Blessed Moon Artifacts

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Almost time to breathe....


It's been a bit hectic, some decent sales and I've got some last minute specials in my shop in case of any last minute shoppers.


I've moved up into the functional attic space this week also....so have been getting my studio set up and had my first working time in it yesterday - it was very fruitful... I listed many new items last night!


I'm personally looking forward to the new year... I hope to have some major changes in 2010.


Just got a new banner in my shop, thanks to the great vision of Urthwerm!


Happy Holidays to all, and a joyous and properous 2010!!!!!

Best,

Arena Creative

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

December giveaway!!!!!!


True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 43 Powered by RANDOM.ORG


Our winner is KraftChicDesigns!


Thank you all, I had 316 entries in this contest! Look for another groovy drawing coming soon!

Best,
Valerie

Arena Creative
(Photo: From the Arena Creative gallery space at International Art in Atlanta, GA)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Christmas giveaway time is nearing!

Scroll down for my Christmas giveaway (on 2nd page I think)
its almost time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A few more days and the winner is chosen! I can't wait!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Always need more space!

Moving up! Up to the attic that is! Tomorrow we move everything up there...it's a huge liveable space and it's been doing nothing so with my son here to stay - he's just got a small bed in my bedroom studio right now.... it's time to do it.

Looking forward to more organization, more space and more time because of the space and organization! yea!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

SALES, SALES and more SALES

SALES GALORE!

Come and check out my shop(s)!

JEWELRY AND ART, PRINTS AND HOUSEHOLD DECOR
www.arenacreative.etsy.com
Specials:
Designer jewelry at excellent prices:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/arenacreative?section_id=6535226

BLACK FRIDAY/CYBER MONDAY SALES.... Special #1: Free International shipping on orders over $100.*******************Special #2: We are also offering 50% off our fine art originals!!! That is 50% off the price that is listed! That is a discount from $15 all the way up to $1250 depending on the listed price of your purchase!!! (Prices range from 29.99 to 2500.00) This discount applies to ALL items in the Art Original category in our shop located here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/arenacreative?section_id=6070660How to get your discount!: Send me an email/conversation and identify the item(s) you want. I will change the price and shipping and email you back when it is ready for you to check out with the discounted price(s) and then you can put items in your cart, check out and proceed to Paypal for payment processing.

And don’t forget the over 100 items under $10!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/arenacreative?section_id=6535186

www.somethingolde.etsy.com
Specials: I went in and sliced prices, $5, here, $10 here, $30 here….lots of price drops made today! Vintage carafes, dinnerware, jewelry, Gucci, etc….
I have a special under $10 section:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/somethingolde?section_id=6535348

www.suppliez.etsy.com
Specials:
Preparing for Christmas or Holiday cards? I’ve got HP Holiday photo cards (40 of them) with 40 matching envelopes in their original box, with the cd and all! Never mind waiting for your order or not knowing if it’s going to look right – print your own!!! I’ve got three in stock
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34221758

Excellent prices and selection on findings and focals!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/suppliez?section_id=6495196

Also carrying pearls, acrylic jewelry supplies, paper supplies and more.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

BLACK FRIDAY AND CYBER MONDAY SPECIALS

HOLIDAY SPECIALS!!!!!
MAJOR SALES!
We are offering a great variety of specials this holiday season!
Simple no hassle prices: Our $10 and under and under $20 to $10 sections are plain and simple put it in your cart and check out items!!! You'll find our shipping charges are nominal and we give free shipping on most 2nd and additional items.
ALSO we are offering

Free International shipping on orders over $100. AND...

We are also offering 50% off our fine art originals!!! That is 50% off the price that is listed! That is a discount from $15 all the way up to $1250 depending on the listed price of your purchase!!! (Prices range from 29.99 to 2500.00) This fine art discount applies to ALL items in the Art Original category in our shop located here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/arenacreative?section_id=6070660

How to get your discount: Send me an email/conversation through ETSY and identify the item(s) you want. I will change the price and shipping and email you back when it is ready for you to check out with the discounted price(s) and then you can put item(s) in your cart, check out and proceed to Paypal for payment processing.
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AND...savings for smaller budgets: (this cannot be combined with any other special offer but CAN be used on items in the under $10 and $20 and under categories and any other normally priced merchandise. Shipping costs apply if stated in item description. Combined shipping is available on many items.

COUPON CODE: SAVE30OFF99 Put 99 dollars or more of merchandise in your cart (price before shipping) and save $30 off merchandise total.

COUPON CODE: SAVE20OFF70 Put 70 dollars or more of merchandise in your cart (price before shipping) and save $20 off merchandise total.

COUPON CODE: SAVE10OFF50 Put 50 dollars or more of merchandise in your cart (price before shipping) and save $10 off merchandise total.

