We Do Change

It's hard to believe that I sit here now with a small loss of words.  This morning I had a whirlwind of "stuff" to say about shows and being an artist.  But then like magic it happened.  The crowds came, the crowds purchased, and the excitement of what I am doing right now surged from inside my heart.   Seriously folks this blog post was going to be TOTALLY different this morning.  I had it all laid out in my head.   Well here, let me tell you a tinge of what was going on this morning.  Gotta second?  

So this is the last show of the season for me.  I'm not that seasoned with shows, but I've done enough to get really excited with new ones, and enough to know that from many artisans that this was THE show of the Christmas season.  It is a juried show, with only 125 artisans accepted a year.  I should remind you too, that this is called Apple Annie's Craft Show.  I've yet to talk about this in depth on my blog, but there is such a difference between doing an art show and a craft show.  Yes.  There is.   And I suppose this is what got me so worked up yesterday. 

So anyhoo.....we set up for the preview party Thursday PM.  I had it all product wise....literally.  And perhaps too much.  But that's a conversation I have to have with myself.    I was tickled to see Bailey Jack (an art peep)  who helped me set up and we went to dinner.  I really didn't pay much attention to what was around me art wise.  I was in my little bubble of joy.

 

But then we got back to a very slow crowd.  Thursday night it turns out is a special invite only party for those working the show and one guest.  I was too excited about my new products and the set up to care about sales this night.    I drove my hour home singing and dreaming of the 1,000's of people I'd meet on Friday.  Yep.  Dreaming is something I do very well.

So Friday came.  And like a clock work women came in droves with their Christmas everything on.  They were all SO happy.  The atmosphere was brimming with joy for the season.  I enjoyed meeting so many new people and talking about my work.   My friend Catherine came and brought yummy lattes and helped me sell this and that and this and that.  Then 2 o'clock came.....and Catherine had to leave.  And I started to....well.....let's just say that it got very slow for many, many hours.  And my mind started to wonder.....and my body started to peek around at the vendors.  And well, let's just say I took a step back and said, man.  What have I become?  sigh.

So this is where I have to say something strong.  I think there is a place for all of us who create.  Whether it's Santas, gourd bowls, Christmas centerpieces, or hand knitted scarves.   There is.  And honestly on the ride home today I was thinking to myself, the crafters with me this weekend...well kudos for them for having the COURAGE to get out there, share their talents, and spend a weekend selling at the biggest Christmas Show in the Altanta area.  I mean seriously.    There are so many of you out there right now, perhaps reading this blog for the first time who fear getting out there and selling your work.  But the vendors in the Carroll Center with me, let's just say they made me stop and think about who I am and who I want to be.  You know, things they do not change, but we have the power to change ourselves.

I will continue along this path of being a thriving artist.  I have so much to be thankful for after this weekend.  Profitable sales, meeting new friends, building lasting friendships, being inspired by others and being gently reminded that I am not alone on this journey.  And I will always enjoy being in the company of a courageous crafter in a church gym.

PS  If you'd like to see more pictures of the show, head on over here.


It's Sunday morning and I am back in this post.  Sweet Dianne left a comment that I replied to, but now think I'll share my response to it here.  She said my post seemed a bit confusing as to what I was trying to say.  Super sorry for that bloggers.  But you know when you have so much swirling in your head and you write it and think it sounds great to you, makes sense to you?  But maybe not so much to others?  Yeah.  I may have crossed that line.  So here was my response:
Sweet Dianne,

I'd say it is VERY good to be open to change. And that was the main point for myself, I need to change my attitude. I think I've put myself into a bubble of high expectations for not only myself but those around me. I need to let go of the stigmas and enjoy this journey more. You know, the variety of work at the show made me realize that by offering so many different crafts, you appeal to a broader audience. My audience did come, and man I had the best sales of the year in a church gym of all places! I have work in 4 galleries, a booth in a local store and this was my 4th show since October 31st.  So about change, the show will not change...it's been this way for 30 years, and it is the best show by far I've been in behind the scenes wise. But I can. 

I've been struggling with my path for sometime now.  There are so many directions to take as an artist.  And although I love the shows, my question on Friday, "what have I become?", was during a slow time when every part of my body ached and I missed my children terribly.    And as I was doubting my place, a customer entered the booth and exclaimed "There is so much JOY in this art!!!"   I got teary, said thanks, and breathed in slowly knowing my heart was where it was supposed to be.  Now this life may not always be easy , comfortable or exciting.  But it is my journey to take.   So readers, I hope you are a little less confused, and don't mind me spilling my soul out right here.  I think it's good for you to know that I have true fears about my future, true doubts about the steps to take, and true passion for what I am doing.   It's so easy to paint a "Happy" picture in blog world.  I hope that I paint a  "true" picture for you.  Best wishes with your own creating.  And thanks so much for your honesty Dianne. 

Tiles and Excitement

Last week and into this has been one of those "A-HA" exciting moments for me.  I've done tiles, framed and unframed for a couple of years now.  But this is the first time doing them totally in my own house with my own press.  It was really cool.  And very productive (I didn't mess one up!).  The results exceeded my expectations.  I really can not wait to share all the new products this weekend at Apple Annie's.

In fact, I am a little over the top about this weekend.  You see, it's a new show for me.  And new means exciting and scary and nerve wracking and anxious and wilisell and willtheylikeme emotions all bound into one ball for me!  So there.  Yep.  I said it, I am nervous.  And I am sure I've been driving a few friends crazy with all my new ideas (wink..wink..) and set up ideas and booth display frenzies.    Love you guys!!

