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2018
3 min read
I guess I do this once a year, now, if I remember.
My last blog was about how 2016, year of the fire monkey, was a rough one, and how we were all happy the little arsonist was leaving, though it looked like the fire rooster wasn't going to be much better. I think we'd all agree 2017 can go take a flying leap. Not everything was bad, but the world in general got a lot darker. There were losses from small personal ones all the way up to global idols. It all felt heavier. I see a hope in a lot of my friends for 2018. I feel a hope for 2018. Now, whether or not this is out of desperation - just a begging for please, please no more - or actual signs in the air that enough of us have had quite enough, and it WILL change, we will make it so. Still, there it lingers: Hope. 2018 is also going to be the year of the earth dog, come February 16. And maybe our friendly and stable little friend can help us put out all those fires.
Personally, I just came home from a lovely trip back from the parents. I just reopened the etsy shop today. There are 2 of last year's last Magic Vial Pendants left (Creativity and Love), as well as some original paintings and prints. I'm starting a new position in the day-job sphere, a big promotion in a lot of ways, so I'm not making any predictions on how much time or success I will have towards new creative endeavors yet. I'm still doing the South Eats North food blog, though I might have to scale back the regularity of my posts in January, as I adjust to my new responsibilities. It all very full of brilliant possibilities, however, and I couldn't be happier on where I've landed! Again, I see hope in 2018!
Honestly, I don't think there will be much time for DeviantArt. I keep forgetting about it as it hasn't done me much good in the past couple of years for drumming up art business, inspiring me to try new artistic methods, or attracting blog readers. The internet is already too demanding on so much of our creative time. Lord, the amount of time it takes me to put up one Instagram post with all those damnable hashtags already takes way too long - but they say Instagram is the best place to be for a foodie... In case you're interested, I did Instagram pretty successfully through both my international trips this past year while I was funemployed - 3 weeks in both Canada and Spain/France. instagram.com/southeatsnorth
Otherwise, I hope this finds you well, for any of those who might still be lingering here, remembering my little baubles and occasional rants and dreams. I wish you well in 2018, and may your New Year likewise be full of hope!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Izile's Oddities on Etsy
Izile's Oddities / South Eats North joint Facebook
My last blog was about how 2016, year of the fire monkey, was a rough one, and how we were all happy the little arsonist was leaving, though it looked like the fire rooster wasn't going to be much better. I think we'd all agree 2017 can go take a flying leap. Not everything was bad, but the world in general got a lot darker. There were losses from small personal ones all the way up to global idols. It all felt heavier. I see a hope in a lot of my friends for 2018. I feel a hope for 2018. Now, whether or not this is out of desperation - just a begging for please, please no more - or actual signs in the air that enough of us have had quite enough, and it WILL change, we will make it so. Still, there it lingers: Hope. 2018 is also going to be the year of the earth dog, come February 16. And maybe our friendly and stable little friend can help us put out all those fires.
Personally, I just came home from a lovely trip back from the parents. I just reopened the etsy shop today. There are 2 of last year's last Magic Vial Pendants left (Creativity and Love), as well as some original paintings and prints. I'm starting a new position in the day-job sphere, a big promotion in a lot of ways, so I'm not making any predictions on how much time or success I will have towards new creative endeavors yet. I'm still doing the South Eats North food blog, though I might have to scale back the regularity of my posts in January, as I adjust to my new responsibilities. It all very full of brilliant possibilities, however, and I couldn't be happier on where I've landed! Again, I see hope in 2018!
Honestly, I don't think there will be much time for DeviantArt. I keep forgetting about it as it hasn't done me much good in the past couple of years for drumming up art business, inspiring me to try new artistic methods, or attracting blog readers. The internet is already too demanding on so much of our creative time. Lord, the amount of time it takes me to put up one Instagram post with all those damnable hashtags already takes way too long - but they say Instagram is the best place to be for a foodie... In case you're interested, I did Instagram pretty successfully through both my international trips this past year while I was funemployed - 3 weeks in both Canada and Spain/France. instagram.com/southeatsnorth
Otherwise, I hope this finds you well, for any of those who might still be lingering here, remembering my little baubles and occasional rants and dreams. I wish you well in 2018, and may your New Year likewise be full of hope!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Izile's Oddities on Etsy
Izile's Oddities / South Eats North joint Facebook
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Izile's Oddities in 2017
2 min read
2016 (The Year of the Fire Monkey) was a really bad one for a lot of people. That fire monkey sure was an arsonist! And some of the worst things about 2016, are the dark portents it cast on 2017. Though we all hope that the Year of the Fire Rooster might be better, there is a LOT of fear, anger, distrust, negativity in our world right now. Sadly, hate and prejudice are alive and well, and seeing a new resurgence right now. What we need, now more than ever, is even the smallest glimmers of hope, kindness, love, and peace. Only light can drive out darkness; only love can drive out hate, as MLK tried to teach the world 50+ years ago, and we still need that lesson every day today.
