Have you seen it? It's amazing.

You don't need to look far for inspiration. A glance outside your window. A sound, scent or memory...inspiration is everywhere.

Hi there! I'm Karen of MalcolmStudioShop. I've got two blog posts today...just because I'm feeling talkative! First up is the final of my style files featuring the work of our amazing Arts in RI members. This month's focus, Gifts for Guys!


It's difficult sometimes to find gifts for guys on Etsy, but our Arts in RI team has lots to choose from, like these awesome LP flatnote cards by HeatherJeany. Your guy can use them to write you love notes, or, just use them as a stash for sending "I'm sorry notes" for forgotten b-days and anniversaries! (LOL)

Kristincrane.Etsy.com

It all began a few years ago when my very talented son, Brett Eves, started to sculpt. One thing led to another and before long he had one of his pieces published in Somerset Studio's Art Doll Quarterly. Only the beginning.....


The next year, just before Christmas, I received a box in the mail filled with latex puppet heads. They looked somewhat like naked baby somethings.





I gave Brett a call, asking, "what should I do with them?" and his easy reply was "anything you want!" That's all it took for this collaboration to find it's start. Now, many puppets later, we're still going strong and waiting to see the next character to emerge....
Tho I can't claim to understand how he takes a sculpted piece and through use of handmade molds, creates the latex
head he gives to me to embellish, I can attest to the fact that the molds lie in wait in my attic for each successive pouring. Here's what they look like when I get them.


At this point, I mix my paints and start the process of adding a little character to these guys.




All painted work is then sealed with a fixative. From there, I dress them in all the fabulous upholstery fabrics I can find. Each is unique. A few feathers and beads finish the process, taking
a piece of pink latex and giving it the personality it deserves! In truth, the little guys get kinda pushy, the closer they come to completion. I guess it takes all kinds....

Hi! I'm Karen of MalcolmStudioShop.etsy.com and I'm new to the Arts in RI team. To help me get to know my fellow team members and their gorgeous style and craftsmanship, I've compiled a series of style files that I'm excited to share with you. This month's style file is all about fall fashion. Fashioning your fall wardrobe is easy when there's such pure gorgeousness to choose from among the Arts in RI shops on Etsy! To find even more gorgeous goods, just search using the term artsinri team. Watch for my September post when I'll share my home decor style file with you.

1. Colored Glass Ring, TannerGlass.etsy.com
2. Sterling Earrings, Markaplan.etsy.com
3. Skirt, Geometry Meets Organic, PhriendlyK8.etsy.com
4. Mosaic Ring, CrookedMoonMosaics.etsy.com
5. Moss Moon Pendant, SeaFindDesigns.etsy.com
6. Blueberry Ice Scarf, LodeStarWovens.etsy.com
7. Purse, PinkLemonadeBoutique.etsy.com

Hi there~

My name is Sarah from Hanami Gallery. I am going to be blogging here every month on the 26th, so look forward to it! Why the 26th? Well because I was born December 26th 19... waiiittt lets just stick to December 26th~ Nice to meet you and please take care of me~

So whats harmony got to do with anything? Well all team members of Arts in RI were proposed with a challenge under the theme of harmony. ENTER CHALLENGER: Hanami Gallery (dun dun dunnnn). So the first thought to my crazy head was doing ying and yang. So here is what I came up with:
Except these are not harmony! The pattern is not a symmetric pattern, or what I would consider harmonic, so I figured I would do these pieces in color to mask the inharmonious pattern. I tried to do complimentary colors, but if you notice in different shades.


First up was the purple and yellow one~ This one I tried to do in a very purple and yellow shade. I did not take any color liberty here. This one is mounted on a gold barrette. This one I will be posting tomorrow in my Etsy shop (this will be important later).

The second one I worked on was the pink and green one. I did not want to do red and green due the resemblance to Christmas. This one is mounted on a comb. This one I will be posting on August 3rd. You will want to check that listing to see if you are a winner in the giveaway - more to come later on this~ promise~


The last one I worked on was the blue and orange. I tried to do a pale greyed out blue with an orange with a slightly pink tint. I took the most color liberty with piece. Lastly this one is mounted on an alligator clip (all different clips!). This one will be posted August 10th.

My next posting on August 26th will feature my true harmony themed piece. It will have more of a resemblance to ying and yang and I am really excited to work on the piece next month, so look forward to it~ Now onto the good stuff....the giveaway~

In celebration for my new dedication to doing blog posts every month here I am giving away a piece. It is not my usual tsumami kanzashi, but rather an alpaca kanzashi~
I made this piece out of 100% alpaca. I crocheted up the flower and dyed it in shades of pink and purple. It is mounted on a barrette and has two beads on it. The back is 100% wool felt. This is truly one of a kind. I made these especially for an event and have this one left over. I plan to never make this again, so you will truly receive a unique and special item. The flower is about 2" in diameter and the whole piece is about 3" long.

So how do you enter to win this soft pretty piece. Easy! There is a list of our shops to the right! Visit one (or multiple!!) and comment about an item you like, and a week from today I will randomly select a winner and then announce it on August 3rd in my Etsy posting for the pink and green piece listed above.




******UPDATE: WINNER noble beeyotch!

Thank you to all that participated~ I really appreciated it and I hope to see you again~

Arts In RI team members decided to creatively challenge one another to embrace the season of love with Valentine themed products. Between now and Valentine's Day we will share some of these "lovely" designs with you here on our blog. Let us know how you feel about our art by leaving a comment. Everyone who leaves a comment will be entered into a random drawing for an Arts In RI gift basket featuring goodies from many of our shops. (one entry per person per post. In other words you can enter once every time we post a new product!!!) Be sure to check back on the blog on Valentine's Day as we will announce the winner that day. Entries will be accepted until midnight February 13th.

Have you ever fallen in love with something at first sight? That's how I felt when I saw this classy Valentine themed clutch made by Linda of Alamodestuff. The fabric is velvet flocked red taffeta. Linda said of the fabric: "When I saw it, I simply had to have it. I wasn't sure what I was going to make, but I bought it anyway. After staring at it for days, I decided that it would make the perfect clutch for a little black dress. The shape was inspired by the purses of the 1940s. It reminds me of a time when women wore evening gloves with their fancy little bags." Check out Linda's shop for this item as well as other wonderful items with urban appeal.