A Painting a Day by Kristen Stein

Small gift boxes from old cards (Great way to reuse your Christmas and Birthday Cards)

2011-12-22T18:49:00.001-05:00

Here is a quick and easy tutorial on how to take old Christmas cards or any occasion card and turn it into a small gift box suitable for holding a gift card, jewelry, or other small gift item. Kids love making these....just be careful with the scissors. Let an adult or older child be in charge of scoring the edges

What you'll need:

Old Cards
Glue (Glue sticks work great)
Scissors
Flat edge or ruler (optional)

First select your card.

Now trim about a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch off one of the longest edges on the side of the card. Only trim one side of the card.

Now you should have one of the longest edges of the card exposed. We want to score the remaining edge with the scissors to make it easier to foldover.

If you have a flat-edge or a ruler, you can line this up with the cut part of the card and run the scissors along the edge to score the remaining part of the card. This will make it much easier to fold. If you don't have a ruler, just use the cut part of the card as your guide. Fold this scored flap to the inside of the card.

Once folded inside, apply glue to the top of the folded portion. (In the picture above, this is the part with the image on it) A glue stick works great. Press the card together with the folded edge on the inside of the card.

This is how the card should appear once the folded edge is glued to the inside of the card.

Above is the view from the inside of the card. We are almost done.

Now to make the flaps on the side of the gift package. You'll want to round out the edges. Just trim about a 1/4 inch from the edges and round them out evenly on both sides.

With the edge of your scissors, score the card from corner to corner mimicking the shape of the rounded edge. Do this on both sides, front and back. So you should create four scored edges. Again, scoring the card will make it much easier to fold and create the flap that you want on the edge of the gift package.

Gently squeeze the card to open slightly and push down the flaps along all four scored edges. You should now have a small gift box suitable for holding a gift card, jewelry, or other small gift!

Note: If your flaps are too wide and hang over the edge of the gift box, don't worry. Just flatten the box again and trim slightly until the flaps close nicely on each edge.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Please post pictures if you try this at home! Also, check out my other tutorial on how to make paper globe ornaments out of old Holiday cards and calendars.

Something else to make with these : Take 24 of these small gift boxes and string them together for an advent calendar banner for next year. Each one can be filled with a special little gift, treat or note for the little one to count down the days until Christmas.

Paper Globe Ornament or Centerpiece (Great way to recycle old Calendars, Cards, or Photos)

2011-11-13T19:21:00.002-05:00

Paper Globe Ornament using old calendars. (Artwork (c) Kristen Stein, StudioArtworks.com)

Wondering what to do with your old calendar, christmas cards, or extra photos? Here's a great, and EASY, craft that you and the kids can do this holiday season. In this example, I used images cut from my old 2010 and 2011 calendars. But you can use any type of paper. For holiday ornaments, I think the old calendars and old Christmas cards make a great paper source as it provides dated papers that add a nostalgic feel when trimming the tree each year! Try mixing family photos with family Christmas cards, to make a great family-themed Holiday ornament. They all look great when finished!!

What you'll need:

20 circles from your paper source (I used a 2" paper punch to make perfect circles, but you can cut them free hand as well.)
(*Note - Smaller globes can be made by using just 8 of the circles.)

Glue (I used modpodge with a brush, but my 7yo used Glue Dots and they worked perfectly.)

Thin Ribbon (for hanging the globe as an ornament)

Paper Clips (If you use regular glue, modpodge, or a glue stick, I'd suggest having paper clips on hand to hold the paper together. This is especially useful on glossy paper such as shiny calendar sheets, cards and photos.)

That's all! So, let's get started.

First cut your 20 circles.

First, cut your 20 circles from your paper source. I used my old 2010 and 2011 calendars. (Here's a link to this year's calendar if you are interested.) Any size circle will work and larger circles will make larger globes or centerpieces. For the globe ornaments that I made, I used about a 2 inch circle.

Fold each of the 20 circles to form equally-sized triangles.

Fold each of the 20 circles so that they form a triangle. For my 7yo, I made a small triangular template that she folded her circles up against. This made it easier for her. But, once you've folded a few, you'll know approximately how much of each edge you need to fold to make the triangular shape in the center. Fold from the frontside of the image, so that the backsides will touch each other when glued.

Stack of 20 'triangles" created by folding the circles.

Once you have all 20 "triangles" formed from the circles, we're ready to start gluing. If you use a liquid glue, glue stick, or mod podge, have paper clips ready to hold your work in place. My daughter used glue dots and they worked great to hold the paper together. Glue dots are a convenient, easy-to-use, no-mess adhesive. We love it!

Create the top by choosing 5 folded circles.

To start making your globe, choose a selection from 5 of your folded circles. Place them next to each other with all 5 pointing toward the center.Now start gluing each one side to side, being sure to keep the points in the center.

Start gluing them together

When you get to the 5th section, add glue to both sides and glue to each of the other folded circles by creating a slightly domed "top".

Make two 5-piece for the top and bottom of the globe ornament.

You will want to make a total of two of these 5-piece sections. These will serve as the top and bottom of your globe or centerpiece.


Remaining 10 alternate to make the center section of the globe.

The remaining 10 folded circles will now make up the center section of the globe. Lay the 10 remaining folded circles on your work space with the points and flat-edges alternating. This will form a line of 10 triangles side by side. Make sure to alternate between the point at the top and the flat-edge on the top because you want them to wrap-around the ornament.

Glue the remaining 10 together to form a line.

Glue these together and use your paper clips, if needed. You should now have a line of 10 sections all glued together to form a line.


The center section.

Now wrap your line of 10 around to form a circle. Glue the two edges together and you should have a perfect center piece to match with your tops and bottoms that you created above.

Center section and top attached.

Match up the top with the center piece and glue edges together. Again use paper clips if the glue is making the papers slip around too easily.


Globe viewed from the inside. Top and center glued together.

If you wanted to stop here, you'd have a cute little 'bowl" that might make for a fun centerpiece for displaying candies, etc. Also, at this point in the project, you could put lightweight gifts or surprises inside and build the rest of the globe around it. This would make a wonderful handmade gift box for something special!

But, we're going to keep working on it to make a globe ornament. So, let's move ahead.

Add a ribbon if you'd like to create a globe ornament.

Now it's time to add a ribbon. (If you want to create an orb centerpiece, you can skip this part about the ribbon.) You can tie the ribbon into any open 'gap' in the ornament. Normally I just use the center hole on the remaining 5-piece section that we haven't yet glued onto the globe. In this particular picture, I had a larger gap on the center section, so I decided to add the ribbon to the larger gap that was already created. So, I tied a knot in a ribbon and then taped it inside the globe. Tuck the ribbon in between the gaps created from the folded circles and get ready to glue the remaining 5-piece section onto the globe.

All 20 pieces glued together.

DONE! Now you have your 20 circles glued together to create a wonderfully dimensional globe of mixed papers. I love how the calendar creates a dated Holiday ornament that can be treasured year after year. Leave the paper clips in place until you are sure that the glue is dried. Once removed you'll have a beautiful ornament that can be kept for yourself, or shared with others!


The finished paper globe ornament.

*NOTE: Smaller globes can be made with as few as 8 circles. Just fold them as triangles and glue 4 together for the top, and 4 together for the bottom. Add a ribbon and glue the top to the bottom. Having a variety of different size globes makes for a fun, eye-catching assortment!

If you decide to make one of these globe ornaments or centerpieces, please post a picture here in my blog, send it to me on twitter, or post it on my facebook page. . I'd love to see it.

HAVE FUN! Hope you find this tutorial useful! -kristen (StudioArtworks.com)

Art for Cancer and Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2011-10-06T14:13:00.000-05:00

I am thrilled to be a member of the Art for Cancer Group on Imagekind . Within this group, you'll find a wide-range of prints and greeting cards from talented artists and photographers all using their art to raise awareness and funds for various cancer foundations and organizations.

As I did last October, in recognition of "Breast Cancer Awareness" month, the proceeds from the sale of my prints within the Art for Cancer group will be donated to the Susan G. Komen organization on behalf of my mother and all those affected by Breast Cancer.

Spirit of Autumn Fire, Alice's Secret Garden, Enchanted Garden: Back to Back , All in a Row, Here Comes the Sun, Above the Horizon, and Mother Nature and Child are a few of the prints that I have in the Art for Cancer Group. You can find others by viewing my Imagekind Portfolio.

These prints can also be purchased directly from me as archival ink prints on cotton canvas. If you'd like a special print created using one of my other images, just let me know. Any prints purchased directly from me during the month of October will also be part of the donation to the Susan G. Komen foundation. You can see a wide-range of my work on my website at StudioArtworks.com .

New paintings this week.

2011-10-04T16:33:00.001-05:00

Several new paintings were recently added to my site at StudioArtworks.com A few new minimalist atmospheric landscapes, one new long and lean enchanted garden painting, a moody and mysterious painting based on the legend of the ravens at the Tower of London, and a beautiful lavender tree landscape against a burnt orange background. More pieces will be online soon.

New paintings and 2012 Fine Art Calendar

2011-09-25T19:37:00.001-05:00

The year is going by way too fast. It seems like only yesterday one of my best friends was getting married. I told her I would create a painting for her and her husband inspired by colors in their wedding invitation. I don't know where the time went, but in November they will celebrate their First-Year Anniversary. If I remember correctly, Emily Post's book of etiquette states that you have one year to present wedding gifts. So, I'm still within my one year time period. So, to celebrate their nuptials and their move to a new home, I created "Wedding Garden" which is done is soft, romantic hues. I love how it turned out and I hope they do too! A print of this painting is available through my website. Just click on "Prints".


Wedding Garden (c)2011, Kristen Stein, StudioArtworks.com

Another new painting this week is "Enchanted Garden: Birds in Paradise". I created two colorful birds inspired by the Birds of Paradise flower and set them in a wild and whimsical garden. Very much a world of pure imagination which is sure to bring a smile to those who see it. Lots of bright, fun colors in this one.


Enchanted Garden: Birds in Paradise (c) 2011, Kristen Stein, StudioArtworks.com

The original painting is currently available and prints are now available as well. (Click on the Enchanted Garden prints.)

I also added two new tree paintings to my site this week. I love the golden backgrounds in both of these paintings and I think the blue and green and bright red tones contrast beautifully with the warm rustic backgrounds. Each is textured to give a worn, weathered look even though each piece is newly created. These would look beautiful in a contemporary home with woods and leather furniture.

Lastly, I created a new 2012 Fine Art Calendar. "Dreamscapes" features 12 of my digital fusion images which combine my paintings with photography to give a dream-like, fairytale image. A great way to escape each month with a new image. All 12 images can be trimmed and framed for your own collection of small format artworks. Each set comes with a display holder. They are available for a limited time. Great way to own several images at an affordable price. They also make great gifts for friends, family or colleagues.

More new items coming soon!

September 11th Remembered through Art

2011-09-11T04:05:00.016-05:00

Yesterday, I posted links to several images of paintings that I created shortly after September 11th, 2001. At that time, I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful woman from Texas who acquired several of my 9-11 paintings. She was so moved by the artists who were creating artwork for charity that she, too, became involved. She worked with a local printer who donated his services to produce a September 11 Tribute Calendar. I have prints of some of the other "Angels of America" artists and some other originals that I acquired during the 2001 charitable "Auctions for America". I thought that it would be nice to post a few of the other images here on the 10th Anniversary of September 11 as a way to remember the day through the eyes of fellow artists. You'll see that each artist captures a feeling about that day in a different way.....many show pride and patriotism with an emphasis on the American flag, others show heartfelt condolences for the lives lost by their use of angels, hearts and candles.

As I said yesterday: To those who lost their lives on this day 10 years ago, to the heroes who worked endlessly to search for survivors, and to the families who lost loved ones - You are always in our hearts. Your loved ones may be gone, but they are certainly not forgotten. May we all remain United For Peace.


The work is signed "Among our gifts, our treasures shine! Thank you!" I think the signature is S. Bryser (sp?)

Print reads "Thanks for your Support! All the Best, Mel Clarkston"

"God Bless America" Ruth M. Lenz (sp?) 11/14/2001

Angel by Jill Tostengard 2001 (Love the Angel portrait on the back too! Thanks Jill!)

Portrait by Sheryl Dooley 2001

This was a small painting done on a piece of cardboard box. It was done October 23, 2001 by Troxell. I asked the artist to write a message on the back about the painting and their feelings about 9-11. It is nice to have this personal reflection on the date and the associated artwork.

Mary Hamilton, November 2001

"Morning Glory" by Catherin Darling Hostetter 2001

By Teresa Arbogast

Heroic Efforts" The Gathering by Sonya Paz 2001

Stronger than Ever by Steve Peters 2001 (Thanks Steve for the personal note on the back!)


Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears by KA Krig (sp?) Artist added "O beautiful for spacious skies ..."

