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I love Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/). I sold on Ebay for 10yrs, and ended up moving most all my sales onto Etsy... which caters more to the handmade and unique... whereas Ebay now tends to cater to bulk sellers and mass marketing (how sad).

One of the beauties of Etsy is the vast selection of handmade items... everything from soup to nuts! (quite literally in fact).

And so tonight... I worked for quite awhile listing some handmade stuff in my Etsy store.

... In my store; I list handmade items: crocheted scarves, cell phone charms, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, cuff links, earrings... art and photography...


...as well as vintage items and vintage jewelry...

... my handmade envelopes, recycled paper art, etc...

And tonight I created my very first treasury... which is more or less... a collection of some of my favorite Etsy finds... that may get featured on the front page... It was fun!

((see it HERE))

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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One of the things that I think held me back artistically for a long time... was this preconceived notion I had, that to be an artist you had to specialize in something. ONE thing.

As in... I make jewelry. Or... I carve walking sticks. Or... I am a photographer.

Well... that is not me. Perhaps I have schizophrenic tendencies... but I feel like I wear alot of different hats. I am a photographer. Yes, I also draw. Oh... and I have been making jewelry since 1995. And... well... I have quilted and done embroidery of all kinds since the 70's. Plus.. wait... I have studied herbology and know how to make all kinds of potions and lotions that would make my Irish gypsy ancestors proud (I hope). I believe in recycling and re-purposing items... and incorporate them into all kinds of paper goods, mixed media, collage and more.

So where did that leave me?! Be it good or bad... this notion was also supported by several other artists I knew ... and it sort of re-enforced this idea ... which meant in my little brain... that I must not really be an artist. I was simply someone who liked to do alot of different stuff... but didn't really excel at much of anything.

Well. For those of you who may be reading this and wondering... yes, you can be an artist... and STILL do alot of different kinds of art/ craft.

And so... I bring you... samples of some of my "stuff"...


...jewelry (beading, wire-wrapping, metal fabrication, resin, altered and more)... and prayer beads of all faiths...


... all kinds of recycled paper goods such as envelopes, collage, mixed media, and more...


...making birdhouses, birdfeeders, and carved walking sticks...


...crochet... needlework... and quilting...
OH! ... and I like to take pictures :)


((all photos by Elaine A. Russell -- except the last one... which was taken by BAJ))

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On Sunday.... a friend, my daughter, and I all went down to Tome Gallery for their Day of the Dead Art Show.

Needless to say; it was fabulous.

It was not only a gorgeous drive there... with the roads weaving in and around beautiful cottonwood trees, lush farmlands, and fall splendor... but it was great company... and great conversation the whole way.

I always enjoy going to gallery shows... it is a fabulous way to see what other people are creating... and it amazes me how much talent is right here in our own backyards.

So... here is a sampling of what I saw...





*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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photo by Elaine A. Russell


I've been thinking alot lately about what I really, really want in life. I know without uncertainty that I will always be taking photos. It is part of my soul.
And... I have been making jewelry for over 15yrs now; and I am still in love with it.
Two things that are so essential to my being. It is more than a ways to make money... it is a calling for me.

Once this becomes clear... it becomes easier to get rid of all the extra "stuff." Organizing, getting rid of things, downsizing...
I am in the process of gathering things to sell... to list on Ebay, Etsy, and Craigslist.... with the hopes that any money procured will go towards the purchase of a new camera, and some jewelry making equipment.

Sometimes evaluations like this are so crucial... and we tend to put them on the back burner... but it really is an important thing to do.
So... if you could only do one or two things for the rest of your life to really make you happy... what would it be?

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It's Friday! ... and my Art Gallery "Sneak Peek" is: the ClaireWorks II Gallery
(peek #8 in my series)


In December, owner Claire L. Haye opened her second gallery here in New Mexico.... this time in wonderful Nob Hill. The original ClaireWorks studio and gallery are located in the charming village of Arroyo Seco, New Mexico, a short drive from Taos, on the road to Taos Ski Valley.

Claire L. Haye is the owner and exclusive artist at ClaireWorks, and has been creating art for the last twenty five years (primarily paintings and sculptures) and jewelry for the last fifteen.

I stopped in this week to check it out, and the manager Nancy (as well as the ever handsome Beau the terrier)... was happy to show me around. Featured in this small; but very classy gallery are a few of Claire's sculptures, some very bright and fun paintings, and a wide variety of sterling and precious gemstone jewelry.

All the pieces are very well made, designed, and executed with flair and quality.

I was very impressed with the layout, colors and displays.

In short... if you are looking for a wonderful, quality piece of art or jewelry.... you will definitely want to check this place out.

For more information on this gallery, check HERE

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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photo by Elaine A. Russell

Last night I was digging through some of my photos... and I came across this one. I took this back in 1990. I had just finished up my photography classes, and had gotten my diploma through the NYI. I had an old Nikon 35mm camera with a single lens; which I adored. We happened to be living in Biloxi, MS where my hubby was stationed with the USAF. At that time, I was shooting primarily with infrared black and white film, and was doing all my own processing and developing... and then I was hand coloring my photos for a unique look.

And here I am ... some 20 years later ... still in love with photography.

