Zoa Art

1000Markets

2009-11-08T09:18:00.011-05:00

The story of my life...........Its been awhile ...........Again.......

I really want to blog but I just cant seem to sit myself down to do it.I think its the whole typing thing.I hate it! I just have to work past this hate of typing and move on.I know, I really do.

Okay so I'm trying out 1000Markets with my finished work,http://www.zoaart.1000markets.com/ . I'm still working on a new website but its slow going, sooooo for now I'll give this a shot and see what happens.

I really like the look of this site I found called BigCartel. My friend Lynne Hope is useing it and it looks so great! http://www.lynnehoppe.bigcartel.com/ .That just might be in my future.hmmmmmm.

Here are a few of the pieces I listed at 1000Markets.

And a few that I still need to add.......

More thoughtful typing later.........

Etsy update......

2009-10-18T11:23:00.011-04:00

We have been working extra hard on trying to get our studios setup and get orders out and stuff on etsy.Well our studios are workable and we have new things on etsy! Yippy! Still working on orders.............

So here are a few of the goodies.The long awaited tortured hearts.......

And components.......

Check out the etsy shop http://www.zoaart.etsy.com/ .The hearts usually dont last long.

So I'm reading this really great book and I'm contemplating how to blog about it without being to goushy,emotional or personal. Its so easy to cross that line with being to personal and I'm just not sure I really want to go there. Its hard for me to open up in that way here on the blog and I dont know why.Well I do have stong opinions soooo that may have a lot to do with why. Anyway I'll have to think about this.

Untill the next time.........Peace

Sacrifice and the end of an era........Change

2009-10-08T13:11:00.012-04:00

Well here we are again and it has been awhile.So much has been going on in our live's I'm not sure where to begin.........I gess at "Sacrifice".

Everyone nows how much I love our building.I mean I've said it so very often " I love this place".

But........I love my dogs even more and thats why we have decided to give up the building and move into a house with a great yard!Oh my gosh! Yes! We have moved again! LOL!!!!!!!!!

So let me tell you about our new adventure.

This summer we just realized that the dogs needed more than just walking a hundred times a day.They needed fresh air and a yard to run in,they needed to bask in the sunshine and lay in the cool shade,they need to roll in the grass and dig in the dirt.We all needed a change. Tony and I started looking for a house and we found the most perfect little place in Downtown Greenville,SC.We are so very excited! To see our place you would never gess we lived downtown.It's wooded and our yard is big! We have this fabulous deck out back that overlooks a brick patio with a builtin fire pit and a yard that has a wood privacy fence.Its soooo perfect.......We love it and the dogs are just crazy about the yard.We could'nt be happier with our choice, the house and downtown Greenville.We have loved this area since we moved back from out west. It's not a huge city but bigger than Asheville or Spartanburg. The city has just really grown in the last several years.There is always something going on........We love it!We have great neighbors and everyone has dogs and there out walking them and socializing. And the funny thing is we already new the girls that live beside us,Patricia and Helena.We did'nt know it at the time and when we moved in we met them and Patricia was like " are you zoa art?" and come to find out that we met them at a bead show once and they are friends with good friends of ours. So how cool is that? Oh my gosh I love it! Patricia makes glass beads and jewelry so you'll see her name here alot.Oh and Lucy has become great friends with the chocolate lab "Emma" at the corner of our street and has play dates with her.I can go on and on,there are so many great things about this place. Here are a few pictures of the back yard...........

Lying in the sunshine......

Digin in the dirt......

Playin in the grass......

Are you wondering what happen to the building? Well a great couple has bought it.They are just married,young and both of their familys are from Inman,SC. He's a photographer and she loves to paint so this was a perfect match.I know they will love the building as we did and even more.

The end of an era.......I hope your ready for this one......Tony and I have decided that we will not be participating in" The Bead & Button Show" next year.I think its safe to say we are not going to be doing any bead shows next year.
I will be working on our website trying to get a shopping cart up but till then you can continue to shop with us on our etsy store http://www.zoaart.etsy.com/ for all your zoa art needs and wants.

Change? Oh yahhhhh. I do love change.........Stay tuned for more updates........

Etsy update !

2009-09-03T21:05:00.010-04:00

I know 2 blogs in one day! What the heck is wrong here!

Just wanted you to see the things I added to our etsy shop.........

Bone links.....

Bead caps........

Round domed pendent w/ bumpy's......

And 2 shibuichi layerd hearts.........

And these great little earing componets..........

