http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:Eyesofacrow&section=today deviantART RSS for by:Eyesofacrow en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:01:33 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/27920717/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/27920717/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:19:16 PDT
Still dealing with some health things slowing me down - mainly this issue with the constant headaches and things. But Slowly learning my patterns and how to work around them. Fingers crossed..

Also have a few secret projects on the go.. what are they? Well.. if I ever get them finished I'll be sure to let you all know first.

I'm on facebook - should you want to find me there. Search for Michelle Bond or Eyes of a crow. Either one should eventually link to me.

Also - thank you so much to everyone who has faved my work or left such supportive comments. It's meant a lot. Even though I have not been able to reply back to everyone; believe me I do appreciate them very much.

---

I'm still taking commissions should anyone want anything specific done - let me know and we can chat about it via email or private messages. Just my orders have me backed up a bit. Is no way I can get anything done before christmas - just to let you know.

---

Also - been still playing with the idea of an art show of my own next year.. just a lot of things need to come through for it first. Fingers crossed I can work things out.

Keep safe all,
Hurdy gur,
-Crowskin

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/27516233/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/27516233/ Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:07:27 PDT
My Birthday passed quietly. I ducked away - intentionally from a party that my friend was going to host for me. Not many people understand that I'm really not the social type. And too many people in a room with me? With attention on me? No.

I'd just as much rather find the back door, or a dark corner to hide in. So instead I slipped out of town instead.

Artwork, writing. Trying to get so many projects on the go. Trying to get so much accomplished.

Also theres the large Samhain party we are planning for on the 30th of this month. One short 30 days away. It will be big.

And hopefully, it will go well.

But we'll see?

All other matters, of health and other issues - well. Lets just leave it as the same.

Off to get something started and finished. I need to post a few more things here before I start working on something or other. I need to get more things done as well. I have no idea when the next vending day is but it should be coming up soon, either way.

Hurdy gur,
-Crowskin

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/26498221/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/26498221/ Mon, 10 Aug 2009 05:20:28 PDT
Art wise -
I've had more interest in things, but some things are sluggish to pan out. Sometimes people make big offers and theres lots of energy - but then tend to forget about you when your not ready to Jump right away.

I've been trying to get things done for an art show next year. But, well. No longer sure I can even make that pan out right now. Still, at least I'm starting to cataloge more prints and more pieces away. Just incase that dream is still reachable.

My work is currently in three spots in Brantford. And there has been interest. Blue Angel gallery in Hamilton has expressed some interest in running a small art show with my pieces. And I was requested to show a few pieces at FORplay. I will be coming up with a fundraiser piece for that event, and talking to the owner of Blue Angel to discuss if they still want to do a showing at some point.

Mundane -
One of my biggest flaws, and biggest things holding me back right now has been my health. I've never really been a 'healthy' child. My immune system sucks. I think people are actually surprised I haven't caught the major things going around. When someones sick near me, yep. I tend to be one of the first ones getting it. And one of the last ones getting better.

But lately, it's been much worse then that. I've been suffering with a few symptoms lately that no one can figure out. I've been in the hospital once from heart issues, and have had a battery of tests and medcial appointments. And still, no signifigent answers.

My heart rate is running high. Usually 100+ mark while sitting around. It only drops to normal ranges when I'm asleep. And when I exert myself like a brisk walk it jumps just under 200 mark. It had jumped to 140 just from standing.

I also now have a Brain cyst. Which I have been assured could have been there since birth.. but considering the near daily headaches and the odd neurological symptoms. Well. Lets hope it behaves in there shall we?

So yes, not to whine - but this has been a major thing holding me back. I have a lot of interest, a fair bit of orders - but not so much time in the day to get it all done when I feel sick most of the time lately.

I'll just have to buckle down and try harder.

My thoughts for the next coming months -
Well I need to get things done firstly. I am - not - taking commissions currently. I have too many orders already on my plate. I will however, take suggestions. Since I need to stock up on paintings for this ideal of an art show next year.. is there anything you'd want to see? Any suggestions for my must to work with?

