Sketch #4

Now this one was interesting....

Sketch Prompt #4

"Create a stain on a clean sketchbook page using anything!
Use the stain to create a image with your pencil!"

The first thing I thought of was coffee!

So I took some coffee grounds, spread them on the page and rubbed them in a bit to make a good stain.

Well what do you know, I came up with a tree haha!

I just love trees and apparently so does my subconscious.

Sketch #3

And here, my dears, is sketch #3 from Run 2 the Wild's sketchbook workshop!

"Divide a clean sketchbook page into sections by drawing 2 diagonal lines, 3 horizontal and 2 vertical lines each touching the edges of the page. Then fill each empty section with a different unique pattern."

This was actually harder than I thought it would be!

My OCD wouldn't let me just put a certain shape in each section at first but I told myself to just go for it.  Definitely a great exercise in letting go.  :D 

Sketch #2

Here's the prompt for sketch challenge #2!

Rest your pencil to a fresh sketchbook page, close your eyes and begin to move your pencil all over the page for 15 seconds. open your eyes. spend the next 15 mins turning your scribble into a recognizable image!

What a weird drawing I came up with haha!  I call it

"Two Little Bean-Like Aliens Riding a Chameleon-Rabbit-Cow-Ostrich-Dinosaur"

  Here it is for your viewing pleasure, enjoy!

Run2TheWild's Sketchbook Workshop!

Miss Courtney from Run2TheWild has began a Sketchbook Workshop!

And I decided to join in.

I haven't drawn -ANYTHING- in so long!  In fact, I don't think I've had a legitimate sketchbook for over 10 years now.  Sad, isn't it?  Well this is just the kick in the creative pants I needed!

The first assignment was thusly:

"Draw a self portrait without using words, without a mirror and without actually drawing yourself realistically. Use this sketch to describe who you are on the inside, not who we see on the outside."

Here is my entry:

I gave myself a half hour time limit.  Granted, I didn't get much done, but I like it.

I've always been one to take my time with drawing anything, so half an hour is nothing compared to how long I could have spent on it!

Thanks Courtney for the inspiration!  Can't wait to see what the next ones are going to be.

New Setup

This might be really late, what with the show being back in August,

but here it is ladies and gentlemen; my new setup for my craft show booth!

Here's what's new:

• I incorporated the canopy again (after fixing it) instead of umbrellas.

• I removed the ugly green cover and used a favorite vintage blanket of mine.  More color, more light!

• New handmade banner.

• New display pieces.  The shelves and little bench, painted up a pretty white.

• And for the first time, a payment center! (On the right, in the back.)

Out of everything I think the payment center was my favorite part.  The table and little cabinet held, hid and kept organized everything I needed; cash in the drawers, iPhone with square card swiper in the top cubby with my tea, mailing list on the table, "Credit Cards Accepted" sign on the back of the cabinet, "toolbox" hidden underneath.  It made a specified place for payments to be taken instead of me and the customer just standing in the middle of my booth for everyone to see.  It made me feel better and I noticed it made customers feel better too, made their purchase more of a private affair.

I always get to share my space with my best friend Ana who runs Pretty Bizarre on Etsy, which makes any craft show a blast!

This particular show takes place every year in a big driveway of a very good friends home.

It's small, as far as craft shows go, only about fifteen vendors all known by each other.

It's well attended by friends, family and the public.

Every show is an affirmation of friendship, artistry, laughter and love.

I never miss it.  :D

Here are a few more photos from the show:

This is Chris, the lady behind the show.  She specializes in homemade jams and soaps.

The show seen from the beginning of the driveway.

Maggie and Valerie with hand painted art and homemade treats, delicious!

Jamie and her recycled coffee bag pillows and totes.

Jen peeking from the back with all her unique handmade jewelry.

Some of Jen's bracelets.  You can find her on Etsy as TheBeeArchitect.

Until next time, have a splendiferous day!

New Approach

I want to stop making just things and start making art.

Fiber art.

No more mass produced patterns and pieces but one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art.

I want to take this title of fiber artist to the next level.

It might not be a new style, just a new approach to things.

I want to be more free with my art.

Make things for the sole purpose of making them.

Make things because I love to.

Then release them into the world!

I lost sight of that.

The love and the creative flow.

Instead I got caught up in all the made-to-order pieces.

I'm going to stop focusing on that as much.

And focus on creating just to create.

Who likes vintage?

I know I do!                                                                         .

Which is the exact reason why I have too much vintage stuff hanging about in my room and garage.

And it's time to start finding new homes for it all! 

 That is why all this month you will find a plethora of vintage treasures cluttering up my shop.

Head over to see it all for yourself:  Vintage Section

Click on the photos to see the listing.