The Shopping Extravaganza at Art Unraveled 2011

Had a ball today at the Shopping Extravaganza!  Met a Facebook friend in person -- Jen Cushman.  Saw all the friends I set out to see:  Jack and Cat Curio, Tricia Samsal, Shirley the Artsy Fartsy Fairy, and Jennifer and Wendy of Mystic Paper.

Lesley, me and Mike.  Haven't seen them in ages!  Was so good to see them and catch up!

This is Thomas Ashman of New Mexico.  I loved his dollies!  He calls them Dollies de Los Muertos.  Frankly, I think they are a vast improvement on Catrina who is a favorite of celebrants of Dia de Los Muertos.

He told me they were Goodwill finds he decorated!  Loved them!

Loved this Magnolia Pearl outfit.  She was so busy talking that I didn't have a chance to talk to her myself.  She makes beautiful scarves to go with slip dresses.  Of course, I LOVED the Magnolia Pearl outfit.

Longest stretch Hummer limo I have ever seen!  You could get lost in there!

My only purchase!  I bought this from Karen Lackey of Starshine Salon.  Karen is a fellow dealer in Merchant Square.  I had no idea she was into the artsy stuff.  This form is going into my booth as a display piece.  She is covered with white burlap and weighted at the bottom so she won't fall over.  I see jewelry on her.  I see decorated corsets on her -- although she may be too small for that.  We shall see and I promise to share!

Somerset Studio Gallery Winter 2010

I just received the newest issue of Somerset Studio Gallery. I have two pieces that are published in this issue. The first one I knew about, the second one I didn't. Nice surprise!! The Haunted Neighborhood (p. 74) I knew was going to be published. I love this piece! I even taught it as a class at Mystic Paper over a year ago. It actually stands up and if you place the light just right, the round windows in the attics of the houses glow with the scary images in there! Several images are from the vast stores of my BFF Mike Putman of Jack and Cat Curio.

This next piece I didn't know was going to be published. I had submitted this over a year ago for the Black and White call that Somerset Studio had. Didn't make that issue but it made the Gallery.

I love this Hollywood Vamp (p. 139) is a favorite of mine. I love that woman. She is really a vamp! I got this image from Mike, too. Thanks, Mike!!

Shopping with Joy

Yesterday my friend Joy and I headed to 7th Avenue in Phoenix to visit several favorite places. We began our trip by stopping by my booth in Merchant Square. The Square is having a big 4 day sale this weekend beginning today. I needed to drop off a couple of vintage hats and tidy up before the sale.

Then we headed to 7th Avenue and the first stop was Melrose Vintage. I love this shop! I so wanted to buy a ruffly pink throw for my bed, but it was out of my price range. Instead I snagged a few goodies for my art work.Joy found the mother-of-pearl trim. It is really nice! So we each bought a small bit of it. There wasn't much left on the trim card. Glad we found it before it was gone! I also bought some velvet trim that felt "old". Can't describe it other than it was slightly stiff and wrinkled looking. I also bought some flowers to incorporate in a project that I am currently working on.

Joy found this copy of "Blissfully Traveled" that is published by my blissful friend Tricia Samsal of Vintage Bliss. I often see Tricia at Merchant Square during the parking lot flea market at their sale weekends throughout the year. Tricia is either selling from her flea market spot or buying from others.

Inside the "Blissfully Traveled" magazine I found a layout for Merchant Square. AND, a picture of my booth -- bottom left! I was so excited to see that! There is also a close up picture of one of my painted ladies with her yellow hat -- she is at center right of my booth picture.

Also discovered in this issue is a layout for Mystic Paper. And, my BFF Mike Putman of Jack and Cat Curio is responsible for the cover photo! Wow! This was the last issue at Melrose Vintage so I scooped it up!

Tomorrow I will have more to tell you about our shopping trip! If you live in the area, be sure to check out the flea market at Merchant Square tomorrow morning! And the store opens at 8 a.m. so you can shop the booths. Every dealer inside the store is offering at least 10% off and most offer even more! You won't be disappointed!

Just helpin' out

Mike Putman, a good friend (my BFF and one who "gets it"), asked me to help him out with his beeswax class yesterday at Mystic Paper. So I did. I did not plan to make a beeswax collage with the class, I was there to help the students. However, Mike had prepped a canvas and applied the background paper on it as a demo. He then tells me I can have that one to do a collage with the class. How could I refuse!Here are the ladies in the class hard at work assembling their collages before going to the beeswax table.This is my finished piece. The thing I like most about this is the white script on the final piece. It is stamped on and I love the effect on the center photo. The other thing that you cannot see in this picture is the lovely copper/gold effect on the finished collage. It is done with Pearl Ex. It really gave everyone's finished collage that extra punch to make it special!

Thanks, Mike!

My artistic friend who thinks I am swell (!!??), Mike Putman, has bestowed on me the "I love your blog" award! Thanks so much, Mike!! Too bad I can't pass it back because your blog is one of my favorites, along with Paris Cowgirl. And between those two bloggers, they named a lot of the blogs I read regularly! However, since I was asked to pass it on, I will do so to some blogs that I find full of creativity and beauty -- both written and photographed.

Sandra Evertson: because her storytelling is fantastic and I love her extraordinary creations!

Rebecca Sower: because of her lovely art and the feeling that I am a lot like her in spirit!

The Cowboy's Sweetheart: because I love Deb Trotter's cowgirl-themed creations and envy the beautiful country that surrounds her! Yeehaw!

Vintage Flair: because of all the pretty, girlie things!

There! Now you have a few of the blogs that I visit and read regularly. Thanks, ladies, for all your blogs!