Lykke Li.

Now, I'm not usually one to write posts in adoration of musical artists. I don't usually review because I usually hear things by radio (I love Pandora), or movies. Or someone else's iPod. But every now and then an artist comes along that really gets to me, that blows me away, where at least 90% of his/her/their songs are enjoyable.

My musical taste is rather bizarre. I like alternative, indie, rock, some pop, to classical music, then to some heavy metal. On off days, I like rap. Not the vulgar, cussing-every-second trash that comes out of autotune or whatnot, but people like Missy Elliott and Ludacris somehow get into my brain and make me shake my rump a little. I also like techno and 80s music. I have some Dimmu Borgir CDs. Anyway, to the point.

Does anyone else know Lykke Li? She is a Swedish indie singer. Lately I've been getting enchanted by foreign artists such as Imogen Heap, Fever Ray, and Feist. But Lykke Li has some real charm to her electronic, "powdered-sugar pop" melodies. For Twilight fans, she wrote one of the songs for the New Moon soundtrack titled Possibility. That's when I first heard her, and I was intrigued.

Basically, her stuff is great. It's quirky, it's cute, it's lovable. But some songs, including Possibility and Time Flies, are almost haunting. I definitely suggest checking out her stuff, such as: Breaking It Up, Little Bit, Everybody But Me, and Dance Dance Dance.

Who are some of your favorite artists, ones you listen to over and over again without it getting old?

Saturday Spotlight.

I missed yesterday's featurette thing, so busy with school! Also, please don't forget about my big giveaway, it doesn't end until December 12th! (Scroll down.)

Today I'm going to feature thaimodish. It's about time I did! I love so much about this store: the unique style, the colors, the fair pricing (shipping is expensive, though). I've been pining after so many items I've lost count! Here are just a few of my favorites:







I would definitely love to own one of those pieces for Christmas. It's a bit out of my reach for now, but I can dream! :) Take a look, you'll be amazed.

The VAS sale was pretty slow, because there was a championship football game going on in the nearby stadium. Some sales were made, including one of my printmaking designs! *Squee!* I was so happy when the girl picked it out and showed her mother. I also traded in that tea-n-coffee stained painting for a lovely silk scarf with a fellow craft student. So, for me, it was a success.

I'm loving the response to my giveaway posted below. Also, I've recently received a few items I've won myself. I don't know how I've been living without Etsy and all of you fine folks behind it! The holidays just got brighter. :D

Rainy days.

What is it about rainy days that can get you kind of down? I'm not upset or anything, just... lethargic, yet still acting productive (going to class, etc.). Dark damp days just bring me down a little. Does anyone else experience this?

Also, I'd like to give a sweet shout-out to Autumn who runs NatureAutumn at Etsy. A few months ago I made my first purchase in her shop, but it never arrived. This was most likely because it got lost or held up at customs. She kept in constant contact with me, trying to figure things out as the days went by. A few days ago, she sent me a message saying she absolutely wants all of her customers to be pleased with her work, so she offered a replacement free of charge. (I paid $2.00 just to register the item for shipping so it won't get lost this time.) This beautiful item was more valuable than the first, so it's obvious that Autumn really cared about making me happy. Can you imagine getting this kind of attention in retail or big businesses? Not me.

Please visit her store and take a look around. I whole-heartedly recommend her jewelry and service to anyone.

Hopefully this weather will perk up soon! I know it's close to winter but... you know. :)

Thursday Treasury.

Hey everyone! Been trying to catch up on school work after relaxing this fall break (maybe a little too much relaxing, meh).

Earlier today I taught my first ever elementary class. It was nerve racking but exciting, too. Along with a fellow Art Ed. classmate, we taught three 2nd grade classes an art lesson, each 25 minutes long. It was kind of hectic setting up and touching up the lesson plan, but it worked out. All three classes were pretty well-behaved, and responded well to the lesson. Basically we taught them symmetry and color theory, utilizing a folded paper where they drew a symmetrical butterfly, then placed primary colors on each side that, when smushed together, created secondaries. They loved it! A little messy, but not horrible. Oh it was so much fun!! Hopefully I'll get pictures from Patricia and will post them here.

Also, won a giveaway recently for a beautiful pink tote, I'm anxious to get it! Annnd..

TADA! My first Treasury!! Take a look:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=72767

Friday Feature.

It's been such an interesting week. I'm happy to announce my second sale! My beloved landscape palette knife painting sold, and the buyer was so kind in her reply about my work that it really made me smile. I can't wait to ship it off tomorrow!

