Focus On... Mary Beth's Art! {and a giveaway!}

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Sloth Protects Mi Casa is the first piece from Mary Beth's shop that I came across. How could I not have explored further? The best part about Mary Beth's Art is that it comes with the frame! For $20 or less! And when you're tossing a super cute print into your cart, how about adding a faux taxidermy birdie? And maybe some awesome hand-stamped jewelry from I Adorn U? You can do it all with Mary Beth's shops!

{sloth protects mi casa}

Tell me some basic info about yourself. My name is Mary Beth Heishman of Mary Beth's Art. I am a native of Las Vegas, Nevada and I have been creating art since I could walk. 

I am inspired by my environment and the other flora and fauna of the many countries I have visited. My current works are juxtapositions between humans, flora and various fauna. These contrasting subjects are merged together to form my surreal paintings and utilitarian sculpture.

I have tried to blend the surrealism of Las Vegas with the naturalism of the desert to create a unique art form that combines the fantastic and unexpected. 

{sage faux taxidermy bird jewelry holder}

What kind of mediums do you use and why? I use acrylic, wood and resins. I love the way acrylic blend and the different mixing mediums I can use with... The wood is seen from my painting to the actual resting surfaces of my faux taxidermy birdies and bunnies. Wood just has a warmth and rigidity that canvas doesn't. 

{pink best friends framed print}

What made you decide to sell on etsy? I really wanted to open an online store and with much investigation and friend suggestions I decided etsy was the best market for my wares. Why have a lonesome shop floating among millions of other things in cyber space when I can have a shop within an arts and crafts community. People come to etsy for the handmade. 

{candy apple green faux taxidermy bunny jewelry holder}

Where do you get your inspiration? Being an art teacher I have 9 months of inspiration while in Las Vegas and 3 months of inspiration traveling to far away lands. My inspiration comes from the great outdoors, whether it's Mojave desert or the Costa Rican Rain forest. I can spend hours and days walking around deserts and forests with my sketch book.

{yellow owlie mini framed print}

What is your favorite music to craft by? I love crafting to LoveLikeFire and Stiff Little Fingers. 

{ivory faux taxidermy bird jewelry holder}

When it's cold outside... I want to cook soups/stews with my husband and cuddle eating stews and rice. 

{something blue earrings - from I Adorn U}

When I'm hungry... I eat Pho and fruits.

{adorned naturalist necklace - from I Adorn U}

When I need a boost... I touch my toes, make a tea and think of making extraordinary things. 

{lime owl framed print}

I wish I was/were... in San Francisco or Berkeley... The Bay calls me and "I left my heart in San Francisco, high on a hill." 

{Best Friends Bracelets - from I Adorn U}

If I could give one gift to everyone I know, it would be... Having a safe and loving/caring home, family and environment. If the world's inhabitants had true nurturing. 

{red faux taxidermy bird jewelry holder}

If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be... Leonardo da Vinci. 

{slothy friend framed print}

If you were an animal, what would you be? A sloth or desert tortoise. I move slowly (ask my husband)... These are the happiest animals, they look like they're all smiling. Secret is slow down. 

{personalize your wings and fly necklace - from I Adorn U}

What's your favorite piece of your own? My Inca Ribosomes painting, it was painted in acrylic on wood. It is my favorite work. The warmth of the wood combined with the cool colored birds. Also my use of the Incan stretched skulls and laced pomegranates. My favorite art teacher/best pal owns this now, I am very happy it's in great hands.

{coral flight bracelet - from I Adorn U}

What's your favorite piece not of your own? This is tough, I mostly buy from my super talented friends. I would say it is my Kristy Bishop and Su Limbert artworks. Kristy works in paint and textiles and Su works in ceramic plates and acrylic/oil canvases. Their works are as stunning as them. 

{plum faux taxidermy bird jewelry holder}

What are your favorite blogs/websites right now?

Mittens At Home and Cloud 9 Weddings & Papers. Cloud 9 makes me want to renew my vows every year.

{bird is the word necklace - from I Adorn U}

You can find Mary Beth's work at:

Mary Beth's Art on Etsy

I Adorn U on Etsy (her jewelry site)

MaryBethHeishman.com (make sure to check out her gallery! the painted shoes and skateboard decks are amazing!

I Adorn U on Facebook

Mary Beth has graciously offered to giveaway one of her SUPER cute faux taxidermy birdies. You can use these beauties to hold jewelry, a scarf or two, maybe even a hanging picture frame. Or you can just display as a tongue in cheek decoration! Winner gets to choose the color!

- To be eligible for entry, you must be a follower of my blog through google friend connect or through your preferred RSS reader. -

- Make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you win. -

- Please leave separate comments for each entry. -

First entry (mandatory):

Become a Facebook fan of Mary Beth's jewelry shop, I Adorn U!

Extra entries (optional):

- Head over to Mary Beth's Art on Etsy and tell me your favorite item!

- Head over to I Adorn U on Etsy and tell me your favorite item!

- Sign up for the Kate and Oli mailing list.

- Follow me on Twitter, tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link.

- Add my button to your blog (in sidebar).

- Become a Facebook fan of Kate and Oli.

- Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link.

Fine print: Giveaway begins when it is posted and ends at 11:59pm pacific standard time September 1, 2010. A winner will be selected by a random number generator on September 2, 2010 and will be emailed promptly. Mary Beth will ship anywhere in the world!