Porangahau Spring Fair...

First of all... I just want to say thanks to those who let me know their opinions on my tutu girl, it was really helpful to get a different view point.  It can be hard when you are close to a piece of work and good to see it though fresh eyes.  I have decided to have no tutu (which was the way I was probably going to go before I asked your help) but I will save the abandoned tutu for another painting in the near future.  Thanks again you guys.

The Porangahau craft fair was... well, it was windy, now when I say windy I mean like gale force gusts kind of windy!!!  I had to hold down my two easels and pendant stand the whole time I was there.  Although the wind did die down a bit in the middle of the day, there was still the odd gust that would suddenly come unannounced causing things to go flying all over again.  It was quite exhausting... But apart from the wind it was a good day, quite a few people came through and I meet some really lovely people, even someone who said she reads my blog, so sweet.  It was also great to share the experience with fellow New Zealand Handmade members Mel, Kya and Joy.

Here is a picture of my table (I took 7 photos, and this is the only one that looked half way decent).  I took the photo just after we set up and it wasn't too bad, wind wise, it actually looked quite promising, little did we know what was to come.  

It was really interesting to see what people liked, what they were drawn to, what they requested more of, what nearly ran out and what didn't even get a look in.   I really enjoyed talking with the people who came by my stall, nice to hear their positive encouragement and to meet people who had bought some of my work at other venues and recognised it as they walked by.

It has encouraged me to do a little thinking on a few new display ideas for the Hawkes Bay Design Market on November 21st.  

tutu or no tutu...

(so much time gets lost in my mind)

Just a quick post before I go to work.  I have a little dilemma... I am not sure about the tutu? I quite like it... but I also like it without the tutu as well (and I do like the little buttons that match her head gear).  I am usually so sure with these kind of things.  Whenever I try something it is often either a definite yes or a sure fire no... But today it is more of a ummmm yeah I am not sure, type thing. 

so what do you guys reckon... tutu or no tutu?

5am...

(what's at the back of your mind)

I have decided to do another three paintings for my exhibition... I am on the side with a big window at the front of the gallery, so I thought it would be a good idea to put three plinths in the window with a small easel on each and then one of the three new paintings on each easel.   So that will be 45 paintings in all for the exhibition...  phew!!!!  Now that I am on the other side of the work load, I am getting a little bit excited.  

This Sunday brings the first of the craft fairs I am attending (Porangahau Spring Fair)... I think I am all sorted, although I have just realised that we are going to have to get up an hour earlier as daylight savings starts this weekend.  The clock will say 6am but it will feel like 5am!!!  


I always feel a little nervous doing craft fairs, they are such an unknown entity.  Even doing the same one from one year to the next can be very different and the one I am going to this weekend will be my first time... eeeek!

Anyway... wish me luck and I will post some photos next week.

my best...

One of the things on my to do list was to try a few new mediums including the Golden clear tar gel, which I have tried before, but not with the two Golden fluid acrylic colours that you add to make the encaustic look... the two colours that you add are 'quinacridone/nickel azo gold' and 'interference blue'.  I added half a drop of the first colour and two of the second to about 1/4 cup of tar gel... I brushed it on the bottom pale green part of this background above and it gave a yellowy waxy look to the paint.  Next I am going to try and add more detail to the background before I brush on the tar gel mix. 

On the top part I tried a one part crackle medium (this is something I am sure many of you have tried but I have never given it a go, until now)... I first did a coat of thin white paint over a patterned paper and then brushed on the crackle medium (the thicker the medium the bigger the cracks).  As it was drying red tones from the patterned paper started coming through.  Must be some kind of chemical reaction with the medium and the red ink that the paper was printed with.  I brushed another layer of paint on top to try and cover the pinky colour but it didn't really work.  So although this is not what I was wanting for this piece it does have potential.  I think the crackle medium might be best used on patterned paper that doesn't have any red ink in the design.

We have school holidays coming up soon so I will try a few more ideas with these two mediums and let you know how I get on.  I might also focus on a few experiments after my exhibition is finished.

A friend from work gave me this sweet little badge for my birthday... from now on at work it can get a little hairy with students frantically trying to get ready for their end of year assessments and they often come into my storeroom wanting things asap... as in yesterday.  So she thought this badge was just the right thing... so cute.

on a promise...

I so wish I could send every one that commented a print and one for their special chosen person as well, I really do...

