Some More Additions

Today I signed up two more artists to Vital Elements Holiday Gift Shop
Robin Atkins Bead Book Author and artist extraordinaire. Check out her blog at www.beadlust.blogspot.com
Karly Crafter Fun, whimsical,country crafts using vintage quilts.

What's in Store???

My new store is almost full for the Holidays! I will carry the artists and their fabulous goodies.

Gayle Hazelton - Bountiful Herbs Soaps and delicious Herbal products.
Betsy Childress - Bead work, woven bracelets and spiral cord necklaces. Beading kits too!
Alice Shull - Beautiful cards
Besty Drake - Fabulous Handcrafted Beads made into glamorous Jewelry
Rhonda Williams - Watercolor Images of V.W's and Island Scenes.
Joan Benny - Super T shirts
Kim Bertrand - Photo Image Pillows and special handmade photo image purses
Nancy Lind - creative cards and beautiful unique jewelry
Kevin Roth - The best recycled metal art in Western Washington
Erin Lamoreaux - Fun and chunky stone jewelry
Plus more to list soon!

Opening Dec. 1st

Wish List

Hi! I thought I would send out a wish list to the community and the universe. Some things I just need to borrow, some things I can pay a little for. Here are the things I need to help me put on Vital Elements Holiday Shop

A store counter long enough for a cash register and some display.
A Christmas Tree.
Cedar Boughs.
A potter
A knitter
A Quilter........

So Far.......Absoulutely Wonderful!

I am very excited over the response after getting the word out on Sat.
So Far I have
Betsy Childress Bead Weaver Extraordinaire and Bead Pattern Inventor and a future teacher at Vital Elements.
Chinmayo with her fantastic tile boxes with tea or ? These are so beautiful.
Rhonda Wheeler A very talented unknown to this island, watercolor artist who is also creating one of a kind craft pieces. You will love her art work.

Betsy Drake Beautifully hand made jewelry from her artisan beads. Betsy use to work and sell her jewelry at The Garuda


I will try and get pictures to add here so you can share in my excitement over my new store.

Something New in Friday Harbor

I am opening a store in Friday Harbor for the month of December....then closing and re-opening in Feb. My store in Dec is the Vital Elements Holiday Shop. This is a temporary consignor store for the holiday season. It will be open Dec. 1 through Dec. 24th Then in Feb., hopefully, just as the Olympic Games in neighboring Vancouver BC open on Feb. 12th 2009 Vital Elements will re-open as a great Gift Store.
You are invited to bring in your art product and handcrafts to be consigned. Here is a break down on costs. A table space or 5x10 wall space is 100.00. then 20% of sales. There are 1/2 spaces available and tower card rack size spaces. Bringing your own display is recommended after speaking with me first. Since I do shows all the time I tried to figure what would be a fair price. I just paid 25.00 on island for a space 10x10 for 4 hours.
My store will be open a total of 170 hours. It will be advertised on San Juan Island and other islands and a little on the mainland. I will take Master Card and Visa.
I have over 25 years experience in vending arts and crafts. I have owned and operated 2 brick and mortar store fronts, one an antique store in Dundee, Oregon and Vital Elements in Friday Harbor
Email and sign up. I have limited space. So don't procrastinate!

Vital Elements ........of imagiation

Here are a couple of picture of my store front which will become Vital Elements. For the month of Dec. I am taking consignments and opening a fun and festive Holiday Shop. So far I have a lot of artists interested and 5 artists signed up already. This week is so busy.

Vital Elements Holiday Shop

Could it Be?

Could it be? Another store? It is in the 1st stages and maybe it will work. Lots to do will post as I go through the process!!

Moved to a new Place

Hi
I have been posting most of my work on my other Blog.
See it at www.retrorosedesign.typepad.com

snow and art day

The only reason I was able to find time this week to do art is because of all the snow Our little corner of Northwestern Washington State has received in the last couple of days. Today it was blowing across our lane and I barely made it home…on a wing and a prayer…comes to mind. I just have to love my old Ford Bronco II on days like these. It may be vintage (I am being kind here to my car it is really a beater) but it got me home this morning. My husband’s nice big diesel truck couldn’t plow through the snow as I did, to park in my driveway. The picture is of the most recent snow with my hubby and son digging a track so he can park at home.
The art is a picture of the 4x4 page I made for Vicki Mack’s uplifting book. One of her friends is putting it together. Vicki suffered a brain aneurysm and is in the hospital for a few weeks. A friend who lives near her has organized a book for her from your online friends. Light a candle for Vicki everyone.
Peace
Rhonda

Some Music

This is a great new CD by Loreena McKennitt. It is as beautiful as her previous music. It is perfect for the holiday season. Visit the website and listen to her music at www.quinlanroad.com

Rennisance Lady

I just posted some of my jewely on my etsy store www.retrorose.etsy.com
Here is a pendant I made in one of Susan Lenart-Kazmers frames. I like how it turned out.

Winter Scene

This never happens here, on this island, but about every 10 years we get a nor'eastern coming out of Canada, and we get a deep freeze. We love it for a while and then start worrying about things like pipes freezing, roads icing, and tree branches over power lines which mean we sleep in our studio because the house doesn't have a wood stove. It is a special treat when it snows first then the cold comes in and the snow stays for a few days.. Normally it snows and melts in about an hour.
I have had time to post new jewlery on my other blog www.retrorosedesign.typepad.com check it out!
I took this picture of a tree in our front yard.

This is just a small portion of my, as I call it, my blessed mess! I love my mess. I am trying so hard to share with others! My life, my mess, my interests, love, time, and stuff I know. Maybe tomorrow I will reveal more.....R

Bad Day Beautiful

Sometimes the best thing to do on one of "those" days is to hike or explore or visit one of your favorite places. This is San Juan County Park. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world. This is where I go to make a bad day Beautiful.

Wire Mannequinns and Eiffel Towers

I just posted some wonderful wire mannequinns on my etsy store at www.retrorose.etsy.com. Check them out. I will be posting some Eiffel Towers once my camera recharges.
R

Found Objects Cont

Found Object Art

So what constitutes a found object? Is it some rusted piece of tin or a smashed brass button, one mitten? Or, is it wonderful like these old treasures I found at a tag sale? Maybe it is some other amazing thing found in the bottom of an old wooden crate or the corner of a jewel box?
Here are some pictures of my newest, old found objects.

Art and Soul

Here are the jewelry pieces I made in the workshops I took at Portland's Art and Soul Retreat. My classes were Susan Lenart-Kazmer's New Works in Wire (bracelet) and Sharilyn Miller's Wire Basket Ring.
I am highing recommending these two teachers.

Tin Pins and Work

These are some of the fun pins/brooches I have made from tin. I am so anxious and excited to be putting tons of have to do things behind me
and now can focus on up coming shows and get my studio straighten up and back to creating. I have taken a part time job with the school district and have finally adapted to the change in my schedule. Work actually causes me to be more organized with my time so I get more done at home and at The Studio.
R