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.