Rugby Stripes Are In

Rugby Stripes Laptop Sleeve.

Available at UrArtist Shop. $39.

My laptop sleeves are gaining popularity. So far, over two hundred of these cozies has been shipped around the world since I started making it over a year ago. What once started as a personal quest to find a unique laptop sleeve for my then new laptop, became a sensation to savvy web surfers across the globe.

I've sent couple of these fibrous handmade caddies to all continents except Africa. The top five countries are USA, Germany, Canada, Asutralia and France.

Last week, I got a request from a New Yorker who loves to watch rugby football to make a 'rugby stripes' laptop sleeve in her favorite colors - medium pink and red. I'm always excited whenever I get such requests since the finished work is not just a product but a result of two collaborating individuals. The creation process becomes more enjoyable for both.

Maybe next time you watch your favorite game, you'll be inspired to have a laptop sleeve to match your team's color. Don't forget to tell me about it, I'm always open to try new ideas.

Happy web surfing!

Tangled up in the Studio

'Grey Skies are Turning Blue' Art Cowl

Click here to see more of my 'Wearable Art' projects.

It's really getting cold here in Chicago. We already switched our summer clothes in our closets with fall and winter outfits. Ofcourse, these breezy weather calls for accessories to keep us warm.

At this time of the year, my studio morphs into a fibrous stead. Skeins and spools of yarns, threads and laces take over the canvases and paints. What once used to be a jar of brushes is now stuffed with knitting and crochet needles. 'It's that time of the year.', my husband would say. My sketchbook is getting filled with designs of scarves and other yarn projects.

So, pardon me if you haven't seen me writing much these days. It's because I've given in to that irrepressible calling to turn those yarns into something extraordinary, while wrapped up in my favorite cozy and sipping my favorite peach white tea.

Downpour

'Docked'

Fine Art Photograph by Sherie Sloane. (C) 2009

Has it really been over two months since my last post? If you've been following my blog, I apologize for the stretch of time I missed you.

So, what happened in the past months? You must be wondering. I was compelled to 'dock' and refuel myself, just like that 'tugboat' I photographed in Fort Walton, Florida. It was a much needed time to pause, reflect and plan. You know the old adage, "When it rains, it pours"? That's exactly what transpired in my life and in the lives of the people I love and care.

First, there was the happy news of another pregnancy. We can't believe our little man who just turned two will soon become a big brother. Then, there were the sad news from families back home. Last month, our beloved uncle passed away. He was that 'one' uncle we call our second dad. When dad passed away ten years ago, he took it to heart to look over us, providing the fatherly love we missed.

'Typhoon Ketsana'

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Two days after, typhoon Ketsana hit Manila and nearby towns in the Philippines, my home country. My sister's house, and most of their belongings were soaked in water seven feet high for days. Thankfully, she was working the day the typhoon hit. My mom was stranded in another town and wasn't able to get home for almost two days. My other sister was in her class when the water started rising outside their university. Thankfully, she was able to reach home safely.

But most were not as fortunate as my family. The highest rainfall in history, heavy flooding and landslides claimed hundreds of lives. Tears were streaming from my eyes watching the news. I knew a lot of friends in the most affected areas. The images of kids separated from parents and stranded in their schools were heartbreaking. I couldn't fathom what it must have been like for those families. Their loved ones, everything they owned and worked hard for, all gone in an instant.

It was a bitter reminder of what matters most - life itself. As we said our prayers from our comfy home here in Chicago, we realized even more how immensely blessed we are. We have each other and the meaning of 'modest living' has now become 'abundance'. The help we sent seemed meager compared to the magnitude of the disaster poeple there have experienced.

'My Boys'

Beasley Park Beach, Ft. Walton, Florida

I was plagued with those sad images for days. It didn't help that my morning sickness was reaching its height too, all these on top of raising our very active tooddler. Going to my studio to paint and create felt like a chore.

My husband who's been working so hard thought it will do us all good to take a little breather. We flew to the charming old town of Fort Walton, Florida to celebrate our son's birthday. He loved the sand and we all love the sugarsand beaches there. The quiet town was the perfect place for us to rest and reflect.

