Kelley Livingston

My Weekend Monday

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:02:00 +0000

We finally went on the camping trip this weekend. Took forever to get ready to go since we had not opened the camper up for a couple of years and there were a few surprises when we did. Anyway, we went over to Hot Springs, NC where there are natural mineral springs at a constant 102 degrees. We sat in those, went for a hike, rested, cooked and did all of the things you do on a camping trip. The campground sits on the French Broad river- looks a little muddy right now- we also had a good bit of rain while we were there!

I am featured on someone's blog today!

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:00:00 +0000

I am so honored today. My "Modern Eco Bag" is being featured on DeanDymentStudios Blog today. Hop on over to her blog and check out the feature. While you are there, please don't forget to browse her exquisite items from her etsy shop.

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:30:00 +0000

A deer from our last outing into the woods.

AND

The deck is FINALLY done- well except for the staining! Now for the painting, fireplace repairs, landscaping, concrete staining, etc, etc, etc. and then after that's all done- we will be moving again!!! Oh the joys of having a hubby that likes to rehab houses!

Cosmo Necklace

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:49:00 +0000

The next fabric pendant necklace.

The Cosmo Necklace is 18 inches (46 cm) long, including the handmade sterling silver clasp. Pendant hangs 2 inches (5 cm) from beaded portion.

Pendant is made from recycled interior design fabric samples and has green, blue, and cream colored detail on a dark brown background fabric. Pendant is 7/8 inch wide and 2 inches long. It hangs from the beaded necklace by a sterling silver split ring.

The necklace itself features sage/olive glass druk beads strung alternately with smaller metallic bronze beads. The green beads look like a light olive in some lights and more of a grayish green like sage in other lights. They also have an irridescent finish.

The Cosmo Necklace is one of my favorites. It is chic and simple, yet complex in the combination of textures and sheens. And the olive & brown color mixture is always a first choice.

By the Sea Necklace

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:06:00 +0000

Finally-- had some time to show off some new items. More to come tomorrow and Wednesday.

The By the Sea Necklace is 16 inches (41 cm) long, including the handmade sterling silver clasp. Pendant hangs 2 3/4 inches (7 cm) from chaing.

Pendant is made from recycled interior design fabric samples and has cream colored embroidery detail on beige/khaki background fabric. Pendant is 1 inch wide and 2 1/4 inches long. It hangs from the beaded necklace by 3 sterling silver split rings.

The necklace itself features glass druk beads and seed beads strung on beading wire. The druk beads are a sapphire color or medium true blue. Each bead has a mottled section of champagne/gold/silver metallic colors. These look fabulous with the khaki toned pendant. The seed beads are off white/cream with a pearlescent finish.

The combination of the khaki fabric and blue glass gives me instant memories of relaxing times at the beach.

My Weekend Monday

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:53:00 +0000

So happy to say we are going camping later in the week. Have not been in 2 whole years!!! Hard to believe since it is one of our favorite things to do. However, we opened up the camper on Friday to clean it up and load and whatever and discovered that a critter or two had made themselves at home and so did the wonderful mildew that is so common around here! So, all day Friday, all day Saturday and all day Sunday were devoted to the cleanup and fix up........... Whew- we did it and the camper is cleaner and probably newer than when we bought it!

Planning to take some photos of recent work later today and will post them here tomorrow and Wednesday. Finally, a few necklaces with fabric pendants and the cutest little pink wool purse ever. Hope you all enjoy them as much as I do. Got another load of fabric last weekend and also spent part of yesterday folding and stacking it. Great for the creativity! now i just have to find a little time to bring the daydreams to life!!

Michael Vick's release

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:05:00 +0000

The release of Michael Vick has me sick to my stomach. It is a sad day for dogs. He has shown no remorse for what he has done- and what on earth will keep him from doing it again?