Remembering 9-11 : Expression through Art

2011-09-10T14:59:00.003-05:00

Seeing the images broadcast this weekend of the events of 9-11-2001, I recall the morning that I learned about the attacks and my sadness and heartbreak in the days thereafter. I painted several paintings in response to the event and I remember each of them and the buyers who acquired them. The artwork was my way of expressing myself when words alone were not enough. I not only created several paintings on behalf of charity in the days and weeks following 9-11, but I also bought several tribute paintings that other artists were creating for the American Red Cross, United Way and other like organizations. Tomorrow, I will post images of the other pieces that I acquired and the messages included with the pieces. Each artist, in their own way, captured a moment in time and a sentiment that was likely felt by many on that devastating day. Many of the pieces revolved around the American Flag, Patriotism and optimism that brighter days lay ahead. Others paid tribute to the heroes of the day and the strength of Americans to overcome no matter how strong the feeling of despair.

The first painting that I did in response to the tragic events of September 11 was "Angels of September".

I tried to capture within a single painting the feelings felt by many Americans. The feelings of anguish, heartbreak, sadness and despair and yet a slight feeling of optimism that we will be protected. Here four angels gather and hold the earth in their hands. Shattered buildings and an American flag serve as a background. The feeling of being broken, but still there.....able to be put back together.

Shortly thereafter, I painted "Our Lady Liberty" - a tribute to Americans and New Yorkers, in particular, who showed amazing courage and strength in the face of such amazing destruction and tragedy.


Our Lady Liberty (c)2001, Kristen Stein, StudioArtworks.com

"Our Lady Liberty" shows the statue of liberty with buildings and sections of the American flag in the background. I think the painting captures the initial 'shattered' feeling that may of us had after seeing and hearing about the events of 9-11, but the image of lady liberty standing strong and complete, gives a sense of optimism and pride.

Two small pieces I created in September 2001 with the titles "There are Angels Among Us". A crowd of bold, modern faces some with halos atop their head to capture they feeling that we walk among angels.

The second was a character dog that I had created named "Angus". I had a series of paintings using this dog and this was one I did for charity.

On the one-year anniversary of September 11, I painted "United Fur Peace" - a brighter, more cheerful, painting that showed a group of furry friends (cats and dogs) around the Statue of Liberty. A year before, I had painted "Angels of September" which represented the sorrow and despair felt by those affected by the tragic events of 9-11. With "United Fur Peace" I wanted to capture the optimism that we shared a year later. The animals alongside the statue of liberty with the American flag as the background shows the unity and strength that many Americans shared one year after 9-11.

On, or about, the 5th year Anniversary of 9-11, I took headlines from newspapers that I have been saving over the years. I used the headlines within the painting to create buildings, skyscrapers and other shapes characteristic of a busy urban setting. The headlines shown through the layers of paint providing a constant reminder of where we were, where we are, and where we are heading. It was a large, dramatic abstract that captures the many feelings felt from 2001-2006. At the time of writing this blog post, I could not locate an image showing this painting. The original was sold for charity and I hope the business that purchased the piece has it displayed proudly.

I know there were a few other, smaller pieces that I painted in memory of the events of September 11. If I find a copy of them, I will post them in the blog.

If time permits tomorrow, I will upload images of the various paintings that I purchased back in 2001 from artists who were helping to raise funds for the 9-11 victims and their families.

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To those who lost their lives on that day, to the heroes who worked endlessly to search for survivors and to the families who lost loved ones - You are always in our hearts. Your loved ones may be gone, but they are certainly not forgotten. May we all remain United For Peace.

Votes Needed - Franklin Insitute "DaVinci Contest"

2011-05-03T21:39:00.002-05:00

Voting Ends May 5. So please cast your vote now by 'liking' my entry on the Franklin Institute's FB page. (Click on photos and then DaVinci contest. My entry is called "Taking Flight"

This is an image that I did in honor of Leonardo DaVinci. It was inspired by his sketchbook and images of his bat-winged gliders, helicopter sketches, parachutes and more. I wanted the bat-winged gliders to envelope the woman like a butterfly and the sketch of the helicopter circles the woman's head like a hat. The silhouetted woman is drawn from one of the woman in DaVinci's "Virgin on the Rocks" painting.

I would love if you could vote for this entry in the Franklin Institute's DaVinci contest. I learned about it late and the voting ends in just 2 days. So, please get your vote in quickly. You will need to become a fan of The Franklin Institute and then like my image in the DaVinci Contest Photo Album.

Thanks so much for your vote! -kristen

Japan Relief Effort

2011-03-11T16:48:00.003-05:00

My thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by the recent devastation in Japan.

I am completely awestruck by the intense power of nature and the devastation of the earthquake and tsunamis in Japan. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected by these tragic events. I was hoping to hear from one my dear friends today and fortunately, she is currently in the US and not in Tokyo as I first thought. But, her hometown is the Wakabayashi-Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture which was the epicenter of the earthquake.

Her parents still live there and she is trying to reach them. Please join me in offering her and her family your heartfelt prayers as she and others wait to hear from, or about, their loved ones. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to not be able to account for your family, friends and loved ones.
[Update : 3/14/11 11:00pm EST - My friend just got a text message from her dad reporting that they are OK. Amazingly, their home in Sendai City was just 2km from coast. So very grateful to all who expressed concern and kept them in your prayers.]

In honor of all the wonderful people of Japan, including my friend and her family, I want to help participate in the relief effort. I will be donating 25% of all sales now through March 31st to organizations helping in Japan's rescue, care, and cleanup efforts. Purchases from http://shop.studioartworks.com and http://kristensteinfineart.etsy.com and prints from http://kristensteinfineart.imagekind.com will all qualify.

[UPDATE :: 3/14/11 I was just talking to my husband about my fundraising efforts for Japan. He's going to match whatever donations I raise (up to $2000.00). So, if you've been interested in one of my pieces for awhile, now's the time to purchase and for a worthy cause. Thanks to all who have supported this so far.]

If you have a specific organization to which you would like your portion donated, feel free to included this in your checkout memo. Otherwise, I will use the American Red Cross, Global Giving, or other similar agency that has a fund earmarked for Japan Relief Efforts.

New Images added to my Digital Fusion Series.

2011-02-28T10:36:00.002-05:00

Four new images added to my digital fusion series. Two have a French Travel theme with 'Dreams at Versailles" and "Nice Climat Ideal". The Versaille piece gives an enchanting walk through a dream with castle, hot air balloon and a fairytale-like fountain. The Nice piece was inspired by a stamp on a letter that read "Nice Climat Ideal d'hiver et d'ete". Both use a fusion of vintage photography with digital painting and collage effects.

Another of the new pieces is a romantic, ethereal piece called "Look to the Heavens". It features a tinted sculpture with eyes and head turned upward with a majestic painted cloud in the background. The last of the newest offerings is "Fields Out There" that combines a photograph I took in Spain with my painting "Out There". A romantic yet haunting image with the suggest of a storm in the background done with rich jewel tones.

These can be purchased as prints, posters or giclees in a variety of sizes here.

You can also view other works in my portfolio.

Visit my website to purchase original paintings, prints, framed ceramic tiles, handcrafted jewelry, handbags and more. (Also on etsy.)

Several New Prints added to my Digital Fusion Series

2011-02-14T12:23:00.001-05:00

Several new prints have been added to my digital fusion series. An ethereal collection of collaged imagery. This week there's a trip down memory lane in "Meet Me in Paris", a romantic meeting between Winter and Spring in "Dreams of Spring", a nod to heaven above in "Believe", and a tribute to Mother Nature with "To Offer Shade" and "Jack Frost".

Thank you for taking a look at the newest pieces.

See additional prints, or shop for gift items.

New Painting :: Autumn Glow 24x24

2011-02-14T11:37:00.000-05:00


Autumn Glow, Acrylic on Canvas 24x24 (c) 2011 Kristen Stein

Newest piece from my modern tree landscapes added online.

Title: Autumn Glow
Artist: Kristen Stein
Size: 24 x 24 x 1.5 inches
Medium: Acrylic
Ground: Gallery Stretched Canvas on Deep 1.5 in stretcher bars
Style: Contemporary, Modern, Abstract Expressionism ,
Expressionist, Minimalist, Abstract, Organic, Rustic, Earthy
weathered, atmospheric,

Subject: trees, landscape, horizon, sunset

Rich, warm, earthy abstract tree landscape. This painting has a rustic, aged, antique feel while still having a modern focus. It's painted on thick 1.5 inch deep stretchers to give a contemporary, chunky look. The painting is varnished and the edges are painted black. No frame is needed for this painting.

Date Created: February 2011

Special features: Canvas wrapped around wooden stretchers; staple-free, fully-painted edges.

This is an original painting direct from the artist. It is not a print. Certificate of Authenticity included.

Please see my other listings for original paintings, prints and gift merchandise featuring my original artwork.

New Original Painting "On the Edge" 24x24

2011-02-10T10:17:00.000-05:00


On the Edge, (c) 2011 Kristen Stein Fine Art, StudioArtworks.com

Newest painting added to my atmospheric landscape paintings. An ethereal glow from the rustic, weathered horizon. Dark, mysterious shades in contrast with the gentle glow.

Currently offering Free US Shipping. This painting is sale-priced for a limited time. (Regularly $375.00)

Title: On the Edge
Artist: Kristen Stein
Size: 24 x 24 x 1.5 inches
Medium: Acrylic
Ground: Deep Gallery Stretched Canvas on standard 1.5 stretcher bars
Style: Contemporary, Modern, Abstract Expressionism ,
Expressionist, Minimalist, Abstract, Organic, Rustic, Earthy, Weathered, Ethereal, Moody
Subject: Landscape, Horizon,

dominant colors in finished work: Upper portion is an ethereal smokey, blue grey, dominant colors in the bottom include dark purple, turquoise blue and hints of white and magenta.

This atmospheric landscape painting has a rich, weathered, rustic look while still maintaining a modern focus. The piece would be great in a room of woods and leathers. Versatile piece to match a wide-range of interiors.

Date Created: January 2011

Special features: Canvas wrapped around wooden stretchers; staple-free, fully-painted edges.

This is an original painting direct from the artist. It is not a print. Certificate of Authenticity included.

A look inside a dream.

2011-02-10T10:00:00.002-05:00


dream (c) 2011 Kristen Stein

On our last trip to Spain to visit my husband's family, we took a few extra days to travel around Rome, Italy and Vatican City. We also spent time in my husband's home region of Valencia, Spain. I was excited to see La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of the Arts and Sciences) built in the former Túria river-bed and designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava. The structures built there look as if they were pulled directly from Calatrava's dreams. They are nothing short of spectacular! We had a gorgeous day with bright sunshine and not a cloud in the sky. This gave a beautiful glow to the white structures against the azure sky.

I put together a collection of abstract photographs of some of the amazing architectural elements. But, these are structures that are best seen in person. They are amazing! Truly like getting a glimpse of a Calatrava dream.

Several new images and designs

2011-02-07T17:48:00.001-05:00

Several new images were added to my online site at StudioArtworks.com and my Imagekind Portfolio. Many of the prints have a love theme that would make for a romantic gift for Valentine's Day or other special occasion. Some are inspired by recent trips, or just the beauty in everyday life. Enjoy!

The prints on StudioArtworks.com are primarily 8x10 or smaller and printed on real cotton canvas. If you are interested in larger prints, canvas-wrapped prints, or custom-framed or matted prints, please visit my Imagekind Portfolio for a complete collection.

Thanks for taking a look at some of the newest designs and images.

Adorable and Functional!

2011-02-03T10:59:00.002-05:00

Rita from RitasCreationsonEtsy contacted me about trading something from my etsy shop for something from her etsy shop. I, of course, found something immediately that I loved and could put to good use. I've been wanting reusable snack bags for my daughter's lunch bag. Rita makes the perfect sizes for sandwiches and snacks. They can be rinsed out, washed and used again and again. My daughter loves them! (I'm saving the coffee-themed ones for me.)

I also picked out these adorable cupcake potholders. I almost don't want to use them in fear of getting them dirty. They are so cute! If Rita doesn't currently have any available for purchase, just send her a note. I'm sure she'd love to create a custom order just for you.

Two New Prints - LATTE LOVE - for the Coffee Lovers & Valentine's Day.

2011-01-22T11:32:00.000-05:00


A Whole Latte Love!

A dear friend of mine named Christy gave me a fun stencil of a heart for Christmas. The stencil fits perfectly atop most coffee mugs and lets you sprinkle a little love on the frothy goodness of a cafe latte or cappuccino. I've been making them for just about everyone who stops by my house for a chat or coffee break.

I bought two oversized rustic mugs from the beautiful Helen and Allen of Groundhog Blues Pottery and loved how the warmth of the nutmeg and chocolate worked with the speckled mugs. So, I snapped a few shots of the coffee lattes before the sweet little hearts started to fade away.

I Love You a Latte!

I added a few fun layers and vintage effects and retro font to give these little Valentine's Day images extra fun. They'll make a great print for your loved one this Valentine's Day, or for anyone who especially loves their frothy coffee.

