A Sale on Silks

Now until CyberMonday (29-Nov) at midnight, get 20% off your entire purchase at http://www.expressionsinsilk.etsy.com/. Select from a variety of hand painted silks - scarves, wraps, sarongs, and bellydance veils. At check-out, enter coupon code THANKSGIVING10 to receive your discount.

Share the savings with your friends and family!

A Colorful Autumn

It's the middle of October. And, I thought I would showcase some of my silks with fall colors. A little something for your Thursday evening viewing pleasure. See more of each silk by clicking on the photo. Purchase one of these silks and mention this blog post to get free shipping on your entire order! Happy Autumn to All!

Pretty in Paisley

Give me some salt and silk, and I'm happy. Drawing with salt is a tricky endeavor. You have to "draw" quickly and precisely. Your mistakes are usually glaringly obvious. Rarely can you correct it, but you can rethink your design and camouflage it. Plus, you have to know your salt and how detailed it will let you be. I personally enjoy it, especially the challenge of drawing with salt.

Pretty in Paisley is a recent silk. She is a deep and colorful combination of sapphire blue, royal purple, and grape purple. And, of course, she has paisleys all over in varying sizes. And, it goes without saying, the paisleys were drawn with salt!

She is a silk wrap, measuring approximately 2-yards (72") long and 22" wide. Drape her around you like a shawl. Wear her like a scarf. She can also be a mini-sarong and worn as a top or skirt. Get creative and use her as decorative wall art.

Drop by my little shop of colors and see more of Pretty in Paisley!

Last Day of The Month Special

It's the last day of September. The sun is shinning. Yay! There is a slight breeze. The humidity is low. Double YAY!! I'm getting a late start to the day, because I had to make some green salsa first (Mama Ninfa's). Then I had to taste test it. Now, I'm feeling giddy, so I dropped in a happy picture.

So, here is the special. All silk items - even the flubs - will be 15% off today (until midnight eastern time). Here's what you need to do to get your discount:

1. Pick out a lovely silk for yourself or as a gift

2. Add it to your cart and proceed thru Etsy's checkout

3. This one is important: In 'note to seller' put LAST DAY. I like to know where you're coming from :)

4. Now, pay (via PayPal) and I will refund the discount via PayPal. OR, wait and I will send you a revised invoice reflecting the discount. If you are paying via cashier's check/money order, please wait for me to send you the revised invoice.

Not a good enough special? Well then, if you purchase (before shipping) $50 or more, I also will refund the shipping cost! Triple YAY!!!

Guess I should now mention that all my yummy silks are located at http://www.expressionsinsilk.etsy.com/

Now for the exceptions. Don't worry it's not bad. Here goes . . . Only completed silk items are included in this sale, meaning custom orders, gift certificates and Silk Addicts Plans are not included. That's it! See, not so bad.

Forecast: A Weekend of Steaming

Monday was a pretty day. A little bit of sunshine, not too humid. So, I stretched some silk and painted. Tuesday, the dripping wet humidity (with rain) moved in. The humidity and rain stayed for Wednesday and Thursday because it was obviously having fun. Although, there was a little bit of sunshine Thursday afternoon . . . but still humid. The kind you can cut with a knife.

Humidity (especially the wet kind) is not a friend to silk painting. The silks I painted on Monday were still wet yesterday. Frustrating! Frustrating because that halts the painting and delays the steaming. The photo to the right shows one of the silks -- still wet, of course.

Thankfully, today still has some sunshine and supposedly will be low humidity and cool temps. That means, I'm back in production! I'm staring at a weekend full of steaming and photographing to get 'em ready to sell.

A relaxing weekend is over-rated anyway . . .

Yes, I'm Cranky . . . but aren't the autum silks so pretty . . .

Another late night . . . and my allergies are killing me! I so want to crawl into bed and drift into dreamland, but I have to stay (at least) semi-upright so I can continue to breathe. It makes me so miserable and cranky. A little bit of shaky juice might help ease my attitude, but I have to stick with the cow juice.

