Artsyorange on Etsy

I always say the only way to succeed at etsy is to be present in your shop.  Easier said than done for some reason for me.   Here's what I've decided on this issue. I love the getting ready and the doing of real art shows.  I just do.  The interactions, the work...it's all a part of my creative soul.  And maybe part of the reason my show sales are so good is because of all the "extra touches" I place on displays and such.  I'd like to think too it's actually meeting me, the artist behind the paintings.  You can't really do that on etsy.  In fact, much like pinterest, I can't spend much time on etsy.  I get overwhelmed.  Not much does that for me visually.  But those two sites do.

But alas,  whining aside about the fact that I can't set up an amazing tent display...etsy sales must go on.  With the year approaching and my show bookings on hold, I MUST find a way to make this work for me.  I did notice there is a new about page on etsy.  Of course I immediately filled mine with photos of my studio space.  That is an awesome new feature to the site where buyers can see where artists work without having to head to a separate site, like a blog, to learn more about the artist.  Thanks Etsy for seeing and filling that need!

I've also found a sweet spot for photographing my original works of art that I feel shows their charming qualities without being seen in person.  And was able to upload 9 this week.  Hoping they find new homes soon!

So, I guess the message to this post is that in order to succeed at etsy...or any type of online business you must find a way to present yourself to the audience as well as you do in person.  I've still got a few ideas up my sleeve, but for now I am just happy that my shop is no longer empty!

The Color Wheel Staircase

Sometimes I get crazy ideas in my head.  And when the Paint Something Workshop was a go....well this idea just HAD to get done.  The stairs leading to the basement were just so very....very icky!!!  In fact, they were driving me nutty.  It was hard to walk to my happy place walking down these.  So what's a girl to do?

Oh geeeeesh....this was so very bad. 

I didn't want to spend much money on the project.  Especially since I already had a few gallons of paint left over from the kitchen project.  I love the blue in the kitchen anyways....although in a closed hallway it ends up much bluer!  This was the hardest paint job I've ever done. It sucked actually.  There was no real safe place to stand.....so my dance experience on the toes was put to use.

Ellie cat on the ladder cracked me up fussing at me.  Funniest part...she meows mute.  Yeah.  Strange.  We think it's all the fat around her vocal chords blocking the sound.  She just kept a fussing though.  I think she didn't like my trapeze act.  And it sure was.  I had my leg on one wall...arm on another, roller going....really should have video taped this.  Yep.   I was like Spider Man Woman. 

Once I got down the stairs it became contagious...the blue paint that was.  I kept going, and going with it.  The basement although unfinished has a lot of sheetrock and white cabinets.  It was a HUGE selling point, all the storage they left behind for us.  So the sheetrock was an easy peasy roll. 

But the stairs....they were very raw.  My original idea was to just paint them gray.  When Mailey and I went to Lowe's to buy the paint she was VERY opinionated about this idea.  In fact, she said, "I won't go down into the basement if you paint the stairs nasty gray. " (hmmm...oh yes I did think about that statement...)  "Who paints art studio stairs gray anyway?"  She was flat out mean.  So I said, "fine, you pick a color".

And then Lowe's had a Valspar display of these: 

And the angel's started singing!!! (seriously with the lighting and all the colors it was quiet magical)  "Mailey, why don't we paint the stairs ALL these colors?"  And the reply......YES!!!!  At just $2.94 each it cost about what a gallon of paint would have cost.

So after sanding the trim, painting it white and two coats later on everything.  I was done!!  Painting the stairs was a challenge.  And yes, there is one kitty print.  But the results are WELL worth it!

At the base of the stairs I decided to make use of the space and create a mini workout area. I love to use weights, which doesn't require much space!  It was fun to use some of my displays in this area too.  Notice the white screen and book shelf?

The project really turned about beautiful.  The other purchase was a light (it was just a bulb in the ceiling before).  So total cost of project was:  $35 paint, $25 light fixture, $40 gray matts for workout area.  $100.  I know, so cool!!

Our little camper painting collection by Mailey and I.  We even covered the switch plates with paper!  I love covered switch plates.  They make me smile.  So the big reveal was this past weekend with the Paint Something Workshop attendees.  It made everyone smile too.  :)

So what's next on the docket?  Hmmm....well the walls in the entranceway are still khaki pants.  And I have my Spider woman skills practiced.  So maybe.....

Paint Something Workshop

Friday finally came...and like magic so did the art students.  From all over they came.....Birmingham, Montgomery, Carrollton, Lagrange, Newnan, Hogansville and Smyrna.  To paint.  In the studio.  With me.  19 contact hours of teaching.  I feel tired, but in an almost surreal way.  It's hard to describe how teaching fulfills my soul.  Watching all the students come alive as they painted was truly humbling.  