Watching my boys build their sand castle, I felt the first kick from the baby inside me. Perhaps telling me, 'Mom, it's time to put the worries away for now. The rains back home will soon stop and God will wipe their tears one at a time.'

Coconuts Breaking

'Coconuts'.  My First Oil Painting.  April 1999.

Everytime I'm interviewed about my art, one question always come up.  How did I became an artist?

Oftentimes I'm tempted to answer 'I was born as one'.  But that won't be a justified reply.  Although I believe my artistic talents have been bestowed since birth, it wasn't until a tragedy happened that I heeded to that artful calling.

'Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.', is one of my favorite quotes from Picasso.  It hits home for me.  As much as I enjoyed creating with my hands as a child, I set aside my penchant for art to pursue a more financially rewarding college degree.   Dad said, if money isn't a problem, we'll have easier time pursuing other interests in life and even help others.

He was right on.   Except for one thing.  He missed the part that his sudden demise will leave such a gaping hole in our lives.  At age forty-nine, on a Wednesday morning, he died of heart attack.  We were supposed to go out that Sunday to celebrate Easter with my first paycheck from my first job.  Instead, Easter became a day of mourning as we laid him to his final rest.

Standing there, I was so numb from the sudden pain of loss, from the disbelief that he's gone.  No tears fell.   It was only after every one who expressed their sympathy has gone home, did I gave in to that unbearable grief.  I cried for days.

Life must go on, he would always urge us.  From challenges come opportunity, he'd say when things in school or at work get rough, or friendships sour.   

I took Mom out for a lunch date a week after, we talked about Dad and what he'd want us to do.  Be strong, she said.  'I don't know how to', was all I can say.  That's when a sign for a four-day art workshop at a local bookstore caught her eyes.  

'Why not give it a try, you've always been artistic', Mom said.  So I did.  Two weeks after Easter, I finished my first oil painting of coconuts.  After ten years and several more ambitious works of art, this one still hangs proudly in my mom's living room.  

Reminding us that life is what you make out of it.  Dad might have been gone, but his passing left me a gift that keeps on giving - To cherish life like never before.

So when life brings you hard coconuts to break, paint it.

Tag It

Custom Cardstock Jewelry Tag, 2 x 2 inches.

New tag I designed for Salty Cat Co., another indie jewelry online shop from North Carolina.  Hope you like it.

Web Ads

Web ad I designed for Wood Pond Designs for CraftCult.

More and more people are logging on to the web to shop.  As an indie business owner, how do you spread the word about your shop or craft without breaking the bank?

The answer, Web Ad thumbnails.  These are the small-sized graphics or logos you see either on the side bars or banners of websites and blogs.  Sizes differ depending on the required dimensions from the website or blog owners where you'll be advertising.  Most common are 100 x 100 pixels for thumbnails and 150 x 700 for banners.

It can either be static (plain graphic without animation) or dynamic (animated graphic, you'll see flashing or rotating images and words).   Prices differ according to the complexity of your ad.  Simple, static ones are cheaper.

You can either make your own or hire a graphic designer to create one for you.   If you're at loss which website or blog you'll want to advertise in, I recommend doing a little research prior hand.

Search for sites that's related to your business or products you create and check their visitor statistics if it has good amount of traffic.  Lastly, see if the prices are affordable for you.  Keep in mind that the benefits of placing ads should outweigh the costs you put into it.

Good luck on your web ads!  Feel free to contact me if you need help making one.

Happy Haven Gets Tagged

Click image above to zoom.

Here's the latest jewelry tag I designed for Happy Haven, a popular artisan jewelry online store.  I used the logo the designer sent me and used fonts fitting to her business.  Purple is the highlight of her color scheme, but we both opted for the white background.

This is to allow different color and style of necklaces stand out when attached to the tag, making the tag more 'color and contrast' friendly.

Although the logo is pixelated, the graphic came out with smooth lines when printed with its final size of 2 x 5 inches.  

It's simple, classy and great way to brand your items.  

Ready to get tagged?  Click here.