2015 August
Old Habits Die Hard!!
8/25/2015
Old habits do die hard. On my last trip I found it extremely difficult not to go through the textile warehouses and point and say, "I'll take that and that, and that!" I keep reminding myself that the store, as we knew it, has changed and I don't need to buy in bulk like I used to. But... the passion is still there when I look at fabric and see what is possible when the quality is good.
That being said, I did stumble on a great buy with these wonderful dining room chairs for resale (which one of you may want to take advantage). They were custom made and the designer didn't take all of them. They are covered in extremely nice fabric and would be a great start to a dining room or as a side chair for a room that is being redone.
If anyone is interested, let me know. There are six of them already made up. The upholstery is impeccable and the quality and fabric are very high end.... they just need a new home. Best of all they are only $195.00 each!!
To the left are a few of the fabrics I couldn't pass up. The fish fabric (outdoor fabric) on the left is one of my favorites for a fun outdoor patio setting. The fish are bright colored with designs in each one and there is a coordinating stripe that looks really cute with the fish. Of course I couldn't pass up some of the Black and Whites either!!
The second photo is of some of the batiks that I purchased... love my batiks. I opened the box and realized that there are 15 more bolts that I am waiting for on backorder! That's ok... Christmas another day.
I just love a day when things go right and it is a good day for everyone involved!
On Monday I had the nicest lady from Ohio come in and take away about 4500 yards of fabric, and at least that much trim! I was thrilled and so was she, as she was able to load her store with great buys and new trims and fabrics!
I'm now able to move about the warehouse and organize some of my "art supplies"...
I say that 'tongue in cheek' since a lot of the stuff is just junk that no one else would want...
but that I see endless possibilities for...
Only a little more fabric and trim to get rid of before we are all online and able to set up all the classroom and rental space. You don't want to miss this final sale!
This Saturday from 9 - 3 we will have the remaining fabrics from the Clearance section on sale. One day, One dollar per yard - when you buy the whole bolt. Come visit and take advantage of our last push on clearance fabric!!
So, now that you have finished reading this week's blog, go down and read last week's. For some reason our link didn't work. I had my feelings hurt and thought no one wanted to talk to me when I had asked you all a specific question!! You know that I do like to talk!!
5 Comments
Krissy Davis - Love all your projects..so happy for you. Love the chair! I would need 2..curious as to the size..do you have them at the studio?
Leslie - Hey Krissy! I do not have them in the store at this time but have requested all the size info and a sample of the fabric to be sent to me... I will let you know when it comes in. They are beautiful and I could get two of them for you. Thanks for asking!!
Leslie - Chair dimensions:
Overall Height - 40
Overall Depth - 27
Overall Width - 24
Arm Height - 22
Seat Height - 20
Seat Depth - 19
Seat Width - 19.5" Let me know if this helps!! Thanks!! Leslie
Gayle Gray - where are you located? How many yards are you selling. Want to buy some springs creative quilting fabrics? I wholesale this
Leslie - We are in Shelbyville KY. I don't do much in the way of quilting except for my batiks. Thanks though.... Have a good day!
What Time Zone Are You In?
8/20/2015
You might think that you're traveling a little too much when you wake up from a good sleep, look around, wonder what hotel room you're in and what time it is back home. That's what happened to me this morning as I took off yesterday on one more short trip.
I'm on a "fact" hunting mission. After some really nice feedback on my funky furniture, I decided to look into what it might take to "market" my playful furniture. There seem to be so many details to think through. My artwork colors are definitely geared to coastal sales and have been very well received along the coast. Fabrics.... Frames....High End Boutique sales Rep.... lots to think about...
This may not be something I want to pursue, but it has been hanging in the back of my mind for the past few months. After some positive words from one of my old time fabric suppliers, I decided to spend some time asking questions and hunting down details. I'll keep you posted.
I arrived home from Phoenix with lots of business to finalize... along with several custom tunics to finish/alter/design.
