Showing posts with label Lady Artisan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lady Artisan. Show all posts

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Lady Artisan Flask Funnels

Today I worked on a silicone mold that needed to be repaired for the third time! I now know why the mold is tearing so this time the repair should last.






Lady Artisan Flask Funnels are quite popular. They are a visually pleasing way to be certain not to lose your good spirits as you fill your flask. These Flask Funnels are designed so that you can hold the flask and funnel in one hand as you pour with the other.

The Dragon Flask Funnel has an imperfection in the narrow tube section of the funnel that rips the mold as the cast metal is removed from the mold. This happens after about 20 castings. To fix this permanently took several steps.
  1. I worked on a cast Dragon Funnel, not the original sculpture, using wax to fill in a tiny hole that catches on the silicone when the sculpture is removed from the mold.
  2. I put the cast Dragon Funnel back into the mold.
  3. New silicon was poured into the damaged area of the mold.

If this repair works the mold will provide castings for years to come. If it does not prove resilient then I plan to replace the problematic part of the silicone mold with steel.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Lady Artisan Preparing For New Shows.

Today I spent most of the day preparing to apply to several excellent Renaissance Festivals.
  • The paperwork is filled out.
  • The photographs are developed.
  • Hard bound presentation binders are purchased.
Now I have to put the presentations together.

Lady Artisan may join:

The process to join a Renaissance Festival can take years.

  1. The festival must determine that your work is a good fit for this venue.
  2. A need for your media is essential. Too many artists of any one media are not allowed.
  3. Someone needs to leave the festival so there is room for a new artist.
  4. The location that is available needs to be the right one for your shop. Festivals do not put artists of similar media, style, or product close to one another.

I will keep you informed as I find out which shows have a place for Lady Artisan Sculpture.

May the pursuit of your dreams be all that you wish it to be!

With Love,

Lady Artisan

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Lady Artisan Travels

It has been a few months since I have posted a blog. Major changes in the life of this artist have been in process. Many of you are aware of how I have been altering my life to that of a full time traveling artist.

Currently I am in Texas, at Scarborough Faire. It is a lovely faire and I hope that all of my Texas Patrons will stop by and say hello, and those from other states are able to travel down to this festival. It has been a delight to visit with you who have already stopped by! Remember that I keep ice on hand for your bodice cooler and flask. They really are heaven in a bottle!

Traveling across the country, living away from home, and learning to work on the road is a huge transition. I am still adjusting but love the change of lifestyle. As I have always said, the Festival is a fantastic venue because I am able to meet you my patrons and spend time with you. Now I will be able to do that year round.

From Scarborough expect to see Lady Artisan in Colorado. A place in Colorado is pending. After Colorado I will be back in Minnesota for the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Then the plan is to return to Texas for TRF. A place at TRF is pending. Hopefully this year Arizona can find a place for my booth. Other state festivals are in the plans and I will let you know where I will be as contracts are finalized.

Today I prepared photographs and applications to new shows across the country. One of the adjustments to being on the road is that the vendor I need may not be in the area. Many photographs of my art are not cropped to standard dimensions. They are cropped to display the art at its best. Many photo finishing outlets cannot print a photograph that is not a standard size without cropping out vital parts of the photograph. Tomorrow I will resume my search for a lab that can do the job. A trip to Dallas may be required.

May all of your dreams be just what you wished for!

With Love,

Lady Artisan

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Tilttoo Shop for Crafting Fun

This blog topic is for my friends who love to create using fabric. Some of you sew, others scrapbook. And a few of you create all manner of fun things.



I have found a shop on Etsy that has fabric for sale.


The shop is run by Theresa of Tilt Creations.

Check it out. These fabrics can be a great gift for someone you know who would love to use them!


Theresa also sells patterns for those who love to sew their own clothing,. You know who you are and you are not me. (Lady Artisan Cannot Sew!)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tilttoo
Theresa does her own sewing. She designs hand bags! You can find the hand bags at another of her etsy shops. http://www.etsy.com/shop/tiltcreations. Hand crafted bags are the perfect solution for those of you who would like a unique bag that screams YOU!

Lady Artisan would like to thank all who have sewing talents. Without those talents Lady Artisan would not have anything to wear!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Lady Artisan Discussion 1 on Staying in Shape

Those of us who work sedentary jobs, especially if the job requires a lot of brain energy, have our work cut out for us to stay in shape.

