This year I'm going to mark it off my list!

Hello People,

Goodness I have so much I'm planning to do in 2009. I have a list bigger than the one I had for Christmas…hard to imagine, I know.
This year I want to get a jump start on my business. I want to take it to a new level and to do that I need to start putting more effort into getting my art noticed. So first step, I'm going to increase my inventory. I have had a pile of art I'm "working on" for the past couple of months and have just been putting it off for the Holidays but now they are almost over, so NO MORE EXCUSES! I gotta get on that!
Also I need to broaden my advertizing. My plan (and I'm only sharing this with you all because I know I can trust you, we're like Family…that only talk though blogging) is to get my work in more locations so it has a better chance of people finding it. I'm going to try to get my art in retail stores and more online stores like Etsy. So you can go by my stuff at da Wal-Mart. :P
Last year I worked a few art Shows but this year I'm going to do more. I have at least one scheduled every month this year, man am I going to be tired, but I believe it will be worth it. And for all my fans out there never you fear, I will keep you posted on the times and dates so you can be sure to mark your calendars :)
Art contests are another thing I am going to be trying this year. Entering my work in contests is a great way to get my stuff noticed and to meet people. Plus the chance of winning prizes is always a good thing.
And then there's all the other little things I'm going to be doing that I won't bore you with. But with a little luck and a lot of determination 2009 will be a Splendiferous year for Mystic Reflections. I can't wait to get started........ *whimper*

Happy New Year Everyone!
~Caralyn

AAAway in a Planter's Can

Oh boy it’s that wonderful time of year when family and friends come together to celebrate the day of a very special birth…no it’s not MY birthday…good guess though. :D It’s Christmas! Time to put out the lights and the garland…just like Jesus would want…and who wouldn’t, Lights and Garland are GREAT! But to make your decorations complete you must put out the Nativity scene. What do you mean you don’t have one, and you can’t buy one cause you spent the last of your money on a Beer hat for uncle Fred? Well never you fear, we can make one.
This is actually something my older sister did for the family one year, she was creative like that…and a little strange :P
Nativity Scene Peanuts Style! All you need are a few peanuts still in their shells, an assortment of colored fabric, popsicle sticks, tooth picks, poster board, glue and markers.
First we start buy making the people, take a peanut and draw a face on one side with the markers. Next cut out clothes from the fabric. Small squares should do it, peanuts don’t have much to cover up. Glue the clothes on the shells and use your imagination to make them look like the Wise men, Mary and Jesus etc. Next cut out small ovals in the poster board, glue two of them to the bottom of each peanut, this will help your peanut people stand.
Once you have your people the way you want, it’s time for the manger. Take a popsicle stick and cut it in half. Lay the halves side by side and glue the touching sides together. Repeat this with two other sticks. After the glue is dry, make a v shape with two popsicle sticks using the third as a base. Glue all that mess together and fill it with tooth picks to act as hay. Then you just lay your baby Jesus Peanut in the manger and you have a adorable little nativity scene that even Planters can enjoy :)

Myxies Roasting on an open fire....AHHHHH

Hello Friends!

No I didn't burn another scuplture asunder, I just wanted to let you all know I've got some HOT New Myxies on Etsy.
Check them out!

Tootles
~Caralyn

Clean your plate, then make stuff out of it.

Hey Pilgrims,

This year to spice up my dinner table for Thanksgiving, I have decided to make a cornucopia, a horn of plenty or harvest cone, whichever you want to call it. The cornucopia is a symbol of abundance or lots of food which is what I plan on eating this Thursday…YUM. But before I shove all that food into my mouth let's say I use my creativity first and make my home festive. To make a splendiferous cornucopia that any pilgrim would be proud of, here is what I will need.
A paper plate, masking tape, brown ribbon, an assortment of construction paper.
Roll a paper plate into a cone, securing it with masking tape. Bend the end of the cone slightly to curve it, then wrap the cone with more tape to create a smooth surface, leaving the hole at the tip untaped. As you will see it already looks like a horn. Next stick one end of the ribbon in the small hole in the tip and glue it in place. Add a line of glue down the length of the cone then wrap the ribbon around it. When you are finished it should look like an empty cornucopia or a big mess but in that case just throw it in the garbage and buy one that somebody else made.
Next cut different size leaf shapes out of the paper and glue them around the opening of the horn.
Now your horn of plenty is complete, I will be filling mine with plastic fruit but anything can go in yours, real fruit, candy, flowers, use your imagination to create the perfect center piece for your Thanksgiving dinner. Now bring on the Food!

