Three days left for the FREE photo giveaway!

Hello all! Just three more days to comment on Jenn's LOVELY altered photo art! One winner will be chosen on Thursday, February 17th to receive Jenn's lovely print, "Wish or Regret" . . . FREE! :)
Fondly, Kate

featured artist . . . Jenn of Nejella Photo Art, and photo giveaway

Say Hello to Jenn from Nejella Photo Art!

I was browsing on Etsy one afternoon, searching under the term "forget-me-not" and happened upon this absolutely mesmerizing photo.

Taken aback by this lovely photo's ethereal and evocative nature, I peeked inside Jenn's shop and found a plethora of amazing altered art photographs.


Jenn's photo descriptions tell a story. They are thought provoking, honest and full of hope. For example: this lovely rose print entitled, "Waited Up Last Night" bears the following description: "She waited up last night. Not for the door to open. Not to hear what the new excuse would be. Not to see if he came to bed. She waited up last night for the promises her new start was going to bring."


I was able to chat a bit with Jenn and learn a bit more about who she is and where she gets her inspiration. I couldn't wait to feature her on my blog, and share only a sampling of the absolutely gorgeous work she does. Our interview follows.

*Tell us a little about yourself.*

A little bit silly and a lot quirky. I have a day job. I love anything Robin's Egg blue. I'm a dreamer. And I've never met a cookie I didn't like.

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*How do you view life? And how does this influence your artwork?*

I view life as a gift, one that should never be taken for granted. I try to stay in the moment as much as possible, because I know the past is done, and the future I cannot control. Those thoughts surely influence my artwork, because being in the moment allows me to put my full self into my art.

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*What are your loves in life?*

My family, my furry kids, my home, good coffee and Kundalini Yoga.

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*Where did you learn about Etsy?*

I'm not sure how I found out about Etsy, but I do know I started out by shopping on Etsy. My first purchase was a necklace made of vintage guitar charms. After that, I was hooked. Now, I buy around 90% of my gifts on Etsy. It makes shopping for the people I love fun, and I can be pretty sure no one will already have the gift I buy.

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*How did you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?*

Selling on Etsy just sort of happened. My husband and I were redoing our 1948 cottage and were spending every waking moment and every single cent on our home. I started beading, for relaxation. And then I couldn't stop. I was either working on our house, or beading. And I loved every second of both. Before I knew it, I had too many earrings for one girl, so I decided to try selling them. Shortly after that, I decided to sell my photography.

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*How did you come up with your business name, Nejella Photo Art?*

As a child, my grandmother called me Nejella (nej-ella) Why? Because Nej was Jen backwards. My grandmother was the warmest, funniest, chattiest, silliest, down to earth, eclectic, vibrant woman I have ever known. She passed away before I opened my shop, but she's part of me, so her heart is in everything I do. I carry her with me, and I see that in my shop.

*Where do you find your inspiration?*

I find my inspiration in flowers, moments and vintage everything and anything. I love the combination of beauty and age. I really hope to reflect that in my work.

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*What is one thing that has changed your life for the better?*

My husband. I met him in 2005 on Match.com. He encourages me every chance he gets. Always gives his honest opinion, even when it's not what I want to hear (brave soul). He never, ever says that anything is a bad or crazy idea. He makes me laugh and brings me peace. I really didn't know my creative self until I knew him.

Jenn's work is all amazing! I ordered this beautiful print above from Jenn, entitled, "Wish or Regret" The description follows:

"Is it a wish or is it a regret? This 8x8 print will arrive in 10 days. It will be printed on Kodak Endura Metallic paper by a professional printer."

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This print is so magical, interesting, and thought-provoking! And the metallic paper makes it glimmer and glow! I ended up staring at it for about five minutes straight the other day!

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Jenn has agreed to give away this marvelous print (which sells for $25.00 in her etsy shop) to one lucky winner!

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Here's how it works:

Post a comment to this blog entry. Leave a link to yourself. One winner will be randomly chosen on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH, 2010. Check back then to see who the winner is! I will at that time need your mailing address so Jenn can send this print out to you.

