Artfire Collection on Christmas Eve

Today I received notice that my Fine Silver brooch was included in an Artfire Collection: PIN THIS!, by Umeboshi, an Artfire artisan:

PIN THIS!

  Curated By: Umeboshi

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

It is the tree/moon pin 2nd from the right. So that was a nice gift from an unknown friend! I have listed several new pieces on Artfire, including these:

We are busy cleaning out our junk from years of accumulation of totally unnecessary purchases. The problem is I still want some of it, but have no more room. Looks like we'll need to rent a room from storage facility. There are 3 here in little Heyworth, IL. But, the rooms are all rented already! We apparently are not the only people with too much stuff!

One Last Market

This Saturday, December 15, will be the first Indoor Market of the winter.  Last year artists were not "allowed".  This year I get to be there!  So from 10am til 12pm the market will be held on the first and lower levels of the McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St, Bloomington.   My space is located just around the corner from the  main desk on the first level.  We're looking forward to it, so hoping to see everyone there!

Yesterday, 12/12/12, marked my first sale on Artfire.  www.artjools.artfire.com

So that was exciting to send a bracelet to a lady in North Carolina.  Only a few hours later, I got to send earrings to a lady in Washington state!  Lo and behold at 11pm an order arrived from Houston!  3 in one day!  I had placed an ad that rotates with others ads, so it must have done the job.  

The silver pendant and chain above will be listed on Artfire later today.  It's a smoke bush leaf with a citrine.  The blue is from an oxidizing solution applied to highlight the leaf texture and veins.  As you can see, I'm not the best photographer in the world.  It really is much prettier in person.  

My very faithful students and I are trying to come up with a new venue for the classes.  The Yarn Garden and the Off the Wall Gallery will be closing in January.  We're still searching....

Let us know if you have a place!

Bronze Ring class

Another ring class coming up on Saturday, Nov. 24th, this time in Decatur, IL, at The Bead Shop, 2885 N Oakland Ave.   At this point, there may be an opening, but please contact Diane at the shop, (217) 791-5169.    It is surprisingly simple to make rings with the Bronzclay, plus it's very cool to use a material that allows the imagination run wild with the design, at a low cost!

Our next local class is December 8th at the Off the Wall Gallery, 318 N. Main, Bloomington, IL.  There are 3 students thus far, with a limit of 6.  Contact me, artjools@frontier.com if you are interested. This will be an "ordinary" class, which means whatever you want! 

The owner of the shop, Mary Lynn, suffered a broken ankle recently.  The shop is being attended to by her friends and family.  We are hoping she is feeling better and will have a quick recovery...

December 1st is our jewelry Trunk Show at the Garlic Press in Uptown Normal.  I do have some work available for sale in the store at this time also.

I should mention I have 3 paintings in the Holiday Treasures Art Sale at the McLean County Art Center, downtown Bloomington.  This year I opted out of taking jewelry there, as one piece was lost, and I have never been paid. (?-long story)

Lastly, we entered one of Steve's sculptures, an Alien Spaceship, in a contest sponsored by a national magazine, Metal Clay Today.  This is being judged now, so maybe we'll have good (or bad!) news soon.

Hope For the Holidays, Component Class, and The Garlic Press!

We'll be setting up for the Hope Christmas show in Springfield, IL, this weekend.  The Hope Presbyterian Church does a great job hosting this small show and treats the artists with outstanding care.  The church is just one block east of White Oaks Mall at 2211 Wabash Ave, Springfield, IL.  They will be raffling baskets filled with unique items from the artists to support the church's International Mission Fund, plus speciality baskets in honor of Jan Hedburg to support the APL of Springfield.

On November 10th, another Bronzclay class is scheduled at the Off the Wall Gallery, 318 N.Main St. Bloomington, IL.  This class is specifically about making components needed for jewelry making, such as links, beads, hollow beads, clasps, dangles, etc.  Above is a photo of an older pendant using links and dangles.  One always needs a little something extra to add to the design and make it "pop"! 

Last week I took in a bunch of new pieces to The Garlic Press in uptown Normal.  Sarah now has many in her store in the jewelry case, such as the silver necklace shown below:

But best of all, I will be having a "Trunk Show" there at The Garlic Press on December 1st, 11am to 3 pm.  A great time for last minute Christmas shopping! 

