tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164608592866891182024-03-05T06:08:23.411-08:00The ScoreBlog about all things artists care about: business, marketing, branding, and more.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-85744966649880138872017-02-22T12:46:00.000-08:002017-02-22T12:46:12.769-08:00New Chair Project!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP3rGFeTnmbUYDy7jxIqdg0xOfKWLlBsBnJHke-HapCe17ogogHwo1wMSB7moT17XudJJRawSuJ8CIujrm8pteZy7XeM0bWHR4E0FGwnQwkVzX0Z3-veJ6nguQdpgaZyXDqgJyCuKmavO/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP3rGFeTnmbUYDy7jxIqdg0xOfKWLlBsBnJHke-HapCe17ogogHwo1wMSB7moT17XudJJRawSuJ8CIujrm8pteZy7XeM0bWHR4E0FGwnQwkVzX0Z3-veJ6nguQdpgaZyXDqgJyCuKmavO/s320/IMG_0832.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Antique Chair Update</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Photo by P. MacLeod</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I <a href="http://paulamacleod.blogspot.com/2016/04/creating-custom-chair-part-iv.html" target="_blank">chronicled</a> the development of a chair that I created for the Painted Chair and More Auction benefit for the <a href="http://www.animalrescue.net/homepage" target="_blank">Independent Animal Rescue</a> last year. People liked it, so I'm going to do it again! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I found the chair pictured above on a trip to <a href="http://scrapexchange.org/" target="_blank">The Scrap Exchange</a> for $7.00. This is what it looked like before I took off the old upholstery. It has lots of character!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16LS_X55V6tk-w-cik4A0sKjDcf0hLPxry402ezudRnG0Vu-nNpUBEUx1eLmlXkVsHFqYehr5f0z6-K8bZlUUR1WkBAU2OhO5RqJe_nv2ZLDqVxZxESxpe-me62ZPgjwAXnFm5w75vlX3/s1600/IMG_2425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16LS_X55V6tk-w-cik4A0sKjDcf0hLPxry402ezudRnG0Vu-nNpUBEUx1eLmlXkVsHFqYehr5f0z6-K8bZlUUR1WkBAU2OhO5RqJe_nv2ZLDqVxZxESxpe-me62ZPgjwAXnFm5w75vlX3/s320/IMG_2425.JPG" width="199" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Photo by P. MacLeod</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Getting all of the upholstery off was a bigger job than I expected. There were many, many tacks, and the cushion material had dry rotted and created a lot of nasty dust. My upholstery skills are novice at best, and after researching how to redo the cushion style, I had to re-strategize. I'm not ready for setting springs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I painted it a very pale lavender color. It was a bit lighter than I expected, but I like the look. I have purple material for the upholstery, and I'm considering accenting some of the details with distressed silver paint. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, I <b>am</b> going to do a mosaic feature on the back. The sketch is coming next! Please follow my progress!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">May all of your scores run true--</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">paula</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-91292480799361165102016-09-02T12:29:00.004-07:002016-09-02T12:29:48.338-07:00Best Friends: Artists and Their Companions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuzARDoIFVZyWasf6sOETugeYWt-ytx-bUa_Envy4fMEezzYO7EA2_SEx4az-_fE52w-LPyahnnjD11jD5DQFybjp6RdMUEgldeXmlAtCa4M0VfR4N6bdpWEAlnZrBN3njO6OdH8Gb3m1/s1600/junointhestudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuzARDoIFVZyWasf6sOETugeYWt-ytx-bUa_Envy4fMEezzYO7EA2_SEx4az-_fE52w-LPyahnnjD11jD5DQFybjp6RdMUEgldeXmlAtCa4M0VfR4N6bdpWEAlnZrBN3njO6OdH8Gb3m1/s320/junointhestudio.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Me with Juno in my studio.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Photo: R. Scurlock</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I work in my studio, I'm not usually alone. I have four cats, and two of them prefer to hang around when I'm in the studio.* It's welcome company. Creating is often solitary work. I have friends who have pets that accompany them in their studios also, which led me to wonder about other artists. I first thought about <a href="http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/polydactyl-cats-the-felines-with-extra-toes" target="_blank">Hemingway</a> and his cats and <a href="https://georgerodrigue.com/" target="_blank">George Rodrigue</a> and his Blue Dog work, and <a href="http://www.wegmanworld.com/" target="_blank">William Wegman</a> and his Weimeraners, but after a quick Google search, I found a lot more. I'm going to share some of those people in this blog, but feel free to send me more or add your own!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Please note that I wanted to include pictures for each artist, but for the sake of space, I have linked the artists to pictures of them with their pets or images they painted of their pets.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://dachshundlove.blogspot.com/2007/11/dachshunds-in-pop-culture-andy-warhol.html" target="_blank">Andy Warhol</a> had a dachshund named Archie, who he took with him everywhere, including restaurants. I read that in interviews, if Warhol didn't want to answer a question, he would defer to Archie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.anothermag.com/design-living/1467/frida-kahlos-monkeys-dogs-birds" target="_blank">Frida Khalo</a>, is not only one of my favorite artists, but an animal lover. She had birds, monkeys, hairless dogs, and a fawn. Some of her self-portraits feature her pets.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthYDPKZlzLPd2j9LdoNIhIgzsGxA5Q3AZBVOJP6zgf8OLLZPaohvIu58yuchB31fkWkYXObW7ZbcyrQoeHXs33_mXCBdZ0DWjvwLUx6dDcHBE0JDGKZ7VLDiN5kpS6dbgxahooBRoSvYO/s1600/frieda+and+fawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthYDPKZlzLPd2j9LdoNIhIgzsGxA5Q3AZBVOJP6zgf8OLLZPaohvIu58yuchB31fkWkYXObW7ZbcyrQoeHXs33_mXCBdZ0DWjvwLUx6dDcHBE0JDGKZ7VLDiN5kpS6dbgxahooBRoSvYO/s1600/frieda+and+fawn.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Frida and her fawn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Source: Internet</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/227642956139506601/" target="_blank">David Hockney</a> unabashedly paints his dachshunds, Stanley and Boodgie and has a book of paintings and drawings called <a href="https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://t3.gstatic.com/images%3Fq%3Dtbn:ANd9GcTyYkBeXdQnm8hRvuhJCvQsJpwUMdHmgafWGB86nOuaZcC6Htl9&imgrefurl=http://books.google.com/books/about/David_Hockney_s_Dog_Days.html%3Fid%3D5Yc0AQAAIAAJ%26source%3Dkp_cover&h=346&w=400&tbnid=p0743-9_yjR72M:&tbnh=160&tbnw=184&docid=5yMG10hmTv_mbM&itg=1&usg=__A34WOCtvtyBD_wYmVqYZQCPPv0E=" target="_blank">Dog Days</a> featuring the pair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/227642956139506601/" target="_blank">Edward Munch</a> as many people know was a troubled man and lived alone. He had several dogs that he took everywhere, including the movies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://historybuff.com/6-weirdest-stories-about-salvador-dali-EZgXDzJpDjYG" target="_blank">Salvador Dali</a> had several pets, one that is often noted is his ocelot, Babou. He famously led Babou around on a leash and stone-studded collar in public. He took the cat into a restaurant where a woman expressed concern, and it's said that he told her not to worry because, "it is a normal cat that painted over in a op art design."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://dreamdogsart.typepad.com/art/2008/05/picasso-lump.html" target="_blank">Pablo Picasso</a> loved dogs and his dachshund, Lump, became his best companion. Lump was known to eat from Picasso's hand and urinate on one of the artist's sculptures. Their relationship has been documented in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Picasso-Lump-David-Douglas-Duncan/dp/0821258109" target="_blank">Picasso & Lump</a> by David Douglas Duncan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/433049320395008894/" target="_blank">Paul Klee</a>, who drew and painted many cats, most notably <a href="http://totallyhistory.com/cat-and-bird/" target="_blank">Cat and Bird</a>, had a beloved cat named Bimbo. When he was away from home, he would write to his wife just to ask about Bimbo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/162622236523001287/" target="_blank">Romere Bearden</a> the painter and collage artist, loved cats and had many, including one named Gippo. He found Gippo in the woods and after some adjustment time, Gippo became at home in the studio.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Quick List--Writers and their pets</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Flannery O'Connor's peacocks</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mark Twain's cats</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">William S. Borroughs' cats</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">T.S. Elliot, creator of the characters that inspired the Broadway show, <i>Cats</i></span><br />
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Charles Dickens. I hesitated to include him, but he had a deaf cat named <a href="http://www.openculture.com/2014/11/charles-dickens-gave-his-cat-bob-a-second-life-as-a-letter-opener.html" target="_blank">Bob </a>who was devoted to Dickens. When Bob died, Dickens had one of Bob's fore legs and paw taxidermied to the handle of a letter opener. Some people think this was a way for him to have daily contact with Bob after his death. (Too morbid for me!) It is part of the New York Public Library collection of literary artifacts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrTsmcQ0MDMzGe6o02eyNEtZy4V0q5bMaPMymK9laVkl54mL5Glhg0_ICMNy-P3jRST4eQFl6JLxY9MKrkdGyQ28w3wmf-kZLy3sbRb8nEb9G0mkbR6EcvVppBV7IRi3FVkfWyXieR0-M/s1600/letteropener.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrTsmcQ0MDMzGe6o02eyNEtZy4V0q5bMaPMymK9laVkl54mL5Glhg0_ICMNy-P3jRST4eQFl6JLxY9MKrkdGyQ28w3wmf-kZLy3sbRb8nEb9G0mkbR6EcvVppBV7IRi3FVkfWyXieR0-M/s1600/letteropener.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bob the cat's paw letter opener.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Source: NYPL</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For more information, look up the book, <a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/Artists_and_Their_Cats.html?id=hFTVoAEACAAJ&source=kp_cover&hl=en" target="_blank">Artists and Their Cats</a> by Alison Nastasi.</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*Please note that some studios are not safe for pets and make sure that your companion is safe from fumes, accidentally eating something toxic, fire or other hot tools, sharp objects and other dangers. </span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you enjoyed this post! May all of your scores run true!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-paula</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-61164915761488244282016-08-25T13:18:00.001-07:002016-08-25T13:24:32.862-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">16 Art Show and Festival Tips and Resources</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJjAt0T9MpjJkxRFsMN18U6XZFgGYR6eFZBhRVDqzJvC08cROoJQ_u7GWnitISvedz-Div_CfsaTrXGiDBaT_O0mJ0Et32bsYEmbUAbCIxOdo5caWEy4R065YDugGYf3zO71IKXjTlMVE/s1600/art_booth_A.Linn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJjAt0T9MpjJkxRFsMN18U6XZFgGYR6eFZBhRVDqzJvC08cROoJQ_u7GWnitISvedz-Div_CfsaTrXGiDBaT_O0mJ0Et32bsYEmbUAbCIxOdo5caWEy4R065YDugGYf3zO71IKXjTlMVE/s320/art_booth_A.Linn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Outdoor Booth, work by <a href="http://andrialinn.com/" target="_blank">Andria Linn</a></div>
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Photo by A. Linn</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I ran across an article titled <a href="http://www.craftmakerpro.com/business-tips/top-10-things-successful-craft-show/?utm_campaign=craft-maker-pro&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=timeline" target="_blank">Top 10 Things to Have aSuccessful Art Show</a> recently. It’s a basic list of do’s for setting up your
booth and being prepared for shows and, I guess it’s also an oversight that the
list is only <b>8</b> items. Anyway, the information is timely, as there are several
annual local shows coming up in the area. I think it’s all good advice, but I’d
like to expand on and add to this list, based on my own experience. The
original items in the list are in bold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Price everything.</b> Definitely have everything priced and easily seen. Arrange your work so that people can find prices easily.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Have a clean, organized booth. </b>Have a way to store your travel/packing containers out of the way and eyes of customers. Use displays that are easy to access and allow room for people to move without tripping over tables or other obstacles. Make the display about your work and your style. Try not to add to many extras, such as flowers or other dressing.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><b>Be friendly. </b>This is good advice, but also be aware that some people will engage you in conversation with no intention of buying anything. This is fine if the booth is empty. Be polite, but don't let chatty Cathys prevent you from engaging with buying customers.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><b>Accept credit cards if you can, especially at high-end venues or if you sell expensive work. </b>The <a href="https://squareup.com/" target="_blank">Square</a> has changed the complication of accepting credit/debit cards and makes sales so much easier! Have your payment options posted and easily seen. You will need a cash box or bag also. Get your change the day before the show.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><b>Ask if there are other vendors selling the same type of work that you do before signing up.</b> Always try to scope out not only the other artists, but also the show itself. All shows may not be a good fit for every artist. Sometimes there are too many artists in one type of media, which saturates the market. Reaching out to other artists who have participated in a show that you are interested in is another way to assess if a show will be a good fit for your work.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><b>Have consistent packaging.</b> Your packaging need will be specific to your artwork (e.g., boxes for jewelry or bubble wrap for glass), but take the time to have consistent colors/logos for bags and other packaging options.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><b>Be friendly and smile at shoppers.</b> I feel like this is redundant, since it's listed above, but I will add that art shows are often part of festivals and artists are part of the entertainment. Having an attractive, interesting booth/display is critical to attracting potential customers.