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?)

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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."