This actually was an old plain box I had done, and had forgotten about. I found it getting ready for the show, and thought it just needed a little something. So happy wire whirls and designs made it a bit more art deco. Yay!
9.24.2007
9.23.2007
First Art Show Lessons
*whew*
My show is over. I made it! My first art show and I survived intact, had fun, made sales and met cool people. Happily, the event was made even better by the fact that my brother (cbpottery) was there with me. I definitely learned a few things for next time, so in no particular order:
1. Do NOT forget calculator
~ Imperative for the math-challenged artist. Although everyone was kind and understanding, I still felt like an idiot taking so long trying to do simple math for change. And you can just forget about sales tax. Holy crap.
2. Do invest in a REALLY good tent
~ while I opted for el cheapo tent because it was the only show I'm doing til next year, I really understand now why a well-made tent is a must. I spent so much time putzing with it in the minimal wind (tent reacted as if it was a gale), reinforcing it, and taking the damn thing down again (un-reinforcing took forever) when I was tired from the day - that I almost started throwing pieces of it around. Forget THAT trash. E-Z Up, reserve one for me!!
3. Make firm lunch plans OR get more reliable husband
~ My brother and I waited around, albeit with snacks and water, from 8:30am to 3:00pm waiting for my husband to show up with the lunch we asked for before he left ... Meanwhile, he was taking a day-long nap at home thinking we'd call when we were ready or had figured it out ourselves. By the time we got a hold of him, my brother decided since the show was over in a few hours - we would just eat afterwards. Heh - who knew between our evil tents, and repacking glass and earthenware inventory (and various lengthy convos with other folks), it took us almost two hours to leave. There was a happily-ever-after though, as my mom took us for a celebratory "first sibling show" dinner at a swanky restaurant (read prices that were high enough that I thought they were the meal "numbers" for ordering) because we were famished.
4. Do NOT (even if there are conflicting end times) try to get out the minute it's "over"
~ People showed up late - looking to spend, and spent it mostly on the one guy who hadn't gotten around to packing his stuff up yet because he was gabbing. Meanwhile, my inventory was mostly in boxes - which I did take out to show a few pieces but got no sales. Not that it would have been a "for sure" thing - but I do regret being hasty, and can understand why my brother was for holding off packing up for a bit.
5. Do NOT expect people to watch their children around your breakable valuables
~ I was reminded heavily of my lifeguarding days when some parents assumed that since you would save their children from drowning, you were also their babysitter for the day. *grrr* I learned that perhaps my glass boxes with the fun hinged lids should go a BIT out of reach of the 6 and under crowd - because some parents are perpetually oblivious to what their little ones are doing at any given moment.
*slam slam slam "this is fun, Mommy! I want one!" slam, slam*
6. Do STRESS LESS about fingerprints on glass - people just have to TOUCH everything
~ I've never really paid much attention to people's need to touch what they are looking at - there were fingerprints and smudges all over every piece of glass! I finally just gave up trying to buff them out, and started joking with folks about it. Because, y'know, *chuckle* it is always the other people that do it, not us.
So - what did I do right??? Here's a tiny list:
1. Invite your FRIENDS to visit! Do the show with FAMILY!
~ Having my wonderful big brother there was ... wonderful! It made the whole experience just all around better and more fun. We even started using it to our advantage when hobnobbing with the people, like a little comedy team. It was super nifty having my first show be along with him, because HE is super nifty.
~ What bright points in the day to have people I knew coming through here and there! It's hard to be "on" all day with strangers, it's nice to get a hug and a moment to nudge and wink with some bosom buddies (who know enough to fade politely away when necessary).
2. Coupons, cool business cards, group sale announcements, t-shirt with familiar arty place!
~ I made up some 20% off coupons good for one item at my online store. My mother advised to only give them out to people who bought something, but this show turned out to be more promotion than sales, so I handed them out to the serious browsers. I figure if they wanted my business card - an added incentive to actually look up my online store was a happy coupon!
~I also gave away EGA sale announcements and info to serious browsers AND to people I noticed wearing pretty jewelry or arty clothes (yea yea - snap judgements, but those I deemed would be interested in EGA goods - why not hand out a 1/2 sheet flyer??) Those flyers and coupons were sitting there for anyone to grab if they wanted, but only a few took them - so I did a lot of handing of my own accord.
