Style Your Sole

This Saturday I'll be at Nordstrom at Northpark from 1-4 doing a Style Your Sole event! I can custom paint your pair of TOMS on the spot! I'll be there with a few other artists working hard to customize your Toms so that they are uniquely yours. What I love most about this event, besides making your feet happy- for every pair of TOMS shoes you buy they donate a brand new pair of shoes to a child in need. ONE FOR ONE is what they call it. I'm really looking forward to participating and helping the cause along. You can find out more about their efforts on their blog and check out their site-they have some super cute shoes! Be sure and come check me out at Nordstrom this Saturday in the BP shoe department!

Taking time to smell the leaves

The leaves have turned some amazing shades of yellow, orange and red and today I get to step out and enjoy the foliage. Sort of. I'll be en route to gather more supplies but will take time to smell the roses....er, leaves.
I'm going box hunting! Need some boxes for some commissions and I'd like to stock the store with a particular favorite- Tea Boxes.
I'm also out of felt and want to glance at holiday stamps. Slightly addicted to making Christmas cards right now shall we say?
While I'm out and about I suppose I'll stop at Paciugo and treat myself for all my hard work. The Mediterranean Sea Salt Caramel I had a sample of has been singing it's siren song to me for weeks. I will just get the smallest size, Thanksgiving is coming up and I don't need any more extra calories if I can help it.
Yesterday I did some more cards (sequin and swarovski card pictured above - now in the etsy shop ) and primered some commission boxes. Had a couple of friends tell me they would be taking me up on my CREATIVE CHALLENGE so I can't wait to see what they come up with. Slowly but surely the Etsy store is being stocked for the BLACK FRIDAY-CYBER MONDAY SALE. I'll talk more about that soon.
Until then, happy creating and keep it kind!

Challenge: Create

Yesterday I posed a challenge to my facebook friends: create one thing this week and I would spotlight it in my blog. It could be a dish you made, a painting, sketch, song, photo, poem, story, a well writ blog post...it's pretty open ended as long as it was created this week. Fresh and new!
As a gal with NO CAR I rarely get to go to art openings, see bands play, dinner parties, etc. I thought this would be a great way to keep up with my talented friends as well as get my friends brains buzzing. So check back for updates on that front mixed in with my usual rants and raves.
Did not accomplish cleaning the studio yesterday as my Pilates class drained every ounce of my will to stay vertical. Yep, the afternoon and evening succumbed to eating tamales in bed, napping with my cat and some of that TV watching business.
All business today though, Tuesdays are my Mondays. That makes perfect sense.

National HOW ARE YOU DOING Day or how the Like Button Killed Dialog

So you've tweeted how many beers you drank at Bar X, logged your heart rate and exercise workout on some fancy schmancy app and let your friends know every detail of your lunch and @what restaurant you ate it.com....you've had a BUSY day!!!

You've "checked in" to buy groceries at Walmart and I can only hope twitter.com/catburglar hasn't been tracking your every move and knows you're not at home babysitting the XBOX. You pressed the LIKE button about 40 times on your FB friends pages and that qualifies as "keeping in touch". Some people who used to be good friends of mine I only know are still alive because they "LIKED" a youtube link I posted.

The world is becoming weird. Do you know what your Mom had for lunch @what restaurant? Maybe let's "check in" to the real world and maybe send a comprehensive and concerned message written in the English (Spanish, Japanese, whatever you speak) language to a friend or family member instead of hitting LIKE and moving on with logging our every move of the day. I declare today "Ask someone how they are doing day!"
How do you celebrate this day? Simply ask someone "How are you doing?" be it a stranger or friend. A good candidate could also be the person who asked how you were doing and your reply was something that resembled :-) or THX!
And maybe lay off that LIKE button just a little bit, just for today.

