Monday Mosaic: June Bugs

curated by Sharon Fischer, Stray Notions

Spider Pendant #7 - Rust and Mint, Lush Beads 
Silver Dragonfly Silhouette Pendant, Cristina Hurley Designs 
Dragonfly Brooch - Red and pink, Stray Notions 
Small Little Dish - Jewelry Cup - Tarantula, Early Bird Designs

Art in your Boston Backyard: Beacon Hill Art Walk TODAY

Art by Jessica Burko, seen at the 2013 Beacon Hill Art Walk

It's a beautiful day in Boston (finally!) and the perfect time to check out an art fair in it's 27th year: the Annual Beacon Hill Art Walk TODAY, June 1st, from 12-6pm.

This is an art fair that is held throughout the nooks and crannies, backyards and private gardens of Boston's oldest neighborhood. A rare view of Beacon Hill, and a perfect opportunity to view original, one-of-a-kind artwork created by Boston area artists. Painting, photography, mixed-media, sculpture and more, will be on view and available for sale all day. Chat with the artists who create the work, and support your local arts community.

Jessica Burko will be exhibiting new encaustic collage works in a garden on Lindall Court, a small walkway off Phillips Street, between West Cedar and Grove Streets, #4C on the Art Walk map. Stop by and say hi!

Why Handmade: Hobbies vs. Profession

by Lynn Mohney of Prunella’s Workshop

Those dreaded words: What a neat hobby! When you quit a full-time “real” office job complete with vacation time, a steady paycheck, and benefits to pursue a career as a professional artist, these words cut like a knife. You have either met someone who has made this assumption, or you will sometime in the future. In all fairness, if you are like me and you don’t have a storefront, your work schedule is flexible, and you can meet up for coffee whenever others are available. This can give the perception we aren't as busy as we actually are.

Illustrations for fun and Profit?

There are a number of people who have pursued similar artistic endeavors or crafts who see themselves as hobbyists. They go as far as to sell their work, sometimes in similar venues. It is not their livelihood. They do their craft for enjoyment. Those who sell their work are primarily looking for an excuse to make more. In my humble opinion, there is nothing at all wrong with that. I consider myself a hobbyist and a professional artist.

Hair Styling

What is a hobbyist? Are they less qualified to do their craft? I think not. There are exceptionally talented hobbyists out there who create amazing work. The difference lies in why they create what they do. They are creating something different for their own personal enjoyment. If your hobby stresses you out, you have to ask yourself why you do it. They can be exhilarating, and some hobbies can really get the adrenaline pumping (skydiving comes to mind.) The only expectation you need to meet is your own. If you enjoy making latch hook rugs (my father used to make them when I was a kid, but I don’t think I've seen one in years) it doesn't matter if you have no audience. If you don’t feel like it, you don’t have to do it.

Face Painting

When  you make the leap to professional, the rules change. You need to be good- no excellent- at your skill. You have to brand yourself and market your work, so you are noticed. A professional artist is trying to make part or all of their livelihood with their craft. You have a bigger audience to satisfy as well. You have to consider what sells and what lingers. Your favorite work may sit forever, while items you hate sell faster than you can make them. A hobbyist can ignore this trend, but the professional needs to take it seriously. If the muse isn't speaking, we have to trudge along lest we fall behind.

Painting a wall mural in the children's bedroom

I said I see myself as both a hobbyist and a professional artist. I have committed my work as a jewelry artist to a professional level. I invest time and money to personal education, marketing, tools, and materials, and I expect my business to pay for itself. I watch what my customers like and dislike. I strive to put out quality work in minimal time to maximize profit. I love my job. I am a very lucky woman, because I wasn't always able to say that. However, I have needs to relax and do something different for enjoyment. I write fiction which is scheduled to be published shortly, but if no one liked my stories I would still write them. I create illustrations for books through paintings and/or computer graphics. I design and sew doll clothes. My daughter will have the best dressed dolls amongst her friends, but I have made no effort to even consider selling them. These hobbies are a means to escape and relax. Sometimes I even make a piece of jewelry just for fun.

