Artsy Bracelets

Sometimes a new product comes along that I fall in LovE with.  This go around it's these artsy bracelets.  At first I was not too thrilled with their look.  And the chains were freaky small.  So I emailed the seller and she sent me some photos of them all finished with the beads on each side.  And voila...the love affair began.  Now, they were extremely time consuming to finish.  But super worth it.  I've priced them at just $25 so thinking they'll fly off my PVC pipe display and onto lots of wrists this weekend.  (I know, my PVC pipe display idea is so awesome.  Even the Home Depot guy was giving me high fives.)

So are you coming to see me?  At The Marist School this weekend?  Oh I hope so!!  The show is 9-4PM.  I'm in the old LAIRD gym.  This is a new place for vendors because they tore down the gym I'm usually in.  There are 3 places for vendors so be sure to find me (the arcade outside, Laird Gym and Centennial Gym).  I'm on a corner.  Hope to see you!!

Inspire

So....let me ask you this.....how do you inspire?

Little Houses

Sometimes studio time is productive.  I like it when that happens.  I'm making a bunch of little paintings for the upcoming Marist Show.  Trying to keep the paintings all under $150.  Be on the look out for more to appear in my instagram feed.  Are you following me??  My username is artsyorange.  After the show I'll be listing them in my etsy shop for those of you too far to come to Altanta for the show.  Woohooo!!

A Weekend Off

This past weekend was our fall break from school.  Yep...we get a lot of nice breaks in our school system, which I love.  And Oh boy did I need the break!!  I tried to get the family to go away...but alas everyone just wanted to hang out at home.  Friday the kids and I slept in late and went shopping.  We all love to shop a bit too much, but it is fun with my two kiddos!  Saturday Billy and William went to the Auburn game with friends while Mailey and I went to Six Flags with friends.  I must say in my younger years coming to Six Flags from Birmingham was a huge treat.  In my young adulthood we brought the church youth here and I still enjoyed it.  But the older I've gotten the more fearful of these insane contraptions I've become.  And honestly icky feeling after every ride.

But I did it.  Every single coaster we could get on.  Now I drew the line at the swings that soared some 50 stories high.  Yeah.  The line has to go somewhere!  My favorite was the Superman.  You actually ride the entire ride on your belly!  I am so glad we went and that we had such an amazing Mother/Daughter day.  Oh and the above photo is the Batman.  Mailey and the rest of the gang wanted to ride in the front seat.  I didn't care where I sat I just wanted to get it over with.  It was fun watching them on it! 

Other than the coaster riding and football game we literally hung out at home.  Monday I'm not sure I ever got out of my exercise clothes.  I worked on my booth set-up for Marist and a few lovely paintings.  I love getting ready for a show.  So much anticipation and joy goes into preparing for each show.  Now that I'm only participating in about 3 a year I tend to be more particular about the set-ups.  I am most excited about the drop cloth walls I've created to eliminate see through to the other booths.  One problem with inside shows is creating a sense of magical space that is yours.  Since my grids for art are see through I am sure the neighbors are going to appreciate my walls as well!

I'm also trying to find unique ways to display all the new jewelry pieces I've created.  I didn't realize until I was attempting to display it all how much I had!!  New for this show are:  art image bracelets, art image pendants in 1" and 30mm, encaustic pendants, and gentle reminder bracelets.  Now I just have to price and pack.  Oh, and keep painting!

So the show is Saturday, October 26th from 9-4 at the Marist School.  Here's the link:  Marist Holiday Traditions  I hope to see you there!!  It's a super fun art show.

Artsy Bracelets

 

For the upcoming shows I'm participating in I made some cool choices for lower priced items in my booth.  It's always a struggle for me to shift modes and create these type of items.  Not too many people buy paintings at the holidays.  I've never had luck with selling prints.  Buyers these days are looking for unique gifty items.  In-particular, gifts that are $30 and under AND unique.  A combination that as an artist is sometimes hard to full-fill and still be able to make a profit.   