~My brother and my MOO cards were a big hit! Definitely more so than a regular business card.
~ I happened to be wearing a t-shirt with a bright logo of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and got quite a few comments on it, even a few conversations. Which might have possibly sparked a sale or two. Who knows? But, I do so love the MIA, so who cares?
There is probably more things I did right or wrong, but my well of thought has run dry. Needless to say, I had fun, sold enough to more than cover my expenses to be in the show - and hopefully drummed up some traffic to my Etsy store. (Which, of course, I'll be able to track through my ingenious coupon codes!) Oh, and everything I didn't sell - is happy extra inventory! WOO
My show is over. I made it! My first art show and I survived intact, had fun, made sales and met cool people. Happily, the event was made even better by the fact that my brother (cbpottery) was there with me. I definitely learned a few things for next time, so in no particular order:
1. Do NOT forget calculator
~ Imperative for the math-challenged artist. Although everyone was kind and understanding, I still felt like an idiot taking so long trying to do simple math for change. And you can just forget about sales tax. Holy crap.
2. Do invest in a REALLY good tent
~ while I opted for el cheapo tent because it was the only show I'm doing til next year, I really understand now why a well-made tent is a must. I spent so much time putzing with it in the minimal wind (tent reacted as if it was a gale), reinforcing it, and taking the damn thing down again (un-reinforcing took forever) when I was tired from the day - that I almost started throwing pieces of it around. Forget THAT trash. E-Z Up, reserve one for me!!
3. Make firm lunch plans OR get more reliable husband
~ My brother and I waited around, albeit with snacks and water, from 8:30am to 3:00pm waiting for my husband to show up with the lunch we asked for before he left ... Meanwhile, he was taking a day-long nap at home thinking we'd call when we were ready or had figured it out ourselves. By the time we got a hold of him, my brother decided since the show was over in a few hours - we would just eat afterwards. Heh - who knew between our evil tents, and repacking glass and earthenware inventory (and various lengthy convos with other folks), it took us almost two hours to leave. There was a happily-ever-after though, as my mom took us for a celebratory "first sibling show" dinner at a swanky restaurant (read prices that were high enough that I thought they were the meal "numbers" for ordering) because we were famished.
4. Do NOT (even if there are conflicting end times) try to get out the minute it's "over"
~ People showed up late - looking to spend, and spent it mostly on the one guy who hadn't gotten around to packing his stuff up yet because he was gabbing. Meanwhile, my inventory was mostly in boxes - which I did take out to show a few pieces but got no sales. Not that it would have been a "for sure" thing - but I do regret being hasty, and can understand why my brother was for holding off packing up for a bit.
5. Do NOT expect people to watch their children around your breakable valuables
~ I was reminded heavily of my lifeguarding days when some parents assumed that since you would save their children from drowning, you were also their babysitter for the day. *grrr* I learned that perhaps my glass boxes with the fun hinged lids should go a BIT out of reach of the 6 and under crowd - because some parents are perpetually oblivious to what their little ones are doing at any given moment.
*slam slam slam "this is fun, Mommy! I want one!" slam, slam*
6. Do STRESS LESS about fingerprints on glass - people just have to TOUCH everything
~ I've never really paid much attention to people's need to touch what they are looking at - there were fingerprints and smudges all over every piece of glass! I finally just gave up trying to buff them out, and started joking with folks about it. Because, y'know, *chuckle* it is always the other people that do it, not us.
So - what did I do right??? Here's a tiny list:
1. Invite your FRIENDS to visit! Do the show with FAMILY!
~ Having my wonderful big brother there was ... wonderful! It made the whole experience just all around better and more fun. We even started using it to our advantage when hobnobbing with the people, like a little comedy team. It was super nifty having my first show be along with him, because HE is super nifty.
~ What bright points in the day to have people I knew coming through here and there! It's hard to be "on" all day with strangers, it's nice to get a hug and a moment to nudge and wink with some bosom buddies (who know enough to fade politely away when necessary).
