Bye, Bye Blogger!

In the interest of keeping things streamlined, from now on I will be posting all blog posts pertaining to the studio at my content site, www.beauty-of-batik.com

I have recently posted some new studio information that can be found here:

http://www.beauty-of-batik.com/batik-blog.html

I will be leaving this all past blog posts up, but this will be the last post and all links on this blog will link to the corresponding page information at Beauty of Batik.

Thank you for your understanding!

Announcements

I have a few things to announce, so here it goes.

First, all classes for August are cancelled. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Second, until further notice I will only be teaching private classes, both in my home in Pleasure Ridge Park or at the studio at Mellwood.  Please feel free to contact me for further information.


Third, I will not be in the studio much this next month. However, after that I plan on spending a significant amount of time there so please stop by and say hello!

Fourth, I am hoping that I will be able to attend the Garvin Gate Blues Festival and Circle Quest at Our Haven, but I am not sure about either right now. However, I will definitely still be participating in the Mellwood Arts Festival so please feel free to stop by and say Hi! 

Lots of happy things going on right now. Hopefully, I will be able to tell you about them all very soon, but for now we need to focus on our home and family. 

Thanks for your understanding.

October Happenings

I am still in the process of putting together the Fall class schedule so please check back to see what's going on. I plan to have a class schedule finalized by September 1st.

I will be at the Garvin Gate Blues Festival October 12th from 6:30pm-11:15pm and October 13th from 3:00pm-11:15pm.

F.A.T. Trolley Hop October 26th 6:00pm-10:00pm.

6 Months In Review

Well, here I am 6 months after renting my studio at the Mellwood Center. To say things have been rocky might be putting it mildly. But that's okay. I've learned many things and have had the opportunity to get the ball rolling on things that had become stagnant over the years. So, here's a review of what all I have learned and where I see things going in the future.

First, let's talk about Mellwood.  I will be forever grateful to Mellwood for finally getting me off my keister and headed in the right direction. Before I had a studio at Mellwood I had knitting and fiber art supplies stuffed in drawers and boxes and coming out of closets. Before Mellwood I hadn't even thought about taking up batik again. Now I have a place to put all of those things and arrange them into some semblance of order. I've been able to start doing the batik work that I love again. All in all, Mellwood has provided with a spring board into the future.  

Second, let's talk about artistic direction. I spent the better part of these past six months working on small crafty type things. While this has been great and has given me a chance to practice smaller things before moving on to larger things, I think it's time to really focus my direction on larger projects. I have several batiks that I am currently working on with the hope that I can actually maybe do some art shows. You can see a few of them below.

Which brings us to my third topic, the future. The future of the physical studio itself is somewhat up in the air right now. As I mentioned Mellwood has provided me with a springboard into doing the things I want to do in a space that is conducive to doing them. However, I'm not sure that it is the right fit. It's too far from home to be convenient which leads to a whole host of problems that I won't get into right now. While I would like to keep a studio in the city, in order to do so some things will have to change. I have been kicking around the idea of converting my outbuilding into a home studio. I'm also thinking of either looking for a smaller and cheaper studio at Mellwood or moving to a smaller, quieter, cheaper and less visible place somewhere else. Perhaps in the Highlands, Germantown or Smoketown. If anyone has a line on such a place please let me know.

As far as my art itself, I will be using the next 6 months while still at Mellwood to focus on large pieces that are suitable for art shows. While I know this is the direction I want to go I have to admit it's incredibly daunting. All my fancy degrees are in arts administration and business which basically puts me on the other side of the table from the artist. My internships were at museums and galleries. I have not actually been the artist in years and let me tell you, trying to break into that circle is scary as hell. Not to mention, being a horrible introvert, the thought of gallery shows makes me a little queasy. However, I think that if I can build myself a bridge and get over it that the payoff will be worth it.

So, there you have it. 6 months in review and a plan for the next 6 months. I have no idea how it's all going to play out, but in 6 months I will tell you how it all went down. In the meantime I'll keep chanting Dax Riggs' quote to myself.

"I believe in truth. And I believe in magic. And I believe that what you want yourself to be you can be if you believe it. And whatever you want to happen can happen."

September Happenings

- The Mellwood Center Arts Fair will be held on September 8-9  from 10am -6pm


-I will be vending at Circle Quest at Our Haven Nature Sanctuary on September 14 - 16


-The Mellwood Center will have it's regular F.A.T. Trolley Hop on September 28th. 

