Rose ~ Chic ~ Friends: My blog is all about you; friends and sharing lifes journey...My love for all things Chic; repurposed, crafted, painted in many venues... and My LOVE for all things Roses! which show up in my home and created projects.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

A Little Something for you!

Hey there Sweet friends!
 
 
As a blogger, I have so enjoyed and appreciated
the many friendships that have been made over
the past few years.
With Valentine/Sweetheart season upon us I
wanted to share with those who may be interested
a *Special* Coupon Code I have create
just for you that can be used in my ETSY shoppe.
 
 
Make sure you jot down...RCF10.
When you check out from now on,
if you go to the coupon code area
and type in RCF10 you will received 10%
off your entire order.  This will never expire!!!
My way of thanking those who have blessed
me with enjoying what I live to do...CREATE.
 


Also, I am showing a few pictures of heart themed
items I now have available to purchase!
 
Two of my favorite things!
Hearts and Roses!

Again, don't forget, if you are interested to
jot my Coupon code RCF10 down and use
when purchasing items in my etsy shoppe.
 
Be blessed!
 
 
 
 


Saturday, January 26, 2013

My Journey as a ROSE Painter

Hi Everyone,
Hope you are all staying warm and cozy in your homes.
We just got about 3-4 inches of snow yesterday and the
blanket of white is always so calming and pretty.
I stayed in yesterday and had this
idea brewing about sharing how my journey
as an artist began.  I cannot remember if I ever
gave a detailed account while blogging.
It is an amazing testimony to GOD, how he Knows the
deepest desires of our hearts, even when we ourselves
do not always find it, right away.
 
*****
 
In the Fall of 1998, my daughter was in 1st grade. 
God brought a dear friend into my life then. 
She was looking for someone
who could help her with creating something that would
be auctioned off at the yearly school fundraiser.
I had NEVER done something like this but knew it
was probably something I could do if I had clear direction.
So...I told her I would give it a try.
We ended up deciding on a Bookshelf and child's chair
to do up for this event.
Having NEVER, painted on furniture, I
jumped in feet first.  We painted them an off white and
then I mimiced swirly roses I had see.  We both loved the look.
That was my very first attempt to painting a rose
and furniture.
 

Also, around this time it became evident, at 39 that
I was going to need a hysterectomy.  A very painful reminder
that I could not have any more children. 
 I knew I was so blessed to have the one child I had. 
Yet, that does not make this type of decision any easier.
But GOD always sees the bigger picture.

In the midst of this, Donna Dewberry had been promoting
her One Step painting.  It really intrigued me.  I got a few of her
practice cards and books...and shall we say the
REST IS HISTORY?
 
As you can see by my first 5 pictures, I painted on just
about anything that would not move. I practices, and practices and
practices some more.  I look back now and
know I still needed to master blending of paints,
finer touches and detailing of painting. 
But I was Determine.

I know now, that GOD poured this desire, passion and
love of painting into my sorrowful grieving heart. 
It became a healing balm to me. 
I was so blessed by friends also who encourage me
to move forward.  I lacked self-confidence.  GOD also
used this to grow that confidence and
bring me closer to Him. and to quit
worrying about what others thought.

My sweet hubby was also such a great support as well.  He
bought me a large drafting type table and allowed me to
take over one of the rooms we had in our home.
Before long, I had courage enough to try putting my things
in a local Antique/Craft Mall.  I enjoyed having
others see what I had painted and created...
and relished in the fact that they would buy them.
 

Then in the early 2000's, a neighbor actually introduced
me to ebay.  She took a few of my items and sold them, to
show me that there was a market for hand painted items.
I did not jump on ebay right away,
probably because of fear of the unknown. 
It was actually happened because my dear friends
daughter encouraged her mother and I too
take over her account.  We became *2chicFriends* and
trail blazed our way through learning the ebay system of
auctioning off our wares, she in vintage and antiques,
me in my hand painted and crafted items.
 

Then in the mid 2000's I began to slowly sell my things
by myself on ebay. 
I even got brave and joined some of the groups.
  I met some dear amazing women, who like me were
wanting to be at home, yet have a way to bring in some
extra income.  Many of those ladies have become
dear friends, even though the groups are no longer there.
I sell now sporatically on ebay.

As I took pictures, I wanted to show you how my rose has
changed and morphed.  I tried different techniques and devoured
other styles.  Over time, I began to created a more
signature style of rose, that many of my friends
call *fluffy* sweet roses.
I still use the One Step techniques, but now have
refined them to suit the roses I paint.