Also, been out planning a Samhain party this halloween. Celebrating the Pagan holiday with a large amount of the pagan community in and around Brantford. I've been out in the pagan community for years now, and it keeps surprising me how much support they show their pagan vendors.

Thank you for that.

Well, time to get more things done today before I have to go to the hamilton hospital for Another appointment later today..

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/25490500/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/25490500/ Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:29:28 PDT
]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/23605751/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/23605751/ Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:48:08 PDT
Which is always a good sign, by the way. When someone is interested in your products enough to actually take more then one photo of your setup - it means either they have plans on advertising for you.. or they just Really like your stuff. And both, as I said. Are good signs..

(which I still have to grab the pictures of my camera.. now that I'm thinking about it.)

So we did okay. I sold a small journal, and some of my crystals, but it seemed people were far more interested in Originals and seeing the products in our shop then just the few we brought with us to the market..

Originals.

See most of the time I either do my artwork straight onto my computer with my Wacom, or sell off the originals rather quickly. Now it seems I need to break out the paints and do up more originals rather quickly. Luckily I have canvas and wooden planks to use.. but this is going to mean I have to put a lot more time into painting.

A normal piece that would take me a few hours on the wacom, where I can work over large areas quicker - will take me days on large canvas because I have a larger surface to cover.

So.. this is seriously going to intervere with my job searching. Which I still need to do.. because with how things are -I still have bills to pay. And I'm not making enough to survive on right now as it is.

So, thats where I am at the moment. The large Sekhmet and Dragon painting I showed on this site will be shipped over to Kelly's Kandles this week as people were interested in seeing them. And I'll start on more.

Always something to do..

-Crowskin

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/23168674/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/23168674/ Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:55:23 PST
I've been busting my ass off trying to get everything done, and I'm really hoping it pays off. Some of the work I've done lately I am rather pleased with and will even be slightly saddened to let it go.

I've also been doing some work on the art side of the business a little bit more.

I went to a Coffee House which also does some work helping local artists by displaying their work. Hoping that pays off in time. Also want to try and get a couple big original acrylics done up soon. I need a stock of originals, and I need to get work done to sell.

I've been forced to sell far more then keep really. When I get something done, it's gone because I don't have the space or the financial stability to keep it around long. My prices are even so low that it doesn't tend to do me much good.

When I was at the coffee house I saw the prices there. A couple hundred for a small canvas painting. A couple hundred? I was thinking to myself I would only be charging 30-40 bucks for something that size.

Am I out of my leauge somehow?

I don't know. Maybe I am, but it's all I got right now. I love my art. I love the way I can express with it. And as I said, some of my own pieces I and up falling in love with a little bit. I don't want to have to stop. So I'll just keep going.

So if your by Hamilton, come see us Sunday at the pub. The Corktown. I'll be near the pool table most likely, trying to sell what I can. Now time to get back to work. I have a few little green man, wizard, and bast journals to get put together and varnished.

Wish me luck,
-Crowskin

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/22518748/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/22518748/ Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:29:07 PST
I've been posting new images, here and there. I've been working with a new artist tool I got for christmas. A Intuos wacom tablet. It's been fascinating the differences between the tablet and mouse, and I think it helps my artwork a lot.

My last piece, Moon Woman, worked out very well. A lot of time went into it, but the end result was worth it. I may do more in that similar style.

I've had to stop going to the market for a while, since it hasn't been paying off for me. So I've decided to adjust my sales to work with the store here in Brantford, and work through commissions.

All my 8.5 by 11 prints will be $10 plus shipping if anyone has any they want by the way. In canadian dollars.

Also been returning to writing some. I have a full manuscript of just under 40,000 words that I had previously published through Lulu. New Life. I've dusted it off and repaired some typos in it. I've looked it over again and yes.. I still love the story. I'm just.. considering what to do with it.

