Featured Artist - Kristen Stein

I came across a wonderful artist named Kristen Stein who is a member of Design Style Guide. I fell in love with her paintings, prints, digital art and other artworks, and wanted to share some of it with you. Kristen has an style all her own that's contemporary and modern and imaginative.

Spirit of Autumn Fire Woman and Tree Landscape Digital Collage Photograph

This is one of my favorites. The way she combined the face with the trees amazing.

Original Blue Tree Textured Abstract Landscape Paining

Straight from her bio, "Kristen Stein is an award-winning contemporary Artist living in the Philalelphia Metropolitan Region. Kristen's works are currently available on a varienty of online venues, or through her websites StudioArtworks.com and KristensCreations.com

Original Whimsical Enchanted Garden Paining

"Kristen's paintings are in both private and public collections throughout the United States, Canada and all over the world. Her art has appeared in numerous printed media including posters, book cover, CD covers, calendars and program covers."
Flower Bouquet and Birds Welcome Back Spring Signed Fine Art Poster Print

"She is the author of the "The Vegetarian Lion" and the author of "Kristen Stein Comtemporary Paintings" She is also the illustrator of "Stacey McDuver's House". Kristen's art has been featured in a number of solo and group exhibitions. Most recently, her artwork has been selected to appear in an upcoming film "The Roommate" and a new Fox TV show called "Past Life", both airing in 2010.


Swimming Koi Fish Expressionist Mixed Media Print

Blue Peacock Framed Ceramic Tile

I tried showing you a little bit of everything that Kristen Stein offers in her shop. There definately is much more to look at so be sure to visit her etsy shop.

You can also visit her artblog
Follow her on Twitter

Find her on Facebook

WINNER of Giveaway #5

We have a winner today – for DSG’s Giveaway #5. 

We had a great turnout in comments and Random.org picked #31 for us!

Congratulations makeart for winning $20 of artwork with free shipping from Diane Clancy!

**again – please note. I apologize to those who were disqualified from the giveaway. Several comments had be deleted before the winning number was chosen because they did not follow the entry rules. Please be sure to always read “How to Enter” and do that post. Extra entries can not count if you do not do the Entry post.

Thank you to all of you who commented – visited our blog, our Design Style Guide site, and Diane’s shops! Thank you too for all the wonderful blogs and tweets!!!

Pretty Pottery

I collect pottery and can always find beautiful pieces from Design Style Guide potters. As a quilter I may be partial to artwork that is also functional, but that's one of the things I love about pottery: I can indulge my collector's whims even while obtaining useful tableware. Here's a small sampling of the pottery offered by Design Style Guide members. Click any link to see a detailed description of the piece, or to make a purchase. Happy collecting!

Medium Batter Bowl in Colorful Tones by Miss Pottery

Sassy Funky Salt and Pepper Shakers Dancing by Creative With Clay

Salad Days by DBabcock

Retro Sushi Dish Set by Colorado Pottery

5-Piece Nesting Bowls by Hodaka Pottery

There are hundreds of additional pottery items by the Design Style Team, to fit any style or budget. Visit the Team's website for full access to our listings.

Get this Look for Less...

This photo, originally found at Traditional Home, is a gorgeous living room created by Tom Stringer. It provides a great example of what to do with a large wall not only in a living room but in any room. Here is what the designer had to say about it:

Get a grid
“Deciding what kind of art is right for the big wall behind the sofa is an easy problem to resolve when you remember that there’s power in numbers. Groups of similar images in matched frames add graphic punch and interest to the behind-sofa wall—which really is a blank canvas…an opportunity. This also solves a problem when a suitably scaled painting isn’t available. Here, a collection of antique bird prints are framed in a simple contemporary molding that echoes the style and finish of the side tables. I like to hang multiple images in a tight grid, just shy of the length of the sofa, with equal margins at the top of the sofa and bottom of the ceiling molding.”

Visit www.DesignStyleGuide.net website for some of our suggestions to create this look for less:

The Always Inspiring Butterfly

Few living things have such a transformation into a lovely being as a butterfly. Many artists draw inspiration from them and bring them into their work. Here are some of the lovelies that the Design Style Guide members have created:

The Rustic Butterfly Bowl is actually crafted by Inspired by Nature from a gourd! How is that for reusing nature in a beautiful way!

The Flanged Decorative Pillow in Black and White Floral and Butterflies by Pillow Throw Decor brings in a lovely motif in colors that are easily worked in to any decor.

Over the Rainbow a Real Butterfly Swarm by Butterfly Designs use real butterflies in their colorful artwork.

Blue Morpho Real Framed Butterfly from Bugs Under Glass use butterflies that come from the rainforests of Central and South America.

Butterfly in the Midst of Flowers from Everything Dear comes in a vivid 8"x10" photo.

Adding any of these finds to your room decor is sure to give it a beautiful transformation, second only to that of the butterfly!

Saffron - A touch of exotic color

Saffron is one of my favorite color trends for this year. It adds a touch of warm color as the days grow shorter. I also like the exotic touch it adds, reminiscent of the beautiful fabrics (and food) of India. Here are a few selections from the Design Style Guide on Etsy that will bring this warm and exotic touch of color to your living areas.


Pattyabaker's beautiful giclee print of poppies on a saffron yellow background is a stunner. You can find it in her Etsy shop for $24.95, including shipping.

This set of Sons of Saturn White Ash nesting bowls by makye77 are a work of art as well as functional bowls that you can use in any room of your home. $232 for the four bowls, plus shipping.

This set of six fused glass drawer pulls are certain to add interest to any cabinet or cupboard in your home. Created by JoanJewels, you can purchase them for just $20 from her Etsy shop.

Wow! This fused glass bowl by DianasStainedGlass is a stunner! It features a maple leaf in beautiful fall colors. $40 plus shipping.

I'm a sucker for crocheted doilies, especially in wonderful designs and colors like this one by RSSDesignsIn Fiber. $18.95, plus shipping.

Whether you need to overhaul your room decor this fall or just add a touch of interest, be sure to check out the wonderful creations of members of the Design Style Guide. You can find their work on the DSG website or by typing the word 'designstyleguide' into the search engine on Etsy.

Dairy Country

My husband and I just got back from a lovely getaway into Dairy Country – Tillamook, Oregon!

So of course, as cheese and wine, ice cream and fresh dairy butter where on my mind, I found some wonderful items on Design Style Guide that represents the Dairy country!

I found cheese servers, cow and grape artwork, wine goblets, a butter keeper, cute farm signs and even candles that smell like the ice cream flavors offered at Tillamook Cheese Factory!

Click on the large picture to see the full treasury and to be able to view each individual item.

Thank you for stopping by Design Style Guide’s blog …. moooooooo,,, *wink*