ETTEAM

The Etsy Treasury Team is less than a week old and we already have 30 members and have created a bunch of fabulous treasuries! Treasuries=exposure and sales, and that is happening for us too!

So, if you have time to visit, 12-click and comment on team treasuries and create one team treasury a month yourself, I invite you to join us!

Visit our website
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/etsytreasuryteam/

Etsy Treasury Team

Sadly, there was so little interest in an Etsy Naturals Team that I have given up trying to form it. That won't stop me from starting a more inclusive team though!

Since joining Etsy I've enjoyed creating many treasuries for the general community and the three other teams I belong to. How about you? Are you an Etsy seller who enjoys making treasuries and being in them too? Maybe this team is for you. Read about the Etsy Treasury Team (ETT) on the new website and join:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/etsytreasuryteam/

"Summer Selections" Fiber Fantasy Show in NC

I recently made a trip to Gallery C in Raleigh NC to see a show which included the other-worldly fiber creations of Pamela Zimmerman. If you go, prepare to be blown away!

Using sculptural basketry techniques, clay and mixed media, her work transcends the idea of "traditional basket," and draws the viewer into a haunting world of yearning emotion.

Contorted fiber forms, twisting curves, secret places and surreal faces abound and astound. Her signature "face baskets" evoke a sense of mystery, and her "multi-fiber" pieces subtly continue that mystery by leading the observer through an undulating maze of discovery. Viewing her work, one is likely to end up with more questions than answers. Pamela prefers for observers to interpret her work from their own perspectives, but she does give a bit of insight into her themes on the Gallery C website.

Go to http://www.galleryc.net/ to learn more about this artist and to see some of her works on exhibition.

If you're lucky enough to live near the Raleigh area, I encourage you to visit Gallery C and view her ethereal work in person!
(pictured: 'Trade Cargo: Passages')

Miniature Horsehair Baskets Now on Etsy!

If you'd like to see some --AMAZING-- miniature baskets, check out my featured artist's shop on Etsy: Bazketmakr

http://bazketmakr.etsy.com

There are very few basketmakers who create miniature horsehair baskets. A Native American tradition, these baskets are considered the epitome of the maker's skill. These miniatures have long been a collectable with crossover appeal to miniature collectors, horse lovers, and basket collectors.

The owner even offers to make custom baskets from your own horse's hair. Check out her shop and marvel at some of the smallest baskets ever seen!

New Flicker Photo Group!

There's a new basket making group for traditional coiled and twined basketry techniques on Flicker! Please post your photos there to create awareness about the two most ancient basketry techniques still being practiced by a small number of us today.

Basketry is one of the very first crafts to be invented by humans. Twining and coiling are the two most ancient basketry techniques. These techniques predate pottery.

One of the reasons I started this on flicker is because there is a serious lack of authentic coiled work out there. I've been seeing more and more vessels that makers are calling "coiled baskets," that don't use basketry techniques at all. With the popularity of crocheting, knitting, felting and quilting has come a variety of vessels, that while often attractive art forms in themselves, do not represent the ancient art of coiling. I've recently become aware of just how obscure our art form is, and of a lack of awareness and even confusion about it. People, especially younger generations, should not confuse glued, piece stitched, or shaped fiber bowls with a coiled basket. They should not confuse crocheting with twining. Lets create some awareness of what coiling and twining is, out there where the general public can discover it! That's why I created this public photo stream group, where we can add our informative comments and photos for the world to see.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/coiled_and_twined_basketry/

What is Art?

Have you ever run across antiquated views concerning what constitutes art? There's an undercurrent that runs through the arts community, sometimes subtle and sometimes overt, that promotes the perception that only 2-d art is truly art. From juried "fine arts" shows to other exhibition and selling venues, one will sometimes find that 3-d (in it's myriad forms) is considered the poor step-child.

I'm not sure how this came to be, or if it has always been this way. The very term "fine art" seems to be inclusive of paintings and drawing in many cases. I do think things are changing and the art world is opening up to be more accepting of different art forms, but the connotations and attitudes still linger. We've all, I'm sure, been in discussions revolving around "what is art?" I've come to believe that art is subjective: something is art if YOU think it is.

There are so many labels associated with the visual arts: craft, fine craft, fine art, artisan, craftsman, crafter, etc. Each has it's own connotations. I feel we all need to respect each other as artists, whether or not we appreciate the art form. What do you think?

Okra for the Holidays-- The Vegetable that Keeps on Giving!

It's a little earlier than I normally start working on holiday items, but I thought I'd give Christmas in July a bit of try in my Etsy shop. I've put a few items up already and will probably add more throughout the month. My ornament specialties include intricately carved gourds, and my painted "holly ornaments," and combinations of the two techniques. They are unique and will add natural beauty to your holiday displays! Check out my shop and see why my Crimson Classic Okra Santas are special! Also have a look at my Special Edition "Starry Night" Okra Santas! I like to say that they are the vegetables that keep on giving! Merry Christmas In July!
Visit my shop at: http://midnightcoiler.etsy.com/