Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Republicans are radicals, not conservatives.

Since when do we limit our critiques to things we could do better ourselves?

Schmidt just says fuck it, opens a tea shop.

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

if you can’t see it, then you are useless in the fight to stop it.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

Jesus, Mary, & Joseph how is that election even close?

Bark louder, little dog.

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

Optimism opens the door to great things.

Technically true, but collectively nonsense

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

This really is a full service blog.

This fight is for everything.

When your entire life is steeped in white supremacy, equality feels like discrimination.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

Hot air and ill-informed banter

Second rate reporter says what?

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Because of wow. / Cyber Monday ‘Artists Among Us’

Cyber Monday ‘Artists Among Us’

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cdmarine – caged pearl bracelet
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muddy102 – Kerameikion Wave
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To repeat what I said on Friday: There are any number of gifted artists and crafters among the Balloon Juice readership. If you are one of them, this is the place to add a comment linking to your jewelry, paintings, needlearts, ceramics, sculpture, photography, music, cooking, house-building, graphic novel/comix, or ebooks website or contacts.

If your highest art form is shopping, here’s your chance to browse for gifts without having to put your shoes on… and you can buy stuff for other people, too!

Thanks to all the artists who sent pictures — now we find out how many FYWP will let me use in a single post…
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Dexwood – After a Night of Delivering Toys Around the World, Santa Loves to Slip into New Pajamas
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Donna Hrkman – Hooked rug, Remember Them…
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Don Moors, vibraphonist
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Ruemara – African turquoise necklace by GPM Designs
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Lisa U – He Gave Us
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Joyce Harmon, novelist & cover artist
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Steven Heeren
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Rob! – Ace Kilroy serialized webcomic
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Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Scott Holder – painted figures

Reader Interactions

88Comments

  1. 1.

    Mnemosyne

    I have an entire collection of Santas hand-carved by my dad that look a lot like Dexwood’s work. But my Pops is too shy to try and sell them.

  2. 2.

    Ted & Hellen

    Fabulous, affordable, ORIGINAL ART.

    Our blog owner, John Cole himself, is the owner of one of my pieces, which he commissioned last year.

    Since I am widely loathed and reviled at BJ for the seering Nonbot wisdom of my commentary, I wish to thank the five BJ commenters who have bravely reached out to buy and commission pieces from me. Your secret and your identities are safe with me! :D

  3. 3.

    Scott S.

    My sister makes glass artwork. Art glass, dishes, and suchlike. Very pretty stuff, great for display. Some items can be used in the kitchen or dining table, and all of it looks good just sitting on the coffee table. And she’ll do commissions if you’ve got an idea for something special (though you may be cutting it close for Christmas, I dunno). Go give her money and get awesome glass!

  6. 6.

    satby

    Beautiful stuff, thanks for showcasing these Anne Laurie!

    I make soap (both handcrafted and from scratch) and lotions, body butters, etc. No pictures; because though I do sell at a local craft show once a year, I have a more than full-time job already and am not looking to do dramatically more. But my following of sensitive-skin customers is growing and I do requests so email me at sbarrt(at)hotmail if anyone is interested. Put balloonjuice in the subject line to avoid the spam filter.

  7. 7.

    WaterGirl

    cdmarine – that bracelet is absolutely gorgeous! do you have a photo of that bracelet on a wrist? my older sister is pretty tiny so I want to get a feel for the overall look on someone’s wrist.

    also, my sister has a thing about matching – would you have earrings that would match the bracelet?

  10. 10.

    Michael

    I would pay good money for that bracelet if its available

    eta: the caged pearl bracelet. Its ridiculously beautiful

  12. 12.

    WaterGirl

    @Michael: looks like it’s 60.00 and the bracelet is made to order. the link said order by dec 10 for best chance of getting it in time for christmas.

  14. 14.

    Hungry Joe

    My middle-grade (ages 9-12) novel ANYWAY* was published in May 2012 by Simon & Schuster.

