Zertuchina

2013..and we're still here

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 03:00:00 +0000

Wow! 2013! Where is my flying car?

Like I mentioned in my last post, I have quit my server job and I'm am dedicating 100% to my work. Working from home will be a big change but I think I can figure it out.

Anyway, to celebrate this new year, and that we have all survived the end of the world, I'm gonna give away a little package of handmade goodies. Most of them made by Moi, and a few by other artist/artisan friends. Also some samples from my sister's new line of natural beauty products.

Enter giveaway below...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Time for change...

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 00:50:00 +0000

I have decided to quit my day job. After 10 years of working as a server and crafting on the side, I think its about time I go fulltime with my art and crafts. Why not? I'm makng more money iwh my crafts than as a server. It's probably gonna be a lot more work but I love what I do and I'm getting sick of the restaurant business. So, here are some books I'm reading....yes, all at once, taking notes and with a highligher in hand. I'm scared to death but if not now? when?

Besides, this means I get to stay home with my son and give him the attention he needs instead of busting my butt with double shifts to pay for daycare to keep working an energy draining job that I'm sick of. Got a few things in mind for next year. I'm excited about going to more craft fairs, I'm going to update my Etsy shop my sister is working ona new line of ntural beauty products and I want to invest in a PMC kiln. I want to keep making jewelry but tis time incorporate some sculptural pieces in silver. Hopefully everything works out.

Update!

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 04:47:00 +0000

I seriously need to post more often. I dont even remember what I posted the last few times. I have to go back and check so I dont upload the same pictures.

So since the last time I posted I got a couple of new tattoos. The french galleon I got in April, in memory of my dad who died this passed March. One of the reasons I havent been really up to writing too much. The crafty tattoo I just got this passed Tuesday. I am sooo in love with it. I still need to have it colored but I didnt have bfast and i started getting all light headed so I decided to finish it in a cuple of weeks. Gives me a chance to play with markers on it and figure out exactly what colors I want for it.

I've been working on a few things here and there. Mostly watercolor and ink illustrations. I love making random little bunches of faces. I LOVE FACES!

Most of my work is at "El Hueso de Fraile" a coffee shop in downtown Brownsville, owned by a family of musicians which are probably the coolest people ever.

Also, artwalks and craft fairs are starting to pop up all over the valley. I'm taking advantage of that and I'm flattered how many people recognize my work from other places or facebook.

Remember to like my page on FB. I'll be hosting another giveaway contest there soon.

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:03:00 +0000

It's been forever since my last post. I have been sooooo super duper busy putting together my senior show that I barely had anytime to myself. I'm sure I slept an average of 2 or 3 hours per night if at all. Here are a few pieces from the show......

"Choked" this is a handbuilt ceramic sculpture. Its pretty much how I felt all semester with shit hitting the fan from every direction.

The next few pieces are mixed media on wood. I played around a lot with textures created with diferent mediums. I also used some nail polish and spray paint. These are all 24" x 24".

"Sophia"

"Panther Chamaleon"

"Mandala I"

"Naiad"

Mercadito Fiesta!

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:56:00 +0000

Yesterday, Saturday, we met some very interesting people at the Mercadito Fiesta! in downtown Brownsville. There were artisans rom Oaxaca and Chihuahua Mexico. All with beautiful handmade work from their states.

They come every month and always bring amazing pieces from their regions. I hate being broke everytime I see them. Caro and I were selling our work too. But the pics of our booth came out terrible.

I got myself one of these beautifel hearts made of tin. I wanted them all!!
These are suncathchers made by Diana. I can remember where she was from, but she was also an amazing lady.

We had a good saturday in the cold, surrounded by lovely people. Caro and I got home and celegrated with sangria and Jiffy Pop.

Giveaway Winner!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:53:00 +0000

I used random.org to pick a random number from the comments on the giveaway post. Here's the screenshot:

Comment #13! By Perla Plur....Felicidades Perlita!!!

