Art Show!

This past weekend was the Kirkwood Spring Fling. I participated in this show last year, had such a  great time, decided to do it again! Tiffin and Joy did it too and I'll be darned we forgot to get a photo of us all! Bummer. It was predicted to rain....instead it was so freakin' HOT....SUNNY...HOT...did I mention HOT? Wowsa. We weren't prepared for that. But, despite the heat it was great to get out, share my work with people and hang with Joy and Tiffin for 15 hours.

It was also great to see old friends like Heather, Chad, Vicky and Becky. And of course great to make new friends.And sell art.

I have a pretty good bit of stuff left. So I am thinking about braving an instagram sale.  What do you guys think about that?

My whole family came during the day at some point. This is my son Will, he's 15. And just recently got taller than me. What what? Will came up with his girl Toni, her Mom, Nana and Aunt. Then Billy and Mailey came up at the end to hang out and help Tiffin, Joy and I close up. I am SO GLAD they did. Now that the kids are older its really neat having them come to the shows. You can tell they are proud of Momma and her work by their actions. Will was just a beaming. He even posted this pic of us on HIS instagram feed. Now that is gold in my book.

Mailey was so cute....she was looking at my art and said, "Hey Momma, if this one doesn't sell can we hang it somewhere in the house?" She also took a few to hang in her room. Bam....Momma is beaming. Anyhoo....all in all sales were lower than I had wanted. But sometimes that's how it goes ya know. Finding the right niche to sell original art is super tricky. Sometimes I feel like giving up. But then I look at these photos and think "Jenni, there is room for all of us somewhere, you just gotta keep looking for the right spot."

If you are interested in anything you see posted here email me at jennihorne@ymail.com and I'll let you know if its available. Or if you'd like to visit my studio to purchase we can arrange that as well. I'll be around this summer and would love the company.

The Gray Day

Yesterday we were out of school. Thank goodness. Because the art show put me down....down...down. Not only physically but mentally. Now I remember one of the main reasons I quit doing shows. Plain and simple. The sales. It was horrible. And it wasn't  just me. That's one thing about the art friends I've made over the years. We do not sugar coat. We speak the truth. And the truth is in Spring of 2012 I sold 25 paintings in one show. And since then....well I've not been so fortunate.  It's such a catch 22 though, because if I don't put myself out there I won't grow.  My sweet husband I could tell knew it was a bad weekend and he was trying everything to be sure I came home to a calm environment. Laundry was done, hot tub was getting winter ready, he quickly started unloading the van without being asked, dinner was made, etc....he knows me. And knows how a bad show makes me feel like total crap and like a total failure at life. It takes several days for the funk to lift too. Because folks, when you are an artist and you paint your heart on the canvas you become vulnerable. It's a word no one wants to admit is in their blood but it is. So although I wasn't the only artist with bad sales, I still felt exposed, vulnerable and raw.

Today is a new day. I rested yesterday. Watched 2 movies with William. Napped. And did pretty much nothing. I am still in love with my new paintings and know there will be a wonderful home for them one day. My goal is to get items listed into Etsy soon. Including original art and some prints. I'll be sure to let you know when. I hope you don't mind my being so candid here. I don't want to come across as whiney. Just honest. This past weekend was disappointing, wet and tiring. It was another weekend in the life of an artist.

Today I head back into the classroom. Looking forward to spreading some joy on my budding artists and sharing what I love about art with them. They amaze me with their abilities and willingness to try all that I bring to the table for them.

Norcross Art Fest 2014

I am so excited to be participating in the Norcross Art Fest again. This was actually the first outdoor show I participated in back in 2008.  See the whole post here and here about the first time I did the show. Boy...lessons learned for sure! Look at my short poofy hair! First lesson learned. I look better with long hair. Good grief. Back then my business was called "Mattie's Social Circle". You see, Mattie is the little blue bird I painted. All the friends I painted with the dainty flowers were her "social circle".  But then I started painting bikes, trucks campers, etc...and the name didn't make sense. Plus I was told by a wise person that an artist should be using her name for her business, not hide behind a catchy business name that was confusing people.  Especially since there is a town outside of Atlanta called Social Circle. Which no, I am not from. So I made the switch to Jenni Horne Studios.....baby steps. And now just Jenni Horne.

