Behind the Camera

{Kyra}

It seems as I get older, there are more and more things to do, and less and less time left in the day (or in this case, weekend) for anything fun or relaxing. With my grammy having been sick for months and going between the hospital and rehab, my family and I had even less time to go out and have a good time. But since her passing a month ago (today), I can say I have finally gotten a chance to go out and have a lil fun.

Tessie (my gram) always did tell me to stop working so hard and make sure to take some time out for fun. I can remember her telling me when I was younger to make sure to take a few minutes out of the day and just sit outside in the fresh air. Well, since her stroke in April, I've actually consciously been making the effort to do just that. I take one evening a week (usually whatever day I choose to come home from the office early) and sit outside waiting for my hubby to get home from work. I sit and think, possibly meditating, and breathe in the fresh air. I don't do anything else, until the hubby gets home and it's time for us to make dinner. :)

This past (okay, it's sunday, so i'll say current) weekend, my niece (technically my second cousin, but she calls me "aunt beth") stayed with my aunt for the whole weekend. Kyra, her sister Danielle (my god baby) and their parents live in south jersey, while the rest of us live in central jersey, so we don't see them very often. So since she was having this sleepover at my aunt's, we all got together for a fun day of Kyra time...and boy, did we have a blast. We had a nice little cook out then the whole crew went over to Keansburg (an amusement park on the shore) to play games, ride the rides, walk the beach, etc. I can honestly say, I thought I grew out of going to Keansburg as, Darryl and I haven't been there since 2002, but having a kid with us made all the difference in the world. I have not smiled so much or laughed so hard in I don't know how long. And if Tessie were still here, she would have been there with us having a ball (and probably having more energy than any of us) and showing us what fun you can have at any age. I know she was there in spirit with us...looking down...loving how much fun we were having together as a family....family means everything to her. :)

RIP my beautiful Tessbabe, I miss you every day.

xoxo,
bb

Trials and Tribulations of an "Artist"

Sorry to those who feel like I'm a whiner... but I'm having an issue that I'm hoping putting down on "paper" will finally go away (well, at the very least will leave my head).

I recently started signing up for some local events, to sell my photography, stationery, invitations, and clothing made from my graphic designs. I got in contact with an art gallery in South Jersey who was thrilled to have me at one of their events, as they had mostly jewelers contact them, so my work was completely different for them. My mom then suggested, why not trying to get a table at our home town's special community day. Though I don't still live there, she does, and she goes to the event every year. So I thought, what the heck, let's do it. Maybe I'll see some people I know.

I got in contact with the director of the event. I explained that I'm originally from the town, am trying to really get my art career off the ground, yada yada, and would love to participate in the event, if she could possibly guide me in the right direction as to how to become involved, it'd be wonderful. The director emailed over an application along with due dates for the application, payment, etc. A few hours later, she sends me a one line email, "Oh, and by the way, you do not count as an artist or crafter," meaning I had to pay $60 for a corporate table if I wanted to participate, rather than the $25 they charge artists/crafters.

So I inquire, why is my photography and hand crafted stationery not considered an art/craft. The reply, "it's not handmade." So I reiterate...though I do not make the actual paper or ink used to create my pieces, I do design everything myself, I hand cut each card as most are custom sizes, I hand print everything myself, as well as package everything myself (yes, this includes photography and stationery), so I don't understand why I'm being considered corporate, when it's little ol me doing everything by hand. (isn't that the definition of handmade?) Her response...."sorry, you just don't qualify."

So I'm confused here. Isn't my purchasing paper and ink the same as a crocheter, knitter, or needleworker, purchasing the yarn/wool/floss to make their products? And since when is photography considered to NOT be an art? Am I wrong here? Did I just miss something? My personal feeling is that she wants to charge me more since I'm not a resident of the town. And if she had said that non-residents pay a higher fee, I could live with that, as I've done other events where that was a stipulation.

In some ways I'd like to write her a nice little letter (maybe on my "not" handmade stationery) telling her where she can put that space where my table would be...yup, right up her keester. Or that the next time her town comes to me in desperate need of work to be done...but on a budget, that they will no longer be receiving a discount for me having grown up in that town, being as they could not return the favor.

I don't know...any thoughts out there?

Featured Artist - NaLa

This weeks Featured Artisan is Jewelry by NaLa!

Unique, handmade fashion jewelry featuring Czech glass, Swarovski crystals, semiprecious stones, freshwater pearls, antiqued metals, sterling silver and other fine materials. Enjoy browsing, and stop by her Etsy Shop often ... new designs are being added all the time.

You can Find Jewelry by NaLa @:

Shop URL:
http://jewelrybyNaLa.etsy.com

2nd Shop URL:
http://jewelrybyNaLa.artfire.com

Website URL:
http://NaLa.goods.officelive.com

Twitter Page:
http://www.twitter.com/jewelrybyNaLa

Facebook :
http://www.facebook.com/jewelrybyNaLa

Blog:
http://jewelrybyNaLa.blogspot.com

Artist Feature - Little Sistah

This weeks featured artisan is Little Sistah Studio!

Little Sistah Studio makes the paper, makes the adornments, makes the cards! She creates the art! Welcome to Her world of creativity!

You can find Little Sistah Studio@

Website

Etsy

Facebook">http://www.facebook.com/LittleSistahStudio">Facebook Fan Page

Blog

Click HERE for code

Artist Feature - VA Beach Quilter

 

 

This weeks featured artisan is Va Beach Quilter! 

Kim makes lovely quilts, table runners, coupon organizers, wallets, purses and more! A truly talented

lady offering a wide variety of creations! All make wonderful gifts!

You can find Va Beach Quilter @

 

 

 Artfire

 Etsy

 MadeitMyself 

Twitter

Facebook Fan Page">Facebook'>Facebook

Blognull ">http://vabeachquilter.blogspot.com">Blog ~ With monthly giveaaways!

Click HERE for code

On the Other Side of the Camera

So i spend all this time behind the camera.....i rarely get in front of one. Well, I went out shooting with my assistant on Friday to get the last batch of pictures for my upcoming exhibit, and he helped me out by taking a picture of me, doing what i do best. :) So here it is...meet the girl behind the camera...


*Photo taken by Skyler Lutz

Busy Little Bee

Hi Everybody! I've been so so busy lately. Firstly, I'm sad to say, my Grammy Tessie passed away last week, so I spent a great deal of time working on a photo montage for her funeral, as well as attending services. I'm part of a huge Italian family (you wouldn't know it by my honey colored hair and green eyes, but it's true), so when someone dies, we eat for like five days straight, as well as have multiple days of viewings before the actual funeral.

Anyway, that was a bit off topic, except for the fact that that alone kept me busy for over a week. I'm now currently working on a leather custom photo book for a couple that lives in Uptown Manhatten, as well as designing some business cards for some new clients on Etsy. Thought maybe you'd like to take a little peek at them. :)



Those two cards are samples I just sent over to SassySoaps1184. Hope she likes them. :)

Here's another I've been working on. This one is actually a double sided one (front-top, back-bottom)