QR Codes in Art Education

Art installations enhanced with QR codes.

When a person thinks of QR codes, they rarely picture art work or artists, but at Korea International School things are a little different. Our Art department has a spring art show each year where our students showcase their artistic endeavors. The art teachers adopted online portfolios for high school students two years ago, and this year they added the middle school students to that initiative.  So the art teachers started wondering, "what else can we do with technology?" QR codes in the art installations! Now a student creates an art installation for the spring art show with QR codes included that direct the audience to the student's online portfolio. Instead of posting a reflection or additional information about the art piece next to the art work, they can save space by simply placing a QR code next to the art work. Audience members can use the QR code to listen to a reflection about the piece, or look at other art pieces by the student.

Example of an audio art reflection linked to a QR code.

It is a simple idea that adds great value to the art show and allows a student to share more art work with the audience members. Genius!

KIS Secondary Art Department: Sara Arno, Sondra Mullenax, Sallie Inman, and Angel Catholic

Handmade For the Holidays- Gifts and Goodies For One of a Kind Celebrations

Ah, the holiday season...chestnuts roasting on an open fire, cocoa frothy with melted marshmallows, the deep woodsy smell of fresh pine, bumper to bumper traffic, crowded shopping malls, endless gift lists...

If the last three things on that list didn't exactly make you think "winter wonderland", the team may have a solution for you this year! We want to help you get a jumpstart on your holidays this week, with some great gift ideas, awesome recipes, and creative ways to wrap gifts that will leave you with more time to sit by the fire (and more money in your pocket!)

While the holidays are now celebrated with both religious and secular traditions, in the early Middle Ages, the calendar was dominated by Christmas-related dates, including the forty days prior to December 25th, known as The Days of St Martin (now Advent).

St Martin's Punch

1 bottle each of cranberry juice, orange juice and mixed berries juice. (Adjust depending on number to serve)
6 Tablespoons of brown sugar.
1/2- 1 teaspoon each of mixed spices, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. ( to taste )
6 - 12 cloves,
1 - 2 lemons,
2-3 oranges sliced thin

Mix the ingredients together, layer thnly sliced fruits on top, heat gently in a pan or crockpot and serve.

Feasts, too, were a part of the celebration, featuring roasted ducks and meats, vegetables, and dressings, such as this tasty chestnut stuffing, from Jusshar:

CHESTNUT DRESSING

4 c. coarse bread crumbs
3 c. boiled chestnuts (broken up)
3 tbsp. butter
1/2 lb. sausage meat
2 med. diced onions
1 c. celery, cut fine
Salt and pepper to taste
Poultry seasoning
Hot water

Melt butter and cook onions 5 minutes. Add sausage meat and cook 5 minutes more. Mix bread, celery, chestnut pieces. Combine and moisten. Stuff turkey or chicken with dressing or cook in baking dish.

NOTE: I always find that I have to buy more chestnuts than I need because I always have a problem with moldy chestnuts. However, if you can get them frozen, you won't have this problem.

and breads such as this one, from pinswithfury

Banana Bread

1 3/4 cup flour

2 t baking powder

1/4 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

1/3 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

3 eggs

1 cup mashed bananas (usually 3 - 4)

Mix butter and sugar together, add eggs, then bananas. Mix all dry ingredients together, then add gradually to banana mixture. Usually makes more than one loaf. Bake at 375 degree for 30 minutes, or until it springs back on top and is light brown.

For a slightly carmelized effect, sprinkle top of loaf with brown sugar halfway thru the baking process. Try serving with honey butter, or make mini loaves to give as gifts!

The Puritans of later times disapproved so much of the revelry and lavish dinners of Christmas celebrations in England that when they arrived in the New World, they went so far as to outlaw Christmas in Boston from 1659 to 1681!

Fortunately for all of us, the disapproval of holiday celebrations gradually disappeared, although the season as we now know it came into being in the later 1800s. In 1850, Godey's Lady's Book, republished an engraving of the British Royal family gathered around a decorated evergreen, (after Americanizing the scene by removing Queen Victoria's Crown, and Princh Albert's mustache!), introducing the idea to women all across America. By 1870, the tradition had taken root, with gifts packaged beneath tree.

So here are some unique, handmade items you can put under the tree just for Her, whether she loves a touch of luxury, or a little casual fun!

You can really give her your heart with this glowing felted bowl from HandmadebySandi :










http://handmadebysandi.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/sandists
http://www.facebook.com/craftysandi
All of my crocheted items can be made in other colors - just convo me with your request!

