Am I Having Fun Yet? YES!

I am always pretty miserable in the late months of winter. The holiday season drains me and there is a void in the quiet afterward. I always feel I should push myself - "Keep making things, Amy. Don't stop." There is a kind of guilt there too, that I should beef up my Etsy shop, organize, do taxes... Really, being in business there is always something to do. I did organize a bit and my tax stuff is much more together than last year, so taking a deep breathe, I tried to let it go.

I did my "Mommy duties" - the house looked pretty good! The laundry was done and in the drawers! We actually had people over for dinner and I could use my dining room! While doing the "chores", I found my mind wandering to new ideas, things I had always wanted to try. Eventually I was dropping the laundry, half folded, and running to google something to find out techniques and where to find supplies.

Printing is where I landed. I have always loved woodcuts and block printing and I wanted to see if I could incorporate it into my work.

Here are some blocks that I cut.



And here are some bags in process,



and some finished ones.







I also intend to incorporate these prints into my encaustic mixed media. Here is one piece that is in process.



It has been so rewarding and I look forward to what may develop in the future. One thing is for sure, dinner parties may need to be out on the porch. Good thing the weather is getting better!

My dining room:

Long House



Last fall, on a trip to see friends, we took an afternoon to go walk the gardens at Long House in East Hampton, NY. It was a typical cloudy fall day but it took nothing away from the beauty of these gardens.



Long House is the residence of Jack Lenor Larsen, an internationally famous textile designer and founder of Larsen the Company, part of Cowtan & Tout since 1998. It sits on 16 acres of gardens that serve as a backdrop to stunning contemporary art and sculpture.

"The mission of LongHouse Reserve is to exemplify living with art in all forms."















I highly recommend a trip if you are ever in the area and I hope to return to see how it changes through the seasons. Oh, and next time I'll be sure to have more than just my iphone for pictures!

Away to NYC!


I am headed to NYC to visit great friends and spend some time at the NYIGF. I can't wait for the inspiration and fun!
I hope to have a blog post when I get back. Chow

Winter Nesting



I am back. It happens every year at this time. I feel like a bulb under the deep snow. I'm not really producing anything but inside I am turning over new ideas. Yet somehow they seem stuck, not fully formed, and so I sit on them... waiting...



I've just been puttering in my studio, trying out a few things. I've been sculpting clay birds and wire branches with flowers made from recycled fabric and adding them to salvaged bottles.

I rearranged and have started to organize things after the crazy holiday blitz. I have made a high island in the center of my studio. Last year, I had folding tables along the windows that I used as work surface. Unfortunately, they were also my show tables so I had to clean them off every time I packed up. I would like to say that this kept things picked up but it only resulted in a shuffling of piles and my center table became a dumping ground. My goal this year is to stay better organized. I also was fortunate to gain a flat file (for free!) so now all my papers can have a nice place to land.



One last improvement is a new encaustic pallet. I have wanted one for 2 years and could finally afford to spoil myself. I can't wait to get started!

Last Show of the Season!



Tomorrow is the final show of 2009 for me - Sowa Holiday Market.
There will be 80 vendors selling fantastic handmade items for everyone on your shopping list. This will be the 6th season for SOWA Holiday and looks to be one of it's best yet!! Come out and shop some of the finest handcrafts in the Boston area. Doors open at 10am 'til 6pm Saturday and Sunday at the Cathedral High School Gym in the South End.

After a sort rest, I will be back to blogging about new work and inspirations. Looking forward to 2010!

Design Nearby - Big Print Little Print



This Friday Dec. 11th, I have the honor of taking part in Design Nearby - Big Print Little Print a one night art sale and party at Pinkcomma Gallery, 81B Wareham Street, Boston.

Featured artists include:


Tony Bevilacqua



Alison Cole



Dyslexic Press



Family Dinner for One



Leah Giberson



Ink Design



JHill Design



Kyle Jonasen



Nervous System



Katie Rowley



Jenn Ski



Two Trick Pony



Viva Ortegacy


Erica von Schilgen



Susy Pilgrim Waters



The 47th

The party runs from 6-11. A fun and funky way to find some cool gifts for the holidays. Hope to see you there!

Coastal Holiday House Tour and Boutique

This Sunday Dec. 6 there will be the Coastal Holiday Boutique and House Tour to benefit the Scituate Elementary School.My Boston Handmade friend Brooke of Bancroft Studios and 17 other vendors will be at the Boutique at the Barker Tavern from 10:30-5:00 and it is FREE and open to the public. What a great place to find some holiday goodies!