Arts In Rhode Island

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.

Our final Valentine item is a beautiful mosaic heart created by Lisa Calabro of Crooked Moon Mosaics . Lisa says of her creation: "I saw these little wooden hearts and they were just begging to be mosaiced. I took out all the red tesserae I had in the studio and pieced this bold red and black heart together. The mix of glass gives it lots of texture and interest. I used mirrored and stained glass, coral, glass beads, glass tile, virteous and crystal glass tile, and milliefiori imported from Italy. I added a little glass red heart for double the love. I also included a couple of red paper beads that I bought from Project Have Hope. These beads are handmade by women in the Acholi Quarter of Uganda. The profits are used to provide education for the children and promote business opportunities for women. The back can be personalized in gold or silver ink. These are great for anytime you want to send a little love."

Please let Lisa know what you think of her heart here in the comments and you will be entered to win a beautiful gift basket filled with handmade goods from the artists on the team. Tomorrow night Friday at midnight is the deadline for entry. The winner will be announced on Saturday, February 14th here on the blog.

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!

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.

Our next item is this original painting by Lauren Minco of LaurenMinco. Lauren explains the inspiration for this painting: “Mi Amor” (My Love) was actually inspired by a friend’s Halloween costume. It was easy for me to envision this wrestler who perhaps had a more romantic side, like he was going on a date but still had to wear the mask. Originally I had him holding a single rose, but in the end the flowers made it in the background as a pattern. A lot of my work has a quirkiness too it that contrasts different elements, so combining the sweeter elements (roses, a male suitor, a banner professing love) with the more abrasive (aggressive wrestler, thorns, bones) is something that you can find lot in my work."

Please leave a comment for Lauren about her painting here on the blog and you will be entered into a contest to win a gift basket that has handmade items from the members of Arts In RI. For multiple chances of winning you can leave a comment for each item we have posted this past month. Stay tuned later in the week for a peek at the gift basket that will be awarded to the winner

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!

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.

Our next item is this limited edition Gocco screenprint created by Heather of HeatherJeany. Heather says of her print: "I have always loved vintage anatomical diagrams so that seemed like a logical place to start for my Valentine design. I wanted the overall image to have the feel of a playing card or tarot card or some sort of mysterious fortune telling chart. The overlapping text at the top reads, "February XIV" and the bottom reads, "Be My Valentine." The text going around the perimeter corresponds to the numbers on the diagram and includes many translations of the word "love." The design is lovingly Gocco screenprinted in three colors; blood red, black and sparkly metallic gold ink onto 8.5" X 11" recycled, acid free, archival quality, heavy chipboard. I originally did this design much smaller on a folded greeting card but since it was always so well received I decided to make it larger, jazz it up a bit and offer it as a limited edition print. This edition is limited to 40 prints and they are all signed and numbered."

Please leave a comment for Heather here on the blog letting her know what you think of her Valentine print and you will be entered into a random drawing for a gift basket filled with handmade goodness from our Arts In RI team. Leave comments for our other contributors in previous contest posts for multiple chances of winning!

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!

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.

Our next item is this beautiful bracelet made by Wendy Thatcher of DesignsByWendyT. Wendy says of the stones she used to make this bracelet: "These beautiful AA quality Rhodochrosite nuggets have wonderful striation in varying shades of pinks and blue-gray. Rhodochrosite is believed by some to cleanse the subconscious and allows access to higher thoughts. It is also thought to create emotional balance and assist one in increasing feelings of self-worth and self-esteem." What a wonderful gift for your Valentine. Show her you'd like to take care of her inside and out. The bracelet is 9 inches long and closes with a heart shaped sterling silver toggle. Let us know what you think of this pretty pink bracelet here in the comments and you will be entered to win a gift basket filled with goodies created by our very own Arts In RI team.

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!

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.

Our next item is this beautiful fine art photograph taken by Diana Brennan of D. S. Brennan Photography. Diana says of this photo which she took for our Valentine challenge: "I wanted to stay true to my usual style, and have a subtle Valentine's theme. Basically, I wanted the image to work year-round. As my sister-in-law so energetically says, "those pears are IN LOVE!" And I'm in love with the photo, I must say. I went back to my black & white roots - and I love how that brings out the contrast between the fabric and the pears, and allows the pattern of the fabric to dance." Diana's photo is 8 x8 and printed on crystal archive paper. It's signed and dated.
Let us know what you think of Diana's work her in the comments and you will be entered to win a gift basket filled with handmade goodness made by our very own Arts in RI members.

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!

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.

Our next item is a beautiful pair of earrings created by Val of ElysianFields. Val, says of her design: "Cyprus, the birthplace of Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love and beauty was also where the mineral Copper was mined and named for. I have combined the organic warmth and protective qualities of Bali copper wires and added to it the fiery sparkle of pink fire polished Czech beads. The fire used to create these sparkling little treasures seems to radiate from within the bead itself. A lovely gift for your Aphrodite this Valentine’s Day, they come in a lovely hand crafted gift box."

Let us know what you think of Val's sweet earrings in the comments and you will be entered to win a gift basket filled with goodies made in RI by our very own Arts In RI team.

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!

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.

