ETSY

So, since I am going to be a lot more mobile these days,
going to Texas for the birth
of my next Grandboy, Isaac,
I decided I needed to take my art
on the road, so to speak.
I have jumped (or been pushed)
into the cyber selling world of ETSY.

In a former life I started wholesaling by selling
my brass handmade jewelry at big industry gift markets
like Chicago Gift Market.


Now times have changed
and the way to meet
millions of potential buyers I'm told is to
Twitter and Facebook
my way into their
hearts and pocketbooks by computer.

So far-not nearly as much fun-
and
I have a feeling the opinions of the
youth and geniuses of this generation
are getting their information only from
THEIR experience or lack there of.
(It's a little like having a skinny young girl
who has never eaten a pot roast seared
in fat with hand rubbed seasoning messaged
into its soul by loving hands telling me how
easy it is to have "portion control" as they
nibble on bits of grass covered in chemicals).

BUT- I am determined to give it a try

because the billions of people using these
services tell me it's like
refusing to learn
to use a telephone
because it's a new fangled contraption.
So...
My jewelry is light weight, easy to ship,
actual vintage pieces since I've had them
myself since the early 80's and handmade by me.

Brass jewelry is back in fashion big time now,
so I am assuming the universe is making it
as easy as possible for me to jump into this world.

What am I missing?
People.
Where are you? Where are they?
I miss chatting with the person considering
adopting one of my works of art to make
sure their intentions are to enjoy and
share the love....
I am told every click on the "views" is
a little love pat.

They say it takes time.
I'm not sure.... am I going to be around
long enough to feel the love?
Do you like me? Do you really REALLY like me?

Please please follow me on Twitter,
http://twitter.com/momboe
Friend me on Facebook,
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=1643277645
comment here on my blog
so I know what you think!

This is what Diggers Do

Sorry to all who do not have a fascination
with construction equipment
but this one is for
Alex,
my grandson,
who totally digs diggers!
This all started with a basement
that has leaked for 26 years.
Our house, we just found out
is only 100 years old.
We thought it was built in 1903
probably because the neighbors was or something.

We were hand digging a hole for a sump pump down in our basement in hopes of slowing or stopping the water problem. That started plumbing discussions which lead to the fact that our water pressure has slowly...well, slowed down through the years.




Now we have the city and plumbers and workers and and and marching through the house to the basement to the alley to the... to get us service!
What an adventure.

Let's see if we can strike it rich with water!
The good news is...
Alex gets these great pictures.

I love my job

Other artists often ask...how do you get all your painting jobs?
The answer is..
I LOVE what I do.


This recent addition to a series of murals started many years ago,
actually BEFORE these boys were even born.
and luckily enough I was hired
to paint murals in their baby rooms.
Now that family has moved in to this new home
and their children have grown

I'm still lucky enough to be part of their family.
I've watched their children grow.
I've painted presents through the years for
sisters and moms.
I've painted murals in their parents and siblings homes as well.
I get to be part of their family, their lives, their loves.

Each mural tells a story.
My goal is to convey the emotion
the family wants to feel when they look at it.

Across the hall from where I painted
the "I love you to the moon and back",
is the boys
Under Sea Bathroom.
I wish my photography skills were better
because then you could see

that the whole wall is washed with blues
to create that under water feel.
You could see the jelly fish in the corner
that glow in the dark when the lights are out
and you could see the glitter on the bubbles
that catch the light as you walk in.
You could also see how this coral bed
leads to a ship wreck hidden behind the towels
to the right so they boys find a great surprise
each time they bathe.There are little surprises everywhere to
keep the boys imaginations going while...
they are going:)



Sometimes some scary surprises too!
Dunt-da, dunt-da...








The boys are their mother's
Son shine,
represented in each
of their rooms now.


I wish I could put up pictures of
the boys original rooms
but that was before digital cameras.
Yes....that long ago.Their down stairs bathroom
is kind of a
"Thinking Room",
with positive words
seemingly randomly
painted all around.

It's amazing how much a little paint
can change the world,
people's lives
and
friendships.
I would LOVE to be part of your world.
Call me.

Connected

Thank you Bill Bart
for your generous donation to my husband's
Feed your Hungry Wife Fund.
Thanks to you,
Tracy

took me to a new
and very fine restaurant,
Connected.

It's an Italian restaurant
located where
Po' Boys
used to be,
right next to the Bingo Parlor
next to Walmart on Dries Ln. in Peoria.

I loved the whole,
greet you at the door in a tux,
welcomed by every person
that worked there.
Dim lit and sophisticated,
Tracy and I felt a little out of place, at first,
in our casual attire,
but the staff was oh so professional
and even complimented, very sincerely,
my camo skirt and cowboy boots.

Since we got there a second and a half
after they opened today,
we had the place to ourselves at first,
but never felt uncomfortable.
The waiter waited on us
and even mentioned
that he knew our son,
Nick and his band
DriveTrain.
that used to play Po' Boys frequently.

The food was great as was the service.
Pollo Ai Quattro Formaggi $14.50
Ceasar Salad $7
Vitello Con Funghi Morel $23.50
House Salad $6
and then
just when you thought it couldn't get better,
the dessert!
Tiramisu for him
and
Mexican Hot Chocolate for me.
Now, anyone who knows me knows
that I like my HOT chocolate HOT!
Screaming, boiling, cup melting hot.
And chocolaty. Very, very chocolaty.
You would think that would
be an easy thing to accomplish
since we live in a cold climate,
but let me tell ya, It Ain't!
Well, I won the HOT chocolate
lottery!
YUM! YUM!
Blistering hot, dark chocolate with
a hint of cinnamon and a beautiful
little drizzle of chocolate across
the frothy cream.
A little choco work of art!
Then when you think it can't get better again,
The Owner
Chef Troy Ummel

comes out to make sure we are happy
with every little thing.
I was so impressed that
I asked for a menu,
a take home box for the rest of my meal,
which will make at least 2 more meals
AND
a picture with Mr. Ummel.
They had to go dig him out of the
back where he was working, just to make me happy.
I LOVE good customer service.
Here is a man who knows who's who.
I even got a beautiful rose
to take home.
It's not cheap but
if you are trying to
impress someone,
This is the place to go.
I'm sorry Po' Boys is gone
but I'm glad
Connected
is here!