Working It Wednesday: Watercolors

First, let me say that last Saturday's V and E Artwalk was a success! Sold lots and lots of rocks as well as paintings! Definitely learned a lesson about doing back to back shows though. You shouldn't do it unless you have really built up your inventory. I sold through nearly all my canvas art at the East Buntyn Walk and even though I spent hours on end painting replacements, I still don't feel I had enough stock on hand to really make a good showing at V and E. I did good but could have done even better if I'd had more paintings and rocks on hand. If ever I do this again, I'll prepare far in advance!

Now, on to what I've been working on this week...

After taking a day to rest and recoup, I decided to try my hand at watercolors. I own plenty of them but aside from childlike play with nieces and nephews, I've never done much with them. So today I dabbled in it and for a first effort, I'm pleased. I will probably need to watch some tutorials and such if I ever expect to do anything worthwhile with it though. It was fun to try my hand at something new for a change and who knows, perhaps I'll discover a new talent within myself. 

My first attempt at a Memphis skyline silhouette.

Single sunflower.

Working It Wednesday: Last Weekend

So this week I'm busy doing more of the exact same thing I was doing last week-bulking up my inventory. Why? Well, last weekend's East Buntyn Artwalk was such a huge success (best show I've ever had) that I am way, way low on inventory and that's not good because this coming weekend is the V and E Artwalk.

My big seller this past weekend surprisingly was canvas paintings. I sold so many paintings that I've really got my work cut out for me this week in order to have enough to fill my booth again. This is the first time I've ever sold paintings so well before. Usually, it's always my rocks that sell best. They sold well too, but the paintings sold the best. It's the most awesome feeling to think that my artwork is actually hanging on someone's wall. And that they felt it was good enough to pay money for it. It's the best feeling, really. Some paintings were bittersweet to sell because I've become so personally attached to them but it was so exciting to see customers falling in love with them too.

My sister and niece were nice enough to come work the booth with me all day and I was so grateful. And the rest of my family stopped by the event as well to support me. I was happy to see them and it was fun getting to show them what I do.

My show this weekend will be my last for a little while. I don't have anything booked in May but I'm looking into a show held in early June. I'll keep you posted if I decide to sign up for that one. Hopefully this weekend's show will be as big a success as last weekend! 

As always, if you're local to Memphis, come visit me at the V and E Artwalk on Saturday from 11-6! 

You can read more about the V and E Artwalk here: http://www.vegreenline.org/ve-artwalk/

Working It Wednesday: East Buntyn Artwalk

So I didn't post last week as I was heading out of town for the Guns N Roses (soon good by the way) concert in Las Vegas. We got back Monday evening and I've been in "let's get ready" mode, preparing for this weekend's East Buntyn Artwalk. From gathering everything together, to pricing it, to to planning out my displays, it seems as if there is a never ending list of things to do.
I am worried that I don't have enough inventory and so I've been working like a madwoman trying to create extra pieces. More paintings. More gift tags. Wine glasses. More of everything.

Today, I'm working on individual story stones. They're one of my best sellers at shows and I sold so many at the Beeline Bazaar last month that I just felt the need to make more. I sell them for $1 a piece and kids usually love them while any parent is happy to let their kid have a dollar. It adds up fast! And I never sell them individually in my Etsy shop so it's the only place you can buy them this way. 

I don't have much blogging time today so that's it for now but if you're local to Memphis, don't forget to come visit me on Saturday at the East Buntyn Artwalk! You can get all the event info here:
Www.eastbuntynartwalk.com

Hope to see you there!!!

Working It Wednesday: Hand Painted Wine Glasses

Several years ago, inspired once again by Pinterest, I began painting wine glasses. This week, as I continue to prepare for next month's East Buntyn Artwalk, I'm painting new glassware. Not just wine glasses, but beer steins, martini and margarita glasses too!

Painting them is easy. All you need is the right paint, clean glasses and an oven. And depending on the design, perhaps a little patience too. I've done a few that seemed to take forever and ever because they were so detailed.

I use inexpensive Libby brand glassware that I buy from Dollar Tree. There are two different paints I use. One is the same tha I use on my story stones-Sharpie brand oil paint. This paint is easier to use and I feel like it glides on the glass a little more smoothly but once finished, these cannot be washed in a dishwasher. The other paint I use is Glass Enamel paint by Folk Art. This one feels thicker when I'm painting but seems to be much more long term durable than the Sharpie brand. And this one can go into the dishwasher and the paint won't chip or fade. Personally, I'm all about using the dishwasher and you'd be hard pressed to find dishes in my house that aren't dishwasher safe. I hate hand washing.
I'm doing a little of both types of paint this week since I have both on hand.

