Charcoals by Danielle

Halloween Costume Update

2010-10-26T01:04:00.001-04:00

Well, I'm still painting spiderwebs on my clothes to get my spider costume ready for this weekend! Luckily, I found the perfect shoes today. I was beginning to think that I wouldn't find anything that was even acceptable, no less perfect! I painted them when I made it back to my house and they turned out exceptionally well. My pants are nearly done and my shirt only has some leg work that needs to be done. I also managed to get my spider legs rewired with the clear stretch cord that I bought. That was a difficult task! I never realized that stretch cord would not hold a regular knot...or any knot for that matter. I ended up using hot glue, which was an interesting process since it was too hot to simply apply it to the knot. I melted the cord a couple of times and had to start over. I knew that super glue was what I should be using, but I had hot glue at the house already. Loading up two babies to buy super glue didn't sound like much fun! I finally managed to get it completed though and I'm hoping it holds up through the weekend. I think that I'm going to take Itsy Spider and Bitsy Spider to the Halloween parade this Sunday. It starts at one thirty and I put way too much effort into all of our costumes to not go to an actual event! I'll post some pictures of the girls because they are bound to be adorable! Here are my shoes!

Black Widow Spider Costume

2010-10-21T23:37:00.000-04:00

I worked on my black widow spider costume today and I swear this costume has been a hassle for an entire year. I have helped with a haunted barn every Halloween for the past five years and every year we have a different theme in the lobby where the people wait to get into the main part of the haunted barn. Last year, we were so excited about our new six foot spider prop that we decided to center the waiting area around spiders. So, the consequence of this is that my costume has been in my mind for twelve months. Now it's getting to the deadline of things and even though I've been putting this together since the end July, it still isn't the costume I had hoped for. I have wanted to be an actual black widow spider from the start. There are plenty of black widow costumes...you know the evil women that traipse around in long Elvira type black dresses after allegedly slaying their husbands. There are also spiderella costumes, spider witch costumes, and the occasional sexy spider girls with their mini skirts and go go boots. None of these types of costumes interested me. I had to be a spider. There are no spider costumes! So I had to come up with my own. This so far has involved two costumes, a special custom made spider cape for my legs (which I have to alter because the legs are a bit floppy and I want clear wire connecting them so it isn't so blatantly obvious they are fake), a mask I'm not wearing, and finally an awesome paint job which is what I was working on tonight. I'm hoping that after all my plans and hard work, that I end up with an acceptable costume. Maybe even an awesome one!

Makeup Trial Run

2010-10-20T23:35:00.000-04:00

I did a trial run on my makeup that I want to do for my black widow spider costume. I'm going to be an actual spider for Loy's Haunted Barn coming up October 29th-31st. I finally purchased actual theatrical makeup and I love it! I can tell that this isn't going anywhere and that it won't wear off by the end of the night. I'm planning on applying the makeup thicker for the actual event and adding fangs is also on my list. I think my makeup will really enhance my costume this year! Now I just have to paint spiderwebs on my pants and paint the spider abdomin on my shirt. It will be fun to see how hard it is to get the makeup off...yes, I'm still wearing it!

Treasury - Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys

2010-10-20T12:25:00.000-04:00

One of my charcoals was featured in a new treasury! Check out these awesome pieces of art.

Interesting Etsy Artist Of The Day

2010-10-10T17:00:00.001-04:00

My favorite Etsy artist today is UntamedMenagerie! This beautiful handmade silhouette jewelry is a must have. I can't wait to own a piece to make my own statement!

Interesting Etsy Artist of the Day

2010-10-09T22:19:00.000-04:00

I've been doing a little Christmas shopping, just to get going on things and I'm featuring an Etsy seller that I'm planning on purchasing a few items from. That shop is EvaLauryn. My mom bought my daughter a kitchen set for Christmas and I thought this adorable play food would go along with that perfectly!

Wild For TATAs

2010-10-09T00:56:00.000-04:00

Here is a treasury to celebrate breast cancer awareness - Wild For TATAs! Just some fun and funky items with zebra stripes and (of course) pink accents.

Back To Blogging

2010-10-08T16:27:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to get back into the swing of blogging. I've been out of the habit since things have just been really crazy for me. I found out that I was pregnant with my second baby eight months after Anna was born! So we bought a house with three bedrooms and a basement. I set up my very own studio in the basement which I LOVE! We had a house fire in April (yes we had only been living there for a month and managed to catch it on fire). So my husband, my daughter, and I had to stay with my parents for two months while the repairs were being done. Then Adalyn Paige was born on August 3rd, 2010! All the while, I've been keeping up my business and setting up a new shop at Etsy called Painting it Personal. That shop features my name wall art and custom paintings. So hopfully, now that things have settled back into a normal(ish) routine, I'll be able to blog everyday again!