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!

Pretty Pretty Pictures

Hey you guys!
Just wanted to let you know, that I have put some of my most recent drawings up on my myspace page (www.myspace.com/mysticreflections) in the New Art Album in my pictures.
So check em out, ENJOY!
Have a nice week!
~Caralyn :)

M-Y-X-I-E and Myxie was it's name-O

Hey-loo Everybuddy!

I just wanted to let you all know that I have new sculptures on my Etsy store. Including my newest additions, Myxie Goblins or Myxlins as I like to call them. So check them out.

Have a great day!~Caralyn

It's a Scary Thing...

So I’ve been talking a lot to my sister, who also doubles as my manager for Mystic Reflections, about a few ideas for the future of my business. We had the idea to turn my art into a business about 4 years ago but really only started working hard toward the goal this past year and a half. It was really scary at first. I was constantly afraid I would fail horribly and no one would like my work, we didn’t give up though. Now after almost 2 years of selling my work we feel confident to take our business to the next level. But there are a few obstacles in our way.
As it stands right now I currently have a day job that sucks up the majority of my day and I work on my art in the late afternoons or on weekends. Honestly I find myself searching for more time and constantly thinking of how much more I could get done if I didn’t have a day job. I could work on all my little projects I keep saying I should do but never get around to them because I have a 9-5.
So that is the question, do I quit and have more time to see if I can make a living just as well with my art, or do I stay and never really find out? I live on my own so I have to consider how my decision will affect me being able to pay my bills. Those Leasers really get touchy about that Rent, they don’t take I.O.Us either. Also with the job market the way it is right now, leaving your job with no guarantee you will find another is a scary thing.
I have read some articles on what other people have done and most of them just went for it. Perhaps that is what I need to do, just give it a go and see what happens.

Wish me luck.
~Caralyn

Craft Show in Lithia Springs This Weekend!

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to let you know, I will be doing a craft show at Lithia Springs High School on Nov. 8th and 9th. I will have all new Holiday Myxies, so be sure to stop by.

Have a great weekend.
~Caralyn

People are talking about me...but in a good way :)

Hello Everyone!

I have been featured in a few Artist Blogs. One is about polymer clay artists and the other is about fantasy doll art. Check them out...

http://chattyhomemaker.blogspot.com/

http://dzfantasy.blogspot.com/2008/10/art-dolls-and-artists-who-create-them.html

Have a wonderful day!
~Caralyn

Happy Halloween

Hello My Friends

It is just about that time again, Halloween! The only time when it is acceptable to take candy from strangers. In fact it’s expected. All you have to do is wear a towel around your neck and your undies out side of your pants…don’t tell me I’m the only one who does that…and they give you candy. Any other day of the week they would call the police for that kind of display. But not on October 31st, ain’t Halloween grand. So to honor this wonderful holiday get yourself in the spirit by dressing the way your mother never let you.
What’s that? Gas has taken all your money you say, you can’t afford a costume that makes you look like a crazy person? Well never fear, looking like a psychopath isn’t just for the rich now days. You can find a costume using stuff from around your house. There is the traditional towel around your neck that we covered but if you are looking for something a little more creative here’s an idea.
Get a regular baseball cap, spray paint it green, unless you have a green ball cap…I don’t know of anyone who does.
Take different color construction paper. Cut out ears on the green, sharp teeth on the white, a tongue out of the red, and if you have googily eyes use them but if not use the construction paper. Then paste the ears and eyes to the top of the cap and paste the teeth and tongue to the bottom of the bill. Be creative as to how you want to decorate it, with spots or glitter, etc. Combine the cap with a green shirt and presto, you’re a dragon! Okay so I know it’s a campy cheap costume but you’re the one who spent all you money on Gas. Besides with a little creativity you can make it a great, despite cheap, costume and then be on your way to getting a tummy ache from eating more candy then your stomach can handle...that’s the American way :)

Happy Halloween Everyone!