The other day, I pulled some of my autumn-themed silks off the steamer. I'm so very pleased with them. I'm sharing three of them here, but one is already spoken for. Yeah! Hope to get them listed on Etsy this week.

The one on the far left is very similar to "Spice It Up" (See September 4th Blog - A Spicy Showing). Only this one is a 22" x 72" (approximately) silk wrap. The other two are very similar in color with all the hues of the autumn rainbow. The colors remind me of the changing seasons. I love a colorful autumn!

A Spicy Showing

Some of my fall silks came off the steamer Wednesday, and I'm so very happy with the results. Well, except for one. Her colors are rich and yummy . . loving the copper and burgundy colors . . . but she is the sole victim of a little steaming mishap. Thankfully, everything else came out perfect.

The problem? Small areas on the back side (the non-shiny side) along the rolled hem edge are too pale. Too pale meaning some of the color steamed out. I have no idea how it happened. My guess? She evidently touched the side of the steamer . . . it was a windy day. Until fully steam-set, even the smallest, tiniest droplet of water (or condensation) is damaging.

She is still very lovely. I would even say beautiful, but I'm biased. I listed her as a flub because of her tiny flaw. Just because she's not "Miss America" beautiful, she's still got a great personality. Plus, she's loyal and will do everything within her power to make you look great!

P.S. Want stats? Click on the picture.

Autumn Rainbow

Started on my fall collection last week. I always get excited about fall and fall colors. Rust. Copper. Bronze. Gold. Olive. Sage. The earthier the better.

Today, we got a little preview of fall with cool weather and rain. From here on out, it is supposed to warm up and clear off. So, steaming is in my future and you'll be able to see some of the fall collection!

Tomorrow, I'm going to try and re-create one of my favorites from last year. When I say re-create, I mean produce something very similar in color. It covers all the colors I mentioned above in various shades. Kinda like an autumn rainbow!

What's New?

Well, some colorful hand painted silks, of course! Listed a few days ago is Rosy Outlook on Life. She is shorter than most standard scarves at 45", but she comes with some bling. Bling in the form of Swarovski crystals (my other addiction) in a lovely flower design. I've made this beaded design before (Blooming scarf pendant), and I keep making it because I love how it shows against my silks. I even made this design into a ring (using 4mm instead of 6mm) for my sister. It makes a big, kick-ass ring! If you would like to see more pictures of this silk and get more details, click on the picture to the left.

Just a few minutes ago, I listed Wishing On A Star. I painted this one several weeks ago, but never listed it because I fell in love with it . . . and was going to keep it. Today, I reminded myself that I have a closet full of silks to wear (and I can only wear so many). So I listed it. Get more details on her by clicking the picture to the left.

Everybody Loves A Deal

I know I do!

I'm having an impromptu sale on certain silks this weekend. Those certain silks would be the silk wraps (22" x 72") and silk dance veils. I'm feeling like a lucky number 7 today, so I'm taking $7 off these silks. I'll even call it my Lucky Number Seven Sale!

Anyways, drop on by today (or this weekend) and check them out. The sale price will be reflected in the listing price.

Escape To Exuma

If only I could escape right now. Only two days into my "me time" and I've already been pushed off the wagon! Didn't get any me time today and my head's about ready to explode . . . and I cannot find even a smidgen of chocolate in this house.

Tomorrow, I'm doubling up on my me time. Enough about me.

How about a little look at one of my newest silks? I call her Escape To Exuma, and if you read about her [click on the picture] you'll know why! Basically, the colors of the silk remind me of my little adventure there several years ago. Unfortunately it was not for vacation, but for work -- a site inspection for a reality based travel adventure. Wow, those were the days. Back in the day, I was heavily into (meaning work that I loved) the incentive travel industry.

