Hope you all enjoy your Halloween!!

 Don't forget to take a peek at the EHAG Emporium's latest October 31 update for delightfully spooky art! Here's a sneak peek at my offering. Enjoy!

The magazine Celebrate 365 recently published a double issue. It included their late summer edition, and, flip it over, you find the fall edition. (You can find subscription information here.) I was fortunate enough to be included in both, with three pages featuring my art. Two of the pages highlighted Halloween pieces I created, a Curious Eye ornament and a Witching Hour Recycled Wood block collage. You can read more about them on my Halloween blog.

Another page featured the nautical style Victorian Shell Keepsake box pictured above. I have it listed in  my Etsy Shop. I was inspired by the notion that sea captains would present their wives with intricate shell work boxes upon returning home from their long journeys. Entranced by the romance in these simple gestures, I was set on making several of these boxes. They are perfect as gifts for the holidays, birthdays or a special occasion.

Additionally, two of my seashell themed Christmas ornaments were featured in Somerset Holidays & Celebrations  2011.

I love the idea of seaside memories, so I made the pink shell encrusted paper mache ornaments with the image of a Victorian girl. It's as if they have a story to tell of summers spent by the shore. They are available now in my Etsy shop. You'll find the star-shaped ornament here, and the rectangle here. 

Also, watch for some new paper mache hot air balloon ornaments coming to my etsy shop. They are finished and waiting for their photo shoot! So in a couple of days, they'll be flying into my Etsy space. 

Iva's Creations

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I hope you are enjoying the fall weather! This is my favorite time of year! 

Times marches on just too darn fast! Halloween and Vine came and went in the blink of an eye! Friday set-up was great fun visiting with artists I hadn't seen in quite a while and meeting others in person after knowing them online for years. Friday night was spent in Napa having dinner with several of the show artists at a mutual friend's lovely home overlooking their 160 acres of vineyards. Sipping wine, it was a great evening of art chatter and delicious food! 

On Saturday, a line had already started forming at 5 am! It was incredible to see some familiar faces keeping warm under their blankets and sipping coffee while waiting to get inside for a chance at snagging some Halloween treasures. Once inside, the room was bedecked with orange and black pennants, colorful balloons and lots of Halloween art!

When the clock struck 9 am, collectors rushed in to find their favorite artists and get first pick of the tables. Thankfully, Dennis Haynes offered to help me, and I couldn't have done it without him for the first hour and half! This is what greeted fans at my table when they first arrived.

Soon, we were wrapping and receipt-writing demons! When the dust settled, it was time to say goodbye to newly made friends and all the fans. I wish I could have gotten photos of everyone, but as usual, my camera sat at my table until it was almost too late. I snapped one of Vergie Lightfoot and I before heading out. It was great getting to know her at dinner the night before and at the show.

One more thing, I was able to scoop up a few art pieces myself! I purchased from the talented Jack Roads, Lori Rudolph, Arbutus Hunter and Sweet B. There were so many others I would have loved to have gotten some art from, including my friend Katherine Webber! But time and a limited pocketbook were not on my side!  Until next year!