Thursday, December 10, 2009

Pics from the Toying with Art Show

Here's a picture of my game, way down on the bottom, in green, underneath the big colorful mosaic. I can't wait to visit the Cameron Art Museum and see it in person!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

2009 Holiday Ornaments in the Shop

I've listed three in a series of twenty holiday ornaments in the MarthaLand shop. Each one is made from a big jingle bell with a little snowy slug scene on top! They make unique and inexpensive gifts, or get one to decorate your own tree!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Artist Made Toys Submission

I've been busy on a project of another kind. My first submission for a show! The Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, NC is having an Artist Made Toys show in November and invited me to participate. My contribution will be a slug themed board game called Journey to the Garden of Eatin', get it, haha! Here are some pictures of the work in progress.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Fox Bride and Bunny Groom

Another custom wedding cake topper. First time I've made a fox, I think she came out quite nice!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Chowder!

I wanted to post this so long ago when I made it, but it was a birthday present for a very special gal, and I didn't want to ruin the surprise! We love Chowder. I was sad to give him away, but her reaction was the best! Thanks Katie!!!!!!!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

New Wedding Cake Topper

Here's the latest project I've completed. Another wedding cake topper, featuring two snails and a trio of mushrooms!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Diarama Complete!

I have been away and very busy. Here's some pictures of the completed Earwax Cafe diarama. Besure to check out real pictures of the actual restaurant (and the rest of my images too) on flickr. Many hours and about 6 pounds of clay later...this was so much fun to make but I miss it already!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Back From the Redwoods

I'm back from vacation and feeling a bit more complete after visiting the Redwoods and seeing my first banana slug in the wild. Actually I saw a lot. It was exciting!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Custom Wedding Table Topper

Just finished this massive project. What started as a small wedding cake topper evolved into a table display, mainly because the couple won't be having cake, but other tasty desserts instead! The base is built on a terracotta planter and the bunnies and trees are detachable and connect securely to the base with magnets.
I'm also working on a huge project for another wedding: a gift to the bride and groom comemorating when they first met! It's a diarama of the Earwax Cafe in Chicago. Can't wait to post pictures as I go along!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

MarthaLand on Facebook

MarthaLand is now on Facebook. Become a fan for updates on sales, new items, and more. From August 1st until August 5th, leave a comment on the wall and get a discount code for 15% your next purchase in the Etsy shop.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Two New Illustrations

Here's two new drawings I did today. The bear took quite awhile even though I had a sketch to work from. The sad mountain only took about an hour surprisingly, right off the top of my head as I went along. I submitted it to Illustration Friday this week, topic is Idle.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Where the Wild Things Are

I don't know if I can wait until October to see this movie. I feel like I've already waited so long since first hearing rumors that Spike Jonze was making it with live action puppets. The first time I saw the preview I cried! And to be honest I don't even remember the book that well. Maybe it has something to do with the amazing soundtrack by Arcade Fire. You can check out their band site here.

Where the Wild Things Are!! from Matt Krenitsky on Vimeo.

And guess what I discovered over at Roadside Projects...Jayme's been featured on a wonderful blog dedicated to artwork inspired by the book. Be sure to check out Terrible Yellow Eyes for all kinds of amazing art in the likeness of Max and his friend. Very fun stuff. I can't wait!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Look what I inspired!

Yeah, I'm all about inspiration this week! I just got some great feedback on Etsy from a customer and check out what my little slugs inspired her to make...a pink and yellow slug puppet! I want one. Thanks Theresa! Be sure to go and check out her Etsy shop.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Amazing Magnets!

Okay, I have to nerd out a little and post this awesome video. If I had $24.95 to waste, I would totally buy these!

New Illustration Inspiration

I've been working on some new illustrations recently. I have always been discouraged by my lack of ability to draw people, even in a funky cartoon way. The other night I grabbed my sketchbook and just started doing some quick loopy drawings without really thinking about it and low and beyond, I think I finally found my style! I scanned all the sketches and digitally colored them, which takes quite awhile, but to me is worth it. Not sure what will become of them, perhaps I'll will do some custom portraits? Who knows! Here's the most recent one I finished today. I tried to use an old color palette from colourlovers called chicken soup and revamped it by switching out a green for a nice earthy brown. I ended up using black and white as well, but I guess that's not really cheating. I found the background photo from my friends M&B's Vermont wedding album. And lastly added to the collage effect with a coffee stained paper I found laying around the studio. You can see some other illustrations here, will no color palette restrictions and plain backgrounds.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Stop Motion Meets Digital Graphics

I came across this video on Share Some Candy. Just lovely.

