Silere

So.. Awhile back my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had to have a single mastectomy. After that, the doctors thought she'd be ok and not have to have chemo.. but they were wrong, and her cancer has progressed. So, now she has stage 3 cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.

This weekend her local friends and family are throwing a benefit dinner for her... I can't be there, as it's 300 miles away and i am standing in a friend's wedding on Saturday... but I want to do something to help. So, for the rest of the year, all the proceeds from my Etsy shop will go towards helping my sister battle her breast cancer. She keeps up a happy, brave face, but i know things are scary and painful for her. I will be trying to find the spoons and space and time to make new art to put in the shop as soon as possible...

If you'd be so kind as to share the link with any you think might be interested in my work, please do. Thank you.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/aBirdintheHeart

First of all, a huuuuuge thank you to all of the people who helped out with raising money to take Ember to the specialist. We couldn't have done it without you. So, you've helped save our corgi's life, and i will always be grateful.

So things have been better for Ember the last few days. He's on an antibiotic for the pneumonia, which is helping. And, now that we know he has megaesophagus, we can start feeding him in a different way. My husband built a Bailey chair him the day we got back from the vet, and he's been eating all of his meals in that.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sidA3-7XezU He doesn't mind eating in the chair, but he hates the 15-20 minute wait after. Also, he won't yet drink his water that way, which is the bigger concern due to higher risk of aspiration. So i put a good bit of water in his food and mash it up.

The change in him has been dramatic. He's only thrown up 3 times since he's been back, as opposed to 15+ times per day. He is no longer coughing, wheezing, or sounding like he's going to drown. He almost sounds like normal... even his bark has improved. Best of all, he no longer lays on his blanket 95% of the time. Now, he gets up to greet us, he gets up to go outside, he moves from room to room, he plays a little, he barks at the squirrels, he chews on toys. He comes up and asks for pets, and he's right there waiting in the kitchen with the others when it's mealtime. Going down the stairs is no longer a problem. Occasionally he even makes it up the stairs without prompting or encouragement. Not all the time, but that's ok. It's been a huge difference.

We haven't yet received the blood test results to see if he has the myasthenia gravis or addisons, so we don't know the full picture yet. But just treating the megaesophagus is very helpful and making us more hopeful for his future. It's a bit of a chore to feed him in the chair several times a day, and to have to keep the water bowl up off the floor, but that's ok. He's worth it. I just hope we can afford whatever other treatment he will need.

Thanks again. Here's to hoping he continues to improve and we have many more years with him.

Other things are going on too, but i'll have to make another post sometime soon for that.

Hi all. I have debated and struggled with the decision for some time, but I have finally decided to offer for sale one of my favorite recent paintings, Axis Mundi. Things are tight financially, so I am trying to add more art to my Etsy store. Prints and ACEO's are forthcoming, as well.
I would really like to be able to learn how to be somewhat successful creating art, and bringing in a little bit of income from it. As it stands, I'm looking for a second job to try to make ends meet, and trying to get some art up for sale in the meantime. I am considering offering commissions for the first time, too. I have never been able to before due to insecurity, but perhaps now I will be able to offer them... I can at least see if anyone is interested.

Here's my shop.. there are some originals, some giclee prints, and a couple ACEO's up for sale there at the moment. New things coming soon.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/aBirdintheHeart

Any good mojo, link-backs, or prayers are most appreciated.

Please, no mean-hearted or discouraging comments.. things are difficult enough at the moment. Thanks. <3




http://www.etsy.com/listing/76060458/axis-mundi-original-watercolor-painting
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76065445/axis-mundi-aceo-giclee-print-trading
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76064806/ravenstar-aceo-giclee-print-trading-card

Wow, LJ is really wonky for me right now. Don't know if this will post or not.

So, for you artist-types out there, and/or anyone who might have a clue...

Who do you use or recommend to get prints made of your art? I am considering getting some prints made.. and i'd like information for getting low-cost but still good quality options, and also for fine art giclee's.

I don't even know where to begin in hunting for that kind of printer, locally. Nearly every place i've found so far is equivalent to a Kinko's, or does offset printing, not giclees, and i don't know if that's remotely feasible for what i want done. I guess i could make a hundred phone calls and ask 'do you do giclee prints?' over and over, but my anxiety hates the telephone right now.

Anyway, any ideas are appreciated. :)

<3