Laurie Rohner Studio

A few Etsy Treasuries I am in.

2012-01-25T11:14:00.000-05:00

I have been featured in a few new treasuries over at Etsy.com. Would love for you to visit. These are a collection of other artist wares along with my own for you to peruse.

Hope you enjoyed.

Etsy Shop owners and online shops how are you shipping?

2012-01-13T16:24:00.000-05:00

My online shop is with Etsy and I think they offer the best services. It is a nice community of creative and vintage sellers. If you haven't heard of Etsy please go and check out the site at etsy.com but that is not why I bring etsy up. My question is to online shops owners about their shipping policies. Do you offer free shipping or do you charge a set price for an each item?


Colored Pencil Drawing

Yesterday I was searching for some supplies I needed but when I got to their checkout the shipping charge was really high. Since I ship I had a good idea what the weight of my order would ship for and was very shocked at the price. I cancelled my items and decided to keep looking. I thought about my shop realizing anyone who stops in will not have any shipping charges if they live in the USA. I charge the actual shipping charge for everywhere else plus any other fees associated with the shipment. No surprises and the customer knows this right up front. So is this a good thing or does it not matter?

I think it does matter if you charge shipping. It did for me. According to many of the business online blogs I read the average online consumer will search for things online and then go and buy in a store. Online shoppers are on the rise. What if the item is handmade or a high-end boutique gift only found online? There are many boutique specialty shops sprouting up only selling online. The savvy design conscious trend setting unique shopper knows this. Now photos have to be of top quality and items have to be unique special one of a kind, the IT thing to buy. You can not talk a customer into why they need your item. All you have is the written words pictures and emotional attachment or impulse to grab your customer. Everything falls into place and they click the button BUY. Things are looking good until they see the total of their purchase with the shipping charges glaring at them. The impulse is gone and the thrill of the buy along with it. The special unique piece of fabulous is deleted removed from the cart, sale lost.

Now play the same scenario but when they hit BUY the price is the same as when they first fell in love with the item. They are thrilled because they are getting it and it did not cost them a penny more. Of course we all know somewhere the cost of shipping is absorbed in the pricing. It doesn't matter to the customer hitting the BUY button because they have already accepted the price logically, it is the heart wanting the item now. In my shop I absorb some of the shipping and I use recycled boxes. Most of my things can also fit in USPS boxes that I can get free which helps keep the cost down.

Think of shipping your things at no charge as offering something nice. A service that is unique. Next thought how do you package your items? Stay tuned...

Earthy colors of the Woodlands an Etsy Treasury.

2012-01-06T10:29:00.000-05:00

Treasuries are ways Etsy allows shop owners to interact with other shop owners and artists by creating some of their favorite things into, you got it, treasuries. I put this treasury together featuring the wonderful earthy tones of nature and the woodlands. Do enjoy.

Wedding Gift Idea from BetweenTheWeeds

2011-12-30T12:55:00.001-05:00

Are you looking for that just right wedding gift? Have you seen my beautifully crafted hand painted large Keepsake Boxes? I will customize the flowers to fit whatever season the wedding is being held in and at no extra charge.

Maybe it is a woodland themed wedding, I can paint birds, nests, vines of berries, ferns and ivy with flowers found in the woodlands or it is a beautiful English garden themed with peonies roses larkspur ivy and ranunculas. Can you just imagine how thrilling it would be to see the bride unwrap such a beautiful thoughtful gift? These boxes are wonderful to stash the memento, the whispers from a magical day.

This is just one of many I have available in my online shop at Between The Weeds. Interested in something custom just ask me. I create Keepsake Boxes so you can store your memories of special days.

Garden Themed Keepsake Painted Box by BetweenTheWeeds at Etsy

Handcrafted painted keepsake box to add to your Contemporary Farmhouse Furniture Collection beautifully painted with detailed illustration of garden flowers. A functional piece of art can easily fit any contemporary decor. The flowers are fresh and bright on a soft creamy white background. I chose a collection of garden and wild flowers with a few blades of grass and added a few bees buzzing about.

The design is sketched on my own hand crafted wood keepsake box. I hand paint and add my signature line work. Each box is a one of a kind work. I do not use stencils transfers or prints and they are always my original work.
Every piece is signed and dated.
Ready to ship.

Box measures: 12" x 9.25" x 7.33"
Box is hinged.
Box is sealed with lacquer and waxed.

Please be kind and do not copy. My designs are copyrighted.

A Merry Christmas Blessing to All.

2011-12-24T12:32:00.000-05:00

In a time when it has become politically incorrect to even utter these words which I can not fathom even why, Merry Christmas. I wish the world joy and friendship and understanding and forgiveness and above all wisdom to find the answers that serve the greater good. Maybe if we try to stop proving how right we are and start to live life according to the laws of our God, the Creator of all there is including the different religions we can finally see how ridiculous we really are. Find a common ground. Believe all our thoughts and energy make up our world good and bad.

Thoughts are energy so make them good ones.

Blessing and peace from Between The Weeds.
Laurie

Custom hand painted wood trays you can order today.

2011-12-11T14:14:00.001-05:00

Why not have a beautiful painted functional work of art custom-made for you today? Maybe there is a wedding in the future and you want something that commemorates the day. Why not have a tray painted with the brides flowers strewn across the surface. These trays are sturdy and durable. Whether you buy a tray already available in the shop or custom design your own the cost is the same. These trays are unique one of a kind custom-built exclusively for you in mind. If you like bees and flowers I am offering a slightly different version of these wooden painted trays in my Etsy Shop Between The Weeds

Custom wildflowers and garden themed wood trays

Painted Wood Trays custom and hand painted.

Above are garden flowers and wildflowers with bees buzzing about. You can tie a bouquet up with a cord or an elegant bow as seen below. Custom painted wood trays are painted creamy white or soft white with wildflowers bees and raspberries.

Custom garden and wildflower bouquet themed trays.

Each wood tray is painted with different flowers and are slightly different in sizes lending them to have a hand crafted one of a kind uniqueness which is what Between The Weeds is all about. If you would like a tray with a design you see below or certain flowers I can custom build your own tray or maybe you would like a nicely sized Keepsake Box instead. I can even paint something of yours just ship it to me and I will ship it back painted with your own pretty design.

Are you a serious business person?

2011-11-25T13:42:00.001-05:00

At Etsy there is a thread about can I make enough only on Etsy? It caught my eye and I read the post. What stood out were the remarks mostly saying you need to do other things to attract buyers to your shop. This I really agree with and if you are not creating you are marketing.

Painted Wood Keepsake Box

Underlying the remarks was a sentiment that crafters (I dislike this description) can never make enough to support themselves unless there is a husband supporting the family or you. One, these statements were obviously made by women probably mothers and married. Making this generalized observation about crafts is simplifying the real business of creating handmade quality product and the average crafters is not serious about their work and this is why it is a craft. The creative artist is extremely serious and looks at their work as a business. Their quality highly different work overlooked because Etsy and other sites are being overrun by the I like to craft people. Not everyone at Etsy are in this category and many are serious artists and serious business people. It is impossible for Etsy to filter the not serious crafters from the serious artist.

Maybe it is up to the person to ask themselves if you are not serious than move aside and allow the serious artist show their work. There are church fairs and local outlets for those who just dabble. For some of us it is our livelihood and there is no one else picking up the tab and we could not be happier. This is our chosen profession and we work every day at our jobs. Having your own business is not for those that look at it as being part-time. Art is serious business and artist are serious business people.

So I ask you are you serious about being a creative artist or are you a part-time crafter?

Anyone can be bullied.

2011-11-05T14:05:00.000-04:00

How old were you when you experienced bullying? How long ago? Bullying can happen to any person at any age and when it happens to you it can be shattering, physically emotionally and spiritually. Growing up I never experienced bullying, yes the usual make fun of someone. Never with contempt and never with such negative energy yet just a few days ago for the first time I understand what bullying is.
As an artistic personality I was always told not to be too sensitive so artists learn to adapt. It is necessary to be sensitive for your art. To grow as an artist you must overcome criticism so you can learn and grow. Most artists develop a thick skinned sensibility. We balance our lives between the two worlds so I have never understood why someone would feel so abused and beaten to end their precious life. Until now.

My story started a few months back after being contacted by owners of a house I had sold them. They wanted to see if I wanted to buy the house. I loved the old place and said yes I was interested give me an asking price. I remembered them as a nice young couple, he was a lawyer and she now a mom. Weeks went on with him emailing me about how the house was poorly painted that he had to replace some painted light switch with great expense and so on and so on. Get the point and really a light switch. Remember I sold them the house so in fact he is criticizing my work as a designer and painter. All this he knew since I disclosed this when he bought the house. I had painted the entire inside of the house with Benjamin Moore paints and meticulously painted walls and woodwork. With every email he would chop away at the work I had done in the house knowing I had done it. I had left him the left over paints because they liked the work. Hum. Finally he sends me his ball bark price not firm or asking price along with what he thought were improvements. Did I mention he is a lawyer whose firm deals with real estate. I thought it was inflated and not close to being realistic. I told him my views about his improvements and hazy price as you would in any business email. Now the email's become insulting and venomous with strong hateful wording. Remember they approached me to buy the house. Interesting selling technique. I, no matter how much I loved the house, knew this was not a good purchase, not during this real estate market. I politely declined and felt bad about pulling away from the possible deal. Being the artist and person I am I offered a little advise. A critique if you wish about if they would like to sell their home at that price point they would be wise not to focus on paint and focus on upgrading kitchen counters and baths from the 80's. I wished him well and left it at that. Within hours he blasts back attacking my character my work my reputation with so much intensity it scared me. His words went on to attacked old neighbors. Unfortunately my ego attacked back with a few carefully chosen words with the most intense calling him an insignificant lawyer. He countered again. I went silent.

I felt completely demoralized. My body ached. My spirit felt so heavy and dark. This is what happens when a dark energy attacks I am convinced now. I then thought, this is what a kid faces day after day? It is unimaginable and unacceptable. We as care givers of this world need to help and give those who are bullied a safe haven. I have years of learning under my wings supporting me and though extremely difficult I pulled myself out and into the light. Maybe you are a kid reading this or maybe an adult, a parent, living through an abusive situation, a bullying. What helped me was to see it for what it is, dark negative energy, it is not you. Whatever their words are is not you. You are a magnificent wonderful person created especially for one purpose and that is to live your life. Do your absolute best. Carry a light inside so the darkness can not enter. But more to the point tell someone and ask for help. Do not give up and let a bully a being of a lower energy win. I am here and there are many others also. Do not be embarrassed it is the bully who should be embarrassed. Shame on all who are abuser. If you are being attacked by a bully and have no one email me. I can at least listen.

New Farmhouse Tables are Adopted.

2011-10-25T16:12:00.000-04:00

Old Tables Get a New Look

Recently acquired some tables which then received an overhaul. These lovely gems were once in pieces some with tops that were badly damaged and legs in desperate need of repair. To see they still had value was easy. The legs were tightened and repaired and the tops were either replaced or filled in. When finished these beauties now strong sturdy farmhouse tables were adopted. They stand in their forever homes as cherished loved tables ready to hold their new families glass book or whatever is needed.

It is gratifying to find a cast away and bring it back to stand tall in an honored place, a warm cozy farmhouse.

Subject: Warren Buffet Quote

2011-10-23T12:54:00.000-04:00

This was sent to me today and though I am not a fan of Mr. Buffett I do think this idea has merit. Instead of sending it to friends via email I thought why not just post it and let anyone read it and judge for themselves. Please do not reply to me simply decide for yourself how you feel and open the discussion with those around you. I would add the President, Cabinet and Fed to the list.

Subject: Warren Buffet Quote

Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the
best quotes about the debt ceiling:

"I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just
pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more

than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible
for re-election".

The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds)
took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple!

The people demanded it. That was in 1971 - before computers, e-mail,

cell phones, etc.

Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took one (1) year
or less to become the law of the land - all because of public pressure.

Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to forward this email to
a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask
each of those to do likewise.

In three days, most people in The United States of America will
have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed
around.

_*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*_

1. No Tenure / No Pension.

A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no
pay when they're out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social
Security.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the
Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into
the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the
American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all
Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.
Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and
participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the
American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void
effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this
contract with Congressmen/women.

Congressmen/women made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in
Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers
envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their
term(s), then go home and back to work.

If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will
only take three days for most people (in the U.S.) to receive
the message. Don't you think it's time?

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!

If you agree with the above, pass it on. If not, just delete.
You are one of my 20+ - Please keep it going, and thanks.

Helping Fairies with Housing

2011-10-19T12:09:00.000-04:00

With the weather changing my fairy friends are going to need some new housing so I am busy constructing some very sturdy log houses for the woodland fairies. Though you may not see them don't you think they could use a warm house on those dreary cold winter days. Maybe you could leave one by the hearth? I know the fairies will reward you with tiny and grand treasures.

Then in the spring help move your new fairy friend's home to a protected place outside. Interested in helping house a fairy visit my Etsy shop at LRStudio

Fairy House Woodland Ferns Custom Fairy Twig Furniture

LRStudio Etsy Shop

A fairy bed sits in this woodland fern fairy house with window for gazing at the stars and a bunny to keep a fairy company. Made from branches wood and cedar is covered with moss acorns and faux ferns. Custom built with the fairies help.

Very sturdy and weighs about 4lbs.
Measures: 12"h x 12"w x 8"d

If you are ordering outside the USA:
I ship everywhere please before you order ask for international shipping actual charge to your location. The price for shipping everywhere is only an estimate.

More Fairy Houses: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LRStudio?section_id=7684784
Shop: http://www.LRStudio.etsy.com

Another one of my shops.
http://www.PaintedCottageHome.etsy.com

Between the Weeds' photostream

2011-10-13T10:55:00.001-04:00

Between the Weeds' photostream on Flickr.