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><b>Don't pack up your booth until the show is over. </b>It looks bad to the public if you are actively packing work while there are other open booths. Some shows will fine artists who pack up and leave before the show is over. Also, be sure to read all of the show details, such as inclement weather policies, extra fees or fines, awards, and so forth.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><b>And here are my additional tips:</b></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;">Have your business cards available and an email sign up book. It is also good to have scissors, tape, a receipt book and other basic office supplies on hand.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;">It's ok to work on something, like attaching jewelry pieces or crocheting, if you can, but don't ignore customers or work on anything messy. You need to be ready to engage at the moment someone comes into your booth.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;">Plan your breaks. Have a back up person who either joins you for the whole show or comes to relieve you at planned times. Try not to eat in front of your customers.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;">Have a basic care kit: bandages, pain reliever, hand sanitizer, sun screen, tissues, antibiotic cream, hand lotion, and other miscellaneous items in a storage organizer. (I was stung by a bee at an outdoor festival once.)</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;">You will need a cash box or bag. Get your change the day before and have a way to track sales, whether you use a computer or phone app or paper method.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;">Wear comfortable clothes and if you have a chair, it is best if it is taller, barstool size, so that you are not below people's line of sight.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.5in;">For your show planning and exploration, here's a list of <a href="http://www.fairsandfestivals.net/states/NC/" target="_blank">NC fairs and festivals</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I hope this has been helpful information and your show experiences are positive! If you have additional advice, please leave a comment!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">May all of your scores run true!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-paula</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-24616993027997832212016-08-01T14:37:00.000-07:002016-08-01T14:37:01.632-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Raising Funds and Supporting a Cause</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbZM8FXio-coLXJZzbLW2-SNyzZAMgnDr8COVXZmkbzsyiBoJDQLnuu1eNFt6nzeKY4PPJ-E5dA0c8yjv6yzZZJZ06FPs6d-0tzx3wP0BaDJkVPPxaddG-kcl1TmxiXu_hU-IkI_7SN5S/s1600/2016_auction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbZM8FXio-coLXJZzbLW2-SNyzZAMgnDr8COVXZmkbzsyiBoJDQLnuu1eNFt6nzeKY4PPJ-E5dA0c8yjv6yzZZJZ06FPs6d-0tzx3wP0BaDJkVPPxaddG-kcl1TmxiXu_hU-IkI_7SN5S/s320/2016_auction.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2016 Painted Chair and More Auction</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Photo by V. Clack</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The completely non-profit, all volunteer animal rescue group the Independent Animal Rescue held it's annual Painted Chair and More auction on Saturday, July 30 here in Durham, NC. As many of you know, animal welfare is an issue that I care deeply about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I love to create special pieces for this auction. I look at this as an opportunity to support their efforts and to let my creative juices go. I plan for something fun, unique and useful, hoping to capture enough interest to create a bidding war. Knowing that the money will go to help the animals is my primary motivator, but watching a piece that I made create a buzz is a wonderful feeling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBmcWbKTe56nBbtEbiNKpmu-96Z3cHD9MV4TJyXp03sHxEcMDbpEsQA6H4kB4iCTVEJs196uBXNOGHXRLbmZcmYrq8_LeypvvRG7OimVUKo0uUYhlYSgpVpHYFNsaqVuvtQ2Xz9tGi7CW/s1600/IMG_2621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBmcWbKTe56nBbtEbiNKpmu-96Z3cHD9MV4TJyXp03sHxEcMDbpEsQA6H4kB4iCTVEJs196uBXNOGHXRLbmZcmYrq8_LeypvvRG7OimVUKo0uUYhlYSgpVpHYFNsaqVuvtQ2Xz9tGi7CW/s320/IMG_2621.jpg" width="223" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stained Glass Mosaic Chair</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Chair and Photo By P. MacLeod</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I wasn't able to attend this year's event due to a scheduling conflict, but I did get an update from an auction organizer. Although my chair raised<b><span style="font-size: large;"> $150,</span></b> overall the total amount raised was not as much as last year. Obviously the ideal would be that each year would raise more or at least as much as the year before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This brings me to a subject that I have written about before (<a href="http://5 Things to Consider Before You Donate" target="_blank">5 Things to Consider Before You Donate</a>), but also reminds me of a conversation that I had with an artist friend recently. The practice of donating your work for fundraiser such as this one is a personal choice that shouldn't be based on whether or not you benefit directly from making the donation. Artists are told over and over that your donation is also "exposure" for you and your work. I don't know anyone who has made a follow up sale or commission from participating in an auction. On the other hand, I have more time than money and making a donation is my way of supporting the cause. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After thinking about this for a bit, I have begun to wonder if an auction fundraiser the best way to raise funds? If you have insight or just ideas, please leave me a comment!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">May all of your scores run true!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-paula</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-79974674687182179042016-05-13T10:46:00.000-07:002016-05-13T10:46:25.838-07:00Friday the 13th at the Dentist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JubO8Mo7qPIVBPprKjWFnb1QTFGD1TfXj_uCVPdcb8ICYTPwfSL-bgybckt138g7ttJozYXA52n2AjkUNEQePU-BRjNIFNIiS3-C6KZj0WToMwU2lt6oIexck9w7zLGmONQvgEwY4a9W/s1600/friday13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JubO8Mo7qPIVBPprKjWFnb1QTFGD1TfXj_uCVPdcb8ICYTPwfSL-bgybckt138g7ttJozYXA52n2AjkUNEQePU-BRjNIFNIiS3-C6KZj0WToMwU2lt6oIexck9w7zLGmONQvgEwY4a9W/s1600/friday13.png" /></a></div>
Note: Today's blog is a total departure from art and art-like things. Enjoy!<div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had a dentist appointment to have a regular cleaning today.
I look forward to getting my teeth cleaned. I have many, many terrible
stories that happened in a dentist’s chair, but cleanings always make my teeth
feel smooth and pearly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I really like our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WestWood-Dental-Group-115929671757655/" target="_blank">dentists</a> and the hygienist there. She’s a
very nice woman who is easy to chat with, for as much chatting that you can do
when someone has their hands in your mouth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After I sit down, she tells me that it’s time for the annual
bitewings. Oh joy. We get through that without too much issue, and that’s that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s late spring and she starts talking about stopping by a
U Pick strawberry patch on her way home from work. That led us to a discussion
about blackberries growing wild and how she’s from Tucson and in Arizona, you
don’t eat anything growing wild because it might kill you, and so on. This is
going on while she’s getting the tray set up and the suction going, but the
swing out arm is wonky and she says, “Well, we’ll get this going somehow.” And
I mentioned that it’s Friday the 13<sup>th</sup>, in a joking sort of way. She
says, “Oh, yeah. I never pay attention to that.” I say that I don’t think that
Friday the 13<sup>th</sup> is any different than any other day, but it’s fun to
tell people that it is Friday the 13<sup>th</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After that, the pump for the tool that spins or drills or
whatever doesn’t seem to work. So she has to fiddle with that. Then the tray
won’t lower correctly again. Finally she’s done and goes to get the dentist for
the final ok. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He comes in and she pushes a rolling chair in for him to have
a seat and the chair won’t roll straight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then she moves the tray around to his side of the exam chair and nearly
hits me in the back of the head. He’s trying to put on gloves, but apparently
the large size in one brand is not the same as the large size of another brand,
and after trying to put on a glove that is labeled “large” and it is too small,
nice hygienist hands him a pair of a different brand, and they fit. Now that
he’s settled, he asks me is about a lower molar on the right side of my mouth,
“So tell me about this crown and root canal.” I reply, “Gosh, there’s not much
to tell. It’s really old.” And he proceeds to poke around in my mouth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Tell me if this hurts at all when I push on your tooth, “
he says. It doesn’t. Then he pushes on the gum underneath the tooth from one
side, then the other, and asks the same question. I don’t know what they teach
in dental school about how much pressure to use to determine if a tooth is
sensitive, but I would think that if you used enough pressure to say, push a
tack into corkboard, that should do it. But if you push as if you are trying to
get a tack into a cement block, well that ought to hurt even if the tooth isn’t
sensitive. Anyway, then he takes the end of one of those pokey tools and taps on the
top of the root canal tooth, and then on the tooth next to it, and asks if it
feels any different when he taps on one, then the other. He taps on both four
times, but that doesn’t bother me either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At this point, he says, “Well let me show you why I’ve been
pushing and tapping all over that tooth.” The hygienist gets an x-ray image up
on the monitor, and he starts talking about the tooth. He points out what the
healthy root canal looks like on another tooth, then how one of the filled canals
on the root canal tooth goes completely to the end. The other, however, does
not. There’s just a tiny bit of root that isn’t filled in. Then he shows me a
dark shadow underneath the end of the root. That, he says, appears to be an
abscess. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3rn2rOEFBT5ae_iuoqAYj-QpfNHm9XNEQuNWnfhxvs_VW7UpnUaOzsAVQgTfrh_499MUyqRh6FTIAR5Q9Vr7SzxLmFk5xsPfTAxZN5knFgYHA8ObhgIocfZFxi78mrU4ULNdto4DICUJ/s1600/tooth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3rn2rOEFBT5ae_iuoqAYj-QpfNHm9XNEQuNWnfhxvs_VW7UpnUaOzsAVQgTfrh_499MUyqRh6FTIAR5Q9Vr7SzxLmFk5xsPfTAxZN5knFgYHA8ObhgIocfZFxi78mrU4ULNdto4DICUJ/s1600/tooth.jpg" /></a></div>
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Image from the internet</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Abscess!” I do <b>NOT</b> like the sound of that. He tells me that it’s been
on watch and the image is from 2011. He continues on by saying that if I get a
pimple-type bump on the cheek side of that tooth or it hurts to chew on that
side of my mouth or becomes sensitive to heat or cold, I would need to take
care of it ASAP. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggW_3czVZ8l8Nq6NQMg149QPer_V5_F9XbyHjY5rh2awAw4TYAzK1c7EPkM0azD_3VwmmcI616jLF3yceh2yCqYs_W1qRif6bC3cqejIOwCdGEui6m02e0SGAgSmsmjK_Glr1zR-8ihIA_/s1600/yuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggW_3czVZ8l8Nq6NQMg149QPer_V5_F9XbyHjY5rh2awAw4TYAzK1c7EPkM0azD_3VwmmcI616jLF3yceh2yCqYs_W1qRif6bC3cqejIOwCdGEui6m02e0SGAgSmsmjK_Glr1zR-8ihIA_/s1600/yuck.jpg" /></a></div>
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Another image from the internet (Yikes)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first thing I think is what the hell do you do about
this? And I ask, “What would have to be done? Would you just pull it?” I think
this tooth has been fussed over enough, but he says, “Oh, no.” (No dentist ever
wants to pull a tooth anymore.) “You would need to go to an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endodontics" target="_blank">endodontist</a>. They
would come from the cheek side of the mouth, where there isn’t any bone to deal
with, flip back the gum, and clean the abscess out.” Then he shows me how close
the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferior_alveolar_nerve" target="_blank">lower jaw nerve</a> is to the root and says that the proximity makes it very
tricky to not hit it. Again, in my head I’m thinking that this tooth isn’t
worth all that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then it hits me. What does this horrible tooth look like
now? Because I’m thinking that they’ve already looked at the x-ray from the
bitewing and it must be the same or worse since we’re looking at an image from
FIVE years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So what does it look like now?” I ask. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He says, “I guess we can do a P.A.” I don’t know what a P.A.
is. Not then. I do now. It’s a periapical radiograph:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: 11px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">an x-ray of one tooth. I’m all for this, but I’m a
little confused as to why we didn’t do this already. If this thing looked like
that and it’s been FIVE years, I would expect it to be rotten or worse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nice hygienist gets the lead blanket back out, and as she
takes a few steps toward me, trips on a motor box just beside the chair and
nearly falls on me. I laugh about it, and then laugh some more when she nearly
hit herself in the head with the swing out camera. She laughs and says,
“Really, this isn’t my first day.” Then we get the P.A. done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Moments later, we look at it on the monitor. There isn’t a
shadow. At all. No shadow. No abscess. The image isn’t at the same exact angle
as the one from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">two thousand and eleven</i></b>, but it is clear that it is not there.
I have to ask, “What happened?” “It must have cleared up on it’s own,” he says.