I Heart Mondays

Mondays, mondays....the bane of everyones existence. I happen to like Mondays but then again I'm not reporting to a cubicle right now. Maybe in due time I will hate them again too. I like that Monday is the start of a new week and as sadistic as it sounds it is a day I put myself through a lot of pain. 3 miles on the elliptical machine, 30 minutes of strength training and an hour getting my butt kicked by Delia- my Pilates instructor who has a killer body for a woman who I'm guessing is in her late forties/early fifties. Yowch you should see this woman! So I basically physically disable myself for about two days after class. But every week I can feel my body getting stronger and I remember my very first class with Delia and how broken my back was and how weak everything was. It's enough to keep me on track every Monday like clockwork.
Monday is also studio cleaning day. I'm really going to put some thought into this today and try to make my studio neat and comprehensible, I'd like to submit my studio photo to the Etsy group pool. I have a thing for looking at other peoples studios. Nerdy, I know.

Yesterday I made some Christmas cards and gift tags and practiced "staging" photos. I think my gift tags photo came out pretty snazzy if I may say so. And of course, playing with Christmas decorations is always fun. I made a small advertisement for my Black Friday-Cyber Monday sale which you can peep here
and just tightened up some things in my Etsy shop.
New week, lots to do. Busy in the hive trying to stay alive!
Keep it kind.

Have paintbrush will travel

Keeping your eyes open for opportunity is a great way to not be on the far side of the house when Opportunity comes a-knockin'. Woke up to find that I've secured a gig for next Saturday...painting! I'll get a nice days pay for a few hours of painting work and I get to get out of the house and hang out at the mall. I never go to the mall. Maybe once a year. Will have to fight the temptation to go into Bath and Bodyworks and spend all my pay.
Thank you for listening Universe and please keep it coming!

Spent yesterday finishing the Mondrian record and completing a Chinese folk paper cut design record. Read a TON about marketing, what I need to do to sell for the holidays and how to take better photos. I am experimenting with these settings I never knew I had on my camera and practicing "styling" the photo. Here is my simple attempt at staging with my Mondrian record

Staging makes the photo a little more interesting and creative. It will draw the viewer in for a better look. Need tons of practice with this but will have plenty of opportunity to practice.
Today I'm working on Christmas cards and gift tags. Found some wonderful paper in my stash of remnants I can't wait to start on. Crafty weekend for me! Look for me at the mall next weekend, I'll have more details on where I'll be this week. Until then- have a great weekend!

Everybodys working for the weekend

And some of us are working ON it!
I've found that I like working on the weekend- in the studio that is. Have been doing lots of research on marketing, advertising and how to sell during the upcoming holiday season. Can we say MAJOR TO DO LIST?! ACK! I have missed most of the major trade shows this season but have to give myself some slack- I've been busy building "product" that was sorely needed. And now I have to make more.
Also interested in link swapping -so if you have an artsy/crafty blog or link let's swap and help spread the word together.
Ok much to do, much to do...getting ready for a Black Friday sale on etsy means more time in the studio. Have a great weekend everyone!

Freshen it Up Friday

It's Friday and it looks like rain in the forecast so I've decided to spend a good chunk of the morning CLEANING and freshening up the place. My studio has gotten a little on the messy side as you can see from the photo. By the by... I put gridwall up around my table to kind of "lock" myself in away from my cats who like to come a'bothering when they see me not giving them my every minutes attention. It sort of works, sometimes and of course my guy has taken to calling me Louie DePalma (the show taxi, Danny Devito sits in a little dispatch cage) which is hilarious!
Yesterday found me working on some Christmas cards and a Mondrian record and researching more marketing advice. One sale a week is not going to keep a roof over my head so I need to ramp things up, look for some local consignment places and hit a different audience. Should be getting some nice promotional materials I ordered next week.

The holidays are coming up and it's nice to be home and in the moment to enjoy them. Am going to work on some Christmas card sets this afternoon and hopefully discover some magic marketing venue online that won't require a big advertising fee. Being your own boss is the hardest work you can do. Poor but happy right now and sure things will start looking up in time.
The Winter Solstice treasury had three sales last time I checked. That is pretty cool, I am glad I was able to promote some other peoples shops and get them some business. Support handmade! If you've not seen my latest stuff go here:
TIGER BEE and if you want to get 20% off your next purchase sign up for my mailing list here:
http://www.electriclollipop.com
Happy Friday everyone!

