Weekly Creative Challenge for the Week of July 3, 2011

Looking Towards the Future!

This is the time that we as artists are now in the "Hurry Up and Wait" mode. This is the time of year that all of the fall and holiday season shows are doing their "Call for Artist" rush. All of the shows due dates are all coming to a head in early and mid July. There are so many ways to apply now. From email to zapplications to snail mail. They just get it in on TIME!!!!! And Let's not forget the FEES- Applications fee, Booth/Space fee, Electrical fee, and even the Insurance fee must be considered when you apply to all these shows. There are many fees but very little time.

I have to admit this is when it is a great time to compare notes with fellow artists to see what is really happening out there. Many artists have been doing these shows for years and most artists are great about sharing information about things such as if a show is worth doing to who is a great company and who to get your artist insurance from. Networking is a wonderful and important part of this business called "art". I am glad I have become friends with a fair amount of artists who are caring and will share information that will help you with these important and sometimes "Scary" decisions that can shape your career in the long term.

Well I have to finish up this blog entry so I can print up some of these applications and send them on their way. I hope I will hear promising news in the upcoming weeks. But until next week I share with you one of my last creations that found a home earlier this month. Introducing "Gaze from the East." I hope you enjoy this new work and have a wonderful and creative "4th of July" and great week.

Take Care
Allison B
www.alnbcollections.com
http://alnbcollections.blogspot.com

Weekly Creative Challenge for June 26, 2011

Stay Focused! Stay Steady!

Well it is very interesting when you finish a big show and you think you have time to relax a little. Well, that might not be the whole truth. It is amazing how time fly's and then you realize that there is another show just around the corner and you have to get back to work designing and creating. Thank God that this is a job you love to do. There is so much that is needed to be done for each event. This is also the time you need to be in multiple places at one time. I think I need to clone myself so I could get everything done.

Just this past week I went out to dinner with my husband James and we began to discuss the plans for this upcoming Fall/Holiday Season. YES! Fall is Fast Approaching. It will be here before you know it. It was very enlightening as I looked over all the shows, events, and art fairs, I figured out that by the end of the year starting in June I will hopefully be in about 15 to 17 shows. When you look at the list it is exciting, but also a little scary. This is when you take a deep breath and ...

STAY FOCUSED!!!

This is when your planning skills will kick into High Gear! All I can say is wish me luck - Pray for Me! I guess this is where the Rubber meets the Road - Or there the Saw Blade meets the Metal! (Ha, Ha!). Well you all will get to take this fun ride with me for I will let you know how it is coming along week to week! Sometimes I might have to skip a week if it gets wild. But it will be fun!

Well, I'd like to show you one of the pieces that sold during this last art fair. It was called "Torn Away"! Hope you enjoy it.

Take care and stay Creative!
Allison B
www.alnbcollections.com
http://alnbcollections.blogspot.com

Weekly Creative Challenge for the Week of June 19 2011

Regrouping After A Major Show!

This has been an experience within itself. I was gearing up for this show for at least two months. Working on new pieces, revamping my displays, ordering marketing materials to give out to customers and so on. Wooooooo! What a ride. Then the time comes to do the show. It is truly amazing how 3 days can go by so fast. The set up, the selling, the meeting new customers and making friends with other artist, tearing down after the closing of the event. Before you know it, it's all over.

A lot of times it feels like your in a whirl wind. Going every which way but loose. Then the wind sets you down and your left to ponder just what happened. It is very interesting when you look at your inventory and see all the major pieces you sold that weekend. At first you feel great then you become a little sad because even though you "Got them a Good Home," you miss your work. They become your "little darlings." That's when you pick up your pen or pencil and start sketching those "Oh cant live with out them" new designs and look forward to the new show that is coming up faster than you can imagine. I have another show a little over a week from now. Well everyone this is just a small glance into my world of creative fun. I wanted to show you one of my "Little Darlings" that got a home during the "Art and Air" Art Fair in Webster Groves, MO during the first weekend in June. It was a great show and "Remnants of A Ginkgo" was a great piece to work on. I hope you enjoy this one and have a wonderful and creative week.

Take care!

Allison B.
www.alnbcollections.com
http://alnbcollections.blogspot.com