Okay I finally got them all listed… here’s what’s new and available in my Etsy shop!! These are all Chakra healing energy bracelets some with totems and some without… you may also order custom bracelets with your own choice of totem or charm (if available).
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RavenOriginals
Many Blessings,
Follow the Raven:
Be sure to check out my Facebook Page for more videos, Spirit messages and free readings even!
New Painting I just completed – The Witch’s Tree – Her roots buried deep within the Earth, the branches a symbol of her magic. She casts in all directions and weaves her magical intent through the lives of many. Reaching toward the stars, there are no limits to the powers within. She, all alone can accomplish all that she wishes. Her trusting familiar at her side, together they fear nothing. Death is just a mere shift in energy. Looking out into the world, they see all the possibilities before them and they cast, they heal and they make this world a better place.
Many Blessings,
Follow the Raven:
Be sure to check out my Facebook Page for more videos, Spirit messages and free readings even!
I have been busy busy weaving this weekend and have found myself finishing up 8 new dream catchers. The new dream catchers can be purchased on Etsy where you will find more photos and definitions of their various meanings.
Click here to view my Etsy Shop!
Many Blessings,
Follow the Raven:
I’ve spent the weekend with paintbrush in hand creating some magic on canvas!
An ink and acrylic painting of Raven Lovers and a Beautiful Rainbow Warrior Wolf painting!
Click here to view them in my Etsy Shop!
Yesterday, filled with energy from the New moon and the beginning of Spring I sat down at my easle and started painting. I created a new piece for my office at work and a new piece that I currently have up for sale in my Etsy shop!
Check them out!
<<< This piece is the one I created for my office
And this piece (Dreaming with the Wolf)
I created is currently listed in my etsy shop…. click here to view more photos of it! >>>>>>
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
I just finished up these 3 new dream catchers. All created with energy from the New Moon on the Eve of the Winter Solstice.
All of my dream catchers are created with purpose, love and intent for healing and are smudged and cleansed for the best possible results. You can view more information about each one in my Etsy Shop.. Click here to Check them out!
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
Just in time for Christmas … Check these two out in my Etsy Shop – Click Here!!
“Music City” – this original mixed media painting of the Nashville Tennessee skyline on (2) 16″x20″” gallery wrapped canvas panels.
This painting was created using 2 forms of media: acrylics and ink. The background is done in ink while the buildings are created with acrylics.
and
“The Messengers” – this original mixed media painting on (3) 10″x10″ gallery wrapped canvas panels. Arrange them anyway you like or separate them all over the house.
This painting was created using 2 forms of media: acrylics and ink. The background is done in ink while the ravens are created with acrylics.
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
I spent the weekend weaving new dream catchers… Just in time for Christmas!!
Check them out on my Etsy Shop – Click Here!!
For the past few days I have been creating my fingers away!! I’ve got some new necklaces and dream catchers available in my Etsy Shop!
Have a look…. Click Here to Visit my Etsy Shop
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
Check out my Etsy shop for some great affordable and custom gifts! More handmade gifts coming within the next couple of weeks so check back often to see what’s new! An easy way to see when newest items are available is to Favorite my shop!
Click here to Visit My Etsy Shop!!
I’ve created a large set of Facebook covers from some of my photos and thought I’d share them for everyone to use as they wish.
Check them out on my facebook page: Life Through Raven Eyes and make sure to “Like” my page because I’ll be adding new covers as I take more photos 🙂
Enjoy!!
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
I’ve begun a new series of paintings using mixed media: ink and acrylics. I’ve just listed my available pieces on Ebay and will be working on a few more pieces in this style before ending the series and moving on to other types of artwork .
Check them out!!
Click Here to see them on Ebay!
Many Blessings,
Ravetalker
My husband and I started doing lampwork a few months ago and have been busy busy busy learning this new craft. We’ve finally got enough really nice finished pieces to open an Etsy shop. take a moment please to browse through our shop at our newest addiction.. Lampwork!!
Here’s a link to the Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gloine
We offer a wide variety of one of a kind, handmade glass lampwork beads and artisan jewelry. Our beads are made by using an oxygen and propane torch to heat colored glass rods, rotating the melted glass around a stainless steel mandrel to form each bead. Our beads are annealed as we make them, going straight from torch to a digitally-controlled kiln for durability.
