How It's Made- Painting Edition

I thought it would be fun to show some of my paintings from start to finish. I don't always paint my work this way. Sometimes I'll do stippling first. Lately, this is how my paintings have come to be. First I start with a sketch. Typically I see the basic idea of what I want before I even pick up my paper.

I really like to use watercolor pencils for more detailed work. Today I began working with a green pencil for the leaves.

Once I've sketched what I want with my water color pencils I begin to paint; fanning color where I want it. I also use watercolor paints as well. Below is what my paintings look like prior to breaking out my markers.

With my archival pens I can bring out the details I want. I prefer using pen because I like how it looks against the paint.

On these paintings I tweaked the colors a bit and removed some color from my roses. I've cut out my paintings and have since named and listed them in my Etsy shop.

All together almost 8 hours went into these. Most of my time is spent detailing my paintings with pen. I paint because I enjoy it and work mostly at night while my children are sleeping. Iam not sure what I'd do with all of them when finished so I've been selling my work in my Etsy shop. I love bright colors and nature. Please check out more paintings of mine in my shop: EmBound Art

Hi All,

I've been on a ladybug kick lately and made a couple versions of ACEO series of them. With Summer having arrived I'm longing to see bright colors. It has been overcast and rainy here in Oregon. Please visit my art store when you get a chance.

I also have a special going on in my Embound shop. $10 off any of my ID style bracelets until the end of June and $5 off my leaf pendants.

My gem shop was recently stocked with many new listings so be sure to check those out.

African Pietersite

African Pietersite is truly a remarkable stone. I paid a bit more for my Pietersite cabs than some of my others because of their beauty and collectability.

As the authentic form of Pietersite, the African material is the one that tends to yeild the denim blues with the golds. There is a Chinese material, that has been referred to as Pietersite but, in my opinion, it has nothing on the African stuff.

I've had this rare gem in my shop for quite awhile but admittedly my photographs were very poor, not leaving as much to be desired. Recently I went through and tried rephotographing my inventory. There is a fluidity and chatoyancy that just can't be captured with a camera. So for this, you'll just have to take my word. I've priced my Pietersite very low considering my prices for materials and time in wrapping each piece. If you're interested in browsing my store for this cool collector gem click HERE.

If you're interested in more information on African Pietersite Wikipeida has some general information.

Indulge with Sinami1 Products

I thought I'd share one of my favorite shower rituals with you. This comes from Etsy seller Sinami1's shop. No doubt there are MANY great Etsy sellers of quality bath and beauty products but store owner Silvia is one of my favorites.


I have GOT to recommend her Cranberry Sugar Scrub to you. If you think it looks good, wait until you smell it! It's sure to make your mouth water. It has a very sweet smell to it. I'm guilty of opening the jar just to get a smell. It isn't as soft (squishy) as some of the sugar scrubs out there but you'll find when you break off a bit, and rub it in your hands has a nice lather to it and leaves your skin feeling soft and smelling really nice. Check her listings for ingredients.

After my "cranberry" shower I treat myself to my Cranberry Silk and Satin Body Cream (Lemon-Lime is shown however Silvia can customize a fragrance for you). The body cream is just as nice as the sugar scrubs are and feel like silk on the skin. The body cream, while thick, is not heavy on the skin and will not leave a greasy feel. It absorbs very well leaving your skin smooth and soft.

Currently the sugar scrub can be purchased for $9.50 and the body cream for $14.50 plus shipping and handling. Silvia often offers promotions but even if she doesn't, there's always a free sample to look forward to in your order. Currently Sinami1 is doing a free lip balm with any $10 or more purchase. Her lip balms are great and my favorite is the Juicy Peach.

If you're looking for another great scent, my next very close favorite is the Kumquat.

Packaging with Love

Unlike a lot of online shopping places I've found Etsy sellers tend to take great pride in the presentation of their handmade goods. Whether it's secure packaging, free samples, or added touches like gift wrapping or personal notes, receiving a package in the mail from an Etsy seller often leaves me feeling pretty special. And honestly, I'm more likely to return to a seller if free samples or a gift with purchase is included with an order. I'm a sucker for deals. I want my customers to feel the same custom personal touches when they receive their order as I have.

Each of my handmade jewelry orders are delivered in handmade cloth bags by Ole Bag Lady, another Etsy seller. Inside the bag I like to include a personalized thank you note with the tissue wrapped jewelry. Attached to the tie on each bag is a sterling silver wire formed signature heart. The bag then is wrapped in tissue once more. and placed in a padded envelope. Shipping confirmation is used on each order.

There are a variety of patterns of the bags I use. So the bag in the photo may not be the same bag you'll receive.

NOTE: Remember April is my anniversary month and I have a drawing going on and lots of new items. MANY clearance items too!

Emma and Her Pillow Case Dress

And to the right we have the lovely little Miss Emma wearing a darling custom crafted pillow case dress by GirlieBows.

I just love the versatility of these dresses I've seen from photos. Some wear them as I have it on my daughter, or as shirts with jeans, or as a jumper with a long sleeved shirt or turtle neck underneath.

If you'd like to pick up one of these dresses, I was happy with the turn around time from this Etsy store considering it was made after I ordered it. There are quite a few patterns to choose from and the prices are reasonable at $25 (which includes shipping charges).

Please don't judge the dress just by the way it's on my daughter. I literally threw it on her and didn't straighten out the bows or anything. I wanted to keep her new dress clean for Easter.

EmBound is Having an Anniversary!!!

April will be one year since I opened my first Etsy store EmBound. I am celebrating this month by doing a great givaway featuring some of my favorite Etsy artists.

So here are the details, each purchase over $5 from my shop will qualify as an entry in the draing for a gift bag full of goodies. If you look at my items sold per month on average you'll see your chances probably aren't too bad of winning.

So, what do you get?

By OleBagLady:

Small Flannel gift bag with tag

By EmBound:

Blank note card made from my art

3 stickers of my art

.999 fine silver leaf charm

By LaurenAlexander:

3.5x5.5" signed art print
1 sticker of her art

Pin of her art

By Sinami1:

Strawberry lip balm

Milk, Honey & Oatmeal soap (nice sample size)

Lychee Red Tea bath bomb (sample size)

Business card refrigerator magnet

By MeAndMomsCrafts:

Crocheted facial scrubie

By PureMineralsSource:

Niceraguan Lemon body polish (sample size)

So there you have it! Special thanks to my featured shops for providing excellent products and service.