Creative New Year's Plans

What are your creative plans and resolutions for this coming year?

Are you planning to start painting or sculpting again?

Is there a home improvement project you will complete?

Do you have plans to grow your business, or to turn your passion into a business?

Have you been waiting to work on an artistic creation, and this is your year to do that project?

What creative enterprise are you going to follow through on this year? What do you long to accomplish? What one creation will, once completed, help you feel complete?

Maybe this is the year that you schedule regular appointments with yourself to work on your art.

Maybe this year you try a new hobby, craft, or media you have always wanted to experiment with.

Share with us what you will do this year to grow creatively.

Riverdale Kiwanis Medieval Faire

The next Renaissance Festival that Lady Artisan is aware of is the Riverdale Kiwanis Medieval Faire. The dates are January 16th, 17th, 23erd, 24th. This two weekend festival is in Florida. Florida is, in the opinion of Lady Artisan, a good place to be in January!

http://www.medieval-faire.com/

Lady Artisan wonders if any of her blog readers have been to this festival? It appears to be a very nice festival, with entertainment, artisans who create their own wares, good food, and a festive atmosphere.

Please contact Lady Artisan with your information if you have been to this festival and would like post your pictures on this blog. Post comments telling us how you enjoyed this festival.

December Etsy Blogger

This month the featured Etsy Blogger is Calkat - Kathy and Carrie. They create an number of creative works featured in unique shops. These busy gals have four shops to keep up with!

Their jewelry is lovely, often using natural stone and beautiful metalwork. Their use of color and texture is eye catching. You can find their jewelry at http://www.etsy.com/shop/calkat

Kathy and Carrie have a shop named Ametista. http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ametista You will discover wonderful items like apothecary bottles, that are not only useful, but also works of art.

At The Clay Shoppe you can purchase molds with which to do your own casting. http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheClayShoppe

At http://yogafairies.etsy.com/ you will find fairies in yoga poses. I love the bright colors!

Their blog offers a lot! Don't miss their monthly giveaways. Winning is always fun! http://calkatthejewelryjunkie.blogspot.com/

Lady Artisan wishes you a Merry Christmas!

Lady Artisan wishes all of you a very merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!

Those of you who have stopped by know about the curious merge of holiday celebration and art gallery that occurs in the home of Lady Artisan during the holiday season. The living room of Lady Artisan becomes a show room. Holiday themed Lady Artisan creations and dressed up sculpture fill the room with holiday color and cheer.



Lady of the Leaves (a bronze sculpture) dons her Santa hat. Every lady should have a collection of hats. Perhaps Lady of the leaves will find that Lady Artisan has a few hats wrapped and ready for her under the Christmas Tree.

Patrons who live in the area stop by to select items they have planned for gifts, or to give a gift to themselves! A festive showroom and gallery is perfect for the season. Today Lady Artisan had the delight to visit with patrons who stopped by for last minute shopping.



Several of these ornaments moved from the Tree of Lady Artisan to those of Patrons in the Twin Cities area.

Decorating a room to be both a Lady Artisan gallery and holiday display is natural when many Lady Artisan designs are created for this holiday season.

Stop by next Holiday Season to enjoy the creative holiday atmosphere at Lady Artisan. E-mail invitations go out for an open house held every holiday season. Sign up for my newsletter by sending your name and e-mail address if you would like to be informed of open house dates and times.

Care for the Artist's Tools

The most important tool an artist has is his or her body! Any other tool used by an artist is dependant on artistic senses, as well as coordinated bones, tendons, and muscles. Almost any object can become an artistic tool used to communicate the artist's message.

Lose a brush, then use a pencil. Lose the pencil then use an interesting wood fragment. Lose everything you have then use the mud you are left wallowing in.

No body though, no art.

Today Lady Artisan took care of her body. Bending over this week's project resulted in knotted back muscles and pain. So off for a massage Lady Artisan went. Then, before bed, a long soak in a hot tub finished the healing process.