2. Coupons, cool business cards, group sale announcements, t-shirt with familiar arty place!
~ I made up some 20% off coupons good for one item at my online store. My mother advised to only give them out to people who bought something, but this show turned out to be more promotion than sales, so I handed them out to the serious browsers. I figure if they wanted my business card - an added incentive to actually look up my online store was a happy coupon!
~I also gave away EGA sale announcements and info to serious browsers AND to people I noticed wearing pretty jewelry or arty clothes (yea yea - snap judgements, but those I deemed would be interested in EGA goods - why not hand out a 1/2 sheet flyer??) Those flyers and coupons were sitting there for anyone to grab if they wanted, but only a few took them - so I did a lot of handing of my own accord.
~My brother and my MOO cards were a big hit! Definitely more so than a regular business card.
~ I happened to be wearing a t-shirt with a bright logo of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and got quite a few comments on it, even a few conversations. Which might have possibly sparked a sale or two. Who knows? But, I do so love the MIA, so who cares?
There is probably more things I did right or wrong, but my well of thought has run dry. Needless to say, I had fun, sold enough to more than cover my expenses to be in the show - and hopefully drummed up some traffic to my Etsy store. (Which, of course, I'll be able to track through my ingenious coupon codes!) Oh, and everything I didn't sell - is happy extra inventory! WOO
9.12.2007
Bold! Bright! Wonderful Treasury

Thanks to Clairigami for including my glasswork in her great treasury! Her shop is pretty darn nifty - I used to do quite a bit of origami, so it's always interesting to see others' work.
Alright, alright - I'm getting back to work.
9.11.2007
THE wedding & industrial efforts
Putting a spit-shine on my best pair of Chucks for a 3-day event! People potentially coming from Italy and Budapest!
I am *not* the grand wedding lover, but even I'm anxious to see how my cousin's wedding will turn out. I'm so thankful my kids and brother will be there to hide behind. I loathe mingling and all that heavy-duty social stuff, but she's worth it - to me and my kids. Heh, here's me acting as if it's tomorrow, no no - not til the 6th of Oct. I'm just THAT stressy over it. Did I mention I am mingle-challenged? Small talk ... eep.
And I'm not just going because she has chosen my glasswork for some presents she will be giving out to some key people. I am pretty damn flattered ... kind of overwhelmed by it all, to be honest. (Hence the half-empty Etsy shop.) Delivery date: the 16th. This weekend. Oy.
Lots to doublecheck, polish up and package.
No, I'm going because she's the cousin I giggled with the most as a kid. And everytime I see her, I remember that. She's infectiously enthusiastic and also miraculously accepting, honest and open. I really don't ever remember her being any different. I suppose there are precious few people like that - so to me and my kids - she's worth getting swanky for and celebrating alongside. (As if we'll see more than a glimpse of her here and there.) And no again, I'm not kissing arse - she'll never read this because she's got more to do than I could ever even imagine (and voluntarily!!!) I just needed to say it somewhere.
Between getting her stuff out the door, and furiously working to get my inventory up for a brand new local apple orchard/art show/studio tour I'm involved in next weekend, there will be little time for worrying about what's happening online. If you see me online, I'm either taking a break or (more likely) procrastinating ... and you should shoo me back to my glass cave.
I am *not* the grand wedding lover, but even I'm anxious to see how my cousin's wedding will turn out. I'm so thankful my kids and brother will be there to hide behind. I loathe mingling and all that heavy-duty social stuff, but she's worth it - to me and my kids. Heh, here's me acting as if it's tomorrow, no no - not til the 6th of Oct. I'm just THAT stressy over it. Did I mention I am mingle-challenged? Small talk ... eep.
And I'm not just going because she has chosen my glasswork for some presents she will be giving out to some key people. I am pretty damn flattered ... kind of overwhelmed by it all, to be honest. (Hence the half-empty Etsy shop.) Delivery date: the 16th. This weekend. Oy.
Lots to doublecheck, polish up and package.
No, I'm going because she's the cousin I giggled with the most as a kid. And everytime I see her, I remember that. She's infectiously enthusiastic and also miraculously accepting, honest and open. I really don't ever remember her being any different. I suppose there are precious few people like that - so to me and my kids - she's worth getting swanky for and celebrating alongside. (As if we'll see more than a glimpse of her here and there.) And no again, I'm not kissing arse - she'll never read this because she's got more to do than I could ever even imagine (and voluntarily!!!) I just needed to say it somewhere.
