Can't Wait

As it draws closer to the end of this month I grow more excited to show the results of this more than month long contest to make a shawl pin/clamp. The results so far are fantastic. The artists have put this blogger to shame. What creativity!!!

 I have decided to have 3 of my artist friends do the judging as "blind judges," and to pull myself out of that role. I will just be the one to give away the prize.  If that sounds like a "cop out", I am doing it because I have blogged with some of the artists far longer than others and I don't want any feelings to get in the way. My friends will never know anything about anyone, just see the pin. Remember the criterion are creativity and wear-ability.

I have heard from many of the contestants that they have had a lot of fun with this. I have had a blast.

Love and hugs to all, and get those pictures in, right up to the last minute.
Many, many hugs, Cameron

Great Fair and New Friends

Picture by Reathel Geary

I had so much fun at the Salem Art Fair, met wonderful people and sold several of my garments. I have no real comparison for whether or not I did "well" monetarily, but I am happy with the results. I learned a lot about what I would do the same to set up my tent space and what I would change, because we are going to do this again at several stops in Oregon.

Picture by Reathel Geary

Picture by Reathel Geary

My fellow emerging artist was next door, a photographer named Reathel Geary. He took many of the photos that I will show you here on my blog. The one in the left upper corner is his, and he got this result using his iPhone. The next two are also great shots of women in my garments, one the artist on the other side of me, the curly headed one, my niece. I think that Reathel is going to make a name for himself in the world of photography, as you can see. Marcia, on the left is a painter. I now have one of her paintings, what a beauty.

Good ol' Oregon. On Sunday it started raining seriously and my tent started dripping. Even the more expensive tents were having a few issues. Instead of that open, inviting look that you want to draw people in, everything was crammed into the tent to keep in out of the rain. Then the drips got it, I mean the rain drips, there were no people drips. I didn't need to worry about having enough room as there weren't any people around anyway. This picture shows how my tent looked for most of the morning.

A woman came in with her friend and her silly brother. The brother tried on one of my capes and said that I could take his picture for my blog. As you can see he was very dramatic. I think that he is destined for Hollywood. His sister came back 3 more time and on the fourth time purchased a jackety-shawl.

Also on the last day a woman came in who turned out to be a fellow felter. We started talking and she showed me some of the great characters that she creates out of felt and other media. Her name is Claudia Knous and she can be found on a site called wildwomenartists.com. She also makes scarves that are wonderful. As we talked I found out that she had just ridden in a bicycle race that my sister in law usually rides in, and yes out of all the people who ride in the race, she knew my sister in law and my brother. She had given my sister in law, Paula, a scarf tthat  Paula had then given to me. This was the scarf that had gotten me started felting, and this was the woman who had made that scarf.dhamatic. R

How likely was it that this woman would come from a bicycle race in Portland, 45 miles away, on a rainy Sunday and visit my tent. She lives in Nevada. I can only think that "God, the universe, fate, etc." whatever you believe, has plans for all of us. I was thrilled to meet her, my inspiration, and I want to stay in touch.e

Enough for now about the fair.

I have 2 contest entries so far. I won't post anything until the end of the month. I hope that all is going well, let me know.

Thanks for all of your support. Love and hugs, Cameron

Art Fair a Few Days Away

More Tips and More Lace

I did it again, I went on line to an auction and bid on a lot of vintage lace and got it. This whole box that you see is full of vintage hand made white, off white and ecru lace trims of all widths. It is amazing. I can just picture the women who worked on these beauties. I have also taken a picture of an antique show advertisement where someone once sold some of them. 

And now for a little contest information. I have sent off all of the pin/clamps but one. That will go out tomorrow. The ones to Europe should be arriving soon if not already. Please let me know.

I made a few smaller pins today and took a picture of the whole lot. I used a new glue which seemed to work pretty well, but I haven't tried to pull the jewelry off of the pin so who knows. The glue is Loctite Super Glue.


A friend told me about another glue called E 6000 which is supposed to be very good. The problem is that it smells awful, so if you use it, use it outside or in a well ventilated garage.

                                                 

Patty, I couldn't find the glue that you recommended but I'll keep looking. That's it for now, stay in touch.

Hugs, Cameron