Restart

Yes, I had to restart my year to this past Monday. Last week pretty much sucked. People, the other job... I had no idea what was going on. Then  co-worker mentioned some crazy meteor shower going on. So, I'm going to blame some of the craziness on that celestial event. My story and I'm sticking to it.

It did put a damper on my mental well being. I was so ready to start this New Year and I had come into contact with so many Debbie Downers. Did not see that coming. So now I'm back to insulating myself and get my 'super hero warrior goddess' gear back on. I either go with the flow or rock the boat. I can swim. I finally got the last of new material for this new technique and I'm already thinking ahead of what to do with it. Bad idea. Let's just do the first project. But, I have retooled an old doll pattern to make a new cloth doll. Because I've booked a doll show that is happening in April. And I need new dolls for that. I've also planned to send work to a shop in North Carolina in time for the Black Theater Festival. So traditional work for both of those art events. I'm good with that. Here's a pic of the old pattern and the new.

This morning I pulled some fabric to make the first model to see if things work out or if I have to tweak or change the pattern in any way. The new doll is a little bit bigger and her legs are shaped a bit more. She has more of a shoulder to accommodate a particular style of dress. Maybe even a cloak or cape. Until next time.

A Slow Start

I'm pushing myself this year to learn some new techniques for making dolls and figures.  I have some crazy ideas on the drawing board and have started to do some research. Here's my first batch of frog info and sketches.

My new work won't be so realistic but I need to know how frogs are put together so I can unput them together. It's going to be an interesting year. I have also started to look for different shows to attend. That's an interesting process too.

No Pic Post

Yeah... about that. I have done some small drawings in my Bullet Journal but not anything worth showing. Right now I'm working on getting my holiday happy back. I tell ya, working in retail at this time of year makes you want to turn into a dragon and fry some people. I was excited about the holidays... last month. Now I can't wait for them to be over. Once again, I'm buying gifts for myself that I will wrap and open on Christmas morning with the excitement and joy as if someone else bought them for me. I deserve gifts, even if they are from me to me.

This year is wrapping up. At least the one everyone else follows. I also follow another where the year ends on October 31st. Almost two months into that year and so far not doing to bad on what needs to get done. This other year starting in January, I don't know how I feel about that one yet. But, I have straightened my work area after my last two commissions and that feels good. It's not perfect but I know where most things are and I'm ready to go.

I have today to myself and I have a few gifts to wrap for friends. I'm writing this post. I finally saw 'Avengers Infinity War' and wow! I've seen it twice already and I'm trying to figure out how they are going to fix things in the next movie. I will watch it again until I have to take it back. Next to my show list that I'm working on, I will finally make myself go through all my doll/figure/art ideas. The ones written down and sketched out on slips of paper, corners of paper used for lists, and some are even on napkins. I've been putting it off long enough and now it's time to see what I've got. What can be used to make things come to be. Especially that I'm lining up shows. Gotta have new work for that. I have 17 more days to figure that out.

See ya.

Muah ha ha!

Well, well, when it rains it hails. Right when I'm staring to get into a groove, life happens. Found out I have Lyme Disease. And my truck is in the shop. Not one or the other but both one right after the other. In two days. Whatever, I've got stuff to do. I nabbed a spot in another doll show in November so I will be sewing like a mad woman. And I still haven't made my Halloween costume. Yeah, I know, I was supposed to start it way back in February but I got in my way.

Part two of running around the wilds of Michigan. Two weekends ago I went to The Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween show in Marshall, MI. Marshall is a very quaint town and a house there has been featured in the film, 'The House with the Clock in the Walls.' Or something like that. I didn't get a chance to see the house and I haven't seen the film yet.

This is me at the entrance of the show. I didn't get the huge figures on either side of me. Next year. there were so many wonderful artists there. The figures below were by Dustin Poche.

Mr. E. A. Poe is by Joyce Stahl. As you can see, he sold. Actually a lot of her things sold.

These gourd critters are by Kevin Buntin. He's amazing too. I've got to get one of these.

Allen Cunningham did the Halloween dolls below. So cute. He's amazing too. Everyone was amazing. He also did the dollhouse. I've got to make myself a dollhouse. At least I know who to go to if I need help.

And these wonderful and whimsical pieces are by Laurie Hardin.

This was my second time being a visitor at this show. So much creative energy and very cool people. It will be in Marshall, MI again next year at the end of September. it's gonna be a long night tonight. Have some things to cut out. See ya!

Happy October!

Here we are. A brand new month. I'm finally getting over the creeping crud and feel just about human. This is my favorite month of the year and there's even a Friday the 13th this month. How creeptastic is that? The temps have finally dropped and it feels like autumn instead of summer. The leaves aren't changing as fast because it's been kind of dry but they're forecasting rain later in the week. Friends online are putting up their October decorations and I'm living vicariously through them. Some people are so talented.

