I am still here. I’ve just been busy designing and creating graphics for EFA Artists Helping Animals’ first birthday bash, re-theming (is that even a real word?) my blog, and working on a couple of other personal projects.

EFA is an Etsy Street Team I belong to. We are a group of artists and craftspeople who love animals and donate a portion of our proceeds to animal charities and organizations.

What’s this Birthday Bash Extravaganza, you ask? The EFA Street Team Store, as well as over 130 EFA Street Team Members participating, will be offering 20% off their shops from Sept 15 - Sept 30. Isn’t that exciting? Go check it out by clicking the Bday Bash Extravaganza link above.

I am self-taught on Adobe Photoshop and only know about 5-10% of all the coolio things it can do, so this was quite a challenge. Although it was very time-consuming, I really enjoyed the whole process.

I studied photos of each animal, sketched them out, erased and resketched, simplifying the lines & shapes as I went along, traced them, inked them, then scanned them before transferring them to Photoshop for some color.

If you google images for “baby elephant”, you will see some similarities in the elephant mascot above. The only thing that was rather unpleasant was that I ended up at a website that had poor rabbits with bizarre viral growths when I googled “cottontail rabbit”.

These are just a few of the graphics I made. I have to admit, it’s really kinda cool to see these avatars scattered all over Etsy. Shops with those avatars are all the members that are participating in the birthday special.

I didn’t join in. However, I’ll be offering my own “Mailing List Only Special” for one of those weeks in September so look for it coming soon!

Not on my mailing list? It’s easy to join! Just click the yellow sticky note on the right sidebar. I promise to keep your email address safe n’ secure - and I won’t inundate you with spam.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Please check back again soon for new, lower priced items and my Mailing List Only Special. And don’t forget to check out all the talented EFA members’ stores during Sept 15 -30 for a super duper discount!

Worked on a couple of graphics to add to my Etsy banner. Not sure yet about the new banner design. Might change it again when time permits.

I love the movies. I regularly watch anywhere from between 4 to 10 movies a week.

I enjoy going to film festivals and take great pleasure in discovering movie gems - little known films that leave their mark in your heart, in your mind, in your soul.

I never miss watching the Oscars or keeping abreast of all the nominees and winners of other smaller film industry awards.

I’m fascinated with what’s on the screen as well as all with the goings on behind the scenes.

I am in awe of all the men and women who collaborate and dedicate hours, weeks, months and years of their lives to put together a work of Art.

To honor them, I always stay to watch the final credits roll and read each name from the best boy to the music to the type of film used.

Yes, I am a cinephile. One of many. Though I like to think I’m not as obsessed as those featured in the documentary “Cinemania“. No, I’m definitely not.

I made this necklace to mark my avid interest. It’s one of those knotted leather necklaces I’ve been enamored with lately. I’m wearing it to my next film fest. Perhaps a bit too casual for Cannes, but look out Sundance, here I come!

Interested in one of your own? I just listed four in different colors and combinations in my Etsy store. Each one is unique and one-of-a-kind. Go check it out.

I’ve been enamored with these casual knotted leather jewelry lately. I have to keep reminding myself that not everything has to be a big production.

Make it fun, keep it simple.

And what better way to practice that than to make one of these.

Inspired by my pocket urban garden and all the bees that have been visiting, I made these two pieces from beads that I’ve been hoarding for awhile now.

The black and white bracelet above was made with a variety of favorite beads handcrafted by super talented Lampwork artist, Dawn White. Aren’t they cute? I just love Dawn’s work!

The whimsical necklace above features a flower, leaves and bee beads torched by another favorite Lampwork artist, Janet Crosby. I added black and white polka dot Lampwork beads and artisan made orange Lampwork beads as accents. Very sweet, very colorful. Adore!

The colors remind me of Summer so much that I’ve named this one ‘Summer Bee’. I know, I know, not very imaginative!

Look for it coming soon to my Etsy shop as well as all my other casual knotted leather creations!