Helena Spring Craft Show

On Saturday I traveled two hours to Helena to try and give my Blue Zen skincare line some exposure. It was a long day.

Note the crazy eyes...

 

First off, set up started at 6:30 am. I was debating going up the night before and "motelling" it so I wouldn't have to leave at 4:30 in the morning. I decided I was tough and wouldn't spend the money. Coffee is my friend. I showered at night, set my alarm for 4am, and tried to get some sleep. Mia, my daughter, was coming with me.

At 5:24 Saturday morning, I was awakened by a puppy who needed to be let out to potty. I whipped upright and yelled, "SHIT!!" Apparently, my super modern, easy to set alarm clock didn't get set to go off on Saturday and Sunday, just the weekdays. Stupid easy-set alarm clock!

Anyway, I ran into Mia's room screaming something about being late. She was right up and dressed in 10 minutes. I was racing around the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen getting my ducks in a row to leave. By 5:59, we were out the door. We stopped for snacks and away we went.

I can't say I drove extra fast, but it only took me 1 hour 45 minutes to get to the Civic Center.

trying to look calm and cool

After a whirlwind set up I finally sat and relaxed. It ended up being a long day of hardly any traffic. But, I did make friends with some of the other vendors. We all agreed that this was not the best day ever for sales. Except for the guy with the amazing yard-art sculptures! Holy moly they were just practically walking out the door on their own. I would have bought one if I could.

I did, however, learn exactly how I want to set up my booth next time. I also learned what people like and what they don't like of mine. Good feedback. I made some friends and had a ball.

"Your lotion feels WONDERFUL!" *blush*

Mia was a big help. No whining, always smiling. She is becoming such a little lady, I have no idea where the time has gone. She was recruited to watch a booth while the owner took a break a couple times. She did a good job of being the smiling face and even made a transaction or two. 

The fair ended at 4 pm and by then I was exhausted and ready to go home. 

My confidence has been boosted and I can't wait for the next fair. I will be sure to double check my alarm. :-)

Here We Are Again

I have been avoiding this. Writing in my blog. It has been hard to dismantle something I wasn't ready to let go of and I didn't know what to say about it.

This morning I watched a building burn to the ground. It stood across the highway from our house. It was an old saloon style building that I loved looking at. This morning I woke to sirens and smoke. The smoke is still rising from the ground. The building is completely gone. I am reminded that everything is temporary. And it could be worse.

So... I focus on the future.

I have set up my studio again here in my house. I have started working a bit. I'm still not sure what to focus on, but getting my feet wet, testing the waters, looking for inspiration.

For a couple days my studio was floor to ceiling boxes and chaos from bringing all my "junk" back from the gallery. Now it is more organized (though bursting at the seams!) than it has ever been.

I think it's good to bring my work home now. I'm comfortable here. It doesn't feel like work, creating feels like play when I do it at home. Ok... The Artsiehorse Studio isn't closed, just relocated.

Entangled: An Installation

I can't wait for this up coming First Friday showing. The artist this month is Katie Ludwick, aka, Lady Pajama. I think she's awesome! She is one of my favorite local Missoula artists. Here is a sample of her work and what she has to say about it.

In this fresh and insightful installation ladypajama weaves together collage and drawing. Caught in a web of string and lace the viewer will certainly be intrigued by these fragments of ladypajama's mind -- each piece is a window into the artists inner blundering.

What is entangled here? Memories, pieces of the past, hopes for the future, evidence of life -- lived and loved.

Showing March 2nd - 30th. Opening Reception: 5:00-9:00 Friday, March 4th.

Sale This Week!

This week only in the Gallery:

10% off all Original Wall Art!

That's anything hanging on the wall. Maybe you didn't get what you wanted for Valentine's Day... Maybe you have had your eye on a particular piece of art... Maybe you just feel like treating yourself to some scrumptuous eye candy...

Wednesday February 16 through Saturday February 19

Prints by Elizabeth Claire Rose

I have a love affair with Etsy. I am always looking for new things to make me "ooooh" and "awwww" and Etsy is a great place for finding that.

So, one day while browsing Missoula artists I found Elizabeth Claire Rose. I was so impressed by her prints and photos that I asked her if she would like to bring a few by for the gallery. She said she would (yay!). Just yesterday brought me a huge assortment of prints: photographic, block, and intaglio. She has some greeting cards and magnets made of her work as well.

