a NEW year and a NEW name...

Ametista's Dark Decor is dropping the Ametista thsi year and going straight for the Dark Decor bit with a new website, new etsy shop and a new facebook fan page and of course a new blog as well...stay tuned!

We have some very exciting news.....

We got an order from 

Thunder Valley Casino and Resort 

for 700...yes 700 of our 

Jack Skelly Snowman ornaments!

So, if we're MIA...you know why.

First Friday

We'll be down at First Friday's at The Lot showing our wares.  We have some new pieces that we're very excited about that will be making their debut tomorrow night.  So if you're in the neighborhood, you can find us right off of First Street behind the Artifice Bar.  All you have to do is look for our black and white striped tent!

We hope to see you there...

Carrie taking a picture of Kathy taking a picture

We consider ourselves lucky to be able to work as a team...Kathy (me) loves taking photos with my Nikon D60 and Carrie can spend countless hours editing and adding effects to the photos.  Carrie keeps it simple and does the vast majority of the editing on Picnik.com because it's easy and fun to use.  I  prefer a little bit more of  a challenge and work in Paint Shop Pro and GIMP.

 

To see more of my work, you can visit my blog at www.kjlovesphotography.blogspot.com.  

We're now offering...

...blank greeting cards. 

You can purchase them individually or in sets from our shop. Be sure to check back, we'll be offering our "Haunted Hauntings" as greeting cards.

Heart Tree Vases

Heart Tree Vases, a photo by ametistagirl on Flickr.

The heart tree trio is completed and is now available in our shop.

The inspiration for this series is the evolution of a heart through loss. One begins at a place of heart break feeling as it were, broken. After which there is usually feelings of anger, even if it's illogical. That anger is a fire that propels one out of the mire of depression. Once the heart is cauterized it is able to heal and become hole and full once more.

Coming soon...

Here is a sneak peek of what we've been working on.  This is one of three in a series.

The Lot Las Vegas

The Lot Las Vegas, a photo by ametistagirl on Flickr.

Shopping local just got really exciting!

Our new First Friday location will include fine artists, photographers and artisans from Southern Nevada's premiere crafter's guild, Handmade in Vegas.

When - 9/2/2011 from 6pm - 11pm

Where - 1023 S. 1st Street, (Next to Artifice Bar) Las Vegas, NV 89101

See you there!

A Nightmare Before Christmas

Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

The Movie Lovin eDition!

For this weeks theme, I actually had a different movie in mind, but I couldn't find the picture to use with it in my archives. It was "To Kill a Mockingbird", which is one of my all time favorites.  So, I went with another favorite of mine and when you see the picture...well I don't think I'll have to put the title, but I will.

Can you guess?  Well if your answer is "A Nightmare Before Christmas" you're exactly right!  I watch this show probably every year at Halloween, it just cracks me up....love me some Tim Burton.

I used Kim Klassen's Canvas Back, blending mode Multiply at about 87% and Ruby Blossom's Flying Bat frame blending mode Overlay.

If you're interested in seeing more talented photographers work or in Texture Tuesday, click on the little box below.

First Friday Las Vegas

 

 

 

 

 

Tonight's First Friday location will be at 1025 S. 1st Street (right next door to the Artifice Bar) 

We will be selling our wares...just look for the Black and White striped tent...you can't miss it! 

It's gonna be a fun night! Hope to see you there!

First Friday in Las Vegas...

This First Friday in Las Vegas (8/5/11) we will be set up across the street from the Arts Factory by Artifice Bar...woohoo! Look for the B&W striped tent. More info to come!

Emerald Dream

We would like to thank Moonchild84 for 

including our "Queen of Heart" Magical Bath Bliss bottle 

in this most gorgeous treasury.

Haunted Hauntings...

House series 2 square, a photo by ametistagirl on Flickr.

Kathy and I made awesome prints and now you can get em in our shop!

