Mississippi wedding calligram

Here is a commissioned calligram made to celebrate a Mississippi wedding. It's going to be used as a special gift for each person in the wedding party. And the original for the bride and groom of course. I had a lot of fun making it as it is completely different from other calligrams I've made. I think the idea can take my collection in a whole new direction!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! It snowed here in Seattle again this morning. I sure wish I was wearing flip flops and sitting on a patio in Mississippi right about now.

Take that! You miserably dreary day!

Here in Seattle we've had some of the nastiest weather we've seen in a while. Sideways winds smashing rain drops into our faces, slippery streets causing numerous back-ups, and a damp cold that never lets up.

I'm not letting it get me down though, cause I just got myself a sunny day present. Check out this ring I bought from PurpleCactusStudios on Etsy. Its no wonder they're from Florida, they sure made my day shine when I opened the box!

Check out this sweet old video!

Black or with cream?

CalligramORama customers always have a choice to mat their artwork in black mats or cream mats when they place their order. Often times they forget to tell me their preference so in order to keep shipping quick I usually choose the color for them. The one I feel compliments the art the best. Recently I added this photo to my shop in order to remind people of their choices, I hope it helps!

Yikes! Look how close those condos are! Funny, I don't notice it that much when I'm sitting on my patio.

I've been ordering mat board and matting kits from BD Matboard for about a year now and have never once been disappointed. Well, except for the time I ordered two days before Thanksgiving...how was I suppose to know the shipping would take a little longer? ;-) BD Matboard not only sells basic matting kits, backboard and plastic sleeves, which I use everyday. They also sell custom mats and frames. Great customer service too!

Custom Motorcycle Calligram Word Art

Here's my latest commissioned calligram in the shape of a Harley Davidson Sportster XL 1200. The perfect gift for the bike lover. The only thing missing is the rumble!

Mermaid Calligram

The Mermaid
She sits upon a mossy rock
Contemplating a life beyond the sea
Her scales glisten in the salty air
For all a wonder to see!

Brought to life by truth or myth?
Her voice dances in the air
Splashing the waves with her magical tail
Tiny fish swim in her silky hair

I thought I once saw her
But in a glance she was gone
Only a portal left on the rippled surface
And a memory of her song.

joni james 2012

Tie one on

My husband thought it a little strange when I dragged this man's tie out into the living room the other night and asked him if he'd teach me how to tie it. I assured him that I wouldn't make him wear it, but that it was for me! Only 1.00 at my local Senior Thrift Center. After trying it with a man's shirt and vest I felt much more comfortable with it resting over a colorful tee and framed with this blazer.

How did I get such an idea? Melanie Kobayashi over at Bag and a Beret is an artist/style icon I love to follow for inspiration and just plain fun. When I saw her dressed "Diane Keaton" style in her "Mr. Talbot" post I was so inspired to try adding a menswear accessory to my wardrobe. I recommend you stop by her blog and check out her creative fashion choices, but most of all the link to her gorgeous paintings at the top of her blog.

And now, back to the drawing board!
jacket: Funky Jane's Consignment, t-shirt: ZenThreads, lapel pin: made by me, gray roots: pure neglect

Wine Calligram II

Wine bottle and wine glass word art calligram by Joni James at CalligramORama on Etsy.

What's your favorite wine? Bordeaux? Merlot? Chardonnay? I use to drink dark spicy red wines, but as time goes by I am starting to enjoy the lighter flavors of white grapes.

While creating this wine lover's calligram old memories surfaced as I remembered a popular craft project we use to enjoy as kids. When my mom finished a bottle of wine we would wash it out and then melt our crayons so the colors would run and drip down the bottle. It made a beautiful candle holder and the more color the better!

A friend of mine is making hummingbird feeders from used wine bottles. I even found photos of wine bottles used to make small lamps. In my neighborhood the most evidence I've experienced of used wine bottles is the clanging crashing sound they make when the recycle truck comes down my alley. ;-)