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
My newest hobby is making lampwork beads .. and after teaching myself for the past 6 weeks I’ve finally got enough beads made to actually make some jewelry pieces. Still a beginner and lots still to learn but I am loving the outcome so far.
Here’s the finished pieces so far:
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
Can you imagine …. you are at a beautiful wedding and the bridesmaids are walking down the isle. What’s that hanging from their bouquets? Tiny dream catchers matching their colors!! Oh and here comes the Bride… LOOK! She has one too!
Maybe this is a DREAM WEDDING afterall!
I now have custom dream catchers available for weddings of all types… each set custom created to match your wedding theme!! Click here to view the order from my Etsy Shop!
click to enlarge
These sets are made to order – so please keep this in mind when ordering and allow plenty of time for them to created and shipped in time for the wedding. Standard turn around time is approx. one week.. depending on the amount of additional bridal party dream catchers ordered
The Above Image is an example of the Main Bridal Dream Catcher for the Bride and Groom to keep for their home. Each set will be custom created to match the bride to be. (The above shown pendents may not always be available)
With the Brides Dream Catcher will also be a small 3″ dream catcher that can be wrapped around the bridal bouquet and carried down the isle and then removed for a keepsake.
Also included are 4 small 3″ dream catchers for the bridesmaids … these will also be wrapped around the bouquets and carried down the isle to keep with the theme of the wedding. The beads can be chosen to match the colors of your bridal party or you may go with clear beads.. the choice is yours.
Additional bridal party dream catchers may be added for an additional fee… email me for
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quotes and questions.
Never Ending Love Dream Catcher – 10″ hoop wrapped in soft tan leather .. adorned with white glass beads.. pendents that say Happily Ever After and 2 brass rings that are bound together in the center.
Great gift for weddings, engagements and anniversaries.
All of my dreamcatchers are created with purpose, love and intent for healing and are smudged and cleansed for the best possible results.
I have seen these floating around online now for a couple of years and decided to make a few myself this year. I love the thought and sentiment behind these little beauties.
Take a small glass bottle … add some dandelion seeds.. decorate however you like..
Here is a sample of my own.
click to enlarge
click to enlarge
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
Click Here to Visit my Etsy Shop
This week only Save 10% on your purchase … lots of great and affordable gifts available. Remember each piece is handmade by yours truly and infused with as much healing energy as I can muster. Use coupon code RAVE777 to take advantage of this week’s savings!
All of my pieces are created with purpose, love and intent for healing and are smudged and cleansed for the best possible results.
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
click to visit my Etsy Shop
I have been working non-stop lately on new dream catchers… hoping to get plenty done in time for holiday shopping!! This weekend I was able to get 8 new ones completed and placed in my Etsy shop. Click on the above photo to visit my shop and have a look around at all the new items 🙂
The newest pieces are:
Transformation Dream Catcher
Elk totem Dream Catcher
Spirit of the Bear Dream Catcher Necklace (to be added later tonight)
Dragonfly Dream Catcher
Horse Spirit Dream catcher
Cat Lover s Dream Catcher
Bear Totem Dream catcher
Arrowhead Dream catcher
Rainbow Warrior Raven Painting
The White Raven Painting
Guardian Angel Dream Catcher
Sweetheart Dream Catcher
and much much more……
Visit my Etsy shop to see the full inventory and learn the meanings behind each piece.
I create each piece with purpose and intent, pouring as much magic and healing energy as I can into every single new creation.
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
click to view on Etsy
My newest painting in honor of The Rainbow Warriors
Painted on 3 – 16 x 20 canvas panels – acrylic painting on gallery wrapped stretched canvases
What is a Rainbow Warrior?
When the earth is ravaged and the animals are dying, a new tribe of people shall come unto the earth from many colors, classes, creeds, and who by their actions and deeds shall make the earth green again. They will be known as the Warriors of the Rainbow — Old Native American Prophecy
Raven activates the energy of magic and links it to our will and intention. With this totem, we can make great changes in our life; the ability to take the unformed thought and make it reality.
