The weather played tricks on us today. We arrived at the Bethesda Artist Market this morning to shuddering clouds and a thick blanket of rain. Three weeks of total drought in the Northeast, but today it has to rain. Deliberating whether or not to set-up the tent and hope the empty streets would soon fill with passers-by and patrons, the Mister and I sipped Caribou Coffee and munched on donuts with neon pink icing.

The rain only intensified as we talked to our friends Michele Cormier and Sara Rivera, who had decided to set up and brave the soggy weather. I’ve been exhibiting with these fellow artists for the last three years at the Bethesda Artist Market – a small, juried festival that features just 25 artists per show. Many of us are regulars. This year marked the first year at a new location on Norfolk Ave. I had looked forward to testing it out.

Even as we talked under the white canopy tents, the rain seeped inside and drip-dripped on my shoulder. Artists around us were continuously draining the pregnant pools  of water waiting to birth from the tops of their tents. The Mister and I weighed the pros and cons of setting up. The cons were obvious while the pros were all what-ifs.

Outdoor festivals are always a crapshoot, susceptible to wind and rain and a million other factors that can make or break a show. Booth fees are rarely refundable and shows are usually held rain or shine. Ten years of outdoor shows have taught me that there is never a guarantee of anything and certianly not of sales, even if there is a crowd. But it’s the what-ifs that keep you coming back time and time again. One or two great shows and you’re hooked like an old lady on a slot machine. The experience of sharing your work with others is highly gratifying, especially when your customers are as excited by your creations as much as you are. (It’s gets me higher than a regular Mountain Dew, if you can imagine that).

The 80% chance of rain forecasted all day was fairly persuasive, in the end (although I’m fairly certain it stopped raining an hour after we headed back to Richmond). (Mockery). The Mister had a time sensitive carpentry commission to attend to and I figured I could use some time to catch up on my poorly neglected blog and work on my new “Jetson” series.

Im so sorry to all those who came out this afternoon to support us and see the newest creations by Dream Spiral Art. I love my Bethesda customers! You have been good to me for many years. Be sure to look for my new “JETSON” series in my Etsy shop this week. And hopefully I will see you on Sunday, August 1 for the First Sunday Festival on West Street in Annapolis, MD.

Sneak peak of the “JETSON” series (these 3 have already SOLD).

So I quit my day job a few weeks ago and have been super busy working in the sunny studio. I am loving it! My crazy show season will soon start, so before that happens and gobbles up my time (in a wonderful gobbling sort of way) I want to share a SPECIAL SALE with YOU!!!

For the MONTH of AUGUST ONLY…

BUY ONE PAIR OF COPPER or ENAMEL EARRINGS, GET ONE (of equal or lesser value) for HALF PRICE!!! This is a great opportunity to stock up on pressies for yourself and gifts for your friends, maybe an early Christmas present or two!

See the “COPPER ENAMEL Earring” section of my ETSY SHOP for eligible items.

HOW IT WORKS:

Purchase the first pair of earrings through my Etsy Shop and put “AUGUST BOGO” in the note to seller, indicating which second pair of earrings you would like for half price. Wait for a revised invoice, pay, and voila! your earrings will ship within 48 hours!

Please CONTACT ME if you have any questions. Or if you see a style you like, but want it in a different color, feel free to ask – I am happy to accomodate special requests.

Also, if you prefer, you may simply drop me an EMAIL with both of your selections found in my ETSY SHOP and I will email your Paypal invoice directly.

Just look at all those perty earrings ready to ship to YOU! My inventory is growing almost as fast as my vegetable garden!

After a trip to Barcelona, Spain, where I soaked in the works of famous architect, Antoni Gaudi, known for such works as Sagrada de Familia and Park Guell, I created this ring, aptly named GAUDI Ring. This is a limited edition art jewelry ring, available in sizes 5 1/4, 5 1/2, and 6.

I am a big fan of Gaudi’s architectural designs that often reference natural structures, such as trees, caves, and even fruit. So I was thrilled to have my GAUDI Ring included in a collection of handmade works inspired by architecture.

Check out page 84 in the May 2009 edition of the online publication called, VIVA LA MODA. VIVA LA MODA is a new online publication that is filled with dozens of pages of eye candy on the latest handmade fashion-trends, that include clothing, art, crafts, and jewelry! Thanks to Ainhoa, Julie, and all the girls at VIVA LA MODA for choosing my ring and for putting this fun publication together!

