Hi Everyone!

Okay  I'll  stop  complaining  now--no  more  shows  this  year.    I'm  actually  looking  forward  to  cleaning  my  house,  and  just  doing  what  I  feel  like  doing.   And  getting  ready  for  the  holidays--piece  of  cake! 

So  about  my  weekend--let  me  take  you  into  my  little  shop- (warning--not  very  clear  photos  ahead--do not adjust your set)

 

Here's  the  Christmas  department--

Featuring  angels  this  week--

(All  of  my  angel  pieces,  I'm  happy  to  say  have  found  new  homes!)

And  this  is  the  home  decor  section--

And  the  gift  department  offering  a  different  array   of  boxes--

And  the  newest  addition  to  my  shop--a  very  small  jewelry  section--

Okay,  about  the  show.  I've  been  doing  this  show  for years,  and  when  I  first  participated,  it  was managed  by  a  wonderful  promoter  who  brought  in  quality  crafters  and  artists,  and she  kept  this  standard  of  quality  up  the  entire  time  she  ran  it.  Well,  when  she  decided  not  to  do  this  show  anymore,  it  was  taken  over  by  another  promoter (maybe  about  4  years  ago)  who  is  basically  a  businessman-- loosing  sight  for  the  real  reason  to  have  this  type  of  venue--to  promote  the  arts.  These events  to  me  are  special, in  that  a group  of  crafters/artists  come  together  and  offer  their  hand-crafted  art  to  the  public.   Well  unfortunately,  this  show  has  become  a  place  for  retailers  (there  are  still  some  very  good  crafters  and  artists  that  participate,  but  they  are  dwindling).   But  when  you  see  a  booth  that's  10  by  40  feet (that's  4  spaces),  well you know  that  these  "crafters"  are  just  purchasing  they're  wares  and  selling  them--known  as  buy/sell.   Oh  yeah,  anyone  interested  in  gutter  or  window  replacements?--well  you  can  find  them  here.   How  about  Direct  TV?--I  think  they  had  a  show  special  going  on  too!!    And  while  you  were  here,  you  could  also  get  a  subscription  to  the  local  newspaper! 

Well   I'm  happy  to  say  that   the  attendance  was  down (remember  people  have  to  pay  to  get  in).  This  is  the  best  way  to  tell  these  promoters  to  bring  back  the  true  craft/art  show--stop  going  to  these  types of  shows.   Sorry  about  me  ranting,  but  I  just  get  so  mad  about  this!!   So  I'll  let  you  figure  out  if  I'll  be  returning  to  this  "craft"  show  ; )

On  to  a  more  happy  topic.  At  the  end  of  this  week  is  my  first  year  blog  anniversary,  and  you  know  what  that  means--theres'  going  to  be  a  giveaway  so  don't  go  far!!

Playing Around With My Art

I have been trying very hard to build up my stock for my upcoming shows, and I like the fact that when people purchase my art, I can tell them that it is one of a kind, but it's HARD to do this.  So  I've been making prints of my art.  But I don't just want to have matted prints in a browse bin like alot of the artists do,  plus I still want to offer one of a kind  artwork.

And in the meantime, Suzi put up the last lesson in her Piety & Passion class.  It's all about making praintings--mixed media collage/ paintings using your art prints--perfect timing.  And let me tell you, this lesson is filled to the brim with ideas and techniques.  I think this lesson alone is worth  the price of the class.  Alot of the techniques that she shows us involves supplies that I already have, and would have never thought of doing--so Thank You to Suzi!

So a few weeks ago, I showed you these 3 collage/paintings that I did--

And this is what I did with them--

I reduced these 2 and put them on 8 x 8 canvases, and collaged on  some of my painted papers that I had left over, and I now have 2 new pieces of art to offer, and if I want,  I can do the same thing  with these two--print them and make another new piece of art!

And on the third one, I decided to use one of my many wood cigar boxes that I have --

So I can still continue to offer one of a kind artwork.

So if you've ever considered participating in an art/craft show, but a little leary, I found a great post on Heather's blog  Audrey Eclectic about why she loves doing shows and all the advice you could need.  I couldn't have written it better, and it's exactly  how I feel.  Just click on her blog name, and it will take to you that post.  But if this isn't your cup of tea, and you have never visited this blog-- THEN  STILL GO--you will love her art!!

 I'm leaving later on today for my show near Rochester, NY.  I'll be able to visit everyone this weekend.  I like having the internet with me, because it gives me something to do in my motel room other than go to sleep at 7:00 at night--these shows are exhausting, especially when you have to set up the morning of , like this one. I'm hoping to bring home photos---the weather isn't looking too great, though--one of the gambles of doing outdoor shows.

One more thing-- Sharon at All Norah's Art picked a winner for a free spot in her new online class, and it was Sharon Pendergraft--congrats to her  : )  but wait......... what about us  : (    Well, she's doing it again!! So click on this for ANOTHER  chance to win a free spot--good luck--it looks like a great class!