Today's picture

2009-09-03T14:31:00.006-04:00

I was working outside today,taking pictures of components for our etsy shop. Zen and Lucy just did not like that I was out there by myself. So they sat in the window and howled at me. I just could'nt resist taking there pictures in the window.

Zen really can't stand for me to even leave the house.

Have I told ya all how much I love these dogs ?

Oh I just had to put one more picture up! This is Lucy styling her "Tattood Bitch " collar.

She's so dam cute!

Check this out!

2009-08-29T09:18:00.008-04:00

Have you seen the new Handcrafted Jewelry magazine from the editors of Beadwork ?

So beautifully done and one of my favorit artist painted the backgrounds of the pages,
Cori Dantin. Find Cori's work at http://www.corid.etsy.com/ .

I love that they added such a mixture of arts.Oh and not to forget that I also have a project in there.You'll find that on pg.77.
This bezel is featured and I just added more of them to our etsy shop http://www.zoaart.etsy.com/ .

I will also be adding some of the bone links later today.I still need to take pictures of them.
Go now and get your copy of Handcrafted Jewelry.............

So far.........

2009-08-23T10:25:00.004-04:00

I got my camera back and so far so good. Lets keep our fingers crossed for the metal shoot later today.

Anyway here are a few pics I just shot.

Zen and Lucy all snuggly together.........

And my very messy studio........lol......I've been workin.

More pictures soon..........

Arrrrrrrrr!

2009-08-08T09:04:00.002-04:00

Once again I'm without my camera.
I've really been stuggling with my new camera and even taken it back to Best Buy several times for them to poopoo my struggles.Well yesterday I'd finally had enough,knowing it wasnt me but the camera. The "Geek Squaud" took it and said it would be a couple of weeks to send it off and then get it back?????? WHAT! This bit of info left me more than irritated. There is definitely something wrong with the camera and I bought it that way so just give me a new camera! But no......I just love the customer service these companies provide.This is one of the number one reasons we should spend our money with small businesses. We may spend a little more but its so worth the customer service you get back.Never again "Best Buy" never again..........
Just had to vent today...........

Etsy Shop Sale!

2009-08-04T17:42:00.007-04:00

Hello everyone........From august 5th to the 12th we will be having a sale in our etsy shop www.zoaart.etsy.com .Everything is marked down $5.00.So when you see the price its already marked to the sale price and on august 13th the original prices will return.

And then next week my goal is to have finished jewelry in our shop.

Oh yah and that giveaway!..........I'll have that posted by this weekend.So be looking for it.......

Untill then.........

I'm Back!

2009-07-30T08:09:00.007-04:00

Back from a long week away.

It's nice to see family and old friends but totally draining.We had a crazy week running here and there and everywhere.

Here I am with my Dad.

The girls..........This little stawberry blond is my little sister Erica's daughter Lyric. She could'nt wait to play with her cousin's.

Here is my sister Erica and my girl Ashleigh.They are so beautiful........

Ash and her Pappy........

We all had a great time and can't wait to visit again.

Cousins.................Nathea and Lyric.

So coming up next week will be another giveaway and I'm thinking an etsy sale.

I really want to work on the website and add a shopping cart so I can seperate finished jewelry pieces from componets.The components will be for sale on the website and finished jewelry will be in the etsy shop. A lot of work for me ahead but one I'm ready to jump into. So we'll see what happens........

Okay to work I go........

Working

2009-07-18T16:46:00.006-04:00

Silver,bronze,copper and some shibuichi..........

I love these bumpy domes.

I'm taking a road trip next week with my girls.

We are on our way to PA. Most of my family has not seen Ashleigh in years. And they have never meet her girls. So I'm excited that we get to go visit and have a girls trip. Lets see a 9 hour road trip.........Hummmm......Wish me luck.

YaYa's girls...........

And The Winners are.......

2009-07-13T08:17:00.006-04:00

Oh did I say winners?
Yes I did!
We had so many comments that I thought there has to be 2 winners.So there are and those winners are..........
lilibulle http://www.lilibulle-illusions.blogspot.com/ and
Vivian http://www.desertbloom.typepad.com/

Thanks so much to every one who commented and keep checking this blog and dont ever give up on me. I know I fall behind sometimes and I'm a little slack on posting but I'm trying to do better.Its a goal........Now if I could only get Tony to post more again.You all know his posts where fun.I have an idea.......On this post why dont you all make comments to Tony to encourage him to write.