Prevention though would have been wise. Lady Artisan asks you to please take care of your artist back and set up projects so that your back is aligned correctly. It is better to redo one's set up or to purchase/find the right tables and chairs so that you can work without bringing injury into your life. Lady Artisan's back testifies that this is true. A project that was believed would take a day took a week. It is a wise artist that never assumes the poor body posture tolerated for creative purpose will be short lived. Lady Artisan is a wiser artist now. Until the next project comes along that she assumes will take only an hour or a day. It is so easy to be in a hurry and decide that this project will not do that much harm. Try not be like Lady Artisan and treat your back with contempt. Your back will not be silent if you mistreat it as Lady Artisan did hers.

Photographing Small Shiny Objects

The last three days Lady Artisan has been learning how to photograph small shiny objects. Lady Artisan Christmas ornaments require professional quality photographs. The plan is to replace all photographs previously taken with professional quality images.

The photograph of the Star Ornament was taken against a black background. The crystal reflects its black surroundings.

It was a rude awakening. Overly optimistic Lady Artisan did not realize that taking quality photographs of small shiny objects that have a crystal accent is not at all the same as photographing bronze, or even most pewter sculpture.

The ornament taken against a white background, white balance corrected. The background looked brown in previous photographs. Although Lady Artisan preferred a white background, this ornament could become lost against a white background.

The professional light box that gives astounding results for most Lady Artisan creations did not provide quality results for this project.

A return to a black background with the addition of greenery for background interest and setting. Depth of field is set to blur out the background detail while keeping the ornament in sharp focus. The crystal again picks up black from its background, yet by using two lights to flash the crystal compensates. Elimination of the black reflections can be worked on, or left as is - that is the next question.

Here are a few highlights on the learning curve. Facts that might help you with your small shiny object photography.

• Crystals pick up background color. Surround the object with a lovely black backdrop and the crystal will shine black.



• White backdrops require learning to set the color balance on one's camera. Otherwise the white can come out any number of colors. Humans see white - digital cameras see what they want to see.



• White backgrounds can be blah when the object is flat, shiny, and rather light colored.



• Diffused lighting does not light up a crystal. Shine light directly onto the crystal. Lady Artisan found that two lights shining from different directions worked best to light up the crystal. Hold one of your lights in one hand and move it around while viewing the object through your camera. When you have the light held to light up the crystal take the picture.



• Research backgrounds that others use online. Look for the background that works for your art.



• Learn to use manual settings on your digital camera. If you do not have manual control over the aperture, shutter speed, and focal depth then borrow or purchase a camera that gives you these controls.

Tomorrow, after three days of research, practice, trial and error, Lady Artisan should be able to take her photographs. That is if she can decide on the best background for her ornaments.

Contest Link

My apologies if you tried to enter the Name the Dragon contest and had trouble due to following my copy and paste directions. Copy and paste works fine for web sites. But not on blogs, facebook, twitter, myspace, etc. So I have modified the linking directions to make it more flexible. YAY!

Dragon Lovers everywhere are needed!



Win this dragon by finding the dragon's true name!

How to name the dragon directions can be found at http://www.ladyartisanltd.com.

No one should be without a name. Help me find this dragon's name!

Lady Artisan's Favorite Holiday Tradition

Thinking about the holidays, contemplating beyond new Lady Artisan ornaments for collectors and commissions that are gifts and under deadline, what is it that Lady Artisan would like for this year's holiday?

What holiday tradition is one that will most cheer the soul this year's season? Traditions run the gammet from foods that are served, holidays productions one attends, and rituals that one enjoys in the home.

My sister has a tradition that her husband's family passed down that is quite fun. I do not know its origin, but the ongoing playfulness is one that any family with children through teenagers should have delight incorporating. College dorms and other community living situations can find this tradition to be an easy and free source of entertainment. Free once you have an elf.

Lady Artisan traditionally has created a new ornament every holiday season. http://www.ladyartisanltd.com/ Maybe this year Lady Artisan should create a Christmas elf!

