Tuesday, September 20, 2016

It's A New Day! Hastypearl


It's A New Day!
Hastypearl

Hi, guys...friends old and new that have been reading this Hastypearl blog!
I have some great news...

After a wonderfully interesting process and passing of time, 
I will be moving my Hastypearl presence away from Blogger, 
over to my very own site...



Since the beginning of Hastypearl in 2012, 
I've found myself wondrously In Over My Head!
Happily, I have found at EVERY turn, 
Generous Sharers of their knowledge, 
that have HELPED me every step of the way.

If there is Any one thing that I can encourage you to do
...it's to ASK FOR HELP!

Not one to have ANY problem with doing that, 
I have learned SO much.
The best part about that, 
is that there will ALWAYS be opportunities for us
to Give Back of the knowledge that we possess...
and I Love doing that. :)
 We, Pay It Forward...like the movie said. 


So, you will still find me at Hastypearl Etsy
where you will find lots of amazing Vintage Finds
...cause I love hunting for the very best and unique pieces out there.

And, I'm still buzzing around Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.
All of those links are listed on my Hastypearl.com
home page.


I'll still be blogging away, 
about things going on in the Hastypearl Art Studio, 
publications that you can find me in, my garden and travels beyond.
I love sharing my life with you.


This Blogger blog, will stay Open.

~I love looking back on the postings of workshops 
I have hosted and the friends that I've made there.
~I love rereading the Artist interviews I have done...
I could Never leave those behind!
(I have some wonderful NEW interviews 
lined up that you will enjoy reading for sure.)



It's been so much fun here, but its time to move on!
.
For those of you, that have followed me from the beginning, Thank You!
It's been great to look over at the Feedjit register, 
and see you tip toeing through my words.
Those of you coming from all over the world, 
 have been mind blowing.
Whether you have stopped in once or many times...
Thank You!

Please sign up on the right side of this page, to continue on with me.
With those signatures, I will finally start a Newsletter.

I want you to be the first to hear about my new 
Mixed Media Art and gift listings, 
and special sale announcements in those 
upcoming Hastypearl Newsletters.

I'm excited that for the first time, Hastypearl art 
will now be sold right from Hastypearl.com

Sign up either on this blog, or over at Hastypearl.com

Of course, I hope you will tell you friends and family about Hastypearl.

To the many people that have helped me along the way...
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Doing cartwheels...
Lets get started!!!

Its a New Day!...Laura aka hastypearl




Friday, March 18, 2016

Hastypearl is Still Kickin'



Hastypearl is Still Kickin'

Hey guys!
Yep, I'm still in the game.

We are working on opening a new Hastypearl.com site, 
so confess, I haven't been blogging.
I kind of hate to, and then switch sites.
You know?

But I really MISS blogging! 

You should see my list of "to blog"topics.
It keeps GROWING !
But, change takes time and its going to be so fun when the new site is up.

In the mean time, everything is still good in Hastypearl Land.
I've got LOTS going on in the studio.
(seriously...it looks like Dorothy and Toto flew through this morning...but its a good thing!)
I've got several articles coming out soon, in the most wonderful publications.
I'm hosting another Book Arts Workshop with the fantastical 
Roxanne Evans Stout and Leslie Marsh, 
June 24-26 in our Redstone, Colorado home.
(there are still a few spaces left...please come!)
My family is great.
My South Central Texas garden is A-Live, soooo Alive.

See? 
I have tons to talk about.

If you want to be alerted when I go live at Hastypearl.com, 
MAKE SURE THAT YOU SIGN UP 
on the right side of this page
 and you will be emailed!

In the meantime, 
you can still find me posting/listing away at Hastypearl Etsy
FB
 and Pinterest.
I love them All!   



This Mixed Media Teal Book Art Piece, 
is available at Hastypearl Etsy.
Come Take a Look :)

I'm so happy that You stopped by!

Whether you are Northern or Southern Hemisphere, 
I hope you are well and enjoying these 
Wonderfilled Days!!!!

Best, Laura 












Saturday, January 16, 2016

My Somerset Studio Gallery Magazine Experience Hastypearl



My Somerset Studio Gallery Magazine Experience


This time last year, I was thinking about my annual goals.
I always set some realistic goals, and for good measure, 
I throw some in that seem completely... 
OUT THERE.
There isn't a Goal Police, after all.
If you achieve, great.
If you don't, you don't,
 but as you know, 
we wont achieve them if we don't try.

