Presents

senf crystal and senf!, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

My darling inlaws landed from Germany last night and brought with them (among other things), my favorite mustard! Along with the mustard came four of the jars which make the most darling glasses. The bottoms have a lovely pattern and press butter cookies at Christmas time in the most pretty way.
They think I am crazy, but I really love these little glasses.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Gocoo In the Studio

play on bluesky monotype 11x16 inches
Many people have been inquiring about how I like the Gocco. Like it? Love it!
Well, I went crazy. You see, years ago I had one and thought is was ok. This was at a time when I was doing etchings, lithographs and some silkscreening pretty full time as a student. Then a Gocco crossed my path. I inherited one and used it a bit, thinking that it was pretty cool and quick in processing compared to what I was working with at the time... but honestly, I lost interest in it, and passed it on to someone, somewhere, at sometime. Kind of the way it came to me.
About 7 years ago I acquired another one, through an artstore closing down and having a huge "yardsale" of sorts. I bought the whole lot of mish-moshed items which proved to be a real "find" at the time. Except for the Gocco. Sadly I ignored it and it went unused and then passed on again to a deserving student.
Enter new/old Gocco procured fairly reasonably at ebay and well, ripped open and jubilantly fired up upon said opening.
I had some ideas from old illustrations from the past year - so I was pretty happy to try them out on the Gocco. I have been enjoying printing on monotype backgrounds (like the above and the previous post) that I have held onto for ages. I like printing them also on top of the vintage book pages I was given by a librarian friend. Also I am going to try to make some holiday cards and this years calendar may just be printed on the gocco too! We will see!
Lobster cha cha cha is the latest,
Play and Friend of Nature all in runs of 30 have been made along with some cards and matching envelopes. Today I just received my new stamping gocco equipment, so I can now print up some textiles. New ink colors too so I can mix up a batch of new colors for my next adventures. Which will be very soon. Printmaking is one of my favorite things to do.

up up and away!

up up and away!, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

One of the five Gocco prints I did on top of monotype backgrounds.
More to come!

Penelope Illustration

If you haven't made a monster yet, now is the time! Annual Halloween hoopla with Penelope - check it out here at Penelope Illustration. boo!

Poppytalk Handmade

Thanks to Jan for featuring me at her poppytalk blog today with my new little monotype "blocks" . I have had so much fun working on the sanded pine blocks with the gelatin. These are available through her virtual marketplace and my etsy shop. Thanks Jan!

Sarah Burns

stack of beads, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

These table top sculptures by Sarah Burns in soda fired ceramic are too much fun to not play with. They can be arranged at your whim and remodel when you are feeling artistic. The top bead has not top hole, but all the others are ready to arrange each time you feel the urge!
The bases are made from turned mahogany (by Sarah's father) and are simply lovely singularly or in a group.
From $125 - $145 Available in our shop!

Flying Duck

Reader Craig McCann dropped me a line last week about his small company called Flying Duck out of Manchester in the UK. Their range of products struck a chord because I have been a long time fan of Batik and hot wax in general. He is one of the designers and pointed me in their general direction. I like their site and in particular this Jack pillow above. More here!

Happy October!

walkin', originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

We had such a wonderful weekend away enjoying the autumn weather and last bursts of warmth here in New Hampshire. I took this photo on Saturday while we were visiting daughter #1 at college this weekend. I just love shadow photos...
Looking towards a busy week here, with kitchen renovations underway (yea!) another Art Stroll on Friday here in Rochester, and my darling inlaws are flying in from Germany on Wednesday! We just can't wait to see them.
Around the web:New designspongeonline launches today at 10! Congrats to Grace!!
Poppytalk handmade is up and live now with loads of lovely artisan products.
Did you see my etsy shop?
We are now carrying Midori Jewelry from Hawaii... so so so beautiful!
Did you meet the lovely Yolanda? She is one of our showgirls...
Loving this bubblescrubber, makes life a little lighter.
I know and Whip-up knows that you have something to contribute - please do so here.

Getting excited about the next show at artstream... stay tuned!

Gocco: lobster cards and envelopes

lobster cards and envelopes, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Yes, I have been going crazy with my little Gocco. Every moment printng and playing. I took my lobster drawing from last winter and decided to do a two color card for our shop at artstream. I first did some prints on heavyweight vellum for later use else where, but decided that we needed lobster cards. I have two different kinds of cards. One on Strathmore paper going into our shop on Monday, October 1st and one on smooth white cards going into my etsy shop then too.
The cards are two screens and the envelopes have the wave screen on them. A little wave to surf your stamp on!
We at Chez Schwake are off to our very first family weekend at college with daughter Grace. Excited? You bet!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Sarah Burns split jar

Sarah Burns split jar, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Oh how I love Sarah's work. Yes, I am a ceram-a-holic. I know it and thank goodness I can live with all this lovely work each day in the gallery. Makes me very happy...
This one off jar is a soda fired stoneware which is more sculptural than most functional ware. I love the ridges the twirly tops and the fact you can play with it to make it look differently each time you use it. Open, closed, back to front. Fun!
Go to the shop on Monday and choose from four different works. They are all very special!

