thirty +

Today was my third 10-hour studio day in a row - and there's still so much to do. Photographing work for upcoming deadlines, still trying to frantically re-stock inventory for Mt. Gretna, getting ready for vacation next week, and (as much as I've been trying to avoid it) starting to think about the classes I'm teaching this fall.

I've still got quite a long week ahead of me...

friday already

Where did the week go? Between recovering from craft shows, trying to re-stock my inventory, and creating new work, this week has flown by. That's right - new work. I've been working on some new necklaces. Its been a while since I've made a necklace, but I'm suddenly feeling inspired. Perhaps its the upcoming deadline for the ACC shows. Perhaps its that I've been wearing more necklaces myself lately. Either way, I'm excited about all the possibilities.

And speaking of ACC, I have a big announcement. I've been chosen as a Searchlight Artist for the ACC Baltimore retail show! Myself and 13 other emerging artists will be highlighted in a special section of the show. This is a great opportunity for me to present my sculptural work to buyers, gallery owners, and collectors.

recent purchases

Even though Joe and I have been in our house for almost a year, there's still a lot of work to be done. (In our defense, it was a bank foreclosure, so there's been tons of work to do.) To motivate myself to work on the house, I've been trying to buy more art. Here are a few of my recent purchases:

This beautiful painting by Mark Traughber, that I picked up at Cain Park.


A copper bowl by Corey Ackelmire. I'll be getting a second one in a trade, so I'll have a beautiful pair.


And finally these two prints from swallowfield's etsy shop.

I'm giving myself permission to work on the house a little bit everyday, so I'll be sure to post pictures as things come together.

free shipping!

From now until August 3rd, I'm offering free shipping on my fine silver on steel bracelets. (For anyone who couldn't pick up a set at my summer craft shows.) Available in my Etsy shop.

catching up

I'm back from my craft show marathon, and have lots of catching up to do.

Cain Park was great! Hands down it has the most helpful and friendly staff of any show I've done. People who bought last year came back to say hello, and I sold more than I have at any other show. I even sold a pillow!!! (Of course, I hadn't photographed it before hand, so I will probably be making another one in the near future.)

Ann Arbor wasn't bad. I actually managed to do ok, despite being on the corner of "Middle of Nowhere" and "Sketchville." (See pictures below.) Mostly, I just feel happy to have survived my first Ann Arbor. (Four days is a very long craft show.)

While I was in Ann Arbor, I found out that my 2-person exhibition at the Rosewood Gallery has been moved to September/October of 2008. This is a big relief, because it previously coincided with my 2-person exhibition at MWPAI.

I'll be spending the next week or so restocking my inventory. I actually sold out of quite a few things, including size small fine silver on steel bracelets. (Stay tuned for a special shop announcement about the bracelets tomorrow.) Hopefully, I'll also find time to play with a few new necklace ideas I have.

Ann Arbor (and the sketchy corner market) in the rain on Thursday.


The typical crowd across the street from my booth at Ann Arbor.

The typical crowd on the street my booth was on at Ann Arbor.

crafty bastards

I'm still in the midst of my craft show marathon, but I wanted to pop in and announce that I will be at Crafty Bastards in Washington, DC on Sunday, September 30!!!

See you there!

"for your safety, pillow fights are not recommended"

I finished powder-coating the new work on Monday night, and spent yesterday trying to figure out display for the upcoming shows. (Since everything was just a mock-up, I'll take pictures of the final displays at the shows themselves.)

I leave tomorrow for the craft show marathon that is Cain Park and Ann Arbor, and I still have a ton of things to do (including making more work), so this is my last post before I leave.

Here are the details, if you're in the area, stop by and say hello!

Cain Park Arts Festival
Cleveland Heights, OH
Friday, July 13 - 3PM-8PM
Saturday, July 14 - 10AM-8PM
Sunday, July 15 - 12PM-5PM

South University Art Fair - Emerging Artist Section
Booth #14
Ann Arbor, MI
Wednesday, July 18 - 10AM-8PM
Thursday, July 19 - 10AM-8PM
Friday, July 20 - 10AM-8PM
Saturday, July 21 - 10AM-6PM

orla kiely

Decor8 has some great images of Orla Kiely's flagship store in London. Such amazing layering of pattern. Just another reason I need to go to London... (and a reminder to hang my Orla Kiely wallpaper.)
(Images via Decor8)

Then, while I was browsing Orla Kiely's website, I was excited to see she makes a tent. How cool would this be to take on our yearly camping trip at the lake? (Joe might not be happy about it.) I've always wondered why there weren't floral patterned tents, I'm so glad they really do exist!

july...

I've been a bad blogger lately, but only because I've been very busy...

Manayunk was decent. Not the best show over, but my best this season. I'm hoping things pick up from here.

I spent last week working on pillows and wall panels in preparation for Ann Arbor. I've now got 4 pillows and 8 more panels ready for powder-coating. (I was hoping to powder-coat this past Saturday, but it wasn't meant to be. Hopefully next Monday.) I've also been trying to figure out a booth display that integrates my jewelry and sculpture, but nothing seems quite right.

Joe and I are headed to the beach tomorrow for the rest of the week. The timing is bad, because I've got so much to do before Cain Park and Ann Arbor. But I love the beach, so I can't wait to go. I've got a whole stack of books just waiting for me.... (not to mention big plans for running, golfing, eating, shopping, and spending time with the fam.)

Happy 4th everyone. I'll try not to stay away so long this time.