Disappointed with ArtByUs

I am very disappointed with ArtByUs.
I have been telling artists that have a website, to put their ABU auctions on their websites and blogs
I have a link on my web page that shows what I have for sale at ABU as I thought it helped us both.
However; I have changed my mind.
I lost a sale of a set of three roses, as a customer explained :

"Hello Joy,
I will not be purchasing your copper roses, this time around. The artbyus.com site was delaying my registration, so because of my time frame issue, I decided to purchase my gift elsewhere.
I am sorry that this occurred; I really liked your artwork. Best of luck with your future endeavors.
Regards,
Paul

I had thought until now that it was beneficial to have the ABU listing on my website.
I am continuing to have it on but have changed the wording to this:

"The Copper Roses listed below, can be shipped immediately.
You can safely purchase my work by contacting me www.Joy@Joygibat.com
By sending me an email with your selection, I can bill you quickly thru Paypal.

(You can order thru ArtByUs, but it is slower.
You must register with them, they verify you, then send me your email address.
I then contact you and bill you thru Paypal.)"
http://www.artbyus.com/auctions.php?a=6&b=104

As I have been urging artists to use ArtByUs, I felt I should make amends with this "what not to do"

Unusual Photo

This most unique way of displaying a Copper Rose that I have gotten from a buyer.
The couple celebrated their 7th Wedding Anniversary with the above gift.
Soon they will receive even better gifts of their love, Twins!

Please conside pledging.

I came across this and am posting it here:

I didn't know that Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras' wife Theano was a scholar and intellectual in her own right. Along with helping him raise five children, she put together writings on mathematics, art, beauty, philosophy, and child raising. She is credited with developing the Golden Mean, a crucial idea in aesthetic theory.
y taking this pledge, you sign up to honor and celebrate important women such as Theano by promising to create a blog post on June 24th concerning a female philosopher. As with Ada Lovelace Day, spotlighting women's contributions to technology, the woman you select may be from any nation, culture, or time period, living or dead...and you may blog in any style or format, using any software in any language.

I selected Theano as a mascot as she represents a work/life balance, an apparently decent and loving wife and mother as well as a scholar and professional. Throughout history and on average women have worked very hard in the background keeping things going by raising children, cooking, maintaining households, helping to earn a living through day-jobs...all very respectable activities. And many have made contributions to philosophy or other fields which may have been overlooked because the women are primarily known for work they have done in their other roles. So Theano's Day celebrates the philosophical contributions of women and attempts to bring their ideas out in the open to help inform modern society.

You may define 'philosopher' as you choose - someone need not have specialized in the field to be discussed in a blog for Theano's Day. For example, a female novelist, businesswoman, teacher, politician, nun, homemaker may have created a philosophical outlook worth discussing that is apparent through the values that come out through her work in other fields.

Some women to start with if you need help thinking of someone: Hypatia of Alexandria (mathematician and scholar), St. Catherine (mystic and humanitarian), Sor Juana (Mexican nun and intellectual) and Florence Nightingale and Jane Austen, each of whom developed a worldview and philosophy through their writings on various subjects.

We encourage as many people as possible from around the world to participate this June 24th and will set up a system to link the blogs so you may read each other's blogs. Please also pass on the word about Theano's Day!

As a First Prize

This Copper Rose was chosen not for a First Prize but as an award for for First Prize at a Classical Rapier Tourney with the SCA.
The tourney is called "Haire Affaire of the Heart”, 2009. So Conan J. wanted me to include a little copper heart with the information on it.
This was a fun sale.
I hope he sends me some photos of the event.

Although I have some heat in the studio where I do the welding and brazing, it is not warm enough for me, so I end up making excuses not to work out there. I got a lot done last week but little the past days as we are having what I hope is the last cold spell.

Copper Heart

Hello!

Have decided to make a little copper heart to hang among the brass leaves of my Copper Roses. I put names and dates on it. So far people have liked it. If you have a Copper Rose of mine and would like a Copper Heart, let me know and I will mail you one. Go to : Joygibat.com and email me from there or Joy@joygibat.com


The other crabapple blossoms that are outside will probably get frozen, as we often have freezing weather in Oklahoma during March. Oh well, I can wish and bringing a few inside makes me happy.
The little tree has been here for years, rarely does it bear fruit as it blooms too early.


I had a lovely birthday, now that I am 72, think I should start deciding what I want to do when I grow up.

We had a couple of nasty tornados a couple days ago. One of my daughters and I saw the storm approach as we returned from OK City. She took me to a Korean restaurant for my birthday. Had a wonderful meal,
Bibimbap (Mixed Vegetables on Rice) with lot of little side dishes. Then to a Korean grocery store for a big jar if Kim Chee and sauce to make the Bibimbap. I got lovely gifts from my other daughters and grandchildren, it ended up that I celebrated for several days. Very nice.

