Goings on....

Hello everybody! I have a few events that you should jot in your calendars provided you are like me and still use pens, or for the super cool, google calendar the following!

On Saturday August 18th, I will be lending a helping hand to my oh so talented friend Melinda at Hot August Blues. This is an amazing music festival which you really should not miss out on. All the information can be found at the festival's website http://hotaugustblues.com/lineup/ If you can make it out, be sure you stop by the Byrdcall Studio tent which is where our post will be for the day! I have written about Melinda before and her amazing work, but if you missed that check out her website at http://www.byrdcallstudio.com/


On Saturday September 8th, Heavens to Bessie will be participating in the American Visionary Arts Museum annual Out-Sideshow http://www.sideshowbaltimore.com/outsideshow/ I can not tell you how excited I am to participate this year! Be sure you stop down and come say hey and check out my new work. There are tons of great vendors and this event will be held rain or shine so just plan on coming!!!


On Sunday October 7th, Heavens to Bessie will be at The Downtown Annapolis First Sunday Arts Festival. http://www.firstsundayarts.com/ By then hopefully I will be able to wear a scarf :-) I love fall, so I am really happy to participate in this outdoor event in October! And this is the last First Sunday Arts festival for the year, so be sure to come down for it!

There are plenty of other events in the works so check back often. If you are not already friends with Heavens to Bessie on Facebook....why not? Just search Heavens to Bessie Jewelry. I am also on twitter and instagram (@heavenstobessie) and as always you can check out my website at www.heavenstobessie.com

Interview with Melinda Byrd of Byrdcall Studio

Melinda Byrd is an artist I met in the past year and while we haven't known each other forever, I have so much admiration and respect for her and her work. She has been running Byrdcall Studio full time for nearly 13 years now and her business is a beautifully oiled machine. Her quality of work, her dealings with customers, and her passionate connection to her work proves everyday that Melinda chose the right path for herself.


Melinda, a former Park Ranger, carries that love of nature throughout the broad spectrum of her work. While most of her works are carved woodblock and linoleum prints, she paints murals, glassware, floor mats among other things. The breadth of her work is amazing! It seems like there is nothing she is not good at.


The hand printed t-shirts are what Melinda mainly sells at shows, and let me tell you, having helped her at shows from time to time, there are Byrdcall Studio t-shirt collectors out there! Her shirts are awesome! Each one is so special. Whether its cats you like, or dogs, or beer, or the blues, or fishing or you are just an environmentalist....there is a shirt that you will feel was made just for you. That's because it was. Each time Melinda inks up that hand carved woodblock and set it to a shirt, she is spending quality time with it. Then each shirt is hand signed. Each one, a work of art.


Be sure you check out her website at www.byrdcallstudio.com and her etsy store http://www.etsy.com/people/Byrdcall to see all of her amazing work for yourself!

After the excitement of The American Visionary Art Museum's annual Bazaart Holiday Marketplace this past weekend, I had a moment to talk to Melinda about her take on the show. Here is what she had to say...


How many years have you participated in Bazaart?
 This year was my fourth year at AVAM's BazaART and I'm already looking forward to next year.


What do you think sets Bazaart apart from other shows you do? 
Most shows where I set up my hand-printed woodcut shirts are geared to be attractive to "the masses" where beauty and interest are expected but maybe only in predictable "socially acceptable" ways.  The BazaART is different because everyone exhibiting their work has thought out of the box and created art that amazes the visitors.  There is humor, skill, simplicity, and a connection with things that are more meaningful in life--to me personally anyway.  The patrons of the event spend time with each artist knowing that there is something special within each booth and each artist.  Patrons of BazaART really appreciate the work that goes into my shirt-printing...and they buy which is so appreciated.  The BazaART is a wonderful alternative to the Black Friday craze.


