Summer Skies

I love messing around with filters and photos. Such beautiful colors. I just recently starting photographing amazing cloud formations in the early evening right from my back porch. My Sony Experia Ion does a great job (lovely 12 megapixel camera,combined with the 'Aviary' app).

'Geek Girls Of Etsy' Spotlight on FDart Studio!

It's been a hot one here this week on the east coast,we saw temps in the mid 90's all week with heat indexes in the 100's. It was a great week to be on vacation,though. The kiddo and I hit the beach, festivals,took in a few movies ('Despicable Me 2': very cute. Loved the minions.' Pacific Rim': everything a giant monster movie should be.Loved it!)
All good things must end, though and it's back to the daily grind tomorrow--hopefully with lower temperatures. What makes it bearable is the next vacation is only 28 days away :)

On to our 'Geek Girls Of Etsy' Spotlight of the day. Today we shine the light on an awesome father/daughter team,Floro Dery and Flor Dery who have combined into one awesome,artistic Etsy shop!

Here is their shop bio:

Floro Dery is an artist who has worked in animation for over 20 years. His work includes original concept designer for The Transformers: The Movie, illustrator for the syndicated Sunday Spider-Man with Stan Lee, and storyboard artist for the Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

Flor Dery is the daughter of Floro Dery. She is a major fan of anime and prefers to draw in anime style. Her art and crafts are a side hobby from her full time profession. Her work includes fan art, pins, magnets, handwoven bracelets, nail art, and keychains.

It is apparent that artistic talent runs deep in this family. Here are just a few of the awesome items in their shop.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151772930/female-kingslayer-signed-print-of

This hand-painted pendant is double-sided. Here is the reverse side:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/125971934/reversible-unicornmermaid-red-pendant

https://www.etsy.com/listing/157321444/unicron-decepticon-hall-of-heroes-signed

So many great beaded bracelets, but this is my favorite :)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/154774416/wonder-woman-beaded-bracelet

There are so many great items in this shop--be sure to go check them out!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FDartstudio

Scenes from the week...

It's been a brutal heat wave here in New England this week. I have found myself checking the weather app on my phone repeatedly for any signs of rain. Nope. Nada.
Anyways,it was a good week to be on vacation. Here are some pics of the highlights of our week.
Stay cool everyone!

Vacation,and a 'Geek Girls Of Etsy' Spotlight on SquirrelPhoto!

Ah,vacation.
We work all year to get to this point that we love. This is my 'stay at home' vacation. Kiddo is in a summer program he loves for a month,so day trips instead. My days this week are filled with relaxation,iced coffee (of course!),jewelry making,supply shopping,organizing and cleaning (which I actually do enjoy when I don't HAVE to do them). I will be hitting the annual festival at the park up the street later today. My bead vendor pal from Florida is there with her usual AWESOME selection and I am itching to do a little shopping!
We tried to go yesterday,but were drenched by downpours that came out of nowhere. According to doppler radar,it wasn't even raining in our area.Yet this was the view from where we took shelter...welcome to summer in New England...

I hope to get lots of better pictures of the festival today,if the kiddo ever gets up!

On to our 'Etsy Geek Girls Spotlight'! Today it falls on the awesome photography of SquirrelPhoto!
Here is a bit about the shop:

Kitschy urban retro geek-chic fine art photography. Prints and Greeting Cards. Please message me for any special requests -- I'm happy to accommodate!

And a little about El  herself from her Etsy bio:

I've been doing fine art photography for over 20 years with a range of film and digital cameras and darkroom development. I"m a critical care registered nurse (and part-time tutor for Microbiology and Anatomy) and have a passion for science, books, old top hats, squirrels, the atomic 50's, and capturing the creatively quirky pulse of life in New York City.

El's visions are freaky,gorgeous and amazing. See for yourself (all photos copyright of the artist)


https://www.etsy.com/listing/111464332/sheep-mask-5x7-fine-art-photograph


https://www.etsy.com/listing/104856773/suspended-dolls-5x7-fine-art



https://www.etsy.com/listing/105036974/classic-coney-island-burger-boy-5x7


https://www.etsy.com/listing/104919380/coffee-cups-nyc-winter-christmas-window

El states she takes custom orders as well. Be sure to check out El's amazing works here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SquirrelPhoto

Have a great weekend!

And the winner of the 'Sea Shades' necklace is...

SHERRI RADDAY!
Sherri, you will be getting an e-mail shortly
Thank you to all who entered, and for your wonderful compliments.
If you didn't win this time,check back frequently~this was such fun,I am thinking about making this a monthly feature!

