New Blog Site

Please note the NEW blog address: http://ripperarts.com/blog

My Photography

I now can say that my art is on display! We hung my first pieces in Johnson City, TN, at the new Mi Si Bella Salon. Hanging my art in a location such as this benefits both of us. I get exposure, and possibly a sale or two, and Krista gets free art for her walls. Mi Si Bella's web site is not yet up, but if you are a Facebooker, check her fan page out here. Below are some photos of the installation. Michael and Quinn came along. Truth be known, Michael did all of the manual labor.

I now am listing the photographs on Etsy. I will be adding a new one daily, today I added "What Lies Beneath" both the print and the wood block wall hanging. I just love all of these photos hung together... the grouping looks so very cool! <--Okay, surely I could have come up with a better adjective than that, oh well. Quinn likes the photos...

Etsy Twitter Team's Shop of the Week

Nikky Lee Designs

Some beautiful jewelry. Please take the time to visit Nikky's shop. Read the full blog post on Etsy Twitter Team's blog.

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Etsy Twitter Team Pays It Forward

Etsy Twitter Team Pays It Forward

Raising awareness. What inspiration from the Etsy Twitter team! Please read the blog article to find out how you can help! Painting from Betty Refour click to visit her Etsy store.

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In Memory of Jake Logue

My son, Seth, lost a dear friend last night. You may read the article in our local paper here: http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9016239 Seth and Jake were not only friends, but teammates, coworkers in their first jobs together, and classmates. Last night, when I met Seth at home (I didn't go to the football game because I had to work), we sat around listening to him tell stories of Jake. I didn't know Jake like I know some of Seth's other friends. Seth and Jake became really close this summer with work and football. The "Jake" in this picture is the Jake I wish I could have known. I would have like to have seen the Coach Carter impression. The Jake in the stories Seth told last night. I know Jake holds a dear place in everyone's heart and will be greatly missed. And although I can't see it now, I know there is a reason for this tragedy. A purpose...

Some posts left by friends on Jake's Facebook page:

• have fun playing football with the angels:)
• you were a great guy and still are hope you having a good time with Jesus
• You're the man. Have a good time kickin it with Jesus. I'll see u again one day. Love you man
• jake u were a great guy and a great leader..we will miss u man

Etsy Treasuries

We were featured in a GORGEOUS treasury created by Sumiko Shop: "I love these colors"



We are featured in a fun Facebook Fans of Etsy Team Treasury as well by gloria of Lucky Ladybug Designs:



We (or I should say "I" meaning Talina) curated this final chakra color treasury in violet: "The Many Colors of..."



I've already got my next treasury laid out... "Summer Sounds" so stay tuned.

Lucky Ladybug Designs: Watch Out

Lucky Ladybug Designs: Watch Out ~ There's a New Team In Town!!

Facebook Fans on Etsy Street Team! We are official! I am a charter member and so excited to be a part of the team! Check out our team leader's blog for more history and information!

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Treasury Catch Up

I am in a Treasury, have a Treasury West, and missed posting about a Treasury (I had) that is now expired. I am officially a treasury-holic. It is beginning to interfere with my daily activities/responsibilities. Michael came home last night after being away for the day in NC, and I never moved from the computer. The main Treasury was about to become open, so I was glued to the screen. Poor guy. Left as I slept that morning. Got ignored when he came home. This is my blogged apology... Sorry, baby! You are an AMAZING husband! I couldn't ask for more. I am so happy that most days we are together living our art, and that you no longer have to trek back and forth to NC! I love you!

Oh, and by the way, I missed the main Treasury opening... My "old" list wasn't expired, and you can only have one list at a time. I tried to delete it, but not soon enough, apparently. Oh well... Tomorrow...

The Treasury I am in by PunkyJane of Etsy:

The Treasury West I curated and expires 8/17/09 @0511:



The one I never posted:

Wait, no! Don't tell me! I never got a screen shot! Hmmm. Surely I can find it somewhere... Anyone else get a screen shot?

Studio 618 Blog Feature...