How to get your discount: Put items in cart. Check out and commit to buy. PUT YOUR DISCOUNT CODE in the NOTES TO SELLER BOX!!! I will then send you an invoice with the correct discounted amount from PAYPAL.

Thank you for looking!!! Happy Holidays

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Winner! Nov. Goodies from suppliez.etsy.com

Congrats Ann F of MA - winner of the Nov. Goody Bag from www.suppliez.etsy.com!!!!

Look for drawing announcements for suppliez.etsy.com and somethingolde.etsy.com (drawing for arenacreative.etsy.com announced previously)

Good luck!

Gift packaging available! No extra cost







Hi! I offer free gift packaging at no extra cost in all of my shops!









Here's some pictures of a package I sent out recently. We offer wrapping paper, tissue paper, adornments, cards, bows, gift bags and gift boxes. We have a variety of supplies and will make a suggestion if you don't mention your preferences.
Have a great day!
Arena Creative






Sunday, November 8, 2009

Christmas Giveaway!






Getting ready for the holidays, my shops are going to be celebrating the opportunity to give!
I've got one gift package planned so far, and the way you get in on the drawing for it is simple:
any one of these will get you an entry each:

1. Twitter an item or my shop in general (arenacreative.etsy.com) (up to one entry daily)

2. Feature or write about/show an item or my shop in general (arenacreative.etsy.com)(up to one entry daily)

3. Purchase an item (1 entry per dollar purchased, unlimited) from my shop (arenacreative.etsy.com).
4. Follow my blog (1 entry per person)

Please be sure to let me know if you twitter (send me your twitter user name) anything or blog anything (send me the blog link.)

Each entry will be recorded in a notebook with a number. I will have my son randomly pick a number for the winner(s). That number will correspond to a person and that person will be getting a nice surprise!
My other shops will be starting drawings around the 19th of November. Stay tuned!
http://www.arenacreative.etsy.com/



This drawing will run from today until December 16th. It is my hope to get the package to the recipient by Christmas.

One winner will receive the nautical handcrafted bracelet and necklace and 2 crazy free form rings. The necklace is 18 inches long, the pendant is another one and a half inches long. The bracelet will fit best a seven or seven and a half inch wrist. The rings are basically formable, but likely good for size 8 or 9. These are all handcrafted items. The necklace and bracelet come in a glasstop presentation box.

Let the holidays and the giving begin! I'm also looking to feature folks on this blog, please write me if interested. Thanks!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Tradaholics having a pre Black Friday sale!

Yea! Looking forward to participating in this and shopping in this! $10 and under sales by Tradaholics on ETSY!
Time: November 20, 2009 to November 22, 2009
I will make sure all my shops are stocked with $10 and under items and will post more info as it becomes available!

New items in Arena Creative







Been busy working on new jewelry items!! Here's a few of the latest additions
at http://www.arenacreative.etsy.com/

Thursday, October 22, 2009

20 percent off on vintage this weekend 10/22-10/25











Any purchase and all purchases made this weekend 10/22-25 receive a 20% refund via Paypal once paid for via paypal. This is good at my shop at:
















We have some great vintage stuff there!




Here's a few examples:




Nov. 19th Drawing for Goodies







I've opened a new shop.... http://www.suppliez.etsy.com/



Each item you purchase will get you an entry into a drawing for the giveaway.



If you wish to enter without purchase, please convo me via my etsy shop (URL above) and show me a URL where you have tweeted or blogged about this shop or a particular item in the shop!

This will get you an entry.

Also, follow me on this blog, please!

Make sure I have your name and way to contact you and proof of the blog/tweet.

I am ValerieArena on twitter.

The pictures above are some of the items in the drawing. More will be added to fill the tin and probably some overflow items as well!! The winners will be chosen randomly on Nov. 19th and the gift will be shipped out on the 20th. I will be having a new drawing for Nov. 20th-December 18th. I'll be thinking up something good! I'll update you toward Nov. 19th.
Update: 11/19/2009: Congratulations Ann F. of MA!!!! You won!


Thursday, October 15, 2009

For those who love vintage!

Vintage vintage vintage! It's a hot commodity right now and something whose time has come!

I have opened a little vintage oriented shop on etsy!


Something Olde - items from 1880-1980.
I am also in the process of opening two additional shops. I love Etsy!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Blog featured in Council Chronicle NCTE magazine

Just found that my blog about Pennsylvania natural beauty writing gallery is shown in this months magazine! Very cool. Thanks NCTE!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Tuesday and it's HOT!





Jazz Musicians by RC Sprague - art print



Trying to stay focused and not focus on the heat. I'm from Arizona so really this is NOTHING compared to AZ heat BUT with the humidity and my fibromyalgia I am just dying dying dying. ack. Have to go out and run an errand in an hour and NOT looking forward to it!

