Art Business

So the business side of the art world is never done. I have spent this week emptying the car from the last show, cleaning up my storage area to put everything from the last show, rearranging my display stuff in the storage area in prepartion of the next show... I have a few appointments this week to delivery custom earrings to coordinate with necklaces that have already been purchased. I also have been lining up some little non-artist jobs so I have money to spend on my art supplies and such. Life is never dull!

Part of my art business this week has been that I received an email from a local restaurant looking for art to hang. I got really excited, forwarded this information to my local art community buddies, and then went to my picture folder to forward some pics of my own artwork. And promptly realized that I don't have any pictures of the artwork I currently have to sell. I only have pictures of artwork that is gone! Just another chore I added to the art business "to-do" list. I hope I can get some good pictures soon so as to take advantage of being displayed at the totally cool local eatery, The Funky Door, before all my pals take up the best spots!

In my picture files, I do have great pictures of my friend's work. Here is just an example of what Kathryn Millis Flanagan has to offer. This is from an event, Art Splash on the Square, we did together in Graham, Texas several years ago. 

Back to my "to-do" list!

Stop to Smell the Roses

Just a quick walk through the backyard to see what spring has done to the plants. The smell was just awesome from all the roses in bloom.

Found a few iris were also blooming. Got to love the Iris Society sale. We have quite a collection.

And of course, our daisy that always blooms is still alive and kicking.

After a relaxing walk, it was back to the studio to get ready for this weekend's event. There will be a variety of vendors present with all different kinds of goods. So stop by to look and chat.

Saturday

April 21, 2012

Mackenzie House

Jewelry and Craft Show

8609 Boston Ave.

Lubbock, TX  79423

9:30 am to 3 pm

Mackenzie House

Saturday, April 21, 2012

9:30 am to 3 pm

Mackenzie House Jewelry and Craft Show

8609 Boston Ave.

Lubbock, TX 79423

This event is to benefit the Adult Protective Services Silver Star Room of the Llano Estacado. It is a small charity that does a wonderful, quiet work for the senior community. The APS Silver Star Room collects food and other necessities for seniors who have been abused or neglected. It is a collection point for canned goods, boxed dinners, dried milk and other high protein foods, as well as blankets, cookware and other necessities. They don’t have an advertising budget and have gone largely unknown for the past decade, but their impact has been immeasurable for scores of abused and neglected elders.

Here is the perfect opportunity to help support a small charity in need of assistance. We artists will have a table full of donated arts with the proceeds going to the APS Silver Star Room. All are welcome to bring donated canned goods and other provisions to add to the APS storehouses.

Life outside the Studio

My mother and I went to visit our neighbors...Glitter, Razzle, and Aerostar. Yes, they are horses. When Glitter was pregnant with Cats Track Paint better known as "Razzle", we would bring her bananas as a treat. So now that the baby is here, we bring everyone fresh cut grass. They just gobble it up. In fact, today Razzle tried to take a bite out of Mother's hat! It is a nice break during the day to walk over and pet the horses.

Hump Day

Still recovering from Lubbock Arts Festival last weekend. I have not downloaded pics yet so today will be about the upcoming weekend. April 21, 2012 I will be at Mackenzie House located here in Lubbock at 8609 Boston Ave. It is an assisted living center hosting a Jewelry and Craft Show on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 9:30 am to 3 pm. Stop by to see my new spring collection including my reclaimed necklaces, copper necklaces, and paper earrings.

Arts Fest Booth

The booth is all set up. Jewelry is made. Just a few more prices tags to attach and all is done! As I was preparing the earrings, I found a pair I just had to purchase for myself. So the early bird does get the worm!!

This pair of earrings has a necklace to match...even though I don't do matchy, matchy sets. Something about the shape and color contrast made me keep going to make the set. These and many more will be available at the Lubbock Arts Festival this weekend - April 13-15, 2012, Booth A-8.

