Ocean Grove Flea Market Sept 2012......

 Had an interesting day with my hubby John.  We ventured out to the Ocean Grove Flea Market early this morning, it is something we do twice a year and always seem to enjoy searching for that special little something that you really don't need but can't live with out......

love this booth filled with the most amazing colorful vases...........

they have every color and the prices can't be beat..... We were happy to run into some of our good friends who out enjoying the flea....

I have never been a doll collector but I am starting to love these little miniatures, so charming and colorful.....

I spotted these cute little vintage bunnies and  had to get a shot of them, just so cute.....

this was the biggest Rolodex I have ever seen filled with vintage business cards and numbers.....

there wasn't as many people at the flea as usual maybe because the weather was very quickly changing.....we dodged in and out of tents and under umbrellas most of the day.  Feel sorry for all the vendors that have to get there so early to set up and prepare, then to have several rain storms... it can really dampen the day....

the ocean is steps away from the flea market and we had to get a glimpse of the sea.....even on a stormy day the beach is so relaxing and so beautiful..............

Ocean Grove is the picture perfect town......there is always a picture waiting to be taken.....weather was getting kind of bad so we headed back to the car and took a drive to find some place nice to have lunch.....

We ended up at  Klein's in Belmar...we were lucky the sun had just started to come out so we could enjoy lunch by the water.... we are trying to enjoy each and every day before the weather gets cooler.

some of the vintage fabrics, and trims that I found today....can't wait to get busy creating something special.  What did you find at the flea market today???

 

Ocean Grove Craft Show 2012

Well it was quite a busy summer for me...but I am not complaining......I was busy doing all the things I love.........teaching art in the garden in Ocean Grove, and getting  ready for 2 big Art events ...The Ocean Grove Art Show and the Ocean Grove Craft Show...I thought I would give the show circuit a try......However I didn't think I had enough items for 2 big shows so off to work I went......(well really I was home working!)

So soon as school was over I got down to painting....I had my friend and companion Shelby watching over me every chance she could....

what a face.....just love her...........loved that I could paint outside and enjoy the day while getting some  work done....

morning of the Craft show and we are on the road at 5:50 am......not a car on the road....except for us....

got to the great lawn and found people even earlier then us.....setting up.

was a great morning, the weather was nice....it was quiet and peaceful.....

people don't realize all the work that goes into  being in a show.....up early, packing the car, then unloading the car, then setting up...hoping that you didn't forget anything.....

then what a GREAT! feeling when you have everything just right......

my first  sale was a mixed media piece of art..... and I love when your customers are excited and happy to buy one of your pieces....this woman said this was the perfect picture for her friend who had just lost her  Mom......She said that her friend's Mom always said "DREAM BIG" and that she couldn't wait to frame this and give it to her.  I love to hear stories from people when they love something that you have created and that piece of art touches them in some way.......

                                                                                   

the first piece of jewelry I sold was to this woman who loved this piece...she said she collect jewelry and had to have it.  I wasn't sure if I should even bring this piece because this was one of the pieces that I entered into the contest at Cloth Paper Scissors and helped me win Mixed Media  Jewelry Artist of 2012....... The woman came into my booth with her Hubby she went right to that piece tried it on and fell in LOVE...so happy she was happy, kind of sad to see it go but happy going to a good home.....

my rescued mannequin that I got in Ocean Grove years ago is the perfect display piece...I found her laying in the street by the curb of a house having a garage sale...I went up to the door and asked if she was for sale and the woman said $5.00....I jumped at the chance but I think she was really put to the curb for garbage collection....I am so happy I found her and love her to death......she makes all my pieces look so nice resting upon her.... 

 
wall of art arrange by John........

I could have never have done any of these shows without him...He is such a BIG HELP!!! never complains and always encourages me................just LOVE him.....

another mannequin display

 items for 50% off always draws a lot of attention and buyers.....

one of my beautiful former art students Jen.....she is gorgeous, sweet, kind, and so talented.....and that choker looks so pretty on her...so happy she got it.....love when your pieces go to good homes.....