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~~~~Having problems leaving a comment? You may also visit kate's Cottage on facebook and leave a comment there to be entered into the giveaway!!~~~~

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/kates-Cottage/193195744405?ref=ts

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You can see all of Jenn's amazing work in her Etsy shop: http://www.nejellaphotoart.etsy.com/

See many examples of her artwork at:

http://www.nejellaphotoart.com/

And follow her interesting blog:

http://www.imstillmejustbetter.blogspot.com/

Regency Exhibition Ball

I just received an email announcing the Fourth Annual Regency Exhibition Ball held in Lansing, MI on Saturday, March 27th, 2010! My husband, mother, father, sister & her husband, my brother and I have attended the ball for the previous three years. We have always had a fantastic time! We learn how to English Country Dance just like they did in Jane Austen's day, eat wonderfully yummy food, laugh and enjoy the general splendor of the evening!

Here are my husband and me at last year's ball in our regency apparel I sewed. I ordered pure lightweight silk to make my dress for last year. Can't wait for the ball this year! My mom, sister, and I are already planning! Here's the web address: http://www.regencyexhibitionball.com

This next week I'll be listing some lovely Austen-inspired venise lace crowns/headbands

in my shop on Etsy.

Fondly,

Kate

edible valentines

Firstly, I must announce that I made my first sale of 2010 yesterday . . . hooray!

Secondly, It is January 16th and I have awoken to birds singing for the past three mornings! What a cheerful sound! And what a gift in the middle of winter!

Thirdly, I've been thinking of Valentine's Day recently and remembering some darling cookies I made last year in celebration . . . which my children happily consumed.

I just whipped up a couple batches of sugar cookies from my favorite recipe. Cut them out with heart cookie cutters. Then I whipped up some royal icing (egg whites and powdered sugar beaten until stiff peaks form). Tinted it with different food colorings. Spread the cookies with frosting. Let it harden completely. Then, poured some red food coloring onto a folded napkin inside of a tin, and stamped cute "conversation heart" sayings on each cookie with alphabet stamps.

I loved how they turned out! So did my kids' classmates, as we took them in to share for classroom valentine's celebrations.

After blogging about this, I am resolved on creating them again this year!

Happy winter to you all!

Fondly,

Kate

a sunny, snowy day in rural Michigan

I have come to the conclusion that I must have AMCD: Artistic Medium Commitment Disorder . . . I LOVE working with so many different items; fabric, pearls, MOP buttons, anything silver, laces, etc. I have a hard time commiting to one thing. So my Etsy shop is filled with lots of different handmade items. Sigh . . .

Fondly,
Kate

thank yous

I am SO thankful for great family and friends. Some thank yous are in order for supporting me in my little Etsy venture.

First, thank you to my Mom, who has always been a wonderful friend and mother to me and has always encouraged me to be creative! XO, Mom!!

Next, thank you to my sisters who have encouraged me along the way. The older of the two (and comrade in all things Jane Austen) was my first customer! Thank you, Em!
And my youngest sister, the business-minded glamour queen ;) who has given me good advice. Thank you, Jenny!

I've got to thank my sweet, sweet cousin, Shelley, who is raising twins and was my second customer and one of my first followers on facebook. Thanks, sweetie!

Have to thank my friend Judy! She started a screen-printing business and showed me that you can make money doing something you LOVE.

Thanks to Etsy for making a fantastic site and helping people turn a hobby into a business!

Anyone out there wondering if they should take the plunge and open a shop on etsy . . . my advice is DO IT! It is so much fun! I've met SO MANY nice and wonderful people on Etsy! Can't wait to see where this adventure will take me!

Fondly,
Kate

rags to riches???

I have naturally wavy hair. But for most of my photo shoots, I curl my hair to portray that "romantic, 'Jane Austen'" feel . . . for that purpose, and of course, it is actually fun to play dress up. :)
I've experimented with my hair-curling process, first using traditional foam rollers. I tried pin curls once which ended up giving me large, flowy curls. You can see the results on my etsy site by clicking on my "taria maiwen" flower hair clip.
For my most recent photo shoot, I rag-rolled my hair. This technique is not new. Women used to use bits of cloth, wrap their hair around them and tie them up. So, after I showered at night, I rolled up my hair and slept on it. It actually ended up being quite comfortable . . . quite unlike foam rollers!


After unrolling my hair, I simply pinned it up in back with a couple large snap-clips and a BUNCH of bobby pins, and, voila! Hair fit for a queen . . . or at least a Jane Austen fan! :)

Hope my new rag-rolled 'do will bring in the riches . . . okay, I know, that was cheesy!
Wishing you all well in the new year!

All my best!,

Kate