Tonight was my last night of classes with Cynthia Cook at the Harwood Art Center. It has been a wonderful ride. I have met some truly wonderful people; who also happen to be very talented artists... and I have really enjoyed the camaraderie. Cynthia is a fabulous teacher, and I hope to take one of her classes again in the future.

More than anything else; I think this class has taught me to trust my inner voice (at least when it comes to making my own art). No one can decide (better than me)... the paths I want to venture down as an artist. What I make may not be the most market-able, the most sell-able, the most appealing to the masses.... but it's mine. I make art because I cannot NOT make art. I take photos and make jewelry because I have to. It is in my soul. It is an essential part of my being. And I love what I do.

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Windows of opportunity often come disguised. More often than not; for me; it comes in the form of endings that I am usually quite distraught over. It's not that I am adverse to change; quite the contrary. But I do find comfort in the known, the comfortable... the predictable.

"It is often hard to distinguish between the hard knocks of life, and those of opportunity"...Frederick Phillips

Sometimes I have a tendency to get stuck in a rut... to park (so to speak) ... and get a little too lackadaisical in my approach... sometimes I need to just "mix it up" ... and try something completely new in order to open my mind and horizons.

I am starting a new class at the Harwood Art Center. It is going to be 4 classes over the course of the next month in various techniques primarily used in mixed media art. I have done some mixed media projects, and I have enjoyed doing them. However, I don't think it is my "main focus" when it comes to artistic endeavors. I do hope, however, to learn some interesting techniques to incorporate into my jewelry making and fabrication. It will be really interesting.. and even if I don't come away with something I can personally use in my day to day art, it will no doubt open my mind to a whole new world... and that is fabulous.

**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

time, time, time...........

photo by Elaine A. Russell


Where has the time gone? Exactly one year ago today, I started this blog. I have posted every single day since. Wow. 365 posts. And pics on every one!!!

When I first started this blog, my goal was to get some of my photography out there in cyber space so that people could see it... and hopefully enjoy it.
The response has been fabulous. Beyond my expectations for this humble little site. At one point; I was getting over 800 hits a day....I have since stopped looking. I figured I would either get discouraged by the drop-off, or anxious as to how to keep hits up.

It has been a very interesting year. One full of enlightenment, fulfillment, joys and wonders.
I hope that you will stay with me over the course of this next year... who knows what will happen?
OR where this journey will take us.

In celebration of my blog anniversary... I am going to be giving away 9 gifts to 9 lucky winners. ( in honor of this year 2009). All you have to do... to be entered in the "running"... is to send me a note at moongipsies@msn.com.
Let me know what you like/ don't like about my blog... things I could do to make it better, etc
Oh! and let me know if you have a preference on any particular gift you may get :)
Prizes may include: a handmade scarf, an OOAK art piece, a fine art photograph, a handmade piece of jewelry, a stash of supplies for crafts.... who knows....

(winners will be notified on January 9th. Submissions for the give-aways...must be in by January 9th at 9am).

Recycle Show -- Part 2

a portion of a mixed media work by Leighanna Light

jewelry by Darlene Fortier

Silverware Creations by "The Cat and the Fiddle"

I fell in love with these ... paintings by a co-op group called "Humble Works"

fantastical works by S. D. Meadows

Jewelry art by Kristin Deiner



The show was incredible. I can hardly stand it. So many things to look at.. so many things to be inspired by. And so many artists not represented here :( , as recorded by my trusty little camera.

But there will be other shows, and other chances....

And in the meantime... go make something !

**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

another busy day

photo taken by Elaine A. Russell at the We Art the People Show

In the past 48hrs, I have sold almost all my camera equipment. Now, before you all despair.. there is a method to my madness. It was on it's last leg... and the lenses were not good. With the proceeds from selling my stuff, I hope to get a very affordable ($100 range) digital camera. Not the best of equipment I know. Especially for professional shoots. However... if I am worth my grain as a photographer at all ... I should still be able to take reasonably good shots no matter the camera... right ?

I am viewing it as a challenge. Sort of .. a poor man's answer to the on-going debate: is it the camera or the photographer ? !!

AND -- I am finally taking the plunge and taking jewelry fabrication classes/ metal-working/ soldering... etc. I have been making jewelry for over 15yrs.. and this is the next logical step to becoming the jewelry artist that I hope to be someday.

So -- bring it on :)

Photography Services

-----------------------------------jewelry and photo by Elaine Russell

One of the things that I was trying to get started at the Wooden Cow Gallery, was to be able to provide photographic services for artists and craftspeople in the Albuquerque area.

As an artist, I know that it can be hard to find someone to take quality photos of your work, as well as being a very time consuming and expensive venture.

As a photographer, I have a degree in photography from the New York Institute, and have been taking photographs professionally since 1986. My professional services have included portraits, weddings, pet studies, advertising, journalistic photography and more. My photographs have been in several publications and newspapers nationwide.

What I am offering to the Albuquerque community is the opportunity to get your artwork photographed, and burned onto a CD. All photographic images would then be the sole propriety of the artist, to use in any contest entries, promotional pieces, or whatever they so choose.

Cost is $50 per hour, 1 hour minimum for the services.

I now have a studio available at http://www.factoryon5.com/.

You can write me for further information.