Just a few of my creations from 2014

 

Thanks to all of you who bought from me online, through my studio and at a little pop up sale in 2014!  Without you I couldn't do what I LOVE....xo

 



2014 Happening's

(june 2014)

After spending time with some of my oldest friends over the last 2 days and enjoying every minute of it.  I mentioned to them that people are choosing a "word" to take on for the upcoming year, like a resolution.  Since I am still in 2014 and I hadn't chosen a  word for this year I decided that "exhausting" would be my word.  I had started a post called a recap of 2014 earlier this week but, it became too long and bogged down with TMI.  So I am going to try again.

 

January - Ed (my husband) was recovering from a pacemaker installation and basic bad health.  We had a brutal winter in the Midwest.  Everything seemed to come to a stand still. February - I convinced Ed that it was time to move to all one level with less maintenance (for me to do).  I cleaned and DE cluttered our historic home in Irvington and put it on the market and with my savvy realtor sold it to the first person who looked at it.  March - I packed and moved us into a 1970's condo 4 days after my Ed fell and broke his ribs on our Irvington homes back deck.  (I am exhausted just thinking about it) April - unpacking, painting, flooring and just making our new place "home"  May - more of the same.  I made it my "job" to get our place "done" asap since Ed is home most days all day.  June - I turned 50 and invited my near and dear to a party in my neighborhood to celebrate.  It was a wonderful day.  My condo was done.  I had friends travel to see me and life was good that day.  Then sadness happened....my dear sweet friend Yvonne passed away.  July - August - lots of dog walking, swimming in our new pool and a whole lot of creating.  I missed being creative.  I never stopped but, everything else needed my attention.  Ed and I also gained a house mate.  Ed's nephew Heath came to Indianapolis to seek employment.  He has been a pleasure. Yes!  He has a job (s)!  September - I had my first sale at my studio and I loved it.  I felt like it was a great success.  I didn't skip a beat after September. I was in a creative groove.  Which I LOVE!  October - Indiana Autumn which is my favorite time of year.  Beautiful!!!!  I also found out that I have some issues with my hands which explains the unexplainable pain.  I have arthritis in my thumbs and they are now bone on bone and the thumb bone has moved away from the carpel.  I should have surgery on both not at the same time but, at some point.  Ugh!  Not anything someone who uses her hands to create wants to hear.  November - I spent the month getting ready for another sale.  It was also when we learned that my niece Katie who is pregnant and due in March, little baby girl had hypo plastic left heart syndrome.  My niece is handling everything like a CHAMPION.  Her little sweet baby is due in March.  Katie is blogging about her journey and I will be sharing her blog.  My nephew Mark married Emily in a very sweet church in West Newton, Indiana.  Congratulations!!! I had my second Sale in my studio and again feel really good about how everything is going.  December - still more creating and selling.  Celebrating with family and friends!   What I left out was euchre club, bowling, chiropractor visits, Ed's doctors appointments, visits to the emergency room, hospitalization (for Ed) and getting back to church.  It has been a year of great change and great loss.  I am thankful for my faithful customers who have become friends and my always supportive friends and family!  Even though it was "exhausting" it was a good year!  Looking forward to what 2015 brings. xo 

(December 2014)

Saturday STUDIO hours

Can you tell I was watching my dvd's of Sex and the City while I was working in my studio?    I have so much to share with you and I will really soon.  Right now I wanted to make sure that you all know that I will be in my studio every SATURDAY until Christmas so Dec. 6th, 13th and 20th from 10am to 3 pm.  5213 E. St. Clair in Irvington.  Shop Small.  xo

Jenny Elkins Studio SALE

Santa's workshop

It has been Christmas, Christmas, Christmas at the studio since the studio sale ended almost a month ago.  I am still trying to use what I have but, I did buy some great blank wooden ornaments at the end of last season and I LOVE how they turned out.  

 

 For a craftsperson/artist we are prepping for the "selling season".  I really enjoy working and work more and more productively when I have a season to prepare for. 