Weekly Update for 6/18-6/24

Take a peek at our classes this week!

Offerings this week are: 

Knit  III - Cables- Wednesday May 20th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Check out the knitting page from more information or the classes page to register.

Special Batik Workshop!  - Extra class this month! Already have a few spaces filled so contact me via email to sign up and secure your spot!
 Sunday June 24 from 2pm to 4pm
Check out the classes page for information and registration. 


Studio Hours This Week Will Be
Friday 6-9
Saturday 12-5
Sunday 12-6

Also don't forget to check out the Etsy Shop! I'm always adding new items and making updates!




You can also check out the happenings at our home at the Walnut Cottage Homestead blog.  

Weekly Update for 5/28-6/3

Gearing up for June and classes are heating up! Offerings this week are: 

Knit IV - Knitting in the Round- Wednesday May 30th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Check out the knitting page from more information or the classes page to register.

Kid-tik - Saturday June from 11am-12pm
Check out the classes page for information and registration. 


Studio Hours This Week Will Be
Friday 6-9
Saturday 12-5
Sunday 12-6

Also don't forget to check out the Etsy Shop! I'm always adding new items and making updates!




You can also check out the happenings at our home at the Walnut Cottage Homestead blog.  

August Happenings

All remaining classes for the month of August are cancelled. I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Free Events

Second Saturday Demo Day  - August 11th @ 10:00am - 2:00pm

F.A.T. Trolley Hop - August 31st @ 6:00pm - 10:00pm

July Happenings

Batik Workshop - Sunday, July 8th from 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Knitting Classes

Knitting I - The Basics- MONDAY July 2nd @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Normally scheduled on Wednesday, but rescheduled due to July 4th holiday.)

Knitting II -Increases, Decreases & Pattern Stitches - Wednesday, July 11th @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Knitting III -Cables - Wednesday, July 18th @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Knitting IV - Knitting in the Round -Wednesday, July 25th @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm


Kids Classes

Kid-tik Workshop - July 7th @ 11:00am - 12:00pm

Wet Felting Classes - July 21st @ 11:00am - 12:00pm

Registration Information

The studio is small and therefore class sizes are limited. Please make sure you register at least 24 hours in advance to ensure your spot. If no one registers for a class by the 24 hour deadline the class will be canceled. I will gladly teach a class with only one student, as long as I receive registration information 24 hours in advance.

How to Register

• Go to our CLASSES page and use the PayPal buttons to complete your registration
• Complete a registration form and submit your payment at the studio during regular studio hours.
• Call or email us with your registration and payment information.

Free Events

Second Saturday Demo Day  - July 14th @ 10:00am - 2:00pm

F.A.T. Trolley Hop - July 27th @ 6:00pm - 10:00pm

June Happenings

Batik Workshop - June 10th @ 2:00-4:00


Knitting Classes
Knitting I - The Basics- June 6th @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Knitting II -Increases, Decreases & Pattern Stitches - June 13th @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Knitting III -Cables -June 20th @ 6:30-:30pm
Knitting IV - Knitting in the Round -June 27th @ 6:30-8:30pm


Kids Classes

Kid-tik Workshop - June 2nd @ 11:00am - 12:00pm

Wet Felting Classes - June 16th @ 11:00am - 12:00pm - Only one spot left!

Registration Information

The studio is small and therefore class sizes are limited. Please make sure you register at least 24 hours in advance to ensure your spot. If no one registers for a class by the 24 hour deadline the class will be canceled. I will gladly teach a class with only one student, as long as I receive registration information 24 hours in advance.

How to Register

• Go to our CLASSES page and use the PayPal buttons to complete your registration
• Complete a registration form and submit your payment at the studio during regular studio hours.
• Call or email us with your registration and payment information.

Free Events

Second Saturday Demo Day  - June 9th @ 10:00am - 2:00pm

F.A.T. Trolley Hop - June 29th@ 6:00pm - 10:00pm

Weekly Update for 5/21-5/27

It's Trolley Hop Week! Come out this Friday and see what's going on at Mellwood. Classes and events are as follows:

Knitting III - Wednesday May 23rd - 6:30 to 8:30

Friday Trolley Hop Friday May 25th from 6:00 to 10:00

Kid's Wet Felting Class Saturday May 26th from 11:00-12:00 - Class is Full! Please check for next month's class!

