It's Art Day!

Did you know that today is Art Day? I didn’t know until someone posted it to Twitter. This makes me happy. Everyday is art day at my studio! But some people don’t get any art in their lives so I think having Art Day is very important, especially for the kiddies.

“Artists for A Better World International member, Becky Mate, is the founder of an international holiday for artists of all disciplines called Art Day, which falls annually on the second Friday in August. Since 1998, she has let people around the world know that such a holiday exists.

“Art Day is the perfect time to celebrate creativity and bring joy to others: draw a picture, compose a song, write a poem or story, paint, have a party! In short, Art Day is about bringing a smile to others and forwarding the concept of creating a better world though aesthetics.”

I like that last part: “creating a better world though aesthetics”. I think aesthetics are under appreciated. Much can and has been said about having beauty around us and how that affects us psychologically and physiologically. I know for me personally, if I don’t have stimulating art or soothing images in my house, I get cranky. Also, I get cranky being in places that have aesthetics that displease me. The run down parts of where I live bother me not just aesthetically because these aesthetics bring to mind thoughts of poverty and suffering. That’s why I am a huge fan of public art projects in the parts of town that could use some improved aesthetics. It really can change things, get people involved in their community when they might otherwise have not been involved, and it lets visitors know we care about our city.

I do really believe we can create a better world through aesthetics. Art Day is a good start! Now I’m off to make some art!

Etsy Twitter Team: Shop of the Week: Safiya Beauty

Everything about Nailah Safiya Blades’ shop at SafiyaBeauty.etsy.com is sumptuous. She creates natural bath and body products that merge natural and eco-friendly ingredients with luxurious indulgence. You can moisturize, polish, make suds, lather, and soak with her products.

Her shop announcement says, “Safiya’s philosophy is to provide you with the finest, purest natural and organic products, but never at the risk of neglecting your need to feel beautiful and smell delicious. Our products contain only what is absolutely necessary to make the absolute best product for your body without sacrificing your desire to feel fantastic.” It makes me want to check out her shop for something that will make me feel soft and pretty. I’m sure I won’t be disappointed!!

Nailah wants you to know that she works “very hard to make sure that my products are made with the very best ingredients I can find. I think as a culture, we pay very close attention to what we put into our bodies but not so much what we put on them, which is just as important. Because of that, all of my products are made with natural ingredients and contain no parabens, phthalates, or harsh preservatives. I also strive to provide an environmentally friendly product and go to great lengths to ensure this.

“I’m an indulgent person and I think that shows through with my products. I really enjoy creating products that will transport my consumer to their own little private spa. I love using creamy butters and skin-loving vegetable oils because they create such opulent products. I’m also slightly inspired by food! All of my bath bombs are cookies or cupcakes – I have a major sweet tooth.”


You can even see the indulgence in her products through her photos. The way the butters peak up firmly, you can tell they have a lot of body to them and will be luxuriously creamy.

Her favorite thing about her craft is “how the finished product makes others feel. I love watching someone try my body butters for the first time and see their eyes light up as they rub it into their skin or as they smell the scents. That’s definitely my favorite part!”

About Twitter: “I love Twitter! I think my biggest piece of Twitter advice would be to make sure it’s not all about you. I try to ‘RT’ [retweet] others or share articles that others may find helpful. I also use Twitter to announce any specials on my shop or when I have new blog posts.”

Are you looking for the perfect gift or favor? Custom and wholesale orders are welcomed by Safiya Beauty! They offer private labeling for weddings, showers and parties.

Follow her on Twitter @safiyabeauty
Read her blog at www.safiyabeauty.wordpress.com

Special for this Week: 15% off your entire order – just mention “EtsyTwitter” in the seller’s notes and she will reimburse you via PayPal refund.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade SafiyaBeauty.etsy.com

All photos copyright to Safiya Beauty/Nailah Safiya Blades

Reposted from my original post at Etsy Twitter Team: Shop of the Week: Safiya Beauty

Robot Army in My Garage - I Wish!

I don't normally blog Etsy Treasuries that I didn't create or that I'm not in. Once in a while, one comes along that strikes my fancy, and this one did just that. One of my Twitter friends made it.

