Salon de Maria Blog

More power to them... Today I came across Seth Godin's post about the One Thousand Paintings craze and then just now I read the Art News Blog's interview with Anthony White. 

What these two artists have in common is that they've taken something simple and turned it into art that people are clamoring to buy.  It's amazing what word of mouth marketing and a few testimonials can do for one's art career.  This is what Anthony White says:

"A lot of locals hate my work but I find that they do the best job when it comes to advertising."

Isn't it funny that the people who hate actually do the most talking about you?  I'm not talking about me, of course!  It's just a general statement :)

Posted by Maria Palma at 01:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Finally!  The weather is warming up in gorgeous San Diego and it inspired me to make some fun new jewelry pieces.  Pictured here is one of the first pieces I made today.  I named it "Hot Fudge Sundae" because doesn't it look like chocolate fudge swirled in with vanilla ice cream?  I made it with these shell chip beads accented with pewter beads and a pewter toggle clasp.  The pendant is glass and I just love the design! 

You can find this piece and my new "Nautical Collection" over at my auction booth.  The Nautical Collection is a product of me playing around with blue and white beads.  There are only a few pieces right now, but I'll add more in the next few days.

I think I've gone nuts because I'm starting these auctions at $0.07 and $0.97!

By the way, I've revamped my necklace gallery and added some new pieces...Enjoy!

Posted by Maria Palma at 01:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

A great deal of time was spent today building a homemade light box to take better pictures of my jewelry to add to the website. 

Pictured here is one of my newer pieces that will be posted to the website in the next day or two.  However, I may just submit them to my auction booth and start all the auctions at $0.99.  Still debating! 

I had a grand ole time taking pictures of my jewelry.  Now I'm going to start playing around with the photo software....Be on the lookout for new jewelry on the website soon!

Posted by Maria Palma at 10:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Lately I've been so engulfed with my blogs and marketing stuff that I haven't made time to create jewelry or paint.  However, at the ARTS fundraiser this weekend, I did pick up the brush to contribute to a painting that was being auctioned off and it got my painting juices flowing again. 

This is a picture of my friend, Cloti, who attended the fundraiser with me.  She was an art demonstrator as well.  We had a fabulous dinner and it was great to be surrounded by such giving and caring people.  For more information about ARTS, visit the website: http://www.artsurvive.org.  The event was a success!

So, in regards to the title of this post....I'm making a commitment to post at this blog at least four times a week with progress on my jewelry making.  Plus, I'm carving out time during the weekend to start playing around with my paints again.  Stay tuned for pictures of works in progress!

Posted by Maria Palma at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I came upon Crossroads Dispatches today via Converstations and discovered another writer, Evelyn Rodriguez, who shares the same life values as me.  It's very interesting...the people that the Universe has guided me to. 

A particular post resonated with me: It Takes A Lifetime To Create A Masterpiece.  Maybe its because I identified with some of the experiences that Evelyn shares with us.  Maybe its because I have read Simple Abundance...or maybe its because she uses the words "art salon" to describe her events.  When people look at the name of my website, they think I own a hair or beauty salon!

In her post, Evelyn tells us about artist who hasn't shown her artwork in about twenty years.  I've come across many people who are "afraid" or too shy to show their art.  I find it interesting that many artists hide their creativity... mainly because I, too, was that type of artist until a few years ago.  

Anyhow, it's great to find other like-minded individuals who seek to make a change in this world :)

Posted by Maria Palma at 02:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I just came across Tammy Powley's blog called Jewelry and Beading... after reading her bio I found that I had visited one of her other blogs, designersReport, earlier today and talked about it at my other blog, TheRunwayScoop!  We must be on the same creative wavelength or something!  PLUS, Tammy is the author behind a blog I subscribe to, The Jewelry Weblog! 

It truly is a small world after all!

Posted by Maria Palma at 08:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

As a writer and an artist, it can be quite challenging to find a balance between doing both.  For me, I'm beginning to find a writing rhythm and my thoughts come out more freely when I focus on writing for a set amount of time versus trying to switch off between the two throughout the day.  It used to be that I would write for a little while, then make jewelry for an hour or two, and then go back to writing at night.  However, lately it seems that I've been doing writing more than anything. 

I did make it over to Alotta Jewelry the other day to buy a few beads and some sterling silver.  Even though I did the bead shopping, it still didn't spark any inspiration to make jewelry for some reason.  

My passion for photography is growing and I'm having a blast taking pictures of nature during my travels around town.  I've created a couple "albums" over at Flickr.  I've also discovered a great photography tutorial and tips website called "Digital Photography School".  

Posted by Maria Palma at 12:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

I've been in more of a picture taking mood than anything these days.  I didn't quite get around to making jewelry or painting this weekend, but basked in the sunshine instead :)  However, I did do some doodling, which I wanted to share here, but my scanner is on the fritz...quite a moody beast, I must say!

Anyhow, I'm really loving spring because of all the flowers that are coming out to play.  Thank Goodness for my digital camera...

Posted by Maria Palma at 12:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

I love to get inspiration from other jewelry designers, and one blog I subscribe to is The Jewelry Blog by Cluny Grey.  Her jewelry designs are inspiring and very unique, to say the least.  Most of her pieces shown are bracelets and sometimes bracelet and earring sets.  Check out Cluny's website...http://jewelrytrends.blogspot.com

As for me, well, I've been quite busy writing lately and not enough creating in terms of making jewelry or painting.  I did, however, pull out my greeting card stuff to make new cards to add to my greeting card website.  Perhaps tomorrow I'll take a break from writing and do some visual arts instead. 

Posted by Maria Palma at 11:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I just came across a blog that's in another language, but I was enticed by the colorful pictures it shared with the readers.  I'll definitely need to install some software to translate the words.  I'm assuming it's a blog about design... Truly inspiring :)

Posted by Maria Palma at 12:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)