ALL THE THINGS

Things are heating up at AWHQ (Argyle Whale headquarters... I can't pretend to be cool enough to acronym myself like everyone will know what I'm talking about).

I recently noticed that aside from going to craft fairs, I don't have much of a local presence for my art. That is just dumb. I should be neighborly and participate in the scene of my surrounding area instead of solely selling and sharing online.

The situation is being remedied. Argyle Whale IRL (that means in real life... people know that one right?) is coming to a gallery or shop near you if you are near me.

Galleries:

Washington Street Art Center- Somerville, MA (ok, this one is over because I had this post in draft mode too long)

Gallery Della Piana- Hamilton Wenham, MA for the animal themed show called The Beauty of the Beast

The Gallery at Porter Mill- Beverly, MA (This one is a pending maybe because it is up to the juror if I get in the show)

Pop up shops:

Concord Handmade- Concord, NH

GOLDMINE- Northampton, MA

Regular shops:

Magpie- Somerville, MA

ARCworks- Peabody, MA

Of course I'm doing a few craft fairs too. I kept the list a little slim because it is my first year as a Bazaar Bizarre organizer and I didn't want to have too many commitments.

Montserrat College of Art Holiday Sale- Beverly, MA on December 2nd

Bazaar Bizarre- Boston, MA on December 4th

Mass Market- Boston, MA on December 11th

I'm also running a handful of workshops at the ARCworks in Peabody!

The photo above is some sketching I'm doing for a secret project with Meagan.

This seems like a lot going on but next year I hope to be doing twice as much. Maybe three times as much. Must hustle.

Halfway up the mountain!

With Twist behind me and all my Craftland goodies shipped, I'm rationing my remaining energy to sustain me through two more fairs. Bazaar Bizarre Boston is right around the corner and Mass Market (also in Boston) follows shortly after.

I have plenty of inventory and my display all set but I'm a little disappointed in myself for not introducing as many new products as I'd planned. There are a couple new card designs but I didn't set up my studio in our new place quickly enough to be truly efficient. With just three work days left before Bazaar Bizarre, I'm trying to decide which of my many new design concepts will be realized in time for the show. I've got a dusty chinchilla print, some pinback buttons, tea sipping camels and a cat in a paper bag to choose from.

I'm also trying very hard to not let the new home suck up too much of my attention this month. I'd like to be able to put everything on hold and take a week to hang art, sew pillowcovers, decorate for the holidays and go thrifting for furniture. I must remind myself that the home isn't going anywhere and it isn't a priority during the hectic holiday season. And yet... I have to show you these acts (above photos) of wintry window embellishing I committed last night while over-caffeinated from chai-nog.

Well, I must get going on tonight's print sleeve-ing process. I'm glad I can do that task on the couch in front of a movie because I'm really in the mood to watch Die Hard (at least one of them).