Rockford Handmade Market Preview - Part 2

Happy Monday Friends. After 5 days off from work, it's been tough for me to get back into the swing of things today. 

Rockford Handmade Market is just 4 days away, and I've got some more goodies to share.  All of these works are handmade right here in Rockford, Illinois by one of our Rockford Handmade Market vendors.

1. Flowers, bowls and more fashioned from found objects by Recycled Rarities.
2. Original still life paintings by Art Friedl. 
3. Handcrafted silver fingerprint jewelry by Precious Prints co.  
4. One of a kind art dolls made from new and recycled socks and trinkets by Socks that Rock.   
5. Contemporary felted toys and accessories by Lulu’s Stabbies Creatures.
6. Hand stamped custom jewelry by Jewelry by Katie M.
   

 Hope to see you there! 

Rockford Handmade Market Preview - Part 1

I'm excited and gearing up for the upcoming Rockford Handmade Market.  Taking place this Thursday, December 2nd from 4 -10 pm, the historic Prairie Street Brewhouse will be filled to the brim with holiday cheer!   

Free to attend, there will be 32 great local vendors present at this show, all of whom make handmade goods. I'm hoping to do quite a bit of my Christmas shopping here! You'll find art, home decor items, jewelry, paper goods, toys, candles, soaps, bags, posters, clothing and more, all in one cool space. Locally produced food and drinks will be available for purchase too. Here's just a small sampling of the goods that will be available.

1. Upcycled coffee sacks transformed by Burlap Works.
2. Artisan breads and pastries, homemade jam and gourmet butters by Crust n Crumbles.
3. Wearable works of art made from antique and vintage items by Opaline1214.
4. Repurposed vintage button jewelry, garlands and handmade prints by The Paper Button.
5. Screen-printed tshirts, posters, pillows, and other goodies by Pirate Ninja Print Shop.  

Stay tuned for part 2 of the Rockford Handmade Preview. 

Be sure to check out the Facebook fan page too!

Black Friday Weekend Sale

It's Thanksgiving - time for the busy holiday season to kick into high gear. Let the shopping commence!

I will be celebrating Black Friday with a big sale in my Etsy shop. All prints are HALF OFF and all original works ship for FREE, worldwide!

Offers good from Friday 11/29 to Cyber Monday 11/29. (Well actually, free shipping on originals is already set. Go shop!)

Cheers!

Happy and Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving friends! I hope you will all be able to share this holiday with ones you love.  

No school today, so I am getting an early start on the Thanksgiving celebration.  Jack (My soon-to-be stepson) and I  will be heading over to my mom's house to make pumpkin cookies, an old family favorite.  Yum!

Tomorrow,  Matt and I have two Thanksgiving dinners to attend.   We'll be with my family in the afternoon and then hop over to Matt's parents house in the evening. I'm looking forward to plenty of good company, good conversation, and way too much food.

I will be holding a Black Friday Sale in my Etsy shop. Details will be posted on the blog tomorrow. Be excited - some deep discounting!

Cheers!

Autumn's End

Outside, it's becoming cold and quiet.

The last of the leaves are falling.

Our long winter's nap is near.

"Would Be" is a celebration of the last throws of autumn.  I created this 2.5" x 3.5" (ACEO) work on a piece of ledger paper.  It has been sprayed with a UV-resistant clear coat so that the colors of the magazine and ink stay bright as the day it was made.

"Would Be" is available in my Etsy shop.

Holiday Shopping @ the Rockford Art Museum Store

Photo of Rockford Art Museum store courtesy of RAM website

The Rockford Art Museum Store is one of my go-to gift shops in town. If I'm in need of a unique, artsy gift, I know I will find something there. Just last week I bought my co-worker a beautiful handmade coil basket made out of newspaper and magazine.

During  the holiday season the RAM store will carry a selection of my cards, gift tags, prints and originals.  I'm excited to have my work in a "brick and mortar" during the prime-time gift giving season!

RAM Gallery and Store are open Monday through Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday 12-5.

Sneaking in Some Artwork at Work

Today I had a little time to knock out some of my own artwork, while my students were busy on their art.

Measuring just 2.5' X 3.5",  Fanciful Flourish is the first ACEO I've created in while. I forgot how rewarding it can be to work this small. In about an hour, an entire tiny treasure was created! 

I'm really into the ledger paper at the moment. I enjoy the instant pattern it provides in the negative space.

Find Fanciful Flourish on Etsy soon!

New Art - It's easy to be around you

Doesn't this chair and this space just look comfortable and easy? That's where the idea for the title was derived.

I've been working on this piece off an on for months now. I finally had a chance to devote some time to this and finish it up!

"It's easy to be around you" is another of my Bic pen pieces. All of the black you see, including all of the detail on the chair was done with that classic office staple.  This work measures 8" x 10' and was created on a cradled hardboard. All of the papers were adhered to the hardboard with what could best be described as 2-sided sticker sheets. The sticker sheets allow me to get the paper totally flat on its support. After all of the inking was complete, I added a few little pops of color with a red Prismacolor pencil.

"It's easy to be around you" is now available in my Etsy shop as a print. Look for the original at the upcoming Rockford Handmade Market.

New in the Shop - Harmony and Beauty Print

This past summer, I created "Harmony and Beauty" on a piece of vintage ledger paper. While preparing for my last art show, I found this tucked away in a folder amongst my art supplies.  Its time for this pretty one to be released out into the world.  You can now purchase this as an 10" x 8" archival print in my etsy shop.


Find "Harmony and Beauty" here.

Old Print - New Size

Good Day Friends!

It's hard to believe that the holiday season is indeed upon us with the current 70 degree days we are experiencing. I got a good dose of holiday cheer last weekend, while exhibiting at Frost and Friends. I'm amped and ready for this busy time of year.

Thanks to all who came out to Frost and Friends.  It was packed to the gills and lots of fun. I enjoying being able to interact with buyers at shows like this and see what they gravitate to in my collection.

"Meant to Be" attracted a lot of attention at the show.  Several people requested that I print this in an 8" x 10" size.  They spoke and I listened.  Both of my "supersized" 12" x 15" prints are now available in my etsy shop at the 8" x 10" size. And at the $18.00 price point, they make a superb holiday gift.  Just pop them in a 8.5" x 11" frame and they are ready for gifting.

I'm now prepping for the December 2nd Rockford Handmade Market. Expect to see more details on this show soon.

Frost and Friends

I've been spending much of my free time gearing up for the upcoming "Frost and Friends" show. This annual holiday show has become a major Rockford event. I'm excited to be a part of it this year.

I have been busy packaging up all sort of holiday goodies. My gift tags and cards will be available, as well as a wide selection of prints and original works. 

There will be 40 exhibitors selling a variety of wares. Hopefully you'll be able to find all sorts of goodies for those on your holiday list.

Frost and Friends runs Friday, November 5th, from 5-10pm and Saturday, November 6th from 9-2 pm.

Find us in the ball room at:

The Radisson Hotel

200 S Bell School Rd
Rockford, IL 61108
$5 Admission at the door

Hope to see you there!