 As an artist myself, I know I always have a favorite piece I have made. Do you currently have a favorite piece of your own work? 
While I tend to focus just on the hand-printed shirts when I do a show--so as not to confuse visitors which the multiple art forms I enjoy--my favorite individual pieces are probably not the shirts.  I mean I take the shirts for granted since I wear them every day.  What really excites me is anything new I am learning at the moment.  Like right now, I am fascinated by with pastel paintings I have been working on.  I'm learning new techniques which are very exciting.  I also love each floorcloth I make, but they go off to a new home as soon as they are done, so it is pointless to fall in love with them.


I know you didn't get too long a time to walk around but did you have a favorite vendor from this show? 
I wish I had picked up a card from the birdhouse maker.  A couple created the most beautiful birdhouses in lots of gorgeous colors.  The thing I liked most was that they were made to really go outside and last many years.  Metal work surrounded the cavity holes so gnawing creatures would not destroy them.  They were very artistically created...and did I mention colorful!?


Are there any exciting up and coming events for Byrdcall Studio that you would like to mention?
 Well, yes.  Next weekend, Dec. 3-4 I am participating in the Carroll County Artists Studio Tour both days from 10 AM -5 PM.  This is the first time I've opened my studio doors to the public (without appointments).  There could be a few people at a time or there could be dozens at a time.  I'm making cookies every other night to have enough to offer to my visitors.  The special thing for me is that I do so many artistic creations that few people know about because I don't take them on the road so to speak.  people in my studio will see the effects of a busy artist playing without limitations among papers, canvases, glass,shirts, and lots more.  I'm going to be straighten up all week, but surely the studio will retain its "workshop qualities."   www.ccartists.com/  Check out the Studio Tour map .  And check out my web site while you are at it.  www.byrdcallstudio.com.

Bazaart Fun!

This blog is a bit longer than usual but think of it, not as a blog, but as a helpful guide to finishing your holiday shopping!

This past weekend the American Visionary Art Museum held their annual Bazaart Holiday Marketplace and my friend and fellow Etsian Melinda Byrd ( www.etsy.com/shop/Byrdcall )was one of the vendors. When she asked if I could give her a hand I was all in. Not only would I be spending the day with Melinda but I would get to see the show I had heard so much about but never had been to before. I arrived early. Earlier than a lot of the vendors so I had the opportunity to peruse a little bit and chat with a couple of the artists as they started filtering in. I fell in love over and over again that morning with the many amazing things the 50 some vendors created.


One of the first artists I had the opportunity to chat with was a woman named Patti Backer (www.etsy.com/shop/PattiBacker). Her work is awesome! It  became clear to me in that moment how wrong I was to start my holiday shopping early because I saw several of her pieces that I could have purchased for more than one person on my shopping list. On the back of her post card that I picked up it says simply, "whimsical art" and I can't think of a better word to describe her work. From owls to octopus Ms. Backer has covered it all but in her work its like these animals are in their own little dream worlds. One bird has little white teeth and long almost human like legs, the octopus is floating above a bird nest filled with eggs and a rabbit sits with a tiny owl on its head while carrots with wings fly by at night. But almost all of the animals have these very human like eyes, which makes you connect with them I think. Just do yourself a favor and go visit her shop!


Greenstar Studio's booth, which will be relaunching as MIGHT in January 2012 (www.mightMIGHT.etsy.com), looked as warm and colorful as always! Danamarie Hosler is the artist behind these colorful, fun pieces. I had the pleasure of meeting Danamarie briefly at the Columbia Arts Festival this past summer and she is so sweet. Just like her work. She makes the most huggable little plush creatures and coloring books for kids (OK yes, I want them for myself) along with things like bobby pins, coffee collars and prints. I made a purchase for a friends child but I purchased one of the prints for myself. I love it! If you still have some shopping to do for a child or a big child give her store a visit for sure!


Art Head Studio creates amazing figurative sculptures from vintage tins and cans as well as other salvaged items. Each one has it's own personality, and being a person who gives emotions to inanimate objects, this was easy for me to spot!  They are super awesome and I can't wait to have one in my home. Visit www.artheadstudio.com or www.artheadstudio.etsy.com to check them out for yourself. Her work is really special!