Valentine Rose in Ruby Colored Vase

I have been complaining that I have had trouble getting my blood pressure to a lower level. I am taking several medications which has not been very successful.
A friend told me that she had heard that drinking "hibiscus tea" helped.
So I have given it a try (Now Foods - Heavenly Hibiscus Tea) and it seems to help. For the past 4 days, I have been getting SYS readings in the 130s and 120s instead of 150s, 160s and 170s. My DIA has always been in the 60s and 70s and has not changed.
I am not recommending that it is a cure, but will say that it has helped and that it is a pleasant herbal tea.
There is also a recipe for "Hibiscus Tea with Vodka and Citrus" thru Google which I haven't tried, but sound interesting.

I thought that January would be slow, but I have been getting orders my Copper Roses.
I found a couple Ruby colored glass vases so am offering them with a single full Copper Rose for Valentine Day. This one
I just listed at "ArtByUs" http://www.artbyus.com/auctions.php?a=2&b=276950

Oklahoma's weather has changed from the delightful 78º to 25º with sleet and snow, so I will stay indoors for a couple days.

The Artful Bra Project

A dear friend sent me a link to :

ARTFUL BRA PROJECT

Members of Quilters of South Carolina have created one-of-a-kind bras for Breast Cancer Awareness. The exhibit consists of forty-nine original works of art which are unique, entertaining, humorous, and beautiful to make the public aware of breast cancer, to memorialize those lost to the disease, and to honor survivors.

PS. On Feb 23, 2010 I have discovered that the above link to the ARTFUL BRA PROJECT no longer works. If anyone know how to connect to the project, please let me know.
Thank you!
Joy Gibat

New photos

I just received a couple photos from a gentleman who ordered 7 Copper Roses for their 7th Wedding Anniversary, and thought I would share it.
Hi Joy,
We couldn't wait for the 7th so we celebrated our anniversary on Sunday the 4th.
My wife was thrilled. They even smell beautiful.
Thank you again for the beautiful job! "

Have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year

It is a bit like Spring inside my home.
My daughter, M.A., gave me some Paper Whites Bulbs when she visited at Thanksgiving.
Today, January 1, they bloomed and filled the house with their delightful fragrance.

Also a friend gave me a lovely Amaryllis for Thanksgiving, and it has bloomed again.

The last day of 2008 was lovely and warm ( 70º) for Oklahoma. I walked around the Duck Pond, the trees are not ready to bud yet, which is good as we will get more cold weather before long. It is just a delight to be able to walk outside without a coat and enjoy the blue, blue sky and warm breezes.

HAPPINESS

"Only the artist, or the free scholar, carries his happiness within him". Ludwig van Beethoven

Came across this quote and realized how true it is. Especially, it is how I feel when I complete a project or even finish an order.

These Seven Copper Roses were finished and shipped just before Christmas as I wanted them to arrive in plenty of time for a special 7th Wedding Anniversary in early January.



Although arthritis in my shoulder is slowing me down, there is something special about making things that gives me a sense of fulfillment.

I am wishing all a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

I like this set of 7 Copper Roses better than the last set that I sold.
These are going to a gentleman in West Virginia, who really plans ahead.
His 7 wedding anniversary isn't until March '09, but he wanted to get them before Christmas.
I told him that although I was in my seventies, I was pretty sure I would be around next year, but I guess he doesn't want to take any chances.

I am going to offer a similar set on ArtByUs as a "Special Order"

I am very glad that I have retired from doing art shows, especially the outdoors ones.
I took some hot vegetarian soup to a friend that has set up at our local Downtown Art Market this cold windy Saturday. He was alone, and I was sure he had no access for a break or hot food.
His sister is doing a two day art show, in OK City. At least she is indoors.
I don't envy either, what I do miss is seeing the artists and skilled craftsmen.
It was fun seeing some of them again, but too cold to stand long and visit.
Surprising there were buyers at the show.
That makes it worthwhile.

Copper Rose in full bloom with 15 Bass Leaves.

I am certain that I will continue to make Copper Roses until I can not do any welding.
And though I continue to make them, I do try to change them by making small improvements.
Thus, I am introducing my newest.
"REMEMBRANCE"
A Copper Rose in full bloom, with 15 Brass Leaves.
This scented, with rose oil, rose is the perfect gift for a Loved One.
. I have one list at ArtByUs
I will be making more, so if you wish to place an order, contact me thru my web site.Joygibat.com
Like all my roses, I comes with a vase, a card explaining how it is made, and a pretty gift card for you to sign.

"Poor Pitiful Pauline"

I can't chew gum and walk at the same time, I can't walk and talk on a cell phone. In fact I have trouble even doing one thing at a time but usually I could do several thing spread out over a day. Not now.
My creativity, as I like to think of it has been asleep or perhaps comatose. I have been able to fill orders and was able to make a few modifications on my roses by making them taller, with more sets of leaves, for a gentleman who wanted 7 in a vase for his 7 wedding anniversary, however it took me much longer than it should.