Custom Woodland Fairy Houses Fairy Furniture and new Fairy Art.
Visit www.LRStudio.etsy.com

Wall Street Protesters in NYC

2011-10-10T11:27:00.000-04:00

"You cannot get sick enough to help sick people get better. You cannot get poor enough to help poor people thrive. It is only in your thriving that you have anything to offer anyone. If you're wanting to be of an advantage to others, be as tapped in, turned in, turned on as you can possibly be."

- Esther Abraham-Hicks, is an inspirational speaker & author.

Reading this today sent my thoughts to all the angry people in NYC and throughout the country protesting. If you want to voice your opinion and protest bravo, it is what this country was all about in the 60's and 70's. By the way the same people and groups were behind that movement as this one. It is exciting to get behind a cause or movement but know what it is. What I see is a mass of people dirty and causing strife for those who are trying to go on with the business of living. People are you sheep being led to slaughter or are you the shepherd?

I also wonder why this did not happen when President Bush was in office? Why now before an election year? Who really is to gain from this movement? Who is the Fed? Educate yourself and then do what you must.

I like money. Is it wrong to work hard and enjoy making money? I use money to benefit others as many companies who trade on wall street do. Remember the USSR? Not a very pretty place. Can you not find a more empowering way to benefit all?

Finally I send a blessing to all even to the ones that do not agree.

Pumpkin Time Treasury List on Etsy

2011-10-08T12:49:00.000-04:00

Today I created a Treasury over at etsy.com titled Pumpkin Time. It is a great way to showcase other creative artist' work and makes you feel good at the same time. I have found some truly wonderful handmade items from all over. Things to decorate your home with and to wear. I even found a delicious cupcake. Whether it is in the shape of a pumpkin or the color of pumpkin or the fabulous flavor I am certain you will find something that peaks your interest.

Take a peak and I hope you find something to purchase made by a very special artist and not mass produced in China. Now doesn't that make you feel warm and pumpkiny inside.

PUMPKIN TIME by LRStudio

Paintings or Prints Part 2

2011-09-19T15:27:00.000-04:00

Tail Feather Watercolor @LRStudio.etsy.com

Yesterday I told you about offering original art instead of printed. I also offer professional prints in my Etsy shop of certain paintings but the prints are of paintings which I sell for hundreds and some thousands of dollars. Not everyone wants or can afford this work and I feel offering prints is more than acceptable.

What I am referring to is illustrated art or art that artists create quickly and with ease. I know for my large detailed watercolors it takes me sometimes up to 3 weeks to complete because of the process I use. A watercolor an artist can simply and use just color splashes and with little detail added creating something special. It exudes emotion and is a wonderful purchase for the person it touches on an emotional level. Is that not why we buy art to begin with? I am not one who thought art should be bought to add affluence to someones life. Let's face it fellow artist, most art collectors can not tell an original from a fraud. Having said that I am determined to produce simple artwork for everyone. Why should a few get to have an original painting? Maybe more Etsy Shop owners will forget about the bottom line and start to follow my lead and offer original work and not prints.

Please visit my shop at LRStudio on Etsy CLICK HERE.

Original Watercolor Bright Pink Coneflowers on Quality Paper Not a Print.

From LRStudio

Original Watercolor @ LRStudio.etsy.com

An original painting of bright pink coneflower dancing in the field is painted with high quality watercolors on 200lb cold press rag paper. Very colorful.
Amazing value.

It is unframed.
Measures:12" x 8.5".

If you are ordering outside the USA:
I ship everywhere please before you order ask for international shipping actual charge to your location. The price for shipping everywhere is only an estimate.

More Paintings and Prints: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LRStudio?section_id=8032541
My Shop: http://www.LRStudio.etsy.com
My Vintage Shop: http://www.PaintedCottageHome.etsy.com

Original Watercolor Paintings, Not a Print.

2011-09-18T16:55:00.003-04:00

AUTUMN STORM watercolor

Lately I have noticed many people offering prints in their Etsy Shops. Prints of what I would say are simple renderings of paintings either sold long ago or they were painted with the expressed purpose of creating prints. The artists have invested in high quality printers and are printing their rendering, signing them and reaping huge profits. Honestly I really do not mind and they are selling their work as prints. But what about the artists that offer original work? Is this affecting the price of orginal art work? Probably.

So instead I decided to offer my etsy customers an alternative. Simple original watercolors at reasonable prices. They are unframed, painted on high quality 200lb. watercolor rag paper and I use the finest watercolors. They are not magnificent works of art but they are small studies (renderings)of flowers, autumn landscapes, feathers and birds. Each painting is no bigger than 9" x 12" and can be framed in a standard 8x10 frame. These paintings range from $24 to $28 depending on the work entailed. Custom paintings are also welcomed. Now would you rather an original painting or a print? you decide.

Visit the shop and check out what is new at LRStudio.etsy.com

Have you tried to barter?

2011-09-16T17:07:00.002-04:00

Bartering has been around for eons but how many people today actually think about implementing bartering?

I recently sold a print to a person in Vermont. She wanted it framed. I had just used up my last drop of Vermont maple syrup. If you have never had the real stuff from Vermont oh please try it. Any way I thought why not barter for some maple syrup. She was thrilled to do so and the deal was struck. She wanted a frame added to the print and felt I would be better equipped to know which frame would be best. So I took the print, matted it and added a beautiful black wooden frame wrapped it up and sent it on its way. Little did I know that my syrup was going to be delivered 1 hour later via FedEx. I could not be more delighted. You would think I just won the lottery. No money has changed hands yet the feeling I know she will get when she opens her package will be just as grand as it was for me today.
Being paid for your wares can come in so many different forms of payment. Staying open to what is being given to you in the moment. To remain so focused on the monetary value losing the true meaning of wealth. The universe always providing and always taking care of your needs. Maybe that is what it is all about? Not the money. The simple act of giving and receiving, is truly an awesome feeling. Give it a try, bartering the new way of buying.

Something's up @ LRStudio: Between the Weeds

New Woodland Fairy Settings for Fairy Houses

2011-09-05T12:13:00.002-04:00

Imagination and the energy behind the thought is a marvel. To think this simple Woodland Fairy Setting started from a branch I found on the road. I dragged it home and I am sure my neighbors think I am quite mad. That is perfectly fine by me because my imagination has taken hold and I know something wonderful and magical is going to come forth. I wait for the wood to dry and then take care to cut off only what I need for the project or new creation to be born. I sliver and cut and shape the wood. As I work I see images and stories as I lose myself in my work. I feel my work is more meditative than physical. I feel charged with energy and that creative energy flows into my work. The fairies help by charging each piece with the positive energies of their natural world.

This is a Woodland Fairy Setting now available in LRStudio: Between the Weeds Shop at etsy.com and is a nice companion piece to my Fairy Houses.

Woodland Fairy Chair and Trinket Box

Woodland Fairy Houses

A Woodland setting for a fairy with a trinket box sits upon a mound and just below is a perfect twig chair amidst the ferns and ivy. By the way any fairy will love this serene setting and you can use the trinket box for many things, earrings,rings, and baubles. Or a Tooth Fairy to come and collect your little ones tooth.
Everything is glued in place but the lid to the trinket box is removable. The bottom has cork buttons to protect furniture surfaces.

Place the tooth in the trinket box and the next morning find it gone and a gift in its place.

Measures:8"l x 4.5"d x 5"h. Weight: 9oz.

If you are ordering outside the USA:
I ship everywhere please before you order ask for international shipping actual charge to your location. The price for shipping everywhere is only an estimate.

More Fairy Houses: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LRStudio?section_id=7684784
Shop: http://www.LRStudio.etsy.com

Something's up @ LRStudio: Between the Weeds. Please tell me what you thought.

What I found after a thunderstorm last night.

2011-09-02T12:05:00.000-04:00

I walked this morning after a wild thunderstorm hit our neighborhood yesterday evening and found all sorts of goodies that had fallen from the trees. Acorns and lichen filled branches and twigs spewed about the streets making a mess. But Tuck and I saw treasures all about, given to us for free by Mother Nature. I guess it is a matter of perspective. Do you see the ugly or the beauty? I can guarantee you there is always a positive to every negative thing that happens in your life and it comes down to how do you want to perceive the situation. As a disaster, a challenge, an insurmountable feat or instead see it as an opportunity for growth, to help an other person, to understand the blessings and be grateful. We can all turn destruction into something beautiful.
My woodland fairy houses display my testament to finding beauty and magic in the world. They are charged with the energies of nature and are protected by the earth magic of the woodland fairies. The fairies show us if we only ask they will supply what is needed.
A new woodland fairy setting is in my Etsy shop at LRStudio.etsy.com. Come by and see what is new.

Woodland Fairy Princess Chair with Ferns and banner

Ready for a Woodland Birthday Celebration the banner is hung on this adorable Woodland Fairy Princess Chair. You can remove the banner and add what ever you want on a slip of paper(easy to cut).Lush ferns grow on the back and there is a chair and table ready for your fairy friend to join the fun.Measures 6" tall to the tip of the twigs and 3" wide.
If you are ordering outside the USA:
I ship everywhere please before you order ask for international shipping actual charge to your location. The price for shipping everywhere is only an estimate.
Will discount for multiple orders of fairy chairs.
More Fairy Houses: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LRStudio?section_id=7684784
Shop: http://www.LRStudio.etsy.com

A meteor or a sleepy planet, your choice.

2011-08-25T16:15:00.001-04:00

"I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze that it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time."
- Jack London

Fall Dreams by Laurie Rohner

In the last few weeks I have fought with myself as I think we all are. Living life has become a challenge for the average person and if you listen to the media I guess we are all Doomed. You know the feeling. It sits in your belly waiting for you to let your guard down and out it jumps. The little imp named Fear, Anxiety to some. You become heavy and your light starts to dim. Every thing you try to do becomes a chore and the thrill and excitement of being alive dwindles. Sounds pretty depressing, but stop breathe and send the imp running.
I like to read self-help books and listen to life coaches who promote solutions. Unfortunately many say their method will make you wealthy, promote abundance, or let you achieve your purpose and they never deliver. Yes it works for them because you just gave them your cold cash to find out how. When the results prove to be less than what was stated you are told you did not get to the source of what was blocking you from being fill in the______ . I find this really infuriating and I am sure you do too. What I have learned from these people is one small thing. We are what we think we are.
Look in the mirror I mean look at yourself hard and long. What image do you see? Think about it and go get some paper and pen. Go back to the mirror and as you look at your image jot down the thoughts and images that pop into your head. Finished? Now go sit down somewhere and list what was negative and positive on two pieces of paper. On a third piece of paper write down who you want to be. Take the first 2 sheets of paper and burn them and as they burn say to your self these were just an illusion of who I am. Take the third piece of paper and put it up on the mirror and say this is me and every day I am a better me. See life is nothing more than our own perception of an illusion and at any given time we can reclaim who we are at the core of our being. Our spirit.
I would definitely rather be a superb meteor then a sleepy and dull planet. That's just me.

Newly Added to LRStudio A Fairy Chair and Table

2011-08-20T12:51:00.001-04:00

How cute is this fairy chair? What fun I am having creating these whimsical fairy chairs. I imagine a fairy sweet and full of thoughtful thoughts. Daydreaming about the day that has gone by as she makes her wonderful meal. Or maybe it is an earth magic potions to help her little human friend. A gift for all ages and you can use these fairy chairs for party favors or place settings for weddings and birthday parties. Maybe go a different way decorating for Halloween this year and go with a magical fairy theme.
To buy this chair and more fairy items visit LRStudio.etsy.com or click on the image below.

Woodland Fairy Chair and Table

Time to take a break and have a bite to eat after all even fairies enjoy natures goodies. A fairy can sit in this woodland branch chair decorated with a colorful ribbon and on the table is her bowl and spoon. Very precious indeed. Measures 6″ tall to the tip of the twigs and 3″ wide.

If you are ordering outside the USA:
I ship everywhere please before you order ask for international shipping actual charge to your location. The price for shipping everywhere is only an estimate. Will discount for multiple orders of fairy chairs.

More Fairy Houses: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LRStudio?section_id=7684784
Shop: http://www.LRStudio.etsy.com

A Princess Chair for the Woodland Fairies.

2011-08-15T11:15:00.001-04:00

I am often amazed when inspiration hits and this chair confirms my feeling. I was working on a fairy house and had dropped part of a small log. When I went to pick it up it had landed in the middle of my ribbon and twigs. I picked up the log and at once knew what to do, Woodland Fairy Chair with a ribbon mimicking water cascading down. As I glued and cut the bits to assemble the story formed of a whimsical Fairy Princess gleefully playing by the fountain and of course she would need a chair to rest on.
I also think they are great for table setting favors for girly birthdays or even the woodland wedding table setting. Contact me to custom order your very own princess chairs.
Interested in buying the Princess Woodland Chair please visit LRStudio.etsy.com the new Between the Weeds Shop or click on the image below.

Woodland Fairy Princess Chair and Forest Fountain

Imagine a Woodland Fairy Princess sitting in her unseen realm. Then patiently wait and you will see the ribbon transform into the cool trickling water flowing down beside her in a forest woodlands fountain. A Fantasy maybe but certainly magical. Measures 6″ tall to the tip of the twigs and 3″ wide.
Great for any age.
Makes a wonderful table favor for the little princess birthday party. Custom order to match your table setting.
Ask about international shipping.

Price: $30 + $7 shipping USA

New Woodland Fairy House at LRStudio.

