Artwork Scrabble Tile Pendant Subscription - January

 

 

Looking for a great gift this holiday season?  How about a gift that keeps giving all year long?

 

Anyone who loves art or unique jewelry will love an Artwork Pendant Subscription for Christmas! 

 

This month's pendant is:

 

Tree of Life, Stoclet Frieze by Gustav Klimt

 

About artwork pendants:

• Collectible pendant with a collectible card.  Learn about the artist!
• Express your love of art with a new famous artist pendant each month.
• Perfect size for wearing everyday.
• Silver plated bail can be easily polished with your jewelry polishing cloth and matches all of your silver pieces.
• You choose the cord size so it will fit if you are plus sized or petite (and everything in between!)
• Cord easily slides out so you can use with other jewelry you have (and the cord works with big hole beads like Troll Beads or Pandora.)
• Your Artwork Pendant will fit on other chains so you can mix and match for a unique look.
• Feel good about the packaging, which is made with renewable resources in ethical conditions.
• Look forward to your new pendant consistently each month.  What a great way to start a new collection!
• Feel good about wearing a piece of jewelry that is ethical and eco-friendly.

Either pay monthly (and cancel any time) for $15 per month or pay for the entire year up front and save 10%!  Save the shipping and basically get the cord for free! 

If you're giving it as a gift, email me a message and I'll send a card from you!

Click here to learn more and to purchase Artwork Pendant Subscription.

 



The Perfect Gift

Choosing the perfect gift can be time-consuming and challenging. I know I worry: Will they like it? The holidays are so stressful: crowded stores, limited parking, selling out of what you wanted to purchase....

I know I out of that cycle. Thoughtful, well-made, meaningful gifts are what I want to give. Gifts I can be proud of giving. Gifts that make the recipient smile with delight. Gifts that are perfectly in alignment with the recipient's tastes and even their values.

If you are looking for the perfect gift for a girl or a woman, jewelry will usually be a great choice.  And handcrafted jewelry almost always is on the top of any woman’s list.

• My Artwork Pendant Subscription is a gift that keeps giving all year long.  Your recipient will remember you and the beautiful gift you purchased for her every month.  Each month is an opportunity to be in the forefront of her mind.  She’ll remember how generous you are and what a great gift giver you are.

• Artwork Pendants are wonderful gifts for women who love art. Handmade jewelry + art = win win.

• Artwork Pendants are perfect for woman who like to have options and decide how they want to wear their jewelry (and what woman doesn’t?)  Artwork Pendants and the chains and cords that go with them are interchangeable with each other and other chains, so she can pick and choose what she wants to wear.

• Artwork Pendants are perfect for eco-friendly woman.  I use only previously used (but in excellent or like new condition) scrabble tiles to create each pendant.  She’ll be thrilled to wear something so kind to the planet.

• Artwork Pendants are perfect for young women who are just starting out their jewelry collection.  Each month they’ll get a new pendant and cord.  That will build their collection quickly.

• Artwork Pendants are perfect for women who like unique jewelry.  You know who I’m talking about.  She always has the most interesting necklaces or earrings that look nothing like what other woman wear.  She’ll love these, too.  She can wear more than one at a time (I reccomend up to 3 pendants at one time) and make a statement.

• Artwork Pendants come in a cute bag made from renewable resources in the United States.  Ready for gift giving.

Want me to send the subscription directly to the gift recipient?  I would love to!  Just send me an email with what message you would like me to send.  Make sure I have the correct name and address of the recipient.  I’ll send a gift card to the recipient from you!

Ready to get started?  I have 2 options - monthly payments or save 10% by paying for the entire year up front.  Either way, you save the shipping costs.

December’s Artwork Pendant is Cafe Terrace at Night by Vincent Van Gogh and you have to November 26, 2012 to purchase.  After that, this pendant will be discontinued.

For all the details and to order, click here.

December Artwork Pendant Subscription

Artwork Pendant Subscription

Conveniently and easily get the artwork of your favorite artists in a wearable form each month!

Introducing the Artwork Pendant Subscription!