“But, this is a different angle, so it may still be there. We can keep a watch
on it and just be aware of any changes in sensitivity or bumps in your mouth.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am SO relieved, and I have clean, smooth teeth. I like Friday the 13</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-38480961065783678622016-04-25T12:22:00.000-07:002016-04-25T12:22:27.258-07:00Creating a Custom Chair Part IV: Upholstering the Seat and Creating a Kitty Hammock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Zj3rrFpn1toCJ91rB-1P6MNdMPWPKsHcK_VxwyZtYxb9G10wHr0Rqt3cfk_R0HSwmFYjctikeyn7aCSnTvnR869EMZ8OegFFSlPcJkZo1I1M_v-H0slH5PddKFMrwA71YEL6fixgtHdZ/s1600/IMG_2541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Zj3rrFpn1toCJ91rB-1P6MNdMPWPKsHcK_VxwyZtYxb9G10wHr0Rqt3cfk_R0HSwmFYjctikeyn7aCSnTvnR869EMZ8OegFFSlPcJkZo1I1M_v-H0slH5PddKFMrwA71YEL6fixgtHdZ/s320/IMG_2541.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Chair With First Covering Option</div>
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Photo: P. MacLeod</div>
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I was able to work on the custom chair this weekend and get it all done! So I'm going to chronicle that process in this blog.</div>
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As shown in the picture above, when I put the material I originally picked for the seat on the chair, I instantly felt it was all wrong. The pattern of the material is too busy and "fighting" with the mosaic. Darn.</div>
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So I went off to <a href="http://www.joann.com/" target="_blank">Jo-Ann</a>, our only retail sewing store, to find a better option. My instincts told me a solid blue is going to be a good choice. I don't know how many of you have purchased upholstery material, but it ain't cheap. I don't have deep pockets, so I spent a lot of time picking through the remnants and marked down bolts. I did find a pretty blue for the seat and a fleece blue for the hammock. (I wanted a very soft fabric for the hammock.) I also bought white decorative cord for the hammock.</div>
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When I got home, I just laid the material on the seat and immediately knew this is the right color. My cats thought so too, as you can see in this photo:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxw-sELjA6S1ffrpe3prewL747UF3ROTeDeJFKlKF9Dj1rlNl1C0VngTGjgyHljtAUGTLc2RVguWZ5F6Z4_41FSMIF_IXATxdC0NZsM43XxIT9IFjW7JV9faixwQS0nuQh0VYYZjVNCnQr/s1600/IMG_2542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxw-sELjA6S1ffrpe3prewL747UF3ROTeDeJFKlKF9Dj1rlNl1C0VngTGjgyHljtAUGTLc2RVguWZ5F6Z4_41FSMIF_IXATxdC0NZsM43XxIT9IFjW7JV9faixwQS0nuQh0VYYZjVNCnQr/s320/IMG_2542.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Juno and Rango Check Out the Chair</div>
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Photo: P. MacLeod</div>
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Now I was ready to try out my new pneumatic upholstery staple gun. I bought a <a href="http://www.surebonder.com/#!9615a/cuuiy" target="_blank">Surebonder</a> brand staple gun and the recommended staples. I haven't had much experience with a <a href="https://www.google.com/shopping/product/17482396368711151486?lsf=seller:9119074,store:13816455014707128597,lsfqd:0&prds=oid:5847366385013784949&q=compressors&hl=en&ei=yGweV6imA4m1jgSd4IS4Dw&lsft=sid:LIAxSgLx376655285x26603705165&lsft=gclid:COSm6fy_qswCFQ6oaQod0xkAVA" target="_blank">compressor</a>, but the staples are forced with air from a compressor. I had help from my husband and after using the compressor and gun, I don't think I would work with those without a helping hand. I'm just too nervous. To top it off, the <a href="http://media.wix.com/ugd/48e27b_6f9ed02bfa6243caa2acac4f91f42e03.pdf" target="_blank">safety warnings</a> in the owner's manual were long and sobering.</div>
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(DO NOT use any of this description for directions. READ and FOLLOW all manuals and instructions with your tools.) The basics of using the compressor are that it has to force air into the tank, which is measured by one gauge. After it fills to your specific p.s.i., you can attach the air hose, and open the valve to allow air into the hose, this p.s.i. is measured on the gauge on the right. Then the air hose is connected to the staple gun. After you are done using the compressor, you have to let the air out. The staple gun itself is rather simple. It loads a lot like a regular stapler. There's safety on the trigger. I put the safety on anytime I was not actively stapling. </div>
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This is noisy and scary. The compressor keeps the pressure in the tank stable, so it will turn off when the p.s.i. is right and turn back on to maintain that p.s.i. It takes a few minutes to get used to that. I was really nervous at first. I wanted to be very careful not to put a staple in my hand or head. Here's a brief video of me using the staple gun:</div>
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<br /><br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3PpV2CS3Ftc/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3PpV2CS3Ftc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Video by R. Scurlock</div>
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It does a great job, though. I stapled the middle of the top side and the middle of the bottom side first, just to keep the material from slipping. Then I worked on each side and overlaid the material at the corners for a nice, smooth tuck. I pulled and smoothed the material frequently to keep the material from bunching.</div>
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Next I worked on the hammock. I haven't sewn anything in years, so my plan for this was VERY basic. I measured the approximate space that seemed large enough for a cat or small dog, and then I measured the distance from the hooks to about where I felt the hammock should hang. After that, I cut four lengths of cord and taped those in loops in each corner. Then I set up a bobbin and simply sewed the sides closed. </div>
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And here's the before and after shots:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonKucv9hy3e6XbHCtZHSSWz_AylkW2MlsmoZGfXoQRhc_FTRaMOe_E6CYqleS8Px7SI0a2yrTL-okiiIorvdIwqEYwZg_-r50Hkesk6LjwDA2KQqhyphenhyphensHMwKoSyhxY2e8YIFB3hfGy1Ykf/s1600/IMG_2423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonKucv9hy3e6XbHCtZHSSWz_AylkW2MlsmoZGfXoQRhc_FTRaMOe_E6CYqleS8Px7SI0a2yrTL-okiiIorvdIwqEYwZg_-r50Hkesk6LjwDA2KQqhyphenhyphensHMwKoSyhxY2e8YIFB3hfGy1Ykf/s320/IMG_2423.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Z6xlWWx1AyO2ozNwTyTm1WEMd6Kzv4R35GUtudU1rXbyxZb1VXg-UJdBKVuFRbN1vfWdROK4zqePMoW0byneFKl0LpApkZOHAOryihYXQ-pCZO40EffCo6wlyerPRkbAaD-90PF33WMq/s1600/IMG_2554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Z6xlWWx1AyO2ozNwTyTm1WEMd6Kzv4R35GUtudU1rXbyxZb1VXg-UJdBKVuFRbN1vfWdROK4zqePMoW0byneFKl0LpApkZOHAOryihYXQ-pCZO40EffCo6wlyerPRkbAaD-90PF33WMq/s320/IMG_2554.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Photos: P. MacLeod</div>
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I hope it will bring a big bid at the auction! It is Saturday, July 30 at the Levin Jewish Center here in Durham. I'll cover that in a blog afterwards.</div>
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May all of your scores run true!</div>
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-paula</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-38391382388871012252016-04-14T14:41:00.003-07:002016-04-14T14:41:25.198-07:00Creating a Custom Chair: Part III, The Mosaic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzXJjkMhMRyUMXGGes_dhCpmZzzGSSHYdmKL68aFSBVO5XFAQV_nWT1Mw9Eew_P4_EkXIwyiLhvXLsmsz0eDIPRP5Odr1_6j76p2yl5sjmtmKy_-cmbScRT-zWRU8WBfFhf-mpt9Xg8K8/s1600/IMG_2510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzXJjkMhMRyUMXGGes_dhCpmZzzGSSHYdmKL68aFSBVO5XFAQV_nWT1Mw9Eew_P4_EkXIwyiLhvXLsmsz0eDIPRP5Odr1_6j76p2yl5sjmtmKy_-cmbScRT-zWRU8WBfFhf-mpt9Xg8K8/s320/IMG_2510.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Chair back mosaic, Photo: P. MacLeod</div>
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I finally got to the mosaic for the chair! I chose daffodils for the spring flower detail and did the same design on the front and back of the V shape of the chair.</div>
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The tools I used to create the mosaic are:</div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.delphiglass.com/glass-cutters-tools/glass-cutters/studio-pro-acrylic-glass-cutter" target="_blank">Glass cutter</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.delphiglass.com/mosaic-supplies/tools-supplies/studio-pro-running-pliers" target="_blank">Running pliers</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.witsendmosaic.com/product/108/LEPONITT-G30C-Wheeled-Nippers" target="_blank">Mosaic cutters</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.delphiglass.com/grinders-accessories/glass-grinders/glastar-super-star-ii-grinder?source=froogle&gclid=CKzuw-7gjswCFYwlgQodpdcP6w" target="_blank">Glass grinder</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Custom-Building-Products-AcrylPro-1-Gal-Ceramic-Tile-Adhesive-ARL40001/100015587" target="_blank">Tile adhesive</a></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX719LUZUjUa_pQ21t-ECKY8peAUkkTfTFajd_u474rFHGusPEUs9NVaHbnhvMffV3bNs_5oZndlRNAglYczs6mUCPTrjeFD5Meol7IcRuQwqyTjCLmF_YBNPGQQPCt1u2jX07PNes8IUg/s1600/IMG_2515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX719LUZUjUa_pQ21t-ECKY8peAUkkTfTFajd_u474rFHGusPEUs9NVaHbnhvMffV3bNs_5oZndlRNAglYczs6mUCPTrjeFD5Meol7IcRuQwqyTjCLmF_YBNPGQQPCt1u2jX07PNes8IUg/s320/IMG_2515.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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From left: Grout Elf, Dust Mask, Safety Glasses, Dremel, Running Pliers, Pottery Pick, Tweezers, Mosaic Cutters, Dust Brush, Photo: P. MacLeod</div>
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I drew the design with chalk so I had a basic guide for where the blooms and foliage would go. Then I started cutting the shapes for the blooms. I chose tile adhesive to attach the glass pieces because it has a stickyness that will hold pieces on a vertical surface. And, because this is an INDOOR chair, I didn't need to worry about exposure to extreme temperatures or water. After the blooms and foliage were done, I filled in the background.</div>
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After the adhesive was dry (tile adhesive needs 24 hours to dry completely), I began prep for grouting. Because some of the surface wasn't completely flat, there were some spots where the glass edges were uneven. To make sure that the surface is completely smooth, I used a <a href="https://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=100+Series#.Vw_f6cfJtxk" target="_blank">Dremel </a>with a cone-shaped grinding attachment and gently smoothed the sharp edges. To do this, I wore eye protection AND a dust mask. That is really important, because grinding on glass without water releases glass dust into the air. Breathing in glass dust causes <a href="http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/silicosis/" target="_blank">silicosis</a>, which could be fatal. Once I'm was happy with the surface, I began the grouting process.</div>
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I used <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Custom-Building-Products-Polyblend-333-Alabaster-7-lb-Sanded-Grout-PBG3337/202647253?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CTHD%7CG%7C0%7CG-VF-PLA-D23-Tile%7C&gclid=CNr9x5vfjswCFdgXgQodftIFtg&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">sanded grout</a>, which is important because of the variety of spacing between the pieces. Sanded grout will fill areas up to 1/2" inch. I went with a neutral white color that won't overwhelm the colors of the design. Grouting is messy, so I made sure that I set up in my studio where I can be messy.</div>
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Mixing grout can be tricky. Texture is the key. I use old plastic containers from hummus, sour cream or yogurt as mixing tubs and craft sticks for mixing. When I'm done, I just toss the whole thing in the trash. (Never put grout in the sink--it will clog the pipes.) I wear a dust mask as I scoop dry grout into the mixing container and add water. I add the water slowly, so that I can control the wetness of the grout. The mixture should be smooth and about the texture of peanut butter. A test for accurate texture is to scoop up a bit of grout on the craft stick and turn it upside down. The grout shouldn't be runny and drip off, but have some "hang time" on the stick. (Runny grout will crack as it dries.)</div>
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For the application, I scoop grout onto the glass and push it into the spaces with my <a href="https://www.witsendmosaic.com/product/104/The-Grout-Elf" target="_blank">Grout Elf</a>. Some people prefer using their hands or other tools, which is fine. I created the Grout Elf to be like a miniature grout float for small spaces and I really love the way it cuts down on clean up time. Grouting is an important finish for a mosaic and when it is done well, it makes all of the difference. Below is a short video of me grouting:</div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cvnpOvzn1rk/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cvnpOvzn1rk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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After cleaning up all of the surfaces, the mosaic is done!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmzTIRFEVAjKVaYOqGvBTzOCaF76fv6hqFWM8U2Yuj-lU87Y5gqwsvvH6b59HLPdBS7BrzvS_8uv9LG5sShFisYshf_4Q9KWna9Pexm_EI9ik50OsPo0bZ9a5tYNVgSFcXWEX2_zipdU0/s1600/IMG_2514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmzTIRFEVAjKVaYOqGvBTzOCaF76fv6hqFWM8U2Yuj-lU87Y5gqwsvvH6b59HLPdBS7BrzvS_8uv9LG5sShFisYshf_4Q9KWna9Pexm_EI9ik50OsPo0bZ9a5tYNVgSFcXWEX2_zipdU0/s320/IMG_2514.JPG" width="240" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTRhXeHNppISiOoYsAqg3BpZQVaBzDbsvA1M-nDjoCBb4qhyphenhyphenGB_j6v2L9RxA5V5fr3W9sWwDGHzWvnMApsSlqnmHOwvLEf9GfZLBW_Wjxs54nu_roEu8iL1iTA3YVSr-jQ9PqmsmFt90W/s1600/IMG_2513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTRhXeHNppISiOoYsAqg3BpZQVaBzDbsvA1M-nDjoCBb4qhyphenhyphenGB_j6v2L9RxA5V5fr3W9sWwDGHzWvnMApsSlqnmHOwvLEf9GfZLBW_Wjxs54nu_roEu8iL1iTA3YVSr-jQ9PqmsmFt90W/s320/IMG_2513.JPG" width="240" /></a>
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Mosaic front and back, Photo: P. MacLeod<br />
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Next steps: Upholstery!</div>
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May all of your scores run true!</div>
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-paula</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-60372305047866455912016-03-31T12:08:00.000-07:002016-04-07T05:21:21.183-07:00Creating A Custom Chair: Part II, Prep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-Yo77JmNdEOTyf0ND-qrZG3_8U6st8n6OYlZ79-xtyNg3SWOTb97xUMLiLGw9H-z0B4MzGR4Y4dSYC6-uYqvlHXcd3hex-aggrVrBKyQlYwdCsPSpWPvn1oSA0NnhB0UaElYAsBDFxjy/s1600/IMG_2435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-Yo77JmNdEOTyf0ND-qrZG3_8U6st8n6OYlZ79-xtyNg3SWOTb97xUMLiLGw9H-z0B4MzGR4Y4dSYC6-uYqvlHXcd3hex-aggrVrBKyQlYwdCsPSpWPvn1oSA0NnhB0UaElYAsBDFxjy/s320/IMG_2435.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Dismantled Chair</div>
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Photo: P. MacLeod</div>
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Part II of the chair transformation focuses on prepping the bones for an update.<br />
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For the first step, I took off the upholstery. I used the following tools:<br />
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<li>Box cutter</li>
<li>Flat head screw driver</li>
<li>Needle-nosed pliers</li>
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Using the box cutter, I cut into the upholstery along the piping line of the "V" on the front and back. Removing the padding was simple, but the piping was stapled into the wood, so I pried the staples, one-by-one, with a flat-head screw driver, and pulled them out with the pliers. This was slow going. </div>
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Then I turned my attention to the seat. I removed the seat from the chair, and did the same thing as before. But this time, there were three layers of stapled material. Staples are sharp, and yeah, I got a little boo-boo and a blister. </div>
