Liz's Jewelry Now Available at The Lure of Sirens

I'm happy to announce that my jewelry is now available for sale at The Lure of Sirens just in time for the holiday shopping season. Be sure to stop by The Lure of Sirens, which is located on the third floor at Arts YOUniverse.
Carrey Ann, the owner of The Lure of Sirens, sells her artwork, gifts, jewelry, and belly-dance wear. Yes, she offers belly-dance lessons. Carrey Ann was hard at work when I stopped by.

Carrey Ann does a wonderful job displaying her jewelry and gifts. The store/studio is a great place to shop and visit.

Don't forget about the holiday craft fair that will be held at Arts YOUniverse on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7. Be sure to visit The Lure of Sirens during this upcoming shopping event. You're sure to find something for that special someone.

Day Trip to South Jersey

What a beautiful day it was for a drive to South Jersey. I love this town clock in Gibbsboro, New Jersey.

No trip to South Jersey is complete without swinging by the famous Berlin Farmer's Market, which is one of the oldest and largest indoor/outdoor markets on the East Coast. The seagulls were flying around the parking lot today as usual. I tried to get a snapshot of the little guys, but they were a bit too high for my camera today.

Besides all the fabulous flea market finds outside, I always have to stop by to see Ed at 5G's. He carries the largest selection of garden flags, and it was in his store that I first saw one of my designs on a garden flag in an actual store when I started to license my artwork (besides receiving samples from the manufacturer).

A trip to this market requires a stop at Lee's Produce. Where else can you get four lemons for $1.00, fresh mushrooms for $1.49, and a large container of fresh-cut fruit for $2.49? If you're looking for fresh produce at a reasonable price, Lee's Produce is your place.

~Back to Auntie Carol's for a peek at Simon snoozing on his quilt~

Holiday Crafting at Arts YOUniverse

We had a blast today at our holiday crafting event at Arts YOUniverse. Participants ranging from ages 6 through 90 were invited to attend our all-day crafting workshops, and we even had a guest photographer from the Times Leader show up to take pictures of the event. Be sure to watch the paper for the story next week.

Kathleen Godwin, executive director at Arts YOUniverse, taught students how to crochet with old fabric, make dolls, and make dream catchers. She also taught students how to make origami boxes, and she showed them some neat origami tricks, such as making Christmas trees and wearable rings using dollar bills. Kathleen is the origami queen!

I showed students how to make jewelry using recycled mat board and decorative art papers.

The students did a fantastic job with their recycled jewelry!

I also taught students how to use recycled brown paper bags to create these lovely, little decorations. These ornaments are stuffed with Christmas-scented potpourri, and they make for wonderful, folksy, primitive Christmas decorations.

Of course, I had to tell everyone why I came up with the idea for making these paper ornaments. Read more about that here.

A fun time was had by all today. We will definitely hold another crafting event like this in the future. Stay tuned for more fun.

Black Friday at Home Again

I dropped off several original paintings at Home Again just in time for Black Friday. This original oil painting is titled Christine's Relics. This painting features an old whiskey bottle and some wooden trinkets.

All the paintings I dropped off at the store have something to do with alcohol or cigarettes. And I don't even drink or smoke.

Babycakes Merry Whatever Blog

My friend Sandra started a new selling blog titled Babycakes Merry Whatever for artists to sell their artistic wares. Sandra invited me to join the site, and I've posted this original "Ho Ho Ho Santa" artist trading card for sale along with another card to match. This card was created in my traditional, primitive, folk art style using watercolors and ink.

To keep the Babycakes Merry Whatever blog fresh, artists must post at least two new items for sale each month. The subject matter must have something to do with any holiday; hence, the "whatever" in the blog's name. Stay tuned for more.

Today's Times Leader Article

I'd like to thank Times Leader reporter, Mike McGinley, for the wonderful article he wrote titled Home (made) for the Holidays, which appears in today's Times Leader on pages 1D and 6D. I had the pleasure of speaking with Mike about some of the craft projects that I'll be teaching at Arts YOUniverse on Saturday, November 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kathleen Godwin, executive director of Arts YOUniverse, and I will be conducting crafting workshops all day for folks ages 8 through 90. Join us for one or all of the workshops that we're offering for just $10. Visit ArtsYOUniverse to learn more.

