Inspired by Jules Verne!

Jules Gabriel Verne (February 8, 1828 – March 24, 1905) was a French author who pioneered the science fiction genre. He is best known for his novels Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), A Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873). Verne wrote about space, air, and underwater travel before air travel and practical submarines were invented, and before practical means of space travel had been devised. He is the second most translated author in the world (after Agatha Christie). Some of his books have also been made into live-action and animated films and television shows. Verne is often referred to as the "Father of Science Fiction", a title sometimes shared with Hugo Gernsback and H. G. Wells.
The following is a Jules Verne Inspired Necklace I made! I was inspired by all his novelties and sci-fi underwater adventure Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea!I addition to the necklace, I made a matching bracelet! Did you know that Verne wrote numerous works, most famous of which are the 54 novels comprising the Voyages Extraordinaires. He also wrote short stories, essays, plays, and poems.

This following is drawing of Jules Verne on the sea floor with fantastic sea creatures. Legend : "Gathering from the best sources authentic information about underwater world". Cover of "L'Algerie" Magazine, 15 June 1884, this is the drawing that sparked the inspiration!

For more images of my piece and a larger version of this illustration visit my flickr photo wall!

Have a magic filled and inspired day,

Lisa xoxo

Art Events and Workshops in Historic Lafayette, NJ

There are lots of workshops being un-veiled this year at Piddlestixs, one just around the corner April 7-9, 2011 in Historic Lafayette, NJ called: Mid Spring Nights Dream. The teachers are: Teena Flanner, Jennifer Docherty and June Ann.

The is a handmade friday night fair/soiree, guest speakers, sponsored items and more. If you can't afford the full payment, layaway is available until March 15. After that payment must be in full. There are sign day packages and single workshop plans available which include your breakfast, lunch or both depending on the package you choose.

Lafayette is located 25 minutes from Milford, PA, 50 minutes from NYC, 1 to 1.5 minutes from New Jersey Shore Points, 35 minutes from Warwick, NY, 2 .5 hrs from Philadelphia, PA, 3.5 hrs from Gettysburg, PA, 25 minutes from Morristown, NJ, 1hr from Easton/Allentown, PA areas, 45 minutes from Paramus, NJ, 10 minutes from Sparta, NJ, 3.5 hrs from Maryland, 1 hr from Connecticut border, 1.5 from Stamford, CT and other driving points.

The local hotel has free shuttle service to and from the event, and other locales.

To register before seats are sold out visit:

http://www.artoperanj.com/category_6/Mid-Spring-Nights-Dream-2-Day-WorkshopAdults.htm

For additional photos of this event visit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonfaires16/sets/72157625836206684/

My store; Piddlestixs is located over a fabulous cafe called: The Millside Cafe, which is an area favorite, their breakfasts and lunches are absolutely amazing! My store is also situated in the area's antiques district where treasures are waiting to be found, search inside The Mill Antiques Center, 2 long floors and connected buildings of antiques!Another favorite at the Mill Antiques is Bogwater Jims and Karen's Store, such eclectic pieces, boating pieces, industrial and European finds, plus many others. Inside the mill is Joe and Sharon's treasure trove of antique toys and memorabilia, Next store to me is Pam's Store and Sweet Peas. Across the street from me is Cona's Antiques, Next to me on the other side is Chocolate Goat who is known for their Vera Bradley and Imported Chocolate. Across the road are my girls and friends starting at the Black Pony with Bob and Noreen, Rose Petal Porch with Joyce, Lafayette Emporium with Karen, Eileen and June whose located upstairs of the Emporium, next to them is Jill and Herb downstairs from Jill, plus another store coming this week. We have such a great group here and they are all excited about this event coming up in April!In this picture I am inside Rose Petal Porch:Now inside June's Space, who happens to be one of the teachers at the event. June is a psychic medium and artist, whose has written books, craft books and has nationally recognized for many of her talents:Now we are inside my store, which each vignette changes all the time:
Here are some of the projects being offered for you to do:
Jenn's Workshop:
Teena's Workshop:June's Workshop:Here is a surprise vendor at the event: The Costumed Photographer who can photograph you in costume at the event:Plus many more surprises.
You can contact me with any questions or click on the link above to register!
Magic and Joy.
Lisa!

Mid Spring Nights Dream Event!

Click Here to register

Piddlestixs will be hosting its first BIG event at the store and within its home turf of Historic Lafayette, NJ on April 7-9, 2011

The itinerary is Thursday Night, Friday and Saturday April 7-9, 2011 Teena's Workshop Jenn's Workshop June's Workshop

The Teachers: Teena Flanner, Jenn Docherty and June Ann, all three are published and well know artisans who each have their own books, printed in various publications and media, tv appearances and product lines.

