm happy to share my ad, which appears in the winter 2011 issue of Total Art Licensing. Although I won't be attending the Craft & Hobby Association's winter show in Los Angeles this year, I'm there in spirit. Or should I say in print via this trade magazine?

~image used with permission of Total Art Licensing~

To view this publication online click here. See my ad on page 46.

The Beauty of Ice

2011-01-18T19:39:00.000-05:00

We were the recipients of an icy rain last night and today, and it produced such beautiful results.

Crackled ice on this Rhododendron creates an artistic effect. The two leaves in the background look like they've been sprayed with varnish.

~Tiny leaves trapped in ice~

~Pine needles frozen in time~

~A fan effect in ice~

~A bird's nest unscathed~

~A crystal tassel~

Mr. Squirrel

2011-01-14T22:06:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to post a few pictures of the squirrel that was on my porch today. I took the photos from inside because I didn't want to scare the little guy.

Julius was watching intently as the squirrel sat nibbling on a Chinese noodle.

I placed a few peanuts on the porch, and within minutes they disappeared. He's a cute one. I hope he stops by for another visit.

Jewelry Demo & Book Promo Event at Barnes & Noble

2011-01-12T18:31:00.001-05:00

Join me on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at Barnes & Noble in the Arena Hub Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township, for an afternoon of jewelry-making fun and information. As a design contributor to Tammy Powley's new book titled The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making, I'll be promoting the book and doing jewelry demos from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

I'll be on hand to show you the actual jewelry featured in the book, and you'll get a chance to see some basic jewelry-making techniques. You'll also have a chance to review the other two jewelry books by Barb Switzer that I've been published in.

I'll also have a list of my upcoming jewelry workshops being offered at Arts YOUniverse, A.C. Moore, and The Banana Factory. To learn more about the event, and to obtain directions, click here.

Stop by, and say hello. I'd love to see you!

Jewelry Pages on LizRevit.com

2011-01-11T22:02:00.000-05:00

Over the Christmas holiday, I photographed samples of my jewelry, and created several pages for the jewelry pages on my Web site. Thank goodness for Photoshop!

It's amazing how many pieces of jewelry one can make over the years. I have several pieces of jewelry on my Web site that I created when I was learning metalsmithing techniques with instructors Gary Grossman and Norah Masseti. They were fabulous teachers and great sources of inspiration and encouragement.

Feel free to stop by my Web site, and let me know what you think. I always welcome your comments. Click here to visit the jewelry pages.

Watching Birds on a Snowy Day

2011-01-08T15:38:00.000-05:00

The birds seem to be enjoying the light snowfall today in northeast Pennsylvania. This little guy was scurrying up and down the tree looking for food.

He finally settled down for a few seconds, and then he was off to another tree.

I don't know what kind of bird this is, but the colors remind me of a chipmunk.

This male Cardinal sat high above the ground. Directly below, I noticed a female Cardinal perched atop of the Mountain Laurel.

I love the way she blends in with the surrounding greens. I'm sure she had her eye on the male Cardinal directly above.

Bead Trends January 2011

2011-01-05T22:32:00.000-05:00

Ring in the new year with some brand new jewelry projects. You'll find my champagne earrings on page 90 of the January 2011 issue of Bead Trends.

Two Designs in New Book

2011-01-04T22:44:00.000-05:00

~image copyright Creative Publishing International, Inc.~

I'm thrilled to announce that I have two pieces of jewelry featured in Tammy Powley's new book titled The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making. This book is loaded with LOTS of great projects with detailed photos and instructions. It's a great reference for anyone who is interested in learning new jewelry-making techniques or advancing the skills they already have. The book has 40 projects with more than 700 large-format, color photos.

The picture directly above shows a closeup of the first piece that I submitted for Tammy's consideration. It's a mixed-media piece with material, ribbon, seed beads, and chain. I actually painted the heart designs on tea-stained muslin and then embellished each charm with some Miyuki Delicas.

This necklace is titled Awakening and features a stoneware pendant from artist Bebe Poor of Pleasant Springs Pottery in Perkasie, PA. I discovered this wonderful artist at the Haddonfield Art Show in Haddonfield, New Jersey several years ago and purchased a lot of similar pieces from her. Her work is beautiful and goes so well with my jewelry-making style.

