Choi to the World

How'd it go at Artist Row????

I think it went well and I consider it a success. This was my first arts fair and I am pleased. I went in looking at this as a marketing opportunity a chance to test the art/craft fair phenomenon waters. I didn't sell as much as the one stroke painter did next to me but I made back my entrance fee and enough to buy my baby a little goodie for his room. He was such a trooper, hanging out with me and hubby and being our dear sweet booth juju.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day, sunny and the slightest breeze which was enough to blow my cards over and off the table, but it was manageable.  I definitely need to come up with better display fixture if I am going to do and outdoor show again!

My Lady Baltimores in action.

My valance, a similar design is featured in the upcoming book Paper Cuts: 35 Inventive Projects, available in January.

I met some great local artists who were helpful and super friendly. The coordinators were accessible and friendly. All in all it was a great experience. I got uber compliments and was even told my name came up for an Honorable Mention! A bunch of people picked up the information for the pop-up class I am teaching and yeah I had some sales.

The best part: I got to spend the day with all the things and people I love.

Oh and I have many new card designs that will be added to my shop really soon. This was a great way to get work done but a bad way to keep up on the blog. All the cool things I did in preparation never made it here. Boo.

Oh Lady Baltimore, you had me at hello

So here I am with one week to prepare for Artist Row. I don't have enough made, I don't have cards, receipts, signage...well let's just say I am up a creek. I needed display items and had an idea of what I wanted but I gave myself an afternoon only to accomplish it. I had a plan of hitting some antique shops on my way to a thrift store and then on to a household parts recycler. So with my Sweet Little Truffle in tow I pulled into the first place. Looking around I saw a few suitcases. Brown, which really I wanted something less neutral like a turquoise or red, even pink. But really something that wasn't too loud. Let's just say I thought I would have to compromise, so I was open to what was available, being under such time constraints. I found some green ones (that I thought were it), and some brown leather, I had to get help with one because I needed two hands at the same time to open one and that wasn't working while juggling a baby. The woman who helped asked what I thought I wanted and she brought me to the Holy Grail. I never knew Lady Baltimore but she was exactly what I was looking for. It was love at first sight. As I am tuning out the "blah, blah, blah" of her sales pitch I am seeing my display take shape to the sound of a chorus of angels. Everything I wanted to convey would come together around this luggage of the 50's. Perfect. $20 for the pristine set--nirvana!

 

I got the drawer (which is the perfect size for a row of A2 cards) from ReHouse added the sweet ceramic and brass handle and the bell was a treasure from grandma's dresser. I am picturing a little faux bois and maybe a couple shutters and I'll be in good shape. Maybe time will not allow the latter imaginings but that is my eventual goal. It is so wonderful when things just come together.

muse of the month

No, I have no Caliope, no Clio, no Thalia -- I have deadlines. I suppose that it not as glamorous as a Greek goddess but hey, whatever gets me motivated, right? Why does a muse have to be a woman, or a person for that matter? My current inspiration is that I have given myself assignments with hard deadlines. I am participating in Artist Row at our local public market. That is September 20th. Yikes. I have some work done for it. But...there is so much more to do. Displays. I really have none so I have to come up with something. Presentation is everything right? Then 10 days after that I plan on submitting a couple designs for the Benches on Parade which will be taking place in our city next summer. I am really excited about this. I always thought it would be so cool to participate in one of these massive city-wide art projects. Even if my design doesn't get picked, it is really helping me get some new ideas flowing. Then next month I am teaching a beginning pop-up class at the Genesee Center for the Arts. So I have to come up with a plan, projects and handouts. Gosh, I hope people sign up for it.

I have been looking at some beautiful books. The  illustrations in 1949 edition of the The Fireside Cook Book are just so delightful. I acquired the book from my grandmother. I haven't tried the recipes but I hear they are great. If you can get your hands on a copy, it won't disappoint. A true classic both illustratively and culinarily. Check out Eat Me Daily for another great picture from the book and a recipe review. A couple other sources I have been thumbing through: Decorative Art of Southwestern Indians and Japanese Stencil Designs thanks to the crannies of thrift stores. All three are full of gorgeous creative influence, if not yummy inspiration. I have some great blogs I have been eying. But this post is already long and link heavy. Next time...

paper 'stache

This is all I got done but it was something. I just had to do it. His outfit reminded me so much of an early 1900s swimsuit. Of course he needed a 'stache to complete the look. We both had great fun playing with this papercut coif for his upper lip. Of course the day he develops any peach fuzz will probably make me cry. For now I will revel in anachronistic cuteness.