Thursday Night is the attendee welcome party starting at 6pm:
-Meet and Greet
-Private shopping within Piddlestixs and neighboring stores:
Piddlestixs, The Mill Antiques Center, Rose Petal Porch, Lafayette Emporium, Black Pony Antiques, all hosting late night private shopping and giveaways.
-Attendee goodie bags and fairy wings, class tickets, attendee badges, etc.
-Light fare, treats and more inside Piddlestixs

Friday:
-Breakfast/coffee/tea 8:30-9am
-Class starts at 9am til 1pm
-Lunch 1-2pm
-Surprise Guest speakers 2-3pm

Friday Night Vendor Soiree: Marie Antoinette's Garden theme
Come dressed in your soiree best, lots of pearls, rhinestones and frills.
-Book signings, vendors, etc.
-6pm-8pm, public vendor soiree
-8pm-10pm, private attendee party and vendor soiree
-Location near Piddlestixs inside a 17th century old church

Saturday:
-Breakfast 8:30-9am
-Classes 9am-1pm
-Lunch 1-2pm
-Classes 2pm-6pm

Seats are limited, first come first serve basis, maximum 45 students

The new group will open on yahoo in march, for you to host swaps, meet one another and is private only to people participating in the event.

Event banner is located on my blog as are photos of Historic Lafayette and Neighboring Stores, Piddlestixs and More: Faerie Enchantment for you to use on your blogs and sites!


as well as recommended hotels and car service. Newark airport is the recommended airport!

NOTE:
There are no ala carts, each student must attend all 3 classes in order to attend the thursday night and friday night parties. There are no refunds after students register.

Birthday Week!

Its been a wonderful Birthday week for Glenny and Me, the two of us are born a day apart, November 15 and November 16, the same year (will leave that part out, lol)

I love a good celebration whether its for a friend, family member or customer ordering party wares from me, being festive always keeps one upbeat and filled with smiles. During my Birthday week I have been making all types of party items from banners to flowers, hats, doll and embellishment parts and charlottes.

Today I am sharing with you: Candy, the Party Wizard. Candy is a party wizard from Wistica Woods, who enjoys baking sweet treats for her friends and family, Candy's favorite treat to make are pink moon cakes filled with cherries and vanilla, then coated in bright pink icing, did I mention her favorite color is PINK, AQUA and more PINK!

Candy and her friends were just invited to the Wizard Ball at Birdiebelle's Conservatory, this years theme is Candy Land, you can bet, Candy is excited about that. This years Wizard Ball Queen will receive a 6 month supply of cherry beans, cocoa truffles and pink pops.
Here is Candy all dressed and awaiting the arrival of her friends to the Wizard Ball. Her parents rented a Swan carriage for their transportation.

Candy was made from a variety of items, my fave part her glittered wizard hat. Candy will make a return as cupcake toppers and a party banner soon. Just as these charlottes made a return in cotton candy pastel pink, custom order for a customer!

Art Opera Blog Party Event: Week Long Celebration of Art Opera Fun, Info and Giveaways!



Art Opera Giveaway and Free Collage Sheet for all who participate!
Welcome to the first annual Art Opera Giveaway!For this giveaway, I have decided to give away 7 grandprizes, this gives Art Opera Attendees and Newbies a chance to win a class or extra class, plus winning a piece of artwork from me, plus I am including a free collage sheet in this post for every visitor to save to their computers and use in their works, that way no one leaves empty. Giveaway begins on Jan.31 at 1pm-Ends Feb. 21 at 1pm Eastern Standard time!Art Opera, which will be held April 7-11, 2010in Red Bank, NJ at The Oyster Point Hotel for the main event/workshops, dinner, etc. and St. Anthony' s Hall for the Vendor Soiree!

If you are not aware of the event here is a brief intro:-Art Opera, Red Bank, NJ-located 45 minutes from Newark Airport w/ direct travel to Red Bank, Less then an Hour from NYC, 1.5 to 2 hours from CT, PA, 3-4 hours from MD, DC and 5 hrs from VA, etc.