Fulfilling dreams as a costume designer/seamstress 

What are your hobbies? How do you differentiate your hobbies from your professional life?

Exhibiting At My First Trade Show: Surtex 2014

by Dana of The Patterned Peacock

The main lobby of the Javits Convention Center

When I quit my job last fall to pursue The Patterned Peacock full time, Surtex was a big part of my decision. Surtex takes place every May at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. It’s a trade show for illustrators and surface pattern designs to exhibit their artwork in the hopes that a company will want to buy or license something. Unlike craft shows, Surtex is not open to the general public. The attendees are art directors and buyers from companies that make anything from stationery to home textiles to kid’s products.

I was accepted into the show in September and immediately started preparing for it. Creating a portfolio of work was my biggest concern (most artists at Surtex have a portfolio containing hundreds of images). But I also had to plan my booth design, a marketing campaign, and all of my promotional materials.

My 8x10 booth space ready to be transformed

My cousin (who is a designer) and my boyfriend (who has a surprisingly artistic eye) volunteered to help me with set up and I am so grateful for that help. Exhibiting at a trade show is a huge undertaking and having a support team really does make all the difference. 

One banner up, six to go

Almost done

Prior to exhibiting, I made a list of goals for myself. I was able to achieve all three goals and, for me, that made the show a success.

1. Learn about the needs of the industry.

What type of art are the looking for? How do they want it presented? How do companies work with artists? Do they license art or buy it outright?

2. Find out which industries and specific companies are interested in my work.

Once I know where I fit in, I will be better able to market myself in the future.

3. Connect with art directors and get permission to contact them in the future.

At many trade shows, the attendees are there to place orders but Surtex works differently. If an art director likes what they see, they’ll give you their business card and let you know how they would like you to follow up with them. The actual deals take place weeks or months down the road. So while I don’t know if anything will pan out for me, I do know that I came home with a notebook stuffed with business cards and instructions for next steps.

The finished booth

Because I'm shy and have a hard time making small talk, selling myself in person was the most daunting part of the process. If you feel the same way, I highly recommend Women Make the Best Salesmen. Other sales books I read were "power of positive thinking" fluff or had a "take charge of the sales process" approach that was too aggressive. But this amazing book focuses on how to build connections with potential customers in a way that's genuine and low key but effective.

If anyone has questions about trade shows or Surtex feel free to email me. My contact information can be found here.

Monday Mosaic: Remembrances on Memorial Day

curated by Susanne of enchantedhue

Red Chevron Purse by abigailleigh

Morse Code Bracelet by LushBeads

Openweave Infinity Scarf by Loomination

Dog Collar in Love Chevron by codyscreations

On this Memorial Day, Americans remember and honor loved ones and friends or total strangers who have been wounded or have died in one of America's conflicts.

Please visit The Wall of Remembrance to read about personal stories or to submit your own.

Why Handmade: Family Edition, Passing Down Knowledge to Our Kids

by Lynn Mohney of Prunella’s Workshop

It’s that time of year again when my oldest has a birthday, and this year he turns the big eight. It amazes me to see the way he progresses in every way, and his creative growth process is no exception. Drawings that were little more than scribbles of crayon, now take shape as dragons and ninjas. He practices drawing his anime, and slams his pencil in frustration when he doesn’t believe his work matches the picture in his head. Meanwhile, his little sister experiments with crayons on every surface she can find, including my walls.

C learning to draw from a book

As my children get older, I age as well. This year I will hit one of those big ages. I won’t tell you which one, but there won’t be a three in it anymore. I plan to stick around earth for a lot longer, but I need to impart my knowledge on to these minds. If we do not share our crafts with the next generation, who will? As time moves on and technology grows, fewer and fewer people know how to sew their own clothing with a sewing machine. Even fewer know what to do with a hand needle. What happens when the power goes out? By the way, my husband invited me to a fabric store for our second date, as he does know how to sew. I believe this is a large reason regarding why we are married today.

