Greetings Everyone :)

My apologies for such a long absence, as I 

just noticed it was back in July when I

last posted.

"Life has a way of moving forward whether

or not you are ready to follow along."

So many changes, stresses and complications

have raised their heads in my life over

these past few months. 

One being the changes in Social Media

and with the Canadian Anti-Spam Laws.

I have been busy researching the changes on

Facebook, and with the New Canadian Laws 

on Spamming and Gaming.

It turns out, what I've found out so far is, 

 I may no longer offer Giveaways and/or

offer Prizes, as the complicated Rules and Laws

for Canadian Sites and International Sites 

are quoting not only Restrictions,

 but also big Fines and Legal charges. 

All of this went along with the 

New Rules and Regulations

on Facebook July 1st, 2014, 

( and from what I can surmise, it must have been involved,

 and/or influenced by the legal changes),  and in turn, 

all Artists with small businesses have been 

effected by having to have a

separate Facebook Page for their works to be posted

instead of on their personal timelines. 

For those of us, who dabble in arts and crafts as

a hobby, with a few sales, and/or small business

set ups, like cottage industries, who make small

amounts of monies, it practically pushes us

out of the markets. 

This, and the Changes in the Postal Services and

the Price Increases tripling makes it almost

unaffordable to even have the pleasure

of having the Swaps as well. The Postal Services

New Documentations complicates having the Swaps,

as they are not informed and/or set up for the idea

that art is being 'swapped' instead of sold or gifted.

This I know first hand, as I've had conversations

with Canada Post back East on having to 

'teach' them the differences.

So, with Great Sadness and a Huge Feeling of Loss,

I will no longer be having the Fabulous 

Giveaways and Swaps here on Birdnuts Mixed Media.

At least until I am able to get more Legal Information,

(and I am so exhausted by the process of seeking

the information, that I've decided to just let it be 

until next year and see if there is any more information

or changes).

In the meantime.....

I have also been battling an ongoing illness, for 

over a year now, and I am finding it difficult

to continue with many of my Favourite Mediums of Art.

So this too, has been a hard decision, as

I will be taking a long break from my great love of 

Assemble Arts, due to

I have become sensitive to many of the 

Art Supplies needed for completing the pieces.

With advice from my doctors, I am to cut out

as many factors contributing to my sensitivity,

and getting rid of my dog and birds, and husband

just isn't going to work, ( wink :)

So for a while, this is my last Assemblage Piece

that I will be posting here on the blog, and again,

hoping by the New Year I might be able to

take up some of the fun artistic mediums again.

My Final Doll from Mary Jane Chadbourne's

Wonderful Workshop this Summer.

'Daughter of the Sea'

Using the base wood cut out from Mary Jane's

Workshop 'Imaginariam' on Artful Gathering

I launched myself into trying for the first time

PaperClay sculpting, and created the 'fish' body.

It took forever to cover the body with over 500 glass

beads....and they're heavy too collectively!

The sculpted body was a mental exorcise while I

taught myself how to create the effect I had

in my brain :)

And making her hair was a blast as well, again having

to really think it through on how to create the effect

I was picturing in my mind.

And using the Fabulous Face Graphic

from Tumble Fish Studio at Mischief Circus

(formally DeviantScrap)

and all the Wonderful Bits and Bobs of

wonderful fun from Retro Cafe Art Gallery :)

I really enjoyed making this doll, using so many

different and new mediums mixed all into one piece, 

just like my previous doll

This one as well had a plethora of mediums used, 

( some I can no longer do from my sensitivities, 

like resin use, and sealants, etc.)

So both will be treasured with my collection of

other Artists Fabulous Creations.

I still have one blank wood doll from Mary Jane's 

Fabulous Workshop, but will save that one for

next years attempt after a long rest :)

A Huge Thank You 

to All of You!

Followers and Shops Owners

who have Brilliantly made my

life richer for all of your Participation

over the past few years here on

Birdnuts Mixed Media.

And even though I'll be dabbling in

some paper arts, and tag making, journaling

and any other medium I can find to

keep my creative juices flowing,

I'll also be looking for some fun, creative

ideas on how we can all continue

to participate here on my blog in the

coming New Year. 

Until then.....

Oliver Howard and I 

Wish You All

a Fabulous Holiday Season coming and

we'll see You in the New Year :)

xoxo

Enjoy!