I tried.

Well, I tried to do it all...get ready for my art show, post blogs, get sleep, etc. I failed. The blogging was the first thing to go...then the sleeping. Alas, I have finally recovered from the stressful job of displaying elementary art work (I probably make it more stressful than it needs to be, but that is my perfectionist nature). All in all, it was a successful day. I will not go off about disrespectful people - mostly adults- and my very stressful, high-traffic location. I will try to focus on the positive...like the fact that my display stayed in tact despite these people and my location! More than half of my students that had work on display came to see it which is a big improvement from my first year when I had 1! Here are some highlights from my school display at the arts festival. Don't worry, after today I'll take a break from the elementary art world and get back to my jewelry and other accessorizing!

click on images to enlarge

Super Mouse and Count Quackula

Count Quackula is an evil villain who tries to steal all the cheese in the world...but thanks to Super Mouse and Annabelle the Lion (see prev. post) who ties him up with her jump rope, the world is safe once again. (The actual story written by Super Mouse's creator is way cuter than my summary!)

One more day until the art show....

Isabella, Mr. White, and Gwen

More characters from my 5th grade art club students. Isabella the Cheerleading bunny is very enthusiastic and constantly hopping around and shaking her poms. Mr. White enjoys surfing and is a vegetarian (except for the one fish skeleton in his mouth!) Gwen is an artist who loves Van Gogh, Picasso, and Dali. Can you believe these all started as empty water bottles? Recycling is so cool!

Valentina and Anabelle

Two finished products.... Valentina the Poetry Peacock and Anabelle the Olympic Jump-roper. Click on the images for a closer look- Valentina has wire-rimmed glasses and a quill pen and notebook (adhered with velcro so they can be removed) and Anabelle is very sporty with her sweatband, tennis shoes, jump rope and gold medal.

A Week Dedicated to my "Real Job"

So, as many of you know, I am an elementary art teacher. This week is the second most stressful week of my year (the first being the week of my school art show). Saturday is our county-wide art show and I have to haul about 75 student projects to display at a local high school on Friday night. On Saturday, I will camp out at my display from 10 am-5pm and then pack it all up. There is a large amount of preparation that goes into this 7 hour show.

In honor of this stressful week, I will be posting a series of projects that show why I get out of bed each morning to do what I do. Several posts ago, I briefly mentioned some animal sculptures that my 5th grade art club students were making. We started with water bottles for their bodies, then sculpted aluminum foil for their heads/arms/legs etc. Once they were built, we covered them with plaster craft. The picture below is a few of these sculptures at that stage in the process. Starting tomorrow, you will begin to see some finished products- they are amazing. The students did a fantastic job of making their pieces unique, each with its own personality. Right now they are writing stories to go along with their animals- many of them bringing their sketchbooks to lunch so that they can work on it. I love their enthusiasm and imagination - it is what keeps me going (even during stressful weeks like this).

Shoe Fever

all images by crafttastrophe

Some people get spring fever this time of year- I get shoe fever. Seriously, I can single-handedly stimulate the economy with my shoe addiction! That's why today's featured etsian is going to be a big problem for my wallet. Craft Tastrophe is a cute little shop with hand painted shoes and other accessories. There are plenty of bright colors and playful designs to give a unique punch to your spring and summer wardrobe. Go check it out!

Orange you glad its sunny?

In honor of this gorgeous sunny day, my new orange shoes and happy toes, here are some awesome orange items from some wonderful etsy artists.

Row 1: Corporan Glass, The Understory, Bayan Hippo,
Row 2: BoyGirl Party, Robins Egg Pink, Craft Tastrophe, Unless Someone Like You
Row 3: Kikko Soapworks, The Orange Bell, Fabbiz,
Row 4: Leeski, Valentina Design, enticements, Bunny with a Toolbelt

These little piggies love....

Orange shoes!!! I have been dying to wear my newest pair of shoes- orange patent leather peep toe wedges by Chinese Laundry. (((I just bought the gray pair when I was trying to find a good link for you- I hope you're happy!))) I'm not going to lie- the little piggies on the inside make them that much better. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and 68- I think I need to go plan my outfit around my shoes right now! This little piggy cried "weeeee weeee weeeee" all the way to her closet!!!