More Classes scheduled

This Saturday brings another set-up at the downtown Bloomington Farmers Market, 7:30 am to 12 noon.  Same space on Jefferson, and across from the music.  TOMB...The Old Men Boys, will be the band.  We have to go on record here to say they are the best group around, and definitely our favorites!

I have some new brooches/pins for the jackets and sweaters we're wearing this fall.  I'll try to get some photos up tomorrow.

Saturday afternoon 1p to 3:30 (or so) will be another Bronze Rings Class at 318 N. Main St. upstairs from the Off the Wall Gallery and Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden.    At this time, there are 3 students,  with room for 3 more.  

November 10th has been reserved for another class in Bronze Jewelry, same time and space.  The exact topic for this class is still under discussion.  Call me at 309-473-2013 for more information on this class, or anything else.  

At this point, we only have one more 2-day weekend show scheduled for this year.  That is coming right up on November 3 + 4 in Springfield at the Hope Presbyterian Church.  

We were very disappointed to hear our work was not chosen to be included in the Thieves Market Holiday Art Show in Iowa City in December this year.  We're on the Alternate List, but haven't had much luck with those kinds of lists this year.  It really is not a pleasant feeling to hear your work was not wanted...especially when I've never been rejected for this show before...and especially every year I have sold very well, and have many repeat customers there.   Art fair applicants are multiplying greatly, and apparently my work has been around too long, or not considered "right".  Oh well, its always been a horribly difficult show to set up for...glad to not go through that, at least!

Here's Proof!

Thank you Dylan...great photo of our booth and first place ribbon at the Arts in Central Park, Decatur.

We are set up now in Clinton at the Apple 'n Pork Festival...great weekend ahead!  Wonderful weather has been promised.   We're looking forward to it!!

Great news in Decatur!

Last Saturday at the Arts in Central Park in Decatur, our work was awarded 1st place in Jewelry!!!!

Judges were Jane Camp, Heartland Community College instructor in painting and drawing, and Randy Reid, Illinois State University instructor in jewelry, metals, and sculpture.

I will have proof when our friend Dylan sends the photo of the booth and ribbon.  (I forgot my camera.  So it's handy to be friends with an award-winning photographer!)

The loverly piece above is bronze with a silver bead embedded, strung with handmade bronze beads, Czech beads, and wonderful long, skinny Smoky Quartz.  I think it is one of my favorites now.

Tomorrow we'll be back at the Downtown Farmers Market, Bloomington, IL.  Space #4 across from the music on Jefferson St.

Next weekend is the great Apple 'n Pork Festival in Clinton.  Lets hope the weather gives us one more weekend without rain. 

Arts in Central Park, Decatur, IL

This Friday evening through Sunday we'll be taking part in the art show in Decatur, held in the beautiful Central Park located in downtown Decatur.  Friday evening is from 5pm to 7pm, and is quite a lot of fun!  There is a great band, and the committee puts on a wonderful feast for art patrons and artists.  

Saturday hours are 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm.  This really is a very nice art fair, and the coordinators do a great job.  Great art and a beautiful setting usually makes for a great time.  Now if the weather will cooperate, all will be perfect!!

The Bronze jewelry class has a few openings, scheduled for October 6, 1:30 pm til 4ish, at 318 N. Main, Bloomington, IL.  It is a fun class!  Contact me at artjools@frontier.com, or Mary Lynn at the store at stitchinggirl_2000@yahoo.com for more info or to sign up.  

Bronze Clay Jewelry Class scheduled:

The next class for learning how to work with the Bronzclay  is coming up on October 6th.  It will be again in the Off the Wall Gallery, upstairs mezzanine...this is also known as Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden, at 318 N. Main, Bloomington, IL.

You will learn jewelry design, using templates and texture plates for your design, how to work with the clay in rolling, applying texture, cutting design shapes, and sanding smooth and finishing.  This includes everything you need:  30 grams of Metal Adventures Bronzclay, use of my templates and my own textures (many are my original designs), tools to use, instructions, and the kiln firing process.  The firing will need to be done in my kilns at home, then I'll return the pieces to the gallery for you to pick up...unless you are from out of town, then I'll send them.  30 grams will get you as many as 8-10 pieces or as few as 3....depends on how large you like your jewelry!  All this will cost you $60, payable prior to class (clay needs to be ordered.).

