Opendoor Studio is almost "open"

Click on the photos for greater detail!

My dream for my little studio is to make a wonderful environment in which to create.  I have been sorting and filing and stashing and have come up with some ideas.
Primarily I want it to be a space where I am able to paint my Oils.  My thoughts were to make it a place where I can ask friends to join me in the creative process by attending a "workshop" style get together.
I had a thought to create and "antique shop" feel to the entry area.  I have had so many items in totes from years of flea marketing and I thought, if I put them on display, it may be inspiration for all.  So, after the walls were painted, I began displaying my items.  I will be able to pull them, photograph them and list them on Etsy.  Making the entire process so much easier.

Of Course...if I have a garage sale, I will be able to share my little space with those wishing to take a peek.  I will also happily open by appointment.  I will be available and listing on Etsy on Tuesdays and Thrusdays! 

   I hope to see you soon.

          martha

Ahh... Summer ( or the end of it anyway!)

Summer is winding to a close,   the kids have returned to school, albeit a half day.  That means only one thing.  I will be spending more time on my Etsy site.  I have been stocking my " shop" with all kinds of goodies and will be listing soon.

       I am torn between styles.  I am loving the clean look of threepotatofourshop.com but I have so many " shabby " items yet to sell.  I will try to see if I can do anything with them first ...then shift styles to my " clean line" look

         Until then,

   Stay tuned and watch daily for my new Etsy Listings!

                  martha

In Awe of the Green

Just a sampling of  the beauty found on the Green River out of Moab Utah.  

What a glorious river and what a wonderful group of people to gather with for a 5 day river  adventure.

Moab Utah and the Green River!

Today I head out on a trip I have waited years to take. 

 Friends, Rich and Jacquie, of Small Potatoes fame,

 and I ... and 17 others will be heading to Moab Utah 

for a canoe trip on the Green River. 

 I can't tell you how excited and just a bit nervous I am.  

  While I am having the time of my life, my husband is staying behind with the kids.  The nervous part is...I will have no way of contacting the family after Wednesday and I hope he is not at his wits end by Sunday, when we can be in touch again.

  I am so used to the calls from my daughter for "5 dollars" here and "can I go there" " i need gas" " i'm Bored" or hungry...Which I NEVER mind getting...

  Tony is a terrific texter and keeper in touch 

with the kids...but I am the smoother over one. 

 And, from time to time, it can seem like the verge of WWIII.

  I am praying that all is peaceful on the home front!

My trip will be with 

Centennial Canoe Outfitters 

and will be a slow, Hot , trip down the green river.  

I am so looking forward to capture photos for my paintings, to make a catalogue of scenes.  I am looking forward to camping and time around the campfire.  The trip is unique in that, the focus is on the music in the evenings.  It will be wonderfully fun and a great time to share with my good friends.

       I will share a story or 2 upon my return.

                  

                        martha

Theres no place like here: Luxton Lake feature on etsy!

 

 

"Tina grew up in an old schoolhouse in rural Wisconsin. As a child she would find evidence of the history of the place by the names carved into the bricks and old bottles she would dig up in the yard. Tina likes the things in her house to have a history that she can tell as well as a practical use. She utilizes her collection of old bottles as vases for the flowers she grows in her Narrowsburg garden.

This vintage glass bottle from opendoorstudio would make a lovely vase for your fresh-cut flowers."

 I hope you will view the wonderful video below!

My Beautiful MOO necklace! We did it together!

   I would love to introduce you to a wonderful artist!  Her name is Jean and she is a talented metalsmith.

   I first noticed her work when we were featured in a treasury together about a month ago.  Since then she has been the artist that brought to life a little idea I had.

    Please visit her shop for other wonderful designs!

3squares.etsy.com

Here is her description!  I so... appreciate the shout out!!!

 "   "I drink your milkshake! I drink it up!" -- Daniel Day-Lewis in the film “There Will Be Blood” It started as an idea in the mind of http://opendoorstudio.etsy.com, became a collaboration between two Etsians, and resulted in a very cool functional piece.  Moo MiniCards are little works of art and deserve to be seen. This necklace is the perfect way to carry a few, and display them at the same time. Three random windows provide intriguing peeks at your card inside. Cards slide in the top and can easily be switched out whenever the mood strikes.  Looks great without a card too, with the front in nickel and the back copper, both oxidized for an aged appearance. Steel bolts and copper tubes create the space inside. A thumb notch on the back is handy when switching out cards. Pendant measures approximately 1 ½” x 3” and hangs from a 24” copper chain, finished with a lobster clasp. Your necklace will be made especially for you. It will be unique and could vary ever-so-slightly from photo. Many variations are available to suit your card design. Perhaps you would prefer a horizontal orientation, or sterling silver, or circular windows. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in a custom order."

Talented local artist that you should know!

I want to introduce you to a fantastically talented artist. 

 She specializes in using Vintage pieces, buckles, beads,clips and 

other unique findings ... to create one of a kind pieces.

