Tennessee Craft Fair on the Terrace

I’m anxious to see how the one night show at Hunter Museum of Art is received by the attendees of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.  I feel honored to be among those exhibiting.   We will be outside on the terrace of the new wing of the Hunter.  I would think that anyone could attend the fair, not just those attending the NASAA conference.  I hope people out for their afternoon walk across the Walnut Street Bridge or on the Riverwalk we come up and see us.

Gallery Hop

The third annual Gallery Hop in Chattanooga is coming on Saturday.  There are more galleries and more studios on the hop this year.  At In-Town we’re excited to have our 6×6 blocks back up.  So far the blocks look even better than last year.  I can’t wait to see them all up.

Also new this week at In-Town is the artwork of our newest member Doug McCoy.  His work was not up for more than a couple of days before he had a sale.  Way to go Doug.  I hope that’s just the beginning of a good sales record.

CAST Website

The Southern TN chapter of TACA (TN Association of Craft Artists) website has just been updated by Dwain Adams.  He’s done an excellent job – thanks Dwain.  CAST stands for Craft Artists of Southern TN.  You can find links to CAST members on the website as well as information about CAST events.  The big event of the year is the Studio Tour which takes place the first weekend in December in Sewanee, TN.  CAST also has a chapter booth at the semi-annual TACA shows in Nashville for members not having individual booths.

Westside Gallery

Westside Galley is a new gallery in Chattanooga a short distance from downtown at 3267 Cummings Hwy.  Due to distance considerations it will not be featured in the upcoming 2008 Gallery Hop.  This is unfortunate as Westside Gallery features many local artists.   If you’re in the area, Westside Gallery is easy to find as it is across Cummings Hwy from the Wal-Mart and just a short distance off I-24 at the Cummings Hwy exit.  Westside Gallery currently features at least 5 local jewelers, 2 potters and numerous painters.  I hope you can check it out soon.

Chattanooga Market 6/29

It was a very pleasant day at the Market.  The big fans have been installed.  They are huge!  It was hard to tell how well they were working as there was a wonderful breeze all day, until about 4:30 when it turned into a nasty wind with torrents of rain.  We had a captive audience for a short time while mother nature carried on, but still the best sales were earlier in the day.  There was a good size crowd and the 5 star cook-off received lots of attention.

I met, or was reintroduced, to fiber artist Jackie Cory.  I believe we met in Cleveland some time ago at the 5ive Points Museum.  It was great to see her again. 

Chattanooga Market – My First Day

Today was my first day as a vendor at the Chattanooga Market.  Actually it was my second day.  My first day was opening day six years ago.  This time I don’t intend to what six years before doing it again.  In fact I’m signed up for the 29th of June. 

 I had lots of great booth neighbors and hope I get the same location next time.  Doug McCoy was two spaces down from me.  I know Doug from In-Town Gallery.  He’s our busiest sitter at the gallery.  He’s there so much people will begin to think he owns the place.   Mike and Lori Shalettwere just behind me and were so helpful in getting me set up.  They’ve been doing the market for years and really know the ropes.  I reconnected with Joyce Teal, another fiber artist.  We’ve met over the years at various openings as well as on the QuiltArt list.

I would like to have sold more today, who wouldn’t, but I think it takes customers some time to get to know your work before they purchase, particularly the higher priced items.  It also takes the vendors some time to get to know the customers at the market.  I’m looking forward to being at the market as much as I can this year – in between trip to Colorado to see my mother who is not doing well.

I’m In

I was notified yesterday that I’m in at the Chattanooga Market.  This Sunday, the 15th will be my first time, and I’m scheduled again for the 29th.  I hope the weather cooperates and stays a little cooler than last week.  They will be installing some big fans later in the summer which should be an improvement.   As far as I can tell, the artists are pleased with the changes made to the market this year.  Come check it out.

Chattanooga Market

I’ve submitted my application to show at the Chattanooga Market.  I’m hoping to hear back soon.  I had a great time at the market yesterday visiting Brad Wilson (look for his work at In-Town Gallery), who was minding his wife’s booth.  She has made some corded bowls that are just terrific.  She’s made them in assorted sizes and colors.  I’d like to get my hands on her fabric stash. 

I’m looking forward to spending some Sunday afternoons with the other artists at the market.  Many are long time friends and some are new friends.  They create a very pleasant atmosphere at the market and are very welcoming.   In spite of the heat yesterday it was great to visit and pick up some delicious strawberries.

And what a surprise it was to open the Diversions Section of the Chattanooga Times Free Press and find my picture there.  I had no idea it was going to be there.  It was a very pleasant surprise.  I owe a big thank you to Helen Burton for taking the picture.  Thanks Helen!

 

Mist on the river

I had the most enjoyable time yesterday viewing the mist on the Tn River.  My friend Virginia called about dinner time and said she had seen the mist rising up the mountain and was coming up Signal Mountain to get some photographs.  She wanted to know if I wanted to go along.   We first went to a brow overlook near my house and found no mist, so we drove down the road to Leslie Dulin’s mother’s house and found a little mist there, but not what Virginia was looking for.  We then tried Signal Point, but no mist.  So we headed down the mountain to Suck Creek Road.  Our first stop was the boat launch where we found a little mist on the river and Virginia was able to get a few shots.  Our next stop was a little further down the road at the restaurant where she got a few more shots and we watched a barge go by.

We then headed down River Canyon Road.  By this time it was about 7ish and the light was getting very good.   We kept driving down River Canyon past the point where it turns into Mullins Cove Road and found a spot to pull off the road.  The mist was getting heavier and Virginia was snapping away.  She had about filled her memory stick and we headed back home.  Then conditions got really good and Virginia found another memory stick.   About every 50 feet Virginia would yell, I’d stop the car, she’d jump out and and take a few more photos.  This went on for more than a few miles along River Canyon Road.  Fortunately it’s a lightly travelled road.  We stopped again at the restaurant, the sky had turned pink and we found the best conditions of the day.

Neck Purses

It’s been quite some time since I’ve made any little purses.  I used to call them cell phone purses, but I’ve found I use them more for other things like money, keys, lipstick and glasses.   So for the moments I’m going to call them neck purses since you can wear them around your neck to keep your hands free.  For me they’re great to use at shows when I definitely want to have my hands free.   I’m thinking of putting them on Etsy and also thinking about selling them at the Chattanooga Market.  I haven’t applied for the market yet, but want to have work available to sell when I do.  So it’s back to work on purses for now.  Images will be available soon, I hope.