(Above: Window L. Unframed: 12 1/2" x 10 1/2". Framed: 17 3/4" x 15 3/4". Click on image to enlarge.)
I've been really busy this past week making more faux-stained glass fiber pieces in anticipation of the big wholesale-only Buyers Market show in the Philadelphia Convention Center, February 16 - 18. Steve and I have our booth ready ... complete with a 10' x 10' carpet and a professional lighting system. We have piles of business cards and tri-fold brochures, order blanks, and a show booth sign that promotes me as the 2011 Niche Award winner and a finalist this year. We are now busy framing the eleven new pieces shown in this post and trying not to get nervous about the upcoming show. I'm also finishing a large faux-stained glass fiber piece ... which I'll post in a day or two!
(Above: Window LI. Unframed: 12 1/2" x 10 1/2". Framed: 17 3/4" x 15 3/4". Click on image to enlarge.)
The most common question I get on these pieces is, "How did you make them?" The answer is pretty easy. I tell people they are a variation on my "In Box Series" ... which has a free, on-line tutorial HERE. This technique will be covered during the second day of the "HOT" workshop in Pittsburgh. I'm teaching at the Society for Contemporary Crafts the weekend after the show in Philadelphia ... and, at this time, there are still openings in the two-day class. (They've got a great catalog of workshops HERE ... and I'm on page 8)
(Above: Window LII. Unframed: 12 1/2" x 10 1/2". Framed: 17 3/4" x 15 3/4". Click on image to enlarge.)
Another thing that I've been working on are two of my blogs. First ... I've revamped my "In Box" blog with a new name and totally new posts. It is now called In Box and Stained Glass Series. It is HERE. My idea is to have all the pieces I'm taking to Philadelphia on this blog ... a one stop spot for any interested gallery owners/buyers to visit at a later time ... just in case they're interested after the show!
(Above: Window LIII. Unframed: 12 1/2" x 10 1/2". Framed: 17 3/4" x 15 3/4". Click on image to enlarge.)
The other blog is totally new. I've used a new template with a "flipcard" styling to present my recently created "Keys" and "Fragments". THEY ARE FOR SALE! I just couldn't bring myself to turn this blog into anything that might resemble "marketing". It has never been an important function for "Art in Stitches". This is a place to SHARE my work and thoughts on my creative process ... period. Yet, selling some things would help, make sense, and can be easily done on the Internet. So ... my new blog: ART IN STITCHES SALES ... is HERE. If anyone reading care to look, comment, make suggestions, etc. I'd appreciate it!
(Above: Window LXIX. Unframed: 12 1/2" x 10 1/2". Framed: 17 3/4" x 15 3/4". Click on image to enlarge.)
With marketing, sales, and a wholesale trade show on my mind, I also decided to list the prices for my faux-stained glass and "In Box" series pieces on their blog ... but not here. So ... prices are a click away and the focus here isn't to sell anything, just to share everything!
(Above: Lancet Window XIX. Unframed 27" x 7". Framed: 31" x 11". Click on image to enlarge.)
I also made four new Lancet Windows. These pieces are great fun to make. It is a challenge to keep the works within the narrow confines. It is amazing how many people really do have skinny places in their homes where these will fit nicely.
(Above: Lancet Window XX. Unframed 27" x 7". Framed: 31" x 11". Click on image to enlarge.)
Enjoy the ones below! As for me ... back to work! I've got a LARGE one waiting for me to tackle with the soldering iron and melt!
(Above: Lancet Window XXI. Unframed 27" x 7". Framed: 31" x 11". Click on image to enlarge.)
I am also linking this post to Nina-Marie's "Off the Wall Fridays" site, a place for fiber artists to share both finished work and work-on-progress.
(Above: Lancet Window XXII. Unframed 27" x 7". Framed: 31" x 11". Click on image to enlarge.)
