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I love meeting new and exciting artists.  I met two jeweler artists that are really unique and really have the “look” I go for with jewelry. I really like elementally pieces.  Pieces with wood, steel, rocks or nature inspired. However, I really probably like all jewelry -my favorites are just elemental.  The first artist I ran across is Tessa Hiney, she has great hair accessories and some very cute, almost vintage inspired necklaces and earrings.  She does not have a website yet, but her pieces are sold at some boutiques and her email is tessorijewelry@gmail.com. 

The second artist is from Sioux Falls, Brenda Collison- Schmidt with Flourish Glass.  She uses glass fusing techniques with vibrant sheets of glass that are handcut and layered with glass frits, powders, and stringers to create unique one of a kind designs.  I LOVE her things, I own three of her rings, and they are super trendy and really great accessories.  Her website is http://www.flourishglass.com/. She has a great attitude about life and a fun personality to be around.  She has a little girl that is almost a year soon, so I will have to get her equipped with one of my Olive dresses! 

I just wanted to be sure and share my new great finds and spread the word about other “budding” artists.

We had fun at the Grand Forks Art Show. We ate at Blue Moose Grill and went to see the movie “Up” in 3D!  Very funny and well worth the 3D version   The city of Grand Forks has the nicest downtown area.  It is just so pretty and inviting.    Sarah and I even went for a walk in the park and really enjoyed the sunset. I couldn’t help but just praise God during the walk, and thank Him for allowing me to live my dream. The only thing that would have made it better would be to have everyone I love with me in the moment.  Just gorgeous, God is so good. 

Next weekend is Aberdeen’s Art in the Park. Be sure to join us under the polkadotted tent! Our newest addition to the display, can’t wait! Invite friends and family in the area as well to see the newest and cutest things     Aberdeen Arts is in Melgaard Park and runs both Saturday and Sunday, June 20^th and 21^st.    We will be roadtripping that morning at like 5am, so we will arrive spirited and ready to have fun!  I have got a few new prototypes I am working on this week and hope to have them in time for Brookings Art in the Park.    Stay tuned!!!

Here we are, on the road again. This time- Grand Fork ND for the Grand Cities Art Festival.  The air in the car is real excitement, have I ever mentioned that I love what do?  Seriously, I am really living my dream everyday.  I am reminded of it everyday with different things that I do, but especially on the road to shows laughing and dreaming up new ideas and envisioning where else the road may take us.  I tell Sarah often, this trip is short, think of when we try Vegas and Chicago!  (Oh yes, you heard right, I am going to try to those shows before we know it!)  We have been talking about which restaurant we will try tonight, Italian or Chinese; usually Chinese wins out for us.  Our hotel this time even has a pool, which is an upgrade from our normal- dead bolt and lock -yellow-lighted- scared for our lives motels.  I have been busy cutting out the new bobbin pin fabric to make those up tonight to sell next week, and Sarah has been navigating the road with a trailer who follows her verbal commands- yes she talks to it, makes her feel in control.   

          It was a busy week trying to get everything restocked for this show from Edina last weekend.  We got it all done and I am excited to show again.  I cut out two brand new styles I had sketched last weekend while selling and I am anxious to see what they turn out like.  There will be probably be a few prototypes before they are complete and ready to add to the line, but I started.  I realized this week, that I really enjoy evening bags and coming up with new ideas for them, and then I thought, “Oh who am I kidding?  I just love purses!”  I am leaning on naming one of the bags Kelsey, after a childhood friend of my out west river and the other one has to grow on me to see who it reminds me of. 

          I had a rather significant realization this week.  I was thinking of which fabrics and styles sold the best, and it occurred to me the more I follow my gut and my own design ideas, the more they sell. I used to design for others and what fabric I would think people would like, but then I realized the more I cater to my likes and my design thoughts, the bigger I become. It was comforting to realize that I know what I am doing and that I really do have a gift dream, I love what I do, thank you God.