    “Everything about this book screams summer fun.” — The Washington Post

    “In Max, Salm [that’s me] has created a likable everykid who’s shy and caring, but who also possesses flashes of petulance, goofiness, self-doubt, and—yes—questionable decision making that make him very real. The 138 footnotes, set in a font that resembles hand-lettering, are smoothly integrated into the story and contribute to its easygoing, memoirlike pace.” — Publishers Weekly

  15. 15.

    Scott Alloway

    @Mnemosyne: That is so great. I have been buying my partner, “she-who-must-be-obeyed,” a Santa or two every Christmas for 30 years now. Treasure your dad’s work and get him to put it online. I am sure it would sell.

    On an aside, I can’t get the Dexwood link to work. That looks like a nice Santa for 2012.

  18. 18.

    Violet

    Ruemara, I love that necklace. Wish I had some spare change so I could buy some pieces. Alas, money is tight.

    cdmarine, I love the bracelet too. Beautiful work.

  19. 19.

    ruemara

    I’m always amazed at the talent on display here. So good to see great work in different media. A bit surprised to be up there, I did not remember to send a pic and/or probably fell asleep in a haze.

  20. 20.

    ranchandsyrup

    @Ted & Hellen: Oh gawd, Spatula.

    seering Nonbot wisdom of my commentary

    You mean searing, you gigantic douche. Now I’ll add your sorry new nym to pie filter and the world will be right. Have fun playing the victim!

  21. 21.

    p.a.

    Hi folks. If you are going to send in photos of artwork, put a ruler in the photo to show the size. A quarter works for smaller items.

  22. 22.

    JoyceH

    Hi, I’m Joyce – I’ve written Died On The Vine and Bidding On Death. (You see the cover art for Vine above.) They’re the Passatonnack Winery mysteries – cozies, with an amateur sleuth and a good dollop of humor. Here’s Joyce’s Amazon Page. I’m also on Barnes and Noble for the Nook, and pretty much everywhere fine ebooks are sold.

  23. 23.

    J.D. Rhoades

    My mystery and thriller novels as J.D. Rhoades (both e-books and some tree-books).

    “Rhoades is a true rising star. You NEED to be reading his books.” –Crimespree Magazine

    “Rhoades seems to have observed and remembered all the seedy details of life outside the centers of urban and suburban life as we know it. Nobody could totally invent this stuff.” –Chicago Tribune

    “Rhoades portrays unrepentant, psychotic killers but manages to make us feel, almost against our will, the human hearts that beat within their violent souls.” —Booklist

    My SF and Fantasy novels and stories as J.D. Nixx.

  24. 24.

    Peter

    Since my ceramics got so prominently featured last time, I’ll sit this one out. But I’m showing my support to all the talented people who make this site such a pleasure to read.

  25. 25.

    WaterGirl

    @Hungry Joe: I bought your book for my niece’s birthday right after you posted about it awhile back. Just heard from her mom that she loved the book, talked about it at school or for some report, really liked the bragging rights that I “knew” the author.

    So score one for Anyway!

  29. 29.

    WaterGirl

    @Violet: I just sent email to Anne Laurie asking her to share my email address with you if you ask for it. If you don’t mind, I have a question for you.

  31. 31.

    cdmarine

    @WaterGirl: I don’t have a photo on a wrist, but I could take one. It would be a poorly lit cell phone photo for now. I might also be able to see if some earlier buyers have any photos of them wearing it. As for matching earrings, that’s definitely do-able. I’ve made them for a couple of people who have purchased this bracelet.

    Let me see what I can scare up for a pic.

  32. 32.

    Brian

    You can see my lovely pictures of plants and other wonders of the tiny world on my tumblr. Send me an email at b2witte/at/yahoo(dot)com if they strike your fancy. Reasonable rates! $20 for an 8×10, only a bit above cost for 16×20 or prints on canvas (cause I’m an artist, dammit).

  33. 33.