Studio 618

I'd like to take a moment to post a quick thank you to Theresa of Studio 618. She featured a gorgeous maple cutting board that we have for sale in our Etsy shop. Take a look at Theresa's Etsy shop and her blog.

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Defense rules at Big Eight Conference Jamboree - Kingsport Times-News Online

Defense rules at Big Eight Conference Jamboree
Kingsport Times-News Online

My son, Seth catches an amazing pass from Aaron St. Clair. Seth is in the local newspaper (that is him catching the ball in the end zone for a touchdown in the photo). SSHS has a great write up. Clint Phillips also had a great showing of his football skills. Go Rebels!

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Repeat Customer!

I am so very excited to announce our first real Etsy repeat customer! We've had others purchase multiple boards at a time. We even had someone buy a board online, and then commission Michael to custom make four more (before the first even arrived)! But this was our first "buy one" who came back some time later and "bought another." It was a pleasant surprise to find her order in our inbox this morning! Ashely bought this air dried walnut cutting board first:


Then she came back and purchased this cherry board (one of my favorites) today:


Tomorrow Michael is headed to Mast General Store in Boone, NC tomorrow to set up and sell his cutting boards. Stop by and say, "Hi!" or go to our Etsy shop and take some time to browse around.

Amazing Giveaway!

EtsyBloggers MEGA GIVEAWAY!! This super exciting event is a celebration of the EtsyBloggers 2nd Anniversary. All of the above handmade items -- OVER 2 DOZEN -- are all being given away, absolutely FREE!! With 10 chances to WIN, this is a total giveaway value of almost $300!!! Go to http://etsybloggers.blogspot.com to enter.

Shop of the Week: Safiya Beauty

Shop of the Week: Safiya Beauty

There are so many items in this shop that are on my pampering wish list. I love handmade beauty products! Shop of the Week by EtsyTwitter Team

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Family Fun in Snowshoe, WV

This is what we did after the festival... Walked around. Took pictures. Played air guitar. Saw three deer grazing. Posed for pictures. Watched the sunset.










See more photos on our Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/talinaripper/

New Yellow and Green Treasuries!

Click on the photo to be taken to the live treasury.

Our Setup at Snowshoe

We are still at Snowshoe as I type this. We are meeting some new friends Erin and Chuck Ball for lunch. See his work at http://www.infinitrekarts.com/ We had a poor show here at the Food, Wine and Jazz Festival. It makes me rethink the "one show a month" idea that Michael and I had. With expenses such as the show fee, our drive up, and our stay, our income from the show has us breaking even, barely... Well, not really if you consider our time invested in preparation and being away from the studio/gallery. I am trying to be positive and look at it as a free family weekend getaway.

This show, after the Blue Plum in July, reinforces the thought that when mixing food, drink, and music, the outcome for the artist (financially) is poor. Are people attending these festivals really looking to spend their money on art? That question alone makes me think that we need to focus on ART Festivals. Those shows that focus on art. We need to work on getting into juried shows next year. We have some promising shows for the fall. Creeping toward the holiday season and gift buying, sales can only get better, right?

Here are show pictures:

Weekend Plans

We are going to Snowshoe, WV for the weekend. Actually, this post is scheduled for Saturday, where we will be showing Michael's cutting boards at their Food, Wine & Jazz Festival! We are looking to the weekend, as it is a getaway of sorts. Quinn and Aaron will be going with us. I look forward to some tranquil time in the mountains and sun by the pool. I will post some of my own pictures when we get back. Hope you are having a good weekend too!

The Many Colors of....

the EtsyTwitter Team in chakra order. I am now on ORANGE.

Proud Mama

Seth is going into his Senior year of high school. I am so very proud of him. These photos were posted by Samantha Smith on Facebook. That is where I snatched them, so that I could brag. I am so looking forward to football season this year! Go Rebels! Seth will be playing as a receiver and corner (at least :I think: those are the positions. I love to watch my boys play sports, I don't claim to be a sports fan... just a fan of my boys, tee, hee).

