All about the heart

I've been having so much fun in my studio! I'm combining some techniques I recently learned at a Lisa Kaus workshop, with some of my older techniques, and some new, and this is the combined effort. It's funny even my husband and kids said," this looks like what you used to do." It's a bit more whimsical and I'm using brighter colors. But it's funny to see my work come full circle. Who knows what I'll be doing next week. I'm really concentrating on some easier work, that I can wholesale, these little beauties are being delivered to a local store, called "Serendipity" later today. As artists it can be a tricky deal to wholesale and retail your art at the same time. I've had my things in a few galleries and stores over the last couple of years, but have mainly sold my art at local art shows. There is a real balancing act to selling at a price that works for a retailer,and is still  affordable at my shows. My answer was to come up with a completely new product to wholesale. I still continue to sell my art that is really labor intensive at the art shows along with my new items, that I sell at the same price as my stores. So far it's been a win-win situation for myself and the stores.  I decided  to give wholesale a try after setting at a three day show. Sales were good, but  by the time I pay the entry fee, and my husband and I invest three days, I knew I needed to make some changes. I'll always do shows and my Open Studio Tour, but now I have more options, which is always a good thing. 

"Wire" my new addiction

My finger tips may never be the same. I can't begin to tell you how many spools of wire I've twisted in the last few weeks. It started out innocently enough, I thought it would only be one little wire birdhouse, but no, I was hooked the first time I felt the cool smoothness between my fingers. Now I hangout at the local  hardware store, just looking for the right gauge 18, 20, 24, I love them all. My hands just have to be busy all the time, they never just let me sit still, they have to be twisting something, it might be a birdcage, a house, or maybe a flower. Whatever it is, I love to see the end result. Well this strange addiction has taken me into a new type of mixed media, that I'm really enjoying. It has been a great addition to the vintage line of art I've been working on. Several of these framed pieces were sold to a great store in Arroyo Grande called "Serendipity". They look lovely hanging on their pale green walls. Time to stop writing, I hear the wire calling.

Lisa Kaus Workshop

 Much too pretty to mess-up

Fun Goodies

Work in progress

Don't mess with Texas (say cheese)

More talented Artists

Vickie and Cindy

Vickie and my Artwork

Second day of workshop

A few weeks ago I was in Southern California taking a Lisa Kaus workshop with my friend Vickie. I was in heaven, two whole days to learn and create. When we first looked into the room, I thought we were in the wrong place. The room was setup and decorated for what looked like a ladies luncheon, or maybe a bridal shower. But no it was for us. Kim Caldwell did a fantastic job of setting the tone for a great weekend. If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of Kim's events, you won't be disappointed. Lisa was a good teacher and I loved her style. She uses a lot of squares in her work, like I do. There were about thirty women in the class, and everyone was thrilled with their finished work.