Marist Holiday Traditions is first up and I can not wait!  These bracelets priced at $30 each, I hope will fly off my displays!  I also have necklaces with the same type images on really nice chains and key chains.  All of which will make a lovely display and all compliment the selection of original works of art I'll have for sale at the shows.  Of course, I've got to paint some to sell at this point.  haha..been working so much in the studio on the weekends making these baubles that the painting pile is not so tall.  But I've been sketching in my free time and the ideas are there.  I just have to carve out new time for painting.  Looking forward to it.

Oh...and the Marist Holiday Traditions show is Saturday, October 26th.  At the Marist School in Atlanta.  It's a great show you'll want to attend.  Hope you mark your calendars for it!!

Marist Holiday Traditions

Today is the annual Marist Holiday Traditions.  This is my 4th year to be year to be in the show, hard to believe.  For 3 years I've had the exact same spot in Kurht Gym.  Now spots in this show are small.  Like really small......so I've been eyeing the corner spots since year 1.  And by golly karma heard me, because not only is my space a corner, but it is on a front row, which means a wider aisle!  If you've not been to this show, then I'll explain it like this.  You are not allowed to bring children in strollers, women line up prior to the 9am opening time and come in droves until literally 4pm when it ends (wearing Christmas sweaters and everything).  It is awesome.  Love it.  Now sales, I am not a bazillion sales a year girl.  But I think this year I may do better.  It has taken just 3 years, but I think the trick to this show is limited product styles, but in mass.  So framed tiles, bag tags, magnets and my new bezel pendant I hope will make a statement that says, "BUY ME!!"

 If you can make it, please come by!!  It's $3 to get in the door, but I assure you there will be mucho to see and more to buy.  Good thing I am flying solo.  No time to shop.  hehehe.....  I hope to see you here!!

Marist Wrap-Up

As promised, here's a sneak peak at the Marist show.  Marist is a show that has been around for years, literally like years and years.  I heard someone in the bathroom say it was their 20th time to set-up.  It's a mad house at first and then the crowd tends to trickle down.  Knowing they have only from 9-4 to shop, ladies come early and ready.  This year I roped my friend Amber into helping me.  Which I am super glad I did because there were times we were both running credit cards and checking people out in the tiny 9'x9' booth.  Yes, I said 9x9.  It is amazing what one can pack into this amount of space!!

 I was thrilled Monday when I finally added up my receipts.  So yes, I'll go back.  ;)

 See all those statement necklaces above?  There are only 5 left.  And this was just one display of them!

One of my favorite new items that I think was overlooked a bit were these wooden hearts.  I hand painted them each a favorite color, sanded and added words.  I think they'd be wonderful purse items....words of encouragement that you carry around all day.  Or your car somewhere, bedside table, kids back pack or where ever else you don't necessarily have to see the words, but know they are with you.  More on this thought later.....

 These are wooden ornaments with my favorite red bird on them and the sentiment, "Some people make the world more special just by being in it."  Great gifty idea for that special person in your life!

In my new orangey train case are bird gift tags.  Such a sweet addition to any gift.  Or you could attach it to a bottle of wine for a hostess.  The ideas are endless for these birds.

I am trying my best to get organized and get my products down to the Vintage Flea in Newnan.  I've got a great booth space there that needs some TLC.  However, anything you see that you'd like, just email me and we can get it mailed off to you asap!

Marist Holiday Traditions

Well, tonight I am shrinking my last pair of earrings, adding black chain to the last statement necklace, and of course whipping up some new price labels.  Tomorrow is set-up day for MARIST!  Wahooey!  Seriously I am very excited.  It's like getting ready for Prom.  So Marist shoppers I am ready for you (minus the dress of course)!  Here are a few new items for this show season:

And like the price label states, yes you will be stopped and asked where you got this fun bauble for your neck.  I've got 20 made....20 different designs as well.  I just could not decide which art I liked better!  It's like wearing a little painting on your neck. 

I needed something for the man in your life, or boss, or other folk you just never can figure out what to get.  And it's that magic price.  Yep.

And my personal new favorite, earrings.  And if I told you what they were made out of, you'd laugh.  Well alright..... twist my arm.  They are shrinky dinks.  See I told you.....go ahead and laugh.  And then punch yourself for not thinking of it.

