Getting Ready...The glitter's a flying

I am lucky to be doing a show at this grand old house in Redlands on Nov. 5 & 6. Isn't it beautiful? I am so intrigued to see it. It is a historical landmark owned by the charming ladies of Two Wild Roses. The art/craft/vintage fair will take place on the sprawling front lawn that seems to be surrounded by lots of gorgeous rose bushes. I can't wait to see it! As for me....I will have a new batch of originals and right now I am working on the cutest little package tags that could also be used as ornaments. I have ornament ideas dancing in my head but I just read a blog that this is just 17 days away! The days are flying by and I am working as hard and fast as any elf you've ever seen! My work table is filled with felt stockings and mittens, glitter and gold, buttons and baubles and snowflakes too! The glitter is flying, paintbrushes painting, all to make a table full of holiday goodies just for you! I hope to see you there!

http://www.twowildrosesantiques.blogspot.com/

What's next God?

Feeling Blessed

I love it when I get into my little conversations with God. I ask what's next and he puts me in place to meet the right people. It's not about coincidences (don't believe in them) and it's not about the secret of positive thinking ( sorry famous book author, but He invented that first). It's about prayer and about relationship. The day I lost my job, both kids said to me, I think God is trying to tell you something. And yes, He has hit me on the side of the head with a few events that seem to be saying you are not supposed to be doing that, you are an  artist!!! So it began. Everyday I thank God for the gifts, the talents and the blessings. Some days, sometimes in dispair and sometimes not, I pray what is next in this little creative endeavor of mine. One day He brought me Paulette, who without her, I would not have had the wonderful experience of teaching a class without being connected to a store. I also would not have brought out my watercolors of 30 years to play with. He brought me to Lisa, who brought me to Chateau de Fleurs and Glitterfest, which not only made  me money but brought me to many others that will help me on this creative journey of mine. Seriously, I asked just days ago, whats next and to please put the right people in front of me. And guess what? he brings me to Elena! She emails me a couple of weeks ago. Just the standard email asking me a question on technique. She saw my work in Somerset Studio and wanted to try it. I answer her question and jokingly tell her she can learn more in my upcoming book. She responds that she already ordered it! So she is the first person that I know of that preordered it. That to me is special! We continue emailinng back and forth because I am now endeared to the first person that has bought my book 7 months out! To make a long story short, she has invited me to her home in Key Largo to teach a class at a retreat she hosts for about 15 women. Would I ever have imagined this last year when I closed the door behind me on that job that I really didn't like anyway? No! I mean Key Largo! Me, art, teaching, Key Largo! Thank you God! Hmmm...I wonder what's next?

The Power of Pink

available at trashallamode.etsy.com

Can you believe it's already October?  It's a month of such contrasts to me. Dark, eerie, witches and goblins everywhere. And then there's pink. Breast cancer awareness month...I often wonder why October. I'm sure there's a reason, I just don't know it but I sometimes think that it gets a bit overshadowed by the darkness of the season. There is a real soft spot for the Power of Pink for me. It's really the beginning of my art story. Grab a cup of tea and I will tell you how it all began.

As I was nearing mid-life, I was feeling frustrated with my creative life. I have always created, dabbling in every art form and craft you could think of. Trouble was I never felt really good at any of it. I needed to find my niche. One night I sat down and listed one by one all of the arts and crafts that I enjoyed doing. I began to cross off the least joyful to me. When I arrived at the end of the list, three things stood out to me. These were things that gave me feelings of pure joy. The kind of joy where you completely loose yourself in what you're doing. They were fashion illustration, mosaic work and my love of paper. It doesn't take a genious to see where this led. I sat down and incorporated all of these things into one of my girls. I liked her so much I did 2 more.  These 2 lovelies were submitted to Somerset Studio for publication and within just a few days I heard back from them that they would be published in the Sept/Oct issue! How exciting was that? That was 2 years ago. After the magazine came out, one of the girls that I worked with sent a copy of the article to our corporate offices for the newsletter. I received a call from the art directer if she coulld use the images in the company's annual breast cancer campaign. My art, the girl dressed in pink ended up on a poster in stores across the country. That was just the beginning. One of our clients, an attorney, puts on a big pink tadoo every October to benefit the local hospital. I donated the pink girl to her to be auctioned off. I was assured she went to a good home! The following year, I did a pink spread in Somerset Studio with about 5 pieces of art and those were donated to last years function. I was asked to to the artwork for the invites and posters for last years soiree. It was so fun to see my girls in pink on blogs, posters and magnets! I went to this fabulous pink party last year and was quite surprised at the well, funess of it all. Ladies not just stopping at pink shirts but wearing big pink hats, boas and the works! Celebrating their survival, their journey with this devastating disease. Yes, celebrating. You can learn a lot from women like this. It was a day of laughter and I'm certain a few tears. I am excited to be attending this years party next week. I am glad they call it a party instead of a fundraiser.

That lead to a trunk show at the local store, Stamp Your Heart Out and that led to one more thing, which led to another thing and on and on. So it began with pink and every October it will continue to be pink.

Published Somerset Studio Oct. 2009



Glitterfest

Some of the girls that sold and all went to good homes!

Well, I fully intended on writing about Glitterfest but wouldn't you know it? My camera battery died! I will tell about it anyway, but without pictures of the most amazing booths filled with the most charming handmade treasures. This was the second show I've ever done and both shows were just 2 weeks apart. To say I was nervous is an understatement. You just never know how your work will be received or if the show will provide your clientele. This show, like my first, Chateau de Fleurs, was well organized, thank goodness and the vendors very friendly and helpful. All of the booths were amazingly gorgeous and so well put together. I am still on that learning curve! The show was well attended and I am blown away by how many originals I sold. I met the most wonderful women who just made me feel well, good about my art. I so enjoyed talking to them about the process and the inspiration. There were a few celebs that stopped by to say hello. Jenny Doh made the rounds wearing one of her cute little dresses. The always sweet and very supportive, Beth Livesay from Stampington came by also. It's always good to see her. My very first buyer, Maggie came up from Long Beach. Yes, she bought a piece from me a year and a half ago when I was showing my work at Stamp Your Heart Out in Claremont for their art walk. I have to laugh at how nervous I was for that. It was the very first time anyone saw my art in person other than my family! Maggie has been a faithful follower since, taking several of my classes.
I learned so much from these shows. First, always remember to check the camera! Second, not to stress out so much. It may be a day with great sales and if it's not, it will be a great day of making new friends and contacts. I set up 2 more shows before the holidays and was approached about doing classes at someones shop. Managing stores my whole life, I made sure I had all price points represented. That worked well for me. I realize not everyone can afford to buy an original but my journals and wooden blocks were all mini versions of my work that anyone could fit in their budget.
I will definatly do more shows in the future. These were a lot of fun.