House Series 3 square matted framed

House Series 3 square matted framed, originally uploaded by ametistagirl.

Treacherous Tea Sets - Tea Box

Treacherous Tea Sets - Tea Box, originally uploaded by ametistagirl.

a little paint, our original photo, scrapbook paper, ribbon, mod podge and voila...a delightfully dark tea box.

Mardi Gras de Mort

Mardi Gras de Mort, originally uploaded by ametistagirl.

New Dark Decor coming to the shop this week!
http://ametista.etsy.com

UNLV - Festival of Communities 2011

UNLV - Festival of Communities 2011, originally uploaded by ametistagirl.

remind us to tell you about the cool craft show we did this Spring...man we're way behind here. ;D

Beelzebird Bottle

Beelzebird Bottle, originally uploaded by ametistagirl.

twisting the world...one season at a time.

Super Moon and Mow Cop by Peter J Baily

Super Moon and Mow Cop, originally uploaded by peterjbailey.

An awe inspiring shot from last night's full...had to share. Click photo or links for more info.

First Friday event...

 

THERE ARE STILL A FEW SPACES AVAILABLE FOR TEAM MEMBERS

INDOOR / OUTDOOR

ONLY $10 A MONTH FOR 3 MONTHS

Contact Carrie & Kathy at ametista_etsy@live.com for more information...hurry!

Exciting announcement!!

Our work is NOW Available at 

 

 Located at 107 E. Charleston, Suite 225, Las Vegas, NV

(Inside The Arts Factory) 

Vendor Space Available at First Fridays in Las Vegas

Mayor Oscar Goodman officially opens Studio 8 Ten

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi team! I have recently been in touch with Angela Esler-Whelan of Studio 8 Ten who has offered our team an amazing opportunity to have a presence at Las Vegas' premiere monthly art event, First Friday
 
We think this would be excellent opportunity to provide our team much needed exposure and sales. We would begin with the First Friday in April of 2011. The Studio is offering us unbelievably inexpensive vendor space on their property.

There will be an informative interest meeting with Andreana, Supervisor/gallery/event coordinator

to determine if we have enough participants to make this a successful event. So if you'd like to be set up were Las Vegan's are coming to check out art and shop then please be at the meeting.

WHEN: Saturday, 3/5/11 at 1pm

WHERE: Studio 8 Ten -  810 South Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV, 89101
(some of you may recall the location as we had a team meeting there last year.)

In addition - We are ALL invited to the Studio's First Friday show on March 4th, from 6-8PM. This will give you a good idea of where they currently are at with First Friday participation. It's going to be a fun event!

Please contact me (Carrie from Ametista) soon if you are interested at ametista_etsy@live.com

We have a NEW OWOH Winner!

Sadly we did not hear from our first winner, so we've chosen another WiNNeR...
Congratulations to NEEDLEWINGS Ohio for being our lucky OWOH Giveaway Winner!

We hope you enjoy your bottle of Ametista's Magical Bath Bliss - LoVE.

Thank you everyone who had a chance to stop by for a visit! We were not able to visit as many of you as we would have liked this year, so we're keeping the list of participants...you can expect a visit from us soon.!

Brightest Blessing,

CarrieAnn & Kathy

Rummaging through Wonders and The Wearing of Silly Hats

One of  the best parts of our job is the hunt for unusual objects to re-enchant.  We found that while doing this the wearing of silly hats increases the fun of our little adventure exponentially.

For those of you who live in Las Vegas, there are some really nice antique shops to be found in the downtown area.  Two of our favorites are Charleston Antique Mall and Not Just Antiques

.

You like us...you REALLY like us!!

150 Likes on our Facebook Fan Page...YaY!!! 

  To celebrate, we've created an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT just for our FB fans!

Use code FBFAN25 and receive 25% OFF your ENTIRE ORDER
...EVERY TIME YOU SHOP!

Thank you for liking us...we like you too!!

treacherous tea sets

treacherous tea sets, originally uploaded by ametistagirl.