It starts with the elf. Make an elf, buy an elf doll or sculpture. An elf is required.


Elf Hiding on Deer Ornament

Hide the elf in your home. Whoever finds the elf has the fun of finding a new hiding place for the elf. The elf must be hidden in plain view. Even if only a hand, foot, or a face peeks out from a branch on the Christmas Tree the elf must be placed so that it can be spotted. That is spotted by those not blinded with business, worry, frantic activity, or preoccupation with the tasks they must do!


Elf hiding on wall art.

This tradition is fun, brings a lot of joy and laughter. It helps young ones to learn to pay attention to their environment. It is ongoing fun that helps prevent bordom. Guests that stop over can join in on the elf game. Finding creative ways to hide the elf in plain view is educational for the young and just plain fun for everyone.

Perhaps best of all, busy mothers and fathers will find that this holiday tradition does not take a lot of time.


Elf reveals hand from within stocking.

Lady Artisan may have to sculpt a Lady Artisan original elf to use in her home!

Inspiration In The Dark.

Creative inspiration, so often thought to be a lucky thought that happens into one's consciousness, seems in my life to more often be motivated by need. The opportunity to solve a problem, be it how to fix a broken toy or what sculptural shape will satisfy a patron stimulates the creative thought process.

I am often surprised by the string of events and thoughts that lead to a new artistic creation.

Tonight lying in bed, in the dark, wishing my creative brain to sleep, I was inspired to do - well - nothing. Time to stop frantic work and just be. Just be an artist. After hours of wishing my tired brain to sleep a deep resolution took over to be the artist I was created to be. Not to settle for less. Not to worry about those who make money but will never see their work inside of an art museum or historical book. More importantly, to never create a work of art that is capable of stirring the soul.

It is very nice to stir the soul through the excellence of a work of art. A rewarding more compelling than any other.

The creative energy motivated by sleeplessness in the dark has led to contentment. I can spend my day with my hands not working on my art and all is well. The challenge of fitting artistic creation into a busy life is itself an exciting creative possibility. What unexpected art will I create as I use stolen moments for artistic expression? How delightful this path might be!

For a great artist the masterful work happens inside. The work of the hands is often the smallest portion of the creative process. I often create art in the dark of a sleepless night, during a walk, while preparing a meal, and finally show the world what I created with my hands, putting it all in a visible form. It is more satisfying to my soul to create a few profound works of art, than a lot of drivel.

I am creating a masterful fountain. I think you will like it.

Lady Artisan Open House

I love to have an open house displaying not only my artwork, but that of other talented artists. Lady Artisan's day is usually spent working in her studio. Creative work is solitary. Yes the cat will try to help me with my work. And the dog will beg for interruptions. Yet my days that are filled with the delight of creative process can be lonely. And once my creative energy is working Lady Artisan can find it difficult to stop and visit with people, or even to go to bed on time!

An open house is focused on the people who come. Food, music, restful chairs by a warm fire in the fire place. It is a chance to visit rather than work. I love Lady Artisan open houses for this reason. It is all about the people who come.

Laura Mundschau at Lady Artisan

My sister Laura, a very talented painter, is at the Lady Artisan Open House. Her cards, book marks, and magnets are themed after her forest fighting years.







You can purchase Laura's firefighting theme paintings at www.etsy.com/shop/dreikatzen.

Lady Artisan Guest Artist

A very talented artist, Nikita Woltersen will join Lady Artisan at her open house.

http://www.dragonrosedesigns.com/

Nikita "Dragonrose" Woltersen of Dragonrose Designs is an artist that specializes in whimsical. Her art ranges from Print media, illustration and design to sculpture and jewelry.

Her dragons are fabulous. Dragon buddies with personality and charm.

Lady Artisan Dragon Lovers Needed!

Lady Artisan would like help discovering the true name of her dragon. Whoever can discern the dragon's true name will win the dragon pictured below.