The class will start at 1:30pm, lasts as long as needed to get all the pieces ready to be fired...usually 2-3 hours.  Due to limited space, 6 students is the limit we can handle.

If you have questions, email artjools@frontier.com, or Mary Lynn at the Yarn Garden stitchinggirl_2000@yahoo.com.
I would need you pay when you sign up, as mentioned above, as I need to order clay  and other supplies before the class.  Also, it would be great if you would register with Mary Lynn since she is there at the gallery/store and can keep it all organized.  It might get kinda crowded if I sign up 4 and she signs up 6!!

This is a fun class, and you'll be amazed at what you can get!  The bracelets above are simple to make, and can be a good project for you to make..............

Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival

This weekend we will be set up in Latham Park during the Art & Balloon Festival in Lincoln, IL.  Our space is #9 near the corner of Kickapoo St. and Pekin St.  We had this space last year, and thankfully it has a fair amount of shade.  But it is located on a bit of a slant, so that I always worry about people "rolling" into my booth!

This sterling silver necklace is sold, but hopefully I can come up with something similar by Saturday.  Doubtful though:(

The art fair runs from 10 to 5 Saturday, and 10 to 4 Sunday.  There is an enormous amount of "things to do" during this festival weekend.  The program can be found at www.lincolnillinois.com.

If you can make it to Latham Park, please stop by our booth and say hello!

Advanced Bronzclay Class

The Bronzclay classes have been so popular, that we've decided to schedule an Advanced class, which will focus on making hollow lentil beads or  pendant.  This photo is of one made earlier this year.  It has a different texture on the reverse side.



This piece is also hollow, a little more time involved as it needs a top and bottom attached, but is certainly doable. 

This is a two-sided pendant that is joined with clay balls between, so the cord can be threaded through.  Also takes a bit longer, but easy to do. 

We'll again be upstairs at Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden, 318 N. Main, Bloomington, IL.  If you're interested, send me an email artjools@frontier.com, or email to Mary Lynn, stitchinggirl_2000@yahoo.com.  Starts at 1:30pm, 8/18/2012, $60.  Includes everything you need!



New Bronze Clay Classes

On July 28th, I'll be teaching a class on making Bronze Rings.  It'll be at Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden & Off the Wall Gallery at 318 N. Main, Bloomington.  Starts at 1:30pm, will last 2-3 hours as needed to finish.  There are 3 or 4 people signed up, so there's space for 2 or 3 more!  Please contact me at artjools@frontier.com, or Mary Lynn at stitchinggirl_2000@yahoo.com.

We've scheduled a Bronze clay class making whatever your heart desires on August 4th, same location and times.  Please contact either of us above.  There are several openings there.

I did not get called for Sugar Creek art fair.  I did set up a table inside the Garlic Press, uptown Normal, so that helped.  Still..........really wish Rob had called.

We'll be set up for the next 5 Saturdays at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market, across from the music on Jefferson St.  This Saturday has the really fun Lincoln Festival going on.  I would highly encourage everyone to attend the market, the activities concerning Lincoln on the museum grounds (old Courthouse) which the market surrounds.  There are a number of other venues with more to offer...

http://www.pantagraph.com/entertainment/go/festival-continues-homage-to-all-things-lincoln/article_4a971f3e-d1a7-11e1-8ed7-001a4bcf887a.html

Still waiting to hear......

We're still waiting to hear from the coordinators of the Sugar Creek Art Festival, which is only 2 days from now, as to whether or not Artjools will be one of the participants.  This depends on another jewelry artist dropping out, which apparently is not going to happen.  If that's the case, we'll be at the Farmers Market in the usual spot on Jefferson Saturday morning. 
    Then, if no word from MCAC, I'll set up a table in the front entrance lobby of The GARLIC PRESS, on North Street in Normal!  So, I'll still be there at the art fair, but not part of the art fair, enjoying being inside in the air-conditioning!!! Hah!!

I've also scheduled a Bronzclay Class on July 14th, to be held upstairs at Off the Wall Gallery, 318 N. Main St, Bloomington, IL.  This will teach you to make the Bronze jewelry components for your own jewelry designs!  Above is a sample of what you can do with this great stuff.  Contact me at artjools@frontier.com, or Mary Lynn at the gallery, actually at her store Mary Lynn's Yarn Garden at the same address, info@marylynnsyarngarden.com, 309-820-0174. 

