I received an email this morning from my good friend (and amazingly talented artist) Teresa McCue for a wonderful event that I’d like to share with you. She participates in a brilliant art show twice each year that is presented by Nahcotta Gallery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. They gather a wonderfully diverse and talented group of over 50 artists for their “Enourmous Tiny Art” show (ETA). In their words
“Twice a year, the walls of Nahcotta are hung to the hilt with tiny art, in all of its one-of-a-kind” beauty, ingenuity, and magnificence”
So you ask…what is tiny art? They are beautiful, creative pieces that are all about 6″x6″ (some a bit larger, some a bit smaller) in a variety of mediums and there is something for everyone. So for those of you who say you don’t have any space for new artwork, now you do!
These small treasures are PERFECT for Valentine’s Dayor for anyone that deserves a special gift. The small size makes them extra precious and is bound to bring a huge smile to your sweetheart’s face.
And Terry is making this show even more special. You see, she not only has a big talent but she also has a Big Heart (see above). She is donating 50% of her proceeds to the charitable organization Konbit Sante which will benefit the victims of the earthquakes in Haiti.
So jump in, take a look around and BUY something….it will be good for your heart, your sweetheart and all the good people in Haiti who desperately need our help!
Do you have a wall that is just crying out for something special? Well, instead of just painting it with an accent color, you can really give it some style with the fantastic giveaway we have today! The folks at Architexture have a unique solution for you! Tattoowall is a revolutionary, image transfer technique that allows you to install beatiful murals, frescos, and artworks onto your ceilings and walls.
These photos just give you a taste of what they have to offer. The video below has a lot of great information and shows the installation of a large Tattoowall. Whether it’s fine art, photography, a cool pattern, or one of their many featured artists, I guarantee that you can find something that suits your style. And as an added bonus… Tatoowall is completely customizable. ANY image can be used. You can even even submit your own!
So start thinking where you could use a Tattoowall and follow the directions below carefully for your chance to win!
…
Would you like to win a Tatoowall image from Architexture?
To Enter Simply…
1. Visit the Tatoowall Image Gallery and choose an image from one of the following categories: fine art, decorative art, illustrations, patterns, or photography.
2. Leave me a comment below letting me know where you plan on using the image in your home. *Please include the image code that corresponds with your choice (*the four digit image code can be found just below each image).
I started My Design Secrets more than a year ago with one goal in mind: Help people who love home decorating by giving them professional advice and easy access to the best online interior decorating sources. After receiving a lot of wonderful feedback and learning that close to 100,000 people visted the database last year, I realized that My Secret Database was the answer to many of your decorating prayers! So, I was determined to continue sharing my interior design advice and resources.
A couple of months ago, I announced that we would be making some upgrades to the website. Now, the time has come! We wanted to make My Design Secrets even more useful, interesting, and fun for all of you decorating enthusiasts. (And for those of you who don’t know, my husband, Tim, is the what turns “me” into “we”.)
So, here is what’s in store…
Improvements to My Secret Database *
The new database is PHENOMENAL.When it comes to home decorating, My Secret Database blows any search engine out of the water. Take that Google! Here’s why:
Search through hundreds of online retailers for the product(s) you need and in the specific style you want.
View a wide assortment of photos of specific products from the vendors in My Secrets Database.
Check out the the handy $-$$-$$$! These icons will help you stay within your home decorating budget.
*While we wanted to keep doing all this for free, a girl has got to make a living! With all these great new features, we are confident that you will recognize what a great value it is. So starting this Wednesday at noon, My Secret Database is going to become a membership only site. We are sure you will agree that the nominal charge of $9.95 per month is a fair price for access to this incredibly valuable, time-saving database.
Hot New Topics and Inside Tips in the Blog (Free)
The blog will continue to be free of charge and will offer my professional design tips as well as introductions to some of the hottest new decorating sources on the web. I have lots of great ideas for new topics and, as always, you are welcome to make suggestions. Feel free to search my existing blog entries covering over 350 decorating topics!
Great New Giveaways
We know you all love a Great Giveaway, so those are definitely going to continue. We have some great ones lined up for high quality paint, gorgeous home furnishings, and fabulous interior decorating/design books. And remember, your paid membership will automatically enter you into the giveaways.
Thank You…Thank You…Thank You
I have appreciated your support over the last year and sincerely hope that you will find these upgrades very helpful as you continue to put your personal decorating stamp on your home.
The impressionistic landscape design of the Sedona vase is begun by sifting on many layers of glass powder. We then use multiple colors of glass in a variety of forms, powder, custom mixes of frit, and stringer. The design is embedded in the surface of the glass during the blowing process to creates a highly textured piece. The final step is to softly iridize the surface with a technique adopted from the studios of the early 1900's. $300.00
The Artful Home does a tremendous job of attracting gifted artists from around the world and making their extraordinary creations available to you at home. Now, the artists can spend more time on their craft while someone else promotes them. Brilliant! I have bought many, many pieces from The Artful Home and my clients have always been delighted. You can easily own original artwork for your home with prices to fit everyone’s budget. And it’s not limited to paintings, there are immensely gifted people designing furniture, tile, glass, rugs, sculptures and many more items. You can search by style, color, price range and artist. The listings are detailed and clear with shipping times and charges so decisions are easy. I have bought a number of birthday and holiday gifts here as well. There is something for everyone. You will have a blast just browsing through.
"Bougainvillea" - A giclee print of a mixed media painting, signed ,open edition. $150
Matted pigment print of a scanned black-and-white negative that has been digitally toned and painted. Printed on archival Hahnemuhle fine art paper. Limited edition of 15. Signed and numbered on print. Save 60% off this item. Ends April 30th. Was $310.00 Now $124.00
"Straight-Carved Yellow Urchin" - Hand-thrown, carved, porcelain vessel with hand-thrown/built, porcelain lid. Glazed by hand and fired at 2300 degrees. $385
"Tree Study" - This wire and glass sculpture is inspired by the beauty of multiple curves of tree branches. $1100.00
This piece is by Nicolette Jelen and is entitled "Icarus Flying." To me, it has a strong, uplifting feel.
One of the final and very important touches to any home is carefully selected artwork. A few well-placed paintings and expertly framed prints make a room feel gracious and comfortable. I often select antique or reproduction prints or photographs for the hallways and extra bedrooms. But when it comes selecting the primary pieces that are more of an investment, I tend to take more of a backseat. I feel very strongly that when you invest in a piece of art, it really has to speak to you. Art elicits emotion that is different for each and every one of us and I want to make sure that the painting that hangs above their fireplace speaks to my client and says exactly what she/he wants to hear.
I have purchased a few of Marcie Jan Bronstein's Cloudscapes. She has an amazing eye for color.
Right now I am helping one of my clients select art for his vacation home and he said something to me the other day that really struck a chord in me. We were talking about the different types of art and the various subject matter when he expressed an interest in seascapes and skyscapes. He said that he and his wife really love them because they convey a “sense of hope.” I thought that was a perfect way to express what he was looking for.
Nancy Hughes Miller paints lovely oils of North Carolina marshes and other coastal subjects. Her work is available on Etsy.
Now I know that we all have vastly different budgets when it comes to artwork but that doesn’t mean you have to make big sacrifices. There are many talented artists out there who are trying to make a name for themselves, but they also have to make a living, so often their art is priced to sell. So, I thought I would show you a few pieces that have caught my eye. Whether you like photography, oils or watercolor, you just might find it time to treat yourself to an original that’s all your own.
The New York Times Store has everything from historical photography to current events.
