a moment in time...

Another productive weekend!

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 21:55:44 GMT

On Friday I checked the online paper for Garage sales in my area and believe it or not I was up at 8am on Saturday in order to venture out and find some goodies before someone else snatched them up.

Here is what I ended up with for $24 !!!

My favourites are the TV tray and suitcase!

The idea behind this little trip was to find some way to display my earrings at the upcoming Big on Bloor craft show. I didn't think that my couch cushions will really cut it for another year.

Here is what I did

Step 1: Found a very large wooden frame for all of $3, I paid $5 for the frame and suitcase!

Step 2: Tear apart the frame and remove the painting, glass and backing. Here is where I warn you to make sure you are careful and have a tetanus shot as the staples can be very old and dangerous as they may fly in the air...

Step 3: Apply at least 2 coats of latex paint, I purchased a tester can from the hardware store for $6 in Cocoa Mousse.

*** Very important, let the paint dry. I don't have patience and well I was covered in paint. Also cover up the surface you are working on as paint likes to drip and also fly in the air***

Step4: Use thumb tacks to attach window mesh and cardboard to the frame. Also do not try to use your thumb to push in the thumb tacks it will hurt, find a hammer. In my case call one of your best friends and ask if her dad has an extra one kicking around. Also it was hard keeping my cat from helping, that's his thumb in the picture.

And here is what I now have

A super cool about $10 earring display.
I just finished putting a second coat of paint on a smaller frame that will be used for the same purpose.

Giving is better than receiving...

Sat, 30 May 2009 00:55:53 GMT

Lately I have been trying to give a little to do the world. I don't have money for donations and hardly time, but it is worth the effort and right now my time is easier to go without. One day I will love to be able to write the big anonymous cheques but until that day I will give you my time.

For the past month I have been volunteering every Tuesday as a Big Sister to a 10 year old boy. Together we join other coworkers of mine and their 'littles' for a fun 2-3 hour activity. We went hiking in the rain this Tuesday, glow in the dark mini putting, visited a boring museum... overall a little fun.

I don't have a lot of (well any) experience with kids and this experience has taught me to never try to take care of 20 boys at the same time.

But at the end of the day to see their smiles warms the heart and makes me feel that I have done something to make someone else happy.

Also in the theme of giving back, one of my coworkers is planning to Walk for Boobies

in order to help find a cure for breast cancer. She needs to raise $2,000 in order to participate. Since I am not financially able to write the cheque I want to and fully respect her cause, I am doing the next best thing I can...
Meet the Walking for Boobies Necklace

It's hand painted wire wrapped sea glass and the entire purchase price will be donated to Liz and her walk. I can make a few of these so please don't be shy in ordering more than one ;)
Feel free to share this or even send a direct donation to Lis through her site ;) Every single dollar will bring her closer to her goal and everyone closer to a cure!

Summer is here...

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:49:11 GMT

well perhaps for just one day, but I took full advantage of the sunshine and headed for the Beaches in Toronto

I discovered the boardwalk and beach last year for the first time at the end of the summer and this year I will be there every weekend. Just a weekend beach bum ;)
I can't believe I didn't know how wonderful it is there all of these years.

I even enjoyed my first Ice Low Fat Light Ice Latte of the season ;)

I decided to go by the water and look for sea glass. Lately I have been looking at wornderful jewlery made out of sea glass and thought if I would be lucky enough to find a piece... well

I am going to wire wrap some of the bigger pieces and perhaps get my hands on a drill...
Anybody worked with sea glass before? Ideas...
I may put some in the shop as supplies...

Tourist for the day...

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:38:46 GMT

An event I discovered last year in my little city of Toronto is Winterlicious . Great, out of my price range, restaurants have set menus for a lot lower price. Today I had lunch at the top of the CN tower, something that I really really wanted to do. Now this is not the famous spinning 360 restaurant, but the Horizons restaurant , still 100% worth it.
Just check out this view from our table:

and the menu was pretty good for $15 and $10 to get up there
I started with Smoked Salmon Salad

Followed by a Chicken Pot Pie

and a Sour Cream Ice cream and Apple crumble

and if you are up there you have to go on the glass floor of the CN tower and sit on it like all of the tourists :)

Actually most people are scared of the glass floor. It does feel a little weird at first but really nothing freaky about it. And really I am a tourist in my own city as I hardly ever visit the attractions. This is only the second time I have been up there.

PRINTSY interview

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:15:14 GMT

PRINTSY interview
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Hey there,

Check out my printsy.blogspot.com/ interview.
I think it turned out pretty awesome!