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Right after I finished removing all of that, I took a trip to the library and checked out a couple of books about reupholstering furniture. I should have done that first. There are real tools for taking out staples that do a much better job than a screw driver and pliers. I went to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_5_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=upholstery+tools&sprefix=upholstery%2Caps%2C180" target="_blank">Amazon for upholstery tools </a>and made an order for:</div>
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<li>Staple lifter</li>
<li>Tack lifter</li>
<li>Electric staple gun</li>
<li>Staples</li>
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Those are the basic tools for what I need now. Having the staple and tack lifters would have made the chore of removing all of those staples much easier and would have prevented this lovely blister.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTvNlrd1hmNALPo_tci7jw65y9a1WxClS0YwRdbmhdneI_n1KQ_zH8RqdSjDziyvAXxyZhK8E3KpmqkjXTWTfO2yk73IKJHyQ1oHj6kODyr-H_97XA-BwrnKW8UwK_1o1QQsHOihp1TWl/s1600/IMG_2436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTvNlrd1hmNALPo_tci7jw65y9a1WxClS0YwRdbmhdneI_n1KQ_zH8RqdSjDziyvAXxyZhK8E3KpmqkjXTWTfO2yk73IKJHyQ1oHj6kODyr-H_97XA-BwrnKW8UwK_1o1QQsHOihp1TWl/s200/IMG_2436.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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I also bought a copy of <a href="https://www.spruceaustin.com/shop/book/" target="_blank">"Spruce: A Step-by-Step Guide to Upholstery and Design."</a> Spruce is an Austin, TX, based upholstery company. I love the projects and material choices in this book. It's very fun and colorful. (When I turn my attention to recovering those fabulous antique chairs I bought at <a href="http://scrapexchange.org/" target="_blank">The Scrap Exchange,</a> I will have to add some more tools and supplies. See Part 1: <a href="http://paulamacleod.blogspot.com/2016/03/creating-custom-chair-part-1-design-plan.html" target="_blank">Creating a Custom Chair</a>.)</div>
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After I finished taking off the upholstery, I began sanding. I need to get just enough of the finish off so that when I prime it, the coverage will be even and none of the dark color will come through.<br />
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I used an electric sander for most of the work, but there were places where the sander wouldn't fit, so I worked those areas by hand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMn0VlVc_bjA4J0qWzuMWGze_BrGbKkYu2A2ohP0OFmgEUeX7W6eBGZxAN05KKPVsYbwqyh7TxgoJPYj-MqQhTid5OducBLybXhhgBg0u8tats4OGMCIk1pde4lqHBk6dGpX2CdnH_5Nva/s1600/IMG_2440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMn0VlVc_bjA4J0qWzuMWGze_BrGbKkYu2A2ohP0OFmgEUeX7W6eBGZxAN05KKPVsYbwqyh7TxgoJPYj-MqQhTid5OducBLybXhhgBg0u8tats4OGMCIk1pde4lqHBk6dGpX2CdnH_5Nva/s320/IMG_2440.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Sanded chair</div>
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Photo: P. MacLeod</div>
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<a href="http://www.kilz.com/canada-en/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=c8946ef7c75dc310VgnVCM100000176310acRCRD" target="_blank">Water-based Kilz</a> is my go-to for primer. I like that it is odorless and clean-up can be done with water. I will prim all of the exposed wood, but not the area for the mosaic. I'll prime that with a <a href="https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=minwax+water+based+polyurethane&tbm=shop&spd=11369815181497963057" target="_blank">water-based polyurethane sealer</a>, like Minwax.<br />
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Now that the prep is complete, it's time for Fun Part I: Mosaic Inset.<br />
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May all of your scores run true!<br />
--paula<br />
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<a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-53360991081080560422016-03-23T13:50:00.001-07:002016-03-23T13:50:29.680-07:00Creating A Custom Chair: Part 1, Design Plan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNbH45IRmaOxjdvdAKsZB6runbJFiBsRQSejVyQjpNACsPnbqUxuNpeUDgBJjq4XNp0ZjCHwgklH0ChDrXU3L0WxJJ-K5ziPZUSXJsqE_MZ-Vxl5hOW0Ft_7af0wDCuW4yWEMlYAZMp5u/s1600/beforechair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNbH45IRmaOxjdvdAKsZB6runbJFiBsRQSejVyQjpNACsPnbqUxuNpeUDgBJjq4XNp0ZjCHwgklH0ChDrXU3L0WxJJ-K5ziPZUSXJsqE_MZ-Vxl5hOW0Ft_7af0wDCuW4yWEMlYAZMp5u/s320/beforechair.jpg" /></a></div>
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Chair for Charity Auction</div>
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Photo: P. MacLeod</div>
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The<a href="http://www.animalrescue.net/homepage" target="_blank"> Independent Animal Rescue</a> (IAR), a non-profit, no-kill animal rescue group here in Durham, holds it's 14th annual Painted Chair and More benefit auction on July 30 this year. If you know me, you know that the IAR is a group that is close to my heart. I have participated in this event every year, and this is the chair that I am going to transform into a functional, custom piece of art for this year's auction. I'm going to chronicle the process here. Please follow along!</div>
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I found the chair at a local <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/goodwill-donation-center-and-store-morrisville" target="_blank">Goodwill</a> for $9.99. It's very sturdy, with dark wood and the V-shaped detail on the back piece is the same on the back side. My first thought was that I can take the upholstery off of the V-shaped areas and create a mosaic in that space. The recession should make the space easy to work on and create a smooth transition to the wood with no uneven or sharp mosaic edges.</div>
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Today I went to <a href="http://scrapexchange.org/" target="_blank">The Scrap Exchange</a>, an amazing reuse center here in Durham, to look for material that I can use to replace the seat upholstery. I hadn't settled on a color scheme or design direction yet, but on the drive over to the Scrap, I felt inspired by the spring blooms of daffodils, forsythias, red bud and tulip trees, and my favorite--wisteria. So when I walked into the Scrap, I went right to the cloth section looking for spring colors. Here's what I found:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4up66Tnlkky5RP57AofM2Ak-GnqjOlBTOgG_2D3QA-zFGQwnlEKCy3d4ORVZdShBzNanEAH9l1rjMNZojQeO9uI0V-lkr9ZbzEYVy-PhRc60mhJ6h0LFNYVlnxi8iF-F6Y0dEJu4Kyb18/s1600/materialforchair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4up66Tnlkky5RP57AofM2Ak-GnqjOlBTOgG_2D3QA-zFGQwnlEKCy3d4ORVZdShBzNanEAH9l1rjMNZojQeO9uI0V-lkr9ZbzEYVy-PhRc60mhJ6h0LFNYVlnxi8iF-F6Y0dEJu4Kyb18/s320/materialforchair.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Material for Chair</div>
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Photo: P. MacLeod</div>
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I plan to use the flower print material for the seat and create a hammock underneath the seat with the mauve fine-ribbed corduroy. I think the hammock would be a nice napping spot for a kitty or a small dog. It could also be used for stashing magazines or papers. </div>
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To create the hammock, I plan to drill hangers in the upper corners of the legs and create loops with the cord for hanging. It will be removable, so if someone doesn't want it or wants to wash it, they can take it off.</div>
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I felt good about my colors and materials, and in my mind, I'm seeing the chair painted in a lighter color. So I know plenty of sanding is in my future. As I'm checking out all of the other neat things, I run across a pair of chairs that are just too good to be true.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl3xjBYrTKjO2YACi5PdTgtZEtH_p2izasUT7ua9ArUAliTvN_mRKiTqH0R2pOJxKDrWi74UDyzea0dblADnDL7ryB0DssECMTv2U8F49AFEMZyj8ZRji7CF0hTIHwuiTFxhj03yNcoGI/s1600/oldchair1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl3xjBYrTKjO2YACi5PdTgtZEtH_p2izasUT7ua9ArUAliTvN_mRKiTqH0R2pOJxKDrWi74UDyzea0dblADnDL7ryB0DssECMTv2U8F49AFEMZyj8ZRji7CF0hTIHwuiTFxhj03yNcoGI/s320/oldchair1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Old Chair</div>
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Photo: P. MacLeod</div>
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One was $7.00 and the other, which has a broken leg, was $5.00. I bought both of them. I guess I'm going to be learning a lot about upholstery. Here's the underside:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2JsJPGE8fqQrob3-6IFtUlbBkEB-zE5pJSPj-TdusAe6R9wT_HRrwCy1oZV2OlvV0MuiF94Kbio4ugbV9hIZZOOYBIwxUobLmeO2iz73P6vreq3iMN92nRgawzu997bxaZ5-gh0yCe1t/s1600/oldchairbrokensprings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2JsJPGE8fqQrob3-6IFtUlbBkEB-zE5pJSPj-TdusAe6R9wT_HRrwCy1oZV2OlvV0MuiF94Kbio4ugbV9hIZZOOYBIwxUobLmeO2iz73P6vreq3iMN92nRgawzu997bxaZ5-gh0yCe1t/s320/oldchairbrokensprings.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Underside of Chair</div>
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Photo: P. MacLeod</div>
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They will have to wait until I get the spring chair done!</div>
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Next: Prepping the chair. Work begins!</div>
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May all of your scores run true--</div>
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-paula</div>
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About my involvement with IAR:</div>
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We adopted one of our cats from IAR, I've taught workshops as fundraisers for them, and I also volunteer on Tuesday mornings to feed and clean the cubbies for the available cats and kittens that <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=petco+durham&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=petco%20durham&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:4&rflfq=1&rlha=0&tbm=lcl&rlfi=hd:;si:8063851044410011818" target="_blank">Pet Co</a> generously allows IAR to present to the public. I'm constantly looking for the perfect dog to adopt from IAR.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-14265414576176157682016-03-16T13:04:00.002-07:002016-03-16T13:23:08.165-07:00My Painting Party Experience <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZF53MaPyA26Jk23UpXmIsEYHgx8r0XBzAPay4GZBrihoKJIustDh72nJGgs7E9yMQWF2ANUqxV6kh_58NwiXzRtJ5lzqoIjXnnDDr66X2qEA35GzTI5KgOf_qBP2mdxDNvxVuVCHz3Ezi/s1600/Hashtags-graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6fUYZPa3cU8pgb11eW7F8obQMPhcAqJbAH-KDsDUDJhDyjsE0_V4IQcuEBncMisvTXiTxmaa-gxtC01a8e-tzSBpREWyJ_779lSosLWbPp5CqKym7aiGuzImNqu7DUewbUfqc00jN9Fu/s320/painting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the studio at Wine and Design in Durham, NC.</div>
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Photo by Andi Linn-Dunlap</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A friend invited me to join a group at a local business
called Wine and Design for a painting party this week. It sounded like fun and
the design selection for that night was interesting to me, so I signed up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For $35 we had two hours in their roomy studio, all supplies
included:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">paint</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">brushes</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">prepped canvas</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">easels</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">aprons</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They allow wine or beer. It’s bring your own, but they do
provide cap/cork openers and plastic cups.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There were six people in our group. Our comfort level with
artistic painting ranged from “I’ve never done this before, and I’m really
nervous” to “I finished a painting last week.” As an artist and an instructor,
I honestly believe no matter what your proficiency, you can <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">always</span></b> learn something from taking a
class. No shade!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We had a really nice and knowledgeable instructor, Denise,
who guided us step by step through the process. She led by demonstrating each
part of the process on a canvas, and then she walked around to help or consult
with each paint partier. She encouraged us to customize our paintings by substituting
colors or adding more or less paint as we chose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In between instruction, while Denise was working with
individuals, she turned up the music. The music was all upbeat, popular tunes
that we sometimes sang along with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because I got into my own zone, I missed a short step and
felt a little bit behind by the time we needed to be wrapping up. I didn’t
panic, because I totally expect to fiddle with my canvas later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But everyone else did finish and our newbie
was thrilled with her work and wants to do it again! So if you are looking for something fun and creative to do, be sure to check them out!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOUKRnUnzmRmxMonfgkDNNN2cOc13LwZi2C2JLuSD425KvlXBY0kJqXGzxvOU1MFRJZ0tOC-aKUHJ6nkTqVI10dMHAcQtcLvQs9E8-fz3u3_fmVKGKEc8t4iIs5QXSC45PI2GFucths4W/s1600/winedesign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOUKRnUnzmRmxMonfgkDNNN2cOc13LwZi2C2JLuSD425KvlXBY0kJqXGzxvOU1MFRJZ0tOC-aKUHJ6nkTqVI10dMHAcQtcLvQs9E8-fz3u3_fmVKGKEc8t4iIs5QXSC45PI2GFucths4W/s320/winedesign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our finished paintings!</div>
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Photo by Denise</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">About Wine and Design<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.wineanddesign.com/locations/durham" target="_blank">Wine and Design</a> was started by two Raleigh locals and is now
a national franchise. The business offers painting parties, such as the one I
went to, as well as birthday events for all ages, team building events and
more. Watch this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kiTujvUDpc" target="_blank">YouTube video</a> about Wine and Design.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">May all of your scores run true!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-paula</span></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-19414913711626123492015-10-21T10:01:00.000-07:002015-10-21T10:01:05.073-07:00Hashtags for Art Marketing: The Basics!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZF53MaPyA26Jk23UpXmIsEYHgx8r0XBzAPay4GZBrihoKJIustDh72nJGgs7E9yMQWF2ANUqxV6kh_58NwiXzRtJ5lzqoIjXnnDDr66X2qEA35GzTI5KgOf_qBP2mdxDNvxVuVCHz3Ezi/s1600/Hashtags-graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZF53MaPyA26Jk23UpXmIsEYHgx8r0XBzAPay4GZBrihoKJIustDh72nJGgs7E9yMQWF2ANUqxV6kh_58NwiXzRtJ5lzqoIjXnnDDr66X2qEA35GzTI5KgOf_qBP2mdxDNvxVuVCHz3Ezi/s320/Hashtags-graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I noticed recently that a few artist friends of mine have started using hashtags on their social media posts. One of them uses three hashtags exclusively: their name, their media, and their business name. Because I haven't noticed a lot of artists using hashtags, I did a little research on the effectiveness and reach of adding hashtags to updates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Turns out this is a smart thing to do—if you do it right.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First, if you are new to the idea of hashtags and what they are for, hashtags are a way to tag and categorize posts about a particular subject. The hashtag #art is an established hashtag that is useful for general posts of your work. When you tag a post with this hashtag, people who follow #art will see your post. Now in addition to reaching your followers, your post will reach a far larger group of people in the industry and interested in art.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You can use hashtags in any social media platform, but they are particularly effective in Twitter and Instagram. It's also easy to track trending hashtags on sites like <a href="http://hashtags.org/">Hashtags.org</a>, <a href="https://ritetag.com/hashtag-search" target="_blank">RiteTag</a>, <a href="http://top-hashtags.com/instagram/" target="_blank">Top Hashtags</a>, <a href="http://sproutsocial.com/insights/twitter-hashtags/" target="_blank">Sprout Social</a>, and others. A quick <a href="https://www.google.com/" target="_blank">Google</a> search is all it takes. These sites allow you to search on a hashtag to find out its popularity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few simple guidelines are important to follow:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.5px;">Because a hashtag name or hashtag subject is also included in your 140 character message limit, you'll need to keep your hashtags short. If you want to include several hashtag categories, but you do not have the character space, send out the same message, 2 or 3 times, with your different hashtags.