This week I was totally surprised to learn that I had won Red Tail Studios’ Mother’s Day Giveaway! I was going to receive one of Monique’s fabulous monoprint etchings. I am one lucky girl! In fact, I was going to receive a copy her “Painted Poppies” (which was originally designed for a Small Print Exchange Project [i.e. a limited size of 5"x7"]. If you are interested in reading more about this project, and see pictures of her process, check out her Blog Post on the making of this print.

Today my print arrived! I cannot express how excited I was to open it. Not only is the print beautiful, but it was even packaged beautifully.

I just LOVE the depth of color Monique was able to achieve through the monoprint. The poppies seem to glow, and radiate from their core out to the tips of their petals.

As a printmaker myself, I can really appreciate how much work goes into each impression. Since monoprints are a one-time-use-only type deal, each print is different and unique.

While I got extremely lucky to get my very own, you too can support this great artist by buying her work.

Red Tail Studios Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RedTailStudios

She also has a facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RedTailPrintmaking

And a blog: http://redtailmews.wordpress.com/

As an added incentive, the first 200 shoppers will receive goodie bags with awesome free stuff from the vendors!

The serial number on these presses is found on the upper left hand corner of the chase bed. Mine reads D51051. The Chandler & Price Co. issued a list of serial numbers of the manufacture dates. According to the list, 12×18 New Series presses with serial numbers between D50902 and D51651 were manufactured in 1913. As it is 2013, my press has officially hit 100!

I really think I should throw her a centennial birthday bash or something of that caliber. In the meantime, I’ll just print some more!

Visit the Facebook Event page to tell everyone you’re going!

Here they are in all their glory! The design for this card was inspired by the Art Nouveau style and its Egyptian influences. I printed it in two colors, yellow & green, just in time for Spring!

And just because, here are a few more detail shots:

So head on over to Etsy and purchase one of your very own!

Click here to go directly to the listing!

I looked on Etsy, and other crafters’ blogs, for patterns that would fit my needs. But I couldn’t find what I wanted. Nothing had a zippered pouch for protecting the money AND pockets for important things like pens, business cards, etc. So I created my own.

I based my pattern off others that I had seen, and my own needs. It has a large zippered pouch in the center for money. On the sides there are a variety of pocket sizes, including a business card holder and a pen pouch. I had to edit certain aspects of the apron based on what materials I had lying around the house. I didn’t spend any money to make this apron. If I had, I definitely would have gotten a longer zipper that went all the way across the money pouch, but this was the zipper I had. As it is, it works perfectly, so I don’t see a need to change it. In the next picture you can see the zipper.

The fabrics I chose were ones that I thought worked together (and that I had enough scraps of).

The business card holder proved invaluable at the show. If someone has trouble locating the business cards on the table, just reach down and grab one from your pouch and hand it over. No thinking involved. Someone needs a pen to sign a check? Voila, you can easily produce one. Need your Square Card Reader in a hurry? No problem, it’s right there.

No cashbox to worry about. Everything is right there, on your person. I highly recommend making one of these if you are doing a Craft/Art Show. It only took a few hours to make, and it made my life a million times easier.

I know I need some more color on my booth to make it really pop, but for a first show, I think it’s not too shabby!

My parents were visiting from the East Coast this past weekend too, so they dropped by the show to say hello! Doug even captured a shot of my mom and me giggling over something:

And as an added bonus, I got a photo of a double rainbow the next day! It has to be a sign of good things to come. I can’t wait for my next show already!

It’s going to be a small show with some big talent! Come visit my booth, and while you’re at it you can eat/drink at McMenamin’s and listen to live music! And don’t worry, you can bring the kids; McMenamin’s is family-friendly!

… [click on image to see the full About Page]

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It feels really nice to introduce Porcuprints, and me, to Etsy this way. With five images showcasing my work and printing process, along with a photo of me, I can actually tell my story. Yes, each item in my Store attempts to tell a story too, but this isn’t an Artist’s Statement. It’s me.

PORCUPRINTS’ SPRING SCHEDULE:

April 14, 2013 – Crafty Underdog

12pm- 5pm at McMenamin’s Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan, Portland, OR

A small show with some big talent! Come visit my booth, and while you’re at it you can eat/drink at McMenamin’s!

May 5th, 2013 — Artists Creating a Better World, Mother’s Day Show

11am – 5pm at the Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S State St, Lake Oswego, OR 97034

This is a charity event to support local women’s shelters! It is also a great opportunity to grab those last minute Mother’s Day gifts you’ve forgotten to buy.

May 11, 2013 – Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale!!

Saturday, May 11th, 2013 from 11am – 6pm

The Oregon Convention Center – Exhibit Hall D
777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97232

I am still pinching myself that I got into this show. It will have over 200 vendors, and Porcuprints is one of them! As an added bonus, the first visitors of the day will receive swag bags. So make sure you get in line early for free stuff!