Those of you who have never got to read any of my husbands post have really missed out.When we first started this blog thing Tony did all the blogging,I was terrified of the computer.And he had quite the following...........Yea he's good.

Well thanks again and I am already picking stuff for the next giveaway.I promise it will be as good or even better.Lets just say I'm gonna get real creative............

So Lili and Vivian send me your info to zoaart@yahoo.com and I'll get your goodies in the mail.

Did Someone Say Giveaway

2009-07-10T16:26:00.007-04:00

Lets see what we have here............

A bronze wing w/ a green patina.........

One of our new bumpy oval pieces.........

Some light charms..........

And a few sweet headpins.........

Since I havent given anything away in awhile I thought I'd make it worth the wait.

I hope you think its worth the wait?............

Well any hoo........You know the drill.........Leave a message and on Monday I'll draw a name.Yes I said Monday.So be checking in to see if you win.

Oh and by the way if you commented on the last post your name will be added.

Happy weekend!

Etsy Update !

2009-06-27T12:13:00.014-04:00

Finally I've got a few good pictures!

I have been working really hard on the photos but I'm stuggling with the new camera.So bare with me.

Thank you Zen for teaching me patience.Your such a sweet boy.........

Okay so the etsy update.....Here are a few pics.

Check it out.........I think I put 8 new pieces up.

So Tony and I have been really enjoying Greenville,SC. Just a short ride up the road from us.

Last weekend we went to the Reedy River Falls Park for an outside play of

A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Heres Puck........

And the Fairy Queen and all her little fairys.

Tony was soooo happy! He loves this play.

More pictures of Reedy River Falls Park right in downtown Greenville.

Downtown Greenville is really beautiful.

Oh and I'm loving my new ride! I can go anywhere I want to and Tony doesnt have to take me! I'm sure some are wondering about this, what does she mean?

Well for the last 5years I've been carless and Tony's truck is a stick shift and I didnt want to learn how to drive it.So he had to haul my butt around and it wasnt somthing he always enjoyed doing but did willingly.I couldnt ask for a better husband and I dont always say it but I know how lucky I am...........

The Element Of Surprise

2009-06-23T11:09:00.008-04:00

We are back from Bead & Button. WOW ! What a great show this year...........I'm so glad its over.

Tony and I are worn-out.

So we came home and went shopping.

This is what I got!

I have wanted one of these cars since they first came out and finally its mine!

The Honda Element.........hummmmmmm

Okay so the other purchase was a new camera.This is why........

The Death Of A Camera .........

The Culprit.........

The night befor we left for B & B we went for dinner and it was the first time we had really left Zen and Lucy home alone for that long.Well it would seem Zen has seteration anxiety.He has never chewed anything but his toys and Lucy.

He also chewed Tonys $150.00 torch glasses.

So you may be asking .......Why are these things just lying around for him to get to?

They where not..........The camera was on my desk and he just helped himself onto the desk and cleard it off.

The same with Tonys glasses.They where on his work station and he just helped himself once again and puled thing to the floor.
I'm sure once things where down he had help.

You just got to love them...........I could'nt even get mad.They look at you with those sweet little faces and I just want to kiss them.

Lesson learnd.If we go out they go to doggie daycare.So spoiled.......

So I'm still learing the new camera and working on an update for etsy.I have restocked a few things so check them out.I'll have the new items up this week and a news letter out next week.Be on the look-out.

Untill then.........

Almost there..............Sort of.

2009-05-30T08:15:00.014-04:00

Is it Bead & Button already?...............

I just really cant believe it. Lots of work still to be done and only 4 more days to do it in.

ARRRRRRRRRRR..........

Check out our new cards.This is one of four designs I created with the help of my friend http://www.danakphotography.com/ .

Lots of new stuff for B&B so we hope to see you there!

Wax,wax and just when you think your done..........More wax!

A lot of coffee involved in this prosses......

Back to work. No rest for the weiry...........lol

No Praise and no Blame......

2009-05-26T21:34:00.006-04:00

"If there where no praise and no blame...,who would you be then?"
*Quentin Crisp

Just somthing to think about this week. Really think about it.

We have had a really hard weekend.My daughter"s mother-in-law past away this past friday evening. She was only 49 years old. My grandbabies will miss her terribly.They spent a lot of time with her and Debie was always there for my Ashleigh.

There are times in my life that I thought had to be the hardest things I had to do.But I'm telling you, when you have to sit down with your little 3 year old and 5 year old and explain to them that somone they loved so much is not coming back home.............To date , that was the hardest thing I had to participate in.