I am unable to come up with anything new or exciting or even get back to developing more of my "Reflections."
I have been concentrating on walking, which I have had some success, trying to stay on a low salt diet is very difficult and I am not doing very well with that nor has my blood pressure gone down much, even though there has been several increases in dosage. I have lost some weight but need to lose more.
In other words, I am failing as an artist and at getting well .....I am a poor pitiful pauline!
Take heed everyone, take care of your health!

7th ANNIVERSARY GIFT of THREE COPPER ROSES

Received a couple photos from Martin W. in Cumbs,England, who gave three of my Copper Roses to his wife for their 7th wedding anniversary.


Although he had a Paypal account he didn't want to use it as his wife would see it, so he had a friend pay me, and then he repaid his friend, but to complicate matters I then had to send the roses to his parents' home. However, in spite of all the complications, they arrived on time and his wife was happy with his gift.
I have another similar set of 3 Copper Roses available at my website JoyGibat.com or thru ArtByUS

My thanks to all that have inquired about my health, I am walking a mile or more each day, actually I walk at night.
I live near the campus of the University of Oklahoma, where they have lovely wide sidewalks that are well lit and a pleasure use.
I am taking a pill to reduce my blood pressure and am on a low fat diet, which isn't much fun but better than having another stroke.

Wedding Ideas and update

My first Stroke, I think.
A week ago Sunday, my daughter brought me home from the hospital. The Thursday before I had gotten up with a strange and nasty headache, decided that something was wrong. Drove to the urgent medical office. Got there fine, but once inside, I could barely speak. They called an ambulance to take me to hospital, I was having or had a stroke.
Evidently, I am one of the very lucky ones and have little or no damage to the brain.
So, I am now on low salt, etc. diet. Looks like I will need to take a pill or so.
I have my own blood pressure meter which will tell me how I am doing.

Am finishing another batch of Prosperity Feathers for a Rotary group that is traveling to Denmark. As the copper feathers are light, they make good traveling gifts and are not expensive.

I received some photos from a couple who used two of my Copper Roses in their wedding ceremony as their first gifts to each other. Rather romantic ?


Am hoping to get back to work on more of my steel "Reflections" and have something new to show.

I haven't posted lately as I have been making a lot of Copper Prosperity Feathers and Copper Roses with Brass Leaves. which are similar to ones I have done before.
A friend sent me this link and I think it will be of interest to those who like visual stimuli.
It is a collection of 78 Optical Illusions & Visual Phenomena http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/index.html

One of the examples is the "Turning Lady"

with which I am familiar. http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/sze_silhouette/
However, many are new to me and are good examples of how one perceives images.

Received this notice from:
Jimi Beach
Editor-in-Chief
TalentDatabase
with this message. "good luck... well, with your level of talent…who needs luck right?"

Creativity

Yesterday I received emails from two very talented friends who were concerned with creativity.
One a classical concert pianist and professor, who felt that though he plays superbly "but the COMPOSER is the genius." "--the creator! " and a potter who has built her own kiln, mixes her own glazes, who feels "we let what we have already done and what we have, dictate who we are and what we do in the future"

This is timely for me, as I have been doing "repeats" as they pay the bills, are safe and almost stress free.

There is nothing more wonderful than having an "eureka!" experience, but for me they are far between.
Usually, happening after, periods of stress that hurts. Then, the refining effort to complete the vision. Sometimes, the refining seems to take forever and then it might not be financially successful.
I know that even my best are not really significant, but I had the experience of feeling " I got it"
That feeling is what matters to me. It is feeling "in tune" with the universe, while being "tone deaf".

Although, this sounds like a joke, years ago, a friend told me of having a short conversation with Albert Einstein. He had the pleasure of escorting Einstein from airport to a lecture hall. They talked about ideas and creativity, my friend always wrote down all his ideas on notepads, but found to his amazement that Einstein didn't.
Einstein told him " I don't have that many good ones".

Thus, I stopped worrying if I was really an artist or what art is, I will just do what I can, enjoy the process.

Rules for Being Human

I received this from the couple who purchased my welded steel tree "Autumn in Ohio "
The Rules for Being Human
You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours for the entire period this time around.
You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a fulltime informal school called life. Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or think them irrelevant and stupid.
There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial and error, experimentation. The 'failed' experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiment that ultimately 'works.'
A lesson is repeated until learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can go on to the next lesson.
Learning lessons does not end. There is no part of life that does not contain its lessons. If you are alive there are lessons to be learned.
'There' is no better than 'here.' When your 'there' has become a 'here' you will simply obtain another 'there' that will again look better than 'here.'
Others are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself.
What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.
Your answers lie inside you. The answer to life's questions lie inside you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.
This whole thing will often be forgotten, only to be remembered again.

Visit my website at joygibat.com