Deck The Halls

It was a little early but as my husband had some time off work we decided to pull out the Christmas decorations this weekend.  I don't know if it's just me but something magical seems to happen when the tree goes up and the lights are turned on for the first time.

Each year as Bryan and I dig out our decorations we can't help but laugh at just how polar opposite our tastes at Christmas.  He loves all things traditional (carols, ornaments, decorations) whereas I'm more of a modern whimsical kind of girl . . . but it's the differences that always draw a smile and I think it's one of the things we love about each other.  If you could see the tree up close you'd find a random collection of ornaments that are a mixture of his tastes and mine but it works.

What is your Christmas style?  How will you be decorating this holiday season?

Cyber Monday Sale

Today I am hosting a Cyber Monday Sale in my Etsy shop, Dyche Designs.

Simply enter coupon code CYBERMON2010 during checkout to receive 20% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER.

Offer excludes shipping and is valid during Monday November 29th only.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all a truly wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

New This Week

It's interesting how I seem to alternate between blue and red phases with my artwork, right now I'm in a blue phase.  Thankfully it's in color only, not mood.

Lone Blue Tree

Mixed Media Art Canvas

As you know I love trees, I used a mixture of metallic paints for the background in this piece and I love the fluidity and movement it gave it.

I also love the ocean and created this whimsical piece which makes me smile.

Ocean Waves

Mixed Media Art Canvas

Just to mix things up I created these new hanging ornaments which can now be found in my Etsy Shop.  It's likely that one will find it's way onto my Christmas Tree this year.

 

. . . . .  but for now it's time to down tools for a couple of days and enjoy Thanksgiving.

THANKSGIVING SALE

In order to spread a little Thanksgiving love you'll find me hosting a sale this week.  All Scarves and Bags are now 30% OFF, the full range of sale items can be found in my etsy shop.  

  

  

  

Scarves by Dyche Designs

Prices have already been adjusted for your convenience.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Winners - Bergamot Soy Candle Giveaway

The winners of the Bergamot Soy Candle Giveaway are:

Felicity and Lesley

Congratulations, a bergamot soy candle will be on it's way to you  as soon as I receive your address details.

Thank you to everyone who entered and for all your wonderful comments.

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Craft Show Setup

Some of you will know that I recently participated in a local craft show (a small open house event with 16 vendors).  I hadn't done any shows in over two years so it was the perfect way to get my feet wet and gain the confidence I needed.

Most of the events here in VA are juried and require four photos for submission with an application (2 of your work, 1 of you creating your work and one of your booth setup).



Since I hadn't done a show in such a long time (and didn't manage to get good pictures at the open house) I didn't have any relevant photos that I could use.

So this weekend my husband and I took on the task of setting everything up just to get some snapshots.  It was a lot of work but at least now I have some photos that I can use for upcoming events.

All that remains is for me to get my application off in the the mail  so that I can be considered for a show this coming March.  Fingers crossed that I make it through the selection process.

What fun things did you get up to this weekend?

Oh and don't forget to stop by my GIVEAWAY for your last chance to win a natural soy candle.

Soy Candle GIVEAWAY

Don't forget to stop by my GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a Bergamot Soy Candle.

 

You have until Monday November 22nd to submit your entries. Not just one, but TWO winners will be selected at random and announced on Tuesday November 23rd, 2010.

Have fun and good luck.

Mesmerising



fire burning red hot

mesmerising, drawing you closer

fingers burnt, a lesson learnt

by Kathryn Dyche Dechairo

New In Shop

The treasury that I featured yesterday was, in part, inspired by my most recent art canvas 'Heart Of Stone'.  One of the things I love about creating is how how one thing can inspire another, like a chain event.

 

 

Heart Of Stone

Modern Mixed Media Art Canvas

I've also been busy adding some new winter scarves to my shop.  You'll now find a wide selection of colors available (including neutrals).  They're so soft and snuggly, just perfect for the winter weather that a lot of us are experiencing.

  

  

Scarves

by Dyche Designs

Don't forget to stop by and enter the GIVEAWAY that I'm running this week for your chance to win a natural soy candle.

What wonderful items have you created this week?

When Pets Try To Tell You Something

My cats love me, often following me from room to room, taking up residence wherever I'm working.

Usually they're content sitting on a spare chair but then, when they think I've worked long enough, they sit in front of my computer screen in a mini protest.  I get it, time to down tools and pay them some attention . . . and when I do I'm rewarded with nose nuzzles and the purrs of two content cats.

Don't forget to stop by my GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a Bergamot Soy Candle.

Thanksgiving Giveaway - Bergamot Soy Candle

This wonderful Bergamot Scented Natural Soy Candle could be yours. 

To enter all you need to do is visit my shop, Dyche Designs, and leave a comment here indicating which is your favorite item.

For additional entries you may also:

1. Heart my Shop (1)

2. Follow my Blog (1)

3. Spread the word on Twitter, Facebook or your blog (1 entry each)

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your email address if you don't have one linked to your account.

You have until Monday November 22nd to submit your entries.  Not just one, but TWO winners will be drawn at random and announced on Tuesday November 23rd, 2010.

Have fun and good luck.

Silver Tree - Mixed Media Modern Art

 

 

  Silver Tree

Mixed Media Art Canvas

Wonderful Response To Artwork

I know you were all keen to see the display set up for my craft show this weekend but I'm afraid to say I failed you.  As it was an indoor event the lighting was tricky and the shots I did take came out blurry.

There wasn't quite the turnout that there had been in previous years but I sold several art pieces, scarves and candles so I went home feeling good about myself and my products.

I was blown away by the reaction to my artwork, everyone was intrigued by the textural qualities.  It sparked many a conversation which in turn generated lots of new ideas.

Unfortunately on my way home I managed to throw my back out so the rest of this weekend will be spent resting up.

Craft Show Preparations

I'm finally there with my craft show preparations.  Artwork, scarves, bags and candles are all packed up ready to go and I'm starting to get excited.  I did a number of home shows and craft shows when I lived in Connecticut but haven't done any since moving to Virginia (almost 2 years ago now). I'm hoping it will be like riding a bike.

  

  

  

  

  

Art by Dyche Designs

   

While I've sold artwork online, this show will be my first time displaying my art in a public setting so it will be interesting to gauge people's reactions.  I think that's one of the things I've missed most about craft shows is that interaction you have with your customers.  It can be a rewarding and insightful experience.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and I'll be back on the other side to let you all know how it went.