I don't usually sell my glassware in my Etsy shop simply because it scares me to ship them in the mail. I'm sure there are perfectly safe ways to ship them but it just makes me nervous. So, if you want to buy any hand painted wine glasses you'll just have to come see me at the East Buntyn Artwalk on April 16th!!

Working It Wednesday: Time to paint!

I missed posting last week because I had way too much going on. I was covering for my sister in law at her work, we had to move into a different apartment due to a leaky roof (gotta love an old, historic building) and I had the Beeline Bazaar leaving no time whatsoever for blogging.

The Beeline Bazaar was a success! I didn't get a lot of booth shots but here is a glimpse of a portion of the booth. There was more but I didn't get a shot of that half of the booth. 

My next event is just under a month away, The East Buntyn Artwalk. And so that means it's time to get busy painting and crafting! At this event I'll be selling everything I make and not just my story stones like this past weekend. I'll have lots of projects over the next few weeks but first up is canvas painting! Here's a peek at what I've started working on!

You can read more about the East Buntyn Artwalk here: www.eastbuntynartwalk.com

Working It Wednesday: Event Booth Prep

This week I've been working on my booth for my upcoming events. The event I have later this month is the Hutchison School Beeline Bazaar, which is an indoor event. I love indoor events! That means my booth doesn't need a tent and I don't have to worry about wind or weather situations. 

I haven't participated in any events since last April and that was an outdoor event so needless to say, my booth needed some re-vamping. I started by sketching out the vision in my mind of what my "indoor" booth should look like. Here's what I came up with:

How I hope the booth will look!

I still had all my old signs from events I'd done last year but they were the wrong colors so I repainted them and am so much happier with the new color scheme than my previous one. My previous colors were more primary colors and now they're more of a beachy pastel scheme. Yellow, Coral, Aqua and Light Grey. I also used my newfound skill of hand-lettering to redo my chalkboard sign. My writing still isn't where I 'd want it to be but it's much better and will do for now until I can sharpen my skills.

My pile of table fixtures and signage, all freshly painted!

Next, I needed a backdrop of sorts. I already had tables and shelves but have never had a backdrop because I've never wanted to shell out the money for one. Everything I found that would work in the past has been upwards of $100 or more. I hate spending a lot of money on display stuff and just won't do it. I'd rather put money into my products. Luckily for me, I scored a wonderful shutter folding screen on a yard sale site for only $40! It was old and dirty as the previous owner had used it outdoors but I figured it was nothing a little elbow grease and painting couldn't fix up. 

The shutter screen before my handy work.

Let's just say I had no idea how much work it would be to sand and paint shutters. All those teeny tiny wooden slats! It took 2 days of working on it to get it how I wanted it. Eventually though, I got it looking decent enough to make me happy. I was so happy to be finished with it that I actually forgot to take a picture of the finished product before I put it in my storage unit. I painted it a light grey and made sure it had a distressed and worn look to it. 

 Me, all smiles before getting started! I had no idea how much work was ahead of me!

I can't wait to see how everything comes together at my first event and I'll be sure to post lots and lots of pictures on here, Facebook and Instagram afterwards! If you're local to the Memphis area and want to come see the booth all finished and set up, please come visit the Beeline Bazaar on Saturday, March 19th! You can read more about the event here: https://www.hutchisonschool.org/beelinebazaar

Working It Wednesday: Record Bowls

So I haven't worked on anything at all lately because I was out of town for vacation. No worries though! I can still offer up a blog worthy post. Record bowls!

Last year I made a bunch of them and took pictures along the way intending to blog a tutorial about it but never actually did it. These are crazy easy to make and are a fun rainy day activity if you have kids. Super cheap with no mess.

You will need:
Old vinyl records (find them at Goodwill or yard sales)
Metal or Pyrex bowl (shape and size don't matter all that much)
Cookie sheet

To make:
-Preheat oven to 200.
-Place bowl upside down on the cookie sheet.

-Place record centered, on top of bowl.
-Place items in oven and watch through the window as the record begins to droop.

-Once record has drooped, pull cookie sheet out and pull record off. You may want to use pot holders when handling the record but I personally don't. It's too hard for me to follow the next step if I have oven mitts on. But for safety's sake, do what is best for you.
-Immediately mold and shape the bowl by pinching and bending the edges. The record will harden very quickly so you have to work fast.

-Let the bowl cool for about 10-15 minutes.

While these bowls are not food safe, they do make awesome decorative items. I've used them as a quirky catch all by the door for cellphones and keys and I've hung them like artwork on my wall. I've had a friend use one as a base for a cool gift basket. Every bowl will be different, no two alike. Whatever you use them for, it's sure to be a fun activity and create a conversation starter.

I'll be back in my normal groove of things next week and have a real post to share!