This is a picture of them the night before we had to break there little hearts.

We love these girls so much and so does Zen and Lucy........

The Alchemist Box

2009-05-19T11:57:00.016-04:00

Well I had a most wonderful time this past weekend in Michael Demeng's class.

My Box is, lets see how do I put it? Mild.......Compared to most others in the class. Most everyone there had done this kind of art before or had taken Michaels class and I just had no clue what to expect or how to really prepare.Well I'll tell you I do now.I cant wait to start my next box!

Here is my project.My vision was to bring old metals that we've found in the alleyway outside our building together with new metals that we cast.I love the mixture of metals.Also objects that are very meaningful to us.

Here in the jar I have a few of Lucy's baby teeth. I also wanted to show somewhat of the prosses of casting by having not only the cast piece(the skull) but also the same piece in wax.The eye I made out of the new copper clay.I'm working on a few of these as pendents for B&B.

I painted this picture when we lived in Port Townsend. Lynn,Tony and I would spend a lot of hours up on a bluff painting and journaling.I love this little guy.Its called Miracles Happen.
There was a time in my life when my daughter and I didnt talk.Out of the blue one day she called and the next day I painted this.......Miracles do happen so I wanted this to be a part of the box.I think it fits and I love the colors. it was a happy day......

The finished piece.........

The other students where just amazing and there work is inspiring.Here are a few pictures of there work.

So many talented people and what a great group to work with.

A big thanks going out to Michael.You've help to open my mind/imagination to a new vision.The wheels are turning and I can see my work evolving. Thank you so much.

This was the best Birthday ever!............

Its my Birthday and I'll do what I want to.......

2009-05-16T23:10:00.015-04:00

Great another Birthday is upon me and I'm feelin fine...........

Tony has given me a wonderful gift........This weekend I am taking a two day class with

Michael Demeng http://www.michaeldemeng.blogspot.com/ The Mad Alchemist Cabinet. I can't even express how much fun I had today! Oh wait yes I can! I Had SOOOOO Much Fun! A little stressful at first because I had no clue as to what the heck I was doing, but Michaels a great teacher and the other students (who have done this kinda art before) where very helpful.

I'm realy nervous with paint and Michael had some great technics and tips for color mixing and applying paint.

Here are a few pictures from todays class.This is what we started with.A plain wooden shadowbox sorta thing. I applied some sort of kitchen calking stuff to it for texture then started putting objects on it and painting.

Checkout this eye pendent I made.FYI......I'm working on a few of these for Bead & Button.

So by the end of today I had my first layer of paint and a few objects in place.......

I cant wait to show you the finished piece.........Happy Birthday to me.I'm singing that.

I also just taught a class in Mount Pleasant,SC at the beaded Venus.I love those girls! We had such a great time with bronze and copper clay.

We did have a few green hands..........Hummmm........Copper.

Thanks girls and I hope to see you this summer for a play date.

Update on Lucy and Zen........New collars!

I can go a little crazy on etsy buying collars/necklaces for my babies.This is just a couple.

From http://www.luckyfiona.etsy.com/ . Lucy in the Tattood Bitch.

And Zen in Tatoo Be Doo also by Lucky Fiona.

And a BIG thank you to there Auntie Paula Best for Zens new collar http://www.paulabestdog.com/

Here are a few of Zen at the dog park hangin with his friends.

Zen with Sloan and I think thats Harly.So darn cute!

One last thing to look at. Checkout this necklace

I've been having a lot of fun although very busy getting ready for Bead & Button.So after tomorrow its back to work,work,work.......

Weekend

2009-05-01T09:01:00.003-04:00

Well we are off to Charleston,SC for the weekend to teach a class.

I did more etching and cant wait to show you the resalts, so next week when I get back.

I'll leave you with this........

I'm telling you they are sooo sweet!

Etching Magic........

2009-04-25T10:57:00.007-04:00

Okay so I played around with the little etching machine By Sherri Haab and I just love it!

This is what I did.........I designed a piece out of the copper clay and fired it. Straight from the kiln I wrote on the piece Zoa Art. If your working with sheet copper,bronze or silver or even a piece that has already been tumbled then you would have to scuff it up with a light sanding before you etch. But straight from the kiln before tumbling is a perfect texture for the etching.

After the etching prosses was done I tumbled, dipped in liver of sulfer and then put a rusting paint on it and some green patina.You all know how I love old rusted things.