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: line-height: 21.5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Be consistent with the hashtags that you use and when you use them. For example, you can create a hashtag for an event that you are participating in, like #paulasartshow. Then select the other appropriate tags, but use the #paulasartshow only when you will be participating in a public event. If the event has it's own hashtag, be sure to use it. Encourage your followers and others to do the same. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: line-height: 21.5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Select hashtags that make sense for you to use (your media; your business name or name; a generic hashtag, such as #art; a hashtag for events/media, etc.), decide what purpose each hashtag has and use those consistently. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.5px;">Don't over use hashtags. Suggested number of hashtags:</span><span style="background-color: line-height: 26px;">1-2 hashtags for Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+; </span><span style="background-color: line-height: 26px;"> or Instagram, 2-8 hashtags.</span></span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To help get you started, below is a list of 101 popular art hashtags that are currently in use:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.5px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#abstract #abstractart #abstractartist #abstractarts #abstracted #abstractexpressionism #abstractexpressionist #abstraction #abstractors #abstractpainting #abstractphoto #abstractphotography #abstracts #acrylic #animation #art #artcall #artcompetitions #artcontest #arte #artfair #artgallery #artinfo #artist #artnews #artshow #artwork #black #blackandwhite #blackwhitephotography #callforart #callforentries #color #colour #creative #drawing #drawings #fineart #graffitiart #grafiti #graphic #graphicdesign #illustration #ink #lightspacetime #markers #model #mono #monoart #monochrome #mural #murals #myart #onlineart #onlineartgallery #onlineartsales #paint #painting #paintings #pencil #photo #photobomb #photobooth #photocollage #photodaily #photoday #photoftheday #photogram #photograph #photographer #photography #photoofday #photooftheweek #photos #photoscape #photoself #photosession #photoshare #photoshoot #photoshoots #photoshop #photoshopped #photoshot #photostudio #phototag #photowall #portrait #portraits #portraiture #selfie #selfportrait #sketch #spray #spraypaint #streetart #streetartistry #streetphotography #urban #wallart #watercolor #watercolour</span></span><br />
<br />
May all of your scores run true!<br />
-paula<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-66684632976055785962015-08-25T10:57:00.000-07:002015-08-25T10:57:39.169-07:00Consider it a Quest: How to Be Active and Authentic on Social Media<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCMuwlnlJ3POAlrpFVEc1AJjRLGzpvIqnSDcy3sgtbDy3sOkvH9w1PWjJzCzH9tfPvbLA1aU7bk9DXDJmz-H99SZp13cUTUJjPfP8lYg_HNLSY7PUrVQLwqC5k5-FI1yUrPebC4r3Mw-F/s1600/dawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCMuwlnlJ3POAlrpFVEc1AJjRLGzpvIqnSDcy3sgtbDy3sOkvH9w1PWjJzCzH9tfPvbLA1aU7bk9DXDJmz-H99SZp13cUTUJjPfP8lYg_HNLSY7PUrVQLwqC5k5-FI1yUrPebC4r3Mw-F/s1600/dawn.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dawn, Stained Glass Mosaic by P. MacLeod</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How to find influencers in your field, fresh posts to share and keep it all organized.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trying to figure out where to put your efforts in your online presence takes a little time to target which platforms make sense for you, which I covered on <a href="http://paulamacleod.blogspot.com/2015/06/what-should-artist-expect-from-using.html" target="_blank">June 30</a>, and then to effectively organize your time with social media tools (covered on <a href="http://paulamacleod.blogspot.com/2015/07/tracking-and-managing-social-media.html" target="_blank">July 23</a>). But now that you have selected the right platforms for you, you may be thinking, "What am I going to say? Who do I need to follow? Who are the influencers in my field that I need to engage with?" It can seem overwhelming. But I have a few tips to share.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Who do you need to follow? How do you get more followers? <a href="https://clearvoice.com/search/" target="_blank">Clearvoice</a> is a site that lets you search for influencers in specific fields. I put in "art marketing" and got a list of top influencers in various aspects of the art business. I read through the list and selected the people I felt would give me the most insight for my interests. Then I followed them on Twitter. As I continue to stay active on Twitter, I can build engagement with these people. And those people have a lot of followers who want to engage with other like-minded people. In this way, the circle feeds itself. Just post good content.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh, yeah. Good content. What do you say? The good news is you shouldn't self-promote every time you post. A good rule of thumb is the <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3032287/hit-the-ground-running/the-art-of-self-promotion-on-social-media" target="_blank">5-3-2 rule</a>--</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for every ten posts:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 5 should be content from others (sharing other blogs, articles, retweets, etc.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 should be content from you (you can also recycle content--I'll cover that in a future post)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 should be personal status updates (shows, awards, public work, classes)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Identifying content from others is where following the influencers comes in handy. Gleaning through their posts, you can repost their content and tag them. Also, I found that </span><a href="https://app.buzzsumo.com/research/most-shared" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Buzzsumo</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> is an interesting way to find content to share. You can search on any topic by content type (articles, infographics, videos) and it will return the most popular shared content. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blogger does a great job of allowing me to control what day and time I want to post a new blog, but I also cross post my blog on my Facebook page, Twitter feed, and Pinterest. <a href="https://buffer.com/" target="_blank">Buffer</a> makes it easy for me to set a time that my blog post will be posted for Twitter and Facebook. The account is free and very easy to use. Buffer walks you through each step. It also offers analytics so you can get an idea of how much engagement you are getting and what types of content get the most engagement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another organizational tool I use is Pinterest. I have a board where I keep future post ideas. I use it as a way to cache ideas so that I won't forget something that could be useful later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Take an hour or two once a week to organize your shared posts with Buffer. Keep tabs on your influencers updates once or twice a day (maybe a coffee time or standing in a line for coffee) for posts you want to share. Then use your dashboards to keep up with the analytics. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Consider it a quest. Each week you'll learn more about using these tools, get better at your time management, and it will get easier to stay active and authentic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">May all of your scores run true!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">--paula</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-70139561532524690502015-08-20T13:37:00.000-07:002015-08-20T13:37:15.080-07:00 A Lookbook for Your Art? Sure!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JlvDe2gXJGjxkOqgrJK3s_dL-1a-wPnKTvCVf5Fc4OaswkA_G-iPNPMsVy6TNiU8yTe03YTdguRUw_gBx6ulZvF0NqdR6ISgighdMklwElkOOQWyGX6bWkEg_4IcTQJvgEMc1EPS-sOK/s1600/kitchen_mosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JlvDe2gXJGjxkOqgrJK3s_dL-1a-wPnKTvCVf5Fc4OaswkA_G-iPNPMsVy6TNiU8yTe03YTdguRUw_gBx6ulZvF0NqdR6ISgighdMklwElkOOQWyGX6bWkEg_4IcTQJvgEMc1EPS-sOK/s1600/kitchen_mosaic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fall Tree, Custom Kitchen Mosaic by P. MacLeod</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lookbooks are a fashion industry standard. They communicate the designers brand vision and coming collections. So what can a lookbook do for an artist? <span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;">A lookbook defines who you are and, as important, who you are not. It describes you and what you offer that will help your clients personally, professionally or both. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;">So how do you put together a lookbook? It should cover:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your biography</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What inspires you</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your brand/art statement</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your media coverage/presence</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What you offer</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your contact info</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">LOTS of pictures of your artwork, your studio, action shots, etc.</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;">A lookbook is personal. It's all about you and your work. Present your work in groupings, and maybe include your work in a setting such as featuring your painting as part of home decor (like staging). Allow people to experience your work. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;">A lookbook is about 15 pages long. If you can create your own digital lookbook, the cost is relatively free and you can promote it on multiple channels (your website, Pinterest, etc.). If you don't have any graphic design experience, invest in getting a professional to help you create your lookbook. It needs to be very visually appealing and professional. For more expense, you can also have it printed for trade shows and the like. Unlike catalogs, l</span><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;">ookbooks typically do not include prices. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;">I have very few examples of art lookbooks, so this may be a great way to do something new to stand out from the crowd. Here is an article from the <a href="http://www.artsbusinessinstitute.org/blog/lookbooks/" target="_blank">Art Business Institute</a> that discusses art lookbooks. <a href="http://www.liveartgalleryfabrics.com/lookbooks.html" target="_blank">Art Gallery Fabrics </a>has some very beautiful and professional lookbooks featuring different fabric artists and their work. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;">I plan to create a lookbook for my work over the next couple of weeks. When it is done, I will share. I hope if you create a lookbook, that you will share it with me, too! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;">May all of your scores run true!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.993999481201172px;">-paula</span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-45277610251977371082015-08-12T09:55:00.001-07:002015-08-12T09:55:23.465-07:005 Things to Consider Before You Donate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z6IKWSrVG8MXWhlwA_MNznSzFMDjZq3I51DlfzbMyoPp8Y1kdDIEARgfe7WtGyD_j_emtNjRMLG0TcR3RXgS81dYozRLLC3MgXqAHmcNuOyRjNOpjHMN7U4K7vjzrU3GVb653Xu7Bvya/s1600/IMG_1637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z6IKWSrVG8MXWhlwA_MNznSzFMDjZq3I51DlfzbMyoPp8Y1kdDIEARgfe7WtGyD_j_emtNjRMLG0TcR3RXgS81dYozRLLC3MgXqAHmcNuOyRjNOpjHMN7U4K7vjzrU3GVb653Xu7Bvya/s320/IMG_1637.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Victorian Style Stained Glass Mosaic Window</div>
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By Paula MacLeod</div>
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<a href="http://www.animalrescue.net/homepage" target="_blank">Donation for 2015 Independent Animal Rescue Annual Auction</a></div>
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Saturday, August 22 is the 13th Annual Painted Chair and More Auction, the Independent Animal Rescue's biggest yearly fundraiser. The Independent Animal Rescue (IAR) is a no-kill, 100% volunteer, non-profit organization in Durham, NC. I have donated art for this effort every year since the very first auction. I have adopted a cat from IAR and have been looking for our perfect dog with them for the past year. This is an organization that I know well and fervently believe in their mission and the value of their efforts.<br />
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But, as an artist, I am solicited by LOTS of organizations. At one point, I felt that I could donate items to nearly all requests. That's not a good business decision, though. Why? First, look at how a charity auction of donated items works:<br />
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<li>the organization gets free, desirable items to auction (live and silent)</li>
<li>people who come to the auction get bargains on those items</li>
<li>the artist gets exposure that presumably turns into more sales or commissions</li>
<li>the artist gets to write off the donation (but only the price of the winning bid <b>NOT</b> the full retail price)</li>
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The real winners in that line up are the organization and the people who come to bid. I did an informal survey of some of my artist friends to find out if anyone had gotten work or sales relating to an auction. Although it was a small sample (8), none of them had gotten any work related to any auction they had participated in. They represent potters, painters, jewelers, and glass artists. </div>
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So even though the return, from a business perspective, is just the tax write-off, why and how do you decide to donate art to a charity?</div>
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<b>1</b>- Know your charity and fully support their efforts. Just as I have direct knowledge and experience of IAR, you should choose based on your passions.</div>
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<b>2</b>- Make sure you know how the auction will work. Some auctions will split the proceeds with the artist, based on the final bid. The charity should ask you for the fair retail price and then create a reserve price. The bids have to reach the reserve bid or the piece won't sell. Be sure to keep the in-kind letter that the charity will send to you after the auction. This is for your tax write-off. </div>
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<b>3</b>- Take your business cards and have them available with your work. If you can, go to the auction. As a contributor, you should have a comp ticket for the event. This will allow you to interact with people who are interested in your work.</div>
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<b>4</b>- Ask for a list of names and contact information of people who bid on your work. You can make a friendly follow up by post card or email.</div>
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<b>5</b>- Advertise to your clients, friends and family that you are participating in the event. Encourage people to attend. The more people who come to the event, the greater the likelihood of driving up bids and, in turn, making more profits for your charity.</div>
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After you select the charity or charities that you want to work with, when you are approached by a new charity, it is perfectly acceptable to say "no," and state that you already have charitable organizations that you support. Keep in mind that if you buy a ticket to an event and attend, that is support also, and may cost you less than a donation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsXujtNxDDG3UfQiDeoZg4Lodi1TbK8p1XMTy_p2UMsxmL4Uxu-2VG4gPmdpJlzOg5f8R2kwzyiD5fK2HU5FNI1BqXLImhD7APassh-L8Iv1xm33wM6B3swk2LL59q5wQwD5jNnt6wOTH/s1600/IMG_0585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsXujtNxDDG3UfQiDeoZg4Lodi1TbK8p1XMTy_p2UMsxmL4Uxu-2VG4gPmdpJlzOg5f8R2kwzyiD5fK2HU5FNI1BqXLImhD7APassh-L8Iv1xm33wM6B3swk2LL59q5wQwD5jNnt6wOTH/s320/IMG_0585.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our IAR adopted kitty, Juno.</div>
