Alaska Gift Show!

The Alaska Gift Show is over

but orders continue to filter in while 
catalogs & shipments are going out daily.

Even though the weather was horrible in Alaska & the Seattle airport was

closed my Seattle rep, Kathy, managed to fly into Anchorage (albeit a bit late).

 Some retail shoppers weren't so lucky & were stranded or delayed.
As a result, I've been getting lots of email orders & things are picking up
on WholesaleCrafts.Com.

Quick shot of my booth.

I had a nice compliment on my booth set-up from my friend Skookums.

Skookums is an amazing & well-known harpist but

her other job is to rep a few well known Alaska artists.

It was great to see her ~ I should have gotten a picture of the two of us!

Anyway, she liked my booth set-up.

I usually set it up so it's a bit askew..

.to createa triangle. 

 I have a small table & two chairs facing the booth so

my shoppers can sit & look at all the samples while we chat & write up orders.

Taku Graphics is one of my neighbors.

They rep an amazing line of famous Alaskan artists including

Ray Troll, Karen Beason, Teresa Ascone, & now ME!

This beautiful peacock was residing in the booth next door to mine.

It belongs to Lynn of Horse Island Traders from Juneau, Alaska.

 Lynn is one of my favorite booth neighbors ~ full of positive
energy & kind to everyone.

Kathy & Lynn comparing notes!

I think Kathy was buying some samples?

Lynn placed this stunning beaded peacock between our booths

& it stopped shoppers in their tracks. 

It helped to pull people into her booth & mine.

What a conversation piece!

Shows over but the now the work begins!
Las Vegas is next!



Watch the Skies Tonight!

Here's a Daily News article on the possibility of a great show tonight in the northern skies!

Time to head out with the telescope & camera!

Gift Show!

Whew!

Too busy to post as I'm at the

Alaska Gift Show!

Busy  ~ Busy!!

If you're a retailer please stop bye & see all the new work!

Tomorrow (Saturday) is the last day at the

Anchorage Convention Center.

Hours are 10 to 6 pm.

Here's a few pictures of a new line I've created

~ Modern Metals ~

all handcrafted metals with glass bead accents

Lampworked beads with sterling core.

Botanical earrings...of course there has to be a honeybee.

Spiral Bracelet.

Simple Silver & Glass Bracelet

(I can't get the photo horizontal even though it's

formatted that direction ~  any ideas??)

Silver, crystals, charms necklace.

The Snowiest Winter on Record!

Anchorage has had over 88 inches of snow already this year!
We're on record for the snowiest winter on record since 1954.
Check out this article in the Alaska Dispatch.

I believe it!  I'm sick of the snow & shoveling.



Here's a shot of the snow plow with Denali in the background.
So beautiful but soooooo much snow!

Accordion Travel in Style!

I'm loving my new hot-rod red accordion case!

It was sort of a splurge purchase on eBay

 (not price-wise but "do I really need it"-wise).

But now.... after it's arrival in the mail all I can is

YUM!!!  I'm in love!

Just look at her!  

How can you not love a hot red girl on wheels, 

with a telescoping handle & a plush interior???

She even came with locks & 4 keys & heavy duty straps if you want to 

strap her on your back & wear her like a backpack.

Made by Eastman Music Co. this is a custom case.

Look at my Petosa Baby Grand nestled inside!.

The interior is a beautiful, dark, red soft foam..just like a red velvet cupcake!

Snazzy!

Oh yeah baby...next time we play Chilkoots we're going in style!

Best of all is the shipping box!

Ta-da....who knew it was the same size as a seven year old boy?!?!

KAKM Art Showcase Auction ~

As the season premier for Downton Abby on Masterpiece Theatre

starts this weekend I'm reminded of how much I appreciate

Public Radio & TV.

If you're a PBS fan here's a way you can support your habit too!

If you're an artist, donate a piece of your work to the annual

Art Showcase Auction.  If you're a listener, become a

patron by bidding on some great art or donate

cash for a membership!

As a long time supporter & member, I donate a piece of art

every year.  I think it's been over 20 years of donation

& it's been a pleasure.

Here's my art glass piece for this year's event ~

A large 16" glass sculpture.

This can be mounted on a wall, placed in a stand,

or used functionally as a serving platter.

Best of all it's dishwasher safe!  :)

KAKM Art Showcase Auction

SAT. & SUN. FEBRUARY 11 & 12, 2012

PreBuy Open House at APTI 1:00 – 5:00 pm

THURS., FRI. & SAT. FEBRUARY 16, 17 & 18

Live on KAKM Channel 7 TV

Call 907.550.8432 for tickets and more info!

My Treasure has been Transformed!

Here's a shot of my finished table for the

Salvation Army fundraiser auction.

It looks better in person.

Glass is hard to photograph without getting glare

and especially when you're a lazy photographer

who didn't take time to set up the shot with a back drop & proper lighting.

What can I say?? 

I'm crazy busy these days in the studio & it's a donation.

3 days to paint the glass top.

I think I've paid my dues.  :)

A Transformed Treasure ~ in progress...

Transformed Treasures

 is a fundraiser for the Anchorage Salvation Army.

Artists are invited to participate &

provided $50 in vouchers to shop at a number of the

local Salvation Army Stores.

Then the treasure hunt begins as you shop

until you drop trying to find a cast off item that you're able to

transform into a treasure...and then donate it back to the Salvation Army

for their annual luncheon event later this spring.

Here's one of my treasures!

A sweet little table with a black rod iron base (it folds flat)

with a large round glass top. 

The top is in perfect condition ~

no chips or scratches so it saves me a fire polishing in the kiln.

I used $25 in vouchers.

I'm going to use glass enamels & paint a botanical design on the glass.

You can see my sketch on the paper under the glass.  I have to have some sort of

pattern for overall placement or else I get distracted & who knows what I'd end up

painting or what it'd look like in the end.

Here's the beginning!