     Lisa Strecker

 is so amazing at what she does.

  Her beautiful pieces have been shown in New York, Long Grove, Chicago, Wheaton and Yorkville.

  Those of us who know her ... appreciate her genuine uniqueness 

and her wonderful personality.

              She will be entering the etsy world with her newly created shop

 ablastfromthepast.etsy.com  

 And her new blogspot . 

 I hope you will check her things out and be sure to contact her for a private view of the wonderful Jewelry pieces she lovingly creates.

          Lisa is an artisan you should know!

Etsy Bloggers shout out!

A Special thanks to LazyTcrochet.etsy.com from the etsy bloggers street team, for featuring my vintage blooming candle sticks in her latest treasury.

  It is so nice that other Etsy Bloggers support one another

 please stop by and check it out!

                  thanks bunches,

                     martha

Vintage is alive and well... At least while these wonderful Sellers are around!

Thought it was time to introduce you to some wonderful Vintage sellers on Etsy.

  I love them because they are incredibly talented and caring people.  Believe it or not, one can make some terrific friends selling on Etsy.

 Kathi, the shop keeper of  5gardenias.etsy.com and Kathiroussel.etsy.com

has become a friend.  She is kind enough to think of me and  to feature something from my shop in her fresh treasury's. 

 Her photography is outstanding and 

I admire the way she carefully stages each piece

 for her photos. 

 Her care and attention to detail is apparent in everything she does.

  Kathi is currently donating 10% of her sales to a fellow etsian who has been striken with cancer.   

 Now that is what it is all about!

Lauren at

Vintology

has become a friend as well.  The approach she takes in developing her etsy shop creates such a fresh, 

clean look. 

 Clean lines and that shiny apple, which always graces her photos, are her trademark. 

 Lauren is so kind to alert me whenever she sees my shop featured... she also lets me know when something needs attention. 

 Misspellings and bad links, she notices when I have not posted things for a while.  Whenever I hear from her and she mentions that... I am sure to jump back in and do some listing.  She is keeping me going ( I don't know that she knows that) 

 But I just LOVE that and only wish we lived closer so that we could get together for coffee to discuss fresh ways to keep motivated!  Thanks Lauren for your encouragement... Always!     vintology is currently having a sale...be sure to stop by and pick up a fun vintage find! 

One of my newest Etsy friends is from the U.P. Michigan... Heather runs

Postroadvintage.etsy.com 

She jumped in with both feet recently, and has caught the attention of the Etsy Admin staff. She has been featured in many front page treasury's as well as gift guides.  

Her kind convos brighten my day. 

 Her eye for selecting items and staging her photos is wonderful.

       Heather has added some fresh, fun repurposed finds like the one seen in the photo above. 

 Clicking on her shop ... you will see what I mean. 

       

Sandy has become friend and I am so lucky that she lives in the area.  Her shop, 

jollytimeone.etsy.com

features some fun finds.

  We have gotten together, when we can, to chat about what's new in our shops... we have shared techniques and tips and she has a great eye for finding some awesome things while vacationing with her family.

Sandy's eclectic mix is sure to spark your imagination and I am sure you will find something you enjoy from her shop!  

She has some great vintage chairs, fans and luggage too!

I can't wait to feature some of my handmade friends too...Stay tuned!

PLAID DREAMS

With a family name like " STEWART " one can't help but LOVE plaid.  This latest treasury is dedicated to family ... mostly on the East Coast... whom I miss LOTS!

          

Painting Out with the ' WILDERNESS PAINTERS'

I have been looking for a group to paint out with whenever possible and this week I found one.  Last Friday my husband found an article in the local paper about the wilderness painters.  A diehard group that paints out "plein air" no matter the weather.  After receiving the link online I decided to jump in and contact the group coordinator and find out the details

   Sunday morning was lovely.  The perfect lighting and temp.  No rain in the forecast.

  I ventured out, grabbed my supplies ( it had been since last October that I had ventured outdoors to set up) 

   Cantigny Park was the destination.  I arrived shortly after 8:30 am.  Met the group.  A wonderful group of folks who are SO talented. ( I can't wait to learn from them all...just by observing).  We all  found our own spot.  Mine was in the middle of the park,  blue spruce,  golden yews... so pretty.  Shortly after setting up... a red tailed hawk set down just about 10 feet in front of me.   You realize just how peaceful it is painting out... it is quiet and it is just you, nature and your palette.

  I finished my painting  and hearing the bells tole, I packed up and headed back to the lot to meet the group.  What wonderful work!

     I had such a nice time..I can't wait until next time.

                 Please see the link for the paintings and more information on the wilderness painters.

              

Fun With a Welding Torch!

I just wanted to share a fun piece I made while with my family to Door County several summers ago.  

We happened upon a wonderful place called Hands on Art Studio.  I LOVE the concept as Door County is known for its art studios scattered about the county.  What a lovely way to create some art of your own after being inspired in the galleries that abound.

