Last Farmer's Market of the season!

OK, I'm pleased to tell you my location for my last Downtown Des Moines Farmer's Market will be on the South Side of 2nd street, 4-5 booths in.  We haven't been on 2nd street all year, so it's great to be back.. we will be close to Uncle Wendell's  booth, which has to die for BBQ and bakery goods, so that's lovely!!  I know what I'll be eating for lunch on Sat!

It's my last show as well for the year.. unless something pops up, which could happen -- good chance I'll probably at least do some sort of artist meet and greet again at Five Monkeys, but no date on that yet, that's sort of tentative.

I'm looking forward to my winter season to charge batteries and new designs... I've got some ideas sitting in my sketch book and my head... and I'm in the mood to create, so I'm thinking this winter will be fantastic!!   I'm also excited that I have a girl's weekend coming up.. just a quickie shopping trip in Omaha but still, anytime I can get together with the girls.. life is good!

Last show this coming Sat

So my last show ( that I know of, I suppose that could change if something good came up) is for this coming Saturday.  Downtown Des Moines Farmer's Market 8-12 .  Note the hour change.. we go to 8-noon hours for the last month of the market.  I'll confirm my location next blog, but it will probably be on the main drag right around 2nd st corner ( by the bathrooms again)

After doing a summer with fewer shows ( only 12 -- most years we do 20-24, one year we did 28 - ack!) I think I like the slower pace.  It really helps I'm in a great gallery here in Des Moines... huge shout out to Five Monkeys  ! My online sales have picked up this year.  So I think we will stick to a  smaller show schedule next year as well.  I want to get a Omaha show in again, and maybe one in Minnesota.  But for the most part, sticking close to home this year worked great.

I'm looking at getting into more galleries, and maybe this winter I'll finally actually try to get my Etsy up to date.  As always, if you see something in the blog or facebook and you want it, just email me and I'll ship it to you-- happens all the time!

lucky penny

Once upon a time, I carried a Victorian penny in my pocket.  I had it for 3-4 years, and it just made me feel good, like only a lucky penny can make a kid feel good.  I don't exactly remember where I got it, I think my Dad gave it to me... at the time I collected coins so I'm just not sure.  It was from, I believe, 1887,  and it was so special that I owned something that was so old.

When my pet cat died when I was 12, I buried the penny with Taffy.  Taffy was my best friend.  Taffy gave me so much in life, I felt like I had to give him something in death, and what else would a 12 year old have that meant so much?  

I've never regretted it.  Still I missed the magic of carrying that penny, and while a penny at age 47 isn't probably as magical as it is at 12 ---  when I found this Victorian penny (from 1901) and it already had a hole in it -- I couldn't resist.  I've put it on a lobster call and it's gonna be the zipper pull for my light jacket.  Let the luck commence.

Propellers

Propellers are such a fun finding, here are 2 versions.  The top necklace uses all modern bits, but I love the antique feel to this piece.


The bottom necklace is on a vintage locket, and front plate from a vintage timer.

When I use propellers I try to leave them movable when possible.  That's actually harder than it sounds, any pressure on them and they lock up and won't move.. so when I do them I use screws and nuts, and hope I don't over hammer it, making it stiff.  I usually glue the screws after I hammer them, it's both to make sure the nut doesn't get loose and to make sure there is nothing sharp to poke or catch.

I'm feelin' lazy......

So no grand words today, just pics of recent projects.  enjoy!

Art is everywhere!

Recently when we were traveling, we spotted this indentation in the side walk ---  poor frog!!  But I had to take a picture... it's accidental art.  Seriously, just open your eyes and you will see art everywhere you turn.  The several different shades of green in the passing landscape. The really graceful lines and curves in the giant windmill that dot Iowa.  The flight of a bird across the pure cloudless blue sky.  All of it is so beautiful, and so meaningful, if you just open your mind.

I get asked how I come up with my designs.  Sometimes I sketch, but more often than not, I just take stuff out to "play" with, and eventually I spot the pattern the beauty and start combining things.  You just have to open your mind up and it wonder the landscape around you.

Where art starts... a huge, messy pile on my desk!

Farmer's Market this weekend.....

Jerry and I will be at Downtown Des Moines Farmer's market this Saturday 7-12pm.  We are in a new spot-- on court between 2nd and 1st, close to the bathrooms.
As always stop by and say his!

http://www.desmoinesfarmersmarket.com/

Artapalooza

Artapalooza continues to be one of my favorite art shows.... despite the weather being cold and windy in the morning, the fine folks in the Cedar Falls IA area came out in droves to support artists and the show.  We were so busy we didn't have a proper lunch, and by the time 4pm rolled around, I was so tired I could barely see straight!   So yeah, sales were good.  But the best thing about Artapalooza is how friendly everyone is, from the show organizers and volunteers to our customers.  It's just a joy to set up in Cedar Falls every year!

More gear bling in time for Artapalooza!!!!!!

This weekend Jerry and I will be at Artapalooza in Cedar Rapids IA 9-4pm

Come see the newest pieces of my gear bling series-- and several other fine artist for one of the best art shows in Iowa-- it's certainally one of my favorites.

King of the Sea

I'm so pleased how Octy turned out!  My fierce warrior of the sea, made out of clock and watch parts, and the wings are special... part of a Volkswagen speedometer!   I know I've seen a WWI or WWII poster that had a standing victory brandishing a  shield and sword, and that was definitely in my mind as I made this.  The chain is nice copper vintage chain from a misc. jewelry box lot I got.

Come see my Noble Sea King at Farmer's Market in Downtown Des Moines Tomorrow 7-12pm!

Figuring out the best configuration for the wings.. out of a 1960's Volkswagen speedometer 

Sketch that started it all