San Gennaro Festival Poster, Kickstarter and Jewelry Designs in Process

The San Gennaro Festival poster for 2014 was added to the festival website the other day.  Wanda Maria Designs is listed as an official sponsor, right next to Fiat.  Let me tell you, that is one amazing feeling!  I feel like I have to pinch myself to wake up from this dream I am having!

On a related note, my project on Kickstarter is gaining some momentum.  I now have six backers for my project and there are still 21 days to go of my campaign.  Proceeds from this campaign will be used to purchase materials needed for custom orders I anticipate receiving at the San Gennaro Festival next month.  Those who sponsor me can receive an array of rewards from free jewelry to a day with me in my home studio, among other things.  Please stop by and check it out.  No contribution amount is too small, and every little bit helps me towards reaching my goal.

I have been quite busy working on new jewelry designs for the show.  I didn't have a lot of time to prepare as I just received notification of my sponsorship a couple of weeks ago.  Needless to say, I am working on designs from the time I wake up in the morning until I go to bed late at night.  Thankfully, I enjoy creating jewelry, so even though I am "working", it's not the same as having to experience the drudgery of a typical 9 to 5 job (like the one I used to have.)  :)  Pictured below are resin pendants in the process of being made:

Please stay tuned for updates as there are lots more to come!

5x5 Works in Progress for Upcoming Exhibition

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from the Arts Center of the Ozarks letting me know that it is time to start working on artwork for their upcoming 5x5 Annual Art Exhibition.  My husband and I participated in the event last year and had such a wonderful time, we knew when the opportunity arose again this year, there would be no hesitation.

I started working on my creations yesterday featuring my favorite art subject - The Virgin Mary.  Here are the preliminary sketches on canvas:

I also began painting yesterday.  I will have to let these rest for several days.  I added molding paste to some of the paint to give texture to the pictures.  Once dried, I can add the highlights and finishing touches to my mini portraits.

5x5 artwork in progress

I'll be sure to share the finished items with you upon completion.  Until then...have a great weekend!

Youth Bridge Almost Van Gogh Fundraiser Art Challenge

Youth Bridge is a non-profit agency in Arkansas that serves youths and their families in the areas of neglect, abuse, addiction, homelessness, mental health issues and behavioral problems.  When my son told me about Youth Bridge's annual art fundraiser and auction- "Almost Van Gogh" - I couldn't resist the challenge of participating in this very worthwhile event.  This year's event focuses on the importance of art therapy.  As one who regularly makes art as a way of "de-stressing" from everyday life and it's issues, I can totally attest to the value of art therapy.

This challenge invites local artists to create their own version of a Van Gogh, or paint something in the style of Van Gogh.  Each participant is given 3 colors of paint (my colors are black, white and red), 2 paint brushes and a 14" x 18" canvas to work with.  Artists can use any other products (not paint) to color and decorate their art.

I decided to make my version of Van Gogh's Poppies.  I painted the background with a mixture of white paint, alcohol ink and heavy gel medium to achieve texture.  I then used punchinella (sequin waste ribbon) as a stencil and sponged red highlights over the background.  Colorful scrapbook paper was cut into little squares for the mosaic-style table and vase.  Pretty silk purple poppies, leaves and filler flowers were used to complete the design.  Last, but certainly not least, I used a touch a red and black paint and glitter glue to add highlights to the bouquet.

I am looking forward to attending the "Almost Van Gogh" event this year and seeing how other artists rose to the challenge of creating art with a limited base of materials.  The event takes place on Saturday, June 23, 2012.  Stay tuned for an update of this fabulous and worthwhile event after that time. :)

Arts Center of the Ozarks 5x5 Exhibit

Wow!  The past couple of weeks have been an absolute whirlwind!  Please forgive my lack of presence here in blog land.   Between out of town visitors, my son's upcoming wedding and a trip to Chicago to help care for a family member, it has been a truly crazy couple of weeks.  And just think - it's going to be even nuttier with the holidays right around the corner!

On 11/3/11, the Arts Center of the Ozarks held it's annual 5x5 Exhibit and fundraiser.  Artists from the area donate 5x5 pieces of art which are exhibited and displayed in the two story gallery.  This year, there were over 300 pieces of donated art.  Five of those pieces of art were donated by me, my husband and my daughter, Brianna, and I'm happy to report that each one sold!