Above are some Bronze Rings.  I've also scheduled a class in making these on July 28th, also at the Off the Wall Gallery.  Again contact me or Mary Lynn at the Yarn Garden.  These are both going to be lots of fun, and you'll have some great jewelry when you're all done! 

Men's jewelry for Father's Day

This attractive, manly piece is made with silver-coated lava beads, glass beads, and black leather.   It measures around nineteen inches long with a classy toggle clasp.  Can you see your Dad or hubby in this?  Looked verry good on Steve!

These bronze bracelets are made for a man, but, heck, just as nice-looking on a woman! 

Next weekend, June 23, we'll be setting up in Danville, at their Arts in the Park celebration.  This is a very well run event, even giving the artists a very nice Friday evening meal.  Good artists, music, and hopefully good weather!  This show honored me with the Best of Show award last year!!!  So, I guess, no wonder I like it there!

This is another photo I'm thinking of painting.  A very scenic little farm in Dewitt County.    

We'll be leaving the market right at noon this Saturday, which means having to start loading up at 11:30am.  The bronzclay class in Decatur, 40 miles away, is scheduled at 1pm, so we have to hustle down there to get set up for the class.  As far as I know at this time, there are a couple of spots left for students. 

I just read the blog of Dylan Punke, a local photographer well-known to art fair attendees.  He's started on a cross-country bicycle trip to the northwest!  What a brave soul!  Keep an eye on his progress at http://www.departgallery.blogspot.com/.

This is a photo of a field south of Heyworth, one of my favorite scenes to paint.

This Weekend at the Market plus a Bronzclay class coming up!

Saturday I will be featuring some mixed metal jewelry pieces, using bronze, copper & silver.  It's time also to feature jewelry for Dads, with Father's Day arriving June 17th.  Let me know if there is something special I can make for him.

Next Saturday after the market, we're traveling to Decatur to give the second Bronzclay class for that area.  It will be held at MCM Designs Bead Shop, her website is http://www.mcm-designs-beads.com/.  Scroll down to see a little about the last class, even some photos of students work.  If you'd be interested in taking a class in making Bronzclay, please call, email or drop by the market in downtown Bloomington so we can discuss what dates will work for you.  This is exactly what happened last week when Lori Swango stopped by.  We are thinking either June 16 or June 30, after the  market, and held in the former Bead Parlor, located in the loft at 318 N. Main, just around the corner from the market.

We are loving our new space at the market.  Finally, the artists and farmers are integrated again.  It works so much better for everyone, and all booths get the same traffic.  So far the music right across the street has been great, and we're hoping it stays that way, of course that is one of the very subjective areas in life.  Everyone has different tastes, and different levels of LOUDNESS in their music preference!  We'll enjoy it anyway!

Here's a photo of an old, obviously deteriorating building, one side of it with a cool broken window.  It's part of the Weldon Springs State Park southeast of Clinton.  It's a great easy hike to an old abandoned farm that was purchased by the IL DNR a few years ago, so that drainage problems from a creek running through this farm and into the lake at the Springs, could be fixed.  It's very peaceful, beautiful, and we could walk there every day if we could, that's how much we enjoy it.   Some day I am going to paint this window...a picture...not the actual window!!

Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market & Artist's Alley

So I missed opening day of the market.  I certainly wished I hadn't!  We did set up at the Peoria Heights Tower Park art fair...where it rained most of the morning.  Not many attendees or sales either.  So I learned my lesson there. 

I am very glad to be back at the market, in a new space with lots of new work.  I am going to have Free Jewelry Cleaning, limit of 3 pieces per person, that morning.  I use a Speedbrite Ionic Cleaner.  It is perfectly safe for stones and pearls/opals/turquoise.  I also have some new paintings that I am pretty proud of. 

Steve has been working on some new sculptured bronze pieces, not really jewelry, but he uses the same metal clay.  I think he's gotten pretty good.  I will get some photos posted soon of his Rocket, Flying Saucer, and Bronze bells.

Here's a brooch I made early in the bronze clay-making:

Peoria Heights Fine Art Fair

The Peoria Heights Fine Art Fair is scheduled for this Saturday, May 12 at Tower Park, located at 4607 N. Prospect Road.  It will run from 10 am to 5 pm.  I do not know our booth information at this time.  I do know this fair is a high quality fair, with beautiful fine art of all categories.  You will be able to find a perfect piece of art for Mother's Day gifting!!