Interesting Etsy Artist of the Day

2010-10-08T15:35:00.000-04:00

My choice for my favorite Etsy artist today is Zooz Jewelry. I love these adorable these adorable designs!

I definitely have a set on my Christmas wish list!

H O R R O R Treasury

2010-10-08T15:29:00.000-04:00

Check out my new treasury, H O R R O R!

Interesting Etsy Artist of the Day

2009-11-20T12:57:00.000-05:00

Today I would like to feature ForTheCrossJewelry! This is just one example of the awesome earrings and necklaces that are for sale in this Etsy shop. I love the dangling stamin that hangs from the flowers! There is sure to be something to tempt you here.

Interesting Etsy Artist of the Day

2009-11-13T19:54:00.001-05:00

Today I would like to feature Jewels by Nature! I don't remember how I first came across these interesting little works of art, but I know that sometime in the future I want to own one! Plus they are reasonabley priced! The locket shown is only $34 and there are so many to choose from!

Daily Highlight Sketch

2009-11-11T20:49:00.000-05:00

The store I buy my frames from finally stocked more! I only wish I could have bought more!

Interesting Etsy Artist of the Day

2009-11-11T20:42:00.000-05:00

My favorite Etsy artist today is Zadyball! I'm planning on getting one of these adorable toys for my little girl for Christmas and I know she will love the knotted strings that are attached. It also looks like a toy that she will have a fun time playing with for years to come!

Daily Highlight Sketch

2009-11-09T23:41:00.001-05:00

My little girl crawled today! Now that's a highlight!

Interesting Etsy Artist of the Day

2009-11-09T22:26:00.001-05:00

Today my favorite Etsy artist is sugarplumtree! This shop is on my Christmas list for my little girl so she will have a beautiful pair of shoes to match her Easter dress. All of the items are so beautiful, it will be hard to choose!

Youtube

2009-11-04T00:12:00.001-05:00

I've been a little behind lately on writing in my blog. I'm preparing for several craft shows in the next couple of months and working on Christmas orders already. I have started posting things on YouTube and I'm trying to think of fun videos that I would add to my list. I only have video with my camera. Actually, I have a great camcorder, but my computer isn't advanced enough for it. Go figure! If you think of ideas that I could video blog on YouTube, I'd love to know! Hopefully, I'll be able to blog more frequently now that I'm into the week!

Interesting Etsy Artist of the Day

2009-10-29T09:46:00.000-04:00

Today my favorite Etsy artist makes baby and toddler headbands, Luh Loo. My little girl has two of these and they are just too adorable for little girls! For little babies she has the soft stretchy headbands or sweet little knit hats. For toodlers she has the harder sturdier bands and all include intricate hand-crafted felt flowers. If you have a little girl in your life, she needs one or more of these accessories!

Out of Town

2009-10-29T08:47:00.000-04:00

I've been out of town the past few days getting work done. But I should be able to catch my blog up tonight!

Daily Highlight Sketch

2009-10-24T22:01:00.000-04:00

The highlight of my day was watching Anna react to her Grandpa Randy! It was a "who is this weird man" kind of look. Very funny!

Interesting Etsy Artist of the Day

2009-10-24T21:46:00.000-04:00

Today my interesting artist is someone I have worked with just recently! I bought two of the fingerless gloves from her and they are fabulous! Katwise sells upcycled sweater fingerless gloves and awesome coats that are bright and so much fun! I am definately going to get one sometime soon!

Daily Highlight Sketch

2009-10-23T23:08:00.002-04:00

The highlight (sort of) of my day was setting up my very own website!

Interesting Etsy Artist of the Day

2009-10-23T22:56:00.001-04:00

Once again, I'm writing about an artist that I have previously done business with! Mara's Little People makes beautiful business card holders, wedding cake toppers, and table statues with polymer clay. I commissioned a custom business card holder from her that a LOVE! It gets so much attention. Check out her shop for some fantastic pieces!

Website Launch

2009-10-23T22:17:00.000-04:00

I spent ALL day setting up my new website! Come and see what I've done! http://www.charcoalsbydanielle.com

Daily Highlight Sketch

2009-10-22T21:08:00.001-04:00

The highlight of my day was receiving the gorey neck piece from noircoremedia for my dad's Halloween costume! It's really gross. AWESOME!