Parts of Art

 It happened again today. I’m at an art show with my Parts of Art jewelry. Now mind you, my inventory is pretty extensive, since last year we went into pause mode on shows and I spent extra time making wearable art. Still though, sometimes at the end of the day of making jewelry I look at the work and think “Oh. My. God. What was I thinking? Who would wear this?” So on and so on. That inner dialogue can just go like a runaway train. But then, I go to a show and put out my wares, and sooner or later here she comes.        We had a wonderful time sharing our love for wearable art as well as a few laughs. She had spotted it right away in my display case, and although I showed her a few other pieces, this was clearly the one I made for her before we met. And we both knew it. There were earrings that matched the bracelet, but she said that in her opinion “matching” is for older women. Then she added that “When I turn 70, which is soon, I might come back for those!” ...

     The weekend before Thanksgiving I participated in the Eau Gallie Art Fair in Melbourne, Florida. What a great experience that was! It was my last show for the season and I finished with a bang! So, it’s wrap for 2019.  Once again I had the privilege of meeting the women that I made the pieces for. Here are some of them:  She was on the hunt for something fun and festive, not too much, not too little, something that would show up against her hair and bring on the razzle dazzle.  She made an immediate connection with this piece, dubbed femme du bois- woman of the woods.  Her husband convinced her to try it on,    and as soon as she did there was this great sparkle.  This woman is clearly a lover of color and this pair of orange dangles spoke to her.  I have to admit sometimes I wonder- who would ever wear this? And then she comes along, and WOW! They were definitely made for her!  ...

       Here’s a  couple pages from my current illustrated journal, entitled Autumn to Winter 2019.        Both pages pretty much tell the story of life in the studio.          I am full tilt in production mode in the studio. I have three shows- yes, three- in November; one in Indiana and two in Florida. Here’s my schedule . I am happy to have shows on my calendar because it keeps me in production mode. I’m also thrilled to be heading to Florida because I am going to meet my first grandchild!! And visit family and friends and do two art shows.   My workday in the studio starts with a page of the journal. I add color, then (if my cat doesn’t walk through it) come back the next day and add to it. Eventually the journal gets filled and it’s time to start another one. The collection of journals is growing, and each one is full of ideas for future paintings and mixed media pieces. It wi...

    This weekend I will be set up at the historic and beautiful Indiana State Museum, where I will be one of the featured artists at the Indiana State Art Show.          One thing I love about this show it’s INSIDE! It is one of the few shows I do that is not out in the elements under a white tent. Of course it IS Indiana and it IS still winter, so I’m very glad to be doing a show inside!        I also love that artists from every county of Indiana display their wares. It is a vivid and variegated group of talented artists that I feel honored to be among. This year there will be a series of demonstrations by some of the artists. I will be demonstrating how to make a pair of earrings from a kit.         I love the people who come to the show. Last year the weather was horrible, which prevented a lot of people from showing up. The show promoter was actually apologizing for the lack of customers (...

This has always been one of my very favorite shows. I was in it twice, then not invited back for whatever reason. Juried art shows are very competitive, and that’s all I can say about it! So after many years, and after moving far far away, I decided to apply. I figured, hey, I’ve quit my job, so I can travel, and it would be amazing to be in Florida right about now. So hallelujah, I got accepted. So I am heading south tomorrow morning and I must say, I can’t wait to be back. I love this show for many reasons. 1. First, they feed us. Yes indeed, they serve hot, home cooked breakfast and lunch to their artists, and then they give us a party, complete with dinner, beer and wine. What’s not to love? 2. Second, the quality of the art is top notch. Check out the video that shows the artist lineup and you’l see what I mean. Where I’ll be this weekend    Wait for it on the video- the categories are shown in alphabetical order, so of course I being a W am at the end! B...

