Tacky is the new cool at You Tacky Thing’s craft studio!

Time again for me to feature another local artist who makes funky, unique hand crafted items; introducing my friend Stephanie Higgens-Rowley!  I met her when she started taking creative marketing lessons from me to boost her cool, hand-decorated bottle and hand-made jewelry business & so far so good….she’s made tons of awesome decorative items to sell and is now doing NJ vending events, so I invited her to be my next guest blogger so she can introduce herself to you & her “tacky” work…after all, her business is called You Tacky Thing!  Now in her words….
STEPHANIE BOTTLE 2
“Don’t throw that out!”, my mom would yell at me from the kitchen. Anything that could be used again, used for something else, used for something you haven’t even thought of yet was not to be thrown out. Both my parents grew up during the Depression. Everything has a potential use.
This is why I gravitate toward found items. I have access to bass and guitar strings, guitar picks and empty bottles. So when they outlive their usefulness I like to create something interesting. The strings most likely become jewelry while the bottles become decorative. I like using bottles that have an unusual shape or color to them.
I love being creative with things that would have been thrown out. Its like making something out of nothing. You never know what its going to be.
I have been doing this for a while now and I must say its the best job I’ve ever had. I try really hard to create things that are interesting and make you wonder how it got there or where it came from. Some of my favorite themes to use on my bottles are
Gothic and Victorian imagery , mermaids, dragon flies and bats. I even create bottles that can be lit up and I welcome custom commissions. As for my rock and roll inspired jewelry, my creations have been worn on stage by some pretty amazingly talented performers! You can purchase items from my Facebook page You Tacky Thing and you can find me at various vending events throughout NJ an NY. My next event will be at NJ Paraunity  Expo in Woodbridge, NJ. For more info : https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10216158534209635&set=gm.2287489841492576&type=3&theater

NOVEMBER ART NEWS!

Happy November!  I know, I can’t believe it either…Halloween is over and now we’re officially in the holiday season.  Even though the outdoor arts events are coming to an end, galleries and other venues are going full force with exhibits and holiday shows…here are just a few things I’m working on now…more to come soon…

Canal Mystery 2 (c)Lauren Curtis

Canal Mystery 2 (c)Lauren Curtis

“PICCOLO Small Works”,
Group Art Exhibition

View this eclectic exhibit of small works at GALLERY U!  I’ll have the above photo, among others, in this exciting show!  These pieces make perfect, affordable holiday gifts!  This show has an opening reception Fri. 11/7/14, 6pm-8pm, Gallery U, 439 South Ave. Westfield, NJ  07090.  908-232-1895
Show runs thru 12/1/14.

 

Steampunk & Gothic Jewelry by Lauren Curtis

Steampunk & Gothic Jewelry by Lauren Curtis

TIME FOR MY ANNUAL ART & JEWELRY HOLIDAY SALE!
I know it’s hard to believe that it’s “that time of year” again…the holidays!  Who wants to deal with the crowds and hassle of going to the mall when you can shop from your comfy home?  That’s why ALL OF MY ORIGINAL ART & PHOTOGRAPHY is ON SALE for 20% OFF now thru Dec. 15, 2014!! You can see my work on these sites:
http://laurencurtisart.weebly.com
http://www.facebook.com/LaurenCurtisArtTalonArt http://www.LaurenCurtisArt.com
http://laurencurtis.imagekind.com/

Custom commissions welcome!  And I’m also offering 10% off any 1-of-a-kind jewelry purchase of $20 or more!!  Each hand crafted piece is a unique design & I can email you photos of available jewelry or if you’re in the central NJ area, I can arrange a viewing.  Please email me
with any questions about my work!  forestwalker333@hotmail.com (or just reply to this email).
I’ll also be vending at some holiday arts & music events in Central NJ…please check my websites for updates!  Have a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving!!!

As always, thanks so much for reading!
~Lauren