Opening from Gabo Gesualdi on Vimeo.

Myke asked me the other day: If you could have any hobby or interest that you wanted, no matter how much it cost or any of that stuff, what would it be? I'd have to say, it would be really super awesome to have a stop motion animation studio and a working knowledge of how to make a quality short film. I don't have the attention span or patience for a full length! I've been dreaming of learning how to make a doll with movable limbs out of polymer clay, but alas, lack of funds and lots of other things to do has left it only a dream. What hobby would you take up if money and other restrictions couldn't stop you?

Forest Hollow

Here's just a little peek at something I've been working on. Hopefully there will be more to come. I'm expanding quite a bit into the custom market on Etsy, so I need to come up with fresh new ideas!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Slug Hedge!

You can bet that if I had a house with a massive row of hedges along the side, I'd definately pull an Edward Scissorhands and sculpt out a leafy slug friend like this one in Washington. Found on Flickr. So cool, he has CDs for eyes! No doubt those pesky AOL free trials that used to come in the mail every other week!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Happy 4th

This has absolutely nothing to do with our nation's independence, but I like it. Enjoy!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Snails are in the Shop!

I just added two new snails to the MarthaLand shop! There are lots more to come, including cute little mini snails!

I won a Kreativ Blogger Award

Never heard of this fun little blogosphere award, but it sure feels nice to have been given one by Denise at ODDimagination a little while back and more recently by Shelbi at A Game of Twister! Just when I thought I'd lost my momentum and suffered a series of unfortunate delays in getting custom orders out, I discover a lovely reminder that someone out there enjoys what I do!
Tradition dictates that I must list 6 things (or 7 things) that I am thankful/grateful for, inspired by and/or love. So here it goes:
1. I'm most thankful for my family, my mom and dad and Myke. Let's face it, without them, I wouldn't be where I am. I'd have to say I'm especially grateful to Myke who has been very supportive and patient through all of this umemployed weirdness and very encouraging and supportive of my Etsy shop! He always makes me laugh, even when I am mad and there is no one else I'd rather be stuck on a deserted island with! (unless that island is "the island" because then I'd really appreciate it if some other people were there too, like Sawyer and John Locke)
2. I simply cannot live without COLOR! I wish it was tangible so I could swim in a big pool of rainbow colors. I don't know what I would do if I lost the ability to be enchanted by color. It inspires me. I feel happiest when I am surrounded by bright playful hues and it's the driving force behind all of my artwork. If there was a religion that worshipped color, I'd be a very devote follower!
3. I love that I get to play with clay all day long due to being laid off and also receiving unemployment. So, I guess in a way I owe a big thank you to Obama!
4. I love food! This may seem silly, but I am very thankful to have delicious fresh food to eat everyday and that I know how to cook! Fruits, veggies and yummy cheeses are among my favorites and always in stock. If only Whole Foods didn't cost an arm and a leg...
5. I am very inspired by nature and the great outdoors. I was lucky to grow up as a outdoor camping kid and spent a lot of time in the woods around a campfire, canoeing on a lake or canal and sleeping out under the stars. I miss the mountains and the overwhelming green of summer.
6. I also love that I finally have a space to call my "studio" where I can come to make all sorts of fun arts and crafts. I never realized how many art supplies I had until they all filled up a room! I can't ask for anything else than to be able to keep creating and expressing myself though whatever medium I happen to be obsessed with at the moment. Yay for art!
I don't really know who to pass this award along to, but instead you should all go and check out the blogs on my blog love list. Really, it's worth your time. Thanks again Denise and Shelbi!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Custom Wedding Cake Toppers

This gray and red couple was inspired by none other than Beetlejuice! Remember that awkward wedding scene where Lydia is forced to marry Beetlejuice in a red tulle dress? Well, these bunnies may not be as scary but they certainly looking just as dashing. This was a custom request from Etsy.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

I Like Lucky Cats

I been having some good luck lately so I thought I'd put together a little collection of maneki neko I found searching on flickr. Enjoy!
1. vanhullekeith 2. dominiqueb 3. joojoo 4. laurence 5. magicbeanbuyer 6. pacifist 7. jon madison 8. pokerwire 9. hundredeyes

