Happy Mail Day!

Oh what fun to receive happy mail. And this is happy mail. I set several goals for myself once I became a full-time artist, and one was to take the time to submit articles to Somerset publications. It's really an easy process....and boy is it worth the time when you see it in real print. My girls got a 3 PAGE spread! Yipee skipee. Aren't they so sweet? I love to write, so the intro is always a fun part of the process of submitting, not just the technical stuff of making. I want to thank Amanda, the editor of Sew Somerset, for including me in this amazing publication. It's chopped full of great ideas. So pick up your copy today!

Field Trips

This past school year our county decided to save money by cutting out all field trips. Seriously, don't they know that part of the learning process is seeing and doing, not just sitting? Anyhoo....education is a topic for another day. So this summer I decided that I would take my kids on a field trip each week. I don't tell them where or when, we just go. Last Tuesday after William's game, we packed up at 9PM and headed to Lake Martin where my father has a houseboat. We spent all day Wednesday in the Lake. Along side was Harley, the lake dog. He even hung out on a float with me for a bit. Swimming, jumping off the pier, fishing, eating junk food and just plain old being lazy were on the docket for the day. My other rule for field trips, no cell phone or TV. Man was that nice. This week we are headed to......well you'll just have to wait and see!

PS: William caught about 6 Brim I think. We are thrower backers though. Love to eat fish, but not clean it!

Sketchbook Inspirations

I decided to give you a sneak peak into my little sketchbook world. I try and get my ideas into this book, but alas, lately I've been slack. While on hand rest last month though, I did explore the left hand a bit and made these fun doodles that I am sure will make it into some new paintings soon!

I put all sorts of goodies into my books, from doodles, color scheme ideas, magazine clips, cards, etc. I was taught to make what are called "thumbnails" to map out compositions before going to the final stage. So my book is full of these little boxes with little compositions in them. This is now a habit I enjoy and helps later down the road when I have a idea block. I can just flip through this book and find an idea I've yet to work through. I really like the Popsicle idea.

Kraftwork Experience

Just wanted to post a few pics of my set-up for Kraftworks. This was last Thursday night at Young Blood Gallery and Boutique in Virgina Highlands. LOVE the gallery. It was so cool to see so many of my favorites from etsy in person. I was like, "Oooo...I know them and ooooo...I know them!" I of course spent a good bit to support the local crafters on fabulous finds. The event however, was pretty much a flop. It poured down rain that night. And since Virginia Highlands is a walking type community, no one was walking about.

I thought the art behind my sweet little tweets was a unique comparison. I had a blast with all the other vendors, love those Sweet Revolution chocolate gals, and my knifty crocheter. Can't wait to participate again. This time, without the rain!

Tweet Nights

Sometimes I say yes to things without really thinking them through. And this was one of those times. Vero at Naked Art Gallery is hosting a great show called Electric Oddities in September which she asked me to participate by making 3 lamps. Seriously I had no idea what I was going to do, lamps are not really my forte. I strolled through several thrift shops over the past couple of weeks to find bases and shades and then just like that, the ideas came to me. I am so glad now that I am participating and really love the final products. Getting out of my "box" has now opened up a new opportunity to express myself.

The above is a floor lamp with larger gauze shade. It's painted with what I call my circus look.
This is by far my favorite find. It was a thrift store gem in the rough! The driftwood was already attached in a perfect perch for this little felted baby. I painted the base white, added some felted leaves and berries, and gauze the shade. The top lamp was a serious eye sore. But now, the Tweet Night stamped on the shade along with the collaged elements make it a sweet finished product.

Indie Crafting It

This weekend Valerie and I went up to Atlanta for an Indie Craft Experience in Centennial Olympic Park. It was GREAT! I was so impressed with all the booth set ups, variety of crafts and the people selling. I can't wait to be a part of the next event they are having in the fall. Here's my find of the day by the super cool Wendy Allen of Miss Fitt: The group also holds on the first Thursday of each month a market at Young Blood Gallery in Virgina Highlands. I applied and was accepted for THIS Thursday. I am super excited to join the other talented artisans at the event. If you are in the area stop on in and say howdie!

Glittery Love

I've been working away in the studio on some prototypes for Christmas. Yes, Christmas. As I reflected on the shows from 2008, I realized that I missed a wonderful opportunity for making a fabulous ornament to sell. And honestly, this is the time to do it if I am going to make something in a large quantity. I have little elf helpers around to help with the glittering process this summer! My studio is just a glistening right now. Happy days.