The next Valentine item up for viewing is from my own shop The Venerable Bead. It's a boro glass beaded vintage skeleton key necklace inspired by a children's book. On the last few pages of Guess How Much I love you by Sam McBratney, Big Nut Brown Hare settles Little Nut Brown Hare into his bed of leaves and whispers "I love you right up to the moon - and back". I swear I never got through that last page without tearing up when my kids were babies. I tore through the house looking for that book last Sunday morning. Maybe I was feeling a bit melancholy because my baby boy turned 11 on Monday. I literally felt myself having panic at the thought this book had been put in the Goodwill bin. In front of 6 sleepover guests I was begging my son to help me find the book. He looked at me like he might just kill me right there in front of 6 witnesses. "Whew never mind I found it in your sister's room" I said a few minutes later. I heard him say to one of his guests that he had no idea why I would think a baby book was anywhere but.

This is a tribute to unconditional love that spans a thousands oceans, a million miles...to the moon...and back. It's comprised of a skeleton key that has a bright red borosilicate glass bead made directly on the shaft. It has charms and a hand stamped brass tag the reads: I love you right up to the moon and back. It comes strung on a 24 inch gunmetal chain with lobster clasp.

Let us know how you feel about this piece here in the comments and you will be entered to win a basket full of great prizes created by our very own street team.

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!

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

Our next item is a sweet wristlet created by Lisa Billings of PinkLemonadeBoutique. Lisa says of her creation: "I HEART linen, and this wristlet combines my favorite fabric and a beautiful embroidered rose applique detail. It's just perfect for a romantic night out on the town, or a cocktail party with friends. A sweet little bag for all your little essentials. I love this piece because it's very pretty and feminine, but not over the top. The natural linen keeps it sophisticated, but the hot pink shades make it just perfectly romantic." Let us know what you think of Lisa's wristlet here in the comments section and you will be entered to win a drawing for a gift basket filled with goodies made by Arts In RI members.

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!

Our next Valentine item is a sweet hand blown glass bud vase made by Suzanne Tanner of TannerGlass. Suzanne says of the vase: "I love these. I'll be honest. They are my most favorite thing to make. I feel that they epitomize everything I strive for in glass....simplicity, functionality and FUN. What started as a custom request (a Heart Pocket Coin to remember a lost loved one), soon became a larger idea. I hot-apply the Heart Coin (made with a hand carved stamp) to a colored bubble, melt it in a bit, and finish the shape. The heart that you see is actually an air pocket that is the result of this process." Let us know what you think about Suzanne's glass work by leaving a comment here on the blog and you will be entered to win a gift basket filled with handmade goodness from the Arts In RI members.

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!

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.

Our next Valentine product comes to you from the sewing room of Katelyn Safford of PhriendlyK8. It's a sweet dress that Katelyn has upcycled from an older garment. Katelyn says of her creation: "This dress was inspired by and created using a beautiful skirt that I was lucky enough to pick up at a thrift store. The skirt was so soft and elegant that I felt I could give it a new life by turning it into a beautiful dress. I love creating something new from something seemingly discarded. I feel that every piece of clothing has a voice and a story, and now this dress has two stories." The dress is beautiful and romantic. It's perfect for Valentine's Day but understated enough for everyday! Katelyn looks adorable modeling the dress too.

Let us know how you feel about Katelyn's creation by leaving a comment here on the blog and you will be entered to win a basket of goodies made by the Arts IN RI members. Leave a comment every time we post a new product for multiple chances of winning. Don't forget to check back here on Valentine's day when we announce the winner.

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!

Our next Valentine work is this adorable stone necklace with a hand drilled heart created by Tracy Prince of Steppingstones . Tracy said of this piece: "My inspirations for the Eco Love was to create a piece to signify my commitment to living a more eco friendly life. It started off with Matt and I trying to save money.... switching lightbulbs.... using reusable bags..... and other simple stuff. But, then it became more about preservation for my children and their children. I didn't want my kids to have to clean up my mess! So I created the design in 2007 as a tribute to my new commitment!" This necklace features a heart of stone cut exclusive to Steppingstones strung on a sparkling 18 inch silver plated chain. It comes packaged in a heart shaped satin box with a tube of bubbles for your silly Valentine to play with!

Let us know how you feel about Tracy's work in the comments section and you will be entered into a random drawing for a gift basket filled with goodies made by Arts In RI artisans. Check back here on Valentine's Day to see if you have won!

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!

All great loves grow over time... they start out as saplings and then blossom into beautiful relationships with deep roots. Juile Beck of JulieBCreative painted this cute little painting for our challenge. It's her first painting of 2009 and we are so honored! Julie says of her creation: "The colors are super rich...deep crimson reds and brown, with slight hints of purple in the shadows. The sky is a complex layer of pigments...first the warm hue of unbleached titanium white with a wisp of pure white. On top of that is a thin layer of robins egg blue making the sky an interesting play of color." Give your sweetie a little gift of art! It is painted on high quality linen canvas and it is 6 inches by 6 inches by 1.5 inches deep.

Are you lucky in love? Tell us how you feel about Julie's beautiful painting in the comments section and you will be entered to win a basket of handmade goodies from the Arts In RI artists! It's that easy! Leave a comment every time we post a new Valentine product for multiple chances of winning and check back here on Valentine's day to see if you have won!

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!

If you like this Arts In RI blog post...spread the love!