I've been listing some new items today, new prints. Here's a sample of what's up today!







Revvin by RC Sprague - art print
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CHECK OUT BYJANELLE!!!!
Also, I'd like to mention another fellow ETSY seller whom I purchased jewelry components from and their service and quality is excellent! Check them out if you need anything! Thanks ByJanelle! I got some terrific copper components, Swarovski crystals and ear wires.
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Monday, August 17, 2009

New items coming to our Etsy shop







Having moved around a lot last year, we are still unpacking a lot of completed items from our studio. I'm always making jewelry so those seem to be listed frequently, but the home decor items we have made have been in the background so I'm finally finding time to get these up on Etsy!

I listed the first two items this afternoon, check them out, give me some feedback!
Both feature prints of original work from RC Sprague, my sweetheart.

Look for a LOT more in the next few days. We are likely going fishing tomorrow, so will be taking a little break tomorrow.

Have a wonderful week!
Valerie
Arena Creative




Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Making art out of a broken dish



I had a terra cotta candle holder that was like a square plate with corners that had an upward rise to them. Over the years it became discolored, the edge of one corner got severely chipped and it started to crack from years of heat and candle wax.

I cleaned it up and put it in a bag and smashed it up. I then ground it up to get rid of any large pieces and then used it in my paint to give my paint a wonderful texture.

You would be amazed at what wonderful textures and additions you can achieve by adding something interesting to the mix! In addition I had found a piece of fuzzy string on the street when I was in the process of creating this piece and it ended up in the piece as well.

Piece is entitled "Earth Textures", acrylic, recycled fiber and recycled texture on canvas, by Valerie Arena 2008

If you like this concept and/or this piece, check out this contest at:
http://www.greenwala.com/greenwala_contests/all/5-Choose-to-Reuse-Sponsored-by-Hewlett-Packard-HP/entries/all/56-Making-art-out-of-a-broken-dish


Posted using ShareThis

Tree


As a Reiki master, touching something gives me an exchange of energy. The trees have a wonderful energy and this photo and poem express my feelings about trees.



Photo taken in Sedona, (Oak Creek Canyon) Arizona. Poem written by me, Valerie Arena.



Posted using ShareThis

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Mexican Food made easy!

Ok, I live in Pennsylvania, but I spent over thirty years in Arizona. I have travelled across the United States and through Mexico and I would have to say that in Arizona you will find the richest selection of Mexican style food and you will find that there are many "varieties" of "Mexican" food. Most variations are regionally influenced. For example here are some of the varieties I am familiar with:
  • New Mexican
  • Mexican/Mexican American
  • Latin/Latin-American
  • Southwestern
  • Sonoran
  • Tex-Mex (Texas/Mexico)
  • Oaxacan
  • Spanish
  • Cal-Mex (California/Mexican)
I have always loved Mexican style food and often my cooking has shown this influence. Let me share with you a very simple Mexican influenced recipe that takes few ingredients, little time and is relatively inexpensive. I am providing two recipes, one for 20 enchiladas which is great for potlucks or family gatherings (trust me you will be getting compliments!) and one for an enchilada casserole for a family of 4 (simple and inexpensive!):

(Note, these recipes are strictly the meat version: you can substitute or add in refried beans in place of or in addition to the ground beef. The taste will be significantly altered but if you enjoy refried beans, you may wish to try. Substitution guide: same ounces of refried beans to substitute for same ounces of ground beef.)

BUDGET and Time SAVER RECIPE: Enchilada Casserole
1 can 24 oz red enchilada sauce ($1.50)
1 lb ground beef ($2)
1 pkg 8 inch (8 ct) flour tortillas ($1.70)
1 8oz bag of mild cheddar cheese - shredded ($2)
Costs: $7.20 - feeds four
Salt and pepper to taste


Possible Add ins (whatever you have on hand: garlic (fresh, minced, dry, garlic powder), onions, green onions, scallions, cilantro, fresh or dry parsley, rosemary, oregano, fresh tomatos chopped, whatever you like and have handy)

Take a deep pan (preferably 2 inches deep, 6 to 8 inches wide, ten inches long)
Spread 4 oz enchilada sauce on bottom of pan.

Brown your ground beef in a pan, add in 6 ounces of enchilada sauce, salt, pepper, other add ins as you like, 4 oz of cheese (certainly optional if you don't dig cheese) and cook thoroughly making sure all meat is browned and all cheese melted and seasoned to your liking. Turn heat off and get ready to assemble your casserole:

Take 2 tortillas and place in bottom of pan in a way that covers the whole bottom of the pan. You can use an additional tortilla to fill in any gaps or break the tortillas to fit the pan. Spread half of your meat mixture on top of the tortillas, cover with 2 additional tortillas, covering the meat fully, spread the other half of the meat mixture over that layer of tortilla, covering again with 2 additional tortillas, covering the meat mixture entirely. Pour the remainder (14 oz) of the enchilada sauce over the top of that level of tortilla, covering completely. Cover with the remainder (4 oz) of cheese and any other items you wish (scallions, sliced tomatos, ?)

