Dear ....

[Blows the dust off the keyboard] Although that is not a completely true statement because i have been using my computers [yes more then one] quite a lot. Between reading blogs, and checking emails, and just networking in general, But i had forgotten about you... my dear wonderful readers. [chirp chirp chirp] Yeah i am in one of those moods where i really feel like i am talking to the wind. But that will not stop me this time.. I WILL write a post!

What has happened since my last post...
I went to a concert and read many blogs... one of which has inspired a "super secrete" design that will only be revealed upon my first craft show...
YES that is right my friends, if all goes well I will be in my first craft show this coming november! The check is in the mail and after calling the place three times, it is pretty much guaranteed that i will be vending there...
Which of course has me slightly freaking out... and thus began the reading of even more blogs and books on how to do a good job.

You may have noticed the countdown above the post.. that is still counting down the days for the February Show application deadline, which i am still thinking about and plan to have it submitted with the photos of what i am making now. All in all i have suddenly become very busy and am praying that this will all work out and that everyone will be able to stay postive.
I would appriciate all your prayers and any help in getting ready. Thanks <3M

On the Road Again

Today was a day of a lot of walking, talking, and learning. My dear artist friend pushed me out into the real world today.... "fly little bird" [teasing]. In fact it was just a overall fun day learning about who and where would be good places for my scarves. We visited about 6 shops on the Zionsville Brick-street. Most of the shops where very nice, and spoke very positively [there was one who had a friend in the shop and so she spent most of her time talking to said friend once she found out we where not interested in buying anything]
But all in all it was a good experience. Some of our original ideas where crossed off as not possible at this time were as other ideas where brought into light.

I am delighted to tell you that some MarissaInk scarves can now be found in the SullivanMunce Cultural Center's Artisan Boutique. And I really hope that even if you can not afford a silk scarf then you will at lest stop in to see a wonderful exhibit on WW2 Stained Glass. [Admission is Free, but donations are welcome to contribute towards shipping costs]

Climbing up the Ladder...

Today was big for great sales... not only did my favorite store have a 50% off store wide [which I sadly never got a chance to go to] but there where many garage sales. And it just so happens that at one of these fine sales I found the first piece of my future art booth... crossing fingers that I really do manage to get everything in place. 

I also had an opportunity to show off my scarf work to a few of my mother's colleges. [Shout out to the girls with the Blackberry Pie!] 

After a few minutes of conversation, many new ideas have risen which I share here to 

1. Get opinions... thumbs up, thumbs down
2. Give a sneak peak into what may be coming out of the Studio

So one of the first things we discussed was of course what they personally would like to have MarissaInk design for them.

Such ideas were: More cars and trucks, Food -such as summer pies, lemons and limes, watermelon; Dogs- head shots with name, mix of breads.

Second topic of the night was how to help MarissaInk branch out and reach more people.

Personalized Weddings! 

  Ok so I have been thinking about this for quite a while in the far off dream of my own wedding. [Nobody Freak.... nothing happening and you already know more than me about it... haha]  But I had thought that it would be really special for a DIY Bride, which I'm sure I will be, to make-- or have a hand in making-- the ties for groomsmen, or shawls for bridesmaids. What a unique gift for them to take from your wedding... and it might even be warn more often then that dress you promised them they could shorten and wear to another event in their life. [Its ok, I have one of those dresses in my closet too.] 

 After all, satin and silk is often a main staple at weddings, so why wouldn't I look at creating something. Even if the bride does not want the item to be worn for the wedding [Who wouldn't?] it would be able to make something completely unique to give their attendants since all MarissaInk items are handmade and thus never perfectly duplicated,.

 *since writing this I have found a great current example of a DIY Bride bringing in Hand Dyed items. In this photo, a bride in Virginia contacted Handmade by Leah to create some hand dyed fabric bags to be used as candy bag favors for her guests. (And look at the blue!!) 

 

Antiquing It Up

Did you know that Antiquing is in fact a word? 

"Antiquing" is the act of shopping, identifying, negotiating, or bargaining for antiques. Items can be bought for personal use, gifts, and in the case of brokers and dealers, profit. Antiquing is performed at garage sales, estate sales, resort towns, antiques districts, collectives, and international auction houses.
Note that the word "antiquing" may also refer to the art of making an object appear antique through distressing or applying an antique looking paint application.

Anyway, today I had some errands that took me to Westfield and Noblesville... with a lot of time in-between stops. So what did I do? I looked at displays and went to two antique shops looking for ideas for scarf booth displays.

First up saw this rack with three rows of hooks. It was hanging WAY above my head, so the photo is not the best.

Also saw a lot of laders being used, handy because it is self supporting and yet collapses easily. I am leaning more towards a ladder right now, some where painted to make it less industrious.

But I also saw potential in one of the last things I saw.
Anyone have a guess at what it is?

The skeleton of a lamp shade! They had stripped the outer part and wrapped some ribbon around it.
I thought this was a very interesting idea.... the scarves could then be hung similar to a wind sock, possibly drawing more attention to themselves. Anyone else have any creative and cheap ideas for putting a display booth together?