Last sale of the year!

It's one week before Christmas and my shopping is about done, but how about yours? I will be at Presents for Procrastinators today from 11-5 at the Art Department, 1315 SE 9th. I've got original paintings from $28, prints, magnets, card sets & some limited edition, hand-drawn ornaments & pendants! See you there!

Buckman Art Show & Sell

I can't believe a whole year has already gone by, but it's that time again! Time for the Buckman Art Show & Sell, a yearly fundraiser for Buckman Arts Focus Elementary School, where my daughter attends. Here is the low-down, copied from the website:

When?
Friday, April 11, 2008, 5 to 9 pm
Saturday, April 12, 10 am to 5 pm

What?
The Buckman Art Show & Sell features the work of more than 100 Pacific Northwest artists – everything from paintings and sculptures to ceramics, jewelry, fashions, photography and toys – in a festive atmosphere filled with music, food, and fun. A student art gallery showcases the talents of Buckman's young artists, and hands-on kids' art activities keep the little ones busy while their parents shop!

This vibrant, beloved community event benefits the arts programs at Portland's Buckman Arts Focus Elementary School.

Where?
Buckman Elementary School
320 SE 16th Avenue, Portland

How much?
Friday $5 per person; Saturday $2 suggested donation per person
Free for kids age 4 and under

I would also like to add that 30% of all sales go directly to Buckman! Every year I am astounded by the high caliber of artists and artisans populating this show, not to mention the amazing art by Buckman student. Here is a photo of my booth from last year--this year will be even better with new paintings, aceo's, and some of my art pendants available as well. I hope to see you there!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

In celebrations of this lovely holiday, I am offering all of the pendants in my shop at 50% off! Stop by the sale section of my shop and check it out!

What next?

I guess by now if you've been reading the past couple of weeks, you will have noticed all of the changes and updates I've been making to my shops, and do my life. I am terrified, honestly. I am terrified of being solely responsible for my whole income (and exited at the prospect), and even more terrified that I will fail and be forced to go get a "real" job. I can't handle that last idea.

So now I am selling some fantastic things as SupplyRiot, and I am completely revising my LeaKarts shop. I am taking the pendants out completely. I like them, and they were a fun project at the time, but not what I want to invest my energy in. In fact, I will be selling them at a huge discount at Crafty Wonderland this weekend!

I have been pulling my sketchbook out regularly, and painting again, and regaining my focus. I have a distinctive style and a particular talent that I need to be putting to work. I will update here in my blog in the coming weeks as I make changes to my shop, re-create my website, and have lots of new paintings & services to offer!

I killed the tooth fairy.

I did it. I killed the tooth fairy. Now I feel guilty about, but what was I to do?!?

Here's how it happened. Last night before dinner, I was sitting at my computer editing photos of my pendants. Indigo crawled into my lap to cuddle as I clicked away. We were talking about the woman pendants--she decided some of them looked like her, some like me, and was telling me which was which. In sweet 7-year-old fashion, she asked me to make one that looked just like her and list it on etsy, telling everyone that it was her.

Suddenly, mid-conversation, she pulled away from me a little bit and looked directly at me. "Mama," she said, "Tell me the truth now. Do NOT even lie. Is the tooth fairy real?"

I stumbled for a second in shock of the question. I have always felt a pang of guilt surrounding the tooth fairy, Santa, and other such creatures that are fun to pretend about but are really a big, fat, lie. My stomach turned a bit as I tried to decide what to say. Gain some time, answer with a question, "Are you sure you want to know the answer to that?"

"Ma-ma! For real! You have to tell me the truth. Is the tooth fairy real or is it you that comes in and puts the money in there?"

I sighed. I have always been honest with her, sometimes giving kid-versions of things, but still being honest. And I expect her to do the same. At her young age, we have even talked about periods and how babies are made, in answer to her questions. I just couldn't lie to such a straightforward question. "Yes, honey, the tooth fairy is really me. I'm sorry to tell you that, but it is just a game that we play."

"So it was you that wrote those tiny notes from the tooth fairy?"

"Yes, it was me. How do you feel about that?" She put her head on my shoulder and hid her face a bit. "Are you okay Sweetie?"

"Yeah, I'm okay." Pause. "So, what about Santa Claus?"

Oh, Giraffes!

Well, it is later than I expected, but I have finally gotten all of my giraffes up on etsy! And they are sooo pretty :) Now I have full sets of owls, giraffes, and elephants. I have gotten some wholesale inquiries on etsy, and I was featured in funky finds last week, so I am feeling like things are picking up. Very exiting! I *heart* etsy!

Oh, and coming very soon...custom portraits of your pets on a necklace or an ornament!

Before I go...

I'm getting ready to go on a mini-vacation this weekend to Lake Shasta with Indigo, Steve, and his family. Yay! His dad, stepmom, and little sister are in town from the UK this week so I finally get to meet them. His sister is about Indigo's age, so they will have a blast I'm sure.

Before I go, I just wanted to say that I've finally come up with great color scheme for my pendants that I am SO happy with! The ones you see above also come in elephants, and as of next Wednesday (9/19), they will also come in giraffes! How cute is that?!? They are all drawn by hand by me, and I have updated the listings with more photos, including great close-ups, and examples of how they look when worn. So take a look! And if you can't make up your mind, you could always start up a collection....... ;)

So, How'd it Go?

Yikes! Almost a week since the PDX Etsy sale and I haven't written about it yet! So, how'd it go? It was awesome!!

My super-sweet tent-mate was the fabulous Miss Purl (Danielle), who couldn't have been a better person to share with. She makes gorgeous jewelery! And she made the best etsy banners for our booth:
My very good friend, the Awesome Mary came and hung out with us for most of the day. It is always good to have lots of company! My pendants looked super cute in their new boxes, and people got a kick out of my moveable ACEO's. It was so much fun to hear their reactions. I sold some pendants (two even to a lady buying for Christmas! Talk about planning ahead!!), and a bunch of buttons and my friend John bought some ACEO's. Steve even managed to come by for a bit in the middle of his 8-hour-pinhole-photography class. Sweetie :)

The weather was PERFECT, I got to enjoy a fantastic breakfast burrito and the best peach ever from the Farmer's Market, and I had so much fun people watching and chatting with everyone. Yay etsy show!!!

Come see LeaKarts at the PDX etsy show Aug. 11th!

I had a dream last night that I sold a gazillion pendants at the show. Premonition?!? I hope so! Either way, come see my cute pendants and super-fun ACEO's in person, not to mention lil' ol' me! :) Plus a ton of other fantastic Portland etsy-ers and their fan-tabulous crafts!!

See you there!