What Lady Artisan Has Learned

There is a physiological reason why those who do intellectual yet sedentary work tend to gain weight. It has to do with brain energy. Sitting in a chair and working does not burn many calories. Yet the brain uses glucose as if you were working a physically demanding job. Low glucose leads to hunger. To refuel, you need to eat more calories than your body has burned.

What Lady Artisan Does To Keep In Shape

Taking care of your health and weight takes planning when you work a sedentary job. There are a number of ways to manage weight and fitness when your job compels you to eat more calories than you burn. This blog post talks about the standing work station.

Lady Artisan Uses Standing Work Stations

For Your Computer

Standing work stations allow you to burn calories as you work. Lady Artisan first read about these standing work stations online. The Mayo clinic has created a treadmill that allows you to work on the computer as you slowly walk. Over the course of a day about 900 calories beyond what would be burned by sitting and working are burned on this treadmill.

The treadmills are expensive. You might want to try what Lady Artisan has done. Office stores have keyboard and laptop adjustable stands that allow you to adjust the working height of your equipment. Try moving your monitor to a shelf or wall that puts it at face level. Put your keyboard on the adjustable stand so that you can stand while you work with your body in an ergonomically correct position. If you have back problems the standing work station can eliminate the pain that results from a sitting work station.

This is the mayo clinic link on the treadmill work station.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/treadmill-desk/MM00706

When using your standing work station at the computer shift your feet or walk in place. You can do this by keeping your feet on the ground and gently lift your heals, alternating feet, as if you are walking. Use those short periods when you are waiting for a page to load or program to open to jog in place or stretch your body.

For Your Art

Set up your easel, sculpture stand, or drawing table so that you can stand while you work. Standing has the benefit not only of helping you to keep your body at a healthy weight, but reduces the strain on muscles and joints that result in pain or overuse injuries.

This page provides information on how to set up a standing work station based on the type of activity you do. http://www.scif.com/safety/ergomatters/StandingGuidelines.html
Working on creative projects like a drawing requires precision that body movement will prevent. Stop frequently to stretch, change position, or do a minute of running in place. This will not only help you to stay fit, but can prevent the overuse injuries that are common to artists.
Next Lady Artisan Discussion
Next Lady Artisan will discuss how to fit tiny fat burning workouts into your work routine.
Your Work Station
Share with the readers of this blog how using a standing work station has worked for you, or if you would like to try one for the first time. If there are any obstacles to your use of a standing work station tell us what those are. Lady Artisan or one of her blog followers might have an idea to help you out.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Lady Artisan 2010

Lady Artisan has exciting plans for this new year.


Many of you in Texas have asked Lady Artisan to visit your fine state. You have asked Lady Artisan to travel south for many years now. This is the year you have been waiting for. Lady Artisan plans to go Texas!
There are two Renaissance Festivals in Texas where you may find Lady Artisan in 2010.
Lady Artisan at Scarborough
http://www.scarboroughrenfest.com/
Applications will soon be reviewed for new Artisans at Scarborough. If Scarborough has room for a sculptor and a place for her shop then you will find Lady Artisan here.

Lady Artisan at Texas

You can find many of Lady Artisan's friends demonstrating their craft and selling their wares at this festival. Although not until October Lady Artisan will apply to this Renaissance Festival soon.

Lady Artisan at Minnesota
You will find Lady Artisan at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival as always. 2010 will be a year of festivity for Lady Artisan and her patrons.

Lady Artisan introduces Nico Designs

This month Lady Artisan and the Etsy Bloggers are profiling a gal with both creative and teaching skills. Her blog is full of tutorials that range in topic from running an art or craft business to step-by-step creative projects.
Erica of Nico Designs is the Etsy Blogger of the month. http://etsybloggers.com/
Check out her blog to learn how to create an Upcycled Sweater Hat. Lady Artisan is now racking her brain to figure out if she has a sweater to turn into a hat. http://designsbynico.blogspot.com/


At Nico Designs Etsy store you will find a variety of fashion clothing and bags. http://www.etsy.com/shop/NicoDesigns
The stylish diaper bag pictured above is designed to look like a purse! Excellent work Erica! Lady Artisan knows a new mother that would love to have this diaper bag.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

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.

Monday, November 23, 2009

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/

Sunday, November 22, 2009

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.


Saturday, October 24, 2009

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.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

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.


Saturday, October 10, 2009



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.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

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.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

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.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

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!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

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.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

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)

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

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.