Since I just received my copy of the book today, I quickly skimmed through it. I was pleasantly surprised to find some designs by Andrew Thornton in the gallery section as well. I can't wait to sit down tonight and really go through this book.

A big thanks to Tammy Powley for selecting my designs for the gallery section in her book. Thanks, Tammy!
Tammy is the jewelry expert on about.com, and she also has a great blog called The Crafty Princess Diaries.

Be sure to check out all of these sites, and happy jewelry making!

Looking Forward

2010-12-31T17:30:00.001-05:00

I'm looking forward to 2011. Even though the economy gave us a good scare this year, John and I got through. The beauty of self-employment is that you have to look for opportunities instead of excuses. You just have to keep forging ahead.

And that's what I plan to do even after receiving some not-so-good news yesterday that's forcing me to rearrange a part of my business. My reaction to such news is usually of an analytical nature. I digest the information, but I don't overreact. After thinking about it, I looked at it from a different angle and realized that this change could, in fact, actually help my business and work to my advantage.

~image copyright Wiley Publishing~

This brings me to a fantastic book that I read earlier this year titled Trump Never Give Up: How I Turned My Biggest Challenges Into Success. I highly recommend this book. It's a very easy read, and you can finish reading it in a day or two.

~image copyright Wiley Publishing~

The biggest piece of advice anyone can take away from this book lies within the title of chapter 10: Separate Yourself From the Complaining Crowd. Simply put, don't buy into the negativity. Rise above it, and you'll be on your way. I'm not saying the road will be easy, but I can guarantee you'll be more focused on your goals vs. your complaints. Focusing on complaining gets you nowhere very fast.

As we approach a new year, I encourage you to shed that old way of thinking and do what Donald Trump does: separate yourself from the complaining crowd. Happy New Year!

A Very Merry Gingerbread House

2010-12-24T10:37:00.000-05:00

When John bought a kit for a Wilton gingerbread house this week, I was thrilled. I never made a gingerbread house, and John said we'd work on it together. Crafting with my boyfriend. It doesn't get any better than this.

The gingerbread house looks so nice on the box.

Let the construction begin.

The roof is on. That's a good sign.

I took care of the icing, and John was in charge of the candy.

Since supplies were limited, it was John's idea to use crackers for the doors and windows. We also used a fancy cookie for the second-floor window. I don't recall seeing any crackers on a gingerbread house, but I think they serve their purpose quite nicely. Good idea, John!

This is the back of the house. I wish I had seen that heart-shaped cookie before I finished the front. I think it would have looked better on the front of the house.

John started to get carried away when he reached for the box of Cookie Crisp cereal and decided to place the tiny chocolate chip cookies around the base of the house. Yes, I eat Cookie Crisp cereal, and I love it!

~The right side of the house~

~The left side of the house~

~The roof~

~A closeup of the front~

~A closeup of the back~

Overall, I'm pleased with the results. For my first time ever creating icicles with icing, I think I did a pretty good job, and John was a big help. I have a feeling that we're going to make this a Christmas tradition from now on.

MeRRY Christmas!

Glittery Pinecone Ornaments

2010-12-22T23:25:00.004-05:00

I'm in a glitter kind of mood this Christmas. Maybe I've been listening to too much 70s glam rock and funk lately. I have visions of Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, Gary Glitter (no pun intended), David Bowie, and T. Rex running around in my brain, and now I've got glitter on my pinecones. There's definitely a connection here. I even put up a silver tree this year. That's so unlike me.

In fact, as I'm writing this, I'm listening to a fabulous rendition of Lou Reed's I'm Waiting For The Man as performed by David Bowie on Bowie on the Beeb: The Best of the BBC Radio Sessions 68-72. What an excellent version of Mr. Reed's song!

Let's get back to work here, Liz. When it comes to music, I can easily get distracted. These pinecones look lovely with a good dose of vibrant colors and lots of glitter.

If you want to follow along, these pinecone ornaments are very easy to make.