Today, after having my items in a brick and mortar store,
on ebay and now my new home etsy, I have settled into
what I believe has been the most rewarding venture
God could have taken me through.  I learned and
have grown so much through the years. 
I have been blessed with friends internationally,
as well as all over the US.  Many have shared with me
how what I do touches their life.  What greater
reward in life, than to touch others in a positive way?
One of the most awesome things is how
the internet has connect the world to all us
like minded artist.  Who knew?

A funny little side note...before I painted roses, I actually
had dabbled in making clay roses.  Before my hubby and I had
moved to Michigan, as a young mom, I was drawn to roses
and made many items, way back then that I sold, most
pieces were jewelry.  I dabbled here and there with them by
adding them to a few items I sold. 
Then a few years ago, I saw another
ebay gal who made amazing roses.
I reached out to her and realized that I could make
these and sell them as well.  Again, with the
encouragement of many dear friends I put them
out in my etsy shoppe.  They have become
some of my most steady selling items, espcially
my Rose Pushpins on thumbtacks...another
idea from a sweet ebay friend.

What amazes me the most is how I can take individual
items and mesh them all together.  Whether it is a stroke
of paint on a canvas, clay roses adorning a birdhouse or
paper, glitter and other items I may use,
it still gives me a thrill to create!

God HAS filled my life with creative beauty. 
Something that overflows and is a part now of who I am. 
 It has brought a contentment and peace that I never dreamed possible.
When life and its struggles surround,
I am always at peace when I can go into my studio and create.
 
As you can see by my pictures, it takes practice,
determination, faith and willingness to grow. 
I did not start out mastering  painting a rose.  
My roses developed, as I grew as a person and an artist. 
Bottom line...All In GOD's time.
 
I often tell others, it is never too late to do what you love.
It took me to my 40's to really find my passions work.
Raising my daughter was always my number
one greatest joy. 
But I will be eternally grateful to my LORD,
who he cared for my grieving heart and gave me a
passion to paint and create!
 
I hope I have inspired you to find what your passion is!
 
Be Blessed!
Lorena
 
 


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

My Newest Goodies From My Studio

Hello Blogging Friends!
 
Life is beginning to get slowly back to normal.
Hubs is back at work and daughter at school to
start her 2nd semester of her Junior Year! WOW!
 
Seeing created beauty everywhere is so
inspiring and I also know I enjoy the talents of
others as well.  I guess that is why I LOVE
to *play* show and tell with my created
goodies...I so hope you do not mind, hehehe.
This darling pink snowgirl is ready to play and frolick in the snow!
I also show in this picture my lil house shabby repainted *Candy Shop*.
Gosh, I sold so many that I now made sure to stock up on
them.  Am hoping to place a few more out in my shoppe soon!
I took an old picture that had faded and painted over the glass.
This repurosed frame now has a lovely Heart made with
my creamy white roses, that have a touch of a pearlized paint.
Then a sweet vintage earring with rhinstones make it complete.
HINT:  Don't throw away pictures, reuse them or paint over
the glass and create your own designs!
This lovely Wreath was made by folding Lacy Paper Doilies
into cone shapes.  Then the
layering of hearts, vintage and new began!
I have 3 of these available in my etsy shop!
Painted candles always add an elegant touch to any home
decor.  These 3 are already sold!
I adore painting and creating birdhouses.  They
represent Spring and new life...just what I
need to dream of when the temps here in
Michigan dip below the 30's!
 
Now I am off to create more goodies to add to
my etsy shop.
 
What do you do when the tempatures drop in winter time?
 
Be Blessed
 

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Happy New Year (A little late ;))

Hello friends!
 
I am a little late in wishing you all
a Happy New Year.
 
I took a much needed break from my everyday
routine.  I am feeling pretty refreshed and have
already begun to create in my studio.
 
I am not much of a resolution maker but I do
have a few goals I would like to continue or
improve upon in the coming year.
 
I would like to walk 10 minutes each day on my treadmill!
Eat more well rounded healthier, smaller, portions, etc... 
Spend Time daily in God's Word
Pray more
Enjoy my family and kitty
Do something creative each day to fulfill that
creative gene in me!
Be open to GOD's *them* in my life who
need help, encouragment or just a friend.
 
That's pretty much mine for this year.
How about you?
Do you do resolutions?
 
 Well I was going to add some recent items
I have created, but alas, blogger will not allow
me to upload.  I will see what the matter is
and hopefully share some later with you!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Lorena