One of my goals, was rather open ended...meaning...
it could happen in a number of ways, but the basis was, 
SUBMIT my art to publications.
SUBMIT.
That is a lot different than BE PUBLISHED.
One of them I had control over, the other I didn't.

I had learned, that publications, have schedules in their pages, 
for concepts that they want submitted and due dates.
I started thumbing through my stock of Somerset Magazines 
and one day, saw a request for a Gothic Themed Mixed Media piece.
I SUBMITTED, and was ecstatic to learn that it was accepted for the 
Readers Submissions section, of the Somerset Studio magazine!
Yay!

After that, 
I met a wonderful new Managing Editor of Somerset Studio Gallery,
 named, Brianne Martin.
I sent her pictures of some Mixed Media Finial Birds 
and was again....sooooo delighted 
that she liked them and wanted to publish them.
What????
How could this be happening?
Yes, you see artist after artist on FB talking about 
how they have been published...
but now, 
it was my turn. 
Soooo Thrilled !

I couldn't believe it when I saw on the cover...

Introducing
The Finial Birds !!!

My little flock, had an Introduction on the Cover!



Brianne made everything SO easy.
It's Time to emphasize, that we don't need to know how 
to accomplish every step of our goals.
There are people out there that already know the wheel and how to turn it.
We don't have to reinvent it every time!
I've learned more about asking for help, 
and how generous people are through my art.
Most people WANT to help us !

I sent in pictures...
boy, I have learned sooo much more about photography since then, 
(and wont ever stop climbing that learning curve)
but it doesn't matter.
You can Send In your art for the magazine to photograph and return, 
or you can submit your own photos.
They have TALENTED photographers/editors, 
that can do Wonders with our photos.

*Lesson Number One Million*
 Don't wait until you are Annie Liebovitz, photographer extraordinaire, to try.
That MIGHT take longer than you want.
Just SUBMIT.

I wanted to give it a try, 
and do my own writing about the creation of my Finial Birds. 
I suggested Brianne go to the Where Women Cook article that I had just written, 
and again...I am not a professional writer, but she liked it.
Brianne the Angel, 
came through again.


While constructing the birds, 
I took photos of the creation process...Always Do That.
You never know when you can use them in a blog, 
a workshop or an article.
It helps also to refer back to, when you are describing your steps.


I sent in the required number of words, 
and what was needed for their format and it was approved !



It was such fun, to see my OWN words on the page!


I thought that you might enjoy seeing some of the following images, 
that I Didn't send in.

Yes, I took them.
Retook them.
Retook.
Retook.
Retook.
Is Retook even a word?;)



This photograph of the French Bird, 
helped me sell this shelf at Hastypearl Etsy.
I think that little bird in a beret, 
would have sold an old shoe sole, it was so cute :)



This little Finial Bird was based on Mr. Carson, 
the wonderful head butler on Downton's Abbey. 

I found the most amazing vintage keys to use for their wings.
Can you believe, that these tiny keys were actually original Model A car keys ?
The etching on each key was BEAUTIFUL !
I'm always looking for Beautiful.
Anyone can use just a key, 
but Hastypearl isn't just Anyone :)




This bird was meant to be a ode to Amelia Earhart.
First woman to fly.
Thus, Amelia Birdheart seemed right !

Again, I try very hard, to go the extra mile.
I didn't just form a bird head, 
I formed it over and over, 
because when I pressed a beautiful stamp to bring 
texture and embossing into the clay, 
it would distort the head.
So, I would do it again,
until I could get the embossing AND the head shape that I wanted.
Its all about the details.



This was the Clown Bird.
If there is a Clown Fish, I saw no reason not to have a Clown Bird.
But, because there are people out there, that have Clown issues, ;), 
I tried really hard to make mine a Sweet Clown...
not a Scary Clown.
Don't you just want to squeeze that little red nose and see if it honks?:)


Mr. Carson looking very Dapper !
His collar is freshly Starched.  



An "ariel"view of the group.



Finally, it seemed appropriate to have a pirate in the group.
But not just Any pirate.
How about Johnny Depp's, Jack Sparrow?
Geeeeeeeet it?
Spaaaaaaarow?
;)
OK. 
It takes a long time to make one of these little creatures, 
so I had lots of time to form their characters, 
personalities and names !



The above image as used on the second page of the article.



I cant explain the thrill of privately and dorkily, 
going to the bookstore, 
and searching for these magazines.

When you find them...you wonder if its crossing the line, 
to tap innocent people on the shoulder and say, 
"Do you want to see my Finial Birds", 
but sanity requires that you DON'T !

