The Art Exchange: How Amazing Just One Email Can Be - Just Look and See!

I'm still in awe from the email I received last month from Seth Apter of The Altered Page, indicating that if I would send an artwork to one artist and send the invitation to 6 others, I would be gifted many times over. Just making my artwork for Diane Cook of Rosa and Josie's was so rewarding by itself - as I've never made an artwork specifically for someone before. It's really unimaginable that to date, my mailbox and soul have been graced by 10 amazing works of art through the exchange. Here are pictures of the beautiful gifts- with each new one as astonishing as the next. In the process, I've been so blessed to meet new artists, discover their special talents, see their golden hearts and hands, and have made very special friendships along the way!

Here's the beautiful mixed media collage of a rooster by Rhea Warholik from Rhea Sunshine Art Studio.

Here's a close up of a wonderful hidden detail.

Here's a beautiful tin box from the amazing Jo Archer of The Crow Road. It is so genuinely delicate, as if aged from a century or two's worth of rich patina. The woman's face, with the words "Sea Dreaming", reveals her hidden story of the journey she longs to take. The map of long ago marks her potential journey.

Lisa Sarsfield sent this beautiful mixed media artwork filled with a gentle nest of eggs on a layered background with intricate stitched detail work and texture within the bordered decorations. Lisa is also an exquisite photographer which you can see from her incredible lush work here.

The gifted Sarah Wallis from Circles of Rain sent this creative and fun "Bird Face" soft sculpture with two different sides of decoration, one containing the most awesome face!

She also sent this sweet multi - colored circled felt key chain.

Here is the stunning mixed media woven artwork made by Debra Tennison of n2the blue. It's a wondrous weave of patterned material, with colors rich in radiance to match the fall foliage. It's centered by a beautiful leaf- prominent in statue- providing additional texture to this gorgeous artwork!

Here's a beautiful mixed media from Rita Vindedzis, also in my Innerworks Altered Book Collaboration. Rita's website can be viewed here and her super web gallery can be seen here.

Patti Edmon of Altered Attic, a mixed media artist, writer and photographer, made this beautiful mini journal calendar- all ready for me to write special thoughts on the pages each month!

Gaby Bee from Colorful Adventures created a beautiful ATC card titled "Simply Perfect" comprised of stamps, numbers, a butterfly, flowers and the striking photo of a man and a boy.

It was packaged in stuffed envelope overflowing with super gifts of colored papers, stamps, old photographs, postcards, a tiny handmade envelope filled with a lady bug and matching stamp, feathers, wings, a butterfly and other ephemera you can see below!

The awe inspiring handmade glass works of Jacky Berting from Bertingglass arrived safe and sound. If you want your mouth to drop open, go here and if you would like to see drop dead gorgeous installations by her which are larger than life, you must look here!! I've never seen glass works like this before and I can't imagine that you have either.

Kim Palmer from Merlin's Musings sent this beautiful mixed media layered art work titled "Beauty's Muse" filled with layer upon layer of majestic materials, encircling this beautiful picture in the center. Decorated with bows, wrappings and ribbons in addition to layers of fabric, a unique antique gem has been created!

This sensational art exchange has created the most wonderful personal gallery all my own, graced by the artwork and talents of such truly generous and talented artists.

In a follow-up post, I will tell the story of the beautiful papers and gifts received from Woven Letters paper exchanges (thank you LaWendula and Lay Hoon), from Alicia Caudle's bundle of joy and from David Castle 's wonderful and fun flapjack painting!

When art moves you and time stands still,

And all the world is yours to hold

Every memory and thought creates a sparking sight within view

Creating the ultimate gift of a lifetime.....

Within the special souls of a precious few.