My family landed on the site and dispersed around the studio, Aubrey and Hannah worked on mosaics and frames crafted from wood,  Aubrey created a tile for the silo where the money goes to a favorite charity.  Colin and Tony hit the welding studio to put together a wonderful metal sculpture of a "guy"... for our garden.

  

I decided to work on a sculpture.  They have a "metal buffet" for you to choose pieces from.  I chose 3 different pieces for the legs... thought to use a metal bowl piece as a birdbath... and a metal "s" shaped piece to suspend the bird feeder.  I then created a glass piece in their fused glass studio and tacked it to the frame I had welded to make it a more interesting art piece.

  

 I just love the way the light catches it!   

I love the way it looks in my eclectic garden!

  I hope you all have a chance to visit beautiful Door County sometime in your life...and while you are there stop by the "hands on art studio"  it is a treat for artists of all ages!

 

THANK YOU TO ALISON FROM ETSY ADMIN!

ANOTHER THANKS IS IN ORDER...ALISON I LOVE YOU.... I APPRECIATE YOUR FEATURING MY ITEMS IN THE STORQUE ARTICLES.  I HAVE BEEN SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE MY ITEMS CHOSEN  OFTEN!!! A HEARTFELT NOTE OF APPRECIATION TO YOU!

    MARTHA

Thank you for including me in your Treasury

  GO ETSY BLOGGERS!!!

Just a quick note to send a thank you to Mysticwynd for including me in her latest Etsybloggers Team Treasury.   I really appreciate it and Love to meet new bloggers.

         THANKS BUNCHES,

                 MARTHA

     

Old Fashioned fun!

It's time to hit the road and head out to see the Golden Gate Bridge...

My childhood stomping ground. 

 This time around it is with Thelma and Louise 

( aka Leslie, my sister ...and Jinny...you might as well call her my other sister.) 

 For a week of wine country, antiquing, cable car riding, highway 1 driving, 

beach loving, kayaking, sunset watching...wedding going

 ( ok that is the true reason to be heading West)

...but I can't wait to take it all in!

What fun we will have!  maybe the East Coast will be our NEXT big adventure!

      come along for the ride!

So nice to have Friends to show you the way!!!

Thanks to my friends at Vintology for turning me on to a new Etsy tool.

  Love this site  Craftopolis... it will show you if you are featured in any treasury's in the Main and West sites as well as Gift Guides features and... whether you are an alternate.

 It even has a timer that will show you when it is getting close to Treasury creating time!

 how fun is that!

           

What a day!

Today I received a confirmation from the Etsy bloggers street team... that I have been accepted!  I was so excited I thought I would come to my blog and write about it.  Before I did I checked out Etsy and found that I had many folks mark my shop as a favorite today... that can mean only one thing...I have been mentioned in an article or featured on the fP...sure enough  ...

   Todays  Storque article on collections was what did it.  Pez dispensers... who knew!

     

While looking at my blog.  I noticed someone had commented on one of my posts....you can see it below.  The article about the wire chandelier.  It was taken right out of Sue and Ki's book " junk market style" .... Ki found my blog and my etsy shop and left a very nice comment here on my blog.

  I am totally flattered that she stopped by and am floored yet again that Etsy admin has featured another of my items.

      thank you!  I am humbled!

Junking in Style

Today I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of LaVelle Davis to Walter Vallette

     LaVelle , fondly know as elle...met Wally while attending Church in our small midwestern town.  

  She is 75 and he is 80 or so.  Their union makes her officially...

     drum roll please.........   

  LaVelle Vallette....how is that for a name.

anyhow....After the wedding, 

I asked a friend to come " junk" with me in our local town. 

     We hopped in my Bug convertible and off we went.  We had so much fun finding all kinds of things that we can repurpose.

   I found an old 6 panel door.  A tall thin one... I am thinking of using for a thin table.  I have small castoff glass pieces that will fit perfectly into the panels.

We found 2 old metal cage like boxes.  They will be perfect for repurposing into lighting for outdoors.  Several houses down we came upon a wonderful pile of junk...great glass globes that I think I will attach to the wire cage and hang from pully I picked up this weekend.

My friend Val... found 5 little glass globes in a box.  I plan to illuminate them with tea lights in the garden.  I will just dig a tiny bit into the soil so that they are firmly placed and drop a tea light down inside.

        they will match the lights I plan to make that will adorn the trees.

             I found an old wood piece that once served as a foot stool for an adirondack chair.  I will mount that to the wall to make for an interesting shelf....

    What fun I will have.  

    I hope you had as much fun this weekend as I did!

          martha

Small But Affordable Art...A thank you to Paperwhite!

I wanted to thank " paperwhite" for featuring my little ACEO in her blog.  what a pleasant surprise!  soooooo

     THANKS!

http://paperwhitej.blogspot.com/2009/05/small-but-affordable-art.html