Sharing You Craft With Others...
The Blooming Artist Project 2017

Tree of Yggdrasil by Rose Houghton

Well it is that time of the year that I get to be a part of a wonderful organization call The Blooming Artist Project. I get to share my craft with young inspiring artists.

The Blooming Artists Project connects student artists with master artists from the St. Louis area. Students in 3-12 created works of art in their classroom and submitted their photos and statements. Master artists who have made a name for themselves and have influenced art within our community are assigned a student’s piece and then connect with that young artist. The master artist ultimately creates a work of art inspired by the student’s work. The project culminates in a formal gallery opening displaying both the student’s and master’s work side by side. The intent is to show young artists that their ideas have merit and can inspire even seasoned artists.

The young person I got to work with is Rose Houghton and she is wonderful. She is a 12th grader at Ritenour High School. She has a love for Mythology and the cover for Rick Riordan's book "Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard" was her inspiration.


  I being a lover or Nature, I love the tree presence of her work and I built upon that aspect of

her painting . My work is named "She Rose Upon the Sunset".

I'm excited to show for the first time the Shrine and Necklace I came up with from her wonderful art.  Loved her spirit.

 The opening reception of the fourth annual edition of The Blooming Artists Project! The exhibit runs from May 12th through the 28th at 1900 Park in St. Louis, MO. I can't wait to see all the pieces together will up date you on all the fun. Hope to see you all there.

 

 Remember to Take  Care & Stay Creative!!!
 Allison B.

 

Getting Ready for Shows - How Do We Do this?

Getting Ready for 3 Big Shows • 

How do I Do This???

Crossing Textures

Well the show season is here and I'm working non stop on New designs. I 'm always drawing up new pieces in my sketch books, blank sheets of paper, on the back of junk mail and oh yeah receipts from my purse.  "Forever Creating" is the way I roll.

I have to admit it is beginning to become a bit daunting. Is there truly enough time in a day to get everything you want done in ONE DAY! I think the answer at this time is no... but I try my best and that must account for something. 

The one thing that does help is putting all my plans to paper ( or on your Ipad for the "Tech Savvy"). It does help me try to keep to a schedule. The one thing is that the world does not have your plans in mind when they "Come ah Calling". The balancing act can be a little on the "Wild Side", but when you create that one piece that just comes together like you envision, it makes it worth it. So I use those moments to help me through all the rest of the phone calls, missteps on a project, lost components I swear I just saw yesterday on the desk right over there, cat chewing on my beading wire sort of days!

Well here is a Sample of what is coming up at the Queeny park Art Fair this weekend. i really like the pices so far. I will give you an update about the other pics at a t later date. 

Enjoy Take Care and Stay Creative!

Allison B. 

Learning, Creating, Growing My Craft!

Learning, Creating, Growing  

My Craft ! 

Applying Color to Molted Solder

Well I trying to keep up with making sure I blog about my new techniques and I am sticking with it so far. I have wanted to work on developing this technique for a while now. I have researched and downloaded so many videos and e-books about this technique that I think I'm most likely downloading the same information and not even noticing I already have that version. 

Leather Solder Cuff

Molted Solder Pendant

     The reason I started emerging myself in this technique is because I love the look of Precious Metal Clay but I don't want to emerge my self into another whole area of jewelry design. I love the free spirit of this technique and the start up cost is so affordable verses the cost to set up for PMC (Precious Metal Clay). Also I wanted to really experiment in coloring the metal and this technique really lends itself to my style of creating without material limits. 

I thought this new concept will work great with my other new passion - Leather!!!! I can now incorporate these design components with my hand-painted leather to give my designs another layer of creative charm. I love this time of year because this is when most artists get to expand their horizons! Stay in touch to see how it all works out and what I'm up to next

Messy Hands

Take Care and Stay Creative
Allison B.

New Year! New Journeys in Creativity!