Winter Solstice treasury

I'm trying to create a Treasury or two on Etsy a week. Here is my latest treasury dedicated to the holidays, which will probably be a recurring theme for a bit!
WINTER SOLSTICE
Candy canes, snowflakes and wintry whimsy- do check it out and support handmade!

Stew-dio!

Not only is the studio overflowing with vinyl, canvases and paper bits but I've added flower pots into the mix. It's a crafty stew over here!
Yesterday was post office and pots day and today is a studio lockdown. Only stopping for lunch and hot tea.
Featured above is my little JAGPOT, I do love my friendly jaguar. And then I've been enthralled with Chinese folk paper cuts and did a pot in yellow and red
these will be nice for little herbs in the winter. Start them inside or bring a delicate little one in from the cold.
Starting to feel the season and will begin making some Christmas cards and other festive things. The hive is busy and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Hump Day

Happy Wednesday everyone! Yesterday found me busy in the studio working on vinyl, finished this Mondrian record and sold it not long after posting! I really needed that sale to perk me up, I was having one of those bouts of the blahs I couldn't seem to shake. Big thanks to my official Oak Cliff collector Kevin who bought the record. :-)
I also finished a small record mirror that looks suprisingly well on my studio wall. Hmm, will have to make one for my own keeps.

Did a lot of experimenting with materials yesterday and also different spots to photograph indoors. Trying to ramp up my photo quality. I've decided to make a small "staging" area where I can photograph some of the pieces on the wall. Will take some time to get it right but should make for some lovely photos.
Working on another Mondrian piece today and visiting the post office to drop a Beatles record off. Feeling blessed.
Theres a little rainy cloud icon on my weather bug for tomorrow...hmm, good painting weather.
Jump over the hump and make it good!

November

Yesterday as I was out priming records I noticed a mosquito hovering around me trying to get a good angle on a bite. A mosquito! In November! Usually about this time I am rounding up sheddings from the trees and vines to make my natural holiday wreath but it has still been pretty warm and of course- the mosquitoes. Where is my Fall? I shan't curse it too much though because I do rely heavily on the weather for most everything. I need the good sun for taking photos of my art and crafty things so I can put them on the web to sell. Rain and cold temps are not conducive to good paint priming either. Not to mention I have been carless for going on three years and ride my bike and bus wherever I need to go.
I have adapted a new style of "grocery" shopping that involves me only buying what will fit in my backpack and perhaps a small parcel for the handlebars. I have mastered the art of tying a small brisquet to my bike with twine. While it seems the bike is enjoying a newfound renaissance of late I can't help but think my old 11 year old Shimano mountain bike as less than glamorous and view it more as my horse...my little packmule. Hardly anything stylish about it really. Anything too heavy for the backpack gets walked home from the Family Dollar down the street, not my preference to buy crappy milk there but sometimes I have no choice. But that brings me back to my point, the weather...I rely on it like a farmer these days.
Living simply and frugally these days but thankful to be working in the studio as much as possible. Each day I get to create is a wonderful day.

Monday Monday

Had a perfectly wonderful day yesterday at the Buddy Walk. I was glad that Aidans Angels were able to not only make their goal but surpass it! The weather was gorgeous and the family was in good spirits.
Buckling down now for a week of working hard in the studio. Preparing for the cold winter ahead and possible bad weather that will hinder me priming records so while the sun is shining I'll be priming.
Trying to navigate google analytics and other stat monitoring sites to see where my marketing needs some help. Thanks to everyone who has already shared my links to etsy and my website. Next stop some more business cards and such!
Started Monday with good karma and made another treasury on etsy, peep out other peoples cool stuff here: she comes in colors

Sunday Morning

Sunday is usually the perfect day for getting busy in the studio but today I'm stepping outside and doing something different. I'll be walking in the 2010 Down Syndrome Buddy Walk in support of my cousins son Aidan. It will be nice to do something for a good cause while reconnecting with family I hardly get to see. The weather looks great for it too.
Sold my little Jaguar 45 rpm that's featured in the photo up there and just finished a Beatles commission so it looks like I'll be visiting the post office next week. Next week will find me buckling down and working hard in the Tiger Bee hive while the weather is good. I rely on the sun to take photos and prime records, guess I better get on that lightbox making project soon!