    Alexander

    So I’m mostly a lurker, but I do emerge out of the woodwork sometimes. And I guess I might as well post here. I do various musical things.

    The first is an 80s influenced pop band called Silent Alliance. You can listen to some songs here, and get our first album (which came out in Japan a few years ago) here. It was recorded at home, but the songs are still pretty good, I think. Our upcoming album was done in a studio, as you can tell from the first two tracks at the music link above, but it’s not going to be out for another couple of months.

    The second is indie/folky singer-songwriter stuff, under the name Tomcat Murr. I don’t know how much it will appeal to anyone here, but you never know!

  35. 35.

    Valdivia

    Truly amazing stuff. What a talented community we have here.

    And once more in case it got lost in the other thread: for those who are interested in my photographs. You can purchase framed versions, as well as postcards and phone cases at this link.

  37. 37.

    Ruviana

    For those who like traditional handwoven crafts, I want to give a shout out to Weaving for Justice (http://www.chiapas-weavers.org/) a long-time Maya women’s weaving cooperative. Their work is fair trade, allows women to maintain traditional crafts and to work in their own communities and invest the money they earn. Check it out if you’re interested. I realize it’s a bit of a stretch but they can use the money more than I could!

  38. 38.

    Ramalama

    My partner wrote a children’s science book (clean water) based on a character she created called Professor Blue. The book title is the Professor Blue Top Secret Lab Journal. It’s illustrated in a zillion gorgeous colors.

    For sale on Kindle only for now. We expect to get printed and ready for sale by Dec 1st.

    Our website is here for more details:
    http://professorblue.com/blue-friday/

    The Amazon link is here:
    amzn.to/V9na7b

    We had a Blue Friday special (a kinder version of Black Friday) that we will extend to Balloon Juice peeps: buy the book and download the Professor Blue video for free!

  39. 39.

    John M. Burt

    I really wish more people would read my novel, The Christmas Mutiny [ http://www.amazon.com/The-Christmas-Mutiny-ebook/dp/B007DMX0C8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353972988&sr=1-1&keywords=christmas+mutiny ], which I am especially proud of, but oddly my biggest seller so far is my short story “The Men Who Saved JFK”: http://www.amazon.com/The-Men-WHo-Saved-ebook/dp/B007HIDJR4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353972749&sr=8-1&keywords=the+men+who+saved+jfk

  40. 40.

    JoyfulA

    @J.D. Rhoades: I just bought the first one, The Devil’s Right Hand; the series sounds right down my alley.

    As for my creative hobby, I find good homes for old books, by selling them on line.

  41. 41.

    Hungry Joe

    @WaterGirl: Please tell your niece that she made my day, WaterGirl. If she wants to contact me at my website (just click on the highlighted Hungry Joe), I’d be delighted to tell her myself.

  45. 45.

    Ms. D. Ranged in AZ

    Tip of the iceberg……rest of it not online but it’s a taste of what I do

    Novel Excerpts
    http://drangedinaz.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/create-a-world-writing-contest-entry/
    http://drangedinaz.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/novel-excerpt/
    http://drangedinaz.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/novel-excerpt-2/

    Political Cartoons
    http://drangedinaz.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/az-asshole-gov-jan-brewer/
    http://drangedinaz.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/the-republican-nominee-vultures-inc/
    http://drangedinaz.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/ooga-booga-a-new-comic-strip-series/

    other Artwork
    http://drangedinaz.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/our-charade-is-the-event-of-the-season/
    http://drangedinaz.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/to-paint-is-to-dream/
    http://drangedinaz.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/light-blogging-2/

  50. 50.

    Ajabu

    Hi Everybody:
    My Christmas CD is pictured 5th in the descending graphics.
    Just wanted to say, if you like Jazz & you like Vibes, you’ll love this product. And it’s 19 songs for only $10! What a Bargain! If you don’t like half of them it’s still cheap…
    The link takes you to my website but if you want the CD in time for Christmas (either hard copy or downloadable)it’s probably best to get it directly from me.
    And so, here’s my secret personal email address for anybody in the BJ family who’s interested:

    [email protected]

    Please don’t share this with anyone but 200-300 of your closest friends.
    Thanks,
    Don Moors

  51. 51.