The raven shows us how to go into the dark of our inner self and bring out the light of our true self; resolving inner conflicts which have long been buried. This is the deepest power of healing we can possess.
Click on the painting above to view it in my Etsy shop.
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
Lately I have had my hands busy busy…. weaving dream catchers. I have created some really unique dream catchers along with some more traditional styles. Have a look at my Etsy shop below and you’ll find dream catchers in a wide variety of subject matter.
Here are a few of the topics:
Your Dream Home
Lady Luck – featuring a lady bug
Free Spirit – featuring a winged heart
Raven Magic
Infinity
Dragons
Fairies
Love
Prosperity
Mystical
Witchy
Naughty Dreams 😉
and more!
Don’t forget …. I will also weave custom dream catchers for you or someone you want to gift … for specific purposes to help in any area of life you wish.
All of my dream catchers are created with purpose, love and intent for healing and are smudged and cleansed for the best possible results.
Visit my Shop! Click Here!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/raventalker
Many Blessings,
Follow the Raven:
Be sure to check out my Facebook Page for more videos, Spirit messages and even free readings!
In honor of the Fire Breathing Dragon piece I just finished in stained glass … I thought I would share with you also this dragon poem I wrote a few years ago.
Here’s the finished panel and the poem below
The Way of the Dragon
It is the dragon’s way
Be silent and listen to what he has to say
In the darkness of the night
He enters into your dreams and takes you on a mystical flight
His passions burn inside, full of desire
He is filled with mystical kind of power
His only release is within his fire
He soars through the night in a blaze
His memory, it will stay with you for days
There, that look in his eyes
You can see his soul and oh how it cries
A giant in the sky he may be
But when it comes to love, he’s as gentle as can be
Swiftly he flies down from above
Bringing you the gift of his dragon love
He says from his heart, dear lady have my heart to hold
It will keep you warm when the days grow cold
Filled with the wisdom of ancient ages
Nothing will stop him, not even cold bar cages.
He speaks with a gentle command
Come now and listen as I sing
I’ll comfort you and keep you safe within my wings
I’ll fight off all your worries and all your fears
I’ll be your protector throughout the years
I am your dragon and this is my dragon way
To watch over and protect you every night and every day.
Many Blessings,
Waya
Follow the Raven & Wolf:
Valentine’s Day is coming up and so I wanted to take a moment to share with you something I have done for friends in previous years to spread the love A few years ago I got the idea to give a whole years worth of love on Valentine’s Day …. So I thought how on Earth will I pull that off!
So it dawned on me … I started collecting motivational and inspirational quotes along with a few funny and odd bits of wisdom, jokes or whatever it was I liked…
I collected 365 sayings … I printed off 20 sets of these 365 sayings and began the process of cutting them all up in strips to place them inside a decorative box … with a tag that says … A Year of Warm Hugs and Wishes
I found the boxes at the Dollar Tree for $1 each …. Not a ton of money invested.. just loads of time!
If you would like a copy of the quotes and phrases I’ve collected.. message me and I’ll be happy to share.
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
This weekend I spent my time creating a few new dreamcatchers .. Have a look at these 🙂
click to enlrage
click to enlarge
The first is a Wolf Power Dreamcatcher and let me tell you the amount of wolf energy in this fella is hefty to say the least! This fella is no tame wolf.. he’s as wild as the wind that blows through the very top of the trees… across the mountains and beyond the seas.
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The second is an Angelic Dreams Dreamcatcher – embellished with yellow glass beads and metal signs reading Hope, Love, Believe and Faith… also adorned with a small silver angel pendant and feathers.
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click to enlarge
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My third dreamcatcher of the weekend is titled: Magical Journies Dreamcacher – with a small silver witch pendant hanging from the center and a large leather wrapped broom that stretches across the dreamcatcher. 13 glass stars encircle the witch on her journey through the night.. this one is filled with the purest of sweet slumber magic.
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Many Blessings,
Raventalker
If you would like your own custom made dreamcatcher .. give me a shout … I’d love to craft some magic just for you!
My latest creation.. this thought came to me as I was driving home from work one afternoon.
This was done on black canvas.. the canvas was already black.. not painted black by me.
I taped off my design and then added paint and allowed it to do whatever it wanted.