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:23:00 +0000

Ok- so you all no i am very, very behind with blogging and all else creative!! It is summer, and busy around here with visitors, concerts, and just plain fun. One of the reasons I want to have a creative "business" is so that I can also live my life in between! Surely many of you share that feeling! Anyway, am working on a contest and some features of other artist for the coming days or weeks. But, for now, here is a photo of a sunset taken last weekend in Valle Crucis. We thought it was going to rain on us, but we were treated to this awesome view instead! Enjoy.

Musicfest and Doc Watson!!!

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:59:00 +0000

AWESOME! that is really all that is necessary to say! If Doc is this good at 86 years old, how was he at 60? takes about 10-15 seconds for the music to start on the video, so be patient. i don't know how to edit that out. don't forget to click on the play button or you will be hearing the background music from the blog instead of Doc! anyway, i want to go hear some more...... but, going to work now! bummer.......

and here is a photo too.

Wordless Wednesday- MOON

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:07:00 +0000

Last night's moon..... Julie could have probably helped me a lot with this, but it was incredible anyway!

Feature Tuesday- Made by SwirlyGirl

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:11:00 +0000

This week's feature is Made by SwirlyGirl. Laurie uses photo art to make beautiful cards. She must be as crazy for color as I am. I find myself looking forward to seeing her newest one pop up on facebook. She has also been very helpful over the past month or two while I have been learning to blog and begin to have a facebook fan page. Laurie has been a loyal follower and often comments and compliments me on my posts and new items. Thanks Laurie!! Take a look at her Etsy Shop and her blog.

My Weekend- First public appearance!

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:06:00 +0000

Happy Monday! Well, I did it.... took some of my creations over to downtown Boone for Art Crawl. We set up in the front of a local restaurant. It was just what I needed. Busy enough for me to get some feedback on my items, yet laid back enough for me to feel comfortable. We took some photos, because as Jeff Martin says, "you only have a first time once". Check out Jeff's paintings there. My husband, Jack is showing them off for him. I am just showing off Jack! That is Jeff there in the floppy straw hat that only he could pull off. He is really an old hat at working a crowd, by the way. Jeff has been appearing around Boone with the Wine To Water organization, and had asked me to be his guest a few weeks ago. Thanks Jeff for the opportunity to get my feet wet! It was great.

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:16:00 +0000

My "Merle".

Our mostly completed deck! yay!!

Feature Tuesday - 3Dots Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:45:00 +0000

I keep telling you all that it is all about the circles. If there is a circle anywhere, I am going to be attracted to it. So, I first saw 3Dots on a blog- not knowing which one is very, very bad, btw! However, I know it was one that I follow!!! I saw the necklace with 3 circles, and squealed when I did. This gem of a jewelry maker is actually a furniture maker during the day and she has transferred her love of wood and geometrics to these beautiful jewelry pieces. 3Dots is definitely going to be on my shopping list from now on. You just have to give her a look- you will be glad you did! Click on any of the photos to be directed to that item in her store or just click on Etsy to go to the main page of her shop.

Happy Monday- exciting week ahead!

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:24:00 +0000

Good Morning everyone. This is going to be another busy week. Had a great weekend- heard some terrific music out in Valle Crucis friday night, got a little walking in and a little R &R too. I have been working off an on all weekend on some new items for our local Art Crawl next Friday night. Jeff Martin has asked me to be his guest at this event. We will be in downtown Boone at Our Daily Bread starting at 6 pm on Friday, July 3. I have never done anything like this before, so it is exciting and scary at the same time! Really have no idea what to expect, and I am a stickler for wanting to be prepared. How will I set it up? Do I have enough items? The right items? How will people like my stuff? Am I going to know what to say? to do? Oh boyyyyyyyyyyyy....... Ok, enough of that- you get the picture, right? So, I am off to start some new things and finish up some others. I have another great artist to feature for tomorrow, so be sure and check back in. Have a great day.

Milleflore Rug Finally Complete!