Wrap HER up, instead of presents, with knits both festive and fun, like this royal purple beauty from FoxyGKnits :











http://foxygknits.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/foxygknits
http://facebook.com/foxygknits

Or Jusshar's custom made, handknit Shrug:











http://jusshar.etsy.com/

Once you're got it all wrapped up, give her a gift she can carry it all in, with a great tote like this one, from pinswithfury :











http://pinswithfury.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/pinswithfury
http://facebook.com/pinswithfury
20% off store purchases with mention of the Etsy Twitter Team Trunk Show!

And finally, whether you're shopping for a woman who loves glitter and sparkle, going "green" or whimsical, you can give her an ornament she'll cherish all year long:









http://smutopia.etsy.com/
Blog: http://smutopia.blogspot.com/
http://facebook.com/smutopia
Free Shipping during the Trunk Show Event on Nov 12- Enter code ETTTRUNKSHOW at checkout.

http://threepeats.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/threepeats

http://acageybee.etsy.com/
All orders during the Trunk Show on 11/12 will receive a free surprise gift tucked into their package. Custom requests are always welcome!

http://mysassyglass.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/Mysassyglass
http://www.facebook.com/MySassyGlass
Free shipping on any order purchased between 11/10 and 11/15 over $20.00. Refunds will be made through pay pal.

http://joslinjewels.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/JoslinJewels
http://facebook.com/JoslinJewels
Free worldwide shipping, 11/12 - 11/15/09. Shipping refunded via paypal.

http://reneesuich.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/1953rcs
“Free Shipping in the U.S.” on this one-of-a-kind handcrafted piece.
**Ships in a Gift Box**










http://imwithsully.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/imwithsully
http://www.imwithsully.com/blog

http://firebirdhouse.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/firebirdhouse
http://www.facebook.com/firebirdhousedesigns
11/10 - 11/15 Take 15% off all hair accessories. Enter Code TRUNK at checkout and refund will be issued via Paypal.

Our awesome graphic was created by Susan Brown of SalonDArte.etsy.com

Team Treasuries

Created by PunkyJane.etsy.com
Expires August 17th

Created by KaedanKrafts.etsy.com
Expires August 17th

Go Green with the Etsy Twitter Team is Coming!

Graphic created by Susan Brown of SalonDArte

The Etsy Twitter Team is throwing an eco-party, and everyone is invited!

From July 21st to July 27th, the authority on Twitter for all things handmade will be offering a summer feast of cool eco-friendly tips, suggestions, awesome handcrafted genius and a scavenger hunt with lots of “green” prizes for the winners.

Our team, which uses Twitter to expand its reach to a global audience, thinks that “Going Green” is far more than just a sales pitch. We really want to dispel the myth that items that are “green” have to be expensive or time-consuming to find, and encourage people to think of ways they can conserve the most valuable resource we have, which is the Earth itself. This is one way to really turn people on to the idea of buying responsibly and learning how to find items, which support, rather than harm, our natural resources.

We feel that supporting green initiatives are part of meeting the Etsy Twitter Team's mission to become the authority on Twitter for all things handmade. The handmade lifestyle is an important piece of the eco-puzzle and we want to be sure and share that with the rest of the world, on Twitter and off.

Beginning on Tuesday, July 21st, our blog will have a list of participating shops that feature eco-friendly handmade items and more details about the fun scavenger hunt. See you there!!

Bridal Daze: A Little Sparkle!

You’ve found the perfect dress. You’ve hunted down the perfect shoes. Even got a great deal on those much needed undergarments! Now it’s time to put the crowning touch on the whole ensemble! Jewelry!

This is an easy way to go handmade for your wedding, and with many different price ranges, anyone can afford to do it. Adding that special touch to your “fairy tale” look is simple with the Etsy Twitter Team’s jewelry artists!

South Paw Studios

South Paw Studios jewelry on Etsy offers handcrafted designs by self taught, Toledo, Ohio jewelry artist, Katy Mims. All jewelry is crafted with hand selected semi-precious and precious gems, fresh water pearls, sterling silver and vermeil metals. Affordable elegance, chic designs, no fuss jewelry!

Pearl Necklace and Earring Bridal jewelry set. You pick the color! 15 colors to choose from!

