Losing ones self…?
Yesterday I went on the preschoolers adventure to a local Pumpkin Patch, where the mud was runny and way above knee high at some points. We trudged through this muck, with me hanging on to my 4 year old so he wouldn’t be covered head to toe (like a few unlucky members in his class) searching for a ‘good’ pumpkin. We did our best to avoid the mushiest areas and rotting pumpkins trying to find the ‘piece al a resistance’ of a pumpkin.
It doesn’t even feel like Halloween at the moment.
I woke up this morning realizing that this is how I have been feeling the whole month of October.
I took on organizing a holiday event and believe that so far I have gone above and beyond what most organizers do for $50 a vendor. Believe it or not, but I spend at least 4 hours a day on this computer creating posters and handouts, promoting the event in all forms of media, maintaining the website (www.creativefinds.ca), creating graphic representations for our vendors, doing relevant searches trying to make our show the best in the area and a huge success… knowing full well that in the end, more than 50% of the shows success will depend on our wonderful vendors and how they showcase and package their products.
Don’t get me wrong. I am hugely looking forward to the show and enjoy doing all the work. Mind you, I have hardly had time to create my own work…which is not the norm in my world. I have found these last two weeks that come 10pm, I head upstairs, get ready for bed and then read a fantasy novel to take me away for an hour. I have tried getting out my paints, pencils, etc only to find that more images and ideas for the market are doing 90 miles an hour through my brain and do not plan on leaving any time soon.
I did have a ’splurge’ of my own creative juices the other day. It was my suitcase that ended up being attacked and ended up having one side completely painted in two evenings. There will be no mistaking my suitcase on the turnstile any time soon (ha ha).
Today is International Artists Day. I plan to head out to an event soon and I think this is just what I need.
There are events taking place all over to celebrate Artists. Please search one out in your area and make a point to stop on by.
Have a great day!
Keep smiling and creating
Nicci
Just to give you a sneak peak…
at the poster I have been working on today.
This poster will be all around the greater Vancouver, BC area promoting the Creative Finds Market.
It will be printed out at 11″ x 17″, however I still need to design a bit of scroll work for the top.
Hope you like it!
Keep creating and smiling,
Nicci
Each week seems to be getting more hectic than the last… hectic, but fun
Creative Finds:
I am now down to only looking for 6-8 more vendors for the Creative Finds Art and Fine Craft Market. We have met our quota for jewelry and handbag designers. Funny thing is…. no holiday ornaments yet. We had our Open House/Jury event last Sunday. Unfortunately the weather was atrocious with heavy rain and unpleasant winds. A few came out, but most just emailed me regarding their applications. Ever day since has had a forecast for rain, but has been quite lovely. Go figure, hey? ha ha
A Treasure in the mail:
The mermaid showing you your refection in her mirror is a wonderful creation sent to me by my Glitter Sister Craftyhala. We participated in a ‘Mermaid Swap’ through Artist Violette’s message board.
I just love my mermaid! She is made of polymer clay and is attached to the front of a funky wooden holder. I think I may use her to hold my envelopes. As you can see… my Catscratch softy seems to be quite taken by her (ha ha).
Thanks Craftyhala!
Creative Supplies:
Another Glitter Sister, Sioux is trying her hand at fabric painting and wanted to know what paint brushes I used. I use the same brushes as when I do my acrylic paintings. I have always been a fan of the ’smaller’ brush and find the big ones over powering and quite clunky. I like my shaders & spotters, etc.
The other photo is of new goodies I bought yesterday from a local stained glass supply shop. These will be used to create more of my ‘Girlz’ soldered pendants.
Well I am heading off now to go revive the pink in my hair. Have a great night!
Keep smiling and creating!
Nicci
Spreading myself outwards…
Into the garage and maybe a little too thinly (ha ha).
I was already planning on having my Art Studio open house tomorrow,….but then I thought ‘Since I will be in the studio all day anyways… why not invite other creative souls over to have their worked jured for our up and coming ‘Creative Finds Market‘.
Then about 3 days ago it occurred to me that I can not have my horrible garage represent myself not to mention the above noted highly planned out Creative Finds Market. EEEE Gads!