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:16:00 +0000

Well, here it is in all it's glory!!! I made it and then took it apart and made it again! Thank goodness I only had to felt the wool and do the cutting once, but the rest has been done twice.... I did not like my choice of thread color the first time, and although it is not seen, it just would not do! People often get a good laugh about these things with me. It is not unusual for me to make something more than once before it is "good enough"

Anyway, I have now listed it on Etsy. Here is the info! Enjoy.....

This is a beautiful, high quality wool Milleflore rug. This rug was made using a traditional rug making technique that was popular in the United States between 1870 and 1880. It is a type of standing wool rug called a "beaded rug", and it is the pattern that is named "milleflore" after the beads by this name. It consists of a series of different patterned circles, surrounded by 2 rows of gray border. When sewn together, these circles take on somewhat of hexagon shape.

This is a very sturdy rug. It is made from recycled, felted wool. The peacock color has 15% mohair in it, and the other colors are 100% wool. It is stitched together using a high quality, mercerized heavy cotton thread. The process of making this rug is time consuming, from the felting of the wool, to the cutting and rolling, and then stitching the circles together. The final step was stitching the border "beads" together one by one.

The size is 21 inches (53 cm) from point to point and about 19 inches (48 cm) from side to side. The rug is a little more than 3/4 inch (2 cm) thick. It is firm and dense.

The colors in the rug are charcoal gray, peacock (teal), and a striped wool that has a mixture of a purpleish fuchsia, dark green, peacock and light gray.

Feature Tuesday - Waterrose Handcrafted Obsessions

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:57:00 +0000

Today's feature is Waterrose Handcrafted Obsessions. In the past couple of weeks, I have been experimenting with adding fabric as a jewelry component. Then, a few days ago I was browsing around on etsy looking for a feature, and up popped Waterrose! I was attracted to Rose's creations immediately. Our items are totally different, but I really love what she is doing. In fact, her cuffs are featured in the "Gift" Issue of Quilting Arts magazine. Go Rose! Hope you enjoy them as well. Check out her ETSY and her BLOG.

Kreativ Blogger Award

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Wow- all of this attention is really starting to get my attention! Theresa of Studio 618 has honored me with the Kreativ Blogger Award. I have never met Theresa in person, but have been getting to know her online- I just have a feeling we would connect really well. I have noticed her comments on facebook and on other artists' blogs, and just by looking at her beautiful jewelry in her Etsy Shop, I have the feeling that she is a gentle and peaceful kind of person! And, of course, her talent for jewelry making is clear. Please be sure to check out her blog as well! Thanks Theresa!

Here are the how-to's on passing this award along:

1. The winner may put the logo on her blog.
2. Put a link to the person you got the award from.
3. List seven things you love.
4. List seven blogs you love.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

Seven things I love:

my husband's laugh
my dog's enthusiasm for life
hiking
water
my life
color
creating

Seven blogs I love- please visit and say hi!

Watercolors by Laura Trevey
T and Little S Designs
A Bead A Day
She's Batty Designs
Realisation Creations
A Life Filled With Color
Allez Vous Photography

WOW! One Lovely Blog Award 3rd time in a week!!

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:23:00 +0000

WOW! This is amazing. Lori of DeanDymentStudios has awarded me the One Lovely Blog Award. This is the 3rd time this week that I have received this award. Not sure I deserve all this attention. Lori is an artist/printmaker living in Richmond, British Columbia. Hop on over to Lori's Etsy site and check out her wonderful artwork. She offers original monotypes (singular prints), small editioned collographs, linocuts, drypoints and oil paintings. There are also some beautiful glass jewelry pendants on her site as well. Lori also has a Blog called so i was thinking.

