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I’ve been a-painting, but nothing’s done yet! This is odd for me, since I usually DO finish “a painting in a day” (that was the title of Marisa’s painting class at Squam — but I don’t paint a painting a day, I just finish them in a day if I start them), but since working with acrylics, or maybe it’s the wood surface, I have felt the need for multiple layers, and they just have to dry in between. So then I walk away and forget to come back! This is a huge plus to having an art studio in my house — I can go back to it whenever I feel the urge, and I can leave it out for days on end, untouched, until the painting calls me again! Well, that’s how it’s been going this week, anyway. {Have I mentioned how lucky and blessed I feel to have a studio in my house? I do indeed.}
So that photo above is just for your very own enjoyment. It was one of the first I took with my new 50mm fixed focal-length lens (re: no zoom). It’s a short, open lens so it lets in lots of light. The lens’ auto focus doesn’t work with my camera (Nikon D40 dslr) tho, which is actually pretty annoying. I didn’t remember how hard it was to focus manually! It’s also double hard on this one because the depth of field is sooo short, you have to be really precise. Good for non-moving objects, though! (or arty photos of moving things)
I realized today that I haven’t mentioned the e-courses I’m taking right now! Yes, why stop at one — I’m doing two! I think I was missing being in school or something (which I currently have no plans to go back to, btw).
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These are both 6 week classes; one started on Monday and the other on (Creative) Thursday. They’re both super fantastic and run by amazing, inspiring women. The first one is “In The Fish Bowl:: LIFE AS AN ARTIST. ONline :: AN E-COURSE” with Marisa Haedike of Creative Thursday. Learning “how to make a living, market yourself, and maneuver as an artist online, while staying true to who you are.”
The other is “The Declutter Goddess; Making Space for your Goddess to Shine e-Course” run by Leonie Allen of GoddesGuidebook.com. “Making space for our goddess to shine isn’t a one-time binge-drinking session of throwing away, moving furniture and vacuuming. That can feel scary, boring and harsh. And pretty soon, things just get back to feeling the same instead. What we’ve instead created is a six-week journey where we’ll be guiding you through divine decluttering & magical space clearing to create an amazing, spirit, light, joyful space.”
Don’t those sound fantastic? Um, they are.
yippee!
Today, two items (and those paintings are coming, promise!):
#1. To get blueberry stains out of clothing, pour white vinegar on and blot it off with a paper towel and rinse with hot water. Or soak in white vinegar and pour boiling water over and let sit for a bit. Just, you know, in case you needed to know.
#2. After the success of my half-price print sale, I have decided to make it an official price-lowering for the summer in my Etsy shop and at shows/sales in-person! See it as my version of the economic stimulus, perhaps. Affordable Art for the masses! 8×10’s are now $10 and 4×6’s are $6, plus shipping. These are all printed by me on a lovely gloss photo paper, guaranteed to last a real long time. Probably longer than all of us (not to be morbid or anything).
I have come to this decision in part through my various price experiments. Didn’t you know you were all part of my experiment? I’m a mad scientist! ok, no, but I have spent the past few months travelling around to different shows, and chaning my prices here and there to see how things sell at different price points. And doing the same on Etsy. I think this is an invaluable way of determining prices, but of course in a time when many people don’t have a lot of disposable income, the experiment goes a little haywire. I’ve tried different methods and equations for pricing, and my favorite by far is the secret formula I used to come up with this “affordable art” price. I’m sorry that I cannot share that equation (e-mail me if you reallywanttoknow), but I’m sharing this whole story as a way of possibly helping someone who is in the same place I have been, trying to figure out how to not undersell yourself (or your fellow artists!) but also make a living and sell your butt off. I hope it helps to see that you have to try different things, and your business and business practices must continue to grow and evolve as your product and you grow and evolve. There’s no perfect way of doing it, if there was we’d all be millionaires. I plan on being one soon enough, but right now I’ll make do with selling my butt off. Buy prints here.
