My New Space at Hello Gallery in Downtown Fairhope

 I'm sure at some point I mentioned that my "word for the year" is Brave. When I initially decided on that word, I had only a few definite goals in mind for how I wanted to implement it. One of the main goals was to approach one of the artist galleries in my area to see about getting a space. And, I had one particular place in mind - Hello Gallery. Within weeks of setting that goal, I saw a post from the gallery that they were accepting new artists. So, I gathered all the bravery I could muster and sent in an application. Then, I met with the owner. She liked my stuff! So, I set to work getting things ready and moved into my space at the beginning of March, exactly a month ago!

I submitted both my jewelry and mixed media art pieces, and both were approved for the gallery. How awesome is that?

I spent several weeks creating shelves for my jewelry displays and shelf-sitting art, making new jewelry displays, and adding the finishing touches to some of the art pieces (hangers, frames, etc.) before moving into the space. 

I have to admit that my husband was a rockstar with all of this as he did the woodworking for me and cheered me on like I was a star quarterback. 

As well, having stock of art from last year's 100 Day Project (#Assemblage100) in addition to the mini assemblage pieces I'm creating this year (#MiniAssemblage100) has really helped fill the space.

I was also very fortunate to move in on the First Friday of the month, as Fairhope has a "First Friday Art Walk" each month that encourages local businesses to stay open a few extra hours for patrons to walk the streets, explore the shops, and support the art community. In addition, the yearly Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival took place downtown last month. It was nice to be in the space in time for both of these big events.

Since I've been in the space for a month now, the owner has moved almost all of my jewelry to a table at the front with some of the other jewelry artists. And, my space now mostly consists of my art pieces. Here's what it currently looks like.

I'm super excited about this opportunity and pretty proud of myself for sticking to my guns and being brave enough to take this plunge. If you happen to be in the Fairhope area (South Alabama), I encourage you to check out Hello Gallery at 18 South Section Street. In addition to my space, there are dozens of other talented local artists. AND, this Friday is Art Walk night!!

So, that's the majority of what's kept me busy the last few months. Now that I'm all set up in the Gallery, things may even out for me. But, that's just wishful thinking. There's always more to do! 

Now I want to know - what have you been busy with lately?

Art Journal Videos from November

December is ALREADY getting the better of me. I've received a jury duty summons for next week and am desperately trying to get as much done before I have to fulfill that requirement. Jury duty is such a tricky thing because you just don't know what days or how long they will need you. So, I'm doing my best to prepare for being away. Mostly, I'm tackling some videos and Christmas shopping. And, I've let the blog get away from me. Drat! Here's a quick roundup of the art journaling and mixed media videos that you might have missed.

First, let me share the cards and projects for #CraftyHopePrompts, then anything else.

Week 5 Card: Stencil, Alcohol Ink, Crayon

Week 5 Project: Fairy Princess Shadowbox

Week 6 Card: Vintage, StazOn, Watercolor Marker

Week 6: Tags

Week 7: Black pen, Texture stamp, Two or more stencils

Project 7: Altered Coffee Can

Card 8: Baby wipe, Stabilo all-pencil, White paint

Project 8: Junk Journal Page

Card 9: Washi, Eco-dye Fabric, Fairy

Project 9: Handmade Junk Journal

As for what else was created this past month, I also participated in the Mixed Media Menagerie for November.

Art Journal Spread for MMMNov22

I also made an assemblage piece for the #4Core challenge.

Assemblage Art | Kitchen Timer to Cherub Decor

The Week 10 Card for CraftyHopePrompts is also up for your inspiration. If you have any questions about any of these, please don't hesitate to pipe up and ask!

Mixed Media Videos in September

I tend to share most of my jewelry endeavors here, but not always the art journaling/mixed media pursuits. So, once a month, I like to pop on and give you a roundup of some of the videos I've added on YouTube over the previous month that you may have missed. Before I share those, I ought to mention that I've started my own Mixed Media Challenge that I'm calling #CraftyHopePrompts because it centers around making prompt cards and using those prompts. You can find a bit better explanation in my Week 1 Mixed Media Prompt Card video. Let's get to what you may have missed in September. 

Day 12 - TUAC5MinChallenge  - Junk Journal Page

Day 14 - TUAC5MinChallenge - Junk Journal Page

Assemblage Art - Mermaid Treasures - #The100DayProject

Art Journal Spread#MMMSep22 - Mixed Media Menagerie - Tags, Leaves, Masking Tape

Junk Journal Page - Aren't You Happy - Mixed Media Art

Assemblage Art - Eye See You - #4Core Challenge

That was everything that was related to mixed media art last month. Clicking on the pictures or captions should take you to the video. My new challenge should have me sharing more videos in the future. Which of these catches your eye the most?