Created by KissMyConfusion.etsy.com
Expires August 3rd

I adore assembled robots made from junky and/or antique parts!! My normal practice is to say, “Oooh! Nice Treasury!” and maybe click on a few items. But not this one. I savored each of these listings to their full degree. I hearted some shops and items. Unfortunately, most of these are too expensive for my art-buying budget. So I can only hope I’ll win the lottery and can buy all of them someday!

My secret dream is to have a studio in the garage where I can do this kind of work. I’ll go to every garage sale and flea market I can find and hoard old bits of kitchen gadgets, tins, and hardware. Then, back at my secret lab, I will gather my finds, produce little bits of robot love, sprinkle in a good measure of Artificial Intelligence, and voilá! A small army of awesome robots to defend my hardware stash from my hunny throwing it all out because, as he says, “We don’t need any more of this junk!” Mwwuuuhahahhahaha!! It’s the perfect plan! Next stop: Global Etsy domination!

Follow @KissMyConfusion on Twitter
More info about KissMyConfusion

Etsy Twitter Team: Shop Of The Week: Glitzy Events

Kimberley Williams, of Glitzy Events has one mission: to provide high quality products and personalized service her clients. Whether working with brides-to-be, or those planning graduation, anniversary or other celebrations, Glitzy Events is a one-stop source for everything from gorgeous, fully customized invitations to products such as unity & memorial candles, place cards, menus, programs, etc.

Born out of Kimberley's frustrations while planning her own wedding, Glitzy Events is happy to design something unique for a customer. "We can take any design in our shop and customize it completely for our clients. If a client loves our work but wants something a little different we will work with them until we can come up with a design that they love. We don’t charge any additional design fees as we feel that this is part of the custom process." Located in New York, the shop currently ships to the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK and is always happy to provide shipping quotes for other International customers.

With a full service website as well as an Etsy location, Kim's always looking for ways to save time and has found Twitter to be very useful in reaching new clients. "Twitterfeed.com has been an extremely helpful tool. As I list new items they are posted to my Twitter account automatically within 30 minutes which then results in immediate views for my products. Using this tool saves me a lot of time and allows my products to be seen by hundreds of people almost instantly. This has helped me to connect with other professionals within and outside of my industry. These connections lead to referrals which lead to sales."

Glitzy Events is offering two specials this week:

- Become a Fan of their Facebook Page (http://facebook.com/GlitzyEvents), leave a comment on their Wall, and receive 5% off your full invitation order

- Order 2 or more INVITATION samples and get free shipping. Refund to be issued via PayPal.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade GlitzyEvents.etsy.com

Reposted from the Etsy Twitter Team blog: Etsy Twitter Team: Shop Of The Week: Glitzy Events

All photos in this post copyright to Glitzy Events/Kimberley Williams

I’ve Got Class. No, Really!

I've been working on my art journaling this week. If you have not started doing this already, I really recommend it. It’s fun and a great way for us visual types to learn about ourselves. I can’t say I’m really good at it yet. Something just hasn’t clicked for me with the process. I’m missing something. So when I found the book, The Creative Entrepreneur, I knew it was the right one for me. It’s full of visual journaling prompts and interactivities. My brain is soaking this stuff up like water!

I blogged recently about this book. As I did some digging for links for that article, I came across a class the author is offering about art journaling. Usually the class is $39, but it was on sale for only $19 as a Summer Camp Special. I signed up post haste!

The class is called “PowerFULL, Magical Visual Journals” and is described as “Life changing ways to create with a purpose. Learn how to create a visual journal from the plainest of blank books and turn it into your own unique tool to navigate your life and work.”

The class includes a 90 minute self-paced mp3 tutorial, full-color course workbook loaded with examples and visual journal prompts, and access to a private workshop discussion forum moderated by Lisa Sonora Beam (the author).

Wheee! Just what I need to take that extra step! I’m so excited!! In fact, I’m too excited still to even look at the materials! So I’m waiting for my brain to stop saying, “Wheeee!” so I can look at this stuff with some mental clarity. C’mon, brain, don’t fail me now!

Kristen, the Etsy Twitter Team Co-Leader, is also a Creative Entrepreneur Junkie. I let her know about the super good deal on the class, and she signed up, too. I look forward to sharing notes with her and looking at her work. She is extremely talented. She’s the brains behind the whole Etsy Twitter Team operation, actually. She comes up with the best ideas ever.

If you’re into this kind of thing, why not join us? Let me know if you sign up, too, and we can share our experiences. Remember – you cannot make art in a vacuum. It takes community!