The Summation of Me

This is the summation of Me.

It is written by Me and about Me. 

It is heartfelt.  It is true. 

THE SUMMATION OF ME

I am weird, I am different, and oddly unique.

I defy explanation and casual stereotypes.

I am fleeting, aloof, and enigmatic!

I am never at all times in the world, or of the world...

     ...but I manifest as the mood strikes me!

I emerge when other souls need me.

I am what they need and want me to be...

     ...and yet not what they think I am!

I am divergent and dichotomous by my very nature.

I give and I take from the experience of life...

     ... with much joy and verve.

I impose high expectations on myself and others.

I have an inborn knowing of what is...

     ...and an outward longing for what is not!

I am restless, yet content.

I am outwardly expressive...while being ardently introspective.

I proceed with caution and engage with reckless abandon.

I shine like the Sun and phase with the Moon.

I bridge the gaps in my world between fact and fantasy.

I am powerful and strong, yet malleable and yielding.

I am the expert observer, the universal detective.

I am not at all what I seem...yet I hide nothing.

I am at once driven and focused, yet multi-directional.

I am a soul with a keen intellect and a deep felt passion for life.

I walk a solitary path while seemingly at one with the masses.

I become what others need, yet I never change who I am.

I am a magical soul entity.

I cannot be explained.

I can only be conjectured at best.

I am just what I have always been.

And everything you imagine me to be

Bohemian Vibe

Welcome to Bohemia!  What is Bohemia?  It's a state of mind, a way of living, and an aesthetic that embraces a footloose and fancy free attitude!  Bohemia is a place where we let our hair down, run barefoot, embrace creativity and commune with nature.  It's not a destination, although it certainly could be....but rather it is the art of living life with joy and abandonment. We live in a world that is 'switched on' 24/7!  We have too much to do and never a enough time to do it.  And we're faced with an an 'out with the old....in with the new' attitude that fosters ever-decreasing attention spans.  We've lost touch with the wisdom of our ancestors.  We forsake the life-giving sustenance of Mother Nature.  And we are forgetting how to unleash our creativity to better our quality of life.  In our quest for newer, better and more, more, MORE....we've begun to undervalue the need for relaxation and replenishment of the soul.  But rejuvenation of the spirit is paramount to health and happiness!

So we are beginning to see a much needed shift towards filling our lives with more quality and less quantity!   Bohemia embraces the importance of 'quality living'!  We learn to appreciate and draw upon our talents as artisans and free thinkers.  We strive to bridge the gap between the olde world and the new.  We endulge in the need for respite from an over-demanding world.  And we are eager to live the beautiful life....a life that is lived fully and appreciated on a daily basis.

Bohemia celebrates creativity, individuality and the kaleidoscope of colors and rich details which surround us.  It celebrates the beauty and inherent mysticism of nature.  But most importantly, Bohemia celebrates La Joie de Vivre! 

So relax into a Bohemian Vibe and enjoy a Slow Groove!  If you have the time to linger, then you must come and dance with me "Under a Gypsy Moon".  And please feel free to look around my blog for other Gypsy/Bohemian inspired posts, images and stories!  

~ Namaste....The Artful Gypsy

iCreate

Sometimes I wonder if 'creativity' is more than just a gift that one is born with.  I was always told it was my gift, it was that certain thing that made me special and unique....and I do believe that.  But then sometimes when I've been up for two days straight, because I am on what I call "a creative bender"....well then I can't help but wonder if creativity is also an 'illness' or an 'addiction'.  Because when I am in that 'creative zone', I really can't stop.  I will forgo food and sleep just to finish whatever creative project I am engrossed in, almost as if the world is in immenent danger of collapse if it does not receive my finished art project.  And honestly....that's just a bit insane!   But 'creativity' can also be 'therapy'.  When I am feeling low, I often have a great need to lose myself in a creative project.  This submersion into the creative realm is my 'zen' place.
It acts as a means of 'catharsis'...and is very healing.

