Artisan. No, Writer. Writer. No, Artisan. . .

Looking out the window with her coffee in hand,

Julia had a sudden urge to go outside.
The sun shone warmly and the dew
was evaporating right before her eyes.
Spring seemed everywhere today.
She glanced back at her computer-
work was piled up and the curser was blinking expectantly.
"Work can wait" she thought as she ran upstairs to change.
Pulling on jeans and a v-neck sweater, she glanced in the mirror.
It had been a tough winter-she had been feeling overworked and
overwhelmed-and it was beginning to show on her face.
She needed something new to keep her feeling alive.
"This will do it" she thought as she reached for
the new dragonfly necklace she purchased on Etsy.
As she headed out the door she was lost in thought-
fingering the pendant,it symbolized a fresh start:
warmer weather, some freedom, new beginnings.
Her feet carried her out to her mailbox where she promptly
crashed into someone-"oh sorry!" she began, looking up
for the first time into a set of perfect teeth in a sheepish,
grinning tanned face. "No, I'm sorry," he said,
"I saw you coming and should have said something.
I'm Sean, your new Postman. Nice necklace."

This might just be a very very good spring, she mused.

Julia held up her long brown hair in a ponytail,
away from her face. “Maybe I should do something
with my hair, maybe I should cut it short”.
She let it fall. “What do you think, Harry?”
Harry, who had been gazing at her, cocked his head
and placed a paw over his nose. “Hmmm, maybe you’re right,
maybe I should leave it for now". Harry barked, relieved.
“It’s just that it’s spring-wouldn’t it be nice
to change things up for spring?
No? How ‘bout a walk then?”
Harry‘s toenails clattered across the floor
as he took off to get his leash.
She put on her favorite necklace-
a beautiful suspended copper butterfly
that she bought on Etsy,
and turned back and forth in the mirror,
admiring the way the light refracted from it.
Pulling her hair into a ponytail and securing it, she frowned.
“I wouldn’t look that bad in short hair , would I?”

Artisan handmade jewelry is prized for its uniqueness, variety and often unsurpassed beauty. Writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images, whether fiction or non-fiction.

Leanne (aka Industrial Poppy) has combined both skills so beautifully. I wait, with baited breath, to read the next chapter of Julia's life. More importantly, to view the amazing art which will portray that chapter.

BFF - Best Friends Forever

Milton and Lionel - BFF

This is Milton, the Abominable Lovable Jackalope
who was lost from his family in a terrible snow storm.

During his search for his family, Milton finds comfort
in a new friend named Lionel, a sad and lonely firefly.

Together they continue the search
and learn a bit about each other along the way....

The moment I saw this illustration, I was in love. So much so, I purchased it. Mikiep hopes to make this an animated film someday. I'm in his corner rooting for him all the way!

But his talent doesn't stop there. He's taken being a superhero to a whole new level. Look at what he has illustrated to inspire children to be heroes saving the world.






















Mikiep's delightful, whimsical and extraordinary illustrations should be an inspiration to us all!

IT'S UNIVERSAL LETTER WRITING WEEK

What we are missing today are letters so dear that we will carry them in our wallets so that on quiet moments we may take them out, read them again, and reflect on the words and the good person who took time to write them.

With junk mail, e-mail, IM and texting, most of us don't receive personal letters in the mail anymore. We often forget what a simple pleasure it is, at the end of the day, to sit with our feet up, sipping a warm cup of tea, and reading a personal note from a friend or loved-one.

If we think long and hard, I'm sure there is one person in our lives to whom we could write a letter. Even a note or a postcard would be a wonderful surprise to find in our mailbox. It doesn't need to be long and gushy or filled with trials and tribulations of your life. Just simply share your thoughts and feelings for the day. Don't strive for perfect, just for heartfelt.

Of course, I, along with my team members of ETSY Greetings, would want you to write your letter on one of our fancy and beautiful papers or note cards. But honestly, the recipient will love it even if it's written on the back of a napkin.

It is still possible to brighten someone's day - simply send them a handwritten letter. And who knows, maybe you'll receive one in return. Won't you feel special then?

Here's one of our personalized note cards, available in our shop, which you might like to purchase for your next snail mail greeting:

New beginnings

From small beginnings come great things

It's a new year and new beginnings. Nothing is more appropriate for this theme than the birth of a child. Several of my family members are looking forward to additions to their families this year and that has inspired me to design many new birth announcements which can be found in my shop.
















I have created almost all of the announcements so they can be used for a girl or a boy. Now, if you have twins (one of each), I'll have to rethink the whole idea :) Hmm, that has stirred up the pot for some new ideas.

As always, any of my designs will be customized for you and your family.

