Black and White Challenge

This month is all about contrast.  A classic clash of light and dark, you won’t find any muddy shades of gray here!  Sometimes the world is easier viewed in solid shades of black and white.  Here is how a few North Georgia artists see the opposing colors!

Choose your favorite from the group below & you will be entered in a contest to win one of these fabulous prize packs made up of some awesome items from Team NorGA shops. Here’s what you could win:

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Card provided by Gnagey Gallery, Fabric provided by Jackie Sewing Studio, Wine stopper by Kelly’s Clay Creations, Bottle cap pendant by Cowgirl Jewels, and Bracelet provided by C Elizabeth Designs.

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Card provided by Gnagey Gallery, Fabric provided by Jackie Sewing Studio, Wine stopper by Kelly’s Clay Creations, Hair clip by Elephunk’s Trunk, and Bracelet provided by C Elizabeth Designs.

Below is our collection of Black and White challenge entries. To view the entries close-up, you can click on the links below the mosaic. That will take you to the Etsy listing for the item where you can see more pictures, get more details & even purchase the item if you like! You can vote once between now and midnight EST on Monday, December 7, 2009. Note voting rules: Everyone, including Team NorGA members, may vote for a favorite entry. If you have entered a piece in this challenge, you are not eligible to vote. The challenge winner will be announced on December 8th, 2009.

Black and White

1.) Black and White Christmas Holiday Dress by CelloRaisen

2.) Monogrammed Soap Wedding Favors by Pamperpantry

3.) PONG-The Purse by WorthySoyCandles

4.) Headband with Black and White Organza Flowers by Elephunkstrunk

5.) Original Painting of a Bearded Collie by GnageyGallery

6.) Little Lamb by Cavemanpottery

7.) Vintage Sheet Music Paper Bead Lariat by Seedlingsjewelry

How To Enter:

  • Simply make a comment on this post and tell us what your favorite item is.
  • Be sure to leave your contact information (Email, Etsy shop, etc.) Any entries without a way to contact the person will be disqualified.
  • You get 1 entry for leaving a comment. Only 1 entry per person/email

Note: Contest open to legal US residents, 18+ years old. Void where prohibited by law. Odds of winning depends on how many valid entries are received. Winner will be chosen using Random.org’s Integer Generator. First Place winner will get to choose which of the 2 prize packs they want to receive. 2nd place winner will receive the other pack.  No purchase necessary & purchase will not increase your chances of winning.

Shortly after the contest ends, the winner will be contacted. If you do not respond to the message that you won the prize within 72 hours, a new winner will be selected. Contest ends at Midnight EST December 7th, 2009.

*** Search “Team NorGA Nov” on Etsy.com for more great Black and White items ***

Be sure to check back January 1st, 2010 when we will showcase the best of 2009’s challenge entries!

(Please note your comments must be approved, this keeps our spam down, so if you dont see yours right away don’t worry!)

Congratulations! Evelyn!

You are the winner of a free set of greeting cards from Gnagey Gallery! I will be contacting you shortly!

Thank you to everyone who participated! Please check back often for new contests and giveaways!

Check out Gnagey Gallery!

100_3657Tell us a Little about yourself?
I’m an artist and have been drawing for as long as I can remember. I worked as an Art Director for ad agencies for many years designing logos, billboards, ads and brochures. My decorative painting business began after painting a mural for my son’s room.  Now, 17 years later, I have painted murals and faux finishes in homes all around the Atlanta area and even in Costa Rica. This past year I began painting on canvas again and opened my Etsy shop, Gnagey Gallery.
I love being outdoors and when I am not painting I am usually working in my flower garden, walking my dog or sitting on my deck with a good book.
How Did you get Started Doing What you Do?

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I love to paint so when my mural business slowed down due to the recession I realized I had to use my creativity in another way. I started painting on canvas again. Using my graphic design expertise it seemed only natural to also make note cards from my canvas art.
How Did you Pick Your Shop Name?
I’m afraid my shop name isn’t all that exciting but as an artist I thought it important to use my own name. I added Gallery because it immediately brings to mind fine art and also sounded good with Gnagey.
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What makes your items special/unique?