thanksgiving time

Every day this week I've been in the studio trying to work on something. Just finished a Beatles record commission, my latest canvas painting, a Mondrian box and started work on a new box I'll post soon. I did want to pause today and thank everyone who has been helping to keep me going...either with kind words of support, feedback on how to make my site/stuff better, helping to promote by sharing links and putting me in Etsy treasuries, etc. So many wonderful people out there and I just wanted to say THANK YOU! Here is my little show of gratitude for today- I made an Etsy treasury with some very nice Etsiers stuff. Check out the wonderful arts and handiwork of these wonderful and kind sellers.
Thanksgiving Time

Electric lollipop

So I took some time to revamp my website finally and you can view and give me some feedback on it if you wish. electriclollipop.com It's the poor mans website that doesn't have a fancy shopping cart feature and all that jazz but it should do for now. I need to figure out how to connect my Paypal to it for easier shopping. Learning as I'm going. Most of my customers just buy through my etsy or contact me on facebook and ask for things there. Really want this site to pay for itself at some point.
Would love to hear your feedback though!
http://www.electriclollipop.com

Riding the Strange Waves

Since last I visited here my life has been touched with melancholy and grief. I see my last post was joyous and triumphant. How was I to know that in that very month my Dad would pass away unexpectedly.
I had always cringed a little to read such personal accounts on other peoples blogs. I wondered at how they had the courage to let the whole world know, the extent of their sadness. I had no idea, the weight of it all...but now I do.
But I won't dwell on the sadness but rather on all the wonderful gifts my father gave to me. Not only do I have a renewed appreciation for life and the fleeting beauty of each day but also for my artistic abilities my Dad always nurtured in me.
So in my sorrow I find comfort in the paintbrush and pushing my skills to those my Dad would be proud of. To sign his last name to every piece when it is done gives me a pride inside - that his legacy lives on through me.
I will be showcasing a bunch of stuff I am making for Etsy here,as well as my own personal paintings... trying to make a living with my own two hands and my paintbrush for now. Prepared to sack groceries should things get dire but for now...painting is my therapy.
My Dad wrote in my birthday card once "Enjoy the Life"... and I am and invite you to do the same.
Thanks for reading and happy creating!
(image featured: detail from my latest canvas "NEST: Little Dreams")

This One Goes To 11!

11 Songs of Jangly Rockin' Pop from Deep in the Heart of Texas!
The album sees the light of day today! On sale officially! What a long and winding road to get here. What a struggle! What a fight! And here it is at long last!
So where can you get one? CD BABY for one, just follow that fancy button up there. It will let you preview songs and download the ones you want or buy the whole album and have them send it to you!
It is also on itunes and locally can be snagged at Good Records. So go snag. Or if you're super smart and savvy you can meet us at the Windmill Lounge tonight for the CD RELEASE LISTENING PARTY AND RADIO TAKEOVER! It really couldn't get a longer name.
It's the long awaited (by us) release of our debut album! We'd love to have a drink with you as we share the sounds of our very first full length!
Bring a radio or your favorite boombox and we'll build a mountain of sound! We will be broadcast on the radio (Sonic Assembly Power Hour KNON 89.3) at the Windmill Lounge with entertainment by DJ MR RID who will be playing the whole album for your listening pleasure! Then we'll meet you over there for drinks and fun! The album will be on sale for only $6 at this event only! On site screenprinted shirts will be available for sale by SHIRTS=AWESOME
Shapes stickers will be free for all our guests!
Can't be there in person? Even if you can't be there in person we invite you to tune in as Lance and I will be ON THE AIR!
Listen to KNON 89.3fm or webcast at www.knon.org TUESDAY AUGUST 3RD 10PM
*Thanks To DJ Mark Ridlen and Reid Robinson for not only helping to put this event together but for actually working on the record to make it sound good for your ears!
♥

