Lake Superior is the largest fresh water lake in the world. It's surface has 31,500 square miles of water. Lake Superior holds 10 percent of the earth's fresh surface water! The big lake is 350 miles long and 160 miles wide! That's a BIG lake. Lake Superior contains three quadrillion gallons of water. That's enough to flood Canada, the United States, Mexico AND South America with a foot of water.
The north shore of Lake Superior can bring inspiration for artists and writers alike with it's rugged beauty. A few of the places that are frequently photographed, written about and visited are the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth which celebrated it's 100th birthday in 2005. Duluth sits at the base of an 800 foot tall ridge that overlooks a major freshwater freeway port of sorts. Salties (oceangoing vessels) and Lakers, ships built for the Great Lakes) pass under the Lift Bridge. A little farther north on the shore is Split Rock Lighthouse and then Palisade Head, which raises 200 feet above Lake Superior and is a single ancient lava flow of reddish rhyolite. Peregrine Falcons nest there annually. Farther north of course is Grand Marais and the ultimate in inspiration, Artists Point. So there you have it, just a few of the things that make Lake Superior, well, superior!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Superior Stones
Since I live near Lake Superior this little gem of a store caught my eye. Check it out at http://SuperiorStones.etsy.com
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Featured Artist Dragonfly Creations
There are lots of beautiful shops on Etsy that catch your eye as you browse for specific items. But finding a beautiful "soul" inside that shop makes shopping there an even more delightful experience. Dragonfly Creations is one of those stores with one of those beautiful souls inside. I've had the opportunity to visit with Cara Connor, proprietor of Dragonfly Creations and this is what she told me about herself and her charming, elegant store.
"My store reflects simple elegance, with a funky charm, that tells a story. I am inspired by my environment and people around me. I am very visual and tactile and I'm always looking for new ways to create and put together jewelry. I am inspired by beautiful quotes and sayings."
"One of my favorites is," "I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow." Maya Angelou
Cara has been creating jewelry since she was five years old and giving it away as presents, but never thought about selling it until a good friend introduced her to Etsy in August of 2008.
Her goal is to one day have her own jewelry line selling in a boutique, making custom jewelry for brides, bridal parties, anniversary presents and to be featured in a magazine such as Lucky. Cara wants to learn how to solder so she can make her own rings and charms. She says "I have many ideas and designs, I just don't have an outlet for them at this moment." Cara handpicks all the items that she uses in her shop and researches current trends to find what her customers will like. Then she adds a "Cara" twist to it, to make the item as individual as each of her customers. She takes time putting each of her pieces of jewelry together and does so with love and care. The goal of Cara and her shop Dragonfly Creations is to make every piece of jewelry something that you would love to wear and Cara tries to imagine how you will feel when you receive it.
The care doesn't stop once the piece is made. When you order an item from Dragonfly Creations, the item is shipped the very next day, in a beautiful brocade button close bag for safe keeping and in a bubble cushioned envelope. Order more than one item and the 2nd item is shipped free. Cara's favorite materials to use are wire, chain, turquoise, fresh water pearls, gemstones, Czech glass and crystals.
You can check out her Etsy store at http://caraconner.etsy.com/. If you have any questions or would like to contact Cara, she welcomes your custom orders or comments and you can contact her at dragonflycreations@live.com
Creativity like this doesn't come everyday but it does come from the soul. The soul of this shop is a woman who lives and loves for others. Not only is she spending time creating beautiful jewelry for us, she is a special education teacher who teaches full time and is going to school to get her Masters degree in special education. Her heart is for children who have been overlooked and often left behind. She carries this kind of passion in all she does and will take Dragonfly Creations as far as she wants it to go. Good Luck Cara!
Take a few minutes and look at the heart and soul of Cara Connor and Dragonfly Creations. You will be inspired!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Opinion or Fact
I came across a thread today that stated North Shore Clay is not making jewelry. Opinion or fact?
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and of course, our constitution guarantees us the right to have our say, and say it however we choose.
Does the medium we use, whether it's clay, metal or anything else determine whether what we make is jewelry? Does the length of time it takes us to make the piece determine whether it's jewelry or is it the difficulty of making the piece. If any of the aforementioned statements are true then there is a lot of (non)jewelry out there that is not jewelry.
When we create something it is an extremely personal expression of ourselves. Often times I am relating something personal through my clay. I tell stories as I create my pieces. They may not be for everyone and that's okay. My pieces are not about glitz and glamour.
So what do you think? Is North Shore Clay making jewelry? Sounds like the stuff of a good hearty debate.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and of course, our constitution guarantees us the right to have our say, and say it however we choose.
Does the medium we use, whether it's clay, metal or anything else determine whether what we make is jewelry? Does the length of time it takes us to make the piece determine whether it's jewelry or is it the difficulty of making the piece. If any of the aforementioned statements are true then there is a lot of (non)jewelry out there that is not jewelry.
