Ballerina Watercolor

I am always trying to reinvent myself and always off into a new direction. Photoshop is a program I almost always use daily and there are so many wonderful things that can be done with it.

This is an experiment from an online tutorial that taught me how to make a photograph look like an actual watercolor painting, with brush strokes and texture. I'd love to know what you think about it!  

Baby It's Cold Outside!

As I write this it seems November in Illinois has finally come to stay. After a great week of 70 ish weather we are now back down into the 40's and it is a dark gray day with rainy weather that seems to be our mantra for the week. Let us not forget the holiday season seems to be right around the corner. I have been curled up around the heat of my CPU on my computer making some vintage prints with a winter theme, making me think snow is not so far off.

 Winter Fairy

I don't think I could have picked a better color for the sky, as it seems to be what I see out my bedroom window. I never know where things will go in my prints, or how they will turn out, and it is the journey that seems to intrigue me. I am inspired by the upcoming holiday and I think about how people spent their holidays long ago.

Winter Girl

Beautiful faces of long ago days get to come back to life in my art work. Enjoy!

Packing It Up And Taking It On The Road

I don't get to do as many craft shows as I would like, but on occasion I pack it all up and take it on the road! I have an upcoming craft/art show coming up at the College Of Lake County.

A shot of my studio, and setting up my booth for the show.

Here is the info for the show:                College Of Lake County

20th Annual Holiday Art Sale

November 20-23, 2010

Saturday 9-4:30

Sunday 1-5

Monday 9-9

Tuesday 9-6

19351 West Washington St.

Grayslake, IL 60030 

Beaded bracelets



One of my soldered necklaces and chandelier crystal rings

parking available in lots 2-6

Something new for the show, Faux Typewriter Key Adjustable Rings Great stocking Stuffers!

This is a great show featuring pottery, glass, jewelry, wood and fiber. It's a juried show so expect to find quality items! Hope to see you there!



Everything Old Is New Again!

I decided to stretch my wings in my shop and add a brand new a category, Vintage Prints. Aside from being a jewelry designer I also work with digital art and do a variety of other art work.

                                                                              Rose Fairy
In keeping with my vintage theme I am using real photographs of people from around the 1800's to the 1900's. I think it's fascinating to see people from this era. They all look so glamorous, and have such an innocence I find their photographs hard to resist.

                                                                         Lost Garden
I think about these people who have long passed, and am pleased that I am able to give them new life in my art. Maybe someday people will think the same of my photographs and restore me for all to enjoy as art work.

                                                                        Strange Dream
This also allows my creative side go full force. I enjoy adding random details like numbers, and borders. Making things look scratched and grungy, and adding old photos into new situations. Making a picture into a complete fantasy, and leaving the observer to wonder what's the real meaning? Art speaks to people on so many levels.

                                                                      Do So Lovingly
Like what you see? Want to see more? Check out my shop Lisa's Urban Nostalgia I'd love to know what you think of my prints! Comments always welcome!

Spooky!!!

I just couldn't resist, there they were calling out to me from the giant bin at Walmart. Carve me, carve me! So I grabbed one and took it home!

Although my kids aren't too interested in carving pumpkins anymore, I sure am! Just thought I would share.  Anybody else carving pumpkins this year? I always like something creepy and scary, how about you? 

Better Late than Never! We have a winner!!

I am writing a bit late about the winner, but by now she should have received her bracelet! So without further adue the winner is Cenya from Emerald Window. Cenya is a talented beader and makes some fascinating creations! You can visit her blog here, Emerald Window Blog I thought I would share with you some of her wonderful work! Enjoy!

Cenya also has an inviting Etsy store, and you can visit her store here, Emerald Window

I apologize for posting this so late but my father has been in the hospital for the past week. All is well now, so onward and upward I always say!

 Congratulations Cenya for being my first give away winner!

HaLLOwEeN Give Away!

It's that spooky time of year, and it's always been a favorite of mine! This gives me an opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has been following my blog and shopping at my store. It's really quite an honor to know that people actually read what I write, and even more remarkable is people leaving comments! Wow I love that! I thought I would give some love back and offer one of my new Halloween bracelets for my giveaway!

These are wooden tiles with Halloween vintage images sealed with resin and is very light. There are 7 fun tiles with orange cracked glass beads in between each tile. Bracelet is approximately 8" in length.

So how do you win? I want to make it easy so this is what the requirements are:
1.Become a follower on my blog.
2.Visit  my Etsy store  and leave a comment on my blog about what your favorite item is in my store.
3.Make sure I have an email address to contact you and that's it!

Giveaway begins right now! I will close the entries at 5pm Wednesday, October 13, and announce the winner that night! Good Luck and thanks so much for following my blog!