Between getting her stuff out the door, and furiously working to get my inventory up for a brand new local apple orchard/art show/studio tour I'm involved in next weekend, there will be little time for worrying about what's happening online. If you see me online, I'm either taking a break or (more likely) procrastinating ... and you should shoo me back to my glass cave.
9.04.2007
baubles
My newest creation: Baubles!

I get to combine my love of working with wire and my enjoyment of glasswork. Although, in a way, these are my "easy" item to stock up on for shows and whatnot. The glass nuggets are easier to prepare than glass, so it cuts the time down quite a bit.
But, I'm quite pleased with them - they can even be worn as pendants!
WEEE!
8.29.2007
Nifty Treasury
Thanks to ShiningDesigns for including me in her nifty "Bamboozled" treasury :DI'm actually in two other treasuries at the moment, but I like this one a lot!
8.27.2007
My brother's shop is finally open!
After spending two gruelling days teaching my brother and his wife their way around the computer and digital camera so they could maintain his shop (she's the official photographer), it's finally up and running!! YAYAY!

I never realized just how much about computers becomes second nature, having used them for a long time. The questions they asked were really surprising, but happily - they caught on quickly and were excited the whole time. My brother is a great potter, (his wife should really sell her photos, but is content with having photo duty for his shop) and I think this will be great for them both. It was tough going, but lovely to spend time with them - and be excited with them.
They learned how to manipulate their photos (she even got a pro Flickr account, yay!), list in their shop, and a few bonus tutorials on filing, GIMP, instant messaging, email, Paypal, Flickr, Outlook Express, photo editing, and general Etsy community guidelines. My broke-legged daughter came up with me (3 hr. drive) and helped watch their kidlets while we pounded away at our daunting task. We even got scrumptious chili and lovely bisquit and gravy breakfast. Hehe, the biscuits even made it into one of their item photos. :D
Next week? More of the same, plus blogging, Flickr, widgets, organization, net etiquette, and anything else that may come up. I expect quite a bit will.
I wish him and her ALL the best and hope they don't get too overwhelmed with all the things they had to learn in such a short amount of time.
I never realized just how much about computers becomes second nature, having used them for a long time. The questions they asked were really surprising, but happily - they caught on quickly and were excited the whole time. My brother is a great potter, (his wife should really sell her photos, but is content with having photo duty for his shop) and I think this will be great for them both. It was tough going, but lovely to spend time with them - and be excited with them.
They learned how to manipulate their photos (she even got a pro Flickr account, yay!), list in their shop, and a few bonus tutorials on filing, GIMP, instant messaging, email, Paypal, Flickr, Outlook Express, photo editing, and general Etsy community guidelines. My broke-legged daughter came up with me (3 hr. drive) and helped watch their kidlets while we pounded away at our daunting task. We even got scrumptious chili and lovely bisquit and gravy breakfast. Hehe, the biscuits even made it into one of their item photos. :D
Next week? More of the same, plus blogging, Flickr, widgets, organization, net etiquette, and anything else that may come up. I expect quite a bit will.
I wish him and her ALL the best and hope they don't get too overwhelmed with all the things they had to learn in such a short amount of time.
8.25.2007
The Big One
8.24.2007
8.16.2007
whirligig
8.15.2007
Finally, a panel!
8.09.2007
a lucky break (ha! pun intended)
The article has been pushed back a bit (wasn't time-sensitive), I just found out last night. It sucks that I told everyone to look for it in this issue - BUT, I am so relieved to have been granted more time to build up my inventory.
With this broken arm -I'm going to need it!!
With this broken arm -I'm going to need it!!
8.08.2007
AAARGH
I broke my damn arm last night. Tripped on a hose, and fractured my left forearm by the elbow.
What timing. A mention in a local magazine tomorrow, and two shows coming up - and me without finished work (or very little, anyhow.) On the verge of tears, I went out to my shop to snivel, and gave grinding with one hand a shot. Slooooow, but it can be done.
Kind of like typing this. *sigh* Look for a couple new pieces in the shop in the next few days though.