 Most of the ornaments are $8- each including the chalkboard pic above and these shiny colorful stars.

 These gals are tree toppers.  $18- each.

 Ornaments/Favor pails....Bargain priced at $3- each.

 Sweet Wooden Snowmen $8- a piece.

Full bodied Snowmen with big buttons $8- each.

 

The first show is the Gathering of Artists November 21st and 22nd at the Bona Thompson Center in Irvington, Indiana.

 

My studio Sale is November 28th and 29th

 

If you see something and are out of town I would be happy to bill you through paypal and ship it out. 

 

Lots more to come. 

xo

Don't take this too seriously!

I had a wonderful day today.  I enjoyed the beautiful weather, I had a delicious lunch with my husband at a new restaurant down the street from my house and I took my favorite 4 legged creature for a long walk. 

 

The following are some things that I want to vent about:

 

 Clothes::::after a season ends I am always on the hunt for a couple of new pieces for my "wardrobe".   Today as I was surfing the net  I came across this simple top with a piece of fabric sewn across the bottom.  Something that I would be interested in but not at $108-.  I just can't ever justify spending that on a t-shirt.  Clothes have been a huge disappointment lately.  Nothing last very long anymore.  Etc.  I guess I am going to have to do what this vintage button suggests.....

Every year I say I am going to re-work some of my clothes.  Maybe this year it will finally happen.

Okay next is Bethany Frankel, I heard she is going to be back on Real Housewives.  So, I confess at one point and time I really enjoyed the Real Housewives series.  I watched the OC bunch and the NY gals season after season.  I felt like early on there really were some "realness" to them.  I had hope that they were more like Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda.  But, sadly they were not.  In fact Bethany wasn't even a housewife.  Then she met and married that cute and what seemed to be down to earth, Jason and had that cute baby and then it all fell apart.  She sold booze, got a talk show and now today I hear she is going back on the RHONYC.  I'm over it. 

 

 

 Then I got the mail and received another sadly shrinking and not so exciting Thanksgiving edition of Country Living.  A magazine I have been fond of for many, many years.  WHYYYYYYYYYYY???????  Is the hand writing on the wall.  Is the end near for this publication.  I have already said goodbye to Cottage Home, Country Home and Home Companion.  It hurts deep, deep inside.  I use to dog ear these magazines they inspired me. 

 

In no way, shape or form am I a huge fan of the Neely's.  On a raining day when Ed didn't have the remote glued to the palm of his hand I would watch an episode.  I heard today that this couple has been living apart and now are divorcing.  PLEASE!  They pretended to be such a close couple on TV for over 2 years.  Makes me mad.  They aren't cooks they are actors!  hahaha!!!!!

 

xo

Yummy October

Hey Friends!!!!  You all remember Lori McDonough from our Fair in September 2013 she is having a SALE at her home in Carmel, Indiana this coming Friday and Saturday.  I know she has been creating lots and lots of new work.  I am going for sure on Friday morning.  Want to join me???

xo 



 I am starting to list some of the works that are still available from my past sale.  This is a 9 x 12 collage in my jenny elkins handmade shop for $40-

 I am starting to re-visit my whimsical side 16 x 20on canvas.  She also available in my handmade store for $52-.

 We just got a Fresh Thyme Market in our area and Ed and I went there Friday night (date night :)  It's apple time!  These honey crisps were HUGE and I devoured mine. Lucky to now live around such nice grocery stores. 

 

 The St. Lukes United Methodist Church that I attend is awesome.  Thursday after BOWLING, yes bowling.  I went to the church to help set up the amazing and enormous Rummage Sale.  The bonus is that I get to pre-shop.  I did find some great things for my booth at the antique mall as well as scoring this awesome hand carved bird for myself.  I guess I am collecting hand carved birds now.  This little guy was .50 cents.  I heard they raised over $10,000- for missions. 

