Bangles!!!

Something new. Something Fun!

Graduation Gifts

This is a first. A 12x12 tile. Thinking of graduation gifts. People really like art with messages written on it. I'm not terribly clever, but I read this in a catalog and liked it for all the graduates. I tend to like messages that are funny, but not sarcastic or cynical. Any ideas? Any favorites? I also thought about plopping an initial cut out in the middle. I've been playing and I think I might be on to something new. We'll see if it sells. The boxes below are mostly for graduation gifts of friends. The kids really like them and they are fun to paint. I'm feeling a little lost this week. My baby is in St. Thomas with a friend visiting the friend's St. Thomian family. It gives me a little idea of what it will be like next year when she graduates. It will be interesting. Well I'm off to Kinks and Quirks today with an order. It is a great spot to try new things and see if they work. Katie

Garden sculpture!

We have had fabulous weather lately and Bob and I have been spending time working in the yard. I am inspired by thinking about having a graduation party next spring for Molly. Otherwise, I'm not much into yard work. We had fun on Saturday making plans for what we wanted to do with the yard. We're making new beds, moving plants, planting new perrenials, etc. One thing that I am particularly inspired by is the leftover tower from our kids playset. It is way too big to move and all the screws and bolts are rusted into place. So I've decided to use it as a huge garden sculpture. But of course, I'm having a little getting started. Should I paint the whole thing or leave it natural? I think I'm going to plant some vines to go up the ladders--virginia creeper, morning glories? And then I think I might add some of my tiles and other wood "accoutrement." I'm also thinking of planting a little garden in the bottom part. Any ideas? I wonder what the homeowners association will say? This will be fun!

More birdhouses

I finally figured out how to get back on this blog. For some reason, I can't get in using my e-mail. I have to use my daughter's. Oh well. Here are some more birdhouses. I like them, but I've yet to get them into a store. I've sold two to family members but that isn't always as profitable.

I'm having a lot of fun painting things other than what is available online and to wholesalers. I'm really re-thinking the wholesale idea. We'll see. Right now isn't a good time to make any drastic changes.

I start my Photoshop class on Friday. I'm very excited and a little nervous. I'm sure when I get home I'm going to want to buy new toys.

I've got a big order to finish up this week and then I can play some more.

Thanks for looking. Katie

Birdhouses

The nice thing about working from home and not being swamped by orders for the same thing is that I get to play. I have an awesome woodcutter who made these birdhouses for me and I really had fun painting them. I'm getting ready to take them to a store here in town for consignment. Kinks, Quirks, and Caffeine has generously let me put just about anything I paint in their very fun store. If you ever get to Williamsburg, it is definitely the place to shop!

I'm really struggling with taking pictures of my pieces for the blog. I have no idea what I'm doing. Normally I have a professional photographer, Taylor Dabney, take my shots, but for the blog I can't really afford to do that. Any tips? Everyone else's seem so good.

Molly's play opens this week!! So I will be busy stressing for her. She, of course, is quite calm. Katie

The picture isn't great. But what do you think? You can compare it to the one at the top of the page.

I did have another customer order one for her store in Arkansas where the "Razorbacks" are. Apparently their colors are red and black.

I still think I like the green the best. What do you think?

Miss Molly as Hermia

Isn't this poster cool? I am Molly's biggest fan so I am a bit prejudice, but I think this poster is really cool. She is the fifth face down on the right. I've been spending a lot of time promoting the show. I painted the sandwhich boards for out in front of the school. Sorry, no picture. I

forgot to take one. I also put posters in many places of businesses as well as selling ads for the program. I think it is going to be a great show. The director is fabulous and really educates the kids as they put the show together. I can't wait to see it. For more info about Molly's show go to http://www.wjcc.k12.va.us/jhs/ and see their video ad.

Today I've started on a special order. A customer ordered a green leopard peppermill and S&P set. But she asked me to pull in some purple. I used to say no to special requests when I was going to market, but I thought I'd try this. I should finish it tonight and I'll take a picture for you to decide.

See ya, Katie