    Sparrowgal

    I echo Valdivia’s (and others’) sentiments – what an amazingly creative and sharing community!!

    Add me to the list of multi-crafters. Over the years, I’ve tried my hand at a number of things, including pottery (which I loved and wish I could do again), calligraphy, painting, stained glass, jam-making, quilting (small scale and mostly UFO’s – unfinished objects). My most recent obsessions have been knitting and spinning, some of which items can be found on Ravelry here (password jethrotail) and here. I’ve been a member of our local spinning guild for about 5 years, and have just completed my first end-to-end fleece (washing, prepping, carding and spinning a 4 pounder). It was pretty exciting and time-consuming, and I ended up with a surprisingly little amount of yarn for my efforts, but it fed some old-timey part of my nature that I’ve come to adore in this fast-moving world.

    If only I could figure out how to springboard any of my interests into a profitable career, I’d be one happy gal, as the ‘mainstream career’ thing has been a soul-sucking experience for me thus far.

    Kudos to all you creatives…keep it flowing!!!

  52. 52.

    rob!

    Thanks for the Ace Kilroy mention, Anne!

    Anyone interested in a rip-roaring adventure/horror comic strip like the classic newspaper comics of the mid-20th Century, please visit our site. Season One ran from Oct 2011-April 2012, and Season 2 started in August. You can read every strip on the site.

    We are 100% reader-supported, and we’re looking to expand into print comics, a podcast, and other fun stuff. We have lots of other artists we want to bring into the fold…which would make us job creators, I guess.

  58. 58.

    VigilanteMark

    I write and self-publish books! (www.sk-sg.com) They come in print, Kindle, and generic PDF format. The Kindle tends to be the most popular, but the other two come from Lulu.com, which is offering a 30% promotion today with code DELIRITAS. Seemed worth passing on.

    Thanks for looking, and thanks to Anne Laurie for this thread :).

  62. 62.

    Svensker

    Can we get a working link for Steven Hereen’s artwork? The one shown is gorgeous, would love to see more.

    KTHNXBAI

  63. 63.

    Fort Geek

    It’s a bit early to call my project a “craft” just yet, but I’ve been working on a set of CAD plans of Fort Pickens near Pensacola, FL. The plans will be used as the basis for papercraft models, illustrations, and (I hope) a tourable 3D model. Part of any sales would go to the local forts, which are under the National Park Service.

    So far, the only good pics of the project are on my blog, here.

  64. 64.

    Darkrose

    cdmarine: the bracelet is lovely, but I suspect I’ll be picking up a couple of pairs of earrings. I’m trying to decide between “GAMER GIRL” and “UMAD BRO”

  67. 67.

    Violet

    @WaterGirl: Sure, I’d be happy to answer a question. Anne Laurie, can you see the email address I use to post here or not? If not, I’ll send you an email so you can forward me WaterGirl’s address.

  68. 68.

    C.King

    Sorry to post this again, but this year my wife published a (nonfiction) graphic novel about baseball in the 1920s:

    “On August 16, 1920, Yankees pitcher Carl Mays threw a fastball that struck Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman in the head. Chapman, a star player, died the next morning. Hit by Pitch is a nonfiction graphic novel about these men, their lives and legacies, and the event that linked them forever. Recounting their similar beginnings as well as their opposing personalities, this work brings the two men and their era back to life.”

    The baseball historian (or comics buff) in your life would like it!

    http://www.amazon.com/Hit-Pitch-Chapman-Fatal-Fastball/dp/0786446099/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353711966&sr=1-1&keywords=molly+lawless

  74. 74.

