Piddlestixs Vol.7

Its finally ready. Piddlestixs vol.7 w/5 extra pages, now 45 pages. featuring so many great artists, and 2 pages of collage sheets. Now available in print. Follow the link below to purchase your own copy!
http://www.lulu.com/shop/lisa-kettell/piddlestixs-vol7/paperback/product-21837069.html
 To submit an article, project, story, artist spotlight, recipe or collage sheet to piddlestixs magazine, email: lisakettell@yahoo.com  Place Mag. Submission in the email header.

Piddlestixs Mag, ArtStixs and Faerie Zine come out 2-3 times a year. All publications are available as print or download. Please note there was no Spring or Summer edition for 2014 only Winter and Fall.

Enjoy!
xoxo
Lisa

Piddlestoxs Magazine Vol.6

Piddlestixs Vol.6 is finally here after a year long hiatus, you can finally order the latest edition on/or before Monday September 30, 2013 at Lulu.com, where you can also purchase past editions in print or ebook downloads, including past editions of the Faerie Zine , Flapperology and Workshop Manuals.

All my magazines unless stated are available in children's book quality soft cover saddle stitched 42-44 page books and as ebook downloads. The newest release of ArtStixs Magazine is December 31, 2013 and will be filled with highlights from past editions of Piddlestixs and new releases, 155 pages of creative magic.

Please send ongoing submissions to: lisakettell@yahoo.com

To be considered for the latest ArtStixs release all submissions must be sent in by November 20, 2013, all submissions for either publication must have: "Mag Submission" in the subject line.

In this latest edition of Piddlestixs you will find a plethora of magical creations and projects revolving around Halloween, Wonderland, Carnival and Steampunk, all created by an incredible group of artisans!

xoxo
Lisa

Creating on a Sunny Spring Afternoon

Its warm and sunny here in NJ this week, a perfect time to take advantage of the the patio with the cozy swing, umbrella and side table to hold my coffee, lol. Today I decided to grab the huge box I scored for $8.00 a few weeks ago and actually see what I got for that mere $8.00. Opening it was like opening a treasure chest, I knew I found great items, but forget what I actually bought. To my excited surprise I found about 25 vintage and some new children's books, one vintage book from 1895 in German w/color plates all about a puppet and toy maker ( right up my alley ), about 40 vintage piano and music sheet books, 10 figurines from 1940s, 50s and 60s complete w/a few bunny candy planters, old millinery, trims, Dennison's crepe paper and labels from the 1930s, vintage kitsch ornaments and novelties, about 30 or 40 vintage bulbs: Shiny Brite's, West Germany, Poland, Austria all in great condition, some 70's and 80's plastic toys, circus animals and vintage costumes, all for $8.00, now that is a total bargain if I don't say so myself, even my cat Lucky got in on the act, making a play date with my plastic toys, lol. It was time to re-pack the ornaments, and put away my new faves in the stash, make a cup of coffee and sit on the patio swing to create and make my latest bow tie and baseball cuff orders, which I carried out in my up-cycled crochet sewing bag, which I made last year from old crochet pillow case, sewing bag handles and a variety of vintage pins, it holds my sewing supplies when I'm on the go. Here's a sneak peak at my handmade sewing supply bag and some of the newest finished pieces for customers: Bow Tie Bracelet and Shabby Pink Baseball Cuff were completed for customers, I made about 8 more bracelets (bow tie's and cuffs) everything is complete, its amazing how a warm sunny Spring day can get you inspired and motivated to complete projects fast, easy and smoothly. Enjoy your weekend and start creating, xoxo Lisa

Adventure in Montclair

I grew up in Essex County, NJ, lived in Montclair when I was real little, onto West Orange for a bit and finally from age 9 years old til 27 years old I called Maplewood, NJ home. If you aren't familiar with these towns, Montclair and Maplewood are very similar, a few towns away from each other, ornate and fabulous architecture/historic homes, great cafes, boutiques and very, very artsy, just so much to see and do in these towns.

Montclair is perfect for exploring, so many nooks and grannies to search and photograph, we all know how much I love photographs, lol, so with that being said, Saturday was a perfect day to break out of the house and explore all the artsy goodness Montclair had to offer, with the warm weather, sun shining and make it a Saturday, I was off to explore.

First was a stroll into the Montclair Bookstore off Bloomfield Ave., which I love, love, love, so many great finds in this store, out of prints, rare, old, vintage and new, you could get lost in there with the different sections and floors inside, its like a Harry Potter bookstore right in modern day settings. Inside is filed from floor to ceiling with tons of books, mags and ephemera, if going allow at least an hour inside, my exploring buddy Dave lost me a few times inside, lol.

Then it was off to explore the rest of the stores, especially on Church Street, which over the years has played home to some of my favorite stores, sadly no longer there such as Cat's Pajamas, Toys in the Attic, British Tea Store and just down the road the funky vintage store: Boomerang, today its filled with equally fantastic stores, including the neighboring streets which have built up with boutiques and cafes as well, the even have an Anthropology store and Urban Outfitters. The starbucks is housed in the former Haynes Dept Store building which I visited often as a little girl, my communion dress came from there.
After a few hours of exploring, we were running out of steam, needed to eat, our first pick was Cuban Pete's but the wait would be over an hour, so we ventured out to Mcloone's Boat House overlooking the Turtle Back Res., in West Orange, such a great place, I recommend it for the view, especially Spring through Fall.

Next explore trip will be Art day at my former home town in Maplewood, NJ, the best hometown ever, so quaint and historic, also home to the fab store Perch Home.