For the moment, it sits in a file waiting. I want to get it printed off and have it looked over. Perhaps this is one I can actually do More with. Then have sit and rot.

There may be a few art pieces coming to gather interest and attention to it. If I can find a small press willing to publish a book under 40,000 words it may be a solution.. or maybe I should go through it and extend it a little more? But I hate adding things just to boost the word count.

Walkerofshadows suggested maybe posting a few of the chapters to let people get a taste for it. That may be coming as well.

Overall, 2009 is starting off as a year for a Lot of questions and reformating how I'm doing things. Money is tight, for everyone. And unless I want to send up getting a menial part time job to pay my osap.. I'm going to have to pick things up.

Keep safe,
-Crowskin

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/21113797/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/21113797/ Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:36:14 PDT
Thats all good on the fun front, but business has been unfortunately a little slow lately. I'm really hoping it starts to pick up soon as the yuletime season starts to creep in. *crosses fingers*

Currently working on more boxes and trying to sort out this new project of mine.

Tarot is currently on hold till I get the proper time and focus to finish the set. So it's sitting on the backburner at the moment. Ah well, occasionally things need to wait..

Photography has been interesting lately. I find myself coming across some interesting photo opportunities. I just haven't dived too far into that field just yet..

As well, looking for more Yule and Christmas festivals to attend in the coming months. If you hear of any good ones around the Southwest Ontario area, let me know.

So far.. just keeping things going as much as I can. And wondering just what this Samhain season will bring.. *grins* maybe I'll be posting some ghostly portraits..

Keep safe,

-Crow

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/20646917/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/20646917/ Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:52:45 PDT
I'm still working on the Tarot. I've got it nearly 75 percent done I think, but then thats not including the checking and rechecking and likely scrapping a card here and there.

And I have a new project on the go, in which I've been busy getting a few peices done a day for. Whew. It gets busy, especailly since I put in so many hours on things sometimes that I don't realize where the day's gone.

But since I'm a little under the weather today, I figure what the hell. I might as well take a day to update and play around a little on DA. Since I've been so lax with my own stuff lately.

I'll be posting a few tidbits and pieces in a few..

So, so far so good. I'm excited about things, and I want to get a Lot of stuff finished before this month is out. Personal reasons really, everyone hits this time of year where they need to get things done before a certain point.

So this is where I'm at:

Tarot: 75% completed for artwork. 50% whole concept. Getting there...

Secret Project: 60%? Still need to speak with a few people and get more wintery art done. Anyone know a good free for commercial background resource for winter?

Next festival? Still booking. There was a .. mishap with the last one I tried to book. Heh.. they were offended by my pagan beliefs.. so yeah.

I'm actually looking into the Ancaster Lions club craft show. Looks good, and they seemed to like the idea of what I sell. Just have to fill in forms and send pictures. (juried shows are so strange.)

Other then that, just back to work I guess.

I think that might be the majority of what I'm doing right now. I don't think I've played anything in a while.

-Crow

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/20483477/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/20483477/ Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:45:39 PDT
It was a good showing, as it always tends to be at Hamilton - despite all the soggy pagan's wandering around. The weather did hold off for a while - just maintaining some cloudy mist for a while before it started really coming down around 2.

We got some comments on our lexan protectors for the books though *laughs* not that it really counted for much.

The wooden journals did well - surprisingly. Even though another vendor across from us had 'happened' upon our idea. At first I was worried, thinking great - someones taken our idea and going to go to town with it. But you know? They don't have my artwork. And theirs were priced higher. So I relaxed.

And I still did very well with them.

The artwork sold really well also. (I need to remember to bring blank frames for the extra prints) It always surprizes me how well it sells sometimes. I was pleased. Thinking of doing up some bigger prints next year. If I can find proper frames for them. Maybe some 11x14 or more.

Also, might have gotten the small hint that a store in Salem might be picking up a card line from me... more info to come later on that.

