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.

I am my own worst critic

Excelsior Art on the Lake was an amazing show and experience. I got my initial look at some of the artists' works when I came to set up my tent on Friday. I felt my self-esteem slowly fall from the high of being accepted into this show. "How did I get into this show?" I questioned as I evaluated the work and the prices as I walked to my spot. "Oh, maybe I was a sympathy vote," I said to myself. I felt like this when I landed at the College of St. Benedict on PROBATION and my roommate had every scholastic award imaginable. I just told myself that I had a great opportunity and to make the most of the opportunity. The same with my art. I am so new at this, and I realize these shows - more than anything at this point - provide an opportunity for me to learn about marketing, display, pricing and yes, of course, my products. (Once again, my hat brims were a hit, but so were Molly's flowers- the new display helped.) So now it's time to prepare for this weekend's Laneboro Art in the Park. Yeah --- my bowl made it onto their promotional material!

Summer time and creativity flourishes

I was so worried that I wouldn't have enough inventory for the three shows that I scheduled for June, sooo I've been sewing soo much of the time. The Stillwater Rivertown Art Fair was the first, and it was amazing. It was fun to see some of the artists that I met last year..... Lauren and her Hopelark Jewelry was my neighbor at a show last year, and we were side-by-side at this show. For years, I have been an admirer of Cherie Meyers beadwork and I've now gotten to know her, and she is so willing to share her art-show-knowledge to those of us just starting out. It was great to visit her at this show. A new artist-colleague is Chris Swedzinski, whom I've known as "Representative." He displays as Swede Steelworks. Yes, politicians have lives away from the state capitol. I saw his work for the first time. Pressure of a deadline motivates some of my best work, and I am so pleased with this nautical-themed bowl, table topper and trivet that I have made for this weekend's Excelsior Art on the Lake Art Fair. These pieces are the result of a stop to the clearance room of ColorZ quilts in Brainerd..... it's amazing how somebody's scraps turn into somebody else's treasure. The bowl stands 8 inches tall and about 6 inches across the top. The table topper is 16 inches in diameter, and the trivet.... well it's about 7 inches in diameter. Sold as a set or separately. Molly will be with me at the Excelsior show displaying her fabric flowers. Please stop by. If you like art shows, this is one that you don't want to miss. (On June 20, I will be in Lanesboro at the Art in the Park show)

Judges: Love the product- not so much the display

I just received the judges’ comments from my application to Excelsior’s Art on the Lake event – (I’m in- Yeah). But I have some work to do. While they like my creations, my booth, it seems, needs work. So, I’m taking their suggestions to heart, and thanks to my daughter Molly, the ideas are flowing – well from her, anyway. We are going to step up my game. What the judges had to say:.........

Comment: Interesting idea. Making old forms and objects with different materials. The booth will need to be more fresh and exciting. Comment: Nice reinterpretation of traditional craft. Incorporating re-purposed materials is nice touch. The bowl with interwoven beads has an especially Nice aesthetic. Comment: Impressive use of sewing to create sculpture! Please re-do the welcome sign. It looks kitschy next to everything else.

Hey, wait a minute “kitschy?” I love that sign – it stays.

My hat brims were such a hit last year and Molly suggests I really focus on a good display- look at the Styrofoam heads she’s covering with strips of fabric! I think they will help to really increase sales. I would love to see these fun brims on more heads! I’m anxious to see what she comes up with next.