These are available up to size 16x16. The larger prints (8x8, 11x11 and 16x16) are available through my Imagekind portfolio and are available as prints on paper or canvas and you can choose to purchase them unframed, or matted and framed. You can also purchase smaller prints on canvas (size 5x5 or 8x8) through my etsy shop or directly through my website at StudioArtworks.com.

2in1: Both "A Whole Latte Love!" and "I Love You a Latte!" as a single print.

I also created a single print with both images. This would look great in a coffee shop, cafe or kitchen. It's available up to 48" wide!

Thanks for looking!

Artwork to appear in new film 'The Roommate" airing Feb 4th :: Spot the Art- Win a Print Contest!

2011-01-13T09:56:00.001-05:00

Several of my small prints and one large original painting were purchased for use in a new film "The Roommate" starring Leighton Meester ("Gossip Girl), Minka Kelly ("Friday Night Lights"), and Cam Gigandet ("Twilight" series). The film is being directed by Christian E. Christiansen and is due in theaters February 4, 2011.

Here Comes the Sun (x1)

Subtle Glow (x1)

Marked Horizon (x2)

Heaven and Earth (x2)


The Pond (x2)


Out There 24x24 Acrylic on Canvas

This is the first time that my artwork has been used in a film, so I am very excited! It should be fun to watch the film and try to spot the images. :) The prints are supposed to be used on the bulletin boards in the dorm rooms. These are small prints, so they may be difficult to spot, but hopefully we'll see some of them. A total of 8 prints were purchased. So, they may appear in more than one scene.

The original painting "Out There" is supposed to appear in the final scene of the movie where a 'culminating drama' takes place. The original painting is 24x24, so it should be easier to spot.

::CONTEST::
If you are the first person to write about the movie on my blog, facebook or twitter page and provide details as to where you saw the image, I will send you an 8x10 canvas print of the image you saw. (Or another of your choice.) Provide details and the title of the image that you saw. (Can't just say "Dorm Room Bulletin Board", or "Final Scene of the Movie" as these are hints that I already provided. :) )

Good luck! I look forward to seeing the movie and seeing who wins the prints!!

(Interested in purchasing your own copy of the prints used in the film? Click the image titles above to order your own print of the paintings used on the set.)

Visit the Artist's Website. Visit her online boutique for art, jewelry, handbags and more.

November News.

2010-11-15T15:23:00.001-05:00

New art and jewelry have been added to the Woodmere Museum Shop in gorgeous Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania and to Bunny Hare's in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. If you live in the area, be sure to stop by these wonderful shops for your Holiday shopping needs. The Woodmere Museum Shop, in particular, has expanded to nearly 8 times its regular size for Holiday shopping through December 31.

I was thrilled to be part of The Eye Institute's "Looking out for Kids" annual fundraiser this past Saturday. This is a great event that helps raise money to offer eye exams and glasses to uninsured and under-insured children in the Philadelphia area. Thrilled to be a part of the event and share the evening with the talented Amy Ragsdale of AmyRagsdale.com and Denise Shardlow of ShardlowDesigns.com.

November 19 - 6-10 pm :: Trunk Show at Artisan's Nest in Skippack, PA
I am thrilled to be the featured artist this Friday at the lovely "Artisan's Nest" in Skippack, PA. If you haven't visited Skippack Village, you must! It's a great shopping location with so many wonderfully unique shops. I will be there with a variety of paintings and artwork from 6-10 pm. Refreshments will be served. Great time to get a jump start on your holiday shopping needs.

New Iphone Bags with padded covers and custom fabric.

2010-09-28T16:06:00.003-05:00

I am excited to offer new handbags, purses and clutches handmade by me using professionally printed cotton fabric featuring my original paintings and illustrations.

Introduced today are my new Iphone bags made with my original pattern and fabrics. They are soft and cushioned ... like a cozy sleeping bag for your phone! You can choose one of the items featured (with or without the strap), or request a custom piece.

These bags can be used for your cell phone, Itouch, Iphone, Ipod, mp3 player, or more. Check the dimensions to see if they will fit your particular phone,ipod, etc.

These can be purchased online in my etsy shop. $22.00

Details:

Overall size is approx. 5"x3" (closed)
If purchased with the shoulder strap, the strap hangs down approx. 20" bringing the bag to about your hip. (The strap is made of satin cord. It is sewn on the inside of pouch, so it can easily be tucked away when not in use.)
Two interior pockets. (One is ideal for the Iphone, the other for a credit card, driver's license or money.
Lightweight velcro closure. Gentle closure that won't scratch contents.
Custom cotton fabric featuring artwork by Kristen Stein.
Bag padded with quilting batting to further protect the bag's contents.
Fully-lined with fleece to provide extra cushion for the phone and clean the glass while the phone is 'resting'.
Various designs available
Available with or without a strap.

Fabric featured in this listing:
The Peacock
The Poppies
Ellie's Garden
Fauvist Tuscany

Please note that the covers may vary slightly from those shown depending on the cut of the fabric.

Recommended Care:
If cover needs cleaning, hand wash with cool water. Lay flat to dry. Iron as needed. Given the handmade nature of these bags, please do not overstuff.

5th Annual East Falls "Arts by the River" Festival and Eco Fair : Oct 2, 2010

2010-09-27T09:37:00.001-05:00

This weekend is the East Falls "Arts by the River Festival" and "Eco Fair". Join me and 40 other artists/crafters and 20 Eco Artists for the 5th annual event. In addition to the arts and crafts, there will be music, a dog parade, eco-friendly halloween costume making and other children's activiti...es. The event is located in the 4200 block of Ridge Avenue, between Midvale and Falls Bridge. (Philadelphia, PA) Hope to see you there!

Click here for other events coming up in October.

Updating News Page

2010-09-20T17:08:00.003-05:00

Still have to go back and add links, but I've updated my news and information page with more current information and the latest art happenings for September and what's coming up for October. Will add links to some of the events as time permits.

New 8x10 prints.

2010-09-16T18:51:00.003-05:00

I was preparing a new order for a client and had to modify several of my paintings into print form. So, I have made these new prints available online as well. You can visit http://StudioArtworks.com and click on Prints (for poster prints and giclees in a variety of sizes) or click on "SHOP" (for 8x10 prints on canvas). These prints are also available on Etsy at http://kristensteinfineart.etsy.com

A few of the designs added to the 'prints' list include:

" Wicked Storm"

"Sunshine Meadow"

"Subtle Glow"

"Out There"

"Orange Sunset Horizon"

"Ground Below"

"Casablanca"

"All in a Row"

"Balance"

"Dancing Lights"

"Edgy"

"Feel the Breeze"

"Geometric Nature"

"Iced"

"Neutral Balance"

"Reflections"

"Waves and Stones"

2011 Fine Art Calendar with Choice of Display Unit.

2010-09-09T20:08:00.000-05:00

I am pleased to introduce my new 2011 fine art calendar featuring 12 prints created from my original artwork. Each of the 13 sheets measure 4x6 inches. There are 12 sheets for Jan-Dec and then a single sheet that shows all 12 months. This is a convenient sheet to display on the back of the calendar display for a quick year 'at-a-glance'.

At the end of each month, the images can be trimmed and framed to create your own small format art collection. The calendar pages were professionally printed on FujiColor Crystal Archive Paper.

The buyer can choose 1 of 2 display options.

Option 1 : Clear Acrylic Holder with Easel Back. (Great for tabletop or desk display)

Option 2 : Acrylic Holder with Magnetic Back. (This would work well to display the calendar on the refrigerator or filing cabinet, etc.)

Back from Vacation and Back to Work! September Events.

2010-09-07T12:13:00.002-05:00

We had a wonderful trip to Spain and Italy. It was great to get away and relax for a little while. It was amazing to tour the Vatican and view the spectacular art, sculptures, tapestries and more. The history and amount of art contained within the Vatican rooms and hallways were astounding. We spent about 6 hours there and I easily could have spent several more hours admiring the beautiful collections.

I also enjoyed our trips to many of the ancient Roman palaces and buildings. The history and the preservation of the buildings were amazing. It surprised me to see how close modern day businesses were built next to such historic buildings. For some reason, I expected them to be more isolated. But, they were truly in the heart of the city with modern business built right around them. Quite amazing to see as you walk through the streets of Rome.

I took lots of pictures not only of the tourist attractions but also the beautiful countryside and sculptures in city parks. I am sure the many photos will inspire several new paintings in the near future. The newest works will be added to the blog as they become available.

Now it's back to business as usual and I'll get to updating the blog as time permits.Here's what's coming up for September.

First, I'm excited to be one of the juried artists at the Jenkintown Festival of the Arts. This event is an Art Show, BrewFest and Music Festival taking place from 1 to 5 pm on September 19th in Jenkintown, PA. If you live nearby, I hope you will consider visiting the event. It should be a great day. I believe this is the first time that the event has featured the art show. So, I'm looking forward to it.

Next, on September 25th, 2010, I'll be participating in the Friends of Fox Chase Library 2010 Fall Art/Craft Show in Fox Chase, PA in Northeast Philadelphia. The event takes place at Fox Chase Library from 9 am to 3 pm. Hope to see you there.

I will again be offering my 2011 calendars. The format will be the same as last year's calendar. Contact me using the contact link above if you'd like to reserve your copy now. The price is $18.50 with shipping included. Price includes your choice of display holder. Options 1 and 2 will be available for 2011.

More to come in October 2010.

Beyond the Sun, Sand and Sea - New Triptych Painting.

2010-07-12T09:18:00.007-05:00

Aerial image of Kelleys Island looking West. Courtesy of Derek Jensen

Summer is officially underway and we've made our trip back to Kelleys Island... a small island in Lake Erie. My grandmother moved here in the late 40s/early 50s and, while growing up, we often visited her in the summer months. Now, my parents and one of my brothers live here year-round and I still find myself spending the summers on the lake and the beautiful island. We have a house on the east side, my parents near the south shore. But, on a 4 mile wide island, everything is easily accessible by bike, boat, or golf cart. If you get the chance to visit, I think you, too, will fall in love with the island, its locals, its beauty and its history.

It's quiet and peaceful during the week and busy on the weekends when the boats loaded with tourists come to visit. I have a room in the back of our house loaded with extra canvas and paints and enjoy painting from the 'island house' whenever we stay for an extended time. This year, I'll be here for a month and plan to create a few paintings inspired, in part, by the island imagery and mood. I'll also be creating new jewelry using genuine sea glass collected from the lake shore. (An example of an earlier piece.)

The first of the new paintings is "Beyond the Sun, Sand and Sea" - Triptych painting. Minimum dimension 20x30, but the overall width can vary depending on how far about the panels are placed. This piece is inspired by the beautiful horizon, sky and shoreline. Although not from an actual island image (as the shoreline is much more white here), it is meant to capture the gentle mood and feeling one experiences when looking out on the sea and the warm glow of the sun along the horizon.

Please visit my website to see additional art and handcrafted jewelry.

Warehouse 13 is back on SYFY (Season 2)

2010-07-11T10:12:00.003-05:00

Excited to see that Season 2 of Warehouse 13 is back on the SYFY channel. This is such a fun show. I started watching last season when a friend told me that she'd seen the artwork, Spirit of Autumn Fire on the set at Leena's Bed and Breakfast. (A screenshot of the image on the set is shown above. The art appears on the mantle above the fireplace.) I'm glad to see that they are still using the large framed print as I think the artwork fits right in with the haunting nature of the show. I enjoy the stories surrounding the artifacts and the steampunk details on the set. It's a fun show to watch for the entertainment value and the artwork! :)

If you are interested in purchasing your own print of "Spirit of Autumn Fire", please visit my website.

You can watch Warehouse 13 on the SYFY Channel on Tuesday nights at 9/8c. It's also available on Hulu. I've embedded a link to Season 2's opener below. Enjoy!

New Today :: Large Custom Fabric Convertible Shoulder to Clutch Bag

2010-06-24T19:06:00.001-05:00

This is the largest bag I currently offer. Loops can be rotated to allow the shoulder bag to convert to a handheld clutch.

I am excited to offer new handbags, purses and clutches handmade by me using professionally printed cotton fabric featuring my original paintings and illustrations. (See my other listings for other handbags and clutch designs.)

Convertible Shoulder to Clutch Bag :

-- 9 inch silver metal classic purse frame

-- 30 inch metal shoulder chain

-- Loops can be turned intward and chain tucked inside bag to convert the shoulder bag to a handheld clutch bag.

-- Gusseted bottom to provide greater width and allow bag to stand on its own.

-- Custom cotton fabric featuring artwork by Kristen Stein.

-- Fabric enhanced with stiffening fabric to maintain shape and provide more
durable wear.

-- Fully-lined.

-- Various sizes: Designs pictured include the shoulder bag with chain design. See my other listings for other versions.

Approximate Dimensions of the bags pictured:

Convertible Shoulder to Clutch Bag with Chain :
Bags shown vary in size from 12x10x5 to 14x11x6 inches.

As is the case with all my bags, I cut the patterns unique to each design and fabric. So, the bag sizes will vary slightly from what's shown depending on the chosen design.