Fun with Records

So one of the people who bought a record art from me on Friday is a United Record pressing employee! He (Jay) put a nice little shout out for me on the United Record Pressing facebook fanpage! I think that is terribly cool, the place where little records get made before they fall into my hands many years later and get turned into artworks.
Updated my Etsy shop with a few more records and this week it's order crackin' time. Have some customs to do for people now that the hub-bub of art shows is quiet. By the by both of my records in the Gingerama art show sold and some of the proceeds went to benefit the SPCA so I was glad I could help and that the records went to good homes.
Returning back to work today from "vacation" land...hope it's not too painful. I feel more resolved than ever though about my little business taking off. I have made some wonderful connections lately and have gotten positive feedback so I'm feeling pretty good about things. Have a wonderful week!

Old friends and Octopii

Last nights LIVE painting event went over well and as much fun as I had painting in front of everyone and selling some stuff it was more awesome to reconnect with some old friends I hadn't seen in ages. Thanks to the travel gods for sending them through town to see me and for facebook for reconnecting me with some old high school chums! Some of my work friends even stopped by to check it out, yay!
It was a little weird painting in front of people and trying to chat and keep my eye on prospective customers but I handled it. Everyone seemed to love the records and a few people took some photos of me painting.

I love my new gridwall, this was it's maiden voyage...it is a little heavy though so I was thankful for the help of my buddy Sam and his lovely wife Andria who got it there and helped load and lug it to and fro (thanks Sam and Andria!). The ArtLoveMagic team who host these events were super nice and supportive and I loved the laid back atmosphere of the coffee shop. Heard some good open mic-ers and peeped everyones art...some really cool stuff...from 3d guitar art to intricate Mayan paintings to decked out bejewelled telephones and really neat abstract paintings...there was something for everyone!
I sold both my Octopus records and the Crazy Bird Mobile as well as a framed print. Enjoyed fun with friends and even got an origami bird from the kid at the next table. :-) All in all a wonderful way to spend the evening!

The Big Weekend!

I have two art "thingies" in one weekend, well one is a LIVE art event where I'll be painting live for everyone to see. Wanna see how I create my vinyl record art? Come stop by ART&COFFEE -a live art experience on June 4 at IT'S A GRIND coffee house. You can come watch me do LIVE painting along with other artists and there will be live music too! Come snatch some fresh painted vinyl(record featured below will be up for grabs)! I have been working all my live-long vacation to stock up the gridwall with new works so come support!
IT'S A GRIND
2901 Indiana Blvd Dallas TX 75226
7:30pm - 10:30pm (FREE and ALL AGES WELCOME!)

the other thing is GINGERAMA- the art of the redhead at the Fallout Lounge. I made two pieces especially for this so if they strike your fancy come buy them(record featured above is up for grabs) -some of the proceeds benefit the Humane Society! ♥
Fallout Lounge
835 Exposition Avenue
Dallas, TX 75226
7:30 FREE ($3 sangria specials)

Save the date!

Getting ready for the next event!

The Shape of Things To Come

Right now our album is being made into little round cd shapes and in 2 weeks we'll have em in our hot little hands! This is just an 11 song debut, a history of all the songs we've written together with our old drummer Chuck Spurlock who is no longer in the band. Putting out this album has taken it's toll to be sure but I think we're ready to move forward up the mountain with our new drummer Guyton and get this record heard. We pressed a small 500 run so if anyones interested in getting this album let me know, we havent even discussed how much we're charging but it won't be expensive.
We had our first practice in 9 months yesterday and it wasn't as catastrophic as I thought it would be. However I did learn two things, one...my fingers ain't what they used to be and two...my guitar needs to go to the hospital finally. Alignment, intonation, the whole 9 yards....poor baby. My gigging amp is blown as well so being in a band ain't cheap! ;-(
Aside from getting this album out I'm juggling the June ART&COFEE show coming up as well as Gingerama in the same weekend. It's a good thing I have vacation next week, I think Im taking 2 solid days to work on record art before pushing it all aside for some R&R. Ok maybe 3 days...I know myself too well.
Remind me to post my hiking adventure here...let's just say it was not my intention to try and kill my boyfriend and there is a magical princess on a dashing steed who makes an appearance as well! Interested in The Shapes? We're linked in the sidebar of my blog!