On a personal note I am battling a monster of a cold that does not want to go away. It has been over a week and I still feel really crappy
So yey for Printsy interview :(
and boo to the cold :(

"Give me a sign" Jan 8th 09 SPT

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:24:33 GMT

"Give me a sign" Jan 8th 09 SPT
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I was thinking about an artistic goal for this year. I have been getting really into it and then a week later my life spins me around and I leave everything behind.
I would love to participate in the "365" " photo project, but lets be honest here, who am I kidding....;)

So what I am going to try and yes try, most likely miss a few, but participate in the Self Portrait Thursday Project.
Yes Commitment!
My goal is to capture the next year, one Thursday at a time, and the rollercoaster that I am expecting in 2009!
Get ready for it ;)

Ps I still have an awesome sale going on in the little Shop!

Happy New Year!!!!

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:07:41 GMT

Winter tree banner
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I hope 2009 brings everyone a lot of smiles and good times!

I am glad that 2008 is over and a new year filled with hope is here!
My resolution this year is to wake up every morning with a smile on my face. Just a happy outlook to face the world ;)

I am starting it right with a new banner in my little shop, check out my awesome new photoshop skills. I know to most of you this is nothing, but I am learning!

Happy Holidays!!!

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:10:09 GMT

My Favourite
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Happy Holidays everyone!!!!

Wish upon a star ....

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:25:39 GMT

Wish upon a star earrings
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Just in time for the Holidays I have two new earring designs in the Shop!

My favourite right now are these Little Stars
and I have made a wish on my pair and hopefully it will come true and soon!

My Christmas tree is up, I wanted a small one but somehow I got one that reaches all the way to my ceiling and my carpet will forever hold its needles. Oh well the apartment officially smells like Christmas, now I only wish I had someone special to share it with... maybe next year.

Day off!!!!

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:29:38 GMT

in Montreal
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

After spending the weekend (16 hours in total) in class, I was lucky to have the day off from work today. I actually have a few days that I will try to fit in by the end of the year. I hope to have the last week of December entirely off, to just sit around and not do anything. Please Please Please.

My little sis spent the weekend here, and today we shopped 'till we dropped. ;)
I bought the cutest little skirt and tights ( I never thought that I would buy tights), to go with the skirt. The combo with my black boots is awesome!!!! I can't wait to wear the outfit ;)
Now I am getting ready for my week, that is only 4 days long!!!

ps the Picture is from last month, when I was in Montreal

400 hearts!

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:25:46 GMT

400 hearts!
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

yey a little celebration!
Now I want 500 by the end of the year, and to reach 200 sales in my shop!
I can do it!, I know I can....

Where have I been, well I don't even know....
Working,studying, taking little trips..... New York, Montreal, Ottawa (check out my flickr for photos) and oh yah meeting new people and trying to learn about dating....

My mission is to be back on track here, since I really want to be able to call myself a full time artist not an artist by night.

Forget I ever was....

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:27:30 GMT

Self Image 3 - forget I ever was
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

a part of us.
What used to be perfection is forever gone.
Forget I was a part of you as I left who you used to love behind.
I will never be as complete as I was with you
and yet all that I have left for you is gratitude for making me who I am.
There will never be another who loves me more than you do
and yet that is the love I chose to reject in the search for something less true.
I choose to feel no regret as I find myself incomplete.
I choose not to find love as it will only cause me pain and yet
that is the one thing that I miss.
The look of true love in your eyes, the energy of love in your touch.
Now it cold as I lay here looking only for a way to be hurt in order to get rid of the numbness that has encompassed my heart.

real life...

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:39:35 GMT

Vacation
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Hi there,
I am back from vacation and my life is now upside down.
This picture is from the most comfotable moment I had while there.
Now I am lost, numb and angry with myself....

Off to Europe Sale

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:58:35 GMT

"Strength" earrings
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I am leaving for Europe in two weeks for two weeks ;)
and decided to have a little sale until then. 15% everything in my shop until July 10th!
(excluding custom items)

Please do come for a visit The Shop!

new "Strength" Earrings

"Big On Bloor" festival

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:24:41 GMT

"Big On Bloor" festival
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

My friend and I battled the elements on Saturday to do this Festival.
We had everything from rain, wind, sunshine to dark mean clouds.
We didn't get a lot of traffic and we were in the worse location but it was a good experience....

10 more days...

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:36:23 GMT

'Joy' Earrings
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I can almost smell the freedom. Imagine that a few months without my Accounting textbook to keep me company every night and weekend.