Materials

* Assorted pinecones

* Americana acrylic paint by DecoArt in the suggested colors: Indian Turquoise (top photo), Winter Blue (in the three step-by-step pictures), Country Red, Avocado Dip, and Hauser Light Green

* American Painter #5 round (series 4000)

* Glitter, of course, in assorted colors

* Black, 26-gauge craft wire

Tools

* Wire cutters

* Chain-nose pliers

Instructions

1) Paint the tips of the pinecone with paint as shown above. Work quickly because you want the paint to remain wet.

2) While the paint is still wet, sprinkle lots of glitter on the pinecone. Let dry completely.

3) Use 9 inches of wire, and bend it in half to form a loop. Take the loose ends, and gently twist a few times to secure the loop. Now wrap the loose ends around the pinecone's stem. Push down any loose ends with your chain-nose pliers.

4) Hang on your Christmas tree!

Here's to a very glitter-filled Christmas! I hope you enjoyed this music-infused tutorial.

Note: I'm a stickler when it comes to grammar and spelling. Blogger highlighted the word pinecone when I checked my spelling. I checked two dictionaries, and pinecone is one word. Sorry, Blogger, but the dictionaries win.

A Few Favorites From Tonight's Auction

2010-12-18T23:39:00.000-05:00

John and I had every intention of viewing the "Berwick Lights" Christmas display, but they didn't have the lights turned on at 5:30 p.m. when we drove by. So, it was off to Kemler's Auction House in Bloomsburg where I saw a few interesting items. These vintage Christmas ornaments caught my eye. I love the artwork on the boxes.

I visited San Antonio, Texas many years ago, and one of the must-sees on my list was the Alamo. This toy brings back some good memories. Love those blue skies in San Antonio!

Holiday Chandelier Earrings Tutorial

2010-12-18T15:57:00.002-05:00

Looking for a pair of earrings to go with that special holiday dress? Well, get your bling on by creating these fabulous earrings, which really pack a lot of sparkle.

~image used with permission of Northridge Media, LLC~

In case you missed this project, which was originally published in the November 2008 issue of Bead Trends, I'm happy to provide you with my instructions here.

Materials

2   3-inch pieces of 20-gauge, dead soft, round, sterling silver wire
4   1 ¼-inch pieces of 22-gauge, dead soft, round, sterling silver wire
4   1 1/8-inch pieces of 22-gauge, dead soft, round, sterling silver wire
6   1 1/2-inch pieces of 22-gauge, dead soft, round, sterling silver wire
4   4mm Swarovski round beads in the following color: Vitail Medium
2   6mm Swarovski round beads in the following color: Vitrail Medium
2   sterling silver ear wires
4   8mm, 20-gauge sterling silver jump rings
6   1-inch, 24-gauge sterling silver head pins from

Instructions

1. To create a horseshoe-shaped dangle, use a two-inch piece of 20-gauge, dead soft, sterling silver wire. Center the wire at the widest part of your round-nose pliers, and bend the wire to form a horseshoe shape.

2. Use the tips of your round-nose pliers to form a plain loop on each end of the horseshoe-shaped wire. Use your fingers to pinch in the top of the horseshoe-shaped wire so that the bottom of the shape is much rounder and wider.

3. Create a total of six horseshoe-shaped dangles.

4. Connect three of the horseshoe-shaped dangles together for one earring, and repeat this step for the other earring.

5. Open two jump rings using your chain-nose pliers and flat-nose pliers. Place the jump rings through the plain loops on the top horseshoe-shaped dangle. Close the jump rings. Repeat this step for the other earring.

6. Open the ear wire using your chain-nose pliers and flat-nose pliers. Place the jump rings through the loop on the ear wire. Close the ear wire. Repeat this step for the other earring.

7. Place a 6mm round bead on a head pin. Make a plain loop, and attach the head pin to the bottom of the horseshoe-shaped dangle above it. Repeat this step for the other earring.

Note: To ensure the beaded head pin fits nicely into the horseshoe shaped dangle, you may want to lay the head pin on top of the dangle to judge how much wire, if any, you’ll want to trim before making the plain loop.

Note: Although centered, the 6mm round beads tend to lie on top of the horseshoe-shaped dangles; whereas, the 4mm round beads will fit more easily into the horseshoe-shaped dangles.

8. Place a 4mm round bead on a head pin. Make a plain loop, and attach the head pin to the bottom of the horseshoe-shaped dangle above it. Repeat this step for the other earring.