But then think about that for a minute....the 'gift' of creativity, morphs into a  curse of 'addiction' while also being the very same 'catharsis' that soothes the spirit so that it can overcome 'illness' and return to the place where its 'gifts' are fully functional.  Wow!  That's really mind bending!  But then again...that's just what creativity is supposed be right....Mind Bending!!  :o) And speaking of creativity....this is my latest project!  As a new iPhone owner and creative soul....I just could not bear to protect my new phone with a generic case that everyone else has.  So I did what any good creative person would do.....and set about designing one of my very own.  I used one of my favorite art pieces called 'Autumn Equinox', and pulled from it to create a customized phone case that showcased some of my favorite things....color, autumn, owls, changing leaves, the moon and the night sky!  I wasn't sure how the case would look in person...but when it arrived I was absolutely delighted at how great it turned out!  Here's to originality, creativity

and the impending return of Autumn! 

La Boheme Inspiration

I absolutely love a Colorful, Eclectic, Funky, Bohemeian Decor, and I try to infuse these ideals into my own work, lifestyle and home decorating.  But here's the thing....there are SO many things that spark my imagination and get my creative juices flowing, that I sometimes find myself completely overwhelmed by all the visual stimuli.  So I've found that one of the best ways to focus in on a project, design idea, or photo shoot, is to create a 'Vision Board'!  I LOVE VISION BOARDS!  Not only do I love creating my own vision boards, but I also love to view other people's visions boards as well.  I simply love to get inspired!

If you haven't created an Inspiration File or Vision Board before, no worries....they are really quite simple to do.  There are many ways to group ideas and images on a vision board.  And in all honesty, grouping really helps you to focus in on what you're hoping to create.  My favorite methods for grouping items on a vision board are by Color, Season, Holiday, Theme and Concept.  Lucky for us, with the advent of technology, we are now able to make digital versions of our Vision Boards.  There are even websites that you can join like Pinterest, We Heart It and others, that give you your little space on the web to 'virtually' pin photos from the internet right onto your own little 'virtual' bulletin board.  How cool is that?!  But you can also achieve the same thing in a video format as well, at sites like Photobucket and Slide.com.  And again, it's as easy as creating an account and loading up your files.  Plus, they give you lots of ways to personalize your slideshows and share them with others.
So today I want to post my own virtual Vision Board in a slide show format.  I've been collecting images of Bohemia over the last few years and keeping them in a file on my computer so that I could look back for ideas when decorating, designing, shooting or throwing parties.  So this vision board is titled "Bohemian Inspiration", because that is exactly what it provides for me....INSPIRATION!  It inspires me to live creatively and to follow my dreams.   All I have to do is sit down at my computer with a nice hot cup of coffee and let it play.  And by the time it's over, I am happily filled to the brim with a plethora of creative ideas and colorful dreams.  This post was made with you on my mind Celia...I hope you enjoy it!  And I also hope it inspires others to follow their bliss and live creatively! Namaste!

You are Cordially Invited to my MidSummer's 'Faerie Day' Soirée!

Well it's June 24th, and today is officially 'Fairy Day'! So what does that mean? It means that "It's a day for Fairies, magic, and wishes to come true. So for one day...put aside the cynicism of the modern world, embrace the possibilities of the unknown....and believe in Fairies!" 

Do you believe in Faeries? I do of course, but then again I also believe in Ghosts, Leprechauns, Father Christmas and The Great Pumpkin. Ah heck....I'll believe in anything if it adds a little magic, creativity and wonderment to my world.  So today is the perfect day to join in the celebration of the Faerie Folk! 

  

When I was a young girl, my Grandmother used to take me to the library. Oh how I loved to spend the day at the library, because it wasn't just any old library....no, it was a magical portal to the lands of enchantment. It began to occur to me that 'magical' books always seemed to find their way into my eager lil' hands. Oh I didn't actively know to seek them out mind you...
I just happened upon them in my searching,
as if some magnetic force was drawing us together. But there were 2 special books that I never forgot, and they were "Faeries' and 'Gnomes" by Brian Froud! I read and studied those books from cover to cover, and I whole heartedly believed that every last word and picture was 100% real! I remember one day in particular when I read about Faerie Rings and Oak Trees....and I became convinced that I would be able to find signs of the Faeries beneath the big old Oak trees on our property. So I set out with my tools and my book....and I spent the day hunting, and waiting, and wishing very hard that I'd find one. Although admittedly I was also a good bit scared at what I would do if and when I actually stumbled upon them. The years have blurred my memory some, but I'm quite certain that I was successful at locating signs that the Faeries were indeed close at hand, and I'm pretty sure that I almost caught sight of one or two. Yes, I loved those two books SO WELL in fact, that I gave up my Library privileges entirely. For I refused to take the books back to the library. The fines kept piling up, and their threats of revoking my library card finally became a reality. But I didn't care. As I just could NOT bare to part with those books after being exposed to all of the magical secrets they'd given up to me. And of course it never even once dawned on me that the books could be found anywhere else other than the library. So I became a "Literary Fugitive" of the County Library System until many years later when I finally married and was able to change my last name! But the criminal record was but a small price to pay for entrance to the Enchanted Land of the Faeries!So to celebrate this most auspicious of days today, I invite you to a Midsummer Faerie Féte! Come join in the revelry and merriment as we wave a fond farewell to Spring and embrace the Summer Season with open arms. Please come take your seat at our Garden Fairy Table.
(And feel free to click on the images to view them larger!) We have a splendid lil' spot set especially for you,
with fresh ferns from the Fern Grotto! Our Midsummer Buffet is filled to the brim with fresh herbs and vegetables straight from the garden, and many delectable treats,
sure to satisfy any Faerie's sweet tooth. Ahhh...Midsummer! All Faeries know that Midsummer offers up Mother Nature's sweetest and most succulent Fruits of the Season. Faerie Berries are a feast for the senses and they come in a kaleidoscope of colors
to please the palate and the eyes!

One of the most scrumptious ways to serve Faerie Berries is in a Perfectly Pink Raspberry Punch. Cool and refreshing on those balmy Summer Days! Let's not forget the Sweets and Treats, as it's common knowledge that most Faeries are born with an insatiable 'sweet tooth'! We have mini Lemon-Blueberry and Chocolate Muffins that are just perfect for snacking. Or how about some dainty little Faerie Cakes....
petite and sweet and perfect for Pixies! And a Faerie Birthday Cake topped with the plumpest of strawberries, and candles for wishing. Yes, even Faeries believe in the power of 'Wishes'! Oh, and don't forget my personal favorite....Toadstools! But these aren't just any ole' Toadstools! For these are baked with a smidgeon of Faerie Magic and a pinch of Pixie Dust, mixed in with sweet Merengue and
Deep Dark Chocolate! So Yummy and So Cute!

With bellies full and the Faerie Festivities drawing to a close, it's time to bid your fellow Faeries adieu! For Twilight is falling fast and the Fireflies are starting to twinkle their lights in the Hedgerow. But no Seasonal Solstice Soirée is complete without Pretty Pixie Party Favors to carry home! And what better way to transport yourself back to the Realm of Faerie, than a lovely scented Butterfly Candle in the Fragrant Flower Scents of Lavender, Honeysuckle, Gardenia and Sweet Pea! Yes it's true that Midsummer presents the perfect opportunity to embark on a Flight of Fancy in the spirit and celebration of the Faeries who Enchant our Gardens, and usher in the Seasons of the Year. And who wouldn't love to attend a Festive Midsummer Celebration filled with the Mirth and Merriment of a Fine Faerie Feast?! Both Young and Old alike can appreciate a Magical Escape into the Realm of Imagination and Wonder! So this has been the perfect day to embrace the Faeries with our open hearts....but more importantly with our open minds!

All you have to do is BELIEVE!
"Tula, vasa ar' yulna en i'mereth. 
Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuv!"  

(All Images © Wendy A. 2011)

Easter Greetings at pingg.com

 
 

Well it has been a crazy year!  Busy, busy, busy...and that's an understatement!  I did want to share some news however.  Remember the days when we sent PAPER cards?  Well I do, and honestly, I am a stationary fiend....so I still love the look and feel of paper cards.  But there is no use denying that we are full force in the technology age and paper does mean we have to cut down trees.  So what's a gal (or fella) to do these days when they want to send a greeting or sentiment to someone special, or where does a hostess (or host) turn when they need to send out invites for a large event?  Well I'll tell you where they go....they go to Pingg!  Pingg is....well only the hippest and most creative On-line Invitation Station on the world wide web!  Here is Pingg's Vision in their own words....

"Our vision is a world where online invitations & announcements can exist in the same sentence as "cool" and "awesome" (or if you're British, "wicked awesome"). The time has come to elevate the online experience--yes people, to RAAAAAISE the bar artistically and technically-so that online and traditional postmarked invitations can live together in peace, harmony and celebration... like yin and yang... like Cheech and Chong."

So why am I introducing you to Pingg you ask?  Because yours truly is one of those crazy, hip artists that contribute over there, that's why!  And I am honored to announce that I was selected the Pingg Plus Spotlight Designer of the week today....woo hoo!  (Can I get a hi-five?)  Hooray!  I started with Pingg last summer and won an honorable mention in their Summer Design Challenge.  Of course I was all over the Halloween Cards and Invites back in October, and now I have a new batch of Easter designs ready to be E-Mailed or Snail-Mailed to all your favorite peeps.
Pingg...Artist Designed Invitations and E-Vites

So help me support the 'Artists Movement' by sharing the news, posting a link, twittering or better yet....sending out some cards and invitations today!  Spread the word and help a sista out!  Here's wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!!

The Artful Gypsy's Bohemian Marketplace Now on Etsy!

 
So I haven't posted here since the winter holidays because I've been busy with an assortment of different things that have taken up all my time.  Spring in Florida has all but come and gone in the blink of an eye.  It was too cold, then it switched to being too hot just like that.  There was no long stretch of perfect Spring weather like there was the year before, and that has been disheartening.  I do have lots of photos and images to post, but it seems that I never have enough time to do all that I want to do.  Is it me....or does time seem to have sped up in recent years?

I know they say that it speeds up as you grow older.  But I mean it feels as if it has sped up for real....for everyone young and old.  Remember being a kid and the days seemed to drag on forever?  School seemed as though it would never get out for the summer, then the summers seemed to drag on endlessly.  I thought I'd never reach 16 so I could drive, or 21 so I could drink legally....but they did eventually come and then they screeched away at the speed of light.  But my children agree...they feel that time is short and that days, weeks and months speed by.  How come they feel it too?  Could it be a real phenomenon?
 
There are some articles about it that say that our days are actually shorter in time than they used to be due to some change in the earth's vibrational rate.  I suppose there are any number of theories, but there is no denying that time is one of the most elusive substances we have (or don't have in my case).  Of course when you are an artist, time seems to work differently than it does for others.  Making one piece of art can take hours, days, weeks....even a month if the circumstances are right.  What seems to others like time you've wasted loafing on your computer....is actually you working diligently on your next creative manifestation.  And sometimes we give up sleeping just to buy ourselves some more time.  I can always sleep tomorrow I tell myself.

 

One of my latest projects that I've been working on is a place online to sell my art and photography.  I have several websites of course, but I do not sell my work from those sites.  And I have several stock agencies that sell my work for me, but they only have selected pieces.  Writing two blogs, aside from taking up another chunk of my time....has put me in contact with people who have inquired about purchasing my art, photography and poetry.  So I finally stole some time away from other things and created my Etsy store.  Etsy is an on-line marketplace for all things handmade or vintage.  Having no place previously on the web to showcase my art, I thought it the perfect environment.  I've been telling people that I create art, but I think they may not have believed me since there is no place other than my blogs for them to see it.

I just started this weekend, so I don't have nearly everything in there yet.  But I started with simple 8x10 graphic art illustrations because it was easy to get them listed.  I continue to add things every day.  So I am asking all my friends, family and fellow blog kin...to please help me get the word out.  If you can forward the links to others, or tweet it or blog about it, please do....as I would be eternally grateful.  If you know anyone who loves Halloween or Arts and Crafts, please let them know since Halloween art is one of my specialties.  And keep it in mind in case you need unique hand crafted gifts for giving.  I've included a few images with this post and I'll post more, but there's plenty in the store and more being added everyday.  Please help me spread the word.  Thank you!  :o)
My Etsy store is called The Artful Gypsy's Bohemian Marketplace and the address is:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/artfulgypsy

The Circle & A Very 'Gypsy' Yule!

Well I must admit that I am a little out of my element here.  Of course I was honored when my friend Beth from 'The Windesphere Witch' and the 'Perfume Smellin' Things' Blog suggested I join in a wonderful Advent Blogging event, hosted by her dear friend Roxana Villa of Roxana Illuminated Perfume!  Just to be in such phenomenal company was a gift indeed.  And at first I fretted that I am a visual artist and photographer, not a Scent Expert, and therefore perhaps not qualified for such an invite.  But Beth assured me that if I would just blog about my own personal connections to the holiday season with it's sights, sounds and scent....that it would certainly fit right into the spirit of "The Circle"!  So in honor of the season, I will attempt to share with you my 'Gypsy Christmas/Yule'!


Most of us equate the holiday season with traditions.  Traditions are an important part of the human experience and at no time are they more on display than during the holidays.   And like most people, I do love traditions.  But 'traditionalism', is the belief that traditions should be followed, while change should be limited.  And that is where I tend to part ways with the 'concept' of 'traditions'.   After all, change can be a wonderful way to keep things fresh and exciting.  And everything in our lives and world is always in a constant state of flux.  So for me, that means taking 'traditions' and molding them a bit.  As an artist, I enjoy putting my own unique spin on everything around me.  From my clothing to my photography to my living environment...I like to imbue my surroundings with things that make me happy, like COLOR and SCENT.  And I infuse them into all areas of my life and home, especially during the holidays. 

 

Being somewhat of a 'Bohemian-Lite' at heart, I decided that the 'traditions' of the holiday should be melded to fit my own eclectic sense of style.  If pressed to specify my personal aesthetic, I guess one would describe it as 'Moroccan-Gypsy-Boheme!  I like to mix the old with the new, and contrast textures and materials to create a style fusion.  No rules, other than filling my space with things that delight my senses.  So there is nothing 'traditional' about my sense of style, but I prefer it that way.  Colorful Moroccan lanterns, gypsy scarves, celestial sun and moons, Buddhas, and exotic spices and incense, mingle peacefully with an old Hoosier cabinet, antiques, newer furnishings and hand crafted items.  The result is an atmosphere as varied and eclectic as I am.  And when it comes time to decorate for the Winter holidays, I seek to mold my family's traditions to fit our bohemian style.

My love affair with the colors, textures and scents of Asia, especially in India, as well as Morocco....has been the driving inspiration in my decorating.  So instead of the traditional red, white and green, you will find a multitude of bright colors throughout our home and on our Christmas tree.  A Buddha sits happily next to glittered reindeer and Indian jewelry boxes.  Our tree has a 'Gypsy' theme with a variety of different ornaments.  Suns and Moons, Owls, Jewels, Mandolins, Feathers and Moroccan Stars sit atop a fresh fragrant Spruce.  The dining table is set with mix-matched Indian print plates and the chandelier is also 'Gypsified' with an assortment of baubles, beads and jewels in a rainbow of colors.  Glass beaded garlands flank the mirrors and gypsy rings and incense gifts are used to accessorize instead of the classic Santas and Snowmen.  It's certainly not a traditional Christmas theme...but when thrown together, it is colorful, festive and fun!

And the scents you ask?  What scents accompany a 'Gypsy Yule'?  Wafts of Incense coiling up through the air such as the traditional offerings of Frankincense and Myrrh, which are in tune with the story of Christmas, and well known as valuable gifts from the Middle East.  But we also enjoy the traditional hippie favorites like Patchouli and Nag Champa as well.  Which begs the question...is there really any such thing as a 'Traditional Hippie'?  Rich spices abound in the Indian Spice Markets, and they accompany the resinous incense so very nicely.  We enjoy how their enticing aromas make the holiday season more 'Scent-ual' and festive.  Clove, Cardamon, Anise and Cinnamon brewing on the stove top in some Apple Cider is a welcoming scent to family and friends as they enter our home.  We also enjoy the succulent sight, taste and smell of fruits such as Pomegranates, Figs and Oranges. And lastly, it's always a special seasonal delight to unwrap a bar of Madagascar Spiced soap, richly fragrant with the scent of clove!  It's a splendid excuse to enjoy a warm Winter's bath with some almond or champa oil mixed in to help soften winter's drying effects on the skin.  But more importantly, it's also  the perfect time to relax and soak in the fragrant water, while taking stock of the various gifts that life has blessed us with throughout the past year....as we come full 'circle' to the holidays once again, and look forward to the promising new calendar year ahead.  :o)
Happy Holidays & Namaste!   
~ Wendy

Where Did the Time Go?

Well, as I am wont to do....I got myself involved in too many activities at once and found myself coming up short on time to manage them all.  So as Summer set in, I had to let something slide for awhile in order to make any progress at all.  Sadly, as you may have noticed, the Artful Gypsy blog was one of those things.  And this pains me because I worked so diligently on getting it all set up.  I had high hopes of managing 2 blogs, along with a multitude of other projects.  But alas, I just couldn't do it.  But I have returned now to give this blog some over due attention and love. 
A quick synopsis of my summer is that it was hot and VERY rainy.  I read a few great books that became a much needed diversion away from the long tedious summer heat.  I know that summer is Florida's big draw to most folks.  But when you live here....it just seems to be stifling and boring.  The ONLY thing that makes it even remotely bearable for me, is the extreme anticipation I feel towards the Autumn months that follow. 
 
For I am an Autumn person through and through.  Ask anyone that knows me and they will attest to that fact.  In fact, I live all year long....just to experience Autumn once again.  This past Autumn was a strange one however.  It came upon me so fast and furiously that I was caught completely off-guard.  I had so many grand plans and yet very few of them came to fruition.  In fact, that could be said for this entire year.  It has been a strange year indeed.  But the many activities that usually fill up the most wonderful month of October, did not all transpire this year.  Besides the fact that I was ladled with an on-going work project or two, we also had a bout of illness in the family.  The flu was present, but we aren't sure what type of flu it was.  Everyone recovered quickly thank goodness.
  
I ran out of time to decorate for my favorite holiday, Hallowe'en....and that made me quite sad.  Our annual pumpkin carving party did not make the agenda this year either for the first time in about 5 years.  The only thing we did manage to accomplish, and just barely at that.....was taking a fabulous, although stressful trip to New England and Montreal, Canada.  That would prove to be the highlight of my Autumn.  We hit Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Canada.  We visited many wonderful towns such as Salem, Boston, Woodstock, Hanover, Peacham and Montreal.  And we timed it perfectly...the leaves were at peak and the color was bursting.  I was able to get some gorgeous photographs and I will share some of them here.  So the month was not a total loss, but it sure could have been better. 

As a result of my Autumnal disappointments this year....I have vowed to be ultra prepared next year, so that I can really enjoy my favorite time of year without being stressed, ill and over extended.  November arrived in the blink of an eye and will be gone in the blink of another.  I am constantly stricken by the awareness that time is moving now at warp speed.  Months flip by like days and there are never enough minutes in the day to do all that I wish to do. 
 
And the dreaded Winter is knocking on the door once again.  Don't get me wrong, Winter has it's moments, and the holiday season is something to look forward to indeed.  But once New Year's is over....I fall quickly into my seasonal blues.  This happens every Winter like clockwork.  Maybe it's the time change, or the cold weather.  Maybe it's the barren trees and brown grass.  But Winter is not my favorite season.  Perhaps if I lived where there were some snow, so that I could enjoy a Winter Wonderland for a change.  But in Florida, Winter is rather anti-climactic.  And just as I do in the summer, I bide my time, spending a lot of it indoors, waiting for the threat of the last frost to be gone so that we can go to work in the back yard.  Because that is where I like to live come Spring.  The rebirth of nature after her long winter's nap is second only to the Autumn for me!

I love all the seasons however....I really do!  I just long to live in a place where I can experience them all.  I love to live my life from season to season and holiday to holiday.  And speaking of holidays, we have the lovely Yule season coming up and I am going to try and relax and enjoy the spirit of the season this year without stressing too much.  We wanted to spend Christmas in a cabin somewhere out West.  A cabin that was surrounded by snow.  But we started on the planning too late this year, so we'll have to try for that again next year perhaps.  But I am looking forward to dusting off the Christmas CD's once again.  Are you in the mood for Christmas carols and egg not yet?  :o)