"I Love Maine", ACEO Challenge

I don't typically get involved in these types of challenges, especially since I had never really done an ACEO** before. Since I try to support my favorite ETSY team as much as I can, I thought I'd give it a try. How FUN!!!! The challenge was to create one (1) ACEO with a “Maine” theme using recycled or upcycled materials. It did not have to be 100% recycled materials, but as much as possible.

Here's my entry, which it simply titled "I Love Maine". It's made entirely of found and recycled objects. I started with real Birch bark as the background, then created a pine tree using leftover silk flower petals. The blue fabric across the bottom depicts Maine's coastline, along with a few seashells. I then added a few autumn leaves stickers at the bottom, and a gold snowflake as the sun.



This was so much fun to make and assemble - I hope I've captured the full essence of what Maine means to me (lush forests, gorgeous coastlines, and the four seasons). You can read more about this challenge, which ends on February 26, 2009. Good luck to all the other participants! :)

** What is an ACEO you ask? A.C.E.O. stands for: Art Cards, Editions and Originals. An ACEO is "always" 2.5 x 3.5 inches in portrait or landscape orientation. Small collectable pieces of original art or a signed "Open" or "Limited" Edition reproduction print by the artist. Designed on the Artist Trading Cards (ATC) which are 'traded' ...ACEO's are for sale to collectors. They allow people all around the world to collect and sell art because of their affordability and that the miniature size provides ease of shipping.

On the Etsy front page... again!!!

Alright... I guess three time's a charm! I was once again featured on the Etsy.com front page this week. How exciting!! And not surprisingly, it was one of my Birch products that got the attention.

Although my primary art takes shape in the form of Paintings, I am having a lot of fun experimenting with Birch lately. Of course none of it comes from living trees, but from piles of dead trees found in the woods behind my house. I never realized how much of a trend the look of Birch was these days... but seeing that the holidays are coming, I presume that lots of folks (like me) enjoy the rustic, warm feeling that they bring.

So once again, my work has caught the attention of Etsy Admins!! Gotta be happy about that, right! Now, if only some of my artwork can make it up there...  ;)

My famous purse...

I was hoping for the day that my Birch purse would make it to the Etsy.com front page, and it finally did! I got a nice note from one of my customers telling me that my purse was being featured - how exciting!!!


I went to a local craft fair yesterday to shop for Christmas gifts and got inundated with questions about my purse (not this one, but one of my other models that I carry around). It seemed that everyone wanted one! I ended up giving away quite a few business cards - I wonder who will be the first one to purchase it!! :)

Birch Bark Purse

I can't even begin to say how much attention my Birch purses have been getting! I honestly can't go anywhere without at least someone commenting on it. If it's attention that you're looking for, this is the purse for you!

Made entirely out of upcycled/recycled Birch Bark that I've reclaimed from the woods behind my house (no trees have been cut for this - simply pieces of birch that were left behind by loggers). The purse measures approximately 9" long, and about 4.5" in diameter. The end pieces are made of 1/2" thick Poplar wood and the inside is lined with a nice beige fabric, with a felt liner underneath to give it more cushion.

The handle is also very unique - made from a branch that I found in the woods that had been gnawed by beavers. You can actually see the teeth marks! Embellished with some wooden beads and grosgrain ribbon, the handle is soft and will sit flat when not in use.

This AWESOME purse can be purchased through my Etsy shop.