Each month get:

• A pendant made with a miniature print of a famous artist.  (This month is Cafe Terrace at Night by Vincent Van Gogh)
• Cord or chain to match
• Artist Bio Card
• Cute cotton bag.

2 Subscription Options:

1.  Monthly charge - cancel at any time.

or

2.  Pay for the entire year up front and get an additional 10% off.

Read all of the details and sign up here.

Note:  I will retire each pendant online as they are used for the subscription.  So, this is the only way to purchase these pendants from me online.

***THIS MONTH ONLY***

Get an extra free cord - in the size you choose when subscribing - with your regular subscription!!

Sale and New Year Update

Happy New Year!

I hope that everyone is ready for a fresh new start and new year.

I have a lot planned for this wonderful new year that I want to tell you about.

Artwork Pendants

First off, as you may know, I have started a new website, ArtworkPendants.com

This website will have just artwork pendants (I previously called them art charms).  I’m working on a whole new line up of pendants and a collector’s card to make collecting them fun and easy!  They are mostly scrabble tile pendants and glass tile pendants that feature art!  Either art from a famous person (Monet, Renoir, Manet, Degas, Van Gogh, etc., etc.) or art from an indie artist (Stephanie Corfee, Iolanda Reinsmith, David Gerbstadt, Lauren Startzman, etc.)

If you want to continue to hear about Artwork Pendants, head over and sign up for the newsletter.  The website is currently under major construction.  If you sign up, I’ll let you know when it’s up and running and send you the collector’s card free when it’s ready!

Tutorials

I have also been very hard at work on a new tutorial and will be ramping up both my tutorials for sale and free tutorials on my blog! 

I get so many questions about how to sell on etsy, eBay and lots of other questions about online sales and marketing that I have decided to write a course for the beginner!  I’ll give out more details as they are available, but make sure to get on the email list for tutorials so you know when it’s coming!

To get more focused tutorial newsletters, sign up here.  I’m working on a free tutorial to send subscribers for signing up and I’ll send it to you when it’s ready.  You can expect free tutorials and announcements about new tutorials in that newsletter!  Puts tips and techniques I won’t share elsewhere!

 

B.B. Bellezza Green Handmade Jewelry

New green handmade jewelry is on its way, too! 

Sale

Right now use the code “NEWYEAR20” (without the quotes) to get 20% off in my etsyshop for a limited time!  OR use code “FREESHIP” to get free shipping.  Pick one code and save!  (For some instructions on how to use coupon codes on etsy, see my little tutorial here:  How to Use Coupon Codes on Etsy)

Payments

There have been a lot of questions regarding payments on etsy lately.  It’s been confusing for a lot of people, so if you have been confused, you are definitely not alone!

In order to pay via credit card, you have to chose “pay via paypal.”  You can then either use your paypal account if you have one - OR - put in a credit card without a paypal account.  (You do not have to have a paypal account nor do you have to sign up for one).

Of course, if you have any questions about this or anything else, please feel free to contact me.  Just hit reply to this email!

Thank you all for a wonderful year and I’m looking forward to a new one!

Virtual Open House III Day 5

Welcome to Day 5 of the Virtual Open House!

To find out all the details of what is going on here, see Day 1 of the Virtual Open House.

Congratulations to our Day 4 winner, picked by random:  Jennifer

Each day there is a Giveaway!

Get 20% off in my etsy shop all week with the coupon code VIRTUALOPENHOUSE

Freebies with orders each day!

Today's Giveaway:

Artwork Pendant:  Van Gogh

This pendant was made with a glass tile and a miniature image of the artwork of Van Gogh.  It's 7/8" square.  Find all of my Artwork Pendants in my online shop.

To Enter to Win this Pendant:

Simply leave a comment below!  If you don't have an account, you can leave your comment anonymously.  Just make sure to leave your email so that I can get a hold of you!