Weekly Update for 5/14-5/20

May is under way and so are classes! Offerings this week are: 

Knit II - Wednesday May 16th from 6:30 to 8:30
Check out the knitting page from more information or the classes page to register.

Kid-tik - Saturday May 19th from 10am - 11am - Only one spot left!
Check out the classes page for information and registration. 


Studio Hours This Week Will Be
Friday 6-9
Saturday 12-4
Sunday 12-6

Also don't forget to check out the Etsy Shop! I'm always adding new items and making updates!




You can also check out the happenings at our home at the Walnut Cottage Homestead blog.  

Weekly Update for 5/7-5/13

Now that Derby is over I can spend some time relaxing and doing what I want to do which means lots of studio time! So, here's a rundown of what's going on at the studio this week.

Knitting I - Wednesday May 9th from 6:30pm-8:30pm
For more information please see the knitting page or to sign up visit the classes page.

This week will also be 2nd Saturday Demo Day at Mellwood- May 12th - Come see the artists in their studios and get an idea of how it's done. 

Batik Workshop - Sunday May 13th from 2:00pm - 4:00pm
For more information and to register please visit the classes page.

Studio Hours This Week Will Be: 

Friday 6:00-9:00
Saturday 12:00-6:00
Sunday 12:00-6:00

Two more weeks until Derby and then I can start paying attention to this place again. We are trying to get the house ready for our Derby renters. Painting and yard work abound! Trying to go from looking like the redneck family to the hipster urban farming cool kids. I'm not sure if the beer bottle garden borders qualify me as redneck or hipster. Maybe if say I'm using them ironically? Anyhow, I will also be getting the internet back on Wednesday! Hooray! No more tippy typpy on the IPad! After a six month stand off with Insight I finally found out that AT&T is a viable alternative. Thusly, I will be doing a lot of work on this blog and the Walnut Cottage Homestead blog with moving some projects around and moving some things back to the WCH blog. I will also be spinning off some of my other projects into a third blog that will be live some time this summer. Lots to do! Now if I can just make it through the next two weeks to get the house in order and everything ready for Derby. I have a feeling that I will be doing a lot of sleeping the week after Derby!

May Happenings

Batik Workshop - Sunday May 13th 2:00pm to 4:00pm


Knitting Classes
Knitting I - The Basics- Wednesday May 9th @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Knitting II -Increases, Decreases & Pattern Stitches - Wednesday May 16th @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Knitting III -Cables - Wednesday May 23th @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Knitting IV - Knitting in the Round - Wednesday May 30th @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm


Kids Classes

Kid-tik Workshop -  Saturday May 19th @ 11:00am - 12:00pm

Wet Felting Classes - Saturday May 26th @ 11:00am - 12:00pm

Registration Information

The studio is small and therefore class sizes are limited. Please make sure you register at least 24 hours in advance to ensure your spot. If no one registers for a class by the 24 hour deadline the class will be canceled. I will gladly teach a class with only one student, as long as I receive registration information 24 hours in advance.

How to Register

• Go to our CLASSES page and use the PayPal buttons to complete your registration
• Complete a registration form and submit your payment at the studio during regular studio hours.
• Call or email us with your registration and payment information.

Free Events

Second Saturday Demo Day  -  May 12th @ 10:00am - 2:00pm

F.A.T. Trolley Hop -  May 25th @ 6:00pm - 10:00pm

Inspiration

Before I came down with the galloping crud I was able to snap a few pictures for inspiration while spending some outdoors time with Will. Thinking of turning these into batiks. 

New Work

New Pictures of New Work

Set of 4 Fleur de Lis Cotton Napkins

Set of 4 Shamrock Cotton Napkins- For Sale on Etsy!

Triple Initial Monogram Linen Placemat

Triple Initial Monogram Linen Placemat

Modern Letter Sampler for Single Initial Monogramming

Single Initial Monogram Linen Napkin

Double Initial Monogram Linen Napkin

Tripe Initial Monogram Table Runner

All items are available for personalizing. If you see something you like and want it recreated then let me know. If you don't see something you want let me know and I will create it!

At The Studio

Yes, MTV Cribs, this is where the magic happens. Well, some of it anyway. I didn't shoot the other side of the studio that is my work space.

This Dropped Out Of My Wallet Today...

A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he gives up.