So tomorrow I pack up and head to the show. I've not done a show this size in 1.5 years. I am nervous and excited all rolled into one ball of sticky wax. I've had such an amazing journey getting ready for the show. With SO MUCH new art. New style. New colors. New. I love it. If you can, please come by and say howdy. Here's the link: Norcross Art Fest

Just a few of the 20+++ new pieces! Plus I have all 12 original bike paintings for sale from my licensing contract. Plus a ton of older work at a HUGE discount (think $50 smackers ya'll). And jewelry. And felted birds. And...well you need to just come by and SEE for yourself. Yeah art shows!!

Kirkwood Spring Fling

 

This post is going to be pretty photo heavy...sorry! I haven't done a show in so long I'd forgotten a few things. The Kirkwood Spring Fling was an amazing show to ease back into the show life. But here are a few things I'd forgotten: 5:30 am driving stinks. I get up that early to run long runs, but for shows I'd forgotten how crazy early that really is. Setting up a tent solo is impossible. Peeing in a porta potty all day is gross. Plain and simple. I forgot my pen. I forgot my hand sanitizer. 10-8Pm is a very long show day. And then to take it all down on top of that. And peeing in a porta potty all day. I may have had more than one Sangria due to all the above. But what I'd also forgotten is: How much I enjoy meeting other show gypsies. And how you immediately feel like best friends forever after one show. I miss interacting with people and talking about my work. I love that my friends come to see me in my "element" (shout outs: Donna, Heather, Rachel, Dallas and your peeps you brought along). I love to sell my art. I love seeing the joy it is going to bring to their home. I am blessed to have been given these talents. I know this....and think this is why my shows tend to be successful. My joy literally spills outta my tent. 

Here's my tent this time. If you see anything you'd like to purchase simply email me and I'll let you know if it's still available.

I hope you are having a lovely week. We are in the countdown to the end of school. Crazy!! I am getting super excited about putting the final touches on Paint Something: an e-course. If you avhen't checked out my website you should!  Here's the link:  www.paintsomething.guru  

See you guys later this week!! Have a blessed one.

Notecards and Art Shows

I am constantly seeking out new product to sell at art shows. Affordable ways to reproduce my work in unique packaged up ways. These cards were one such idea that seriously I never got around to putting together. So at lunch yesterday I stacked, sorted, and tied up with twine these sets. It's 12 cards with 12 brown paper bag looking envelopes (they are super awesome looking with the cards). I totally forgot to take a photo of them packaged up. Duh. But you get the idea right?

 Again, these will be at the Kirkwood Spring Fling all day tomorrow. 10-8PM....I hope you'll come by and say HI!!! (and maybe watch my booth and let me make a potty run if you don't mind.....hehehe)

Nashville Studio Be Holiday Show

This past weekend I headed up the interstate to Nashville for a Holiday Market at Studio Be.  Tiffin of Linwood Avenue and her buddy Reagan were there too!  It was such a fun area for a show, right on Charlotte Avenue.  There were literally 4 thrifty shops within walking distance of the studio.  Yeah...my kinda spot! 

Unfortunately Mr. Weather decided to take a turn on us and it was quite the scene in Nashville.  Going from 70' to below freezing was a shocker.  Even though I loved it (and actually wore a t-shirt home Sunday just to feel the cool on my skin)!  The threat of ice and snow kept a lot of shoppers cooped up in their cozy homes by the fire I'm afraid.  I did however manage to sell quite a few paintings and little baubles.  I think next year I'll go again....surely we won't have an ice storm 2 years in a row right?

Shannon and Cindy of the studio put on such a  nice show.  There was tons of yummy food, spirits and holiday music filling the air.  And the selection of vendors was awesome. 

 If you are sad you couldn't join us this weekend and would like to purchase a happy for someone or yourself, check out my etsy shop.  There's still plenty of time to get that special gift for someone that is truly one-of-a-kind and handmade in the USA.  See ya later in the week with my word for 2014.  I am super excited about it!!

Artists and Friends

I've spoken about these two adorable ladies before:  Tiffin and Joyanne .  Tiffin is the one who went to Portland with me this year and held my hand, well not physically but mentally, while I got the nest on my wrist.  And Joy was a right hand during the Country Living Fair.  So you may recognize these pretty faces from here on the blog.   We all three met at the infamous Shakerag festival 3 years ago.  And over those 3 years we have slowly developed one of those sisterhood type friendships.  We don't see each other much, or talk much much as we should.  But rather we have one of those friendships that is effortless and brings so much simple joy to my life.  We share so much in common and use this common thread to continue weaving what I know will be an eternity scarf. 