I wish I could find a way to combine that dream job with my current love (and life) of silk painting. That would be my utopia!

Coming Up For a Bit of Air . . .

. . . and to show you a new silk (crepe de chine) scarf! You can check her out, in all her yumminess [is that even a word?] when you visit her on Etsy. Just click on the picture!

Also, be on the lookout for some older silk scarves going on SALE. You'll find them in the 'On Sale' section in my Etsy shop. The scarves will be listed starting Thursday, July 9.

She'll Go Anywhere With You

Just sharing some photos of my newest listing, Tropical Reef. I was very happy with how this one turned out. The colors - coralish red, golden tangerine and rosy pink - are super brilliant in the sunshine. You can click over to my Etsy shop (expressionsinsilk) for more photos and more info.

She is a hand painted silk sarong that will go with you most anywhere. She loves to go to the beach because she knows she looks smoking hot . . . and she loves to be stared at! She'll even go to the pool with you, but she doesn't like to get it. Chlorine and other chemicals are deadly to her.

She loves nothing more than wrapping herself around you (as a dress or skirt) and going out on the town. Whether it's dancing or shopping, she'll have a blast. She not all about the wild nightlife. She also loves to compliment your little black dress by draping herself around your shoulders, and spending a quiet evening with that special someone or close friends.

Sometimes she just likes to hang out at home, preferably decorating a piece of furniture or a blank wall.

A Little Ray of Sunshine

I thought I would share A Little Ray of Sunshine with everyone. Here (on the far left) she is while she was still drying. I used a muscadine wine in the center and faded out to a sunset orange and golden yellow.

Then I drew (with salt) a half sun on each end with some flaming rays. The idea was for the half suns to make one full sun. When you wear it, you'll be carrying around your own ray of sunshine!

By Saturday she was dry, so I steamed her along with several other silks. They all came through the steamer with no mishaps. Sometimes steaming is a "hold your breath and hope for the best" step in silk painting.

Yesterday, I was able to get a lot of silks photographed. The sun and lighting was just perfect! I hope to get her listed in my Etsy shop this afternoon.

Now, I'm plotting my next silk scarf. Do you think anybody will wear a lizard or a fish???

A Work in Progress

Showing one of the scarves I painted today. It's a crepe de chine silk scarf in some bold shades of deep turquoise and deep fuchsia with a butterfly design. As you can see, it still stretched out and drying. Hopefully it will be ready for the steamer by the end of the week, and will hit my Etsy shop next week.

So, what did you do today?

Enflamed

No, not me, but my new silk crepe de chine scarf. I got some sunshine today and was able to get a few silks photographed.

One of the ones photographed is Enflamed. She is a coppery coral, and I think she's "flaming fantastic"! Of course, I'm biased because I painted her and I love copper colors. You can see more pictures of her in my Etsy shop.

This is silk crepe de chine, a very popular silk for scarves. Crepe de chine has a luxurious texture and a very soft and graceful drape. It doesn't have a super smooth texture like charmeuse or habotai, but a slightly "sanded" or "sandwashed" texture. If you've never tried a crepe de chine scarf (or crepe de chine anything), you don't know what you're missing!

FREE Shipping!

Happy Memorial Day weekend everybody! I hope everyone gets a chance to kick up their heels and relax this weekend. Me, I'm going to be working on some custom orders (I gotta get caught up!). However, I do plan to have some down time . . . hopefully :)

In my Etsy shop (and my sister's Etsy shop) we are having a FREE shipping weekend. It started today and will end on Monday at midnight. Plus, each shop has a special item that has an extra special deal attached to it. What's the deal? If you purchase the item, you'll receive a $10 gift certificate to the shop. This gift certificate can be used on anything listed in the store. You can use it yourself, or you can gift it to a friend. Or, you can use it right away! It's your call!

Now, I will not make you go and search for these items (since nobody seems to like a scavenger hunt). The items are:

Red and Blue silk charmeuse scarf - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25370463

Red, white and blue flat spiral bracelet - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13510801

Enjoy your weekend!

