It's Official!!!

This is a secret that has long been under wraps. But here it is- Dandelion Blu and this chickadee will be flying West for Bumbershoot 2008!!!!! Bumbershoot is Seattle's music and art's festival, a 3 day event that basically takes over the city. And as luck would have it, this chickadee and I were accepted into their Indie Market. Honestly, we applied on whim, I have never been to Seattle, let alone the West Coast. But, Ms. Chickadee is quite the traveler and wanted an excuse to head West. She has attended the festival before and said that the Indie Market is the best craft and artist market she has ever been too. We were beside ourselves and in a little bit of disbelief when we got the notice- I kept checking the email to make sure it wasn't meant for somebody else. Then it slowly dawned on us- now that we were in, how do we get there, what do we do, yikes???? After much discussion weighing the pros and cons, we decided to throw caution to the wind, send the booth fee back and book our flights. So come Labor Day Weekend, East Coast meets West Coast in a craftacular of epic proportions! Beck, you better watch out, the dandelion and chickadee are coming for ya!! No turning back now!

Check out their site for the line up and other fantastic events, I hear Beck, Stone Temple Pilots and Ludacris are headlining.... yowsers!

BLU and yellow

Check out this lovely treasury created by BEST member Jen Menkhaus!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=45921
Thanks!

Show Reminders!

Just a reminder of the next 3 shows I'm in! I hope to see you there!

Art Star Craft Bazaar, Philly, 5/31-6/1

Renegade, Brooklyn, 6/14-15

Crafty Bastards, Silver Spring MD, 6/28

Weekend Work

In preparation mode for Art Star and Renegade- yikes!!!!! I can't believe Art star is less then 2 weeks away and then Renegade is 2 weeks after that.... I've got to get cracking!

Ring Class- the results...

Here are my two final cast rings. We used the lost wax cast process which was really interesting to learn. First we had to carve a ring out of a block of wax- which I found surprisingly difficult. Up until now we have been working additively, building and engineering rings. This carving threw me for a loop as we were taking away to get the form. The hardest part was getting started, and I just kept having to tell myself that is was only wax. Then we had to "sprue" the wax rings to a "tree" to make the model to pour the plaster investment around. Once that hardens the wax is melted out in the kiln leaving a plaster mold. Metal is melted down till molten, poured into the cast, and voila you have a sterling ring. I have really condensed the description of this process, of course there are many more steps but you get the gist of it. Enjoy!

Ballston Arts Market

The dandelion and the chickadee, in matching outfits no less....

Our booth set up- complete with personal security

My more "paired" down display approach

Chickadee's goodies

Lot's of new work for me!

Howdy! Despite mother nature's best attempts to foil the chickadee and dandelion's first show, it went off without much to do. There were some panic stricken moments Friday when we realized that the "canopy" we had borrowed was really more of a glorified sun shade and would not be appropriate for the cold windy rain expected on Saturday. But the chickadee pulled through and procured the mega tent you see in the pictures. I did pretty well sale wise- especially since the weather was lousy keeping away the crowds. And so it has begun....

Tis the season....

It's official- craft, art, indie, DIY, show, festival, fair- whatever you define it as, has begun! Saturday I'll be headed down Arlington VA for the first Ballston Arts + Crafts Market. I'll be sharing a booth with my fabulous designer friend, this chickadee, so come by and say hi! I may even give you %10 off if you mention this blog! Hope to see you there!

Ring Class

Last evening was our final critique and for the ring class I've been taking at MICA. I forgot that I promised my dear (translate that to few) readers that I would give updates and post pictures of my work. I managed to keep it together and complete all my assignments- with only one minor melt down and 1 saw blade and finger episode- this is a new record for me. Anyhow, aside from the numerous samples I created in copper, I completed several finished silver pieces. The assignments included forged rings out of wire, stock and tube, cast rings, an unusual stone setting, moving parts ring, and alternative materials.
Here are my results:




I apologize for the lack of detail in the shots, I had to shoot them quickly before they were packed up for our show and end of year party on Thursday! I'll post better pics soon, but wanted to give you all a chance to see what I've been up to.