As I watched, and am still watching, I often feel helpless about "what can I do?" We can all make a point to be kinder, more loving to the strangers around us, regardless of their differences. We need every bit of beauty we can gather. Singers should sing, players should play, painters should paint, or do whatever it is you do to increase hope, love and peace, and stand up against those driven by hate, ignorance, and discrimination.
What can I do? Well, I made 18 little Magic Vial Charms. I know I said I wasn't going to, but - it just felt right again. I made 18 for hope, love, strength, protection, peace... 18 unique little bottles as full of love and beauty as I can make them. These are my wishes, and I'm sending them out into the universe to anyone who needs a little reminder.
Also, 15% of every vial sale will be donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center (www.splcenter.org/) - ACLU is getting a lot of funding, as is Planned Parenthood (not that they both don't still need more!), but these guys are getting a bit less, but still fighting, deep in the heart of Dixie. Bless them.
Bless us all.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Izile's Oddities on Etsy
Izile's Oddities / South Eats North joint Facebook
As I watched, and am still watching, I often feel helpless about "what can I do?" We can all make a point to be kinder, more loving to the strangers around us, regardless of their differences. We need every bit of beauty we can gather. Singers should sing, players should play, painters should paint, or do whatever it is you do to increase hope, love and peace, and stand up against those driven by hate, ignorance, and discrimination.
What can I do? Well, I made 18 little Magic Vial Charms. I know I said I wasn't going to, but - it just felt right again. I made 18 for hope, love, strength, protection, peace... 18 unique little bottles as full of love and beauty as I can make them. These are my wishes, and I'm sending them out into the universe to anyone who needs a little reminder.
Also, 15% of every vial sale will be donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center (www.splcenter.org/) - ACLU is getting a lot of funding, as is Planned Parenthood (not that they both don't still need more!), but these guys are getting a bit less, but still fighting, deep in the heart of Dixie. Bless them.
Bless us all.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Izile's Oddities on Etsy
Izile's Oddities / South Eats North joint Facebook
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2014 to 2015 - I Should Say ...
4 min read
I forget about this space from time to time. Honestly, I haven't had a lot of time for creating much art - and that does make me sad. The day job progresses with ever more responsibility and awesomeness. The one thing I've been good about keeping on top of is the new blog I created last year - no, not the Izile's Oddities' Blog - that's just as neglected as etsy, largely because they're so interconnected how to do one without the other... I now write South Eats North, a foodie blog about being a Southern transplant living in NYC, and more importantly eating and cooking in NYC. Sometimes it's me and my recipes; sometimes it's me reviewing restaurants; sometimes it's just whatever foodie thing I want to talk about at the time (a couple of cocktail creations, a few mead reviews...). The main gist is, there's a lot of Southern restaurants and Southern-inspired menus in NYC, and blessed few of them are actually authentic, and far too many of them border on completely inedible. So, I forage ahead, to tell any reader, where you can get a decent biscuit in NYC (so far, the only answer is Empire Biscuit, everyone else's I've tried so far is mediocre at best (normally too hard, too crunchy, too dry)) I've even hybridized my Facebook page (if any of you follow, you will have seen) so it's Izile's Oddities AND South Eats North on the same FB page.
Also, over the holidays I went into a craft store while I was home, and I got the shot across the bow that my Magic Vial Pendants have gone from "neat original concept," to "I have a few imitators and a couple of annoying direct knock-off artists," to "OK, this trend is dead." You see, the craft store had at least a half a dozen different vial pendants, already pre-filled with different dried herbs and cheap fake crystals. They were all manufactured abroad, and selling for $5.99 each, on sale, 50% off for the holidays. I can think of no better time to say "OK, THAT idea is DEAD" than when you see that.