I hope each of you has some type of connection like this.  Because it is invaluable to have women like this in your life.  Strong, grounded, confident and beautiful from the inside out.  Yep...I am one lucky duck to have had these two cross my path when they did.  And like I always say, everyone comes into your life EXACTLY when and where they are supposed to. 

While at the Country Living Fair I joked with Joy that we should totally have a show in my house.  Forget the setting up a tent and freezing our butts off....have it in a nice warm house.  Right at Christmas.  Call it something like "Handmade Holiday".  Well, all 3 agreed, the date was set and the next thing you know the day was here!!  I was bubbling over with excitement.  I love to share my home with people.  Love.  And yes, I was running around like a banshee the day before cleaning, cutting bushes, and decorating.  Of course as much stuff as we had you'd hardly have noticed a crumb on the floor!

 Orange truck even got a Holiday cheer!  I set up in the main living area:

And in the entrance.  My last few paintings left from show season greeted everyone.  Well, and so did Lily.  She loves to have company over too!!

 New little baubles were a hit.

 I even made some glass puffy hearts this holiday season.  Just gotta puffy heart them, right?

Joy had the pink room (dining room).  And so very appropriate since she creates the most amazing gentle, feminine jewelry! 

 Her little vignette under my ribbon decor even matched!

She just knows how to place each unique find with the right beads, baubles and chain.  Each piece is so very different....and so very lovely.  And talk about hand skills....she has new crocheted pieces that any Grandmother would be smiling over!  I had to have one and have worn it twice since Sunday.  I feel so elegant while teaching art to crazy K-5th graders in it!!  That's the phrase for her: elegant vintage chic.  remember that Joy!

Tiffin had the eating and kitchen area for her amazing assortment of goodies for the home.  And talk about hand skills here.  I have never seen anything more well crafted in my entire life than everything that comes out of her studio.  I mean seriously.  Flawless.  And a diverse portfolio was well.

 I just love the way she puts lamps together.

 And the new embroidery she is joyfully crafting....I want them ALL!!

I know,  I know!!  They are just beautiful!  She has such a knack for creating edgy decor for your home.  (You should see her house.  Man, she is an amazing decorator!!)

She had loads of aprons and prints as well.  Like I said, she crafts for your entire home.  Got to love a well-rounded crafter.    My catch phrase for her:  vintage edgy home

So, yes....to answer your question we are hosting a second event.  In the SPRING!  With a new twist...we plan to share our thrift decor finds, display pieces ready to be retired and of course a fresh batch of handmade goodness for your heart, home and body.

As soon as we set a date a sidebar link will appear.  And be blogged about too I am sure.  For now, enjoy the rest of your week.  We are off to Alabama for a spell of Holiday Cheer!! 

You're Invited!!

Tiffin, Joyanne and I below at the Country Living Fair had an "A-HA!"  moment and decided to do something a little new together......

And YOU are cordially INVITED!!  To our little Handmade Holiday Show!!!  We are thrilled to be doing this together.  We each have so much to offer you in the way of handmade.  For a very special person to that must have just for you, you are sure to find something just right.  So join us.  And the cool part.....it's in my new home.  Eeeeeeeeeee!!!!  I can not wait.    Please email me if you'd like the address:  jennihorne@ymail.com.  I hope to see many of you here!!

"Here Goes Nothing"

For some reason this quote is super stuck in my head, "HERE GOES NOTHING".  So I looked up the meaning of this expression and one compared it to this, "jumping out of an airplane and praying my parachute opens!!"  How funny.  Well, not really.  My Dad may have a thing to say about that too since he is a paratrooper.  No chute usually has a rather tragic ending!!  So I am thinking I may double pack my chute for the event I am gearing up for.

The Country Living Fair.  Oh my.  October 21-23rd. in Stone Mountain Park here in Atlanta.  3 days of total blissed out shoppers.  I know, I was one last year.  The booths are over the top.  I can not wait to be a part of this event.  But it's exactly 45 days from today.  I am not going to panic.  I am not going to panic.  I have a plan.  And it involves a parachute for sure.  And several friends who have already offered to come and help me assemble all the plan together.  Man, what would I do without my artsy peeps....that's a story for another day though.

