My talented friend

As promised on a previous post, my friend Jules has sent me her artwork. Bare in mind we have been friends for... erm... a very long time (we were christened on the same day in the same church) but dont see each other as often as we should. On my annual Christmas visit I told her I had picked up the paints and pencils to have a go at learning art, she sat there over the large glasses of wine we had, open mouthed... I didnt think it was THAT strange.. Then she dashed off to show me, she too had started up art last year, though having gone a bit further than I at school she is much better at it, but we are now sharing our fun and sure as a result will see more of each other this year (that is of course if we can put the paints down long enough)

Before I forget, also thank you to Zoe - who has just distracted me by her blog post of her wonderful work and told us of an on-line art course that I have signed up for and sent the link to Jules too.

Here is Julie's work;

Starting with my fave of the parrots




Next one is of her nephew Connor



Jules friends dog 'Dee'



mmh, now she did tell me... I think this is a friends granddaughter




Simple, but lovely




Hope you enjoyed them as much as I, I did try to do this blog post last night but by the time I had joined the online art class Zoe recommended, blogger had got too tired for the night and refused to load my pics. Hoping to have another go with ACEO's today, so might treat you to those efforts next time.


~SimJaTa~

2012 and the Craftyfolk team

I did say yesterday I was not doing enough for my shop or my Etsy team, so today I will introduce you to a few of our newest members and their latest listings. You can find the Craftyfolk Etsy team here Craftyfolk
I also managed a treasury today too. (You can find that on my page on Etsy, just click the link on my shop slideshow).

Not the best of art days so you are spared from that one today.

Starting with Gelert Design and his latest item



Some lovely new items from Lynwood Crafts, I liked this one best



One of the artists I have always admired, an ACEO from MaxineVeronica



A simply lovely addition to Beadingbyshaz




More wonderful artwork, may be sometime before I reach these standards, from Virgillaart




Loved this from Diomoglass




..and lastly one from me here at SimJaTa, I am listing each day this week to catch up from my Christmas break, this one even comes with free make up bag to match




Hope you have enjoyed today's selection, as usual just click on the photo to be taken to that item and the chance to browse the rest of the goodies in the shop.

Stay safe in the terrible gales the UK are experiencing just now, hope it all settles down soon.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year to you all, may 2012 make all your wishes come true.

Yesterday my dogs and Bailey (the retriever I walk) had a great, and rather wet walkies with thier friends, not as many of us as usual for New Years Day as it was totally pouring down.

I am wondering whether or not to start a new blog for my art learning curve? or just stick to here? thoughts needed, see how it goes - as I am getting totally hopeless at advertising my Etsy shop and those of my crafty friends, but please do click on the Etsy shop link and take a look at my wares, and other fab crafters, you just might have a few pennies left to spend and well worth spending with the super crafts on Etsy.

The art work has continued, though I did have a bit of a setback over the weekend, when I foolishly showed the family what I have been doing, when will I ever learn? cant say they were very supportive, and their lack of enthusiasm 'almost' made me give up... but then I remembered the same thing when I started Bags of Swank, and they still think I should 'get a proper job'.

Anyway, here is my first 'real' painting, its adapted from artwork by Jean Dunand so not my own work entirely, I swapped the 'Deer' she had for Greyhounds.





Today, I had another go with the graphite pencils, I have been doing some study of how to achieve shading and how to draw 'fur' of course still needs an awful lot of practice but I do think I am 'slowly' improving.




Lastly, I was telling my team on Etsy about my sketch of the president, not one of my greatest efforts, again practice for shading really - I think he looks a bit like a spitting image puppet, my Dad asked if it was Rowen Atkinson? My Mum hadnt got a clue who it was 'meant' to be.. definatly back to the drawing board I know but I am working hard at it - my Dad has threatened to show his bottom on the town hall steps if I ever sell any artwork, so I will be sure to take the camera for that occasion.. their continued lack of enthusiasm does tend to spur me on more, along with the vow never to bother showing anything else I do.




Thankfully, my husband and a few of my closest friends are very supportive. Infact my oldest friend Julie has also picked up her pencils again after 30 years, so we are having a great time chatting about our efforts and showing each other what we do, she is very good - if she ever sends me anything by email I will show you. While I am working on Donkeys at the moment, she is doing Elephants - so sure they will be fabulous.

Ok, thats enough for today - back to work for many tomorrow, I really must do a bit more with my Etsy shop, I have started listing each day with the Craftyfolk team and made my first sale of the year yesterday.

Remember, life is too short not to follow your dreams, be sure to do what YOU want its your life!

