Monday, November 22, 2010

A Big Week

It has been a good, if busy week. A bit star-studded!

Monday we saw David Sedaris at our local bookstore. I should probably say we HEARD, rather the saw, him. The bookstore was jam packed and we were behind a very tall shelf. Now and then -- when the stool police weren't passing by -- we would stand on a little stool and could see him briefly.

Didn't matter. When Sedaris is involved, it's what he says, not what he looks like. He spoke for about an hour, reading from his newest book, then signed autographs.

We didn't stay for that, but I'm told he was extremely gracious and took time with everyone.

And yes, he was very funny. Now I really want to read his book -- it's a shame that one of the stories he read was omitted from it -- the editor said it was too much.

Then it was art sale time. I've been busy finishing so many projects. Here are a few... Small stars, collaged with pages from a French book (Thank you, Tara!) and glittered up (those are above)... And journals large and small.

Matchbox ornaments. My inspiration came from posts by Linda Jo, Patty and Nathalie.

Purses and scarves, of course...

...and cards. These are the collaged cards, but I also had note cards with photos from Paris and France.

...and these watercolor cards are new this year. There were several different designs.

I was very fond of the Christmas cards. The watercolors below are new and I also had fun with ribbon and holiday embellishments. I may do more of these for Christmas.

These didn't photograph so well as I'd like, but they are laminated counter samples, collaged and beribboned.

I also had some fairy forest trees -- bottle brush trees that were bleached, hand-painted and glittered, inspired by posts by Linda and Karla. And of course, you saw the peat pots and bird houses earlier.

I have to say, it was a wonderful show -- and while the traffic seemed slow (let's compete against a home football game and the annual tree-lighting/holiday parade) it was very good indeed and I did perhaps better than expected.

The house looked beautiful, and it's always fun to see your things in a "different light." This is some of Jane's jewelry -- but it gives you an idea of the setting.

Even more fun where there are spaces where your merchandise used to be!

I'll admit a universal hatred to pricing things -- People expect items to be inexpensive because they are made by a person, not sold in a store. I won't do that -- I work with good materials (especially yarn) and I'd rather keep it and share it than undersell.

But not to worry -- I still have good things left over for Christmas and to add to my November blog drawing!

(Don't forget, you are entering my November drawing when you comment!)

18 comments:

joyce said...

hi jeannie...I've missed you! And perfect timing on my part, I do love all your crafts...but especially the collage ones, I've tried that but mine don't turn out nearly as well as yours!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

We are reading a Sedaris book for my December local book club! So cool that you got to hear him read. I have never seen an author read his/her work before!

One of my good friends keeps telling me that I should open up an Etsy shop and sell the things I knit... but I also like to use high quality yarn and I just don't think people would spend what I think my items are worth. So I know what you mean w/ the pricing conundrum...

Linda Jo said...

Oh my!!! Such beautiful stuff you made!!! I'm very impressed at how productive you've been!!

Marilyn Miller said...

Your weekend sounds like it was spectacular. Oh, would I have loved coming to your sale. Now I have been wondering how do you make those green trees bleached and pink? I have seen others and wondered. Love the watercolor cards and the star with French paper. Did you contact Tara for the book? How special is that.

Barb said...

Hi Jeanie, I'd say you've been VERY busy! Your art offerings are wonderful - glad you made some good sales. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

Joanne Huffman said...

It was a great show. My gauntlets have already been admired. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving.

BECKY said...

Hi Jeanie! Such beautiful items! You are so talented! Glad to hear you did well, too. AND David Sedaris??!! Awesome! I'll have to see if he'll be at any book stores near me. I don't think I've ever laughed out loud as much as I did when I read "Me Talk Pretty One Day"!

Mae Travels said...

Your crafts look beautiful! Too bad you are just a little too far away from me... mae

Jessica said...

I understand what you mean about underselling don't do it I have done it too many times!!

Becca said...

Wow, this looks like an amazing event! What a busy bee you've been :)

jet1960 said...

Oh, I've been wondering how your sale went! So wish I lived close enough to have attended! Your offerings were amazingly beautiful and I know I would have had a hard time deciding what to purchase! Good to hear you did well! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

~*~Patty S said...

WOWEE Jeanie you have been busy!!!
Wonderful pics of your lovely creations and your matchboxes are really sweet...I've just been playing with some myself...again ;)
Happy Wednesday and Turkey Day!
oxo
p.s. I have a silly video I cannot wait to share on my Thanksgiving post

anno said...

Jeanie: you are amazing! I am totally blown away by the range and depth of your creativity (and productivity)! Am especially fond of your watercolor cards; if I put it together with the painting you showed from one of your weekends at the cottage, I'd think it points to an interesting new direction to explore. But maybe that's just me.

So glad the sale went well for you!

Relyn Lawson said...

I am so excited for you! Thrilled to hear how well your show went. Gorgeous, I tell you! You've got talent, my friend. Talent!

Christine said...

wow! what a week, so fun to see so much of the beauty you create :-)

Annie Jeffries said...

And a commenting I will go. Those little bottle brush trees are adorable. I hope, dispite the pricing, you had great success with you sale. You items are wonderful.

Yolanda said...

I've missed hearing from you. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

ForgedinPaper said...

I love the wedding cats and the sale looked lovely. You're right about people not understanding the work in handmade products and that is what gives them their charm rather than being mass produced. Glad it went well.

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