Gearing Up

How's my Dollfaces? Tonight finds me cleaning and straightening my little art cave, trying to calm and center myself before the storm of the next several weeks. I am happy to announce that I've been accepted to both Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar and Alliday on the 10th and 17th of December, respectively. Along with the excitement of participating in these amazing, 100% handmade shows comes the sobering realization that holy bajeezus, I've got to produce enough inventory for two shows plus ye olde internete shoppe, on top of all the family and holiday related business and happy times that this time of year brings. I have so many ideas and plans for new offerings, new show displays, new things and projects I want to share with you, and such precious little time. I am trying to learn to not let myself be overwhelmed by the big picture, and to just focus on one task at a time until I reach my goal, or, as my mother would say, to "eat the elephant one bite at a time". I feel like I'm looking for some magic organizational tool or method that will help me feel less overwhelmed and keep me on track. My attempts at scheduling each hour of my day haven't worked, especially with two little girls. I'm good at making lists, and I do work better with one, but I still feel scattered sometimes. So much of the time I feel like I'm running on a treadmill, just barely staying on top of the day to day needs of my little business and my family, with no time to get ahead or reach the really big goals. I hope (and I think) I'm not alone here.



In other news, we celebrated our Sugar Pea's fifth birthday with funnel cakes (birthday girl's request), and I just shipped a big ol' box of Sweetheartville saint candles to a brand new store opening the first of November in Rogers, AR called Heirloom Food and Gifts! I cannot wait to shop there the next time we visit family in the Ozarks. Sweetheartville goods can now be found at retail stores in two different states, with more to come, hopefully. These are exciting times. So much work to be done! Do you have any tips for staying on track while juggling a business and a family? What sort of calendar, planner, or other organizational tools have helped you?

Art Crush: Samantha Lamb

I think my friend Samantha Lamb is pretty well known in the state of Oklahoma these days, and rightly so. Her fine art photographs are breathtaking. They seriously make my liver quiver. Just in case you haven't been introduced to this lovely lady and her art, I thought I'd share a little glimpse of her newest work which celebrates Indian Summer in all its warm, glowy beauty.



I had the supreme honor of being photographed by Sam a couple of years ago, and since I've come to know her, I can tell you that a sweeter, more creative and genuine soul does not exist in this world. She is twice as gorgeous in person as in her photographs, if you can believe it. Sam is currently working her fingers to the bone running a farm and communing with wild owls and donkeys and milk cows. She is Snow White come to life, I tell you.




Visit Sam's blog for more of her lovely work and life (and pies!), and grab her coupon code for a fall discount in her shop. Now I'm off to drink something warm and eat something spicy and pumpkiny, thanks to Sam's gorgeous photos. I hope that you're enjoying these first fall days, my favorite time of year.

Building Your Brand

Hello, folks! Just thought I'd alert you to a little series of guest posts I did for my good friends at the Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar blog on the topic of Building Your Brand. Look for an installment every day this week, and hopefully take away a tip or two for your handmade or small business!

The Queen of Rock

After countless starts and stops, Miss Wanda Jackson is finally finished and is awaiting her debut at the Oklahoma State Fair, along with dozens of other embroidered Okies.



Since "Funnel of Love" is just about my favorite Wanda Jackson song, and since Oklahoma is known for its funnel clouds, I thought a giant embroidered cyclone was appropriate.



My taller half even tried his hand at embroidery for the first time to render the majesty of Ryan, Oklahoma native Chuck Norris' kicking power in floss and felt.



Remember: There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of animals Chuck Norris allows to live.

The Great Okie Stitch Along

I'm beyond excited to be participating in yet another wonderful project dreamed up by the creative geniuses responsible for Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar. Last summer I quietly began work on an embroidered portrait of someone I admire. Well, Sara and I must have been on the same wavelength because shortly thereafter she proposed that those of us so inclined should stitch up a portrait of a famous Oklahoman. We Okies can claim quite a few celebrities as our own. Of course I jumped right on board, laying down my WIP to begin work on the lovely Ms. Wanda Jackson. I'll share some progress when some worth showing gets made.

Already, three public exhibitions have been scheduled in Oklahoma City for the coming Summer and Fall, including the Oklahoma State Fair. But this Okie Stitch Along is not exclusive to those stitchers from the Sooner State. We welcome anyone who would like to render a famous Okie in floss. Still up for grabs are Garth Brooks, Woody Guthrie, Will Rogers, Ron Howard, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Carrie Underwood, Mickey Mantle, and more. Let Sara know who you'd like to stitch, and be prepared to have your piece mailed to Oklahoma City by July 1st.