When we create something it is an extremely personal expression of ourselves. Often times I am relating something personal through my clay. I tell stories as I create my pieces. They may not be for everyone and that's okay. My pieces are not about glitz and glamour.
So what do you think? Is North Shore Clay making jewelry? Sounds like the stuff of a good hearty debate.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Be Creative With Your Craft
Be creative with your craft.
CONTEST THURSDAY!
This yummy cream colored winter scarf is $7.00 in my etsy store. My blog readers will receive this scarf for only $5.00 when you contact me and tell me you read my blog! I appreciate my blog readers.
My etsy store is http://northshoreclay.etsy.com
Have a great start to the fall season with some warm cozy scarves in some great fall colors. Thanks for looking and I look forward to seeing you around the blogs!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
10 Tips for Opening An Art Gallery
1. First and foremost, get a website up and running. It is an essential part of business these days. Put an impressive portfolio of your work on your site. Myspace is a great option for free advertising.
2. Make your presence known while you attend craft shows and at other art events. See how other artist run their galleries. Please don't steal the limelight, but do make yourself known.
3. Publish a newsletter. Post it on the neighborhood bulletin boards and in the neighborhood near your gallery showing.
4. Collaborate with fellow artists before you go it alone. Get a glimpse of what having a gallery will be like before you take the leap. Share a gallery with other artists. There are lots of artists who will be happy to share the experience with you.
5. Teaching your craft for a few hours each week either as a volunteer or as a way to make a few extra dollars will get your name out there. Your "students" will be talking about their "teacher." Another natural extension of advertising for your gallery opening. Volunteering will speak volumes about you to the community.
6. Have a professional portfolio made. No one wants to see your lovely work stuck in a binder with glue sticks. Take the time and spend a little money to have a portfolio professionally done. It will pay off and you will be proud to show off your work.
7. Your business cards should reflect your work. So many times I see business cards that don't tell me a thing about someone. You are an artist, be creative. All of your information should be on your business cards, from your name and address to your blog address and your website, and don't forget the phone number. Carry them everywhere. Leave one with the tip the next time you go to a restaurant. Why not.
8. Start a blog. Having a blog is really a good way to advertise your gallery and art. Don't be shy about starting one. Blogs take a little time, but they can be worth the effort to explain what you do in words and are a great way to promote yourself. I know, I'm the queen of "shameless promotion".
9. Don't forget the obvious, your personal network of people who are proud of you and are willing to tell the world how wonderful your art is. These people can be your teachers, pastor, community leaders, fellow artists or family members. Feel free to keep adding to this list.
10. Collect emails as you go so you can let your customers and potential customers know about any new releases or sales. Having the option for your customers to receive emails from you on your website is a great way to get repeat customers. Research indicates that you will need to have seven contacts with potential customers before you will make a sale. If this research is accurate, email is a cost efficient way to make your sales happen. Not doing this is like sweeping money into the trash.
A final note. Consider contacting the local paper regarding a press release about your gallery opening. You've hit the big time!
2. Make your presence known while you attend craft shows and at other art events. See how other artist run their galleries. Please don't steal the limelight, but do make yourself known.
3. Publish a newsletter. Post it on the neighborhood bulletin boards and in the neighborhood near your gallery showing.
4. Collaborate with fellow artists before you go it alone. Get a glimpse of what having a gallery will be like before you take the leap. Share a gallery with other artists. There are lots of artists who will be happy to share the experience with you.
5. Teaching your craft for a few hours each week either as a volunteer or as a way to make a few extra dollars will get your name out there. Your "students" will be talking about their "teacher." Another natural extension of advertising for your gallery opening. Volunteering will speak volumes about you to the community.
6. Have a professional portfolio made. No one wants to see your lovely work stuck in a binder with glue sticks. Take the time and spend a little money to have a portfolio professionally done. It will pay off and you will be proud to show off your work.
7. Your business cards should reflect your work. So many times I see business cards that don't tell me a thing about someone. You are an artist, be creative. All of your information should be on your business cards, from your name and address to your blog address and your website, and don't forget the phone number. Carry them everywhere. Leave one with the tip the next time you go to a restaurant. Why not.
8. Start a blog. Having a blog is really a good way to advertise your gallery and art. Don't be shy about starting one. Blogs take a little time, but they can be worth the effort to explain what you do in words and are a great way to promote yourself. I know, I'm the queen of "shameless promotion".
9. Don't forget the obvious, your personal network of people who are proud of you and are willing to tell the world how wonderful your art is. These people can be your teachers, pastor, community leaders, fellow artists or family members. Feel free to keep adding to this list.
10. Collect emails as you go so you can let your customers and potential customers know about any new releases or sales. Having the option for your customers to receive emails from you on your website is a great way to get repeat customers. Research indicates that you will need to have seven contacts with potential customers before you will make a sale. If this research is accurate, email is a cost efficient way to make your sales happen. Not doing this is like sweeping money into the trash.
A final note. Consider contacting the local paper regarding a press release about your gallery opening. You've hit the big time!
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