I went ahead and bought my February Handmade 2010 purchase early, since I had to pick out my own colors and have it made. So I should get it by February. But I was so excited about my purchase that I had to share it with you!! I bought a doggie sweater for Whoopi Doodle the Studio Poodle from Melissa Langer, who is one of my past online students. These sweaters are so cute and she has really reasonable prices from 22.00-28.00 dollars. Here is her Etsy site to check them out. http://www.etsy.com/shop/pugnotes and she also does Pug doggie artwork! 

   

Please support artists that produce handmade products. I did this last year and will continue to do it this year. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money, every bit counts. My January purchase comes from a couple that both lost their jobs last year and started a candle company out of their home.  If you are ever in my home or studio, I always have candles burning, I get that from my mother that is crazy about candles too.

Every time I made a handmade purchase, I post it on my Facebook page and Twitter it, so I can help spread the love to others!

Hey everyone,

I have added a group on the Fiber Art/Mixed Media site for anyone that wants to join in on my fun journey in 2010. It can be any type of art medium...just as long as you try something creative and new!! http://fiberartsmixedmedia.ning.com/group/2010monthlyexperiment  

 So, pull out all of those art books you have been collecting and magazines you have stacked around your studio.Start flipping through them until you see some technique that interests you and jump right in! You can do more than one a month.

And if you want to add more excitement to the challenge, add Illustration Friday for a word to illustrate each week. 

http://www.illustrationfriday.com/ 

Earlier this year I competed in an art show, Flat Out Under Pressure, where 10 artists won the right to be featured on one of the 10 new recycling units that are installed on Main Street of Greenville, SC. Not only did we get our work put on the recycling units, we won cash prizes!! I came in third and was thrilled to be selected for this project. Christmas day John and I went in search of my unit and they turned out awesome.

Here is one side with me and the bottom photo is of my husband John with the other side.

Do you need to revamp your artistic life? Have you tied yourself up in knots and don't know where your art career is going? You don't have an art career and would like to have some direction on where to start? Getting Your Sh*t Together is a program that was created by Karen Atkinson. Karen saw a need to help artists navigate the waters of being a professional artist and put together this series of lessons and software to help with their careers. 

Fee: 75.00 per Session (2 classes per session)

Payments can be made by check or cash. Contact Susan for payment information and reserve your seat. Seating is limited!!  sorrell@creativechick.com

Where: Little House Art Studios or Taylors/Main Library Branch meeting rooms (depends on number of workshop participates) Greenville, SC

Dates: Dates are subject to change, but I have tentative dates below

Times: 10 am- 4ish pm (hour to break for lunch)

Each class will begin at 10am and will run until we finish all the topics. We will take an hour lunch break since no food is allowed in the library meeting rooms. (Unless it is a small group and then the classes will be at my studio, Little House Art Studios in Taylors, SC)You don't have to take all the sessions and I have tried to divide them according to topic interest. You won't be a "student" in this workshop, but a participating member in this learning forum. I will be the facilitator and hope that we will all bring a wealth of knowledge to share. Also, there will be lots of handouts to help you along the way. 

 Here are Session 1 and 2 dates and the other sessions will be announce in upcoming newsletters. As the Sessions progress, I will be adding more topics to each class. (There are 5 Sessions-2 classes per session, but I am only offering 2 sessions at this time)

Session 1 

Class A Jan 23rd

-Intro  to GYST

-Personal Survey

-Assumptions, Myths and Fears

-Life Planning and Goal Setting

-Brainstorming Artist Statements

Class B Jan 30

-Resume Makeover

-Cover letters

-Time Management

-Presenting Yourself

-Elevator Speech

-Presentation Venues for  your artwork

 ***********************************************************************************************

Session 2 

Class A Feb 20

-Artwork Inventory (GYST software)

-Exhibition Forms

-Portfolio

-Work Samples

-Check List and Guides

-Legal Issues/Copyrights

-Documentation

Class B Feb 27

-Getting the Word out

-The Web

 -blogs, social media, websites, Yahoo groups, newsletters

-Studio Visits and Open Studios

-Ethics/ Fame

-Joining Professional Organizations and Guilds