Joslin Jewels

"I simply wish to make beautiful objects of wearable art by following my muse wherever she takes me. My designs are sometimes simple, sometimes intricate, sometimes whimsical, and sometimes elegant." - Sheridan Joslin, Jewelry Artist

Bridal Daze Special: Free shipping PLUS buy one or more necklaces and pick a pair of earrings priced $25.00 or less for FREE!

Pretty Cheap Jewelry

Have money left over for a honeymoon!!

Budget Weddings are Beautiful Too Necklace & Earring Set

White Wedding or Whenever Earrings (great for bridal party, additional pairs or colors made upon request)



Bella Tu Jewelry

Each piece is handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail so that your lovely treasure will be cherished for a lifetime.

That's Headley!

That's Headley! Jewelry Designs is about a journey in wearable art in semiprecious gemstones, wire, and glass. Color, texture, balance, and richness are the design goals.

Linda B's Jewelry

An elegant and timeless necklace for your wedding.

The Giveaway!!

In addition to the invaluable wedding information you will find this week on the Etsy Twitter Team blog, we are having a contest for all of you! Our team members have put together a lovely prize basket that one lucky commenter will win at the end of the week. Some of the prizes include stunning jewelry, a coffee cozy, and shop discount coupons!

In order to enter you must leave a comment on the blog about Bridal Daze. That comment must include a way to get a hold of you either through your user name link to your blog profile page or if you don’t have a blog you can email your info to etsytwitterteam@gmail.com. (Please be sure to include your comment in the email.) You may enter once per day. No Etsy Twitter Team members are allowed to win. At the end of the week I will draw a random winner from all the comments. If you know someone who is getting married soon, tell him or her about this contest so they can get in on the action! Good luck! Commenting closes Sunday, June 14th at midnight!

See all the posts about Bridal Daze!

Team Treasuries

This Treasury was created by Jenco13.etsy.com and features shops from our team who have had less than 15 sales.
Go give it some clickety click love and check out these great shops!
(Treasury expires May 30th.)

Created by InMyHeadStudios.etsy.com!
Expires May 30th.

Sidewalk Sale Treasury

Jenco13 created this wonderful Treasury to promote our upcoming Sidewalk Sale. Go take a look at the shops in the Treasury to get a sneak peek of what you will find during the Sidewalk Sale! Keep checking back to the Treasury as she intends to switch out spots so all the participating shops can be featured.

Sale Event Coming on Sunday!!

The Etsy Twitter Team is having a Sidewalk Sale coming soon!! The sale will run from Sunday, May 17th to Saturday, May 23rd.

A list of participating shops will be posted to this blog on Sunday!! Please stop by to see what great deals you can get from our team shops!

If you want our blog posts to show up in your email inbox, fill out the form in the sidebar of this blog!! Never miss another Etsy Twitter Team blog post again!!

Shop of the Week: Tamara Garvey

A sense of humor is something we all could use more of these days and this week’s Shop of the Week delivers! Tamara Garvey, of TamaraGarvey.etsy.com, has some really cute and beautiful illustrations. Her style is quirky and fun! For example, the drawing pictured above, "Burglars and Russian Nesting Dolls", actually made me laugh out loud.

“I draw fun, whimsical, pen-and-ink scenes, usually involving at least one animal and/or tree, as these are my favorite things to study and draw! I sell them as prints in different sizes, including ACEOs, as well as note card sets.

I'm really inspired by the classic pen-and-ink artists Edward Gorey and Aubrey Beardsley. My drawings are made with care in my cute home studio, usually with my dog snoozing on the floor nearby. I'm saving up for a large-format printer of my own so that I can have complete control over my prints (that sounds diabolical! mua ha ha), but in the meantime I have them done at a print shop nearby that does an awesome job. My prints have great color and are printed on nice quality card stock.

My drawings are inspired by my walk to work through Savannah, Georgia's squares, magazines, other artists/crafters on Etsy, color combinations of a stranger's outfit, tattoos, particularly cute dogs at the dog park...anything really!”

Tamara has a degree in Illustration from Savannah College of Art and Design and a B.S. in Biology from Mary Washington College. Her biology background comes through in her piece titled “Enchantment under the Sea” – it’s like looking into a microscope and seeing all sorts of neat little creatures swimming around in the pond water.

