Great New Exhibit!

David Beale
Watercolor Observations

David Beale has been painting watercolors
of the Finger Lakes region for 15 years.
David derives his inspiration for many of
his paintings from observing the abundant
wildlife and many moods of McCloy Pond
located six miles west of Cortland where
the Beales live in their cottage.
David also owns The Picture House in Cortland,
teaches watercolor classes in the area, and is
Executive Director of the Cultural Council of
Cortland County.

Opening Reception
Friday October 17, 2008
6:30-9:00 pm
Thou Art Gallery
111 Church St.
Groton, NY
607-898-5706
thouart-gallery.com

Refreshments and local wine will be served.

Dandy Dreidels!

It is that time of year again- people are asking for dreidels and tops! I have started my "mass production" of these Finger turn toys. I assemble the tops and dreidels from wooden findings- cubes, wheels, knobs, balls, and mini shaker pegs. They are drilled, painted and put together. All are tested to spin properly- I hate a top that doesn't spin! It is a lot of work for a little do-dad! That is why I refer to them as "heirloom toys".

Porch Update:
It is official- the house looks really BAD! It is hard to believe this destruction only took one day- and we payed to do this! It will be bringing down area property values for a couple of days, can't do much in the rain. This will give the neighbors something to talk about! The good news is it can't look any worse!

Finally!

My front lawn is being dug up today! We are finally starting our front porch renovations! This project was supposed to start in June- I hope it is finished by Halloween! We have a beautiful row of mature shrubs in front of our porch now that need to come out. They are the reason the porch is rotting out from under us! Since we have to pull them out anyway, we have decided to put things back the way they were originally, with a center entrance leading to the front door. At some point the steps were moved to the side, near the driveway. This has never looked right to me. My house is a classic 1920 Arts and Crafts bungalow, and this is really going to help our curb appeal! The other thing is our bedroom is right above the porch and I don't want to wake up down the street one morning! As always, I'm looking forward to the finish.

Nancy's nice knobs!

My husband (and several others) have told me they think I should have a web site featuring only my drawer pulls- calling it "Nancy's nice knobs". My mother DOES NOT agree! Knobs are a big part of my business, here are 3, part of an order of 8- still in progress. I have an order of 18 I am also working on. I tend to work on a lot of pieces at once. I usually have about 4-6 items in various stages of completion on the work table at the same time.

Some other popular items are soap pumps, oil bottles, and picnic salt & peps. 3 out of 4 of these items have sold. I still have the smaller oil bottle left. I better get going, there is SO much out there to paint!

Great Day at the Market!

It was perfect fall weather at the Market, not too cold, not too hot- just right! The veggies are colorful and the late summer flowers are are beautiful. I wanted to buy myself a bunch of sunflowers, but, I have a cat that eats any plant I bring into the house-then she throws-up, so the beauty of fresh flowers is short lived at my place.

I also brought my own color to the Market, and I had a great day!

The Sharp Edges...

Something else I sell quite a lot of is beach glass jewelry. I grew up on Owasco Lake (a little finger) and I have a nasty beach glass habit. I can see a little piece of glass from a mile away! I have been collecting the little colorful bits since I was a young child- I have jars of it! One day I decided I needed to do something with all these smooth shards of historic glass, so I started painting it and making my pieces of treasure into earrings and necklaces.

My Grandfather used to tell me: "People are like pieces of beach glass, the sharp edges wear away with time".

Full Speed Ahead!

Good news yesterday- my biopsy was negative! I am full of relief and gratitude! As well as yummy peanut butter cookies! Wilson said they were really good, and he is my official taste tester!

I finished the champaign flutes- they look GREAT, but I still want to add some yellow! The sister of the Bride will be picking these up at the Farmers' Market this Sunday.
Speaking of the Market, I have taken a few Sundays off- trying to get caught up on orders. I am looking forward to being there this week. I really love doing the Market, it is a HUGE part of my social life!
I am feeling good and ready to start my day! There are knobs to paint!

The Next Show!