Sometimes your body tells you what to do, eh? So, yesterday I’m running around like a crazy person, getting ready for the Sowa Open Market this weekend, and I go on over to Kari’s for a little visit and to collect some things from their house that they don’t need anymore (they’re moving to Northampton, boo for me, yay for them!), and I managed to twist my ankle in some bad bad way. Sprained? Torn muscle? Ripped tendon? Bruised or fractured bone? Ok, body, fine — I’ll lay low today and tomorrow and hopefully will be mobile by Saturday, but what a bummer, eh?
I decided since I do have insurance (super wonderful Commenwealth Cares from the great state of MA!) I should go ahead and have it looked at by my Dr. — but the silly receptionist made my appointment for after the x-ray tech left, so I have to go back tomorrow morning and I have no idea what I really did but I’m hoping something simple and not a break or tear or who knows. I d know that it hurts to walk. Wah.
Despite this setback, the next few weeks are jam-packed for me and my crafty business! Come visit me at one of these fairs, would ya?
SOWA Open Market – Boston, MA (www.sowaopenmarket.com); Opening Weekend Sat. and Sun., May 16 and 17; Sundays June 28, July 12 and 26, August 9; Open Studios Sat & Sun, Sept. 19 & 20; Baked Fresh Sun. Oct. 4.
BerkshireMade Artisan Market at Cultural Pittsfield 3rd Thursdays on North Street in Pittsfield, MA (www.pittsfield-ma.org); May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15.
BerkshireMade Artisan Market at The NoAMA Mill at 234 Union St., North Adams, MA: May 23 & 24, June 20 & 21; July 11 & 12; August 22 & 23; September 5 & 6; October 17 & 18.
Squam Art Fair: Saturday June 6 – Squam Art Workshops, Sandwich, NH (www.squamartworkshops.com)
Oh did I mention how excited I am for Squam!? watch this video to get excited yourself, then join us!
I’m really not sure what it is, but this last week or so I have been having this urgent feeling like I’m forgetting something and there are not enough hours in the day. Or minutes. And then I slow down, remember that this moment is all I have (yeah, a little existential for this mind/crafty lady/blog — but it IS true, right?) and then I relax and enjoy what I’m doing and remember that it will all get done and whatever is happening, is what is happening. Whatever I’m able to accomplish in a day is what I am able to accomplish.
I know I’ve mentioned him here here before, but I think Michael Neill’s books and radio show and overall personality and work have helped me with this — I’m striving toward the idea of “being done for the day” and remembering that no matter how cranky I am and how bad anything seems to any one of us, that usually it is actually all ok. We are not about to be run over by a bus or attacked by a rabid wildebeest. So… like I said, I’m not sure why I’m still having this feeling of not getting it all done, except maybe I’m just realizing that I WANT TO DO IT ALL. This has been a big problem for me my whole life — I’m what some might call a “maximizer” — I want to do it the BEST way, anything must be totally worth it and done just right or I don’t see the point. I’m trying to overcome it, but it’s not easy.
This is all to say I’ve been meaning to come here and tell you all about Twist and how wonderful it was last weekend and how many fantastic artists I met and what wonderful goodies there were for sale and all the yummy beers and tasty tidbits we were fed by the organizers and all the general goodness of Northampton (and on Pride weekend and a gorgous sunny day, at that!) BUT I just haven’t seemed to have the time to tell you about it! So here’s a quick rundown on a handful of my favorite artists there, which is by no means an exclusive list, because I pretty much loved EVERYONE! (click the images to go to their websites)
Alison Tauber, who makes wonderful screen-printed clothing and accesories and who was kind enough to mention my work on her blog this week — I have been drooling over her work since I first saw it at Twist in November. Gorgeous organic shapes and patterns.
Miaow. I am so lucky to have come home with one of thier little stuffed birdies. I couldn’t resist! Mine is orange on orange, which looks fantastic on the top shelf in our green bedroom, where no dog or cat can get hold of it!
I’ve mentioned Maeg of Ranunculae before; a fellow gocco’er who also makes smashing pillows and art prints and pincushions and more!