I knocked them out while waiting for my boxes to get here from Phoenix. As soon as the boxes arrived I found the Art Apron and Fiber Bundles that were left and had Delphia ship them off to the 11 lucky winners that came by our booth at the vendors show.
If you are into crafts of any kind, our Fiber Bundles are a fun item to have on hand. I use them a lot in the fiber and art projects that I make in the Studio. You can pick the color that best suits your artwork from 10 different color bundles. they are the most popular item we sell in our booth at art shows. You can view and purchase our Fiber Bundles at our Etsy store and have them shipped directly to your home. Shop our FunkyFibersKY Etsy site!
I spent yesterday morning with a friend judging some of the fun items entered at the state fair before I started out on my trip and was able to take a sneak peak at the fun pieces that Robert Hartley entered. Such a marvelous artist.
Robert is one of our MEM STUDIOS teaching artists, a Sewing Master and 3D Fabrications Artist. Hopefully, he will be back with us again soon!
I would love to see the artwork you all are working on. Can you post it and share it with us?
My list for next week is a mile long and I am anxious to get started on it all! More next week!
0 Comments
Figuring Out What is Next!!
8/13/2015
Wow! What a view from the balcony of our hotel room ! I think this mid week double rainbow (one to the right that did not show up in the transfer of picture) is a good summation of the week .A nice promise of good luck and things to come.
I loved working with the students that took the classes I taught. They were energetic, fun and held me to task. Everyone left with completed projects that were wonderful and something to be proud of showing off. I hope they feel like they can make another one!! Check out Making Ends Meet Facebook page for some of the fun ottomans and journals that they created.
Below is a picture of the vendors booth just as we finished getting it all together before the show started. Thanks to all the folks that came out and supported us. Thanks also to Patty and Marcy for all their hard work. They were a huge help and definitely knew enough to keep me away from the checkout register!
The hustle and bustle to get ready for the week in Phoenix is all worth it as I sit in class and learn new techniques from unbelievably creative artists. It is definitely a working vacation when I go, not only as a student but also a teacher and vendor. But... where else can you "work" surrounded by such talented artists??
My final class (oh, I wish i had time to take more) was with the Journal Fodder Junkies. I love artistic journaling and enjoyed a laid back class to try new and varied techniques. Eric M. Scott and David R. Modler had a lot to offer in the way of new ideas. I purchased their book "The Journal Junkies Workshop" "Visual ammunition for the art addict." Now I need to find the time to read it!!
This first picture was a class I took from Sue Monaghan. This was her first time teaching at Art Unraveled and I took this class because I really wanted to work on creating faces. Her artwork has the bright colors that I gravitate towards and her faces looked like lots of fun. I really enjoyed this class and I loved working collage and paint into the finished project.
The second class I took was taught by Laurie Mika. She is well known for her work in polymer clay and made the process really easy. This little 5x5 piece was a full day class.
I am ready to start a new project here at home when I have my stock pile of junk accessories at my fingertips for embellishing.
This was the first of three loads of boxes ready to ship as we closed out the wonderfully creative week. Now to get busy filling the orders I took and looking forward to what is next..... as soon as I figure that out!! LOL!
1 Comment
Lorri Scott - Leslie, So good to see you every year at AU! Your booth looks fabulous and so glad we got to spend a little time together. We'll be talking. xo
Ready To Go... and Gone!!!
8/4/2015
This, I think, is a first this year. I spent all my time creating new items to sell, getting old standbys ready, and packing teaching supplies and class supplies in order to have them ready for the first shipping date, and then get the vendors show ready to send on a second shipping date. It seems like a whirlwind has come through as I packed all of my 24 boxes. Last, but not least, I needed some clothes to wear for myself.
In the past, I have thrown whatever is handy at the last hour without thinking through like "What can go together? How many days will I be gone?" In the end, I have two HEAVY suitcases ready when I only need one. Then, I don't know what to pull out to downsize because I am out of time.
This time, I started a few days ahead of time and actually was together enough to finish and make a few more tops that I can wear. After all, it's good advertising for the vendors show since I started selling tunics on Etsy this past year.
