| News from the Mart …
My web master, Leslie Kirk, joined us today driving in from the Birmingham, Alabama area. Leslie and my sister Benita attended the keynote presentation at AmericasMart. Erik Qualman discussed Socialnomics and how it can help retailers, artists and designers. They were impressed and I hope that they learned a few new tricks. Meanwhile, I kept busy chatting with Bruce Elsass (a fellow Ohioan whose cousin once sat in my Spanish classroom in Wapakoneta). Bruce has a new line with new representation. The preliminary samples look fabulous! I have photos and will be talking more about this new line in the coming weeks. Expect to see his new work represented in the spring issue of Celebrate365. Connie |
| Surprise from JingleNog! |
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| Melissa Byrne, JingleNog owner, had a big surprise awaiting me when I visited her booth today. She has named her new peppermint striped mouse Melvin, in honor of my husband’s gourmet tastes. The real Melvin makes his restaurant reservations before he books a hotel room! Ornament Melvin loves to nibble upon gourmet cheeses.
I’ll report on the official name along with the ornament’s life history later. Yes, that’s me with the glass version of Melvin … the one that can’t talk back! What fun! Thank you, Melissa. |
Category: design
Reporting from Atlanta … America’s Mart, Day Two
| AmericasMart, Atlanta – Day 2
We completed work in the Radko showroom today. That’s one down! I’m still working on those photos so you’ll have to be patient. As I mentioned previously, this year’s line is much more focused and shows a restrained hand with fewer colors, less glitter and less “doo-dads”. I was impressed! Good job, Heather and Radko staffers! Hey, Atlanta has SNOW! I have never experienced it here. Being from Ohio, I’d call this a very light dusting … but it seems there is the dreaded black ice beneath. Plus, these Georgians just aren’t equipped for the white winter stuff. So, schools are closing already for tomorrow. Here are some photos of new introductions from several showrooms. Let’s play the “Whose is it” game again. Please use the comment form beneath this post to make your guesses. But, if you can’t find the “comment” link, feel free to send me your guesses using the CONTACT tab at the top of this page. Connie |
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| America’s Mart, January 7: Day 2 | ||
| Meet Vergie Lightfoot | ||
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Folk artist Vergie Lightfoot was on hand this afternoon at the Bethany Lowe Designs showroom on 20. It is always a Halloween wonderland! | |
| New Designs from Bethany Lowe Folk Artists | ||
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These folk artists have very recognizable styles! Who are they? |
| Photo 8 | Photo 9 | |
| Finial Debut | ||
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Fabulous European glass finials mix 21st century contemporary with Old World tradition. All will retail for under $100.
Which designer debuted these beauties? |
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Reporting from Atlanta … America’s Mart
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I’ll be in Atlanta during the huge wholesale market this week and next. This is the spot where many ornament manufacturers debut their new collections each year. Today, I made quick stops at most of the permanent European glass showrooms. Tomorrow, I will begin note-taking and photographing styles to feature in the spring issue of Celebrate365. Here are a few quick pics from today’s initial exploration. Can you guess which showrooms I found these in? Use the comment box below to submit your guesses! I’ll enter your name into a drawing for prizes from things that I collect during the show. Tomorrow, I’ll talk about the pieces shown below. Connie |
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| America’s Mart, January 6: Day 1 | ||
| Good Enough to Eat! | ||
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| Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3 |
| Old World Designs, 1-of-a-Kind | ||
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| Photo 4 | Photo 5 | |
| Elegant Design | ||
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| Photo 6 | Photo 7 | |
| Exclusives from the Thomas Schaller German Workshop | ||
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Photo 8 | |
Folk Artist Susan Vanderhoek Designs Like a Star!
Susan Vanderhoek, folk artist and member of American Holiday Artists (aHa) is the winner of the 2009 Design Like a Star contest sponsored by Artistry of Poland and Celebrate365.
Susan’s Design Like a Star Victorian Whimsy Santa is now available exclusively at the Celebrate365 store. The ornaments is 5″ high, handcrafted in Poland and retails for $54. It will be a part of Artistry of Poland’s 2010 collection.
Meet this talented artist as she talks with C365 publisher, Connie Porcher.
Susan Vanderhoek
Seasonal Whimsies
Do you sell your work directly to collectors? If not, how can collectors find your things?
I sell directly to collectors through eBay at aHa Art (seller id seasonalwhimsies). I also accept orders and commissioned work. In addition, my work is available at Spencer’s Alley in Salem, Oregon and at Season’s Greetings in Houston.
Will you be doing any holiday shows in November or December?
I will be selling items at Blackberry Junction in Albany, Oregon in November and at Spencer’s Alley.
What kinds of things do you create?
I focus upon holidays. I love everything about Christmas so I create ornaments, Santas and snowmen. Halloween is my second favorite. I enjoy creating fun and spooky things for the season, especially pumpkins and witches.
I work with large gourds and paper clay the most. I enjoy the entire sculpting process from beginning to the end. I am constantly amazed when everything falls into place to create a one of a kind piece.
How would you describe your style?
I think my style is light hearted and whimsical. I am influenced by antique German paper mache Santas and Halloween pieces. Hopefully my pieces spark the childlike wonder of those old things.
Do you have any formal training?
I have taken some art education classes. I take classes from other accomplished artists online. I am interested in all kinds of art and plan to continue learning new techniques and methods.
How long have you been doing this?
I have been sculpting for 9 years now.
What honors have you received?
I have been honored to appear in Celebrate365 magazine and recently won the Design Like a Star contest held by The Artistry of Poland and Celebrate365. The winning design is a sculpted Victorian Santa Claus ornament.
It’s Official! She Designs Like A Star.
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| Sue Myal and Sue Sprunk, owners of Artistry of Poland have selected a winner in the Design Like a Star contest. David Blair, a retailer who won the first competition, assisted in the judging. | ||
| Susan Vanderhoek, a folk artist from Salem, Oregon, submitted three different designs. The judges selected her Victorian Santa entry as this year’s winning design. | ||
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According to Vanderhoek, Victorian Santa Claus is 4.5 inches. His red hood sports festive
holly leaves in hunter green. The ornament will be painted in a gloss for shine and lightly sprinkled with German glass glitter. It’s almost unimaginable to find an ornament line without a Santa Claus, but this will be the first for Artistry of Poland! “Susan’s design has inspired us and we hope to add additional Santas to the Artistry of Poland line,” said Sue Myal. |
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| Artistry of Poland will work closely with Susan through every step of the ornament creation process. She will receive 10 ornaments and her design will become part of the Artistry of Poland collection in 2010.
Susan is a member of American Holiday Artists. You can view her work at seasonalwhimsies.blogspot.com. |
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