Organizing is Hard Work

Well, I am working hard on getting my studio organized. However, re-organizing the studio is leading to re-organizing the library, the enclosed porch, the basement, and most of the house. And, since my house is small that leads to chaos like this--

   

I have the tables stacked as I try to sort out tools, books, notebooks, etc.  And, there is more to come--there just isn't any more room on the tables.  And, I am convinced once I get everything organized it will all fit.  And, more importantly, I will once again be able to work efficiently without spending time looking for tools or beads or wood strips or ...

And, now back to sorting, labeling and arranging.

Simplifying and Organizing

2013 is my year for organization and simplification.  The first step towards simplification was to merge my blog and website.  So, the information from my Magickal Dragon Designs website is now being merged into this blog.  This means everything is in one place and hopefully I will do a better job in 2013 of posting regularly and keeping my classes and events pages current.

This is also more cost-effective, since I am no longer paying for hosting service for my website only the registration fee for my domain (hodgepodgestudio.com).  Actually for the next 18 months or so I will continue to pay for registering the domain for magickladragondesigns.com also.  And, for my gallery pages to show examples of some of my jewelry and miniatures, I am using Photo Gallery by QuickGallery.com.  This FREE app pulls your images from another source, such as Flickr or Facebook and puts them together in a photo array that links to the originals larger images.  You just copy the HTML code to your blog or website.  And, so far it seems to be working well.  Let me know if you experience any problems with my gallery pages.

I am still tidying up loose ends on the web and making sure that I have good links from my old website to thissite.  But, hopefully by the end of the year all of that will be done.

Now, I need to start on step 2.  I moved my studio home in 2011 and never really got properly organized..  I am just one of those people who works better when all of my supplies and materials are categorized, boxed, and labelled.  So, that is the next project.  My former dining room is my studio/teaching space which works fine, but I have been spending more time trying to find things than I have creating art.  I also have a slight issue with my kitties--Cordelia and Isis.  They both think that my worktable is a great place to lay down or, worse yet, bat around small things like tiny silver bowls and then hide them.  So, this is going to be a challenge but I have already purchased a rolling work table and storage cubes as a starter.  So, you might want to check back and see how this all come together.

5th Annual Autumn Art Fair This Weekend

We would love to have you join us this weekend for the Autumn Art Fair sponsored by Indy Parks & Recreation at the Garfield Park Arts Center at 2432 Conservatory Drive on Indy’s near Southside.  We will be open on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17 FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM AND ON SUNDAY, FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM.  This show features hand-created, family-friendly, affordable art (50¢ -$500) from over 40 Hoosier artists.  You just may just find that perfect piece of art for your home or truly unique gifts for those special people on your holiday gift-giving list.  Free admission!  Free parking!  And door prizes!
 

I will be there with my fused glass jewelry and fine art prints.  There will also be painters, sculptors, potters, basket makers, fiber artists, jewelry makers and more. 

And, you don’t want to miss the live entertainment.  Drama and some comedy come from the Garfield Shakespeare Company.  Garfield Park Arts Center Dance Teachers Ali-Munger, Faten and Brenda Perkins, show off their talents and their students on Saturday around 1 pm. The extraordinary ManualAires and their energetic director Mr. Spencer Lloyd will surprise us. Musicians Andy Wysong and Friends always entertain us with some smooth golden oldies.

And just in case you haven’t visited Garfield Park recently, here are DIRECTIONS::

From I-65, take Exit 109 W. onto Raymond St.  Pass Shelby St. & S. Garfield Dr.  At the light, veer left (SW) onto Pleasant Run Pkwy.  Opposite the fire station, turn left (south) onto Conservatory Dr.  Go straight, cross 2 bridges, & turn right into our parking lot.  GPAC is built into the side of the bluff.

INDYGO ROUTE #22 goes down Shelby along the east side of Garfield Park about a block from GPAC.  We are west of the Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens across the creek.

Hope to see you there!!

May is a Busy Month

I have good intentions about blogging, but I always get busy and May, so far, has been extremely so.  I have a contract for providing the technical edits for a jewelry making book--6 chapters done and waiting for the last 3 from the publisher now.  I also have had several one-on-one computer consultations helping people resolve their software and internet issues.  I managed to get some new work down to the Southside Art League for the Second Friday opening for their latest show--Rhythms and Movement.  And, I am also teaching a jewelry making class at Garfield--this is the last week for the class.