So, what Magic Vials that are in the shop will stay there until they sell. If, for some reason, someone wants me to make them a REAL magic vial (with real gemstones and fresh herbs), I will STILL TAKE COMMISSIONS. However, making them to sit in the shop - nope. done. I have no way of knowing how many people who've bought my vials how they looked, or how many really appreciated the energy of the gemstones and herbs (the "magic" aspect). So there's that. I will always try and work out custom orders for people who want one, but I'm not pre-making any unless something drastic changes.
My own art, when I have time, has been getting weirder, maybe because it's frustrated? I made a tiny fairy scroll - I should put a picture up - it's tiny and delicate and morbid as hell, considering what I made it out of ... my grape vine and fairy light lantern is a favorite experiment. I just can't figure out how to attach the battery pack to the base in a way that will stay put, so I can carry it like a hand lantern and not just a desk lamp. There's a half-done unicorn watercolor I should finish - been wanting to paint more - and I still have all the bath/body stuff for From Faerie, which I make myself delightful things when I have time and remember .. (those are still on the etsy shop, made to order, as well). I also have one idea I really should muck around with, because I have a guy who owns a vineyard who would buy this painting concept, if it works...
So, that's where 2014 was and where 2015 seems to be heading.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Also, over the holidays I went into a craft store while I was home, and I got the shot across the bow that my Magic Vial Pendants have gone from "neat original concept," to "I have a few imitators and a couple of annoying direct knock-off artists," to "OK, this trend is dead." You see, the craft store had at least a half a dozen different vial pendants, already pre-filled with different dried herbs and cheap fake crystals. They were all manufactured abroad, and selling for $5.99 each, on sale, 50% off for the holidays. I can think of no better time to say "OK, THAT idea is DEAD" than when you see that.
So, what Magic Vials that are in the shop will stay there until they sell. If, for some reason, someone wants me to make them a REAL magic vial (with real gemstones and fresh herbs), I will STILL TAKE COMMISSIONS. However, making them to sit in the shop - nope. done. I have no way of knowing how many people who've bought my vials how they looked, or how many really appreciated the energy of the gemstones and herbs (the "magic" aspect). So there's that. I will always try and work out custom orders for people who want one, but I'm not pre-making any unless something drastic changes.
My own art, when I have time, has been getting weirder, maybe because it's frustrated? I made a tiny fairy scroll - I should put a picture up - it's tiny and delicate and morbid as hell, considering what I made it out of ... my grape vine and fairy light lantern is a favorite experiment. I just can't figure out how to attach the battery pack to the base in a way that will stay put, so I can carry it like a hand lantern and not just a desk lamp. There's a half-done unicorn watercolor I should finish - been wanting to paint more - and I still have all the bath/body stuff for From Faerie, which I make myself delightful things when I have time and remember .. (those are still on the etsy shop, made to order, as well). I also have one idea I really should muck around with, because I have a guy who owns a vineyard who would buy this painting concept, if it works...
So, that's where 2014 was and where 2015 seems to be heading.
Happy New Year, everyone!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Izile's Oddities on Etsy
Izile's Oddities' Blog
Izile's Oddities / South Eats North joint Facebook
Cafepress Designs
Clubs:
Izile's Oddities on Etsy
Izile's Oddities' Blog
Izile's Oddities / South Eats North joint Facebook
Cafepress Designs
Clubs:
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So ... Very ... Busy
3 min read
I know I've been rather neglectful in the past months, but I've decided to make it official. For at least the upcoming future, I'm dialing back from etsy and Izile's Oddities.
I'm not going to stop or close my shop, I can't, it's too much of a compulsion. However, with so much going on in my actual life, making art to sell for other people just isn't a priority. I'm still going to art, when/where/how I feel like and see fit; and I am still going to take commissions, as I have time. Those requesting commissions, please just be more patient, I've got a lot going on. Between my day job, my personal/social life, all the things I want to do with this warm weather, now being able to afford to travel more (visit family more, too), and now taking a night class in Mandarin ... I just don't have a lot of spare time, and the spare time I am finding, tends to go to food, piano, and some new/different art projects that just don't seem like they'll be marketable in any way. (I have this really really creepy art project idea that I've just started ... oh, if it's actually doable, it's going to be so very wrong...)
