Showing posts with label Countdowns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Countdowns. Show all posts

Saturday, November 07, 2009

0... SHOWTIME

I thought y'all might like to spend yesterday with me , through pictures. Here is what my day looked like, from start to end...

show set up1
show set up2
show set up3
show set up4
show set up6
show set up9
show set up10
show set up12
show set up14
show set up15

More pictures HERE in my Flickr gallery. And I'll be adding more photos tonight, I am sure. I am going to be completely rearranging that booth set up with I leave for the gallery in about 15mins!! I am just not feelin' it, so it is getting switched up.

Thank you so much for counting down to this show with me. I have had fun sharing all the excitement with you!! Wish me luck.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

1... Weekend Buzz...



SURPRISE!! Yesterday afternoon I went to The Gallery Store at The Memorial Art Gallery to be interviewed!! The piece is to promote The Fine Craft Show this weekend. I did my hair, my make up, and sported my new favorite dress (unlike what I am wearing while watching the tv spot, LOL). I stopped by my sister's, who lives about 2 blocks away from the gallery, to make sure I looked the part. I brought a bunch of my latest designs and went from there.

I was so nervous. More nervous than when I demo-ed for PBS's Beads Baubles and Jewels. I can show how to make a piece of jewelry no problem, but try to articulate on the fly about my work had me sweating bullets. Of all the things they asked me and the things I answered, I am surprised that this is the sound bite they used, but that is okay. At least I didn't "um" during this part.

YNN 9 News is our local cable new channel so this little segment will run over and over and over again all day!! I am honored to have been asked to be the artist representing the show. I can't wait for the preview party tomorrow night!! But until then, I have loads of work to do today. Everything needs to be priced, polished, and packaged, the van needs cleaning and loading up of my display, and I need to wash all the table linens I use for the booth. I better get to work!!

Thanks for sharing my 15seconds of fame with me. And in case you are wondering, this is the piece I am wearing in the interview... ::Chandelier:: chandelier 1

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

2... Building Nerves...

far remote
(text reads: For then, despite of space, I would be brought, From limits far remote, where thou dost stay.)


Oh what a whirl wind day I have had!! I am not going to reveal the biggest part of today until tomorrow. But I will tell you this, there was a dress involved and stopping by my sister's house for a hair and make up check. LOL.

I spent the morning finishing two more paintings and making beads too. I never got the brights I wanted to yesterday afternoon. Ron has been home sick for two days and I just couldn't resist vegging out on the couch watching 24 with him. And I think the break did me a little good. I don't want to over work myself to the point of exhaustion, so an afternoon off was a good idea. I think I have around 40 pieces for the show right now and I am good with that.

Here are some more details from the latest painting...

far remote close up
far remote close up 2

Come back tomorrow for what I think will be a pretty cool surprise!!

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

4... 3... Two Words...

Silvered. Ivory.

It isn't very often that I get my "organic" on but yesterday I decided too. With ivory rods and silver foil in hand I got so caught up in the creation process that I totally forgot to blog! LOL. I am in love with these new designs.

They are rustic, natural, modern, ancient, cosmic, bold, subtle, captivating, and intriguing. I could get lost under the encasing of clear over silvered ivory any day of the week. *sigh* Oh, and I saved the best one, my most favorite one, the one that has the most amazing shades of purple and pink ever, for last.

::Organic Pendants::
organic pendant grouping

::Organic Ring A Ling::
organic ring-a-ling

::Lunar Trinkets::
lunar trinkets

::Sticks & Stones::
sticks and stones

::Collecting Stardust::
collecting stardust close up1
collecting stardust

For "Collecting Stardust", I individually punched 26 copper and brass discs from textured sheet metal and used a dapping set to form the cupped caps for each disc bead. There are 13 large-ish ivory discs that were rolled in silver foil then encased in clear glass. The mini spacers between the caps and discs are also silvered ivory. I am so so so happy with how this one turned out. EEEKKKK!!!

Now back into the studio I go. I am thinkin' I will work with BRIGHTS this afternoon.

Sunday, November 01, 2009

5... No Skipping Beats...

Thanks so much for all the well wishes being sent Lauren's way. She has been on Tamiflu (the antiviral med) since Friday and has really perked up. And so far, there has only been candy induced stomach aches for everyone else. Let's hope it stays that way!!

I wasn't able to get any work done much of Thursday and Friday, but thankfully, Ron has let me hide out in the studio for much of yesterday and today. So, I am right back on track to show prep without skipping a beat! I am loving mixing felted wool beads with wire!! The wool is very high grade and ultra soft. No itching at all.

Here are the latest designs...

::Gathering Storm::
gathering storm close up 2

::Bay Breezes::
bay beezes 1

::A Bubbly Number:: (bracelet)
bubbly number 1

Friday, October 30, 2009

6... Brief Interlude

ink well 1
(text reads: That in black ink my love may still shine bright.)