Fabric featured in this listing:
Bag 1. Perched on High
Bag 2. Alice's Secret Garden
Bag 3. Fauvist Tuscany
Bag 4. Music in Abstract

Recommended Care:

If cover needs cleaning, hand wash with cool water. Lay flat to dry. Iron as needed. Due to the hamdmade nature of these items, please do not overstuff the bags. This size is idea for the essentials, but it is not meant to carry a large heavy load.

*NOTE* Contact me if you are interested in a size other than what is pictured here, or if you like to discuss other strap or wristlet options. (Additional charges may apply.)

Custom requests using other paintings or images from my portfolio are welcome. Please browse my shop, or visit my portfolio on StudioArtworks.com to request another design for the fabric.
(Please allow up to 4-6 weeks for custom fabric requests.)

New Today :: Custom Fabric Shoulder Bag with Chain Size 9x11x5

2010-06-24T18:12:00.001-05:00

I am excited to offer new handbags, purses and clutches handmade by me using professionally printed cotton fabric featuring my original paintings and illustrations. (See my other listings for other handbags and clutch designs.)

Shoulder Bag with Chain:

-- 6 inch silver metal classic purse frame

-- 30 inch metal shoulder chain

-- Gusseted bottom to provide greater width and allow bag to stand on its own.

-- Custom cotton fabric featuring artwork by Kristen Stein.

-- Fabric enhanced with stiffening fabric to maintain shape and provide more
durable wear.

-- Fully-lined.

-- Various sizes: Designs pictured include the shoulder bag with chain design. See my other listings for other versions.

Approximate Dimensions of the bags pictured:

Shoulder Bag with Chain : approx. 9" x 11" x 5"

Fabric featured in this listing:

Bag 1. Alice's Secret Garden

Bag 2. Fashionista

Recommended Care:

If cover needs cleaning, hand wash with cool water. Lay flat to dry. Iron as needed. Due to the hamdmade nature of these items, please do not overstuff the bags. This size is idea for the essentials, but it is not meant to carry a large load.

*NOTE* Contact me if you are interested in a size other than what is pictured here, or if you like to discuss other strap or wristlet options. (Additional charges may apply.)

Custom requests using other paintings or images from my portfolio are welcome. Please browse my shop, or visit my portfolio on StudioArtworks.com to request another design for the fabric.
(Please allow up to 4-6 weeks for custom fabric requests.)

New Item :: Shoulder Bag w/ Chain and Custom Printed Fabric (6in frame)

2010-06-24T17:47:00.000-05:00

I am excited to offer new handbags, purses and clutches handmade by me using professionally printed cotton fabric featuring my original paintings and illustrations. (See my other listings for other handbags and clutch designs.)

Shoulder Bag with Chain:
-- 6 inch silver metal classic purse frame
-- 30 inch metal shoulder chain
-- Gusseted bottom to provide greater width and allow bag to stand on its own.
-- Custom cotton fabric featuring artwork by Kristen Stein.
-- Fabric enhanced with stiffening fabric to maintain shape and provide more durable wear.
-- Fully-lined.
-- Various sizes: Designs pictured include the shoulder bag with chain design. See my other listings for other versions.

Approximate Dimensions of the bags pictured:
Shoulder Bag with Chain : approx. 6" x 8" x 3"

Fabric featured in this listing:
Bag 1. Fashion Capitols of the World (Bag pictured is sold, but you can request a similar piece.)
Bag 2. Perched on High (Black Bird on ornamental branch)
Bag 3. Poppies

Recommended Care:
If cover needs cleaning, hand wash with cool water. Lay flat to dry. Iron as needed. Due to the hamdmade nature of these items, please do not overstuff the bags. This size is idea for a thin wallet, cell phone, compact, and lipstick, etc. It is s not meant to carry a large load.

*NOTE* Contact me if you are interested in a size other than what is pictured here, or if you like to discuss other strap or wristlet options. (Additional charges may apply.)

Custom requests using other paintings or images from my portfolio are welcome. Please browse my shop, or visit my portfolio on StudioArtworks.com to request another design for the fabric. (Please allow up to 4-6 weeks for custom fabric requests.)

New Item :: Modern Clutch w/ Custom Printed Fabric :: Medium Size

2010-06-24T17:02:00.001-05:00

This listing is for one of the bags pictured, or a custom piece similar to those pictured.

I am excited to offer new handbags, purses and clutches handmade by me using professionally printed cotton fabric featuring my original paintings and illustrations. (See my other listings for other handbags and clutch designs.)

Modern clutch bag details:
-- 7 inch modern silver metal purse frame
-- Gusseted bottom to provide greater width and allow bag to stand on its own.
-- Custom cotton fabric featuring artwork by Kristen Stein.
-- Fabric enhanced with stiffening fabric to maintain shape and provide more
durable wear.
-- Fully-lined.
-- Various sizes: Designs pictured include the modern" clutch design. See my other listings for other versions.

Approximate Dimensions of the bags pictured:
Modern Clutch: approx. 7.5" x 6.5" x 3"

Fabric featured in this listing:
Bag 1. Peacock
Bag 2. Fashionista (Patterned dress forms on ornamental background. Dark brown, light brown and light blue hues.)
Bag 3. The Peacock (alternate view)

Recommended Care:

If cover needs cleaning, hand wash with cool water. Lay flat to dry. Iron as needed. Due to the hamdmade nature of these items, please do not overstuff the bags. This size is idea for a thin wallet, cell phone, compact, and lipstick, etc. It is s not meant to carry a large load.

*NOTE* Contact me if you are interested in a size other than what is pictured here, or if you like to discuss other strap or wristlet options. (Additional charges may apply.)

Custom requests using other paintings or images from my portfolio are welcome. Please browse my shop, or visit my portfolio on StudioArtworks.com to request another design for the fabric.
(Please allow up to 4-6 weeks for custom fabric requests.)

New Classic Clutch Handbags with Custom Printed Fabric

2010-06-14T15:04:00.000-05:00

I am excited to offer new handbags, purses and clutches handmade by me using professionally printed cotton fabric featuring my original paintings and illustrations. This newest bag features classic clutch styling. The patterns are adjusted to fit the design of the fabric making each bag a one-of-a-kind creation.

(See my other listings for matching handbags and other clutch designs.)

Classic clutch bag details:
-- 8 inch silver metal or bronzed metal purse frame
-- Gusseted bottom to provide greater width and allow bag to stand on its own.
-- Custom cotton fabric featuring artwork by Kristen Stein.
-- Fabric enhanced with stiffening fabric and fleece to maintain shape and provide more durable wear.
-- Fully-lined.
-- Various sizes: Designs pictured include the "classic" clutch design. See my other listings for other versions.

Approximate Dimensions of the bags pictured:

Classic Clutch: approx. 10" x 6" x 3.5"

Fabric featured in this listing:
Bag 1. Welcome Spring
Bag 2. Perched on High
Bag 3. The Peacock
Bag 4. Fauvist Tuscany

Email me if you are interested in a size other than what is pictured here, or if you like to discuss other strap or wristlet options. (Additional charges may apply.)

Custom requests using other paintings or images from my portfolio are welcome. Please browse my shop, or visit my portfolio on StudioArtworks.com to request another design for the fabric. (Please allow up to 4-6 weeks for custom fabric requests.)

Art for the Cash Poor 11 - This Weekend in Philadelphia.

2010-06-11T12:14:00.001-05:00

I'm excited to be participating in InLiquid's 11th "Art for the Cash Poor". This event features art, photography, fashion, crafts and more from local Pennsylvania artists. All items are priced at $199.00 or less. The event takes place in the Crane Arts Building located at 1400 N. American Street in Philadelphia, PA.

I will be displaying my work in the "Green Area" on Saturday, June 12 from 1 - 6 pm. My Booth is #57 and is located outside near the food, beverages and music.

If you live in the area, we'd love to have you stop by and support your local artists.

Art used on set of FOX's "Past Life"

2010-06-10T22:54:00.001-05:00

EDIT AGAIN June 2010 - Looks like FOX has again canceled "Past Life". It was fun searching for the artwork for the shows that aired. We were able to see 3 of the 15 images. Although I don't have screenshots of all the images, I do have this one:

Luau Girl can be seen in the lower right corner in Dr. Kate McGinn's kitchen. (Character played by Kelli Giddish)

(update 5/28/2010)"Past Life", based on the book "The Reincarnationist" by M.J. Rose, premiered Tuesday, February 9th on FOX after American Idol. At that time, a few episodes aired, but then were replaced with another show. I noticed today that the series has returned to FOX on Fridays at 8/7c. So, I will continue to run the contest for viewers who are the first to spot one of my artworks on the show.

Here's a recap:
In July 2009, set decorator, Frank Galline, contacted me about using some of my artwork in the new series. I was thrilled with the opportunity and am excited to see how the pieces were used on the set.

My artwork was used in episodes that taped in Atlanta. They began airing in the second episode. Below are pictures of the images that were selected for the show. Perhaps we'll be lucky enough to see at least one of them visible on the set.

CONTEST: Do be sure to leave a message if you see one of the images on the set. The more eyes the better. If you are the first to post on my blog, twitter or Facebook account after having seen one of the images, and you let me know in which scene you saw it, I'll provide a free print of the image, or one of the viewer's choice. This will be done for all 15 images. So, you have 15 chances to win. Good luck and keep an eye on the art! :)

HINTS : (update 2/11: I heard from Frank. He gave us one hint: two of the images appear on Kate's Desk...one on each of her desks. He also mentioned that all 15 images were used in some way. :) )
(5/28/2010 : At least one image appears in 'Saint Sarah". Be the first to tell me which image and where it first appears and you win a print of the image.)

Keep an eye out for : Two Originals "Soft Glow" and "Singular Beauty: Burnt" (Prints available here)

Tiles of "The Pond", "Hello Sunshine", "Marked Horizon" and "Luau Girl" (tiles can be found here)

Prints of Heaven and Earth, April Showers Brings May Flowers, Perched on High, Bee a Good Citizen, Beautify Your Community, Welcome Back Spring, Waves and Stones, Shakti Energy Goddess, Water Below and Fibonacci's Sunflower. (Prints of these images are available)

New Twisted Bangle Cuff Bracelets

2010-06-04T01:08:00.001-05:00

I am excited to offer my art glass tiles as fashionable cuff bracelets. The buyer can choose any image from my existing art glass tile designs.

The twisted bangle adjustable cuff bracelets are made of heavyweight silver- or gold-plated metal. Each piece is signed on the back of the glass tile. The glass tiles measure approximately 1 inch square. They are not fully-waterproof so the jewelry should not be worn while showering or swimming.

Please see my shop for original artwork, custom-printed handbags and other handcrafted jewelry.

Choose from one of the designs shown below. (The images are my pendants, but the same glass tile will be used for the bracelets.)

Edible Art :: Fruit Bouquet for Birthday Party.

2010-06-03T14:05:00.008-05:00

Today my daughter turned 6 and I made this for her kindergarten class. Took about 2 hours to prep, skewer and arrange the fruit. Took about 0.5 hour for 24 kids and a handful of adults to enjoy. There were a few skewers left over to share with other teachers, the school nurse and the assistant to the principal. It was perfect for this extremely hot day!

I used a watermelon, pineapple, honeydew, cantaloupe, bag of green and purple grapes, handful of blueberries, grape tomatoes, and a large package of strawberries.

We put 6 sparklers in the top and it was a great way to celebrate her special day. The kids really enjoyed it.
I told them it was not only celebrating the last birthday of the year (my daughter's), but also the end of the school year and the hatching of their butterflies in their classroom. (You might notice that some of the fruit are shaped like butterflies....one even has blueberry spots!)

In addition to the butterflies, I used heart, star and floral shapes. Special thanks to my friend Christy who had so many cool cookie cutters!

This is time consuming, but a fun project to do with kids. I've made these using sand buckets and watering cans. Makes a fun hostess gift, or a great dish for a summer BBQ/potluck that everyone will enjoy.

Fauvist Tuscany Custom Fabric Bag w/ chain

2010-06-03T09:28:00.004-05:00

This is a new bag I created for a customer using one of my custom-printed fabrics. This fabric features my painting "Fauvist Tuscany". This bag is medium-sized (about 5x7) and fits the essentials. We've added a chain to allow the customer to carry it from the shoulder.

You can see additional bags, paintings and jewelry by visiting my shop page on StudioArtworks.com. Custom requests are welcome.

See additional clutches and handbags.

Entered "Tiki Totem and Flowers" into fabric design contest.

2010-05-28T21:13:00.003-05:00

My whimsical illustration 'Tiki Totem and Flowers" was accepted into Spoonflower's "Tiki Themed" Fabric of the Week Challenge. It will appear randomly on the voting page. If you have the time and enjoy the image, I'd love for you to vote on my entry. You'll have to find my entry, vote and then go to the last page of entries to 'submit your vote'. Here's a peek at the image:

Thank you so much for your vote! -kristen

New Clutches with Straps using Custom-Printed Fabric

2010-05-12T17:47:00.003-05:00

Option 1 : Removable fabric wristlet with metal clasp that can function as a key fob when not used as a wristlet.