On Friday, May 1, art6 gallery will host the opening of Defiant Silence, Never Forget!, contemporary reactions to the Holocaust through art. Curated by art6 member David Turner, Defiant Silence, Never Forget! will bring together artists of all genres from Virginia and around the world, including works by Joe Riley and Istvan Horkay from Hungary.

Curator’s statement: Sixty-three years ago the Auschwitz death camp was liberated and the full horror of the Holocaust was revealed. Sixty-four years later the Holocaust fades from horror to history to myth. For our children born to the relative quiet of a world absent lethal antisemitism the Holocaust has become an event relegated to the Jewish calendar alongside Tisha b’Av, that reminder of the destruction of the temples in Jerusalem. art6 gallery’s Yom Hashoah, Richmond 2009 will bring to life through art a contemporary acknowledgement and recognition of this latest major tragedy in Jewry’s Diaspora experience, Shoah. Defiant Silence, Never Forget! is dedicated to the memory of our murdered six million and to our 13 million who survived this nearly successful effort to eradicate all Jewish existence from the world. But mostly it is meant to serve as a living memory for our children, and for theirs.

Also at art6, on Saturday, May 2, from 8:30 to 10 p.m., Slash Coleman will premiere his new Shoah period play Bonjour Israel. This event is free and open to the public.

On Saturday, May 9, in two performances from 6 to 7 p.m. and from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., Slash Coleman will perform his highly acclaimed “matzo ball” monologue. Admission is $15 ($10 for students), with proceeds to benefit art6 gallery and the Virginia Holocaust Museum.

The gallery exhibition runs through Sunday, May 24. For more information, contact art6gallery@gmail.com or visit art6.org. art6 is a member-run, non-profit art gallery dedicated to promoting and showcasing quality contemporary visual and performing arts, and offering opportunities for education.

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, my newest jewelry line, the “Captured Collection” is marked 10% off for the entire month of April!!! Please visit my Etsy Shop to see the latest additions to the “Captured Collection” that include dried rose petals in deep red and springy yellow!

If you are in the area, I hope you will come visit my booth at one of these upcoming shows:

Richmond, VA

Fool for Art at John Tyler Community College
Saturday, April 18, 2009
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
http://www.jtcc.edu/foolforart/

Annapolis, MD

First Sunday Arts Festival on West Street
Sundays – May 3, June 7, July 5, and August 2
12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
http://www.goweststreet.com/

Bethesda, MD

Bethesda Artist Market – in Bethesda Place Plaza
(Corner of Old Georgetown Road and Woodmont Ave.)
Saturdays – June 13, July 11, and October 10
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
http://www.bethesda.org/arts/artistmarket.htm

Hope you are having a hippity-hoppity Spring and a Happy Easter!

- Ann

Yep, that’s me! I am Pixe’s Pick for April 2, 2009. Author of Pixe’s Treasure Chest, Mich, selects her featured picks from the artists of Etsy. From woodcraft to quilts or handmade jewelry to recycled totes, you just never know what you are going to find in the Treasure Chest! Always a fun read. Stop by and check out my interview! Thank you, Mich, for the feature!

On Friday, April 3, art6 gallery will host the opening of the Regional Biennial Juried High School Art Competition. Coordinated by gallery member, Mitzi Humphrey, the exhibition will feature the work of current high school juniors and seniors working in all media. This is an opportunity for these students to exhibit work in a professional gallery setting, and cash prizes will be awarded.

This year’s juror is artist Eugene Vango, who will make the final selection for the exhibition and present first, second and third place awards. Vango is a painter and studied at the Art Students League of New York. He received his M.F.A. from Penn State and was chair of the art department of Virginia State University for many years. Vango has exhibited widely and is a popular judge for student and professional shows.

The exhibition runs through Sunday, April 26. For more information, contact art6gallery@gmail.com or visit art6.org.

art6 is a member-run, non-profit art gallery dedicated to promoting and showcasing quality contemporary, visual and performing arts, and offering opportunities for education.

♥♥♥MARCH SPECIAL♥♥♥

The entire “CrAzY WiReBaLl CoLlEcTiOn” is marked 15% off in honor of Spring!

The Crazy WireBall Earrings have been one of my best sellers for ten years strong. They are simple and elegant, versatile and unique. Earrings come in Gold, Gold/Silver, Silver, on Posts, with Wires, and now with Hoops, too! So don’t miss out.

Special runs March 20 until March 31.

As everyone undoubtedly knows, our economy has been in the tank for several months now. Everyday, there are reports of many large, well-known companies, such as AIG, GMC and Chrysler, Phillip Morris, and IBM, that have experienced a cash-flow crisis, resulting in record-high lay-offs. But what we don’t hear about in the news are smaller companies, particularly art galleries and non-profits.