Dimensional Textured Bar Series

New Year • New Journeys 
in Creativity

     Well we are now in a New Year. I have to admit I'm so happy to see 2017. Last year definitely had its challenges. We lost people who truly inspired & supported us. It is always hard to continue your quest when the lights of your life are going out and you still have to travel your path without them shining a guiding light. Well in their memory I will go forward. They would not want anything but for us to share our talents with others. So this new year will give me and all of us that opportunity to do just that. 

Molted Solder Series

      I have been taking many classes to expand my techniques this past year and have been loving it. This year will not be any different in that area. I have already signed up for 3 classes & workshops. I love pushing the envelope in my wearable art lines. I love learning something new because it expands my vision which gives my customers new designs & lines to look forward to. Last year I took classes in Lampwork Bead Making to Coloring on Metal. As this year progresses I hope to add those assists to my brand of Wearable Art Jewelry.

A View to a Sunny Day

     I will also be looking to embark on new horizons through participating in shows that are not in our familiar areas. This year might be the year of travel. I participated an awesome show in Nashville, Tennessee ( Tennessee Craft Fair) this past year and was completely overjoyed in the outcome. I will be going back this year. I hope to try other shows in different states as well. 

     I hope that this will be a year to remember. I have already so many plans to accomplish that I feel like I'm bursting at the seams. Here's to having a wonderful New Year for all of us. May this year be filled with blessings & creativity.

Take care and Stay Creative

Allison B.

I Love a Challenge - Art Jewelry Elements "Tree" Challange

I Love a Challenge

Within the Forest by 
Allison L Norfleet Bruenger 
Collections @ 2011

 There is a wonderful group of very talent artists who I have been following for two years now. They have provided so many great challenges and giveaways for their artists & followers. This time I could not pass this theme up. The theme is TREES!!! For the past 5 years that I have been a mixed media jewelry artist, I have created many pieces with a "Tree" theme. 

 I love nature and representing that theme in my work has been a part of my creative process since I begin. I use watercolors and/or colored pencils to create the art that is the center focus of my metalwork. All of these pieces have found there "Forever Homes" but I wanted to show how trees have influenced my work since 2011. 

Many Hues of Autumn by 
Allison L Norfleet Bruenger 
Collections @ 2014

I've enjoyed all the wonderful creations from all of the artists of the Art Jewelry Elements group. All of the posts truly inspire me and I'm so excited to take this chance to present my work. I just thank the group for the opportunity to share my craft and my love for Trees!!! 

Take care and Stay Creative!!

Allison B.

Nature within the Copper Shadows by 
Allison L Norfleet Bruenger 
Collections @ 2015

Golden Blooms in the Forest by 
Allison L Norfleet Bruenger 
Collections @ 2016

Please check out the Following Links to all the rest of the creative People who are apart of this Challenge. Enjoy!

 

AJE Team

Jennifer Stout Cameron

Lesley Watt

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Laney Mead

Niky Sayers

Cooky Schock

Cathy Spivey Mendola

Caroline Dewison

Guests

Brooke Bock

Karin Grosset Grange

Merja Sundström

Cindy Martin Shaw

Allison L Norfleet Bringer

Melissa Trudinger

Kathy Lindemer

Gloria Allen

Shai Williams

Tammy Adams

Mona Arnott

Terri Del Signore

Fun Weekend Ahead! 2 Events- One Weekend!

Fun Weekend Ahead! 

2 Events- One Weekend!

This will start to happen a lot now. The more shows I sign up for, the more they began to overlap! This is the nature of the business they say. Many artists who have much more experience than I do also express to me how all of the Galleries, Shops, Art Fairs and Festivals all are trying to position themselves on the best weekends and they are definitely overlapping. Summer shows, Fall shows and the Holidays events are when it happens the most! Well the time has begin. Hopefully I will choose the right shows and events to have a successful summer and fall season. Wish me luck. That's all for now. 

Take Care and Stay Creative!

Allison B.

The Season of Art Shows Begins!!!

Well The Season has Begun!