The picture above shows a pair of earrings that appears in today's Times Leader article. I used recycled mat board and scrapbooking paper to create these earrings that I originally designed for a feature article that I wrote about crafting with kids for the December 2007 issue of Simply Beads. Here's a link to that post.

Please join us for a fun-filled day of crafting at Arts YOUniverse on Saturday, November 28. We'd love to see you!

Pre-Order Four Seasons of Beading Book

Four Seasons of Beading
image copyright DRG Publishing

Two of my projects are in the soon-to-be released book by Barb Switzer titled Four Seasons of Beading. If you're looking for some fabulous jewelry projects, be sure to visit Amazon.com where you can sign up to be notified when the book is released.

Last year's book titled earrings, earrings, earrings! was a huge success. So, I can't wait to see how this book turns out. I'll keep you posted on when I receive my copy. It's always exciting to see the book in print for the first time.

Until then, keep on making jewelry!

Liz Revit's Prim Goodies Available at Home Again

Here's a peek at some of the prim goodies that I just dropped off at Home Again. If you're looking for some unique, down-home, country gifts for Christmas, be sure to stop by Home Again at 69 Main Street in Luzerne.

These multi-use framed prints are great to hang on the wall, use as gift tags, or use as ornaments. The frames are made of solid wood, and they measure 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".

I also have some original, hand-painted ornaments available at Home Again. Two of the designs have been chosen to appear in the December 2010 issue of Create & Decorate. As a result, I'm unable to post a picture of them because they have yet to appear in the magazine next year. If you're curious, do stop by to see them in person at Home Again. You'll love the way Mary decorates her store for Christmas!

Extra Dry With An Olive

On Saturday, I was commissioned to do a painting of a martini glass based on the martini painting I donated to the Paper Kite Studio "free art" event in August. I started the painting on Saturday afternoon and worked into the wee hours of Sunday morning. When you're on a roll, you're on a roll.

I used a 9x12 gallery-wrapped canvas for the project. I initially created a pencil sketch of the design on the canvas, and then I transferred the design onto tracing paper. I then painted over the original sketch with three coats of Winsor & Newton ivory black. After the paint was dry, I traced the design onto the canvas and started laying in the color with titanium white by Premiere.

NOTE: If you're looking for a great acrylic paint at a reasonable price, try the Premiere brand. This paint is so smooth and easy to blend. I'm also amazed at how long this brand of paint stays on a palette without drying out. I work with a wet palette to add moisture and to prolong use of the paint, but this paint literally did not dry out while I worked on the painting throughout the night. The back of the paint tube contains a www.nicolecrafts.com Web address. I purchased the paint at A.C. Moore.

I found some fabulous music on Youtube while painting. If you're a Stones fan, you must see the version of Loving Cup as performed by Jack White and The Rolling Stones. Love that twangy voice that Jack uses for this song. Unbelievable! Here's a link.

Also, another gem I found on Youtube is some awesome footage of Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones. This "jam" music makes for great background music when you're painting. Here's a link.

Getting back to the painting project, the olive makes an appearance! I used DecoArt Americana brand paints for the other colors (green, red, and yellow).

Here's a splash of yellow.

Next comes the lettering. I have to turn the canvas sideways to paint the lettering. My drawing table is a bit messy at the moment.

I put the finishing touches on the painting last night, and I showed it to my client today. She loves it! I'm happy that it turned out to her liking.

Art prints will be available in the near future. I'll keep you posted.

Another Beautiful Day

While out for my jog, I saw some kids hanging around a campfire by the river. They looked like they were having lots of fun. One of the kids was running around without his shirt.

I snapped a picture of the last car on this train.

It was nice to take a break along the river.

Here's a picture of the Luzerne County Courthouse.

It was peaceful along the river today.

The night's starting to creep in.

Home to Julius napping in my chair.