Get extra entries for doing any of the following.  For each item you complete, leave a separate comment:

• Get a chance for joining my facebook page.  If you are already a fan, just leave a comment saying that.
• Tweet about this giveaway.  Please make sure to include a link to this website.  Here's an example tweet you could use:  I just entered to win the giveaway from @BBBellezza at http://www.BBBellezza.com There's a new giveaway each day this week!
• Share on your facebook wall.  You can use the same example from above or write whatever you want.  
• Join my newsletter, or leave a comment letting me know that you already are a subscriber.  (Make sure you're leaving the same email address that you are subscribed with.)
• Note:  if you need help commenting or aren't technological, just email me and I'll leave your comment for you!

That's 6 total chances!  Winner will be chosen around 8:00 am Eastern tomorrow (Saturday) morning!

Also, I'll send along a freebie with each purchase today!  Today's freebie is a scrabble tile pendant - I'll choose a random pendant to send along with your purchase.

To get the freebie, just make a purchase today in my online shop using the coupon code VIRTUALOPENHOUSE.  You'll get 20% off and a free scrabble tile pendant!

TOMORROW the Grand prize will be listed.  Everyone who has commented thus far, made a purchase or who comments on tomorrow's post will be entered to win!  

Update:  Winner has been chosen and comments have been closed!  See the Grand Prize post for your last chance to win during Virtual Open House III!

Virtual Open House III - Day 3

Welcome to Day 3 of the Virtual Open House

To get the details of what's going on here, see the Welcome to the B.B. Bellezza Open House post.

--Each day this week there is a new giveaway!

--Each day this week there is a new freebie to go along with your purchase from the B.B. Bellezza online shop!

--Get 20% off in my online shop by using the code VIRTUALOPENHOUSE when checking out.  (Click on coupon code and enter the code.)

Today's Giveaway:

Artwork Pendant with Cord

Made with the artwork of Jennifer Gordon (you can find more of her work at http://www.JenniferGordonArt.com )

To Enter to win the Giveaway:

Simply leave a comment below and indicate which you would prefer to win!  If you don't have an account, you can leave your comment anonymously.  Just make sure to leave your email so that I can get a hold of you!

Get extra entries for doing any of the following.  For each item you complete, leave a separate comment:

• Get a chance for joining my facebook page.  If you are already a fan, just leave a comment saying that.
• Tweet about this giveaway.  Please make sure to include a link to this website.  Here's an example tweet you could use:  I just entered to win the giveaway from @BBBellezza at http://www.BBBellezza.com There's a new giveaway each day this week!
• Share on your facebook wall.  You can use the same example from above.  
• Join my newsletter, or leave a comment letting me know that you already are a subscriber.  (Make sure you're leaving the same email address that you are subscribed with.)
• NOTE:  if you are not internet savvy, just email me and I'll put your comment up for you!  Don't stress! 

Winner will be chosen tomorrow morning (Thursday) around 8:00 am Eastern or so, so feel free to enter until then!

Freebie:

Free with any purchase from my online shop today (11/5/11):

Hardware Earrings!  ($10 value!)

 Earrings may vary

Discount:

Don't forget to use this coupon code to get 20% off in my online shop all week VIRTUALOPENHOUSE

Click on "coupon code" and enter the code when checking out.

Good luck!

(Note:  discount and freebies are for my online etsy shop If you wish to purchase a tutorial with the discount, please purchase from my etsy shop and use the coupon code there.)

Good Luck!

UPDATE:  This giveaway is closed, but make sure to look for more giveaways each day!

Artwork Pendants New Shop, New Website

I have a brand new website and shop for my artwork pendants.

Artwork pendants is the B.B. Bellezza line that includes my collaborations with indie artists and art pendants made with famous paintings prints.

Please check out my shop, the Artwork Pendants Blog and Facebook page.

I would appreciate if you would check out the shop and blog, and like my page on facebook!

And, if you are an artist who would like to collaborate with me, or you have a suggestion for one, please contact me.

Artist Interview - Lauren Startzman of Fair Rosamund

I first came across Lauren Startzman (Fair Rosamund) during the Mad Tea Party.  She won my giveaway.  I saw her artwork and was smitten immediately with her whimsical style.  Her style is colorful and fairytale inspired.  What could be more perfect?