     The life of an artist is always busy and that's a good thing. There are so many things to do when you run your own art business. You have to work on your printed materials for shows, work on your Social media posts, take photos of your work, apply to shows, work on "the books", buy supplies, set up displays at galleries and shops that show your work, meet with customers and go to meetings for art organizations and groups, and also Create! It can get a Little Crazy but we Love It for we love Creating and sharing our Craft. I feel blessed to be able to make people happy with the things I create. Thant what make this career Awesome! 

I participated in my first show in April and it was great. What a wonderful way to start out the year. May holds a lot of events as well. Working on new designs is always a must. I want to introduce a New line each show. I hope I will be able to do this. I working towards that gold. This week I getting ready for my first Guest Artist Session and my first outside show for the year. Here is some of the pics from setting up at Green Door Art Gallery in Webster Groves, MO. I love this Gallery. I will be bringing a couple of other Items to add in before the opening reception this Friday! This weekend on Saturday and Sunday Washington, MO will be the place to be. I will be in the 34th Washington Art Fair and Winefest. This is always a wonderful show to meet new people, see old friends and sample wonderful wines from across our region. Oh, and Buy some Great Art!!! Washington, MO is such a sweet little town and I enjoy the charm of this city. We are usually set up right on the main street with all great shops surrounding us. Cool Show!

The last event is Going to be a Clayton Fine Art Gallery in Clayton MO. I will be showing an one of a kind wearable art  design that was inspired my a wonderful young artist in the 8th grade. This exhibition is part of the "Blooming Art Project". I will share more about this great event closer to the reception which is May 29th.  

Well that's all for now. Remember Take Care & Stay Creative

Allison B

www.alnbcollections.com

The Devil in in the Details!

  The Devil is in the Details 

New Web Site!

     I've just taken a Great Workshop about How to better market my Art Business and it was Fantastic!!! Thank you to Artsy Shark's Carolyn Edlund, The Art Beacon's Jennifer Suits and Lori Feldman - The Database Diva for a wonderful learning experience.  
I learned so much about Websites, Blogs, Data Bases, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagrams and all the other social media sites that can help you "Grow Your Business." I learned what I had right and I definitely learned what I should improve. So I have been taking some time these past few weeks working on things to improve my presence on the web and elsewhere. My wonderful husband and I have been working on my new website. Thank you James for all of your expertise. Feeling blessed to be married to a web designer.

     There were many points that they said that would improve my business outlook, and one them was to get or re-establish my Blog. Well I will go for it. I will try to post ay lease every 2 weeks. More if possible.
 

New Banner for My Blog

     I have been taking a fair amount of workshops and mini classes to further my image and design knowledge. You can "Never Stop Learning" and as long as there is a workshop, online videos,Conventions , Art Organization sponsored events to become a part of  - I'm There. I will post about the great things I learned, New Shows , New designs, and all of that fun things that make me love what I do! So Enjoy the Ride with Me!

Take Care and Blessings!
Allison B
www.alnbcollections.com

When Life & Your Art Collides!

When Life & Your Art Collides!

     Well, I see that Life doesn't always goes the way you want. I had to leave for my home town to handle important family matters. It is amazing how things work out. I'm working on getting ready for shows and the world has other things planned for me . You have to learn to roll with the punches. Plus "Family Comes First" and I have a "Great One". I'm Truly Blessed. 

     The funny thing about it is that I then raced back here to get ready for an exhibition opening, weekend show and a gallery move. All I can say is Wow!  Well I did get some new designs ready for these events. I thought I would share my marketing image with you all so you could see some of my new creation.

     I just want to share with you one thought . Hug Your Family and Count Your Blessings. 

Take care & stay creative! 
Allison B. 

First Design for the Year

I love when things come 
together! 

Encircled Blooms in the Aqua Sky

     Well February started of on a great note. I finished my first piece. It is my entry for the Chesterfield Arts "ArtFeast" event that will be held in late February - early March. They are setting up the show a different way this year. I'm hope will hear about my entry soon. I really like this piece and hope it will make it in. This design is called "Encircled Blooms in the Aqua Sky". 

