Busy Times

Burnt raisin toast

Ever feel like burnt toast? Well…I have and do from time to time.
Took this last weekend off for a mental break.

So what’s going on…

My blonde daughter at her first art show in front of her booth

My daughter participated in her first art show with RAW artists in Costa Mesa, California. It was a raucous night with about 50 artists, a beauty booth, fashion show, and a huge nightclub backdrop. She visited with throngs of people and collected, as well as gave away, a deck of cards.

cartoon portrait of my son

My son is on the fast track to graduation. First he’ll turn 18 then less than a month later he walks down the path in cap and gown. Where does the time go?

colorful hula dancing girls made into earrings

Last week brought to life a gaggle of these. Dancing Hula girls for your ears.

…and a couple of gals similar to this…

blonde gals with crowns and signs that say i am what i am made into earrings

Many other things took shape this past week or so. As did a complete inventory of my jewelry selection. I have so many things. Some fabulous and new but lots that I’ve been looking at for awhile. Three or four trays of stuff were taken apart and I still have lots for a sale table at my next show.

Which is over Mothers Day weekend, May 11 & 12, at the Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo, California. Mark the calendar and come say hello. My booth is in the back parking lot space #5.
Also my booth will be out next to Heritage Lake at the Irvine Fine Arts Center on Saturday June 1st. Come mark the day with music, ceramic bowls of ice cream, and lots of great artisan work.

Just for the record the shop is still empty. I’m still having trouble finding the time between shows to refill it and keep creating. So please come follow me on Instagram (@susanmwb) and if you see anything you like please message me and we’ll work something out. You can also find me on Facebook or Pinterest at Susan’s Charming Trinkets.

See you soon!

Two Shows in One Weekend: The Aftermath

So…I still feel like I am recovering from two shows in one weekend. Glitterfest and the Bernardo Winery show were both scheduled together. Oy…

This doesn’t happen every year. Only maybe once every three or four. No matter how you slice it it’s stressful.

I finally got my mojo in gear about a month beforehand and created like a maniac right up until the very last moment. Thursday night I packed my car for a Friday set up at the winery.

Cart full of junk

My husband helped out and we set up my booth plus a friend of mine who vends in the tent next door. Took us the better part of three hours to get it all together. Then home again, home again…only to unload the car and reload the car for Saturday’s Glitterfest.

More junk

Saturday we divided to conquer the show world. Boys to the Winery and girls to Glitterfest.

Glitterfest Girls

I have to admit I don’t have many pics from the Winery this time. First day the boys took maybe one picture and day two I spaced completely. Whoops….but both were a great success. Crazy to do but both worked out well.

And even with all the planning, making, and stresses it was over in a flash! All of a sudden it was Monday and all that was left was the mess!

...and more mess with junk!

Thank goodness everything is pretty much put away now. But I’m about to do one more show…so some things are still hanging out here and there. Last in person show for the year will be at the Irvine Fine Arts Center in Irvine California…maybe I will see you there…???

Until next time,

Susan

 

Two Shows the Same Weekend

Show prep is in full swing here at my very messy studio…this year I have two shows on the same weekend!

First there is the best mixed media show in southern California…

October 15, 2016
October 15, 2016

My daughter and I will be at Glitterfest (Anaheim, CA) from 10-am to 3pm in our best fall attire with all my goodies.

Also the same day and weekend is the 39th Annual Fall Bernardo Winery Art and Craft Fair (Rancho Bernardo, CA)…my son, Paul, will have his maiden solo voyage running my booth on Saturday from 10am to 5 pm! Please come say hello and spur him on! He’s a budding entrepreneur and has been working with me for the past three years. He can do it!!

So how does one prep for two shows on the same weekend? FURIOUSLY!

Stay tuned for some sneak peeks…

Until next time,
Susan

Gift From Etsy

Woo hoo!!

Look what came in the mail awhile back! I had forgotten to show it off but here it is…

The new Etsy attachment that allows for payments to be taken with my smart phone!

Etsy Payment Box

This is how it came to me.. With it’s own really fabulous packaging. Great branding and something we all need to pay attention to. Huge sticker on the mailing envelope, cards with their logo…even the rubber band is their signature color!

And it gets better…

etsydongle3

You can use all the cards in or on your show tables or booth. One folds into a table stand…and the box that holds the device…

etsydongle1

…has a slit in it to hold the credit card sign!!! It’s a fabulous thing!! And it was free!

I have yet to try it out but I will and report back. If you have a shop on Etsy you should ask for one of these! It never hurts to try new things!

Until next time,

Susan

My Favorite Show…(better late than never)

Bead Soup Hoppers…..you can find my bead soup here:  https://www.susansartcircus.com/bead-soup-all-at-once/

Over Mother’s Day I had my booth full of things at the Bernardo Winery in San Diego, California. It was the 37th year that this show has been going on and about 10 years that I have participated.

Peek!

The winery is a beautiful spot. Filled with antiques from the century they’ve been raising grapes on the property. Hundreds of olive trees line the walkways and buildings. Lush landscaping and flowers all around. Many small specialty shops and, of course, the wine tasting room plus they have a restaurant in the middle of everything! Needless to say it’s my favorite place and I get to be there (as long as Veronica juries me in) twice each year…Mother’s Day weekend and again the weekend a couple weeks before Halloween.

This time my whole family came on Mother’s Day. My son…

Paul

…he fell in love with my friend April’s Yorkie, Suzy. Isn’t she cute?

Ua

My daughter came all day to help out.

Goofy...

And my husband, well, let’s just say he found some new friends.

Whenever you get the chance go visit the Bernardo Winery…you won’t regret it!