I am excited about this contest. It is a fun and lively way to interact with Lady Artisan patrons, and let you help me in the creative process of this sculpture.

The current dragon has red eyes. Once we have discerned this dragon's true name I will present a green eyed dragon who also needs a name. Oh and lets not forget the baby dragon due in February.

Lots of naming to be done at Lady Artisan. If the dragons do not have their names then how will Lady Artisan keep track of them? So send in your name suggestions. Read about the naming contest on my website so that you have all of the details on how to discover the true name of this dragon. http://www.ladyartisanltd.com/

Lady Artisan Open House

This year Lady Artisan will again hold her popular Artist Art Show and Open House. Several talented artists will join in on this celebration of art and holidays. Stop back to see more on their work.

Lady Artisan Breather!

Today I am taking a break from art production, paperwork, and every other task to get organized. It is counter productive as an artist to go from one show to another and not take the time to unpack, organize tools and supplies, and just take an assessment of where one is going as an artist. Earlier today I thought that I would just like to have time to create a new sculpture. And I have had that time. As I carry boxes, unpack, and organize supplies my mind is free to create. I now have several new sculptures ready for my hands to produce! I feel excited to finish setting up work areas and then to put into visual form the lovely designs I have created today.

Lady Artisan at the Trail of Terror

Lady Artisan is displaying and selling her art at the Trail of Terror. The Trail of Terror is a fall and Halloween fun event for all who would like to enjoy the thrills and scares we humans can conjure up for this season.

My lovely helpers are a delight. Here is Nikita organizing Lady Artisan earrings. We artists do not need to be in costume at the Trail of Terror. However Nikita came one evening dressed in her vampire best for the evening. It was very amusing to this Lady Artisan to see kids bare their plastic fangs, handed out by the Trail of Terror staff, only to stop dead in fear when Nikita smiled at them with realistic vampire fangs created by an artist of teeth. We are having a lot of fun at the Trail of Terror.

This is Kim, a long time friend and creative person in her own right. In this photograph she is lighting candles within Lady Artisan candle holders. The cool rainy weather of the last weekend was a perfect opportunity to display the beauty of light that emanates from Lady Artisan candle holders.

Lady Artisan Success

The ladies who work in my shop, patrons who return to Lady Artisan year after year from all over the country, and patrons from outside of the USA have all helped to make Lady Artisan a success. I, the Lady Artisan, love you all and thank you for your support. Let me know what artistic creations you would like to see and I will set about creating your desire. I am excited about the Festivals of 2010 and plan to have exciting new creations for all to enjoy.

This photo is of my lovely helper Nikita Rose Waltersen. She is a very talented artist who specializes in dragons that are so sweet and personable they can make your heart melt. Nikita is busy cleaning festival dust off of Lady Artisan's The Lady of The Leaves Water Fountain. We are forever cleaning festival dust off of our artwork at the Festival.

Katy Farina at Lady Artisan

Katy Farina waving from the upper window of Lady Artisan.

Katy Farina is an incredibly talented artist. I, the Lady Artisan, was blessed to have Katy join Lady Artisan Ltd. as an apprentice this season at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Katy helped with special orders, interacted with patrons in the main room, and gave of her good nature to all at Lady Artisan. All of us at Lady Artisan expect her artistic future to be a great and glorious one.





Katy Farina working on a custom order.



You can view Katy's work at http://www.cellarskylight.com/ or http://katyfarina.blogspot.com/



Keep an eye on Katy Farina. Her work could become a household name.

Lady Artisan in the Parade

One of the lovely ladies from Lady Artisan blows a kiss to patrons cheering us on.

One of the joys of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival is that it is a Celebration! Walking in the parade is an event. Those of us at Lady Artisan who walk the parade have the privilege of meeting other artists who join in on parade festivities. The positive celebratory welcoming energy that emanates from all who participate in the parade is a mid-day shot of joy. It is obvious from the waves and cheers of patrons who watch us walk by that they love the parade and those of us who make this event a success.