P.S. Coming soon- a beautiful compilation of etsy items inspired by my orange shoes- ooooo weeee!

Pucker Up!

All of these lemons and limes are making me drool! My ring (1st box, third row) is in some amazing company in this treasury made by Sharon Clancy. Check out her own beautiful work at www.sharonclancydesigns.etsy.com and www.iheartglass.etsy.com. To see the full treasury and check out some of the other lovely items featured, click here. Hurry, it expires before midnight tonight!

Bunny with a Toolbelt

Bunny with a Toolbelt is my new favorite shop on Etsy. Hilary Pfeifer is the creator of these adorable and whimsical wood creatures. It is interesting that I ran across her shop because my 5th grade art club students are currently creating personified animal sculptures (pictures coming soon). It is so great to show my students that there is someone out there making a career for herself in this way!

In addition to Hilary's quirky characters for sale on etsy, she has made artwork and installations that have been displayed across the world. For a closer look at many of these pieces, visit Hilary's website, hilarypfeifer.com. You can also keep up with her on her two blogs, www.hilarypfeifer.blogspot.com and bunnywithatoolbelt.blogspot.com.

Happy to be Smoke Free

Yesterday Governor Kaine signed a bill that will make bars and restaurants in VA smoke free by Dec. 1, 2009. Smoking areas will have to be confined to seperately ventilated rooms. I know I speak for many (the non-smokers!) when I breathe a big smoke-free sigh of relief. I thought this day would never come for VA, a tobacco state. Now - if I could just get my cute little yorkie, Razor, to break the habit....

A Parade of Green

In honor of Saturday's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Town Alexandria, I have compiled some beautiful greens for you to admire. I've also placed links below to visit these wonderful artists' sites!
Row 1: goodbloom, Bellabejeweled, enticements, Adalaclothing
Row 2: tracychong, sewnsunday, swirlyhats, kalla
Row 3: atouchofvintage, ureshii, gretchenmist, polishedtwo
Row 4: marshallarts79, sofiamasri, cserdan, peajaysea

Today's Forecast

No joke! Today's forecast in northern Virginia is actually "Partly Sunny with a high of 41." Click here to read my pondering on the phrase. Click here to see this beautiful treasury up close and personal.

Even better is Saturday's forecast: "Partly Cloudy with a high of 64!!!"

Let my piggies free!!!

These little piggies are tired of being wet and cold. Don't get me wrong- I love that I got 2 days off of work because of snow, but I think I'm truly ready for spring. It's not just me either, my toes are ready too. They are tired of being stuffed inside of socks and shoes. They need sun and air!

Look at all these beautiful options stuck in my closet, just waiting to see the light of day! I really feel that I am able to express my personal style better through my summer shoes than my winter shoes. Bright colors and fun patterns are my love!

I think I'll visit Zappos now and make myself feel better by buying a fun new pair of sandals that I can't wear yet.

Come on Spring!!!

Hunting for a Treasury

So I've never made a treasury on etsy before. You can only get one when there are less than 333 lists, and often there are somewhere around 750. I believe it takes some math skills and a little bit of luck (i don't have much of either). But I decided that I really need to try hard to get one this week to pay back all the people that have featured me in theirs. I think I have calculated that around 6:30 tomorrow morning might be my opportunity, that moment when list 334 expires and I find my own treasury.

I was playing on Poster Sketch last night and I think my treasury will look something like this. I looove these colors, they put me in the mood for spring. I figured that I better be prepared so that I don't just throw random things together. Maybe my treasury will even make it to the front page (yes, I know I am getting ahead of myself)! Hope you enjoy all these pretty things....

***Update: I got my treasury!
Check it out!

Warm colors...

Maybe they'll bring warmer weather? I must say, even with the chance of a snow day tomorrow, I am ready for spring!! Thanks, Magillie, for warming me up on such a cold day! My Caramel Studs are pictured in the first box in the third row.