Heat for 30 minutes at 350. Take out of oven, let cool for ten minutes, cut into squares, serve and Enjoy! Optional garnishes: lettuce, tomatos, green onions/scallions, avacado, sour cream.

LARGE QUANTITY RECIPE: Yield 20 enchiladas
2 cans enchilada sauce (red, 2 - 24 oz or larger) (Walmart has them for about $1.50 each)
3 lbs ground beef (75% - 90% will work best) (purchased on sale at $1.87/lb )
2 eight ounce bags of shredded mild cheddar cheese (typically cost $2 a bag)
20 flour tortillas ( 8 inch works well - typically 10 to 12 in a bag $1.99 a bag)
Costs: under $20
Seasonings for the meat: Here is where you can make your own decisions; I typically enjoy cilantro (fresh) or chopped green onions or scallions, salt, black pepper, oregano, Trader Joes 21 Seasoning Salute, Garlic (fresh/minced or chopped or powdered garlic or garlic salt if you have no fresh garlic) You can really choose what you want here but I'd suggest no sweet spices!

Cooking the meat filling: For convenience I pick up two aluminum lasagna pans that can be left at the family event/potluck if need be. If you are cooking at home, you can use any pan that will accomodate what quantity you are cooking and preferably one that is at least 2 inches deep to keep your enchiladas nice and moist.
I use my Wok to cook this large quantity of ground beef. I start out with three large tablespoons of minced garlic, three large tablespoons of either Oregano or Trader Joes 21 seasoning salute, 6 chopped scallions (greens included) in the wok as it heats and I stir the seasonings around. I then start adding in my beef seperating it for thorough cooking. As it's cooking I add salt and pepper limitedly (1 to 2 teaspoons of each) and 12 ounces of enchilada sauce.
When it's completely browned I taste and add more salt and pepper to my liking. You will then dump one bag of mild cheddar cheese (8 0z) into this mixture, stir and let melt completely. Turn off the heat and get ready to assemble!

Assembling your enchiladas:
Spread 4 oz of enchilada sauce on the bottom of each of your pans, covering the entire bottom of the pan. Place an individual tortilla on a plate (paper plate works fine) spoon enough meat mixture towards one end of the tortilla, spreading horizontally, creating a 1 and a half inch to 2 inch wide and approximately 4 to 5 inch long strip of meat, take the bottom curve of the tortilla that is closest to the horizontal strip of the meat and begin rolling with the first roll covering the meat entirely, continue to roll until the enchilada becomes a large cigar-like tube. place in the pan. Continue until you have filled your pan tightly. In a typical rectangular cake or lasagna pan (9x13) you should be able to fit 10 enchiladas. Once the pans are full, pour approximately 14 oz of enchilada sauce over each pan, taking your spoon and spreading the sauce thoroughly over the entire enchiladas (this keeps the tortilla from getting hard while cooking.) Spoon excess sauce from the sides up over the ends and sides of enchiladas until you have covered them thoroughly.
(Optional but adds yum factor: Spread 4 oz of shredded mild cheddar cheese over the top of the enchiladas, feel free to sprinkle any excess meat mixture over the top of the enchiladas as well, and possible some chopped scallions if you like.)

Cook at 350 for 30 minutes, enchiladas should be hot and bubbly. (Leftover refrigerated Enchiladas can be easily reheated in the microwave on a microwave safe plate approximately 2 minutes for a plate with one enchilada on it.)
Enjoy!

Seeking writers - Pennsylvanian topics - National Day On Writing


Hello, I am curating a gallery at the NCTE National Gallery of Writing. The gallery is called Natural Pennsylvania. Submissions should reflect on the natural resources and beauties of Pennsylvania. Poetry, articles and any applicable media are acceptable. Submissions are subject to approval and acceptance. Please read gallery submission guidelines at the site.

Must focus on the natural aspects of Pennsylvania; i.e. coal industry, other industries, nature; i.e water, land, foliage, forest, etc. Entries should be educational and descriptive in nature.

http://galleryofwriting.org/galleries/88427

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Arena Creative is in the house.....

Welcome to Arena Creative's blog.
This will be updated shortly, just getting started here.

I've started putting my inventory on Etsy and I've had minimal sales, so I'm always looking for ways to improve my sales!

I'll be posting about my experiences, upcoming shows and our studio shortly.

Best,
Arena Creative