Advent: Nine Days and counting!

Today I was called on the carpet for letting so much time go by since writing on my blog. (And I deserved it!!!) So I would like to say hi and explain a little about the delay.

I enjoyed a couple of weeks visiting my family in MA and Vermont. They all managed to take time to get together one weekend, and we had such a good time. My Niece and Nephews, Bother and Sister-in Law are all leading interesting things and are great fun to be with.

When I got home, I had the Art on the Prairie show in Perry to prepare for. It was such a great show!! It was fun to visit with friend, old and new.

Artist-Daughter Betsy Peterson and her husband officially had the Grand Opening of their shop, just east of Perry on 141 on Nov, 20th, and I was with them to welcome folks Some of my Santas are in the shop. (First place after the radio station, going east)

I've been busy creating and have had folks come to the house to get their driftwood Santa. )Maybe I should have a Christmas Open House next year!??)

I have a "driftwood folkart" site on facebook, and that's had some activity recently.

In order to keep connected to you, I'm going to close for now, and promise to be back soon!

I hope all your Christmas preparations.......... in ALL areas of your life!!.......... are accomplishing what you HOPE for!

Till later...........
Marge

Sun Shine!

What a beautiful week we've had!!! It's been warm and sunny-- a welcome change from the very wet summer we've had!

The Valley Junction Art Market was mostly fun. Setting up and taking down is the hard part. The drizzly rain slowed down everyone. One of the best parts was seeing folks we hadn't seen since closing the FOLKART shop! Jill, Leyria and Jackie were so much help and moral support!! I would have had a difficult time trying to do the show alone, and was/am grateful for their help. It was an invigorating day!

After a much looked-forward to trip to visit family in New England, I look forward to doing a show at the HOTEL PATTEE, in Perry on November 13-14. The show,"Art on the Prairie", (see their website www.destination33.com/artonthe prairie ) promises to be special, with an interesting variety of artists. This is their first annual show, and I look forward meeting other artists, and hopefully meeting new and old friends and customers.

I also have santas, and lots of other pieces in Betsy and Eric's Perry shop, on Rt, 141, east of Perry. They are planning 2 open houses around each side of Thanksgiving, and they will have their newly and beautifully built shop open for these weekends.

These days of dry weather have given me time to get the boat ready to float again, and it's all snuggly covered, ready for Winter and perhaps, a new life with a new owner in the spring!??

Your inquiries are welcome, and I hope you will contact me by email or phone if you have special requests or ideas.

So till later........
Marge

Jumping into Fall!

It's been a busy, wet summer, and I've left this spot without writing for quite a while.
I sense Fall in the air today, as the leaves begin to cover the patio and trees turn a little color.
I've been keeping up with Santa-creating, but have added some new Fall pieces:
some driftwood scarecrows, as well as pumpkins, witches, loons and jack 0'lanterns.

Gathering driftwood has been difficult this year. The lake has been too high to get to
the wood, and I'm almost ashamed to admit, that I had enough collected from other years to get
by. Except for the wonderful opportunity I had early in the summer. A wedding reception
on the shore of the lake, provided a beautiful batch of wood, and I was blessed to have a
group of faithful friends help me fill the bags FULL!

Last week the Marina called to say my boat was listing to the starboard, and
investigating, proved there was a leak in the pontoon. It took 2 days to get it to the trailer,
drained, and back on dry land. And the generosity of a good friend who helped at every stage.
Boating is over for this year, and maybe for a long time. I may decide it's time to pass the
boat, LIBERTY, to a new owner. It's been part of my routine and pleasure and work for 25 years.

Facebook has provided a spot for setting up a sort of website. I"m using it these days
to let folks see what I will have at the Fall Valley Junction Art Market on September 19th, 10-5.
Maybe someone who hadn't known, would like to come and see all that will be there. I'm looking
forward to being on 5th Street again!

Please check out the spots set up to share the 2010 folkart pieces I've created to brighten
the busy days ahead.

Till later........
Marge

Red-White and Blue all over the place!

The Flag days of Spring and Summer reach a peak on July 4! I've posted photos reflecting that season.

Now, guess what! I'm going to show you the first of this year's Santa collection. Many of these santas
will be headed for B&E's Perry Shop in the next few days.

Their shop is on the South side of Rt.141 just east of Perry.
They've designed and built a quaint and delightful shop on their land, among the several white barns.
It's easy to spot as you drive along, about a mile east of town.

It's never been too early to have the santas featured, as they are collected all year long.
This year I have a new figure of St. Nicolas to bring to your notice.

I'm encouraged that I'll make it as I keep looking for new venues and find exciting new opportunities
showing up.

The boat is finally back in the lake, after a high-water scare, so I'll be doing some of my painting and weaving
out there for the next few months.

I'll be looking forward to hearing from you by phone and email mwmfolkart@raccoon.com or facebook!

So, till later.......
Marge

A New Beginning.......

It is with regret that the web site trAloola is 'signing off.' This site-and the developer- have afforded a great platform for me to display and sell my artwork. It was a dream that I hope will find a new way to be expressed by its creator!

So when that goes away after this month, I will try to use this site to share pieces of art you might like to see and/or have.

You may contact me by e mail at < mwmfolkart@raccoon.com >
I will attach here, some Fourth of July pieces. You can e mail me to learn more about any one piece, and others you would like to special order.

Thanks to all of you who have been regular visitors. Please check back often!

I will keep you alerted to any other changes

till later......
Marge Wedge Mable

Another wonderful day!

It's a great day to be outside doing some of the yard work that's calling to me. First, though I want to address this blog to fellow artists who may be trying to figure out how to find a market for our creations.

It's discouraging to keep creating and have no outlet, nor finding the right way to get it to our 'public'. For me, the labor of doing shows isn't possible, (The exception will be to do the September ART FEST in my old stomping grounds of Valley Junction, when I expect to have new Santas and angels, and fish and a booth full of what our FOLKART SHOP had.)

Many friends have made good suggestions on ways for me to market, but it isn't shows on a regular basis, and it doesn't seem to be working for me to be online. I think I've figured out that people want to see and touch the art, while talking to the creator.
I'm not convinced that it's just the "economy" now, either!

If anyone is is interested in getting together some sort of "art marketing guild", please let me know. I would hope for a group of creative minds to share our thoughts and come up with a workable way to keep in business. I've talked with several of you about this, but hope we can be more deliberate and successful at finding our way.

I hope you will get in touch with me, and that we can work out a strategy for getting to the public.

Hoping to hear from you........

Marge

I've posted my nephew's ICE AGE Scrat. because he has perseverved through three movies to find his acorn....... and I'm sure our acorn waits!

Another wonderful day!