Lost in my creativity

I'm lost, I'm struggling. My creativity is still very much part of me, but it is struggling to find a new direction.

For many years, my creative spurts had an outlet; I enjoyed coiling cotton cord and challenging myself to think of new creations, and, much to my surprise, people liked what I made..... especially my hatbrims. I would guess that I sold a couple hundred over the seven or so years I was participating in art show.

But, overtime, I developed carpal tunnel from the act of winding fabric around the cord. So I stopped! I went back to quilting. And with any not-for-profit hobby, I was giving most of my creations to my kids.... still they revolted. "No more, mom. A person can have only so many quilts."

As long as I am working with fabric, I'm happy.

But, let's face it, fabric, good fabic is expensive. So, I looked at all my unused stash knowing full-well that at onetime along the way, I thought the pieces were irresitible and shelled out the money; Additionally, I save even small fabric pieces, hoping I can find a use.

Applique! That's it, I thought to myself. I can do this! Applique for those who don't know, is taking, in my case, bits and pieces of fabric and creating pictures. I have been following fabric applique artists like #lauraheine and #BeretNelson. I think I have the courage now to dive into this.

Pattern by Laura Heine

 I've got a lot to learn, but so far, I'm having fun. I hope you'll follow me on my new journey, as I try to bring out the buried fabric collage artist within me.

An artist's worst enemy is weather!

An artist's worst enemy is weather!
Last weekend started out as a comedy of errors for me - first I accidentally double-booked myself .... Park Point Art Fair in Duluth and the Eagan Art Festival. I did the same with a rental vehicle.
Molly and I were able to make it all work, but the weather gods had it in for us.
The photo was taken Sunday morning at the Duluth show after a Saturday night rain flooded out many tents, and that same evening wind wreaked havoc at the Eagan show.
Fortunately, our tents held up well, BUT many vendors at both locations didn't fare as well. They cut their loses and went home. The rest of us were left with the decision of should I stay or should I abandon ship. Molly stayed put in Eagan until early Sunday afternoon when another storm threatened. I made it through the day in Duluth. Needless to say, our sales were.... shall I say a near washout?
This art fair season so far, the weather has not cooperated. Heat we can deal with (portable fans and lots of water), off and on rain is OK too, but wind? ..... You can do a great job of securing your tent, but if your neighbor doesn't, then your due diligence is for naught as their tent becomes a flying torpedo.
Anyway, let's hope the weather on July 13th for the Anoka Riverfest is better. It traditionally is one of our best shows (saleswise) of the summer.

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.

'Potty breaks:' An important consideration when applying for art shows

Artist rendering of my booth

There's an art to deciding which art show to consider for our short show season. I am finishing up the application process now, and I'd like to share with you what goes through my mind as I consider what shows I'd like to see fill my calendar.
When I first started out as a artist/vendor, my bar was pretty low. I was unsure whether anyone would buy my creations. I thought for sure I could get in to flea markets, but was very nervous whether my talent was worthy of an actual art fair. I decided - JUST APPLY and see what happens.
Five years later, I'm not afraid to JUST APPLY, but, I've become more selective.

Photo of my booth 2016

• As I consider the list of potential art shows, I think: "If I am selected, is this really where I want to spend the weekend and will this audience be receptive to my creations?" With most quality art shows there is a jury process, and it usually costs around $25 to $40 just to submit your application. (This money is non-refundable). 
• How are vendors treated by the event organizers? Yup, there are some art shows that are so much fun to participate, that even if it isn't the top sales generator, well, it is a great experience and you look forward to returning. Do they have helpers to assist in set up, if needed? Do they respect your efforts as an artist and participant? It's the little things that make a difference... people to watch your tent when you need a potty break.
• Cost. Besides the jury fee, many shows ask a participation fee of anywhere between $175 and $300 for a two-day event. So with a premium show (such as the Uptown Art Fair), you have to ask yourself can I afford to lose the fee if the show is rained out, for instance. Will my sales justify the expense?
• Inventory. Will I have enough inventory to ensure an adequate showing? For me, that means I'd better not schedule more than two shows a month. If I have a lot of sales at one show, and have another sale the following weekend, I may find I'm at the sewing machine 24 hours a day to replenish my inventory.
• Schedule and location.Two shows a month is about all I can handle - three is a stretch. So I look for shows that are likely to be the -most fun and most profitable. I try to stay within a 50-mile radius of my home in the Twin Cities so that I don't have the additional lodging and food costs. However, I now like to have at least one out-of-the-area show to start building a new audience.

So, here's my show application list for this year:

May

Alexandria Spring Arts and Crafts Show- May 5  - accepted

MInneapolis Art a Whirl-May 18-20-accepted.