Coming Spring 2011!!

Preview Thursday Review - Las Vegas Art District

Recently Kathy and I decided to start checking out the local art scene on the first Thursday of every month (Pre-View Thursday) instead of on the first Friday of every month (First Fridays), because pre-view Thursday is a lot less crowded and affords the opportunity to interact with the artists and really take time to appreciate their work.

So we've decided that once a month we will share with you our top three Las Vegas art scene discoveries.

 

Last nights top three galleries were all located within the Arts Factory.  The first gallery we visited was Geolocations - Nate Larson and Marni Shindelman.  Upon entering the gallery.  Every photograph on the wall is the same size, uniformly framed within accompany statement.  The photographs themselves were interesting, well executed and diverse.  The accompany statements were at first thought provoking and then a little confusing.  But understanding that another person's art is not meant for one to easily dissect, we continue around the gallery to view more.  We then came across a plaque that read Geolocations which explained that the Geolocation project follows random tweets and by using Geotag information embedded in these tweets, travel to the GPS coordinates and take a photograph of the site of the update.

Just blown away by this original concept.  There's much more to the project so we will not give it all away, you must come see for yourself.

Our next gallery visited took us to NEWPHAZ Art by Andre Hines. Let us just tell you that this man paints some amazing portraits.  Some of his portraits included well known celebrities such as Morgan Freeman, Michael Jackson and President Obama just to name a few.  The portraits draw you in as if you were standing there with that person.  The eyes so bright and expressive.  Had to purchase a couple of prints while we were there.  You definitely want to check this artist out.

Last a but certainly not least, Statement Gallery, formerly Damned Ink Studios.  This gallery features some of the most amazing resident artist to be gathered in one location.  Included in it's list of distinguished artist are, Danny Roberts, Laura Zollar, Mike Biggs, Dasha Biggs, Teresa Maharaj and more...

The art featured at the gallery is the perfect balance of masculine and feminine expression.  The artists in residents compliment each other in such a breath taking way the art is edgy, powerful and entrancing and yet very decidedly opposite sides of the same coin. 

There's so much to see you might want to hit this one early in the evening.

One World One Heart 2011

 

What is it? Its a wonderful journey around the world to the hearts and imaginations of bloggers everywhere and is the brain child of  Lisa Swifka, the creator an amazing blog called "A Whimsical Bohemian”. Through participating in One World One Heart last year, I met some amazing people, read some great blogs and made a few friends that I keep in touch with. Lisa’s main reason for starting this was a way for fellow bloggers and blog followers to learn about one another. Way fun!

A bit about me  - I've been involved in some form of art or another since I was three. Drawing, painting, singing, sculpting, designing you name it. It's my passion...one of many. I answer to many names, including but not limited to, CarrieAnn, Carrie, Terrie, Sherrie and most things that rhyme with Carrie, Goddess of Tardy, Empress of Shiny, Mom, Princess of Purple and Hooker. (That last one reserved for use by close friends.) I wear many hats and juggle many balls. That's right, I said, "balls". 

Originally from Niagara Falls, NY and currently living in Las Vegas, NV with my super cool husband and our small but wild pack of beasties that we refer to as our children...because they are.  I’m part owner of Ametista Dark Décor.  Point of interest, "Ametista" is Italian for Amethyst, my birthstone and favorite color.  My business partner, Kathy and I have been working together for many years.We began making fine jewelry, but our passion turned to designing and crafting whimsically dark and slightly twisted home decor and more...because that's what makes us smile.

Blah blah blah, schmaltzy stuff about me over. Here's what’s up for grabs in this year’s One World One Heart Blog event giveaway, without further ado we present to you…

Ametista’s Magical Bath Bliss

LoVE

 The moment you immerse yourself in our luxurious bath salts, you will begin to enjoy the benefits of the aromatic pure essential oils and the soothing affects provided by our spa quality Dead Sea salt.

