Calendar Giveaway - 2015 A Year in Flowers

It's Time for a Calendar Giveaway!

With special thanks to everyone who has supported me this last year, I offer a chance to win

 2015 A Year in Flowers.

It's Easy to Enter!

Just comment on this blog post, 

Like my Facebook Fan Page; https://www.facebook.com/JillRaeFinallyArt?ref=hl

 Comment on my Calendar Giveaway post on my Facebook page or 

Comment on my Webpage; http://jillraefinallyart.com/

Do All Four to Enter Four Times!

The Wall Calendar is 11" x 17" and is valued at $16.95

for more information about this or the desk calendar please see my web page at 

http://www.jillraefinallyart.com/buy-calendars.php

(The link to my Webpage is on the right of this blog)

The Contest will End at 8AM on November 25th.

Terms and Conditions for Jill Rae Finally Art "Giveaway"
Your participation in JR Finally Art Giveaway (“The Giveaway ” or “Promotion”) shall be deemed to be your complete acceptance of the Terms and Conditions herein.

The following are the Terms and Conditions of The Giveaway, which is sponsored by the operator of the Internet site www.JillRaeFinallyArt.com   (“JR Finally Art" ).

1. Only persons over the age of 18 are eligible for entry to The Giveaway. You may be asked, at any stage, to provide Jill Rae or a third party with proof of age and /or identity.
2. The Giveaway shall take place on the date specified on the Giveaway page on www.JillRaeFinallyArt.com
3. The Promotional Prize will be mailed out to The Giveaway winner after the winner has provided Jill Rae with a valid mailing address and proof of identity .
4. In the event that, for any reason whatsoever, the Promotional Prize winner fails to contact Jill Rae within Fifteen (15) days after being announced the winner on the www.JillRaeFinallyArt.com website, such winning entrant shall be deemed to have forfeited his / her claim to the prize and  Jill Rae shall not have any obligation whatsoever to compensate the winning entrant in any way.
5. Jill Rae's decision is final with respect to all matters relating to awarding of the Promotional Prize and shall not be subject to review or appeal by any entrant or by any third party.
6. Your participation in The Giveaway is considered your agreement that Jill Rae may contact you to let you know of your winning and to announce you as the winner on www.JillRaeFinallyArt.com, JillRaeFinallyArt.blogspot.com and Facebook.
7. The Prize is neither transferable nor exchangeable and cannot be exchanged for money or money's worth.
8. By entering the Giveaway each entrant unreservedly agrees to these terms and conditions which govern the Giveaway and the awarding of the Prize.
9. By entering the Giveaway each entrant agrees to release, discharge and hold harmless Jill Rae Finally Art,  its legal representatives, affiliates, subsidiaries, agencies and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents from any damages whatsoever suffered or sustained in connection The Giveaway or the acceptance of the Prize.
10. The winning entrant shall be solely responsible for any taxes levied in relation to the delivery or receipt of the Promotional Prize.
11.  Jill Rae reserves the right to alter these Terms and Conditions at any time and in its sole discretion.
12.  Jill Rae reserves the right, at any time, to cancel, modify or suspend The Giveaway if, in its sole judgment, The Giveaway is not capable of being conducted as specified.
13.  Jill Rae reserves the right to disclose winner’s name and identity.
14. These terms and conditions and any matters relating hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of the State of Illinois, USA and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Commonwealth of the State of Illinois, USA.

2015 A Year in Flowers Calendar

The Art of Jill Martin-Golden

Earth laughs in flowers 

                       - Ralph Waldo Emerson

 2015 Calendars

 Wall Calenders, sized 11 x 17 (8.5x 11 closed) 
                             are available for $16.95 plus $4.50 S/H 

 Desk Calendars, sized 8.25 x 3.75 for $9.95 
                             are available for $9.95plus $3.00 S/H 

Order soon, quantities are limited.

To order go to:
http://www.jillraefinallyart.com/buy-calendars.php

Or hit the Web Page button on the right of this blog. Go to "Buy Art" on the menu in the drop down and you will see "Calendar". Hit it and you're there!

I Am Carried Away

In the hallows of my mind you exist. A precious flower I ponder your loveliness.
A breath of fresh air. softly touching my lips
Blowing over me cooling
A lovely blossom full of promises
Whispering sweet words until I melt into you.
Finding solace in your presence
I am carried away.