A Lady Artisan Huzzah!

2009 at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival was huge success. I delighted in connecting with my patrons and the many artists at the festival I have grown to know and love.

I want to thank all of my Lady Artisan Patrons from Minnesota, Texas, Arizona, Iowa, Wisconsin, California, New York, the Dakotas, Montana, Carolina, Florida, and every other lovely place you all travel from.

Lady Artisan plans to create Renaissance theme state charms. Please let me know what state you come from and the state symbol you would like to see on your Renaissance state charm. The first four charms Lady Artisan will create will be for Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The other states you request will also be ready before the next festival. I will send a free state charm to all of you who give me your state symbol desire. Please do not post your personal information on the blog. Send an e-mail so that I can send you your charm! Huzzah!

Painting the Shop

This past week the Lady Artisan has been busy painting the Minnesota Renaissance shop. It is looking lovely. A few friends came out to help Lady Artisan with this rather large project.



We enjoyed the peace and quiet that permeates the festival grounds and Lady Artisan shop before opening day. Once cannon goes off to start the festival, jovial loud fun is the flavor of our days.



Some helpers prefer to enjoy the labor of those around them!



The wood is stained, the walls painted. We are almost ready for Lady Artisan patrons.

A Fireman Helped Lady Artisan Down A Ladder.

I am busy painting my Lady Artisan shop. I will post pics of the painting project tomorrow.

The Lady Artisan shop is two stories high, and I have recently developed a fear of heights! Today I decided to conquer that fear and paint the second story side of the shop that has a decorative but false balcony. I say false because there is not a door from inside Lady Artisan's shop to the balcony. I would have to climb a very high ladder to the balcony and climb over the railing. Yes, step off of the ladder, suspend myself on the railing, then scoot over the side onto the balcony. Then I could paint the upper areas of the Lady Artisan shop from there.

The balcony is sturdy, but narrow. Think of a high cliff with a path on the cliff's side that happens to have a railing. I am so thankful for the railing.

I climbed the ladder. Almost high enough to climb over the railing and into Lady Artisan's balcony and I was hit by vertigo. Honestly vertigo is annoying. So I waited for it to pass. I even tried to dislodge the ladder to assure myself that as I stepped off of it to the side that it would not suddenly fall in the other direction. Once the vertigo ended and I felt brave and ready, I took the last step up and climbed onto the balcony. Quickly enough so that I did not have time to become overwhelmed by fear again.

There were bees up there. The yellow jacket or wasp kind that sting in groups and keep on stinging. The bees have taken up residence in the roof of the Lady Artisan shop. I know that we at Lady Artisan are all very hospitable, but these unwelcome guests would peek out of their hole in the roof and watch me. Watch to see if I brought the paint or stain close to them and therefore they should defend their squatters rights. It took me a long time to get up the ladder and onto the balcony. Fear of falling made a 30 second climb into one that took about 30 minutes. I was not going to get down for bee spray and then have to climb back up again. That was too scary. Climbing over the balcony onto the ladder to go down, and then to come back up the same route was more scary than the prospect of a 100 bees stinging in unison. So when they buzzed or watched me I moved slow, and waited until they decided I was not going to cover their precious home with Lady Artisan paint. We kept up our truce.

I started to paint trim. The red paint was a bright horrid pink! My only thought was this better dry red because I do not want to make this journey to the balcony again! The paint dried red. Whew! And I finished the job.

Then I had to get down. I had to climb and slide over the balcony railing onto the ladder, remove the paint supplies, and get safely to the ground. I stood there thinking about the best way to do this. And then I saw them. I saw a group of men, men with firemen shirts on. Men with firemen boots and clothing on. I smiled at them and asked, from my balcony, if they were firemen. They asked if I needed help. Sheepishly I said, well yes, Once I get down I need help getting the ladder down. The ladder was too heavy for me to take down by myself. Then I admitted that I was quite fearful of going over the balcony railing and down that ladder. So up the ladder sprang one of the firemen. He offered to help me paint! LOL. The painting was done, I just appreciated the help getting down. No vertigo this time. No fear. I had a trained man right there to help!

