chicago arts district: 40th annual pilsen east artists’ open house

i don’t consider myself an artist at all, but i have been very fortunate to be invited to participate in the chicago arts district 40th annual pilsen east artists’ open house {thank you dubhe of the dubhe carreno gallery!}
The longest-running event of its kind, the Pilsen East Artist’s Open has become an integral part of Chicago’s cultural history. It was founded in 1970 by Mrs. Annelies Podmajersky and a handful of artists to help connect their art with the public.

This event is a self-guided walking tour of the intimate world of the working artist. The neighborhood of creatives welcomes you to experience art at its source as you visit their home, studio, theater, dance space, gallery. More than 50 artists will participate and be on hand to discuss their work and share their creative process, don’t miss this unique perspective.    

{excerpts from Chicago Arts District website www.chicagoartsdistrict.org and the open house’s program}
neat, huh? but what’s even neater {is that a word?} is that i will be exhibiting with a group of other creatives under the name “Artists for Education” where part of our proceeds will benefit KIPP Schools.
haven’t heard of KIPP Schools?
KIPP, the Knowledge is Power Program, is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools with a track record of preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life. There are currently 99 KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia serving more than 26,000 students.

Every day, KIPP students across the nation are proving that demographics do not define destiny. Over 80 percent of our students are from low-income families… Nationally, more than 90 percent of KIPP middle school students have gone on to college-preparatory high schools, and over 85 percent of alumni have gone on to college. 

{excerpts from KIPP’s website www.kipp.org}
if you’re local and in town, then come out and support!  come visit our spot {artists for education: benefiting KIPP schools, location #22} and purchase something for you and a loved one… it’s for a good cause!  while you’re there, peruse the streets and take a peak into the workspace of both established and emerging artists.  hope to see you there!
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workday wednesdays: when it rains, it pours

my little online shop has only been open for 2 weeks and 1 day and i’ve been busier then ever!  this past thursday i sent out my first batch of packages… it was thrilling!  with filling etsy orders, invitation quotes, upcoming wedding suite deadlines, an art fair, and multiple side projects, i never, in my wildest dreams thought i would be this busy {busy for me that is, because i’m sure what i consider busy isn’t busy compared to the big wigs on etsy}.  i’ve been busy, but it’s been fun!!  when it rains, it pours… and currently i am experiencing heavy torrential rain and flash flooding!

visit the online shoppe often as new items are still being added!  thanks to all those that have taken a peak at the shoppe and if you’re a customer and you’ve purchased something… a big thanks to you!!!
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OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

hello & happy friday!!  i wasn’t going to post about it since i’m not fully finished loading products, but i’m too ecstatic to contain myself!  i’m so excited that my online esty shop is FINALLY open!  {did you notice the new etsy widget over on the right side bar, so cool huh?!}

sadly, it took me FOREVER to open shop… my etsy shop states that i was open since july of 2009… but it wasn’t until 3 days ago that i finally officially opened.  i haven’t finished posting all of the goods, but already i feel so welcomed by the etsy community.

so maybe you’re reading this blog post only because you’re a good friend of mine that i’ve “forced” to become my facebook fan or blog follower… and i keep referring to this “etsy” word and you have no idea what etsy is?  well, ok then.. let’s back up… here’s a blurb from etsy’s website:

Our mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers.  Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: BUY, SELL AND LIVE HANDMADE.

The Etsy community spans the globe with buyers and sellers coming from more than 150 countries.  Etsy sellers number in the hundreds of thousands.

still don’t understand?  plain and simple, etsy is an online community and marketplace to buy and sell handmade goods.  anything from clothes, paper goods, furniture, food and everything {literally everything in between}.  vintage goods and craft and art supplies can also be sold on etsy.

i’ve only been open for three days and i’ve already had a few sales, have been included in people’s “treasuries” {etsy member curated galleries} and have been blogged about!  ok, so maybe that’s not a big deal to you, my reader, but it is to me… how exciting!

above is a screenshot of the blog that posted my “thanks” cards.  the seller has a shop on etsy called Get Ready Set Go – Upcycled Vintage Luggage for the Unique and the Geek.    she sells really cool vintage luggage.. go visit her etsy shop!  
i’m still learning the etsy ropes and all the online selling lingo, but for now, i’m lovin’ etsy and the handmade community!  have a fantabulous weekend!
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press in motion

happy september!  i cannot believe how quickly time is flying.  i am rapidly approaching my goal date to open up shop.. stay tuned {fingers crossed very tightly}!

if you’ve never seen a press in motion… here is a great video from etsy featuring lucky duck press…

{video from etsy’s blog – the storque}

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