Peyote evolution...

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:08:00 +0000

Here is the first felt peyote cactus I made. I was sooo proud of it. I think it looks pretty funky after the second one I made.

Which is this one. I had a sage-ish felt and tried with that. And payd more attention to the flower and prkly details. I think it loos soooo much better. And I made it one day after the first. I think I'm learning pretty fast.

I hadn't really done much in felt, but I like it so far. And I'm having fun playing and learning to use it.If you like my little creations and would like one for yourself check out the listing in my shop. Or get one in the surprise package giveaway.
Don't forget to enter the giveaway. The winner will be anounced this Friday the 13th.
Check out how to enter here.

Recent work..

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:59:00 +0000

I finally got to setting up a studio in the "guest room". I've been trying to keep myself as busy as possible making new items, reading up on marketing skills for my little handmade business. Which has been starting to take off faster than I thought. Now I need to take the time to take good pictures of my litle creations.

I made some hand-painted Frida and Mandala brooches...

And I plated with some felt and made a cute little Frida doll with embroidered detail. I've never really done embroidery so I'm learning as I go along. I think I want to put her in a shadowbox with a collage habitat.
BTW I have a giveaway going on in the post before this one, check it out! You might win a surprise package with my handmade goodness.

New Year Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:42:00 +0000

Happy New Year Everyone!!! I want to start off this year with a giveaway for all my facebook fans. If you haven't liked my fb page check out the link on you can click here or search for me as Zertuchina.

The prize will be a surprise package with a some items handmade by yours truly, including crochet items, an original OOAK ATC, jewelry and other items like craft supplies, candy and other goodies.

To enter "like" my facebook page and then come back here and leave a comment with your Facebook name. I will be choosing a winner on Friday the 13th via random.org and contact the winner through facebook.

*Items pictured may not be exactly the ones in the package

Last piece of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:31:00 +0000

So here is the last piece of 2011. A gourd art doll painted by hand with acrylic inks. I doubt I'll be able to pop out one more piece before midnight since I'll probably be in the kitchen all day. I finished this one at 4am.
Happy New Year to everyone. May this next year be filled with AWESOMENESS and lots of LOVE!!

cups, cups and Frida

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:57:00 +0000

Here are the cups that just came out of the kiln today.
Self-portrait cup, ths is probably the only one that I'm not selling. MINE!!!

Mandala cup in turquiose and red

Quote from a song by Soda Stereo (my favorite band)
Black and red cup with texture spotsPachamama

Triangle patterns

Frida Cup with a quote by her front...
...and backSome of these are gonna go in my etsy shop. The others will be moving around in different local craft fairs and farmers' markets. I have a few more cups that I still need to photograph. I'll post the pics soon.

And then there's this little lady. She's a raku Frida sculpture for my friend Beatriz. I traded her for a sari she brought me from her trip to India.

The pictures dont show the copper in her shawl. She's so much prettier in person. I love Raku! FIRE! FIRE!

New in my shop

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:54:00 +0000

These are some new items in my shop. I only have like 4 things in there since I have been moving most of my things around to craft fairs and farmers' markets and havent had a chance to take some decent pictures of my work.

Leaf and Bee necklace

"Prudence" art brooch

"Penelope" art brooch

you can find these items in my etsy shop (which I'm working on listing more items soon).

some cups in progress..

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:09:00 +0000

mandala-ish doodles
one of my favorite Cafe Tacuba songs.
patterns
a little self portrait on a cup.

some stuff Ive made recently

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:56:00 +0000

I made this beanie for a friend and had to make one for my little one. Every hippie kid needs a rasta hat.
These are some ceramic faces I'm making to turn into pendants or brooches. Cant wait to see how they come out with the glaze.

A Maori inspired face, already sold and I havent even finished it. I guess they really really liked him.
his is the first batch. And I have another one waiting to be bisqued. Gotta get to work on those as son as I can. The semester's almost over and I wont have access to a kiln until january.

Cups in progress...

