gray girl art

My charming little family

Those are me and my guys in that there photo.
My support system.
My go get 'em team.

So very grateful.
So generously blessed.

I'm applying for some new shows this year, and it's all about the photos.
Well, it is about the quality of work that comes through the photos.
I hope to get some good ones soon, you know it's one of my bug-a-boos, getting decent images.

One time, I applied for a juried show and found out I knew one of the judges. She said I didn't get in because my work didn't 'POP!'. Usually that's exactly what my chalkboards do in person, pop with color and enthusiasm, so this photo situation is of great interest to me.

In the meantime, I have new ceramic ideas twirling around in my head and on paper.
Ooh, fun stuff!

with much gratitude,
Tonya

Seattle Flower and Garden Show 2012

Part of the booth set up from Seattle.

We had a great show. So many wonderful shoppers in Seattle, I love it there. My booth neighbors were friendly and helpful, the Show Gardens were inspiring, there were quite a few 'cafe garden' scenes; French bistro tables and chairs surrounded by flowers, just lovely.
Sold out of my little bird on a wire spoon rests, so that was informative, a) that I didn't bring enough, and b) that the lower price point is still a hit. My new larger chalkboards did well, too.
One style has this great school house red chalkboard paint, love it, and I paint the birds on a wire towards the top so there is plenty of writing room.
The other new style that I've been playing with is painting flowers right on top of the chalkboard paint, again so there is plenty of writing room, and each one is different.
Fun!

I'm getting ready for the opening weekend of the Portland Saturday Market + the Portland Gift Show, a wholesale show that is super sweet. Both are the same weekend, March 3 & 4, so I will do the Gift Show and Tom will man the booth at the Market.
What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man.

with gratitude,
Tonya

It's a new year

I am busily creating for the BIG Seattle show next month,
the Flower and Garden show.
Held in February, 5 days, incredibly long hours (9am-8pm),
and so very beautiful.

I have not had access to the family camera,
and I do have fun new chalkboards to share.
So I'll post those before I leave for the show.

The end of the season at the Portland Saturday Market
was a little slow, but well worthwhile.
And now that the Market is closed for Jan/Feb,
it's been so nice to stay home on the weekends!

xo
with gratitude,
Tonya

I'll be at two art+craft shows this weekend.

Llewellyn Elementary in the Sellwood/West Moreland neighborhood Friday and Saturday:
6301 SE 14th, Portland, OR
Friday November 4th 2:30pm-6pm
Saturday November 5th 10am-4pm

Abernathy Elementary in the Ladd's Addition neighborhood, Sunday:
2421 SE Orange, Portland,OR
Sunday November 6th 11am-4pm

Both are free, and chock full of good arty goodness! Stop on by!

The fabulous art of doing trades

I am working on a custom coat rack for an artist, birds on a wire with the words:Put a coat on it
A tongue in cheek reference to the show, Portlandia, and their turn of phrase:Put a bird on it. It seems every other crafter in Portland enjoys putting birds
on their handmade goodies, and the show was poking fun at that.

We are in the transition stage at the Market where tourists are waning, summer is closed, and fall is crisp. Visitors are fewer and shopping for the holy days are not quite here.

It was good to have a day at home with the family. Apple-pear crisp and a nice long walk. Volunteering at the middle school for a fundraiser, and playing with friends.

with gratitude,
Tonya

Market Day

I'll be at the Portland Saturday Market this coming Saturday.
I've got custom orders being picked up and high hopes for a clear and busy day.

Sunday I'll be volunteering at the 5K Fundraiser for our kiddos middle school, so I won't be at the Market then.

I have new ideas to play with and some art + craft shows to consider for the future.
Good stuff!

with gratitude,
Tonya

Here's where it's at

Ah, yes, the busy season is upon us crafter artisans.
Mid-October plans for November shows and wholesale deliveries.
And then December shows and more wholesale deliveries.

The OHSU Farmers Market was beautiful and well worthwhile. Hurrah!
This past Saturday at the Portland Saturday Market was way awesome,
tons of visitors and shoppers, many in town for the Portland Marathon the next day.

Right now I am preparing for a wholesale show this weekend, so I won't be at The Market.
I haven't done a wholesale show in a few years.
They can be very taxing on time and energy, and I haven't been up for the task.
But I am now.

I have a few news goodies to share.
I hope to reconnect with previous accounts,
pick up some new exciting stores, and have many engaging interactions.

I'll be back at Portland Saturday Market on Oct. 22nd.

See you then!
with gratitude,
Tonya

See you Saturday (but not on this Sunday), at Portland Saturday Market!

If only I had the picture now...

Now that I have successfully developed the birds on a wire ceramic spoon rest,
I've created a rustic salt bowl to go them.
If I can find the camera, I'll post an image tomorrow.

Salt bowls, de sel (salt in French), are for cooking or for the table.
Shallow little pots for holding spices for flavoring your food.

Or maybe it will hold your rings while you do the dishes, or house a tea light on the kitchen table for a little ambience.

I'm also at the Harvest Festival at OHSU tomorrow. The big teaching hospital has a weekly farmers market of local food. Isn't that awesome?
I think it'll be a blast.

with gratitude,
Tonya