Once dry I very CAREFULLY removed the tape to reveal the design.
I love this technique.. the more you look at it the more other images pop out from the fluid like flow of the paints. I can’t wait to try this with the other million and half designs running through my head !!!
In this photo it’s still drying and needs a clear coat added.. but you still get the idea! 🙂
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
click to enlarge
I have spent my entire weekend working on these little stained glass angel ornaments to give to friends and family this year for Christmas. As I was standing for hours at my work bench, my back aching with pain, my fingers all cut up and burn marks every few minutes from the hot solder… I began to think about the people I was making the ornaments for.
I wondered who would appreciate this small token of a gift that I was creating and then those who I knew in fact would not really appreciate all the time, care, effort and pain that went into this years gift. Now that, that is said…. let me clear something up. I make gifts because it’s what I love to do. I don’t expect anything in return and it’s not about them knowing how much time and effort went into the gift. But having said that.. I have to say that this is exactly why I choose to make gifts instead of buying gifts. Let me explain.
In my mind… taking the time to dream up a new creation, the planning of that creation, then the physical act of creating and the long hours and even the pain that may come along with it … are all the reasons why I do it. If you are one of the few that receive a hand made gift from me.. then you know that I care about you enough to go through all of the above.
Let me tell you… there were many times this weekend that I wanted to just quit. I wanted to put the glass away and do something less painful (oh my poor cut up and burnt hands!). I have tons of other crafty ideas that I could do much quicker and with a whole lot more ease. But this years gift is suppose to be angels.. I dreamed it and gosh darn it .. I’m gonna make it happen! Yeah so the next time I get a bright idea like this… someone please stop me!
Then there is the fun and excitment that comes along with making gifts for others. As I was making these angels today I couldn’t help but wonder which of my friends or family members would get one of the angels whos halo was a tad bit bent or crooked.. I giggled to myself as I wandered through my list.. thinking of who was going to get one of those SPECIAL angels. I imagined the happiness that would come to some that would open their gift and fall in love with their own personal angel. I thought about the smiles and the hugs that would follow and so I endured the urge to sit down and stop. I worked through the pain running up and down my back.. a shrugged off the many burns that followed and I finished the angels with pride and happiness.
If you find yourself this year with one of my angels… know that you are loved and know that I thought you were well worth the effort!
If you do not find yourself with one of my angels.. know that most likely I ran out of time, glass, or even skin on my fingers..LOL. I am one person and I can only do so much. I would love to be able to make every person I know a special gift.. but hey.. I’m not Santa Claus ya know! I am me and I do the best that I can.
Happy Christmas everyone.. and if you can’t make something yourself for your friends and family .. please think about purchasing gifts from someone that does. Handmade gifts are filled with love and care.
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
P.S. www.etsy.com is a great place to find one of a kind, hand made gifts!
Well I just finished yet another art show. Over the years aI have participated in quite a few art shows, festivals and fairs and along the way I have learned a few things.
1. I never sell anything at these events
2. A lot of work goes into creating, preparing, setting up and tearing down
3. The reward from the above is meeting new people… not making money.. but meeting new people
Sure you get your name out to a few more people, you meet some nice new folks but sales rarely increase from these events. People just aren’t buying…. not just from me, but hardly from anyone else either.
Will I continue to do art.. YEP! It’s who I am.. it’s a huge part of me. It’s like breathing.. I have to create.
Do I regret doing any of the festivals, fairs or shows? NO, because at least I can say I gave it a try.
Will I do more? Probably, after I have forgotten all about the last experience..LOL… I am always hopeful.
It’s all about who you know. Getting in front of the right audience is key! No matter how many shows you do, unless you are in front of people that understand, like and get what you do… you’re not going to sell a thing.
For me creating art is more than just something I do, it’s who I am.. an extension of me. I wouldn’t be me without the art-side of me. It makes me feel good to create and it gives me something to look forward to, the reward is in the finished piece, not in the sale of that piece. Although, a sale would be really nice… hahahaha, it sure would help fund future projects. But that won’t stop me from doing.
Artists create for themselves but also it is a great honor when someone else finds happiness in one of our pieces. Note for beginning artists: Don’t stop creating, believe in what you do and keep putting your work out there for others to discover.. you just never know when that right person will come along and your efforts will be greatly rewarded.