Bad Business Ideas

Bad Business Ideas
this is an interesting blog post that I wanted to pass on. Funny, cause we are headed to an "art festival" this weekend. I don't know that it will be a waste of our time, like this blogger puts it. I at least hope not. I do like the author's take on social networking, blogging, getting to know your potential customers. Interesting!

Chakra Colors

I found this really interesting web site last night while creating my latest treasury. The web site is What's Your Sign. My plan is to feature the EtsyTwitter Team by color. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet... This is my RED Treasury in Treasury West. Click it to see it live. An excerpt from www.whats-your-sign.com about the color red:

Red chakra color meanings:
The first, the root and base chakra. Just like the core of Mother Earth, it pulses and swells with bright crimson radiant heat. That red is a clear sign of visceral, primitive power. It's the sparking place for big blasts of raw creation. When you see red, consider a sonic boom of powerful action propelling you forward. Consider this the spark of action. Make this hot red heat the seat of your physical, spiritual, emotional birth. This is the hot coal of your perception, and it's a great fuel-maker for whatever you want to start cooking.

Another Awesome Etsian!

“My customers inspire me to create books that both of us love. Making something beautiful that will be cherished and loved is very rewarding for me. I love working with paper, collecting paper, coordinating papers, touching paper... and so on! Selling my books gives me an excuse to buy more paper!” says Beth about her work.

From the EtsyTwitter Team blog. I had not seen this seller before. She does amazing work. This is my favorite product. It was hard to choose. See for yourself! Visit Beth's Etsy shop UberArt and find your favorite.

A Special Thanks to Rachel

I am very honored to be a part of such a gorgeous treasury! Rachel from Get Ready, Set, Go curated a Treasury West today and featured one of my crochet choker necklaces. The title of the Treasury is "5 Kids around a Tree." See the picture below. Click, comment and share the Etsy love!



Oh, and Rachel has a pretty awesome blog too. Check it out!

Today I Made a Treasury and Am IN a Treasury!

I hope you aren't getting tired of my Treasury Posts! I am truly addicted. I love curating! It is an art in itself! Since moving, we have been looking for storage ideas. That is how this Treasury Came about. Titled "Everything Has Its Place" take a look! Click, comment, and share the Etsy love!

The Treasury above is Artists Upfront by Vicki Diane! This is such a fun idea, featuring the artists behind the art. Please, check it out, click, comment, share the Etsy love! Thank you Vicki!

Snatched Another Treasury West

I am at it again! This one was compiled using the term "urban." Click on it to see it in more detail. Leave a comment. Visit featured shops. Share the Etsy love! Alternates are shown in screenshot, and I will try to rotate them in the treasury this evening. I am waiting for the main Treasury to open later today. Of course I will blog it if/when I get one.

Featured in a Treasury!

I just love this collection by LizardSkins titled "Put it On" an Etsy treasury. My Salsa necklace is featured as well as other great items from other Etsy sellers. Nice subtle color arrangement in the treasury as well with a hint of yellow. Click on the photo below to be taken to the treasury:

Shop Of The Week: Glitzy Events

Shop Of The Week: Glitzy Events

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Kimberley Williams, of Glitzy Events has one mission: to provide high quality products and personalized service to her clients. Whether working with brides-to-be, or those planning graduation, anniversary or other celebrations, Glitzy Events is a one-stop source for everything from gorgeous, fully customized invitations to products such as unity & memorial candles, place cards, menus, programs, etc. Read more on the EtsyTwitter Team blog! Or go directly to Kimberley's shop Glitzy Events on Etsy!

Fun Fest Balloon Glow 2009

This was Michael's first Fun Fest. This turned out to be his favorite event. I must admit, I love it too. Quinn was amazed, until they started the fire blowing.... Okay, forgive me, I don't know the "proper" term in ballooning. It was loud, and Quinn did NOT like it. Even today, he saw these pictures on my computer, and he held his ears. Poor little guy. He loves to see them from a distance, or in the air, but not up close where they are too loud. Enjoy our family picks below. I haven't been able to do a "personal" post in a bit, the business has been busy. I guess that is a good thing!