So, I figured I should say this clearly. I made a similar post on my FB fan page, for those who follow me there - but I also thought I'd put something here. And, I don't know how long this will go, or how much I'll adhere to it. I may get a wild burst of inspiration once my garden's up and running, and show up one day with 10 new Magic Vial Pendants and a couple of new fantasy paintings ... or I might not. I think in the current situations, I'm giving myself permission to not feel guilty. If someone specifically asks me for something in particular, I'll try and work it out - but just making vials to sit in an etsy shop to maybe be bought eventually? I just think that's not an effective use of my time when there's so much to do and so little time to spread between all the things.
I'll still keep you guys updated as things do pop up, and as I finish other art projects (whether they are fit (or legal) to sell or not - pretty sure that while my creepy art project isn't illegal to make/have, it would be illegal to sell/ship) ... we shall see.
Hope everyone has a lovely spring/summer! And we'll see what we shall see!
I'm not going to stop or close my shop, I can't, it's too much of a compulsion. However, with so much going on in my actual life, making art to sell for other people just isn't a priority. I'm still going to art, when/where/how I feel like and see fit; and I am still going to take commissions, as I have time. Those requesting commissions, please just be more patient, I've got a lot going on. Between my day job, my personal/social life, all the things I want to do with this warm weather, now being able to afford to travel more (visit family more, too), and now taking a night class in Mandarin ... I just don't have a lot of spare time, and the spare time I am finding, tends to go to food, piano, and some new/different art projects that just don't seem like they'll be marketable in any way. (I have this really really creepy art project idea that I've just started ... oh, if it's actually doable, it's going to be so very wrong...)
So, I figured I should say this clearly. I made a similar post on my FB fan page, for those who follow me there - but I also thought I'd put something here. And, I don't know how long this will go, or how much I'll adhere to it. I may get a wild burst of inspiration once my garden's up and running, and show up one day with 10 new Magic Vial Pendants and a couple of new fantasy paintings ... or I might not. I think in the current situations, I'm giving myself permission to not feel guilty. If someone specifically asks me for something in particular, I'll try and work it out - but just making vials to sit in an etsy shop to maybe be bought eventually? I just think that's not an effective use of my time when there's so much to do and so little time to spread between all the things.
I'll still keep you guys updated as things do pop up, and as I finish other art projects (whether they are fit (or legal) to sell or not - pretty sure that while my creepy art project isn't illegal to make/have, it would be illegal to sell/ship) ... we shall see.
Hope everyone has a lovely spring/summer! And we'll see what we shall see!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Izile's Oddities on Etsy
Izile's Oddities' Blog
Izile's Oddities on Facebook
Cafepress Designs
Clubs:
Izile's Oddities on Etsy
Izile's Oddities' Blog
Izile's Oddities on Facebook
Cafepress Designs
Clubs:
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Long Time!
2 min read
Wow, it's been a while since I've been over here. The Polar Vortex mess has not been kind to me since the New Year - thankfully, the day-job has been going extra well, including a promotion that included being officially "perm" not "temp" and all the bells and whistles (like health insurance!). It's also a more demanding work load, but it's great and I love being with a company that does something I can really respect and be proud of. (No, I'm not going to say exactly where, publicly, on the internet, but I will say that I'm no longer in the legal field and over in philanthropy instead!)
So, between horrible winter - garden being buried under tons of snow - and very busy real job - I haven't had much time for anything other than the basics (clean the apartment, clean myself, my laundry, oh, and remember to eat!) But, I have been doing some small/limited custom pieces. Just last month, I did two custom pieces for a co-worker. I admit, it gave me a bit of a nudge to get back into it. Getting to see a customer, in person, actually react to a custom pendant - it reminded me of why I do this, I like bringing those kinds of smiles and happy emotions out of people, it's just on the internet sometimes very hard to see whether anyone cares much or not.
So, just wrapped up another custom order, and made 4 new Magic Vial Pendants for the etsy shop. I'm doing to try, and hopefully when spring finally shows up, that'll help, too, to get back into crafting and making art on a more regular basis. I have really missed creating SOMETHING.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Izile's Oddities on Etsy
Izile's Oddities' Blog
Izile's Oddities on Facebook
Cafepress Designs
Clubs:
Izile's Oddities on Etsy
Izile's Oddities' Blog
Izile's Oddities on Facebook
Cafepress Designs
Clubs:
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