Any spare minute that I have, I am trying to prepare for my craft show on the 27th. Yesterday I made earrings and created this new design, "Joy".
I only have enough to make only these, so they are One of a kind for the next little while. My goal is to create as much inventory as I can without buying new supplies. I do have them in pink too, but I will keep them for the craft show, if they don't sell I will list them.
They are very cute and fresh ;)

ok back to the book..........

Hi there....

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:51:17 GMT

[this should have been posted yesterday]

I know I have been MIA for most of the month....
Thank you for looking in and waiting for an update.
Right now I am studying for a big entrance exam that will take place on June 17th. Send all the extra luck you have my way, because I will need it.

After that I will have TIME, imagine that...TIME!!!!

On June 20th I will be in a Craft Show in Toronto, Big on Bloor !

and on July 11th I am off to Europe for two weeks. woop woop!

Ok I will update you with pictures and new items soon!

By the way The Shop! is still open and even though I am studying I love taking breaks to get orders ready for shipping ;)

A little extra time...

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:46:33 GMT

Pocket Mirrors...
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I managed to finish the studying I planned for today early and this is what I did.
These are my cute little pocket mirrors all dressed up in their own packages ready to come with me to a craft sale!

They are not in the Shop! , but if you really want one let me know ;)

ok I am to Paul's parents for real dinner

where does time go....

Sun, 04 May 2008 01:21:01 GMT

Just For You - Moleskine Journal
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

it passes too fast to realize....
I spent the day in a classroom and will be back again tomorrow. This is all in prep for my 'life' changing test in June.
To be honest I am not sure I want to be a CMA anymore, but I have a lot invested in it already, both in money and time...
I will continue to push forward. My reward will be my first vacation to see my family in July. I can't wait!

I finally finished this little Moleskine journal featuring my print " Just for you", it has been in the works for months, half done just waiting for me to put it together.
"Just for you" Journal

Website update....

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:31:17 GMT

Website update....
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I was a bit productive this weekend as I did manage to update my website
Instead of an image heavy grid I figured out how to create a gallery!
yey me!
A few people have tried it and it is loading fast. If you have to time to visit, please let me know how it loads for you. So far I have updated the Block prints section. This new design is faster to do and I hope to actually 'finish' the other parts.

The Link!

Hi there,

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:00:56 GMT

Candy star pendant
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

How are you?

Life is changing for me in a flash, one minute I am moving the next I am not.
The good news is that I don't have to study for the rest of the month and really hope to do some block printing this week or even perhaps a bit of painting.
I had a dream that I sold a few paintings, I really wish I would find the energy to really work on my so called art career. The current corporate life is slowly making me loose sense of who I am.

For now I am working on new accessories because they are fun and quick to do.

Visit this cute pendant when you have a minute "Candy Star"

It is very gray here, I hope that were you are you have a bit of sunshine.

in a few words...my life is...

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:51:36 GMT

"Simplicity" Earrings
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Get up early, go to work....stay late at work, go home and be stuck in traffic on the way home.... study, go to sleep. Get up early, go to work...stay later than yesterday, go home...but be stuck in traffic for a while, study...go to sleep. Get up early, go to work........... you get the picture.
But at least while I am at work I get to wear and be complemented on my new earrings collection

Simplicity Earrings!

the little things...

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:46:42 GMT

Ceramic Brown Heart Pendant
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

The little things make me happy...
like having my brother and my sister with me for the first time since Thanksgiving.
or trying to boil eggs to colour them and ending up with half of them cracking ;)

I spent the weekend in bed sick for most part, but hopefully this week won't be too hard on me.

I have updated the shop The Shop! with new earrings and this Pendant

Happy Sunday!

ps if you read this prior to my edit, well it is proof I am sick

Small update...

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:49:17 GMT

Gentle Earrings
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Nothing new to report really.
Just working like mad, studying like mad and trying to spend a few minutes on something creative or to go the gym.
I find that earrings are an easy way to do something different, ie not work with numbers. I have been putting them in the Shop

I hope to have some time to print in the upcoming future, but it probably won't be until after my test on April 5th.

My brother joined me at the Bead Oasis show downtown yesterday and that was interesting. I found that a lot of the supplies I can get online and mainly on Etsy are a lot cheaper than from the vendors there. I did spend a bit too much on lovely handmade glass beads that are just incredibly beautiful.

Gentle Earrings

New things...

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 01:54:36 GMT

Asymmetrical metal earrings
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

So instead of studying I have been playing with beads and metal.
I have a new addiction!
I listed this pair of earrings and already sold a pair the same day.
You can visit the new pair here: Assymetrical Earrings
I am trying to focus on studying but my brain is very very tired and unwilling to cooperate with me....