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I hope to see you at this year's Painted Chair and More Auction!</div>
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May all of your scores run true!</div>
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-paula</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-11351644707103569672015-08-03T12:01:00.001-07:002015-08-03T12:01:21.297-07:00What's Hot in Asheville? Lexington Glassworks<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDWNbR2TYbBskg2tRXWlpTrHKoXZKGR-C5ZWtdcAjmZjY-BWZDSnvgwBbaxc5uPa6lAt8GQLbRr1w243xJQAIFMuoqCgSJLraUquJb3FwzUh91hLhus3Lwzeifd4yOxi9ukxb6xli_oai/s1600/IMG_1622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDWNbR2TYbBskg2tRXWlpTrHKoXZKGR-C5ZWtdcAjmZjY-BWZDSnvgwBbaxc5uPa6lAt8GQLbRr1w243xJQAIFMuoqCgSJLraUquJb3FwzUh91hLhus3Lwzeifd4yOxi9ukxb6xli_oai/s320/IMG_1622.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Photo by P. MacLeod</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What's Hot in Asheville? </span></h2>
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On a recent visit to the beautiful NC mountains, we visited Lexington Glassworks, which was featured in the WUNC-TV PBS series, <a href="http://video.unctv.org/video/2365520877/" target="_blank">NC Weekend </a>(7/9/15). In the interview, glass artists Billy Guildford and Geoff Koslow discuss their backgrounds, approach to glass blowing and marketing. (I highly recommend watching the video.)<br />
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The 5000 square foot studio has huge bay doors in the front, which welcomes visitors. Inside, the front of the studio is a gallery of their beautiful functional and decorative work. The working side of the studio is also demonstration space where they welcome people to watch as they create their art.<br />
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It is important to note that Billy and Geoff <b style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">hand made</span> </b>their equipment (furnace, hood, glory hole). Billy says, "We physically built the equipment ourselves from the raw material, a bunch of sticks of steel, then to all of the refractory material. . .To be a proficient glass artist, you'd better be a proficient metal fabricator and wood worker as well. It goes hand-in-hand. So it's really important before we started this studio that we knew we had a well-rounded background of skills." (Quote from video interview.)<br />
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As for their business approach, Billy explains, "When we were writing our business plan and figuring out what kind of business we wanted to run, we wanted to be very casual, so people could come in, witness the art of blowing glass because a lot of people don't realize it is an art form and how much work goes into creating one little object." (Quote from video interview.)<br />
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We were absolutely fascinated by the demonstration that we watched. They were working on rocks glasses with a crackle finish. The crackle is created by dunking the freshly formed glass shape into water so that it stresses the glass, but because the glass is still hot enough to be pliable, it doesn't thermal shock and completely crack. Billy and Geoff worked together and explained each step of the process as they created the piece.<br />
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As an art glass lover, I was completely in awe of their beautiful work. My budget only supported buying a glass ornament (picture below), but I hope to come back and buy more work in the future!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsN-ElRRMyerBofbPazXgEPmtp6iaEw056byqaScF4mCRMZTol37yoaNFVZoTLKWHYpvc7Oh1T6i6wcsUD9M53zs48IXnJ6bEW95Cj_wXSqPpdNehEVRYthpxfeEa62OS7hm3buB3ywGvZ/s1600/IMG_1702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsN-ElRRMyerBofbPazXgEPmtp6iaEw056byqaScF4mCRMZTol37yoaNFVZoTLKWHYpvc7Oh1T6i6wcsUD9M53zs48IXnJ6bEW95Cj_wXSqPpdNehEVRYthpxfeEa62OS7hm3buB3ywGvZ/s320/IMG_1702.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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May all of your scores run true!<br />
-paula<br />
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<figure class="alignright" data-src-large="http://mountainx.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Front-Gallery-1100x825.jpg" id="attachment_467910" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 15px !important; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 480px; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><a href="http://mountainx.com/arts/through-the-melting-glass-two-glassblowing-businesses-open/attachment/front-gallery/#main" rel="attachment wp-att-467910" style="-webkit-transition: color 200ms; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3b59b7; text-decoration: none; transition: color 200ms;"><img alt="Lexington Glassworks' front gallery" class="wp-image-467910 size-small" height="360" src="http://mountainx.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Front-Gallery-480x360.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="480" /></a><span class="fa fa-arrows-alt hidden-xs" data-source="#attachment_467910" data-target="#imgModal" data-toggle="modal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.247059); border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: FontAwesome; line-height: 1; padding: 5px 6px; position: absolute; right: 5px; top: 5px;" title="Expand"></span><figcaption style="background-color: #eeeeee; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; padding: 10px;">Lexington Glassworks’ front gallery</figcaption></figure></div>
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Lexington Glassworks, located at 81 S. Lexington Ave., is open seven days a week, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For a look at the work or for more information, visit <a href="http://www.lexingtonglassworks.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 200ms; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3b59b7; text-decoration: none; transition: color 200ms;">lexingtonglassworks.com</a>.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-29159617651984871182015-07-23T10:07:00.000-07:002015-07-23T10:07:58.024-07:00Tracking and Managing Social Media <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQXYxilnarkNZhPUN2BQ4TL_wyFLUrbB9jP61QDy5ISleJOehLvfHkUNXy2d0RqpKVuU4RklMPDvhAOnFYsWdQ5yFxSi17SqGzwQhpozhfAG9jjinn8AQAWtCQ6U7iafuPh22-5ZymN5c/s1600/hootsuite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQXYxilnarkNZhPUN2BQ4TL_wyFLUrbB9jP61QDy5ISleJOehLvfHkUNXy2d0RqpKVuU4RklMPDvhAOnFYsWdQ5yFxSi17SqGzwQhpozhfAG9jjinn8AQAWtCQ6U7iafuPh22-5ZymN5c/s1600/hootsuite.jpg" /></a></div>
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In my last blog I highlighted some local businesses who have successfully used Instagram for their promotions and marketing. I'm going to go a bit further this week and touch on analytics and social media management, starting with Instagram, because I got a great newsletter from The Social Media Examiner (which I recommend anyone who wants to keep up with what's what to follow) that offers <a href="http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/13-instagram-marketing-tips-from-the-experts/?awt_l=KiTRI&awt_m=3WebDUqFkrr.ILT&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=NewsletterIssue&utm_campaign=New" target="_blank">13 tips for using Instagram from experts.</a><br />
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After reading through those tips, I wondered how to measure analytics for Instagram. Iconosquare used to be free, but is now charging, which is (IMHO) a down-side. This post by <a href="http://www.agorapulse.com/blog/alternatives-to-iconosquare" target="_blank">Agorapulse</a> offers some low-cost alternatives.<br />
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But I kept looking around the inter webs, and came to the conclusion that <a href="https://hootsuite.com/plans/free" target="_blank">Hootsuite</a> offers the most flexibility, scheduling and analytics with a basic platform for free. There are more advanced packages, but for an individual, the price is right. Here's a nice <a href="https://prezi.com/7vo4msccw-uz/hootsuite-analytics-tutorial/" target="_blank">Prezi Hootsuite Analytics Tutorial</a> that will help explain how this helps your business.<br />
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Hootsuite can track multiple social media platforms, which is one big reason why I think it is helpful. As I've mentioned before in my post on <a href="http://paulamacleod.blogspot.com/2015/06/what-should-artist-expect-from-using.html" target="_blank">what to expect from social media engagement</a>, you will want to choose the platforms that suit you and your business best. This will mean making sure that your posts are consistent in tone and also delivery.<br />
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The main point here is to check in with whatever analytics tools you can use to gauge the level of engagement that you are getting with the platforms you have chosen. If you've spread yourself too thin and aren't getting enough engagement with one, it might be time to re-evaluate or put more effort into cross-posting more consistently. That's where all of the planning comes in and saves you time.<br />
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May all of your scores run true!<br />
-paula<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-9823325544292599342015-07-06T17:04:00.000-07:002015-07-06T17:04:13.665-07:00Instagram Success Stories and Advice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxVGx4g2n6M4LHudJ9Zcnu83U5cFYaJLcmY6hlHfM3PDDI74ykboBFYruSOpNP9BcDdSwv0KMl6XuAVtgGSvi5Xq4_0XIKwdtzpFwhPBtuo3842h16h0XK0x2E2meA6vSvRcMfS6h-ghA/s1600/instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxVGx4g2n6M4LHudJ9Zcnu83U5cFYaJLcmY6hlHfM3PDDI74ykboBFYruSOpNP9BcDdSwv0KMl6XuAVtgGSvi5Xq4_0XIKwdtzpFwhPBtuo3842h16h0XK0x2E2meA6vSvRcMfS6h-ghA/s1600/instagram.jpg" /></a></div>
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Last week I blogged about social media for working artists. I covered Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and blogging. There are more--of course! However, I can't offer a lot of specific details for other platforms, because I just haven't used them myself. But, as luck would have it, the Raleigh News and Observer ran a feature article last week on local businesses who are having success promoting their businesses with Instagram.<br />
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They featured <a href="http://furbishstudio.com/" target="_blank">Furbish Studio</a>, <a href="http://www.allshewrotenotes.com/" target="_blank">All She Wrote Notes</a>, <a href="http://www.monutsdonuts.com/" target="_blank">Monuts Donuts</a>, <a href="http://www.oldsouthapparel.com/" target="_blank">Old South Apparel</a>, and <a href="http://www.crossfitinvoke.com/" target="_blank">CrossFit Invoke</a>. I read through all of the profiles to find out what each business owner felt was their key to success with Instagram. The following summaries highlight their individual approaches to how they make Instagram work for their businesses.<br />
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Jessica Swaney of Furbish Studios recommends being consistent, post regularly, and interact with accounts that draw similar customers. They depend on Instagram and other social media as a major part of their advertising. She also noted that it can be frustrating to build a following at first, but stick with it.<br />
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Maghon Taylor, owner of All She Wrote Notes, posts three times a day and always responds to comments on her photos. She focuses on taking good pictures of her work and treating the interactions like a friendship. Taylor has used Instagram, Etsy, and Google+ since she started her business.<br />
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Lindsay Moriarty, co-owner of Monuts Donuts (THE awesome Durham donut shop!) says that good pictures and being tactful (she does not include prices on pictures) are key. She also notes that consistency is another best practice, as well as alternating between posts about people and posts about food.<br />
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Old South Apparel advertises exclusively on Instagram. Owner Tyler Hair says that they in addition to keeping the account personable, they use it to advertise flash sales and promotions. Hair notes that because Instagram does not filter or promote content like Facebook, posts are seen based only on when they are posted, which suits their advertising needs.<br />
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Heather Coraciny from CrossFit Invoke echoes the advice to have great photos that people can relate to. They include photos of high-level athletes and beginners, videos, and behind-the-scenes shots. Instagram works for CrossFit because it attracts a wide following of people who are interested in fitness.<br />
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I definitely recommend checking out these sites to see what they are doing and if it appeals to you. I also would like to recommend bookmarking the <a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/small-business/" target="_blank">Shop Talk News</a> site at the News and Observer. It is their small business section and can offer valuable (and free!) information.<br />
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Later this week, I'll cover Linkedin. Until then, may all of your scores run true!<br />
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-paula<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-75239336008305804282015-06-30T14:37:00.002-07:002015-06-30T14:49:42.021-07:00What should an artist expect from using social media platforms?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HXbyU_G1fBuPi9kVPFx5TDR0UeT3pJxYfvJg7GMmJQ8myBlx0ZO9ZLCe4BGnW5oYCxyRRPii2VH9xzEnQz_GzQZyuArnPMxYFF7P7SYgM7HbzVVLXfjVEX_r5Pwb6PoWs4dMTbDa-qIN/s1600/socialmedia_images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HXbyU_G1fBuPi9kVPFx5TDR0UeT3pJxYfvJg7GMmJQ8myBlx0ZO9ZLCe4BGnW5oYCxyRRPii2VH9xzEnQz_GzQZyuArnPMxYFF7P7SYgM7HbzVVLXfjVEX_r5Pwb6PoWs4dMTbDa-qIN/s1600/socialmedia_images.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What should an artist expect from using social media platforms?</span></div>
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Good question, right?<br />
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Just having a website won't get you or your work "out there" anymore. The prevailing advice to artists is to use social media to connect with your audience. No one really explains how for each or that no one platform will do it all. You will have to find that information on your own through research or by paying a consultant. In the end, you will still have to put in the effort to make it work.<br />
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But, wait. How is it supposed to work? Why should you have a Facebook page, Twitter or Pinterest account, or blog? First, drop any thoughts you have about how social media relates to sales. Social media is about building relationships--you and your collectors, collaborators, and colleagues. And the real question is deciding which one or combination of platforms works best for you.<br />
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Here's a little run down of the pros and cons of a few popular platforms:<br />
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<b>Facebook</b>: Great for establishing conversations and building your "brand." Post pictures of works in progress, workshops, shows, upcoming teasers, and video clips of interesting techniques (e.g., raku, soldering, and other processes). You can show "you" and how you work. If you are a working parent, some pictures of you in the studio with your children can establish a connection with other parents. Pictures of you at your favorite charity event are another personal touch.<br />
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Facebook shouldn't require a lot of deep content, which makes it easy to keep fresh. How often should you post? Once a day is enough, and even just a few times a week is ok.<br />
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<b>Twitter</b>: If Facebook is good for promoting yourself, Twitter is nearly the opposite. Again, it's about engaging with people, but on Twitter, you can't flood your feed with yourself continually. On Twitter, the rule of thumb is for every ten tweets, eight should be about your profession/techniques/ideas to foster relationships with the other leaders in your field, and two about yourself (shows, accomplishments, etc.).<br />
