Dogwood Arts Festival Market Square Art Fair {one-of-a-kind fused glass art, Knoxville, TN}

:: MARK YOUR CALENDARS ::

Sassy Glass Studio will be displaying our one-of-a-kind fused glass art at the Dogwood Arts Festival Market Square Art Fair from Thursday, April 16th to Sunday, April 19th.

This will be second year Sassy Glass Studio has participated in the DAF Art Fair and we are looking forward to great weather and huge crowds. Last year's DAF Art Fair was our very first show and just about anything that could go wrong did. It was the ultimate learning experience. Our hand-me-down tent literally exploded in a wind storm about an hour after a reporter from the newspaper came by and asked how things were going and I replied "Great!". It was pretty funny because the story was on the front page of the paper the next morning and a lot of people came by and told me about it and then I got to share "the rest of the story". We now have an ultra-fabulous professional tent and that bad boy isn't going to give us any trouble. The first day of the Art Fair coincides with the popular Sundown in the City concert series on Market Square and I am really looking forward to sharing my art with the thousands who will flock downtown to listen to Cowboy Mouth. There are also a number of new activities planned this year such as the chalk walk which should be great fun for the kids (and probably a few adults too).

I get really excited about all things local to Knoxville so when I was planning my art show schedule for 2009 doing the DAF Art Fair was the only show I cared about. I won't be traveling to Blowing Rock, NC or Hilton Head, SC this year for shows that were well attended but didn't leave me feeling like I had connected with any "community". That's why I am keeping it local this year. In order to let people know a little more about me and what I think is important as an artist located in Knoxville, TN I created another tag line for my Studio (aside from one-of-a-kind fused glass art) that sums it up :: Shop Local :: Shop Unique :: Shop Handmade :: Shop Sassy Glass Studio. I also sell my fused glass goodness through Etsy, an on-line marketplace, where only handmade items are sold which allows me to share my art with the whole world while maintaining the "Shop Local" feeling of a friendly market.

I will be sharing more about selling my art on Etsy and how that has evolved into the development of a group of local crafters, artists and creative minds who have come together to raise awareness of creative people in Knoxville and give people the opportunity to feed the local economy by buying art and other products which have been hand-crafted locally. Look for features on my fellow Knoxville Etsians as well.

I look forward to seeing you next week at the Dogwood Arts Festival Market Square Art Fair!

Art in the Park in Blowing Rock, NC Update

This gorgeous red and orange part panel found a loving home this weekend

Sassy Glass Studio was back in Blowing Rock, NC for Art in the Park this past weekend. The early morning weather was glorious compared to last month; however, mid-afternoon the skies opened up and Mother Nature has herself a good, long cry. My brother, Adam, was with me this show (Allan was assisting our friend, Bryan Allen, with a wedding shoot) and helped keep things under control, undercover and as dry as possible. Actually, the tent is set up in the photography studio drying out as I write this. We had a great show and met a lot of fantastic people. Below are some photographs from the show and, as usual, there are the requisite canine photographs. I am definitely making some pet jewelry before the next show, because we all know pets are people too.

The rain...but look at those beautiful plant hangers by Tom and Bonnie at Fiddler's Forge

Yes, all this fits in the Prius...including Adam, my brother, my helper

Big puppy

Wine bottle cheese trays, coasters and plates

This Mastiff puppy was making all kinds of friends...

Frankie's owner made her pose for me, too cute!

The best part of participating in an art show is knowing that someone is going home with my hand-crafted fused glass art and they will absolutely enjoy them. They don't know the time, energy, creative process, anguish and praying that goes into each piece; and they don't need to, all they need to do is love it. Ahhh, such a good feeling it is to share my art with the general public. I have a lot of creativeness ahead of me before the next show in Banner Elk, NC on July 19th and 20th, so look to see some totally new and unusual pieces emerging from the kiln over the next few weeks.

The booth set up

One thing I don't want to forget to share is how we pack everything for the art shows into the Prius. The Prius is not a large car by any stretch, but it is huge on effective packing space. I wish I had a photograph of the booth completely set up with the Prius next to it, but the load-in and load-out processes don't typically allow for cars to be present when your tent is still up, but one day I will find a way to get this photograph. Allan wants to send it to Toyota's marketing department. Maybe they will put Sassy Glass Studio in an advertisement...wouldn't that be cool.

Art in the Park in Blowing Rock, NC Update

Blowing Rock lived up to its name, dishing up a blustery wind and temperatures in the low 40's during the early morning set up for the art show. We were not geared appropriately for the weather and tempers ran hot while attempting to set up the tent with frozen digits. It appeared that none of the other artists were prepared for the weather either as many were attired in short-sleeves, shorts and Crocs. The wind was merciless and a few artists had to wrangle their wayward tents back into place and a couple of pieces of pottery were noisily dashed to the ground in a splintery splash of hardened clay. Thankfully Sassy Glass Studio's fantastic new tent weathered the wind with little disruption and we didn't experience any shattered glass. Whew!

Shortly after we had the booth ready for the art-loving public our prayers were answered and the sun broke through the clouds and the temperature climbed to that critical point where everyone begins complaining that it is too hot. It was the perfect day to venture out, head to the Park, wander around, look at the creations of the many artist's, and search for that perfect piece for a gift or just something new to display in the home. Many of our customer's were looking for unique wedding gifts and we were able to help them choose just the right piece. (Don't forget Sassy Glass Studio can custom create gifts for any ocassion!)

Sassy Glass Studio will be back at Art in the Park in Blowing Rock on June 14th so come back and visit us again or check out our schedule on the right to see where we will be next. Also, look for the newsletter later this month. Sassy will be hitting the beach in Jacksonville, FL for a little relaxation over the Memorial Day weekend. Relax and enjoy your holiday weekend too!



Allan makes friends with Marie

The booth

Martini glass suncatcher

Faithful sidekick Allan

Some Sassy Glass Studio creations

Spring has sprung!

Everywhere I look, whether it is around the yard, on the road or in the market; bright colors and flowers look right back at me. I love color and flowers almost equally and have worked to incorporate both into my glass pieces. I created a collection of plates, bowls and art panels embellished with a flower motif that are sure to make your Spring, well, Springier. Here are of a couple of the pieces as well as a couple of new ones. Allan and I are on our way to Blowing Rock, North Carolina for the Art in the Park show on Saturday. The weather should be wonderful which will draw a great crowd. Be sure to check back for my show recap early next week. If you see any pieces on this blog that you would be interested in purchasing contact me and I can let you know if it is still available and if it isn't I can custom create a similar (or whole new) piece for you. Don't forget to send me your e-mail address to be added to the e-newsletter mailing list!

Flower art panel

Flower art panel

Flower plate

Margarita suncatcher

Martini suncatcher

Sunshine open-weave bowl

Independence Day woven plate