Diane Koss who makes a whole collection of monsters. Plush cupcake monsters, monsters on mugs, onesies and t-shirts. But my favorite thing was her monster hoodies. Cutest thing ever! See and shop her work at www.dkoss2.etsy.com


Fuzzy Mug!! Graphic designer Brooke Behnken has created so many items with beautiful items of beloved fuzzy faces. Digital images are printed onto shirts, towels, note cards and notebooks among other things in bright beautiful solid colors. My favorite item of Fuzzy Mug's is the doggie calling cards. Check out this great store! Fuzzy Mug does custom work too so you pet owners out there, keep that in mind! www.etsy.com/shop/FuzzyMug


The Littlest Bean was there with super fun colorful items. Jen Menkhaus is the artist behind The Littlest Bean. She works mainly in felt and yarn. I love, love, love her barrettes and headbands but she has so much more than that. Wreathes, necklaces, business card holders and pin cushions! She has something for anyone who loves color! Check her out at www.etsy.com/shop/jenmenkhaus


All in all Bazaart was an incredible event. It was super busy from the time the show opened at 10am to 2 or 3 pm. The vendors were amazing but the shoppers were crazy cool. They were so much fun and so eager to hear about the artists' processes and to SHOP! I can say, a lot of folks out there will be getting some great hand crafted items this Christmas. There was an over all energy to this show, unlike any show I have been to. I have my fingers, toes, legs....everything crossed that next year I will be participating as a vendor.


I wish I could write about each and every talented vendor here but there were simply too many. But please, do yourself a favor and visit these stores' links. Especially if you didn't make it out for this crazy event. If you are still working on your holiday shopping, try keeping it local. I am sure I can speak on behalf of all the artists mentioned above when I saw we all appreciate it!


Now you've got my two cents on Bazaart, but read on for a brief interview I did with Melinda Byrd of Byrdcall Studio www.etsy.com/shop/Byrdcall to hear the perspective of one of is outstanding vendors!

Upcoming Events

As the holidays near, my schedule is filling up with some very exciting events. A few of them are right around the corner. First up is The American Visionary Art Museum's annual BazaArt on Saturday November 26th from 10am-5pm ( http://www.avam.org/news-and-events/events/bazaart.shtml ) I will be there supporting an amazing artist and great friend Melinda Byrd. Her work is incredible, ranging from oil paintings, to Framed woodcut prints, to amazing hand printed t-shirts. Her mediums may vary but her subject matter remains mainly nature with few other joyous images mixed in. I have purchased her shirts for friends in the past and they have been well loved. Check out her etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Byrdcall and her website at www.byrdcallstudio.com Melinda is such a talented artist! So come down to BazaArt and check her out along many other amazing artists! Admission is free too :-)

Next up on the calendar comes Cyber Monday! I'm diving right into this American Shopping Tradition and giving you all a coupon code to SAVE 30% by entering Nov28 at checkout. Yeah you read that correctly. For 24 hours save 30%! Merry Christmas to you from me! All week I will be posting new pieces many of them are one of a kinds so be sure to check back often.

After that comes the very exciting Carroll County Artists Tour December 3-4th 10am-5pm. I will be at the home/studios of Sarah Abel-DeLuca and Stephen DeLuca, two artists with crazy talent. They both will be exhibiting and selling work throughout their beautiful home and were so kind to ask me to come and participate. I will be there both days with my a lot of my NEW pieces that I have been working on as well as writing about. For more information on this fabulous weekend long show check out http://ccartists.com/Artists/AbelDelucaStudio.html If you are making a point to check out the studio tour (which you should) go to visit Melinda too, who is also participating in this great event. More information for her stop can be found at http://ccartists.com/Artists/MelindaByrd.html

Well folks I think that is enough to keep you all busy for the next couple of weeks so I hope to see you all around. Please remember that handcrafted items are treasured forever. What better way to make the holidays brighter than supporting local art and local businesses.