So, I Love Use and Versatility!

Besides versatility, I prefer something that's cool or cute rather than plain. So, here come my Wristlets/Soap Sacks. They are great for holding business cards (especially during craft fairs and such), iPods, cell phones, tissues, soap (and soap scraps) and more. I haven't forgotten the guys this time either. Guy/unisex wristlets are also available!

On another note, I've added a couple more brooches to the store. They're great for adding flair to purses, backpacks, jackets, hats, scarves and anywhere else you'd like to add a pretty flower.

Welcome Gigit the Frog!

It's time to welcome Gidgit the Frog and her water lily to the animal granny square family. I had fun creating the rows of various stitches and the 3D water lily turned out quite cool. I can't wait to add another to my repetoire in the quest for a

blanket full of animals!



As for new items, I added this brooch and more will be photographed and uploaded over the weekend. These are a lovely addition to jeans, suits, jackets, scarves, purses, backpacks, hats and more. Always strive for that little bit of flair :o)

Los Angeles Zoo

Well, of course flamingos are always in zoos and usually toward the front. They started bickering and my mom especially wanted me to take pics.

I will say we made the best of our trip although the L.A. zoo leaves something to be desired. I hadn't been there in years and they're still under major construction of a lot of the same things that are still blocked and not open. I look forward to seeing large cats and reptiles. The reptile house was closed and there were only a few through the park. Also, many animals are in fenced in cages (terrible for pics) and deep in shadow and plants. Many were hiding too. It seemed like the antelope/gazelle types were the most visible.

My mom's absolute favorite animals are giraffes and I encourage any love of animals. Not so usually seen at zoos are these Masaii giraffes :o)
I've gotten my mom pins, clothing, whatever I can think of with giraffes on them.

And last but not least are some of my favorites. I'd say my top

faves are wild cats and reptiles, also unusual animals. These two came out particularly nice :o)

Back to You

Well, I started off my day in L.A., CA by going to my annual painting spot at Color Me Mine (a paint on ceramics place). I always decide what I want to do before so I can print out a lot of reference photos. This year, I decided to paint and squirrel monkey and baby on a plate. I'll upload a pic when I get home though it needs to be fired first at this point. I was rushing because I can easily spend 7-10 hrs there. It opened at 11am. My mom came along too and it was a bit after 12 by the time we sat down to paint. She painted a surprise for my sister and couldn't stay too long since she was meeting someone. I was rushing to finish by 4pm and went a little over on time but all worked out well.

The whole time issue was to make it to see a taping of Back To You, the tv show with Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton. It is a really well written show. Other than the studio being freezing and the random lines seeming inefficient, you could tell that the actual production was filled to the brim with seasoned professionals. There were only 2 or 3 takes per scene with a couple exceptions. Sometimes it runs to 10pm but it refreshingly let out around 8pm. Not that I wouldn't have been happy to see more but I don't like being cold ;o)

Some scenes were recorded ahead of time which is why things didn't take as long. The majority of the scenes were with Grammer, Heaton and the young girl who plays Grace. Other than seeing a game show when I was quite young, this was the first sitcom I've seen on set. The girl who plays Grace was exceptionally professional. I don't think I could ever keep a straight face through the majority of those scenes. This is the episode when she find out that Chuck, played by Grammer, is her father. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but the director, writers and actors are really great and a lot of fun. I'm not exactly sure when the episode will air, we were told 4-5 weeks.

Tomorrow, I'm heading to Sea World for the day, will update when I can :o)
~Rachel

Welcome Bruno the Monkey to the World!

I had so much fun creating this pattern, it kind of just developed itself. I made the dog and cat patterns because of a request I saw but once I started with making up animals, I'm on a kick. My plan is to keep creating until I have a blanket full for me. Yay! I let my sister know which other animals I had in mind and she loves monkeys, so Bruno was born!
In the beginning, I planned for the same look but as I was working, the open mouth and banana slices came to mind and now I find him beyond adorable :o)
I got the look of puffy and lacy stitches that I wanted so happy it all worked out.

Tomorrow, I'm leaving for L.A. for a vacation so looking forward to some nice relaxing time. I'll update when I can but will have limited access. Hope to have more fun things to put up when I get back.

Stay tuned for information about my upcoming class for beginning crocheters. It'll be 2 session and the plan so far is for late June/July.
~Rachel

Shelter - A linocut original print

An Explanation of Original Prints and Ranking:

I put everything I had into this printmaking class. We printed hundreds in hopes of perfection. The original edition was no more than 25 of closest to perfection pieces. I am offering a choice of quality (A, B or C) on Etsy because that made the most sense. There are maybe 15-25 APs that will be offered at most.

An Explanation of the Image:

I wanted everything I had and put into the class to be mine. I chose to create images to illustrate poems and prose I had jotted down previously, those phrases that just jumped out at me with an image.The linoleum board is carved into with the mirror image of the print (the reverse of the words too) with carving tools. A brayer is used to smoothly roll out the ink and then apply it to the cut. Paper is laid over and then it is rolled through a printing press. A barren or wooden spoon may be used as well. Then the paper is removed and placed on a rack to dry. This print features a young girl sitting against the brick wall of an alley holding a cup with a dollar bill and reads "Shelter herself from the truth of the LIGHT"

I just love the boldness and stroke marks you get when working in this medium. It's been a while since I've last done a linocut. Hopefully I will have time for another within the next couple months. I have to work on a smaller scale at home though :o)

Here is the New Pattern :o)

Well, adding this in the last post was giving me issues so I'm attempting it again.
Over the weekend, after some trial and error that drove me crazy, I finally finished my Cat and Heart new granny square patterns. I'm just offering the patterns on Etsy. I only have the patience to make one of each. I plan to continue adding animals to my granny square offers and eventually end up with a blanket for myself.


