Closing My Etsy Shop

 Hi guys! So, I had made an announcement on my Etsy page that I plan on shutting down my shop on April 1st, 2017, so I figured I should announce it here on my blog as well! 

 As much as I have enjoyed painting custom glassware for many clients and participating in festivals, I want to focus my time and energy into my tattoo and face/body painting career. This really was fun to do and it started just by making a couple of glasses for my mom to show off her desserts she learned to make in culinary school. 

These were the designs I started out with, just my signature swirly style, which was the most popular to sell! 

If you have ordered from me before, I want to express my gratitude for allowing me to paint and create something beautiful for you. 

It was really awesome that in 2015, I won for Best Booth in the Arts and Crafts Vendor Tent. It is a rewarding experience to do something you love that always brings joy to others. 

Again, thank you for being with me on this part of my journey! 

Stay tuned for more on this blog. See you next time! 

Xoxo, Cecilia 

Dermal Piercings and Tooth Gems!

Hey guys! This past week has been NUTS! I finally got a chance to actually sit down and type this blog! The expo this past weekend was a lot of fun and I can't wait until I go to the next one and hopefully actually tattoo at a convention! I'll make a separate post on the expo because I am still editing the video and the pics.

Today's focus for this blog is the two dermal piercings I finally got the nerve to get after 5 years of wanting to get it. As I mention in my video below, I used to not like piercings, but being around the tattoo industry full time now, it has definitely sparked my desire again to get this piercing.

I decided to get two piercings next to each other, because I always like the way this looked as opposed to a single one. I found an image of what mine look like up close. I went with a beautiful green/blue opal stone jewel and when I look at it up close, they look like little tiny "earths" on my face. I love it! You can find this particular dermal on ETSY (you can click it for the listing!)

Etsy Shop 

Surface piercings work like this image below. If you want to read up more on this in more detail, you can click the link below this image! 

Dermal Piercing 

Overall, it wasn't too bad. It did hurt a bit and there was some pressure, but really happy I went through with it! 

Last week before the tattoo convention, I also went ahead and got a couple tooth gems done. My mentors girlfriend, Robin does tooth gems at all the shops and even did them at the convention! I think they look so fun and since they're not permanent, I went ahead and put a sapphire and diamond one on my right canine. 

I show it more closely in the video above. 

I love it and I hope you enjoy my video and blog post talking about it! Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you in the next video/post! 

XOXO, Cecilia Marie

Taking my Tattoo State Board Exam

I meant to write this blog last week when I took my exam, but I have been so busy at the shop drawing, cleaning and helping things to run smoothly that when I get home, I am exhausted! I did manage to make a video on taking my test, and you can watch it by clicking the video below! 

I was so nervous to take my exam, but this has been something I have wanted for more than 10 years and I finally feel as if I am ready to dive right into this world and get my feet wet. Even though I have tattooed for a bit, I have done simple pieces, or small bangers I should say, and permanent cosmetics, but I really want to push myself to do bigger pieces. I want to try my hand at different styles of tattooing and continue to work on my craft. 

I cannot express how proud I am that despite all my hardships, setbacks, ex-husbands and boyfriends,(lol) that I kept striving to pursue my goals. I didn't care how long it took, but I knew one way or another, I was going to be at this point. It just goes to show that no matter where you are in your life, or what has happened to you, that you can still climb out of the ashes from the fire and rise up to be the person you are meant to be. 

So, go out there and conquer your fears and just do it! Life is too short to not pursue your dreams! 

Thanks for reading and for stopping by! 

See you in the next video and post! 

Xoxo, Cecilia Marie

Timelapse of Watercolor Ribcage

Hi there lovelies! It has been a busy week and a great week at that! I've been at the tattoo shop and have been loving it. Aside from the usual cleaning and setting up, I have started assisting in drawing the line work and making stencils. My mentor has taken on another apprentice and so I've been helping him get the hang of the apprentice duties. lol 

So a couple weeks ago, I started this piece and worked on it as often as I could, I finally finished earlier this week, and I filmed it as a timelapse to show you how I created this! 

I actually just started using watercolors for painting on watercolor paper. As weird as this may sound since I do a ton of face and body painting (and technically that is waterbased lol) but I do not paint alot as far as canvases. I want to change that. I have painted some pieces using acrylics, but have a hard time blending and creating the effects I want. As I have mentioned in previous posts and videos, I do plan on exploring oils. So, far I have two canvases prepped to start two pet portraits. 

This video took me two days to edit! My computer has been really slow, and the video is pretty basic. I had no time to film an intro or outro-so bear with me! Here is the link below if you want to check it out! I hope you enjoy it! 

Tattoo Apprenticeship Progress and EXPO

Hi there lovelies! It has been a busy and amazing week so far at the shop. I am learning so much and it makes me so happy to pursuing something I love so much. 

I watched my mentor do several black and gray pieces which was great because for some reason black and gray tattoos kind of intimidating because I am still learning to shade and blend while tattooing. After watching him do so many amazing pieces, I feel more comfortable and I cannot wait until I can tattoo and put what I am learning to use. 

I managed to make a quick update video on my youtube channel, so check it out and I share an embarrassing but very funny thing that I did at the shop. 

