Sleeping Dogs Studio

Well, once again we followed our extremely stringent policies when it came to determining this week’s give-away winner.  Entries were vying for the chance to win the lovely earrings provided by guest artist, Eleanor Broaded.  It was CLEAR early on that there were lots of Soaring Heart jewelry fans out there who really, Really, REALLY wanted to win these earrings!  They even mentioned the places they planned to wear them! 

And really, who can blame them – they ARE gorgeous – and a reminder of color and sun on a cold, snowy day!

This week’s winner was picked by Sleeping Dog Jasmine’s little brother Owen – and I’m pleased to announce that congratulations and the earrings go to:  

Mystica (mmystica123@hotmail.com)!

Congratulations!  Please contact me at carolyn@sleepingdogsstudio.net and provide your mailing address so that I can get the earrings sent out to you.

I should warn all of you faithful readers that this coming Sunday’s give-away is likely to be posted a little later than usual since we will be at the Indiana State Museum Art Fair during the daytime hours.  There will be a bevy of 17-year old young men at my house taking care of the dogs and keeping my son occupied …and if the house and computer are still standing and working upon our return, I will post the new give-away Sunday evening, just FYI.

Remember that if you’re in the Indianapolis area, you can always stop by the Museum this weekend to either look at cards, boxes, frames, etc. from the Sleeping Dogs Studio booth in #1-24; or to explore Eleanor’s lovely jewelry line in booth #1-19.

Thanks again for entering this week’s contest!

I want to send a special thank you to Eleanor for providing the lovely hand-formed earrings for this week’s give-away.  Eleanor and I met at an art fair one year, and our paths have overlapped on many occasions since.  Her enthusiasm for her work is contagious, and the lovely work she produces is evidence of her dedication to her craft.

If you’ve ever noticed her at a fair, the display you saw likely looked something like this:

As you can see, even her display is evidence of the detail she puts into her work!  What great color and simplicity…the perfect backdrop in which to showcase her beautiful pieces.

As a reminder, you can see the display above INDOORS (thank goodness!    ) at the Indiana State Museum this coming weekend, where Eleanor, Sleeping Dogs Studio, and 91 other artists will be on hand to showcase their lovely items.  Not only will you be supporting local artists, but you will also support the museum, as well as public and school programs. Please stop by if you can – you won’t regret it!

I had the lucky chance to ask Eleanor recently about some of her motivations – and pass on to her specific questions that you, the blog readers, have indicated you have about artists and their work.

Q:  Where did you come up with the name for your art business?

A:  My business name, Soaring Heart, emerged from the way that I feel when I engage in the creative process.  My work requires my hands, my mind, and my spirit to function in harmony.  That feeling of being connected to myself in all of those dimensions led to my name.  When I make jewelry I become lost in my work and my heart soars.

Q:  What do you enjoy most about being an artist?

A:  What I like best about my work, in addition to the creative process, is how it connects me to other people.  My relationships with other artists inspire me.  I appreciate their willingness to share their creativity, knowledge, and friendship.  

I also value interacting with my customers.  Jewelry is a very personal possession and many of them share stories with me about their lives and how my jewelry is important to them or to a loved one.  My customers often tell me that they get compliments when they wear my jewelry.  That reminds me that I have succeeded in creating a beautiful object and inspired a moment of kindness.   

 Q:  Where do you show most of your work?

A:  I have an upcoming show this weekend, Saturday 2/20 & Sunday 2/21 at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis.  Hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday.  My booth number is #1-19 on the first floor, so I hope you’ll stop by.

Q:  Can you tell us a little bit about how you started your business?

A:  It’s perhaps best summed up in what I wrote for the Indiana State Museum Show:

Eleanor Broaded founded Soaring Heart Jewelry in 2001 when she began integrating her ceramic work into jewelry.  Her nature-inspired designs are created in a rainbow of colors and she applies a luster glaze to give them an iridescent glow.  Each piece is hand-formed, fired in the kiln at least three times, and embellished with gold, silver, beads, and pearls. 

Thanks for taking the time to talk with us, Eleanor – and for providing us with a pair of your lovely earrings for this week’s giveaway!

Just a reminder that in order to be entered to win this week’s prize:

You need to do is submit a comment to this blog, ensuring that your e-mail address is included, along with a note – “Give-away – 2/19″ in the comment portion of the entry.  You must turn in your submission by no later than 5 p.m., Eastern time on Friday, 2/19 in order to be considered…the winner will be announced later that evening.

I hope you enjoyed this artist’s highlight – we will conduct at least one per month going forward, so if you want to see how artists “tick” – are we really different from other people?!?  – feel free to tune in!