Here I am standing by my Our Lady of Guadalupe picture.  It sold for $45.00. :)

Many people came to view and bid on the art.

A jazz band played and appetizers prepared by a local chef were served.  Appetizers included spicy meatballs, stuffed mushrooms, candied bacon and chocolate truffles, among other yummy things.

My friend, Thespa, from Vintiquities Workshop was there; she also donated a couple of pieces of art.

Here's the artwork made by my daughter, Brianna with a little help from my husband, Michael.  It actually is a pop art conception of one of my dogs, "Dos".  It sold for $45.00.  :)

Some of my other favorite pieces of art included:


"Flower Market in Venice" by Karolyn Ferrell

"Mille Fluer" by Dixie Westerman (I LOVE the bright colors used in this creation)

"Morning Drive" by Mark Thomas

"Rose" by Carol Cooper

"The Hog" by Kimberly Kolbe

All in all, it was a fun evening.  As much as I enjoyed going to the previous year's 5x5 exhibit, it was even more fun when participating in it.  I look forward to doing it again next year.

Pin It

Tontitown Grape Festival

Tontitown, Arkansas is just a stone's throw away from where I live in Northwest Arkansas. Every year, they hold a Grape Festival which features craft vendors, amusement rides, carnival-style food, used book sale, grape flavored ice cream, homemade spaghetti dinners (made from scratch--no boxed spaghetti, here), grape stomping and live entertainment. Catholic Mass is also held for those who wish to attend. This year, the 110th annual celebration was no different.

History:

Beginning in 1895, Italian settlers established a colony in Tontitown. They established farms, their first general store and a post office. They successfully grew strawberries, apples and grapes. In 1900, the men of the town worked together to build a church. Each August, the settlers would celebrate their harvest with a Mass of
Thanksgiving in the little church. They'd sing and dance, and the women served the tastiest meals that their provisions would allow. These little celebrations continued to blossom and every August, without fail, the Grape Festival is held on the grounds of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. With something for everyone, this celebration is one that the locals look forward to attending year after year.


Homemade Spaghetti Dinner:

My husband and I attended last night's celebration. We started the night off with the delicious homemade spaghetti dinner. Women work for weeks before the celebration making the pasta from scratch and hanging it on racks to dry. Their efforts are very much enjoyed by the locals, and we were no different. Fresh pasta has a taste all it's own. Our dinner came with homemade fried chicken, tossed salad, rolls, butter and a beverage. It was absolutely delicious. Thank goodness I wore my shorts with the stretchy waistband!

Oh, and did I mention? Packages of the dried spaghetti were also for sale for those who wanted to make it at home. I picked up a couple of pounds so my entire family can enjoy it for a yummy dinner to come.






Used Book Sale:
While my husband set up our chairs outside the entertainment stage, I checked out the used book sale. The sale boasts all kinds of books, music (in the form of LP's, CD's) and even some puzzles and games. The items cost anywhere from 25 cents to 50 cents so you can stock up on all sorts of goodies and not break the bank. I walked out with 2 bags of books and LP's. Now, in all honesty, the LP's really aren't anything I would listen to, but the kitschy album artwork was just screaming at me. In the near future, I am going to transform them into something cool, like tote bags or clocks.

Live Entertainment:

The live entertainment for the night was provided by a local band, Whit Landers and the Hillbilly Connection, and country music singer Bryan White. The stage consists of a large trailer from the back of a semi truck. There's nothing quite like listening to live music under the stars in such a homey atmosphere. The first time I saw Bryan White in concert was in 1998 in Arizona, when he toured with LeAnn Rimes. The one thing that struck me both times - then and now - is that Bryan really is a nice guy. He's very down-to-earth and just one of the boys.



After the show ended, Bryan chatted with fans, posed for pictures and signed autographs. I took the opportunity of slipping him my business card and he promised he would check out my original jewelry designs. I would love the opportunity of making him and/or his wife some personalized jewelry with their little boys images on it. Now, I don't know if I will actually be hearing from Bryan or his wife, but if you don't ask, it's a definite "no", right?