I have now had the privilege of being helped down a ladder by a fireman. And I did not need a fire for it to happen! Just a lot of fear!!!!!!!!!! And a smile.

Lady Artisan Bats and Black Cats and White Dogs

The Lady Artisan Bats are completed. Lady Artisan's cat helped with the bats. It is fitting that Lady's cat is black, when it was bats she was sculpting. It has occured to Lady Artisan that she is quite ready for fall. Black cat, and bats. Perfect for fall seasonal activities.

Of course by fall the bats will reside with patrons. The cat shall stay with Lady Artisan who loves her cat very much. Lady Artisan also has a dog, a white dog. Kinda funny - black and white pets. It was not planned it that way, it just happened. Often when pets come into our lives it is as if fate or the pets choose us. And that is how Lady Artisan came to have a black cat and a white dog. As for the bats, the white and black pets would prefer that Lady Artisan played with them, not work on art a good part of the day. The black cat and white dog are very happy that the bats are completed. Little do they know that another art project awaits Lady Artisan's time the next day.

Do not be alarmed. Lady Artisan took her white dog Trick or Treating. The pumpkin was filled with doggie treats for the dog, and candy for Lady Artisan. Lady Artisan was careful to keep the treats separated. If you like candy, and do not have kids, then Lady Artisan suggests to take your dog trick or treating. You both will feast well and get to know your neighbors better!

Black cat has a name, Lady Artisan adopted him and kept his name: Samuel.

White dog has a name. Lady Artisan adopted him and kept his name : Jester.

Both pets has too many nicknames to mention today. (Lady Artisan smiles)

Lady Artisan Bats

This year's Lady Artisan bats are just about ready for their trip to the foundry. I started to create bats for the garden. Why would Lady Artisan create garden bats? The bats were a natural result of my study of garden sculpture. There are places in Europe in which placing sculptural bats in the garden is common place. I was intrigued.

In the USA there are people who value the bat because they are a natural way to reduce insects. People put houses out to attract bats. Sculptured bats are collected. There are even bat conventions. So I decided to create bats, Lady Artisan bats. I started by studying various species of bat, then creating my own bat using the bat face and wings that I liked best. You may recognize in Lady Artisan bats species that exist in nature. The whole package though is a unique Lady Artisan creation. Unlike the bats flying about your garden, Lady Artisan bats won't jump into your hair!

The new bats are flying bats. My patrons who have been collecting Lady Artisan hanging bats have asked for flying bats. So flying bats it is this year.

Lady Artisan Facebook Fan Club

Last night this Lady Artisan could not sleep. Anticipating a less than productive day due to fatigue this Lady Artisan created a Facebook Fan Club page. A Fan page is an excellent way to let patrons know where I am showing Lady Artisan Art, as well as what new designs are ready to be presented. The Lady Artisan Fan Club is the perfect venue for showing pictures of art shows, art, and anything at all that might interest Lady Artisan fans. Visit the fan club to view pictures of the shop at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. At this moment Lady Artisan is tired, but very happy and content with the results of her work.

The link to the fan club has been added to the list of Lady Artisan links listed with this blog.

Lady Artisan Bronze Mold Making

Today I posted a page on a new Lady Artisan website. The page shows how to make a Lady Artisan mold to create a wax that will be cast into bronze. I am excited about this website. It is intructional. A teaching website. Those who would like to learn how to create bronze or pewter sculptures will love this website. As I create new sculptures I will post pictures and instructions on how to create the kind of work of art depicted.

Visit www.lady-artisan.com/mold-making.htm to see the latest.

Lady Artisan has created a lovely new bat bell and flying bat sculpture for those of you who love bats in the home or garden. The steps to create this new work of art are being posted as I do the work. I think the subject fits. I must be a bit batty to be an artist, correct? So bats fit the bill!

