Craft Show Fun

The Strongsville  Avant-Garde Art & Craft show was this past weekend

It was a well-advertised show and there was a good crowd of people both days. 

What a fun time!

I've been making bowls since last January. All in preparation for this show. 

My sister Susan and I decided to share the table for this 2-day show.

 It was tight. Very tight. 

Not just the table but the space between tables and behind us. 

We had to sit sideways to keep from bumping into the people behind us. 

 There was no leg room either. Oh well. 

Despite the cramped space and shorter than typical tablespace (only 6ft.)

We did pretty well. 

Neither of us had done a show in a very long time. 

Susan offered her amazing Collages on greeting cards and framed pieces. 

They're just so awesome!

And me with my crazy assortment of Paper Clay bowls. 

I got lots of positive feedback, compliments, and

questions about the bowls. 

 I didn't really know what to expect, never having sold paper clay bowls before.

but my sales were pretty good!

I think I may go back to their Spring show in April. this time Susan and I will

get our own tables. 

The best part? it was my kids and friends coming out.

They're such great cheerleaders.

And seeing my Grandchildren too?... was the cherry on top. 

Autumn flowers from my Grandson Garrett   *LOVE*

A PERFECT Fall Saturday. A brilliant Blue Sky, 

Sunshine and a chilly 60 degrees.

The bowls I made last weekend, are ready to come alive. 

I finished the one below, and I'm pretty happy with it.

Just have to put a Matt finish sealer on it.

I have no idea what the others will "turn into"

but I'm excited about the possibilities! 

I'll be getting an early start in the morning, and painting

all day!

Clean houses are overrated anyway.

Another Sunday done

Well, I was able to drag myself out of bed early on Saturday and Sunday!
I managed to stay focused and get some pieces finished!
My creative juices are really flowing and I'm getting so excited about the Art and Craft show.

Here's a little peek at two pieces I finished this weekend.

This piece, made from 100% recycled paper,

                                          The edge and bottom has a cool faux Bronze look

 

  

This piece, made using commercial paper clay, was

painted and I hated how it turned out. So it was put aside. 

Today, new inspiration struck. I collaged it! Now 

I'm very happy with the way it turned out. 

So. I've got a pretty good inventory, but I have so many more

ideas. The show is now JUST under two months away, so

I think I'll get a lot more done. 

I wish I had another Sunday to stay and play

It worked!

Fresh Batch

I worked a half day, got home and had a quick bite, then whipped up a fresh batch of paper clay. 

A very large batch! I emptied the paper shredder at work and got about four tighly packed grocery bags full. This should hold me for a while. 

It's been so long since I've done a craft show, I have to remember all the little things I'll need to bring. But I have time to gather it all. November seems so far away, but It will be here before you know it. 

So many ideas so little time! Even though I started planning for the show in January and I have been creating bowls ever since. Of course, not every bowl is perfect so even though I have a lot made, not all will make the cut. 

I'm calling them "MOOD BOWLS".. because I like variety and paint whatever mood strikes at the moment. I also think this gives potential buyers an opportunity to find something that fits them best. 

I'll watch the rest of the movie "A Lust for Life" about Vincent Van Gogh, then roll out some new pieces, that will be ready to paint next weekend. 

Amping it up

So I submitted my request to be a vendor in a really great Art & Craft show in November, 

and it's been accepted!

 My sister and I will be doing the show together. 

I'm excited and I will be in high gear now, making more Paper Clay bowls

 and other ideas rolling around in my head. 

It's been a very long time since my sister and I did a craft show together It's gonna be fun!

   

                                                           Well..... I do have to eat so....

Sun-Baked

More Paper Clay bowls and dishes, baking in the Sun.  They'll be ready by the weekend and I plan on painting all weekend long. 

I even made a card holder for my new business cards. 

I still love that what was once old bills are now clay! 

Like my Grandson says "We're turning junk into cool stuff. 

Go Big

New batch...new bowls

I made a big one this time...and some "free form" trinket dishes. 