But, you do Have to get up the courage to geek out 
and ask an employee to take your goofy picture, 
with a smile that almost won't fit in the frame.

It's Just Plain Fun!!

Moral of the story...
If I can do it...YOU can do it :)
If its not being published, its something else, wonderful.
YOU can do it!!

The icing on the cake, 
is that a friend from Florida,  
who came to an art workshop that I hosted in my home, 
bought the WHOLE series/FLOCK from Hastypearl !

I could have been happy with all or part of the above happening, 
but when I posted an image of one of the birds on my FB page 
and she said she wanted them...
YES!!!
Such a Happy Ending!

So, I have some very achievable goals for 2016.
We all should.
But, I have some OTHERS, that seem SOOOO unattainable.
It doesn't matter.
I'm Going for it.
If I don't make it, 
I'll either reevaluate or I'll roll them over to Next Year.

Hear that?
Yeah. Its silence.
Its the absence of the siren sound of the Goal Police !

Whats YOUR craziest 2016 goal? :)


Thanks for stopping by to my Hastypearl blog.
As I mentioned in my last posting, I am working 
on starting a new blog.
While I am doing that, 
it will give you time to decide if you want to follow me over.
You can do that by signing up to get an email 
about the switch over time and new location.
Its over on the right side of this page.--->

I Hope you are enjoying your days, warm or cool, 
depending on which side of the equator you live!

Best to you...Laura aka hastypearl

P.S.
If you have a favorite fictional character or an occupation in mind, 
that you would like for me to custom make for you, let me know.
You can find me on Etsy and contact me there!
I've collaborated with customers, 
to create just the thing that is in their imaginations!
It's fun to do together :)  
Hmmm....how about a fireman, teacher, movie star?
The list is ENDLESS!




















Monday, January 11, 2016

Collage Wall Decor by Hastypearl !


Collage Wall Decor

Happy New Year!!!

Are you used to saying 2016 yet, or are you still saying 2015?
Whew...How can the days zip by so fast, right?

2015 was amazing in so many ways.
It had its hard days, but the Wonderful days far outweighed them.
You already know that I've said...
when you lose something...be patient, 
because something amazing is waiting in the wings to blow you AWAY!

Its certainly been true for me.

I had a wonderful Christmas season hosting and co-hosting several events.
It's lots of work, but I just cant get enough of it.
It's so wonderful to spend time with people that I love.

I am so Blessed.

*

I want to show you a couple of Collage Wall Decor pieces that I made in 2015, 
but before I do...
I want to mention to you, 
that I am busy working on a new website, that will also house this Hastypearl blog.
If you have enjoyed reading Hastypearl, then be sure that you 
*sign up on the right, to Follow by Email*.
I don't want to lose you or make you feel like I moved out 
and didn't leave you a forwarding address :)

Its going to take a while to work out the details and to make the switch, so stay tuned...

*

The following pieces are in a series of Hastypearl Collages.
They were all laid down on white watercolor paper, 
and then mounted on 1" birch wood panels.
These two have black edges.
While they are Ready to hang on the wall or stand on a shelf, 
they can still be incorporated into a framing arrangement if you want.

They are both 8 " x 10 " 
$ 88. each




My first layer is a background where I painted with tea. 
Can you see the faint color?

Keep an eye out and see if you can see the little embossed edging that I applied.
I found this amazing vintage tool...
I don't even know what its called or what it was used for, 
but I loved using it on my pieces. 
It just adds one more layer, and for me...I LOVE LAYERS :)

I'm pretty crazy about this Orange and Red combo.




In fact it shows up in my work fairly often.




Black is most likely going to appear as well.



I used some of my hand painted papers, mark making papers, 
vintage children's book fragments, 
vintage lettering, book cover spines, thread, trims.

Hey, I'm a Mixed Media Artist!
There's always room for one more Thing!


Its all about the Story for me.
The one that is in my head.
The one that is in your head.
50 people can see an art piece and Find a different story.
The story that matters the most, is always our Own :)



I got in the mood, and am paying the shipping bill for US buyers.
Yep, FREE SHIPPING on these two collages for US buyers. 

I didn't raise the price of the art to cover it...Ill Pay It For You :)
Lets call it a First of the Year treat!



Check in Often and I'll pay shipping for an International buyer another time !



It can feel like there are bad things that happen in the world, 
but just like good days and bad days, 
there are many more good people, than bad.

Lets keep focused on That.
Encourage Someone.
Give a random Smile to someone.
It can mean Way More Than We Will Ever Know!




