curator

since tom and i re-arranged the living room into our new record lounge, we have a dresser that needs a little attention. one day when i came home, tom, deemed the top of the dresser our museum where we could exhibit our: brick-a-brack, chochkies, and odds and ends...things like that.

this weekend tom told me it was my job to curate the next shw so i put this together. we went shopping at tj's and picked up the beautiful peonies and we also stopped at the thrift store where we found a few frames. after i arranged a few things, i felt it needed something else..like a bit of pop...and then a light bulb went off, i realized that mr. beaumont would look perfect in the new red oval frame we just bought! very happy i bought the frame.

i also finally picked up my work from the gallery i was in last month and thought my violets should make a showing. i just grabbed a few other things and wayla! very happy with the results.

i love that tom made this suggestion. it was really fun and keeps things fresh :)

xo,
cb

opening night

 well, the day has come and gone and you know what, i wasn't nervous at all. it ended up being a really great experience, one that i will always remember. i apologize in advance for not taking a ton of pictures, i kinda of regret it but it felt so weird to take pictures of my stuff. i know my cousin took pictures so i can't wait to see those.

 the gallery is pretty casual and small and when we showed up there were tons of people, it was a bit intimidating but after a few seconds that feeling went away. it was really awesome to see such a great turn out and all the support for all these etsy artists.

i felt so loved that night. most of my family came out and it felt so good to feel like i had accomplished something really amazing, cause it truly was. as an artist, it is super hard to put yourself out there and have people respond to your work in a positive way. when you make art, it is like a piece of who you are is being shared with the rest of the world.

what felt even better was knowing that 4 of my pieces have sold! 3 of my retro chicks and my poppies! i was a bit sad though because they take them down when they sell and i really really wanted to have a picture of that amazing little red dot next to my piece that states SOLD.  i saw it wednesday when i dropped off three of my pieces but didn't have my camera. it will always, though, be ingrained in my memory, there is nothing like selling your first piece of work.

this is something i never expected. i have always wanted to be in a gallery or have my own show but i never actually thought i would actually end up doing it. it felt more like something i would say but never do.  now that i have done it, it will be easier to do more! i have plans of doing more and know of 2 cafe's that host artwork that i will be contacting once i make more pieces.

i want to cuddle forever and ever and ever and ever......

so i leave you with this. my super cute nephew who looks like he has rosacea on his cheek but really it is his aunt smothering him with besitos! thank you everyone for all your amazing support. i have such wonderful blog friends and i owe all your wonderful comments & support in helping building my confidence to pursue this magical journey of being an artist. there is no better life then expressing my life through my art and i thank you.

xo,
cb

mini shop shot out!

 hi everyone! just wanted to drop in and give a little shop shot out! this last weekend i was a busy beaver and got some chicky paintings done for my show and also made some for the shop!

i love the new color combinations. they are so fun and spring-y! after i was done, i took a bunch of pictures and really love the set up. this will be perfect for future photo shoots. it is always nice to have a place like this and i am glad i found something that works for me!

also i never mentioned this but i added some vintage rings to the shop! they are vintage czech buttons that i made into rings. when i bought them i made sure to set aside a few for myself. i just couldn't resist, they are right up my alley and it would have been a shame to not keep a few :)

xo,
cb

its giveaway time, baby

hello there and happy friday to you all! today is a giveaway so lets jump right into it! i wanted to have this giveaway to thanks to all you wonderful readers, i really appreciate all the friendships i have made here and i hope they continue to grow!

up for grabs are:

 a super cute little pouch designed and made by chandelier jenny. visit her shop and see the rest of her amazing pouches and purses!

next up is a 5x5 print by the talented photography kristi mcmurry. check out her shop to the rest of her amazing prints and jewelry!

next are two super cute 5x7 prints by the talented amanda woodford that runs pencils & daisies. check out more of her amazing talent here!

next is a $20 shoppe credit from citlalli who is the creative mind behind sew beastly. she just opened up a new shop over at shopenvy, check it out!

next is a custom made for you headband from chrissy who runs whimsicalpoppysmic. choose any color you want but before that check out her other creations here!

and lastly...

a vintage czech glass button ring and a hand painted leather bracelet from my shop! check out my newly listed rings!

 >>> RULES <<<

1. must be a follower of city birds nest

2. visit one of the amazing stores and leave a comment telling me which item is your favorite. be sure to leave a way for me to contact you.