Our new line of LoVE bath salts has been especially created, during the waxing Moon in Venus, to ignite your passions with a special blend of superior essentials oils, consisting of Lavender and Rosemary for love, Yarrow for love and courage and Cardamom to stoke the lusty side of love.

Each heart shaped apothecary bottle is adorned with our original artwork to create a unique and timeless keepsake. Perfectly reusable for bath salts, bath oils, love potions or as a petite vase.

The Rules -

1.  Although you do not have to be a  participating blog host in the OWOH event, you MUST have a blog to be eligible for the giveaway.  

2. Our giveaway is our way of saying “thank you” for stopping by.  All you need to do is leave a comment and an email or the best way to contact you in the event you’re our winner!

3. Contest ends at 5 pm on February 17, 2011.

4. We will notify the winner via e-mail. 

5. Since we must mail our gift out within three days after the event, once you have been notified, you will have 48 hours to respond with your mailing address.  Otherwise, we will have to choose another winner.

We ship worldwide…so come on all you bloggers across the pond, join in!

Happy Blogging and Visiting!

WooHoo it's back! The One World One Heart Event

Carrie (that's me!) and Kathy (the crazy woman I craft with) are very excited to be participating again in this final year of the "One World One Heart" bloggers event giveaway... Yeah!!

Click on the picture above for more information on this most fabulous event.
 

...got glam?

Show off your WiCKeD HeaRT this Valentine's Day...and all year long for that matter. We can't ALWAYS be angles, so why try?  Devilishly adorable, this handcrafted pendant is sure to be flirtatious conversation piece.

 

 

Also we have this one of a kind QUeeN of HeaRTs SCePTeR

The perfect Valentine's Day gift for the Queen in your life. Inspired by our love of Tim Burton's Alice, this piece is regal, whimsical and FUN FUN FUN! No one will look more majestic than your queen as she waves her scepter and yells, "OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!" Don't let it be YOUR head that goes rolling this Valentine's Day. 

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

VDaY SALE - use code VDAY2011 to receive 25% off your entire order! NOW thru 2/7/11

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

V-DaY doesn't have to be D-Day...

Some of us love this day...some of us don't, but who doesn't love to be pampered?

Introducing...

Ametista's Magical Bath Bliss

We took our passion for creating artistic apothecary bottles and fused it with our love of things that make us feel like a goddess...

...we saw visions of all natural bath salts infused with organic essential oils and encased in our embellished art bottles. Only the highest quality ingredients have been selected for Ametista’s Magical Bath Bliss. 

 

The moment you immerse yourself in our luxurious bath salts, you will begin to enjoy the benefits of the aromatic pure essential oils and the soothing affects provided by our spa quality, certified Dead Sea salt.

LoVE bath salts has been especially created, 

during the waxing Moon in Venus, 

to ignite your passions with a special blend of 

superior essentials oils, consisting of  

Lavender and Rosemary for love, 

Yarrow for love and courage and 

Cardamom to stoke the lusty side of love.

Now we can't forget about our lustful side....

 

 

LuST bath salts has been especially created,

during the waxing Moon in Venus, 

to ignite your passions with a special blend of 

superior essentials oils, consisting of  

Sandalwood for cleansing and promoting energy, 

Patchouli to enhance sexuality and passion and  

Cardamom to stoke lust and love.

The perfect romantic gift for that special someone, 

or a well earned indulgence for yourself.

VDaY SALE 25% Off NOW  - 2/7/11 see shop for promo code.

Guarded Heart

Guarded Heart, originally uploaded by ametistagirl.

New items to ignite your passion!
Coming to Ametista this week.

Celebrating LoVE and LuST...

 

Bless our wicked little hearts, 

we're so excited about 

another excuse to be festive! 

We're crafting these lovely little heart shaped 

apothecary bottles for our all natural spa quality bath salts.

Coming to Ametista this week...just in time to make 

the perfect VDaY gift or indulgence.