-Full registrations includes: Huge Goodie Bags from Industry sponsors, orientation dinner w/4 course meal, dessert bar, refreshments, guest speakers, group projects, a fantasy ambiance, overlooking the navesink river, 4 workshops, vendor soiree tickets, breakfast, lunch, prizes, and lobby make/takes in between classes, party toast at antique center, book signings, demos and more.
All workshops over look the Navesink River, perfect for inspiration and serenity.-Ala Cart includes 1 workshop of choice, breakfast or lunch, vendor soiree ticket, giveaway ticket, make/takes, demos and more.


-Instructors:


-Ruth Rae, Traci Bautista, Suze Weinberg, Jenny Heid/Aaron-Every Days a Holiday, AnnDenise Anderson, Pamela Huntington, Terri Ventura-Dimestore Daze, Jenny Hernandez-Polka Dot Pixie, Heidi Wallingford-Birds of a Feather, Joan Kettell, Kecia Deveney-Lemoncholys, Linda Hahola, and Me-Lisa Kettell
Visit the Art Opera Website for details and to join the mailing list/newsletter, sign guest book, updates and more.

http://www.artoperanj.com/
Visit the Art Opera Yahoo Group to connect with attendees, instructors, sponsors, vendors, join swaps and to have fun.


Click to join artopera

Without Further Ado, Here are the Giveaways:

1. One Grand prize winner will receive a free alacart class pack Valued at $125, winner can choose which workshop they want!
2. One Grand prize winner will receive a free alacart class pack Valued at $125, with Me-Lisa Kettell, Any one of the two classes I'm teaching
3. One Grand prize winner will receive a free alacart class packValued at $125, with Joan Kettell, Any one of the classes she is teaching
4. One Grand prize winner will receive a free alacart class packValued at $125, with Ann-Denise Anderson, Any one of the classes she is teaching.
5. One Grand prize winner will receive a huge doll part pack from my Store filled w/many of my best selling doll parts valued at: $75.00
6. One Grand Prize winner will receive a a Kewpie Doll Part and 3 Mini Kewpies valued at $15.00

7.One Grand Prize winner will receive a Marie Antoinette Fashion Plate Collage CD filled w/Galerie Des Modes and more, images, valued: $15.00

8. One Grand Prize winner will receive to tickets to the Vendor Faire at Art Opera retail value: $16.00 for the 2

I hope that the Art Opera Giveaways will put a smile on your face, just as much as they put a smile on my to giveaway. All you need to do is leave a comment under this post, and tell me which ones you want to win or if you want to win any of them.


Good Luck to All who enter and enjoy the free collage sheet!
Magic, Blessings and Joy!Lisa!

Eight Days of Christmas, Post Three!



"Tree's of Magic"



On the 8th day of Christmas........


We are only 8 days away from Christmas, the true spirit of the season is upon us. Have you begun shopping for presents? What about buying ingredients for the gingerbread and sugar cookies, Sugared Plum Pudding, Candy Cane Bars, Fruit Cake or Anise treats?

Did you locate the family holiday heirlooms, decorated the house and tree, or found the St. Lucia Crown and Candles? Where are the holiday cards? Did you mail them yet?
So much to do and get ready for the closer we get to Christmas Eve and Day. This year I vowed to get my Christmas cards out on time, to have my presents wrapped, the sugary sweets done and the decorations up. I opted to decorate only 3 Christmas trees this year instead of 5 or 6 like I normally due, to keep the theme more homemade and vintage instead of modern. I wanted to create a holiday this year reminiscent of holidays past from the 1940s or 50's in a simple and apple pie time.I choose red as the primary color in the decor such as red berries, red bulbs, red ornaments and red flowers. For accents I wanted white/creams, some green, pink, and silver.The sitting room has been transformed into what I call: Shiny Brite Land filled w/a shiny brite pink tinsel tree and a shiny brite silver tinsel tree which are each loaded with vintage shiny brite bulbs, vintage ornaments and homemade wares. Each tree sits upon a table, homemade tree cloth and adorned with a vintage vignette of sweet finds which I have collected over the years.The main tree stands magically in the family room, a fresh cut green tree from the farm, decorated with a mix of vintage and new ornaments, loads of handmade ornaments, colorful lights, bows, berries and birds.Behind the french doors, you enter the living room, the mantel is decorated w/red berries, Christmas Cards, topiaries and nutcracker, the shelves w/vintage holiday and carnival vignettes, followed by more berries. The banister is wrapped w/a green garland, sugared fruits, berries and red velvety pointsettas. Everything ties into the next, a cozy enchanted, homemade, apple pie mood, warm and inviting, waiting for friends to come over and share some holiday cookies and conversation.


What magic does the 7th day of Christmas have in store? Can't wait!



Magic and Joy,

Lisa!