End of Year

It all culminated in a very nice, and relaxing Christmas day. I am taking a sabbatical until New Year's! I plan on enjoying my husband, who is on vacation; and my 2 boys! I will need a very long afternoon in my Studio to set up for a fresh new year; so that's on my list. I will also be reckoning my financials for 2009. There's always something satisfying about wrapping up an old year and having a clear slate to begin fresh...

To all my artistic friends; thank you for your support and friendship this year, and look forward to many upcoming events and making Art!

See you next year!

So the Christmas shows begin! Last weekend was a lot of fun; a church Christmas bazaar is a nice way to ease in to thinking about all the things that need to get done before the end of December.
I always have fun doing shows with my good friend Julie; we help each other and have a lot of fun. Looking at a couple new shows for next year.

I have been working on some new canvas collages; 6X6 and smaller themed collages. I made a handful of them last weekend. Once I started, I couldn't stop. They are so cute.My work table looked like a tornado hit! Of course it always does, so I'm not sure how I can tell the difference!

I attended the Art of Carolinas on Thursday and Friday; there's a lot going on. I only worked on Thursday, which was fun; but I took and awesome class by Patti Brady--layers and layers of Golden products.Loved it! Then of course the shopping was great; nothing to buy for husband or sons. haha

This weekend requires a lot of catching up and cleaning. It's been a long week of later than usual nights for me. I'm on the downhill slide from being a Band Booster Mom; the season is almost over. The cool and cloudy weather will at least keep me in the house. Maybe even a session in the studio for work on some new Christmas ornaments...

Just a quick invitation--Imaginese Gifts in Cary is hosting a Meet the Artist Evening on the Friday after Thanksgiving, from 6 to 7:30PM. Light refreshments, music, and several local artists will be on hand to meet and talk about their work. Take your out of town guests to jump on Holiday shopping, and to get out of the house! Andrea has an awesome selection of unique items; a very cool store!

Getting down to business...

Now is a great time for getting my studio ready for the Holiday Season Shows. I'm trying to clean and reorganize for prodution time. I did de stash by bringing a bagful to the CMMAG meeting at Scrap Exchange last week. It was a fun event, making ATC'S for the Art of Carolinas in November. I had never made an ATC before! Mini Art! Everyone in the group is super nice.

I have some work to do before October--Charm swap, and I have the perfect raw material to make mine! Old bus tokens from Springfield, Mass. Always go to the flea market when you ned something. I also am starting the AOC challenge canvas this week, I do better with a deadline, and this one is coming up!

Stop out sometime and visit Imaginese Gifts in Cary! This is an awesome store/gallery that has recently started to carry my glass and scrabble tile pendants. Owner Andrea has a huge seletion of unique jewelry, home gifts, and Art of all kinds. She is located at Stonecreek Village on High House Rd. between Davis and 55.

Lazy Daze 2009

Lazy Daze has come and gone. It was a lot of work, a lot of fun, and a lot of rain! It was also pretty successful; although several people noticed a smaller turnout than most years. Economy, threat of rain? Who knows? I love doing this show, though. I had a lot of repeat customers, and met some great new ones. Thanks to all who stopped by my booth!
A lot of appreciation for my "staff"---Lauren, Julie, Peggy, and Lois (mom:)) You are all out of sight! I could never ask for better friends! Honorable mention to my husband Dave, and my boys Matt and Chris for heavy lifting and setting up the %&^%$##% EZ UP tent! Even my Dad loaned me his van :)
I always like to introduce something new to my inventory at a show; my glass tile pendants were almost a sellout! The worry stones went over well, too. Back to the drawing board for a new idea for the Christmas Season shows...
Now I turn my attention to art waiting to be created: Art of the Carolinas challenge, CMMAG charm swap, (as well as my nametags!) I can't wait to get into the bag for the AOC and start making something fabulous!

Down to the Wire

A week and a half until Lazy Daze; why do I wait until the last minute and then work like a demon? I hope to get a lot of work done in the next week. As far as the heat goes, I am wishing for a repeat of last year's great weather. Crossing my fingers for sun, some fluffy white clouds and temps in the 80s...

I have discovered you really can bring very little in the way of supplies and still get a lot of work done. I was away last week as a camp chaperone, and brought my Goodwill travel case with some foil tape, glass, and hand painted papers. Did a lot of wrapping and burnishing. So as soon as the temperature drops below 120 degrees in my garage, I'll get in a soldering session.

I joined the CMMAG at their last meeting, and I already missed the first meeting since I was out of town. I am excited to join this group of very talented and enthusiastic artists. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. I am looking forward to the challenge we will be working on for display at the Art of the Carolinas. and the CMMAG Charm swap. I was involved in the CPS swap, and I loved it. Maybe I can fill in my charm bracelet...

Now that I have my light box in operation,I'm finally getting around to posting a picture of the charm exchange I participated in with my Artful friends; and Cloth Paper Scissors! Mine are the black background postage stamps, the green orange glitter handpainted paper by Christine, the sexy eye is Lynn, and the others are from the magazine exchange. I want to use them on a bracelet, but I would like a lot more charms! I might have to get another swap going, it was so much fun getting the package in the mail. It's neat to see what everyone thought of when "charm" was the challenge; quite an array of ideas.

Quick Picture update

Here is a picture of my lightbox--if I can make it, anyone can!