It was a Crafty Feast!

The Button Florist

Since I was able to go to the plant sale on Friday, I had all day Saturday to enjoy a craft fair in Columbia, S.C. My friend Jenni invited me to the event a few months back. We visited the Indie Craft Parade in Greenville last year and had a great time! This was similar (and we encountered some of the same vendors that were in Greenville). It's not often you get to experience so many good things in one place. Over 100 independent crafts from around the Southeast!! 
For me and Jenni, it's like being kids in a candy store. And it didn't hurt that we were 2 blocks from the state capital and around the corner from the beautiful USC campus. As with the plant sale, the weather threatened to ruin the day. But after a good downpour and some crazy wind, the sun resurfaced and the Crafty Feast was back into full swing.
The vendors are a real inspiration to me. So many great ideas come from wanting to re-purpose, recycle and reuse items and keep them out of the landfill. The items they produce are beautiful, often wearable and downright creative. Check out the link and support these vendors in their creative endeavors. And go out and see a craft fair near you!

Crafty Feast vendors
If you have any problems finding a vendor or connecting to their site, etc - please let me know. 

Happy Scraps

Orb Clothing

jellykoe

 

 

F.M.B.U

Craft making station at Crafty Feast

Jenny Mae Creations

Devine Ideas

Pandora's Button Box

Becky's Soap Shoppe

Three Bad Seeds

Safiya Alyse

The sewing station at Crafty Feast

Oh Spring, I love you!

I must confess...nothing makes me happier (except for art) than to put on some old clothes and play in the dirt. My fiance claims I play in the dirt more than most kids. And he's probably right!! As soon as the weather turns warmer - I'm outside. I love seeing all of the plants peep out of the ground - looking to make sure that old man winter is safely out of site. Spring is an awakening - for the Earth and for myself.

I have been waiting on the bi-annual plant sale at the Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve. This year weather threatened to put a damper on the sale. The organizers were smart and decided to have it on both Friday and Saturday. I ventured out on Friday morning and quickly realized I was the second person to arrive. Which means I could leisurely walk and take in all of the lovely plants without feeling rushed. (The plant sale over the past few years has turned into a BIG thing.) This also meant I would have my Saturday to attend another event.

I gathered my loot from the sale, came home and preceded to replant, re-pot and rejuvenate my back porch. Now, it time to buy that bistro table and enjoy some outdoor weather!

Welcome back Spring...I've missed you!

I'm about to be a world traveler...

One of the best aspects about being involved in the Sketchbook Project was the ability to meet new artists all over the world. The Art House site allows you to send "friend request" to artists you would like to get to know better. I found that my friend list was filled with people from all over the world. Places like Australia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, France and Malaysia.

I started following the blog of Australian artist, Jessica Mack, and really gained inspiration from her ever-growing enthusiasm for life. She seems to never have the dreaded "artist block" (some of you may know it better as writer's block). I think this stems from being extremely active in the art community. Making connections with other artists, bloggers and all around crafty people. The more you see, the more you are inspired. You tend to soak up little pieces of information and translate them into your own art.

Jessica made a traveling journal and asked other artists to join in the fun. It was so popular (and she knows so many lovely artists) it filled up quickly. That wasn't going to stop Jessica. She just made another one! As of right now, we have 9 of the potential 11 slots filled. The journal is currently headed to France and I'll get my chance to contribute in about 2 months. (We have a deadline of 2 weeks for each artist). Take a moment to visit her blog and see what I'm involved in. 
The Traveling Journal - Around the World

A big Thank You goes out to Jessica for making this possible and for supporting the arts - here and abroad!

Don't forget...sign-ups for The Sketchbook Tour 2012 will start on the 15th!!
Art House Co-op Projects

So many sketchbooks...so little time!

 

 

Joanna Price from Seattle, WA

Well, as you all know, this past weekend was the Sketchbook Tour's appearance in Atlanta, GA. I made the trip with my friend, Jenni and my daughter, Jenna. We had a great trip filled with art, food and the sites of ATL. After fueling ourselves with some food, we went to The Granite Room to view the extensive collection of sketchbooks.
Once we were checked in, we were able to pick a theme (ex. from the project - It's Raining Cat and Dogs), select a artist, or pick a state/country. We were given 2 sketchbooks at a time to look at and then they were to be returned to the collection table. Then, it was back to the front to pick a new theme, etc. I can honestly say that I didn't pick up a sketchbook I was disappointed in. Every artist/participant has such a unique vision. It was incredible to see the differences (and often the similarities) in the works. You would have to be very close-minded not to bring something back from this experience.
I will gladly be a part of this project from now on. Thanks, Art House guys for getting me hooked!

Kelly Smith from Noblesville, IN

 

 

Frank Rivero from Cutler Bay, FL

 

Lucy Hopton from Williamstown, South Australia.

Hannah Hess from Menomonie, WI.

My Sketchbook's in ATL

     I can't EVEN express how happy I will be this weekend when I'm reunited with my sketchbook. I know what you are thinking. Does she really miss a sketchbook THAT much? The one word answer is YES!
     As soon as I read about this project through the Brooklyn Art Library, I couldn't resist. Who wouldn't love the opportunity to have their artwork travel around the U.S.? That's kind of what every artist dreams of, right? The guys at The Art House Co-op made this project possible for everyone. It was open to international artists, the occasional doodler and even stay at home moms. Sure, there are professional artists involved. But it wasn't limited to just them. The little guy (that would be me) finally had a voice.
     After working on a sketchbook for a few months, it becomes a part of you. You spend time daydreaming about what your next page should contain. You start to see inspiration in the smallest things. You chisel out time to work on it (you get upset when you can't). You start to think of it as your child - your creation.
     When it was time to send the sketchbook back to Art House, I had mixed emotions. Did I really want to send it away...never to be seen again (except on tour)? Would anyone even see the thing? What were the chances that my book would be seen by anyone?
    
     I came to this conclusion...
     This book will do more good OUT of my hands. It will be a part of The Brooklyn Art Library forever. I will be a part of something bigger than I could ever imagine (or do myself). Why should I be selfish and not share it?  
     Over 28,000 people signed up this year to be a part of the experience. Just under 10,000 books were returned and they are all on display. Do yourself a favor. If you love art and want to see a lot of it in one place...find a location near you and go check it out.
 Sketchbook Project Tour Dates

     What are you waiting for? Oh, the weekend, that's right : )

Here goes...

Welcome to Daily Dzynmkr!
I have been wanting to start my own blog for a while now. I'm not a blog expert (nor do I claim to be). Computer code kicks my butt more times than I like to admit - but I'm giving this thing a try. Over the course of this blog, the format may change slightly (as this is a learning experience).
The whole reason for doing this is to try something new. To pull myself out of my comfort zone. To share all the things that make me happy and inspire me.

Maybe, in some way, this blog will inspire you to make art, try a new recipe, grow a new plant, read a good book or to step out of your comfort zone. I hope you will follow me along on this little journey.