But the winner of my giveaway is number 34 Angelina... the number was randomly picked by a friend.  Angelina, if you could email me your address to katherinequinn@xtra.co.nz and let me know which two prints you want I will get them sent out to you.

 

(on a promise)

Well the art retreat was every thing I had hoped for... and it was so nice to see people from last year back again this time and a few new faces.  I got a lot of work done including this piece above (not quite finished).  

I have used silk tissue on the bottom part stamped with white ink, and I am quite liking the effect. I used to use silk tissue all the time and am pleased I took it with me over the weekend.   I also discovered a new paper that I can use as a background as my favourite one is no longer available and I only have 13 sheets left!!!  I also had a go at using a few different mediums which I will show you on Friday for those that are interested.

just the right time...

(a friend in need is a precious thing)

I am off this weekend to an art retreat for three days of creating... I have been looking forward to this for a few weeks.  I went last year as well and it was just the thing I needed at just the right time, I feel this year is going to be the same.  I will have the winner of my birthday giveaway plus a show and tell about what I got up to this weekend on Tuesday.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend too...

birthday giveaway...

Well... today is my birthday and I have decided to have a giveaway to celebrate turning 39.  

Thank you for all your kind comments on my last post.  I am not really worried about turning a year older, it just seems to have come around so fast... this year has just whizzed by.

So for this giveaway I am going to give away a print from my etsy or felt shops... as well as the winner choosing a print of their own they can also choose one for a friend, mother, sister etc...   All you need to do is tell me who you would give the print to and why.

Good luck


note:  When I say today is my birthday I mean 6th September, I published it a bit too early... and also I forgot to say that the giveaway will end monday the 13th September, so you will have a week to enter.... oops

in and out of days...

I have been flying lately, flying at full speed in and out of days and weeks. Goggles at the ready, propeller whirling like mad, raising my hand for anything that's on offer, forcing this year to its end.

But I need the world to be still for a little while, for just a moment so I can catch my breath... I don't think I am ready for the last year of my thirties, not just yet.

three, two, one...

I think I have just about over booked myself, I have three craft markets, two online courses and one exhibition coming up... and all before Christmas.  But then I think to myself 'what would I rather be doing'... and the truth is, there is nothing I would rather be doing, well maybe apart from a little more travel (someone I work with is off to Italy and then Turkey tomorrow and I am rather jealous).


So many things to think about and organise... especially with the craft markets.  It can be a daunting task agonising over what to bring, how much stock to take and whether you have everything organised. 


So I have made a list of the things I will be taking to my next craft market...


Your products 
How much to bring along is a hard question... from experience, it is way better to take along too much then to have not enough.  So over do this part of the preparation, you can store your extra products under the table and bring them out as you need them.  If you don't sell out you have a head start on your next craft market.

Display/Packaging
I would make sure that everything is labeled and priced the night before
Table and chairs if they are not suppliedSignage or banner
Displays for your products ie: shelves, easels, baskets, mannequins, mirror for customers etc...
Table cloth or sheet to cover your table
Extra price tags
Bags, paper, bubble wrap, tissue, boxes for sold items
Vase and flowers

Promotional
Business cards
Catalogue or flyers with information about yourself (people like to know this stuff)
A newsletter/mailing list on a clipboard for people to sign up to if they wish
Maybe a copy of your latest newsletter so they can see what they are signing up for
Notebook to record sales, take custom orders, etc...

Money
Receipt book (some people might need one)
Cash box
Change (I usually take  $120 which is made up with  1 x $20... 4 x $10... 7 x $5... 5 x $2... 5 x $1)
Calculator

Extra stuff
Scissors
Needle and thread
Safety pins
Craft knife
Pen/pencil
sellotape
Push pins
Stapler
Ruler/tape measure
String
Baby wipes
Rubbish bag
Camera
Mobile phone
Extra paper
Inventory list with prices

For Yourself
Dress in layers
Water/drinks
Snacks
Comfy shoes
Pain relievers/small first aid kit
Tissues
Deodorant
If you are able, wear your items
A friend to help out
A smile

I am lucky because my actual products don't take up more room then your average file box, but with the rest of the things on this list I usually pack them into a big plastic storage box with wheels.  And I try to pack all of this in the car the night before to give me a little more time in the morning to tell myself that it will all be ok.

my mum...

