Merry Christmas!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch of their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.
I bring you good news of great joy that will for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:8-11

Today's feature on Bonanzle: http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/EclecticSpirit/items/Angel_Ornament___Handpainted

Gingerbread

My daughter Jackie and her boyfriend Jay and I made Christmas cookies Sunday, some of which were Gingerbread. With 2 artists & an engineer working on decorating them, we had some interesting designs...not so traditional. This ornament is available on our Bonanzle store - click here for the listing http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/EclecticSpirit/items/Gingerbread_Man_Handpainted_Ornament

It's Christmas Eve and I would like to wish you all a blessed Christmas full of love and happiness! Thank you for reading my blog!

Babycakes.....

....now that gets your imagination going doesn't it. Well check out this blog:
http://babycakescornbreadkidsswapatccards.blogspot.com/ It's run by Sandra. She hosts a ACEO Art Card swap. I participated this year. It was lots of fun.

My swap card is featured on her blog. I received a wonderful one from Dolores who also participated. It's pictured here. I love the 3 diamentional cards......don't you.

So today on Ebay I sold my poinsettia card. I'm excited but also not, I loved that card. Well I will just have to paint another for me, huh? Here it is in all of it's glory. I hope the buyer loves it as much as me! Sometime if you are on Ebay, search for seller ID HeyLucy1...that's me!

ACEO Blog

If you are a reader of my blog, you know I love to paint ACEO's (some call them ATC's artist trading cards) and I love to buy & trade them too.

So if you are not familiar with this wonderful miniature art (always 2.5 x 3.5 inches) you are in for a treat....check out this blog for ACEO Enthusiasts. I belong to the group on Ebay, but alas I am not a dilgent thread poster but I do try to keep up with them.....

The lovely image here is one from the blog.....so go visit this blog: http://atcandaceo-enthusiasts.blogspot.com/

Bonanzle Feature - Pieper's Place

I have met lots of friends on the internet through the many artist communities I belong to. And from time to time I like to feature them. One of the talented people I've metis Sallie aka Pieper....she's on Ebay (where I first met her), Etsy and Bonanazle.

Check out Sallie's Bonanzle shop Pieper's Place http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/pieper She has some really cool cat stuff and handmade navajo style dolls......so cool....if you stop by tell her Joann sent you! :)

As we approach Christmas.....

....I cannot help but be thankful for the most wonderful present of all, our Savior Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother who has the courage to say "Yes"...no art feature today...just enjoy the youtube video/song.

Featuring Today Watercolor ACEO

..titled "In Mary's Heart". For us Catholics today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception. So to honor Mary today I post this ACEO. When I painted it this scripture verse came to mind "But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart." Luke 2:19.....I hope you enjoy the card and Happy Advent! :) You can find her in my Etsy store on sale....here's the Listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11350017

Christmas Reflection

Christmas will be quickly upon us. And as I was thinking what I should feature today I thought it's time to be reminded of what the real meaning of Christmas is. It is about the birth of Christ. The Lamb of God who came down to offer his life for our sins........so today I feature my watercolor ACEO art card called "Lamb of God"

Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. This world needs your mercy. Merry Christmas to you and your family from me and mine! BIG HUGS!


Listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10182697

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for. I am so blessed and I thank God everyday for those blessings. This morning I woke up and I had a wonderful surprise. I sold one of my ACEO's! It was "I Mean Business" pictured below....AND the person who bought it lives in the same town that I do. How funny is that! Small world......

So I feature another Snowman card today because you know there is No man like a SNOWman! Here it is. I call it "Soaking Up the Snow".......Here's the link to the etsy posting http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17877337
I hope your Thanksgiving is a blessed one--full of happiness and love and lots of good food. And for those who are without today, my prayer is that this next year is more prosperous for them and that God keeps them safe.

And today remember the troops in Iraq & Afganistan. One of my former 4-Her's is stationed in Iraq. His name is John Reece. Keep John and all the troops in your prayers.