2011-08-03T11:49:00.001-04:00

Custom Unique Quality Imaginative a Delight describe my whimsical Fairy Houses and I have been busy with making fairy house rooms and fairy houses. This is the first room and is posted ready to buy at LRStudio.etsy.com and many more to come. There is something about these rooms that spark the inner child to come out and play. They make great gifts for the little fairies in your family too.

I constructed this fairy house room on a rattan paper plate holder which I discovered in the cabinet. I knew I could find a way to use them for my fairy friends. I had made the cabinet and couldn’t find the right setting for it. I also knew that the fairies would bring the idea or inspiration together for me when the time was right. As always they never disappoint.

The shells cut out leaves and pebbles I found in the corner of a little shop and I knew I had to have them. I brought them home and the next day everything fell into place. I really think this fairy room is very special and any age would simply love it.

Woodland Fairy House Cabinet and Table

Woodland Fairy House Room @ LRStudio

It is a fairy house room setting with a handmade cabinet filled with natural elements and even a unicorn horn. The room is set on a rattan plate holder (recycled) covered with mosses pebbles and shells. There is a box of goodies with a purple fairy ribbon tied in a bow and perched on the side of the cabinet and a split log for a table with stumps to sit on.Can you see the fairies? They are busy making their healing natural potions for all that ails you.The pieces are glued in place but your imagination or a wee child’s can roam.

Measures: 7.5H x 11″ diameter.

PRICE: $48 + $12 shipping.Ask about shipping charges for your area?

Use a Creation Keepsake Box to attract what you want in your life.

2011-08-01T11:11:00.004-04:00

Another beautiful Creation Keepsake Box painted with a cute little wren chirping away on its branch. An adorable birdhouse sits in the tree ready to help create more lovely birds of nature. I think using nature as a theme for my creation boxes is a great way to boost the energy to assist your passions into becoming reality. It is up to you to create what it is you are passionate about. Grab onto that feeling, feel it in your body, and bring it forward. Dump all those wrongly learned beliefs about yourself not being worthy or unlovable and cast those feelings into a big bonfire and let them turn to ashes. Wrap them up and happily give them back to the universe, they do not belong to you any longer. Now create your dreams through your passions.

Keepsake Creation Box Painted Birdhouse and Wren

Create what you want in your life with a Creation Box. On the rim the box has "Whatever is contained in this box...IS. Hand painted birdhouse and wren amongst the tree limbs await. Instructions come with your box to show you how you can attract the abundance you deserve.

Inside the lid is a framed spot for a quote or picture.

Great gift for anyone interested in having more in their life.

Lift off lid and inside painted a soft robin's egg blue. The tree limbs fold around the three sides of the box.

Overall size: 11" x 9.5" x 7"

PRICE: $85 + $15 shipping

Ask about shipping to other countries.

Law of Intention Creation Box in LRStudio

2011-07-21T16:07:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I showed a Creation Box which was Esther and Jerry Hicks conception to attract what you want in your life. Now there is another Creation Box to choose from in my shop at LRStudio Click Here to buy.

Keepsake Creation Box Painted Colorful Garden Flowers

My Keepsake Creation Box is painted an assortment of colorful garden flowers on every side of this farmhouse country cottage style hinged box. I included a Yellow Goldfinch on the front, a blue butterfly on the top and a bee buzzes by on the side. The colors range from pinks to purples to blues to yellows and reds to fit any color scheme.

The Creation Box idea is from Esther and Jerry Hicks, Whom I greatly admire. My intention is this box will help you create what Esther and Jerry Hicks state, To begin the Magical Creation Box process, find a nice-looking box, one that is pleasing to you when you see it. On the lid, in a conspicuous place that you will easily notice, write the words: Whatever is contained in this box—IS!

Instruction: How to attract all you need with a Creation Box included with each Keepsake Box.
Hand crafted of high quality pine and painted a bright white with a superior varnished finish and waxed has a sturdy hinged lid. Great size for big intentions.

Custom Order a Beautiful Bridal Shower or Wedding or Birthday Gift and have the Keepsake Box personalized with the event on the inside lid or order a custom box to fit the event.

The overall dimensions are 9.25"x11.5"x7" and the inside dimensions are 7"x9"x5.5".
More Cottage: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LRStudio?section_id=6097607
OR http://www.LRStudio.etsy.com

How to attract all you need with a Creation Box.

2011-07-20T11:47:00.001-04:00

I found this idea when reading a post on a favorite site called Heal Your Life. The post was from the fabulous duo Esther and Jerry Hicks (big Fan). The first paragraph starts I quote,

Do you want to give the Universe more specific information about the things that you desire most to attract them into your life? Then it’s time to create the Magical Creation Box. Followed by...

To begin the Magical Creation Box process, find a nice-looking box, one that is pleasing to you when you see it. On the lid, in a conspicuous place that you will easily notice, write the words: Whatever is contained in this box—IS!

To read the entire post CLICK HERE

I feel the universe was telling me to provide people with this box, a Creation Box. My Inspiration Box was designed to inspire but now it is so much more. Thanks to this post I feel my lovely box is now complete with purpose. It comes with printed instructions and when the job is finished a beautiful Keepsake Box ready for the next task.

Painted Keepsake Creation Box with Colorful Garden and Handcrafted Bird

Creation Keepsake Box

My Keepsake Creation Box is hand painted box with lift off lid and features a hand sculpted wren perched on top of the lid. Painted with a garden scene (it reminds me of Monet's Garden) and sky that completely wraps around the box. On the top edge the box lid says "Whatever is contained in this box...IS." The purpose for a Creation Box is to help you create a life of intention.

Included with Creation Box Instruction: How to attract all you need with a Creation Box.

Inside dimensions- 4 3/4 square and is 5 1/2 tall.
Overall: 7"H x 7"W

Price: $80 + $15 shipping

Great Farmhouse Home Decor.
Custom Order your box with a special quote or flowers(allow 2-4 weeks)...
Guaranteed to make a Wedding, Birthday, Anniversary Gift Very Special.

More Cottage: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LRStudio?section_id=6097607
OR http://www.LRStudio.etsy.com

New Nature Pins in the LRStudio Etsy Shop.

2011-07-18T15:34:00.003-04:00

As I was working on some of the fairy houses I was cutting a branch up for little table tops. As I looked at the different designs in the wood I thought what a great piece for a brooch or pin. Each sliver of wood brought another design and my Nature Pins were created.

Interested in these great affordable unique pins CLICK HERE.

Nature's Brooch Pin Beechwood Branch

I cut a 1/4 in slice from a Beechwood Branch and backed it with a pin mounted with epoxy glue. Several coats of varnish and and wax finish it off.

I was cutting up some of my branches for a fairy house and discovered these beautiful patterns in the wood. I think they are wonderful. Pin on a scarf or hat and make your own statement.

Size about 1 1/2 in. and are about 1/4 to 1/3 in. thick.

Price: $18 + $5 shipping

My Painted Bureau at Fair.

2011-07-14T12:50:00.001-04:00

This is beautiful painted piece of furniture ended up in a B & B. I found it on my way to the shop and knew it still had lots of magic left in it, just needed some prodding.

I cleaned the bureau and repaired the veneer then a good sanding. The mirror was removed from the frame (did not want to damage it such an unusual shape) cleaned and sanded. I applied a high quality primer to prep the surface for the three coats of oil paints. The last effect was a crackled finish with varnishes. Some line work to the edges and the bunny to the drawer front completed the look. Colored waxes were applied after everything was sealed with an oil based varnish.

I am always amazed when I am finished because I remember what the bureau had been and now it stood proud.

Original Hand Painted Garden Scene on Pine Farmhouse Cottage Storage Trunk

2011-07-13T14:41:00.002-04:00

I created this piece for a very special person. She wanted something that wasn't too deep and could fit under the window or at the end of a bed. The main purpose was keeping her overflow of towels, sheets and blankets for her guests stored in a convenient spot. She is an avid gardener so I painted the garden along her property around the chest.

: Custom built Trunk Painted with a Garden Landscape

I loved this piece so much I made a smaller version for my LRStudio Esty Shop pictured below.

Original Hand Painted Garden Scene on Pine Farmhouse Cottage Storage Trunk

A very beautiful hand painted original garden landscape painted on a my own crafted useful pine hinged trunk. Functional art to keep you organized and display it anywhere in your home.Store spa essentials inside and keep it near the tub, fill it with CD or DVD or stuff if with scarves and belts,whatever. On those dreary winter nights and days store kindle for the fire. Its cheerful and colorful. Painted all five sides varnished and waxed.
Overall:19 1/4"l x 12 3/4"h x 9 3/4"w.
Inside is 16 1/4"l x 8 1/4"h x 7 1/2"w.

$275.00 USD

Ships to United States $35.00 USD

More Cottage: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LRStudio?section_id=6097607
OR http://www.LRStudio.etsy.com

Nest No.2 New Nature Original Illustration Painting

2011-07-10T11:28:00.002-04:00

This is exciting working on these new illustration because it allows me to be very aware and present in nature. It is a thrill to paint these nests and feathers and much more to come. Below is the latest addition to my shop at Etsy, LRStudio. Click Here to buy.

Nature Original Illustration Painting Nest No.2 Unframed 9 x 6

Buy @ LRStudio.etsy.com

Detailed original painting of a birds nest in soft browns blues creams and grays is ready for any standard 8 x 10 frame. Place on a table or the wall

The illustration is on hot pressed fine art paper. I used a combination of graphite and watercolors/gouache. It is unframed. You can easily mount it to matte board and frame it in a standard frame. The edges of the paper are hand deckle by me.

Price: $25 + $5 shipping.
This is NOT a PRINT.

Ask about shipping internationally?

Keep your eyes open.

2011-07-08T14:14:00.004-04:00

As Tuck and I were out and about we stumbled onto this precious nest between the weeds and leaves. The owners of the nest were very near and made sure Tuck and myself did not damage the magical cargo inside. Fortunately I could make a quick sketch to later work on. I am not sure why nature is so active around me at this time but I am certainly enjoying it.

My wonderful detailed illustration of the nest I found is available in my LRStudio Etsy Shop CLICK HERE

A wonderful new nest series of Nature Illustrations and this is the first of the nests. It is 8" x 6" in shades of blues browns and leaf greens. While exploring this past weekend I stumbled upon this nest tucked in between the leaves and grass. This is from a quick sketch I did.

The illustration is on hot pressed fine art paper. I used a combination of graphite and watercolors/gouache. It is unframed. You can easily mount it to matte board and frame it in a standard frame. The edges of the paper are hand deckle by me.

Wouldn't this look so sweet in a nursery?

Ask about shipping internationally?

Price: $25 USD

Maybe there is a message?

2011-07-07T14:43:00.003-04:00

I am finding feathers everywhere and anywhere. It was very obvious something was trying to get my attention. I am focusing on nature and the energy I feel when I walk about in the woods or down the street. I am not sure why they need to get my attention but it is said guides and angels will often leave a feather behind. That is a very nice thought but... you can go nuts trying to discover what they might be saying. I am learning to relax and allowing the flow of life and nature to work through and around me. Then one evening as Tuck and I were quietly watching the world around us come alive a crows feather fell in front of me and as the light hit it beautiful shades of browns and dark blues radiated from it. It was as if all of nature was screaming at me paint it you fool. So I did. A very new series of illustrations simplified and detailed plants nests birds and of course feathers are being created.
To buy please visit my Etsy Shop LRStudio Click Here

Feather No.1 Illustration pencil and watercolor hand deckle edges

I love this new series of nature illustrations in pencil and watercolor. I love the detail of the feather and the subtle color changes. I found this crows feather and thought how simple yet elegant. The colors of the black changed as the light did.I used hot pressed fine art paper. I hand deckle the edges so you can mount my illustrations onto matte board or frame it the usual way. To protect the art you should frame it under a glazing. I chose a 6" x 6" size because it can easily be mounted on a 8" x 10" board and use a standard frame found almost anywhere.
Please ask me about shipping internationally for actual charges.

My parents told me to always be polite.

2011-07-01T14:22:00.001-04:00

I grew up with parents that were a little older than all my friends parents. Today parents come in all sorts of ways so they wouldn't be too much out of the norm. But back then it was. They were hard-working and believed if you worked at it you could just possibly meet your goal. Because they were older their childhood was spent growing up during the Great Depression. Maybe it was because of this my parents never took anything for granted and never thought of asking for a hand out. If you wanted anything you saved your extra pennies and bought it. Of course you had bank accounts that actually paid interest so it enticed you to save.

My father hated government and I remember him saying Government will be our downfall. I used to argue the pro and cons with him but in the end he usually won. My dad was a brilliant man but saw the negative side of people. If he knew how right his words were as I write this today. Oh I digress. My mom believed in gratitude and showing it every way possible. She was the most positive being I have personally known. I am sure it is why I believe these times will prove a blessing and not the end of this country or world. She would insist you always say thank you and you are welcome with meaning. They are not just words to say otherwise don't say them and to this day when I use them I mean them. Their life lessons showed me to question everything and see the darkness always shining a light into it so you can find the gratitude for all the things that come your way, even the bad. It is gratitude that brings forth hope.

I do not know why some people have lost their way. When I hear the stories about young adults and children forming mobs to steal a small piece of me dies falling away into the darkness where there is no hope. It is an empty existence. What kind of pain do these people live with and the despair so heavy to carry? What can I do to make a change? What can we all do?

My answer to me is to follow my true self. Be grateful and mean what I say. Stand up for my ideas and thoughts, never wavering as my parents taught me and theirs taught them. Work hard and if it isn't working make the corrections you need and work harder. So many times I hear moms' words ring out "nothing worth having comes easy" or "don't worry everything comes out in the wash".