Option 2 : Versatile hidden snap design that allows you to snap the fabric tab around a bracelet, watch, belt loop, etc. This lets you snap the bag on and free up your hands.

Fabric featured in this listing:

Bag 1. All in a Row
Bag 2. Enchanted Garden : Back to Back
Bag 3. Fauvist Tuscany
Bag 4. Poppies

Recommended Care:
If cover needs cleaning, hand wash with cool water. Lay flat to dry. Iron as needed.

*NOTE* Email me if you are interested in a size other than what is pictured here, or if you like to discuss other strap or wristlet options. (Additional charges may apply.)

Custom requests using other paintings or images from my portfolio are welcome. Please browse my shop, or visit my portfolio on StudioArtworks.com to request another design for the fabric.
(Please allow up to 4 weeks for custom fabric requests.)

See wooden-handled handbags.
See other clutch designs.

Entered my scared olives design into "Cocktail" themed contest. Please vote.

2010-05-06T11:15:00.000-05:00

My whimsical terrified olives design 'Olive Knew There'd be Days Like This" was accepted into Spoonflower's Fabric of the Week Challenge "Cocktails'. It will appear randomly on the voting page. If you have the time and enjoy the image, I'd love for you to vote on my entry. You'll have to find my entry, vote and then go to the last page of entries to 'submit your vote'. Here's a peek at the image:

It's a playful look at scared olives just before being poked with toothpicks for a colorful martini. Thank you for your vote! -kristen

Entered "Music" into design contest. Please vote if you have the chance.

2010-04-30T23:08:00.001-05:00

My musical collage abstract "Music" was accepted into Spoonflower's Fabric of the Week Challenge. It will appear randomly on the voting page. If you have the time and enjoy the image, I'd love for you to vote on my entry. You'll have to find my entry, vote and then go to the last page of entries to 'submit your vote'. Here's a small peek at the image:

It's a cream line drawing of a mixture of musical instruments done in a modern, abstract style on dark brown fabric. Thank you for your vote! -kristen

New Clutches with Custom-Printed Fabric added to handbag collection.

2010-04-30T11:37:00.007-05:00

I am excited to offer new handbags, purses and clutches handmade by me using professionally printed cotton fabric featuring my original paintings and illustrations. (See my other listings for matching handbags.)

Medium-sized clutch bag Details:
-- 4.5 to 5 inch silver metal purse frame
-- Gusseted bottom to provide greater width and allow bag to stand on its own.
-- Custom cotton fabric featuring artwork by Kristen Stein.
-- Fabric enhanced with stiffening fabric and fleece to maintain shape and provide more durable wear.
-- Fully-lined.
-- Artist/Designer label
-- Various sizes: Designs pictured include triangular, hexagonal, and curved top designs.

Approximate Dimensions:
The shorter 'Curved Top': 4.5" x 6" x 3"
Hexagon-shaped: 6" x 6" x 3.5"
Triangle-shaped: 6" x 7" x3"

Recommended Care:
If cover needs cleaning, hand wash lightly with cool water. Lay flat to dry. Iron as needed.

*NOTE* Email me if you are interested in a size other than what is pictured here, or if you would like to add a wristlet or chain. (cost will vary) Custom requests using other paintings or images from my portfolio are welcome. Please browse my shop, or visit StudioArtworks.com to view my portfolio of images to request another design for the fabric.
(Please allow up to 4 weeks for custom fabric requests.)

Get Ready! Chestnut Hill Home & Garden Festival this Sunday 11:00-5:00

2010-04-27T10:23:00.002-05:00

Thrilled to be part of the 14th Annual Home & Garden Festival in the beautiful Chestnut Hill region of Philadelphia, PA. The festivities begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 2nd and continue through 5pm. I've been assigned booth #141 near Joseph Banks on the 8400 block of Germantown Avenue.

In addition to great items for your home and garden, including art, jewelry, furniture, flowers, hanging baskets and sculptures, etc., there will also be many festivities for the entire family. To name a few: Live music, al fresco dining at Chestnut Hill's amazing restaurants (festival food available too!), face painting, arts & crafts, zoo animals, kid's yoga and much, much more.

The weather is supposed to be beautiful on Sunday, so if you live nearby, please stop by and check it out.

New Handbags with Custom-Printed Fabric.

2010-04-26T21:22:00.007-05:00

I am excited to offer new handbags, purses and clutches handmade by me using professionally printed cotton fabric featuring my original paintings and illustrations.

Details:

Wooden Heart Shaped Handles.
Custom cotton fabric featuring artwork by Kristen Stein.
Fabric enhanced with stiffening fabric to maintain shape and provide more durable wear.
Fully-lined.
Cover can be removed for easy cleaning.
Cover snaps in place with sturdy snaps and can be interchanged with my other covers.

Recommended Care:
If cover needs cleaning, hand wash with cool water. Lay flat to dry. Iron as needed.

Dimensions:
Handbag (without handle)approximately 9.5"x 7.5" x 5.5"
(with the handle the overall height is about 11")
Handles measure approximately 7" x 3" (above the fabric)

Pictured here:

Enchanted Garden Back to Back (SOLD)
Enchanted Garden : 4 Birds (Available)
Alice's Secret Garden (Available)

*NOTE* Custom requests using other paintings or images from my portfolio are welcome. Please browse my shop, or visit StudioArtworks.com to view my portfolio and request another design for the fabric. (Please allow up to 4 weeks for custom requests.)

Honoring Volunteers of Fox Chase Cancer Center

2010-04-23T12:04:00.007-05:00

Today I had the honor of attending a reception honoring volunteers of the Fox Chase Cancer Center. It was such a beautiful reception and a wonderful tribute to those who tirelessly donate their time to the families and patients at the Cancer Center. I was so very proud of each of the volunteers and wished I could personally thank each and every one of them.

The event also paid tribute to a wonderful volunteer named Alice who passed away last year after struggling with Cancer. Alice was not only our neighbor, but a very dear friend. I attended the reception with her husband David, who brought along the painting that I made for his family shortly after her death. The painting is called "Alice's Secret Garden" and depicts the backyard garden that she so adored. Bird feeders, birds and small hidden messages to Alice make up the floral design within the painting.

I wasn't expecting to speak at the event and was surprised when Tina (director of volunteers) called me up to talk about the artwork and Alice. After Tina's moving tribute to her, I was already an emotional wreck. But, with tissue in hand, I did a short presentation. (I think I cried through the whole thing! But, I think Alice would have enjoyed it.)

It was an honor to present the framed tile of the artwork to each of the volunteers at the reception. In this small way, I hope Alice's wonderful memory lives on with each of the volunteers and with the people whom Alice touched.

The reception was a wonderful way to say 'thank you' to those who offer their time and assistance and to provide a final farewell to those no longer with us. I was very proud to have my artwork be part of such a wonderful cause.

Website updates : new shopping cart and links for wholesale buyers.

2010-04-13T17:20:00.002-05:00

I updated my website today to include a shopping cart directly on the website. The listings are a bit more streamlined with several containing drop down menus for easier ordering. I'll continue to update with additional listings as time permits. I also added a page for wholesale buyer inquiries, price lists, line sheets and more. If you're a wholesale buyer who has worked with me before, you'll receive the login information via email or on your next invoice. If you are a new wholesale buyer interested in selling products from Kristen Stein Fine Art, please use my contact form to request the login information.

NEW ITEM - Wrought Iron Garden Stake with Ceramic Art Tile - Custom Designs Available

2010-04-09T21:41:00.013-05:00

(Enchanted Garden: 4 Birds)

New for Spring 2010!

Add a little extra art to your yard and garden with these new decorative wrought iron garden stakes featuring my original artwork and illustrations.

I've shown the garden stakes with 9 images from my portfolio that I think work well in the garden. But, you can certainly request one of my other images. A few are shown in this listing, or visit StudioArtworks.com for a more complete portfolio.

(pictured: Mother Nature and Child and Wide-eyed Owl Says "Hoot"!

Details:
The wrought iron stake measures 28" and stands 21" above ground. The plate width with the decorative scrollwork measures approximately 8" wide. The tile measures 4.25 inches square. The artwork will be signed by the artist on the front and signed/titled on the back of the ceramic tile as well.

(pictured: Blue Tree Cluster and Spirit of Autumn Fire)

A unique way add a touch of contemporary art to your yard or garden.

Convo me through my website if you'd like to request a custom garden stake.

Thank you for your interest in my artwork. -kristen

(pictured: Wright's Dragonfly and Text Me Bluebirds)

NEW Lacquer Jewelry Keepsake Art Boxes w/ Gift Box & Free Shipping

2010-04-09T16:25:00.000-05:00

I am excited to offer these beautiful high-gloss lacquered jewelry and keepsake boxes featuring my original artwork. For those who live locally, you might recall these being featured at Moderne Life Interiors in Jenkintown, PA. (Thank you Sandi!)

Description:
These 5.5" x 5.5" x 2.25" solid hardwood boxes are finished with a gorgeous high-gloss lacquer finish. The 4.25" square ceramic tile features original artwork by Kristen Stein. Boxes are either mahogany or black depending on the design.

These keepsake boxes are perfect to store your jewelry, mementos, or other special trinkets. A spring-loaded hinge allows the lid to stay fully-open without tipping over. Each box is fully-lined in velvet and the bottom is covered in felt. Each box is hand-signed by me on the tile and shipped in a white gift box.

Makes a wonderful gift.

Images currently available as Keepsake Box include:
1. Hazy Abstract Sunset
2. Welcome Spring
3. Spirit of Autumn Fire (in collab.w/Lyse Marion)
4. Autumn Fire
5. Singular Beauty: Glow
6. The Pond
7. Fauvist Tuscany
8. The Peacock
9. All in a Row
10. Blue Tree Cluster

Please see my other listings for original paintings, handcrafted jewelry and other art-related gift items.

Interested in a different design? Custom order with the following images, or visit my online portfolio: (click image to enlarge)

9 Hot Twitter Strategies for Business.

2010-04-09T07:54:00.004-05:00

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Brandon De Hoyos, Guide to IM on About.com, for one of his new articles: 9 Hot Twitter Strategies for Business.

In this article, Brandon talks with 11 small business owners who use Twitter to engage their customers. Tips include promoting products with pictures, providing excellent customer service, supporting your city/local economy, seeking job applicants through tweets, and more.

Thank you Brandon for including my experience in your article. I enjoy being on Twitter and interacting with other art enthusiasts and customers. It's a fun, quick way to connect with existing customers and present your current works to a new audience. There's a large artist community on Twitter and I am thrilled to be part of it.

34th Parallel Magazine Issue 10

2010-04-07T08:03:00.007-05:00

Thank you to Martin Chipperfield and Trace Sheridan Swan, editors of 34th Parallel Magazine, for including "Autumn Fire" in Issue 10 which starts selling today.

The 70 page issue features a collection of short stories, poetry, artwork, and photography from a wide-range of authors and artists. It was a pleasure to have been selected to appear in the current issue.

Are you an emerging artist, author or photographer interested in submitting to 34th Parallel Magazine? If so, you can read the submission guidelines here. Good luck! Please let me know if you submit something by leaving a note below. And, definitely write back to let me know if your submission is accepted. Best of luck! -kristen

Edible Art :: Our trip to 'Cake Boss Live!" with Buddy Valastro of Carlo's Bakery

2010-03-30T10:15:00.010-05:00

My family adores TLC's "Cake Boss"...especially my 5 year old. If you haven't seen the show, it follows the creative process of baker Buddy Valastro and his family at "Carlo's Bakery" in Hoboken, NJ. They create wonderful cupcakes, pastries, and cakes of course! Some are traditional wedding cakes; others are elaborate 'themed' cakes.

Our favorites from last season were the Sesame Street themed cake (Episode 13) and the Aquarium cake (Episode 15) created for our local "Adventure Aquarium" to celebrate their 5th Anniversary (This was my personal favorite.)

I learned that Buddy would be doing his "Cake Boss Live" show at one of our local theaters. So, I thought it would be fun to surprise my 5 year old with tickets to celebrate her first day of Spring Break. My biggest concern was the time of the event. She goes to bed around 7:30 p.m. and the show started at 8:00 p.m. But, surprisingly, she did great! She even wanted to wait in line for over an hour after the show to be one of the last people to meet Buddy in person and get her 'Cake Boss' baker's cap signed. Can't believe she stayed awake until just before midnight!

She enjoyed the entire show. She was lucky enough to receive one of Buddy's 'practice' cupcakes which he decorated during various audience participation segments of his show. (Special thanks to the folks in the neighboring seats who came to my rescue with tissues and napkins when she promptly began devouring the treat!)

She even got to handle a microphone and ask Buddy if he ever made an "Alice in Wonderland" cake. To which he answered that "Maybe I can make one for your next birthday!" Her birthday is June 3rd....just in case Buddy reads this! :) She even got to do a little 'shout out' to Buddy on the TLC cameras....wearing her baker's cap, she shouted "Buddy Rules!". She really had a fun time. Thanks to Buddy, his family and his staff for putting together a delightful show.