PUBLISHED!

Just got my copy of the Wichita Falls Literature and Art Review and had a good old fashioned jump for joy. I'm officially PUBLISHED! Such a special moment for an artist! My piece "telescope" was reproduced in wonderful vibrant color alongside a bunch of great art and poetry and writing. Such a thrill! Big thanks to the art editor Richard Carter for finding something in my work he liked.
Prints are available of "telescope" in my etsy shop for $12 and I hand sign each one.
;-) Happy day!

Prime Time

Yesterday I spent the morning priming records and the better part of the afternoon doing two orders. A friend of mine requested her Chinese zodiac animal-A Tiger, to be put on a record and here is the end result
Tiger&Blossom
which I posted on facebook and immediately got a ton of feedback on. Now I have some more orders in the queue for Tiger&Blossom and it also sparked some custom orders. Busy bee over here! I am really gonna need that week of vacation thats coming up in less than 2 weeks!
I have to get ready for the June Art&Coffee that's hosted by ArtLoveMagic and a friend of mine is also talking to me about doing a few vinyl pieces for an impromptu show (more details TBA) in June. June is going to be a happening month. I'm gonna try to crack out a record order every evening until I'm caught up.
(Want to pre-order a Tiger&Blossom? $40 I'll be updating my facebook group with instructions on pre-orders this week!)

Studio Life

Clean sweep! Yesterday I tackled my studio and cleaned, straightened, rearranged and organized and I can't tell you how good it feels to walk into a room and feel inspired to create again. My studio is also my dining room but I have made it work for the purpose of a studio-as we broke starving artists must do.
I have my big window back and lots of light streaming in and it really did make me smile when I walked in there this morning. I can start on some projects today feeling like there is one less thing to tackle on my list.
I have decided I need to make a lightbox. It's been a long time coming. I won't get to it today but maybe next week. It makes your photos so much more professional looking.
Today I pass off all the files for The Shapes album. It's hard to believe at long last this thing is finally going to be released. If I think about all that has to be done in that regard I will drive myself crazy so for today just enjoying a day off, working on some more records and hopefully a long gorgeous walk in the Texas sunshine.

oranges and merengue

Finally a day off and the sicky spell I've been under seems to be going away. Woke up today full of creative energy so I think I will tackle my studio today. Sold a L'Orange and have to make another for a customer. I am loving that I now have a working printer to help me with my fonts and designs, the possibilities just grew by leaps and bounds!
Woke up to an email- someone wants to give me a stash of their old records. BY ALL MEANS! Please pawn off your Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Loverboy and Hall and Oates on me..I will turn them into recycled record art and they will be loved once again!
I have also discovered a better way to attach the hangers on the backs of the records. Good ol' glue gun, is there nothing you can't do? So the records are just getting better with time and hopefully I'll have some time to work on a canvas soon. Theres a big juicy blank canvas sitting in my studio and I'm itching for some gallery time.
Speaking of which, I have had the pleasure of meeting up with an Art group in town called ArtLoveMagic that just seems to be doing the most amazing stuff. They throw art, music, live performance shows and they all seem very inclusive and open minded and dedicated to giving opportunities to artists wherever they can. Really?! In Dallas?!
I was fortunate to meet up with one of the founders over a big hunk of Norma's merengue pie and discuss the possibility of collaborating on something. I left with a good feeling in my gut that at long last I have met some people with some common ground after dealing with a lot of negative, pretension and territorialism that seems so rampant in this city. This feels good and I expect some good stuff to arise from this. If anything I definitely left our meeting inspired and hopeful.
Reconnected with an old friend who is helping me get my website back up to speed. So thankful. So thankful for nice friends who pop out of the woodwork with a smile and a helping hand. (Thank you Ryan Simpson!)
Hopefully my next post will find me telling you about The Shapes album thats about to be released. Heres a teaser photo of the cover...I really can't wait to get this thing OUT it's been years working on this thing and it only clocks in at like 31 minutes or something. Just a little heartfelt rock and roll album from a little band in Texas. Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!

check the sidebar on the left for a link to The Shapes facebook page!