>>> Additional Entries <<<

1. tweet about the giveaway

2. blog about the giveaway

>>> be sure to leave a comment for each thing you do <<<<

giveaway ends february 29th

xo,

cb

2011 is ending, yo

we only have a handful of days before 2012 is upon. word to the wise, as you get older the years really fly by....i don't like, no sir, i don't.  this year has been pretty good to me, i got a lot accomplished, had a lot of fun, became a stronger person, got a new job and have made some really fantastic friends (you know who you are, ladies)

i wanted to take a look at my year and check off my 28 things to do before 2012 list.

now i said i didn't want to hold myself to this list and i didn't but here are the things i got to check off my list!

**created new crafts: my gold rush collection & my illustrations!

**made a bike jersey for tom

**made a bike hat...actually several of them!

 **citybirds is now in 2 more shops! yippppeeeeeeeeeee!

**went roller skating and also bought a pair of matching skates!

**planted some poppies but won't know till spring if they survived the cold winter! sorry no picture and really no proof but i swear i did, i really did!

**went on 2 camping trips to the redwoods, oh how i miss you!!! you can read about them here & here

 bought a new digital camera, we love you!

i think i did pretty well, there are a couple more i am still going to check off, like go to the renegade craft fair & make a bike tool kit, which hopefully i can show you next week.

i am making a new list for 2012 is here but i want to make it a bit more project orientated and throw in a few more fun adventures for me and tom to go on.

if you made a list how did you do?

xo,
cb

a little mini shop shout out!

hey guys! i wanted to pop in and let you know that i updated the little ol' shop! i have made professional digital prints of my animal portraits!

they are printed on acid free heavy cardstock on 8.5"x11 paper. the printed image is approx 5 3/4" x 8"  and i have tons in stock ready to ship! get your favorite character today and once i have a bit more time i will get to more of my illustrations and get prints of those too!

oh and they make super cute gifts! check out the rest here.

xo,
cb

gearing up

well it is that time of year when i am gearing up for the christmas craft fairs. this year i am gonna shoot for 3!! i am feeling really good about it.  the only thing is that i have to put aside personal projects in order to get things finished up on time but once everything is done i will start up on the things i have put on hold like, my cape, bike bags and who can forget christmas presents too! eep!

i have drawings sketched out and have a bunch of new gold rush items almost complete too just need to finish up final drawings and put the finishing touches on some more things. i thought i would show you the first drawing i finished....he is a hedgehog requested by the cute and wonderful, kelly kronic!

his name is mr. humprey. i am still working out his back story but i think he most likely went to boarding school where he learned how to fence but was never any good at it. he mostly liked to cuddle up with a good book and be sucked into the wonderful adventures to faraway lands where he could pretend to be brave....something like that :)

 in other amazing news i found a suitcase!! i am super stoked. my landlord, who has the most amazing vintage taste, was throwing away a bunch of things and wednesday morning i found it in front of the garbage just waiting for me! it needs some love but i think it will work for my display. if all goes well i will be showing you next week! wish me luck!

xo,
cb

mini shop shout out!

well it is about that time, dia de los muertos time that is and perfecting timing too! i just updated the shop with a couple of dia de los muertos hand painted hair clips, pins and a pair of earrings. they were really fun to paint and of course kept a hair clip to sport for myself too! one of the perks of being a shop owner and creative mad women, no?

check out the rest here!

don't forget 15% off in the shop till oct. 31st and use code SOINLOVE. enjoy!!

xo,
cb

gold rush: a new collection...eek!

hiya everyone! what a busy weekend. for starters we got a new digital camera, yay! thanks to kristi for the wonderful recommendation! we got a canon powershot S95 and she is perfect! isn't she so pretty!

after obtaining her we drove over to the japanese garden. here are some shots of the beautiful garden that we took with our new camera. we visited the garden a while back and used our twin lens camera which you can view here. such a beautiful and peaceful place.

so without further ado, let me introduce to you my new collection, gold rush! the leather is reclaimed that i hand painted with acrylic gold paint and are accented either with a wood gold painted bead and a fossil shark tooth or heishi turquoise beads. i am absolutely in love with this collection but that is a totally biased opinion :)

gold rush triangle necklace
approx. 17" long with hand painted leather triangle, hand painted wooden bead and lemon shark fossile tooth. each one is a bit unique.

gold rush diamond necklace
approx. 10.5" long with assorted designs and heishi turquoise beads

gold rush triple triangle necklace
approx. 16.5" long with hand painted triangles finished with a small lemon shark fossil tooth

gold rush earrings
approx. 1" long with arrow design and heishi turquoise beads

gold rush bracelets
approx. 7.25" long with assorted hand painted gold designs.

i have so enjoyed making this collection and i think it really shows another side of who i am as an artist. check out the rest in my shop!

xo,
cb