9. Place a 4mm round bead on a head pin. Make a plain loop, and attach the head pin to the jump rings above it. Repeat this step for the other earring.

sources: all materials from FusionBeads.com.

Today's Walking Tour of Wilkes-Barre's Murals

2010-12-18T15:30:00.001-05:00

This morning I had the pleasure of helping a group of local Boy Scouts earn their art badges. To start the day, I served as their tour guide and showed them all of the murals on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. The first mural we viewed was painted by John Pacovsky. Not only is John an artist, but he's the inventor of the Float Canvas (aka the Corner Canvas), which is produced by Fredrix Canvas.

These pictures do not do justice for John's mural work, but I was working on a tight deadline and wanted to keep things moving. It was freezing outside as well, so I snapped quick pics today.

John is an inspiration to me, and I'm glad to know him! To learn more about his work, click here.

Next, we viewed one of Leigh Pawling's murals. I love the pretty poppies. Check out the beehive hidden in the top right-hand corner.

Leigh is a well-known mural artist, and I actually helped to create her Web site. It was a fun project because Leigh is so colorful and has a wonderful sense of humor. Leigh also paints beautiful silks, so be sure to visit her Web site here.

Moving right along, we had the chance to check out Sean Brady's nifty wire work. Sean is a master working with wire. I can't imagine working on that scale. Sean's certainly a creative and talented artist.

When we returned to the Art Seen Gallery in Wilkes-Barre, I reviewed color theory with the scouts and they painted some fabulous creations using the three primary colors. Then my friend Gwen took over and helped them with portrait sketching and collage.

Finally, the scouts had a chance to view some of the artwork in the gallery. John Pacovsky's "Life Size Box People" paintings obviously pertain to animals as well. I love this cat painting. If I recall correctly, John mentioned that this is his daughter's cat. To learn more about John's Life Size Box People, click here.

Meow!

I'd like to thank the Boy Scout of America Troop 232 from Dallas, PA for being a great group of kids. They really were a nice group to work with, and congratulations on earning your art badges.

Speaking of Ornaments...

2010-12-17T17:03:00.000-05:00

~image used with permission by DRG Publishing~

This birdhouse ornament is a nice way to bring some of the outdoors inside for the Christmas season. I created this ornament for an article I wrote titled Gift of Love, which appeared in the December 2008 issue of Simply Beads. I didn't provide step-by-step instructions for this ornament in the article, so I'm pleased to post them here.

When creating this ornament, I was going for a shabby-chic look. Once the birdhouse is painted, this project can easily be completed within less than an hour's time. So, let's get started.

Materials

* Small, wooden birdhouse ornament from the Dollar Tree
* Americana acrylic paint by DecoArt in the following colors: Snow (Titanium) White, Burnt Umber
* American Painter #10 flat shader (series 4300)
* Super Thick tacky glue from Aleene's
* Turquoise beads from FireMountainGems.com
* 20-gauge wire from ArtBeads.com
* A twig from outdoors

Tools

* Wire cutters
* Round-nose pliers
* Chain-nose pliers
* Flat-nose pliers
* Garden shears

Instructions

1) Paint the birdhouse ornament with two coats of Snow White. Let dry between each layer of paint.
2) Apply some Burnt Umber using a dry brush technique, and gently wipe away excess paint so that the white paint shows through. Let dry completely.
3) Wrap some wire around a twig and create some fancy shapes with your round-nose pliers. I formed my wire to look like little flowers, and I added some turquoise beads.
4) Glue the turquoise beads and the twig onto the birdhouse. Let dry completely.

Now your ornament is ready to hang on the Christmas tree. Consider painting your birdhouse either red or green for traditional Christmas colors.

Original Artwork Featured in Celebrate 365

2010-12-15T22:31:00.003-05:00

~photo used with permission of publisher~

I'm happy to announce that one of my original paintings has been chosen for the winter 2010 edition of Celebrate 365.

I had just finished painting this piece titled Prim Snowman with Garland when I saw a call for artwork for this fabulous publication. This original piece of artwork is now available for sale for $149. It's painted on a piece of recycled wood using acrylic paints by DecoArt. The sides of the wood are painted, so you don't need a frame. It comes ready to hang.