Quickie

Just wanted to update with a new vinyl record art-now listed in my etsy shop. Inspired by little seed packets and old retro floral prints...I think it would look nice in a kitchen above a spicy spice rack. Working on an orange flavored one and then it's time to get back to a commission I have- a tiger record. Roar!

electriclollipop

My website has been down since January so yesterday while I was home with the crud I called up the support team and got that thing back up. Granted, it's a slow work in progress and I'm having to start from scratch but the most basic of basic info is back up and that makes me feel a little better.
Some friends offered to help get it snazzy so looking forward to teaming up with people with know-how to accomplish that daunting task.
Home with the crud again, breathing and speaking hurt so I'm just gonna shut up and take meds and sleep most likely. I do so hate being sick!
But havent been a complete slog- posted a painting on Ebay because I hear people actually buy art on there, check thelisting and you'll see the painting up for auction.
Updated my flickr with some photos of the records and will try to be better about tagging, posting and updating...all this stuff you gotta do to keep your name and links out there. Promoting yourself is feeling like the hardest job on the planet right now. Looking into google analytics and trying to figure out the ins and outs of increasing traffic. Bored yet? Me too!
The crazy winds in Texas are kicking something sinister into my nasal caves and making it hard to concentrate-so with that I bid my dear readers adieu for the day. Keep creating and finding your inspiration in the most unseemly places!
When I return to blogsville I will update you on something cool on my calendar and a little info about a new arty group I've met up with that give me hope for this town yet!

Spring Cleaning

Down with allergies today but wanted to update the blog with my new banner! I have had the same banner at my etsy shop for a long time. So I have updated it a bit and will make some more to keep the shop looking fresh. I just added two new vinyl art records so if you've been wanting one grab em now!
Patiently waiting on my allergies to get in check so I have the energy to sit and work on stuff but thats what I have for now. Thanks for popping in and check out the new pieces!
http://www.tigerbee.etsy.com
http://www.tigerbee.etsy.com

Commencing Countdown Engines On

Gridwall is here! What is gridwall? Its that cagey looking stuff you see at little craft/art fairs or really anywhere someone is selling stuff. It's used to hang stuff on and soon it's going to be used to hang MY stuff on! It is starting to come together piece by piece, slowly but surely.
This weekend in between working, a friends crawfish boil and Mothers Day I plan to re-do my little working space in my dining room. I share it with my cats and it's in constant upheaval and right now it is just not working. I need the big window to sit by in order to be happy. I need the Spring sunshine coming in but right now that window is blocked with an ugly shelving unit. Time to make my space an inspirational place to work.
Aside from piece-mealing my little soon to be biz together I'm counting down the days until I can leap from the cliff of the workaday world and see if I can sink or swim. It's time to challenge myself and change it up. That and getting ready to release the Shapes album in a few weeks.
I am on day 58 of my countdown.
I have put the prints back in the shop and acquired a new scanner/printer...nothing fancy but should get the job of invoices, basic printing done, etc. Every week from here on out will be chipping away at the mountain little by little. Still scouting out consignment shops and various places to get the records in.

Happiness is a warm bun

I'm trying to be better about updating my blog as I work on getting my little business up and running. Yesterday I got my giant box of record mailing boxes! WOOHOO! Starting to look like a little biz around here. This morning I ordered my first roll of bubble wrap, a couple rolls of packing tape and my shipping supplies will be complete. Now I'm on the quest to research a good printer that will do some nice giclee printing so I can expand my shop into other areas and not just records. Going to learn screen printing this summer and branch out. Yesterday I got my first customer appreciation photo! So excited! That little bunny record was commissioned by a facebook friend who is starting his own little music lab and wanted it to be christened with a bunny art record. He sent me a great photo and it really made my day. The desire to do this for a living and make people happy with little pieces of my heart is in full swing.