I Mean Business

Don't you just love this ACEO? It's by one of the members of my Etsy team--Designing Artist Women's Group Team (DAWG TEAM). The artist is Sue Taylor...I just love the humor and whimiscality (if that's a word) in this card. It's mixed media. Available on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13161126

Now for what's up with me. So I've painted so much lately (ACEO's, china, wood, glass, you name it) and made jewelry that I think I pinched a nerve in my arm....ouch it hurts to paint but I keep doing it because I don't know how to live without painting something everyday...speaking of which I did this crazy ACEO ..It's called "I Mean Business" ---somedays I just get too darn silly.....listing it on Etsy today. Drop by my Etsy Store: http://jywheeler.etsy.com

Bahhhhhhhhhhh

Is this mug cute or what.....I love sheep. They are one of my favorite animals to visit at the fair. Especially after they shave them and put them in the spandex jumpsuits (well that's what they remind me of). Anyway this handpainted china mug is available on my Etsy shop. It would be a great gift for Christmas. Here's the listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12536499

A Worthy Cause

This unique handcrafted wall hanging heirloom is being donated by the DAWG group (Designing Artist's Womens Group) in an effort to raise awareness about women's breast cancer. 100% of the money raised by this auction will be donated to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Fund. Several of our members made ACEO sized quilting blocks and all were hand pieced into a 19 x 25 inch wall hanging and then it was also quilted by hand. The DAWG Group hopes you will enjoy & help support our "Quilting For A Cure" cause! Please go to the Ebay listing to bid!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360108741783

Title: "Quilting For A Cure" Hand Quilted Wall Hanging
Size: 19x25 inches

Another Feature - Me & Thee

Okie dokie...I'm likin' this featuring other people thing....so today I feature Lisa Parker from Tennessee...she has a street named for her family! LOL Anyway here's one of my favorites from her shop ArtbyLisaK Lisa and I became friends on Ebay too. She's the leader of the Designing Artists Womens Group or DAWG Team.
She does beautiful photography too....go look at her shop.












And now for me...I am about to put this up on Ebay....hope you like it. It's called Flying Solo Watercolor ACEO. I was having one of those "Missing Summer Moments"! LOL

New on Ebay and meet a friend

New on Ebay "Elizabeth" on Auction....Watercolor ACEO....a litle victorian lady very dreamy eyed..........here's the link to the auction

Also visit my Etsy shop Painted Panache on Etsy. for more ACEO's, art and hand painted china.

Also thnking about Ebay and Etsy. I have a friend I met on Ebay who is now on Etsy. Her name is Myrna. She does some beautiful, whimiscal art. I have a number of her pieces. She goes by thanks4lookin on Ebay and Etsy. Here's one of her pieces that I just love. She is also an ACEO artist. Her shop - click here.

Ta Ta Ta DAAAAAAAA FEATURING

DEB and her new blog! Please go visit Deb's blog...http://artshtickscorner.blogspot.com/
She just started her blog. It's full of wonderful art, very whimiscal and uplifting. I love her sense of humor..look for the snowman.........I'm telling you, you've gotta see it! Go look but if you don't have time now. Just check out this piece of art...and also later visit her EBAY ABOUT ME PAGE-CLICK HERE

Yummmmmmm

It's almost Thanksgiving and I can almost taste the pumpkin pie.......but I'll have to buy mine because I'm not such a great cook/baker. I paint better than I cook so I'll (for now) have to make due with this.....watercolor and ink ACEO entitled "Yum"
available on Ebay as an auction.

Here's the Auction Link....click here

OH MY!

After the election this is the way I felt!



This watercolor ACEO is called "OH MY!" It was inspired by the many Victorian postcards that I collect. Available in my etsy shop http://jywheeler.etsy.com

Sales are picking up!....

....on Etsy.....thank you God......hope it continues. Which makes me think if sales of arts & crafts are up, then the economy can't be that bad!

Today's feature is an ACEO card to celebrate Halloween.....This card is available in my Etsy shop. Click here. It's a watercolor, original entitled "Fright Night"

I hope you don't have a fright night but a fun night. I always enjoy the little ghouls and gobblins that come up to my porch for a treat and never a trick!