All of my art is original and hopefully brings joy to those who see it.  I try to capture the details of whatever I paint to illustrate how amazing God’s creation is.
Is there anything else we should know?
I am blessed to be able to do what I love and bring joy to others at the same time.

Butterfly Monarch Think Card
Will you be holding a contest for a give-away of one of your products?
Yes:
Want to win a set of note cards made from my paintings?  Visit Gnagey Gallery and pick your favorite item, and then leave a comment here.  The winner will be randomly chosen, and they will receive a set of 8 note cards–their choice of any design! Contest ends on Sunday, 11/22 at 12 midnight, EST.  Winner will be chosen at random & announced on Monday, 11/23.

 

 

Commander of Earth, Wind, and Fire…And Water?

Congratulations to this month’s challenge winners!!

First place goes to COWGIRL JEWELS!!

Peace on Earth

Second goes to  SEEDLINGS JEWELRY!!

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Bringing in the rear…SMOOSHY DESIGNS!

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Congratulations to everyone!  And speaking of winning…

Two lucky guests were randomly picked to win the super cool, super special prize packs put together by Team NorGA artisans!

And the winners are…..

AMANDA SIMMONS and SARAH HENSLEY!

Thank you to all who participated in the challenge, as well as the contest!  Please check back between the 1st and 7th of December to vote again, when the challenge will be…Black and White…

Earlier it was posted there was a tie between Cowgirl Jewels and Seedlings.  I miscounted (SORRY!!), and have corrected my mistake.  Again, my apologies to the team members who participated.  Sorry for the confusion.

An Elemental Challenge…

Autumn brings some amazing elemental changes.  The wind picks up, chilling the air.  The leaves turn fiery colors, like crimson and orange.  Rain showers help to strip the trees of leaves. The dark, rich earth is tilled and readied after providing the last of the season’s harvest.  Yes, autumn brings wonderful changes–the grand finale before Mother Nature turns in for a gray and cold sleep.  In honor of this vivid spectacle, the members of team NorGA pay homage Gaia, offering art depicting each of the four elements:  Earth, Wind, Water and Fire.

Choose your favorite from the group below & you will be entered in a contest to win one of these fabulous prize packs made up of some awesome items from Team NorGA shops. Here’s what you could win:

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Pumpkin Applique Shirt 4T from CelloRaisen, Autumn Bird Card from GnageyGallery, Glow In The Dark Ghost Earrings & Pumpkin Pin from KellysClayCreations, Pumpkin Souffle Scented Soy Candle from WorthySoyCandles, & Crystal Clear Bracelet from CElizabethDesigns.

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Autumn Bird Card from GnageyGallery, Chamomile & Lavender Soap from PamperPantry, Peace Bracelet from PeaceByDesign, Pumpkin Earring & Pumpkin Pin from KellysClayCreations, & Flower Bobby Pins from ElephunksTrunk.

Below is our collection of Elemental challenge entries. To view the entries close-up, you can click on the links below the mosaic. That will take you to the Etsy listing for the item where you can see more pictures, get more details & even purchase the item if you like! You can vote once between now and midnight EST on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Note voting rules: Everyone, including Team NorGA members, may vote for a favorite entry. If you have entered a piece in this challenge, you are not eligible to vote. The challenge winner will be announced on November 8th, 2009.

Elements Challenge

1. Embrace by Seedlings: Jewelry Because

2. Peace on Earth by Cowgirl Jewels

3. Green Goddess by Smooshy

4. Elemental Rainbow Scarf by Worthy Soy Candles and Crochet

How To Enter:

  • Simply make a comment on this post and tell us what your favorite item is.
  • Be sure to leave your contact information (Email, Etsy shop, etc.) Any entries without a way to contact the person will be disqualified.
  • You get 1 entry for leaving a comment. Only 1 entry per person/email

Note: Contest open to legal US residents, 18+ years old. Void where prohibited by law. Odds of winning depends on how many valid entries are received. Winner will be chosen using Random.org’s Integer Generator. First Place winner will get to choose which of the 2 prize packs they want to receive. 2nd place winner will receive the other pack.  No purchase necessary & purchase will not increase your chances of winning.