Jacob and his bunny record

Fresh Wax!

http://www.tigerbee.etsy.com
In between commission orders I've tried to sneak in a little extra record to put on Etsy, I'm curious how well they will do there. I sold one last week and am experimenting with another. The whole weekend was consumed with record painting and shipping and yesterday I had "one of those days" finally....I was wondering when it would come. One of those days when nothing was coming out right. I was having issue after issue with paint not drying properly, messy bleeding lines...finally I just had to stop and say it wasn't meant to be today. I'll jump on the wagon today. It happens. If you're not in the mood I have found forcing it to not be the best idea. Learning curve, I'm on it!
I'm hoping my gridwall and shipping supplies come in today. That will boost my spirits! Reading a lot of small businesses advice and trying to stay motivated as I hit that last treacherous part of my plan...so close you can taste it but not quite there yet. Have to stay on track and stick to my guns.
Happy creating and reading!

Let the Records Show!

So much to blog so little alertness this morning. I'll start with telling you about these little records I've been painting. I know I've blogged about them before but they have become a big interest of mine of late.
Any time I had my painted records somewhere to show they would immediately get bought up so I figured these records were perfectly fine little canvasses to work on and I would continue on them and see where I could go with them. Of late I've been doing floral designs and coating the records in full vibrant colors....ding, ding, ding-we have a winner! People are loving them and I couldn't be happier. Nothing sparks a boost of confidence in an artist like people snatching up their little works like hotcakes. I have orders upon orders and as soon as I get through the orders I have potential shows. Not enough time in the day! So grateful that my work is appreciated and thankful that I can sit long enough to work on them. I have not forgotten the days when sitting for 5 minutes was a painful endeavor. On that front,still working hard at getting my back strong. It's been a tough trip with this injury but I think these little records pulled my spirits back up. That and the support of all my friends and lots of supportive strangers! I just started a facebook fan page for my art and the support has been amazing.
At any rate when I get caught up on orders you can find my new records and other art pieces at my etsy shop!

Lollipop Shoppe's Rock and Roll Circus!

It's been 6 years doing it up in Dallas with guest dj's, fashion designers, artists, bands, photographers, dancers and a whole host of creatives who have passed through our doors. We'll be hosting our 6 Year Anniversary Party at the beautiful and historic Sons of Hermann Hall!
Join us upstairs for a Rock And Roll Circus~ come as you are or dressed as your favorite star! Prizes for best dressed rockstar/ circus character. Come dance among the stars and check out a hot set by musical guests "Black and Blue"-a Rolling Stones cover band sure to get you dancing. Guest DJ G will be on the decks to help get you in the mood and of course the Lolli Dollies go go troupe will show you how to shimmy!
Come see the Rock and Roll Circus Art Show featuring works by: Frank Campagna, Erik Schuessler, Richard Ross, Tempest Thompson, Sue Keomounghounh, Vanessa Neil, Jonathon Kimbrell, Carlos Canul, Edward Ruiz, Corbett Sparks, Tigerbee and Jim Thompson. Buy a piece and support local art and The Lollipop Shoppe.
Enjoy amazing feats by local performers! JEFF PLUNK, the one wheeled wizard, Logan the juggler will be on hand to wow and amaze! ALABAMA and her hot hula hoops! JET Spectacular Spinner of the Glowing Poi!
Makeup and Photography booth-come have your pics shot with real guitars rockstars, treats and freebies and more, be sure to get there early for one of the signature cd's from Captain Groovy!

***New Sponsors! AllGood Cafe in Deep Ellum, MAKE STUDIO and CLIFF NOTES both in beautiful OAK CLIFF, PARKER HAWN VINTAGE and GRATITUDE VINTAGE CLOTHING-thanks for your help, discounts and donations!

Parker Hawn Vintage is offering a $10 discount off any $20 or more purchase if you mention you're "going to the circus"! And Gratitude Vintage Clothing is offering a solid 10% off if you mention Lollipop Shoppe!

Parker Hawn Vintage
AllGood Cafe
Make Studio
Cliff Notes Prolonged Media
Sons Of Hermann Hall
Black and Blue band