Press: Otthon Magazine

I was very excited to see my Christmas cards in the December issue of Otthon magazine.

Check it out!

Also, don't forget tomorrow is the last day of my Etsy sale! I am giving a 15% off everything in my store! Just type in the code "holidaycheer15" at checkout and the discount will be taken off your items! Click here to shop!

ETSY SALE!

ETSY SALE!

I am giving a 15% off everything in my store!

Just type in the code "holidaycheer15" at checkout and the discount will be taken off your items! Click here to shop!

Sale ends December 1, 2010!

tired eyes

Good News! It was my tired eyes! I went to my studio today and the colors still looked light but when I put the second coat on the background it made everything look darker. The one on the right was the one of concern. The circle pattern at the top looks different but when it is finished it will look like the other two.

Now onto setting the dyes...a long and important piece of the process. One thing about silk painting is that how the painting looks when you are finished painting is not always how it looks when the dyes are set. Colors can lighten or bleed into other colors. I always get a bit nervous the first time I submerge the silk into the water.

Before any liquid comes near the silk, I will wrap the pieces in newsprint paper and put them in a back plastic bag (undisturbed for 72 hours). Then I steam them on the stove, wash them in a special chemical and then wash them in a mild detergent. Then carefully keep an eye on them as they air dry.

I promised to deliver on Thanksgiving. Pictures to follow after they are in their new home.

honest mistakes happen in the pursuit of perfection

The above quote popped into my head last night as I was leaving my studio.

I was diligently working last night on the third wall hanging for the trip tic. I was a bit shocked when I noticed that the colors did not dry the same as the other two pieces! It was dark when I took one last look and the lighting was not so great in the flat...keep your fingers crossed it was tired eyes and that it will all look fine when I see them in the morning.

Here is a picture of the middle piece and the third drawing. You can see how the design passes from one piece t the next.

On a happier note, I headed to Vac on Monday with a group of friends. We went to visit a company dealing in antiques. There were two warehouses full of old furniture, iron gates and all sorts of odds and ends! I fell in love with two things that I just had to have...

These two beauties are Zsolnay from 1910-1930! They look so modern!

I am curious to see other pieces by Zsolnay in this same style. I haven't been able to find anything on the internet that comes close to this style or color.

This was their home in the warehouse...

...their new home in our flat:)

This piece is from around 1900 and the green is why I thought this was so special. The green is close to being a lime green. I have seen so many pots like this in Hungary but none with such a bright green color.

It is thirsting for some flowers.

I will let you know how the wall hanging looks....fingers crossed...

notebooks and cottages

I recently finished up another project for Catherine's Cottages...notebooks & cards.

And I love this! The logo I designed for Catherine on her new truck!

Mark your calender!

Did you hear? I updated my Etsy shop! New banner & new products! Lots of new products that ship within the USA!

...And if your in Budapest no worries! I will be selling at many local shows! So far here is the lineup. So mark your calenders and come say hello!

November 19 10:00-12:00

North American Women's Association General Meeting

November 26 10:00-12:00

British Women's Association General Meeting

November 26 8:30 - 16:00

AISB Holiday Bazaar

*I will be sharing a table with Shannon McNutt of Once Upon A a Tutu.

There are two more events I am waiting for confirmation from. I will keep you updated!

Oh yeah, and some new products for my Budapest crowd! (they can also be found on Etsy!)

On a side note, I am starting to look at flights to NYC for Printsource! I am getting so excited! I love NY - the energy, the people, the bagels & creamcheese:)

Antoinette's Garden: painting started!

I spent all day in my studio yesterday working on the Antoinette's garden. It felt good to have a whole day to focus on this project. Two of the three pieces have the outlines finished and the backgrounds partly painted. It feels good to have finished so much yesterday. Tomorrow I head back for a full day of finishing these two pieces and starting the third one.

I need to vent....I have hit one bump in the road with the project...and it is the biggest frustration I have with Budapest. I went to the two art stores I know of that sell stretcher frames. The larger of the two said they will no longer sell the individual frames and of course they didn't have the size I needed. So, I went to the other store...closed. Empty, no sign, just closed. This is so common here and it frustrates me to no end. I can note tell you how many times a shop opens up and within the year vanishes.

These were the only two stores I know if that sell the frames. It saddens me because all the art stores are being replaced with "hobby" stores. So, I may end up going to Vienna to buy my frames...now how ridiculous is that when I live in a city known for its arts!

If you know of any art stores in Budapest that sell actual stretcher frames please leave me a comment. I could use some help and insider advice on this one.