Even Mr. Sweetheart, a novice embroiderer, has gotten in on the action with a plan to immortalize the inimitable Chuck Norris on fabric. Join us, won't you?

*lovely photo of myself, Sara, and JD by Samantha Lamb

Deluxe Numero Tres

Another excellent Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar is over. Despite getting only four hours sleep the night before and managing to forget several pieces of my display, the show was a success. I met lots of new folks, received many, many overly flattering compliments on my work, and generally reveled in the company of hundreds of art-loving, handmade-supporting, like-minded people.


My Beauty Buttons were, once again, a hit.


The dryer chair, of course, made another appearance, this time to hold throw pillows made from vintage textiles.


I was so excited to debut two brand new products, both near and dear to my heart. It's a big step for me, putting my artwork and photography out there for public scrutiny, but I received so many lovely compliments on my new postcards featuring six of my photographs of vintage signs.


Another brand new offering were these prayer candles featuring my digital collage of Saint Tammy, Patron Saint of Hairstylists. My very dear friend Christie suggested the idea, and after a lot of hard work and experimentation with different papers and methods of applying my artwork to the glass, I couldn't be more pleased with the final product. The Beauty Operators loved them!


I hope to have these and some other new items listed in my Etsy shop very soon!

Beauty Collage Drop Out

The last minute scramble that always precedes a show is on. Some brand new, top secret Sweetheartville products will be making their debut at Deluxe and I couldn't be more excited about them. Here are a few of the little collages I'll be offering on Saturday. I'm selling this trio as a set, complete with matching vintage metal picture frames.




Stop by and visit Sweetheartville if you're in the Oklahoma City area Saturday!

Deluxe Craft Weekend

I'm very, very excited about an upcoming event I'll be participating in September 25-27 in Oklahoma City. Deluxe Craft Weekend is brought to you by Sara and J.D., hard working directors of Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar and all around art and craft ninjas. This unique event features 36 solid hours of social crafting including nine meals from some of OKC's finest eateries. On top of a dedicated, secure workspace, the chance for crafty fellowship with other creative people, and three squares each day, those dollfaces are going to give attendees coffee, drinks and snacks all weekend too! Mr. Sweetheart and I will be celebrating his birthday and our soon to follow wedding anniversary there.

In addition to the 36 hour craftacular retreat, 20+ workshops will be offered on everything from applying to major craft shows, with the directors of The Girlie Show, to whittling to knitting. If you can't attend the whole weekend event, you may choose one or more of the workshops which range in price from $15 to $45. What a great, hands on introduction to that new skill you've been
dying to learn, and an excellent way to further your crafty business skills!
I am so thrilled to be leading an "Embroidery 101" workshop which will cover everything you need to learn to get started in hand embroidery. The $30 class includes practice fabric, a hoop, needle, embroidery floss, a booklet with stitch diagrams and tips, and a tea towel. You will leave armed with knowledge of the basics and your first project in progress.
So if you're anywhere near Oklahoma, I invite you to register for this one-of-a-kind weekend retreat or stop by for a workshop or two. I can't wait!

Deluxe Photo Shoot

You may recall me mentioning that I was working on a Depression Era themed project this spring. My friends Sara and J.D., the lovely, hard working ladies behind Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar and Wayward Textile Foundation, asked me to take part in a photo shoot with the two of them and the oh-so-talented Samantha Lamb. I styled our hair in some 1930's-esque styles, and donning some pretty dresses, we spread a tablecloth for a vintage Stitch and Bitch session.


Sam's photography is so beautifully dreamy, and she is a lovely, sweet soul whom I'm so glad I had the pleasure of meeting.


She shot some individual portraits of the three of us, as well.


I love this happy portrait of J.D. and Sara, with the sun in their hair.


It was such a fun project!

A Deluxe Honor

Know what those Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar Dollfaces went and did? Against their better judgement, they made me a "Featured Artist" on their website!


Well, of course they wanted photos of lil' ol' me, and not wanting to disappoint, I called up my friend Autumn, and her ridiculous photography skills, and she very kindly obliged me with a downtown photo shoot. Pro that she is, she even managed to get a few of me with my poor old sunlight-sensitive Swedish blue eyes open, and that is no small feat.