    Dewey

    My craft is metal work and I create custom automobile (hot rod)bodies from scratch. Here is a link to the book I wrote on the subject (it is a free e-book so browse away as your heart desires)along with dozens of photos of my creations.
    http://www.hotrodders.com/scratch-built/Introduction BTW BJ is one of just 5 web sites on my hot list that I visit at least once every day of the week.

  76. 76.

    dexwood

    Just got here – wow! What great things to be included among. Thanks, Anne. Mnemosyne, bet your Dad’s Santas are terrific. The one above is carved from a New Mexico Cottonwood branch.

  77. 77.

    Jude


    http://www.juderose.com

    That bracelet is so gorgeous! I’ve been shy about adding my link, but it inspired me.

    I am a glass artist specializing in Monarch chrysalis replicas to be worn as pendants. They’re not cheap, thanks to the Teaturds freaking out and hyping up the price of 24k gold, but they are incredibly hard to distinguish from the real thing.

  78. 78.

    BillB

    Wow , cool stuff one and all. I have a ‘save the world’ project you might check out. As an ‘archytec’ guy I have designed the greenest house that I can, for one and all to build to kick the oil habit. This home design makes it’s own energy, grows it’s own food. captures/filters/stores it’s own water, and treats it’s own waste. My hope is that folks would share this site with everyone you know, and build yourself one if you can. We can only beat global warming by ourselves , the big Gov/Corps won’t help us. You can see it at the link and buy plans if you like.

  79. 79.

    Svensker

    @Michael Metteer:

    I love your stuff but am having a really hard time navigating the site. If I click on a painting, then I can’t get anywhere else. Nor can I find how to contact you to ask about prices, etc. Any help?

  80. 80.

    Erin

    I’ve gotten a couple of more sales tonight in my Etsy shop, from Balloon Juice readers. Thank you all so much! And thank you, Anne Laurie, for giving us this opportunity!

  82. 82.

    SFAW

    @Svensker:
    I had similar problems. I found that if I use the “Back” button, then Reload the page, I get all the thumbnails back, and can look at another one.

    Still haven’t found those prices, though. I also asked him. Maybe he’s got an MSRP, off of which he gives a discount, etc.

    If you hear anything from Michael (or Anne Laurie, I guess), can you please post it here? Thanks!

  83. 83.

    cdmarine

    Hey, oodles of thanks for doing this post. I came back from making dinner to find a couple of orders from you fabulous folks, and I’m thrilled and grateful. It’s going to make the next couple weeks a little easier around here.

  84. 84.

    Mnemosyne

    @dexwood:

    G took a great picture of them, but I can’t find it right now. If there’s an open thread tomorrow, I’ll try to post it. I think they’re terrific, but I’m a little biased. ;-)

  85. 85.

    WaterGirl

    @cdmarine: I was out for about 6 hours last evening, so I missed all the replies!

    Thanks so much for the photos. Such a beautiful bracelet! Still waiting to hear from my brother-in-law on whether he wants to proceed. Will be in touch if he does.

  86. 86.

    WaterGirl

    @Hungry Joe: Not sure if you will see this since I am so late getting back to the thread.

    I think my niece would love to hear from you! But I will wait a few days before I contact her if you don’t mind. Their kitty is in her last days of kidney failure, and everyone is bereft. But the excitement of hearing from you might be just the thing to brighten her world maybe a week or so after we lose Shiver.

  87. 87.

    SFAW

    @Svensker:

    Svensker –

    Since Mr. Metteer hasn’t replied (to either of us) in this thread, I Googled him, found a “Galleries Online” link, with contact info (which I’ve appended below). I am hopeful that he contacts me with pricing, etc.

    Have you had any luck getting in touch with him? If not, and if you don’t want to go through the link below (it’s in the UK), would you like me to steer him your way as well?

    http://www.galleries-online.co.uk/contactme/michaelmetteer

  88. 88.

    lizzeymac

    @Coldfire: Everything is so beautiful, fantastical. I’m waiting for you to mount the smalls in wire, I’ll be one of the first orders – it would be the only necklace I’d ever need, except I like them all.

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