Potluck Friday - Painting tip

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:42:00 +0000

TGIF everyone! This has been a crazy week for me. Started off a little behind with paperwork and some household projects. Then, started having headaches late Monday - they have been a nuisance and a definite obstacle all week. Some good news- found out I am going to be a guest at a small craft show in just 2 weeks! Whoa- I have never done anything like that before. Then, just yesterday, someone asked me if I wanted to participate in a booth with them at a local music festival. So, wow I have a lot to do! Have to get a little more inventory going and get myself all psyched up to overcome some of those people-fears! Looking forward to all of it. Meanwhile, I have not had much time to come up with a post for today. But, since it is Potluck Friday here in my blog-world, I remembered a tip that I was given a long time ago. Maybe one of you is doing this right now and it will help you out----

Ever tried to paint a room with any shade of red paint? Have a hard time getting it to look solid even after 3, 4 or even 5 coats of paint? Well, as a faux finisher, I have painted and glazed a lot of reddish colored dining rooms. So, here is a great solution- forget any kind of primer. Just get you a gallon of flat grey interior paint and paint it with that first. It needs to be a medium tone- not too light and not terribly dark. Ben Moore has a color called "Sweatshirt Grey" that we have used many times for this. It is perfect. Once you do this, you can go ahead with your Red color in any sheen you like. Most of the time, it will only take 2 coats of the red over the grey, and it will be a much richer and solid color than if it were painted over white.

Good luck. And have a great weekend!

New Listing- Snowflake Bag

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:26:00 +0000

This fun bag is made from recycled/upcycled materials. The exterior is made of wool and is a recycled felted sweater. The strap is made from a recycled genuine leather belt. The interior lining is made from newly purchased poly satin.

Before felting, the pattern showed distinct pale blue snowflakes. They are still visible, but much less defined. The felt is a taupe/grey with accent colors of pale blue, cream, and charcoal grey. The strap is black leather. The lining is a shimmery charcoal grey. Button accent is grey.

Features 2 interior pockets and a magnetic snap closure.

The bag is 9 inches - 23 cm wide at the top, 10 inches- 25 cm wide at the bottom, almost 10 inches - 25 cm tall, it hangs 19 inches (48 cm) from the top of strap.

One Lovely Blog Award #2

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:16:00 +0000

This is so great. I have been awarded the one lovely blog award for the second time this week! Sharon of Shazzabeth Creations has honored me this time! She makes beautiful wirework, chainmaille, and beaded jewelry. Check out her Etsy Site and her Blog. The variety of items in her shop are amazing. I love that many of the pieces are intricate and delicate, and others are more bold and simple. Click on any of the photos for more information.

Adding New Bags To Etsy This Week

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:30:00 +0000

It has been raining way too much to go out and take Wordless Wednesday photos, so I am going to post some bags that I have been adding to Etsy this week. There will be a few more added as the week goes on. Just click on the photos and you will go straight to more photos and descriptions.......

Feature Tuesday - Zoe Nelson Artwear

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:14:00 +0000

Zoe Nelson Artwear - Zoe is a jewelry artist living here in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. She is another of the talented local artist who happens to also be a fellow Etsian. I met Zoe a few months ago while taking a jewelry class at our local university. She works mostly in metal clay which is fine silver. She often includes other materials such as stones and glass in her beautiful works of art. The many possibilites of this medium are clear when viewing Zoe's work. Click on any of the photos to view more of her work located in her Etsy Shop and her Blog.

One Lovely Blog Award

noreply@blogger.com (kelleylivingstondesigns) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:15:00 +0000

Julie of Julie Magers Soulen Photography has given me the one lovely blog award. Wow-thanks so much Julie! Julie's photography is beautiful. She has such a unique perspective of nature. Always eye-catching and thought provoking. I really cannot decide whether my favorite photo is Winter Flowers or Tranquility, but then again Zion Light is also pretty special!

Here's how to pass this award along:

Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Below are the 15 blogs that received the award from me. All are great sites and talented artists.

In My Spare Time
Beholden to Nature
Bright, Bold and Beautiful
Hat Diva
Purified Art
Hippy Chick
Jeff Martin Ceramics
Kaedan Krafts
Katharine A. Cartwright
Made By SwirlyGirl
Zoe Nelson Artwear
Emily Murphy
One Black Bird
Project Eight
Recreational Art