I spotted this lovely woman at the show...she came in my booth for a little bit and I was so busy that I  didn't get to speak with her..... so happy she came back later at the end of the day, she had  purchased a piece of art elsewhere and wanted to get something of mine to go along with her piece.....She spotted this piece of mine and said she had to have it...she is a professor in NYC and was redoing her office...loved her energy and style and loved that she was  thrilled with her purchase.....

well I think I am addicted like my friend warned be of........she said "Laura once you have your first show you will love it, and have fun meeting so many interesting people that you will be addicted"...well Laurie you were right.....Looking forward to my next show...........also in Ocean Grove the  Fall Harvest Festival on Saturday October 6th....I better get busy!

oh one more thing!!!!thanks to all my family and friends who came out to support John and I.....  we really appreciate and LOVE you!

Fabric Beads workshop 2012

Today was a nice day teaching my students how to make fabric beads.....I had a lovely group of ladies and the weather turned out to be just perfect, not to hot, a nice breeze, and some nice conversation.
 

the gardens were  perfect.... thanks to Julian the master gardener.....

fabric beads is a great project to use up fabric scraps and any extra beads you may have lying around....

students learned how to wire wrap the fabric and add beads to decorate....Lynn loves to experiment with different fabrics and textures and she made so many lovely beads.....

I love when my students are HAPPY and get to finish their projects.....Nance is a great student and has been to many of my classes...always a pleasure to have such nice talented students....

I showed them the basics and now they are free to create their own one of a kind beads....

Sara made a lot of beads which she used in making a  necklace and a few bracelets.....

Sherri did a great job and was surprised how easy and relaxing it was to create these beads....

a few of my samples......I think I am addicted to making these beads...... Susan was such a pleasure to talk to.... so sorry I didn't get a chance to get some pictures of her beads...we were to busy chatting about so many interesting things......

after class I  took a stroll to the boardwalk with my good friend Mary.  Its amazing how many beautiful homes are in Ocean Grove..........Mary and I had a nice  lunch on the boardwalk in Asbury Park....great place to people watch, check out the beach, and catch a glimpse of a blimp passing overhead.

What a nice day I had.......one more class to teach this season at Centennial Cottage,  then making  plans for  some new classes for next season.  Hope you will think about joining me.  It's a  great place to create in the gardens in this quaint Victorian beach town. Hoping you  got some crafting in this summer.......

 

My First Adult Art Show.....

I have been an artist since I could recall, my parents saw my love of drawing and painting and enrolled me in every art lesson they could find......I was entered into many shows as a child and now finally as an adult...what took me so long???  I really enjoyed my first show this past weekend in Ocean Grove on the boardwalk, despite the miserable weather.

you don't realize all the work it takes just to get into a show..... with applications, photos, fees, set up, making your goods and pricing....its a lot of work, physically and mentally.  This is a practice run at home trying to make my 10 x 10 foot area nice and appealing.....

the day before we loaded and reloaded the truck...wow! was I happy it all fit.....John is so good at getting everything in just right!

we got to the area that was marked for our space and set up...All went well, nice and smooth...thankful for practice runs...

setting up the displays just how you want them is what takes some time the first time around.....next show will be quicker now that we have the hang of it....

we are "ready" it was a very HOT morning, little cloudy.......

was happy with our set up and had gotten so many nice compliments....

we displayed mixed media art and jewelry......

some painted vintage suitcases......

We met so many lovely people......had a bunch of sales......then we saw the weather changing......and quickly......

Wow! did it get dark......we were hoping it would miss the show but no luck!   It rained and it poured from 11 am till around 2 or 3... was so thankful for our tent and sides.... we pretty much stayed dried...we had so many lovely people come into our tent to get out of the rain.... lucky for us they liked our things and started buying gifts, then Christmas gifts, while they were waiting out the storm... was so  happy that a nasty weather day turned into many sales for us... but sorry for our many friends who live in Freehold NJ that had such terrible destruction from this storm....




can't wait for our next show
Ocean Grove Craft Show
Sept. 1st
9 till 4
hope to see you there....