I also came home with this gorgeous necklace from Donnabelle Designs. Enameled glass, Gorgeous!
Also enamel, but on copper, is Angela Gerhard’s gorgeous jewelry. She was one of my neighbors at Twist (on my other side was Storey Publishing!) My little green mascot birdie happily went home with her and a few pairs of her fabulous earrings are happily hanging from me and my helper Sarah’s ears!
Directly behind us were the lovely ladies of the Spun Monkey Fiber Shoppe; drapey and colorful felt scarves and yummy yarns. Too bad my knitting hobby is sitting very very still lately, or else I might have allowed myself to take home some of her wonderful yarns!
Erica of Vonica Designs makes funky handbags, wallets and pouches from uniquely textured and often vintage fabrics. Vonica was across from me at the last Design Hive market I attended, a lovely neighbor to have!
RecycleMoe; undefineable (kinda like me!), Moe makes lots of things from lots of things. She recycles plastic bags, fabric, books, board games, sweaters and more into funky fashionable items. Sarah and I both scored coffee cup cozies, and my water bottle is currently sporting it right now, looking very swank.
Just looking at the Twist Vendor list is reminding me of all of the other super splendiferous vendors there; take a look and be prepared to be awed! Thanks also to everyone who came out and bought some of my work. Lots of my cards, tiny needle-felted birds and artwork found great new homes!
I’ve been selling my crafty goodness on Etsy for just over two years and boy is it fantastic! If for some reason you live under a rock and have not yet gotten yourself a (free!) Etsy account, get on over there and sign up so you can start buying handmade, wouldjya? Happy Etsy Day! (currently an impromptu holiday, but hopefully by next year it will be a national day of recognition for all things handmade! represent!)
I made the little painting above in recognition of Etsy Day, it’s a love letter to Etsy, distilled to its basic essence surrounded by a collection of some of my hand-making-tools. yum.
It is 1AM. I went to bed around 10:30 to snuggle up and read with John. It’s no secret around here that neither of us read much anymore, so this was a nice treat. We both used to be voracious readers, but we have fallen into the routine of not reading much, being too tired from jobs and life on this tiny farm or work on this old house or just life in general and wanting more to veg out with a good movie or some of our favorite tv-on-the-internet each evening. But tonight I got around to finishing a book, while John started one he was excited about, that he got for a steal on e-bay.
Then I tossed and turned for the last hour or two after turning out the light; my mind is too full of ideas and thoughts to sleep! (or maybe it was the two sweet-potato fudge brownies I ate at 9pm? Recipe from Body+Soul magazine — delish!)
The book I finished was Jenna Woginrich’s “Made from Scratch“, published by the Berkshires’ own Storey Publishing, based in North Adams, MA. I had the pleasure of meeting and hearing Jenna read from her book this winter at Northshire Books in Manchester, VT. It was fun hearing her stories of homesteading from scratch, alone in the wilds of Idaho, and she even played her fiddle for us. She is now farming and shepherding in Vermont. Her book is really great, chock full of insight, true stories of the not-so-fun aspects as well as true joys of raising plants, animals and bees. She also has a list of great resources in the back, to get anyone going on their homesteading adventure.
So, what does this have to do with my adventure/story/thoughts? Well… we have been raising these two old goats for almost a year, the four little chickens for about 8 months and our dog for almost 2 years (oh and our kitty for just over three years!). I feel like it’s been slow going around here, partly because we are not sure what we are doing, what our plan is for this farm (can we call it a homestead?) or even why we are doing it.
Jenna’s book reminds me that part of the reason we are doing it is self-reliance. That is much of the reason I also find myself forging a path of self-employment. It is really empowering to know that I can make a living creating artwork and craft from my imagination and people will buy it! John and I are both also very concerned with the state of the environment and the economy, and we are happy to do our part to lessen a little bit of the global warming trend, as well as cultivate a smaller, more sustainable economic future for our community and our family. I enjoy selling my work to people all over the world through Etsy, but I am also so very thrilled when I can provide for the needs of my friends, family and neighbors with my work!