     I also have received the accepted letters for two shows. I will be in the Spring Artist Boutique in Kirkwood, MO on March 1st and 2nd and the Queeny Park Spring Art Fair in Balwin, MO April 4th, 5th, and 6th. I will have to get to work on inventory asap. I've  been working on my base sketches sense late last year. Now it is time the work to begin. I'm also working on new lines. It is very interesting when you feel your mind is going so many directions. "So much to do, So little time". 

    

      Well I have began a new chapter in my artistic journey. I'm now a resident artist at Stone Soup Galleries in Chesterfield, MO. I'm excited about this new additions. You can check out the gallery at  http://stonesoupgalleries.com.   I will be showing my work along with a variety of other wonderful award wining artists that rock! Many of these artist are my mentors and I feel like I'm surrounded with good people who care about their art and each other.

     Well keep in touch and I look forward to sharing with you next week.

 

Take care and Stay Creative!

Allison B

My Display at Stone Soup Galleries

Fresh Beginning for Allison L Norfleet Bruenger Collections

Fresh Beginning...

      Well, I'm starting 2014 with new looks across the board. I thought I would start with my website and then my blog. Re-vamping my look gives me a fresh perspective on things.

What should I keep and what should I let go? That can be a little difficult, but when you want to make room for new things and new experiences some  things must be put on the shelf. Re-vamping my site was a big project and will forever be evolving. My official  launch of my new website look will be this Sunday, January 26th, on my Dad's Birthday. I thought it would be a good day to share in his memory. 


     This year I will be learning new techniques that I will introduce along the way as well. I'll clue you in on my progress so you can come along with me on this journey of creativity. I would like to start selling more via the internet, so I will be launching my Etsy shop where I will be featuring my "Ready Made" collections. "I love new concepts" My wonderful husband is designing a separate site for these designs. Can't wait to see how it all comes together.

     Hey everyone, it is good to be back and I look forward to sharing and hearing from all as well

Take Care and Stay Creative!

Allison B.

Weekly Challenge for April 15th 2012 - Allison L Norfleet Bruenger Collections

Weekly Creative Challenge for April 15, 2012

Apply for Shows and Looking for Opportunities!!

Well this year has started off with a bang. The "Queeny Park Spring Art Fair" was great. I redesign part of my booth with new banners and a couple of new fixtures and it went over well. I also introduced some new look for 2012. I have added more Sterling Silver to some of my designs and I also introduce within my "Art within Art" line some new drawing with a more abstract appeal. Next week I will show the two designs that new look. This week I'm featuring two of my designs with that natural worn through and distress feel.

With all of these new additions it makes it hard to decide which look to enter into the fun world of jurying for shows. Many of the shows for the fall season already want you to throw your hat in the ring. That means jury fees and booth fees being sent out daily and then the waiting begins. Well that is the nature of the business. I hope this will be a great year with lots of opportunities. Well here is this week's entries for my weekly challenge. One of these as well have already found a home but I hope they give a little beauty to the week. Enjoy!

Take Care and Stay Creative.
Allison B.
www.alnbcollections.com

Weekly Challenge for April 8th 2012 - Allison L Norfleet Bruenger Collections

Well I'm Back and Creating with a Vengeance !!!!!!!!!!

I can truly say the end of 2011 was Great and Very Very Very Busy. It has taken me 3 months to regroup after the holiday season and I have worked on developing a new look and a couple of new lines. As this year progresses, I will be introducing new lines such as the "Mini Art within Art" line and "Metal Textured" Earrings just to name a few. It has been a challenge but I'm working on creating one of a kind pieces that can knock one's socks off.

This year has started off well. I have already been in 2 Spring Shows and the totals were higher than the same time last year. I feel truly blessed at the growth but I know there is still a lot of work and designing to be done. I have been signing up for workshops that will help me to add a new dimension to my work. I have also purchased new equipment such as a riveting tool and specially designed saw to aid me in my creative process.

Well, even though one of these pieces has already found a great home, I wanted to show you these 2 new pieces. For this past show I created 16 new pieces and I will be showing them to all of you over the next few weeks. Well I hope you enjoy these new pieces as much as I have.

