Feeling so NOLA

Feeling/mourning being away from New Orleans the past couple days.  Its withered hand clutched my heart and never let go... My two trips there were filled with visions and feelings. I hope I can go back again someday perhaps to live for a few months, to feel it more fully.

My feelings have inspired a few new pieces that I created yesterday, have a look:

What's new in the Arena Creative Studio?

Check out our new handcarved woodcraft incense burners!
Here's one that is Alice in Wonderland inspired.
Currently in stock are red mushroom, white skull, white black and silver peace sign, blue and white star, black and white yin yang and yellow flower varieties. We can custom make one for you as well! Just let us know via an email or convo on Etsy. These are handcarved, hand painted and handcrafted by RC Sprague.To check them all out go to http://www.arenacreative.etsy.com/ to go to the listing for the mushroom incense, just click on the title above!
Here's my favorite, the mushroom!

And my 2nd favorite, the yin yang!

Saturday Blog Shoppers April 3, 2010

Welcome Saturday Blog shoppers!

I've been busy listing new items in all my shops, please check them out!

http://www.arenacreative.etsy.com/

http://www.suppliez.etsy.com/

http://www.somethingolde.etsy.com/

This is a lovely recycled/repurposed "something old" piece.

The pearls come from a vintage thrift shop purchase, as does the chain.  The goldtone Vintaj flower accent near the clasp, the goldplated wires in the pearls are new. It's 7.25 inches and can be easily made larger by request.

Check out all the details on this lovely piece at:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44017418

many of my recent listings are recycled or repurposed goods!

The lovely earrings below are so unique and on sale today for this weekends shoppers!

Full details can be found here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35585734

Buyers this weekend get a valuable coupon mailed with their order (for next purchase).

Selected items are on sale for this weekend. And we have a huge SALE section!

http://www.arenacreative.etsy.com/

Saturday Blog Shopper Special! Be My Angel Polished Silver Bracelet

Welcome Saturday Blog Shoppers!
Normally $21.99 -- on sale today $15!
Today's special is located at:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40080334
and pictured below:

This week one of my photos/pieces is featured in an article on Handmade News

http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=4775

The bloodstone photo shown is one of my handcrafted pieces. This piece is currently available.

I recently had a Handmade Cafe feature:

http://cafehandmade.com/index.php/2010/03/in-the-studio-with-valerie-arena-arena-creative/

My backyard....

I had to share this beautiful moment with you - I'm not a big fan of snow.... but I do like trains...and I am fortunate enough to have a train track in my back yard.  I get to see trains going by maybe once a day, sometimes a few days pass and nothing.  Sometimes OLD trains come by and sometimes the Circus trains comes by and park down a ways and walks their animals to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes Barre, PA to their circus show area.  

I've always liked trains, and fortunately these are not too loud.  My Mom (R.I.P 8-1-2006) lived in Brady, NE for a while (I travelled there to be there with her and take care of her in 2005 when she had surgery on what was to be her demise -- her colon cancer....) She lived right near a train track which was really cool, but wow were those trains noisy! And they came through a lot!  I like my trains, they are infrequent, quiet and remind me of my Mom.... ( before the train came....)

Anyway... here's some photos of the train that came through today.  It has such a romantic look to it, doesn't it?  (ps... these photos are the property of Valerie Arena, may not be used or reproduced without permission.)  They will likely show up in some form in my Etsy shop... =)  I opened the window of my studio and leaned out to get these pictures. (just the start of it)

Dear Prudence...

Some random pics... for my wackies!
Prudence holds court above my monitor! (hmmm... what is that on my monitor?)

And the dog days of winter... what my dogs were doing while I was listing cards....

What is up in the studio today?

Just listed some new card sets, some adult valentine cards, a ISIS inspired bracelet and a peace notecards set on Etsy.  Check them out at http://www.arenacreative.etsy.com/  Doing a few St. Patricks Day items.  Tomorrow will list a 5 pack of Irish themed notecards.

Waiting from some copper paint to dry, it's going on a delicious set of notecards tomorrow... stay tuned!

Finished up a cute Fairy ACEO today, always looking to trade ACEO's!

I started an ACEO book today. Saw an ideal photo book at A.C. Moore's today and got it going.  I love ACEO's and wonder if I will fill the book by the end of the year.... I think I have about 8 in there now (none of mine, just what I have bought and traded with others!)

Found some wonderful additions to my supply collection at A.C. Moore's today...

It is soooo cold here in PA today.  It's been zero.  I feel sick, that is how cold it is. I am in a constant state of goosepimples. brrrr.

Arizona heat.... I always have said I don't think I could stand it again (after living there for 30 plus years)
BUT... I am beginning to change my mind.

The Mohegan Sun Casino in Wilkes Barre is going to be hiring/training 500 folks as dealers.  They just approved table games here in PA and the casino is ready to get started.  I put in my application, just to see if I would have any luck.  I've got an odd smattering of job applications in, it's like I am just trying to find my niche!

Here's some photos of my pooches: Warlock in the sweater, Bear in the scarf! (Both items purchased handmade from Etsy!)

Cheers!

V. @ ArenaCreative

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

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