Life is a challenge and the universe is testing us. Do we allow chaos to rule or do we follow what we all know is true. Instead of taking a picture of the insanity take the phone and call for order, the police. Or be a voice and yell STOP I have called for help. I think there are more people thinking like myself. It takes one voice to wake them out of non-reaction. I like to think I would be the one to yell STOP and in my youth I did. I hope age hasn't made me fearful and uncaring. Instead a sage of some wisdom, a shaman, or a healer lending my healing energy out into the universe. Connecting to like energies and battling back the darkness with light and hope and above all LOVE for all. Even my enemies.

Maybe it all flows back to simply saying thank you and you are welcome with intention, really meaning what you say.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Christmas in July

2011-06-22T14:43:00.000-04:00

With June almost at the end please come for a visit in my Etsy Shop for Christmas in July. I have many things on sale and I have new lower prices. I am adding my Christmas gifts too. If you want to get a jump on this years gift giving or even Halloween come and join me.

Christmas in July at LRStudio

Help the economy and buy handmade from a very small business owner. I am sure you can find something at Etsy.com There are so many fabulous artist here to choose from please visit.

A helpful hint for Etsy shop owners.

2011-06-20T13:10:00.001-04:00

I love my shop at Etsy called LRStudio which is short for Laurie Rohner Studio. I find the community there is always trying to help each other sell more and be successful. They are a bunch of young people who run things in Brooklyn NY and I thank the Uni-verse for putting together Etsy.

Custom Wedding Keepsake Box for the outdoor Wedding?

The other day I received my email from Etsy and among some of the great topics one caught my attention. It pertained to improving your shop and it had a Livestream so I watched. I found a bunch of things to do for my shop which I will share later. This one was at the top of my list. It is so simple but not many shops owners from what I can see have done it. Be sure you add a link on each listing back to the shop section of the listing and a link back to your shop. Just type or copy http://all the info in the browser address and then paste it at the bottom of your listings description editing section and then your shop address http://yourshop.etsy.com. Publish your page and you are finished.

This is an example of what I did in my shop:
More Cottage: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LRStudio?section_id=6097607
OR http://www.LRStudio.etsy.com

Etsy automatically links what you have typed, nice little bonus. I know it is time consuming to add to each of your listings. I also took advantage of updating and changing how my listings read. I have to admit I am still updating but it is almost there.

My shop is very important to me and I treat it as if it were a brick and mortar shop with Etsy as the Chamber of Commerce. They really want everyone to win, and even this set in her ways artist can see their exceptional value.

In the studio new designs for painted furniture.

2011-06-16T13:16:00.000-04:00

I am in the midst of adding a new design to my painted furniture. I am calling it the Wallpaper Effect for now. I am fascinated with big chintz fabric designs with tulips and peonies and also find the new graphics of flower silhouettes of today fresh and inspiring. But I am not finished. I added some faux finishes to meld it all together. I mixed it all up and created an eclectic cottage look for today's home. I am hoping to have some of the first pieces photographed by next week.

Think of English Countryside meets Le Cirque....are you intrigued yet?

On sale for Father's Day Crafted Keepsake Box with Hand Painted Lion

2011-06-08T12:09:00.002-04:00

For Father's Day why not give the king of the house a Beautifully Hand Painted Lion on a hand crafted hinged wooden box. I craft each one of my keepsake boxes by hand and I hand paint the image of this noble beast and finish my painting with my signature style pen work. I use superior finishes to seal my work, allowing for many years of enjoyment. My Keepsake Box is high quality and guaranteed to amaze your father this Father's Day. To Buy visit my Etsy Shop at LRStudio the listing is below.

ON SALE Hand Painted Lion Wood Hinged Box

To Buy

Thinking of Fathers Day? Hand painted and crafted keepsake wood box with original lion portrait painting. Overall 11"l x 9"w x 7"h and inside is 8.25"l x 7"w x 5.25h. and weighs 4.5lbs. It is stained, hinged and hand crafted from pine.

The Lion I feature is a very special animal to me and I wanted to portray him with his mane framing his regal face as the sun starts to set on the Serengeti. He is painted first and then I add my ink line work. This gives him the added depth.

I never thought in my lifetime I would see the lion population dwindle to the point of concern. Unfortunately it has. Do your part and recycle donate to the a habitat fund and educate yourself about the world we share with the magnificent creatures like the noble lion.

ON SALE NOW

CLICK HERE TO BUY $75 + $15 for shipping USA

On Sale at LRStudio Etsy Shop.

2011-06-06T16:11:00.001-04:00

I have Into the Woods an original oil painting of one of my favorite little places to sit and ponder while living in Vermont. This 8" x8" original oil painting is on sale now in my Etsy Shop. If you are interested please CLICK HERE to buy. It is a sweet oil painting and it is looking for a new home. Can't you just see it up on your wall?

ON SALE Into the Woods an Original Oil Painting

ON SALE

Into the Woods is an original oil painting. It is painted on an 8” stretched gallery wrap canvas with my finest oil paints. Painted in an Impressionist/Realism style, the scene depicts a wooded opening filled with ferns and sweet tall grass and surrounded by lush scented pines and spruces. It was a special place I would walk to in Vermont. The edges are painted a rich chocolate to resemble dark wood. The painting is varnished and there is a backing added to the art work for protection. Ready to hang or perch on a shelf or small easel.

The copyright will not appear on the original.

Sale price $95 + $8 shipping USA

©Laurie Rohner2010-2011 All reproduction or copies of artwork are prohibited without consent of artist.

Prints Available.

2011-06-05T13:10:00.002-04:00

I have uncovered a vintage (now) print I had made of a pen and ink drawing titled Majestic Lion. The original was finished in the mid 80's and the print was made about the same time. They are in great condition and I am now offering to my clients and a wonderful price $7 and free shipping here in the USA. You can ask for international shipping charges. I loved to draw back then and still do but there is only so much time. If you are interested you can buy CLICK HERE at my Etsy Shop LRStudio.

Vintage Lion Print Pen and Ink Drawing on stock paper

This is a print of A Lion's Stare and original ink drawing by Laurie Rohner (me).
The original drawing of this Lion was done sometime in the mid 80's and I had a print done of it towards the end of the 80's. I just uncovered these now vintage prints. I thought they had been lost on one of my many moves but here they are and now available for you to buy. The copyright is not visible on print.

The image is just under 14" x 11" so they will fit in any 11" x 14' matte opening. The paper is a printers quality stock paper. I used the best I could for printing in those days. They are in excellent condition and I sign and dated on the bottom. I ship the print(s) flat between cardboard in mailer. Ask about international shipping.

The first shot is very close to the color of the original paper of print.

New Wonderful Shabby Chic Cottage Art

2011-05-31T12:59:00.002-04:00

I have worked on some new framed panels for the Painted Cottage Home Shop. I think they are wonderful colorful exciting new addition in my shop. You can buy them in my LRStudio Etsy Shop. These paintings are to enhance your home decor with a complete ready to hang Cottage Art. No fuss and look great hung as a group or individually. My strong and sturdy frames are hand crafted with pine. I hand paint these frames with a colored base coat and add a top coat of white. I rubbed back the white paint and scraped to show the underlying color and wood. I sealed the frames with a non yellowing varnish. All materials are superior quality and tested. Sometimes you have to push the aging process to get the desired effects of shabby chic. My frames are simply shabby cottage chic and my art fits the frames decor beautifully.Outstanding framed art for the lavishly cottage shabby chic decor.

Shabby Chic Framed Cottage Art Thistles and Lace

A hand painted well-worn shabby chic 3" pine frame surrounds a 6" panel of colorful thistles lace and cornflowers. I used acrylic paints for my original artwork and latex paints on the frame. I craft my own frames. This frame is painted with a dark green base then a white latex paint is applied over the green then distressed. The overall size is 12" square and is ready to hang with a sawtooth hanger.

To Buy CLICK HERE

Sensational Framed Shabby Chic Hand Painted Iris

Cottage Art: An iris painted with shades of blues, greens, lavenders and yellows and framed in this wonderful shabby chic frame completes your cottage home. A terrific wedding, birthday, house-warming or hostess gift is guaranteed success. The iris is an acrylic painting on a 5" square panel.
The overall size is 10" square is ready to hang.
To Buy CLICK HERE

SHABBY CHIC HANDPAINTED WOODEN COTTAGE TRAYS FOR ENTERTAINING .

2011-05-26T09:52:00.001-04:00

Don't you love trays? I know I do. They are so tremendous with unlimited valuable uses from decorating your cottage with its shabby chic style to being a unique strong serving tray for a lifetime of enjoyment. My wooden trays are made of the finest woods and I use the highest quality paints and superior finishes. They are amazing beautiful gifts for anyone. Give someone a handmade one of a kind gift and you show them how much they mean to you.

Hand Painted Sturdy Country Cottage Shabby Chic Wood Tray

Buy at LRStudio Etsy Shop

Hand painted with a bouquet laying across the tray and hand crafted in poplar and pine. The tray has an original finish I created called verdigris and is sealed with a special lacquer spray so it will take a beating.

Cottage Style Shabby Chic Hand Painted Wood Serving Tray

I combined Shabby Chic with Upscale Cottage for this new wallpaper design in colors of muted yellows,greens and verdigris is hand painted on my tray and hand crafted in poplar and pine.

MY PASSION, WHAT IS YOURS?

2011-05-15T13:26:00.000-04:00

A passion finally comes alive.

Last night I pulled out some of my old books on decorative painting and perused through them. I love to paint and create different finishes. My favorite artist is from England, Annie Sloane. She really gets into the basics and shows many techniques which I have employed on some of the earlier furniture restorations in my career. As I flipped through the pages I noticed how alive I was feeling my heart racing with enthusiasm and I thought about what I had in the studio. What kind of concoctions could I mix together for a finish that would enhance one piece or the other? What could I build or design to merge what I love? And then I thought is this my passion? Is this what floats my boat or gets my mojo going? Yup!

I have decided to fully be a decorative painter. It was a choice I made decades ago even when I ran my flower shop I was a decorative painter. Somehow I lost touch with the wish I had for being a creative artist. I will paint my paintings when the mood allows. It is the study of wall fresco and plasters and woods being cut and paints being applied and creating something from a stick of wood that I find exciting. It is a passion, my passion. I have put my ego to the side and discovered an exciting wonderful truth.

How many of us have these ‘parent tapes’ endlessly playing in our heads or well-meaning people giving advise as they see it? These thoughts and words get caught up in our minds and if you allow them to take hold you start to live so. I know I have struggled with purpose and passion and why am I here for way too long. I am not a person who can just routinely go through life. You all know the type gets up goes to a job they hate comes home and well just exists. I need to know why are things the way they are. I need to keep pushing myself to be better than I was a moment ago. I need to ask questions and I need to figure out my answers. I do not think it matters how old or young you are to ask the questions. I think to say because I am… (fill in the rest) and never bother asking is worst.

Most people would not want my life. Guess what it is not theirs it is mine, all mine, and it is wonderful. Enjoy life, live it with passion every moment you can and keep asking your questions and discovering your truths. It is worth it, I promise.

Now Shipping Internationally.

2011-04-28T10:40:00.000-04:00

After a few rough starts shipping beyond the USA I decided to give it another try. I have a new shipping outlet here in town that can help me with my seemingly many questions. I feel more confident that my pieces will arrive to my customers overseas. I have marked certain items with a flat rate at my Etsy Shop LRStudio but if there is a piece you would like to purchase or buying several please contact me and I will get the shipping charges for you. All international orders are billed through PayPal it is the only merchant service I use.

I always marvel at the similarities of this grand world we all share and it is important to remember we are all connected. Because of a few people that tried some underhanded business practices I became fearful of this world beyond my own little country. I apologize to everyone for being so small-minded and I am overcoming those fears. I love the idea that one of my pieces could end up in Japan or Brazil or Australia or a remote little island in the ocean.

Feel free to browse through my online shops and remember just contact me and I will ship it anywhere you want.

Had to share this it is that good!

2011-04-25T15:30:00.000-04:00

This is a re-post from Keith Bond on FineArtViews. I just had to pass this on. He absolutely nails it. Please read.

The Crossroads

by Keith Bond

This article is by Keith Bond, Regular contributing writer for FineArtViews. You should submit an article and share your views as a guest author by clicking here.

It was a point of decision. Should I turn right or continue straight ahead? I had reached a crossroads. En route to a remote area in Southeastern Arizona, I was traveling through Silver City, New Mexico. Just outside Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, I was faced with the decision to stay on the more traveled major roads or take a less traveled road.

The main roads – the well traveled roads – have a total mileage of 136 miles with about a 2 ½ hour drive time. The smaller, less traveled road has a total mileage of about 88 miles with a 2 ½ hour drive time. I chose the latter.

This drive was narrow, winding over mountains and canyons. The hairpin turns were many and frequent. On such a road, my average speed was about 25 miles an hour with several curves as slow as 10 mph. This country is open range, so there were also several areas with cattle on the road.

But for me, the decision was well worth it. The scenery was spectacular and breathtaking. The drive was much more interesting. And I only saw one other vehicle the entire time.

Your art career has a similar parallel.

Let’s define the destination as whatever success means to you. There comes a time in your career where you reach the crossroads. You must make the decision of which road to take. Either way, the amount of time to reach the destination will be about the same. Do you take the road that everyone else is taking? Do you take the easy, less adventurous road? Do you travel the interstate?

Or do you set off on your own, taking the back roads? Do you take the road less traveled? On this road there will be fewer artists. But there will be obstacles. The travel may seem slow with many turns. But on this road there is excitement. There is exploration. There is adventure. And the view is spectacular.

Either way, you will likely reach your destination at about the same time – give or take a bit. But the experience along the way will be vastly different.