Spring Bloom Art Fair

This Saturday starts the 2012 art fair season for us.  The McLean County Art Center's Spring Bloom Art Fair is held this year at the Interstate Center, also known as the McLean County Fairgrounds, at 1106 Interstate Dr., Bloomington.   At this point I don't know the booth location, but I'm sure it will be easy to find.   Hopefully.  This is a very nice facility with great parking.  But it's a drive for those living in East Bloomington/Normal, but not a particularly hard one.  So I hope we have a good crowd.  There is a $5 admission fee.  
http://www.mcaart.org/mcac/html/springbloomartistinfo.html

We have some great new jewelry pieces, and Steve has really gotten involved with making bronze sculptures.  I think everyone will love the spaceship, the rocket, and especially a great sounding bronze bell.  I will have my miniature oil paintings also.  I love to paint, and have so many ideas and photos, but not enough time to get everything done.  I envy Dylan Punke, photographer, who will be at Spring Bloom also.  He's heading out northwest, on his bicycle, for a summer road trip, leaving in June.  How nice it would be to travel and collect photos and ideas for months at a time, with no worries as to having to set up for an art fair.  Or worries about the competition and worries of am I going to sell anything.    It gets to be pretty stressful during Art Fair Season!

Spring is here, and shows are starting!

It's been so beautiful this spring, and now our shows are starting in just a couple of weeks. I've been enjoying the pressure-free days, but now this is starting to change. Beginning April 28, our art fair season begins. Once again every weekend something is planned. Many will be the half-day markets in downtown Bloomington, which is really nice let me tell you! Most of the time those markets are great, enjoyable, and profitable. But, always there's the threat of weather related problems...which does put a dent in the pleasure and profit column. With the weekend long events, one hopes for at least one day of good weather with a good outcome.

I took part in the DBA market's application review board meeting this week. A group of the vendors and myself and my husband, the lone artists, met with the chairwoman, Marisa, to decide particulars for the market. One great result was that we now are going to be located on Jefferson St, about mid block pretty close to the band. This is where I started 9 or 10 years ago, and am thrilled to be back there! It will be great to be in a spot sheltered a bit more from the wind on Center Street.

I also have a Bronzclay class scheduled next Saturday, the 14th at MCM Designs Bead Shop in Decatur. They are located at 2885 N. Oakland, Decatur, IL. Contact Diane at (217) 791-5169 to sign up...as far as I know there are still openings.

I had some jury photos taken by a professional artist in March...hoping to get accepted into some "higher end" shows this year. I don't know if this will be of any help, but it's worth a try. I have heard of many, many artists being rejected or placed on waiting lists by show coordinators, even though their work is outstanding or that they have taken part in the show before. There are sooooooooo many artists that it is becoming an overwhelming task to get accepted anymore. I wanted to retire last year. I know I will at the end of this year!

Artfire Curated Collection....I'm In!

How great to see my work included in Metal III - from Chains to Forged

Metal III - from ...

Curated By: DreamStonesby...

Indie Design

Fast Fire Bronzclay class coming up.....

Fast Fire Bronzclay is great. It shrinks very little - 10% - unlike the original at 20%, fires in a shorter period of time inside the kiln. Best of all, it does not warp! There is one issue with the clay...when cz's or other stones are embedded in the fresh clay, the stones (which usually are fine with the firing) come out of the kiln with a cloudy film. I've learned to embed any stones in original first, attach it to the unfired Fast Fire, then when fired together the stones look fine.

Fast Fire does not acquire the multi-colored kiln patina. Out of the kiln it has a darkish coating which needs to be scrubbed away with a steel brush, soap & water. A beautiful golden color shines as the end result. Unless you prefer to add color. You can use Liver of Sulfur solution, Gilders Paste, or alcohol ink. I've used all three and like them all. Once colored or left golden, an acrylic coating should be used to keep the bronze from tarnishing...which is really more of an "oranging"...it can get an orangey cast over time. The pendant in the photo has no color added. The earrings have some Pitch Black Adirondack Alcohol Ink coloring.

The class will be held at the Bead Parlor, downtown Bloomington, 318 N. Main, on February 11th, 1:30pm, usually lasts a couple of hours. Please contact Jeff, the Bead Dude, at http://www.thebeadparlor.com/

The Garlic Press in Uptown Normal continues to carry my work, and some new pieces were taken in last week...!