Yesterday, I went with a friend to the Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween art show in Chelsea, MI. It was wonderful. I couldn't take pics because of the crowd and I was too busy looking at everything. I finally was able to see the work of artists I follow online and meet them. It was really cool because they recognized me first while I recognized their work. I got lots of hugs and felt in my element. The creativity was amazing. And I am so ready to get started. There's nothing wrong with starting again. Oh, I've also secured part-time employment, so we'll see how the creative stuff goes. I have to get some type of a costume worked up because I've been invited to a Halloween party. There's a first for everything.

Recuperating

Didn't mean to neglect my blog but I was crazy busy three weeks before the Krankie's Craft Fair which was last Saturday. It was a good show. The first I've done in several years and I'm so glad I did it. I met new people, some fans showed up and those who followed my blog which was surprising and amazing. I love talking to fans. Things I thought would sell didn't and things I didn't think would sell did. I had a handful of black and white drawings and quite a few of them sold. People really liked them, so guess what I'll be doing in the near future? Making more drawings to sell. I finally did my final tally and I did way better than I thought I did.

Sunday, I did absolutely nothing. I'm not quite 100% recovered but I'm getting there. I started straightening things up and can now see the floor in my apartment and I've cleared off my art table so I can get started on new pieces.

I set up a small holiday setting because once again, I ran out of time to do something really nice. And this won't take long to dismantle once Christmas is over. I'm in planning stages for upcoming projects and I hope you will be as excited as I am when I show them.

Holy Smokes!

It's been awhile since my last post but I've been busy getting ready for a craft fair. My first in a couple of years. Making new things, repricing some old ones. I finally got a nice roly cart to haul things and a friend's teen is going to help me out a bit. As life would have it, I got more quilt tops come in to be done for Christmas. It's all good. I'm feeling happy for a change and I plan on working to keep that vibe throughout the new year. I also made a swap ornament for an online group I'm in. It's a Krampus but he isn't very scary.

 
I added another painting to my sketchbook and I don't know if I'll get anymore filled by the end of the month.

And then there have been the holiday parties I went to. Not as many as I was invited to but the group Mary's Mavens had their party last night which was amazing. The food was wonderful and the energy of all the women there was wonderful. I made some new friends, saw some old ones, and had a tarot card reading which was pretty much on point. A tarot reading is different from a psychic reading because you don't tell anything to the person doing it. She reads things through the cards and she hit several things right on the head. As far as things that I am pursuing as far as career and what I want out of life and the things that are standing in my way. But I am on a good track. That part was really cool to hear and it has empowered me to forge full speed ahead.

Here are ornaments I finished yesterday. Today I work on tiny table toppers and finish pricing things, pick up a table from a friend to use at the fair. I'm excited but starting to run on fumes. My apartment is a wreck and it will take a week to get things back together for the next big project.

Moving Right Along

Yep, six days into a new month. Time... what an amazing concept. So, I'm working on some new pieces for this show that's coming up way too fast. And I'm working in a new medium for me, Creative Paperclay. I'm getting better at it, I'm not great, things aren't coming out the way I wanted, but hey, I'm learning. I will continue because in the past, I'd be giving up just about now because things look very goofy. But I shall persevere. See these things to the end. Who knows? I may surprise myself. Ha!

#creativepaperclay

Goodbye November

That's all she wrote. November is outta here. Unbelievable. I can sit here and wonder where the time went but I won't. It's gone and I keep moving on. I was able to get an apron made for my upcoming craft fair. I've always wanted one to put things in so I won't have to look for them on the table when I need them. I have pockets for my cell phone, pens, my credit card reader, and a pocket with a flap and snap for money.

Working on my witch doll and I took a poll on which hair color to use. Red or blonde. Believe it or not, I got more votes on using both. I've got to make her hat and add some embellishments.

I got the first part of some felt skull pins put together and now they are ready for some embroidery.

I have other pieces in varying degrees of being finished. Three scary cupcakes, three box heads, six holiday table pieces, three zombies with elf hats, and a Krampus ornament for a group swap. Pics coming soon.

Friends

The Piedmont Craftmen's Guild had their yearly show last weekend. I try to go each year because it's a time where I can see friends that I haven't seen, well, in a year. Even though some of us keep up with each other on Facebook, it's nice to see them in person to talk to them, share some laughs, catch up with life, and the best thing of all... to get hugs. Hugs are the best. Sometimes you just need a good hug. I got several and I'm ready for another year.

Along with seeing my old friends, I met some new ones and even got some advice from Wendy Allen who does wonderful felt hats for when I make hats for my dolls. That's one of the wonderful things about meeting artists, is their willingness to talk to you about what they do. PJ Floyd who does wonderful needle felted dolls, and Amy Flynn who makes Fobots. Found object robots.

And a friends puppy is getting bigger. Her name is Lucy and she loves puppy rubs. It gets one hind leg moving fast. She's a Bulldog maybe Beagle or Terrier mix. She's a sweet little pooch.

Finally

Again. I got something done and can cross it off my list. I finished 16 Bat Hat ornaments. I had started them some time ago and for the life of me, I didn't finish them. Now they are done and I can move onto something else. I do feel good having them done. Now it's time to tackle something a bit more challenging. After all, I do have a craft fair coming up.