Don’t Wander Off Too Soon

My journey began just north of Fort Collins, Colorado – several hundred miles to the north. I took the interstate the entire way. It was only when I reached Truth or Consequences, did I set out off the beaten path. Had I taken the back roads from the beginning, my arrival time would have been delayed by several hours or even days.

Your career is similar. If you set out too soon, you may delay reaching your goal of success. If, however, you have no destination in mind and you wish to explore, then by all means, set off on your journey wandering to and fro. But if you do have a goal in mind, if there is a destination you wish to reach, if you want to find success in art, then you must travel a well charted course until the Truth or Consequences crossroads.

What is That Course?

It is learning your craft. Developing your skills up to a certain level of proficiency. It means study and practice. Learn the fundamentals. Learn the rules. Intimately learn your medium and subject of choice. Once you do, you will be at the crossroads where either route will get you to success in relatively the same amount of time.

I began my trip in Northern Colorado. Some may begin their trip even further away, say Billings, Montana. Others will begin their trip much closer to their destination, maybe Colorado Springs or Santa Fe. A few might even begin their journey near the crossroads.

Very few are so fortunate in their artistic journey to begin so close to the crossroads. Most of us start further away. Wherever you begin, you will know when you reach the crossroads. You will have confidence in your abilities, but you will have a strong urge to set off and not follow the road that everyone else is taking.

Many Fear the Less Traveled Road

To some, the winding and turning and slow speeds with many drop-offs are too scary. Too worried about getting into a crash, they don’t even see the beautiful scenery. This road is anything but enjoyable to these folk. Some artists likewise will only feel secure on the main roads.

Many Find Boredom with the Interstate

For others, only the excitement of discovery and solitude bring fulfillment and satisfaction. The well traveled road with hundreds of other travelers brings no excitement. Everything is predictable and mundane. These artists must get off the interstate.

Which type of artist are you? Have you reached your crossroads yet?

Best Wishes,
Keith Bond

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I'm Spreading The Word.

2011-04-20T16:05:00.000-04:00

I'm spreading the word about artist I find on Etsy out into the world via social networking and blogs. Anyone I admire and whose work I appreciate. Some of it is just fun and uplifting and some is so creative it knocks your shoes off. Now why would I do this? Because I see the world as a friendly, ever expanding, place to live and it is filled with oodles of creative people. All they want is to share their work and improve someones life. If I can be of any help expanding the awareness of another creative person's work then everyone wins. You see I firmly believe buying from a creative artist is a beautiful thing. We diligently work at producing high quality pieces for the sole purpose of giving enjoyment to others. Yes we like getting paid. But ask anyone who has a shop on Etsy most will say even if I make no money I will still keep making art. Our purpose is to give to the world the beauty and creative awesomeness we see each and every day. Even if you do not buy anything you have to go and browse through the many shops at etsy.com. Maybe if you see someone who inspires you, you will spread the word, too.

New in Laurie Rohner Studio Etsy Shop

2011-04-07T16:59:00.001-04:00

I just added this Vermont Landscape to my Etsy Shop, LRStudio: The Painted Cottage because this painting combined with painted furniture gives any room a warm grounded feeling connecting you to nature. The colors are soft and subdued. Placed over a distressed hand painted dresser or accent the wall with of a slip covered comfy chair in front makes this piece a winner.

Original Vermont Landscape Oil Painting by Laurie Rohner

From LRStudio

A Vermont wooded landscape of birch trees standing in the sunlight and a road traveled less. Painted with soft shades of greens and browns and blues gives a peacefulness to this painting. While you gaze at the birches you can almost smell the sweet scent of the ferns drifting in the warm breeze.

Path to the Birches
An oil painting of the path I would take each day with the boys my Standard Poodles on our daily hikes through the property. I painted this scene with a twist on Impressionism and Realism giving my work an upbeat contemporary look. Please contact me for shipping options.

24"H x 24"W
Price: $1800 + $50 shipping and insurance.
Contact me for shipping internationally.

Fairy Potting Shed House from Laurie Rohner Studio

2011-04-02T12:04:00.001-04:00

Between the Weeds Collection has a new addition the Fairy Potting Shed House. I fell in love with this concept and had loads of fun putting it all together.

Fairy Potting Shed House

From LRStudio

Custom Fairy House Potting Shed

I used a clay pot for this concept and then filled it with a chair, shelf, a painted storage pot, a gazing ball (of course), and assorted rocks and sea glass with moss and bark. It is a custom piece and very unique. Great conversational addition to your porch or anywhere protected outside. I love to place them by the fireplace. This fairy potting shed is a part of my Between the Weeds collection. Measures 8.25" x 8" x 8.5". Weighs 3.4lbs.

It costs $55 and $10 shipping. This piece won't last it is just that cute.

Check it out and go to my Etsy Shop to BUY.

Do artist have an economic value?

2011-03-30T16:12:00.000-04:00

In the recent weeks I have listen to some people in the media make flippant statements about artist and their lofty unrealistic attitudes. Saying we contribute very little to the community and to our economic well being. Furthering their attack with contorted facial expressions and giving the sense of being in a continuous drug induced state. At first I found it humorous because these people certainly do not know the artist I know. These artist are hard working, humble, highly motivated and extremely intelligent individuals who are passionate adventurous entrepreneurs and a main stay in our country's and society's economical recovery.

Go online and do a search and you will find 10's of thousands of artist, all levels of ability ,producing and selling their art. Professionals who sustain and care for the spirit of humankind. Most people do not understand the way we process our work nor do they understand the sacrifices and struggles we endure in order to create the work. All work great and small is an essential part to the worlds well being. It does not change because one artist is more skilled than the next. The process for each and every one is still the same.

Then there is the spirit of all mankind I refer to which is very different than the soul of an individual. It is that part of us that dreams and sees possibility where there is little to be found. Spirit is the creative energy that compels humans to think outside ourselves and to show the world the good and the ugly. I feel artists are in tune more to this type of energy so we see things differently. Just as a person has to breath ,we have to create. It is our contribution to this world and we make it a better place to live and to thrive. Where would society be if there were no artist, no muse to inspire?

Think. Would there be this computer page designed by a software artist or an Apple IPod or IPhone with all those fabulous inventions? Would you have a beautiful home or would you be living in a cave still? The clothes you wear and the cars you drive are in part thanks to an artist. And then there are all those wonderful museums filled with centuries of artist' work that would not be there so you could spend a rainy Sunday afternoon exploring.

What about today, the artist sitting diligently working on a piece hoping to sell so they can buy food, shop in the mall or buy the next IPod. Are they not also important to the economic stability? Do we not have the same value as the plumber or electrician or the nurse or the corporate sales manager or even the media who so eagerly put down a whole profession?

All that said I am proud to be an artist. I have been given a very important job. All artists have been given this job by the greatest artist ever known, the creator of all things. So fellow artist pick up your brushes, your pens, your chisels, your instruments whatever tool you use and create and never stop because we have a purpose being here. The same purpose for many millenniums to inspire humankind to be better than they were a moment ago. Oh and you media folks that is pretty huge.

My shop The Painted Cottage Home is set up.

2011-03-21T16:16:00.000-04:00

Welcome and Come On In to The Painted Cottage Home...

I have taken over the foyer and part of my living room with a work area in the back so I can work and talk to visitors as they browse. The screened porch is off the shop area and will feature garden theme items for sale. It is a combination of fine art, painted furniture, gifts, and antiques. I have had a blast putting it all together. All I need now is a sign out front.

Tuck is on the rug making sure I am doing everything right. He always has to get into a shot. The table has painted china and my Hand Painted Keepsake Box.

Another angle of the shop with a rocker I refinished and a canvas pillow I created. The end table I painted and crackled, great vintage piece.

Behind this is my work area which is quite large with a love seat and chair grouping for people to join in and see me work.

Most of my things you can purchase on line in etsy zibbet or my web sites. I really wanted to do this because I think I can contribute something special to my neighborhood and my town.

If you are in my area and would like to visit Laurie Rohner Studio or The Painted Cottage Home please just come on by at 383 Hawthorne Rd. or call 336-835-1825.

We are expanding 2 new sites.

2011-03-07T14:21:00.000-05:00

I have expanded Laurie Rohner Studio and now have added 2 new sites.

The first site is for my painted cottage furniture and more under the name The Painted Cottage Home found @ www.thepaintedcottagehome.com Click here. I hope to share how you can decorate and inject some fun into your home with my style of cottage.

The second is called Between the Weeds found @ www.betweentheweeds.com Click Here. This site is for the magic and beauty I see in nature and features my Birdie Abodes and my unique Fairy Houses. This site will explain and discuss what I gather about the world that has been long forgotten but is never the less still very much present.

Please join me and I do hope you enjoy the adventure.

Opening Shop!

2011-02-26T11:37:00.000-05:00

In the past couple of days I have gone from having a vision to making it happen in a matter of 24 hours. I thought the only way to make things improve was to do what I have always done. For me it was the grass is greener someplace else syndrome. These times, a statement I am beginning to dislike, have to make creative artists think outside the box. Once I really looked at my situation and started to see it from a completely different perspective the answers started to unfold. After making a few phone calls, one being the Chamber of Commerce, I found that though in the past the city or town frowned on artists opening up their studios to the public they now realize the great benefit to the community, to tourism and to the region of wine growers. Lets face it if you see 2-3 people a week you are not making any negative impact at all to your neighborhood. Think of a house with teens and there are people always going in and out. Plus the clientele artists attract usually are nice upstanding people. I also made the point that I am building a business and would like to expand eventually to the town center and open an upscale gift gallery of hand painted found items. Right before the economy went plummeting downward the town had wonderful expansion plans but have since been put on hold.

This is the area I am converting to the shop and studio. The back for painting and the front area plus access to my entry hall and side screened porch while the rest of the house is easily shut off to any customers.

My point is to look at your situation and maybe you have the space or layout in your home to set up your studio shop. You can still offer all the things you would online. If you were placing them in shops and galleries you would be paying the commission fees. No one has more at stake than the artist at making a sale and customers love to buy things from the person who actually did the creating. If you are a working artist and already working out of your home than maybe you would be happy doing what I am starting in my little cottage in Elkin, NC. What is the worst thing that could happen you fail? You will anyway if you don't start approaching your business from all angles.

Joined Zibbet

2011-02-24T10:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I shared some pointers I had discovered in expanding your creative business. Join and add 10 items to sell in an online shop so I did just that and joined Zibbet. Time will show me which shops preform the best and I will certainly share with all of you me results.

What I found with Zibbet was it was easy to set up your shop and profiles and adding your products, though time consuming, was relatively painless. I find once you set up one shop which in my case I started on Etsy it is a matter of copying what you have, tweaking here and there, and bang product added. I opted for the free shop but you can upgrade to a shop with a monthly fee when you want or feel it will benefit you.

I am not trying to sell Zibbet but want to share what I discover may work for my fellow creatives. If you have the time visit my Zibbet shop @ The Painted Cottage Click Here.

Improving your creative business.

2011-02-23T10:58:00.000-05:00

I found an ebook that wrote about navigating and selling online your arts and crafts. I do wish there was a better way to catagorize what we artist do but that is an ego thing. One thing this ebook was very clear on, you need to think like the owner of a huge company and be diligent in marketing creating and promoting your art. Here are a few good points I thought I could pass on to my fellow entrepreneurs.

Every day check out other blogs that relate to your type of work and make a comment on 10.
List 10 new items to one of your online shops.
Look at your photos and see if you can make improvemnts.
write in your blog one post for each on the new item added.
this is my own addition, make a comment on a blog that targets the type of person you think will be interested in your work.
work on a schedule and stick with it.

These are just a few points to get you started improving your business and it is not easy but you and me chose this and it takes hard work. Do not sit back and wait for life to give you that break. You will be very old and your life will have disapperared in front of you.

Spring is on it's way...

2011-02-14T12:15:00.000-05:00

Cottage Birdhouse

In my part of the world the weather is starting to change and the cold air is becoming sweet and fresh and warm. It is a time I start to think of the garden and what I can add to brighten up the world around me. Maybe it is a wonderful birdhouse for my feathered friends or a home accent that is as fresh as air outside.

In my etsy shop I am starting to add birdhouses and garden themed home accents as shown below. These new items are softer and time worn making them great for any country cottage or beach side abode. Freshen up your office with my message board or perch a pretty plant on the plant stool or decorate a corner of the garden all at affordable prices and hand painted hand crafted and unique.

Tumbled Marble Coasters with Strawberries

Cottage Message Board

I would like to invite you to join me in my shop this spring and let me help freshen your nests inside and out. Please click here to see my new shop at Meylah. Or click on images to purchase in my etsy shop.

Cottage Plant Stool

By the way everyone have a wonderful and loving Valentine's Day and if you are feeling left out because you don't have someone just remember you always have you. You are pretty special and in all this world there is not one person like you. So today celebrate your uniqueness and love yourself. Enjoy everyone.

Business Cards and more.

2011-02-07T13:19:00.000-05:00

I just received my order from Moo.com which I found through Etsy. I was intrigued by their mini cards and really liked the fact that you could add your own work to individual cards making up 50 100 or whatever. I designed my mini cards using my Etsy Shop items and some of my paintings. It was easy to put together and fun to work up the cards with sayings and things I wanted to get across. Within 7 days I received my order and Wow these are the best mini cards to date. I highly recommend using Moo.com and Etsy shop owners get a first time business card free offer which I also took advantage of and again Wow! There is a small band on the card that Moo uses to promote their services but it does not take away from your card at all.

The images on the cards are crisp and clean and the card stock is a nice heavy weight. I chose the matte finish. They also have packages of ready made designs that are fun and fit a wide variety of themes. The cards are a little more than some online printing places but the quality far outweighs any additional costs, which are minimal.

