Fixered...

I fixed up my blog and Etsy shop a little.  I would like to make it completely personalized at some point, but I think it's looking a bit better now.  I liked my old banners, but some people brought to my attention that it kind of looked like it said "HELL Honey Honey" and that was not the intention at all.  At first I though only certain nitpickers would think that, but then a few others told me the same thing.  Change never hurts, in my opion.  Hope everyone now approves and clearly reads "Hello Honey Honey". 

Dear Santa...

I would like a new CD player for my car.  I'm so sick of the Buddy Guy CD that's been jammed in there for months now.  My fragile nerves can only take so much!


Laura


PS-  More money is always appreciated as well.

Sneaky!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Okay, so I'm a little late on posting my "sneaky" theme for Illustration Friday, but I got it done.  And I'm quite happy with it.  When I sat down and finished the whole thing, it really only took me a day.  I just couldn't get motivated earlier in the week.  It's a pencil sketch and then digitally colored.  Any feedback is welcome!

Yay!

I love getting Etsy sales.  I just had one of my makeup cases sell!  Makes my day.  Keep the sales coming.

Spooky

Here's another image for Illustration Friday.  This weeks theme is Spooky! I don't think I'm going to bother explaining it this time and see if people can tell what is going on here.   Hope you enjoy it!

Boo!

I'm so excited that Halloween is almost here.  My daughter got her costume a couple of weeks ago and she looks so cute in it.  It's a little witch costume.  She's going to have a Halloween birthday since her actual birthday is so close to the holiday.  Here's the invitation that I made for it:

My birthday is coming up on Friday.  I'm planning on spending it in Philly with my friend Lara and my boyfriend.  I'm definitely looking forward to having a good time.  I didn't have time to participate in Illustration Friday this week.  Oh well.  Maybe next week. 

Beneath

I loved participating in Illustration Friday last week so much, so I worked my butt off to do another one for this week's theme, "Beneath".  The image that I thought of was a little girl being scared of a noise she hears under her bed.  She's wondering if it's possibly a monster.  But unbeknownst to her, it is her brother playing a trick on her with a maraca.
I like the way this one came out, but not 100% satisfied with the boys face.  Oh well. 

Hope everyone likes it!

Old Fashioned

This is my Illustration Friday piece for this week.  The topic is "Old Fashioned" and I thought of a grandfather and his granddaughter, representing the modern and the older generations. 

I'm really happy with the way this one came out.  I may stick to this style for a while, I'm thinking.  It has something that is lacking in my watercolors (perhaps the contrast ). And it allows me to show my drawing, which I really like.

Sketchy

I really like the way this sketch came out.  I made this the other night, just out of wanting to draw.  Maybe it'll start a new direction, but not really.  I think it can be incorporated in what I'm doing.  Obviously I'm still growing as an artist and I'm not 100% sure of how I want my art to look.  I just hope to really find it one day.  I'm just going to keep on experimenting until I find it.

So it's just an illustration of a family dog.  The girl was just colored in a little with my daughters crayons that were laying around. 

Tear It Apart.

I'm thinking of separating my "shop".  Maybe I will leave Hello Honey Honey for my kids stuff, illustrations, dolls, Etc.  Kid related items.  And then maybe I will make a whole new shop for more adult customers and sell clothing, bags, sewn items, that sort of thing. Maybe some more adult paintings and such as well. I'm not sure.  Maybe the new shop needs to be for the illustrations and the rest can be left at Hello, Honey Honey.  Or maybe it doesn't need to be separate at all.  Or maybe I need to just focus on one thing and stop having ADD/multiple personality disorder!  Any thoughts?

Free... for Halloween.

I'm giving this coloring page away for free for a promotional flyer at the upcoming craft fair this Sunday, so I thought I would post it on my blog as well.  Just click it and print it out.  Givie it to you kids to figure it out and then color it in.  I wanted to make 2 different kinds, one of the witch, the other a frankenstein, but I don't think I'm going to get around to the other one. So here you go.  FOR FREEEEEE!!!  :o)

Okay... Time for a Breakdown.

Alright, I've been trying to get as much work done as possible these past few days, weeks, however long it has been.  I'm still on an inspired streak and I want to get as much done as humanly possible, but unfortunately for me, my daughter has other plans.  And she is essentially my boss.  It isn't really her fault of course, but she is partially responsible for my lack of work.  I'm to blame for the rest, due to procrastination, lack of discipline, and time management issues. 

I've gotten two sales on Etsy!  Yay, well, that is the good news.  

I also have a lot going on lately.  My baby girl is turning 3 in November, so there's the party planning for that.  And Halloween is coming of course.  And then the impending doom that is Christmas, but I can't even begin thinking about that yet.  This upcoming weekend I am doing a bake sale for the Ocean County Animal Shelter on Saturday. I think i will make some cookies.  Or apple cobbler.  Not sure yet.  And on Sunday I am doing my first ever craft fair at KC's Creations in West Creek, NJ.  Should be a fun filled, and stressful weekend.