Lady Artisan loves her Patrons! Huzzah!

Lady Artisan Molds

Today this Lady Artisan finished one half of her molds. The molds are to cast waxes of new bells and sculpture for her shows over the next year. The waxes that are cast from these Lady Artisan molds should be at the foundry next week and soon after, cast into bronze.

Lady Artisan also worked on earing cuffs. I know you like them. (Lady Artisan smiles). I have 11 designs for the ear cuffs, all of which will be ready for you this August.

July 20th.

I titled this post July 20th because I am at a loss for words. Pretty funny. I tend to talk to much.

All is well with Lady Artisan today. I have lovely new sculptures that will be ready for the Renaissance Festival. New opportunities for business are a pleasure in my life. I am learning business skills that are crucial to just about every area of my life. I will be in new shows this coming year which I know will delight those of you who have asked me to come to your area of residence.

I hope that all is well with you, as it is with me. No matter what life might toss you, truth does come out in the end, righteousness is won, even when it takes a bit longer than you would like. If your life is going your way today, or not, treasure the moments. Let every good thing in your day be a blessing. There is so much to celebrate while we have life on this planet that there is no reason for despair.

All is well with my soul, and I trust that all is well with yours.

New Lady Artisan Websites!

I am excited to announce that I have and am creating two new websites. Why not just use the one I have?

The reason is simple. www.ladyartisanltd.com has a purpose. To show and sell my art. I decided to keep its focus as it was and not create a website so huge and complex that it would not meet the needs of those going to it.

I created www.lady-artisan.me to tell everyone about me. It is a bio website. One where I can tell the world about lady artisan as an artist. Show how Lady Artisan become who she is - the Lady Artisan.

I then created a second website that is focused on techniques. Those who would like to learn how to do what I do will find instructions, demonstrations, and links to online resources. This is my teaching and education website.

Back to why I would separate the website content into three websites. Those who are shopping may not want to read about how I make the art. Those who are looking for information on how to sculpt or make a mold may not be interested in reading about the artist. Three separate websites with three different focuses will help those looking for the content they need quickly and efficiently.

Lady Artisan Business

I have been up to important Lady Artisan business that did not include creating new art! It would be nice if the life of an artist was all play but a true art business includes many tasks such as accounting, taxes, inventory, legal issues, purchasing, and so on.

What is this Lady Artisan up to today? Watch for new information on who I am as Lady Artisan. I will let you know when and where you can read this exciting new format on me! Lets just call this my Lady Artisan teaser. (huge grin)

I hope that all of you are able to attend the Minnesota Renaissance Festival this year. I will be unveiling a few new and most excellent Lady Artisan designs.

Garden and Art

The last two years I have allowed squatters - I mean weeds gain control of my gardens. Allowing weeds to stay for more than a day is equivalent to giving them the deed to your property. They sink their roots in deep, spread seed everywhere, and soon their presence overwhelms the legitimate residents of the garden. The neighbors must believe by now that I love creeping charlie, dandelions, and things I cannot even name. A weed garden.

Why have I allowed weeds to take over year after year? The weeds are at their most earnest when I am working hard to get ready for the Renaissance Festival. This year I am determined to give the gardens enough time so that I can enjoy them. And I have a plan.

As I weed I am going to cut out pieces of paper based weed barrier and cover the ground. I can cut pieces to fit between the perennials, that is the ones that have survived the weed onslaught. This should bring things into a place of management again.

I look forward to a daily resting of my mind, feasting of my eyes, and delighting my soul with the sight of beautiful flowers before I begin my work on my art. I trust this will transfer over into the quality and kind of work that I produce.

Minnesota Renaissence Festival

I am busy today working to prepare for the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. New creations that you, my patrons have requested are in process or finished. This year's festival looks to be one of celebration and good cheer. I am creating two new dragon designs that will be fabulous to wear or use in the home. A new flying bat bell in bronze is in the works. I am having fun working in the cool basement on these new designs. It is entirely too hot to be outside!