And I'm still working on filling another sketchbook.

Wow!

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late. Unbelievable that we're in a week into another month. Yikes! Okay, I'm trying to keep up with NaNo and a bit behind but plan to catch up today. Word count right now: 4759
I just got notice that I got a spot in the Krankie's Craft Fair in December, so I will be working like crazy to get some things done. Still working on some challenges: a book challenge (personal) through Goodreads and get my next two sketchbooks filled by the end of the year. I'll be working on my Cosmic Smashbook for awhile yet but it's time to get in-progress pieces done.

#sketchbook

No Pic Post

My challenge has been put on hold for the next three days. My quilt guild's bi-annual quilt show is this weekend and I'm heading up the volunteer ladies. So I will be MIA.

End of the Month

Here we are again. The end of another month. This year is going by way too fast. But there's nothing I can do about that. Except that I've decided to try and have more fun. I did rally this last week to get some projects done and new ones started. I feel very good about that. So, here we go for April:

• one book read
• 11 writing days
• 4 business quilts longarmed
• 2 applique projects started
• 3 day trips/entertainment (Hoots Flea Market, Walnut Cove Craft Fair, Keep It Local art fair in Oak Ridge)
• 3 Wendy B Quilts blog posts
• 12 World of Wendy Lu blog posts
• 2 Netflix movies
• one project done (mug rugs)
• 3 workshops/talks (applique workshop, White Collar Crime writing seminar, Mary's Mavens meeting)

I went to the two art/craft fairs today. The first one was at the Chateau La Fontaine Inn in Walnut Cove.

The second show was the Keep it Local Art Fair in Oak Ridge. On a farm and they had donkeys. A mom and her six month old son. The owners got them to keep the coyotes away from the chickens. I didn't know donkeys did that. There was also a llama, but I guess he didn't like the crowds.

It was a pretty good adventure and the GPS worked.

I started my own applique design. I took a pic of a magnolia when I first moved down here. Then I had it enlarged to the size I wanted.

Next I traced the photo on the light box using tracing paper, went over the design with marker, put it back on the box and traced it again.

Then I numbered all the parts of the flower and leaves.

I've got some fabric choices already pulled and next I will make the pattern pieces from that fabric. I also sketched some ornaments and started three.

My messy worktable.

My three little ornaments.

Anniversary

Yes, it's my anniversary. Yesterday was the day I left Michigan for North Carolina ten years ago. I can't believe it's been that long. I thought I would be upset but I wasn't. I learned a lot, met some really nice people, and did some really cool things.

• Participated in many art & craft shows
• Had my work in several shops and galleries
• Was part of a three woman show in the Delta Arts Center
• Was interviewed on the local radio for that exhibit
• Showed up in a couple of local papers for my artwork
• Visited two National Forests, a waterfall, and other scenic areas
• Made it to the coast and the mountains
• I started writing a lot and made the goal with National Write a Novel in a Month, several years

And other things. I don't know exactly what the next ten years will hold. I don't know if I'll be in the same spot. But I am hopeful. I am ready for another part of the play. I have new ideas for artwork, which I will finally own. So many have told me how much they like my work, many have bought some but I just didn't see it. Now I do. I will own my creativity, my talents and be the crazy art lady. I will be prolific. And I'm ready. Many demons have been slain. 

Let's do this!

Art Show

Last week I delivered my bats and bunners to a local shop, The Fiber Company. Usually when I go downtown, I visit people who are in the general are. A friend who owns a bead shop, Studio 2. Haven't seen her in awhile and we're going to plan a play date. Work with some polymer clay, metallic paint, and make some molds. Then I went to Earthbound Arts and talked to another friend I haven't seen in a month of Sundays and we got a chance to laugh and talk shop. I had fun. They both told me that they enjoyed seeing my posts on Facebook, what I was working on. I was a little shocked because I didn't think anyone was paying attention. It was nice to know that someone was. Now I'm going to have to step up on the creating thing.

That Friday evening I went to my first art opening in, well, I don't know when the last time it was that I went to one. A friend was having I guess her first real art exhibit. I followed her through grad school. She started out in clay and is now doing mixed media using found natural items, paper based clay, and handmade paper. Again, I saw people I hadn't seen since the dawn of time. It was a very nice exhibit and you could actually touch things.

My friend Nicole Uzzell.

This was one huge basket made from local vines. So big, I wanted to put in roving, wool, pillows, grab a blanket, a glass of wine and a book. I could get so comfy in that.

This is a hanging piece that started out as sweatshirts and t-shirts. She cut them up, added clay, paper pulp, and glue. It was wonderful how the light showed through, casting shadows. The pieces moved and when they hit each other it sounded like a wood wood chime. Very cool. It would be great hanging from a tree or porch during Halloween.

Parts of it looked like bone, sinew, and tendons. Yeah, that sounds creepy but this is me you're reading about.

And this one was funny. It actually spun around. Also casting shadows. It was a lovely exhibit and I got a chance to get out of the apartment and studio to recharge my creative batteries. I will make it a point to go to more this year. Being free also helps.