The Alamo...Remembered

Here's the first sketch of the Alamo for the client that wanted this.
I have sent it to him, and I will see what he says.

Remember the Alamo!

Another benefit from the wholesale trade show has been the
contacts made with other vendors and business people.  I had
a request for a design featuring the Alamo, complete with canon,
and the Texas flag of the time.  I found these images that I will
use for references, and I will start drawing some sketches for this
client soon. You know that this is a project dear to my heart...
as a Texan...and as a native of San Antonio!!
Remember the Alamo!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Finish Line



These are my tote bags, by the dozen.  Sold several this
way during the show...hooray!




And this is another one of my neighbors....Silver Spoon Jewelry, out of
California.  The designs are based on  antique silverware
patterns.

These are some of their earrings



And some flower necklaces



And some pearl bracelets...pretty!



And this is a new design...this cute owl




These are decorated hats from "Frayed Flower". 
They were here at the show in January, and stayed busy
the whole time.



 

And look at this cute LSU version...Geaux Tigers!

We finished up today, and got everything loaded.  I will
be going home tomorrow, with some new things for the shop.
Come by when you get a chance and
check it all out!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

FrayedFlower.com
SilverSpoonJewelry.com

Art in the City

I am still in Dallas at the wholesale Gift Market.  I had a few minutes to drive
around downtown tonight before the sun went all the way down.
Some of the buildings are really cool....very abstract.

I've never really done much abstract art, but I think the patterns on
these buildings would make a good starting point.

And this one looks like the "chevron" pattern that
is so "hot" right now, on clothing, purses,
and all kinds of fabric.

Some more patterns formed by the reflections of one
building on the side of another

Nice juxtaposition of colors, patterns, and shapes...
art in the city.

We have one more day of trying to sell my wares.  I have met some
really interesting people.  And made some good contacts that will
hopefully turn into good customers! 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Market Neighbors

One of the great benefits of doing a trade show,
is getting to meet other artists and see their
interesting work.  These are beautiful old watches
made into one-of-kind jewelry pieces.

The name of the company is Rewind Jewelry, and
you can find out more info from
Carlos at carlosslightly@gmail.com

And this adorable red head is next door to me, and this
is her first time at market.  Her booth is really cute,
and her jewelry creations are re-cycled and re-purposed
odds and ends, that are very unique.

Here is the section with individual charms, displayed on playing
cards...what a novel idea!  I bought a little bird charm to attach to my
dealer badge...fun. 

She is from Missouri, and always attends this show:
Open Air Vintage Market
St .Louis  Friday Sept 20-Sunday Sept 22
stlouis.vintagemarketdays.com

If you happen to be in the area in the fall,
check it out Cash and Carry section of the Dallas
market if you can...thru Monday the 24th at 3 pm

sheltongail@hotmail.com

 

Friday at the Market

These smiling girls bought all three of these chicken wire
memo boards.  They picked them up this morning, and were
happy, happy, happy!

We added these to the booth this morning...
we had to re-arrange.  good problem

Some of the boot merchandise has been attracting a lot of
attention.  We sold a piece similar to this today.

I am also demonstrating during the day...doing a little watercolor. 
These are two boot designs...fun

Cute, colorful, "sweet' designs

And believe it or not...this is where those all come from!

Having a great time, meeting people, making some contacts, and
selling some stuff!  We have 2 1/2 more days...should be able
so sell some more. 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Booth-Round 2

Got the booth at market all set up today!  Now we are ready for business,
in the morning, bright and early at 8:30!  I will let you know how it
goes...wish me luck

sheltongail@hotmail.com

"Chasing Sunset"

Watching the sun set is one of my very favorite things
to do.  I am fascinated with the ever-changing sky...the patterns
in the clouds, the colors, sun rays, the peacefulness.  Tonight's
sky was especially beautiful.
One of my good friends says that I am always "chasing sunsets"
wherever I happen to be.  Today, I just had to walk out
my back door.

Happy Father's Day!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Market Prep

Getting things together for market...this is a banner that
will advertise me!  as an artist who can make appearances
in their stores.  I am adding this aspect this time to my marketing
efforts.  I hope to be able to schedule some appearances in other
stores, demonstrating watercolor painting, bringing samples of my
work, etc.

And this is the new "Texas" bag...the design features the
Alamo, the Texas flag,and cowboy boot, a bluebonnet, and an armadillo. 
Having grown up in Texas, I am
more than familiar with all these things! 
As children, our parents always took us at Easter time to have pictures made
sitting in the bluebonnet fields.  I chased lots of armadillos with my brother in
the hill country around San Antonio.  I owned several pair of cowboy boots...in
fact, I was on the dance line in high school, and we dressed like the Kilgore Rangerettes,
in red, white, and blue with white cowboy boots!
AND, my first job after high school involved working downtown at the
Alamo!  I guess I am still "Texas" at heart...but my Louisiana roots are strong
now too.  I guess I can love them both!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

 

More Stuff

Another memo board window with cute polka dot fabric...great for
a child's room.



How about this for a UT fan?  Great orange chevron fabric and wire
on a vintage window, complete with cute doorknob.



And one more funny bug, made from a porch post,
with old brackets, some beaded board, and odds and
ends.  fun

I leave for wholesale market in Dallas in a week!
So, we are trying to put together some last minute
things....more stuff to pack along and try to
sell. 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Lotus Rewind

I had to return to Natchitoches today, and decided to re-visit
the lotus blossoms.  A lot of them had bloomed and some of them
were already bloomed out.  Then I stopped by Saline Lake on the way
 home, and took some cypress shots.  Pretty day

sheltongail@hotmail.com

A little Progress

I had a chance to make a little progress on this drawing of
Molly.  I am still not sure about the likeness.  I will
have to tweak a little more.  Stay tuned

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Summer Art Classes

Had the first of the summer art classes today...a collage class.  I had two
adults, Brenda and Nell, and two children, Samuel and Kaylie. 
They used lots of different papers, photos, and objects to create
their projects.  And lots of glue!!  We all had a great time. 
The schedule of classes is on the gallery website:
www.peapatchgalleryandcafe.com   or you can come
by and pick one up.  We still have lots of room in all of the
classes.

sheltongail@hotmail.com