                                                                                     Heather Burns                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 The Wall Calendar                        

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                   
                                                                                           

 

 

The Desk Calendar

Pumpkin-Raisin Muffins

 Okay I admit, I'm a painter not a baker but who doesn't find themselves doing some baking during the holidays? It's for this reason that I have added a recipe section to my blog and web page, just for the holidays.

I was in charge of the treats this month 

for the Art guild. 

I thought these Pumpkin-Raisin Muffins would do nicely. I made them mini-sized for the eating light crowd.  (Usually I make them as regular sized muffins.) They're a bit bumpy looking in that they pretty much retain the same shape as you scoop them into the pan after cooking. I love to make a ton of these, then freeze them. One minute in the microwave and they're butter melting, mouth watering good.

PUMPKIN-RAISIN MUFFINS

1 1/2 cups all-purposed flour
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baked powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/3 cup raisins
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon stick margarine, melted
Cooking spray



1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2.Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl; stir in raisins. Make a well in center of mixture. Combine egg and next 3 ingredients in a small bowl. Add to dry ingredients, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. (Batter will be very thick.)

3. Spoon batter into muffin pans coated with cooking spray, filling two-thirds full. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes. Yield: 12 muffins (1 muffin per serving) 116 calories each

Terri's Stunning, Vintage Bulb Centerpiece Tree

 

My sister Terri has made such a striking holiday centerpiece  that I had to feature it as the first craft of the season.

    She stared with collecting as many vintage bulbs as she could, finding them on Ebay, garage sales and resale shops. You will notice at the back of the photo there are a few small silver tinted bulbs that she bought from the store to fill in between the vintage bulbs. You will find that this is not a cheap project. The cost of the vintage bulbs can add up. If cost is an issue, try this will modern bulbs in sizes and colors which please you.

  


 

      Terri found her tree form at Michael's. This one is a wire form with a paper cone over it which stands alone. It's about $10 from Ashland Home Decoration. I couldn't find this at my Michael's store so I plan on using a styrofoam cone. Using her gluegun, Terri first covered the form with sliver garland so you can't see the paper. Then, she simply glued the bulbs on.

                                           

        She bought a silver topper which she chose not to glue on for storage purposes. In the picture to the right, the tree is almost done. She finished it off with a few more bulbs around the top. It's truly a beautiful piece.  I think this would be wonderful in a wreath shape too. 

    

  A few years ago I was lucky enough to be the recipient of a wreath that Terri made using bulbs from Target. I love it!  It's one of my favorite Christmas decorations.

Thanks Terri for sharing, you are very talented.

Love You!

                                  

Katie's Cup and My New Home Page.

If it's the first Wednesday of the month, it must be Katie's cup!  

I had a wonderful time today with Prisma Colors and Ink as I drew these three birds, a winter scene with very little color. I'm thinking it will make a good banner for my new Web Holiday Home Page.

Yes you read that correctly.

 I'm making a new Holiday Home Page on my web packed with many of the things I love about the this time of year!

 It will highlight some terrific crafts along with some great family recipes. In the spirit of finding that perfect gift, I'll post some links to my favorite Etsy shops for unique gifts that are sure to thrill along with some suggestions from my own page. And of course, there will be special deals and coupons. Along with all of that I'll keep you posted to what I'm up to along with sharing some of our family traditions which make this season so memorable to us. So bring the holidays on... I'm not afraid! Although I will admit to quickly turning the radio station after hearing a few Christmas songs. Some things are just too early for the first week on November. I'll keep you posted as to when it's done.

Win A set of My Cards.

It's Time for the Fall Card Giveaway!

Enter to win a set of four Safari Series Cards.

Enjoy a set of four 5" x7" blank cards, Giclée reproductions of my pastel prints.  Each set includes envelops.  Great for gift-giving or framing!

 

 Safari Series Set includes one card each of the following pastel drawings;  Unexpected Danger, An Early Lunch,Who's Watching Who? and Kruger Park Zebra.

 To enter simply comment on this blog post and/or my Facebook page. Liking my Facebook  PAGE will also enter you in the drawing.

You may enter up to three times  by doing all three of the above. Find a link to my Facebook page on the right side of this post. Remember to LIKE the page.

 Next Tuesday, November 11th I will write down each entry on a piece of paper and have my wonderful daughter, Samantha blindly choose a name. I will announce the winner the morning of the 11th on Facebook and my blog. After receiving the winner's address, I will mail a card set to them. 