Out With The Old, In With The New

Memorial Day is just around the corner. Even though summer is officially still a month away (approximately), I view the Memorial Day weekend as a kick-off for summer. And it got me to thinking - "I need to get more sarongs painted!" - and my next thought was - "I need to move out some of my cold/cool weather items!" So, if you check out my Etsy shop, you'll see a sale section that has two of my silk/wool blend scarves. They are deeply discounted for quick sale. Mention this blog and get free shipping too!

Also, I'm painting more silk sarongs (two just came off the steamer) that should be listed by this weekend. Sarongs are most than just a beach cover up. They are a multi-purpose silk item. Yes, they are great as a swimsuit cover up either at the beach or around the pool. But, they are great tied and wrapped as a skirt, a dress or a top. Silk sarongs make a very elegant wall hanging/wall art or window covering. When I worked at Club Med (back in the day), I basically lived in my sarongs. When I was not wearing them, I used them to cover the window in our tiny, tiny room (at least it was by the beach!). I used them for wall art (because our walls were so bare) and I even used them at the beach as a beach towel (although this is not recommended for the silk ones). So, see . . . multi-purpose!

When I find some free time (big laugh), I'll try to put together a post on the many ways to tie/wrap a sarong. Of course, there are a plethora of internet sites with this information, so maybe that would be a wasted effort on my part :)

FindIt Friday!

My sister and I put our brains together and decided to hosting a 'scavenger' hunt in our shops as a way of promotion. We decided to call it "FindIt Friday" because we think it's a catchy phrase, plus who doesn't love a little alliteration. Both of us have selected 5 items in our shop - that's 5 in her shop and 5 in my shop - that have a hidden phrase within the item's description. That hidden phrase is -- drum roll please -- "ʎɐpıɹɟ ʇıpuıɟ".

If you find the phrase AND you love the item AND you purchase the item, you'll get that item for 50% off! This scavenger hunt (promotion) starts today at 7 am (about 30 minutes ago) and ends at 7 pm tonight (that's Eastern Time).

So, how do you get you item for half off? Just add the item to your shopping cart and check out. Then, select 'other' for payment and place the phrase "FindIt Friday" in the note to seller (see no extra emails or convos to send). We'll then send you a PayPal invoice that reflects your 50% discount.

So, what are you waiting for . . . start hunting!

http://www.expressionsinsilk.etsy.com http://www.TheBeadedEdge.etsy.com

Strawberries, Muscadine & Bluebirds

I'm noshing on some strawberries as I write today. Chocolate was my first choice, but I decided on the healthier snack - fresh strawberries. I like my strawberries one way - straight from the field. Not smothered in sugar, or baked in pies, or in dumplings, or snuggled up to pound cake. Just plain strawberries with their natural sweetness. But this little batch (from the local fruit market) is extremely tart. I may have to search some chocolate out, after all.

Today I listed Muscadine. She's . . . unique. Her colors are a deep magenta and deep sapphire that appears almost purplish in some areas. I had a bit of an adventure while photographing her (and some others) this morning.

As I've mentioned before, I photograph my silks outside. I set up Daisy (she's my "model") in a prime location to take advantage of the extremely overcast morning sky. It just happened to be right by a bluebird house. (We have three bluebird houses around throughout the yard, and each have about 2 or 3 families raised each spring and early summer.)

I enjoy having them around. They're fun to watch and they eat bugs. I think they just tolerate us because the houses are such prime real estate :D They don't appreciate anyone hanging out around their homes, but sometimes it's necessary. They always show their displeasure by dive bombing me. I snapped a couple of shots as they went in and out of their home. They are so darn cute!

Well, it's back to Etsy. I need to list one more scarf. It's actually a relist. She is a silk and wool blend scarf that is a great mix of blues. Plus, she's on sale!