New Ready to Hang Photographic Art Print for Wine Lovers

Earlier this year, I developed a new image for a card that I wanted to give on a special occasion. I liked my altered image so much, I decided to offer the cards as a new addition to my blank note cards after removing the special text. I also planned to later size the image to be able to offer it as one of my matted photographic art images.

I titled the image “Dressed for Drinks”. I have just made a special sized, 6”x8”, double matted and framed, ready to hang in your home print of this image. It is currently on display at Gypsy Riddles Boutique and Gallery in Downtown Arlington along with four other photographic art pieces of my work. This print would look great in a wine cellar, on the wall near a wine rack or in a kitchen. If you have wine lovers on your holiday shopping list, stop in to see this framed piece in person along with other goodies for wine lovers that Gypsy Riddles carries. Cheers!

Update 12/20/12: Unfortunately Gypsy Riddles is in the process of closing, however you can still find "Dressed for Drinks" in Downtown Arlington. It has moved to Potager's Other Stuff.

Mother’s Day 2012

Here is wishing all of the Moms out there an early happy Mother’s Day. I am also sending a reminder to all of you out there with mothers to not let the day creep up on you. It is May 13, less than 3 weeks away. If you haven’t yet figured out what you are doing to let your mom know she is special, you need to hop to it.

Does your mom like to be taken out for a nice meal? If so, consider making your reservations now. Is your mom far away? If so, you can still treat her to a nice meal with a gift certificate to her favorite restaurant. Does your mom like to receive flowers?Whether she is near or far, you can arrange for a nice fresh floral arrangement or potted plant to brighten her day. You might also want to consider the gift of an everlasting floral gift such as my Mother’s Day Rose Matted Print. If your mom has a favorite flower, I may have a photographic art print of her favorite available such as this sunflower instead. Many more, but not all of my other photographic art images can be seen in my photo album on my business facebook page.

Whatever your mom’s style and likes, I hope that she appreciates that thoughts that you send her way on Mother’s Day.

A Bright Idea for Father’s Day

Is your guy the “light of your life” or the “guiding light” for your family? If so, let him know it with the symbolism found in a gift that provides a point of light for special occasions or in power outages.

While there are many items out there that could provide this symbolism, I’d like to suggest a recent addition to my EDCCollective shop. This item would be a great access piece for a desk or lend a bit of rustic charm to other areas of your home. This wooden mini oil lamp holder was made from a section of elm branch and includes a mini funnel for you to be able to fill the glass oil lamp reservoir with your own high grade lamp oil. More information about this eco-friendly gift suggestion can be found in the item description in my shop.

EDCCollective begins collaboration with RhymesAndReason

Sometimes two very different things can be combined for a more pleasing whole than either of the parts could be on their own. Some examples that come to mind are bread and butter, suit and tie, Simon and Garfunkel. The combination that is the basis of EDC’s new collaboration is poetry and illustrations. Now don’t get me wrong, EDCCollective’s photographic art is great as home décor and on note cards and bookmarks, while RhymesAndReason’s poems capture thoughts and feelings that you might find difficulty finding the words for. However, the combination of a poem with a complementary illustration provides more interest and impact than either on its own.

How does this work? The poet sends me a poem, I brainstorm images that I think enhance the poem and work from my stock photos or take some new shots to work with to come up with the final illustrations. I then artistically arrange the poem on the illustration and send the finished file to the poet.

You can find the products of this collaboration in RhymesAndReason’s Etsy Shop. Most of her current listings are geared towards giving as a gift to a special friend or dear family member, many of which can be personalized. Other poems may be something that you wish to purchase for yourself and hang in your home. Also, the current listings are for a pdf of the poem that you can print out as an 8 x 10 on your choice of paper. If you would rather have a printed copy mailed to you, please contact EDCCollective or RhymesAndReason, as we have plans to make that happen as well. I'm sure there will be many more poems to come as time goes on, so please bookmark this neat new Etsy store, RhymesAndReason, for your future illustrated poetry needs.

Design This – First Wedding Anniversary Gift

This project came about as a result of another Etsy alchemy request. The requestor was looking for ideas related to the traditional, paper, or modern, clock, first anniversary gift ideas for her husband. She mentioned in her request that he liked pencil sketches. My bid on the request was for a custom 8 x 10 photographic art print from one of her digital photos, with the aim of making the finished design look like a charcoal or pencil sketch.

After I answered a few questions from the requester, I was awarded the bid. She sent three photos for me to see which one would work best for this treatment. (I have found that there are many variables that may not be noticeable to the naked eye that help determine what outcome you can achieve with any given photo.) I was pleased to inform my customer that the one she most wanted to work, was the best one for turning into a pencil sketch look alike.

I prepared four different starting point files with the look of a charcoal or pencil sketch and two of another style that I found interesting in order to determine my customer’s likes. She picked one of the pencil sketch style images and had a couple of specifics that she wanted adjusted. I took care of those and another that I saw and sent an updated proof. She then noticed a couple of other details that she hoped could be reworked, which I did, along with a bit more clean up. My customer approved the next proof that I sent, so I printed it and mailed it too her. She planned to have it matted and framed to present to her husband for their first anniversary.

If you are looking for a custom photographic art print, please contact me. I also have a few matted images that are currently available in a variety of sizes. Other images that may be available can be seen in my facebook photo album. Another customization that I can do for you is to add text, that you have the copyright privileges for, over an image. And if you are going for the more modern gift idea of a clock for a first anniversary gift, I have recently added some clocks to my EclecticSkeptic shop.

Whimsical Mother’s Day Gifts

Does your mom enjoy a good chuckle? Do you recall hearing the phrase “When pigs fly” in response to any of your requests while you were growing up? If you answered yes to either of these questions, your mom is a good candidate for a whimsical gift for this Mother’s Day from EclecticSkeptic.

EclecticSkeptic carries a variety of flying pig items. You will find earrings, purse charms, necklaces, note cards, bookmarks, keychains and pins. Each item in this shop sports a pig with wings that is sure to garner a giggle.

More traditional Mother’s Day gifts can be found at my other shop, EDCCollective. If you see something there that you think would benefit from the addition of a flying pig charm or image, please contact me about the feasibility of doing just that.

Here’s wishing you a fun filled Mother’s Day.