So, I start running around looking for funky curtains/material and vibrant paint to help ‘clean up’ the over all look of the car (etc) area outside my studio.
Thursday night I begin painting the wall edges prior to getting out the rollers and going full boar with the apple green paint. My very wonderful helpful neighbor comes over as planned to help me move some carpet. However since I have already begun painting and can’t really stop yet…we chat as I paint. (Where’s the video camera when you need one) As I carefully step down from the ladder (or so I thought) I step right into the FULL can of apple green paint. My black leather show and all. My neighbor is so shocked, she just stands there gaping as I slowly extend doing the splits and as the paint can is completely emptying out all over my shoe and the floor. Once I am able to stand up right she runs off home to very quickly grab a paint roller out of her own garage, comes back and starts fill her roller with ‘floor paint’ and proceeds to start rolling it on the wall. After I have sponged off my jean legs, rolled them up, taken off my socks and shoes then wrapped them in paper towel. I head up stairs to ask the hubby for assistance. I called out ‘did you not hear the loud crash downstairs?‘. The answer I rcv is “Yes, what happened?”. !!!!
Oh, where is my knight in shining armour…. hmmmm… I think he took the night off.
I head back downstairs, grab a paint roller and follow in my neighbors footsteps. Filling the roller with ‘floor paint’ then proceeding to roll it onto the wall. She has only lived in Canada for a few years now and all I can think is what might be going through her head …. ‘Oh Nicci, is this how they paint walls in Canada?’. I started to laugh and make fun of the situation, thinking that she must think I am clearly nuts this evening only to find out what was really going on in her thoughts. She was thinking. “How can you not be mad at your husband when he heard the crash and made no effort to come down here and see if you are all right?”
I see her side & his. I know he hates painting with a passion and that if he had come downstairs, he would have ended up painting the wall,….but checking on me would have been nice.
I ended up having to put my clothes through 4 wash loads before all the paint finally came out.
I finished painting the walls yesterday, along with the half hazard impromptu green flower painted on the floor (ha ha).
Today I moved furniture, installed curtain rods, hung fabric and paintings. I am sore and exhausted, so I am taking the rest of the night off. Tomorrow morning (SUNDAY) I will get up early and spend a couple hours getting the actual studio back in order (as I had to move boxes from the garage into the studio while I did all this ‘garage’ work) ha ha.
See you tomorrow at 10am for the OPEN HOUSE…. I will have the COFFEE ready for you all!
Keep smiling and creating,
Nicci
Tromping around in the Vancouver rain…
Vancouver ETSY Gathering: Yesterday myself and a few fellow ETSY Sellers/Buyers met at a Vancouver coffee shop on Main Street called ‘The Grind’. We shared some great stories involving selling/buying work online and the people you meet there. Please feel free to check out their funky shops (CindyG, WhiteRabbit21, GroovyGlassGirl, Tattered Slippers, Its Your Life, and a few others whose cards I did not get)
Portobello West Market: After our little gathering 4 of us went to a little shop called the Urban Source (Urban Source invites value-conscious artists, teachers, and families to explore alternatives to conventional art materials.) followed by a trip to the monthly Vancouver market, Portobello West. Came across some very unique and fun vendors (Spark, Lace Embrace, Shi, Hug, Redfish Kids, and Gorgeous Baby).
Brand New to the Blogging World: (This is a wonderful email message I woke up to this morning. Please take the time to pop by her blog and check it out.) “Hi I love you art work and enjoyed watching your video on how to do it. My little girl she is 5 yrs sat in front of the computer with her pen and paper and replayed several times till she had a picture to colour. Takes after her mommy loves art but i think from what Im seeing will be way better. So thank you for a fun hour or so. I have a blog, just started it. Every further success with your art its truly wonderful and fun. Love it!”
Well, I had better go now. I have to wrap up a few packages for mailing today.
Keep smiling and creating!
Nicci
I did have a ’splurge’ of my own creative juices the other day. It was my suitcase that ended up being attacked and ended up having one side completely painted in two evenings. There will be no mistaking my suitcase on the turnstile any time soon (ha ha).
