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.

Change your reality with your attitude

A profile of an inspiring artist whom I recently met at an art show. Contact: Drew Jason Mounce www.YoungMounceStudios.com

Acceptance into the Powderhorn Art Fair for me was as if I had qualified for the Olympics. When I started this Pure Serendipity adventure three years ago, I had such little confidence in my ability as an artist that I couldn't imagine I would ever be a juried participant in an art fair, let alone the Powderhorn. But creativity and prodding from my supporters has given me the confidence to keep at it ... and there is no clear end vision - yes, it's just pure serendipity!
From time to time I like to profile an artist that I have met along this journey. Drew Mounce was my neighbor at Powderhorn. He is a story teller, and his paintings, besides hitting you with powerful color, will take you deeper into your own political point of view and even your attitude about life.

See you at Powderhorn!

I have visited the Powderhorn Art Fair over the years, but now I have the privilege of being a participant in the fair set for this weekend. SOOOOO excited.

You can find Molly, aka The Happy Hooker, and her mother at booth 100, sort of on the south side of the lake, not too far from the area where the May Day pageant occurs. Hope to see you there. By the way, if you're interested in creating your own fabric-wrapped bowl etc., I have posted a short video created by Bernina. It can be found below.

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.

Broken threads, breaking threads - oh the pain of it all

There is a big difference in threads, and because I go through miles and miles of it, I am learning that some are better for my sewing machine than others. Years ago Coats and Clarks was the sewing standard, but now the choices of fiber and count are overwhelming. When I started this fiber coiling journey, I upped my choice to Guterman. The color selection is great and JoAnn Fabrics stocks it and you know that means ---- COUPONS APPLY! But, going through thread like I do, even with coupons, it is a costly supply. So on to ordering from Connecting Threads- while the color selection can't be beat, I'm not happy with the LINT and I have had spools with broken thread. What should I do????? Help. If you have some thread suggestions for me, let me know. Also do any of you use compressed air to clean your bobbin area (the stuff in a can you use to blow grime from a keyboard)? Just to let you know, this past weekend's Art at St. Kate's show was wonderful - great weather, friendly people and lots of creative fiber artists. I got word that I will be participating in the Chaska River Town Days art fair on July 30. It is one day only,

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.

Taking the wind out of my 'sales'

Another lesson learned: The wind can create so much havoc for your tent and display that it literally takes the "wind out of your sales" Saturday was my first experience with just how difficult it is for vendors at art sales when there is a high wind. Yes, it affects the numbers attending the sale as well as inventory placement and racks. The Eagan Art Festival was situated in an open field, and there was nothing to block a gale. As afternoon came and the gusts increased, Molly and I stood, hanging on to the tent frame, trying desperately to keep it from flying away. Our neighbor, John, began to secure our tent down with strapping and screw-in-the-ground stakes (besides just being nice, I think this was an effort to keep our stuff from flying into his wonderful wine racks that also held glasses.) Things seemed to hold, but I knew I'd need more strapping. I made a quick trip to Home Depot; however, other vendors had cleaned out the safety gear. As I stood there, trying to think of what to do, another artisan came down the aisle, assessed the situation and said he'd head off to a different store and asked if I wanted him to pick up a supply of the tie-downs. YES, PLEASE. Saved by the vendors. The festival staff called a halt to the show early on Saturday as we all prepared for the wind and a possible overnight storm. Molly and I joined the group that had decided to tear down their tents and bring home the inventory. The artists, for the most part, came away from the weather event unscathed. We had to reset everything on Sunday, but it was a much better day, sale-wise, too. So what's next for Pure Serendipity? We hope to see you at Art at St. Kate's on July 9.

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.

When s**t happens, neighbors counted on to lend a hand

There's a "good neighbor" policy with art festival participants. You never know when you're going to need an extra set of hands, a tool that you forgot at home or even a shoulder to cry on when a gust of wind comes and knocks over your display. I'm more comfortable in the "lending a hand" role, and not so good about asking for help. Such was the case on Saturday at the Stillwater Rivertown Art Festival. My usual "helpers" were not available. But I was confident that I could get the goods moved from the car, the tent up and staked. HA! What I sight I must have been moving one side of the tent to the next, trying to extend the legs upward in between wind gusts. I put up a good fight, till I could fight now more -it was just too much of a struggle, so I did what is so hard for me to do - ask for help! The guys from Dave Hanke's custom fishing rods, my neighbors for the two days, were there for me. In no time my tent was up, and my shelving was secured so that the wind wouldn't knock 'em over. I've witnessed this type of generosity over and over. And I am so grateful. Additionally, my other neighbor, Nanna, who assembles amazing terrariums, made sure that my booth was covered while I went to the bathroom, when needed. I invite you to visit her website as well. Well, this weekend I'm off to Excelsior for Art on the Lake. It's suppose to be 90 degrees. Can't think of a better place to be than on the shores of Lake Minnetonka.

Let the sunshine. (Do you have your brim yet?)

I

It was a year ago this upcoming weekend that I debuted my sun brims - this woman was the absolute first customer. I love how stern she appears, while the colorful brim just warms her up. A little color, a little attitude. Plop it on your head, wear it and listen to the compliments on your style, pack it for a trip, and wash it at the end of the season. Where did I get the idea?

Well from my mom, of course. Here is a photo of her at my brother's sixth grade confirmation! By gosh, my bridesmaids wore them as well in the late 60s. Stop by this weekend's Stillwater Rivertown Art Festival. The selection is great and now available in three sizes.

Booth set up and we're ready to go!

If you can, please stop by and visit us at during Art-a-Whirl. We're at 4 Angels Creations. It's a great spot, away from the maddening crowds.

It's been a whirl preparing for Art-a-Whirl

Whew. I should have taken a photo of my living room this past weekend. It is my staging area for upcoming art shows - and, oh my gosh, it was like cleaning out the cupboards..... pull everything out, re-evaluate its purpose and then dispose, recycle or put it back with the promise that things will NEVER get that disorganized again! This weekend is Molly and my first "official" show of the season- Art-a-Whirl. Print out a copy of the map of the various artist locations and draw a big circle around 4 Angels Creations - That's where we'll be located. Molly will be in the tent for sure, but, since that is the last weekend of the legislative session, it's questionable whether I can make it. I sure hope so.

Anyway, Molly will be debuting her new line of dish cloths. What do you think? I love her tag name. As for me, well after three years of coiling and coiling, I think I am finally perfecting the method. Here's another new item.

This two-piece creation is adorned with a dry sea fan that Molly picked up in the Caymans. Oh, by the way, please visit my store. I would appreciate your comments as to its ease of use. I'll be at three shows in June - Stillwater, Excelsior and Eagan

Summer Time, Art Fair Time

My summer art festival schedule is pretty firmed up, and it's busy, busy, busy. I hope you can make it to at least one of the fine shows.

May 21 and 22: Art A Whirl Molly and I will be hosted by 4 Angels Creations located at 2653 Stinson Blvd. May 28-29: Sillwater Rivertown Art Fair. June 11-12 Excelsior Art on the Lake. June 26-17 Eagan Art Festival. July 9: Art at St. Kates. July 16-17: Bemidji Art in the Park. Aug. 6-7: Powderhorn Art Fair. Sept. 10-11 Little Falls Art Fair.

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."