What timing. A mention in a local magazine tomorrow, and two shows coming up - and me without finished work (or very little, anyhow.) On the verge of tears, I went out to my shop to snivel, and gave grinding with one hand a shot. Slooooow, but it can be done.
Kind of like typing this. *sigh* Look for a couple new pieces in the shop in the next few days though.
8.06.2007
Eye of the Beholder
I've been pretty busy lately, working on glass in preparation for a local Arts & Culture article I will be in soon (which will hopefully direct some traffic my way!) I also have a few shows I need to prepare for coming up in September and October.
I went from having to be away from glass, due to other circumstances, to having to get really busy with and quickly! My gears switched so quickly - I'm still reeling.
This piece didn't even have time to be part of my big push this coming Thursday, before a friend fell in love with it. I had set it aside 4 months ago because while I loved the design, I wasn't too hip on the color combination. Then when they came to take some photos of me working, I pulled it out because I could do some soldering on the backside. I decided just to finish it and from lots of peer pressure, and the need to get pieces done - I figured I'd go ahead and sell it.
My family and friends kept saying how much they liked it and thought I was just being too fussy about it. But, it turns out I didn't need to worry about it. The opposite happened! Another friend really liked it, and agreed to letting me put it up in my shop (adding to the gallery!) til she was ready for it. So, YAY Sharlene!!!
7.21.2007
HA!
I forced myself to go out to my workshop and clean it up and get ready to finally do some glasswork - and guess what!
The grinder bit screw is stripped and I can't get it back on tightly. The supply shop isn't open til Monday.
This is becoming sort of ridiculous. I'm actually chuckling about it, which I suppose is a good sign. Or - I'm just slowly being driven insane.
Hmmm. :D
The grinder bit screw is stripped and I can't get it back on tightly. The supply shop isn't open til Monday.
This is becoming sort of ridiculous. I'm actually chuckling about it, which I suppose is a good sign. Or - I'm just slowly being driven insane.
Hmmm. :D
7.20.2007
if it's not one thing ...
Amidst numerous other setbacks in the last month or so, now my 2nd daughter (12 yrs) has not only fractured her poor leg, she fractured it in such a way that required surgery. She slipped on some wet grass while playing with Maggie (2 1/2 yrs), and fractured the base of both her bones in the right leg. The fracture went right through the fibula (smaller bone) and on her tibia (large one), it was a tri-plane fracture that looked a bit like a jigsaw puzzle.
The worry was that it went right through the growth plate which would cause that leg to stop growing. We lived with that bit of information for almost 2 days! Talk about stress. Luckily, the orthopedist we were sent to said she has pretty much finished growing as the plate was starting to fuse together anyhow. Whew! Sadly though, the break was bad enough to require surgery ...
4 screws and one wire later and an overnighter in the hospital, Kate is now in a soft cast and having to keep the leg elevated as much as possible, no weight-bearing allowed. The incision is a few inches long, according to the surgeon, but none of us has seen it. The concern now is for the long run - she will almost definitely have arthritis in that joint as an adult, even though the doctor was able to get the joint and bone area as smooth as possible.
Next Wednesday, we will go back in and get a hard cast put on from toes to above her knee for 3-4 weeks, then hopefully she will be able to have it removed and start to bear weight on it with a boot & air cast. Just in time for school starting. Poor thing. She's being a trooper, although manuevering on the crutches is tough for her - especially steps - but she is already able to decline a few of her stronger pain meds.
She is my most active child, best helper with Maggie and doesn't have patience for sedentary hobbies. Only laid up since Sunday (when the break occured, and Tuesday was the surgery), she's already getting a bit bored. She's started to make tiny laps around our house to keep her butt and legs from falling asleep. Kate says that when it falls asleep, that's when the most pain occurs.
So far, this summer is not conducive to any creativity on my part, with the anxiety of my child and a few other problems going on. On the bright side, I was interviewed for a possible article about Etsy in our local culture/entertainment magazine. That means I need to get going on stocking my shop. I can't decide if that's the cherries or the pits.
Basically, I just need to vent and felt it important to let folks know where I've been lately.