When asked about her Twittering: “It took me a while to get used to Twitter, but now I am really into it! I try hard to maintain a mix of promotional (whether self- or other-) tweets with replies or random thoughts, to keep a personal touch to things. I love keeping in touch with my Etsy team members, seeing what they're creating, and what's new with them. I have made some great connections with other artists and crafters especially. One girl in particular, a freelance illustrator, has pretty much become my mentor as I develop my own illustration career! I think it is amazing that a new site can have such an effect.”

She ships everywhere and all her illustrations are shipped wrapped in a waterproof cellophane sleeve, sandwiched between pieces of thick, non-bending cardboard.

Follow her on her blog and on Twitter!

Special for the Week: Put “EtsyTwitter” into the “Messages for the Seller” box and await a revised invoice with a 15% discount off any of her items! (If you forget, just send her a convo.)

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade tamaragarvey.etsy.com

Shop of the Week: Jewel Craft Designs

Sharlyn Lauby, of Jewel Craft Designs, creates jewelry – necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. She particularly enjoys working with crystals. Her designs are very unique and incorporate different mediums in each piece.

From Sharlyn’s profile on Etsy: “Sharlyn Lauby has been involved in the art world for over 20 years. She began her craft as a commercial artist, producing limited-edition serigraphs, etchings, and paper sculptures. The work was a lot of fun but incredibly messy (‘I always smelled like paint thinner!’)

Already recognized as a human resources expert, Sharlyn started Jewel Craft Designs to combine her love of art with her entrepreneurial spirit.

Sharlyn is a self-taught jewelry maker. Working out of her home studio, Sharlyn’s jewelry making is all about having fun and making other people happy with her works. Her jewelry and gifts are designed for everyday wear and enjoyment.”

I am into using many different media in my own work so Jewel Craft Designs’ work speaks to me. It’s not easy to pull the varied elements together all the time and Sharlyn does it quite well.

Check out her shop! What speaks to you?

She writes about Human Resources on her blog: The HR Bartender.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade jewelcraftdesigns.etsy.com

Shop of the Week: Angel Kisses Jewelry

Angel Kisses Jewelry is a collective of related artists. Michelle Aguilar, her mother Sherry Hadley, and sister Annette Crews create one of kind jewelry pieces using semi-precious stones, glass beads and their own handmade polymer clay beads and pendants. Many of their creations are available as full sets of matching earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. They really do make unique pieces any woman would be glad to wear around town.


“Each of our pieces is unique. We spend a lot of time selecting the best available materials to ensure our final pieces are unlike anything else. The art of jewelry design is a form of self-expression. We each bring ourselves into our designs and continually strive to learn and perfect new techniques and materials. This broadens our available selection to our customers.

We love to create and inspiration can strike at the funniest times. Sometimes we are inspired by fashion or art, and other times it's like a mental getaway in your head while you type an email at work. We have each had our own arts and crafts we have been helplessly addicted to throughout the years. I think the inspiration and draw for our jewelry is that we sit down with a pile of beads or a clump of clay and we have a gorgeous piece that we can instantly wear out the door when we are finished. It's like instant gratification for crafters.”

When asked about networking: “Twitter has been an invaluable networking site for us. It has allowed us to keep our followers informed on both the personal and business fronts of being jewelry designers, bringing us closer to our customers. We tweet our new listings, updates and promotions as well as personal updates about working together as a family and our own passions in life.”

From March 2 - 8, 10% of all proceeds from sales will go to support HIV Positive women in Addis Kidan, Ethiopia, through the Good Samaritan Organization. Sherry personally visits this organization in Ethiopia to ensure the funds go directly to the women. Her next visit to Ethiopia is scheduled for March 16, 2009.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade AngelKissesJewelry.etsy.com

Great Resource: "10 Twitter Tips for Artists"

I found this article through a Twitter link and thought I would share it with you. It’s a fantastic resource for artists and crafters using Twitter to promote their work.

The author: “Natasha Wescoat is a licensed artist and social media creative at NatashasArtCandy.com utilizing the web to promote her art and connect with her audience. You can follow her on Twitter.”

The article is titled “Tweetable Art: 10 Twitter Tips for Artists” and all of it applies to anyone who makes art and promotes it on the web and on Twitter.

I especially like her suggestion that you share your work in progress. This allows your audience to get to know you better and creates that all-important relationship with your readers. They get let in on the “secret” of what you do and how you do it. Who doesn’t like to be let in on a secret?! Post pictures of your work in progress on Flickr and tweet a link to it!

This article is jam packed with 10 awesome ideas, not fluff. Go now and read it! Why are you still reading this? :)