That reminds me of when I was a kid......I'm sure glad kids are not like we were. I remember all the tricks we'd play on "Moving Night" moving things from one yard to another. Or the year we got stopped by the police with a pocket full of eggs....we didn't toss them at houses just each other....ah the good old days.

Anyway I hope you have a safe, blessed, fun night..........

Like this piece?

I sure do. It's Handpainted Porcelain China painted cheese board. Size: 10 x 6 inches. Painted with three cottage/victorian style white roses with blue accent background.

Hang this lovely piece of porcelain as a decorative piece and then when you entertain, just take it down and use it as a cheeseboard. Dishwasher and microwave safe. I suggest cutting cheese on the unpainted side so as not to marr the glazed finish.

It's in my Etsy shop for $19.99...UNTIL OCTOBER 31, 2008.....I'm feeling like a sale So if you want this at $15 you can convo me through my Etsy shop:
jywheeler.etsy.com
I will reduce the price and put it in the Reserved for Customer section for you.

Here's the listing link http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13356884

ACEO's & Mat About You

Today I'm featuring one of my art cards or ACEO's. ACEO's are miniature pieces of art.

ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals". These cards are always 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches which is the size of a trading card. Cards will be sold either as originals or editions. Make sure you know which you are buying! If it is a print it should say so, and it should be numbered and signed, usually on the back.

Art Cards were intended to be traded! In the past artists would swap these trading cards. It was difficult for the public to obtain these cards. Now you can bid or buy the fun original pieces of art. You can obtain these little precious pieces of art from artists from all over the world in different mediums and of different subjects and in all style of art work from Realism to Abstract and everywhere in between. Frame them or trade them. These are collectable and now very affordable.

This one is of a largemouth bass. It's in colored pencil on black suedeboard. Titled "Largemouth". Here's the link to the listing in my shop LARGEMOUTH

Now for another feature! A wonderful shop in Ellicott City, Maryland. Recently 2 china painting friends and I put some of our pieces in MAT ABOUT YOU. Go visit their website. MatAboutYou.com You can find some wonderful American handmade crafts, art, jewelry and beautiful framing......check them out!

Meet Another Etsian!

So I'm shopping in Savannah. I come across an ACEO that I wanted to buy but the artist was not in her studio. The artist on the other side said he didn't know her but to come back. So long story short. I went back.

I told her I wanted to buy the ACEO. She seemed surprised I even knew what that was. I told her I bought, sold, and traded them on Ebay and Etsy. She said she too was on Etsy. She asked me the name of my shop and I told her JYWheeler and she said she was Snitterdog. I said, "Hey I think I know you from the forums!". Turns out we were both admirers of each other's work...how funny is that. I invited her to join our Etsy Team Designing Artists Women's Group (DAWG Team) which focuses on ACEO's.

So here's Kerry & the ACEO I purchased. Visit her shop: http://snitterdog.etsy.com

I'm Feeling Practical Today!

...hence today's feature....a scissor holder. Do you always loose your scissors? I do. Here's the solution a scissor holder (scissors not included). Hang it in your cottage kitchen or craft room. Painted in pink roses on a light pink background on wood.
Here's the link to my etsy listing.

Luke 2:12

This is the last of my entries into the OFG Holiday Celebration. Called Luke 2:12. Size 7 1/2 inches.....acrylic on wood round plaque. Scene: Sheppard and sheep looking to the Star.

Around the edge reads: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes lying in a manger" Luke 2:12 Wire hanger.

I really need to take a better picture of this. It has a high gloss finish so the reflection of the light plays havoc with it! It's available on my esty shop..click here for the direct link.

It's getting to look a lot like Chrisssss....mus

every where I go...well not really but I wanted to feature something from the Old Farmhouse Gathering Holiday Celebration. I have 3 things in this season's promotion. One was the laughing snowman bottle and the next is this beautiful decorative Christmas Plaque. It's adapted from a Donna Atkin's free pattern. Mary, Joseph & Jesus under the Star of Bethlehem. It's available in my Etsy shop - click here Tommorrow look for the third........ and check out my entire Etsy Shop - JYWheeler.etsy.com for more decorative art, china painting & miniature art.