Part of the reason our farm has been slow to grow is because our conditions are not optimal for any of the things we are trying to do. We live on the north slope of Beartown Mountain, in a dark, shady woodland area, with our very own gushing spring and eroding streams each spring. Our back yard is basically a cliff, if you ask me. It’s too steep even for sledding in the winter. It is not optimal for any kind of gardening and the dogs don’t even like to play in it because it wears them out too quickly. It’s s-t-e-e-p, and did I mention it’s pretty small, too?
So, I’m going to put my wish out into the universe, and see what comes back. It can’t hurt, can it? I don’t know what the solution is, but I do know that I wish that I had a place for goats and sheep to roam (even maybe one or two dairy cows?), a nice space for chickens to peck at veggie garden-pests (re: space for a veggie garden to be fenced-in and bountiful), and space for dogs (and someday children) to roam and play and explore and maybe even show-off agility-style with their own obstacle course (the dogs, not the children). I would also like a sun-filled studio space and a screened-in porch, but those might have to wait. I think the solution, rather than terracing our backyard and trying to will the sun to shine for a few more hours on our plot (possibly by also cutting down a few trees — perish the thought!) is to find a new place to live. John and I agreed that we would live in our house for 5 years and then look into moving; we have lived here for just over 3 years, so I think it’s ok if I start dreaming of, um, greener pastures, right? I’m not making any grand statements of intention just yet. Especially in, as they say, “these tough economic times” it’s really not smart to be looking to sell our house. The best solution I can imagine is finding a new place to buy and being able to keep this house as a rental property, which our economic situation does not allow for at this time — but maybe within the next two years?
Why am I telling you all of this? Well, mostly because it’s on my mind. It’s late and I’m not completely thinking straight. I am really interested in hearing your thoughts on self-reliance and cultivating community; how far should we go to reach these goals? How much time and energy are we willing to spend on our own land (or at our own sewing machines) as a trade-off for the convenient throw-away culture we are so used to? (and will you help us find our dream homestead, too?)
I like the feeling of excitement I have right now about all of these ideas. I know when the sun is shining and beating down 80 or 90 degrees on my face and the mosquitoes are swarming around my head I will beg for some shade and the comfort of a cozy bed on a cold winter night, but right now of course all I can do is dream about digging in and growing my own food. I guess the sewing machine will have to suffice for now.
If you’re interested in what I’m talking about here, these are some of the books that have led me to this thought process (many available for download as audio books and of course at your local library, though most have great recipes and resources that are great to have on hand for reference — not that you need more STUFF around, I sure know I don’t!):
Barbara Kingsolver, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
Bill Bryson, A Short History of Nearly Everything (also check out I’m a Stranger Here Myself, and, well, anything else he’s written)
Bill McKibben, Deep Economy (haven’t finished it yet — yes, I am reading about 10 books at once)
Jenna Woginrinch, Made From Scratch
Michael Bittman, Food Matters
Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food (haven’t finished it yet, but it’s great so far), The Ominvore’s Dilemma, The Botany of Desire
Mireille Guiliano, French Women Don’t Get Fat
Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin, Skinny Bitch
I’m part of the newest Poppytalk Handmade marketplace, “Affordable Art”! Looking for some artwork but you can’t even fathom paying gallery prices? There is some Ah-mazing work over there, just right for your ol’ walls. Some of my favorite artists this month include The Cellophanes, Matte Stephens, Walking to Jericho and Sharon Montrose (her work below).
Did I mention that I think Art makes a wonderful gift? Well, yeah, I do.
(re-blogged from The Poppytalk Handmade Artists Blog, here)
I had the wonderful pleasure of attending the New York premiere of the new documentary film by Faythe Levine and Micaela O’Herlihy “Handmade Nation” last night at the Museum of Art and Design.