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Connecting with a wide variety of people on Twitter increases the likelihood that you can become an authority in your field. Remember to engage with other people in your network (favor tweets, retweet, comment) and to use pictures and videos when possible.<br />
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<b>Pinterest</b>: Honestly, until recently Pinterest was like a pretty bobble that I couldn't figure out why I should want or need to use it. Then I started pinning a bunch of ideas about an "unbirthday party" I've been thinking about for a long time. I added new boards and went a little nuts finding all sorts of cool ideas. Then people began re-pinning my pins and following my boards. I followed them back. Then I had the "duh" moment--I need to pin my blog. That's when I realized the potential for Pinterest. It's not just that you want to share your artwork on boards for, say, painting, commissions, or limited edition work, but that you can add boards that interest YOU, then you connect with people who like what you like and so on. I've read different approaches to how artists use Pinterest, so I would recommend just checking it out. I don't put a whole lot of time into it and have been surprised at the level of engagement I've gotten.<br />
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<b>Blogs</b>: I've been blogging for years. At one time blogging was <i>the </i>way to connect, especially with other people in your field. I think that at this point it's much harder reach people by blog only. However, cross-posting your blog on other platforms is a good way to connect the dots, so to speak.<br />
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You can be a little more creative with your blog, which I find is helpful in trying to build engagement. For instance, have a guest blogger from your community to blog about a technique or event that they are known for, or interview someone in your professional community. (See my blog for March 12, 2015 <a href="http://paulamacleod.blogspot.com/2015/03/interview-with-mosaic-artist-lou-ann.html" target="_blank">"Interview with Mosaic Artist Lou Ann Weeks"</a> for an example.) This encourages people who are interested in those people to know you and builds traffic for your blog/website.<br />
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Another way to build up your blog traffic and following is to offer something tangible. A popular blog post subject is product comparisons. Another is step-by-step tutorials. You don't have to give trade secrets, but do try to offer something that someone may not have thought of that makes the content valuable to them.<br />
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<u>How to keep it all organized</u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lt5sbey10VG30QxZ-doXDtvy7_g5gEhDMCMKVZUtVEQfh8atcZQ_yWXB31hu1v888ueCyZWLlDikFDltw9T-pur2pbWwP1mAxgm4wI6xhNIQCjwAAQjWzv_PTOEf3_175ynuIgmiBNkH/s1600/hootsuite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lt5sbey10VG30QxZ-doXDtvy7_g5gEhDMCMKVZUtVEQfh8atcZQ_yWXB31hu1v888ueCyZWLlDikFDltw9T-pur2pbWwP1mAxgm4wI6xhNIQCjwAAQjWzv_PTOEf3_175ynuIgmiBNkH/s1600/hootsuite.jpg" /></a></div>
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There are free online tools to help you. The article <a href="https://blog.dashburst.com/best-social-media-management-tools/" target="_blank">11 Best Social Media Management Tools</a> does a great job of listing tools and discussing how they differ. The best thing about these tools is that they allow you to plan out your social media posts and gives you the ability to schedule a time that the tool will post them for you. For example, you plan to post on Twitter at 9 am Monday, but you will be in a meeting at that time. You have your post scheduled in the tool, and it is posted automatically.<br />
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Keep in mind that the optimal days to use social media is Monday through Friday. According to Blogger, the posts on Facebook have more engagement on Thursdays and Fridays. The time of day is important, also, especially for time-based feeds, like Twitter. In general, 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm are the times when people seem to use Twitter most. A later tweet, after 7 is probably a good bet, too.<br />
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If you're confused about which social media platform would work best for you, check out what other people are doing with their accounts. Consider the type of posts they use, if they cross-post, and what type of engagement they have. Then think about how you want to connect with people and start with one or two. The most important part of creating engaged social media is to set up a schedule for yourself and stick to it. People want to see that you are consistent (but not creating spam!).<br />
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Where are you going to come up with all of that content? I'll have some ideas for you in my next blog!!<br />
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May all of your scores run true!<br />
-paula<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-38908428637167602542015-06-15T15:46:00.004-07:002015-06-15T15:46:51.231-07:00Art and Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today's post is about a fun artsy experience. I am also very interested in the business model for this type of arts experience.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprfF3WbvpQFvAMMw5rzNuR8P_yVYh9fmz2KFWI-qPqSpVHZexeCqlWsrdyNPvqUtFnHnezOhRabA47F9zZRtb1-GS2-jweGbpjnB1zfKnmwJRrN8sabkbQ0ttsUAQAfnYCIOXpD9Ymwf3/s1600/IMG_1321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprfF3WbvpQFvAMMw5rzNuR8P_yVYh9fmz2KFWI-qPqSpVHZexeCqlWsrdyNPvqUtFnHnezOhRabA47F9zZRtb1-GS2-jweGbpjnB1zfKnmwJRrN8sabkbQ0ttsUAQAfnYCIOXpD9Ymwf3/s320/IMG_1321.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Rodney cutting wax (photos by me)</div>
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A couple of weeks ago, Rodney and I were in Leesburg, VA for a friend's wedding. We had some time to ourselves and decided to get out and wander around for awhile. We wound up at The Village at Leesburg shopping mall. That's where we found <a href="https://www.theartstation.com/" target="_blank">The Art Station</a>. I'm familiar with the drop in-type hands-on business model, but this place was really great. They offered make it-take it projects like candles, soap, and various painting projects. (They also offer painting parties for adults and children.) They have two roomy studios, with one designated for painting only. We decided to make candles.<br />
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They offer many different molds in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. (Of course, the smaller the mold, the less expensive the over all cost.) They also offer a nice selection of scents. We chose our molds and went into the main studio.<br />
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There we had access to lots of colors of wax, and pre-cut shapes and letters. (The pre-cut pieces are sold by the piece.) This was a lot of fun. The concept is to fill the mold as full and tightly as possible, so that as the wax melts, it fills in the small air pockets. Also, this is an upside-down type project where the pieces on the bottom will become the top, like a pineapple upside-down cake. (If you've ever made poured concrete mosaic stepping stones, it's the same concept.) Then we took our candles to our host and she poured hot wax into the molds. Here's a cool <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95vqj66EDe8&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">video</a> of that process.<br />
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After that, we walked down to a nearby restaurant, shared an appetizer and had a glass of wine. Then we did some window shopping and came back to The Art Station about an hour later.<br />
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And here are our candles!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZfTbxJ9Ehqg6lz4QJJeg4a0LgFAS0Ab_AKYFbS5OcaT-A1DsbSJwvJMus89s0gFsbYw-kjDWHifQ5Rz04e_7Jrmqv0q6ddFoAw4tUHNECdnJ_iu6vkz9lUcGYUOH0JhGJDlwgRrb20HY/s1600/IMG_1324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZfTbxJ9Ehqg6lz4QJJeg4a0LgFAS0Ab_AKYFbS5OcaT-A1DsbSJwvJMus89s0gFsbYw-kjDWHifQ5Rz04e_7Jrmqv0q6ddFoAw4tUHNECdnJ_iu6vkz9lUcGYUOH0JhGJDlwgRrb20HY/s320/IMG_1324.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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Rodney's candle</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNlHA7p4slQRtUgkO3I4_1I7edh5Kar-XnqcOnS3mFpqhWZnSNWAuzfh0t1YiL-DmEI8okA2B7hzSB0q4q_vCAn7FiuJsLalX5QNmRhY943WoD1Ohjdj8veVYZR2RHRXT89Wnh4SLC2s6/s1600/IMG_1326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNlHA7p4slQRtUgkO3I4_1I7edh5Kar-XnqcOnS3mFpqhWZnSNWAuzfh0t1YiL-DmEI8okA2B7hzSB0q4q_vCAn7FiuJsLalX5QNmRhY943WoD1Ohjdj8veVYZR2RHRXT89Wnh4SLC2s6/s320/IMG_1326.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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My candle</div>
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Rodney's candle is rose scented and mine is sweet pea scented. They both smell great when they are lit.<br />
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We had a lot of fun that afternoon--if you are ever in the area, it's worth checking out!<br />
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May all of your scores run true!<br />
-paulaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-40843193540858697212015-06-09T11:08:00.001-07:002015-06-09T11:08:29.833-07:00Accounting Essentials for Artists<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nJ7wZWuwyQ5kg1lK9yTeCHLJnzA1JvrJq9i82_khtreVsPh_0yFMDmR0Deas9MOfjaW5CfWkqKLFepqqTDERA0KR79iyg4Vtt7cDf9_IZvisraWgLItFEYX-K8uaI6QelH3efiAhigb4/s1600/topsailisland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nJ7wZWuwyQ5kg1lK9yTeCHLJnzA1JvrJq9i82_khtreVsPh_0yFMDmR0Deas9MOfjaW5CfWkqKLFepqqTDERA0KR79iyg4Vtt7cDf9_IZvisraWgLItFEYX-K8uaI6QelH3efiAhigb4/s320/topsailisland.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Porch view, Topsail Island (photo by me)</div>
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After a nice, relaxing vacation where we enjoyed beautiful weather everyday, I am back to continue examining the business of art.</div>
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It may seem obvious, but tracking finances is a critical chore that any artist will have to deal with. How else will you know if you are making or losing money and what your costs are?</div>
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Software makes this a bit easier than it once was. For instance, Quicken can create many different reports for you that you once had to create by hand. Mint is the free version of Quicken and can work for many artists. Quicken Home & Business offers more functionality and costs about $115. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDxGtfbWx-a89ld2jrIQgFE9fa1m77fFviFAAFksMov8tl2cG5IUi5zqPXCAuvEVl23YPdMIjj78LL79g-a1m-qQMDAdPKShASdVWsmPwFJT-67WRETrOcS8vbaZtkTNuI2ps6nrH0rF6/s1600/profit-loss-mag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDxGtfbWx-a89ld2jrIQgFE9fa1m77fFviFAAFksMov8tl2cG5IUi5zqPXCAuvEVl23YPdMIjj78LL79g-a1m-qQMDAdPKShASdVWsmPwFJT-67WRETrOcS8vbaZtkTNuI2ps6nrH0rF6/s320/profit-loss-mag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A good place to start organizing and thinking about your finances is to follow the <a href="http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sc.pdf" target="_blank">IRS Schedule C</a>. This will help you see an outline of how to sort through expenses, deductions, and profits.</div>
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Another critical point here is to keep your personal and professional accounts SEPARATE. It is easier to find areas where you can save money or where you are losing money if you don't have to sift through what are business or personal items.</div>
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Keep your files (paper or digital) organized. <b>Don't wait</b> to update your accounts after a big show or flurry of sales. Take the time to make sure you get all of the sales receipts and any expense receipts of your own (parking, food, mileage, etc.). Make sure that you are taking advantage of options to download transaction details from your bank, PayPal or credit cards. This saves you time and is more accurate than hand-typing your details.</div>
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<a href="http://www.sba.gov/" target="_blank">The Small Business Administration</a> is a resource for your business that includes sources for grants and loans, starting and managing your business, and local assistance.</div>
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Then keep at it. Don't set up your accounts and get sloppy. Review your accounts regularly (weekly or monthly) and do the balance sheets monthly. Sometimes it's tempting to think that you know it was a slow month or a big week, but you'll need to track everything to really know what's going on.</div>
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May all of your scores run true!</div>
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-paula</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-58708264831273704562015-05-28T10:18:00.001-07:002015-05-28T10:33:11.727-07:00Everyone has an answer, but is the answer right for you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both: text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAws-HIM9j_S55HoN4gTtuW_E0bGGP8nC0CLM1iYqzwQ8n1NMmGsgec6rPF2_JoiXCCBK0iD-kSwgw8uYtQ7QSlj-qAd1iqRVcbVLTQ7cVVvsoyt_4GpiJ89-tavZEGdHocTiVe3yJ2qK/s1600/IMG_1316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAws-HIM9j_S55HoN4gTtuW_E0bGGP8nC0CLM1iYqzwQ8n1NMmGsgec6rPF2_JoiXCCBK0iD-kSwgw8uYtQ7QSlj-qAd1iqRVcbVLTQ7cVVvsoyt_4GpiJ89-tavZEGdHocTiVe3yJ2qK/s320/IMG_1316.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">Me and Hubs 5/21/15</span></div>
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Since graduation (last Thursday--unbelievable!), I've been thinking more about what artists need to market themselves successfully. Over the past 7 days, I've received <b>three</b> separate emails, tweets, and Facebook updates from art marketers who specialize in selling their services. I won't pay for someone's advice, no matter how many testimonials they have from their successful clients or what their reputation is. Why? Because that looks like snake oil to me. We all have a hard time figuring out how to live as an artist and everyone is going to go about it differently. There is no magic bullet and as an artist, you don't have the extra money to give to someone who is trying to do THE SAME THING.<br />
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So why do I care? Because in all of the 14 years I spent in the professional artist community here in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area of NC, I never met an artist who was 1) lazy or 2) dumb. Contrast that with the 10 years I spent in a corporate job where I met both types of people frequently. I totally respect the effort and talent of my friends and associates, and it is my most sincere hope that you all make a living doing the work that means so much to you.<br />
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Now that I know what I want to do, the question that I have been struggling with is "How?" I wanted to pick through this in a linear, point-by-point way, but I don't think that is possible. What I'm going to do is to take different topics, business models and marketing ideas (putting that master's degree to use!), sift through them and offer ways for artists to use them. And I will strive to make sure that the resources are <b>free</b> or <b>low cost</b>. I would be so happy if any and all who take the time to follow along would leave comments and start open conversations about your own experiences. I think we all have something to offer.<br />
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For this post, I'm going to share a blog post that I read just the other day. It's a perspective from Melissa Bergstom and her experiences as a theater professional who also has a "day" job (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/Creative%20Contingencies:%20Making%20Peace%20With%20My%20Day%20Job(s)%20-%20See%20more%20at:%20http://howlround.com/creative-contingencies-making-peace-with-my-day-jobs#sthash.C82H2Kh3.dpuf" target="_blank">Creative Contingencies: Making Peace with my Day Job(s)</a><span style="background-color: #d7d7d7; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25.999969482421875px;">)<span id="goog_297655821"></span><span id="goog_297655822"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></span>. This should be VERY familiar to us all. When I was first getting started, a seasoned artist told me that there is no one way to make money with your work--it's a combination of efforts and everyone finds what works for them. So I did commissions, tried a co-op, got a grant, applied for public art projects, taught, did shows, worked with galleries and shops, had work published in multiple publications, was on several television programs, and I still had the "day" job. I found myself getting older and more tired, hitting my head against a ceiling that I just couldn't break though. Every success held the promise of "making it," but didn't quite deliver.<br />