Among the positive responses from vendors and customers alike - also got a few business cards and hints on things like a pagan television show wanting to show off pagan vendors - and other neat things like that.

(Our table even got a very brief visit from Selena Fox who was wandering around in the rain after her guest speaking. She seemed like a very nice lady.)

And best of all, I saw friends new and old that I miss from previous years. It's good to see people you recognize and get along with. Bella was a blast, and Aelwyn was gorgeous. All those who I run into each year are amazing to see. (Rhonda your brooms were absolutely amazing. Loved them just wish I had more time to have looked.)

I definitly will return next year.. all the while hoping for better weather so I can spend more time romping around and wishing I could buy up everything

Keep safe,
-Crow

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/20426785/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/20426785/ Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:01:28 PDT
I've got prints, Staffs, Journals, and some special items. I've also got a bit of table decorations as I'll be in with a little grouping of people to form our own little 'village' at the fest. Good friends of mine I haven't seen in a while.

I'm all excited and hoping the weather works out. And this year should be fun. I get to drag Walkerofshadows out into the daylight to romp with the other Pagans

I'm sorting out which of my prints I want to take and I think I've got a good selection. Fingers crossed.

Lets hope the weather stays pretty decent.

Also I'm hoping the weather gets a touch cooler.. I've got a craving for Shaggy mane's and the season is almost here!

I'm not a very social person, in the least really. I tend to be much of a hermit. Prefering to stay away from crowds as much as possible - yet at these festivals theres a whole other mindset that enjoys the thrill of a fest. Not to mention a lot of the vendors you become friends with over a few years, and it's nice to see then once more.

I did up a few special items I'm excited to bring with me. The fae spirit board is one of the ones that I'm most fond of. (I'll post a few photos of that set in a moment)

As well theres a neat little dragon plate I did up as well. So much stuff I've been working on lately that I'm hoping pays off in the end.

Not to mention the music, the rituals, the smudge smoke - the neat items other people are selling. The sights and the sounds.

The only thing I'm really worried about is the weather, the sun, and of course - the sales.

Wish us luck,

-Crow

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/20124322/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/20124322/ Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:34:43 PDT
But from the way the festival was held.

There was So much bought commercial things, and yard sale items all through the 'fest' that people like me.. handcrafters. Quality vendors. People who stake hours and money and Love into their products? We got overtaken in a swarm of cowboy hats and cheap toys. Actually, by my count walking around a few times. I think only 3 of us actually had what you'd call 'handcrafted' items. And there were a Lot of vendors..

I guess I was just hoping for more. I still talked to quite a few people, I still got business cards out and I still made a few sales, but I was very dissapointed in myself and in the show.

I spent so much time getting things ready for the summerfest and for this fest that I was just hoping all that work would pay off.

The Summerfest was great. I didn't do Excellent, but it was really my venue. I got lots of sales and talked to a lot of other artists and handcrafters. It was a great show and I will likely do it again next year. But this one..

I've decided I'm going to try and stick more with juried shows. Since at least there, you know the people going are Looking for unique higher quality craft items.

(to prove my point, I believe I was the only artist there. And there were at least 5 other vendors with cheap cowboy hats in various styles. And one that was using glass stones from the dollar stores into necklace sets.. no nothing fancy. Just one glass stone, little bit of wire, and thats pretty much it. There were items which repeated brought in by other vendors. Like the solar lights.)

I know I sound bitter, but the point is when all this commercial storebought items overtakes someone who is working hard at every item they churn out? It's just frustrating.

When someone buys a cheap "Redneck Windchime" which is just a stick with beer cans attached.. and something you spent days making gets ignored. It does kind of piss you off.

You win some, you lose some.

I will not be returning back to Zurich.

Just time to try harder for PPD Hamilton.

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/20099626/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/20099626/ Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:39:49 PDT
Wish me well.

-Crow

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/19937937/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/19937937/ Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:13:18 PDT

The weekend after this weekend, we will be at the Zurich Bean Fest. Again it's supposed to get a fair number of people and I've been working my butt off trying to get enough stock for these two big events.