However, there is something else to announce: my first real Etsy feature with questions! Ilea from Gadget Gear has kindly allowed me to give her a short questionnaire; it's always nice to get to know fellow Etsians. Ilea specializes in making felt cases for gadgets (as the shop title implies), i.e. iPhones/iPods, cell phones, cameras, and more.

Lovely! Well, let's welcome our guest Ilea, and let's begin with...

A little info about you, that you're willing to let readers know.
My name is Ilea. I am 24 years old, and my full time job is working on my PhD (in Biology) at the University of Michigan.

How long have you been making cases?
I've been making cases for about 6 months.

Why did you decide to do this?
I had a lot of compliments from friends about a case that I had made for my phone and for a few of my friends, so I decided to try to sell them on Etsy and see what kind of response they got there.

Where do you get inspirations for each piece?

My inspirations come from a lot of things. Many of them come from nostalgia from my childhood, and others come from items that are important to me. Most of my cases have a little special meaning to me or a specific event that inspired them. For example, I made the shamrock case because I met my boyfriend on St. Patrick's day and I made the Koi case after one of my friends told me they were lucky. Some of my designs are just things that I think are cute or things that make me smile (like GIR; I don't think you can see him and not smile!).


So, you're about to make a new case. How do you start? What materials are needed?

I start with a long list of ideas (it's a very long list... some of the things that I'm thinking of making are a diet coke can - I can't live without it; Transformers, Mario, sushi, and one that looks like a box of chocolates). I pick whatever design strikes my fancy at that time. I then have to pick out the right colors for the case and cut the design out freehand. I use the pieces that I cut out the first time as a pattern so that I can make more than one case of that design. Finally I stitch everything together to make the final product.

What goes through your mind as you make a case?

I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so mostly I'm just thinking, 'Is that piece straight? Did I stitch that just right?'

Do you have any crafters, on Etsy or otherwise, that inspire and motivate you?

Everyone in my family is very crafty, so I had the opportunity growing up to learn many different types of crafts. So if any crafters inspire and motivate me, I would say my Mom and my grandmothers.

If there was one thing you could wish for, no strings attached, what would it be?

More time in the day. Sometimes I am very overwhelmed with keeping up with all of the little things with Etsy and work. I think a lot of people know that feeling.

Boy, I definitely agree there. More time, who doesn't need more time? Anyway, thank you so much Ilea for your time. Readers, feel free to visit her shop and peruse her items, they're all so diverse and cute! My favorite is GIR, of course. Love that lil' guy.

If you would like to be featured, please feel free to contact me! :)

Thank the Stars for Etsy!!

I'm so grateful for it. I've recently made my FIRST SALE to a wonderful person named Tyler; we're past associates on eduFire. Annnnd today I received the earrings I purchased from BelladonnaBeads. Not only did I get an amazing deal on them, but Shelley, the owner, was so kind enough to also send along a free gift of the rainbow candy earrings I'd been interested in prior to the sale. (A lot of links in this post, I know, lol.)

Absolutely gorgeous, the both of them! They'll look great in my ears when I can put them in. I recommend her to any jewelry fan ten times over, and I'll be back there again around the holidays for sure.

I'm still not sure what to do. So much great stuff is going on, I feel like I should give back, but I honestly can't find anything decent. Custom art isn't as popular as accessories and whatnot. Hm.. I'll figure it out soon, you guys, I promise.

Cute Greenman and Drawing talk.

Greenman Plaque (Moss), $15

How wonderful is this? I'd love to have that hanging on my wall. And only fifteen dollars? What a deal for such a beautiful item. It's not even small: it's 8.75 x 6 inches. If anything, this is a perfect Christmas gift. It was front page featured, too!

Got some good practice with atmospheric perspective over the weekend, drawing my little kitchen. It's much more difficult doing it outside, with trees, when the wind is blowing right in your face -- as we did today in class. I got graphite all over me! But it's a learning process.

I still don't know whether I prefer drawing or painting. I seem to be naturally better at drawing, but painting is smoother and... well, more colorful. I know drawings can incorporate color using pastels and whatnot, but I've never been too good with those. Hardly use them.

Regardless, though, we don't have a drawing emphasis program so I'll be doing painting either way. Still...

I hope you guys are doing well in your artistic endeavors! :)

Sunday's Secret.

From Postsecret.

This is my favorite out of the bunch this week... the fact that the submitter states they cheated on their eye exam, and it's emphasized by the misspelling of exam. Gotta love people.

Which was your favorite? Visit the Postsecret website and take a look. Also, for Twitterers out there, Frank's giving away an iPod Nano each day this week, so keep a look out for that one.

I missed an update yesterday because I was so busy printmaking. I'm a little flustered because I'm running out of black ink and can't get more from Hobby Lobby; also, prints are looking bad, either too much ink or too little ink. Gah!