I have the best mum in the world and in space (when Hannah was younger she made my mum a card that said she was the best grandma in the world and in space, it has now become a regular term of endearment in our family) and for as long as I can remember my mum has spun and knitted... when I was obsessed with all things American in my mid teens she knitted me an American flag jumper, leg warmers in the 80's... etc, and  has knitted both of my children all the jerseys, slippers, scarfs, hats, and beanies etc... they could ever need.  Everyone in our family is always cosy for winter. 

 (Batman Ben wearing an alpaca beanie)

She has sourced all the fleece from around New Zealand and spins it herself on her Majacraft spinning wheel.   She knits at the speed of light and can whip up a pair of slippers in a night... just like that!  (sadly, this is a skill I did not inherit, a scarf is my limit... in time for the following winter).


This weekend she decided to open a Felt shop (New Zealand equivalent to Etsy).  She will start by selling her slippers in 4 different natural wool colours (size 6 months to 18 months) and 2 colours in super soft alpaca especially for new born to 6 months.   Both of my children have grown up wearing these slippers and they are the only ones that have stayed on their feet!

(Ben wearing some of his snugly slippers)

So if you have a little one in your life that needs some practical, snugly, hard wearing slippers take a look at my mum's shop on Felt... you will be pleased you did.

everyday things...

 Faber-Castell 2B Grip pencil

I just love these, they are my most favourite lead pencil to use... I love them.

Faber-Castell triple barrel pencil sharpener

Now there are several barrel sharpeners that I like to use but this one has a sharpener for lead, one for coloured pencil and another one for larger pencils... which I find useful for chalk pastel pencils as the smaller holes seem to crumble the pastel tip.... and it matches my most favourite pencil in the world.

Faber-Castell eraser with procective sleeve

I have never found a better eraser, I have used some that smudge the lead when I rub out a pencil mark on paint, but not this one... and because of the protective sleeve they stay clean.

Water colour pencils

 These are the coloured pencils I use to draw the faces on my girls and to do shading on their dresses and colouring up the edegs of my paintings.  Because the are water colour pencils it is a good option to add water if you need to.

Watersoluble crayons

There are so many things you can do with these crayons, very versatile... and so many great colours too. They really spread really well when you add water so you don't need to use too much.

Basic Gray papers

There are far too many to list... I love them all.

White pen

This is the juiciest white pen I have ever used... I use it for dabbing the sparkle dot in my girls eyes, adding spots to hats and dresses and any other little details.

Pebbles Inc. Earthtone chalks

These are so much fun to use with the applicator tool, adding colour to my girls faces, it is like I am their make up artist.  The light blue colour in the middle is my most favourite colour in this set.

Filbert brushes

You can paint anything with these brushes, they have slightly rounded edges which make them good for blending.  You can get these at any art supplies shop.

Fiskars scissors

My most favourite scissors... the little pair of scissors I use to cut out faces and other small bits and pieces and the large pair I use to cut out... big stuff.

Varnish

This is my favourite varnish... I have tried many different ones and this seems to really enhance whats underneath.

Clear tar gel

I have just started using this and I am really liking what it does over the paint... it gives an encaustic look.

Cutting mat

I have several of these that are permanent residence on my kitchen table, couldn't live without them.

Well that is pretty much the tools I use everyday... what do you use everyday?

how do I get there from here...

(a little bit of extra help from a wee propeller)

I have been thinking about where I want to go from here... do I want to carry on the way I am going and see what happens...  Or do I want more?  and if I want more, which I think I might, what more do I want and how do I get there from here?

Now this reminds me of a time once when I was stopped by a couple of tourists wanting to know how to get to another street from where we were... I said to them shaking my head in a very serious voice "Well you can't actually get there from here".  They both had startled looks on their faces... I told them "I was just kidding" and gave them directions to where they wanted to go.

It was after this that I realised that technically I can actually go anywhere from here.  I just have to decide where it is that I want to go... and then make a plan, map out a route, pack a few essentials, maybe ask for a few directions (but not from Katherine Quinn), step over  barriers, smash down those brick walls and pick up a few people along the way... 

scaring David...

This has been making Ben very happy lately... thinking of ways to scare my brother (David).  Especially just before bed.  He says he's going to dream of new ideas to scare him while he sleeps... then in the morning I hear all about these new plans on the way to school.   
(Do you see his little Treasure Protector beside his bed? Marie)

It all started one day when I told him a story of how I scared David in the swimming pool when we were kids.  Ben thought it was hysterical and ever since has been making plans for the next time he sees my poor brother.

You will have to excuse the bad light quality, it was bed time.