Then after in September it will be my yearly booked event - The Hamilton Pagan Pride Day festival! I'm very much looking forward to that.

If you have plans on attending any of these events and want a specific item set aside for you Please contact me asap as I'm going to be quite a busy crow trying to get everything done.

Also, work on the Tarot continues.. I have over 30 cards done. Which places me at..*thinks* 1/3 the way done? So look for more updates on that..

Keep safe,

-Crow

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/19755031/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/19755031/ Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:36:08 PDT
It's made me think a lot I suppose. Putting in this work has got me thinking of a lot of things. we'll see where it takes me..

Also I'm gearing up for both the Port Dover Summerfest, and the Hamilton PPD festivals I will be working at. Selling a lot of my journals and art and other things.

Port Dover Summerfest runs August 16-17,

Hamilton Pagan Pride Day will be September 13th.

If your in the area feel free to check both events out. the PPD festival tends to be a huge and fun event attended by Many interesting folks. And Port Dover, well who can't resist a day near the water listening to live music and partying. And least it's not going to be -as- packed as the huge friday the 13th celebrations

Keep safe.

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/18909348/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/18909348/ Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:34:06 PDT
This will carry through with a bigger update once I add in the new sections fully, and redo some of the previous sections. Lots and lots of html scripting.

I'm also working on the Mythic Reality website. A place for all of Walkerofshadows and my little projects for digital artists everywhere.

Contact him definitly if you have questions or poke him with a sharp stick if you have ideas for us.. heh.

Periodically we'll post sneak peeks or snapshots, and once we finally get things worked out we'll have the site updated with all sorts of neat goodies and eyecandy.

Other then that, it's time to buckle down and get busy. I have a lot more work to do today.

Eyes of a Crow: [link]

Mythic Reality: [link]

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/18744178/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/18744178/ Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:11:06 PDT
Working on new items.

* Scrying mirrors
* Spirit Boards

Will update or post deviations of new items as they get finished.

-Crowskin

]]> ~Eyesofacrow http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/18644770/ http://Eyesofacrow.deviantart.com/journal/18644770/ Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:46:25 PDT
It also gave me a few ideas clicking in the back of my skull.

Thank you to all who showed up for the day (even if it was accented by thunder, lightning, and the little shower. *giggles*)

I'm working on Bookmarks.. considering we have the journals now, I figure bookmarks will go well with them. I'm thinking about a 2"by8" standard size with both digital and traditional art on them. I'm also thinking of adapting my previous artwork (or at least some of them) into bookmark form.

The current thought from talking to my local printer, is they will be selling for 2 dollars each, and likely will include one of those fun little tassle things.

I'm also working on plans for attending Kaleidoscope this year. A big large event that is a camping trip and ends up being over the time frame of 5 days. These types of events are supposibly big, and hopefully with the journals and boxes and things I'll be bringing, I'm -hoping- to be able to sell out. *fingers crossed* I know a few of the bigger vendors seemed to think I'd do well there.. and even though I'm nervous and a little wary I definitly could Use some good shows under my belt. So it's definitly in the planning stages..

Also, because of the PMG I've had a few opportunities to work with other vendors and on other projects that you may get to see in the future.. as well as future plans to attend GaiaGathering 2010.

Always thinking. Plotting. Trying to keep ahead.

Also, if anyone wants to put in an order for Hamilton PPD 2008, let me know ahead of time. This way I can have it done, confirmed and ready to be picked up in September TThere was talk at PMG about orders for Hamilton, so just stating here that I'm definitly willing to do that as long as I get enough prep time to confirm what you want, pass sketches to you via email, and get it all together and finished off before the show. If you contact me in early september I -might- not have enough time to finish it up before the 13th.

Just keep it in mind As always look via the website, or here, or feel free to email me if you have inquiries or ideas.

Well.. back to work.

-Crow

]]> ~Eyesofacrow