Here is a letter that I recently received from Gallery5:

“For the past four years Gallery5 has introduced to Richmond an entirely new concept in the presentation of cutting-edge art and creative live performances. From the critically acclaimed “Disrobed” and “Disrobed 2” – the highest-attended art openings in Virginia history; to the “Carnival of Five Fires” – three nights of art, entertainment, and ribald revelry; and hundreds of unequaled exhibits, performances, and socially-conscious presentations, programs and campaigns throughout the years, Gallery5 has been the beacon of hope and creativity for thousands of emerging artists and entertainers.

Gallery5 now finds itself in a very precarious position. The tens of thousands of loyal volunteers, artists, performers and guests who have combined to make Gallery5 one of the most popular art destinations in Richmond, have also been responsible for the wear and tear to the building that now must be addressed, without the necessary funding to do the work.

Without an immediate influx of adequate funding to address this serious situation, Richmond will lose this valuable historic resource. Gallery5 has always been a labor of love, operated and maintained entirely by volunteers. It is our hope that the thousands of visitors who have been treated to a cacophony of unique sights and sounds each and every month will now come to our aid so that Gallery5 can continue to provide quality, innovative and enriching art, entertainment and exhibits to patrons for years to come.

Our goal is to raise $175,000 to maintain both the historic building and Gallery5, we need your support! All donations, monetary or in-kind, are tax deductible. Even the smallest donations are appreciated.

A few of our critical needs:
-Roof repairs
-Exterior
-Interior Water Damage
-Replacement awnings
-Electrical upgrade
-Heat and Air Upgrade
-Floor Repairs (Sanding, Repainting, Refinishing)
-Painting (Interior and Exterior)
-Equipment Repair and Upgrade
-Cleaning Services
-Gas Line
-Mac Computer for Office and Internship Program
-Musical Equipment

Gallery5 currently pays over $4,000 a month for its utilities, mortgage and insurance. This does not include monthly licensing, taxes, maintenance and other professional services.

We are now placing Gallery5’s future in the hands of our loyal supporters and friends. If you are in a position to assist us, all of our faithful volunteers will be eternally grateful for your unselfish support for this Richmond icon.

How do I donate:?

You can make a donation via check, money order, credit card or paypal. If you would like to make an in-kind contribution, please email gallery5@gallery5arts.org
Click HERE to make a donation via PayPal.Please enter what you would like to see your donation go towards.

Checks can be made payable to “Gallery5” and mailed to:

Gallery5
200 West Marshall Street
Richmond Virginia, 23220

If you would like to make a donation over the phone with a credit or debit card, please call 804-644 0005 or email gallery5@gallery5arts.org

On Friday, March 6, art6 gallery will host the opening of “Shoot the James”. This a photographic salute to Richmond’s James River features a wide selection of original work, including portraits by Thomas Daniel from his book series “People of the James”, video images by Georgianne Stinnett, the seminal landscapes of John Henley, and fauna subjects by wildlife photographer Lynda Richardson and biologist Anne Wright.

“Shoot the James” is curated by art6 member Tricia Pearsall. All proceeds from catalog sales will benefit the James River Outdoor Coalition.

Upstairs in the Member’s Gallery, Jennifer Yane presents new work intersperced with the work of her late mother, Margaret B. Yane, a graduate of Cooper Union who passed away 30 years ago. Her work was the backdrop to Jennifer’s life, who describes this exhibition as “a revery, a reaching back to discover the truths about my family that lay hidden in the open.”

On Sunday, March 8 from 3-5 p.m., art6 is also pleased to present the Garth Newel Piano Quartet of Warm Springs, Virginia. Musicians are Teresa Ling, violin; Tobias Werner, cello; Evelyn Grau, viola; and Andrew Harley, piano.

The Garth Newel Piano Quartet is known for offering fresh insight into both standard and new repertoire. Their concerts are informal, conversational, and even interactive. The acoustics at art6 are remarkable and show off this virtuoso group brilliantly. Tickets are $25; call (804) 343-1406 for reservations.

On Friday, March 20 at 8 p.m., Belle Pendleton from Christopher Newport College will speak on Thomas C. Skinner, an artist in the collection of the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News. Dr. Pendleton’s talk is part of The Pinkney Near Memorial Lecture in Art History series.

Exhibitions run through March 29. For more information, contact art6gallery@gmail.com or visit art6.org.

Thank you, Megan, for your lovely write-up about my DreamSpiralArt Etsy shop in the Richmond Magazine Blog!