I overheard several artists this weekend speaking about their art and one of the most common phrases I heard was “it has taken me xx years to get to this point.”
They had to continuous work at perfecting what they do, to get to where they were just starting to be recognized… so whatever you do.. don’t give up.
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
Wind Dancer
Last weekend I started a new stained glass piece titled : Wind Dancer
She is so near being finished now.. This weekend I was able to get her all pieced togather … now all she needs is some putty.. some patina, polish and framing.
Here’s a short video of my progress 🙂 ENJOY!
Recently bought a kaleidoscope kit to learn how to make them. I think they are both fun and beautiful!
So Labor Day weekend I set off to create my very first kaleidoscope… it could do with some improvements. Through the week I searched for the parts to make another to see if I could make it a bit better than my first … whew.. I think I have this down now!
Here’s my first kaleidoscope…. it looks solid and for the most part it is.. my color wheel on the front is just a bit wobbly .. which I can fix… just haven’t yet 🙂
The color wheels on this first one are the simpler 6 piece wheels…
Here is my second one … I doesn’t have any feet on it yet .. I may end up making a wood stand for it instead. The color wheels on this one are 12 piece wheels… so that’s 24 tiny little pieces of glass! Nothing wobbles on this one! Plus I added a bit of extra detail on the top of this one!
Here are some pics of what they look like on the inside 🙂
The first 3 photos are the effects using the 6 piece color wheels:
6 piece color wheel
6 piece color wheel
6 piece color wheel
These photos are the effects using the 12 piece color wheels :
12 piece color wheel
12 piece color wheel
12 piece color wheel
12 piece color wheel
12 piece color wheel
12 piece color wheel
Many Blessings,
Follow the Raven:
Be sure to check out my Facebook Page for more videos, Spirit messages and even free readings!
“It’s all about who you know….” How many times have you heard that phrase?
Well, it’s true!
In so many instances it really is about who you know…. some of the best breaks, opportunities, deals.. etc.. come from people you know or are connected to in some way.
This year I won 1st place for Best Visual Artist and Best Blog because of who I know… yep .. that’s right .. because of who I know!
But, it’s not exactly what you think…. Let me explain.
The people I know come from all walks of life.. most everyday folks just like me. All of us doing our best to make our way in this world.
They may or may not be the most politically influential, they may or may not be the highest in command at what they do, they may or may not be the wealthiest (as far as monetary value goes), they may or may not have much power in this world … but they are by far the most caring, dedicated, hard working, dependable, friendliest and kind hearted people that I know!
It is because of these people, standing by me throughout the voting process that I was able to win 1st place.
The thing is …. the award and acknowledgement is great .. but what’s even greater is that I have enough of these people on my side… who cared enough about me to cast their votes daily for an entire month.. who despite my constant and annoying voting reminders .. still stood by me and together we ruled the Toast of Music City 2011!!
It is indeed “who you know” and in this case I am proud and honored to know so many wonderful, caring folks!
Who you know doesn’t always mean you have to know the wealthiest, most powerful people… you just have to know the ones who truly care about others.
Thank you to everyone who voted for me this year… and most of all thank you all for your friendship, support and for being who you are!
I’m so glad I know the best of the best! The Cream of the Crop! Love You All!
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
There is this older gentleman in my office who has the greenest thumb I have ever seen. All the plants in the office were looking pretty sad until he came along and I swear it’s as if he waves a magic wand over them.. it seems as though over night they are the biggest brightest plants ever!
Well he grows Tuberoses and every year when they are in bloom he brings cuttings in for the whole office to enjoy. As soon as one vase goes away .. another will take its place until they are no longer in bloom.
He could keep these beautifully scented treasures to himself but noooooooooo…. always thinking of others .. always wanting to share the beauty of his gift, he brings them into the office year after year.
I’ve only heard a handful of people ever thank him for what he does… and sooooooooooooooooo … I thought I would do a little something for him.. I’m terrible with plants ..LOL.. so I got my paint brush out today and attempted to do a tuberose painting for him. You can see below how it turned out.
I’m terrible when it comes to painting flowers … but thankfully this one didn’t turn out so bad :-)!