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:59:00 +0000

Here are some cups in progress. The color will be brighter once the glaze is on. I like working with underglazes cuz they have a more painterly effect and the colors are nice and bright after the last fire with the glaze.

This is a heart I painted for "Ofrendas del Corazón". Is a silent heart art auction and the major fundraiser for the Michael M. Rutledge Legacy Award, a scholarship for PSJA Dual Language students. I'm so happy to be a part of this. I'll post a close up of the heart later.

Playing with mud...

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 03:19:00 +0000

This week I'll be making coffeee mugs and tea cups, and a few espresso cups and mates. I havent thrown much lately and I need some practice. And, also we're hving a coffee/tea party fund raiser to my dad's medicine.
Here I am throwing something while I listen to some Soda Stereo.
Here I'm trimming...

And here are the first 3 pieces ready to fire. I preffer cups with no handle cuz I like to cradle them in my hand to keep them warm.

Here they are in the sun. I need to get these done as quickly as possible cuz the party is on the 10th.
And here they are al ready to go in the kiln. They still need to be fired twice before they're ready to go to their new home.
I posted these pick on my facebook and already got a few custom orders.
If ur intrested in a mug let me know.
They'll be $10 plus shipping. All the money goes to my dad's med fund.

BTW I'll be having a giveaway pretty soon. But U ust be a fan on my new facebook page. So LIKE me here....

Wired...

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 05:20:00 +0000

Hello there! Like always its been a while since I last posted. I'be been busy busy working, and creating. Here are a few things I've made recently.

Dream catcher and peas in a pod pendants

caged heart and shell

trapped pearls and crystals with quart on gold wire

Tree of life with seed beads

agate fish with quartz and crystal charm necklace

Cluster of pears and crystals on gold wire

This last one I sold today to a friend and school. It's similar to the first dream catcher but in dark colors. I only make 3 of each and they all differ in detail. But I prefer not to have too many of the same design. I feel it makes them more special.

My etsy shop is on vacation richt now, but as soon as I get some better pictures of my new work I'll reopen with a whole new makeover.

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 06:58:00 +0000

I havent updated the blog cuz I've been soooo busy these last couple of weeks with school and making stuff to sell at farmers' markets and other venues. This is where we're going to be next Saturday for Texas Food Revolution. I think its a club of something but its a beatiful place.

I love the walls and the decor. Last time we went we got there pretty late cuz we didnt know exactly where the place was. This time we'll be there on time and loaded on coffee.

And these next pics are from the Mercadito Fiesta on Sept 17th. Celebrating Mexican Independance day.

And this is me in my little black dress. This was about 4 in the afternoon and I was exhausted and the flowers I had put in my hair had wilted and fallen off. Only one made it thru the night.
Frida mirror and crochet flowers.

These are the girls. From right..Carolina artist/artisan from Colombia , Marga violinist from Mexico, Eva yoga and belly dance intructer from Mexico and me on the right. My feet were killing me at this point.

And this little guy I made tonight. He's made of cream cheese covered in chopped almonds, black olives for the eyes, and red peppers for the stripes. The mushrooms are carrots and radishes. A friend of my mom's asked me to make a cheese sculpture as a sample for a Alice in wonderland party she'll be ctering for. If they like it I'll make about 30 of these little Cheshire cats.

Got a spot...

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 05:23:00 +0000

My friend Carolina and I rented a little spot in an antique/cake shop in town. The place is super cute, and it has adorable furniture and rooms full of stuff to check out. We will have thi spot for all of August and see how well we sell. Then we'll see if we keep some of our things there and bring some new items or we find another place to rent a spot in and try our luck there.
Here is our little space...

I have my little paintings on the paper made by Kendra of no moniker...
..handpainted pendants and brooches, button rings, glass pendants with loteria images and chiyogami paper blue porcelain pendants and brooches. I mixed my own porcelain clay and added a blue mason stain to create each blue tone...
Penelope is an original illustration collage in a shadow box...
..these two are my favorite little paintnigs sitting on my horsetail ceramic pieces.