What a wonderful museum, and a fantastic film! I had been completely excited to watch this film in a room full of super talented artist and crafters, and the energy didn’t disappoint. Many of the artists featured in the film were in attendance, as well as other great makers that I spied in the audience from Etsy and blogland. The space was actually quite small, probably holding only 130 people in the sold-out crowd, so it had the feeling of an intimate event. We were all able to look around at the other makers, just as excited as we were to be there. It would have been so great if there were a little reception afterward, because I would have loved the chance to meet more of the talented makers in the room. I did manage to meet Kate Bingaman-Burt, the illustrator of the book Handmade Nation, which was very exciting for this illustration nerd and hand-lettered-type geek. She was giving out copies of her Obsessive Consumption zine, which we were lucky enough to snag. Thanks, Kate!
I don’t want to spoil the movie for you, because you’ll have to see it for yourself when it’s released near you; there’s a list of screening dates on their blog. There was a great panel discussion after the screening with Faythe, Kate, Mandy Greer and Callie Janoff, which was streamed live in the Etsy virtual labs. They shared some insight into their processes and thoughts about the film, as well as a short but interesting discussion about where the D.I.Y. movement is going. A few audience members voiced concern about the cost of crafting, and Mandy and Kate reminded us that we can all create with the objects often cast off by our modern culture, for instance by spinning thrift-store clothing into new, usable fiber. There was a huge exhibit in the museum entitled Second Lives, which really brought this point home; all of the beautiful work in this exhibit was comprised of ordinary and everyday manufactured articles, most originally made for another functional purpose. The questions regarding the fate of crafting and D.I.Y. (people are afraid it’s over or going bad places after being co-opted by mass marketers and retailers) was met with enthusiastic comments reminding us that humans have always and will always create, and the movement is really just gaining steam in the mainstream.
What do you think the fate of D.I.Y. and crafting might be? It’s hard for some people to imagine the future and not think we’ve come as far as we will, but I think there are infinite possibilities for expansion and evolution of the movement, of technology and for trends and techniques. I’d like to see everyone buying their holiday and birthday gifts from crafters in their hometowns, if not making them themselves.
I think I’m ready, so I’m off to Design Hive today! Well, it’s not till tomorrow, but I have to be there early to set up, so Kari and I decided to head out today and hang around Boston for the evening. Come visit me at the Hive!
OH and guess what? I can now take credit cards in person at shows! whoo-hoo. I’m using Paypal’s Virtual Terminal for now. Though I’m thinking of switching to ProPay after the holidays, as it seems cheaper. I just went with PayPal now because I’m familar with the whole system and already had an account. Anywho, come visit me, and bring your plastic! 
This is where I’ve been all week. Hoping to get it cleaned up next week before I take off for a week in Arizona, visiting my Grandparents, my aunt and my cousin who had a baby recently!
To Do list before the trip:
• Sell much Crafty Goodness at the Richmond School Craft Fair tomorrow! (Nov 1, 10am to 3pm)
• Do much homework to hopefully be able to slack off while on “vacation”
•Clean up studio
•VOTE
• Help start a Berkshire Etsy Street Team — We’re meeting Tuesday at 4pm, at the Elm Street (Pittsfield) Juice and Java; all interested in being involved are welcome!
Here’s a peek at my makeshift craft fair setup in the kitchen:
These little stuffed budgies are now named after characters from “The Office” and some old friends — they make me smile! “Hello, I’m Jim and I like Tuna Sandwiches.” “Hello, I’m Andy and I love flannel shirts.”
And, lastly… it’s Halloween! Not one of my favorite holidays, and we just hung out and handed out candy (I tried a tactic of buying candy I don’t like, and I have to say I only tried one piece so I think it worked… ) and HappyDog wore her first ever semi-outfit, and I think she looks adorably festive. We actually got this bandana to keep her safe from bow hunters out in the state forest we walk in by our house, but I think it might have to become a regular fashion statement — isn’t she the cutest?
“You are a dork. I can’t believe you’re making me wear this.” 
Happy Halloween! Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow if you’re around the Berkshires!