Was scrounging for change for a Coke today and this dropped out of my wallet. It came from a fortune cookie given to me around Christmas time by one of my favorite customers at my 9 to 5. It meant a lot to me then, even before the studio was a thought, and it means even more to me now! Good advice for anyone!

April Happenings

Batik Workshop - Canceled this month due to Easter. If you are still interested I will be conducting private batik classes this month. Please contact me for further information. Otherwise the next class will be held on May 6th.


Knitting Classes
Knitting I - The Basics- April 19th @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Knitting II -Increases, Decreases & Pattern Stitches - April 25th @ 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Knitting III -Cables -No class this month. Please contact me about private classes.
Knitting IV - Knitting in the Round - No class this month. Please contact me about private classes.


Kids Classes

Kid-tik Workshop - April 7th @ 11:00am - 12:00pm

Wet Felting Classes - April 21st @ 11:00am - 12:00pm

Registration Information

The studio is small and therefore class sizes are limited. Please make sure you register at least 24 hours in advance to ensure your spot. If no one registers for a class by the 24 hour deadline the class will be canceled. I will gladly teach a class with only one student, as long as I receive registration information 24 hours in advance.

How to Register

• Go to our CLASSES page and use the PayPal buttons to complete your registration
• Complete a registration form and submit your payment at the studio during regular studio hours.
• Call or email us with your registration and payment information.

Free Events

Second Saturday Demo Day  - April 14th @ 10:00am - 2:00pm

F.A.T. Trolley Hop - April 27th @ 6:00pm - 10:00pm

Spinning and Bunny Days - April 15th & April 29th - All Day

Follow Up To Yesterday's Post

Feeling much better today! Had an amazing morning! Got up in time to actually fix a wonderful breakfast of shitake mushroom and goat cheese omelettes and sausage with good cups of Keurig brewed coffee. Was able to get everyone dressed without incident and while Jacob had to leave early for work, Will and I got to sit down and eat in the dining room. Will and I had an awesome circle time and we got out the door and off without a hitch. Work and daycare on time and everything! Hooray!

Now, back to yesterday's topic. I will be adding a few more ideas to it over the next few weeks. Although, they will not be as dark as yesterdays post. A little bit more bright and whimsical and about the silly things you might not think about.

So, for my first addition, I want to wear dresses and sandals or clogs every day. Right now my work attire typically consists of jeans, boots and a shirt or sweater with my hair often tied back in a bandana. Before this job, 6 long years ago, it was business attire at the law firm. I'm ready to be able to wear dresses made of nice soft material with comfortable foot attire. No more heels, no more ugly clunky boots.

Have a good day everyone!

I Believe in Truth and I Believe in Magic...

I believe in truth. And I believe in magic. And I believe that what you want yourself to be you can be if you believe it. And whatever you want to happen can happen. 
-Dax Riggs

Some words of wisdom from my favorite musical artist, Mr. Dax Riggs. These words will become my mantra for the next three years. I will make this studio, in one form or another, wherever it may be located, a viable entity that is capable of supporting me, my family and my goals in life. There is no other choice. This was the plan from the beginning, but in the last couple of days it has become more important than ever.

Why? Because I cannot do again, to my son, what I did to him yesterday morning. In my frustration and hurry to get out the door to work I yelled at him loudly, brutally and through no fault of his own. I was rough with him while getting him dressed. Instead of having our morning circle time to sing, stretch and have some peaceful time together, I stomped out the door. Instead of us listening to kids songs and singing on the way to work, I turned on NPR and stewed.

My sweet precious little son. My son who is loved by his daycare teachers and has a reputation as the sweetest and most well behaved child in his whole daycare. (His daycare teachers, even the ones who don't have him in class, tell me on a regular basis how loved he is.) My son who snuggles with me, feeds me out of his own bowl, gives me kisses and little presents for no reason. My son who always wants to be with his mama. My son who amazes me every day with his brilliance, his newly learned skills, his comprehension. My beautiful, creative, smart, tender, caring, loving, amazing son. It pains me to write this. I feel like a monster. But I will not repeat this mistake.

While I cannot justify my actions, I do know the force behind them is mainly unhappiness with myself and my place in life. It seems that it's been a lot of two steps forward and one step back lately. Despite that I cannot continue on a path where I cannot nurture him properly and in turn take my anger at the situation out on him. I will not do it. I am smart enough and talented enough and believe enough to do this.