All items unsold here are going in my etsy shop at the end of the month, along with some new things I'm working on now.

Ouch My Ego! Summer Craft Festival and some thrifting

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 05:30:00 +0000

The first Ouch My Ego! Summer Craft Festival was this past Sunday July 31st. The place was awesome. It's a historic movie theatre. The inside is so cool. I kept picturing every kind of even being held there.

This was my table. The fist time I ever set up a table at a craft fair. I think I didi pretty good. It was a bit dar inside so I think I'm gonna carry a lamp or two next time, just in case.

I used old tshirts and recycled frames to make these brooch and pendant displays..
I havent listed most of these in my etsy shop yet. But if you see something you like just email me or contact me through etsy.

I also need to remember to bring some snacks and munchies...yes thats chocolate on my lip, i look like such a dork...lol
This was my friend Carolina's table. She was handmade goodies from Columbia and made by her as well. You can find some of her stuff here.
She's super sweet, and always smiling. On the way over we talk about how I'd love to just sell my work for a living and quit my day job. She gave me a lot of confidence. I'm seriously thinking about it.

This I found today at an antique/thrift store....I love it!!!! I dont know what exactly its for, but its my new cookie jar.

Can't wanit for the next craft fair!!

First Craft Fair...

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 06:01:00 +0000

Finishing up some last minute details for the craft fair tomorrow... I'm soooo excited.
Here are some of the things ill be selling....

Also the little paintings I've been making on the paper made by Kendra. Btw she has a new website, check it out....http://www.nomoniker.com/

The Sumer Craft Festival is this sunday at The Historic Cine El Rey Theatre

311 S. 17th Street

McAllen, TX

If you're close by, stop by and say hi. I'll be postiong pictures of my booth later this week.

listing on Etsy

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 02:22:00 +0000

Just listed some of me recent pieces in my shop. These 3 Fridas and a couple more.

This last Frida was sold right away...I'm so happy! I dont think I've ever sold a piece the same day I listed it.

This little guy is not for sale...he's gonna be traded for another work with my friend David.

...more...

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 06:43:00 +0000

This beauty was given to me by a very sweet person. It's a nightblooming flower form a cactus. Sadly it only lasted that night and themorning after....

I just fnished this guy tonight, my friend David is gonna trade it for a drawing of his. He's an awesome artist. I'm sure I'll love whatever he come up with.

I called her Luna, she reminded me of a little gypsy girl I met back in Argentina.

And this is Scarlett. She's not sad, just thinking...
I already placed an order for another set of paper from GreenPost, I cant wait to start working on them too.

...feels weird...

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:02:00 +0000

I was looking back through some of my old posts...damn! All these things about my "hubby" and our work and all that. Well, just to keep you updated, the hubby is gone. I am now a single-fulltime student-working mom. Yeah, its a crapload of work. But I'm managing. For now I'm at my parents' house until I'm back on my feet and can afford a little place for me and my son. But even though it's been hard, I amm happier than before. I know my posts must have seem pretty happy, but I guess I was trying to convince myself that everything was fine when it wasn't.
I dont hate him. Hate is a negative feeling that I dont want to carry around, and it takes up too much energy. Maybe one day I'll tell you what happened but for now....

...here are some more pics of what I've been working on....

bearded lady

florencia

Lucrecia and Josefina

I have two more paper left of the same kind...I need to go back to GreenPost and get some more. I have so many ideas!

...loving this paper...

noreply@blogger.com (Zertuchina) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 06:50:00 +0000

I'm really liking how the acrylic ink looks on this paper. It doesnt bleed and i can draw on it with pen too.
I'm almost out of paper...I need to get some more.

panda girl

gustina

leoncio

I'll be uploading some of these little illustrations to my shop. Just need to make some more for the museum gift shop where I'll be seling some of my work too.

Paper made by GreenPost.