I have no idea how I will paint them....especially the large one, but I'm sure inspiration will strike. 

Have a great weekend!

I made a dent

I have a 3 day weekend! thanks to the 4th. of July. the oppressive humidity is gone for now, and I am finally able to open the windows again and enjoy the breeze and fresh air.

 I spent day 1 attempting to make a dent in the mess that is my ART room.
If you know me.... or have ever read any of my previous posts, you know that my ART room is
ALWAYS a mess, and I'm ALWAYS trying to get it organized.
I live in an apartment, and space is limited. I chose the master bedroom for my ART room. It has a large window, lots of light, and walk-in closet and perfect for an ART room. But...it's bursting at the seams now.
I've discovered the older I get, the less I need.
I'm a recovering TCHOTCHKE collector. Years of buying things, because they were "so cute"
and "cheap" and "I want it." I wish I had a dollar for each TCHOTCHKE I bought over the years... I'd be pretty wealthy.  the same goes for ART supplies. I'm convinced it's a true addiction. Walking through my favorite ART store can be dangerous. I go in for just a bottle of paint, and come out with more stuff.....because it was "so cool" "inspiring" or "I need this....even though I have some... I might run out."
So....I'm trying to get rid of stuff that I've held on to, for who knows how long, because "I'm gonna make something with it" I saw a post on FB that was really inspiring:

So true right? I've also read, that clutter can cause stress and anxiety and I can attest to that. 

I'm far from a neat freak, but even I eventually get overwhelmed by the mess. 

So.... I got my table cleared off. I haven't seen the table in months! I should have taken a "before" shot....it was completely.... COMPLETELY covered with paints, brushes and a mess of other stuff.  I feel accomplished, making this small dent. It's inspiring me to do more.. .and more...

Can you relate?

 I also spent way to much time designing new business cards. I have a cyber shop at: https://www.zazzle.com/   (check it out!) and my shop link:
https://www.zazzle.com/artkissed  I'm a "BRONZE" seller (woot! woot!) I have so much fun adding my original designed to their many products. It's fun receiving royalty checks or just spending my earnings on gifts. So the cool people at Zazzle offer free business card to their best sellers. I got 100 FREE cards last year, and they made the offer again this year!  

                                   Here is my card front and back  (phone number not shown).

So.... whaddaya think? 

The first batch last year, had the same front, but just a cream colored back, with simple text. 

then the lightbulb went off.... JAZZ IT UP! DUH!!

I'm planning on doing an ART show in November, so they'll come in handy!

So....if you ever need busness cards...or someone to design them for you.... wink wink. 

"I'm a little ARTIST and I'm 4 years old"

 My Grandson Garrett "demonstrating" how to paint a paperclay bowl.
This was his first, un-coached, un-rehearsed video!......and he did it like a pro!
More to come.

How time flies...

Has it really been 3 1/2 years since I posted last?
Time really does fly by.

My cute Cherub-faced Grandson Garrett, just turned 5. and I have another Grandson now!... Liam, who is 14 months old. He's Blonde and Blue-eyed and so adorable.
I have a new job, thanks to downsizing. I was at the "old" job 10 years. Lots of big changes.

 It's the first of July, and we're in the middle of a heatwave. 90+ degrees. But I'm cool and comfy in my apartment.

So, I've dusted off my Blog and gave it a little makeover.
I'm planning on posting more ART and less family stuff, although I'm sure I won't be able to resist posting a picture or two of my adorable Grandsons now and then.
I'm also going to {try} to make some instructional Youtube videos....that's something I haven't pursued yet.

For the past year, I've been obsessed with making paper clay bowls. I started with the store-bought paper clay, and have graduated to making my own. I really love the process of, as Garrett says "Turning junk into good stuff".... by shredding old bills, sales ads etc. I love the organic feel of the handmade paper clay. It's very satisfying to see these bowls that I actually created from scratch.

So..... stay tuned and see what's new.