More Assemblage from #The100DayProject

I am beyond tickled that I chose to do assemblage art for my 100 Day Project this year. Each day, I worked on something (small or large) toward an assemblage piece. And, even with the project now over, I'm slowly getting videos of many of them up on YouTube to share how they came together. As well, I don't plan on giving up the art either. I've found that I really enjoy pulling all of the treasures I've gathered and saved and hoarded into complete artworks. Two months ago, I shared the first of the videos I had up on YouTube of these assemblages. It's well past time that I make sure you see the rest of the ones that are available to watch now. 

Found Object Fairies

Mushroom Dwelling

Lucky Duck Pendant

Bubble Boy

Spool Case

Hexagon Button Box

Relic

Alphabet Soup

Wow, that was more of them than I thought. You should be able to click the pictures and/or captions to go to the videos. 

Which is your favorite?

Make sure to follow the CraftyHope YouTube Channel.

Assemblage Art on YouTube

I believe I have mentioned before that I'm doing assemblage art as part of The 100 Day Project. You can follow #Assemblage100 on Instagram to get daily updates on my progress. But, I'm also posting many of the completed projects as process videos on YouTube. In case you've missed any of that, here's what I've shared so far.

Assemblage Art - All Ears

Mixed Media Altered Paintbrush

Vintage Flower Brooch Assemblage Art

Those are the just ones I shared in March. There are already another couple of assemblage videos on the CraftyHope YouTube Channel this month if you can't get enough!

You Can't Keep a Crafter Down (How I've kept busy)

It's probably about time for a bit of an update. After two surgeries on my ankle, I'm on the mend now. However, I'm still sitting in bed with my leg up most of the time. As such, my view doesn't really change except for how I occupy myself. As such, I thought it might be helpful or interesting to share exactly how I've kept myself busy. 

One of the first things I dove into was my Bead Box. Since most everything was gathered, I just needed some wire, pliers, and a bead mat.

I think I mentioned it in the linked post, but I FLEW through that box in just a couple of days.

From there, Pat helped me gather some art journaling supplies in a small basket.

I played around with watercolors and got carried away with painting flowers.

Oh, and The Ugly Art Club had their five-minute challenge at the end of December, and that gave me something to do for five minutes each of those days!

I've been doodling like a madwoman, filling page upon page of a notebook with faces.

And, there have been neurographic doodles.

I even created a mark-making catalog to document different types of doodles.

While doing many of these tasks, I've watched SO MANY VIDEOS. Throughout most of December, I was obsessed with Vlogmas videos. If you don't know, vlogs are basically video blogs and Vlogmas is daily vlogs that run from December 1st through about Christmas. I watched so many that now I'm actually considering starting to vlog when I'm back on my feet. What do you think of that? 

Once Vlogmas ended, I began exploring all my subscriptions and re-discovered that Michael's craft stores have online Zoom classes. I began with a bead weaving class. 

(I actually can't remember if I took this class or just watched the replay on YouTube. Either way, it was great!)

I've been enjoying learning to crochet.

I actually tried to learn to knit at the beginning of this whole ordeal but was learning from a book. Though the motions felt right, my results looked wonky. I'll try knitting again in February with one of these online classes. 

And, I've made adjustable bracelets. 

I've also taken part in a few of Michael's business-related classes. For the most part, they put the classes up on their YouTube Channel within 24-48 hours of the class airing. (The exception is their premium classes.) I've saved a whole list of older classes from them that I want to watch. 

I've also been enjoying the Halcraft Collection videos from Denise Yezbak Moore. I made the below earrings inspired by her Wandering Sky Earring tutorial. 

Some of my own jewelry designs have even been made. I happened to have a tray of pendants and prepped tin pieces stashed in the craft room that have sparked a few jewelry pieces. And, I'm now able to get in the craft room for a few minutes at a time to dig through the bead cabinet if I absolutely need to.

Last week, Pat set up a folding table in our empty guest room (our niece moved out around Christmas) so that I could craft and record while seated in a wheelchair for short stints. My regular craft room is too cramped and the desk there is a tall one - not conducive to my current situation. So, this works a bit better right now.

One of the first things I did in the temporary space was to create a Stamped Shrink Plastic Charm tutorial. 

And, I've found that the new space is okay for taking pictures of all the jewelry I've made over the past month and a half. Now I've begun editing those pictures. 

Oh, and there have been loads of kitten snuggles. 

Artemis LOVES that I'm in the bed most of the time so she can come to steal my warmth whenever she wants. In fact, she's dozing in my lap as I write this.

And, that about sums up my last two months.

What have YOU been up to?