by Joy Maloney of JoyfulHandKnits

Introduction:

I am a pastor's wife, mom, and a grandmother. I currently live in Florida, but am a Kentucky native. I specialize in pastel chalk/colored pencil portraits and graphite/pencil sketches of people.


I also do pen & ink drawings/illustrations of houses, churches and historic buildings. In the past, I have been commissioned to do portraits, landscapes, still life paintings, murals (both realistic and pop art) for businesses and homes, advertising design for print ads, children's book illustrations, logo design and pet portraits.





Lately, I have enjoyed painting little dogs on purses and accessories - mostly yorkies, just because I'm more familiar with them and love 'em - but I have painted other breeds as well.








I am also doing some mini paintings and original ACEOs.



Recently, my daughter and I published a children's book together. She wrote the book and I did the illustrations. http://www.kayleagrowsup.com/



How did you get your start on Etsy?

I read about it in the newspaper and thought I would try it.



What does a typical day look like for you?

Right now, I only have the mornings to do my artwork because am taking care of my granddaughter (another budding artist) in the afternoons.



If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where would it be?

Hmmmmm - I am thinking of the Island of Roatan (Honduras) ... its a beautiful place!



What is your favorite Bible verse?

Right now, my favorite would be "La Princesa"




URLs to where else we can find you on the internet (Facebook fan page, Twitter, your own dot.com, your blog, etc):

www.facebook.com/artworksbydebi





Using random.org........The winner of the Angela L. Fischesser Giveaway is (............drum roll please............) : Jennifer Beers of Mulberry Lane Folk Art! Congratulations Jennifer! Please coordinate with Angela to receive your prize. I'll convo you both.

by Joy Maloney of JoyfulHandKnits



Please take a moment to visit Afiya's shop and give her some love! She specializes in New England vintage goodies!


The winner can pick their favorite item from her shop and she'll convo with the code to get it free. To be entered to win:

Visit Afiya's shop. Then come back and COMMENT on this Blog about your favorite item in her shop.




Introduction

Designer and idealist, southern transplant that has made New England my home.


How did you get your start on Etsy?

I started as a buyer. I love old things and etsy was a great way to find old quilts. My husband suggested that I create a page, and I've been loving it ever since.





What does a typical day look like for you?

Reading, listing on etsy, blogging, hulu.



If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where would it be?

Maker Faire in California. I love Make magazine.




What is your favorite Bible verse?

Proverbs 31:10-31. I read it everyday for entrepreneurial juice.

She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

What is your favorite Etsy item listing to feature?

Anything that reminds me of Georgia or my grandparents. I also love vintage New England treasures.



URLs to where else we can find you on the internet (Facebook fan page, Twitter, your own doc.com, your blog, etc)

my blog: www.newenglandvintage.wordpress.com







Using random.org........The winner of the Amy Cornwell Giveaway is (............drum roll please............) : Alesha, who was our Featured Artist on July 14!! Congratulations Alesha! Please coordinate with Amy to receive your prize. I'll convo you both.

By Phyllis Ducey of pftoriginalartworks


I love this verse and it is especially meaningful to me right now as I struggle with some of my personal burdens. Christ is so loving that He gave us word pictures that each generation could comprehend the meaning of what He said. With them we don’t always have to be stressed as to the derivative of each word. But we do need sometimes to take ourselves back into the world where He walked the earth to understand fully.

The reference to the yoke back then was so commonplace everyone understood its meaning. You would harness oxen to a yoke.It was like a curved wooden bar in front of them that they would lean against to pull a cart or plow. Behind the oxen was another wooden piece that was straighter and had wooden prongs poking out - that was the goad. If one ox slowed down, it would be goaded making him uncomfortable and giving the ox incentive to move faster.

Everyone knew the importance of properly pairing up the oxen. They needed to be similar in size and in stride because if they weren’t, one ox may pull forward on the yoke, take all the weight of the load and wear itself out faster while the other would be jerking as it hit the goad. The loads were not meant for one ox to carry the weight and become exhausted. It was meant for the weight to be distributed, making each one’s load lighter.

I find that when I start pulling ahead, taking the full burden on myself I am exhausted… mentally, physically and spiritually. What a stubborn ox I can be! Jesus says to take up His yoke. Imagine it, yoked together with Christ carrying our burdens. It is interesting He does not promise to take them away but does say if we yoke with Him that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. How comforting knowing that if we choose to walk with Him, match His stride for us, we will find rest for our souls!

Rest for our souls… worth repeating, isn’t it? As you know I try to link this blog post with some of our wonderful crafters. I could not find anyone with oxen… not really a surprise .But since it is about our burdens here are some items that can help us carry things.

Handbag tote by kplus

Lil Bean Wrap by LilBeanBaby

Reusable gift bag by OleBagLady

Blues and greens purse tote by MaddieEna

Flower girl basket by MeandMatilda

Organizer clutch by thelaughinghouse

bandaid tins by CardsByEmily

By Phyllis Ducey of pftoriginalartworks