Artfully Ann's is moving to Camano Island. I know I've been quiet lately. That is because I am unpacking boxes and getting my studio ready for a big reveal. My primary focus will be to continue to stock my shelves at That's Knot All in La Conner, WA. Etsy will be my secondary method of sales. Once things settle down I can reassess and see where this new path takes me. Thanks for bearing with me! More to come.

July 27, 2015

Artfully Ann's items can now be found at That's Knot All Artist's Co-Op in La Conner, Washington. 

I've been busy setting up my displays and learning the ropes.  I really like the people and the location of the shop.  It is on the water side of Pier 7.  

La Conner has a new board walk along the river and it makes a great place to stroll as you watch the boats go by.  There is great shopping, good food and wonderful views.

That's Knot All is having an Open House this coming weekend on Saturday, August 1, from 11:00 to closing.  There will be live Art demonstrations and snacks.  Come on by and visit us.  Most of the artists will be there and available to discuss their work.  Lots of beautiful art and gifts are available.   

 It is not to early to start shopping for Christmas!!

Hope to see you there.  Check out our Facebook pages.

 

BYE for now!!

June 29, 2015

Artfully Ann's Etsy site will be closed until July 22, 2015 while I wander around shops, open air markets, native culture museums, cities, towns, mountains, beaches and just generally take it easy. When I take time to check the internet I will be posting messages and you can follow my adventures on www.artfullyanns.blogspot.com    You can find out more about Artfully Ann's at www.artfullyanns.com.  We at Artfully Ann's thank you for stopping by and encourage you to come back and visit upon our return.

June 3, 2015

It has been a while.  I've been pretty busy making new products, but also attending markets and setting up a new shop.  I'm so excited I have to tell you about it.  I am also very active on my Facebook page on a daily basis if you want to keep up.  "Like" www.facebook.com/artfullyanns and join the Artfully Ann's community.

First,  I was invited to participate in a few of the Everett Farmers Market events on Sundays from 11 o' clock to 4 o'clock.  It is a beautiful market right on the waterfront pier in Everett.  I'm a new vendor and have participated in two Sunday events.  It takes a while to get your foot in the door.  I'm hoping there will be spots available later in the summer.  The long standing vendors get first pick on booths.  I'm on stand-by.  I'll let you know next time I have an opportunity to sell there. 

Here is a picture of my booth.

Second, during our visit to La Conner, Washington on Mother's Day (our favorite place to visit for brunch) I walked into an artist co-op.  I asked them about joining.  I completed all the paperwork and was juried in.  They have accepted my fiber art into the co-op gallery.  I'm just thrilled!

Last week I went  to set up my display in the shop.  Now I have a full time location where my items are on display and available for sale.  I'm very pleased.  The co-op is call "That's Knot All Artists' Co-Operative" and is located in the Yellow Pier 7 Building, 128 S 1st Street, La Conner, WA  98257, Phone 360-399-1660.  The shop is open daily, seven days a week from 11o'clock to 4 o'clock.  Check it out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thats-Knot-All-Artists-Co-Operative.

 

 Here are some pictures of my display at That's Knot All!

 

 

In addition, I will also be participating in the ArtsNorth Studio Tour on September 12 and 13th.  More information on this tour can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ArtsNorthStudioTour.

 

In late September I will be at Corvallis, Oregon for the Fall Festival.  As we get closer to September I will fill you in.  Gee, it isn't even summer yet.  

 

Let the fun begin.  Come a visit when you get a chance, or just check in on Facebook, or check out my Etsy site at www.etsy.com/shop/artfullyanns

 

By for now!!

 Carol Ann

April 20, 2015

Here are some current active items available on my Artfully Ann's Etsy website.  Come take a look and shop through each category.  It is the easiest way to shop.  I hope you stop by.

By the way, Artfully Ann's will be at the Apple Farm Village in Woodinville, WA on May 2, 2015 from 11:00 to 6:00.  There will be wine tasting, music and eight artists displaying there art.  Come on down and say HI!!

By for now!!

April 18, 2015

New lessons learned on paint disposal today.  Here is a warning to all who have paint stored.  Getting rid of it may not be as easy as you think.   

We have dozens of cans of paint left over from the builder and from various painting activities, including exterior painting of our home.  Today we wanted to clean out our garage.  Throwing the paint away was first.  We just figured we would take it down to the hazardous waste dump as we had in the past.  WRONG!  Latex paint is no longer considered hazardous waste in Washington State.

  

 

To dispose of latex paint you have to mix it with kitty litter, spread it out on plastic and let it dry.  Then you can put it in your trash.  Sounds easy enough?  It is not. 

 We found that painters like to put other things back into paint cans.  We found unidentified solvents, brushes, rollers and hazardous materials mixed with the latex.  Kitty litter does not work on these toxic chemicals.

 

I think the folks at the EPA and others at the hazardous waste sites need to rethink their decision to have homeowners and other disposing of their own latex paint.  

John and I are pretty experienced with paint and painting materials and know what paints are what.  Even so John was running upstairs to the computer to check the disposal processes just to make sure we were doing it right.  So many people could get into SO MUCH TROUBLE playing with disposing of paint, thinners and solvents that really are NOT harmless.  I think I have a headache!!  

Be careful out there when you are working with these toxic materials!  We now have a pile of paint cans that are not "oil based" paints that will be going to the hazardous waste dump tomorrow.  I can't wait to have a chat with them!

Bye for now!

April 4, 2015

Great Article on Buying Art

One of the  Facebook pages I watch had a great  reference the other day to a guide to how to buy art.  I thought I'd share it with you.  The complete article can be found at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/distilled-perspective.  The article is titled "Guide to Buying Art: 7 Things to Look for When Purchasing a Piece"  by Stephen Tanenbaum.


I would highly suggest you read the whole article, but in a nutshell it suggests that when you choose art you look for the following things:

 
Cohesive Style; Originality; Content; Emotional Connection; Artist's Background; Balance Between Process and Product;  and Quality.




The 10 Questions to Ask Yourself When Buying Art:

1.  Do I have an emotional reaction to the piece?
2.  Does the piece bring me into it, or am I looking at it?
3.  Does the color palette stimulate my senses?
4.  Does the composition guide my eye through the piece
5.  Do I understand the piece?  Is it conceptual and thought-provoking without being to complicated to understand?
6.  Is there anything unique about in the creation process that sets the work apart?
7.  Is the artist working in a cohesive style? (this indicates focus, repetition, and practice which leads to more refined work)
8.  Is the artist building on a previous artist's work or an artistic movement?
9.  Is the piece well constructed?  Is it made of materials that will fade or technology that may go out of date?
10..  Do I continue to think about the work and its meaning far after purchasing the piece?  Would I grow tired of it?  Does the work have staying  power?

As an artist these questions are good ones to ask yourself as you create the Art.  If you hope to sell your pieces you want to be sure that the Buyer of the art can answer Yes to ALL of these questions.  Maybe not everyone viewing your pieces will love what you do, but enough so that you can sell what you make and that allows you to make more.

I really thought these were very interesting and meaningful points.  The article goes into even more detail.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT!!

By for NOW!!