Gocco

on vintage book page 8 x 10 inches $25
click for a large image

on white archival paper 5x7 inches $15
click for a large image

After fifteen years, I finally bought myself another Gocco printer. I used it a lot in the way back machine and had been longing to fire one up again.
So here you have it, my first foray back into Gocco. It has actually been sitting her pestering me for the past month and well, time was short as you can imagine, but yesterday, I took time for myself and had so much fun.
I decided to try a little illustration I had done earlier in the year which was in response to an illustration Friday prompt.
I made an edition of 30 on white or tan archival heavyweight stock and then a few on vintage papers and some special pieces printed onto monotype backgrounds (more on those later).
Goodness knows I am a printmaker at heart. This was so much fun.
Revealing surprise #2:
I went and did it. I opened an Etsy shop. These prints and some other goodies will be available from time to time there. My affordable artworks will be there as I am very happy with gallery shows for my fine art work. Any and all feedback is always welcome.

I love Blocks

Reader Irini from i love blocks sent me a mail about her line of jewelry. It appeals to me on lots of levels. First of all, I am not a dripping in diamonds sort of gal. I go for the fun and quirky in jewelry. Abigail Percy's line would be a first choice for something beautiful, elegant and real - hint hint to my special someone... and I love my Polli earring from Rare Device's shop.
But for day to day and for enjoying myself with a few within reach items, I Love Blocks fits the bill perfectly to me. Her little square necklaces are fun and affordable with a dozen different modern looks to choose from. My personal favorites are the birds on the wire (what a surprise...) and the dandelion. Go take a peek!

Having a ball ...

every ball gown needs matching gloves...by me

and who can have just one gown, when three is better? -by Chloe
Over in my homestate Vermont - a fine and fancy ball is being held by Elizabeth. Daughter Chloe and I adore making paper dresses so we thought we would play along. Visit the ball right here and dance by the light of the full moon tonight!

on my desk - sorting

on my desk - sorting, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

One surprise reveled:
I decided to take the plunge and apply to Jan's Poppytalk Handmadestreet market! I am pleased to announce I will have some new affordable art pieces at a "virtual table" there.
Here is my studio desk at home .. filled with more of these little gelatin prints waiting to become mixed media works for our next show...
The sun is exquisite today and our home remodeling is going swimmingly. Our floor (all FOUR layers of it) in the kitchen are gone!
It took three days, but Rainer and I pulled it all up.
Progress is good.

Danny Mansmith -Landscape

Found over at his Flickr account - a new landscape by Danny Mansmith. What can I say about this except that I love it! It just says "Good Morning World" to me and well, that is always a good feeling.

Students past ...

Today has been fun at the gallery. A student I had ten years ago (!) stopped by with her mother to say hello. She just graduated from SCAD and brought me her portfolio book. To say the very least, it was a great blast from the past and a wonderful peek into where she is headed! Her work is in metal and some fiber - jewelry and vessels. I hope to be able to show you more of her work in the months to come. She's stopping back by soon with some of her work. Go Makala!

Nahcotta show

Here are four of my gelatin monotypes which are over at the Nahcotta show. These are multilayered prints - with as many as six seperate plates on each print. They are available for sale and you can contact Deb right here if you are interested!

first day of fall!

first day of fall!, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

something a little less gooey and a little more pleasant to leave you with until Monday! surprises will have to wait until then too - sorry, but I have been a little behind!
blue skies to you until then --

when good gelatin goes bad ...

when good gelatin goes bad ..., originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

yes folks, gelatin is a temporary thing.
it molds, it weeps.
time to make some more! thanks for all of your nice comments on the tutorial. now of course i want to see what YOU make... send me your links to show and tell!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the first day of autumn!

Roger Allen skateboard photos

Roger Allen's skateboard photos, originally uploaded by artstreamstudios.

Rock on. These little beauties are color photographs sized 8"x8" and each a gem of an artwork.
Mounted on Paulawina wood finished edges with Benjamin Moore paint in a variety of 80's inspired colors.
mod, beautiful, wow! We have thirteen of these which will be photographed soon for the to be put in the shop soon for $101 each - email me to reserve your favorite!
susan[at]artstreamstudios[dot]com