This painting is based on my watercolor collection of prim snowmen sporting tall top hats. I was really in the Christmas spirit while painting and decided to give this dapper guy some stripes on his hat and a bit of holly.

As with all the sales of my original artwork, the artist retains the rights to the image, i.e., the copyright does not transfer to the buyer of the original artwork.

~photo used with permission of publisher~

It's a bit hard to see the artwork on this page, but my prim snowman is located in the top, right-hand corner.
Did I mention that my friend Sandra Caldwell of Babycakes Designs is also featured on the same page? Way to go, Sandra!

Be sure to check out this premier magazine for the ornament collector by clicking here. It's a terrific source for all who love collectibles.

Julius-In-The-Box

2010-12-07T22:15:00.000-05:00

Julius has a thing for boxes, and he likes towels. When he started frequenting this box, I decided to make it a bit more cozy, so I lined it with towels. He loves it!

Look at that face!

Julius also likes this box. It's a bit smaller, but it's a perfect fit.

Hey, Buddy!

2010-12-04T21:15:00.000-05:00

Calling All Vintage Toy Enthusiasts! John just listed this fabulous Buddy L merry-go-round truck on eBay. This vintage find is still in the box and is in mint condition. To learn more, click here.

There's nothing like scoring some good finds at an estate sale. Does this bring back memories for anyone? This little truck was a bit before my time.

John also listed this vintage Skipper doll on eBay. Click here for details.

This little beauty has never been removed from this box. The cellophane is still wrapped around her head. What a find, and here's to that special someone who receives it just in time for Christmas.

Another Beautiful Christmas Tree

2010-12-03T23:25:00.000-05:00

I had the opportunity to visit a local organization today, and I was delighted to see the Christmas tree in the lobby. The children did a fantastic job with the decorations.

A closeup photo shows the candy garland that makes its way around the tree.

Lollipops, snowmen, stars, and snowflakes make for great ornaments on this beautiful Christmas tree.

O Christmas Tree

2010-12-02T22:54:00.001-05:00

Wow! Check out these brightly-colored ornaments. Tonight's visit to Cracker Barrel brought not only good food but a ton of inspiration for the Christmas season. Hats off to their design team.

The plush ornaments on this Christmas tree are so adorable. Love that lime green color. Check out the fringe on the jolly ornament. It's so '70s.

Here's to the classic red and white designs.

Bring on the shine!

Now bring on some glitter.

And more glitter.

Ice, ice, baby!

Let It Snow in Paper Snowflakes!

2010-11-30T18:32:00.002-05:00

I finally finished the bulletin board I set out to decorate a few weeks ago. The snowflakes put me in a snowy mood, so I thought I'd put a snowman in there too.

This is what Mr. Snowman looked like before I dressed him up. I used poster board for the snowman, and I used construction paper for the eyes, mouth, nose, and buttons.

Of course, Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue® was my glue of choice for this project.

The arms and scarf were also made using construction paper. Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue® does a great job keeping everything together.

To make the nest, I used a piece of light-tan construction paper to serve as the base. Then I used shards of brown construction paper to represent the twigs. The cardinal was glued to the back of the nest. Not bad for the first try!

Let it snow in paper snowflakes, of course!

Holidayz Giveaway 2010

2010-11-27T11:37:00.002-05:00

Be sure to stop by the Merry Whatever blog to see what we're giving away for Christmas. We're featuring many giveaways from the Merry Whatever artists. It's our way of saying thanks for all your support this year and years gone by. Click here for more details.

Home Again on Black Friday

2010-11-26T17:24:00.001-05:00

Home Again was buzzing with customers today during the Black Friday shopping event. If you're looking for unique gifts, a visit to Home Again in Luzerne, PA is a must. You'll also get to see some goodies from yours truly since I dropped off a bunch of prim ornaments and earrings from my Recycle with Style™ jewelry line.

Mary, the store owner, is a master when it comes to staging a store. When you walk into this quaint boutique, you don't want to leave. In fact, a customer from New York said the very same thing this afternoon.

Mary decorated one of the front windows with a woodsy theme, which gave it that classic cabin feel.