I would have asked her to write a bio like some of the other artists here in the shop, but she's on her way to Eastern Europe tomorrow and just a little busy getting ready. Maybe later.

Till then, you MUST come see her work in person.

Have You Ever?

Have you ever had one of those times - maybe a day, maybe a month - when you were full of ideas and brimming with intent? When everything you tried to create, do, make, say, etc., ended up wrong? Well, that is the state of my artistic being right now.

I have started 3 projects for the Light Show and scrapped them all. I had 2 different ideas for the Birds and Bees show in Polson in February, but in practice they weren't as intriguing as I imagined. Or I just couldn't get my ideas across on canvas, one or the other.

*sigh*

These things happen.

It's just nice when they don't too.

Call to Artists!!

Ok. It's time to get this new year rolling along.

I'm looking to fill spots in the gallery for the First Friday art walk from February till June of this year. If you or anyone you know has an itch to get their art out into the world, please email me with three or four .jpeg images of the art that you would like to display to artsiehorse@gmail.com under the header: First Friday!

Any medium will be considered, though I have a special affinity for mixed media and fiber art...

The display area is 15' along one wall and 12' along another. The face of the wall is brick and mortar. If the work is 3 dimensional we have ways to accommodate a limited number of pieces.

My Entries for Living Arts Montana

A couple of months ago, friend of mine talked me into doing a donation piece for the Living Arts of Montana's 6th annual Light Show. She is a volunteer for the group and was recruiting artists. I had heard about this show from other artist friends of mine who had participated in past years. All had nothing but good things to say about the experience. Though, I really had no idea what Living Arts did or what the donation would go to, refusing a chance to include a piece of my work seemed insane! The Light Show is to be held on May 14 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula.

So I had to get to know a bit about the organization to really know what this was all about about. I mean, I can't enter a piece into an auction that benefits something horrific. (Not that I thought it was...)

According to Living Art of Montana's website:
Living Art presents at local, national and international workshops and conferences and teaches classes for professional care-givers and at the University of Montana Social Work Department.
and:
Living Art works with other health care providers and organizations who share a common vision of creating holistic and integrative options for wellness.

(Living Art of Missoula's Website)

This year's Light Show theme is "An Evening in Red". I hadn't had much time to think about what I was going to submit what with the opening of the gallery and so many stinking holidays and events happening in the last bunch of weeks. So, now that things are more settled I thought hard about what that would mean to me, how I would capture it, what media I would use, how big it should be, etc. I've finally got a solid idea started.

Sneak peek at the sketch...

Yes, it is intentionally obscured. I'll post more progress pictures as time goes on. Now that the holidays are over, I'll have more time to devote to the studio (yaay!) and less pressure to create for fairs and for gifts.

The nice folks at Living Arts also invited all the artists signed up for the Light Show to exhibit in February one different piece of work in a group show. I think I'll include this one:

If you want to see it in person, it's in the gallery. Come on by!

Kelly Smith, a.k.a, Stella Latwinski

Just last May, Kelly finished graduation at the University of Montana, Missoula with a master's degree in Economics. She quickly found a job at an environmental consulting firm and her career was on its way. But, just months after her graduation, Kelly let go of her new career and chose to be a full time freelance artist and illustrator. She hasn't looked back since.

She has changed her working name to Stella Latwinski -in honor of her grandmother- in order to separate her artistic side from her Kelly-ness.

One of her characters, Unconventional Ida, has had a loyal following and has inspired an entire world of unconventionality.

Kelly's, er... Stella's, usual artistic M.O. is Sakura Pigma Micron pens and Prismacolor colored pencil on recycled wood block or board that she gets as leftovers from her father-in-law's cabinet shop. She has recently been expanding her canvas to include jewelry and Moleskine Journals.

Artsiehorse Studio & Gallery is ecstatic to be able to carry some of her wood mounted prints, Journals, and Greeting Cards!

Visit her at her website:
stellalatwinski.com

Spotlight on Pam Cozby

These beautiful fabric bowl sculptures are the work of Pam Cozby, another member of the TARTS fiber artist group out of Hamilton, Montana. Her work is entirely her own. With the help of a computer, Pam creates the patterns on the bowls from photos. Then she prints them onto plain white fabric to create one of a kind designs and finishes off with intricate stitching.
The result is absolutely stunning!

Every piece is a unique creation. There are boxes and vases, bowls and platter shaped designs. Some are fuzzy, and some are sleek. They all beg to be held.