Do yourself a favor and try the promotional business cards especially artist and designer shop owners. You wont be sorry.

I Adore Dark Chocolate.

2011-01-25T11:16:00.000-05:00

The stores are filled with heart shaped boxes of chocolate in preparation of Valentine's Day. I personally find the day to be more of a nuisance then a day to rejoice in. I guess that stems back to my days in the flower industry and caring for thousands of roses being sent to people. My hands would be swollen from the many stabs by the venomous thorns on roses. But at the end of it all waiting for me was a box of the most delicious dark chocolates and I would forget my throbbing fingers and feet and drift off in a wave of smooth heavenly sweet dark chocolate. What divine pleasure.

Now a days whenever I need real comfort I order myself my favorite dark chocolate. I have it sent from a great little Vermont candy store by the name of Snowflake Chocolates click here. Located in the small town of Jericho nestled at the foothills of the Green Mountains you can find the best candy. My favorites are the dark chocolate Turtles and the yes Dark Chocolate Fudge. Check it out it is well worth having it shipped to you or better yet take the trip and make a visit to their shop.

Indulge you are worth it....

Check out the new photos of my house for sale.

2011-01-16T12:11:00.001-05:00

These are just a few of the new images previewing my fabulous warm and cozy Cape Cod Cottage. Plenty of room but you con easily expand home to suit your family. Den can be a Dining Room or put a sleeper coach in and use it as a spare guest room. There is a full bath on main floor.

Purchase this wonderful Cape Cod that is ready to move in and located in a quiet highly desirable neighborhood with 3bdrs. and 2bths and sits on a 1/2 acres. Very easy to maintain with lush mature shrubs. Please contact Gambill at 336-835-3535 or visit Click Here.

Here are some of my photos of my house and I hope you enjoy. It is a warm and wonderful home built in 1939 and holds much of its charm. There have been many updates and additions which include porches and decks, built ins, natural gas line, storm windows and 4/5 yr roof. There is plenty of room for a family just starting out and with the energy costs climbing the cost is minimal. The decks and porch offer 7-8 months a year of outside entertainment making this a great place to party. A very friendly neighborhood where children can ride their bikes and play. There is even through the woods or down the street a beautiful church and Boys Scout Troop meeting place.

More Fairy Houses...

2011-01-10T16:21:00.000-05:00

I have just added two more fairy houses to my etsy shop and my web site. They are a cabin and an artist studio. I love putting these houses together and as I work I develop these little stories that inspire me to create a three dimensional story ready for your own imagination.

The Fairy Cabin at the Lake

Cabin

close up

Back of cabin

and the Fairy Art Studio..

Artist Studio

Skylight

Door open

easel

Inside studio

To purchase any of my fairy houses visit my Etsy shop CLICK HERE.

The Woodland Cottage - My First Fairy House.

2011-01-03T16:25:00.003-05:00

Can you not see a forest sprite kicking back on the porch after a day of mischief and magic. Or snuggling down in her comfy little bed. This house is equipped with all the comforts a Fay my want including a gazing ball, table, bedside lamp and wall rock art. The house is made of natures materials but this is really for the indoor fairies.

A close up view of the inside of the Woodland House with the bed in the back right and light along side and the table and bench to the left. In the front is a big comfy chair and the gazing ball on the porch.

The other photo is a close up of the table and bench and the stone botanical wall art.

The side of the cottage and the close up of the butterfly on the roof. Also a close view of the many layers of bark mosses and other goodies all glued individually to give this cottage a Woodland feel.

I am still working on the pricing. These are more than little houses they are miniature works of sculptured art. I would love any feedback....

Fairy Houses?

2010-12-31T12:58:00.000-05:00

I really can get giddy thinking about what I have just started. So let me tell you this much it was not planned. I was working on some bird houses for my shop basically for the upcoming spring season. Thought they might be a good addition and it helps me stay connected to the outside world - the birdie world that is. I had just received a note from an old friend who worked with me when I was in the flower business. It brought back some great memories and I noticed how much I missed working with natural things. I had to leave the business because I developed a severe case of skin dermatitis that progressively worsened over the years. But I guess you never really walk away from your passions. I realized that although I love to create things in wood and paint I also have a passion to work with natural elements. To smell the moss or to tear apart pine cones or to scavenger around for the perfect tree limb and then to meld these elements together creating something wonderful or in this case dare I say magical.

I have been working at being more open to my surroundings and my thoughts, what is the world trying to tell me kind of thing. As I work I usually find myself drifting along in thought about this and that and not truly paying attention to any of it. I think we miss a lot of information by shrugging our thoughts off as just daydreaming or your mind wondering. So I have been staying focused and trying to understand what I or others might be telling me. So as I was putting together the birdhouses, as plain as can be, I started to see these little houses of sticks and moss and bark and pine cones with little stick furniture and fireplaces. Cabins and cottages, rustic and chic, big and small and the images just kept flooding into my conscientiousness. I had to get these ideas down. Sketches were made and that night all I could think of was how to put it all together. I constructed my first house the next morning. Everything has just fallen into place. I call it my Woodland Cottage and it has a twig bed and table and a big twig chair and it is adorned with bark and lichens and mosses which I found outside my house. Fallen branches,bark from trees and mosses were all around. Then I remembered my bag filled with all these wonderful things I have collected all taken from nature. Now I know why, it is all for these wonderful little houses, fairy houses. And it is for the Fairies, my wonderful new little friends, I am switching gears. I am creating a new line of fairy houses and furnishings under a new name. I would like to thank the fairies. I think it was their hand behind this recent inspiration.

Stay tuned for pictures and info about these cottages.

New direction.

2010-12-18T10:51:00.002-05:00

To purchase Click Here

I love doing my keepsake boxes with garden flowers and birds strewn across them but I wanted to also send a message. I started to work on boxes that portray animals that are on the verge of endangerment or they have arrived. Our world is full of wonderful majestic creatures and I hope I will touch a cord in you by painting them. Hopefully you will buy a Keepsake Box or maybe you will donate to a worthy cause to help our friends in need.

Help the Arts

2010-12-15T11:30:00.000-05:00

Every time you purchase an item whether it is clothes, toys, home decor, furniture or whatever, you have a choice. You can buy from an individual who has put all their energy into making a well made product or a company that has outsourced most of the components to a country which probably pays workers very little or has no regard to the toxic components used or the environmental issues in producing the product. There are individuals all over the world who are making well made original works for all types of uses. They are artists of many creative means and all offering the best they can produce.

I guess it hit me while shopping and I noticed the mind set of the average shopper. People aimlessly buying things and I mean things with no thought to where it was made or whom it was being given to. I am a person who would spend weeks trying to discover what the perfect gift would be for a person and most of the time I would buy something that was different and handmade. Of course then I started to give things I made because I thought it meant more giving a part of yourself. Aren't we missing the point of the season? What happen to giving just one gift? Why is it so wrong to buy or make something that is handmade or homemade?

The next time you have a birthday or anniversary or holiday gift to buy check out an art fair or go online and find that fabulous handmade gift made with someones loving hands. Think of the person you will touch with that gift. Then the wonderful artist you have helped be able to go on and create again. It is a beautiful circle you become a part of and it is magical.

Come join the fun.....

Being Open

2010-12-06T13:46:00.001-05:00

Last night Tucker my big goofy Standard Poodle was having a slight problem - as my dear old Mom would say he had a bit of the trots. The first time he got me out it was cold and I was not thrilled with him or the rude awakening and then there was the second time and I was starting to grumble. Now I know he did not mean to make this night rough on me and I know he wasn't feeling too great either. By the third time of pulling on the boots, sweat pants and jacket something changed. As we headed down the road at 5 am I noticed the sky and how brilliant the stars were and how crisp and clean the air was and I found myself just enjoying the walk. I felt like we were the only ones experiencing how grand the universe is and how insignificant it was for me to be upset with my furry companion. It did not matter if the world was in chaos or the state of affairs or if business was improving or if I sold a house or.... What mattered in that moment was just being open. I believe the universe gives us these little hiccups in our lives to shake our worlds up. Sometimes I can get so full of myself and my problems I forget. Thanks for the wake up call upstairs friends I am grateful.

Is it a scam or a sale?

2010-11-30T13:49:00.000-05:00

Wooden Sconces with Wildflowers

Recently I have had inquiries regarding items in my Etsy Shop. I am more than happy to answer your questions and requests. Unfortunately doing business online can leave any artist in jeopardy of scams resulting in the loss of product and cash. Many times you are a qualified customer and everything works out great. Then comes that one individual that simply steals from you and that trusting artist learns that not everyone is honest. This is a business and artists are learning first hand how to be very astute business people. Maybe you truly are a legitimate customer and want the item but the artist opts not to finalize the business transaction because they think the transaction may be another scam. For instance, I receive an email or on Etsy a convo and the language is broken or written very poorly, my gut will start to send me red flags of caution, but I usually will press on. Or I receive a request that they want me to set up an account for them with PayPal and they will definitely be good for the money. Remember you already have an account with PayPal.

If you are a customer try to present yourself with courtesy and professionalism for this is a business, most of the time friendly. As for the later situation it is plain common sense not to follow through with any sale under these type of circumstances. Walk away from the deal and though you may feel you lost a sale just think how you would feel if it was all just a scam. Just because someone wants to purchase from you does not mean you have to sell it if your gut says "this is not right it doesn't make any sense". Me, I allow my gut to make the final ruling and it has been pretty right so far.

To all my fellow artists and online shop entrepreneurs I wish everyone a profitable holiday season and free of scams and thieves and to all our wonderful customers may you cherish that handmade one of a kind gift.

A glass of lemonade.

2010-11-18T13:17:00.000-05:00

This past week or so hit me a little harder than usual with some heavy challenges to overcome. I realized that I had been holding inside some issues about my past and was getting myself stuck in a situation that would never allow me to keep moving forward. I guess it was there for some time, you know the elephant in the room thing. But now I am talking to the elephant and working through the fear of change, of the unknown, we all seem to have to deal with these days. I have been so focused on where I want to go I forgot about all the other aspects of living in the present. Yesterday has been finished with and tomorrow may never happen but today can be so spectacular if we just focus on what is around us now. This morning gave me the jolt I needed with a sunrise that was brilliant and colorful and I was the only one viewing it as Tuck and I made our way from our walk back to the house. No one on the road and the lights were just coming on in the neighborhood. I savored the image as long as I could and in a split second realized I had just been touched by something wonderful from the universe, a glass of lemonade.

I joined the fun at Zazzle's

2010-11-10T13:16:00.000-05:00

You would think I was busy enough selling cottage furniture on line and in the studio, selling a house and my shop at Etsy. Nope. I have now added some of my images of my artwork to product at Zazzle. Looking for a different holiday card to send or a simple gift check out my shop HERE.

House For Sale

2010-11-05T11:48:00.000-04:00

It has been a long muscle aching road but I have come to the end of this journey here in North Carolina and I am eager to start a new one in Vermont. Unfortunately a house now stands in the way between me and a beautiful home sitting on the hill in Brandon, VT. So I have posted photos of this house in FB here, have scheduled an appointment with a Realtor here in town and I am asking everyone out there to help me on my journey.

It is a great house with oodles of charm, good for entertaining, wonderful neighborhood for a family just starting out. Maybe you are a retired couple who wants to escape the cold and enjoy the fabulous wines found throughout the Yadkin Valley region. Elkin was voted to be the best small town in the region. It offers a full bath on each floor, has 3 bedrooms, a large eat in kitchen, good storage, a large living/great room and dining room. Mature trees and beautiful shrubbery give you all the privacy you need as you enjoy the seasons on the covered porch with fan and skylights or the charming large screened porch. It even has a garage underneath. I have repainted many of the rooms using no VOC paint. There are hard wood floors throughout. Priced very affordable at just above $210,000 making this a great investment.

The making of a custom order.

2010-10-29T13:08:00.000-04:00

I recently finished this custom ordered Keepsake Box for a gift to a new bride. It gives me a nice feeling to complete something for someone I have never met but I know my keepsake box and artwork will serve as a wonderful reminder to a beautiful day in ones life. Anyway the box started out looking like this. This is a pine crafted with a cove detail and is painted a soft creamy bone. I then added the brides bouquet to the top from an image I received via email and inscribed on the inside the bride and groom's name and date of wedding.

This is an image of the finished box and the photo a worked from. The main image of the bouquet I painted on the top of the box. The front side I showed white ribbon and loose petals cascading down the side. Each order I paint differently because the shape and follow of the bouquets can vary, so the boxes shapes can vary also. I think this is such a special gift to give a couple and I enjoy being able to bring it to my client.

Fun cottage items added to Etsy Shop

2010-10-26T13:11:00.000-04:00

Round Wall Clock at Etsy $75+$15/shpg

I just added these stacking boxes to my Etsy shop along with another wall clock. I bought the boxes and the clock to paint and had some fun with them. Once they are sold they will not appear again because I would rather build and finish my own things and of course will keep refurbishing found pieces as my bit for the environment.

Set of 3 Stacked Boxes $35 + $7shpg

With animals

With Birds

First time.

2010-10-25T16:10:00.001-04:00

This is the first time in all the years I have voted - which are many - I am not going to vote. I have lived through many campaigns and not once have I ever been so disappointed in what our government is doing. Not once did I NOT vote. I have become so disgusted with our government and the broken promises from both sides of the aisle. I feel like I am watching children in a 1st grade class acting out. I really want to see everyone fired. Let us get some new innovative thinkers in Congress. So there I said it oh well maybe...
I can always hope.

Making the Move.