So this is it........

What I love about this is that I can draw on the piece and it will be raised.See how the letters are raised? I love that!

This was just my first piece to play around with and I have so many ideas for future pieces. I'll keep you posted and I think the next one I do I'll take step by step pictures of the prosses.

If you are going to be in my class next weekend in Charelston,SC at the Beaded Venus then you'll get to see this little etching guy in action.

And on another note.............Watching daddy work.

The cement floor in the studio is so cool on my tummy..........

ZEN

2009-04-22T11:08:00.010-04:00

Just look at this face! This is Zen our new family addition.

For the last several weeks Tony and I have been talking about getting a playmate for Lucy.We would watch her at the dog park and noticed she always gravitated toward dogs a little biger,male and she really liked Boxers.

So we started our search knowing it would have to be a rescue/shelter dog.

Tony and I have been taking Lucy to the dog park in Greenville,SC on the weekends and last weekend we meet MaryLynne and her sweet girl (dog ) Sloan.Mary Lynne, not knowing that we had been looking for a Boxer starts telling us that her friend has a male Boxer that she was looking to place in a forever home.

Margarets husband had passed away suddenly and unexpected. They have a dog that at this time of loss is just to much for her to handel.So as she's telling us the story Tony and I are looking at each other with hope in our eyes.So we give our number to Mary Lynne and let her know we are very intrested in giving this boy a home.

So we waited through the weekend and understandably Margaret was haveing second thoughts.I cant even imagin what she was going through emotionaly.

On Monday she called me and said that Mary Lynne had told her we would be a great match for her boy and he would be in a loving home.So we made plans to meet that evening.

It was an emotional parting.Margaret had said she cryed the whole way there but she felt it was the right choice to make.

We fell inlove as soon as we layed our eyes on him.........He's so beautiful.

Our boy had another name but we wanted to give him a fresh start at a new life with his new family so on the car ride home we decided that Zen would be perfect.

Lucy just loves him and he loves her!We couldnt be happier!

I let Margaret know that anytime she could call to check in on her boy to see how he's doing and to check in here on the blog for updates and photos.At this moment she is a hero to me and so very brave.Thank You Margaret for enriching our lives with this special gift.

All tucker out...............

We just love our babies.............

New Toy!

2009-04-19T15:31:00.005-04:00

I just got a new toy.........Sherri Haab and her husband Dan have come up with this great little Etching machine and its green as in going green.
Heres a picture of the machine and a few examples of Sherri's work that she etched.

http://www.sherrihaab-shop.com/.

You can etch on the Bronze or the Copper clay.They are also working on a formula for etching on silver clay.How exciting is that!You all really need to check this product out. I cant wait to try it.I'll be working on some projects this week and post them as soon as I get them done.
Sooooo excited!

Taxes..........arrrrrrrrrrrrrr

2009-04-07T15:02:00.002-04:00

I need to blog but I'm doing my taxes and its not fun........
I'll be back soon.Sooner than later I hope.

The winner is........

2009-03-30T11:18:00.011-04:00

First of all thanks to all of you who commented. I love to know when your there and actually reading what I have to say.Although its not always emotional,very personal,intellectual or even very intresting I still want to know I'm doing this for a reason and that reason is you .Each and every one of you out there. Thank you so much!

Okay on to the winner...........is...........Peacock Fairy! Yippy! So shoot me an email with your shipping info and I'll get your goodies out to you.

So I get asked alot what inspires me and always my first response is that I can.I can.....That inspires me. We are all so programed to think we have to grow up ,go to school,get married,have a good job and a family.Our art,our talents are suppressed by society and what they think is how we should be.Well I've never done anything the right way.I quit high scool,had a baby out of wed lock,I didnt go to collage and i didnt get married because everyone said I needed a father for my daughter. I waited till I found the perfect man not only for me but also for my daughter.Tony........Those of you who know him,do I need to say more?

Together Tony and I discoverd our suppressed artistic talents and pulled them out from the deep,deep places they where hidden.We did this together,and thats soooo inspiring.

So maybe thats a little fruity for you ,but it really means somthing to me and I couldnt be happier with the out come.

On another note things that inspire me are old wharehouses and old city buildings.Nuts and bolts that you find in the allyways of the city streets.

Heres a few pictures of our walk this morning and some of the inspiration of my own little town...........

Okay and here are some of our little Lucy........

Lulu and her man.....

This girl loves her some sticks!

She's so beautiful........