As my husband and I prepared for our 1st Art Fair of 2010 this weekend at the Indiana State Museum, we embarked upon a conversation that we’ve had many times before…

Me:  “What are you going to wear?”

Him:  “What do you mean?  A shirt and some pants…”

Me:  “But it needs to be something “artsy”.  Something that says to the world we’re artists!  Stop at our booth!”

Him:  Totally befuddled look…no comment.  And the rest of you men may want to tune out here too!

But I’ll bet there are readers out there who know EXACTLY what I mean!  Just like someday I really am putting pink streaks in my hair, I like looking a certain combination of bohemian and – well, “artsy” - particularly when I’m in an artistic place, talking about my art. 

As it turns out, Odd Molly (LOVE that name!) is one of my favorite retail options for just the sort of look I mean…like this shirt, for instance…

Or this dress…

I think part of what appeals to me about these items is the weird way in which the different patterns of fabric look great together even though they don’t really “match”. 

It reminds me of an art challenge I sometimes give myself.  I’ll come across a piece of paper I’ve been avoiding because it’s too bright/too blah/too something…and push myself to make a frame or a box with it. 

I’ll add leftover embellishments, scraps of paper, ribbon, etc…and often, the result will be this wonderful paintbox of colors and patterns that would NEVER have come together normally – but that look totally ideal in their randomness.

I don’t think I’ll ever convince my husband…but that’s part of the reason the “artsy” shirt will always have a place in my wardrobe.

The affordable nature of her work belies its intricacy – the lovely necklace above being just one example!  She hand-forms and colors them, and then fires all of her ceramic work in her studio kiln.  Sometimes, as in the cases above and below, she will then add pearls and other embellishments.

But I think my all-time favorites are the elegant, simple style of the pair of earrings that are the give-away this week.  A lovely coral color, these earrings on french wires will complement any outfit, from the most casual, to the most formal.  These lovely earrings retail for $22, so thank you for your generous gift, Eleanor!

I look forward to telling you more about Eleanor, including where to purchase her lovely items, in the Artists Spotlight entry coming up this Wednesday, February 17th.  In the meanwhile, just know that you can see more of her work in Booth #1-19 of the Indiana State Museum Fair this coming weekend - 2/20 & 2/21.

To enter, simply enter a comment under this blog submission.  Be sure that it contains your e-mail address, as well as the words “Giveaway – 2/19″.  All entries must be submitted by 2/19/10 at 5 p.m. Eastern time - I will inform you of the lucky winner shortly thereafter.

Good luck everyone!

With all of the fine entries this week, I thought I should demonstrate just how carefully our winnners are chosen. 

After the auditing firm confirms the list is accurate (well…no, I guess that doesn’t really happen…unless you count my checking to make sure that everyone who entered is actually included on the list):

The names are carefully added by a calligrapher onto deckle-edged card stock (or printed on flimsy 8.5″ X 10″ paper, take your pick), then painstakingly cut with our automated slicing machine (that’s me…and a pair of office scissors…)

Then the names are put into a 1950′s black top hat once worn by Fred Astaire (I can’t back that up – actually they go into my son’s fishing hat); 

And my good friend Oprah comes by and pulls out a name (or one of the Sleeping Dogs does it for me…and yes, there is always the chance that in Jasmine’s frenzy, one of the pieces will be eaten or torn - the artistic process is a risky one, after all). 

Finally, a winner for another week is known!

This week’s winner – and recipient of the Paris Postcard set of handmade greeting cards is:  Jackie (jtgwhim@gmail.com)!

Congratulations!  Jackie, please e-mail me your address at carolyn@sleepingdogsstudio.net, and I will send out your cards right away.

"Did I pick a good one?"

And be sure to tune in on Sunday when our next give-away will be announced.  I’m sure you’ll like it!  And, if you haven’t done so already, check out our new Sleeping Dogs Studio Page on Facebook – you can become a fan and hear more of our latest news by clicking on the following link…Sleeping Dogs Studio.

I know I’ve introduced you in the past to Don’s “constructions” – these wall hangings are combinations of 2-3 frames, earring holders, a mirror and a key holder, a leash holder, etc.  But there’s a NEW “GIRL” IN construction TOWN!

"All We Need Is Love"

These newest construtions, which he is calling “Love Altars”, are 5″ X 7″ frames with all of the embellishments associated with his constructions.  They also include, however, one of his hand-made heart collages – a style that has become increasingly popular!

Love Nest

We had imagined that these would be great gifts for Valentine’s Day – but the response has been overwhelming enough, that we’re thinking about continuing to offer them going forward.

"Love is All Around"

What do you think?  Should this become a regular player in the Sleeping Dogs Studio stable?  Please comment below – and ignore my mixing of metaphors…