The patterns will be offered on Etsy. So, you can choose your fave 1 or 2 animals or end up with the whole set too. The process will take months but I love animals and look forward to creating them.

**Stay tuned: I will be offering a Crocheting 101 for beginners class toward the end of May online.

Flower Painting

While working on my MA, I assisted in some after school kids classes at the Y in Manhattan. The best deal was that for every class I assisted in, I got to take one for free. I ended up taking workshops in encaustic, collage and resin. As for classes, I took mostly painting and jewelry making but some drawing as well. Having the allotted time and schedule allowed me to be very productive.
This is an oil of a still life on a 10" x 10" canvas. I set up the fresh flowers and just wanted a pretty and light painting. It is definitely not one of my usual themes but I focused on still lives for that class the entire semester.

Now available on Etsy.

Two yellow flowers, a daisy and a rose. Both were done for personal atc trades at http://www.artsforall.com/. I have a few more cards to finish up before I take my hiatus.

Meanwhile, I had a fun weekend...creating my first pattern I'm offering at http://topacelot.etsy.com/. It sold 3 times in the first 24 hours! A cute little puppy and bone. And now, I'm off to karaoke :o)

Birds of Prey

Well, I started out with the Ferrungious Hawk, then worked on the Bald Eagle, then the vulture...and the owl became more cartoony (I've done so many more realistic owls that I wanted a random little guy..)

So, hope you enjoy! I'm at work on more and will keep you posted :o)

I skipped a day :o)

Well, let me dazzle you with atcs of this past Jan. Next time I upload I'll show you my recent Birds of Prey atcs :)

All have homes around the world, the elephant is now in Singapore, the Sea Otter is in Australia, the wolf is in Minnesota, The Joy of Travel is in Washington, the bear is in Alaska and the giraffe is in England. :o)

New Things!

Here is my newest Etsy added hat!

My model for more hats has been delayed but should be up within the next week, so check back for more colors and looks.

I also completed 4 birds of prey atcs for a swap and will post them tonight or tomorrow so keep an eyes out for new art!

~Rachel

So here's the first glimpse before I put my duck on Etsy

Male Mallard

Mar. '08
Rachel S.

Well, I have plans this weekend to photo a new model for my hats and then play Blackjack. So plan to see more hats and colors! Also, I finished a watercolor of a Mallard Duck that will be in my Etsy store. Mention reading the announcement in my blog via convo on Etsy and receive 10% off duck. Let me know before you pay and I'll make the adjustment.

Working on a vulture atc also. I already finished a bald eagle and Ferrungous Hawk. I will need to finish a fourth "bird of prey" for the swap and will post them here when they're done :o)

Say hi somewhere if anyone's reading me and thanks to all who do!

so again I'll leave with a few select atcs from last year among the chatter....top woman "The Look" went to merricat I think and the Female Forms 2 and 3 went to wackystuff...the dragons have different home, the Tribal Dragon has a home with me :o) .....I forgot the home the Western Painted Turtle went to but it's in my 20 or so page Excel tracked trades somewhere

A bit about the earlier posted atcs

The rainbow skull was either a dare or make me happy atc done in sharpies.

The hot pink girl was done in sharpies, highters, gel pen and nail polish. She was a dare too and I just love random bold colors women.

The toucan was traded and done in sharpies with some added colored pencil.

**I plan to add one or 2 fine art pieces to my etsy store over the weekend.
www.topacelot.etsy.com

Well, I told myself to take a break...

so finally after picking up groceries I picked up dinner and after computer things for an hour finally sat down and had dinner for the first time since Sun....so I'll just go and find a few atcs I did last year around this time to share :o)

My Art this Time Last Year

Well, I thought I'd share a few atcs I created last year. I have a few or more styles that come out based on mood, look I want and how the subject strikes me. So here are Flower Guardian with a bit of my graphic patterning side. It was traded long ago.

Then there is the Gold Cat. That card was a dare of an all gold card (it is, the gold just flashed a bit too white in the middle). So, I based it on a photo of her cat. I've done a lot of cats in all styles, just love creating animal art.

Sun Goddess was also done around the same time. I love making these strong and bold graphic women and faces as one of my usual themes.

The Brown Hat

So I uploaded this quite hippie hat today. It turned out pretty cute with the small border. This is one that I think, hmm, how much brown do I have because I might want one for myself :o)

On my to do list this week is a postcard and a handful of atcs to send in for some trades and swaps. I will upload at least one when I'm done. We shall see what style comes out!

Hello everybody

I have been crocheting for almost 20 years, known for precision, consistancy, simplicity, class and style. My hats have been shown and sold in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens in New York as well as Los Angeles, CA and Teaneck, NJ.
About 8 years ago, I made my mom a hat. After being stopped on the street and in many stores with compliments and inquiries she simply told me, make more. So since then I've been making them and selling them mostly in the New York area for 7, 8 years so far. They add class and style while keeping your head warm in cool weather or on cool nights. Recently I opened up an Etsy store http://www.topacelot.etsy.com/ to reach a wider audience.
As for artist trading cards, I've made and traded over 1500 in the past year and a half or so. Within the community, which has recently moved to http://www.atcsforall.com/ I have also traded pages, dominos, charms, inchies...is that it? Maybe for now :o)