Art Break Wednesday – The Soak and Sun of Art in the Square

 

art in the square 2013

morgan in booth AITS 2013

“Wave, Morgan…!” :0)

Thanks to everyone who ventured out this past weekend to Art in the Square here in North Georgia.  A special shout-out to my daughter, Morgan, who interrupted her busy college studies to drive down, package cards til after midnight, get up early both days and help haul, sell, and send out some social media love.  Couldn’t have done it without her!

(She also recently set up my whole inventory on my Square register on my new iPad Mini. Can’t TELL you how easy that makes it to conduct transactions with a little less fuss and flurry!  Square keeps track of everything – cash as well as credit card sales – and now the whole process is even easier. No entering of numbers, just a few clicks!)

Saturday started out all right, but the sprinkles became drizzles and, sad for us, soon a deluge.  Show organizers came around early afternoon and said it was all right to close up and return early on Sunday.  I think just about everyone did.  Tip:  If rain’s in the forecast, don’t put your booth right up next to the curb.  The rain came in a torrent and flooded our tent.  Our show-savvy neighbor helped us move the tent up a bit. My merchandise fared all right with the tent and with plastic I brought, but Morgan and I were drenched and miserable.  A bright spot? The gentleman playing bagpipes, undeterred by rain!

bagpipes reduced

Other bright spots included friends who came by, such as Paula:robyn and paula

She has a great new blog, by the way – “Random Thoughts from the Creative Path.”

Check it out!

 

 

Sunday brought the S*U*N, and a happier vibe all around. I enjoyed meeting customers, some from last year and some brand new!

The lovely Maddie, who had been to my booth last year, came by with her family, and her mom was one of my very best customers all weekend. (Thank you!) Maddie picked out one of my favorite items, too – some really old typewriter keys I set into earrings. maddie earrings cropart in the square 2013 typewriter key earringsWhy were these special?

Well, they have neat white letters & symbols on backgrounds, but even better, along with the letter “M,” Maddie liked the number five key, which has the British pound symbol above it! Very cool. She put them right on and consented to letting me snap a picture. Isn’t she classy and gorgeous?

After some constructive comments from a couple of artsy friends at the last show, and following my own instincts as well, I opened up the layout of my booth and was really happy with the flow.

booth interior reducedI had to sacrifice one side of a panel, but the extra space was more than worth it.
art in the square 2013 panels framed art

 

 

 

 

art in the square 2013 matted lettersAll in all, even with Saturday’s washout, it was a good weekend. Thanks to my father-in-law, Reuben, who helped break down and pack up my booth after Morgan had to get back to school. I finally got my car unpacked, but don’t ask if everything’s put away yet… ;0) Some of it won’t be right away, anyway – I’ll be listing these new items I made for the show in my Etsy shop very soon!

 

 

As we soon round the corner into the holiday gift-buying season, don’t forget to support your local creative folk.  The artists who participated in Art in the Square (and ones in your town, too) offer unique and wonderful treasures, and they’re made in the USA!

(Happy First Full Week of Fall, Y’all…)

Art Break Wednesday: Art in the Square around the Corner!

0013Main_2013 Poster .indd

Greetings from the road!  No real post today, but here’s a poster.

I’m looking forward to participating in Art in the Square in Gainesville, Georgia, Sat. & Sun., Sept. 21-22.  This was my first art show for artsyletters last year!

If you’re in the area and out and about that weekend, come on by.  Many wonderful artists will be displaying and selling work, and other treats will abound.  For more info, please click here.

Hope to see you there!

Art Break Wednesday – Decatur Book Festival Street Market Wrap-up

 

A R T booth decor DBF 2013Whew!  The streets have no doubt been swept after The Decatur Book Festival last weekend (the nation’s largest independent book festival, with 70-80,000 of your closest friends), and I’m still catching my breath.  It was strange being there as a vendor this year rather than as an author, but much fun all around, and I’d have to say a successful weekend.

The Kids' Parades are always a highlight at the Decatur Book Festival!

The Kids’ Parades are always a highlight at the Decatur Book Festival!

Here are a few pictures of my booth:

artsyletters booth 2 DBF 2013.jpg reduced

 

 

 

 

 

Robyn artsyletters booth DBF 2013 crop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

artsyletters booth DBF 2013 interior

 

 

 

 

 

 

table artsyletters booth DBF 2013small banner artsyletters DBFartsyletters booth interior DBF 2013

 

Couldn't have done it without the help of my wonderful hubby, Jeff...

Couldn’t have done it without the help of my wonderful hubby, Jeff…

 

 

leighanne and robyn DBF 2013

 

 

 

 

 

We had terrific weather on Saturday (albeit hot), but the rains blew in off and on on Sunday. Not enough to dampen spirits. I still caught up with some good writer/illustrator buds.

Fellow art critique group member Leighanne Schneider had her gorgeous art on display directly across from my booth – she’s a regular at DBF with her Doublefly Designs.

 

 

Then Leighanne and I went with Elizabeth Dulemba to go cheer on Jo Kittinger, who was presented with a community volunteer award on Sunday afternoon for her fantastic book, THE HOUSE ON DIRTY THIRD STREET, illustrated by Thomas Gonzales.

LeighanneRobynJoMe

Caught having a good time! Leighanne, Robyn, Jo, and Elizabeth. (Photo by Elizabeth’s wonderful hubby, Stan.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can’t believe I neglected to get a picture with the amazing Kirby Larson, but she kept coming by to brighten my day.  And buy more artsyletters merchandise to boot!   I was thrilled to meet so many new customers.  Teachers, students, poets, historians, writers, artists, calligraphers, printmakers, journalists – you all make my heart sing.

Finally, huge thanks to my daughter, Morgan Black, for getting all my inventory loaded on my Square account the night before the festival.  Everyone needs a college student on hand to help with the technology… :0)

It was a fabulous, fun weekend, and I look forward to Art in the Square here in Gainesville in just a couple of weeks!  Come on out if you’re around.

Happy Almost-Fall….