Whew, wrapping up my summer art show schedule

Just added to my inventory. This hatbrim fits a head 20 inch head circumference.

Whew! I finally finished my summer show schedule ... except for a couple events that I haven't heard from yet. (Look to the side of this blog page to see the list where you will find me.)  There's some new ones on my list, and some that I attend every year.
Art shows are all about LOCAL. And it's such a showcase of artisans and crafters. Creativity just flows - and that's what I love about 'em. I am inspired, and so appreciate the people who turnout - even in the rain as they did last weekend in New Richmond, Wisc. (That was a tough one for us as it just poured. But there were some folks who came anyway.)
So it's back to wrapping rope.

Are you interested in creating your own rope basket? I'll warn you now, the process is addicting. Bernina just posted the instructions. You can find it by clicking on this link.

July - a little of this and a lot of that

Three art shows in June and the calendar has turned another page - I met a lot of great people and learned the hard lesson that no matter how prepared you think you are, the weather can really cause problems. Oh well, on to July, and that means restocking my hat brim inventory. I made 14 since my last show, and my fingers are feeling every twist and turn around the cord. (I hope this isn't arthritis setting in.) However, I'm taking it a little lighter this month with two new shows for my schedule - Art at St. Kate's on July 9 and Chaska River City Days on July 30. I hope to spend the middle of July up at our spot at Breezy Point, and also spend some time with my wonderful Duluth grand kids who just returned from a great trip to Norway with their Grandma Deb Sorenson. No, Molly won't be with me this Saturday at St. Kate's, but Karen Minge has offered to pitch in. Stop by if you can. Pure Serendipity is booth #69.

How to survive the heat and humidity in a 10 x 10 tent

Oh my. I just looked at the weather forecast for this weekend for the south metro: “Hot and humid with strong afternoon thunderstorms.” Well that could be a challenge during my participation at the Eagan Art Festival.

Weather can make or break you – and I’m not just referring to sales. Sitting in a tent on a hot steamy day, is, yes, like being in a sauna. I’m not joking when I say we vendors measure the day by how much water we consume without having to go to the bathroom. Here’s how we make it bearable:

Pray that you are situated so that your tent opening is NOT facing south or west; Put the side walls up so that any breeze can blow through: Get a personal battery operated fan and a big portable fan (be sure to bring batteries, just in case) Water- lots of water- forget the bottles- bring a jug fill it with ice and cucumber slices; Encourage your friends who plan to visit the show to “BRING YOU WATER.” If you have ideas on how to stay cool, please let me know.

Sea Fan makes for a great detail

This bowl is created with batiks that were hand-selected for me in Kenya by my friend Suchinta.I'm so pleased with the stability the new cord I am using gives to my bowls. Both bowls shown here are adorned with dried sea fan that Molly picked up in the Caymans. Nice!

Pssst! If you got this far down my post, you're the first to know that my creations will soon be for sale at Three Sisters Eclectic Arts next to Cafe Latte on Grand Ave., in St. Paul.

New year, new goals

My break from Pure Serendipity is officially over with this post, and I'm setting some lofty goals for 2016:

1. Get my web store up and running; 2. Take photos and post products before considering that creation finished (oh, do you see the little date stamp in the photo above?): 3. Improve my profit margin by offering a greater selection of products that have a track record of being top sellers; 4. Improve "tent" display.

Thanks to another fabric basket artist, I am now using a new cord that makes for a more stable basket.

It's a poly marine cord. It is a little more difficult to work with than the cotton cord that I've been using; but I like the finished product much better. The bowl at the top of this post is made from this cord - it's so stable that it holds alot of "Cuties."

Changing seasons, changing inventory mix

I have only two more outdoor shows this season: Marine on St. Croix Art Fair this weekend and Golden Valley Art and Music Festival on Sept. 26. Then it is time to quickly shift gears to the indoors, and that means an inventory change-up. Here are the three top category items this past summer:

TRIVETS...Total number sold over the summer:26

HATBRIMS...Total number sold over the summer 23

SMALL LIDDED BOWLS My inventory of small lidded bowls is constantly in need of replenishing. (I'd better get busy for the upcoming sales)...Total number sold over the summer: 23

Duluth - pretty sticky, but I'm glad I stuck around.

