"Cherish" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting 2011



Cherish 2011

This mixed Media painting I did to celebrate my Grandmother's 90th birthday. She is someone I truly cherish and has been a great support in my artistic pursuits.  Her home has become somewhat of an art gallery of many of my watercolor paintings and drawings.   This one is a favorite of mine. It was done using decorative papers, inks, stamps,  paints, gold leaf for the wings, decorative brads and swarovski crystal elements.

Photo Transfer Mixed Media Art



Photo Transfer Mixed Media Artwork of my Grandmother

What is it?  Photo transfer is a method of transferring a photograph from the paper it is printed on, to another surface. There are numerous ways to do this.  I generally print a digital photograph and use gel medium to remove the photo from the paper. I  use a wood base that has been prepared. It takes a combination of gel medium, time, water and a little elbow grease to remove the paper pulp from the image.  I then use decorative papers, distress inks, paints, metallic powders, vintage fabric trims, words, and other embellishments to finish the piece. For the hanger I use wire and swarovski cystal elements to give the piece a little sparkle. The first photo transfer I did was of my grandmother. I love the vintage look of this photo and love the way it turned out. After this I was totally hooked on the method and have done a few custom orders and have made them as special gifts for family members. 








One of my favorites

Jane Austen Photo Transfer

https://www.etsy.com/listing/89767444/custom-photo-transfer-artwork-6-12-x-8

My Studio

My Studio

 I am very lucky to have a space dedicated to art and craft work in my home. My husband spent many hours converting an unused attic space into this wonderful place for me to work. I was working in a dark basement and wasn't really doing much artistically until I had this space. Now I work daily and I have a space where I can leave what I am working on and come back to it. I don't have to clean  up a project or move it anywhere, which makes all the difference in the world. It is a quiet spot in the house, a place I can think, dream, and create.



The sewing area- where the monkey magic happens

Orders- using my ribbon art gallery clips and ribbon

Organizing my current orders keeps me sane. I know which order came in first, or which one needs to be finished first. I also have been keeping track of where my orders are coming from. It's been fun to see where in the world my monkeys, bunnies, and artwork are living.
                   
https://www.etsy.com/listing/87717091/shabby-chic-decoupaged-clips-and-satin

May has been a little slow

I've been so busy this year that this May slow down is feeling a little strange. It's not that I haven't made anything. I just finished a sock monkey last week and I've finished 4 others this month, but only one sale so far in May. Views on Etsy are way down too. Maybe it's just the time of year, no holidays, or maybe it could be the Etsy search changes I keep hearing about. Who knows. I'm trying to take advantage of the slow down. Maybe I'll clean my studio and get it organized or maybe I'll work on some new art pieces or some of my ideas on some special sock monkeys. Or maybe I'll just enjoy my cup of coffee and do nothing & smile.

My First Post

This is my first blog post. I thought I would start by telling  you a little about me. I am a SAHM of 2 boys. I have a BA in Art and Art Education. I am a part-time substitute teacher and a naptime, evening, and weekend artist.  Last year I opened my shop on Etsy- Kelly Spencer Studios- Vintage inpired mixed media arts and gifts at www.KellySpencerStudios.Etsy.com     When I first opened my shop I intended to focus primarily on my mixed media artwork, paintings, and a few other crafts. In my constant search for interesting papers to use for my mixed media work and craft work, I came across this really cute sock monkey paper. I thought, I bet I could make a sock monkey, so I did some research and made 7 for my neices and nephews for Christmas. They were a hit, so I decided maybe I would make one or two for my shop and just see what happens. Well they sold, so I made a few more and they sold.  took a few to a local art and craft fair, they did well too. I then decided that I wanted to make these sock monkeys something special, so  I began making  custom/ personalized sock monkeys. These custom monkeys have become my biggest seller on Etsy. I truly enjoy making them and working with customers in creating something truly special and unique.  In February, I started thinking about other sock creatures and the natural next step was Sock Bunnies, well lets just say March was  a very busy month in my shop and the bunnies are still popular.   You can visit my FB fan page to see many more examples of my custom

sock bunnies and monkeys and some of my other artwork at   www.facebook.com/KellySpencerStudios

All monkeys and bunnies are handmade by me with all new materials and 100% polyester supreme fiberfill.
It just goes to show that you never really know what is going to be your big seller. It may not be what you expect at all.