Celebrating the 4th of July with a GIVEAWAY :)

Happy 4th of July to all of you out there celebrating today! Today is a busy day at our house: cookouts,visiting,yummy food,ice cream,fireworks. Then back to work tomorrow :/
 I am sitting here enjoying the morning coffee before all the festivities --today it's Green Mountain Dark Magic blend, iced with  light cream and a shot of blueberry. I was so excited to find BB&B had a huge selection if 'Skinny Syrups' in a huge assortment of flavors,including blueberry. Skinny syrup will make me skinny,right? You mean that is not how it works? Oh well, at least it tastes yummy.
(if anyone knows where I can find their pumpkin spice syrup,let me know. It was the only flavor they didn't have in stock and I adore all flavors and scents pumpkin)

So as I am sitting here taking in the day, I realize I haven't done a giveaway in forever. Giveaways are a blast, and it's chance to introduce new readers to the blog and I get to chat and get feedback from some really great folks. So let's do a giveaway!

Since summer has arrived here full blast, (it's already 82 degrees here at 9:00 a.m. expected to hot the 90's and HUMID) so I decided to go with a beach/summer themed piece.
I will be giving away one 'Sea Shades Recycled Glass Necklace' to one lucky winner!





The beads are made from recycled glass, in lovely sea shades of blue and green. They are strung on brown leather with a silver toned clasp. The original listing can be seen here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/78551086/sea-shades-recycled-glass-necklace
The color of the necklace the winner receives may vary a little(the original necklace sold long ago) as the beads are handmade (not by me) and have subtle variations.

All you have to do to enter to win? Comment on this blog entry in the comments section below~that simple!
You don't have to be a blog follower to enter, but if you'd like to follow the blog it will make me happy:)
Please be sure to leave some method for me to reach you if you are a winner and not normally a Blogger user!

The contest ends on 7/12/2013,and the winner will be picked on 7/13/2013 using a random number generator.
 So what are you waiting for? Get entering!!!

Sunday Morning Blogging,Coffee and a New 'Geek Girls of Etsy' Spotlight on Wyrd And Wired!

I have to say, I love summer Sundays. We don't have to get up too early(although I still seem to anyways). I can relax, sip my iced coffee, spend time having an actual conversation with my kiddo,browse the internet,work on orders for my Etsy. It's nice to not have to adhere to a schedule, especially after the busy week we have had between graduations and birthdays
.
My youngest kiddo graduated from elementary school on Monday. I am both happy and sad the same time. SO very proud of his accomplishments,but not really sure where all the years have gone? Seems like just yesterday I was dropping him off for his first day of kindergarten.

Also this week, our oldest turned 21! Her dad and I met when she was in kindergarten,so I was not there for that first day of school for her but I remember all the others. It goes by in the blink of an eye,really.
She had to work the day of her birthday (as is life in the real 'grown up' world) so we had her celebration last   night. This is one of the dinner guests she invited over...
 

and her red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting being melted by all those candles...


So as said, BUSY week. Enjoying the opportunity to sit down right now,have a cup of iced coffee --Green Mountain Breakfast Blend with Coffee Mate 'Thin Mint' creamer via my Kuerig Vue...and yes, it is as yummy as it sounds. Even better in these cute mason tumblers I found at Walmart.


Sit back, relax and enjoy a cup of coffee while we check out our 'Geek Girls Of Etsy' featured shop of the day. Today our spotlight falls on Wyrd and Wired!
Here is a little bit about Cynthia is her own words--

I graduated from college with a degree in studio art and a concentration in computer graphics, but quickly found that I missed getting my hands on my work. A California vacation for graduation led to a flash of inspiration, which led me to a spool of craft wire and some craft glass. Once I discovered the joy of wire wrapping, I was hooked.

My jewelry art is constantly growing and changing, but some themes will always remain the same. I love the sparkle of sterling silver wire and how old things - be they techniques, images, or objects - can be made new again. From knit wire to reused game pieces, I hope you will find something in my collection that you love as much as I do.

And here is her shop intro:

We're never too old to play, and my jewelry reflects that. Recycled game pieces, old comic books, and more go into each fun piece. Dice earrings, comic jewelry, and other playful pieces remind us that there is always time to play. Old and new, whimsy and beauty, go hand and hand in my earrings, pendants, and other jewelry. Many of my materials are reused in new and creative ways.

There are a lot of great items in Cynthia's shop, and I love how she is recycling old items into new and exciting pieces. I think one of the things I liked most about her work was how it was focused on written words.I am a sucker for anything that gives new life to old comics,books and magazines. These are a few of my favorites.



https://www.etsy.com/listing/124944359/comic-book-pendant-poker-chip-necklace


https://www.etsy.com/listing/124150897/steampunk-necklace-recycled-comic-book


https://www.etsy.com/listing/126730435/thesaurus-word-necklace-recycled-book


https://www.etsy.com/listing/126156153/thesaurus-word-ring-recycled-book

Be sure to check out the rest of the wonderful items Cynthia has in her Etsy shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/wyrdandwired
and you can also find her on Wordpress
http://craftygeeks.wordpress.com/

Thanks for checking in, and enjoy your weekend!