The Interview:

I asked her a few questions.  Her answers are in red below. 

How did you get started?

I have been doing artwork in some form or other for a long time--my mom is very artistic and always encouraged my sister and I to explore that. However, it wasn't until I discovered folk and mixed-media artwork a couple of years ago that I discovered that you can make amazing artwork without having to go to art school and do everything perfect! That is when I really started to explore painting again and having a lot of fun with it.

Do you have formal training or are you self-taught?

I am self-taught. I took a couple of art classes in high school but discovered that I much prefer being by myself and doing my own thing. And it is very relaxing! :)

What are your favorite art supplies?

Acrylic paint and canvas. I have dabbled in oil paint and some fun mixed-media techniques, but I always seem to find myself coming back to these two things.

What is your favorite subject matter?

I absolutely love fairytales, literature and history, so anything involving these things always intrigues me! I love painting people and animals, and I always try to tell a little story with my paintings :)

Have other artists influenced you?

Yes, too many to name! :) My creativity is always refreshed by looking at the amazing work and imaginations of other artists. I am inspired by so many other people's techniques, subject matter and use of color. A few of my favorites are Nicoletta Ceccoli, Vanessa Valencia, Emily Martin of the Black Apple, Tascha Parkinson, John William Waterhouse, my mom Joni Startzman and my sister Michelle Startzman, and a bunch of others!

How does each piece begin?  Do you have an idea of what you want your pieces to become or do they progress as you go?

I usually don't start with a ton of preparation--I start with an idea which I sketch lightly onto the canvas, then I go from there! Sometimes it stays very close to my original idea, but other times I end up changing it as I go if something a little different seems to be working better.

Do you ever get stuck with your work and how do you remedy this?

I definitely get stuck sometimes! I have found that the best thing for me to do when I get frustrated with a painting is to set it aside and come back to it with fresh eyes the next day.

Find Lauren:

You can find Lauren's work in her Etsy Shop, Fair Rosamund Art.

Keep up-to-date with her on her blog.

I loved Lauren's work so much, I asked her to collaborate with me.  You can find our collaboration artwork pendants in my etsy shop.

 

New Artwork Pendants - Collaboration with Fair Rosamund

Brand new!!  

Artwork Pendants Collaboration with Fair Rosamund.  I knew as soon as I saw her whimsical, fairytale inspired work that her pieces would make adorable pendants!  (Also keep up-to-date with her on her blog.)

You can find them in my etsy store.

I have scrabble pendants and glass tile pendants available.  More will be listed as well!

(While you're at it, you can also check out my new blog, Artwork Pendants.  I eventually will be moving all the Artwork Pendants into their own store, too!)

Sneak Peek at New Items

These are just a few new pendants that I'll be listing next week!  

Also, I'll be unveiling a new collaboration for my Artwork Pendants line! 

Reflections on the Art of the Steal

I originally posted this on my new Artwork Pendants blog.  Just in case you missed it over there, here it is!  

The Barnes Foundation recently shut its doors to prepare for it's move to downtown Philadelphia and it has been all over the art news again.  It got me interested to see the movie, The Art of the Steal.

I recently watched The Art of the Steal, the gripping documentary about the Barnes Collection of impressionist, post-impressionist and modern art.

I have been fascinated by the battle over the control of the Barnes Foundation.  It’s fascinating to me in both of my worlds, since for my day job, I’m a paralegal who specializes in estate administration.

Before watching the movie, I didn’t have a strong opinion on the matter.  I thought what was most important was maintainence of the artwork itself.  I felt the actual hang of the art was also important.  But, then I figured they could easily recreate that at the new place as well.  As a paralegal, I know there are loopholes around everything and what they are trying to do is most likely legal.  (And there is a judge involved, so, the judge should be the one to make the decision.)

However, after watching the documentary and putting more thought into it, I am actually infuriated by the chain of events that led to whom had the ultimate control of the Barnes.