Circus Folk

A few weeks ago we took my daughter to a small circus.  It was her first ever.  She had so much fun and it reminded me how much I loved the circus as a child.  Here's a few pictures from that...

So this is Izzy at the circus painted as a doggie.  It was also the first time she ever had her face painted and she loved it!  In fact she was not talking for the rest of the time, only barking.  So cute. 

Anyway, I have been wanting to make an illustration for Illustration Friday for a while now, and when they posted the next theme which was "Immovable", I thought of a circus scene.  I first made a watercolor painting here:

I was not happy with the way it was coming along, so I decided to digitize it using my patented Lauralyzation method, and now I am happier...

So there it is in the beginning, middle, and finished stages.  Also, obviously, I didn't make it in time to post it on Illustration Friday.  So my dreams continue.  One day I WILL!  Hope you like it!

Fall is Coming!

    I can't believe the summer is almost over already!  I'm getting so happy about fall being on the way and I've been working on a lot of fall and Halloween related art and such.  I posted a couple more of my dolls and some things for halloween.  I have more on the way including a Dia De Los Muertos tote that came out really cool.  I would probably keep it, but I need money so off it goes. 
    I think I'm going to do a bake sale and a handmade fair all in the same weekend.  That should be a fun weekend.  The bake sale is a fundraiser for the ocean county animal shelter.  The craft show is KC Creations fall fest in West Creek, NJ.  It will be the weekend of September 25th and 26th.  Should be a good time and I hope whoever reads this (if anyone actually does) will come out or participate in both events. 
    In my anticipation for the fall, I made a treasury of other peoples wares on Etsy.  I really like the way it came out.  It's not necessarily what you might expect for a fall theme, but I think it's really nice.  Here it is:


A Fall Romance

RESERVED LISTING ELENA
Lirola$138.00 USD

Rustic Birch Blocks - Set
CrowBiz$15.00 USD

The Deep Forest- Ruffle W
murwati$35.00 USD

Antiqued Brass Chain Art
thecreativeseed$2.87 USD

Silverplate Wire Basket
anythinggoeshere$12.00 USD

Pumpkin Cheesecake Oval L
longwinterfarm$3.00 USD

leafy copper and brass wi
hotwatervintage$12.00 USD

Thistles at Dusk- 8x8 Fin
missquitecontrar$25.00 USD

handkerchief linen soft b
sandmaidensleepw$44.00 USD

Vintage Framed Hummingbir
JoieDeCleve$24.00 USD

Blackberry Jam - Fresh Bl
valleykatdesigns$10.00 USD

Mustard and Cranberry Flo
YellowBugBoutiqu$35.00 USD

1940's Vintage Purple
vintagewise$78.00 USD

Pair of Brass Color Drawe
ManateeDreamsInc$5.24 USD

Golden Leaves Cream Fresh
shinyfantasy$15.00 USD

Ceramic Owl Lantern Vinta
fruitflypie$39.99 USD

Generated using Treasure Trove by packagery.com

I will have pictures coming soon.

Etsy Frustration

I realize that I haven't been on Etsy very long (okay like a week) and I know it's going to take a while to get my business rolling.  It's just very frustrating learning the ins and outs and trying to figure out how to get my stuff out into the world so people see it.  It seems that people who stumble upon my stuff think its pretty good, but still no one is buying.  I don't think all that many have checked it out yet, either.  I also realize my stuff is pretty specific and will only appeal to certain people, and mainly to children who are not wandering around shopping on Etsy.  I just want to sell SOMETHING.  I just want people to like it enough to buy something.  For my own ego I guess. Haha.  I'm trying real hard to get some more stuff together to put up and maybe some more stuff that will appeal universally.

Anyway, I completed some more Halloween stuff and I'm working on a fall painting that looks really nice so far.  I made my paper dolls more of a playset.  And added a doll and a couple bags.  I thought these things would get more hearts than my illustrations because they are more substantial.  But, nothing so far.  Not even 1 heart. 

I gotta figure out how to get more exposure.  I think that is the key.  Anyway if anyone stumbles upon this site, Check out my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/hellohoneyhoney.

Unproductive...

Yea, I didn't get too much accomplished this week.  It's hard for me to create when I'm upset about something.  Anyway there is a couple things for me (and maybe you too) to be excited about.

1.  I'm going to Philly today to hang out with my best friend, Lara.  I'm super excited as it's been quite a while since I've been in Philly and quite a while since I've hung out with my friend without my child.  An adult day!