The worry was that it went right through the growth plate which would cause that leg to stop growing. We lived with that bit of information for almost 2 days! Talk about stress. Luckily, the orthopedist we were sent to said she has pretty much finished growing as the plate was starting to fuse together anyhow. Whew! Sadly though, the break was bad enough to require surgery ...
4 screws and one wire later and an overnighter in the hospital, Kate is now in a soft cast and having to keep the leg elevated as much as possible, no weight-bearing allowed. The incision is a few inches long, according to the surgeon, but none of us has seen it. The concern now is for the long run - she will almost definitely have arthritis in that joint as an adult, even though the doctor was able to get the joint and bone area as smooth as possible.
Next Wednesday, we will go back in and get a hard cast put on from toes to above her knee for 3-4 weeks, then hopefully she will be able to have it removed and start to bear weight on it with a boot & air cast. Just in time for school starting. Poor thing. She's being a trooper, although manuevering on the crutches is tough for her - especially steps - but she is already able to decline a few of her stronger pain meds.
She is my most active child, best helper with Maggie and doesn't have patience for sedentary hobbies. Only laid up since Sunday (when the break occured, and Tuesday was the surgery), she's already getting a bit bored. She's started to make tiny laps around our house to keep her butt and legs from falling asleep. Kate says that when it falls asleep, that's when the most pain occurs.
So far, this summer is not conducive to any creativity on my part, with the anxiety of my child and a few other problems going on. On the bright side, I was interviewed for a possible article about Etsy in our local culture/entertainment magazine. That means I need to get going on stocking my shop. I can't decide if that's the cherries or the pits.
Basically, I just need to vent and felt it important to let folks know where I've been lately.
7.09.2007
7.07.2007
Back!
After a month of taking care of some other responsibilities, I'm back! YAY!
What's new? Not much to bother talking about. I'm excited to get busy with glass again and have finished a few items to break back in easily after my hiatus. I have plans for a few different items, but - heh - it's been harder than I thought getting back into the swing of things.
This was a lovely item that came up while I was away: Star of David
So bear with me, it may be awhile before I'm completely up and running.
What's new? Not much to bother talking about. I'm excited to get busy with glass again and have finished a few items to break back in easily after my hiatus. I have plans for a few different items, but - heh - it's been harder than I thought getting back into the swing of things.
This was a lovely item that came up while I was away: Star of David
So bear with me, it may be awhile before I'm completely up and running.
6.01.2007
Initiation Stitches
*warning - this post may cause cringing and general feelings of ick to readers*
Well, I guess I have been fully initiated into being a stained glass artisan. I got my first stitches today from an accident during glass cutting.
Heh, I debated showing a picture of my embroidered knuckle - but decided there's enough ooky stuff on the web without my adding to it. Besides, it's only two little stitches (I know, 17 would have sounded cooler, eh?), so it looks more like a little splatted bug than a wound. The doctor, who was especially nifty, said she only wanted to stitch it because it was right on my knuckle and would be smarter to keep it stitched shut. That, and you could see the actual joint!
I actually feel kind of alright about it - not too much pain so far (just when the anesthetic was administered via FOUR shots - two between my fingers). I wonder if my work will change any. I wonder if my consciousness of safety will be enhanced. I wonder if it will be a noticeable scar.
I wonder if there's something dysfuntional about me that makes me feel slightly inadequate, as if two stitches are somehow not good/bad enough to be Noteworthy. Hrmmm.
Well, I guess I have been fully initiated into being a stained glass artisan. I got my first stitches today from an accident during glass cutting.
Heh, I debated showing a picture of my embroidered knuckle - but decided there's enough ooky stuff on the web without my adding to it. Besides, it's only two little stitches (I know, 17 would have sounded cooler, eh?), so it looks more like a little splatted bug than a wound. The doctor, who was especially nifty, said she only wanted to stitch it because it was right on my knuckle and would be smarter to keep it stitched shut. That, and you could see the actual joint!
I actually feel kind of alright about it - not too much pain so far (just when the anesthetic was administered via FOUR shots - two between my fingers). I wonder if my work will change any. I wonder if my consciousness of safety will be enhanced. I wonder if it will be a noticeable scar.
I wonder if there's something dysfuntional about me that makes me feel slightly inadequate, as if two stitches are somehow not good/bad enough to be Noteworthy. Hrmmm.
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