Coming in October, I am very excited to have David Beale showing his watercolors. David is a fabulous painter from Cortland. The opening reception will be Friday October 17th.
Keep a watch out for more on David and his work.

Fun Stuff...

Annie Zig is a pretty new Artist at the gallery. Her work is amazing- sculptural figures in shadow boxes. These wonderful little people will bring character and conversation to any wall in need of jazzing up. Annie will be part of my Holiday show- November and December. She will also be showing ornaments, cards, and jewelry.

Bouncing Back!

Animals have such a fabulous way of making you feel better! This is my beautiful "huskador" Salvador Doggie. He is a great companion when things aren't going the way I would like. I love the way he can take my mind off of "other stuff". Thanks to Sal, I was able to get a bit of work done yesterday.
The Champaign flutes are coming along nicely- although the colors are are not what I would have picked. These are a custom order and I was told what colors to use. I keep thinking they are screaming out for yellow! I am sure the bride & groom that will be toasting with these will be very happy.

I have been MIA...

I have taken a bit of a break the last week. Don was away, and my computer was with him, so I didn't do much checking in.
I have been very stressed-out with dealing with my business, getting orders done and the general mommy stuff. Also I have a health issue that has been weighing on me. Today I am going to the Doctor for a biopsy. They are 70% sure it is nothing, but the other 30% is a bit of a worry. Not to mention the thought of a big needle SUCKS! Anyway, I'm trying to stay positive.
Now, back to those Champaign flutes that need to be picked up this week!

A New Day...

Well, Today is a new day, and who knows maybe a bus will pull up to the Gallery and 60 rich tourists will come in and do some shopping! I am usually very optimistic, but I guess my weekend got to me the last couple of days. I know I will be busy with relatives excited to see the space- my Mom's family- Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins from Rochester. I don't know how much shopping they will do, but I'm sure they will put a dent in the free cookies and coffee! It will also be nice for people just to see the place I have worked so hard on.

I am also looking forward to a trip to the Dentist this afternoon. I really HATE going to the Dentist! Wilson has an appointment too so I have to pretend it is "fun" to go to the Dentist- you get a special toothbrush and a little prize! I can hardly wait!

Feeling a bit sad...

I have been feeling a bit sad the last couple of days. I spent SO MUCH time getting ready for the show I did on Saturday, my display looked fabulous. Then I sat there, for 4 hours! The Aurora Inn did a beautiful job with hosting the event, there just wasn't much of a turnout, and the few people that came weren't spending any money. It was a bit of a let down for me.
I have been neglecting my special orders and I have a ton of stuff I need to get done for people, so, today I work!
I guess I am also a little down because my husband has gone to Ohio for the week- some "nerd" conference for Cornell. I would not make a good single parent! Wilson is really testing things these days.
I'll get over it!

Packing up!

I am very busy figuring out how to have an incredible representation of the Gallery for the Aurora Inn event. I want to feature as many artists as I can, in a very limited amount of space. I also need to fit everything in my wee car (Scion "toaster"). I also want to take things that sell, and will attract people to actually come to the Gallery! There is SO MUCH work I really like, but I can't take everything. Jewelry and art cards have already been put aside- quick sellers. Pottery and wood, prints, and a few framed pieces. WOW, I need to get organized- The 175th Anniversary
of the Aurora Inn is tomorrow from 1:00- 5:00. With a Harvest Dinner after. Here are details for anyone who might be interested:
http://www.aurora-inn.com/events_calendar.html

Quiet...

The Gallery will be SO QUIET today! My first day without my assistant Wilson! Nobody tossing balloons, and running around saying "Mommy, I'm hungry!", "Can I have a Tootsie Pop?" "Mommy!" Maybe I will get some work done!

It's all about the first day!

The first day is finally here! Wilson is SO EXCITED to start 2nd grade! He can hardly stand still while waiting for the bus. It is a big day in our household!

In The Works

The way I work, is: I do several pieces at the same time. Here is what I have been doing this week. None of these items are finished yet- they will be by Saturday when I will be participating in the 175th Anniversary Celebration of the Aurora Inn.


More switch plates- I can never have enough switch plates!