June

New Richmond Park Art Fair- June 2 -accepted

Eagan Art Fair - June 23-24 - Applied 2/3/2018 (waiting to hear)

July

Anoka Rivertown Days- July 14th -- accepted

Cannon Falls wine and art festival July 21 and 22 accepted

Loring Park Art Festival- July 28-29 WAIT LISTED

August

Powderhorn- Aug. 4-5 - (waiting to hear)

Lake Superior Art Festival Aug. 11 - (waiting to hear)

Under The Spreading Walnut Tree Aug. 12 - (waiting to hear)

September

Northfield Arts Festival -Sept 8-9th (waiting to hear)

Afton Art in the Park 2017 (need to apply)

Honoring the gift of compliment

Gratitude

How come it is so hard to accept a compliment - feel it right to your bones - take it in, soak it up until it seeps through every pore of your body?

I almost fell over when I was awarded "Best in Show" at this past weekend's Eagan Art Festival. When they handed me the certificate, I could only think that this is a mistake. I don't deserve this. And then they read the judges' comments, and I honestly thought they were referring to someone else - certainly not me!

The attention made me so nervous that I almost threw up! To burn off the adrenaline, I walked around the art festival and began to reflect about how many times I throw away the gift of compliment by quickly deflecting the attention and turning it back on the giver ... "Thank you, but did you see (insert name) work? Her attention to detail and use of color are masterful"

I seek compliments, I really do, but when they come my way, well I just don't know what to do with them.

How can I be a better receiver of this wonderful gift? When I compliment someone - I mean it. So what makes me think that another's word is not their word? Most likely it's because I feel so unworthy.

My internal vessel would benefit if I would learn to soak in this goodwill.

Thank you is a wonderful phrase.

My vision; my first ‘whatever’

Help. This new Pure Serendipity creation needs a name.

What was/is your vision that just stayed swirling around in your head until you finally decided that now was the time to just “do it?” Could be an exotic vacation that sent the palm trees of your imagination swaying; a new recipe that set you taste buds a bursting; the book that has been on your “must read” list.

Since the early days of Pure Serendipity, I have wanted to transform my table topper/wall hanging into a dream catcher of sorts.  I knew exactly what I wanted it to look like, but I was scared to try making it – mainly cause I’m always scared to try something new for fear it won’t turn out and then what? I brought my idea and the items needed to make the vision a reality to my recent women’s gabaway weekend. I knew if these eight minds couldn’t push me in the right direction that my vision would just continue to gnaw at my creative spirit.

HOWEVER –

Ta da! I completed my first “whatever.” What do you think? What should I call it? I don’t want to use the term dreamcatcher as it is a term that has special meaning to our Native American friends.

Hanging is adorned with glass beads, handmade beads and even some antique tatting.

This new “thing” from Pure Serendipity will be making its debut at the Oct. 8 Savage Art Crawl. I will be soon posting it in my store as well. But it needs some sort of name – label.

Your ideas please……Oh, even if you don’t have an idea, could you please comment on my blog. (See below). I’m not sure if I have my comment section configured properly, and this will help make that determination.

Lee Ann

Girls just want to have fun - at any age

If I wasn’t already a woman, I’d want to be one! We, for the most part, know how to have fun in style. We love to shop for hours rooting around for just the right thing for just the right person for just the right occasion. And if we do it with our gals, well Hallelujah! Life doesn’t get any better than that.

Nothing, but nothing could have prepared me for the women attending the Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair last weekend. What show opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday? Well, this one does. And the women came by the bus load. They were prepared to shop, with their roller carts or wagons in tow. Some, as the video I took shows, came IN COSTUME!! How was I to know that every motel from St. Cloud to Brainerd would be booked by, you guessed it – WOMEN wanting to visit and shop.

Former Montevideo gals on the hunt for the perfect gifts and laughs at the Little Falls Arts and Crafts Show.
Karen Moss, Karen Welker, Connie Toftness, Lee Ann Wahi

They came in matching t-shirts, wore matching pins, matching hats. They came even by tour bus!

Really, would guys do that? Well maybe at a NFL game, holding a beer, bearing their chests and yelling “GRRRRR” in hopes that the camera would capture their silliness for the world to see. But we women, well we love to “group-it” – to the casino for a weekend, a craft retreat, and what my friends have established- our annual “gab-away.” If you’ve read the Red Tent, you’ll understand that our need to commune or commiserate with each other – even during that time-of-the-month – is part of our DNA.

Next week I’m off to spend three days with several women who I have had the privilege of walking hand-in-hand through some of the most critical parts of my life. Our kids benefitted from of the village of support we created, and now, well, I think we are leaning on each other as we face the uncertainty of our ummmmmm senior years.