As always, hop over to Hastypearl Etsy and take a look around.
You can get there with this link 
or you can use the Hastypearl button on the right side of this page.

As Always, Thanks SO MUCH for checking in.

Welcome to you New readers, 
and I cant thank those of you Long Time readers, enough!!!!

2016 Blessings to ALL :)
Laura aka hastypearl  










Sunday, December 13, 2015

What Do You Do, When You Get THAT Invitation ? Hastypearl


What Do You Do When You Get THAT Invitation ? 


That's a leading question, right?
I didn't specify, if it was a Bad invitation or a Good one, did I?
Well, I am happy to say that it was recently for me, a Good one.
A Very Good one!

I have happily and only recently met local San Antonio artists, 
Michelle, because of an Encaustics class that I took from her, 
and Lyn, 
because she opened one of the encaustics mornings, for Michelle. 

We also had a Very Happy incident, 
where I was able to connect them,
 with a sudden opening to teach at a Texas Art Workshop.
That was one of those meant to be moments that made at least 4 of us smile, 
and I'm pretty certain that their students smiled, as well.

Anyway, back to my original question!

I happened to be looking through Lyn Belisle's 2015 Workshop schedule, 
where she has the dates linked back to pertinent info.
I found this one date...December 12, 
that didn't have a link.
I FB messaged her inquiring, 
and her response really surprised me....she replied...

I signed You UP !

The first thing that I thought was ....AWESOME !

Not, hmmm...I wonder if I have that date available?
Not, I wonder what she will be doing?

I just thought....AWESOME!

I figured if it was snake handling or something TOOOO risky, 
I could decline.
Otherwise, it didn't matter WHAT she was going to be doing, 
I knew I was in.

Further explanation arrived and I learned that it wasn't just going to be Lyn, 
it was also going to be Michelle!

WHAT???? :)

Turns out, 
they had scheduled some time together in Lyn's beautiful studio, 
to work on some ideas of things that they had been tossing around.

I and two other ladies, were invited to be guinea pigs of sorts, 
and I couldn't have been more thrilled!

So, I guess you have deduced by now, that to the invitation, I said,

YES!!!!!!

The following are a few pics of some of their Mixed Media Art pieces and 
some of the things that we played around doing.

It couldn't have been any MORE WONDER FULL !

*


*


*


*


*


*


*


*


*


*


*


Someone once told me, 
that in any area of your life, 
you should find/seek out people that you admire, 
and simply, do what they do.

For me, its been fun to see how many times that its really been instead...
Laura, watch and see, how you are being GIFTED with connections, 
of people that you admire.

 Its easy to attribute it to Gods hand in my life.

Who else could I trust more? :) 

These two singly, have More Amazing Talent imaginable,
but together, they are a powerfully, compatible Force !

I'm Fine, with having two new people in my life, to Admire :)

Its at times like this that I always think of,

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you.
They will pour into your lap a good measure-
pressed down,
shaken together, 
and running over.
For by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you in return.


Boy Michelle and Lyn, 
was I given a Good Measure :)

I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!
I hope that you are enjoying these Wonder-Full days....

Best,
Laura  













Friday, December 4, 2015

It's Friday !! Lets Play a Game :) Hastypearl


It's Friday !! 

Lets Play a Game :)

Hastypearl

Welcome to my SCentral Texas Garden !

We've all worked hard this week, so lets keep it lite.

One of these plants below, is definitely something that you DO NOT WANT to touch !

Ask your family to help you if you need to.

Write the number of the plant that you think it is in the comments box below, 
or comment on hastypearls FB, and see if you can get it right.

These are pictures that I took today, while on a walk with our dogs, on our property.

The foliage looks more like it should be mid November, but as you know, its is December 4th.

Can't wait to see what you think.

I will let you know the "DON'T TOUCH ME" plant, in my next posting :)

Have fun !



#1


#2


#3


#4


#5


#6



#7



#8



#9


#10



#11


#12


#13


#14

OK.

There you go.

Regardless of where you live, you stand a VERY GOOD chance of getting this right :)

I'll see you on the flip side !

Laura aka hastypearl


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Follow up posting with answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

....if you guessed image #3 and #9 were plants that you Do Not Want To Touch, 
then you would be right.
Beautifully colored in reds in the fall and early winter...

For those of us that live in SCentral Texas, this is good old 
Toxicodendron Radicans,
commonly called, Poison Ivy 
Leaflets Three, Let It Be!

Looks like I have some removing to be done !
Thanks for playing along :) Laura