Shop here!

I didn't post a "Laundry Day" this week (you'll notice, perhaps, that they come every other week... or so) because a) I forgot and b) I thought it would be fun instead to create a holiday shopping guide. So if you live in southeastern Pennsylvania and want to find the best presents for the folks on your list, read on for my personal picks.

Hello Bluebird
HB is an indie and handmade boutique located at 609 Penn Avenue in West Reading. Alex is super friendly and has a little something for everyone. She also specializes in products made right here in Pennsylvania (including my hats). For more info, visit hellobluebird.net.

Edna's World
Love the look of 60s and 70s mod? Edna's, tucked away at 413 E. Philadelphia Avenue in Boyertown, has the real deal - and fab prices! Proprietress Donnis has everything vintage, from clothing and accessories to housewares and even furniture. Call 610-473-3362 for more info and hours. She is usually open Friday evenings and Saturdays.

Studio B
You had to know this one was coming. But before you blow it off as too expensive, let me fill you in on a little secret: art lessons are immensely wonderful gifts for any age, and Studio B offers classes for all ages and skill levels. Also, the current show of small-priced works offers art for under $200 - an affordable investment you can give to someone special! Visit studiobbb.org for more information and a class list.

In other news, my friend (and gallery director) Sue wins the Awesome Person of the Week Award for gifting me her old old Dyson vacuum. Yes, it is held together with duct tape, but it is still hands-down the best vacuum I have ever owned! Now if only I can figure out how to release the locking mechanism...

Final artwork

I was finally able to take some pictures of my completed, framed artwork. I apologize that they are not the greatest quality pictures; I'll try to take better ones when I have a little more time!

Light

Dark

Life

Death


If I haven't mentioned it, these are all on display right now as part of the "Members & Friends Showing of Small-priced Works" at Studio B in Boyertown, PA. They will hang until the beginning of January along with approximately 200 other amazing (and amazingly priced) artworks. If you're in the area, stop by and check out the show!

Opposite day

I promised you'd get a glimpse of my current art projects, so here you go. These four paintings are parts to a fiber/watercolor collage I'm working on. If you can't tell from the names, it's a series of opposites :-) Now to finish the fiber elements!

life

death

light

dark

Ready, set, break!

Even though I'm taking a little break from hat-making right now doesn't mean I've stopped thinking about Like Clochework. Au contraire, my friends. I am dreaming up all manner of fun hats and headpieces and packaging ideas that will make your pretty little heads spin! Sadly, I probably won't get around to any of them until after the first of the year, so you'll just have to wait until then.

Speaking of next year, if you haven't visited my shop lately and seen the announcement, my prices will be going up a bit in 2010. I am selling retail now and really need to change my prices to reflect that. So if you have your eye on something on my Etsy shop, you may want to consider purchasing it soon if you want to save a little cash. The price change will be good for my customers in a lot of ways, though, because it will allow me to provide better services, prettier packaging, and maybe even some free shipping. So if you want all of those things, by all means wait until next year!

Today I am planning to do some painting for the first time in a long time. Now that I think about it, it's been a year and a half since I last pulled out my watercolors and brushes. Wow. And I want to get four paintings done today. I hope I am not overly ambitious...