Lubbock Arts Festival

Lubbock Art Alliance

presents the

34th Annual

Lubbock Arts Festival

April 13 - 15, 2012

10 am - 7 pm

12 noon to 5 pm Sunday

Lubbock Memorial Civic Center

1501 Mac Davis Lane

Lubbock, Texas

Copper

Here is another piece that needs to be appreciated in person. I worn this one the other day to make sure it hangs properly. It was a show stopper... I got lots and lots of comments and compliments. It is copper and crystal on leather.

I will be at the 34th Annual Lubbock Arts Festival

April 13-15, 2012

Lubbock Memorial Civic Center

Lubbock, Texas

Preview Night

April 12, 2012

I will be joined by

Judy Connell Robertson, art glass and watercolors

and

Melissa Lee Jones, art gourds

Spring peeking continues

So I don't know if the picture does this piece justice. This is one of my paper necklaces. The back layer is hand-crafted abaca paper. There is a second metal layer. The last layer consists of black beads on copper. All is strung on black satin cord. There are just some things you need to see in person to appreciate.

This can be viewed at the

Lubbock Arts Festival

April 13-15, 2012

at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center

Keep checking back for more new items from the spring collection of

Barbra J. Beller

as presented by

b street studios

Daisy Chain

So here is today's sneak peek. This necklace is one of my favorites. It just came together perfectly. I can't decide if I am going to snag this for myself or let some other fortunate person add it to their collection. It is comprised of stamped leather, brass beads, and glass beads. It is on a dark green silk cord that matches the green glass bead.

It will be available along with my whole spring collection at this year's
Lubbock Arts Festival

April 13-15, 2012

at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center

Preview Night, Thursday, April 12 6-9 pm

Sneak Peek: Day 5

No time to chat today, busy, busy, busy!!!

But wanted to make sure to get another peek out there. This piece has gone through many transformations...but I think I got it right this time. There is a combination of wooden beads, glass beads, and that gorgeous green stone...I'll think of its name at midnight tonight when I am trying to sleep. I suspended it from a large, round leather cord to balance it out. I have worn this piece, too, to make sure it was wearer ready. I must say, it is ready to fly the coop.

You can see it in person at the Lubbock Arts Festival

April 13-15, 2012

at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.

Preview Night

Thursday, April 12, 2012

6-9 pm

Day Four

I know I talk about being trapped in my studio working up a storm. But I am too much of a social animal to just be satisfied with working alone. So my art pal, Kathryn Millis Flanagan suggested we take a workshop in the evenings during the month of March. Here is an example of the fun we had taking a class with Nancy Meyer.

I am trained in fine silver solder using an acetylene torch. You know the one I'm talking about. Very hot flame shooting out of the torch tip. I love fire. But sometimes it is not the most advantageous tool to use. Like when it is 100 degrees in the shade here in West Texas. So I was glad to learn something different and doing this technique was definitely different and exciting. Even though there was no fire.

Back to the studio I go getting prepared for the Lubbock Arts Festival, April 13-15, 2012 at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. Preview Night, April 12, 2012 from 6-9

Sneak Peek: Day 3

Yes, I do earrings, too.

This is just an example of my paper earrings. There is a mix of handmade kozo paper (that is paper made from the bark of the mulberry tree), manufactured papers, and bits of leftover paintings and prints. Add some glass beads... and voila, earrings!

Check back tomorrow for another look at what's been happening at
b Street Studios
this winter.

Don't forget!
Lubbock Arts Festival
April 13-15, 2012
Lubbock Memorial Civic Center

Sneak Peek: Day 2

So here is another peek at what has been going on at

b street studios

This piece is patinaed brass with a wooden leaf adornment. I don't usually work with brass in this manner because I don't really like how it accepts the LOS patina. But this piece really works. I wore it for a day to make sure it is smooth and wearer friendly. I got lots of ohhhs and ahhhs that day.

It will be available for purchase at the Lubbock Arts Festival, April 12-15, 2012 for the totally awesome price of $35.00. It is suspended on a leather cord and it has been wax treated to help retard oxidation.

Check back tomorrow for another sneak peek of new creations from
Barbra J. Beller, artist extraordinaire.