July Update and Current Projects

Hoping your summer has gotten off to a good start.  Ours has been busy but fun.  We have been busy with caricature wine glasses, illustrations and mixed media projects just to name a few.  We have added 4 new illustrated greeting cards to our Etsy Shop (click here) so be sure to stop by.

We've added them as individual sets and now offer them in assorted sets  :D  And we are busy working on new illustrations for the fall and holiday season.

We have also been busy pinning on Pinterest, the newest way to share our passion for art and creativity for special occasions and everyday living.  You can follow us on http://www.pinterest.com/crystalpeacestd

Looking for a great deal on our creations?  Then join us on Facebook (click here) where we share coupon codes, sample sales and promotions.  We have a giveaway going on right now for a Free Caricature Wine glass.  Stop by to see the details.

Share and share alike, help us get the word out about our studio and inspirational art.  :)  

Wishing you a beautiful day :)

Photography Inspired by Etsy

Recently we have been working on making our photography more etsy friendly.  We've come across some great tutorials on making an easy white background using a cardboard box and white foam posterboard, we decided to use a little simpler approach.

Using only 2 same size foam poster boards, we scored one board about 1/3 of the way from one edge and only on one side being very careful not to score all the way through to the other side.

Then we folded along the score and placed the folded poster on top of the first flat poster on a solid table. 

We then proceeded to place our items strategically on the poster and voila, white background.  It did help to have the poster facing the large window.  Noon light seems to work best for these shots as late afternoon light has a more "gold" affect on our photos.  Add to that any number of photoshop type programs and effects and voila, you've got a great photo! 

The best thing about this approach is that I can clip both posters together and slide them inside a safe location until the next time I need them.  They take virtually no additional space.

Want to see more like this?  Just visit my shop at Crystal Peace Studio on Etsy :) 

And feel free to send me a convo, I'd love to create something special for you!

Getting Ready for Father's Day - Men's Necktie Eyeglass Case

As an artist and crafter I love finding ideas on how to create crafty new items out of old things and then share the idea.  :)  Here's one I found for Father's Day that takes an old necktie and gives it new life!

It's from guest blogger, Laura on "A Law Student's Journey" blog.  :)  Enjoy!

A Law Student's Journey: {Guest Blogger} Men's Necktie Eyeglass Case: Hi! My name is Laura and I'm excited to be guest posting today from Olive and Love ! I love diy projects, thrifting, upcycling and being c...

10 Years Anniversary :)

It's been 10 years since we started creating something special for so many clients, and we are very grateful to each and every one of you!

Enjoy this slide show that shows a wide array of gifts we've created with Joy!

Thank you for 10 great years and here's to many more!  "Share" us with your friends and make sure they let me know you sent them :)

Peace,

~Crystal Peace

Winner Announced for our First Ever Giveaway!

Hello,   :)


It's time to announce the winner of our first ever giveaway. We asked you to share your favorite inspirational poem and let us know who you would share your prize with. Based on the number of entries, we used Random.org to help us pull our winner.


A Miracle of Lace


And our winner is... Jessica K.! :)

Jessica shared a lovely poem, about friendship, love and growing together:

"A portion of your soul has been entwined with mine. A gentle kind of togetherness, while separate we stand. As two trees deeply rooted in separate plots of ground, while their topmost branches come together, forming a miracle of lace against the heavens." ~Janet Miles

Here is a sneak peek of the design that we've begun to work on for Jessica and her friend.

We would also like to let the other entrants know how much we appreciate their participation and they will be receiving a very special consolation prize :)

Thanks again for participating and stay tuned for our next giveaway, it's going to be beautiful and you won't want to miss it.

Share our blog and Facebook page with your friends, we appreciate you spreading the word :)

Have a beautiful day!

~Crystal Peace Studio

Our First Ever Giveaway :)

I'm ready for 2011, how about you?

"For it is in giving that we receive" St. Francis of Assisi.  One of my favorite quotes and the inspiration for our first ever Giveaway!  :) 

Custom Hand Painted Ring Dish

We are offering 2 custom painted ring dishes inspired by YOU!  One to give and one to keep.  You can see more on our etsy shop by clicking here.

How to enter:  Leave a comment below with your favorite inspirational quote and tell us who you will be sharing the second dish with.   For a second chance at winning, visit our Facebook fan page and "Like" us, then return here and let us know you're a fan.

The winner will be randomly selected in about a week and notified by email.  You will receive 2 custom ring dishes inspired by your quote.  U.S. residents only.  And be sure to check your inbox for an email from us.


Look forward to the inspiration :)

Have a beautiful day!

~Crystal Peace Studio

Illustration Friday - Cocoon

Greetings and Happy Friday! :)


This week's Illustration Friday theme is "Cocoon."

Our little "Rock-A-Bye Baby" is safely Cocooned in a snuggly blankie and basket.  I don't think that wind will be blowing it out of the tree to soon. 

Enjoy! :)

We Love to See You Smile!

I recently had the pleasure of working with a client from Calgary, Canada.  She was looking for a special gift for her best friend and we had just the thing.  After reviewing the photos she sent to us, we created custom caricatures for each person and sent them to her for her approval.  Our client was so excited about them, that we got excited!  There's nothing like bringing a smile to someone's day  :)  

Next, we hand painted the caricatures on beautiful wine glasses.  This process took several days to complete as each layer needs to dry completely before the next layer is added.  We added color and contrast to each layer until the caricature was complete.  Then we allowed a final 24 hours for the final dry time before we fired the glasses to adhere the motif to the glass.

Then, carefully hand wash, photograph and package and ship these lovely beauties to our client.  We also sent a photo to her to and included a little something extra with her order as we do with all our orders.  :)

The best part of working with a client is getting their email when they've received their order and this was no different:

        "THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!! They are AMAZING!!!!!! And thank you soooooo much for the matted sketches!!!!!  I will tell all of my Canadian friends about you!  What a great experience it has been working with you!"

Creating special gifts to commemorate happy times is a highlight of what I do, but hearing and seeing the enthusiasm from what is created is the frosting on the cake!  :)

So, check out our 2 etsy shop when you have a chance, and we look forward to creating something special for you!

Happy Day,

~Crystal Peace Studio

Custom Gifts - Weddings, Bridal Party Gifts, Birthday's and More