In two weeks, The Hampton Roads Tattoo Festival will be going down and I will be there with a couple of the artists to help with whatever they need to do to make sure everything goes smoothly. I have been to several expos in this area but not on the artist side, so I am looking forward to the experience.

If you can to know more specifics on the Festival, you can check out their website here. 

If your'e from the 757 area, or will be attending, hope to see ya there!

xoxo, Cecilia

The Single Woman's Valentines

Now that I am in my early 30's, it does not bother me in the least bit that I am spending this Valentine's Day alone, in fact, I rather prefer the solitude as opposed to the awkward pressure to have a good time with someone new.  That doesn't pertain to committed couples, although I am pretty sure I would still be awkward even in a relationship. lol 

I am happy and blessed to be single, especially after the crazy few years I have had. Don't get me wrong, I am not one of those relationship haters, I am actually a hopeless romantic at heart. I am taking time for myself and refocusing on my goals for the future. So, this year I will be my own valentine thank you very much! 

With the Valentine's Day approaching quickly, I am trying to think of ways I will be spending my day, Four years ago, I wrote a blog post on Valentines Day Gifts (you can check that out here)  and I thought I would like to do an updated post on that. 

So, for me, I plan on binge watching either youtube, netflix or hulu since there are no good dvd new releases for this month. Then, maybe ordering some pizza, hopefully Papa Johns will have their heart shaped flatbread pizza again. I remember ordering that and the kids and I demolished it. 

If you're a flower person, go buy yourself some flowers! I love having flowers or plants on my desk and smelling their sweet perfume. I have a few favorites when it comes to flowers. My top favorite is Roses, then Stargazer Lilies, and any Hawaiian arrangement. 

Roses

Lilies

Hawaiian 

So, we got pizza (check), movies (check), flowers (check) what's next? Besides the smell of flowers, I love to pick up a few new candles. I pride myself on finding unique and funky gifts online, and if I see these things in reality, I would scoop them up in a heart beat. 

Candles that "cry" wax when you light them

How cool is that???? After you burn the candles, you can use them for plant holders, or candy holders, or other candles. So cute! 

If you don't have a cuddle buddy, dog or cat or kiddos, you can cuddle up with this huge 7 foot shark, or if not cuddle with it, you can climb inside it. If you wanna take it s step further, you can get inside it and prank the hell out of a someone. lol 

7 Foot Shark 

Who says you have to buy lingerie or sexy sleepwear for a man, or partner to feel beautiful. Go buy that cute teddy or sexy bra and panty set you saw hanging on that hanger in Victoria's Secret. Go in there and buy some new underwear, a bra or two, a cute sleepwear set. Treat yourself. Love yourself. 

For me, I am a tshirt and sweatpants type of girl...I would go for something like this: 

Tattoo Leggings 

Its rare that I get the time to take a bubble bath, but I try to at least once or twice a year. I should really vow to take a hot bath at least once a month. I used to love lavender Epsom salts, but since LUSH has been around, I love to indulge in their famous bath bombs. My favorite scents are roses and lavender (surprise, surprise) 

Twilight

Rose Bombshell

And to finish the day/night off, gotta have some desert. My ultimate comfort food is Entemanns Coffee Crumb Cake. Whatever you love to treat yourself to...go for it. Get chocolate wasted, or whatever you love to eat or drink, just don't over do it! 

Celebrate the love you have for yourself! Celebrate your body, heart and soul. 

From me to you, Happy Valentines Day 

Starting an Artist YouTube Channel

Like many other artists, I hoard a ton of half finished sketchbooks and random sketches shoved into books, magazines and who knows where else. It's nice to see the progress from my first tattoo drawing to how I draw now. It really goes to show that practice makes perfect, and as an artist, you never stop learning new techniques.

Rose 2009

Rose 2013

Rose & Mirror 2017

I have converted most of my decent illustrations to an online portfolio, but lately, I have been really wanting to film my artistic process of drawing, coloring, painting and share it with other artists and maybe help someone along their journey of being an artist.

So, here is what I have gathered for my new YouTube adventure. If you are looking to start an Artist YouTube channel, you can use my list as a starting point and adjust as needed.

 Most of which, I gathered over time or already had. If you click on the link or the picture below, it will redirect you to where you can purchase each item.

GO PRO HERO 3
2 SD Cards
SD Card Adapter
3 Battery Packs w/ charger
Tripod
Computer (of course)

SD Card and Adapter

GoScope Battery Charger 

GoStick Tripod

Other supplies needed- and kind of obvious...a computer, so you can edit and upload your videos. And your art supplies or whatever it is you want to film yourself creating!


I am sure as I start filming, I will make adjustments. I know there are a few things I want to pick up. So, you might wanna add this to your list too!

Desk Microphone (for voiceovers)

Camera Wall Mount.

Desktop Vintage Inspired Microphone

Camera Wall Mount

I have to admit that I didn't like the way my videos looked filming with the GO PRO, but after doing some research on how to edit and fix the settings, I am looking forward to getting back into editing videos. I will post more on how I film my videos if I get a request on my youtube channel.

Thanks for tuning in! See you in the next post!