Shortly after the contest ends, the winner will be contacted. If you do not respond to the message that you won the prize within 72 hours, a new winner will be selected. Contest ends at Midnight EST November 7th, 2009.

*** Search “Team NorGA Oct” on Etsy.com for more great Elemental items ***

Be sure to check back between the 1st & the 7th of next month when the Challenge will be Black and White

(Please note your comments must be approved, this keeps our spam down, so if you dont see yours right away don’t worry!)

Trash or Treasure? Upcycling is the new trend!

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What is upcycling? Isn’t it just a fancy word for recycling? Having recently engaged in this discussion with my daughter and a few of my fellow Etsy North Georgia team members, I decided to do a little research on the subject. I design bottle cap pendants for my Etsy store (http://cowgirljewels.etsy.com) and our discussion centered on trying to decide if the pendants are recycled, upcycled, repurposed or something else. I had been marketing them as upcycled because I thought it sounded cooler, but were they truly an upcycled item?il_fullxfull.93611387

Turns out that upcycling is more than just recycling in high heels. Upcycling refers to reusing an object (in my case, a bottle cap) in a new way (a pendant) without degrading the material it is made from. Recycling generally involves breaking down the original material and making it into something else – recycling also requires more energy than upcycling, making upcycling even greener than recycling because you eliminate the need for the energy used to break down the recycled materials. Who knew?il_fullxfull.87090706

Contrary to what we artists would like to believe, the art community is not where upcycling originated. People in developing countries have been upcycling for years, using old packaging and clothing in new ways – more out of necessity than for the environment. Upcycling has now gone global and continues to grow in popularity as interest in eco-friendly products increases.il_fullxfull.94406805

Upcycling is used in a wide range of products, including jewelry, furniture and fashion items. Bracelets made of retired flip flops, lamps made from blenders, furniture from skateboards…the combinations are creative and seemingly endless. Upcycled jewelry can be made from pretty much anything – and everything! Currently, there is a significant problem with plastics that stay in our landfills for an estimated 500 – 1000 years and metals that take years to rust away. While it is true that upcycling a bottle cap isn’t going to keep tons of trash out of landfills, that isn’t the sole purpose of upcycling. Upcycling is also about an idea – the idea that we are connected to the resources we use and that we can make those resources more useful instead of just getting rid of them. Plus, upcycled items are great conversation starters! il_fullxfull.98593556

It’s easy – spend a little time, create a few pieces of upcycled jewelry or anything else out of upcycled materials. Impress your friends with how “green” you truly are!

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This week’s article courtesy of Julie Schieffelin from Cow Girl Jewels.

Congratulations StockAnnette!

You are the lucky winner of a custom hat from Elephunk’s trunk!  :)

Much thanks to everyone who took the time to comment–keep checking back for more contests and giveaways!

Seller Bio: Elephunks Trunk

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Tell us a Little about yourself?

I’m currently working on my PhD in Women’s Studies at Emory University, with a graduate certificate in human rights. I study gender-based violence and human rights violations, specifically the ways we talk about acts of violence differently depending on where they happen. I I like to walk barefoot, and I can say “This is my Nose” in about a dozen languages.

How Did you get Started Doing What you Do?

I first became interested in sewing and hats through costuming–Halloween has long been my favorite holiday and ever since high school my costumes have been more abstract art pieces than anything else. They usually center on a piece of head sculpture made by making a plaster mold of my head and then building off of it. The same interest in the dramatic has led to an interest in the fashion of the first half of the 20th Century and especially to the beautiful, elegant hats of that period.  Unfortunately I have a very small head, so every hat I’ve ever found slides right down my forehead to sit on the tip of my nose. Finally I decided that if I couldn’t buy hats I would just have to learn how to make them! And I had so much fun, I figured I should make them for other people too!

How Did you Pick Your Shop Name?