Stop by and see what she has done lately...

Anita Mistry–Itsamistry Design Studio

Anita Mistry is a friend, as she would say, from the other side of the pond. Anita harks from Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England and has graciously sent some of her divine handmade jewelry for sale here in the States.

Itsamistry Design Studio specializes in hand crafted jewelry, made mainly from sterling silver, combined with semi precious stones, artisan or glass beads, Swarovski or Czech crystals. Anita designs and custom makes a unique range of her own designs, where no two pieces of jewelry are the same or designs pieces incorporating client’s ideas and themes. The product range includes necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets and hairpieces and is now being diversified into cake jewelry.

Anita was also invited to submit a craft jewelry project recently for a National Craft Magazine about the Ananta Bead Necklaces (which are stocked in the Gallery!) and was subsequently asked to run a workshop in the USA and is further developing a series of workshops at her studio for adults and children from age 8 upwards.

See more of Anita’s jewelry, paintings, greeting cards and other artsy creations on her website. http://www.itsamistrydesignstudio.com/

On a Frosty Saturday Afternoon...

T'was a dark, cold, wintery, blustery, frozen solid Montana afternoon...

My fingers needed warming. The wool was calling me.
So I gathered roving and needles, scissors and foam mat.

And created some friends who wouldn't melt away any time soon.

Snowman Ornaments. Fun!

Re thinking Re organization

I'm redoing this space. Cleaning house, updating and freshening.

I'm hoping for this to be a new era in my life and as such, I'm refocusing. I will still have posts about my goat and my kids. I'll still talk about home renovations (which are going to slowly for my taste). But, my main focus is going to be my lovely shop and the artist who grace it.

Check back to find out more.

The Artsiehorse Studio & Gallery

We're open!

This has been quite the crazy ride.
Getting a small boutique gallery open for business is not a simple task. It involves begging and pleading with tired kids and husbands to help wrangle furniture, multiple submissions of DBA paperwork because I can't fill out forms correctly, tons of phone calls, emails, mailings, and lots of support from friends and neighbors. (thanks friends and neighbors!)

Well, we're here now, we're full of fun things, decorated, and the doors are open should anyone happen by.

This is the window display done by one of the local artists here in Missoula to help support the Missoula Storefront Art Project.


Some views of the beautiful work by me, a few local artists and a few great friends strewn across the globe.





We'll be joining the First Friday festivities every month. This first First Friday has been grabbed up by a great local watercolor artist, Kim Shirley. Kim's work usually focuses on western life, horses, cowboys, and old pickups and buildings. This time Kim gives us a more exotic flavor with images from her recent trip to Italy. Thanks Kim!

The Power of the Universe

Today I got the keys to my new downtown store... MY NEW DOWNTOWN STORE!!!
It's still empty as of today, but I have enough love to fill it up. And I hope to have enough art to fill it up soon too.

Story:
About 3 weeks ago I wrote here and on Facebook about my need to find my next "something".

Almost immediately a friend wrote me asking for help with a project run by the Missoula Cultural Council called the Missoula Storefront Art Project. It is intended to put life back into the windows of storefronts left empty by business that have gone under due to economic distress. This is to be done by having local artists install creative displays in shop fronts. This is intended to make the area look more upbeat and less deserted. More of a desirable place for new businesses to open. I was asked to organize the info from the artists with examples of what they planned to do. So far none of the buildings had art in the windows. I thought this was a wonderful thing to put my attention and focus on when I needed a good challenge.

That same week, maybe a day later, Michael, my husband was searching studio spaces downtown. No real reason, just for kicks. I have a small space for my quilting and art-making, he has the bedroom for his circuit bending and electronic music gear... he just thought it would be fun to have a place to go that wasn't "here" to be creative.

There were a few teeny tiny spaces available. Not much spectacular. But one really stood out. It was a huge basement studio with room for the both of us and attached storefront above. Both for rent. Both for not much more than the little studios he'd seen. Michael casually showed me the Craigslist ad. I don't think he was really serious, but for the price, the studio alone was worth looking into.

The first thing I thought was, rent the space for the studio below and just allow the shop space to be used for the Storefront Art Project. I didn't need it, but they did. It would be a good start to the program.

