Daylilies in bloom . . .

I wait all year for my dozens of daylilies to bloom and it's over 'way, 'way too quickly. Since the blooms only last for one day I find myself scheduling trips so I won't miss them in bloom. A terrible addiction, I know, but their fleeting beauty is something I can't risk not seeing. There are worse addictions.

I begged Pat Underwood at Sam Hill Gardens for Sugar Candy and boy! was it worth it! This purple bloom absolutely glows tangerine. I pair it with Bertie Ferris - a small bloom in an orange sherbet color.

Some of these little guys are going to have to be moved to a sunnier location this fall but (this purple one is Trahlyta) it's so hard to know where the good sunlight is going to be when you first move into a new home. I've given some of these little beauties plenty of abuse by moving them last summer and then again in the fall and I can only hope they'll forgive me for moving them one last time. I promise.

I'm so exicted I can hardly sleep!

I've seen some gorgeous enameled pieces lately and this is a class I seriously wanted to take. Torch-firing seemed like a 'too good to be true' thing since I really didn't want to add one more piece of equipment to my collection and [duh] I do have torches already. When this basic class was offered at The Lux Gallery in Lincoln, I jumped on it and boy! am I glad I did! This sweet little skill set will open up a world of color to my work and I can hardly wait for the UPS man to deliver my little box of enamel powders.

You can tell by this photo that I'm clearly bad at it at this point. Really bad. However, now that I have a few of the processes in mind along with a couple of textbooks coming soon, I can start working on refining my techniques and getting a bit more consistency going. A LOT more consistency.

Too, I cannot wait to work this enamel into my designs. The color possibilities alone are mind-boggling not to mention the little twists and secret stuff. Those of you who already know how to work in enamel have my admiration!

I wish I'd taken photos of some of the other practice pieces that my fellow students were working on - it became apparent that even though we were all being taught the same thing, we all brought a different 'artist's hand' to the process. Neat stuff.

Breathing room . . .

The banner for Midwest Market group on 1KM inspired me to post this pic of the view from my backyard. Without a doubt, I think this part of the 'fly-over' areas of the US is the world's best kept secret. Typically, I don't like to read artists' statements that describe how they're "inspired by nature" in their work because I think it sounds like something they think an artist ought to say. A bit pretentious and contrived.

For me, it's simply breathing room.

What to take, what to take . . .

I see so many forum threads where people ask the same question when they first decide to enter the “craft fair” ring, “What should I take?” Here’s the thing – you can take everything including the kitchen sink (thinking that you might actually need the kitchen sink), or you can mentally go through your set up and imagine what you would need for each step of the way. In the end you will decide for yourself exactly what you need and, believe me, you will refine your personal list every time you pack up your things and leave the show. But here goes.

Tent or canopy of some sort – the quick set up kind. I can’t emphasize enough how quickly you will recoup your investment here.

Tables to suit your needs. The fold up kind are great, relatively inexpensive and worth it. Be sure to take simple table covers. Uncovered tables look just awful without them and Bed Bath and Beyond has piles of them on sale always. Take your 20% Off coupon.

Any display pieces you need to make your work look well displayed, interesting, professional and/or cute, and that includes and signage for your work. Maybe you are having a sale on last year’s things – you’ll need a little sign. Print it on your computer and put it in a frame. For display ideas, search through Flickr’s craft show groups where you’ll find some incredibly creative ways to display your similar work.

Business name sign - if you have a business name, make a sign. One printed on your computer and in a frame will do nicely until you make bigger bucks and can invest in a big printed one. My advice is to be sure it looks tasteful, readable and professional if you want people to take your business seriously. If you are accepting credit cards (don’t get ahead of me here), print a sign with the cards listed that you accept. Cash only? Say so.

A little folding stool or an artist’s chair from Pier One or World Market. You’ll look professional and still have a little place to rest your tired feet.

