Art Expo

Last evening I went to the Animal Art Expo at the Seneca Park Zoo. This event is my favorite local event. The zoo keeps entry prices down, I'm sure so people will spend more money on art and raffle tickets! This event is for those 21 years of age and older and they have appetizers and a bar. The food is free with admission (only $3 in advance for Zoo members, $5 for everyone else) and there's a cash bar. The art work is actually created by the animals at the zoo! Some of the more prolific artists are Anna, the cougar, Aurora, the polar bear, and Admiral, the river otter. But pieces are done by many more critters as well. Some pieces are available to purchase immediately, then there is a silent auction, and many pieces are part of a raffle. They also had 2 spotlight auctions. These tickets are much more expensive, but the prizes are extra special. One was a painting by the 2 rhinos AND a meet and great with the artists themselves. The second was the one I tried to win (and lost). The prize was a yet unpainted picture by Aurora. The winner would be able to choose the colors Aurora would paint with and actually be there when she painted it! Not only that-she donated her chewed rubber toy! Talk about a conversation piece! I chose not to buy a piece right out, and I didn't win any of the raffle pieces. I got outbid in most of my silent auction pieces...but I refused to go home empty handed. I stayed by my final silent auction piece and won it! A small painting by Buffy, Xander, and Willow-the racoons!

Photo Phriday - Geographical Bookmarks Received

I recently wrote about an art exchange I did. These are the wonderful Geographical Bookmarks I received. Thank you so much Cathy, Gott Art, Eve, and Vicki.

Geographical Bookmarks

You asked...OK one person asked...but here's a picture of the bookmarks I made for a challenge. I didn't like my Rochester one-so I made 2 Buffalo. I'm not thrilled with the NY state one either, but...

Artistic Frustration

I recently entered a challenge. I need to make 4 bookmarks with a travel theme. Easy, right? I thought it was. I had some concepts. Well, I'm not happy with my results. They're OK-but not fabulous. I want fabulous. After all, people will be receiving these and I want them happy. I'm fairly happy with one, and another one will work-I need to do it over, but I think it'll work. The other two... I'm artistically frustrated. Ugh.

Creating

I've been making cards and jewelry all day. I think I'll make a few more cards before bath and bed. Tomorrow I'll get a few more supplies, spend some time with my horse, and create more stuff. If only the weekend would last longer!

Chain Maille

When I was in Texas one of my coworkers made chain maille. I don't recall what he did with it, but I remember him sitting with a bag full of small silver jump rings, putting them together with his pliers. Imagine my surprise when I went into AC Moore the other week and saw colored jump rings, to make chain maille jewelery. It was on sale, so I picked up a little instruction book and 2 packs of multicolored chain maiile, to give it a try. I'm hooked. The only problem is that the jump rings from AC Moore aren't anodized, meaning I can see silver in the space where they link together. I may consider trying to find better quality rings. I intend to make some stuff to sell at the craft show I'm doing, in addition to my cards. We'll see what happens.

Photo Phriday - Seneca & Christmas Phabric

"Rat hammocks? Why doesn't she ever make cat hammocks?"

Brockport Arts Festival

If there's one summer festival in WNY that I don't want to miss, it's the Brockport Arts Festival. I just got back, and, as always, had a great time. They changed location this year. It used to be right down Main Street, but this year it moved to the SUNY Brockport campus. They also added the 1st annual BBQ & Music Festival...and there was also a car show! Obviously, it was much bigger this year. There were lots of neat vendors and I was able to buy more Christmas gifts, as well as an anniversary present, and a few goodies for me! I had a nice chat with the friendly folks at Design a Tea. If you love tea-you must get some of theirs. The best part...you can design your own flavors! You pick a base tea (black, green, oolong, rooibos) and 1 or 2 flavors. I chose a black tea flavored with caramel and pecan. I just made a batch of it as iced tea-it's fantastic! I love summer festivals-I just wish it wasn't so hot! What's your favorite festival?

Corn Hill Arts Festival

Today I went to the Corn Hill Arts Festival for the first time. I had a nice time, buying lots of Christmas presents, plus a few goodies for me. They had all sorts of neat things-including furniture (I wanted some things, but no way could I carry it-and he wasn't local), fountains, neat garden stuff (cute ducks with a body of a rock and metal for the head and feet), paintings (I added to my animal art-The Pet Adoption Network has paintings by cats in their care! Cheap and for a wonderful cause.) jewelry, recycled items and much much more. Unfortunately, a lot of my purchases were from a metal worker. My arms are so sore. And it was so hot! I didn't realize just how huge this thing was either! I had to park quite a ways away, then I walked to the neighborhood, then I walked around...half the time lugging all my metal! I just wanted to get out-but it was a long way back. Of course, the guys hawking the cold water when I first came in were nowhere to be found as I was leaving-but I did manage to find a freezie pop, and helped send a girl to camp with the purchase. Still, I knew I was getting dehydrated. I managed to get home, guzzle down some water, stand under a cool shower, and drink more. I'm still not properly hydrated. I'm happy I went, although I wish they'd have these festivals when the weather cools down!

Photo Phriday - Card

Here's a card I made today for my aunt.

Plushies!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love plushies! Stuffed animals, plush art, whatever you want to call them, I love them. I recently got back in touch with the Raggy Rat Lady, the wonderful woman who created Amelia Ratkins and makes other wonderful plush rats, and other animals. She clued me in to The Plush Team, a consortium of artists who make plushies. Oh the creativity! It's really a bit of fate as just before she found my blog, I picked up a magazine called Stuffed. No, not a foodie magazine, a plushie one. Even though I don't really sew, I fell in love with the plushie food on the front cover. Imagine my surprise when I saw Raggy Rats featured inside. Then, shortly thereafter I find a reply on a blog post from her. Kismet. Anyway, check out these great artists and get yourself a plushie. After all, you're never too old to cuddle a plushie!