But it was nagging at me. The more I thought about it, the more I began to see the potential. What if I really could get into a new line of business? Could I be a successful art gallery owner? I ruminated over it for a couple of weeks before deciding that, yes, I would try this! The lease is only for 3 months because the last person defaulted. I could see what happens in 3 months and go from there.

I went and looked at the space last Thursday. It was in rough shape downstairs, but upstairs in the shop it was nice. Really all it needs is some paint and good light. I wanted it. BAD. I brought her a deposit the next day and today I get the keys. This is happening very fast.

Tomorrow I meet up with the first Storefront Art Project artist. I really can't believe this is happening. I must be out of my mind. I've already filed for my licensing and have started buying fixtures. THIS is what happens when you ask the universe for a challenge.

Pictures soon!

Shell Quilt

This is a project that I started at least 6 months ago while I was at the Ceretana. I'd painted it and had high hopes but, then I lost interest for... well, till this week. I've finally sandwiched it and started quilting. I used Lumiere metallic paints and some fabric pastels for the shells and "water". I machine stitched around the shells an in them for a bit of depth. Now I'm adding some hand stitching for sand.


Oh! And, I also found a small storefront with basement studio area for a screaming deal downtown... I wonder if I'll have the guts to do something about it?

No Maps on the Career Path

I need to move on. I need a new direction. A new horizon, a new job... but not any ol' job. I need something that will inspire me to smile or whistle while I work. Something creative. Something I can feel good about. Something that I want to do when I get up in the morning. Something that will contribute to the happiness of other people or animal's lives. I do lots and lots of things that fit these descriptions on a daily basis, but the point I am making is that I need the things I do to PAY ME!

Cleaning houses is a fine job. For someone of a heartier constitution, it may be a lifelong career. It pays well, the people are generally very happy you are there to make their lives easier, usually no one breathing down your neck so you are free to work as you please. BUT! I have been having physical issues that complicate my work. Back pain, joint pain, dizzy spells, and low blood sugar have been making work uncomfortable lately. Well, for a while actually. I just am getting fed up enough about it now that I'm whining. Audibly.

Let's brainstorm ways Melanie can make money creatively:

Etsy

My etsy store has sold a whopping nada since I opened it. But that could because I've neglected it horribly since I listed my first 18 items. I hear tell that the pictures on an etsy page will make or break a store. The pictures not taken by me are just lovely. I hired a photographer friend of mine to photograph some of my work for my etsy site on trade. (I still owe her a set of gloves) The ones I took are hideous and don't show the products in good detail. My camera gives me a case of the "goddammit"s. I just can't get the lighting right. So, I haven't listed anything else since because I have only gotten crappy photos. I think my crafty things are better appreciated when held in your hand anyway.

I think the whole etsy thing is not for me. I spent more time online than making things to put online when I started it. That's not really productive. I'll keep it up and probably will add things here or there, but it's not going to be a full time pursuit.


Craft Markets

My husband has suggested I take my creative vomitings to the local arts and crafts markets on Saturdays throughout summer. I suppose it's a start, but it's hardly a full time job. I mean we just bought a house! I need a regular income! Once a week for 20 or so weeks is not going to feed us year round. I may give it a shot next weekend... but what would I sell? There's my knitting, quilting, stuffed critters, dyed fabric, paintings, drawings... where do I focus? That's like asking an amphibian to pick land or water!

I'm not a very fast knitter, which makes keeping a full inventory difficult. Though, people do really like the things I make. I've had numerous requests for my gloves and hats. Sideline maybe? But not my main focus... I just wouldn't make enough off of it.

I've not been doing much in the way of painting or drawing lately. The "good stuff" comes in spurts of creative genius (HA!) with lots of crap in between. Not good for making me rich either. No one wants crap.

I LOVE making my little tater stuffies! They are so fun. I really just want to keep them when I make them. And set them on my bed. And talk to them. But I've yet to sell a single one... I don't know if anyone else is as crazy as I am about armless furry things. Maybe I'll push them for a while and see where it takes me. Maybe.


Art quilts are fun. They are fantabulous to make. I really enjoy the process of dyeing, printing, hand sewing, and touching all that fabric! But I don't know if there's really a market for them. I seem to have a ton of them on display around town and have sold 2 in the last year. I suppose that's better than the big fat zero etsy sales.

