New Pictures Added!

Have been busy making more pins during these unbearable hot summer days! I’ve also made some larger animals (horses) that I posted in the “New Gallery” section. I have ventured into the larger sculptures and am taking notes from my cousin in KC…examining the ones she has done in the past. She rarely makes pins anymore and does more custom animal sculptures. I find them so difficult to do and so time-consuming but thought I would try. I venture out to all different types of stores to find the base of the animals…..hobby and craft stores, thrift stores, estates sales…. I have many horses in different styles ready to work on and infact I have small ones to make pins also. I am sticking to desert/western animals and critters since they interest me the most.

Pin-making is still my favorite and enjoy the excitement when I complete each one. I am always coming up with different ideas. I go to shops to buy beads, findings, doodads, jewelry, different types of yarns and whatever I can find that I could add to a pin. Right now I am deciding which shows I will sign up as a vendor beginning in the fall. So far the Celebrate the Arts show at Merrill Ranch in Florence 11/2 is on my list. One of my favorites! And of course the Craftacular show at Desert Botanical Garden on 11/4 (for volunteers only). I am still contemplating more shops to go to that may like to consign my pins…..love doing that, too!

Busy.....Busy.....Busy.....

This has been a great couple of months so far and am summing it up right here:

—I did a show in Florence, AZ, at Merrill Ranch Celebrate the Arts event.

—I did a craft sale for volunteers and staff at Desert Botanical Garden.

—I sold some pins at the Cook’s Tour, Valley Presbyterian Church, to benefit several missions.

—I now have pins on consignment at Let’s Imagine, a boutique store on 5th Ave., Scottsdale.

—My pins are now in a Gift Magazine/catalog published by Phoenix Home & Garden magazine. That was a shocker!!! They can be purchased through Southwest Gardener gift shop and online at southwestgardner.com

—Last but not least, I will be appearing at Shemer Art Center and Museum on Saturday, 12/1, from 12:30 to 2:30. I will be demonstrating creating my pins and will share some of my secrets :)

I did great at the shows! So, a lot happening and I need to get back into my “studio” to make more. By the way, the article in above gift catalog stated that my home studio is in Sedona. Ha! Maybe I should consider moving there…..nice place to live!!!

A new consignment store for me!!!

Thank you to my neighbor's recommendation to take my pins to Southwest Gardner.  They were so excited, took them on the spot and placed them in a basket by the register!  So, now I have to make another supply to keep up with the demand in my other stores....please see the side panel for the stores I now have pins on consignment and addresses.  I have been making some other surprises....cats, dogs, sea turtles (yea, I know, they aren't desert animals...) and snakes, and some bugs.  Two Plates Full will be receiving a supply in September.  Note:  This is a very slow time for sales in Arizona.....yes, it is waaaaaay too hot and tourists don't like it....neither do we HAHAHA!

Be Well!   Your friendly critter wrapper.....Jan

My 6th month post????

I guess it has been awhile since I even got to my blog.  Have been busy making more pins!  They sell well at Shemer and they are keeping me for another year.  The gift shop had a 15% increase in sales this past year so all of us artists have been invited back.  They wanted more snakes....can't believe it (and I really don't like making them) so made a few more.  Will be dropping off a supply of various pins this coming Saturday. 

I have also been busy volunteering at my church and am the leader of the White Elephant sale which will be held on April 5,6, 2019. I guess they know I love to peruse thrift shops so I have experience (HaHa). My job involves being present at the church (outside under shade!) every 1st and 3rd Saturday to accept drop-offs.   So if you have anything you CAN live without, please stop by, drop off and visit!  Please no large furniture or refrigerators, HaHaHa!!!!  That's between 8am and 10am.  I also am co-coordinator of the Cook's Tour Crafters and we meet every Tuesday, 9-12.  Everyone can join us!  We make items for our boutique sale which will be November 2, 2018 at Valley Presbyterian Church in Paradise Valley.  Some of the sculptures and pins in my gallery will be sold there.

So, onward and upward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cook's Tour 11/3/2017 at Valley Presbyterian Church, Scottsdale, AZ was a success!!

I submitted my sculptures for Valley Presbyterian's Cook's Tour silent auction held on 11/3/2017.  I had a few requests from people who wanted to buy them previously, but I had NO IDEA what to sell them for, so at the last minute I decided to give them to the auction.  I just want to get an idea what someone would actually pay for them hahaha.  I may be surprised on the downside :)))) but I don't care.  Money is going to many great organizations in the Valley.  And I had fun making them.....see pictures in the New Gallery.  It will be a month or so before we find out the total for missions.

It's nice in Arizona.....the HEAT IS GONE!

And meanwhile...............I have been busy working on more pins and ideas.....................Sculptures are coming! 

Starting anew!!!!  My pins are now on display and for sale at the Shemer Art Center, thanks to Sue Hunter...a fantastic local artist.  I met her at Desert Botanical Gardens while volunteering as an Instructor Aide for her Alcohol Inks class.  She told me to go right away to Shemer which I did! After a juried procedure, I now have lizards, frogs and even a couple cats, snakes and butterflies on display and for sale.  Get them while they're hot!  HAHAHA!  They will be on display for 6 months to a year.