It really was a great night and fun for the entire family....just like his show. If you haven't seen the show on TLC, I encourage you to watch it. (TLC Mondays @ 9/8c) It's a wonderful show that my husband and I can watch with our daughter and all enjoy the art, baking and the family fun.

As an artist, I paint and create art on canvas. Buddy and his staff truly create works of art with modeling chocolate and icing. The main difference....their works of art are edible. So much dedication and creativity in a project that gets consumed relatively quickly. I wonder if it is difficult sometimes to watch folks cut into and eat the cake...especially when so much time and creativity is put into making it. For now, I'll keep my creative works on canvas and enjoy the hard work and dedication of these pastry artists from the comfort of my home.

Fun new custom painting. Great way to welcome Spring.

2010-03-29T09:15:00.007-05:00

I received a wonderful request from a new client to create 2 custom enchanted garden paintings. The request was to make them 'similar, but different'. So, I drew 2 separate sketches and painted them independent of one another, but used the same color palette. The result is 2 paintings which could be placed in close proximity to one another....like a diptych....or be displayed independent of one another as two separate paintings. I love how they turned out and I'm thrilled that the clients are also pleased with the result.

Enchanted Garden: Welcome Spring 2pc

Alternative Presentation:

I'm looking forward to seeing the paintings on display in the client's home. They were wonderfully fun to create and make me so excited for the colors and flowers of Spring.

Please visit my website at StudioArtworks.com and view my recent works. Use the contact form on my website if you'd like to request your own custom painting.

Custom Bird Nest Pendant : Bird, Blue Eggs and a Branch.

2010-03-26T17:46:00.006-05:00

A customer requested one of my bird nest pendants with blue pearl eggs to represent her two boys. I love how the piece turned out. The little silver bird and the copper-coated pewter branch adds additional elements of whimsy to the little wire nest.

Please contact me through my website at StudioArtworks.com to request your own custom piece. Choose your wire color, egg color and additional elements. Click here to see some of my other bird nest pendants and rings.

A few new 'wearable art' pieces for Spring 2010.

2010-03-26T11:04:00.007-05:00

As I was working on new jewelry items for the recent Sugarloaf Craft Festival as well as some local boutiques, I made a few extra pieces for my online shop. I wanted to make some fun jewelry pieces that mimic the look of some of my paintings. A sort of 'wearable' version of my art. I just love how they turned out.

The piece above is called "Goodbye Fall, Hello Spring". I love that the floral glass beads are soft and muted in earthy hues that allow this piece to be truly a year-round necklace. Warm colors of fall, but in leaves and flowers that welcome the warmer spring days.

"Elemental" inspired by the elements : Earth, Wind and Water. This crocheted wire necklace choker is contemporary, colorful and definitely noticeable.

"Candied Garden" : A bright, fun whimsical piece inspired by my series of "enchanted garden" paintings.

New Crochet Wire Knit Glass Bead Necklace in Sterling

2010-03-15T16:27:00.004-05:00

Added one more sterling silver crochet wire necklace to my Spring 2010 Collection.

"Pastel Ice" is a soft, romantic choker-style necklace that is hand-crocheted and wire knit with mixed glass beads. Wonderful soft hues to welcome Spring.

Additional pieces currently available:

And, this second one which is a tad longer:

Welcome Spring 2010. New Variations on the Wire Bird Nest Pendant and Rings.

2010-03-15T15:51:00.011-05:00

Wahoo! Spring is on its way! These nest with eggs make wonderful gifts for Easter. Tuck one inside an Easter egg to make that egg hunt even more special.

I'm so excited to hear the birds singing outside and the shoots of several Spring flowers waving their first seasonal 'hello'. In anticipation of Spring, I've introduced a few new variations to my bird nest pendants and rings.

The traditional wire nest (shown above) is still available and can be customized with the color or number of eggs to represent your children or family size. Shown here are the silver cable wire with pearl eggs, but other wire colors and glass beads can be used as well. Just email me through my website at StudioArtworks.com if you'd like to request a custom bird nest pendant or ring.

New Variations for Spring 2010:
As a fun and whimsical variation on the traditional wire nest, I included a silver-coated, or copper-coated pewter branch, and Thai Silver Bird. This will make a wonderful gift to a new mom, an Audubon member, or other bird/nature enthusiast.

Alternatively, we can create the nest as a pendant with the bird only:

Rings Also Available:
I've also included the bird on the wire bird nest rings. These can be custom-made in your size and you can choose between the traditional bird nest with 'eggs', or add the bird as well.

A few special "thank you" notes! Montgomery Media and DecoratingDiva

2010-03-10T11:31:00.006-05:00

I'm a little behind in paying special thanks to a few folks who have been very kind and generous to me lately with regard to my art and/or art 'happenings'. I definitely want to publicly thank Kaitlyn Foti from Montgomery Media for the artist feature in the Times Chronicle. When Kaitlyn called me at home, I answered some of her questions so quickly, I don't know how she was able to keep up. But, she pulled together a wonderful article about how some of my pieces were selected to appear on television (FOX's "Past Life" and SYFY's "Warehouse 13") and in an upcoming movie. I appreciate her phone call and the article that she wrote. Thanks so much Kaitlyn!

I also want to say a special "thank you" to Carmen of DecoratingDiva.com. Carmen has a wonderful site dedicated to design, style and interior decorating. Wonderful tips and articles. I was so honored to receive a request for an interview....but, I was also terribly intimidated given some of her recent 'spotlights'. Nonetheless, I answered her questions and am thrilled to be her March featured artist. Thank you so much Carmen. Hope everyone checks out your great site for design tips, trends, and more!

Surviving my first Wholesale show: Part 5: New pictures and Information from "The Buyer's Market"

2010-03-03T17:18:00.014-05:00

Photos by Jim Burger/Courtesy of The Rosen Group

Read Part 1: Deciding to do the BMAC Show

Read Part 2 : My initial Questions.

Read Part 3: Defining terms, writing orders, and other things I needed to know.

Read Part 4: Other 'notables' and observations

Part 5: Addendum. More pictures from the show and additional observations.

I'm excited to let folks know that we had a great response to yesterday's 4-part post about "Surviving my First Wholesale Show". I received emails from several people asking if the posts could be cross-referenced on their blogs. Information from the posts will be included on Sandy Dell's site Selling to Gift Shops, Bill Weaver's The Artist's Center, and the Rosen Group's Wholesale Matters Blog on the AmericanCraft.com site.

Many thanks to Laura Bamburak and Jean Thompson (Public Relations and Marketing Director for "The Buyer's Market" and the Rosen Group) for getting pictures of the February 2010 "Buyer's Market" to me. Jean also provided a lot of great information that I will incorporate into this new Part 5 post. Hope you all find it useful.

Remember...if you still have specific questions about the event, please let me know by leaving a comment below, or emailing me directly through my site. You can also visit the BMAC's Wholesale Matters Blog, or Facebook Page.

New information about the 'Visiting Artist's Program".
Jean let me know that the next 'Visiting Artist's Program" will be this summer at the BMAC show in Baltimore. The seminar will last only one day as the Summer Show is shorter than the February show. The tentative date is Monday, August 23, 2010. More news will be available next month.

Booth Pictures and Advice from 'those in the know':

Thrilled to be able to share with you pictures from the February 2010 "Buyer's Market of American Craft" Show at the Philadelphia Convention Center. These were just emailed to me from Jean with her helpful comments.

Booth: Mar of Santa Barbara
Photos by Jim Burger/Courtesy of The Rosen Group

Great picture showing items at eye-level and with spotlighting. Jean suggests the goose-neck lights that are easily adjustable.

Booth: Cicada Glassworks
Photos by Jim Burger/Courtesy of The Rosen Group

Jean: Here’s another booth that is simple, but again, displays the work up high at eye level (and above). In this case, products that should hang are hanging. It gives the buyer a sense of what the product will look like to the customer. Notice the buyer also is holding the catalog to help with selection.

Booth: Romeo Glass
Photos by Jim Burger/Courtesy of The Rosen Group

Jean: Note that the shelving is simple and unfussy, propping the artwork at different levels and allowing compatible groupings of the product lines.
Kristen: I think he's writing his order on the same Purchase Order Book that I described in Part 3. Got mine at Staples.

Booth: Nicholson Art Glass
Photos by Jim Burger/Courtesy of The Rosen Group

Jean: The electronic age has arrived in a few trade show booths: I’ve only seen this in one or two booths, but it can be used effectively if you need to show works that you cannot bring to the show – such as installations you’ve done in public places. It can also be a great way to show off pieces as displayed in the homes of customers. Retailers are always trying to help the consumer envision your artwork in their homes…and you can provide ideas. If your “maker” techniques are unusual, you can also put in a couple of images of “the artist at work.”

Additional comments:

Jean: It’s very interesting to see that so many artists let the “art” be the “art” of the display. The simple pedestals and tables do not distract from the beautiful art. Ample lighting, as you’ve noted, really helps. Some simple and large signage works. And note how people take advantage of the height of the booths – so buyers can see the work from across the aisles and above the busy, busy distractions. Most also, as you note, arrange their products for walk-up viewing.

If you have specific questions not addressed in Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 of “Surviving My First Wholesale Show”, write to me and let me know. I’m happy to answer a question if I can. Also, remember to visit BMAC's Wholesale Matters Blog, or Facebook Page.

Surviving my first wholesale show. Part 4: Other 'notables' and observations

2010-03-02T18:21:00.007-05:00

Read Part 1: Deciding to do the BMAC Show

Read Part 2 : My initial Questions.

Read Part 3: Defining terms, writing orders, and other things I needed to know.

Part 4 : Other 'notables' and observations

Promoting the show.

I didn’t apply early enough to get a lot of advance mailers and/or advertising spots purchased to let the buyers know I was coming. But, as soon as I was aware of my booth number, I did let folks know via email, twitter, and my blog that I would be attending the event. Brochures and stickers were provided by BMAC. I put my booth number on the stickers and applied these to my postcards. That way, buyers were sure to know at what booth they saw me. (It can get confusing in such a large place!)

I also created a profile on the NICHE Marketplace to let the buyers of American Craft know that I was coming and at what booth they could find me. This service was provided with my booth fee shortly before the event. Again…if I had applied earlier, I would have had more time to create the profile. So….word of advice. Apply early!!! This will ensure that you get the advanced mailers, your name printed in the catalog and adequate time to promote your wares via NICHE Magazine, etc.

Some buyers stopped by my booth and told me that they had seen my artwork in advance of the show. One of the nice features about the NICHE Marketplace is that it tracks the visitors to your site and tells you if they are buyers or vendors. And, it’s incredibly useful to vendors in the event that a buyer doesn’t make it to the show. (You might recall that Philadelphia got hit with a blizzard just days before the 2010 BMAC show started. Several vendors and buyers were unable to attend due to canceled flights or weather-related delays.) I’ve had inquiries from galleries who were unable to attend the event, but who have accessed my information from the NICHE Marketplace.

Booth Etiquette

Sounds funny, but I think this is important. You want to be professional and polite at all times. You are making a first impression and it’s important that your behavior reflect the quality items that you are selling. I was extra careful to not be seen eating or drinking while buyers were in my booth. (These trade show events are exhausting…but I tried to nibble on food or take a drink only after buyers left my booth.) I greeted everyone who entered my booth…..buyers, guests, visitors, other vendors. I figure that even if the person isn’t a buyer, they are still someone who is showing an interest in my artwork and deserves to be treated as a potential customer. I noticed that a couple of vendors used empty vendor space to make a little lunch area behind a curtain. This was a good way to take the ‘lunch’ off the selling floor. I was the only person in my booth for the 4 day event, so I had to be there the majority of the time. But, I was fortunate to have awesome neighbors who could keep an eye on my booth in the event that I had to take a quick break.

It certainly is more help to have an extra person with you, but this isn’t always feasible. (And makes quite a long day for your helper.) I did notice that BMAC allows vendors to hire help. You could purchase an extra helper for ½ hr. increments throughout the day….just in case you wanted to take a lunch break, etc.

Try not to be sitting down when buyers enter your booth. Stand up, be enthusiastic and don’t cross your arms. Be ready to welcome them and answer any questions they might have. It’s also a good idea to be holding onto your purchase order book (on a clipboard). Many were ready to write an order right away….and they work quickly!

Layout of your booth:

Again...I have a lot to learn about booth displays and what will work best for my artwork. But, when designing your layout, make sure customers can comfortably walk-around within your booth and see your items clearly. Have prices easy to read without having to move things, turn things over, etc. If you have a wide-range of prices, you might want to put some of the more affordable items up front to draw the buyer into your booth. There were all sorts of displays at this event. Some had very elaborate, professional booths…others had simple tables showing their wares. Many vendors also had banners and photographs showing what they offer. They displayed the banners or photographs on the wall behind them, and then had the products on display on the tables or podiums.