Okay... one kid is better, that's Andrew. He bounced back quick yesterday, plus he got glasses and is wicked excited to show them off at school, HA! Alas, my relief was short lived. Jacob started vomitting around 2am and Lauren's fever has been raging at 103 since last night. He is staying in bed and she is going to the doctors. Please, please, please, don't let it be the swine flu.

*UPDATE* - Just in from the docs... Lauren does in fact have swine flu!! Along with a fever of 105.5 while on Mortin. Ugh. We are snuggling while bleaching and wearing face masks. Keep us in your thoughts.

In the meantime, enjoy my latest mixed media piece in the colors of yesterday's jewelry. And keep your fingers crossed that these sickos let me into the studio to work at some point today.

ink well close up

ink well close up 2

ink well close up 3

Thursday, October 29, 2009

7... The Other Shoe Drops

Up one minute down the next... tis my life. Yesterday's creation uphoria was quickly squashed by repeated calls from the nurse's office for TWO sick children. Which naturally led to a sleepless night tending to high fevers, headaches, sore throats, and belly aches. Ugh. Can't a girl getta break? Ron was feeling awful today and stayed home from work too. Top it all off with a visit to the vet with my Mom's very overdue basset hound for an emergency c-section of 4 little puppies. I got to watch the spaying at the end!! OH, and I had my car inspected today and it needed $350 in new brakes. Grrrr.

I need a seriously long nap. Can anyone say 7:30pm bed times for everyone? LOL!
Not before a little eye candy though...

::Winds Day::
winds day 1

::October Sky::
october sky 1

::Tail Spin::
tail wind 1

::October Ring A Ling::
october ring-a-ling

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

8... So Very Grateful...

I feel incredibly grateful today to be feeling inspired after so many weeks of creative dull drum. I have another new painting on me desk, a kiln belly full of tasty beads for 2 more new necklaces, and these new pieces too.

::Joolz Earrings:: (soon to be sent to Francie!)
joolz earrings

::Ringers:: (I sold out of these at last year's show.)
ringers 1

::Galivanting::
galivanting 1

::Spiral Trail::
spiral trail pendant

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

9... with some help...

Maybe not the best color combination for the time of year. Maybe a little too "springish", but I am lovin' it...

::Float Away::
float away 2

::Love::
love pendant

::Playing Chase::
playing chase

::Corsage::
corsage

::Heart Candy::
heart candy

jewelry assistant

... Rusty likes the new color combo too. Look for a "warmer" color combo tomorrow.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Let The Countdown Begin... 10...

gracious and kind 1
(text reads: Be, as thy presence is, gracious and kind.)


I flipped the page in my planner and had a mild panic attack this morning. It was more of a sudden anxious flutter in my gut that I need to get my butt in some serious gear than a panic attack really. I know, I know... this happens every time I do a show. You think "Kerry, you'll be fine, you always are." And I know that, but my body has been conditioned for the past 6 years to totally panic before a show, so it just can't be helped.

There is nothing like an anxious flutter though to really get me going. I spent hours, hours, in the studio today. I made beads, I finished this painting (that I am LOVIN' the colors of!), and I wired up this necklace too.

live love laugh 2

It reads "In Life Live Swell Love Brave Laugh Loudly". I have been really getting inspired by my "word" beads again and tried to choose words that would really come from me. I know everyone uses the "Live Love Laugh" phrase and maybe it is a little over used these days, but thems the words I had to work with for the glass. I made it more 'me' with Swell, Brave, and Loudly. And yes, I really say swell... I used to say nifty all the time too... so look for me to use that one some time too.

Anywho... I am in mission mode from now until the show next weekend. So, look for fewer words and more pictures over the next few days!

gracious and kind in the studio

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Stomping

stomping 1

Slowly but surely, I think I am starting to find my footing in my new photography styling for my latest jewelry designs. I am loving these photos more and more!! The colorful beads... the bright backgrounds... what more could a color lovin' girl ask for?

stomping 2

Certainly, some come out better than others, but I am getting there. Anyway... ta da... this new piece is called Stomping! It is a collection of 20 glass hollows created from EDP Fuchsia and Transparent Ink Purple/Blue. I posted a photo of this on Facebook and I have had loads of questions about those coiled wire spacers. I would love to tell you how to make them... alas... you'll have to wait. I am using the technique in projects that will be published in the future. (Nope, not in my book, but in another one I am contributing on!)

stomping worn

When I was working on these beads, they reminded me a lot of my Blimey Limey necklace. I must say, I am rather proud of myself. I have come a long way since the days of feeling like I couldn't ever make a hollow... to getting lucky once and a while with a good one... to being able to make them regularly with control over the final size and shaping. I know everyone always says practice practice practice... and in this case they are right. And by no means do I intend to sound snotty by that comment. I can't find the right words at the moment, but what I am trying to say is that I actually surprise myself sometimes by how far I have come. Boy, do I still have so much more to learn though.