The beginnings of  K the mural artist

We need to encourage kids to make things with their hands. It isn’t as hard or overwhelming as it initially sounds. All it takes is a handful of crayons, paper, and glue. There are items all over the house perfect for creative moments, and the best part? They are free. You already bought the toilet paper, and you were going to throw the roll away. May as well allow the kids to play with them first. I remember dying macaroni and making necklaces as a child. A sand and water table can be enough to entertain and spark ideas in a child’s head. When they become used to the idea their hands can create things, it is easier to introduce the idea of bigger and more elaborate crafts.

C experimenting with the hammers at the bench

In addition, we can allow our children to watch us when we work. Perhaps handing an eight year old, even a very responsible one, a lit torch is a frightening prospect, but he can watch. If you separate your work out by tasks, there may be steps where they can participate. For example, my son often sands pieces by hand for me and contributes his opinions to the design process. Other times, he brings his homework to my studio, and we are just sharing the same air space.

With it was still an experiment, C said it was a bracelet - He was right

What happens if we don’t share these incredible skills with the next generation? What knowledge will we lose as a society? We are forever changing our world we live in, by building on to to past, which can be a great thing, but should we completely forget where we came from? How do you share with future generations?

Boston Handmade at the Vintage Bazaar in Salisbury, MA

by Leanne of Loomination

I've been showing my work at the Vintage Bazaar at Pettengill Farm since the very first one in the spring of 2011. It is one of my favorite shows every year, mostly because it's always changing and there's so much going on.

There are over 130 vendors, a mix of vintage and antique dealers along with artists and artisans, live music, food trucks and other special events (such as the Vintage Motorcycle Show at the Fall VB) all spread out on the grounds of a picturesque flower farm in Salisbury, MA.

Images from www.mybazaarlife.com

Held just a mile from the coast, in one of my hometowns, I have a personal connection with the area and remember going to many hayrides and holiday open houses at Pettengill Farm. The Vintage Bazaar is truly an amazing experience, especially for me, since I've seen it grow over the years.

I just joined Boston Handmade in late 2013, but this year at our annual meeting in January we were discussing events and I thought the Vintage Bazaar would be a great place for a BH popup. There will be eight Boston Handmade members participating under a giant 10 x 40' tent (well really 4 small tents lashed together to make one really big one).

This is the first thing I've organized for BH and I'm really excited about it! I'm not sure if that's because I love this show so much or because we're having a giant weekend long BH sleepover, but I'm sure it's going to be amazing all around.

Clockwise, pieces by: Enchanted Hue, Prunella's Workshop, McDonald Mixed Media, The Patterned Peacock

Now for the details!

When: Saturday & Sunday, June 21 & 22, 2014, 10am-5pm
Where: Pettengill Farm, 45 Ferry Road, Salisbury, MA
Cost: $5 per person, free for children under 16

Specials: Early bird admission! For just $7, you can get in at 8:30am on Saturday and get first crack at all the amazing finds.

More info and early bird ticket sales: www.mybazaarlife.com

BH Members Participating:
Enchanted Hue 
Jessica Burko 
Loomination
Lush Beads Industrial
McDonald Mixed Media 
Prunella's Workshop 
Stray Notions 
The Patterned Peacock

Clockwise, pieces by: Stray Notions, Lush Beads Industrial, Loomination, Jessica Burko

We hope you can join us for a truly inspiring experience!

Monday Mosaic: Land, Sea and Air

curated by Sharon Fischer, Straynotions

Original collage with encaustic and upcycled materials, Jessica Burko

Bronze Viking Turtle brooch - Single, Prunella's Workshop

Koi - goldfish - embroidered pendant necklace, Stray Notions

Zebra Dreams - Mixed Media Collage, McDonald Mixed Media