The multi color top to the right is one that I made by re-purposing with the left over scraps straight off the Studio floor.
The Green tunic below is a variation of the tunics I design, but without the double-wide side hemline tails. It's a little more streamlined and very flattering.
The Gray and White striped tunic is a very simple design, and one where the fabric actually gives the detail.
Of course, I ran out of time to get the Studio cleaned and straightened back up before leaving! I left piles of stuff together hoping that when I get home it's the first thing I am able to do. In fact, I need to get it cleaned up so I can get to creating the custom orders that are waiting for me. Maybe the Studio elves will come in while I'm gone! (and I don't mean you, Delphia!)
Check out the colorful oil paintings from our Open Oil Painting Day class with Mary Sasse.
I love the freedom to do what we want in this class. I am also pleased with the changes we have made in the class design. You can sign up for one class to see if you like oil painting, and then sign up for more as your schedule allows if you decide it's something you'd like to do.
If you decide it isn't for you, then you are out only one class fee and enjoyed a morning of laughter with other creative souls... So, you're not committing long term to something you may not like.
I'll be really honest. I didn't think I was going to like oil painting at all.... I didn't want to make anything straight from a picture. Period. The end. BUT I was wrong. Now, don't tell my husband that, because he's finally getting the picture that I'm always right. LOL!! I find oil painting rather relaxing. After all, the canvas can be painted over if you make a mistake.
On to Art Unraveled!
Our plane left out at 6:35 Sunday morning and we were here in Phoenix at 7:20 in the morning. These are the views from the balcony at out hotel. After 11 years of coming out here, it feels like home.
We know the good places to eat, have our routine down pat, enjoy a day of relaxing before the conference starts and love the peacefulness and laughter of time spent with other like minded souls and friends.
If you haven't checked this conference out yet, look at the great line up of teachers at Art Unraveled 2015.
Patty and I are looking forward to a great week. I teach on Tuesday and Wednesday, take classes Thursday and Friday, vend on Saturday and one final class on Sunday.
Definitely a fun packed week!
1 Comment
Jayn Lando - That you got all packed and ready ahead of time is so encouraging! I'm so bad when I'm getting ready to go somewhere about thinking what I am going to take and what I still need to get ... in my head. Then last minute suddenly realize I need to actually do these things!
8/25/2015
Old habits do die hard. On my last trip I found it extremely difficult not to go through the textile warehouses and point and say, "I'll take that and that, and that!" I keep reminding myself that the store, as we knew it, has changed and I don't need to buy in bulk like I used to. But... the passion is still there when I look at fabric and see what is possible when the quality is good.
That being said, I did stumble on a great buy with these wonderful dining room chairs for resale (which one of you may want to take advantage). They were custom made and the designer didn't take all of them. They are covered in extremely nice fabric and would be a great start to a dining room or as a side chair for a room that is being redone.
If anyone is interested, let me know. There are six of them already made up. The upholstery is impeccable and the quality and fabric are very high end.... they just need a new home. Best of all they are only $195.00 each!!
The second photo is of some of the batiks that I purchased... love my batiks. I opened the box and realized that there are 15 more bolts that I am waiting for on backorder! That's ok... Christmas another day.
On Monday I had the nicest lady from Ohio come in and take away about 4500 yards of fabric, and at least that much trim! I was thrilled and so was she, as she was able to load her store with great buys and new trims and fabrics!
I'm now able to move about the warehouse and organize some of my "art supplies"...
I say that 'tongue in cheek' since a lot of the stuff is just junk that no one else would want...
but that I see endless possibilities for...
Only a little more fabric and trim to get rid of before we are all online and able to set up all the classroom and rental space. You don't want to miss this final sale!
This Saturday from 9 - 3 we will have the remaining fabrics from the Clearance section on sale. One day, One dollar per yard - when you buy the whole bolt. Come visit and take advantage of our last push on clearance fabric!!
