Spring Treasuries

A couple great new spring treasuries by members of The Rouge Treasury Team on Etsy.com.

In Spring


Spring Forest


If anyone is looking to join a treasury team, The Rouge TT is still looking for members in all categories except photography and jewelry!

Featured Seller: Jonathan Russell

I never thought artistic bowls would draw in my attention, but this has very much been achieved by the blue slip-cast works of Jonathan Russell, a Portland artist.

After his first show, "American Craft", Jonathan opened an Esty shop, hoping to see his work in more intimate settings like personal collections instead of simply within the confines of a gallery. In it, he sells his artistic bowls, which can be used for decorative purposes or as food friendly kitchenware, and hand-crafted pieces.



"I draw a lot from the human figure, especially when I’m trying to resolve my hand-built forms. I think of the way parts of the body, like the ear, come together. I also consider the roles imperfection and asymmetry play in defining human beauty," Jonathan said.

Although Jonathan is only 24 years old, his art is extremely mature. His works hold a serenity to them that remind me of the homeliness of family. To put it simply, they make me smile.

According to Jonathan there is "nothing quite like pure expression, but also nothing like a good old-fashioned commission." Ideally, and with a genuine honesty, he would like to fall between those two extremes in terms of his reasons for creating.



Like a lot of other artists, Jonathan has had to find a way to separate a prominent part of his identity from the subject matter of his art.

"It can be hard to be gay and an artist without making 'gay art.' This is especially true when wanting to address this aspect of your identity. Is there anything wrong with making 'gay art'?—no, but it seems like a limiting genre," Jonathan said.

This is something, I believe he has done wonderfully. His works, above all else, are definitively and simply that of Jonathan Russell.



Outside of his works, Jonathan spends a lot of time writing music and short stories, as well as entertaining and cooking. In five years, he sees himself in a room with lots of windows. You can follow his journey through his Esty shop.

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As I Continue To Reach

"Reaching"


Zig Ziglar once said: “Success means doing the best we can with what we have. Success is the doing, not the getting; in the trying, not the triumph. Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us, becoming all that we can be.”

I continue to pursue this. This past week I've really been trying to come up with photograph ideas with more of a fine art aspect. I'm accumulating a list that has started off with my leg collection: "reaching", "on the edge", and "childhood". Look for these prints soon up for sale on my Etsy shop!

Wedding Ideas: Mason Jars

Joe and I found the perfect way to add a little spunk to our outdoor barn wedding in August. We're planning on using mason jars as our drinking glasses for guests. A great way for everyone to enjoy some fresh lemonade on a sure to be smoldering summer day in the central valley!





Although these are a bit expensive to purchase, from $65 to $200 for 100 jars depending the style, we can sell them after the wedding and make some of that money back.

Photography 101: Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a standard compositional rule in visual arts. It is comprised of two horizontal and two vertical lines, placed at equal distances on a frame. Advocates of the rule claim that by positioning your subject accordingly in a cross section of the rule of thirds chart will increase the tension in your photograph and create more interest in your composition that by simply centering your subject.

The red dots on the image above show the power points in the rule of thirds. These are where your subject should be located or the main focus. For a person this would be the eyes.



This can be easily achieved by cropping in your Adobe Lightroom computer program, which overlays the rule of thirds framework, or by using the rulers in Adobe Photoshop. As well as simply using a visual estimate if you don't have either programs.

Featured Seller: RGSocks

Socks are a necessity that are easily taken for granted, but these small feet warmers have become a most loved pastime for the mother and daughter duo of RGsocks.

This duo spends all their spare time knitting socks and selling them through their online shop on Etsy.com. Although it started as a fashion trend, their knitted women's and men's socks continue to sell as RGsocks constantly thrives to create different styles in bright colors and interesting patterns that make each pair a work of art.



The ladies from RGsocks, create not only for income, but also for other, perhaps more important, reasons.

“Creativity gives us pleasure and joy,” RGsocks simply said. It is this same pleasure that the ladies from RGsocks aim to spread to their consumers by advertising the comfort of coming home and putting on a warm and soft pair of hand knitted socks.

Although you might not think it, one pair of super cute RGsocks takes a day or two to create, and ship very affordably from Lithuania to the comfort of your home. Once there, you can kick back from a hard day at work, and give your feet a much needed chance to relax in the comfort of handmade.



You can follow RGsocks' journey through their Facebook and via Twitter.

Enter My First Sponsored Giveaway

Today is the last day to enter to win my first giveaway via The Socialite's Closet blog!

For your chance to win a set of 8 surprise me! personalized photo cards and a one of a kind butterfly photo necklace, as well as 6 other giveways, click on the image below! Don't miss it! I'd love for one of my followers to win!

Day 41-47/365: Spring's on the Rise

My 365 day photography project photos of the week.

Free Shipping on ZoiShop

I'm offering free shipping until Saturday, April 16th at ZoiShop with promo code HAPPY100 at checkout!

Shop for surprise me! photo card sets, prints and wearable art. They're all great as gifts!

A New Favorite

I love tru.che shop on Etsy.com. Shop owner Stevie makes super cute sterling silver jewelry at very affordable prices.

Pomegranate Tootsie Pops

I love the Food Network television channel. I'm especially lovin' it right now since I learned that Tootsie Pops, my hands-down favorite candy, are now available in pomegranate flavor! Yummy! The quest begins to find me one of those and enjoy a sweet and delicious (and ridiculously long-lasting and low calorie) dessert!



Anyone tried one yet? Let me know what you think!