Yay!

Well the studio is up and running, as is the torch! My artfire store is still open as well. I have been torching again for a few days now!

I will get some pics of the studio when it is more finalized all around, and keep you posted on some new beads :) Artfire will be open as long as it continues to pay for itself, so I encourage all of you to support it.

Jen has been a great friend to work with in her framing shop and glass studio. I am so grateful to have her in my glassy life :) It is a privilege to work with her! You better believe we will be cranking out beads for the fall, and winter!!! You can always find Jen up there, and I am usually up there a few days a week as well. Click here for Artsake Information

I have just one show for now (Oct 1 in Stafford Springs- Hyde Park 12-7pm), and I will probably pick up a few others on short notice through christmas. Autumn in the Park is a great show that really focuses on the artists. It is one of my best shows every year, and I love going back to it. This year, I will have not only my work, but some of Terri George's Polymer Clay beads, and hopefully some of Jen Hopkins glass as well. Jen will be at the shop in Tolland, but I am hoping that Terri can join us for the beginning of the day before she heads to work. Click here for info on the Autumn in the Park

I am also looking forward to Open Studio this year. I am not participating as an artist this year, but will be around to help out Jen in the shop and probably be torching...  Jen will have a variety of artist who will be showcasing their work at Artsake this year. I will be sure to participate next year (I was not up and torching this year early enough to participate this year ).  Click here for Open Studio Information

 So far I have been putting out feelers for how my fellow crafters have been doing. It does not look too good right now. However we just had a hurricane, (well tropical storm when it officially hit us) and a lot of people have not really recovered from that yet. There are still many with home damages, and many more who are just missing out on the last days of summer due to extra work at their jobs, and/or homes to clean up their houses, yards or their neighbors.

I have also heard about a lower turn out at the local fairs for crafter booths, and also at the farmers markets. I will be talking to some of my friends on the show circuit in the next week or so, and see how that is going. I can only hope that with weather making some miss out on early fall craft shows that they will be eager to buy in the next few months.

I will write soon, and I hope to pick up writing weekly again soon as well. It is just challenging without internet at home!

General Update:

Good news to those who glass...
     I have partnered with a glass buddy of mine, Jen Hopkins, and will be setting up studio at her frame shop Artsake in Tolland in the old firehouse at the corner of Rt 74 and Rt 30! Very exciting for me and her both! Look for more of our work, and classes coming soon! I also wanted to add that my Artfire is still open for now. I started my free trial the day before pricing kicked in, and then sold an item (I am having a bit of trouble contacting the buyer...but thats e-selling for you right??? the way it always happens! lol) SO as long as atrfire pays for itself it will be open :). I still have many things in Bolton for sale at the shop, and now in Tolland in the frame shop as well.

I was also invited back, and will be participating in Stafford Springs, "Artist in the Park" October 1st in Hyde Park Look for more information soon! Jen and I will be collaborating a few shows I am sure coming this fall and into winter. I am a bit excited, and already corrected my excitement typo's so I am sure I missed a few!

Updates to come!

No More Online Sales for me...

As of August 15th Artfire will no longer be free. This is the site I have been hosting my work at online, because its free and easy to use. Sadly I do not make enough sales online to justify paying for an account. I have yet to make so many sales to cover what a monthly membership would cost. I will always make item available to pay online, (via paypal at this point) BUT I will not have a storefront as of now. I may think about creating a page here on my blog with prices and pictures of some items, and the directive to e-mail for an invoice. But without a good following it is not worth my money now to pay for listing online. I may in the future have a few listings on etsy again. I stopped listing etsy previously after my listings expired because of the same reasons, not enough sales to cover my costs.

I will only have my work available in Bolton CT for now, and will update as I find more venues to sell locally, and possibly a few shows in the fall. I have most of my glass stuff in storage now, and it may not be as easy to pull off shows this fall. I will try though to get what I have out for sale in shows this fall. How many shows I do will ultimately come down to inventory. I have no place to torch as of now. So no custom orders or christmas ornaments will be available. I am looking into finding a place to torch, and hope that I can torch again within 6 months time. I will keep you posted.

Please feel free to contact me for local shows in CT or house parties. I can be available on a limited basis. I really do enjoy participating in shows as a vendor, and am still able to do small demonstrations.

ALSO: If you torch, and have a set up, I would love a play date! I can even bring my stuff with me (torch, glass and all!) I would love to trade some skills for torch time, or even some glass, beads or finished pieces.

Enjoy the summer! I am, even without the torch, I'm having some fun!
~Jaci