What's New at Home Again

When you enter Home Again, you immediately experience that down-home, country-good feeling. Owner Mary Homza is a natural at decorating. She does a fantastic job at staging all of the furniture, home decor items, and accessories. Every time you enter the store, you're guaranteed to find something new.

This jolly, old soul caught my eye.

I love how Mary decorated this table in coordinating blues. The framed art prints are by Christine Altmann.

This lovely table was painted by Christine Crake Urban of Harveys Lake.

These candlestick holders were also designed and painted by Christine Urban Crake.

I love the way Mary put together this little corner of the store.

Last but not least is this handmade miniature bed. I couldn't resist taking a photo of this because I love the way Mary placed the stuffed cat on the bed. I'd consider buying this bed for Julius and Chiseler, but they're so used to sleeping on my furniture that they wouldn't even give this lovely, little bed a second look.

If you're in the area, be sure to stop by Home Again, which is located at 69 Main Street in Luzerne. Mary gets new merchandise in all the time. As a matter of fact, you just might see some of my hand-painted ornaments in her store next week.

Christmas 2009 ATC Swap

My good friend Sandra set up a Christmas artist trading card swap. If you're interested in participating, please visit Sandra's blog. All the trading information is available on her blog.

Beads and Bag from Africa

What a nice surprise! I received some wonderful gifts from a loved one in the mail today.

While visiting Rwanda, which is a country in the east-central part of Africa, he bought this lovely handbag for me. This bag is beautiful. As a surface and textile designer, I can really appreciate the wonderful pattern.

Here's the bracelet, which features brightly-colored clay beads on stretchy cord. This picture shows a wonderful closeup of the handbag's pattern.


This label is proudly displayed on the outside of one of the handbag's shoulder straps. I found the Web site for the organization that makes these handbags online today. The organization is called Ineza We- Actx. Be sure to check it out as they're doing a wonderful service for the women in Rwanda. Visit www.we-actx.org to learn more.

If you own a store and you're looking to carry unique, handcrafted items, consider these products. They're well made and more beautiful in person. Better yet, they support a good cause.

An Afternoon Walk Along The River

I took this photo while walking toward Wilkes-Barre along the river. Although you wouldn't know it from this photo, there were so many people out enjoying today's warm weather.

What a majestic tree.

Wow! The Susquehanna River actually looks blue today.

Here's our lovely downtown.

I love the rustic colors in this photo.

Here's a brighter version taken from the boat launch along the Susquehanna River.

Northeast Bead Extravaganza

After my jewelry-making workshop this morning, my friend and fellow artist Lynn Catnes stopped by Arts YOUniverse to pick me up for the Northeast Bead Extravaganza at the Genetti Hotel on Market Street in Wilkes-Barre. I ran into so many friends, students, and jewelry-making enthusiasts today. It was like homecoming. I even met a wonderful, young lady who is a pre-med student at Wilkes University, and she's a member of the ROTC. Thank you for your service to our country.

The folks at the Northeast Bead Extravaganza did a wonderful job putting together this event. If you didn't get there today, I highly recommend that you take a trip to visit the bead show tomorrow, which is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The vendors are topnotch.

Here's a peek at some of what we enjoyed at the show today.


First, let's give a round of applause to Suzy Porreca and Ivo DiPalma of Veni Vidi Beadi for putting on this fantastic show. Suzy was kind of enough to pose for this beautiful picture. Thanks, Suzy!

Suzy mentioned that they may have jewelry-making workshops at the show next year. Hmmm...perhaps I'll get a chance to teach at a future event.


I scored these fabulous dichroic glass tabs from Marcia Moore of Marcia Moore Designs. I can't wait to use them in my next jewelry project.


Here's a lovely picture of Marcia.

Then Lynn and I had a chance to stop by Talisman Beads to check out the new additions to their line of beads called "pewties." They added so many new beads to this line. I love this line of beads because they're so versatile. Here's a peek at some of what I picked up today.

Lynn also picked up some wonderful beads from Leslie of Twisted Sistah Beads. Leslie has a great selection of Miyuki Beads. Be sure to check them out!

After all of this excitement, I think I need to take a break to sift through my beads.