Something Completely New

I've recently toyed with the idea of doing something new. Daring even. Like opening a gallery/studio space for other artists ala the Ceretana. I have ideas on how to run things in a more professional way than how they were run at the Ceretana. Things there didn't run all that smoothly at times... but that's another story. There are many open store fronts downtown and a ton of artists in this community who need space to work and exhibit on the cheap. With maybe a small modest shop for selling arty/crafty things too. I think I'd focus on mixed media and sculpture since that is a niche that seems not overly full in this town.

This all takes money though. And I am not exactly rolling in it. I could share responsibility with other like minded artist types or business folk. But do I want it to be a co-op or a profit driven environment? Do I want to let other people have a full share? I'm not really sure I'm that trusting or giving. But then, if it were a co-op and it failed... it's not JUST my fault and it's not JUST me who loses. I'm not thinking failure right now though. I want to succeed!

Fact of the matter: I must start something. Soon. I can't wait forever.

Books

I had one job today. At the last minute, my client called and cancelled. Shucks!

Luckily, I wasn't phased. I was already in the midst of creating a hand bound journal for my daughter's birthday.

And what did I do with the rest of my time?

Make more!

Here's a square ribbon closure one...

This one's not sewn yet. But I think it's cute.

Time flies when you're so busy you forget you're having fun

Wow!

According to my last post it has been 6 months since I sat down and wrote. A big whole lot has happened since last November. I guess I'll start at the beginning and maybe I'll get to the end in this one little post. Maybe I'll just stop when my fingers start to bleed and come back to it.

On the house front, we now have our first home! It is the one we had our eye on back in October. Good things come to those who wait. That's what "they" say and sometimes "they" are right. It took until April to close, but it has been worth the heartache, struggle and wait.

Michael and I (and sometimes the kids when we can pull them off the Netflix!) have been busy upgrading and improving our 60 year old cottage by the river. Everyday seems to bring new things to ponder... what color should we paint the kitchen? should we keep this hideous carpet? how much will fencing the yard cost? what are we going to do with all this yard trash? where should we put the garden? will Spirit be happy in only a large pen rather than her 8 acre pasture? why is there so much grass to mow and would the neighbors mind if we didn't? and where do we put all of our stuff???

We had to paint the exterior in order to get our loan approved. But only the areas with peeling or chipped paint. Which means that we only did the least possible at the time to get the loan approved. Which also means that at the moment our house is half painted. When the weather warms up we will finish. I won't have a red/tan house forever. I swear!

Here's what it looked like during the painting process. Note the lovely carpet of pine needles and AstroTurf steps. The sun has been out a lot since then and the pine needles have been replaced by lots of lush greenness.

I've also moved my art/sewing studio from the Ceretana to the new house. I now have a studio/mud room. So awesome! It's small, but actually bigger than my studio at the Ceretana. AND it's rent is free, heat is available at a flick of a switch, the bathroom is cleaned regularly (sort of), and best of all, my family is here. Yay!

The day my studio got set up I had to start working. I was so psyched to have my room to myself to create in that I finished an art quilt in 2 days. In fact it's probably the technically best one I've done so far. It's colored with oil paint sticks and the flower is acrylic fabric paint, then embellished with embroidery. I'm happy with it...

I've also gotten a new etsy site set up. New house, new studio, new start. The Artsiehorse Studio I feel completely fresh and inspired right now. I can tell that this is about to be a very productive time of my life.

Yeah, that's enough for today. I can't decide what else to write about. 6 months really is a long time.

To be continued...

Holiday Bazaar

I have been working my fingers to the bone to get ready for the Ceretana Holiday Bazaar. I've been knitting, felting, quilting, making papercloth, painting, drawing... yup, to the BONE! It is on December 4th during the ususual Missoula First Friday events. I figured that I had so many extra art and craft supplies around that I had better start making something out of them and maybe even try to make some dough from them.

But I'm not the only one working hard to have tons of pretty things ready for the Bazaar. Kim Shirley has made cards and posters from her wonderful original watercolors, Patricia Thornton has tons of artworks and her lovely Manny pillows ready, Don John Linton will have some of his amazing photo prints for sale along with so many other artists and crafters!

There's going to be an art raffle and a Cheap Art Salon for artists to sell their "mess ups" and "practices" on the cheap. All art in the Cheap Art Salon will be $1 - $20.

Here's a preveiw of what I will have for sale:a smattering of fingerless mittens,

a few warm scarves (this one's camelhair/wool!),

a dash of papercloth in the form of ornaments,
a couple cute felted purses,

and more to be seen!