Take Care and Stay Creative!
Allison B
www.alnbcollections.com
http://alnbcollections.blobspot.com

Weekly Creative Challenge for October 2, 2011

Busy ! Busy! Busy!

Well this past September has been a very busy time for me. So many show, so little time. This is the time of year when many of the art fairs, festivals, and shows all take place. There seems to be some type of event every weekend. During this past month I have participated in 6 shows and It has been a whirl wind of travel, setup and sales. It has been hectic and fun at the same time. For example, I have been in a different show from Thursday to Sunday this past week - I had a trunk show on Thursday, an art walk on Friday, a jewelry show at my job on Saturday during the day, a Mall art show during Saturday evening, and a art fair on Sunday. By Sunday evening my whole body felt it and on Monday morning my voice was going just in time to do an eight hour shift at my job. This was a pretty intense week but through the grace of God (and Lots of Coffee) I got through it and It Was Good!

I have sold many of my design which has made me very pleased. I will be showing you all these designs in the next couple of weeks. Many people like my new lines such as my "Textured Block" series and my free form wire earrings. My "Art within Art" and "Fretwork" lines have been doing very well also. I truly feel blessed.

Well here is a sample of one of those pieces that already has a Home. It is called "Visions on a Cloudy Day." I love the Labradorite faceted rounds and the eyes. I will be continuing this series and update you all on my progress.

Well I have to get back to work.
Take care and stay creative!

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

Weekly Creative Challenge for September 11, 2011

The Season Has Begun !

Well, I have started the "Season of Shows". I have participated in my first fall show and it was Great! I showed and sold many of my metal pieces. Also I sold many earrings of both styles. I received a lot of feedback and I'm working on new pieces to be ready for the next upcoming show the weekend of September 16th through the 18th (Mosaics art Fair in St Charles, MO).

I will be working on many new concepts as well. This past show I introduced my "Textured Block" series of smaller metal and gemstone pendants and they were very well received. I made 8 pendants for the show and I sold all 8 of them. I will be working on having at least 12 for this next show and will be featuring them in an upcoming blog in the near future. Then you can see what I came up with.

I'm still waiting to hear the outcome of the jurying process on 2 other shows. I hope it will be good news. If it all goes well I will have 11 shows for the September to December time period. WOOOOOOO ! Yes ! 11 Shows. Keep me in your thoughts. "Tis the Season to be Busy"!

Well, for this week I will feature one of my newer pieces that debuted at the Queeny Fall Art Fair here in Ballwin, MO. This piece is called "Beautiful Flight." I hope you all enjoy my new design. I will have to get back to work now so take care and stay creative!

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

ALNB Collections Weekly Challenge for August 28 2011

In the Planning Stages.....


Well the Fall and Holiday season is approaching. Yes "The Holiday Season". I will be starting the new show season next weekend. This will be my first big show for the upcoming season. I have taken a break from blogging to work on new designs and I have come up with many new designs. I'm at 15 new designs and counting.


I have also started hearing the outcome of some of the shows I have applied to and for this season I will be at 11 shows and counting. Yes! 11 Shows! I know it seems to be a little crazy but I have talked with others artists and they have informed me that this is the "Nature of the Beast." This is the beast season for shows in the artist world. Many of our sales for the year are earned between the month of September to December. A lot of artists don't participate in spring shows because they don't seem to sell as much during that time of year. They usually do shows during the Summer, Fall and Holiday season.

This years show season is also different because I have also included shows that are out of state. I will be by the end of the year have done 3 shows in Illinois. I am trying to spread my wings a little bit. I hope they will enjoy my work there as well. I have a new gallery in Chesterfield, MO in which I have my work. The gallery is called "MindWorks Gallery" and It has been great so far. I'm very interested to see how the holiday will be there. I'm trying to reach more people through social media such facebook, twitter and of course blogging. I now even have a "fan page" with facebook. Working on a business is more than a notion but It is rewarding when someone really likes your designs.

Well starting next week I will be showing my new fall line so keep watching for the new pieces starting in September. Stay in touch to see all the designs and visit me on facebook when you have the chance. I will show you new pieces next week.

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