1. The Barnes should not be moving at all to begin with.
2. A question that I have not actually seen answered:  Is the new location’s main focus education?  The art was hung and the foundation began for education.  Will this new location serve as a school?
3. Dr. Barnes specifically drafted his will to keep his art collection out of the hands of the Philadelphia social elite/Philadelphia Museum of Art, whom he hated.  Now they have control of it.
4. As a museum on the Parkway in downtown Philadelphia, surely this collection is meant as a tourist attraction.  Philadelphia aggressively promotes its tourism, and this will be just another attraction.  The artwork is stuck in a battle about money and politics.  Just the opposite of what Dr. Barnes wanted.

Lincoln University

I have visited Lincoln University.  It’s a tiny school in a rural area.  (The town itself is actually called Lincoln University, that is the size of the town.)  After the original Board of Directors all passed on, Lincoln University was in control of the Barnes Foundation. 

It was an odd, eccentric choice, but it was Dr. Barnes’ choice to make.  I also believe that this was the unraveling of the Barnes Foundation.  The wrong person from Lincoln was in charge of the foundation, which led to a multitude of lawsuits that the Foundation had to pay for.  Then ultimately the Foundation had financial issues.  Not to mention, I don’t believe that they actually knew the value of the collection, and maybe they thought they were in more trouble than they actually were.

A series of unfortunate events and now here we are waiting for the Barnes to be placed in the mass approved building in the highly traveled Benjamin Franklin Parkway, sitting down the road as the little brother to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  For all purposes, run by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is the very thing that Dr. Barnes was trying to protect his art from with his will.

I can understand the argument that more people will be able to view the art in the new location, however, this was Dr. Barnes’s art. 

It does not belong to the City of Philadelphia,

It does not belong to the State of Pennsylvania,

It does not belong to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. 

It was Dr. Barnes’ art and HIS decision what to do with it.  He wanted it to stay where it is to be used in the school that he began. 

I don’t think just because the artwork is that of the masters that it suddenly becomes public property and should be controlled by the public (or politicians or the social elite.)

It infuriates me, to say the least.

Have you seen the movie The Art of the Steal?  Did it change your opinion about the situation (or solidify it more)?

What do you think about this situation?  Should the artwork of the masters be available to be viewed by everyone?  Or is a private collection, just that, private?

(please leave your views below in "comments")

New Artwork Pendant - Collaboration with David Gerbstadt

I'm so very happy to present my latest Artwork Pendant Collaboration:

"I Am Loved" by David Gerbstadt

I interviewed him here on the blog back a couple of months ago.  I am a huge fan of his art and especially of his message!

If you missed the interview, click on over to read it.  It's inspiring.

To pick up your own "I Am Loved" pendant - for yourself or for someone you love, check out my etsy shop!

New Artwork Pendants

I have recently listed a lot of new pendants in my etsy shop. These pieces are also available at my booth BUiLDiNG CHARACTER 342 Queen Street, Rear, Lancaster, PA

The pendants are either upcycled scrabble tiles or dominoes.

Artwork Pendants:

Artwork Pendant Collaboration with Artist Stephanie Corfee Everything Happy

Artwork Pendant Collaboration with Artist Stephanie Corfee

Artwork Pendant Collaboration with Stephanie Corfee Chartreuse Woodgrain Profile

Artwork Pendant Collaboration with Stephanie Corfee Barefooted Hippie

Artwork Collaboration with Artist Iolanda Reinsmith Happy Tree

Artwork Pendant Collaboration with Artist Iolanda Reinsmith Happy Tree

Artwork Pendant with Artist Jennifer Gordon's Artwork

Artwork Pendant with Artist Jennifer Gordon's Artwork

Artwork Pendant with Artist Jennifer Gordon's Artwork

Artwork Pendant with Artist Jennifer Gordon's Artwork

Van Gogh Sunflowers Artwork Pendant

Van Gogh Irises Artwork Pendant

In related news . . .

The Artwork Pendants can also now be found on my brand new website, Artwork Pendants!  This is a new website and I'll be adding a lot more artwork pendants in the future.  I'm still working on it, and am sort of hesitant to reveal it just yet, but what the heck!