I just can't help it!  This newness is what I needed to spark a fire in my creative bones and make me over the top excited again about my images.  You see, this weekend I'll be showing my work to potentially 6,000 new Mattie buyers.  6,000 people!!  Wow I know!!  So you see why I am over the moon and back again happy?
Ok.  So I need to slow down a twinge and focus.  When you are reading this I'll actually be setting up already.  So send some love my way.....even send yourself.  Because this show is ALL day Friday and until 2 on Saturday. 

And never fear, those of you who are far far away, I plan to spend hours next week in my PJ's uploading everything into my ETSY shop that doesn't sell while catching up on many sappy girl movies.   Have a lovely weekend ya'll!  I'll be back Monday with some pictures of my corner booth (I know....another exciting element to the show!!) and a tale or two I'm sure!

Going Somewhere?

If you are planning a vacation soon, then you might want one of these on your luggage!  I guarantee you'll spot it in the crowd with a piece of happy artwork on it!  Be looking for these at the Apple Annie show this weekend and then my ETSY shop next week!

It's That Time Again

Maybe it's the strangely warm temperatures in Georgia, or maybe it's my crazy busy artsy schedule, but I am freaking out a tinge that it's time to pull down the red Rubbermaids from the attic!  Our daughter Mailey was chomping at the bit to get down the carolers before Thanksgiving.  So we did.  And it was kind of fun to get them out so early to enjoy their silly little singing faces.  No sooner had the turkey filled our bellies was she bugging us to get out the tree.  So we did.  And then last night as a family we decorated the beautifully flocked tree.  We turned on the Christmas music loud and sang and ooooed and ahhhed over the ornaments.  Just like a sappy Hallmark commercial....seriously.   It was time to place the angel on the tree and I quickly ran to get Cherish, you know the new angel I made for our tree this year?  Well let me tell ya, my kids went crazy!  NO! Mom they said, we always use Grandmother's angel...and Mailey remembered it was her year to gently place it into position.  I have to admit I do love her shining face looking out over our Christmas tree.

The kids were just so....happy.....all Thanksgiving break.  I know, no school can do that for a kid.  But there's something else in the air at our house.  I can't quite pin it down, and neither can Billy.  But we like it.  And the joy especially Mailey has right now about decorating and Christmas, well I can only describe it as MAGICAL.  Because that's what it is.  And it's contagious, this magic she is spreading.

Speaking of like, here is the #1 ornament of conversation at our house.  And the family voted favorite.  The stories we have about this man, well it brings back many happy memories....... 

 My mother-in-law surprised me with this squealing cute ornament this year.  Am I a lucky gal or what?

Yep, we are all happy campers here at the Horne house.  I'm hoping you've had a moment to do a little decorating as well.  We are hosting the family Christmas this year in our little bungalow, so I'll be going ALL out with the decorating.  Just as soon as the show this weekend is over and my house is no longer a giant art studio. 

All smiles....sending your way some puffy hearts and hoping to hear about your favorite ornaments soon!

Hope and Hearts

"hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune-without the words, and never stops at all"   -Emily Dickinson

Hope has been sitting heavy on my heart lately.  And it's a huge span of hopes that lay in my heart.  Hope that my father will heal quickly, hope that my work will be well received at upcoming shows, hope that friendships can heal, hope that my children will stay well and so very happy, hope that this Christmas season will be a little less stressful than the last, like I said....there is a wide range of expectations to be fulfilled right now.  But the one constant in all this my strong belief that my heart will know when the expectations are too high, or whether they need to be let go. 

So, how well do you know your heart these days?

PS  Would you like a print of this sweet painting?  Then head over here....where you can find one.

Notes on Being Thankful

According to Webster thankful means:  
1:  concisous of benefit received 
2:  expressive of thanks 
3:  well pleased

Where to start really.  There are many things to be thankful for in our lives.  I love the defnition #1:  concious benefit received.  So many of us are really not concious of the things in our lives we should be most thankful for.  There are obvious things like a home, food on the table, job etc.  But the talents, gifts and smalls benefits we receive on a daily basis are not always so easily recognized.  Or perhaps one feels ashamed to be thankful for a blessing of good fortune.  So here are some pictures of things I am most thankful to have in my life.  I am aware of the small things to be thankful for these days.  It's all those little things that add up to make a more fulfilling and whole life.  And what makes my heart so very full. 

  family:  Mailey and William are pictured, but there are many in my heart

 gift of creativity and teaching

  four legged children (who bring me such joy)

 this amazing man

 gift of words....and how I can use them to remind others

Like I said, these are just a few things I am most thankful for right now.  I hope on this day of Thanksgiving you've taken the time to look around and notice the obvious and not so obvious elements in your life that make life whole.   And make your heart so very full as well.  xo  J



New Toys....I Mean Tools

I love a new hammer.  Can't have enough shiny pliers for every jewelry making job, and my new Dremel tool, well let's just say we have a relationship that's a little unorthodoxed.  But the newest toys...I mean tools, in the toy... I mean tool box, are amazing!!  This is my new punch tool for those copper blanks I love to use:

And finally I broke down and purchased a multi tasking texture hammer.  It has like 10 different texture blanks.  And yep, I've been hammering away this morning, trying each out.

I think my favorite though is the one above with the little square grid.  I love the way the darkening catches as much or as little of the squares as you want.  Ooooweeee...this is going to open up a new avenue for me. 
Oh, and should you feel the need to add these toys to your box, you can find them in the lovely Hodgpodgerie's etsy shop.