Looking forward to the Merrill Ranch, Anthem Celebrates the Arts Festival 11/4/17.  It will be held at the Anthem Community Park, 3313 N. Anthem Way, Florence, from 11am to 4pm.  I am registered and look forward to a great day.  I will mainly have lizards and frogs for sale. I missed last year, so am really excited to once again participate.  It is a beautiful setting with music on the lake.  There are events for the whole family!

Oh, yes, I almost forgot............................................today is my birthday!

OOOOOh MYYYYY! What a bad day!

April 30th was such a bad day!  Not only didn't I sell anything, a huge wind came and blew my tent away....ALMOST!  Thankfully 3 mall security guards helped hold down the legs (and me on the 4th one).  Gosh, I saw my pins fly off the table...and down the street along with business cards.  I picked up what I could and just hoped some nice people who may have picked one up may see my name and website!  So if you are out there, please let me know?  Depending on how many I lost, they will be gifts :)  I even had to donate one required as a raffle for the day, so I hope the lucky winner enjoyed the frog.  They cancelled the show at about 4:30, which they have never done, due to the weather and destruction the "microbursts" caused.  But they emailed us all that they are giving us a FREE day!  So Sunday, November 13th, same time, same place, will be our "makeup" day and what a great day it will be!  Before the holidays?  That is the best time of year for sales.  I already signed up so keeping my chin up :)

AFTER A BREAK....

Now that I have had a LONG break after Christmas, that busiest time of the year, it is now time to get back to making "stuff."  Experimenting a lot lately, so stay tuned for "sculptures" or something like that.  Signed up for a fun little show at the San Tan Village Mall coming up on April 30th (see side panel).  I sold so much before Christmas, had to get my fingers going again.  Did a good spring cleaning of my craft room, but some stuff I just can't get rid of!!!  (I think you know what I mean, you crafters out there).  So, getting back to "business" and hope to see you this weekend if you get a break...supposed to be a little warm, but, hey, this is AZ!!!  Maybe I will look "higher" when it starts getting too warm....ie Flagstaff area.  HA!HA!

A Great Day At MACFest, Mesa, AZ!

Had a very successful show yesterday, December 19th...this was my "award" show and my entry fee was free.  I really had a great swarm of people from beginning to end and lots of interest in my "craft."  All seemed very intrigued with my critters and never saw anything like them before.  "This is different than all the other 'jewelry' we have seen."  Or, "I have never seen anything like this." "Wow, you must have a lot of patience!" ...some of the comments, haha!  Looking forward to participate in the coming shows with MACFest...  This is the last show for me before Christmas. So if anyone needs a last minute gift, just let me know.  I still have a few left...

MACFest a success!.....Kind of

Had a great time at MACFest in Mesa on Saturday and met some great people!! Bought a bracelet made from brass and stainless steel nuts...yes like nuts and bolts... and leather cord.   The funny thing was, the man who makes them...his name is Dan Nutz!!!  Just so funny had to buy one from him. Also bought a necklace made from paper beads and it's beautiful!  I really had bad sales that day, but the MACFest staff came up to me when the show was almost over and told me I won "Best New Artist"!!  They took pictures of my display and they interviewed me.  The interview is to be posted on the MACFest website, so I will have to read it to see what I said LOL.

I felt very honored and I will have the Dec. 19th entry fee waived and I will have a "special" spot on the street to display my critters.  So, if you are in the area of MacDonald and Main St. in Mesa that day, please stop by!

...SOOOOO I went on Ebay, AND.....

Well, I fell for some BEAUTIFUL ribbon yarn by Sari and couldn't resist to buy....I was watching it and watching it...and then only 5 hours left!  So fell for 2 different colors.  (I made some money at the Merrill Ranch show so that was my excuse.)  I love that brand (almost as much as "Incredible" by Lion Brand that has been discontinued) and love the texture.  As soon as I get it I'll post a project!  Hope to see you at the Sportsplex in Phoenix this weekend (see sidebar)!  Also check "Work" and see some added new critters...

Great Show at Merrill Ranch!

I got to participate in the "Celebrate the Arts" fair at Anthem at Merrill Ranch in FLORENCE, AZ on November 14th.  Yes, it is 62 miles away but was well worth it...it was only a 5-hour show, but they had double the turn-out they thought!  I was constantly busy, sold many pins, and got to chat with great people who loved my art.  Thank you, Christine Reeder, for working with your team to coordinate such a successful event!  It was so organized and everyone had a great time.  ...bluegrass bands, children's activities, beer garden, and TRUE art vendors of every kind.  This was their first event ever....I told Chris to please invite me next year :)

First Friday, October 2nd....be there!

Just found out I have a spot at First Friday on Roosevelt Row this week!  Thank you, Gina Burns, for letting me have one of your spots that came open!  I will be on 4th Street just south of Roosevelt on the East side of the street.  I got some new yarn, beads and doodads (OK, so I have way too much already) and have been working like mad on more critters.  I will post some pictures before Friday.  Sure looking forward to the excitement!  It is a lot of work but I just can't stay away......

New bead caps....too exciting!

Just came back from Joanne's to get some pin backs and browsed the jewelry isle...of course.  Found some new colored bead caps and I was overwhelmed!!  (Doesn't take much.)  Now I have silver, bronze, pewter and copper.  So exciting to have even more options other than gold....just what I need HAHA.  Sometimes I just sit at my table and look around to see what may work together.  I have many critters sitting in front of me and when something hits me, then I get creative.  Sometimes I spend a minute in there, and other times many hours.  So, now that I have even more doodads the creative juices are flowing.....