Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
We Were Featured in a Blog Monday!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Michael is "Setting Up Shop"
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Sunday, April 26, 2009
Thankful for our FIRST SALE
Saturday, April 25, 2009
How to Write a Press Release (what I learned this week)
Friday, April 24, 2009
New Product Feature FRIDAY!
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
Thursday's Photo Feature
Well, I've taken a lot of pictures in the last 24 hours... Over 300 in fact! We are re-vamping or "Spring cleaning" our Etsy shop. So, here is a product pic I was very happy with. It is of a cherry cutting board Michael made. I also played with it a bit in Photoshop and made it black and white. I just love the contrast of the wood and brick.
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Monday, April 20, 2009
We Are Open for Business!!!
Talina Ripper, 128 E. Market St., Kingsport, TN 37660, 423.737.0445, ripperarts [!at] gmail.com http://www.ripperarts.com/
MORE ART COMING TO DOWNTOWN KINGSPORT, TN
Artists Cindy Saadeh and Michael Ripper open studios on Commerce Street
Ripper recently moved to the Tri-Cities from Avery County, NC. He has a formal education in the arts with a BFA in wood design and a BFA in ceramics, both from East Carolina University. Michael has always found an amazing beauty in nature, especially right here in the heart of the Blue Ridge. This is where most of his inspiration comes from. With his woodwork, in particular, Michael designs and arranges the grain of every species of wood so the viewer can see the real beauty and uniqueness of each piece. Whenever possible, Michael uses native Appalachian hardwood (Cherry, Maple, Walnut, and Poplar). Some of the wood is lumber that has been cleaned up from the many wind storms and floods. By using this wood and other recycled wood, he is helping to clean up our beautiful mountains and prevent forest fires. Through his art, Michael wants to share with other people the beauty that he sees, in just one very small piece of these glorious Appalachian Mountains. Michael, along with his wife Talina, their small son and her three sons, are thrilled about moving into their downtown loft and living their art in downtown Kingsport.
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Sunday, April 19, 2009
Touched by Kari
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Saturday, April 18, 2009
Something I've Learned... 3/50
Have you heard about the 3/50 Project? A very cool, innovative way to promote local businesses. Go to their web site http://www.the350project.net/
Friday, April 17, 2009
Red Crochet Choker Necklace Small Scale
"Art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness. It trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind. As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life." --John Lubbock
Perfect for Mother's Day!
This is an original piece by Talina. Crochet with a 2.25mm hook and a red 100% mercerized cotton yarn. It is meant to be snug fitting with some give. Measures 13 1/2" including the clasp, 11 3/4" without. The "clasp" is actually a crochet circle that is pulled through a crochet loop.
No pattern is used, designed by Talina (me). I can do this choker in any size or color, just send me a convo!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Friend on Flickr
Tonya and I go way back, not that we have ever met in person, but we have worked together online for years. Although, we no longer have that online co-worker relationship, I still follow her on Twitter and Flickr. I occasionally visit her web site too. Here are a few {there are so many!} of her pics I just LOVE... Check out her work! You'll be wowed for sure! I also love her digital art/scrapbooking--see last photo below...
Oh, and just click on the photo to go the the Flickr photo page! Enjoy!
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Recent Purchase from a Local Etsy Seller
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Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
April is Donate Life Month
http://organdonor.gov/get_involved/donatelifemonth.htm
Friday, April 10, 2009
Pretty in Pink
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Another Favorite Picture
Candid shots are my favorite. Gosh, I haven't paid for a portrait photo/professional shoot since 2005! Anyway, this is an old photo. 2006 maybe? I'd have to find the original photo to be sure of the date. This photo was cropped square. What I CAN tell you for sure is that this was taken at sunset on Flat Rock, off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC. We hiked it last weekend, as a matter of fact, me, Michael, Aaron, Jacob, and Quinn in his backpack riding upon Michael's back. This location has special meaning to us. It is Michael's favorite hiking spot. He used to do a lot of trail running here. It was where Michael proposed to me. We have many fond and profound memories upon Flat Rock, hiking with the boys, hiking with Guinness (our dog who has passed), celebrating our anniversary, hiking and contemplating life's mysteries in difficult times. It is a gorgeous, short hike. Perfect for the boys. Okay, back to the photo... I just love the sweetness seen in Aaron and Jacob; the brotherly love this photo exhibits (rarely seen these days, let alone captured on film, lol); the warm dusk sunlight reflecting in their eyes...
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Promised Pictures
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Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Today is THE Day!
Monday, April 6, 2009
We aren't really MIA...
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Mother and Sleeping Baby
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Wednesday, April 1, 2009
In Awe
I first met Krystyna81 in the forums. I visited her Etsy shop, started a convo, and have since become a customer. I am in awe of her talent. What impresses me the most is her figurative art. I just love the style, the colors, and even the textures. She has an impressive blog as well. I know we all have God given talents and should be grateful for what we've been given, but I can't help to be envious! Oh, if I could sketch/draw/paint like that!!! She not only does portraits, nudes, but also has some other beautiful nature pieces. If you cannot afford an original, I highly recommend her prints. Gorgeous and affordable. My recent acquisitions were Time of Passage and They Come Before and After.