Monday, May 14, 2007

Etsy Traveling Journal Redux


This previous post tells how I got involved in a collaborative project with other Etsians. From the etsyjournal blog:

"A handmade journal is passed from one Etsian to another, via the mail. Each participant gets a full spread in the journal to create, embellish, draw, paint, write, *whatever* they want. Then they pass it along to the next person until the entire book is filled."

So I have had the book for a week, I am hoping to mail it out today to the next in line. It came wrapped in red tissue, tied with a lacy cream satin ribbon. Origami cranes tumbled out of the envelope as I reached inside. When I opened the hand-bound journal, I saw the previous entries which were inspiring and helpful to cement the idea that had been floating in my head for my pages.

Lowell is gorgeous in the spring and since my shop name is all about being in Lowell, I thought it would be appropriate to paint a love letter to the bricks, the blue skies, and especially the blooming trees which are so glorious for a moment then gone. It's all about being in love with a moment, and in love with a city purely for its looks! I hope this doesn't make me shallow :)

15 comments:

  1. Oh, that's lovely! Is it a watercolor?

    Lowell is beautiful - how could you not love it for its looks?

    I had a great time at the ARTventure on Saturday - things like that are another reason I love Lowell!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks :) It is sort of a watercolor, it's gouache, which is more opaque.

    I hope to make more 2-D art when I get into my studio. We chose this apartment in minutes after we saw the views, I actually said "I could paint here" and I don't really consider myself a painter :)

    I, too, love it when everyone comes outside for things like ArtVentures.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, that is a gorgeous rendition. You obviously share your mom's talent for painting. Now I wish I'd spent more time in Lowell when I lived in Mass. I only went there twice-once to see the Quilt Museum and once for jury duty.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Maia, LOL jury duty! They sent me to Cambridge when I got called.

    We are terrible tourists!! I live around the corner from the Quilt Museum, I used to work across the street. I've been in the shop a few times, but never paid to see the collection. Pathetic, eh? and we've never been to the Textile History Museum (which is shrinking daily :( ) We are determined to take a boat ride on the canal this year.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BTW: thanks for the kind words :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a lovely journal entry and sentiment and I don't think it's shallow at all, you are appreciating the beauty and the boisterous display is there for that very reason, well for something to appreciate it, so it might as well be you.

    Be Well,

    Sandra Eileen
    http://www.artisan-jewelry.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. BTW - is it vain of me to still be tickled no end to see my hot & cold necklace over there to the right of your current etsy faves? Well if it is, so be it, I am tickled beyond belief.

    Thanks

    Sandra Eileen

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sandra - Thanks for the reassurance about my crush on Lowell's good looks.

    And no, not vain! I hope people are clicking on the link and discovering your gorgeous jewelry!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. wow an etsy travel journal. What an interesting idea. I bet that was so nice to go through it and read everybody else's writings. Your entry for the journal looks wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It was cool! I was glad I was on pages 13 and 14 because I got to see the previous entries. Mostly people made images, illustrations, not so much writing. Although there is a companion written journal for everyone to put notes in about the creative process. If you visit their blog(linked in my post) you can see some of the other entries.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, I just went back and looked at some of the other entries! After seeing those along with yours I feel kind of sad that I'm not participating and kind of glad because I don't think I could create something of that caliber! Way to go, Liz!

    ReplyDelete
  12. The boat tour is awesome - I look forward to it every summer!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Maia - Thanks! The art was of all skill levels, it was more about the process of creating and collaboration instead of an individual having to be a great artist. That made it easier to do because it was less intimidating.

    Marianne - Now I will make sure we do the boat tour this year!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your page is a beautiful addition to the journal. I think the Etsy Journal is such a lovely idea and watching it evolve is so exciting.
    Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Just now getting to look at all your recent blog entries. this journal painting is breathtaking.
    Love,Mom

    ReplyDelete