We’ll see if he likes it tomorrow when I go back to work.. 😐
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
Whatever happened to hand made gifts? I know there are still a few out there that still make gifts for all occasions and I want to say to those few.. please, please keep doing what you are doing.
When someone takes from their own lives, the time to craft something for someoen else.. that gift is worth far more than any store bought gift could ever measure up to.
The time.. the thought… the effort alone is an invaluable gift all on its own.
Years ago I would craft far more than I do now… but I keep trying to step it up and continue this tradition. I just feel that for the above mentioned reasons .. the hand made gift speaks louder than anything else to say to the receiver that they are worth my time, thought and effort.
Well… its 4 months til Christmas .. the time to get started on those gifts is now!
You have plan on what to make… how much to make and start collecting supplies..
You see already how much more effort goes into that hand made gift.. you see hand made gifts takes months of thought, planning and doing … where as a store bought item can be purchased minutes before the giving occasion.
I’m not here to lecture you on what to do or not to do .. but more so to inspire and help.
Hand made items don’t have to be huge, expensive or elabortate… and you can add them to a purchased item as well.. it’s teh thought, time and effort like I said before.
Here are some of things I have done in the past ..
– Mini stockings with the receivers name on it .. I would make these for everyone in my family and that means aunt, uncles, cousins and all tehir children .. yeah so that did take a long time to finish ..lol.. especially since I did these before I had a sewing machine and sewed them all by hand.. over 100 I do believe that year. Stuff a few treats in them and give them out at the big family christmas dinner. Here’s a link to a quick and easy how-to http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-make-mini-stockings
– Coffee filter angels …. soooooooo simpe and affordable .. on these I also added everyone’s name to each angel for that little extra personal touch. Here’s a how-to for you http://crafts.kaboose.com/easy-coffee-filter-angel.html
– Painted mugs.. one year for valentines day I found some nice large (but plastic) mugs …. I painted them and filled them up with homemade chocolates and candies … these days you can find nice ceramic mugs for this or still go with the less expensive plastic ones.. depends on how many you want to make and what your budget allows. Michaels, Joan Fabrics and Hobby Lobby are great sopurces to find these products.
– Guardian Angel Ornaments… these are super easy .. take a clear christmas ball ornament .. add in some glitter of choice and a small white feather with an attached tag containing a story about the feather … you can google many diofferent versions of this saying for your ornament or make up your own.
– Holiday pins – with beads and jeweley making supplies the possibilities are endless. Not just for Christmas these can be for Easter, Halloween , Thanksgiving, Valentine’s day, Saint Patrick’s Day, etc.. For instance one year for easter I found some tiny straw hats .. decorsated them with a bit of pearl paint to look like beads and small ribbon .. add a pin backing and gave them to all the women at our Easter get together … let me tell you my aunts still talk about those pins.
– One year for Mother’s Day I took some silk roses… wrapped the steps in floral tape.. added a bit of scented oil and attached a poem I wrote for Mother’s Day to each one with a bit of ribbon.. I have no idea how many I made but that year every mother I passed during my day .. I handed them a rose and the reactions I got were more of a gift to myself than anything I could have ever imagines.
– Holiday wreaths… easy to make you can go from simple to elaborate depending on your budget .. greeat gifts for any occasion!
Other ideas: Dream catchers, home baked goodies, sun catchers, quilted throws, painted bird houses and bird feeders, decorated frames, pine cone christmas trees, ornaments, silk floral arangements, center pieces, bath salts, candles, etc…
The list goes on and on .. if you are having a hard time figuring out what you want to make.. first figure out how many you want to do then figure out what kind of budget you have to work with and start googling or ideas.. there are thousands of ideas on the web ranging from the simplest and least expensive to the more intricate and well expensive….
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
So here we are again this year … just 1 month ago Toast of Music City kicked off the voting for “The Best of” for the Nashville area .. the public got to vote for everything in the area from Best Restaurant to Best Child Care and Local Celeb..
You or someone you know can submit any business or local person for any category and then for 4 weeks votes are cast daily.
So there I am listed in Best Blog and Best Artist (Visual) .. every day for 4 weeks I posted links hoping for votes .. fingers crossed .. hoping for the best.
