"Mad as a March Hare"

I belong to a team named "ACEO ~ Art Card Editions and Originals on eBay" (this is their Facebook Page) and each month they hold a theme week contest that runs from the first of the month to the seventh.  The theme for the first week in March is "Mad as a March Hare".  Now of course that title sounded like a lot of fun to me so I just had to create two ACEOs to enter!

Tomorrow (3-1-13), all participants will be posting their entries, I am sure they are going to be quite creative and a lot of fun!  To view the entries, wait until 3/1/13 and go to eBay by using this link:  http://search.ebay.com/ACEO-TW  or just go to eBay and put ACEO TW MAR in the search area.

You know, if you create ACEOs and sell them on eBay ... you might just want to join this group!  The members are wonderfully creative, supportive and welcoming.  I joined through the Facebook page.

So, with no further ado ... here is a preview sneak peek of my two entries in the March Theme Week Contest:

"Mad as a March Hare #1"

"Mad as a March Hare #2"

Now I'll have to actively get down to the pursuit of "clean house" ... ugh.

Have a great day!

Karen Anne

"The Mermaid and The Sea Horse"

Finally, I finished my Beta inspired mermaid!  Added a little fantasy sea horse, some sea weed, mussels, a star fish, a sand dollar, a bit of coral and some odd colored water.  The original size is 8.5" x 10.5" and was completed using colored pencils (primarily Prismacolor Verithins) and fine tip art pens.   I didn't want a lot of paper texture showing through so I used a smooth art paper that is made for use with artist ink pens.  For the air bubbles (by the sea horse and the mermaid) and the pearls (in her hair) and accents on the fins and tail, I used a white gel pen.

I haven't yet posted this in either my Etsy Shop or my eBay Store, thought it would be nice to first get some feedback on what people think of my first mermaid.  I fell in love with the gorgeous fins and tails on the Beta fish and really wanted to incorporate some of that beauty into this piece.  I hope you like it!

I think I'd like to do at least one more mermaid, but I think it will be awhile before I get to do more art work.  Time has a way of catching up with one and it is time to get the paper work done for taxes AND to deep clean the house!  

I mean MAJOR Goodwill and Salvation Army will be VERY happy type of cleaning!  The type of DEEP cleaning that will empty a LOT of extra "stuff" and open up some rooms for use cleaning!  We moved into this house 10/1/1970 and it was very, very empty.  43 years later, the 3 kids have moved on, 1 grandkid moved in, another grand has a lot of her stuff here while she is overseas (in the Navy).  Heck, we still have Jim's old Boy Scout uniform upstairs!  Boxes get moved, get piled, get saved and the "mass" accumulates!  But the darned thing is ... I know as soon as I give or toss something away ... I'll find I need it!  This is gonna be WAY hard!  The good thing will be ... what is left will be "findable"! 

So if you don't hear from me for quite awhile, its not that I am ignoring you ... its just something that we gotta do before we are too old to move anything and everything collapses in on top of us!  The hardest part will be the two of us agreeing on things that should go.  

And our kids will surely breath a sign of relief!  They are terrified that we may die and leave everything for them to go through!  Like I told my hubby, if we really miss something we can always go to Goodwill or Salvation Army and visit it!  I'm sure this project will take a good month, if we don't wane in our attempts.  Wish us luck!

Happy day all!

Karen Anne 

"Bitty Betta #12" !

The series is complete!  Here is the final little charmer .....

"Bitty Betta 12"

Hmmm, he seems to look a bit sad that the series is ending.....

You can find the original ACEO for sale on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281065909961

Open Edition ACEO Art Prints on Etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/IrelandBrady?ref=si_shop

Wishing you all a great weekend!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Bitty Betta 11

Presenting number 11 in my Bitty Betta series ... this little betta seems to have a lot to say!  I wanted to try a beta with an open mouth .. I think he turned out cute ... looks like he is so happy he is singing!

"Bitty Betta 11"

Original ACEO is on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281065501138

Open Edition ACEO Art Prints are at Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123705212/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Have a grand day everyone!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"Bitty Betta #10" has arrived!

Thank you for the encouragement and support on my "Bitty Betta" Series ... I have decided to go for 12 of my new little friends ... here is

"Bitty Betta #10"

Once again, the original of this ACEO is available to you in my eBay Store at this link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281065178818

Open Edition ACEO art prints can be purchased at my Etsy Shop with this link:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123634050/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Wishing all of you a happy day,

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

And here is "Bitty Betta #9"!