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That's when I went back to school, but I know not everyone can or even should go back to school. I plan to continue to create art--it's part of who I am. Taking the stress of having to make the art pay the bills will be a relief, though.<br />
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One resource I want to make sure everyone knows about and uses is the <a href="http://ncartseveryday.org/arts-news/artist-opps/" target="_blank">NC Arts Council's Artists Opportunities webpage</a>. It lists sources for writers, visual artists, musicians, theater/actors, multimedia artists and crafts. It is updated regularly and you can sign up for email updates--and it's <b>free</b>.<br />
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I'm turning the conversation to you now. How do you feel about managing your career and the realities of making money? What works? What doesn't?<br />
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May all of your scores run true!<br />
-paulaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-64330415682906986162015-05-13T14:46:00.003-07:002015-05-13T14:55:00.010-07:00Goodbye? No! Hello!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: none; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO32tjM2gWnIy89IZ0TLEty-Mw89bonC5Eo-RXBzrHAdBZWfvJBN6O3TcumCQNgHO5SRE8sWX1aFbQDX31dOR_t8Ip-iiNAotipodLhAEj383M1updIaRvBwu-fKEVucFrbFTv_KhL4p8N/s1600/heart+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO32tjM2gWnIy89IZ0TLEty-Mw89bonC5Eo-RXBzrHAdBZWfvJBN6O3TcumCQNgHO5SRE8sWX1aFbQDX31dOR_t8Ip-iiNAotipodLhAEj383M1updIaRvBwu-fKEVucFrbFTv_KhL4p8N/s320/heart+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO32tjM2gWnIy89IZ0TLEty-Mw89bonC5Eo-RXBzrHAdBZWfvJBN6O3TcumCQNgHO5SRE8sWX1aFbQDX31dOR_t8Ip-iiNAotipodLhAEj383M1updIaRvBwu-fKEVucFrbFTv_KhL4p8N/s1600/heart+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO32tjM2gWnIy89IZ0TLEty-Mw89bonC5Eo-RXBzrHAdBZWfvJBN6O3TcumCQNgHO5SRE8sWX1aFbQDX31dOR_t8Ip-iiNAotipodLhAEj383M1updIaRvBwu-fKEVucFrbFTv_KhL4p8N/s320/heart+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Heart for Barbara, by Paula MacLeod</div>
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I created The Score on February 6 of this year. It was a requirement for a class I took this semester called Social Media and SEO Optimization. I chose the topic, and over the past several months, I have grown more and more interested in exploring different subjects for the blog and excited about tracking traffic to my blog. So I've decided that even though it is not "necessary" to continue The Score and my professor won't be critiquing my posts, I am going to keep blogging here.<br />
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That said, I will diverge a little off of the topic of art glass and widen the topic to the business of art. This is something that I feel like every artist struggles with because, well, we want to make art and selling it is hard. I picked the Interactive Media Master's of Art program because I needed a skill set update for the workplace, but I also had a agenda to learn as much as I can about marketing to bring support back to the artists and community that I love.<br />
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I see a very complex market that in some ways works against the independent artist. I try not to be too negative, but with cheap, attractive manufactured "art" in Home Goods and Target, how can an artist, who has honed their skills over years and at their own expense, compete? I am going to find out.<br />
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So I'm going to start off on a side project/mission to sell art. Not mine. Yours.<br />
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Follow me.<br />
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May all of your scores run true!<br />
-paulaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-31917487777162232202015-05-04T16:31:00.000-07:002015-05-04T16:31:59.299-07:00Money Saving Framing IdeasFace it. Framing is expensive. REALLY expensive. But there are ways to get a good looking framed finish without breaking the bank. For this post, I'm going to focus on a three different approaches.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9QAAIh0FNCc6jU3-gsNFsdeuBp4npbmu1MyGL42thF_DFN7UL_Uq3BnADg5U7UFFRfpwKJM00vLiNhJW52zVXJmQ__jTFAVHiGGA6vFe700j_GqBZhSiuvq6D52z-Zv9K9cGEQHb4rZF/s1600/framexample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9QAAIh0FNCc6jU3-gsNFsdeuBp4npbmu1MyGL42thF_DFN7UL_Uq3BnADg5U7UFFRfpwKJM00vLiNhJW52zVXJmQ__jTFAVHiGGA6vFe700j_GqBZhSiuvq6D52z-Zv9K9cGEQHb4rZF/s1600/framexample.jpg" /></a></div>
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Me, with a piece that I framed with a re-used frame.</div>
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First, it pays to scour second-hand and thrift stores, as well as yard sales and flea markets. You'll find both empty frames and framed work. Depending on what you want to frame, you will be evaluating the usefulness of a frame. You want to make sure that it is sturdy first. Some frames have been beat up and the dove tails in the corners may be loose. Check the surface for scratches and dings. Then check the hanging wire (if there is any) on the back. It's easy to replace hanging wire, so that's not a problem. Whatever your purpose, you'll want to be sure that the frame is the right weight and has the correct inside edge measurement. For instance, if you have a print that you will be using with a double mat and glass, you'll want to make sure that it will all fit inside the edge of the frame. If the frame has glass but you don't need it, keep it. You may want it later. If it doesn't and you want glass, you can get glass cut at a frame shop or glass supplier. If you don't have mat cutting tools, most frame shops will custom cut mat board.<br />
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Here's a really good step-by-step <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/frugal-living-how-to-frame-your-art-on-the-cheap-apartment-therapy-tutorials-200853" target="_blank">tutorial</a> of re-using a frame by Emil Evans.<br />
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Frame kits are also a good way to save on framing. They are very customizable (lots of options of materials, colors, and sizes), sturdy and easy to use. The best products are carried by art supply companies like <a href="http://www.jerrysartarama.com/" target="_blank">Jerry's Artarama</a>, <a href="http://www.cheapjoes.com/" target="_blank">Cheap Joe's</a>, or <a href="http://www.dickblick.com/" target="_blank">Dick Blick</a>. All of these suppliers carry good quality frame kits. You order them by the pair (buy two pairs, length and width), and they come in a wide variety of sizes.<br />
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I found a way to create my own frames for working on plywood. Wall-hanging mosaic art work needs a sturdy "canvas," such as plywood. It is possible to have a plywood surface framed, but a really cheap and attractive alternative is to create you own with screen or decorative molding. All you need is the molding, a miter box and saw, heavy-duty adhesive (E6000, LocTite, or the like), sandpaper, and clamps.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ru9-I2gbFzdkiahqNvCs_iYBHHliZpS8dXQu3qThcWWsW5WEiGkD1ip_IXE7R9L_aTkvEscSNzgWefeZc_NPb6SjH5Ev3Olxd2GHlAR0D7t0U5bYI4Bx23qyfhSAm97aqgPjhgNgrmJb/s1600/Prayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ru9-I2gbFzdkiahqNvCs_iYBHHliZpS8dXQu3qThcWWsW5WEiGkD1ip_IXE7R9L_aTkvEscSNzgWefeZc_NPb6SjH5Ev3Olxd2GHlAR0D7t0U5bYI4Bx23qyfhSAm97aqgPjhgNgrmJb/s1600/Prayer.jpg" /></a></div>
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My work, "Prayer" with decorative molding frame</div>
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I start by measuring the length of molding for each side and marking where the miter cut should be. Miter boxes are marked with angle cuts in both directions and also straight cuts. I clamp the miter box to a sturdy table, line up the cut, and saw through. I like to match the corners as I go to make sure the cuts line up, and I sand the cut edge after each cut so the edges are smooth. Once all four lengths are cut, I apply a line of adhesive on each length one at a time and put the pieces in place. After everything is in place, I clamp each side and leave it over night. The next day I just sand any areas that need touch ups and paint or stain.<br />
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The variety of decorative molding offers lots of possibilities to get creative, so don't feel like you HAVE to use a frame shop and pay big bucks for nice framing!<br />
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May all of your scores run true!<br />
-paula<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-6174498833618766962015-04-27T17:49:00.000-07:002015-04-27T17:49:31.513-07:00THE mosaic school: Scula Mosaicisti del Fruili<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWTM-c-PiKQnYRquUIYIeaXxgT3sMIGd663QaybMH7uqtgOBGSelxAToqr9-BXDQMpmZs2FBdIIrxmQ51qrUBt7MMh7XVcidGL1XPw-Yt8g_suEhKG5YGQxSAz64oE1mlov0y9S4MmKix/s1600/spilimbergo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWTM-c-PiKQnYRquUIYIeaXxgT3sMIGd663QaybMH7uqtgOBGSelxAToqr9-BXDQMpmZs2FBdIIrxmQ51qrUBt7MMh7XVcidGL1XPw-Yt8g_suEhKG5YGQxSAz64oE1mlov0y9S4MmKix/s1600/spilimbergo.jpg" height="320" width="293" /></a></div>
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Catalog cover 2012</div>
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Created in 1922 in the city of <a href="http://www.turismofvg.it/Locality/Spilimbergo" target="_blank">Spilimbergo, Italy</a>, the <a href="http://scuolamosaicistifriuli.it/en" target="_blank">Scula Mosaicisti del Fruili</a> set the bar for professional mosaicists. It is still the premier school for anyone serious about mosaic art and techniques. <div>
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The original study periods were structured into three years. The curriculum included subjects of general study along with development of drawings, sketches and cartoons (a mosaic outline). Practical exercises in mosaic and terrazzo were taught in a lab. Shortly after its creation, the school was asked to complete the mosaic series for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foro_Italico" target="_blank">Foro Italico</a> sports complex in Rome. The series covers nearly 10,000 square feet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ90YcN_mtzUJ5_2Ol4Lii55r5pJzkhKqyM_TCKSs2uRAMboGSixLT7iDZn1m2xCx3a_o0tNkyUOOPu1TOkEsnnXZHqAR3nY3hz7BeclJexkxkh2EaMX5vrJx542yU7hsqeimUtQjOVUE/s1600/Foro+Italico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ90YcN_mtzUJ5_2Ol4Lii55r5pJzkhKqyM_TCKSs2uRAMboGSixLT7iDZn1m2xCx3a_o0tNkyUOOPu1TOkEsnnXZHqAR3nY3hz7BeclJexkxkh2EaMX5vrJx542yU7hsqeimUtQjOVUE/s1600/Foro+Italico.jpg" /></a></div>
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Mosaic at Foro Italico</div>
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Today the school attracts people from all over the world, who come for their professional, short, or family programs. They have an objective to combine tradition and innovation. They continue traditional subjects such as mosaic and terrazzo, but also computer graphics, mosaic design and color theory. The current professional programs offer studies in architecture design and contemporary art restoration. </div>
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This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ2Iz0xfQig" target="_blank">video</a> is an interview with the president of the school, Alido Gerussi (in Italian, but with my rudimentary Spanish, I was able to understand most of it), and virtual tour of the school and its beautiful mosaics. There is also a demonstration of cutting smalti with a hammer and hardie and a fascinating look at how they store their glass. (The music is a little annoying, so either mute or turn it down.)</div>
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May all of your scores run true!</div>
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-paula</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116460859286689118.post-73357453252857458122015-04-20T17:34:00.000-07:002015-04-20T17:34:58.201-07:00A New Mosaic Discovery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68HbTB4ge_DZl7rzKCU-izOcWkziXL72HgBK4FYsKgyVvETxfwDpg4XW-vmyDCOx6fMlMkf6Odd2MiypkfCUJvjRqf71A7jXffXH2p-c_HUEwGgNnvf-Kr2UradQGY1bbEk86LZAadXuz/s1600/ancient_mosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68HbTB4ge_DZl7rzKCU-izOcWkziXL72HgBK4FYsKgyVvETxfwDpg4XW-vmyDCOx6fMlMkf6Odd2MiypkfCUJvjRqf71A7jXffXH2p-c_HUEwGgNnvf-Kr2UradQGY1bbEk86LZAadXuz/s1600/ancient_mosaic.jpg" height="185" width="320" /></a></div>
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Picture by Jim Haberman</div>
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Last week I saw this article about a new mosaic discovery that archeology professor, Jodi Magness, from UNC-Chapel Hill recently made in Galilea. She and a group of students have been going to the site of an ancient Jewish synagog, Huqoqa, since 2011. The mosaics date back to the fifth century and depict scenes from the Bible. Another mosaic features an elephant and a military commander, possibly Alexander the Great.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsih9DrY4yK3DPLy8Uuj-1vAx74ZHmgA6euHNe9HyvZixEfI0s2eLdWuoiq5ZQLT39bMZMV2UDXTiQ13TXHc4jXSHTeX2Ngp2js07UQf3vDTzErRdx2mO-xCvLqcK3U7MKc20iJn_OWgs2/s1600/huqoqa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsih9DrY4yK3DPLy8Uuj-1vAx74ZHmgA6euHNe9HyvZixEfI0s2eLdWuoiq5ZQLT39bMZMV2UDXTiQ13TXHc4jXSHTeX2Ngp2js07UQf3vDTzErRdx2mO-xCvLqcK3U7MKc20iJn_OWgs2/s1600/huqoqa.jpg" /></a></div>
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Picture from Huqoqa excavation site from official <a href="http://huqoqexcavationproject.org/" target="_blank">webpage</a></div>
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Mosaics were a way of representing biblical stories to the illiterate public. However, since there are no elephants in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), the elephant mosaic is curious. Patching together the reason it is there and learning more from what other mosaics they may find will create a better understanding of what life was like at that time.<br />
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After reading about this find, I was reminded of a book that I read years ago. It's called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Mosaics-Roger-Ling/dp/0691004048" target="_blank"><i>Ancient Mosaics</i> by Roger Ling</a>. It is a comprehensive look at the mosaics of Greece, Rome, and Africa. For anyone who is interested in the history of mosaics, I would highly recommend this book. It is interesting to read and has enough pictures to keep you engaged.<br />
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One subject he covers is how mosaics changed over time. I think it's interesting that while mosaics started off as floor coverings, eventually they moved up onto the walls. There were trends of the type (marble, stone) and style of mosaics (geometric, bordered), in addition to the theme of the image (religious, depictions of hunts).<br />
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Most often the mosaics were designed by an artist and rendered by laborers. The way they were constructed required layers of prepared support. The following diagram is an illustration of those layers (page 8 of <i>Ancient Mosaics</i>).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJJby6YBHpgHD-8xRF-9KhFslEx449miFurAyN3wPIKfmLfAFzRb9TErV6kGgptp16HWpgIFohGobVNTzWtsqsDzDVYK8MQ2ojQmYHCeVmO_BHiM0RS82NcOchjW38-Q3nUjeNLo4tlcc/s1600/Diagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJJby6YBHpgHD-8xRF-9KhFslEx449miFurAyN3wPIKfmLfAFzRb9TErV6kGgptp16HWpgIFohGobVNTzWtsqsDzDVYK8MQ2ojQmYHCeVmO_BHiM0RS82NcOchjW38-Q3nUjeNLo4tlcc/s1600/Diagram.jpg" height="122" width="320" /></a></div>
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The solid foundation is why these centuries old mosaics exist today. Some have even survived earthquakes. Who knows what the mosaics at Huqoqa have endured?</div>
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It will be interesting to keep up with the Huqoqa excavation and what new insights will be discovered there.</div>
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May all of your scores run true!</div>
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-paula</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14856542138018603310noreply@blogger.com0