New Stuff!

One of the few larger Gunnera leaves I have, painted in more Autumn -like colors. Turned out very well!
...And since the summer is staying very cool this year, and my Lotus hasn't thrown very large leaves yet, I wanted something to substitute for now. I came up with multiple waterlily leaves, which is still an aquatic theme, but larger (and more awesome) than a single leaf! This is the only one I had so far, it sold within an hour at the last show, so I will be working on others, along with the Lotus.

Break Time (?)

For my second year there, Art On The Mall was consistently busy, with nice weather (too windy, but dry) and the event people and volunteers were exceptionally considerate and accessible. On the survey they gave me, I told them there was nothing I could see that they could have done better (...except maybe provided free ice cream? - hey, it's worth a shot! ). If I am still doing this next year, I am certainly planning to be back!

Sold all of my Lotus birdbaths- fortunately, looks like one of mine is finally starting to throw big leaves! I know what I'll be doing the next few weeks!

Nobody Warned Me This Would Happen

I really enjoy participating in art and craft fairs- of course, or I wouldn't do it! BUT, it never occured to me that, in order to be ready to go at 7:30 or 8:00 or 9:00 AM, you have to be starting at 5:30 AM or so! Not being any kind of an early bird (all they get are worms), I really dread climbing out of bed in the middle of the night. Coffee is my drug of choice on THOSE mornings!

THEN, half asleep and irritable, we get the dumb questions all day ( all artists/crafters get dumb questions, I'm sure they're different depending on what their art is)- "So, you make molds from leaves?" "No." "So you cast a leaf and make a mold from it?" "No." "So you Plaster of Paris a leaf and THEN make molds from it?" "NO! NO MOLDS!"

"So, is dese things ashtrays?" "No." (Does anyone even USE ashtrays anymore?)

" What are these made out of?" "They're cement." "Oh, so at what temperature do you fire these?" "They're not fired -they're CEMENT." "Are they dishwasher safe?" ... "Hey, my sister does pottery, too".etc...Sigh.

Actually, I don't normally get irritated, it's sort of humorous ( "let's count how many times we get THAT question"), and the people who end up becoming my customers rarely ask stuff like that, I've noticed. Come to think of it, though, I don't remember getting as many dumb questions when I was making jewelry...

Art On The Mall

...For the first time, I am now a "returning" artist! This will be the second year I will be set up here, it is a really nice, uncrowded show on the campus of the University of Toledo. Primarily, the artists are alumni of the University - I am not one of those, but they have accepted me there anyway! So I am a little proud of that fact! I just tell everyone I'm a "pretend" alumni! ;o)

Working Vacation...

Art In The Garden, June 13
Was on vacation from my "real" job last week. I was probably busier than I normally am when I'm working! Had two shows on consecutive weekends, a two day and a one day, and another one day this Saturday! Whew! Even though I have to really push myself to have enough stock on hand, it is a life I think I'd love if I didn't have to have an outside job!



One of the artists I refer to - if you ever run across this guy, please check out his work! He is, by far, the best in his field (I own one of his pieces, would have more if I had more wall space!)
The most interesting part of it is meeting all the other artists and craftspeople and getting to know some of them. It's fun to share stories and find out the opinions of the more experienced show circuit folks, the ones who actually make a living at what they do! How cool. I haven't quite convinced my husband to go to med school and become a brain surgeon so I can quit and have my art career full time! Have to keep working on that...



And of course, can't forget my customers! I have realized that as a rule, people in general either "get" what I do and love it, or have no idea why I would make these stupid cement things! I have determined that maybe 20% of a crowd of people love my work, and out of those, maybe half will purchase something. It is not for everyone, and, as I whined about before, there are not a lot of gardeners (or artists) in my area. I'm sure things would be much different in some other area of the country. So, while I have a lot of organizers of craft shows approach me, I don't participate in a lot of those -they have to have high attendance numbers to find enough of that 20% who are MY people!

"Art In The Garden"

Here's my booth at the Old West End Festival last weekend

This Saturday, June 13, is another event we will be participating in. "Art In The Garden" will be on the premises of Garden Delights (5723 N Main St.), in Sylvania, Ohio, 10AM to 4PM. This benefits The American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life", which I am glad about, since my husband is a cancer survivor. Speaking of him, Saturday is also our 28th wedding anniversary! What a way to celebrate! Hope we see you there!

...Those Shoes!

I cannot wear pretty shoes. Without going into a lot of detail, between bunions and my bones in my feet not really aligned like they should be, I never could wear high heels or anything without a lot of support to them. Since I began participating in art/craft festivals, I tried several types of shoes that were touted to be comfortable, but after standing 10-12 hours, (usually on concrete!), none of them could keep up, and my feet and legs ached for 2-3 days afterwards! Even some walking shoes don't make it. I still wanted something pretty or "artsy" though. So I found a lot of websites dedicated to "customizing your kicks", and here is my solution : paint!

Got many (positive) comments. They're still a work in progress - I think the blue may be changed to green, and the paint flaked some on the bends, so there will be some tweaks, but I'm happy with my first attempt!