Well, here is "Bitty Betta #9"!  But, you know, I am really getting the hang of these charming little fish ... don't know if I can stop at 9 .... don't be surprised if I extend the series to 12 ... What do you think?

"Bitty Betta #9"

This little guy seems to be a bit on the patriotic side!

You can find the original ACEO to bid on in my Etsy Store:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281064521777

And you can find Open Edition ACEO Art Prints under the "One Dollar ACEO Prints" section of my Etsy Shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123472551/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Hope you are all having a wonderful day!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"Bitty Betta #8"

Just finished my eighth bitty betta .... and I do believe number nine will finish me off ... at least for awhile!

"Bitty Betta #8"

Again, the original ACEO is for sale in my eBay store:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281064145746?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

And Open Edition ACEO art prints are listed in my Etsy shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123376941/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Happy day everyone!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Here is "Bitty Betta #7"!

I decided I am going to go for nine "Bitty Bettas"!  So here is number 7 ....

"Bitty Betta #7"

The original of this charming little Betta is now listed in my eBay store:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281063709323

Open Edition ACEO art prints are available in my Etsy shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123272881/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Happy day everyone!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Would You Believe? Another Bitty Betta!

I am really getting into these little Bitty Bettas!  I becoming very comfortable with the fins, tails and scales, YES!  Maybe a few more and I'll actually feel ready to attempt a Betta Mermaid ....

"Bitty Betta #6"

The original ACEO is for sale in my eBay Store:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281062607681

Open Edition ACEO Art Prints are available to you in my Etsy Shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123098958/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Happy day all!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Ta-da! Bitty Betta #5!

OK, I thought I was over my Betta Binge ... but guess not!  Really, these little ACEOs are great practice for getting comfortable with the various betta fins, tails and scales ... once I am really comfortable with those things, I'll begin work on the mermaid ... correction, Betta Mermaid!  Of course, she will be larger than an ACEO ... an idea is formulating in my brain and once it is ready to be put on paper I will begin.  In the meantime .... more Bettas!

"Bitty Betta #5"

The orginal ACEO is available in my eBay Store:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281062475079? ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Open Edition ACEO Art Prints are for sale in my Etsy Shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123055690/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Happy day everyone!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

One more Bitty Betta!

OK, I just had to try one more Betta!  LOL!  This is a version of the crown fin betta, a siamese fighting fish.  I think this is my final Betta for awhile ... but you never know what tomorrow will bring!

"Bitty Betta #4"

The original ACEO is listed at my eBay Store:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281061847722

Open Edition ACEO Art Prints are available in my Etsy Shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122895402/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

One thing for sure, I am improving on the scales and fins and tail!

Happy day!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Well Hello ... It's Bitty Betta #3!

Obviously I am on a Betta Binge!  Just finished another little cutie today .... went for purple this time around!

"Bitty Betta #3"

This little ACEO original is available in my eBay Store:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281061511539

And Open Edition ACEO art prints are available in my Etsy Shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122802610/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

I think I am having too much fun with littler charmers!

Happy Day!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"Fan Tail Bitty Betta"

I am having fun mixing watercolor pencils, colored pencils and artist ink pens.  This little art piece has been created on Stonehenge art paper; Stonehenge paper is marvelous because it doesn't warp when water is applied to it ... well, it does warp a bit when wet but as soon as it dries the paper is once again flat.  ACEOs are a marvelous and fun way to practice new techniques.  So I will probably be creating quite a few this month!  Today's ACEO is titled:

"Bitty Betta #2" a fan tail siamese fighting fish...

The original ACEO is for sale in my eBay shop at this link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281061079410

Open Edition ACEO art prints are available in my Etsy Shop at this link:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122684218/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Happy day everybody!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"Bitty Betta" a Siamese Fighting Fish

Hi Everybody!

I am experimenting with combining watercolor pencils, colored pencils and art pens.  My goal is to achieve brighter and more vivid colors.  This is one of my first little ACEO attempts and I call him

"Bitty Betta"

The original ACEO is for sale in my newly re-opened eBay Store at this link:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/281060667217?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

And Open Edition ACEO art prints are available in my Etsy Shop at this link:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122588100/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

My originals don't do that well on Etsy and some friends encouraged me to try selling them on eBay, so far the experience there has been favorable!

Happy day all!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

PS  Looking forward to working on another new ACEO tomorrow.  I like this combination of watercolor pencils, colored pencils and ink!