Did the show live up to my expectations? Yes. Overall I’m thrilled with my first BMAC show. I made it through the 4 days and wrote several orders with new galleries and boutiques. I also exchanged cards with several other potential buyers. I didn’t notice many buyers from museum shops and catalogs, although other vendors confirmed that they were there. They just didn’t visit my booth. But, that gives me incentive to try harder next time! The show lived up to my expectations, but I was hoping for it to be really busy with barely any time to think! Several vendors commented that attendance was down from years past. I suspect that the attendance might have been affected by the massive snowfall just days before the event and the tough economy. But, overall….I’m happy with the results given my first show. I met some incredible artists and wonderful new buyers and am hoping to keep in touch with them throughout the year.

Next up: Part 5: Pictures from February 2010 BMAC and additional advice from 'those in the know'

Surviving my first wholesale show. Part 3: Terms, Orders, Promotional Materials and more.

2010-03-02T15:55:00.011-05:00

Read Part 1: Deciding to do the BMAC Show
Read Part 2 : My initial Questions.

Part 3: Defining terms, order forms, and other things I needed to think about prior to the show:

Order forms/ contracts (in duplicate):

Although several vendors had their own custom-made purchase orders with the information they needed, I did not have time to pre-print my order forms. So, I decided instead to invest in Purchase Order Books from Staples. These books had 50 order forms as 2pt carbonless forms. I printed my terms on small labels and attached these to the yellow copy of the form. (This form was given to the buyer.) I kept all my information on the top white form. The information I needed included: phone number, ship to address, contact name, date ordered, date requested, payment type, shipping preference, items purchased and amount. You will also want to determine shipping costs. (Either include it in the wholesale price, ask the buyer to pay shipping, or offer some sort of shipping discount for the size of their order.) Something else to consider: Get reseller numbers for purchases within your home state. (This is because there will be no tax charged to the buyers within your home state as long as they have a valid reseller license.) In the future, I'll also get the buyers to sign the purchase order. This would have been useful when one of my orders exceeded my credit card limit. (I had to request an increased limit to authorize the customer's credit card and they requested the customer's signature which had to be faxed. A signed purchase order would have been sufficient.)

Define your terms:

Minimum Order: Determine if you will have a minimum order. I requested minimum order of $200.00.

Payment terms: For wholesale orders, Net 30 appears to be the industry standard. Although I talked to several vendors that charge to credit cards upon shipping the order. I decided to request credit card information for the initial order and offer Net 30 on repeat purchases. In most cases, the buyers gave me the credit card information at the time of writing their order, or asked me to call for credit card information prior to shipping. A few galleries requested Net 30 and provided credit references or names of other vendors in my aisle with whom they have worked in the past. This was a quick way to achieve references for galleries/shops that wanted to place their order with Net 30 payment option.

Specify your shipping dates. Allow 15-30, or 30-60 days depending on the size of the order and how much has to be created for the buyer. You definitely want to ship quality items by the dates they request. But don’t overbook yourself. Having a production calendar handy at the show is a great idea. Be realistic and plan out how much you can do over a given period of time. A production calendar keeps you organized and lets you plan out your days after the event ends. I noticed that many buyers had calendars with them too. Some had specific dates during which they wanted to receive shipments, others simply requested ‘asap’.

Damages/Returns: In your terms, mention how returns or damages will be handled. My terms requested that damages or returns be requested within 7 days of receiving shipment.

Shipping: Mention how shipping will be paid. (include in prices, buyer pays, split between you and buyer, etc.)

I ended up specifying the following terms:

Min order of $200.00. Qualified resellers only. Credit Card, COD or pre-payment for initial purchase. Buyer pays shipping costs. Most orders ship within 15-30 days of order date. Returns or damaged items must be reported within 7 days of receipt of package. Claims after 7 days will not be honored.

I printed these on labels and stuck them to the buyer’s order receipt.

Pricing:
Show only wholesale prices. Don’t confuse the buyer by having retail prices listed. Show only wholesale prices, but be prepared to let them know at what prices your galleries or shops are selling the items. Also suggest bundled prices if some of your items sell well ‘bundled’.

Know your best-sellers. You know your items better than the buyer who might be seeing them for the first time, so highlight your best-sellers. Either put stickers on them letting the buyer know about your best-sellers, or show items that are exclusive to the show you are doing. The BMAC had small table cards that drew attention to “Buyer’s Market Exclusives”. This let the buyers know that they were purchasing something not available at other wholesale shows. I had a few buyers who simply ordered ‘assorted best sellers’. They let me decide which items to mail to them….but they specified a quantity. Many buyers were in a hurry to move to other booths….lots to see in the 4 days and time was of the essence. So, be ready to help and quick in writing your orders.

Bring lots of promotional materials. I had canvas bags printed with my business name. Postcards and business cards printed by Vistaprint.com and small brochures printed by the UPS Store. I kept a few postcards on the table and some information about the artist. I left these with other promotional materials on the press table. (There weren’t any left at the end of the show, so hopefully all the members of the press got one!)

It was recommended that I not leave promotional materials out for people to just grab as they were passing by the booth, but to instead share them with potential buyers with whom you also exchange information. Some vendors ran contests in exchange for getting business cards.

Other things to have in your booth:

Have a place for the buyer to sit down. They get tired too and having an extra seat is a nice gesture and makes them feel comfortable when writing the order.

Have candy, water, snacks, etc. available to the buyer. Understand that if you are tired from standing all-day on the trade show floor, imagine how exhausting it is to a buyer who is zooming through 800+ vendors. A bit of chocolate (thanks Lauren), or a bowl of candy from which they can grab a tweet, or a bottle of water gives them a pick-me-up. One of my booth neighbors even had wine, music and martinis! How cool is that!!??

Next up: Part 4: Other 'notables' and observations

Read Part 5: Pictures from February 2010 BMAC and additional advice from 'those in the know'

Surviving my first wholesale show. Part 2: My initial questions

2010-03-02T15:32:00.017-05:00

Read Part 1: Deciding to do the show.

Part 2: Preparing to do wholesale. My initial questions.

As soon as I knew I was attending the Buyer's Market of American Craft (BMAC), I wrote a couple of notes to Wendy Rosen. She’s an amazing woman and a terrific advocate for the artist. She is the founder of the Rosen Group and the Buyer’s Market of American Craft. She immediately suggested requesting a mentor for the show and with Laura Bamburak’s help I was assigned two veteran BMAC sellers who were available to answer any additional questions that I might have. (I really didn’t use the mentors before the show, but I was thrilled to have one of the mentors visit my booth regularly during the show to check in and answer any questions I might have.)

Here were my initial questions about the show (and my answers after the fact):

Will there be artists offering original paintings on canvas, or do most artists just offer prints of their work? I wondered if my work would be hidden among the vast sea of ceramics, glass and jewelry as these seemed like the largest categories of work at the show.

Answer: Honestly, there were all sorts of artists at this show. Jewelry and glass were popular categories and had many vendors, but there were all sorts of artists represented. Some were very large vendors with a great variety of items, others had only a few items to show. One of my artist friends asked “How big to you have to be to do this type of show?” After seeing some of what folks had to offer, I’d say size isn’t the most important thing. Having an item that the buyer wants, at the right price, is more important. I saw some vendors that offered only one item in slight variations, but they made incredibly beautiful pieces that had market value to the buyers.

Is mixed media the best category for me, or should I be in home décor?

Answer: For this show, rugs, furniture, wall hangings, lamps, etc seemed to make up home décor. So, I think Mixed-Media was an excellent choice for what I was selling. I loved the ecclentic blend of vendors that were included in the Mixed-Media group. Can’t imagine being placed elsewhere.

Do I mainly bring samples of my work and allow buyers to place orders? Do the buyers pay for items at the show? Is there cash-and-carry?

Answer: This event was an ‘order-writing’ event. Vendors write orders at the show and the buyers specify a time at which they would like the items shipped. I ended up writing orders from ASAP until September 2010. Some vendors did have a ‘cash and carry” section on their table and others offered to sell their floor samples on the last day of the event.

Realistically, what was this going to cost me? Beside the booth fee, what would I need to purchase to setup my booth?

Answer: I purchased a 10x10 booth for $1875.00. This space came ‘piped and draped’ which essentially means that there were curtains dividing your space from your neighbor’s space. Electrical was purchased separately. And, since the lighting in the convention center was set on 1/3 power, (i.e., Each third light was illuminated) buying lighting was essential.

Hargrove Inc was the Official Service Contractor for the BMAC and provided booth rental options. I didn’t end up using their service. I had tables and displays already available from some of the art/craft shows that I’ve done at outdoor festivals. So, I didn’t purchase their flooring, tables, lights, etc. Although this is likely convenient for vendors traveling from ‘out-of-town’.

I’m far from having the perfect booth and many experienced vendors tell me that their booth changes from year to year. (It’s never finished!) But as a first-time exhibitor, I am pretty pleased with how my booth looked.

Unfortunately, this is my only booth picture. My other pictures were very blurred. It's not a very good angle to see the entire booth. But, it's the best one I have. When viewed from the other angle, I had a small table with two chairs that allowed me and the buyer to sit down when writing their order. Photographing other vendor's booths was not permitted. You had to have a camera pass, or hire a photographer approved by the Rosen Group. See Part 5 of this series for other booth display photographs.

I didn’t want to make a huge financial commitment, as I do not know how often I will attend shows such as this. So, my initial purchases were a few display stands that allowed me to hang my paintings (I hung them with s-shaped shower hooks) Initially, I hung these only on the display stands, but they were only 4ft high in a 10 ft. booth and difficult to see over the tables. So, after a recommendation from my mentor (thanks Stacy Simbrom of Angels with Attitude) and my booth neighbor (the amazingly talented Lauren Henry), we displayed a few paintings hanging from the booth’s top rails. I also had paintings displayed on easels (easels from Michael's at $45 ea). Much like how they would look in my studio.

I purchased track lighting from Lowes. Approx. $150 w/ bulbs. The recommendation was to have 10 lights for a 10x10 space. I ended up buying 9. I only displayed 6 of the lights and now wish I had included a bit more lighting. Buy lots of zip ties from the hardware store. These were so helpful in hanging the lights and securing the extension cords to the cross bars and the side poles of the booth.

I purchased interlocking trade show flooring. (approx $185.00) I purchased these at wesellmats.com. I bought the premium carpet squares. The charcoal shows every bit of lint, dust, etc. So, perhaps a lighter color would have been better. But, if you choose the darker shade…keep a lint brush, tape, or broom handy. You might need it. From SoftTiles.com, I found a great carrying bag (under $30.00) that fits the 2x2 ft square floor mats. (You can also purchase the tiles from SoftTiles, but I wanted to use carpet, rather than foam.)

(My fees came to about $3000.00 for booth fee, flooring, lighting and a few other booth displays.)

Next up: Part 3: Defining terms, writing orders, and other things I needed to know.

Read Part 4: Other 'notables' and observations

Read Part 5: Pictures from February 2010 BMAC and additional advice from 'those in the know'

Surviving my first wholesale show: Part 1: Deciding to do the show

2010-03-02T13:34:00.010-05:00

Surviving my first wholesale craft show.
Part 1: Deciding to do the show.

So, as I was looking through Arts/Craft Show application deadlines online, I found the application for the "Buyer’s Market of American Craft" (BMAC) at the Philadelphia Convention Center. The jury fee was $10.00 and I decided to apply along with several other applications that I was submitting. The show dates were February 12, 2010 thru February 15, 2010. The date of my application: January 13, 2010!!! One month before the show. YIKES!!

So, on January 14, 2010, I received the acceptance letter for the show and my first introduction to the amazing Laura Bamburak: Mixed Media, Wearable Fiber & Accessories Manager for the Rosen Group. She was my ‘handler’ for the Buyer’s Market. My first thought upon reading the acceptance letter, “Oh crap….now what? Am I really ready to try my hand at wholesale?” Kicking myself for not applying a heck of a lot earlier, I now had about 2 days to decide if I’m doing the show, 8 days to commit to lighting, booth accessories/design, and a month to have items ready to wholesale. Knocked the idea around with my husband for about 24 hours. Slept on the idea. Thought about the financial cost (these shows aren’t cheap!) and what other things I really needed to purchase for my business. But, I figured that this was an investment and a chance to meet new buyers and build long-term relationships. So, it sounds crazy, but with a month to go until the show, I was going to do it!

Laura was awesome. She called me at home the following day, probably aware that a first-time exhibitor feels extremely overwhelmed. At the beginning of the conversation, she mentioned that a lot of first-time exhibitors come to the show as a visiting artist and that this option was available to me if I wanted to join the program. In the back of my mind, I’m thinking maybe she’s right, maybe I should wait and try this next year …..but we kept talking. She asked me questions about my business, what I would be wholesaling and what sort of shows I’d done in the past. We talked for nearly a half-hour via phone and she said the words I needed to hear “I’ve worked with a lot of artists over the years, and you really seem to have a good handle on your business. I think you could do the show this year, if you feel ready.” And, I did. I jumped right in. I paid my booth fee. And, once the booth fees were paid, I was committed. I knew I had to work quickly to get things lined up for the show. Now comes the hard part….getting prepared for doing my first wholesale show. That's on it's way in Part 2.