So, now that you have finished reading this week's blog, go down and read last week's. For some reason our link didn't work. I had my feelings hurt and thought no one wanted to talk to me when I had asked you all a specific question!! You know that I do like to talk!!
5 Comments
Krissy Davis - Love all your projects..so happy for you. Love the chair! I would need 2..curious as to the size..do you have them at the studio?
Leslie - Hey Krissy! I do not have them in the store at this time but have requested all the size info and a sample of the fabric to be sent to me... I will let you know when it comes in. They are beautiful and I could get two of them for you. Thanks for asking!!
Leslie - Chair dimensions:
Overall Height - 40
Overall Depth - 27
Overall Width - 24
Arm Height - 22
Seat Height - 20
Seat Depth - 19
Seat Width - 19.5" Let me know if this helps!! Thanks!! Leslie
Gayle Gray - where are you located? How many yards are you selling. Want to buy some springs creative quilting fabrics? I wholesale this
Leslie - We are in Shelbyville KY. I don't do much in the way of quilting except for my batiks. Thanks though.... Have a good day!
What Time Zone Are You In?
8/20/2015
You might think that you're traveling a little too much when you wake up from a good sleep, look around, wonder what hotel room you're in and what time it is back home. That's what happened to me this morning as I took off yesterday on one more short trip.
I'm on a "fact" hunting mission. After some really nice feedback on my funky furniture, I decided to look into what it might take to "market" my playful furniture. There seem to be so many details to think through. My artwork colors are definitely geared to coastal sales and have been very well received along the coast. Fabrics.... Frames....High End Boutique sales Rep.... lots to think about...
This may not be something I want to pursue, but it has been hanging in the back of my mind for the past few months. After some positive words from one of my old time fabric suppliers, I decided to spend some time asking questions and hunting down details. I'll keep you posted.
I arrived home from Phoenix with lots of business to finalize... along with several custom tunics to finish/alter/design.
I knocked them out while waiting for my boxes to get here from Phoenix. As soon as the boxes arrived I found the Art Apron and Fiber Bundles that were left and had Delphia ship them off to the 11 lucky winners that came by our booth at the vendors show.
If you are into crafts of any kind, our Fiber Bundles are a fun item to have on hand. I use them a lot in the fiber and art projects that I make in the Studio. You can pick the color that best suits your artwork from 10 different color bundles. they are the most popular item we sell in our booth at art shows. You can view and purchase our Fiber Bundles at our Etsy store and have them shipped directly to your home. Shop our FunkyFibersKY Etsy site!
Robert is one of our MEM STUDIOS teaching artists, a Sewing Master and 3D Fabrications Artist. Hopefully, he will be back with us again soon!
I would love to see the artwork you all are working on. Can you post it and share it with us?
My list for next week is a mile long and I am anxious to get started on it all! More next week!
0 Comments
Figuring Out What is Next!!
8/13/2015
Wow! What a view from the balcony of our hotel room ! I think this mid week double rainbow (one to the right that did not show up in the transfer of picture) is a good summation of the week .A nice promise of good luck and things to come.
I loved working with the students that took the classes I taught. They were energetic, fun and held me to task. Everyone left with completed projects that were wonderful and something to be proud of showing off. I hope they feel like they can make another one!! Check out Making Ends Meet Facebook page for some of the fun ottomans and journals that they created.
Below is a picture of the vendors booth just as we finished getting it all together before the show started. Thanks to all the folks that came out and supported us. Thanks also to Patty and Marcy for all their hard work. They were a huge help and definitely knew enough to keep me away from the checkout register!
The hustle and bustle to get ready for the week in Phoenix is all worth it as I sit in class and learn new techniques from unbelievably creative artists. It is definitely a working vacation when I go, not only as a student but also a teacher and vendor. But... where else can you "work" surrounded by such talented artists??
My final class (oh, I wish i had time to take more) was with the Journal Fodder Junkies. I love artistic journaling and enjoyed a laid back class to try new and varied techniques. Eric M. Scott and David R. Modler had a lot to offer in the way of new ideas. I purchased their book "The Journal Junkies Workshop" "Visual ammunition for the art addict." Now I need to find the time to read it!!
