Open Studios!

Saturday and Sunday I participated in the city-wide Open Studios in Lowell, MA. It was a big deal and everyone at Western Avenue Studios had been working toward it for weeks and months.

I set up a little welcome station with a fruit plate and water along with a beautiful flowering mum my friend Mirja gave me as a birthday/studio warming gift.






I paid to be listed in the LOS literature and on the website. It seems like we had a good turnout though I don't know exact numbers.

We in the A mill were at a bit of a disadvantage being a new section and a bit off the beaten path from the main building. But Greg of Mill City Photography, Donna Berger and others helped make signage to direct people our way. I contributed a handpainted sign that I hope got people's attention.


I had plenty of items to fill my displays so I didn't have to scramble to make things. I did offer needle-felting demonstrations both days and that is always good because I actually make more flowers while showing people how I do it! In fact I ended up completing three pins over the weekend. My polymer clay eggs were a big hit along with the felty flower pins and mom's cards. But I got positive comments on all my items, which is really encouraging and very satisfying. Especially from other artists in the building! I find the other artists at WAS to be supremely friendly and helpful and I'm very much enjoying the camaraderie. Other artists also bought from me which is a huge compliment! Amber who spins and creates knitting patterns and knit sculpture bought a string of my handmade beads in the morning...


...and came back in the afternoon wearing a necklace she designed with her studio-mate who makes jewelry!


D came and kept me company for several hours and that was wonderful since I was missing spending the weekend with him which we really enjoy, even when we have to do things like buy groceries. Other friends and neighbors stopped in, I always love seeing a friendly face as well as meeting new folks. Overall it was very enjoyable and I wish it happened more than once a year! Luckily, I have first Saturdays to look forward to every month. Hopefully, as we are nearing the holidays, the attendance for those will increase.

Update on other shows: I did not get into Bazaar Bizarre, not bizarre enough I'm guessing. But that's OK! I have an application in to participate in stART on the street's holiday show at the Worcester DCU (the Centrum!) on December 9th. I really hope I get into that. I feel like the Worcester crowd likes my stuff and I would be sharing with Liz of Lush Beads again, we make a good team :) And don't forget I will be at the South End Open Market for their last show of the season on October 28th!