Dirty Pretty Things to Ponder: January 2008

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Happy Birthday to Moi...

Yes, it's true...I turn 38 at 4.48 AM [EST] February 1st...and I'm celebrating still! My sweetie-pie just sang "Happy Birthday" to me [awww...].

I've decided to post and thank everyone for the well-wishes as they are MUCH appreciated!

(¯`'•.¸ * ♥ *¸.•'´¯)

Also, I wanted to let you see some of the cuties, critters and cards that have either already been
posted in my shop or will be posting this weekend so you can shop to your hearts content!

To your right, you'll see The Little Clown, who is handsculpted and hand painted. He carries 2 balloons just for you.

(¯`'•.¸(¯`'•.¸(¯`'•.¸ * ♥ *¸.•'´¯)¸.•'´¯)¸.•'´¯)

This is the cutest Love Bunny Card you'll ever see...just in time for Valentine's Day!

Great to give to EVERYONE on your love list...GF, BF, BFF, mum, dad, sis, grand ma ma, the little bro, Aunt Ellie, the sweet old lady down the block...anyone you can think of!

Inside it says.. "Some Bunny Loves You"

(¯`'•.¸ * ♥ *¸.•'´¯)

You should always have some of these sexy little cards to help set the night on fire any day of the year.

Each card is customizable with your choice of saying, so say what YOU really wanna say to your sweetie naughty or nice! Cards can also be left blank inside for you to write your own sweet nothings.

(¯`'•.¸ * ♥ *¸.•'´¯)

This adorable Little Love Bird needs a home and some love to keep her hearted wings red.

More cuteness to be posted soon, so keep checking back here or in my Etsy shop.

xxx
Raven

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

She's Having another...

YAY for Gwen Stefani!

We just found out that she and her hot rocker hubby Gavin Rossdale are expecting their second child. Yes, Gwen really is pregnant again!

Word is that the singer is already 13 weeks pregnant, preparing to welcome the new baby this summer.

The happy couple Stefani, 38, and Brit-boy Rossdale, 40, married six years ago and already have one little cutie...son, Kingston Rossdale, who will turn 2 in May.

(¯`'•.¸(¯`'•.¸(¯`'•.¸ * * *¸.•'´¯)¸.•'´¯)¸.•'´¯)

Be sure to check out Gwen in my shop too!

The Sweet Escape Print

Monday, January 28, 2008

New York City Now...

Messages are everywhere...some more important than others. Are YOU keeping the promises you've made to yourself?

Pretty Things from the SAG Awards

Here are our picks for the prettiest dressed at the SAG [Screen Actors Guild] Awards!

MARION COTILLARD, Winner!

...best actress nominee [La Vie en Rose] is enchanting and magical in this pale gray strapless gown by Nina Ricci.

TERI HATCHER, First Place

"Desperate Housewives" star Teri Hatcher looks gorgeous in this gown by Badgley Mischka.

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE, Second Place

The "Samantha Who?" star simply sparkles in this Elie Saab creation.

BECKI NEWTON, Third Place

The Ugly Betty star glows in her tiered white sequined gown by Elsie Katz.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Pretty Things Spotlight: ProjectFelt

Recently, I came across a very talented artist named Tara aka ProjectFelt, who happens to be from a town close to where I grew up in Pennsylvania.
I related to her on a personal level when I read her profile and, knowing the small town mind set as I do, loved that she found a creative outlet as I did when I lived there.
Tara is also a mixed-media artist. She has dabbled in arts and crafts such as jewelry, greeting cards, polymer clay and copper sculptures. Then, she stumbled upon the wonderful world of felting ...and now she feels the passion that an artist feels when she/he truly discovers what they are meant to be doing.

Spotlight: ProjectFelt

Tell us a bit about yourself: My name is Tara Vaughn. I have wonderful supportive boyfriend of 6 years and two kids, a cat and a dog that act like they are royalty. Trust me, they own us. We don't own them. :) I was born and raised in Greencastle PA, a small town about a hour north of Baltimore MD. I'm addicted to sleep and deathly scared of going to the doctor. I love the dentist though! I have an eclectic style and love all things unique and different. I'm constantly rearranging my home and changing things around.

What inspires you? I get inspired the most when I'm in bed trying to sleep. Things will just pop into my head. I read a lot of fashion and interior design magazines that give me ideas on colors, styles etc. I read blogs like D*S and Modish to get my interior design fix and I love to take things from nature. I often try to come up with ideas that are functional as well. I don't like to make things that could be dust collectors.

Apart from creating things, what do you do for fun? Hmm...well for me crafting and my business takes up most of my life, but, when I don't have a hook in my hand, I'm usually either sleeping, shopping or out at a bar with friends. You will always find me at the pool in the summer and riding my bike in the Spring. In the winter, I'm a home body. I hate the cold! I also like to experiment with different mediums in my down time. Right now I have a itch to create some eye pillows filled with relaxing scents and wonderful silky fabrics.