2010-10-12T15:41:00.002-04:00

I am finishing up my little projects around the house and have picked out a Realtor. It has been a lot of work and very stressful at times deciding how much should be done or not. I have told a few neighbors. I am sure by now have informed everyone my plans to sell. Selling is all in the timing, you never want to show your hand or in my case house too soon. You have one shot for a quick sale, if you don't prepare it could turn out to be a long wait. I have found it is better to take the extra day or week to make everything shine.
I am still working marketing creating items for Laurie Rohner Studio and searching for the right house to move to in Vermont. I narrowed my search down to Brandon, a small town that caters to the arts. I have my eye on a home with a wonderful New England feel to it. I also contacted Brandon Chamber of Commerce website for information and a relocation packet. I received it in the mail within days and inside I found all sorts of fabulous brochures and maps pertinent for my business. The first thing I noticed was the hand written note wishing me success in my move and if there was anything the Chamber could assist in please feel free to contact... This is Vermont and this is why I feel very strongly that even in these tumultuous times I need to do everything I can to take the next step. I need to push through the fear and anxiety and follow my instincts. In order for Laurie Rohner Studio to grow I need to establish a shop base which will be the driving force for all my other endeavors. By relocating to Vermont I will be able to combine the internet, local and state guild organizations and the brick and mortar studio forming a comprehensive marketing strategy.
So why can I not do that here in North Carolina? I am not sure I will ever discover why but I have my own suspicions. What I can say is if it is to be all will work out. If this is my path to follow then no matter what , I will go. Sometimes you have to just believe in yourself and in the world around you. My grandma, Honey used to say 'Work faith and faith works'. This new direction I have chosen is exciting and scary and tiring but nothing in this world worth having is easy. This is what makes getting there all the sweeter.
Maybe you have a nagging feeling a gut churning tug that wont go away and it keeps telling you to go somewhere or do something? Listen to it and then figure out what it might be trying to tell you and then find whatever you need inside yourself to take the leap.

New Items in Etsy

2010-10-09T10:52:00.006-04:00

After a quick break from putting the house together so I can get it up on the market I have added a few things to my Etsy shop.The image above are of the pair of wooden candlesticks and Shaker style box just recently added and below is the door sign with the saying Be Thankful.

Hope you take a break and visit the shop...Laurie.

Why am I leaving the South for New England.

2010-09-29T15:36:00.004-04:00

I saw this on a Vermont Realtor web site and realized how much I miss the life in New England. I have been working long and hard to get the house here ready for the market. I have actually found a great home on the outskirts of a wonderful Vermont town called Brandon. It has the essence and character I am searching for and I enjoy the town. I think it would be a nice fit for my studio and business but first I need to find a buyer for this adorable Cape Cod.
As friendly as the people seem in the South, a New Englander doesn't just wave they ask you your name and are interested in your story. Neighbors talk to each other and help each other without hesitation, not that North Carolinian' don't it is that I have never experienced it or seen it. Maybe it is because the winters are hard and nature is always present ready to Wow you or take your leg off, whatever it is that makes up the New Englander they are welcoming to all who live there.
This is what I discovered which by the way is written by a good ol' Southern boy but what truth - and a good laugh.

Forget Rednecks ......here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about New Englanders...

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May, you live in New England .
If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in New England
If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in New England .
If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you live in New England
If "Vacation" means going anywhere south of New York City for the weekend, you live in New England
If you measure distance in hours, you live in New England .
If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in New England .
If you have switched from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day and back again, you live in New England
If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England .
If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked, you live in New England
If you carry jumpers in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you live in New England
If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you live in New England
If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80 and everybody is passing you, you live in New England .
If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you live in New England .
If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction, you live in New England .
If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England .
If you find 10 degrees "a little chilly", you live in New England .
If you actually understand these jokes, you live in ......... NEW ENGLAND!

In no means am I saying that the Southern people are not friendly just friendly in a different way than the North or more to the point the New Englander.

Contact Info.

2010-09-17T10:30:00.003-04:00

If you need to contact me for info you can easily send me an email through the numerous sites I utilize contact page. This does not mean you are dealing with a fictional person just someone protecting their personal info on the internet. For some reason lately I have had a few cliches come up and just feel it is better for my own sanity to guard most of the contact info you would normally see. Most artist work from their studios which are linked to their homes and the line can be blurred between business and personal with too much information being released. This is why I have simplified and blocked or deleted most of my info. At this point of time most of us either text or email what we need to do so really why show all the rest. I answer all my inquiries promptly. I also make my studio available by appointments. So when browsing through an artists website and you think they are being elusive, they are just trying to keep themselves safe from prying eyes and unscrupulous people.

Something new in the shop.

2010-09-13T15:07:00.005-04:00

I have been working on some new things for my Etsy Shop. The most recent are these fun wooden recycled bits of cedar shakes I cut into little rectangles and strung them with waxed leather cording. To finish them off I gave the ends wooden decorative beads. I just think they are so fresh and fun and very unique. Each necklace has a different hand painted nature inspired illustration making them a true original very mini piece of art you can hang around your neck. The cord is cut to a nice workable length of 36 inches. Great gift idea for the upcoming holidays or what a different hostess gift for those get together.

Joined Handmade Spark

2010-09-06T12:41:00.002-04:00

I decided to try Handmade Spark which works with Etsy and helps to promote your Etsy shop. It is very easy to join and add your mini website which is your shop. You get quite a bit for a small fee of $6/month and if interested in more about Handmade Sparks just click on the avatar at the left. I have had gradual success with my shop and feel this only helps market it to more people and what better time to do so then with the holidays coming. Give it a try....

Handmade Spark - Laurie Rohner Studio - Handcrafted Wooden Tray with Original Acrylic Painting of a Wood Duck

2010-09-01T16:37:00.000-04:00

Handmade Spark - Laurie Rohner Studio - Handcrafted Wooden Tray with Original Acrylic Painting of a Wood Duck

Removing Personal Info.

2010-08-22T11:24:00.002-04:00

Ok many of you have read this so many times before beware posting personal info on your sites. Many artist have this dilemma to post info so clients can reach them easily, but our business info and personal info sometimes meld together. Many creative people work out of there homes and this is very prevalent today. I have always taken the attitude people can find the info if they know how so why worry. To be very clear worry. I just had an incidence where someone found my number on my site and tried to convince me I knew this person from years back. He kept asking me questions about my personal history in the form of do you remember what's .......name and where was that? This is the 2nd scam I have had so now all info is being deleted. By the way don't answer questions on the phone either.

This is also why I have a very big dog who's main job is to protect me, which he does with extreme expertise. I have seen Tuck hold a 250lb man back at the door because I did not say it was OK for that man to be there yet. As a friend once told me many years ago who just happen to be a State Trooper a big dog is the best protection anyone can have. Now if I could get Tucker to guard my personal info I would be set.

Double Happiness.

2010-08-11T14:47:00.007-04:00

Sometimes I wonder if past customers are able to find me. This week I finished a sap bucket for a wonderful customer, a couple from my beginning days in NJ. I am so happy and thrilled because they wanted me to do something special for their 10th Anniversary. They searched for me and found my website laurierohner.com.

When you move as much as I have in the past years you hope that somehow your clients find you especially since most of my clients are before Twitter or FB and a newsletter was just becoming the thing to do. Things online have changed at an incredible speed and I feel very much for the best. I think as long as you keep getting your name out there in any avenue you can your customers will search and find you. Be sure you keep it coherent and utilize the name they know you by. I have seen so many people with all sorts of avatars the search engines skip you right over. By the way Google your business or name and see what comes up I was amazed to find 5 pages for laurie rohner.

Back to my customers I ended up taking a sap bucket with the garden scene and adding the Chinese symbol for double happiness which had great significance for these wonderful people. Honestly it is not the money that gives me that wonderful feeling of joy and gratitude it is creating something that another individual(s) will cherish. In my small way I am making the world just a little brighter. This is why I do what I do. What do you do to be blessed with double happiness?

Stealing Is Not Nice.

2010-07-30T12:26:00.004-04:00

I came across a blog post today and saw my Painted Sap Bucket shown in a part of this blog along with some words I had said. The funny thing is I never said those words to the author of this blog or authorized the use of my photo. Yes I did get some free publicity, maybe, but at what price? If you allow one to steal then where will it stop. This blog mentioned I had nothing else like this to offer which since I am a decorative artist and paint on many different surfaces it is a fraudulent statement. The link to my sap bucket did not work. I have requested that she remove my sap bucket from her blog but let's face it the damage is done.

To all you blog authors who feel you have the right to steal an artists work image of work or idea itself stop the urge. Go through the channels of requesting consent BEFORE you post your blog. I did not mention the authors blog or name because I did not want to give her the attention. It is her actions that have me understandably annoyed.

At Etsy people will often add your items to treasuries or their favorites list which makes the experience at Etsy all the more engaging and gives the artist a sense of community. I myself have passed on an artist blog post to people who may be interested in the artist's work. There is a fine line between stealing and just spreading the work of an artists and it is getting blurred more and more.

Could the economy be turning?

2010-07-26T16:54:00.004-04:00

The past week has been very hectic and I am thrilled to say profitable. I am not sure why the change but here are some ideas I have to share:

1. the economy is improving
2.all my marketing and joining groups is showing in sales.
3.hard work does pay off.

Maybe it is a combination of all three and I am very grateful. I have been implementing some of the advise I have received on the Etsy sellers blog and have tried to be consistent with my marketing. I have really pushed in branding my style and I never gave up pushing myself forward.
I certainly am not writing this to brag by any means because during these times one successful week or so could end just as quickly. I wanted to share to cheer all of us on and not to give up.
As it has been written so many times on so many other blogs most successes never happen because you give up too soon. Everything can change for you in just a moment. Keep creating, pushing yourself a little further because don't you owe it to yourself to be the person you want to be.

An Update on Tucker's Lesson.

2010-07-23T14:09:00.004-04:00

When I last wrote about Tucker's little lesson I never thought I would find out so much about thyroids and especially mine. I am not sure why I always feel that the care for another little soul is more valuable than my own but slowly I am changing. It was very simple for me to go the course of holistic natural treatment for Tuck but when I had mine tested I just did what the doctor said and went with taking his prescribed synthetic hormone your thyroid needs to work properly. I have to be honest I did not take the little pill regularly. Did you know women are the primary group with low working thyroids due to the influx of hormones during that time in a woman's life, and we know what that is don't we? A hypothyroid has symptoms that mimic many other conditions so please check out the symptoms online and if you think you have a problem get your blood tested.

I have started Tuck on a vitamin mineral herbal thyroid pill with a mineral that is the natural version of the synthetic hormone that he could use. The same I had briefly taken. Within a couple of days I have seen an improvement in his mannerisms and health. His ears which had given him problems has cleared completely and his coat has started to feel different (an oily feel and slight smell to the coat). Even in this horrible heat he is jumping around as he had not too long ago. Another symptom of hypothyroidism is sore joints which in my case was diagnosed as early arthritis. Since I have started using natural herbal supplements and dietary changes my joints have stopped aching and I don't have the swishing sound in my shoulders. Tuck hasn't told me if that is the case so I can only guess.

I am a lover of observing the world around me but why is it when life keeps sending you signals we seem to miss the message? I think the universe was gently nudging me and finally had to smack me over the head to wake up. So I am asking all of you out there to now wake up and pay attention because I can bet there are signs you are missing that will help you on this journey we are all taking. I know I am paying closer attention.

What my dog taught me this week.

2010-07-17T10:41:00.006-04:00

It started with the regular check up with a new vet I had discovered here. Tucker has always had a mild reaction to the vaccines or monthly meds. So I went with questions about certain booster shots. This wonderful new vet went through his motions and gave Tuck a thorough exam and then turned to say I know you are here for the boosters but I think they are not wise choices. He had backed what I suspected and then said but a blood test would be good to do. I agreed and the next day he called with the results Tucker was in good health but his thyroid was slightly low in the normal range. Strangely enough my thyroid had shown the same results several years back. In the past year I have been very busy working and I have not been taking the best care of me.

I do not take medication and only when all else has been tried. I am a strong believer of alternative medicine and energy healing. I started to research what some of the more holistic ways there were to treat thyroid in dogs and discovered that we could treat each other in the same manner. It may be more work and a few more herbs of this and that but taking a synthetic hormone wasn't the answer for me and it certainly isn't for Tuck. Interesting enough my wonderful vet concurred. Tuck has once again taught me to take care of me and there are always alternatives to every challenge in life. The simple fix, the immediate cure are symptoms of our society. For now Tuck and I are sitting back and taking life in and healing each other.

Gearing up for the Holidays.

2010-07-12T11:32:00.003-04:00

In between all the summertime activities and the hot and humid weather who thinks of the Holidays. I am for one. While operating a floral shop this was the perfect time to start collecting the pine cones and ribbons and creating wonderful creations for the shop. This still is very much the truth today. I was side tracked last year and it cost me. I allowed the news of doom and gloom to effect the way I thought about my business. I promised myself I wouldn't allow this to happen again so out comes all the things I have been thinking of since last year and I am devoting half my time to the holidays and half my time to the present. Gradually I am adding to my Etsy shop so that early buyers can get a jump on their purchases. I hope you will use this time to do the same.

There are so many wonderful handcrafted handmade gifts to find and I urge everyone to support the artisan, the creative spirits, the very hard working entrepreneurs you find throughout Etsy and beyond. Check out the local Crafters Guild or the Art Gallery in your area and buy handmade. I know I would be grateful.

New Nursery Artwork

2010-07-10T15:33:00.005-04:00

Teddy Bear with Smile

10" square

I have expanded my etsy shop and I am adding decorative canvas panels for a baby's nursery. These are affordable little stretched canvases that are painted on all sides so you don't have to worry about framing. All you have to do is put a nail in the wall to start your wee one on the road of collecting art.