P.S. All the photos in this post were taken from my Iphone 5 and the filters are Instagram, you can follow me there as well: moonfaires or type Lisa Kettell
xoxo
Lisa

Switching up the Wardrobe

Spring is here, which means shedding the extra sweater and coat layers, replacing w/lighter clothing such as light jackets and blazers, which I love pairing w/a cool tank top, fitted shirt and jeans.

As a lover of darker clothing, I made a goal to incorporate my color into my style, still baby steps, but you have to start somewhere, lol. I recently found a clothing deal at Joyce Leslie, 5 fitted t-shirts for $20, originally $6.99 each, and a fitted cotton edgy blazer for $15 originally $50 at Marshalls, the possibilities are endless, I can now pair one of the t-shirts w/skinny jeans that now fit, the blazer, ballerina flats and a chain necklace for a rock star edgy look.

 Outfit Price
-Fitted t-shirt $4.00 (ori. $7.00)
-Fitted cotton edgy blazer $15.00 (ori. $50.00)
-Two tone chain necklace ( I made myself )
-Skinny Earl jeans (already had)
-Ballerina flats (already had)

Total cost to re-accessorize: $19.00

Style: Edgy/Rocker, Chic

More Custom Baseballs and Cuffs on the Go

Its that time of year when I begin to get ready for Spring Training just like the athletes of MLB do, its this time of year that the sports cuffs get ready for the upcoming baseball season, from many of my MLB and College Team customers. Each order received has a unique flare all its own, representing their team colors, player number or some crazy concocted design, while some just opt for the basic stitching, used/worn look or glamor bling using a statement piece in the center.

When Football season ends, we begin to embrace for the onset of Baseball Season and Tennis Season, with sporatic bursts of Basketball enthusiasm popping in an out of the season. Getting orders in early is recommended as I can get backed up w/producing them.

Each cuff no matter the sport requested is made from authentic game balls, used or played, all hand cut, hand lined, hand stitched and hand embellished from scratch, I've been making these cuffs since 2005 and are original to me, over the years I have incorporated various styles and designs, including dyed leathers and rhinestones.

These cuffs have appeared in numerous magazines and books throughout the country, including the newest publication of Better Homes and Gardens. Every year our client base grows w/specialty and high profile clients, but I still create in the first come first serve fashion no matter what, and all clients are kept confidential.

This year I hope for more expansion of the cuffs and adding more sport fields to the lines. If for any reason your cuff arrives defected or damaged from shipping, please inform me, and ship back so it can be replaced. Keep in mind not everyone's cuff idea works w/these cuffs and not every leather or sports ball grade is the same as the next. I don't recommend a white baseball w/just white stitching, as it will be too plain and sterile, please ask my recommendations if you are trying to figure out the style of your cuff. 

The cuffs come in 3 set prices:
-A.Basic original: Just the sports leather w/basic stitching
-B.Basic Original w/rhinestones: Just the sports leather w/basic stitching, pearling and rhinestone      
 lettering.
-C.Glamor cuff: Just the sports leather w/basic stitching, pearling and rhinestone medalion/pendant
 center (extra bling)
 

You can mix colors or have colored leather, or vintage sports ball leather if available, please ask if that is what you need to see if in stock.

To order please click on the links to the top right of this blog or email me at:
lisakettell@yahoo.com

xoxo
Lisa

Adding Magical Filters to Photos

 I love the essence of whimsical magic, anything sparkly catches my eye, whether its a glimmering shirt, rhinestone necklace or glittered crown, I'm most likely going to love it, the same comes with jazzing up an ordinary photo.

Photos are the essence of us, they tell a story and help us preserve a moment in time which we can share for generations. Photos also help us inspire others through art and everyday life, along w/progress of ourselves.

When you feel good about yourself or the moment you are capturing behind the lens, it will show right through with a natural magic that can't be beat, but sometimes those moments need some extra jazzing up, a tweek, a little magic.

Nowadays you don't have to be a photoshop pro to enhance your images, all you need are some fun and fast programs available all over the net for free or a minimal cost, which are user friendly, fast, and easy to learn, often within minutes.

For years I have been a paint shop pro fan myself, but today w/the Iphones/apps and online programs I can achieve such great results in minute, whether its tweeking my products and items to sell, artworks, digital creations or photos, added effects make for a more appealing look.

Many people ask me for shortcuts to enhance their photos, here are some sites I recommend that are either free or won't break the bank book:

http://www.picmonkey.com
http://fotoflexer.com
http://www.befunky.com
http://pixlr.com
http://www.tuxpi.com
http://www.ribbet.com
http://en.funphotobox.com
http://photofiddle.com/photo-effects.html
http://www.ehow.com/list_7329143_online-photo-editors.html

All the sites listed above each have their own fun filters and enhancements, and will appeal to photo lovers everywhere, you just need to find the one that you like the best. Here are some before filter and after filter photos using online photo filtering and enhancement options.

A photo of the Met in NYC I took a few weeks ago.

Here is that same photo enhanced w/filters I used in a online photo editing program.

Another photo of the Met in NYC I took a few weeks ago

Here is the photo after w/effects

The Hoboken Terminal Before

Hoboken Terminal w/first set of filters
Here its is more more filters

More filtered Museum Photos, this one is from the Museum of Natural History, NYC

Here it is with different filters

Here's a pic of me I took 2 weeks ago

Here it is with filters and writing


More photos of me w/filters I did last week

Here's a few pics I took outside of New Hope, PA, in Peddler's Village, a few weeks ago


With filter


So many possibilities await you, think of how much you can spruce up your website and store listing photos, make your artwork pop, and give yourself or loved ones some extra pizazz and magic.

Hope this post inspires you to take your photos into a whole new direction,
xoxo
Lisa