It has been my dream to home school my son and work for myself. When I work in the studio or at home or in the garden my son works beside me and we take time out to take care of our needs when we need to take care of them. When I am gardening or creating or even mundane book keeping or house keeping chores I am able to include him in my work or otherwise occupy him. I am a follower, not strict adherent, of the work of Rudolf Steiner and the philosophy of Waldorf education and I believe that the aforementioned actions, not sitting in a classroom learning test taking and rote memorization, is how children learn to be balanced adults and I believe that this is the ideal environment for my son.

I know I have the skills to work for myself and take care of my son at the same time. I know I have the education to do it, I have an MBA for gods sakes! And now more than ever I have the drive.

I worry about making ends meet. I worry about insurance, not so much for myself, but for my son. Jacob can certainly put Will on his insurance, but it will cost a fortune. I worry more about how continuing on this path will affect my baby.

If you've made it this far, thank you for reading. I know it's a long one. I know it's not specifically business related. I also know that it feels better to get this out in the open, in writing, the good, the bad and the affirmation that things can be what I want them to be. If you are a believer in prayer, good thoughts or the power of positive vibes, heck, maybe a little magic like Dax talks about, I would be so very appreciative if you would keep me and my journey in mind to give me a little boost along the way.

Thank you.

I don't often use this greeting, but it feels right for this post, so, friends,

Namste.

Etsy

Starting put the etsy store together. Won't be much until I can get my computer back, but it's a start! Check it out at http://www.etsy.com/shop/solsticefiberarts .

Up and Coming

This past week has been consumed with garden and chicken chores, leaving little time for creating art. However, that doesn't mean it hasn't been on my mind. Constantly. I've come up with a lot of new ideas and can't wait to get to work implementing them. In the meantime I've been doing lots and lots of paperwork! I'm hoping that a lot of this will be done my the March 30th Trolley Hop. Slowly, surely, it's all coming together!

Bits and Pieces from this Weekend

Here are some bits and pieces that I finished up this weekend. They are all still in need of drycleaning or pressing, but I think I am going to aim to have them all ready for the March 30th Trolley Hop. Then if I don't sell them that evening they will go up on etsy the next day. That's my plan anyhow.

Trolley Hop Recap

Well, I survived my first F.A.T. Trolley Hop. A few things are apparent. First, I am not a salesperson. Several people came by and I could have really drawn them in, but my brain just decided to stall out instead. Definitely going to have to work on that. Second, I need to look into this whole shingle thing at Mellwood. Definitely need to have my name out there so people can see it. I'm also thinking I need to put a table out from of my door showing that I'm open. Lots of people look down the hall, but just walk on by because they think nothing is down there. That said, it was a great opportunity to finally meet a lot of the other artists in residence and for that I think it was totally worth it. Now to make things really pop next month for the official opening!

F.A.T. Friday is Tomorrow!

Monogrammed Napkins

I've always wanted a set, no make that several sets, of monogrammed napkins, but I could never find a style I liked. Now that I have my own studio I decided to take matters into my own hands and make my own. Only I did it my way and made them using batik techniques and fiber reactive dye. I'm very excited about the way they turned out and I am currently working out the details for style and color choices and should be making them available for customization soon. Below is my first napkin right after I washed the dye and hung it to dry.

Batik Workshop on February 19th

I'm very excited to announce that this coming Sunday, February 19th, I will be giving a workshop on batik at Enchanted Arts Studio down the hall from me at The Mellwood Center in studio number 155. The workshop will be held from 2 to 4 and the studio will be open after the workshop until 6. I am so excited and honored to be giving this workshop and hope that if you are in the area you will consider coming out.

Working On A New Series

Spent several hours at the studio today to work on a new batik series. I will be doing some wearables and some table linens with a fleur de lis motif. Check out what the first stages!

Studio is set up!

Well, the studio is set up for work so now I suppose it's time for me to do a bit of housekeeping around this place. So, here a few things that are in the works:

I am hoping to start keeping regular studio hours after F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop on the 24th.

I'm also hoping to do an actual studio opening reception for the March Trolley Hop as well.

Starting in March I should be scheduling some knitting classes and maybe even some classes for children as well.

Right now the focus is just trying to get into a nice rhythm and get some work done so I have something to showcase in the first place.

Stayed tuned! Much more to come!