Back to the "here goes nothing"....so what brought all this sudden panic about the show was my email to the show director.  You see, I've done a fair share of shows.  If you've read my blog for a spell you know this.  And I love doing shows and selling my work in a tent.  And part of the getting ready for a show is making a new business card.  Well, actually I always make bookmarks.  People like them, and so do I.  So I emailed the show director last week out of curiosity how many attendees there were last year.  I explained I'd never done a show with this volume of attendees and wanted to be sure my 5,000 bookmark order would be enough.  Well, I just about fell out of my chair when she replied, "We had 16,000 attendees last year and this year our pre-sales have far surpassed the pre-sales from last."  WHAT?????  So guess what?  I've now ordered a whopping 20,000 bookmarks.  That is going to be one freaking heavy box.  But look how good they turned out!!!!

First Art Show

Original date was 10.25.2007

So today was the big day, taking Mattie out of the garage and into the real world. I have to say it has been really fun getting ready for this show. All the painting, counting, glueing, printing, pricing, and more kept me up to the wee hours only one night. But it was worth it after I put it all together. I have no idea how many people visit this show, or if those that visit purchase items, but I've got the stuff to buy!
This is the view from the front. I wish now I'd made white panels for behind my table too, next year! The booth space is only 2" x 6"- basically the size of a banquet table. I bought a little more space for the table and panels. Most artists were using a grid to hang their art from. Since I had more "pick-up" items, I wanted a big table and boards for my art. The luan doors worked great for the artwork. They also showed it off well!
These little ornaments were a last minute idea, and the main reason for the wee hours!
The stationery made its' debute this morning. Shelly Allen of Oopsy Daisy designs did a fabulous job with the notecards below, and made some really pretty notepads, too pretty in fact to use! Each pack has four cards/ four designs. I asked her to make a sheet with all the images so people could see what was in the pack and she made the most elegant design-I had to put it on the front instead of the back! I think these are my new favorite products. Of course my dream is to be a Hallmark card artist and writer!
This is a little vinette I made to show all the products I'm selling out of their packaging-tiles, pendants, magnets and more! And of course a few nests to make the Little One's feel at home.
My hope after this weekend is that some of my little bird images will find their way into people's homes, their jewelry box and maybe even in the mail to a friend. Thanks for all your support out there readers, it means the world to me!

PS My Mattie business cards came in the mail today....I am so tickled...just had to share!

Dunwoody Art Festival 2011

Another weekend, another great festival.  Dunwoody didn't disappoint this year.....oh no.  Fabulous weather, perfect amount of goodies, adorable peeps around me, yummy food (fried pickle on a stick....omg...seriously?).  Yep.  One of those kind of weekends.  Sigh......  It was super great to see many blog reader friends, friends from Newnan (shout out to Ellie and family, Valerie and family, and of course my family), my art show peeps, and all my new buyers!  I just can't thank you enough for the love and support throughout the entire weekend.  And those of you reading my blog who are too far to attend, seriously I felt your good mojo being sent my way all weekend!!

You know I can never do the tent the same way twice, so here is a shot of this weekend's set-up.  I opted for one table since I had way more paintings to share this weekend than Sweetwater.  And the little green table had a "tasting" of what was inside the booth.   I sold way more jewelry than paintings this go around.  But hey, I think the jewelry is like mini paintings and love how well they were received this show!  In fact, I gotta get to working on some new pieces asap! 

I did have one really bad moment in the show which seriously could have put a funk in the weekend, but I somehow was able to let it go.  Someone came by the front table where I had a t-bar of all my bird cage necklaces and swiped 4.  YES....STOLE from me.  Geesh.  I felt like I'd been invaded in my own home.  You see, I put my heart into my work.  So when I realized it had happened I had the strangest feeling swoosh over me.  Like someone had taken a piece of my heart without even asking.  It was horrible I tell ya!!  So I moved the T-bar, taped down the ones on necks and moved on.  And I hope those jerks who stole the necklaces enjoy wearing them.  Because karma baby is coming your way!

Ok....don't want to end the blog on a bad note.  So here's some happy.  It was a long weekend, yes.   But you know, it felt like I blinked and it was over.  I suppose doing something you love that much with your life and being able to truly share it with so many people makes it feel like a stream of tiny happy moments instead of dreadful long moments.  If you are out there right now sitting in the middle of dreadful long moments, perhaps you should sit with yourself and think about how to make those moments tiny happy ones instead.  How can you at least inject some of the joy you deserve into your life daily?  Because you do.....we all do.  JOY is not for some, but for all.  And that includes you.  ;)


Hey....more pics from the weekend are here.