I planned this weekend to a tee.  Every little detail was brought together to allow students to feel comfortable, welcomed, nurtured and loved.  From silly imagination glasses to a book created just for them, the weekend fulfilled my dream studio experience.  It's what I've wanted to do for so long and finally have the space to.  And the best part.....it all came together.  Perfectly.  As evident by the ease of conversation.  And most evident by their completed paintings.  Holy cheese cracker....I think a few were amazed at themselves!  It was fabulous!!

And this one....well she just continues to completely amaze me.   (BTW the glasses were supposed to make you see "clearly" throughout the workshop...hehehe)

I'll show photos of their work later in the we week, but here are the groups:

 Above was the Friday day group:  Caryl, Janet, Kelly, Renee, Sydney, Melissa, Cindy, Mailey and me.

Friday night:  Joy, Tiffin, Heidi, Heather, Megan and Me...(Mailey was behind the camera)

 Saturday day:  Melissa, Ashley, Heather, Christina, Heidi, Lily and me (Again, Mailey behind the camera)

19 hours of teaching...the class ran 1.5 hours longer each time than planned.  Hey, this was a great learning experience for me too.  I think the class sizes were perfect for giving individual attention.  And with just a little more time planned for the next class it'll be perfect!  Yes, soon the July dates will be posted!

So today after I push the PUBLISH button, am going to be doing what Lily is doing in the above photo!  I look forward to showing you their amazing paintings, but for now....I am headed to the chillax zone!

All Smiles Here!

All smiles in the Horne house this morning.  We are ready to scatter some joy on eager paint students.  I can't wait to share their talents with you next week!!  Yipppppeeeee!!!!!

Getting Ready!!

Hey ya'll!!  Mailey and I have been working like little bees in the basement getting ready for the 1st Paint Something Workshop!!  She is so excited.....like so cute excited.  I think I've created a little artist in the making.  And how wonderful the exposure she's going to be receiving as we embark on this journey together.  In fact, at this point I feel like she needs her photo in the profile here on the blog the way I gush over her!  I told her she needed to start a blog...she giggled then said, "really?  can I?"  Of course I too am beyond excited.  And having it here makes it easier to set up.  Just perfect. 

Below are some photos of what we've been up to:

 Ok...so no more peeking.  But I did have to show you this finally freaky photo I took.  Holy tamoly you can see right through Mailey!!  ewwww.....scary!

Ok.  If you are interested in coming this weekend I still have room in Friday PM and Saturday am.  Just let me know!

If You Need Me...

So for 3 days straight my comment to the house full of kids was, "if you need me I'm in the basement."  Lost in the depths and layers of stuff.  Like holy cheese cracker I'd let this place go to POT!  I mentioned on my 52 canvases blog that this is the pattern.  Yep.  It is.  And right alongside this pattern is my crazy clean out freako mode.  I can't just clean one space and be done.  Nope.  Gotta clean out everything everywhere in the entire basement square footage. 

It started with the painting of the basement stairs.  Wait til I get those photographed.  You are going to flip out they are so cool!!  And then the bottom of the stairs, and then the storage area, then the gardening tool area, then the wood shop area, then the pretty part....then...then....geesh.  I have TOO MUCH STUFF.  Shut down, not sleep, ok get back to it Jenni you have like 20 people coming here next weekend!  I got it done.  Yeah me!

But I thought for a little treat I'd show you that indeed I can be messy, I can be a real person. I warn you, this is a tad scary.  hehehe....

The mess doesn't seem to bother little mountain lion Graham Cracker.   Cracking myself up that I am showing you this......I even found yellow jelly beans in a muffin tin on the table below.  From months ago, eww!!  Let me think, I want to say it was a van load for the Goodwill, 6 bags of garbage and a few boxes.   Like I said, when I clean out, I clean out! 

So, after all this work I am relieved it's done.  Especially since my Paint Something workshop is next weekend and there are a lot of you coming.  Now, the bomb that went off upstairs while I was downstairs is another story.  HA. 

Billy was most impressed.  But then said, "how long you think this will last?"  Oh he knows me so well!!  At least it will last until you guys come and see it sparkly clean.  And then help me make it messy again. 

Doodle Painting

The most recent series of paintings I've completed have been so much fun to finish!  All little images straight from my sketchbook.  Dooddles coming to life.  I love that I've got the confidence to run with these and not be afraid they are too simple, or too childlike.  In actuality I am more drawn to images like this.  And think its' about time to let go of the fear of what others think and get back to painting for me.  Honestly the paintings that flew outta my tent at the last show where these type of paintings.  So maybe, just maybe, they mean a little something to you to?