Two days tenting on asphalt at Highland Fest in the July heat didn't seem to phase me. But two days at Art on Bayfront Park near the shores of Lake Superior took its toll. Heat exhaustion! Sunday there was no wind; lots of heat, sun and humidity, too much for this out-of-shape body. I drove home sick and had to skip a half day of work. However, it was a great event, with great crowds ..... well, on Saturday. I connected with some people from the days when I lived in the Twin Ports, and I had a chance to dine Friday night with bead artist Cheri Meyer at Lake Avenue Restaurant. Was the food ever good. However, as a sign of things to come, the electricity went out and it got a bit steamy; they treated us to their CEVICHE, as a reward for "sticky"-ing around. I truly loved the festival, but I don't think I'll be back next year. They are running it in conjunction with the Tall Ships that will be visiting, and extending the event to four days. Yikes, that's a pretty big financial and time commitment. I wish the planners well, but I just question whether (even with the tall ships visiting) that Duluth can support a four-day art festival. Well, it's time for me to say goodbye to summer shows and start planning for fall. Check my new website for dates and locations

Building on someone else's idea, who was inspired by someone else's idea

In grade school, copying someone's test and getting caught would surely earn you an "F" and a trip to the principal's office. In the writing world, copying someone else's work (document or story) is considered plagiarism and could get you shunned, fired and possibly put in jail. On the flip side, how many painters have studied and tried to imitate the masters in an attempt to learn their technique? What about recipes? Somebody came up with it, and then we take it and make it our own. I follow the Facebook page, S**t overheard at art festivals and so many posts are laments about people wanting to "steal" the idea or the technique. It happens to me to -people at art fairs pull out their cell phones and start snapping photos of my work, others want a detailed account of how I create my product line. This, makes me happy! I know they want to try making their own. It makes me love my art form even more. We all start our journey somewhere, and generally the inspiration comes from outside ourselves.

Barbara Breier's book, It's a Wrap is every cord wrapper's ultimate guide, and starting point. I took her advice, I was inspired by her work, and then I took and made it my own. This post is anchored at the top with a photo of a neckace that I just purchased from New York fabric artist Tonya Dyce. It's my latest inspiration. Can I possibly make this technique my own? Would it fit into my product mix? I don't know the answers, but I will wear this charmer, knowing that I will get compliments; I will promote her work. I hope the day comes that I can take this techique and make it my own. By the way, I will be at Duluth's Art in Bayfront Park on Saturday and Sunday. Stop by, if you are in the area.

The colors of the season

My new fall collection definitely celebrates the season: "Falling Leaves." The colors of fall are reflected in these molded-leaf shaped bowls constructed by piecing batik fabrics together. Next to your bed stand it'a perfect "collector." How about to hold wrapped candy? I use mine as a place to deposit my ear rings at the end of the day. My daughter wants several to make a collage on her dining room wall. Now that's an interesting idea. Yes, you can spot clean these bowls and even re-form them by using a hot iron. These items will debut at The Chickadee Boutique sale, and later at the Gustavus Adolphus Arts and Crafts sale. You can visit my store (see right column) to learn more). I'll keep you posted as more items are ready.

Not your mother's hat brim, but pretty darn close

When I found this photo of my mom from the 1905s wearing this stunning hat, I just had to copy it - well sort of. Hats of all shapes and sizes are now available to help you really capture your personality or mood of the day. My hat brims are made from 100 percent cotton. The embellishments are removable. My collection will be available at the Regla De Oro trunk show this weekend. Hope to see you there. (UPDATE)These were a big hit at the summer festivals. For now, they are only available through my store site http://pureserendipity.tictail.com/

Why it is I do what I do

I think it's time that I develop an artist's statement - why it is that I do what I do. Here it is:

It’s during the quiet times seated at my sewing machine that I reflect. The continual whir and the rhythm of winding the fabric, frees my mind to wander wherever it needs to go. Round and round I coil the cord, round and round till I cut the cord.