2.  MY ETSY SHOP IS OFFICIALLY OPEN!  I don't have a whole lot on there yet, and none of my sewn items or dolls are up yet, but at least I put some of my artwork up.  I accomplised something and I think my shop looks really good, even if I haven't sold anything yet.  I'm looking forward to the day someone buys something.  I think I will just be over the moon about it!

Here's some fun pictures:

This is Izzy after she found a Sharpie marker in my bag on the car ride to my mom's.  She's an artist, what can I say.  Haha.

Halloween 2010!

Halloween is my favorite holiday in the middle of my favorite season.  I love the fall and I'm so excited that it's getting closer.  My birthday is in October and my daughter's is right after Halloween in November.  To get an early start on celebrating, I made a Halloween Paperdoll that I'm going to sell or give as a freebie around Halloween on Etsy, along with a few other festive things that I have yet to create.  But they are in my mind.

I'm really happy with this paperdoll.  I cut everything apart and made sure it all works (and it does... whew!).

There it is, and more to come soon!  Now off to enjoy some more summer outdoors, if the weather holds out!

That's mah Doggie.

  When you're child is a terrible eater, is it wrong to trick her into eating veggies by letting her sit on the floor and beg for food like a doggie?  I think not.  It works pretty great. I would recommend trying it to any parent with a picky eater, who loves animals. 

Despicable Me!

     We took my daughter to her first movie in the movie theater and saw Despicable Me!  The movie was really good.  Cute story and the animation was impecable.  Very entertaining, and my 2 1/2 year old loved it.  It managed to hold her attention the whole time, which was the thing I was most concerned about.   It wasn't the most original movie ever, but it was very entertaining.

     As, for my own art, I managed to finish a watercolor and ink painting.  It's little red riding hood.  I have too many loose ends still to try to open my Etsy shop, but I will soon.  PROMISE! 

     I'm going to make some paper goodies and extras for when I start to sell my items, so that will be the next project. That's all I have for now I think. 

Hmmm, I don't think so.

    So my Etsy goal is just not going to happen today.  I did get some photos of a few things together, but I need to tie up some loose ends with everything before I actually sell them.  I have to buy printer ink.  I have a few things I need to design.  I could add to this list forever, however I am getting closer.  New goal- next Tuesday!  Please. Oh please. 

    Here is the pictures of a few of my crafty things.  A makeup case and two dolls with removable clothing.  I have more coming, but I want to see how these things sell first.

   I made everything by hand and there are some imperfections of course, but I like to think that it adds to the charm of the items.  I have a few more dolls at home and a bunny that I'm working on, as well as other started and not yet finished creations. 

   Of course, no weekend of mine (lately) is complete without a visit to the beach.  This time we went on the bay side.  Once again it was just me and my girl, but I like it that way. 

Busy, Busy Bee

     I haven't been near a computer for more than 10 minutes for over a week now.  I finally have a moment to sit down.  This past weekend was my boyfriends birthday, so we celebrated a bit and went out that night to an amusement park on the island near where I live.  It was a good time, although maybe not his first choice in things to do for his birthday. 
     The next day we went to Batsto Villiage, an old iron working town from the 1800's in the middle of a large protected forest.  It's crazy how certain areas of NJ can be so remote, yet still so close to major cities.  It's really beautiful and woodsy there.  I'd like to live somewhere like that someday, but maybe in a more mountainous area.  Anyway, the historic town shows you somewhat how people used to live and work.  The town was anchored around this gorgeous mansion built by the very wealthy family that owned the property.  It really reminded me of how people used to live and the struggles that they had to endure, and even though I'm fully aware that our lives are much easier, I still think that most of the old ways of doing things were much better for the people, the environment, and the animals.  I know I couldn't and wouldn't want to live without refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning however.  I could probably give up most of the rest of it.

This is the card I made for my boyfriends birthday.

Here's some pictures of Isobel being a crazy nut at 11:00 pm last night (past her bedtime, I know). 

This is my Izzy Butterfly Princess Fairy!






























She was spinning in circles and dancing around, and being cute in general.  I wish you could hear the music from a small keyboard that she put on herself.  It was so perfect for the dancing. 












And she danced and spun until she fell down.  Too cute!  I just couldn't stop her from dancing although it was past her bedtime.  I just cherish moments like this with her and I know she won't be this age forever.

These two pictures are from another day.  I just tacked them on here.  Me and Izzy hanging out.

     I also recently found this website that is so awesome for prints and small original art.  Also the design is so spectacular.  There's something new done to the title of the website everytime you click on a link.  It's really great.

     I also wanted to say that I'm still working on getting my things together for my Etsy shop.  It's a process for me to figure everything out.  I want it to work so badly that I am researching everything and trying to get everything right before I start trying to sell.  I think that I may be overthinking it.  Anyway, it should be up by next week.  Definitely won't be this week.  Tuesday the 20th is the goal!