New Discoveries

Stuff, a fabulous store in Brookside, Missouri, is crammed full of wondrous original works of art by local, national and international artists. They're clearing out the old to make room for the new and I'm excited about doing a complete refresh on my inventory. I'll start out with some Valentine hearts.

I got the great figurine yesterday at Westport on Broadway Antiques for less than a buck.

And another twist on the same phrase. My Etsy friend, Becky, from Wisconsin sent me the pink plastic dancers awhile ago. Look closely, there are two in the plaque below. These will go to Stuff tomorrow and I've glued another heart I'll grout tomorrow. Although exciting, it will be a challenge to build my inventory - so many projects, so little time.

And a big thanks to my fabulous husband, Jason Aaron, comic book creator extraordinaire, and keeper of many things, including my ipod. Although there's nothing wrong with my old favorites like The Smiths and the Cocteau Twins, if I was ever going to move past Billy Bragg and out of 1986, I needed some help. My new favorite bands are The Do (pronounced doe), and The XX. Jason checked out some "best of" lists and took cues from Robert Moore of Sonic Spectrum to purchase new music that is left of the dial, just like me. Thanks, babe.

All about Mosaics

When I was demonstrating mosaics on the sidewalk outside of Stuff for the Brookside Art Fair, we had a lot of customers ask about mosaic classes. It didn't take long for Casey and Sloane to get some rolling and we've had a great response. Marge (above) and her daughter, Kate (below), were my first pupils.

I enjoyed these girls so much!! Marge and I had a great time talking about home decor because she also loves all things French Country. Katie was just a doll and look how talented they both are!! Their pieces are so different from one another and so unique and fun in their own ways. It's awesome to see someone make something and say, "I did that!!!"

The classes are structured so you can come to glue or grout at a couple of them so while Marge and Kate were grouting, some gals from work came to glue. Here are Alison and Jill digging through treasures deciding how to construct their pieces.

Here's Marge hard at work grouting. She chose a lot of intricate jewelry to include so this was a challenge to grout on your first time out, but she made something fantastic!

Here's Erin digging for treasure. She found some great stuff and has such an eye for putting it altogether. I can't wait to see her piece once it's grouted!

And another shot of everyone hard at work. There are two more classes, one at 6:00 this Tuesday, June 9 and another next Sunday, June 13 at 10:30. It's not too late to sign up! Just call the girls from Stuff at 816-361-8222 and they can take your order over the phone. Hope to see you there!!

The Big Event

Yesterday was my promotional Valentine's Day event at Stuff. I'd like to thank the owners, Casey and Sloane Simmons, for the opportunity. They are pros and got the word out with radio ads on NPR (which attracted some sexy, smart men to the store, of course!), and a huge email campaign.


Here's me sitting at my table. This is actually the only time all day that I actually sat down. I needed to be standing so I could talk it up. This store has been in existence for 12 years and it's a one-of-a-kind for Kansas City. They feature the work of about 65 local artists, aroud the same number of national artists, and a handful of international artists. If you're looking to give art as a gift, or to spoil yourself, this is the place to do it.

You could be in this store for days and not see everything in it. It is jam packed with wonderful Stuff. Here's my Valentine chalkboard.

Here's a grouping of my things.

Some chalk boards.

A corkboard.

More corkboards.

This flying pig made of recycled metal is great. The fabulous little people hanging in the background made of old tins are by local KC artist Ninette Maumus.

The great shirts are by Amuck.

More great work by Ninette Maumus. We obviously share a love for wonderful, tiny, old objects.

Great ceramic sculptures.

More great ceramics.

Still more ceramics that incorporate fused glass. These are just great.

I'd like to thank all of my friends and family who made it out yesterday to show their support. I felt like a celebrity; there were so many of you!!! Also, thanks to all the wonderful customers of Stuff. I talked with so many fun people yesterday and I hope I even inspired a few to get started on that mosaic project they've been contemplating. I told them to stop thinking about it and just do it!!!!!!!!!! Please look for me at Stuff again on May 1, 2, and 3 for the Brookside Art Fair. I'll be on the sidewalk in front of Stuff doing mosaics as one of their "artists in action". Now off to the basement I go to knock out some of the custom heart orders I received yesterday!!!

Don't Go Breakin' My Heart

Before heading to St. Joe yesterday to shop, Dawn and I stopped to take some pics of the window at Stuff in Brookside.

I'm super excited about the fact that the window is devoted to the promotional event I'm doing on the 31st. Here's the sign letting customers know that they can order their custom hearts today!

Meet the artist January 31st!! That's ME!!!

Some hearts in the window.

I dropped off more hearts today. Let's just say I got the post-apocalyptic look I was going for here and leave it at that.

A closer shot of "Our love will never die."

I think every girl should have a crustacean on at least one switch plate in her house, don't you?

Sorry these got out of order, but here's another shot of the window at Stuff.

Just one more!

Here's one of the big hearts I dropped off this weekend. This one is 12" long.

I had this Victorian figurine for a really long time and I was excited about using it in this piece.

Here's another 12" heart that says "swim in my ocean" and features some koi fish.

The combination of red, pink, and orange was dictated by the koi fish I used. I may do another one eventually with the fish and a blue background.

I snuck in another little magnet this weekend. I think the next thing I'll work on are some picture frames. Off I go to the basement!