My New Year's Wish For You

This was a poem written twenty years ago by Sandra Sturtz Hauss. For me, it is the most beautiful way to express my hopes and wishes for all of you for the New Year.

MAY YOU ALWAYS FEEL LOVED

May you find serenity and tranquility in a world you may not always understand.

May the pain you have known and conflict you have experienced give you the strength to walk through life facing each new situation with courage and optimism.

Always know that there are those whose love and understanding will always be there, even when you feel most alone.

May you discover enough goodness in others to believe in a world of peace.

May a kind word, a reassuring touch, a warm smile be yours every day of your life, and may you give these gifts as well as receive them.

Remember the sunshine when the storm seems unending.

Teach love to those who know hate, and let that love embrace you as you go into the world.

May the teaching of those you admire become part of you, so that you may call upon them.

Remember, those whose lives you have touched and who have touched yours are always a part of you, even if the encounters were less than you would have wished. It is the content of the encounter that is more important than its form.

May you not become too concerned with material matters, but instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart.

Find time in each day to see the beauty and love in the world around you.

Realize that each person has limitless abilities, but each of us is different in our own way. What you may feel you lack in one regard may be more than compensated for in another. What you feel you lack in the present may become one of your strengths in the future.

May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility. Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.

May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself, and not be dependent on another’s judgment of your accomplishments.

May you always feel loved.

Fathers and Sons

The moment I saw these photographs in Barbara Gordon's shop on ETSY, I knew I had to feature them as part of this month's theme.

Until you have a son of your own . . . you will never know the joy, the love beyond feeling that resonates in the heart of a father as he looks upon his son. You will never know the sense of honor that makes a man want to be more than he is and to pass something good and hopeful into the hands of his son. And you will never know the heartbreak of the fathers who are haunted by the personal demons that keep them from being the men they want their sons to be.

- Kent Nerburn 1917- from Letters to My Son

There is something very special about the love between a father and son and I believe the quote and the photographs truly reflect that love.

You can view more of Barbara's beautiful work either in her shop on ETSY or on her website.

Spanning tradition over 3 generations

The Colorful Ewe is a collaboration of a mother, daughter and 13 year old granddaughter.

Take a look at their exquisite hand dyed yarns. This one called "Earth" reflects the beautiful colors of the earth as seen from the satellites.




The colors are rich blues, vibrant greens, and an array of browns.



A true family business, they hand-dye all their yarns one at a time, with care and attention to detail.

Each hank of yarn comes with a matching stitch marker as a free gift to you!

Want something completely different to call your own? They'll make it for you.

The Best of All Gifts

This was one of the nicest cards I've ever designed so I'm sharing it with you. I believe the quote says it all.


The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

Inspirational Family Quote

I came across this quote today. I hope you find it as meaningful as I did.

""Let your eyes light up when your children are around. Laugh more. Tell them how empty and quiet it is when they’re not there. Enjoy the things they bring to your life. Attend their activities, not as if they were compulsory for parents, but throw yourself into their lives."

--Valerie Bell, Getting Out of your Kids’ Faces and into Their Hearts

Featured Artist - December 13, 2007

Holly Stott, another ETSY artist, has a personalized necklace and pendant available in her shop. What better way to keep a dear one close to your heart.



Send her your photo and she'll turn it into a black and white sketch which is then made into a plastic pendant affixed to a black leather cord. This would make a spectacular gift for that someone special on your holiday shopping list.

Grafik Expressions' blog will feature not only its own designs but creations from other artists that remind me how beautiful life can be.

During the holiday season we tend to look back and reflect on wonderful memories in our lives. For the next few weeks I will be featuring items that reflect the beauty of loving family and treasured friends.

Here is one of my favorites for treasured friends. It is available as a note card from my shop http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7345313

If you have or know of an item which you believe would fit into this category, feel free to email me at grafikexpressions@gmail.com. I will try to feature it here during the coming weeks.

Tonight is the last night of Hanukkah. For those who are celebrating, may this Festival of Lights bring blessings upon you and your loved ones for happiness and health.





Our first featured artist is Daring Divas at Etsy

According to Daring Divas' profile on ETSY

We have been creating art individually for many years. If you combine those years….lets just say it would be staggering!

We currently sell our art at local galleries as individuals.

But we get such a hoot out of being together and doing art…so we decided to collaborate and sell our creations online.

We both live in cabins and in the woods with critters running amuck!
Loud music, good food and loads of laughter…that’s how these little works of art were created.

They have a beautiful 8x10 mixed media on canvas in their shop entitled Life Love Joy.

Welcome to Grafik Expressions. I sincerely hope you will enjoy your visit.