Sweetwater420 Fest 2011

Show weekends.  Man I love them.  Like big puffy heart love them.  Now there are down sides to doing show, no doubt.  But driving home last night with a car a lot less loaded down than when I left at 7am Friday morning, I was all smiles.  Because this is one of the best jobs ever.  Ever I tell ya.

With a tent full of new products and paintings I was full of anticipation those early Friday morning hours.  The show started at 4:20 Friday PM with visitors coming in herds.  Literally.  It was unbelievable the number of attendees.  And I just have to tell ya, I felt old.  It was a very young crowd.  Young married, young college, that kind of young.  The weather was a little unpredictable that night so I cut my losses and headed out early.  And I am super glad I did because just as I got the last painting in the van it started to storm.  And it stormed ALL night long.  I stayed with some artsy buddies Julie and Gail in Buckhead.  Yes, another reason to love show weekends.  It's like one continuous stream of happiness.

So on the main stage there were bands all weekend long.  The artist market made the perimeter of the lawn area for the main stage.  I'd say there were about 100 vendors.  From gourmet doggie treats, handmade clothing, soaps, candles, jewelry to me and all my goodies there was a little something handmade for everyone.  Even Lily got a handmade goody from this show!  There was a smaller stage with smaller name bands, a comedy tent, children's area, food area, swag bag area and of course tons of beer trucks.  It was sponsored by Sweetwater ya know!  Chandler Park I do believe was "the" place to be this weekend.  Woohooo!

Since this show went into the late night hours lighting your tent was a must if you wanted night shoppers.  I opted for outdoor strung lights and hung them from the center all around the perimeter of my tent.  It was super magical in there!!

 I made some amazing new friends this weekend.  Something about the vendors at this show.....well they were all real happy and easy going.  Debra below who made unbelievable batik dyed clothing I was immediately smitten with.  She called herself and team of peeps helping her the "festival fairies".  And yes they wore wings all weekend, blew bubbles and hula hooped.  Her spirit you were so drawn to......I know we'll be friends forever.

And of course, what's a show weekend without old friends to hang with all day!!  I loved having my Dad and Barbara with me Friday and Saturday,  Sunday Tiffin hung with me and I had surprise visits from Laura, Becky, Michelle, Audrey, Leigh, Heather, Debi, Allison and more!!  It truly was one of the funnest festivals I've ever been a part of.  And for some reason I did not ever feel exhausted or ready to go home(maybe it was the Sweetwater and cupcakes?). 

Now today.......well it's taking all I can to not crawl back under the warm sheets and nap with Lily!  But alas, I've got about 60+ credit cards to call in and some other book work to close out the weekend's sales.  Yes, it was a great weekend for selling!!  And really, not one thing sold better than another. 

New to the display was this amazing Amy Butler fabric.  I loveeeee it!  And how it ties in with the whole look.   I also now have a wonderful mirror, new hanging mannequins and new magnet holder.  More pics here of displays if you want to peek!

So what's next??  I've got some fluffing to do at my booth at The Vintage-Flea and painting to do before Dunwoody Arts Festival which is in 3 weeks!

Aspire to Be More

I am not the biggest fan of the saying, "when life gives you lemons make lemonade!".  Instead I think we should say, "aspire to be more".  Same thing, different words. 

I saw a facebook link to this U-tube yesterday.  Something told me to go there....to see it....to pass it forward.  It changed me.  My words are not always chosen carefully.  But I am just like this yummy bowl of lemons....aspiring to be more.



If you are in the Atlanta are this weekend, please come by and see me at the Sweetwater420 Festival.  I am listed under Mattie's Social Circle.  You'll recognize the work though I am sure!!  Hours are Saturday:  12-10PM and Sunday:  12-7PM.    The skies have broken, clear thanks goodness, and looks like it's going to be a great day!!

Feeling a Tad Bit....

Overwhelmed.  Yep.  Me.  Overwhelmed.  I am not one that usually gets this kind of wound up before a show.  Now I get wound up about things....but more because I am beyond excited about what is happening.   I like everything to be perfect for a show down to the last detail.  But this is an in the gut freak out show is here I am NOT READY KIND OF OVERWHELM.  Whew.  I said it.  And I am shaking.  And I am blogging instead of painting?

But before I go here is what I came home with yesterday.  65 frames for my little tiles!  Wooohooo!  Looking at them all stacked up was freaking me out.   Until I actually sat down and glued the tiles in, hammered the hangers and signed them all. 

This is by far my favorite printed item to sell.  Makes me giggly looking at them all!!  Oh and the paintings behind the tiles are another giggly thing to look at.  Almost done, they need their lines filled and their frames.  I am loving the bigger paintings.  Love.  Puffy hearts all around.  Ok.  So I am calming down a bit now.  Thanks for listening.  I'll be back hopefully before Friday to share some more finished products.  Friday is Show DAY!!!!!  Sweetwater420 Festival.....come see me!!

Magnet Love

Like my refrigerator art?  The sunflowers on the left Mailey painted in my afterschool art class and the poster on the right is a favorite find on etsy.    No, I am not doing a post on refrigerator art.  Nah.... Rather look what's holding the beer poster up!

Fresh off the printing press are MAGNETS!!  Woohooo....I am so excited to be offering these.  And man did they turn out great!

There are 50 printed, packed and ready to go for show #1.  Which ironically enough is the Sweetwater 420 Fest.  The irony is that Sweetwater is my favorite beer.  A local Atlanta brew.   Sweet stuff I tell ya!  I hope if you live in the Atlanta area you'll come check these and all the new items I've been brewing up in the studio this week.  It starts Friday, April 15th at 4:20.  hehehe.....