And, of course, I am working hard on getting everything prepared for my two silver clay miniature classes that I am teaching at the Museum of Miniature Houses on June 2.  (Additional information on my Classes page.)  If you want to try something new in miniatures, I think there are a few openings left--but don't wait too long.  And, of course, I have lots of work to do on the pieces I will be exhibiting at the Sci-Fi & Fantasy show at the Garfield Park Art Center in July.  Check the What Else Am I Doing page for more details..

Chicago Miniature Shows

I just got back from Chicago--a great few days immersed in the miniature world.  I took three classes including the 1:144 Leather Bound Books in a Bookcase Class.  The books, which are 2 - 4 mm in length do open.  The books were great fun to make and our instructors--Tine Krinjnen & Rachel Roet--were wonderful.  I hope they are back next year so I can take another class.  I took two other classes also--Wire Your Miniature Settings with Tim Kraft and working with the Jewelry Saw with Diane Almedya.  Both of these classes were very informative and the instructor's really know their subject matter.

Then on Friday, I attended the Bishop Show all-day preview.  This is a great way to see the show.  Yes there are 600 people in attendance but that is much less than on the regular show days and you can actually stop and talk to the dealers and browse leisurely without feeling like you are keeping other people from being able to visit a booth.  Saturday, I wondered over to the IMA show and Sunday made another trip back thru the Bishop show before I headed back to Indy.  I loved the browsing and admiring--but, of course, I also spent some money.  Another book kit from Tine, some QS furniture kits from Templewood Miniatures (owned by Alan and Kathryn from the UK), some 1/144th scale roomboxes, and a random assortment of other minis, including a 1" scale mortar and pestle for my Wizard's Potion Room.

My only disappointment was that with my classes and the Bishop Preview show, I didn't make it to Three Blind Mice.  I will definitely schedule next year so that I make that show also.  Yes, I am already planning for next year.

2012 Indiana State Day - Your Heart's Desire Emporium

This weekend I attended my first NAME event--Indiana State Day in Shipshewana.  It was wonderful.  I drove up to Shipshewana Friday afternoon, so I could participate in the evening events.  There were some make-it and take-its as well as the Shoebox Sale.  It was great fun.  Then on Saturday, we had a wonderful breakfast followed by the morning workshop where we started building our shelving units for the emporium.  We also received a kit for creating a very elegant hatbox and other boxes and were instructed on completing the hatbox.  All of the luncheon centerpieces were quite creative--I particularly liked the bright colors of Alice in Wonderland centerpiece...  But, I didn't win a centerpiece.

A  Real Emporium

An Art Gallery

Then after lunch the emporiums created by the steering committee members and many of the volunteers  were unveiled.  Each one was different and each a treasure.  And, of course, they were emporiums so there were so many things to look at you just couldn't see everything in just one look.  Then with lots of help from the committee and the volunteers we were all able to get our emporium shells put together.    And, now mine is setting waiting for me to do something with it.  What type of emporium does my heart desire?  And, there were some great State Day Helpers, but I didn't win one.  My favorite was this elegant little art gallery. 

Museum of Miniature Houses

I started volunteering at the Museum of Miniature Houses in Carmel today.  This was actually my volunteer training day.  They have a wonderful collection of miniatures and if you haven't had a chance to visit the museum I highly recommend that you add it to your list of great places to visit in Central Indiana.  To get a peek at some of their collection visit their website

Creative Journeys - First Meeting This Sunday

Page from co-instructor
Moon Stump's sketchbook

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? Would you like an opportunity to meet with others who share your interest and be inspired by their work? Are you interested in sharing information on the newest pens, paints, and other supplies? Then join us this Sunday, January 8, 3 - 5 pm at the Garfield Park Art Center for our first meeting. This group is open to journal and sketchbook artists of any skill level. We'll discuss methods, materials, and media. At every meeting we'll have discussion, share our work, and engage our minds with a fun sketching/journaling exercise.

Our meetings will continue on the second Sunday of each month.  Free and no pre-registration required.

All About Red Show Opens on Friday, January 6

The All About Red show featuring interpretive art from the Southside Art League artists opens on Friday, January 6, from 4-8 pm. The SALI Gallery is located at 299 East Broadway in Greenwood.  This show will remain up through the end of February.