This is just one of many Christmas trees in Mary's store. I was captivated by the ornaments made out of dried oranges, and I love the way Mary wrapped the tree in raffia. The tree skirt is by Capitol Earth Rugs. While in Mary's store, I bought a rug by Capitol Earth Rugs with the Penn State logo for a dear neighbor who is always dropping by with food. My neighbor is a big Penn State fan, so she's going to love the rug.

Here's a closeup of the tree all decked out in dried-orange ornaments, raffia, and tin stars. Just lovely.

The individual sections of this dried orange remind me of stained glass. I love how the lights on the Christmas tree cast a glow behind the dried-out pulp.

This white Christmas tree serves as a background for the display in the other storefront window.

~ A lovely, oak mantel decorated for Christmas ~

~ A closeup of the snowman on the mantel ~

I've never seen a lamp like this before with a Southwestern theme. For $200, this is certainly a good buy.

The bottom of this lamp also lights up. It's not as bright as the top, but it casts a faint glow.

Look at the hand-painted details.

~ The base of the lamp ~

I'm not a fan of the color red, but this bedding by Victorian Heart Company, Inc. is something to see.

Mary certainly knows how to create a fabulous place setting. Look at how she used a wreath as a charger for each dinner plate. Amazing!

Design Featured in the Simply Beads Newsletter

2010-11-24T12:49:00.000-05:00

I opened my Simply Beads newsletter this morning and was delighted to see my Autumn Takes Flight earrings project featured as the free project in the Volume 4, Number 16 (November 24, 2010) issue. This project originally appeared in the book titled Four Seasons of Beading by Barb Switzer.

Be sure to sign up for the Simply Beads newsletter for design inspiration and some fabulous projects.

To print a copy of this project, visit http://simplybeadskitclub.com/, and click on "Simply Beads newsletter," and then click on "free project."

Autumn Takes Flight

Design by Liz Revit
Get creative using resin charms to create these fabulous, lightweight earrings, adding whimsy to your autumn wardrobe. Swarovski® crystals add just a touch of sparkle to these fun-to-wear earrings.

Skill level

Intermediate

Materials

2 (3/4 x 3/4-inch) gold resin square charms
4 pewter spacers
2 (8mm) green pearls
4mm CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements bicone crystals:
2 light Colorado topaz, 2 topaz, 2 erinite
6 (1 1/2-inch) 24-gauge sterling silver head pins
2 (7mm) silver-plated jump rings
2 sterling silver ear wires
2 (3-inch) lengths 20-gauge dead-soft sterling silver wire
Round-nose pliers
2 pairs of chain-nose pliers
Wire cutters

Finished Size

2 1/4 inches long

Instructions

Using both pairs of chain-nose pliers, open a jump ring and slide it onto a resin charm. Close ring.
Form a wrapped loop at one end of a 3-inch piece of wire, attaching loop to onto jump ring attached to charm before wrapping. String a pewter spacer, pearl and a pewter spacer. Form a wrapped loop. Trim excess wire.
Slide a bicone crystal onto a head pin. Form a wrapped loop. Trim excess wire. Repeat two more times for a total of three beaded dangles.
Open loop on ear wire. Slide on all three beaded dangles and wrapped loop above pearl. Close loop.
Repeat steps 1-4 for second earring.

Sources: Resin charms from Plaid Enterprises Inc.; pearls from Blue Moon Beads; pewter spacers from Talisman Associates Inc.; crystals, head pins and wire from Fusion Beads; ear wires and jump rings from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.

Anticipation

2010-11-22T11:58:00.001-05:00

I'm honored to have some of my jewelry designs featured in the gallery section of Tammy Powley's soon-to-be-released book titled The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making.

As many of you know, Tammy Powley is about.com's jewelry making guide. It's been a pleasure working with her on my design submissions and getting to know her, especially during the summer when she needed the designers to submit more jewelry designs under extremely tight deadlines and specific photo guidelines. This time crunch actually forced me to figure out all of the fancy settings on my digital camera.

I'll keep you posted on the book's release date. In the meantime, you can order an advanced copy at Amazon.com.

Christmas Inspiration

2010-11-21T21:37:00.001-05:00

Although I haven't seen any snow yet, it definitely looks like Christmas. The stores are stocked with merchandise, and shoppers are out and about in full force. I love the way the visual merchandisers decorate their Christmas trees.