Friday, June 19, 2009

Beach Wedding

I've been getting a lot of requests for wedding slugs and even wedding cake toppers. I thought it would be fun to try something other than slugs. Here's a cute little whale couple on the beach!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Illustration Friday

With all the sculpting I've been doing, I have noticed that I miss doodling in m sketchbook and making colorful illustrations with Photoshop and now Illustrator. Illustration Friday is a super website that encourages just such behaviour. Each week there is a different theme and illustrators of all sorts are invited to submit their interpretations. I've visited IF before but never thought about submitting anything myself; that is until now! Hopefully I'll keep at it week to week. Be sure to visit the site and check out all the great work. There are also great links to other contests you can enter, like Happiness: The Tribute21 Plate Challenge. The wheels in my head are already turning, thinking of fun plate designs that represent happiness!
This week's topic: unfold My digital illustration is pretty straight forward and plain, but I like the color palette and geometrically sharp lines which are very different from my usual style.

New Displays for you Slug

I just added this new item to the shop! Little grassy pads to display your slugs on! I have lots made, be sure to get one if you already have slugs or add one you to cart for your future slug purchases! They make unique and fun gifts! The daisy is a pushpin that you can remove. They are 4 x 4 inches and made out of corkboard and artificial turf. Lovely.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

MarthaLand Commercial

Snails are Coming to MarthaLand from MarthaLand on Vimeo.

This is my first attempt at stop motion animation using Flash, but not too shabby if you ask me. I didn't have a clue what I was doing, but a few short tutorials later, and about 5 hours of snapping photos and getting it all organized I mangaged to make my first movie ever! If only I could get this on network television. Pass the link on!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Sneak Peek! New item in the works!

I've been working on some new items to add to the MarthaLand shop. I'm very excited about them, but they are still in the very basic brainstorming stages. Lucky for all of you I like to brainstorm in 3D so I have some fun pictures to share! Yes, that's a little snail! There will be more to come shortly.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Custom Super Hero Slug

I made this custom slug for a family member. The only information he gave me was that it was for a coworker that heroically saved a little baby bird from certain death by drowning in a hotel swimming pool. I couldn't think of anything funnier that a superhero slug with a cape! He has yellow spots on his back too. I liked the little birdie so much I didn't want to let him go!
Since completing this guy, I've made 3 more superhero capes, so keep and eye out for special edition superhero slugs...you never know when they might show up in the shop! *wink

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Shop Update 6.10.09

New slugs, mini cheeseburgers and mini hotdogs. Get 'em while they're hot!

Etsy Interview with Gulf Coast Cottage PDF

While collecting items for my I Like BBQ collection I came across the most delightful and creative little shop! Jen, fellow Floridian, is the creative mind behind Gulf Coast Cottage PDF. Her shop is stocked full of tasty felt patterns for lots of yummy foods and other fun items. I absolutely love her Backyard BBQ Play Set with its adorable little grill, spatula, tongs and of course delicious steak, hot dog and burger with all the fixin's!
Give us three words that describe your Etsy shop:
Fun, Tasty, Unique
How did you come about making patterns for felt food?
I started by making felt food for my kids, I loved brainstorming new ideas and the challenge. Making felt food is addictive- I figured other moms would like to give it a try!
What's your favorite thing to eat?
Gorgonzola cheese and bacon (not necessarily together, but that wouldn't be so bad!)
What's your biggest fear...spiders? Heights?
Depends on the day. Usually germs :P
How do you deal with artist's block and where do you find inspiration?
I get my inspiration from my kids and everyday life. When I have artist's block- I try to think of new and fun ideas. The better I think the idea is- the faster it gets finished.
Be sure to stop over to the shop for a Buy 4 Patterns Get one Free Sale going on now! Also check out her shop announcement to see how you can get a free pdf to make california sushi roll! Thanks Jen for the interview and my pattern, I can't wait to make it!

Monday, June 8, 2009

I like BBQ

I love the smell of a charcoal grill early in the evening at dusk. It's the official sign that summer is here. And it means lots of yummy grilled dinners, weather permitting! This weeks Etsy collection celebrates all kinds of things barbecue from witty aprons to spice rubs for your steaks to faux food. Lots of great ideas just in time for Father's Day! Enjoy!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Picture Perfect

One thing I miss about summers up north is the county fair. These shots were all taken at the biggest and best I've ever been to: the Tunbridge Fair in Vermont. I remember oohing over all the giant sized vegetables (including a pumpkin that weighed 445 lbs), eating the most divinely delicious, warm and gooey apple crisp and watching my very first pig race! We ate so much yummy fair food that we were too full to go on any rides, but it was fun watching the lights swirl and flash into the night.

