Sunday, September 23, 2012



My name is Mary Witter.  You might have seen me at The Mercantile from time to time.
I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother and now trying to learn to call myself an artist and teacher. I have been married since 1964 to my high school sweet heart, David. We have three children and 7 grandchildren. We both grew up in western Pennsylvania and have lived in North Carolina, California, New Jersey, Texas and currently (and hopefully finally) South Carolina

Rubber stamping has been a part of my life since 2001 when I first learned about Art Impressions stamps and “watercolor the Art Impressions way”.  Since then I have signed up for every class I could find that had anything to do with stamps and water color. I love working in various types of media and love altered books. Using the Art Impression stamps to create a watercolor scene makes me feel like an artist and gives such satisfying results and is so EASY!

Sharing what I have learned along the way is something I love to do. Creating something that gives satisfying results….something when it is finished you can’t wait to share with someone else.  They become little treasures and hopefully keepsakes.  Call the Mercantile (864-646-9431) and let me share with you how simple it is…..and have fun at the same time! Note:  Art Impressions watercolor class is being offered on Friday, September 28th at 10:30am.  Call the Mercantile to save your spot! We will do 3 images minimum.


Hanging Sign Post
Step 1.
Marvy Markers are used in the following 
water color project.
Ink stamp (G-4033 Charming Sign Post) with
#45 Sepia. Using a damp brush pull color out
of the lines to soften image.
Step 2.
Using Direct to Rubber technique color back of
stamp (E-3381 Small Hanging Basket) using #8,
#15, #20 and #100. Mist in the air and stamp.
Use clear stamps or if using wood mounted stamp 
use a positioner to hang basket from sign post. 
Soften with damp brush. Ink stamp (BB-2061 
small ivy) with #15 direct to rubber and mist before 
stamping multiple times around post.  Ink single 
flower (AA-3017 Daisy Bunch) and add to ivy.
Step 3.
Finish by making a green cloud of #15 and water 
on palette and applying with brush. Fill in with
(AAA-1374) teeny Tiny Grass. Sign your work.

Here is a example of what you can do with this small watercolor and other images that could be used.



Monday, September 17, 2012

What is this Carolina Shop Hop?

You may have heard the buzz about a new event happening next month right here in the Upstate!

What is it?  You ask.  The first EVER Carolina Shop Hop for rubberstamping, scrapbooking & paper arts!

It will run from October 16 - 27 and has 11 stores in the Upstate and Western NC participating.

ALL shops will have free make & takes AND 20% off their crafting supplies!  WOW!

The organizers have compiled some gifts to give for those who visit 8 or more shops as well as those who visit all 11 in the 2 weeks!  YES!  FREE goodies!  Who doesn't like that???

The cost for a ticket is a mere $15.00.  With the ticket (which will be stamped at each store visited) there will also be a tote bag with the Carolina Shop Hop logo (to carry around all of those fabulous deals you will get at each store).

In an earlier post, I listed some of the extra things we will be doing for our 'Home Hoppers' (those who purchase their ticket from The Mercantile.)  These includes an entry into a special drawing JUST FOR 'HOME HOPPERS' for a $30 Mercantile Gift Certificate!

We are also having a tag contest, rules are available in an earlier post, or at the Mercantile.  (I just finished running off some more copies...)