Laughing Snowman

Why is this cute little snowman laughing you ask? He looks like he's ready to bust at the seam!

Is he laughing because it's snowing. Is he laughing at all the clowns in Congress and how pathetic the whole economy business is? Maybe he's just laughing because the election will be over soon and then we can get back to a normal life with more interesting things on TV?

Whatever the reason, he's a happy fellow. Painted on green glass bottle, with screw on top. Bottle is embellished with recyled jewelry: gold chain, beads and confetti looking beads. The top is trimmed in white fringe with strands of beads. The very top is a small crystal ball.

Fill it with your favorite body lotion, body wash or bubble bath. He is truly cute but functional! He's a great Christmas gift...it's not too early to start shopping you know!

Click here to go to my listing

Here's something crow about!

How about a crow mug? Handpainted china mug.

Cute little "thieving" crow about to pluck a flower out of the flower pot! The Words "Gather at the Farmhouse" on the reverse. Great gift for that primitive collector. Size 3 1/2 inches high - 3 inches diameter

Dishwasher and microwave safe.

Click here to go to the listing on Etsy.com

A Primitive Christmas

So today we have Christmas. A cute little pointsettia decorative sled. It's so cute. Primitive style, distressed paint.....check it out. Click Here for my listing

Also check out the Christmas section in my shop. On October 1 I will have 3 Christmas items coming up as part of the Old Farmhouse Gathering Holiday Celebration. Look for them and search for OFG Team for some wonderful prims & pretties.

Makin' Eyes

That's what I call this watercolor ACEO. I love it. This ACEO was inspired by a photo I took at State Fair. He was definitely makin' eyes at me. You can find him at my Etsy store...click here for the link. $6.99

SALE SALE SALE

This Pretty blue flower and bud painted on 6 1/4 inch porcelain plate. Gold border. Perfect for that cottage style decorator! It's on sale 50 percent off the original price.....only $7.50...here's the link to the item http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7248870

Surprise, Surprise....

...I was searching for my decorative painting chapter's website and I found I was featured on a site....go figure...I had no idea. I'm on page ONE!
http://primitivecrossroads.com/Etsyshops.htm

What a surprise.............go see her site which promotes etsy shops.

Here's a little something for you to look at from my shop. It's a vanity tray....here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11349559

Tea Party

Well today was my china painting club's tea party. It was a great hit. The committee chair was just terrific and very well organized. She did a wonderful job....so I'm thinking the feature of today should be a piece of china.....It's a tea trivet...click here to go to the listing.

Lamb of God

Lamb of God who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.........

This watercolor ACEO card seems appropriate today on September 11th...............

Link to the listing

scandalous with a Capital S

....featured from my other etsy store EclecticSpirit ON SALE!....here's the link to the pendant
and to the shop...which I might add is very eclectic......homemade and vintage...trendy and geeky......check us (me and my daughter jackie) out

CLICK HERE TO GO TO ECLECTICSPIRIT.ETSY.COM

I've been featured........

.........I feel like some kind of celebrity. Please go read what I've read at Etsy Spotlight On! Here's a link click on this icon:

It's beginning to look alot like Chris....mas

......well not really but I'm gearing up for the Holiday season. I've listed 3 little wooden decorative sleds on Etsy.com. Here's my favorite one. It's a little primitive style stressed sled.....patriotic snowman with a crow on his head!

Click here to go to my listing.

Spookfest on OFG Team

So today began the Spookfest for the Old Farmhouse Gathering Team. This is my entry. Click here to see it on Etsy. It's $20 and a large 8 1/2 inches high. Twenty little white lights bring it to life. Twenty two little ghosts fly about saying boooooo. Decorated with candy corn, polka dots and scrolls of orange yellow and white..........too darn cute. Wonderful Halloween decoration.