Any artist will be able to relate.. we do what we do because it’s who we are .. it’s in our blood to create … we don’t do it for money or fame but in the back of our minds it sure would be great to be recognized for all that we put into our creations.
Late yesterday the winners were posted online.. I am truly humbled and honored to say that I MADE IT!!!
I certainly don’t believe I am the best artist or blogger by any means … but what I am certain of is that I have the very best friends and fans anyone could ever ask for. Taking time out of their day for 4 weeks straight to cast a vote my way and for that I am truly .. truly blessed.
As an artist and blogger I give it my all each day .. with every blog .. and every piece of art I create. Always working to improve and do the best that I can do. My hopes are to bring a bit of peace and healing to the world in any way that I can through my blogs and writing and with my art .. I just hope to make others smile, relate and connect.
Heavy sigh … and GREAT BIG SMILES!!!!
Thank you to everyone who voted this year. You guys are the best inspiration anyone could ever ask for. I could not have done it without you.
Many Blessings and Thank yous all around!!!
Raventalker
Assembly started.. body togetherall assembled and soldered back – litnatural light at duskclose up of the ravenall assembled and soldered
back – litnatural light at duskclose up of the raven
natural light at duskclose up of the ravenclose up of the raven
close up of the raven
close up outside in natural light to show detail of the white whispy glass
outside in natural light
Next weekend I hope to get it all puttied and ready for the real guitar parts to be added.
Many Blessings,
Follow the Raven:
Be sure to check out my Facebook Page for more videos, Spirit messages and even free readings!
It’s that time again .. Toast of Music City … Please take a moment to register with the website and give me a vote each day while the contest runs. Thank you to everyone in advance for all your help and support!
If you haven’t registered to Vote this year … just click this link and you’ll be able to register… the site didn’t retain any of the registration info from last year so you have to re-register. http://toastofmusiccity.com/account.aspx/Register
also while you are there if you don’t mind helping out the company I work for that would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks to everyone for your votes!!!
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
For the Past 3 years I have been in a local contest that’s held each year called The Toast of Music City
Last year I came in 2nd place for Best Local Artist in the Visual Arts Category … I would be honored if you would take a moment to sign up to the site this year and vote for me… just click the button below to enter the site and vote. You can vote every day for the next few weeks. I’ll also be in teh Best Blog category as well and will post the lin as soon as it shows up on the site. Thank you all for your help 🙂 … Fingers crossed this year we get a win!
My special project! 🙂
I thought how cool it would be to make life sized stained glass guitars and add real guitar parts to them.. and … well.. so I began designing, cutting, grinding and assembling a few guitars.
Below are some photos of guitars still in progress as well as a few finished products.
As I mentioned before these are all life sized with real guitar parts added to give them that extra cool factor!
I have an acoustic guitar in progress at the moment … photos to follow soon as well as a couple of custom designs of my own and an american flag electric model.
These guitars are for display only .. sorry folks but these can’t be played .. just looked at and admired 🙂
Many Blessings,
Follow the Raven:
Be sure to check out my Facebook Page for more videos, Spirit messages and even free readings!
Stained Glass AX Guitar – Life Sized Guitar with real guitar parts
Real guitar strings, knobs, machine heads, bridge and stop
Another Guitar done and finished 😀
This is modeled after an electric ESP guitar
These are done in stained glass and not for playing … just sayin ….
Real Guitar parts used on each one.. real guitar strings, knobs, bridge, stop and machine heads
Many Blessings,
Follow the Raven:
Be sure to check out my Facebook Page for more videos, Spirit messages and even free readings!
Well today I bought myself a new sketchbook since I gave my other new one away almost as soon as I had bought it yesterday….lol… oh well.. it was a good deed and I’m happy to make someone else happy. Soooooooooooo.. I had to christen my new sketchbook with some fresh new doodles…
This is Lil’Alfred he likes dropping pennies in the well just to hear them splash.. he always forgets to make a wish .. bless him.
This is Old McGuire… don’t bother making friends.. he’s harmless but also an old GROUCH! No one knows why he’s so grouchy, some say there’s a story to be told but for now all we know is that’s just the way he is.
