Dripping Springs Artist Tour

One of the really wonderful things about living in a city like Austin is the amount of artists who find their way here to create. Some of us end up a little further away from downtown than others but we are all part of the same wonderful collective. Each artist has their own space to create. This can be a little spot at the end of the kitchen table, or a fully fledged studio that is dedicated to their craft. In my opinion to be invited into this space is a real honor. To have the chance to see the handmade tool that might not look like much on the work bench, but in their hands it becomes this invaluable custom made doohickey. Something that no one has ever needed or thought of before, but that they could not construct their work without. This Saturday May 15th you will have that rare opportunity in Dripping Springs, Texas from 10:00-6:00. There will be 5 destinations, 4 art studios and 1 art show. The art studios are Sunset Canyon Pottery, Solstice Gardens, Wesley Gallery, and Carved Stone they are all on or near 290, and you can find a map of the tour. The show will be In the cul-de-sac at Roger Hanks Park and will feature over 50 artists displaying their handmade goods. I am excited to be in such talented company. There will be exhibits at the studios, and it should be an amazing day.

First Thursday on South Congress

First Thursday is one of those wonderful little things about Austin. The small business owners on that street have banded together to have a relaxed and fun evening for all their patrons. They all stay open late and offer music, and chance to meet and get to know your local entrepreneurs. My favorite part is that on this evening little tent villages pop up all along the street. They are filled with local artists who join the festivities to show their wares. I am lucky enough to share in all the fun this go 'round. About a dozen of us from the Etsy Austin team will be out at 1300 South Congress, next to Hey Cupcake, for the very first time. Now I may be biased but you really should come out from 4- dark. The Etsy Austin team has some of the most ambitious, and exciting artists and crafters around. You are sure to find something to tickle your fancy when we show up. I hope to see you out.

3rd Annual Springfest

This will be my fist time at the Springfest and I am really excited. It is at the Hill Country Galleria Mall, on April 24th from 11 am - 9 pm. There will be activities for kids including bounce houses, a dunk tank, face painting, a Velcro wall, and jousting. There will also be live music from great local acts like Two Tons of Steel, Dale Watson, and the Derailers. I think my favorite part will end up being the chili cook off, and the bloody mary contest. Admission is free, and there will be enough going on for a whole day of fun. I am working on a new design for stainless steel vases that I am hopping to premier, and I will have all of my other work as well. It looks like spectacular weather and loads of fun. Stop by and find your mother something amazing for her special day.

E.A.S.T. 2009

This was a great weekend, even with the chilly weather on Saturday. Etsy Austin put their best face forward for E.A.S.T. 2009. We had members set up all around, but I was at Smith road Studios as a guest of Faith Schexnayder, of Flat Fork Studio. Faith is one of those artists who does just about everything. She paints, she does mosaics, and she makes the most amazing sculptures of foam. They are so good one little boy asked his dad if a two foot tall lemon slice was real. The show was a lot of fun. It is always a pleasure to spend the day with some crafty ladies, talking about what we do and why. At the building there are several other artists who have space, including a glass blower that would allow you to make your own piece with them. This should certainly be a stop on your route next year. I hope if you were able to get out you had a great experience, and if you were unable there is always next year.

Wheatsville Art Festival

Joy of all joys I have been accepted into the Wheatsville Art Festival. This is so exciting for me. I have been doing smaller shows, and very happy to be able to do them, but the Wheatsville is a highly attended long running show. I am honored to be chosen out of the many applications they receive each year. I am also honored to be setting up shop in the main parking lot near the store. The show will be bigger than ever, and will reach to other parking lots, and stretch out to the Spider house. It will be a true event. On December 5 and 6 you should put on your walking shoes, and come on out to see all of the beautiful art. The show will from 10-5, and it should be a great deal of fun. The Wheatsville Food Co-op, if you are not familiar, is a staple here in Austin. Being on Guadalupe it has been one of the few good choices for students at UT for 33 years now. I can not wait until the show, but I have so much to do. I wonder if Santa can spare an Elf or two.

http://wheatsville.coop/

Austin Children’s Academy Green Art Show

I am looking forward to my next show this Sunday, May 17th. It is at the Austin Children's Academy campus, 12310 Ranch Road 620 N.Austin, TX 78750, from 11-5. It is a green theme. I am not sure that all of my work is green minded, but stainless steel is all at least 65 % recycled, and it is fully recyclable later on, if you don't want it anymore. There will be some make and take art for the kids, which I think is always fun to watch. Kids take crafts so seriously, It's awesome. I have a couple of new items I am trotting out for the first time, clocks, and picture holders. Many of my new designs seem to be things that can sit on a desk. I guess ti make sense that is where I am most of the time. It is always a little nerve racking showing off a new design. You want people to like the work. I hope if you have time you can make it out. If not, well to heck with you.

For a map to the show click here http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=12310+Ranch+Road+620+N+austin+tx&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.352165,53.173828&ie=UTF8&ll=30.467096,-97.813897&spn=0.01683,0.025964&z=15

I love Austin, I really do. I love the food, I love the open green spaces, and I really love the people. This last Saturday was my first time to show at the Austin Handmade Market. It was a little chilly, a little rainy, and there was a rooster crowing within earshot all day long, but that did not stop folks from coming out. From open to close, 12:00-6:00, there was a steady stream of people who wanted to see what was going on. Even though we took over the parking lot, there were still ample spaces along Mary St. to park. It was a really great mix of different mediums. There were a couple of jewelers, a soap maker, different work with fabrics, a book binder, and other really fun stuff. Seeing people stand in the rain to shop really warms the heart of a street show crafter. In the future the shows our host would like to have food, and music, and make it bigger and better each time. They wants to have a rotating mix of different crafters and artists for each show, so you will always see something different and new each time you stop by. The Market will be held every second and last Saturday of the month. I hope to see you out agin this Saturday, May 2nd, from noon-6.

This Saturday is the second ever Austin Handmade Market. It will be my first. I must admit I am a little excited. It has been a long time since I have been going to art shows regularly, and I am really looking forward to it. If you are in the Austin are this Saturday, April 11th, you should stop by 507 West Mary Street. It is right on the corner of South First and Mary, just north or Oltorf, you can not miss it. There are a lot of really cool places on South First if you have not been recently, it is worth a look see. The market is supposed to happen every second and Saturday of the month from 12-6, but this is a new thing so if it does not just roll with it people. The owners of the Austin Handmade store are super cool and very gracious to host an event like this so often for young artists, so I hope that everyone who can will stop by and look around. I know you will all be searching for a reason to leave the house being cooped up with your family for the Easter holiday anyhow. So bring all of your rich relatives over to the show. The Austin Handmade market is put on with my crafty group Etsy Austin. They are a great group of crafters and artists, and a really good mix of different mediums. There are jewelers, of course, all different kinds of textile work, a book binder, and even a metal worker, me. I hope to see, and meet a lot of folks out there. Have a good one.

http://www.austinhandmade.com/

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Austin+&state=TX&address=507+W+Mary