Read the article to find out about a special discount during the entire month of February! The blog was posted on January 30, so you might have to scroll down to find the article.

Also, for you creative cats out there who love to make your own jewels and fabulous things, check out my newly opened DreamSpiralSupplies shop on Etsy, where I destash the ‘over-flow’ goodies from my studio like sterling silver bezel cups, beads, earwires, and various chains.

RICHMOND, VA — On Friday, January 9, art6 gallery will host the opening of “East Meets West”, the eighth exhibition of the Richmond-based group Artificium of Humanitas. This show, curated by art6 member, Heeja Sung, brings together 35 Korean and Virginian artists working in traditional and contemporary styles.

Previous exhibitions have been held in Portsmouth and Arlington, Virginia, in Daegu and Seoul, South Korea, and in Beijing, China. These shows have brought together the work of Korean, American, French, German, Russian, Mongolian and Chinese artists. While they represent a wide variety of artistic styles and philosophies, all are united by the desire to contribute to a constructive and compassionate cultural dialogue.

Exhibitors include Korean artists Namsook Ahn, Kyungae Kim, Kihan Kim, Misook Kim, Mihyun Kim, Bongsu Lee, Boontae Lee, Kyumok Lee, Kyunghee Lee, Taehee Lee, Miyang Moon, Sooyoung Moon, Soonduk Oh, Jongsoon Park, Jaemin Ryoo, Donho Son, Eunkyung Song, Heeja Sung and Myoungja Yang. American artists include Mark Bryant, Sara Clark, Mim Golub, Kipp Greene, Solomon Isekeige, Wolfgang Jasper, James Miller, Chuck Scalin, Richard Ward and Fred Weatherford.

The opening will be held from 6 to 10 p.m., on Friday, January 9, and the exhibition runs through February 1. Located at 6 East Broad Street, art6 is the popular First Friday ArtWalk destination known for its eclectic shows.

Other events for the month of January include:
*Jan. 10, 8-10 p.m.: Onca O’Leary Belly Dancers from North Carolina
*Jan. 11 & 25, 2-4 p.m.: Shockoe Poets, the longest running open mic in Richmond, every second and fourth Sunday
*Jan. 18, 3-5 p.m.: Bend Your Ear Artists Salon
*Jan. 18, 6-8 p.m.: “Poe as we can be” – a poetry/performance tribute to Edgar Allan Poe on the eve of his 200th birthday
*Jan. 24, 7-10 p.m.: Acoustic night with Kevin Lamb and friends
*Jan. 31, 7-9 p.m.: Middle East Dance Performance and Recital

For more information, contact art6gallery@gmail.com or visit art6.org.

art6 is a member-run, non-profit art gallery dedicated to promoting and showcasing quality contemporary visual and performing arts, and offering opportunities for education.

In October 2008, I was thrilled to be featured in the Style section of Richmond Magazine. If you didn’t get a chance to grab a copy of this great local magazine, the article has been posted online.

To see more samples from my newest jewelry line, “The Captured Collection”, please visit my Etsy Shop at http://www.dreamspiralart.etsy.com I hope you enjoy it and, as always, I appreciate your feedback. Happy New Year!

It’s here at last! The online catalog for the Society of Midwest Metalsmiths’ Metal Inclinations exhibition is up and running.

Fifty amazing metal sculptures and jewelry works were selected from hundreds of entriEs for this juried exhibition. The exhibition will be available online until the end of 2009.

“Turkey Walker” (shown above), by Miel-Margarita Paredes, is one piece from this exhibition that I found most intriguing. At first glance it looks like one of Sid’s mutant toys from Pixar’s film, “Toy Story”. But after visiting this artist’s website and reading more about her work, I discovered that the piece was not just a random act of metal meets juxtaposed assembly, but rather, entirely intentional in its meaning and exectution.

If you are at all interested in the arts of metalsmithing and jewelry-making, I’m sure you will throughly enjoy the Society of Midwest Metalsmiths’ Metal Inclinations catalog. Don’t be a turkey, check it out!

The annual Cash and Carry Holiday Show takes place at the Lynchburg Academy of Fine Arts located at 600 Main St, Lynchburg, VA 24504. The show runs from November 7 until December 29.

I have been selected to submit new jewelry work for this event, and will have about 20 pieces in the show. This is a great opportunity to support the arts and buy unique, handmade treasures this holiday season for yourself, your friends, and your family.

To see a wide selection of jewelry and take advantage of my speical November discount of 10% off all jewelry purchases, please visit my ETSY shop!