Bunny with Carrot

8" square

A little shop cleaning on Etsy.

2010-07-07T16:41:00.005-04:00

I decided to try something a little different and photographed these small panels on an easel set up as you would see them in an actual shop. I want to give the viewer a sense of being in a shop. You can still see up close versions of the panels but sometimes this distorts the paintings and leaves a potential customer very detached. Etsy has a very different theory in photographing items and I am trying to implement what they find works the best which is giving the photo a story and making it a little more believable. This is not how painters are taught to show their work but I think after getting these shots together they just might have something good to share. I may be 50 something but I am never to young to try a better way of displaying artwork and furniture. That's what makes selling fun. Exploring and discovering new ways to promote and market what you love to do.

Take another look at what you are selling and is your story being told in the photos? If not try some summertime cleaning and dust off old viewpoints, you just never know where it may lead you.

When the alarms go off in your head, listen.

2010-06-28T10:47:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I received an email from a potential customer on Etsy, but as I read the request to buy my box my stomach started to churn. No it wasn't the coffee or the bagel I had eaten. First there was a request to verify if I was trustworthy, then I needed to supply complete name personal info (which all pertinent info can be found on my site and shop), and my final price for the box which I was running on a special. This customer was not finished though. I now had to send all my info to another email. I also was to use their shipper? with the additional money they would send (certified transfer) but I would have to set it all up. I guess they would determine the cost of shipping? Mind you this is for a sale for under $100 on Etsy with $1 shipping to anyone in the US. Again the stomach churned but I thought it is a sale and this is all part of working online. Wrong.

When you take the emotional aspect away and look at the facts you can see there were many problems with this order. My greatest concern is the security issues of releasing info to an unknown buyer. Simply put do not give anyone information above and beyond what is necessary for your business. Think about the information you would find if shopping at a favorite brick and mortar storefront. You have location, the shop name, telephone and that is about it. Because you have a virtual shop don't fall into the trap of overcompensating for a brick and mortar location because there is one, your studio. You can still accept credit/debit cards, checks and money orders and people can come and visit your studio. The plus side of an online shop/site is you can also check the customer out. On Etsy you join to either buy or sell or both and you register to do so. When you receive an email it is referred to as a convo (conversation) and you can click on the person to see their profile. I found this person was not found within Etsy. I decided to send an email explaining how I do business through a convo and also to the other email address and found that address would not go through. Was this a scam? I do not know. Or was it an order from outside the US which for now I do not ship outside the US.

This experience has opened up many issues but they are for another time.

Things happen.

2010-06-14T15:19:00.007-04:00

Over the weekend I received a sale for my Vintage Picnic Basket which is in my Etsy shop. I was very grateful for the order but when preparing to get the packaging and shipping labels together I noticed it was being shipped to Canada. I also did not have a valid telephone number which is very important for an International shipment. Yes shipping to Canada is now an International confusing with paperwork and tripled in pricing shipment. I have discovered that in Jan 2010 the shipping guidelines for Canada had changed. The charges for a 6lb package from NC to Alberta Canada was now $28.00 + customs charges bringing it to the sum of $41.00. I was shocked and now I had to decide to keep the sale or tell the customer that I would have to issue a surcharge. I opted to tell the customer what had happened and offered to cancel the order. The order was canceled.

I believe things always turn out the way they were meant to so what I discovered is to keep things simple for now and ship to only my neighbors here in the US. I would not have come to this conclusion if it wasn't for the listing error in my Etsy shop that allowed shipping to Canada (now corrected). Secondly my customer was in hot water with her hubby for spending money on the basket and she was grateful I offered her a way out. All in all we basically got what we wanted from the experience and although I lost the sale I gained a little more knowledge about my business. You just have to look for the good in all situations and most of the time it isn't the bottom line,or money.

So anyone shipping to areas outside your country be careful because the shipping charges might drastically eat into your profit. Please be cautious and offer to who you can.

What is new at Laurie Rohner Studio

2010-06-09T16:04:00.004-04:00

Today I have spent much of the day researching an assortment of marketing options and have found some very creative ideas to promote your art business. Etsy has a number of handmade links where you can feature your shop such as Handmade Sparks (http://www.handmadespark.com/blog/newsletter/). I also discovered that maybe a web site isn't the absolute answer and that utilizing a blog, such TypePad or WordPress to name a few might actually work better for people who have an online shop such as Etsy. These are questions I am in the process of figuring out and will get back to later.

What is new is we at LRStudio.etsy.com or Laurie Rohner Studio are now offering $1 shipping on almost everything in the shop to our neighbors in the States only. The exception to this are the original fine art paintings and the vintage glassware. I hope you will take advantage of this change.

Also on this blog you may have noticed the sidebar has changed and we are adding some new features that link you easily to some other sites. Please take the time to discover not only what we offer but some amazing artists.

More to come....

Buy it at Etsy

2010-06-06T15:55:00.006-04:00

After much consideration and the advise from a few knowledgeable people I have decided to streamline how you purchase my things. It was getting to the point that every time I made a change in shipping (certain items now ship for $1) I would go through hours of updating my main site and then matching the information to the other venues. Too much wasted time on trivial mind numbing computer work which meant less time being creative. I chose to emphasize my Etsy Shop which is at www.LRStudio.etsy.com to be the best way to purchase my Painted Cottage Art and whatever else I have created along the way.

Why I went with my Etsy shop simply came down to common sense. It is where I have the most traffic. Traffic is important but combine it with the very helpful and friendly community at Etsy is a winning combo. I have had my things featured in Treasury showcases which are put together by other sellers on Etsy. On my Facebook wall there is a tab that connects you directly to my Shop and it is on my Facebook Fan Page www.facebook.com/pages/Laurie-Rohner-Studio/314782958056?ref=mf. Yes I haven't forgotten about my main site at www.laurierohner.com. I prominently added links to my Etsy Shop through a separate links page and also explained how to purchase on my home page.

For me I took what was working well and made it the center of the hub. Think of it as an octopus with many legs all working in conjunction to feed the body your work in this case. Etsy the body and all the venues feeding back to the body. In this new changing art business world I feel you have to keep thinking outside the box and hopefully I have made some smart choices.

Something changed...

2010-06-03T14:23:00.005-04:00

I have expanded my Etsy shop to include antiques and vintage pieces. It all came about from my recent downtime. I was finding myself feeling heavy and stagnant and instinctively knew I better step back and renew myself. So I packed up Tuck and off we went to visit with nature and a friend who always has a special way of getting me back on track. We all need to step back and look at our lives to see what direction we need to go or to see if we are even heading down the right path. What I found for myself was a new perspective and saw life with a fresh set of eyes.

What I am doing now is simply this...life is exactly what you put into it so don't sit on the sidelines and complain why things aren't going your way. If you do, life is going to give you what you are giving, nothing. So stop and start doing. I found that my life had become weighted down with things from a past that no longer suited me. So I am giving away, donating, selling or recycling everything that doesn't enhance my life. By doing this I have found I am releasing my strangle hold on my past and feel lighter and more open to my present. Plus by getting rid of the baggage and organizing my life allows my self to start focusing on what I need to accomplish here and now. And finally when I put all this together I have discovered that the old self, the genuine person that I thought had long ago disappeared is starting to show up and I am looking pretty good.

So that is why I have expanded my Etsy shop and if you have the time I think you might find something to enhance your life in the shop. Hum I guess my clutter becomes your clutter then....oh well.

Staying Focused

2010-04-10T11:03:00.003-04:00

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you start to wonder if the universe has it out for you? This past week was my week but I think I figured out something that just might help you and me the next time you find yourself battling the universe. First off stop thinking there is a conspiracy. Now take a breath and observe what you are doing and why did whatever happen. My week started with me tripping over the top step and slamming both knees down on the floor. Amazingly enough I had a full cup of coffee in hand and managed to keep the cup upright spilling very little. Later in the week I spilled a full glass of water all over the bed and floor as I was getting ready for bed. Next I went food shopping and as I was unloading my groceries a bee stung me several times on my thumb (which is still puffy). In between there were a bunch of little annoying mishaps but not worth adding. I think you get my point - challenging week.

The two lessons I think I have figured out is things happen for a reason. If I had stayed aware of the steps I was taking I would not have tripped or knocked over the water or not seen the bee. All week I have been scurrying about getting what I needed done thinking about everything but the task at hand. Guess what I wasn't nearly as productive as I could have been if I just stayed focused. The other lesson learned is the lessons keep coming until you finally stop breath observe and focus.

Also since I always try to see a positive side to every lesson, I had damaged my one knee several months ago and when I fell on it I thought more damage, glad to say it is back to normal. My spilled water glass cleaned my floor and the bee sting got me to slow down so I could see the lesson to learn.

The next time your world gets a little wonky I hope you will stop breath and focus otherwise the universe will continue to send the message for a very frustrating week.

Customer service is very important.

2010-03-18T14:57:00.005-04:00

Today started very early because I had spent the previous day working with a very nice gentleman in NY. He was a set designer and was working on the new Smurf Movie. He had found some of our things at our Etsy shop and wanted to know if I could get them shipped - well yesterday. We went back and forth pretty much the whole day and by 8pm I sent my last email with my latest information. At this point I had still not received an order. I signed off my computer. It was St. Patty's Day and my Irish dinner was calling. Now you can see why my day started very early. I was anxious to see what had transpired during the night if anything. As I opened my emails I was thrilled to see the order had come through and a request to ship a certain way. Pick ups were issued, additional billing taken care of, confirmations handled, emails to notify customer, signing releases and of course making sure the package was packed and labeled properly. I am a firm believer that the customer should always get what they want and it is my job to provide it.
You may be asking why am I writing about this? It would have been very easy to do the minimal amount required of me and my company but would I have received the order? Maybe not. It is important to remember that service should never be minimal but instead the highest standard you can provide, no matter what the outcome may end up being.

Recently I experienced customer service at its worst and it served as a reminder how important it is to show your potential customers quality, kindness, hard work and respect. These days you can not afford to forget this.

So you think you are in control?

2010-02-26T12:21:00.001-05:00

Today I thought I would take advantage of the time I have been given and jot down some thoughts. No matter how much we think we are in control of our lives the universe or the divine lets us know the cold hard truth. The reason why I have the extra time is this morning I got up turned up my heat and nothing. I thought I could push what my oil I had left and not fill my tank till next year. Although I had 25 gallons in the tank life said nope you need to order oil. So I am waiting in a very cool house for my delivery. My furnace and heat pump are old and I think I might switch over to natural gas so I wanted to empty my tank. Ah this is life stepping in and saying not now with your furnace, maybe just the heat pump. Whenever I am in a quandary over something in my life I ask to be given some guidance or answers. You need to stay aware of the signs because they are usually subtle and gentle nudges although sometimes I need a swift kick in the pants. So today I am reminded again how little control I have over the events in my life. I am simply grateful that the oil has now been delivered and the heat is coming up once again and that I have the money to pay for the oil that has been delivered. I guess I should look into some heat pumps.

Recycling Found Furniture

2010-02-21T13:22:00.004-05:00

This is a dresser that found its way to my shop. It was in such disrepair but I could still see the potential in this dresser. I started by sanding and removing the brown paint and discovered the top was in good condition but the body of the dresser would have to be painted. I removed the hardware and replaced the knobs with new stained shaker style knobs. The feet were structurally sound so I opted to paint them the same as the body and drawers of the dresser. The top was stained a honey brown color (my own mixture) and the rest painted blueberry blue with alkyd paint. The total of three times with a light sanding in between each time gave this dresser a durable base finish.

I was ready to add some decorative finishes. I used acrylic paints to create the garland design on each of the drawers and after the paint dried I add line work to detail my design. Once I am satisfied with the look I have achieved I then add two coats of varnish again lightly sanding between each time. When the piece is completely dry and that will vary due to humidity in the air, I then finish with beeswax.

The finished piece is quite different from when it first came to the shop. It was on its way to clutter another landfill. Now this little dresser was unique in design and would last for many years if not generations.

Oops I changed the name again.

2010-02-14T11:54:00.003-05:00

I am stream lining my branding name so I have changed my blog heading to follow with my business name Laurie Rohner Studio. Since I have taken a new direction with my business it is important to keep everything as coherent as possible. This gives your customers and yourself an easier way of connecting with you and your work.

I find it has become imperative to the growth of my business and my own creativity to draw on a multitude of talents. This will not only improve the quality of the work but I will grow as an individual. There are many fine artists in this world all waiting to be the next discovery which when you are married or wealthy or retired or working full time at a job and your art is secondary I guess you can wait. But I am none of those and I am terrible at waiting so I am doing what I do best. I enjoy taking wood and sawing it down to create a functional useful work of art. My style has been cultivated and honed and when I work in my wood shop and smell the wood it is comfortable and I am at home. It is the same when I smell the paint as I work the canvas or paper or walls or wood. I love the entire process.

That is why it annoys me and saddens me when other artist (many women) make judgements and critique how another artist makes a living. You read volumes of how to be successful artists yet they have never had to survive on their own. There are scores of people declaring their success only to disappear by the end of the year. Then there are a number of us who work at their craft, honing their style and skill, because they discovered a purpose. An artist is someone who experiences all that can be created making no judgement and finding joy after it is finished. If you are an artist that has to keep an eye on the bottom line and is what I think is a professional artist please join in and criticize.

I recently added a fan page to facebook and was surprised when friends didn't become a fan. Maybe a glitch in the facebook system and maybe not but it is a nonverbal way of alienating another. I personally will become a fan to anyone who sends me an invite. Just good for karma.

My hope is to make people aware that a professional artist life is very challenging and when you are a single artist it can be daunting. Funny thing I wouldn't have my life any other way.