Wednesday, August 27, 2014

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

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Mail Art EXCHANGE

 
 
In my last post I mentioned having a mail art exchange or swap.  So I poked around on the internet and I think this could be done very easily.  What it will do for sure is force us to do something a little out of the BOX.  Try a new medium, work smaller for some, use materials that will go safely through the mail etc.
 
 
So here are the simple rules for this exchange:
 
Email me or respond with your email to this post by September 15th and let me know if you want to participate in the exchange.
 
Once I get the number of those involved I will email  the number of pieces of mail you will need to make with everyone's addresses.
 
Then create on a postcard or an envelope.
 
Put postage on each piece of mail and mail to each person involved on October 15th.
 
Whose in??????  xoSomeone just left a comment and it said Me please~ make sure if you want in to use your email so I can contact you.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Way of LIFE

Someone I know sent me this PIN from Pinterest.  It was so sweet.  She said "I thought of you immediately! For me it's a hobby but, you are gifted at it!  Wish I had your talent!"  That was so nice of her. 
 
After I stopped attending classes at Herron School of Art at the age of 35 someone told me that being an artist is a LIFESTYLE.  I think about that a lot.  Making things, creating a home, styling a booth, etc. is a part of what I do but, it is never a job or work really.  It is a way of LIFE for me and it has been like this for a long, long time.  I think about every aspect of my creative business every day sometimes all day everyday and I LOVE it. 
 
 
 
I also feel that we artists need to connect with each other more.  To brainstorm, run ideas by each other, collaborate etc.  One thing I have been wanting to do with fellow artists is to have a mail art SWAP.  Basically: do art on an envelope and mail it to another artist. But, I wonder if there is an even more interesting way to do this or in some way to benefit someone or something.  Anybody out there have any ideas????  If you do please share in the comments and let me know if this is something you are interested in being a part of.  xo 

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

My Home #5 - The Hallway

Thanks for following along on the tour.  Today I am showing you my hallway.  Without the lights on even during the day you feel like you are in a cave.  The way the condo is designed there is a window in most rooms but, the bathrooms and hallway are interior without windows.  Which works but, without the lights on in the hall it is super dark even on the sunniest day. 
 
 
When we moved in there was white carpet down this hallway.  The previous owners used a walker with wheels and it had black ruts in the carpet.  It had to go.  Since our dining room, living room and entry flows into this hall and they all had parquet wood I had to put the parquet back.  It is very 1970's New York Apartment but, I love it. Not the easiest thing to find either.  None of the Big Box Hardware stores carry it anymore nor do they install it (at least here in the Heartland).  This was the most expensive thing we did in our making the condo OURS.  But, I am sooooo happy that I did.  It sparkles!!!!  There are 9 doors or doorways in the hall.  So the flooring guy had his job cut out for him.  Other than the flooring the only thing left was paint.  
Halfway down the hall and across from the kitchen doorway is a collage (mostly) of original black and white prints.  I was very fortunate that some 12 plus years ago my friend opened a frame shop for a short time and whenever she ran into a good price for frame molding she would frame stuff for me at a bargain basement price.  Having a nice frame on original work makes all the difference.
 
I couldn't get a good picture due to the lighting etc.  The little woodcut on the right above the cat is a woodcut I did of my dad.  Under it is a woodcut of a cat I made when I was at Herron School of Art.  Under the A is a Kyle Ragsdale etching (a friend and well known artist here in Indy).  Under that is a very detailed woodcut from a fellow classmate.  The others not shown in this picture were trades when I was in the IN Print group. 
The next thing down the hall is this doll that I made for a gallery show I had at the Harrison Center many years ago.  I did a show based on the women in my life.  I made 3 of these (others sold) and they were based on my Great-Great Aunts.  There are long twigs that go all the way to the ground (my roots).  I hand sewed the dresses and the face is made from paper clay.
 This dresser is another piece from my Great-grandmother Fuller.  My brother used this dresser the whole time we were growing up.  When he left he didn't take it so I ended up with it.  After I painted it he said "you painted my dresser!"  The colors look harsh in these pictures but, in real life they are not.  Darn camera, LIGHTING!!!!
I bought the 0 at the Springfield Extravaganza Flea Market in Springfield, Ohio.  If you flip it over there is a 2 on the other side.  In our last house I hung it over my "john" in our upstairs bathroom.  I bought the DOG outsider art piece at the House of Blues in Chicago when I use to do wholesale shows at the Merchandise Mart.  (I loved that time of my life) It glows in the DARK.  Above that is a computer generated collage by a local artist.  My friend Debbie gave me the little vintage pin cushion guy for my 50th birthday in June. 
 When you turn the corner I have my Pottery Barn cubby hung with lots of little treasures inside. Again, not the best picture.  RATS!

 Little treasures I have accumulated over the years,  Monkey hear, see, speak no evil brought back for me from Greece when my Mom went on a trip.  A handmade jointed bear bought during a successful art fair I was in.  Little handmade heads by various artists, a Jude O'Dell ceramic plaque,  Little special gifts and tiny brick salesman samples from Ed's family.  Ed's grandfather worked at a brick factory in Brazil, Indiana.  Have you ever been to Brown County in Indiana?  I love that beautiful place.
That's all for now.  I hope you enjoyed the hallway.  xo


Tuesday, August 12, 2014

New BLOGGER - you gotta follow!

This is Kate, very talented college student and the oldest child of Lori McDonough of Whimsy Studios.
Reading her new BLOG today Kate took me back to when I was much younger and all the fun times I had with my nephew and niece, family and friends.  My life has always been filled with creating and sharing time and talents and in her blog you can see she is doing just that.   The McDonough family has HUGE hearts and are wildly talented.  I am looking forward to seeing what Katie has to share with us when she goes back to college this fall.  
 
 
 
xo

Monday, August 11, 2014

Handmade, Vintage & Art SALE

 
 
I am having a SALE at my studio September 12th and 13th.  If you would like an invitation please email your physical address to:  jse64art@sbcglobal.net I am in the Indianapolis, Indiana area!  Hope to see you!!!!! xo 

Thursday, August 7, 2014

www.jennyelkinshandmade.etsy.com

I have been making a bunch of new things for my handmade etsy shop and for my upcoming sale at my STUDIO on September 12th and 13th.  If you live around or near Indianapolis and want to come please email me your physical address and I will send you an invitation. 

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

www.jennyelkins.etsy.com

I've been added a bunch of little things on my vintage etsy site lately.  I hope you will take a look. 

Friday, August 1, 2014

Be KIND

 
 
Lately, I have been kind of internally upset or maybe disappointed in some people who I thought were close to me.  Then I remember this quote.  For me personally my battle is that I deal with a chronically ill husband on a daily basis.  Lots of sleeping,  doctors appointments, not much energy to go anywhere or do anything.  Then when we do go somewhere or he does something he wants to do he lands up in the emergency room or is down for several days or in the hospital.  It's our normal.  We make no plans and if we do I always think in the back of my mind it will never happen or I will have to cancel.  It is a battle and it isn't our only battle. I know, I know it could always be worse.  I am thankful and I feel blessed. I get up everyday with joy that is how I am I look forward to everyday and I know that everyday needs to celebrated.  But, sometimes, just sometimes it gets to me.  Not always, not everyday, not every week, just now and then. 
 
I have to remember that I am not the only one fighting a battle.  We all have something that makes us sad.  We all have loss.  We all have disappointment.  Make sure you do something that makes you happy today so the battle doesn't feel bigger than it is and always be KIND. xo