Good Luck!
 

The Top Ten Podcasts for Online (and off) Art Business

 
I was always interested in art, psychology, science... never marketing, computer programing and bookkeeping (although I did have a career in a bank for awhile.) So when I decided to leave my day job of sixteen years I never really understood what I would need to turn my love of painting into a full time business. It was about that time that Mark, my husband approached me with an article he had just read. "Hey hon", he said, "Did you know that being an artist is listed as the worst profession anyone could have?" Great! I was screwed! But after examining the article closer it became apparent what the message was. 

Being an artist often isn't profitable because artists are notoriously bad at marketing themselves. Okay point taken. It's hard for an artist to praise their own work and convince others to to invest in it. To be totally honest, I had a web page and an Etsy store along with a blog that I occasionally wrote in, that was good enough right? I actually thought the internet is a big place - those who are interested in my work will seek me out and I will be selling enough to help with my family expenses in no time. "Build it and they will come."  Ha!  After a year and a half I can talk with experience when I say, it takes quite a bit more than that.

I didn't realize that by choosing to produce and sell my art full time I was about to enter an exciting and  challenging chapter of my life. The internet is full of thousands of talented artists trying to make a living. It's fair to note, that for art collectors, this is an incredible time to get really good art at low prices. But for us artists, we need a crash course in marketing, social media, computer programing and bookkeeping. These certainly aren't classes that went along with any art curriculum we received in college, although it should.

I turned to Pod Casts to fill in the huge gaps in my knowledge needed to survive as an artist. So here is a list of some of my favorite podcasts that have slowly taught me what to do. Many times I listen to them while I'm painting, occasionally stopping to take notes.







My favorite Pod casts are; in no particular order

Artist Helping Artists: Selling Your Art On-Line with Leslie Saeta. Every Thursday morning Leslie and her monthly co-host discuss a specific topic that addresses how to sell more art on-line, along with guest artists, gallerists, and others sharing their knowledge of the business side of art. Twice a year Leslie hosts a challenge to artists to paint 30 paintings in 30 days which is well attended. 

Art Fair Artists Success Show: This podcast is less frequent, recording once a month. Connie Mettler shares news and insider tips about the nation's top juried art fairs and craft shows. 
 
Blogging Betties Podcast: Bloger Tips - Social Media Tricks - Blogging Tools. Veteran bloggers Poppy Marler, Tammy Soong and Vanita Cyril discuss tips, tricks and tools for women entrepreneurs and bloggers. Each week they interview bloggers who tell their stories.

Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield: "Facebook Marketing All in One for Dummies" co-author and online entrepreneur Amy Porterfield shows you exactly how to monetize your online marketing and blogging efforts using her own tested, Actionable lead generation strategies.

Denise Wakeman, Adventures in Visibility: A twice monthly live video show originally aired as a Hangout on Google +. Designed for online entrepreneurs who want to build a bigger online presence by increasing the visibility of their business across the web.

Oh So Pinteresting Podcast with Cynthia Sanchez: Get the latest pinterest news and tips to use in your social media marketing plan for your business. Cynthia Sanchez interviews social media experts, marketers and business owners to bring you the top actionable tips for success for using Pinterest for business.

Beyond Your Blog with Susan Maccarelli: For those who have dipped their toes in the submitting water and want more, as well as those who are new to submitting their writing to other sites. Beyond Your Blog presents submission opportunities, provides tips and tricks to help your get your writing accepted, and interviews bloggers and editors.

Etsy Conversations podcast- Arts and Crafts -DIY- Online Business- Ecommerce with Ljeoma Eleazu: Get to hear the personal Etsy stories behind your favorite Etsy shops. Get tips, techniques, and tools to make you a better more successful Etsy seller.

 Savvy painter Podcast with Antrese Wood: For fine artists who mean business. Learn how leaders in plein air and landscaping painting got their start along with habits of top artists.  Includes interview with experts in the field about business of art and how it gets created.

Build Your Tribe hosted by Charlene Johnson: Build your tribe- Creating Community - Email List Building - Internet Marketing Social Media. How to create influence that matters and content that creates conversation. Interviews and practical strategies from top internet influencers.

What are your favorite podcasts? Which ones did I miss?  
Let me know in the comments.