Getting into shows is one thing, getting to shows is quite another. So how do you get to shows?       It does take some kind of large cargo space on wheels to accommodate everything needed for an outdoor art show. The artist, after all, is responsible to bring their tent, inventory, props, tables, shelves, displays, lighting and anything else needed to make the booth into a veritable outdoor gallery. In my years of doing shows I have seen people pull up in vans, pick ups, mini vans, step vans, buses, mobile homes, and UHauls of all sizes.        I have also used many of the above mentioned transports to get there. The best transport of all, however, I have used for the past 7 years, ever since my father passed away and left me his sporty  bright yellow Chevy Cobalt.     When I first inherited this little gem of a car, I was still using my husbands old jeep to get there. Obviously, one look at the Chevy would tell you there wa...

       I had taken a one year break from doing shows, and was ready to re-enter the arena. Living at the time in northern Florida, the intent was to find juried art shows within a 200 mile radius. This one looked promising, and was within 2 hours of home. I filled out the paperwork, got accepted, and packed my van.    The day before the show I was talking to a friend who, as it turns out, is from that very town. He proceeded to tell me in a very colorful way that nothing good ever happens there, and that it’s the most unlikely place to have an art show. They were not very encouraging words, and they definitely put a damper on my mental state. But hey, I’d already gotten accepted in the show and reserved my hotel. Hell, my van was already packed! I was going.       Upon arrival it was a warm Spring day and the venue was a well manicured park on a lake. It was indeed a beautiful setting, and the feeling was p...

I am excited to announce that Parts of Art will be showing at: Palmer Park Art Fair Detroit MI June 2 & 3 Talbot Street Art Fair Indianapolis IN June 16 & 17 Please come and see my latest pieces at one of these fine shows.  When you come, mention my blog and you will receive 20% off your purchase.  See you there!

To my loyal followers and future fans, here is where you can find me in the coming weeks.  After surviving strong wind gusts and damp chilly air in Palmer Park last weekend, I am happy to report that my booth as well as my inventory is intact and ready to do it again! I hope to see you soon at one of these venues:  May 20th          Brick Street Market, Zionsville IN June 3 & 4        Butchertown Art Fair, Louisville KY June 17 &18     Talbot Street Art Fair, Indianapolis (waitlist) July 7 -9           Art in the Park, Ft Wayne In  July 29 & 30      Glenview Art Fair, Glenview IL August 11-13     Salt Fork Art Festival (waitlist) Sept. 16 &17     Park Forest Art Fair, Park Forest, IL  Sept. 22- 24       Funky Ferndale, Ferndale, MI Oct. 7               Monument Circ...

      So what do you do when you are an artist and you find yourself away from your work, your home, your husband, your cats and your art studio for several weeks because you are called upon to care for a loved one who is recovering from surgery? When you are not making money or going to work, but being a caregiver for someone you dearly love, someone who is not in a dire life and death state, but who needs you all the same. 5 things to do while care - giving 1. Be the best caregiver you can be. Everything else can and will wait. Being the best means getting enough calories, sleep, and exercise so you can give of yourself. And lots of coffee.  2. Re-discover blogging. Need ideas?  Here's enough to keep you blogging til the cows come home: http://thecolorist.blogspot.com/2011/09/101-artists-blog-topics.html 3. Spend time drawing every day. Drawing could be doodling while on the phone, doing quick sketches for that collage you've always wanted t...

You are invited to come visit me in my booth at any of these fine shows: February 4 Winter Garden market, Orlando February 5 Lake Eola market, Orlando February 11 Winter Garden market, Orlando February 12 Lake Eola market, Orlando February 18 & 19 100 Artists Show, St. Petersburg February 25 & 26 Delray Beach March 3 & 4 Cocoa Village Craft Show March 10 Riverside Art Market, Jacksonville March 17 Riverside Art Market, Jacksonville March 31 & April 1 St. Pete Beach When you go to any one of these markets, look for my colorful and funky booth. Believe me, it is one of a kind, just like the jewelry! And it is positively full of new stuff!! If you simply cannot make it to any of my shows, but still MUST have a Parts of Art jewelry piece, there's still a way!! Go to sandyartparts.etsy.com and you will see right there on the screen before you all kinds of tantalizing choices. Once you make your selection and go to pay for it, type in ARTPARTS111 where it says "enter...