“Never Leave Home Without It Kit” - For my kit I use a canvas garden tote. They are inexpensive, big and roomy, come in a great array of colors, and are readily available at places like True Value Hardware and Home Depot. Garden centers get pretty pricey so I’d look at the hardware store first. This bag has pockets on the outside, pockets on the inside, huge sturdy handles and a big flat bottom. (No comment.). Here’s what I carry in mine and this stuff never leave my tote so it’s always ready for the next event:

- My zippered bank bag with $100 in change
- A calculator set to the local tax rate
- A duplicate sheet sales order pad (the kind with built-in carbon paper)
- Two or three good pens
- A mini stapler and scotch tape
- Scissors
- A trash bag
- Tissue paper and bags
- Four short bungee cords (you’d be surprised how often these are handy)
- My KnuckleBuster and credit card slips (I use Propay)
- Diet Coke (I don’t leave home without it) and a snack or two
- A few tools for simple repairs – needle nose pliers, flat pliers, screwdriver
- Extra reading glasses
- Business cards
- Sales tax certificate
- Polishing cloths
- Mirrors if your product is worn

- Garden gloves so you don't wreck your hands carrying your tables and tent

Last but not least – YOUR PRODUCT! This isn’t funny – I’ve actually left home and had to go back for it.

Ideally, as you think through the show from set up to an actual sale, there isn’t much else you need. You definitely want to appear as the professional you are so do not skimp on what you need to make your work look good! Again, as you get a show or two under your belt, you will see what other craftspeople use, some items you needed and didn’t have and what you can do without next time. It’s a refining process every time and making it simpler makes it more efficient for you and more fun in the long run.

This one was fun . . .

A special request from another referred artist - a teeny earring for that piercing at the top of your ear (does that have a name?).

Sort of a personal challenge to see if I could make something that small that retained enough detail to be interesting. Amy requested something 'age appropriate' and I think that may fill the bill.

You can see by the size comparison with the little guy resting on a dime that it is pretty small - about 1/4" in fact and it hangs about 1/2" from top to bottom. The sidewalls and the center dot are higher than the well surrounding the center and I've oxidized it for a little visual interest. High polish contrast and a thicker earwire.

University Place Arts Festival

It's the 5th Annual University Place Arts Festival

Saturday 9 May at 48th and St. Paul in University Place

American-made arts and crafts

Fresh garden produce, flowers and bedding plants

Food, snacks and entertainment all day

A great place to find a Mother's Day Gift

(or a gift for yourself)

Artitudes Spring 2009 Art Show and Sale

All of the hard work paid off and our Spring Art Show and Sale was a success! Twenty-eight artists participated this time and there were eight new artists which we love! A bit of background - we organized as a small group of area artists who didn't have storefronts, websites or places to sell our work so Artitudes was born. Two or three times a year we stage our art and craft shows and choose a Lincoln-based charity to which our artists donate a portion of their sales. Good for our artists and good for our charity - and our donation stays local to help our neighbors.

A few of the pics from the weekend - This charming frog is papier mache and was created by one of our new artists, Kathy Frank. Her painted stones were fabulous but this articulated frog was a real attention-getter. He had a bowl of alphabet soup in his lap but we gave him Kathy's artist bio to hold. What a guy.

Sharon Demaree, another new artist, made beautiful carved gourds as well as these hand-carved ostrich eggs. Incredible.

Rhonda McClure's felted wool animals, jewelry and bags and felted pictures. The coolest part? They raise their own sheep, shear the wool, card, clean and dye it for use. Not too many of us process our artwork from beginning to end. Cliff and Jeanne Dill's beautiful photography is on the back wall and Kim Tedrow's collage work is on the panel between these two artists.

We love this guy - Rod Termaat carves the most unique, not to mention gorgeous, spoons, serving and cooking utensils with interesting details. I have several of his pieces in various woods carved with little bees, daisy chains, ladybugs and turtles. He also has a few "creepy clown" pieces (his words - not mine).

And, of course, Jan at the checkout table telling a customer that we happily take ALL forms of payment!

More to follow - watch!