Halloween and such

Featuring an ACEO today. It's a halloween pumpkin, mixed media......looking all scary and such on a creepy All Hallow's Eve! Here's the link to my Etsy Shop if you are so inclined to purchase it.

Check out this blog...and my china

First I found this cool site. It's for Etsy Challenges. You can send in entries and have people vote for the best item in a category. I submitted some things for next week's challenge. Here's the site http://etsychallenge.blogspot.com/....so go and check it out...and vote....vote for me if you see my entries next week. I'd appreciate it....

and while I'm blabbering like a blithering babushka here's today's feature. This beautiful china painted tea trivet/hot plate...quite a deal at $12.99 in my Etsy shop. Very cottage, even a bit shabby.....so go to my listing http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11993296

New Cards up On Ebay...

...but only 3 days to go for these ACEO's....... Chief Sitting Bull, Marie Antoinette, and Fright Night (a bit batty if I may say so myself!)

Nothing Makes Me Happier

Today's feature is one from my other shop Eclecticspirit.etsy.com. It is a greeting card.

Size: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch notecard with envelope.

Copy of original watercolor artwork by Joann Y Wheeler printed on matte half fold greeting card stock.

Inside: "Nothing makes me happier than you. Well maybe chocolate..."

We can all relate to that can't we. Click here to go to the item.

What to feature...

...can't decide....an ACEO or china perhaps........on my dilemmas........well I will just do china today and an ACEO tomorrow............or maybe a decorative painted piece...oh why can't I make a decision!

So this is a cute little china painted set. Three cup teapot, creamer and sugar and tray...........I don't have this on Etsy. I figure that the postage would not make it sellable so I'm going to either try to find a place locally to sell it or sell it at a craft show. I have another tea set I may put up at another time............

SOLD!

I sold the two cards below (sunflower & candy corn). I guess that fall/halloween is getting hot hot hot. So I painted 3 more which are now up on Ebay.

But today I want to feature a little bottle that I've done in Cottage Style with white roses..oooohhhhhh la la..........what a wonderful vanity item. Put something liquidy in it and put in a cork.........put your hat pins in it....use if for a vase....very very versitle....

It's available in my Etsy store for $6.99.........what a deal....click here to go to the page.

I've Got Your Back...

...that's the name of this ACEO art card..........It's mixed media (a combination pen & ink and watercolor) It too is an Ebay Auction. Click here to bid.

Be quick about it! It has a watcher already!

Candy Corn Explosion

So I was in one of my silly moods while I was painting and all I could think about is an explosion of candy corn so it ended up in a watercolor......available today as an Ebay Auction

OFG TEAM Video-Fall Celebration

Search for OFG TEAM Fall Celebration on Etsy.com under tags & titles to buy some of these great items & more!

OFG Fall Celebration!

Check it out on Etsy.com search for OFG Fall Celebration for some of the most beautiful fall cottage and prim designs. Here's my piece. It's faux leather dresser box done on porcelain. The technique is done with china paints and fired in a kiln between paintings. This paint is permanent and actually goes into the glaze so it will never scrape or rub off.

This would make a wonderful gift for a gentleman this Christmas! Click here to go to the listing in my Esty shop.

AWARD

I am very honored to receive 2 blog awards this past week!
From Julie of Oak Leaf Hollow and from Kris of Painted Kreations.

The rules for receiving an award are: 1) Put the logo on your blog. 2) Add a link to the person who gave you the award. 3) Nominate at least 5+ other blogs. 4) Add links to those blogs on yours. 5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs

But I have to ask them to remove my nomination because I really don't know how to link the images etc. Like on Julie's page.

So I kindly decline the awards..........but thank you ladies. I already have Kris on my list of favorites and I will add Julie too! :)

Progression of China Painting

So people always ask me how I do this. This time I took some pictures at each stage. Each piece of china is painted and fired in a kiln to a temperature of 1800 degrees multiple times. Here's some pictures of how it progresses:
Inspiration Piece
Blank china:

Design sketched in:

First Fire:

Second Fire:

Third Fire and Final Product: