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in the wee hours in the wee hours at around evening time 65 Comments
in Hodge Podge Tags: Arty, assemblage, geisha, Hodge Podge, light box, marie antoinette, octopus
Mizuko in Her Octopus Garden (Click for Supersize) Illio Friday topic – Garden
So I was almost done with this piece just needed a shadow here or there, another blade of grass, etc. I go to turn my computer on and it has crashed. Luckily, after spending the entire weekend working and thanks to information on the internets I was finally able to get it back up and running. Which made me so frickin’ happy since this piece is comprised of about 200 layers and I had added about 50 layers since backing it up externally. Of course I immediately backed up everything!! Must remember to always – always – regularly back things up.
Not sure if she is done yet. . .needs more work I think but gotta step away to decide what needs work. Getting close though. . .
I have been working on some other projects that I should be able to post soon. Also, some freebies coming up that I just did not have time to finish. Here is one of my more recent lighted pieces. Also, click for Supersize.
So before I go I wanted to share some art business-y info and stuff.
If you don’t do bunches of shipping the rest of this post will be hella boring. Sorry! 
For the past few months shipping has just been a different world for me. A lot of shipping. . .a lot. I came across a service called Endicia. Oh so awesome! Unfortunately, it is not free, it’s $9/month for the basic service. You can buy and print postage from your computer like you can with Paypal (which is a free service). There multi-shipping service rocks you do all your labels at once and you can set presets for things you ship often but you can only use it for Domestic shipping! Such a bummer! Which is why finding Endicia was just fabulous! When you do your International labels it also fills out your customs form and combines it with your shipping label. Ah. . .no pesky green customs form to fill out by hand for each and every package anymore. Unlike Click and Ship and Paypal it works for First Class International not just Priority Mail. Most excellently with this type of customs form you don’t have to wait in line to give it to an actual person anymore! Just stick in the mail, drop it off at the post, etc.
Both Endicia and Paypal let you print out a SCAN form. Oh the SCAN form. . .how do I love thee. I add Delivery Confirmation to all my packages just for my piece of mind that way I can tell when something was delivered. What a lot of people do not realize though is that Delivery Confirmation is not tracking. It is just Confirmation of Delivery and often times the package will not be scanned until it is delivered. Sometimes even after it has been a few days since the package has been dropped off when you click on the Delivery Confirmation link it still says “USPS has been notified by the shipper to expect a package”. Ugh!! Now to a customer this makes it look like their package has not been dropped off yet. Also, it does not prove you actually shipped the item. The SCAN form is just one piece of paper your print out that contains a master barcode that represents all the packages in a shipment. When I put that with my packages the post scans that and that changes all my Delivery Confirmation links to “Shipment Accepted”. So that eliminates extra emails for me because now the customer can see that the package was indeed delivered and has entered into the Post’s mail stream.
Now that best part they offer low cost domestic and International insurance that you can use for First Class or Priority Mail, etc.
- Domestic – $1.10 per $100.00 value
- International – $2.10 per 100.00 value.The costs get lower as well if you have better plans that is for the standard plan. Oh and also for domestic first class I can use these labels that get 4 to a page. You can also insert graphics, your logo, change the font to spiffy up your label. http://www.onlinelabels.com/ol5100.htm They also have cute circle and oval labels! Of course you gotta pack things cute so labels get cut with my lovely Carl. Mmmmm. . .decorative edges!
Anyway – it has been a life saver since there is not an insurance option from the post when sending things First Class International. Now I don’t have to fret when I send out expensive orders and wholesale orders overseas. Well, speaking of shipping I am done with todays and I gotta go squeeze in some art time. Deadlines! Plus, I really need to get out and visit peoples blogs! I just keep slinking away from the virtual world. I don’t know why I just know that I adore my well. . I don’t what to call it. . my actual world. 
Back soon. Xo, Tex
Sep 21, 2008 @ 11:29:43
Hi! LOVE your Octopus garden. I love the complexity, and would absolutely love to see this 250+ layer file so I can dissect it and see just how exactly you’ve done it.
Sep 26, 2008 @ 13:58:00
Tiffini–as usual, you’ve created an enchanting, mysterious world in this latest piece and I’m loving all the little delicate intricacies, each one so immaculately detailed.
The Cherry Blossom Tree in itself is a masterpiece–the blossoms are so incredibly lifelike–it’s absolutely beautiful. Not a bloom has been overlooked; it’s amazing. The way the petals are falling and floating on the pond is lyrical.
And Monet being my favorite artist, I adore your waterlilies. Like the cherry blossoms, each one is individual and, along w/the few, scattered lotuses (loti?
), the school of koi, and the reflective, ever so slightly rippling pond, the mini waterscape is a little world within itself! (The reflection in the water is utterly amazing, by the way!)
So glad you were able to restore it after your comp. crashed. Can’t wait to see the final piece when you decide what you need for her to be finished 
; I have to agree that you’re definitely getting close!
Your imagination never fails to travel to places and scenarios that are, to me, entirely unique and vastless in ideas and creativity. For instance, I’d never imagine an octopus as a pet or a beloved, endearing creature, and yet you’ve made it so, as the beautiful, little “Mizuko” cradles her multi-limbed friend. The way she holds her fan looks as if she’s welcoming the viewer into her secret haven. I’m reminded of The Secret Garden and I wonder if Mizuko was meant as a counterpart to Mary from Burnett’s classic novel.
Mizuko’s earnest expression, the light from the full moon, the dim of the sky–all cast a mysterious mood, but moreso in a mesmerizing, intriguing manner rather than a haunting one. There’s a serenity to this piece, marked especially by the gentle, soft stars that are almost woven into the sky, like treasures to be found. The labor you put into “Mizuko” is not lost on this observer; it’s obvious you’ve put a great deal of effort and time into your latest artwork. Well done, Tiffini!
Oct 22, 2008 @ 02:31:05
I LOVE your blog!!!! and your original artwork is amazing!!!
Feb 26, 2009 @ 16:50:02
beautiful work – I am tickled to have found you!
Apr 24, 2009 @ 19:31:16
Great site. So glad I found it. The art work is amazing. I know I’ll be back. Thanks for sharing your talent.
May 22, 2009 @ 12:32:21
Wooohoo Your Up, I added your button
Jun 04, 2009 @ 18:37:09
Mizuko is just gorgeous and stunning! And totally cool.
Jun 10, 2009 @ 19:36:46
So lovely!
Jun 27, 2009 @ 09:05:44
Hi – I found your blog via a link to your Blogging W/O Obligation post and I have become entranced by your art! It’s magical and inspiring (it may inspire a post that I’m “obligated” to write
). Thank you!
Jul 26, 2009 @ 05:56:14
Good morning! Was just poking around your site, which I found via BWO (a lovely concept I must say) Your work is beautiful and unique – and very very intricate!
I’ll have to check out that Endicia, although I bet it won’t work for me in Canada…
So… what have you been up to lately?
Kidding – this whole BWO thing is taking some getting used to.
Have a terrific day!
Jul 31, 2009 @ 08:57:43
OMG…totally!
Jul 31, 2009 @ 09:59:55
I’m so happy for you that you didn’t loose your WORK!!!
I’ve been there before.. not a happy day!
I’m off to go check out Endicia.. I use Stamps.com, but it’s about $15 per month, so if I could save some bucks it would be terrific.. thanks for the link!
(i really like your little smiley faces.. lol)
Aug 04, 2009 @ 17:00:41
I love your site! I have a question: I tried downloading the Wonderland Brushes but Photoshop won’t recognize it– is there something I am not doing right??
I am working on an Alice clock for my AIW obsessed daughter Sadie and these brushes would be incredible for me!
My email is: Basil422@aol.com
Thanks much. I will visiting your pages often.
Susan
Aug 09, 2009 @ 06:56:22
This blog is an absolute treat! Came to you from the Dark Lord, and so glad I stumbled in! Beautiful! You are remarkably talented
Dec 02, 2009 @ 15:09:34
I stumbled across your Etsy shop today while looking for items to include in an article on gifts for kitchen witches. Just love your stuff!
I included your witchy wine charms in my list. If you’d like, you can check it out here: http://www.examiner.com/x-26373-Newark-Domestic-Witchery-Examiner~y2009m12d2-Yule-gifts-for-your-favorite-kitchen-witch#
.-= MrsB´s last blog ..Blog Giveaway: Holiday Ornament from Picard Creative! =-.