I’m actually really terrible with that sort of thing. I was sitting around talking with my husband trying to come up with a shop name that would capture my sense of aesthetics without being too specific to any one kind of item. I wanted to be able to expand into new kinds of items without making my shop name outdated. My personal goal has always been to strive for a funky elegance. My husband suggested combining those two words. I blinked at him and said “Elefunky?” He smiled and suggested “Elephunk’s Trunk.” I like it because it speaks to my aesthetic and my love of elephants!

What makes your items special/unique?

Many of the items in ElephunksTrunk are one of a kind. I like to look for fun, unusual fabrics. Some of my hats are made from upcycled saris I got while studying in India and Bangladesh, others are made from designer cottons, still others from vintage scarves. Whenever I see anything, my first thought is “how could I make a hat out of that?”

Is there anything else we should know?

If you are interested in learning more about ElephunksTrunk, feel free to follow me on twitter (twitter.com/ElephunksTrunk) and become my fan on Facebook (facebook.com/elephunkstrunk). I also have a blog where you can learn about my current projects and read interviews with other creative people whom I admire. (elephunkstrunk.blogspot.com)

Want to win a custom beret or sun hat?  Visit Elephunks Trunk and pick your favorite item, and then leave a comment here.  The winner will be randomly chosen, and they will receive a custom beret or sun hat–their choice! Contest ends on Saturday, October 24th & winner will be chosen at random & announced on Sunday, October 25th.

And The Winner is….

The winner of C Elizabeth’s Giveaway is Celeste from Elephunk’s Trunk!  Congratulations!

How To Make a Rag Garland – No Sew

Tutorial donated by CelloRaisen.Etsy.com

A “Rag Garland” is just that – a garland made out of bits of tied rags or fabric remnants.  There are lots of decorator uses for it – It can be a window treatment for any room, a holiday decoration for a mantle or Christmas tree, or you can hang it over a doorway!  “Remnants” are usually less than 1 yard (36″ or less) and will be marked 50% off of the full by-the-yard price.  I stick to the “fashion” department because the decorator fabric can still be pricey even with the discount.  (a little note about me – I never miss the remnant bin when I go into Joann’s or any other fabric store – last time I was there I scored a really cute fish print in flame-retardant fabric and made my son a pair of sleep shorts to wear now and there is plenty left over for pants in a larger size later!  Now back to our regularly scheduled blog article.)

What you need -

  • Scissors, pinking shears, or rotary cutter & cutting mat
  • Fabric remnants in the color scheme of your choice – go straight to the remnant bin at Joann’s and get lots of different kinds of fabric – fleece, cotton, chiffon, georgette, poly blends, charmeuse, etc.  Different textures make a really interesting garland.  I don’t recommend using heavy velvet, minky, or chenille (they shed and get little fuzzies EVERYWHERE) or materials that have a metallic thread in them because of the mess it makes when cutting and tying.  If you don’t mind the mess then get whatever you want!
  • String or yarn in length of your choice – it does not matter what color since you won’t see it anyway so if you have some leftover yarn at home I would use that before buying any.

Now it’s time to get started!
1.  Lay out your fabrics and decide what order you will tie it.


2.  Decide how long and wide you want to cut your strips.  I cut them about 5-6 inches long by about 1.5 inches wide but please experiment with different lengths.  You might want to iron the fabric – it will be easier to cut straight if it’s ironed.
3.  Get cutting!  This is where a rotary cutter comes in really handy because after a while your hand will get tired using scissors.


4.  Now tie the fabric around the yarn.  Push the ties tightly together so that you can’t see the string or yarn.  This step is good to do while catching up on Project Runway episodes on your DVR.


5.  Keep tying the fabric strips around the yarn or string until your desired length is reached and then you’re done!  Tie loops on each end of the yarn if desired.

Tips -

  • Get some narrow tulle (sold by the roll) to add some nice texture.
  • Use different kinds of ribbon instead of the fabric strips (if you want to spend a lot of money).
  • Get the kids involved in the tying.

In the end you will have a unique item to decorate with or a fun and inexpensive gift for a friend.  Happy Crafting!