On Friday I got a call from my Mom.  My step dad is suffering from frequent vertigo episodes lately.   This was a bad one that required a trip to the er.  So just as I was  getting ready to paint at the studio I got the call.  They watch my sweet little great nephew on Weds. and Fridays so I got to "play" with Lucas.  He is 2 and he is so FUN.  He leads my parents very good poodle around the yard.  Its adorable. 

 

I love that I have the life that allows for spontaneity.  I can't imagine it any other way. 

 

xo 



"ART on Music"

I have been working on and off on this project.  The busiest guy I know Pete Brown asked me to be a part of this Spirit & Place event called Art on Music.  I finally completed it and tomorrow I will put it in a big box and take it to Fed Ex.  But, before I do I wanted to share it with you.  The event takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana in early November 2014.  Scroll to the bottom of this post to see the link of the event. 

 

About the Spirit & Place Festival

Spirit & Place opens minds, touches hearts, builds bridges and helps citizens move forward in new ways individually and collectively. It's all in our name: Spirit & Place. Through growth of the human spirit, Central Indiana becomes a better place.

 

 

 When doing this project I listened to the following...Dixie Chicks, Little Big Town, Peter, Paul and Mary and Lady Antebellum.  (Hey! I'm a girl, no judgment :)

 Collage on guitar.  Old papers, letters, paint, charcoal, mussel shell vintage buttons, photo copy of "Dori" vintage stamps and more. 

 backside

 I love my "Dori" image

 I made the hole smaller to accommodate Dori's eye size.

 

 

http://www.spiritandplace.org/Festival.aspx?access=Details&Year=2014&EventScheduleID=183

 

There will be other event openings than just the one listed above.

 

Please feel free to email me for more information.

xo

STUDIO Sale this Friday and Saturday - See my little VIDEO

Confession:  Although I can maneuver around on the computer it is not my favorite place to be.  I have had the hardest time posting this video.  I do hope you will click on the link and view it. 

 

My nephew Heath graduated from Ball State University this spring with a degree in Audio Video Communications and he has been staying with us here in Indianapolis.  He has gotten a couple of jobs so far....He's a great guy and the plus side is he has made me a little video of my upcoming sale so click on this little link and take a peak.   

 

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BycIizLQrqL_WEUyQ2NJeHZMTzQ/edit?usp=sharing

 

xo

STUDIO SALE coming soon.....

 

The first ever sale at my studio is only a week away.  September 12 and 13th. So much to do still.  I robbed my space at the Olde Shadeland Antique Mall space yesterday and today I have a list a mile long of to do's.  I am really excited to share what I have been making over the last couple of months with you. 

 

If you haven't received an invitation and still want to come I can email you the info.  Also, if you are interested in the mail swap please let me know.  I am excited about that coming up in the future. 

 

xo

Indiana State Fair

 

I love the Indiana State Fair.  I am so busy getting ready for my upcoming sale so this post will mostly be photos.   Just let me say.  I love seeing the huge pumpkins, the home and family arts entries (including mine), the animals, Pioneer Village is my favorite place there reminds me of my dad with all the tractors and vintage objects, old time music etc.  This year my Mom and I met there one day and took the architectural tour.  It was really interesting hearing about what they used the buildings for during wartime.  When buildings were added etc.  They have $2- Tuesdays during the fair where each food vendor has to offer something for $2- and those days are packed with people.  I really enjoyed a soft mini pretzel.  I didn't really eat much at the fair this year.  Trying not to be real bad anymore with food.  The fair is always something I look forward to every year.  Never disappoints.  xo

 

 

 huge skate made from cans

 

 Our nephew Heath

 HUGE! Tomato!!!!

 

 Gourds

 

 

 

 My favorite place at the fair!

 

                      Miniature Farm                  

Ed (hubs) and Heath watching the Bee show.

 

 Pioneer Village

 

 My Mom and Smokey the Bear.

 

It's a great STATE fair.  Don't miss it don't even be late! xo