What has been your most memorable moment selling your art? I remember during the Christmas season, I was down to $5 in my bank account. I needed to buy groceries to prepare a meal for some family members. I had no money to buy the food that I needed. I was freaking out! I went into my bedroom, layed on my bed and started crying. I know, cheesy huh? A couple hours later I decided to check my Etsy to see if, by chance, I sold anything. Turns out I sold over $200 worth of product in one hour! I was ecstatic. I was happy that I know had the money to prepare the meal I wanted to for my family. It was the single most blessed thing that has ever happened to me.

Any advice for fellow artists? I hear a lot of newbies in the forums expecting instant sales. It doesn't work that way. You have to work hard. You have to treat it as if it's your full time job. Even if you already work full time, you have to find the time to market your product and get active with the indie community. Exposure is the single best promotion. A blog is a must! And promoting your blog is a second must! What's the point in having one if you don't direct people to it?

"I haven't been as passionate with other crafts as I have with felting. I find myself dreaming about what I'm going to create next, really it's true. So that's when I knew felting is what I wanted to do the rest of my life...and I love it. I'm truly blessed with my eye for color and design."

Etsy Shop: ProjectFelt
Blog: http://projectfelt.blogspot.com

Dirty Pretty Things Featured!

I didn't get a chance to post this and express my gratitude...

Thank You so very much to ProjectFelt for such a lovely feature on my Dirty Pretty Things.
I'm blushing...seriously!

xxx
Raven

You can check it out here.

[Click image to enlarge]

Thursday, January 24, 2008

{ { Wonderland } }

My latest treasury features some of my faves...including the sweet new little print by Mikiep entitled "Milton and Lionel Best Friends Forever (BFF)" about a lovable jackalope named Milton who was lost from his family in a terrible snow storm and his new friend Lionel, a sad and lonely firefly. It's so cute! This is the first in a new series for Mikiep. Be sure to check out his shop and the work of these other fabulous artists on Etsy!

{ { Wonderland } }
by RavenX

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Good-bye Heath...

Heath Ledger was on the rise. Only 28, he was already an Oscar-nominated actor – and a father. His little cutie, a daughter named Matilda [whom he had with actress Michelle Williams], was born in October of 2005.

He's said that all he's ever wanted was to have a child and was so happy being a dad. We feel so sad that this little one will now not grow up with him by her side.

Recently, Ledger had caused a stir, stepping into the macabre role of the Joker in The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins [2005]. We were all a titter to hear that he was cast in this role and absolutely LOVED the pix we saw of him in costume [right].

"It's the most fun I've had with a character and probably will ever have," he said. "The movie itself is far exceeding my expectations. I think it's going to be a really fun movie to watch."

We'll miss you, Heath! Who knows what might have been...

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Dirty Girl and the Sassy Sexy Valentine...

Super sweet, hot and sexy Valentine's Day goodies for you to grab just in time for that special someone...or yourself! ♥

Dirty Girl
by RecoveryBabe

Featured: Gilded Ginger Giclee Print by RavenX

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Sassy Sexy Valentine
by JustinesOriginals

Featured: "Let's Get Naked" Custom Greeting Card by RavenX

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Pretty Things Spotlight: k* smith

I have a reallly sweet treat to share with you this week....

k* smith is one of my very favourite artists. I'd love to be able to live for one day inside of her head. It would be so much fun to see the world in her way if only for just a short while. Her characters are so full of whimsy ...such long-necked beauties. Every piece she paints has so much emotion and if you listen closely, each a story to tell...

Sadie...now lives happily with us!

spotlight: k* smith

Tell us a bit about yourself: My name is k*smith and I live in a cute little college town called Missoula, Montana. The asterisk in my name isn't there because I think I'm a star of some sort. I am actually studying to become an economist, and it is our symbol for efficiency. I feel that, in my life, I am most efficient when I can produce art everyday (in addition to studying, of course)!

What inspires you? I rarely sketch any of my characters in pencil first. I just stick my pen on the piece of wood and see what comes out. It has been fun that way~ very little pressure, and super entertaining! I love drawing elderly characters and beautiful girls. I tell my husband that I don't draw young men because he's the only one I need (sorry for the cheese). I started drawing portraits when I was seven, and I haven't felt like stopping yet. People are just such wonderful subjects...

Apart from creating, what do you do for fun? Here is a nice, short answer: Math, tons and tons of math...and I love it!

What has been your most memorable moment selling your art? My first international sale was a pretty amazing feeling. I just couldn't believe that my art would be hanging on a wall in Vienna, Austria. It still blows my mind.

Any advice for fellow artists? *Keep trying new things* Never feel like you have to continue creating in a particular style. My work has grown so much over the past six months~ I can't wait to see where it is in another six!

Etsy Shop: Unconventionalida
Blog: http://www.idassketchbook.blogspot.com

Friday, January 18, 2008

Next Stop for Amy Winehouse: The Morgue

WOW!

I was in total shock
when I saw these recent pix of Amy Winehouse.
She has let drugs so quickly take over her life...body and soul....so very sad. :(

Ok, mabie it's just the new hair colour, too much makeup or the paps shooting her at bad angles...but, sadly, I think not.

Good luck, Amy...Hopefully you'll get back on track soon!

Meet us this weekend!

Tomorrow is the Miracle Mile Artwalk and Craft Bazaar and Mikiep and I will both be there!

Stop by to meet us and pick up some goodies while you're there!