Animal Art

I added a painting to my collection of animal art last night. No, these aren't painting OF animals, rather these are paintings made BY animals. I went to the Seneca Park Zoo annual Art Expo and had a great time, as usual. I met up with my friend Kim and her husband this year. It was a great event. Not wanting to chance my luck at the raffle and silent auction, I bought a painting outright. It's a good thing I did too or I would have come out empty handed. I decided not to purchase any raffle tickets this year, but did bid on a few of the silent auction pieces. I had given up on all but two, but then was outbid on both. The prices were getting a bit steep-so I bowed out. The place was packed and I'm sure the event made a lot of money. They had appetizers: cheese, pepperoni, crackers, check mix, Swedish Meatballs (which were FANTASTIC!) and little hot dogs in sauce. This year you had to pay for all beverages, but still the evening was quite a bargain (as long as you didn't get too competitive and pay a fortune for the artwork...and believe me, that's easy to do!) My ticket as a member was still only $3. In addition to the food and drink and art, we also got to meet two of the artists-Louise, a possum, and Bernie, a rouen duck. Bernie was a hoot (or should I say a quack!) the place was mobbed, but he kept trying to walk out of the quiet room he was in to check out the party. Bernie wanted to mingle and play the room! Above is the beautiful painting I bought last night and below is the artist himself, Raca. Raca is an acouchi. Isn't he cute? So now I have paintings by an acouchi, cougar, North American river otter, wolves, and an elephant!

Craft Time

I finally got some crafting done today. Not much...but something...5 somethings, actually. I thought I'd get further ahead-maybe even getting Halloween cards done while I'm off work. Well, I have a week left. Let's see what I get done.

Rubber Hedgehog

There's yet another photo contest going on. This one is for Rubber Hedgehog, a rubber stamp company. The winner will have his/her image made into a rubber stamp! I've entered Harley, Calumet, Josef, and Barrett and I have 1 more entry that I haven't decided upon. But I got this e-mail this morning:

Hi! Be sure to check out our main page at: http://rubberhedgehog.com
- Barrett is currently featured.

I'm so proud!

This contest will be decided by judges, but, you can vote saying why you'd think the picture would make a good stamp. We'd love your support. All my kids are on page 4 and there are 2 or 3 of each of them.

Zoom!

My brain is going a million miles an hour in a million directions. I need to start working on an article I'm writing, I want to do several craft projects and need to look into opening an online store. Must focus and actually accomplish things. The dishes may have to wait!

Stamping Project

I've worked on a great project today, using rubber stamps and tile to make great gifts. It turned out really well and I'll be making more for presents. I'd post a picture...but I'm not sure if I want to give anything away. I'm thinking of opening an etsy store...or something similar. I'd sell these tiles as well as handmade cards. What do you think?

Vanished

I can't find it...again. The stamp I use to name all my work has vanished. Again. I used it last Sunday. It must be in the craft room. It should be on the table. I looked on the table. I looked under the table. I moved things around. I looked in boxes it may have fell into. It has vanished. Oh St. Anthony...would you please help me find my stamp?!?

Rubber Stamp Show

Today a friend and I went to Syracuse to attend a rubber stamp show. Several years ago I went when it was at the Fairgrounds and had a phenomenal time. There were tons of make and takes (you get to make a small project and take it home with you, trying the products and techniques). There were a lot of exhibitors and while the place was packed-there was still room to see and experience and make things. A year or 2 later I went again. It had moved to the convention center. The place was a mad house. You couldn't get near anything to make-people were 5 deep at the stands. It was awful. But, I thought I'd give it another shot this year, going on a Sunday (as I did the first time) when there are generally less people. Well, there certainly were less people. Hardly any one. Unfortunately, there were hardly any make and takes and few demos. Actually there weren't too many exhibitors either. Still, I had a good time and did learn some new things. This one place made paper jewelry that was simply exquisite. You'd never believe it was paper based. I did get a stamp for that, but held off on getting the findings and crystals. They used Swarovski crystals, which, obviously are a tad pricey. There was also a thing with this flowery flock type stuff. It adds dimension and looks like dried flowers. Really cool. I'm kind of wishing I had gotten some of the stuff, but I didn't...however, the plus to going to a rubber stamp show with someone who owns a rubber stamp shop is that she plans on stocking the stuff, so I can eventually buy it from her if I want. All in all a good time, but doubtful I'll be attending that particular show again.

Contest

Rubber Hedgehog makes great animal rubber stamps and they're having a photo contest. The winner will have her pet made into a rubber stamp! Isn't that the coolest thing? I can submit up to 12 entries, up to 3 each for each animal. They've given some photo tips, which will help. Unfortunately, a lot of my pics are somewhat artistic-with ears chopped off, tails, and other parts, while they suggest a full body, as the artist will be drawing the image from that photo. So...I'll probably be taking more pictures. Thank God for digital cameras! Looking at past winners-I didn't see any horses, so I'll be sure to enter Harley. I'd love to get one with his tongue hanging out as well as a classy one. Barrett and Josef are very photogenic, so I'll probably send a few of them. Callie can look truly regal. We'll see what the others can do.

Finish up!

The sun finally came out today. It's been rainy and gray all day until now. I need to stay inside though. I need to finish my recipe cards for tomorrow's meeting. It's our last one-so I'd like to finish my recipe book as well. I got a late start today, so I really need to get cracking. It's amazing how quickly time can pass!