This first picture was a class I took from Sue Monaghan. This was her first time teaching at Art Unraveled and I took this class because I really wanted to work on creating faces. Her artwork has the bright colors that I gravitate towards and her faces looked like lots of fun. I really enjoyed this class and I loved working collage and paint into the finished project.
The second class I took was taught by Laurie Mika. She is well known for her work in polymer clay and made the process really easy. This little 5x5 piece was a full day class.
I am ready to start a new project here at home when I have my stock pile of junk accessories at my fingertips for embellishing.
This was the first of three loads of boxes ready to ship as we closed out the wonderfully creative week. Now to get busy filling the orders I took and looking forward to what is next..... as soon as I figure that out!! LOL!
1 Comment
Lorri Scott - Leslie, So good to see you every year at AU! Your booth looks fabulous and so glad we got to spend a little time together. We'll be talking. xo
Ready To Go... and Gone!!!
8/4/2015
This, I think, is a first this year. I spent all my time creating new items to sell, getting old standbys ready, and packing teaching supplies and class supplies in order to have them ready for the first shipping date, and then get the vendors show ready to send on a second shipping date. It seems like a whirlwind has come through as I packed all of my 24 boxes. Last, but not least, I needed some clothes to wear for myself.
In the past, I have thrown whatever is handy at the last hour without thinking through like "What can go together? How many days will I be gone?" In the end, I have two HEAVY suitcases ready when I only need one. Then, I don't know what to pull out to downsize because I am out of time.
This time, I started a few days ahead of time and actually was together enough to finish and make a few more tops that I can wear. After all, it's good advertising for the vendors show since I started selling tunics on Etsy this past year.
The multi color top to the right is one that I made by re-purposing with the left over scraps straight off the Studio floor.
The Green tunic below is a variation of the tunics I design, but without the double-wide side hemline tails. It's a little more streamlined and very flattering.
The Gray and White striped tunic is a very simple design, and one where the fabric actually gives the detail.
Of course, I ran out of time to get the Studio cleaned and straightened back up before leaving! I left piles of stuff together hoping that when I get home it's the first thing I am able to do. In fact, I need to get it cleaned up so I can get to creating the custom orders that are waiting for me. Maybe the Studio elves will come in while I'm gone! (and I don't mean you, Delphia!)
Check out the colorful oil paintings from our Open Oil Painting Day class with Mary Sasse.
I love the freedom to do what we want in this class. I am also pleased with the changes we have made in the class design. You can sign up for one class to see if you like oil painting, and then sign up for more as your schedule allows if you decide it's something you'd like to do.
If you decide it isn't for you, then you are out only one class fee and enjoyed a morning of laughter with other creative souls... So, you're not committing long term to something you may not like.
I'll be really honest. I didn't think I was going to like oil painting at all.... I didn't want to make anything straight from a picture. Period. The end. BUT I was wrong. Now, don't tell my husband that, because he's finally getting the picture that I'm always right. LOL!! I find oil painting rather relaxing. After all, the canvas can be painted over if you make a mistake.
On to Art Unraveled!
Our plane left out at 6:35 Sunday morning and we were here in Phoenix at 7:20 in the morning. These are the views from the balcony at out hotel. After 11 years of coming out here, it feels like home.
We know the good places to eat, have our routine down pat, enjoy a day of relaxing before the conference starts and love the peacefulness and laughter of time spent with other like minded souls and friends.
If you haven't checked this conference out yet, look at the great line up of teachers at Art Unraveled 2015.
Patty and I are looking forward to a great week. I teach on Tuesday and Wednesday, take classes Thursday and Friday, vend on Saturday and one final class on Sunday.
Definitely a fun packed week!
1 Comment
Jayn Lando - That you got all packed and ready ahead of time is so encouraging! I'm so bad when I'm getting ready to go somewhere about thinking what I am going to take and what I still need to get ... in my head. Then last minute suddenly realize I need to actually do these things!
Comments
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