There are more jewelry designs where this one came from. I am working an new beads everyday this month!! I have an art show around the corner and I am feeling a countdown coming on. LOL. For those of you that are new to my blog, countdowns to a show are fun!! In the meantime, while you eagerly await the countdown, pop over to my flickr page and check out some of the other new designs I have posted!

Monday, November 10, 2008

More Reasons To Celebrate

As if having a successful art show and being on the cover of the paper wasn't enough reason to celebrate... we have a birthday in the house today!! My Jacob (aka Bee-Bop to Lauren) is ELEVEN today!! WOW, how can it be?!? It was so funny, Jacob was asking me this morning as I was making his specially requested pancakes, "What were you doing right now when I was born?" I told him that at 7:15am I was getting ready to go into the doctor's office because I had been up all night with severe back pain. I told him, I didn't go to the hospital until around 2pm. Lauren asked "but Momma, who is gonna take care of use when you are at the hospital?" LOL.

And now... the official recap of the show! (with a couple photos)I'll say off the bat that I am pretty tired, and it is a Monday morning, and I am pretty tired... so if I repeat myself or lose my train of thought or go off on tangents and forget what I was going to say, you'll just have to forgive me.


As you know, I set up Friday afternoon. The staff at the museum was AWESOME! They unloaded my van for me and had all my "stuff" to my spot in about 10mins. It took me about an hour and a half to set up the tables and arrange all the display stuff. Not bad for working by myself. (everyone was working so no assistants, aka my sister, was available to help for set up) I decided to go without the white swirly fabric table clothes on top of the black ones. It was distracting. I will still use it for outdoor shows, but for here, it wasn't the right fit. The displays really worked great!! I loved being in front of the window, the view and natural light was wonderful.


Friday night was the preview party. This was the view from my spot! Those paper lanterns were highlighting the silent auction that benefits the museum. In the center "pavilion" area were 4/5 other vendors. The main ballroom was up the stairs that were near that last big pillar. This is when we figured out that the traffic really wasn't going to naturally flow our way. People would come in the front door, wonder around the center pavilion, then head up the stairs... not knowing anyone was in the back corner. The museum put volunteers at that last big pillar to start directing people our way by Sunday morning, so that was nice.

Oh, those half mans on the floor? Yeah, those are from my booth neighbor. She was still setting up at 8:00pm when that preview party started at 7:00pm.


First thing Saturday morning, Bonnie and I did end up doing a quick booth rearrange. Actually, it was more of a maneuver then a rearrange. We pulled the tables back about two feet and lost about two feet of table space and our way in and out of the booth. If you look at the tiles on the floor, you see where the neighbor's tent leg is? Well, there was only one tile worth of a walk way before moving my tables. But hey, at least the trees were fake, so we didn't kill them when we smashed ourselves against them to get from behind the booth. (insert eye rolling here)

One of the highlights of the weekend was the dinner party we were treated to after the close of the show on Saturday. The homes of 5 or 6 of the Gallery Council member's homes were opened to vendors for dinner. We were invited to the home of Teddy Carr and her significant other, Mark. The other artists there were Nancy & Alex Solla of Cold Springs Pottery, jewelry artist Nancy Valle, and you aren't gonna believe this... the teapot guy, Eric Serritella! Eric and I talked about the Rochester Magazine article and had quite a laugh. He had wondered "who the heck is this?" when reading the weird quote they had from me. He was really down to earth, and it was great! There were two other artists there as well, but I am terrible with names. Sorry other mystery guests! Dinner was fantastic, the best roasted salmon I have ever tasted. And the conversation was even better. It was great to be at a proper dinner party. Ten guests gathered around a beautifully set table with gorgeous artwork on the walls and great talks over wine. Makes me wanna get myself invited to more of those!! LOL! Anyone having a dinner party soon?!?

I don't have any photos from Sunday, but Francie from JOOLZ stopped in to say HI and she posted a photo from Sunday on her blog. Sunday was the big artist presentation day. I was nervous and excited at the same time. The demo room in the Creative Workshop at the museum was set up theater style with rows of chairs. First thing I told people was they wouldn't be able to see if they were so far away, so I told everyone to gather up close around my table. At one point there were about 40 or so people packed around. I was asked lots of questions and we had a good dialog going over the roar of my little Hot Head torch. I think it went well, people laughed at my silly nervous jokes (I even joked about there being too many people and that was why my hands were shaking adding some raised dots to a disc, lol), and many people came up to me after to show to thank me for showing them what I do. Gallery staff told me it was great too. It is always a relief to get through things causing such nerves.

Sunday really flew by. I was packed up and heading home before I knew it. I can't wait till next year. I hope hope hope I get to be apart of the show again!!

Alrighty, that is the official recap. Time to get ready for the birthday boy's family party! Oh, and Luaren just informed me that her stuffed monkeys are getting married today. It should be quite an event.