Next Up: Part 2 : My initial Questions.

Read: Part 3: Defining terms, writing orders, and other things I needed to know.

Read: Part 4: Other 'notables' and observations

Read Part 5: Pictures from February 2010 BMAC and additional advice from 'those in the know'

2 New Crochet Wire Knit Glass Bead Necklaces in Sterling

2010-03-01T12:30:00.007-05:00

I had a request to do a few of my glass bead crochet wire knit chokers in sterling silver. I thought I'd add a couple new ones to my etsy shop as well. These are both done with sterling silver wire. One measures 16", the other 18". Both are in a palette of soft pastels which will look great with the upcoming Spring and Summer outfits. Each are crocheted by hand and include handmade clasps on the back.

See more by visiting my website.

5 New Pendants added to "wearable art" collection.

2010-03-01T08:52:00.006-05:00

Dream Analysis according to Freud

Five new pendants have been added to my 'wearable art' glass tile pendant collection. These pendants are fun miniature versions of my paintings and/or illustrations. They look great displayed on a metal cable wire as a slide, or on one of my assorted organza cords.

Alice's Secret Garden

Including in the new additions are "Dream Analysis According to Freud", a fun portrait of Freud's head made out of abstract Freudian Images. "Alice's Secret Garden" is a whimsical nature-inspired painting that I did in honor of our neighbor.

Shakti : Goddess of Energy

"Shakti : Goddess of Energy" is a graphic design/ illustration design inspired by Shakti the Hindu Goddess of Energy. She is shown here with her serpent Kundalini who is said to lie dormant at the base of the spine. Then, through meditation, the serpent uncoils and passes through the chakras (energy centers of the body). When it reaches the 7th chakra, this is where spiritual enlightement is achieved. (Shown by the sunburst pattern.) Great gift for the yoga enthusiast.

Swimming Koi

Two colorful koi print created from one of my mixed media paintings. Colorful and serene and a great addition to the Spring wardrobe.

The Meadow
The last of the new additions is "The Meadow". An image created from my original painting from my Atmospheric Minimalist Landscapes. Love the serenity in this image as well. Beautiful rich shades of dark brown and purple contrast beautifully with the greens and the gentle yellow glow.

Interested in a different image as a pendant? Please visit my website for additional designs, prints and original artwork.

Thank you for viewing my newest additions! -kristen

2 New Images added to the Framed Art Tile Collection

2010-02-23T13:11:00.005-05:00

Two new images added to the my collection of framed ceramic art tiles. These two tiles were created with paintings that I made about 2 years ago. I had a special request for prints of these paintings and I thought they were make great tiles. The bright red and orange landscape coupled with the dark purple and turquoise highlights look great in the stained cherrywood frame.

These small format artworks would look great in a small space needing a burst of color. They are ideal for the wall, or even as a desk or tabletop (with included dowel-rod for easel display). The tile is heat and waterproof if you should like to use the artwork as a trivet or hot pad.

Click here to see all tiles currently in the my art tile collection.

A mention in Philadelphia CityPaper "Icepack" section

2010-02-18T12:54:00.000-05:00

Special thanks to A.D. Amorosi of the "Icepack" section of Philadelphia's CITYPAPER for the mention about my artwork being used in an upcoming film and TV Shows. I appreciate being added to the latest 'buzz'.

Icepack

Amorosi on the news, nightlife, gossip and bitchiness beats.

by A.D. Amorosi


	print	email	reply	rss feed

Published: Feb 17, 2010

► Philly painter Kristen Stein (studioartworks.com) is getting more credit for stuff hanging on film sets than on gallery walls of late: Several paintings, prints and tiles of hers got purchased by a set designer for FOX's Past Life for episodes airing ASAP. And one of her collaborative works, Spirit of Autumn Fire, is on the permanent set of SYFY Channel's Warehouse 13. And a painting and several prints were purchased for use in Leighton Meester's flick The Roommate, due in 2010. Phew.

Thank you to Dan Gross for the mention in Philly Daily News!

2010-02-16T13:31:00.005-05:00

Thank you to Dan Gross for the mention in his "Yo! Features" column of the Philly Daily News today. Dan was kind enough to let his readers know about my artwork being used on FOX's "Past Life" as well as to promote the contest : Spot the Art, Win the Print.

Looking forward to Thursday's episode on FOX! So far, two prints have been spotted! (Congrats Lydia and Christina!)

Kol Ami Artist Reception Canceled for Feb. 7th

2010-02-07T12:43:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note to remind folks that the artist opening reception at Kol Ami was canceled due to the snow. They may try to schedule a closing reception, but I do not know any details yet. The paintings are on display and will remain on display until the end of February.

I apologize to those who may have made the trip out to Elkins Park for the reception. The event organizers decided to cancel all weekend events given the snow and icy roads.

Buyer's Market at PA Convention Center Feb 12-Feb 15, Booth #1913

2010-02-03T12:46:00.003-05:00

Thrilled to have been accepted to the Buyer's Market of American Craft (BMAC) for their upcoming show February 12-February 15 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. If you plan to attend, please stop by my booth #1913 in Exhibit Hall B in the Mixed Media section. This is a wholesale to the trade show and credentials will be required. Click here for more information about attending this show as a buyer.

Updated pictures from The Eye Institute's "Looking out For Kids Event"

2010-02-01T11:47:00.004-05:00

Eagles' offensive guard, Todd Herremans; The Eye Institute's Vice President for Patient Care Services, Dr. Susan Oleszewski; and President of Philadelphia Academies, Inc., Lisa Nutter served as the night's hosts. (Photo by John Dolores Photography)

In October 2009, The Eye Institute hosted its Third Annual Looking Out for Kids Fundraiser at Hafter Student Center on the campus of Salus University. I was honored to be one of a handful of local artisans selected to participate in the event. In addition to the silent auction, local artisans sold items to help provide eyecare services and glasses to uninsured, and under-insured, children in the Philadelphia area. It was a great event with wonderful food, music and auction items all benefitting a great cause. I look forward to participating again if invited.

Here is an updated page with pictures and more information about the night's event. If you view the slideshow, you'll see a couple of pictures where my artwork is visible in the background.

If you would like to help The Eye Institute “Look Out for Kids,” tax-deductible contributions can be made to “Looking Out for Kids” and mailed to:

Dr. Susan C. Oleszewski
The Eye Institute
1200 West Godfrey Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19141

Spotlight on UWIB Free Shipping Promotion : Today through Monday January 25

2010-01-22T19:58:00.008-05:00

The Unique Women in Business Group is running a promotion today through Monday, January 25th. Free US Shipping on a number of wonderful handmade items (art, jewelry, soap, clothing, accessories, handbags, and more). Also, many of the items have free or discounted international shipping as well.
For the UWIB sellers on Etsy, search etsy for UWIBTeamFS. After the promotion ends on Monday night, continue to search "UWIBTEAM" for many great items for talented etsy artists, designers and crafters.

There are also several independent businesses participating in the weekend's special event.

Glitzy Events - Use coupon code UWIBFREESHIP at check-out on our website http://glitzyevents.com

The Angel Company - Rita Wetzel, Independent Demonstrator - Send email to Rita at stamp2stamp2@yahoo.com with a list of item numbers, description, quantity. Rita will email you order total. Payment via PayPal or Credit Card.

Charms~N~Things - coupon code FSJAN2010

Painted Laydies Mineral Makeup - Everything ships free all the time. No code needed.

Naughty and Nice Lingerie - Shipping is always free within the US! Fast, free shipping, dollar rewards and free gifts with certain purchases! Check out my store for more details or email me at sales@naughtyandnicelingerie.com. Ask me how to get an additional 10% off your purchase!!

About UWIB:
There are so many wonderful sellers both on and off etsy who make up "Unique Women in Business". This is a wonderfully supportive group with greatly diverse talents. The women sell through their websites, direct sales, and on a number of online venues like Artfire, 1000Markets, etsy, ebay and more. If you'd like to learn more about this group, please visit our blog. Or, join our yahoo group. Please let them know that Kristen Stein Fine Art referred you.

Artwork added to the Woodmere Museum Shop, Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania

2010-01-22T01:28:00.004-05:00

I am honored to have a selection of my art and jewelry on display in the Museum Shop of the beautiful Woodmere Museum located in gorgeous Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. The museum store features a wonderful array of art, jewelry, ceramics, textiles and more from local artists. If you are a member of the museum, you save an additional 10%-15% off your museum store purchases.

The 70th annual juried exhibit opens this week. Contemporary Voices runs January 23-March 14 with an Opening Reception: January 23, 5-7pm

From the museum website : From its founding in 1940, Woodmere Art Museum has been a showcase for new talent in the visual arts in the Philadelphia region. The result each year is a rich overview of current trends in art, encompassing the traditional and the avant-garde in all media. This year’s juror is Michael Schantz, Director and CEO of Woodmere Art Museum.

If you are in Philadelphia, or the surrounding suburbs, please plan to stop by the museum and view the wonderful exhibits and visit the charming Museum Store.

Thank you to Jackie for the "Etsy Item of the Day" Feature.

2010-01-11T18:55:00.007-05:00

Big public "thank you" to Jackie of EtsyItemoftheDay.com for selecting "Welcome Spring" as the featured item of the day for January 11, 2010. What a thrill!

I love Jackie's blog and her passion for everything Etsy. She came to Etsy as a buyer and now she blogs regularly about her favorite Etsy finds.

If you are passionate about Etsy and the wonderful world of art and handmade crafts, then please checkout Jackie's blog for her latest updates.

Thanks again Jackie. Happy to have my artwork featured today!

Artwork to be used on Set of "Past Life" airing soon on FOX

2010-01-10T14:31:00.000-05:00

Updated 1/5/10
New information thanks to @MJRose. Looks like FOX's "Past Life" will air on Thursdays after Bones. Here's the 2010 network television schedule. The pilot is set to air on February 11th at 8pm EST, but will regularly air at 9pm on Thursdays after Bones.

This looks like an exciting new show that blends a little bit of House, M.D. with CSI and Ghost Whisperer. It is based on the novel "The Reincarnationist" by M.J. Rose.

15 of my prints, tiles and original paintings were purchased for use on the set, but I do not know in which episodes they will appear. My guess is that the earliest few episodes were already filmed before the set designer purchased my art.

I hope that folks can help in the scavenger hunt to try to find them. :) I'm looking forward to watching the episodes....not only because the show sounds exciting, but because it will be fun to try to find the art! Be sure to post a reply if you recognize any of the artwork in the scenes. The more eyes the better. haha!

Many thanks to Bonanza Productions for selecting some of my pieces to adorn their sets. It's really quite exciting! Thank you also to M.J.Rose for tweeting a message to me about the show dates.

A Note of Thanks.

2010-01-07T10:56:00.003-05:00

Today, I received the nicest email from a customer. It was a 'thank you' for items shipped over the Christmas Holiday. I appreciated her taking the time to write and it got me thinking about all the wonderful experiences that I've had buying arts and crafts directly from the artist. It really is a special buying experience and the extra effort that we put into creating our artwork and/or wrapping and shipping our packages sets us apart from many of the other traditional retail establishments.

Here's an excerpt of what she wrote:

Happy New Year to you, wishing you love and light, health and happiness.

Thank you for sending the parcel to me in France so quickly. I was absolutely delighted with the contents of the pack - the beautiful wrapping, the gift from you, your Christmas card, your promotional postcards and of course the pendant itself which I love.

In an age when so much is mass-produced and souless it's a real pleasure to buy direct from an artist and know you are supporting their work. It's also a great joy to be the recipient of such a personal touch to an on-line order! Thank you.

I shall be promoting your work to anyone and everyone I can - because I love your work and also I love the effort you are putting into your customers experience!

I hope the customer doesn't mind me sharing her inspiring note on my blog. I think her 'thank you' is a wonderful expression of gratitude, not only to me, but to many artists that create and sell their work directly to the customer. The individual attention we provide to our customers truly is appreciated and hopefully a note like this inspires us all to continue to provide great products and great customer service.

Have a wonderful day everybody! -kristen

Landfillart.org - An Artist Reclamation Project - Turning Old Hubcaps into Art

2010-01-06T23:21:00.000-05:00

Pictured is the hubcap I created for the project.

Ken with the Landfillart.org project is still looking for talented artists that would like to be part of the Landfill Art Project. It's a great artist reclamation project that takes old rusted hubcaps and turns them into beautiful art. If you're an artist that would like to apply for your hubcap, please visit Landfillart.org

Take a look through the online gallery to see what's been submitted.

Updated 1/6/2010
According to Ken by mid-December he'd already received 450 completed projects all of which can be seen on the Landfillart.org website. There are approximately 500 hubcaps that are 'works in progress' and he's looking for 100 more artists to complete the goal of 1041 which will likely be met in 2010. So far, he has participants from all 50 states in the U.S. and from a total of 51 countries! Wonderful to see the response and the completed projects!