Friday, June 5, 2009

The new blog is here! I like it much, much better. Can't wait to share all the new and fun things I have been busily working on! Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

New Ideas, New Blog

The job hunt is still not going well. And unfortunately, my reserves are starting to slowly run out. All the more reason to get this little slug business of mine going and fast! I'm working on new items for the shop. I know I've been saying this for awhile, but there is a method to the temptation and long wait, I swear! I have so many projects rolling around in my head its hard to figure out which order to execute them in. Here are a few of the major things that will be happening. I will be giving the MarthaLand blog a makeover, soon hopefully. Each week my posts will revolve around a theme of sorts. All the same ole stuff will still be here: sneak peeks, works in progress, shop updates, I like collections, Color Sketches, Inspiration and artist interviews/features. Some things I might add, if it works with the theme: recipes, noteworthy links, sites, etc. and slug factoids. What's that? Who must know what the upcoming theme will be? Well, BBQ season of course!
And I will be starting up a very very very very basic website. That is once I relearn DreamWeaver. I just purchased CS4 with my Etsy earnings, but cannot install in on my computer with out some more pricey upgrades, so buy those slugs people!
But perhaps the biggest change to the business will be the addition of completely new items! YEAH! This is going to take a considerable amount of trial and error. Funds are tight and limited to the income I am making with Etsy sales, so these new projects may get put on the back burner from time to time. I don't want to spoil the surprises, but just to give you a little tease, some of the current ideas include paper goods, display for your slugs and possibly some new original work that will be very different from the slugs.
To all my followers and returning visitors, thank you! And of course to all my wonderful customers, thank you even more for your continued support!

Monday, May 18, 2009

New Studio

I haven't been posting much lately because I was busy setting up a studio space (finally) in the spare bedroom of our apartment. It was stressful to the point that I didn't think it was possible to finish in a few weeks. But look how pretty! I bought all the storage units from Target, like a year ago. That's not an exaggeration! I know have 4 designated areas: my big table for working on projects with all my art supplies within an arm's (or two) reach, a computer corner with my printer set up and all sorts of printing materials soon to be organized, a shipping, and lastly a little makeshift photo studio for taking all my pictures. There is no picture of this area as it's a diaster area right now! There are still more boxes of art supplies to unpack, organize and turn into projects.
I really like coming in here to work and I know someone else is happy that I'm not spreading out all over the living room anymore! In fact my creativity has spiked in the past few weeks. Lots of new ideas and additions to the shop are pouring out of my brain. I don't have the stupid TV to distract me from working anymore. I've been scrolling through my iPod discovering old stuff I forgot I had and finding new little gems thanks to Myke.
Stay tuned for sneak peeks at what's coming up in the shop!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Living Feral

I had a friend in college who was always collecting National Geographic magazines, snipping them up into tiny pieces and making elaborate collages like colorful mosaics. It was some kind of therapy for her. When I came across Living Feral on Etsy, I was suddenly transformed back to her apartment, Katie perched on the floor in a pile of magazine clippings with a feverish look in her eye and glue all over her fingers. I especially like the middle collage here, as it is titled Alice and the Rabbit: the Later Years. Awesome!

Something new....

Cute little strawberries, before the finishing touches of course! I imagine a little yellow slug in an endless row of strawberry plants, picking only the reddest ones and putting them in this cute little basket.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Zombies are Baaaaack!!!

Here's a sneak peek at a new batch of zombies I just completed. I will be listing all five before Friday 5/15 so grab them while they last. I've also got a batch of new mustached slugs and some minis coming soon as well!

Monday, May 11, 2009

I Like White Weddings

I have been away, but I'm back! I just finished this cute little bride slug for a custom order. She will be a gift for the bride to be at her bridal shower! And in keeping with the marital spirit of an upcoming wedding I will be attending, I put together a lovely white wedding collection of handmade items from Etsy. Enjoy!

1. GarterLady 2. artisanlook 3. amadalebel 4. gSakura 5. LHCalligraphy 6. PomLove

7. ChloeAndCompany 8. blissfulmoments 9. naturefavors

Monday, April 27, 2009

Accessories

Here's some recent custom accessories I've been working on...fun stuff! Don't worry - the little green parakeet is going to perch in a metal birdcage, so he'll be safe from that kitty! My interpretation of a Tiffany lamp.