I snapped these two photos while shopping at Kohl's this afternoon. There are so many talented designers out there, and I encourage you to visit my friend Mary's blog at Home Again. Her store is all decked out for Christmas, and I can't wait to get over there for a visit.

What's on your decorating agenda for the Christmas season?

Snowflake Crafts

2010-11-16T20:07:00.000-05:00

I'm currently working on a Christmas project that involves snowflakes, and I've been playing around with different ways to create paper snowflakes. Six of the snowflakes on the left-hand side of this photo show how I adhered tulle fabric to the back of each snowflake. I'm not too crazy about the color choice of the tulle, so I decided to continue making the snowflakes without the tulle.

After designing the snowflakes, I sprayed each one with Aleene's Spritz-On Reposition-It Tacky Glue. Then I sprinkled on some silver glitter.

I love this product! It's so easy to use. Just a quick spritz, and a dash of glitter, and you're done. Aleene's Spritz-On Reposition-It Tacky Glue is a wonderful alternative to using regular glue and applying it the old-fashioned way, which is the time-consuming way.

Not Your Ordinary Charm

2010-11-06T17:16:00.001-04:00

I was asked to create a charm for a customer who had a special request. Two of her cats recently passed away, and she wanted to keep a little part of each of them nearby, so I gladly accepted the job. Fellow cat owners can relate.

She gave me a tiny, glass jug that contained some of the cats' ashes, and she asked me to create a charm for her bracelet. It took five feet of 24-gauge sterling silver wire and three feet of 26-gauge sterling silver wire to complete the job and lots of time to wrap the piece.

May she wear the charm in good health knowing that her little loved ones are always close by.

The Genius of Halloween

2010-10-29T23:00:00.001-04:00

There are Halloween displays, and then there's Eric's Halloween display. My friend Eric and his girlfriend Mary Ann gave John and me a first-hand tour of his most magnificent Halloween display tonight.

Eric is a mechanical/electrical genius. He can take any old motor or electrical part and turn it into a functioning object. Eric used an old fan to make this witch's head move back and forth.

Imagine the creativity it took to create this skeleton sculpture that stands two stories high. Eric is a design genius. He has both the technical knowledge and artistic ability to put together one of the most fabulous Halloween displays I've ever seen.

This mausoleum was my favorite prop in the display. Eric put it together, and Mary Ann did a fantastic job painting it.

Here's a closeup of the mausoleum. Eric explained how he built the structure with wheels to make it more mobile, and I love how he uses it after Halloween for storage. Hee! Hee!

Speaking of building things, I love how Eric put this bridal carriage together with old wooden palettes. That blue light makes for an extra creepy bride. If it were light outside, I would have gotten a better picture of the horse that Eric created for this prop.

This poor soul's been buried alive.

Here's a one-of-a-kind skellie that Eric designed. He makes his own molds and uses many different materials, such as foam. He really should look into licensing his artwork. He'd make a fortune.

This is my favorite shot of the night. This photo reminds me of my favorite 1970s horror flick titled The House of Seven Corpses starring John Carradine, John Ireland, and Faith Domergue. I can watch this movie over and over and over again. It's so cheesy, but watching it brings back fond memories of me sitting glued to my old black-and-white television waiting for the next scare.

This scarecrow really creeped me out. I don't like those hallow eyes.

~Just hanging around~

~Creepy~

This pumpkin sculpture overlooked the driveway as guests arrived.

Believe it or not, there's actually a television screen hiding behind this hooded ghost. When it's turned on, you'll see a picture of yourself in the screen. Scary!

Don't Fear the Reaper. Now I'm going to have to pull out my Blue Oyster Cult CDs. Now that I think of it, one of my favorite Blue Oyster Cult CDs is appropriately named Spectres. I so love the artwork on that album cover. The cat in the back with its arched back just screams Halloween. Click here to see what I mean.

This guy is just dying to get out.

Mr. Skellie is so cute.

~A lovely silhouette~

~The pumpkin patch~

If you're looking for a good scare or some honest-to-goodness Halloween entertainment, take a drive by this wonderful display. It's across from Pasquale's Restaurant on the Sans Souci Parkway in Hanover Township. You won't be disappointed.