This is Angelica … she takes after her name… always sweet and kind-hearted to everyone she meets. There is this certain glow about her that draws you in and when she floats across the land .. you become hypnotized by her… well.. by not just her beauty … but something that she carries within.
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
I have many artistic/crafty friends and so often we get on conversations about when, how and where our art/craft sells or when, where and why it doesn’t.
If you are an artist or craft person… you know exactly what I’m talking about. Those who aren’t … let me tell you…..
Lets face it .. art isn’t something you go out and buy everyday … Art is a luxury item… so I understand when times get slow and less are buying … especially in today’s economy. But that’s not the only struggle…. The term “Starving Artist” cannot have more truth to it. It’s a hard way to make money for most … some get lucky and get in front of the right people at the right time and their art takes off … others struggle. They struggle to find an audience, struggle to find a venue, struggle to get seen/known/heard/noticed…. and because of all that they get to a point of justifying the time, money and effort they put into their creations. They struggle to make reason for continuing.
Finding places to show off your art or craft is easy .. it’s finding the right place where people show up to BUY .. not just browse … and finding the place that has the people buying that like what you create.
Pricing your own work has to be one of the hardest things for an artist to do beyond getting noticed by the right folks. You can put a price on the materials used but how about the time, effort, knowledge and work that has gone into a piece?
Artist and craftsmen don’t usually do it for the money and fame… we do it because it makes us feel good, it’s in our blood to create… it brings us happiness and a feeling of accomplishment each time we finish a project. With every piece we create .. we have placed a piece of ourselves into it and then we get to show it off and share with the world what we have created. It’s always a labor of love for the artist or craft person. But to continue creating for most … some pieces need to be sold in order to fund future creations.
All that being said .. back to my original question… Why? or Why Not?
Why create when it’s not selling? Why not?
Personally…. I create because I believe in what I’m doing… Because I have faith in that I create each piece with a purpose and that piece will somehow find it’s way to fulfill that purpose. It’s not in me to give up.. so I continue to do the work that I do … I create and create and create until my hands have withered away to dying flesh and bone… it is who I am and I’m no quitter .. I AM A CREATOR – BRINGING THOUGHTS AND IDEAS TO LIFE.
That’s why!
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
Well I was thinking of maybe putting up a series of painting how-to’s up via video format of course.
What do you guys think?
Good idea? or no?
My newest additction in stained glass… I’m working on a series of life sized guitars made of stained glass …
At the moment I have them all pieced together and it’s now time to start adding the real guitar parts to them .. I’ll be adding the bridge, stop, knobs and machine heads from real guitars and then also adding strings but not real guitar strings
I’m choosing not to use real guitar strings because of effect really .. the smaller strings would never be seen if I used real ones .. so choosing a wire that is a middle of the line guage between the thickest string and the smallest…. hopefully that will turn out ok.. we will soon see.
Have a look at some of the guitars so far….
Can’t wait to get the parts added on see how the finished products will turn out!
Many Blessings,
Follow the Raven:
Be sure to check out my Facebook Page for more videos, Spirit messages and even free readings!
Testing the video input options … so you guys can relax and watch me doodle.
>The how-to in the link below isn’t in english but is shows step by step instructions so easy to follow… and what a great idea!!!! Love these!
http://www.lobzik.pri.ee/modules/news/article.php?storyid=244
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
>
Hahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa found these online and they are so cute I just had to share this as my craft of the day … checkout the photo.
Now I gotta go fight the squirrels over some nuts!!!
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
>
Corn Husk Dolls are a great holiday craft that you can incorporate into just about any holiday … they can become an angel, a pilgrim or indian, they can be a patriot, a loving couple for valentines, etc .. whatever you can imagine you can create ..
You can get as simple or complax as you wish with your corn husk dolls…
add wings and they become angels and fairies… go dark and give them a pointy hat and a broom and they become a witch .. like I said let your imagination take you away and create something beautiful today!
here is a link below for a simple how-to … Google some photo samples of different dolls to help you with ideas.
http://scribbit.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-make-corn-husk-dolls.html
Many Blessings,
Follow the Raven:
Be sure to check out my Facebook Page for more videos, Spirit messages and even free readings!
The Healing Path of the Raven & Wolf 