So here's the nitty on where to go and buy these items this weekend on this website:  The Marist School Holiday Traditions.  Over 250 vendors for your shopping fun.  I do hope to see you there.  I am in the Kurht Gym.  I'll be the one with the giant grin (because I love my artsy life) and maybe a modified prom up-do (it gets fairly hot in the gym).  :)  Jenni

A Holiday Tradition

Tonight I headed up to Dunwoody to set up at the Marist School for the Holiday Show tomorrow. It's quite a show, vendors like you've never seen. And quite the assortment of items. I would not put this in the "Art Show" category. Although everything is supposed to be handmade, there are more craftier participants in this show. A topic to gently discuss at a later date. I participated last year, see here. And didn't do so hot (key word "craftier"). But not to be beaten, I signed on again, paid the $195 and got all set up tonight. And I am super excited to show you even though it's really late and I should be sleeping. But you see, after setting up I wandered over to the mall and shopped and ate a delicious large slice of cookie coated with icing and a large diet coke (Why diet? Seriously when eating that many calories with a cookie, one should consider just drinking real coke. It's not like the diet is going to off set the cookie calories.) Thus now I am wound up. And no one else in my little house is, not even Etsy. So you get my ramblings and some shots of the booth! Yeah! A view from the top...sorta.

I love my little vignettes. There is more room to view and walk in my booth this year.

Oooooo.....New product I've not shown you. Hardboard coasters. They come in sets of 4, and backed with cork. Love these and their little wrapping!

Another happy nook. More felted flowers on the lady of the hour.

Santa Mattie! One is even in a sleigh pulling a reindeer. Man are they cutey-patoooteys!

A blurry shot from a far. Gym lighting is stinky. So I've got great neighbors. And it should be a great day for quests. Come on out if you can! 9-3PM at Marist School on Ashford Dunwoody Road-Atlanta.

I Will Not Run in Circles....I Will Not Run in Circles...

So this week I've felt a little like this: A caged critter, who likes to run in circles, hoard yummy treats in my mouth, and then sleep really hard at all hours of the day. Well.... I don't have quite the luxury of sleeping anytime like Etsy above, but man with my head and body spinning all day getting ready for shows I have been getting some lovely slumber at night! Here's a peek at what is still to come for the first in my series of Holiday Shows starting this weekend. I finally have a vision for ornaments....using lots of glitter and little birds of course!

And then there are the yarn and felt projects that will have complimentary real fur. I can not seem to get her out of my project bins these days! I wonder what she'll do once all the projects are done and out of the baskets? So what's still yet to do you ask? Well, there is printing more coasters and packaging them, making new signage for everything (Christmasy for sure!), pendants need bails and packaging, all ornaments are still in pieces, 3 yarny wreaths to embellish, earrings to package, one angel to sand and paint, one Santa to hookup to his sleigh, and oh so much more. And last minute is not my way, off I go to get one last item done before hitting the hay! Have sweet slumber wherever you are!

Marist Holiday Traditions

I've been very behind on my blogging posts lately. The days seem to be getting shorter! I've also been a busy artist bee getting ready for the Marist show which was last weekend. I'd been told it was "the" show to be chosen to participate. And it was a HUGE show. But I think I'll keep my comments to a minimum about it being the "it" show. First, I found very quickly that it was more of a craft show, not an art show like Norcross. Ladies came out in droves for this event. And they were buying, and buying......magnet boards that is. So, a lesson learned and nothing lost only gained. I would participate again should I be asked. And this time I'll be better prepared and have my booth arranged a bit different. Thanks Mom for staying with me all day Saturday and for the yummy pimento cheese sandwiches! I had plenty of stock for this show. Magnets, prints, pendants, new glass ornaments, original works of art, felties and more. Since I've got a show every weekend in November, I planned ahead with the stock and am ready to go!

Here's a view from the aisle. We had exactly 9'x9' in which to sell from.

Inside my table was brimming with goodies. I was very proud of the display and can't wait for the Gifted Flea event this weekend!