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

First attempt at pastel

I have been challenged to put each day's artwork right here on my blog! Dont worry, I have NOT taken up that challenge, but do intend to keep a record here in the hope we will all one day say some improvement. Today was not a good day at the easel.

Somebody thought it would be a good idea for me to try pastel, might have been an idea if I had learnt how first, not straight in then think... 'this is not going well, maybe I should find out how' Of course drawing is not my strong point, so I did a quick frog sketch then went for it (feel free to laugh here)



Its meant to be frogs in a tree hollow surrounded by flowers and trees, at least that was in my head. On a quick spot of research I found you can also add water to pastels, so I tried a bouquet from my head (yes, it is supposed to be a bouquet, LOL)



Disovering that a wee bit more research was quite obviously needed for the pastel thing, I got out the new brushes and had a quick practice, in case you were wondering I have been studying chinese art - I have the theory, but not quite the practice yet, but still I did enjoy it.





During today's research and study I have reached the decision it is highly unlikely the SimJaTa Art shop will be opening on Etsy next year - just now I am planning around 2017, so make yourself comfy for the wait.

One of my jobs before the end of the year is to work out a schedule so I can fit in the sewing to keep the Etsy shop fresh, and pleny of art time and study, this inbetween life in general - there must be a way, after all I only sleep for around 7 hours, so that leaves 17 hours in theory, 3 hours a day dog walking, cooking, washing, parent sitting, dog club, shopping..... well maybe the sleep will have to go? sure there is a way, just needs some thought....

Off to do some sketching..

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Duncan the Retired Donkey

Duncan the retired Donkey, lives life to the full. With so many hobbies he never has time to be bored!

Well, I thought he was good LOL, Duncan is my very first character. Having been lucky enough to received a ton of art books, pens, pencils and paints.. I have been in my element all day, studying and drawing. So, Duncan is who I came up with. Unfortunatly when I showed the OH he said he looks nothing like a Donkey.. so yet again I am back to the drawing board on whether to adapt Duncan to be more donkey like, or to change Duncan into another creature... though if he is not a donkey I am not quite sure what he could be?? any ideas?

I should really be working too, I also received a huge amount of embroidery silks, ribbon and trimmings to create new brooches for my Etsy shop... but hey its still bank holiday. I hope everyone in blogland got some super pressies and are having lots of fun like I am.

Meanwhile, here is Duncan again....



..and Duncan goes bowling.



Enjoy the holidays!!

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Merry Christmas from SimJaTa

A Merry Christmas to all in blogland. A week early I know but I plan to be busy practicing my drawing and painting over the Christmas season, and unless I think I have anything good enough to show you will probably be pretty quiet. Today, with the help of Shoo Rayner
I drew and painted this Christmas wreath, going to laminate and put it on the front door, again it is NOT my design but Shoo's. This is the first real picture I have used watercolour paints, and must say I did enjoy it I found it far easier than my time spent attempting to learn pencil shading, just not getting my head around that one at all. I only have a small set of waterpaints, so hoping Santa might be reading this and be kind enough to provide some more.




It is also the time of year when my dogs have been subjected to wearing the Christmas hats, see just how much they enjoy it? Anyway they too wanted (as I told them they did!) to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Hope all the crafters out there enjoy a break from awaiting the sales fairy visit, and she too comes back nice and refreshed ready to visit Etsy in the new year.

All the best to you all.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

SimJaTa Scarves arrive on Etsy

Here are a couple of my new scarves that will find their way to my Etsy shop this week, I think I have about ten in total. Certainly becoming the weather for them with snow on the way very soon, we felt a definate chill in the air this morning. I didnt even pick up a pencil yesterday but took the time to photograph and edit some of the scarves ready for the shop, quite happy with the results. I added this one today, so we have one for sale already, the picture will magically transport you to the shop for further details.




Now dont go away, I also wish to introduce you to a very special man and very talented illustrator I have been lucky enough to chat with on Etsy, Eric Kincaid
this link will take you to his Etsy shop.

His showcase of work extends from illustrating comics such as 'Dan Dare' to a collectors edition of 'Wind in the Willows' plates. After being a freelance illustrator and working with companies such as WALT DISNEY he was employed long term by Brimax publishing house. He has illustrated over 100 books ..

I was lucky enough to discover his shop whilst preparing a treasury of Art, then ordered some of his fabulous Christmas Cards, you can find these by clicking on the picture of one of the works of art I purchased.



There are also prints of his work for sale in his shop, not just a spectacular talent but also a true gentleman.

Thats all for today, lots to do for a Sunday I have had a good sales weekend so far so parcels to pack up and hopefully more time to get out my pencils and work on some more of my own Christmas cards.

Stay warm..

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa ~