{market time folks}

To think that around 4 years ago I did my first Made n' Thornbury market.   I sold originals like the one above for ridiculously cheap prices {as in $30 ridiculously cheap, and I was almost apologetic about it too}.

To think that around 4 years ago I really had no idea how to make a business from art at all.  

And now I know.  And now I also know that it's not for me.

But you know, I don't regret a single moment of it.  I have learned so many good things, connected with so many great people and had so much fun.  I have achieved something that I never thought possible.  I have learned skills that serve me in so many different aspects of my life.  Nothing is ever wasted.

Today I'm getting everything ready to head off to Made n' Thornbury one last time.  I'm really looking forward to it.  It's always been my favourite market {on par with The Square in Bendigo, which I also love}.  It's got a great community feel and I always see lots of folks I know.  And there's always delicious Melbourne Epicure goodies to be had.

Seeing as it's my last market I thought I'd better do something a little special.

All prints are $20 or 3 for $50

Cards are $5 or 6 for $20

My lovely affirmation packs, which I truly adore, are just $10 a piece.  They make gorgeous stocking stuffers.

If you can't make it tonight I'll be putting the remaining items on facebook one night next week, or if there's something particular that interests you then shoot me an email and I can put it aside.

But I'd love to see you in the hood this evening.

{that's that then}

I popped over to Etsy to have a look at something this morning and I noticed that all the listings in my shop have expired and the shop is empty.  Since making the decision that I didn't want to be in business anymore I'd never quite reconciled some of the practicalities.  What about my Etsy shop?  Close it down?  Have a sale to get rid of the last of my prints?  It seems that those answers have sorted themselves out. 

And what about my artwork more generally?  Where is it's place in the world?  Galleries?  Cafes?  Commissions? Gifts for friends?

I made a decision last week that I'm going to keep my Etsy shop open for now.  I'll be selling original work from time to time and I'm thinking about selling some of the new books I'm making as well.  It's going to be much more a side project/hobby than a business. No marketing plans, no business plans, no to-do lists and no pressure.  More like random acts of art.

I also plan to keeping exhibiting my work.  Again, more of a side project than a main event, but I hope to have an exhibition somewhere mid next year.

As a last 'business' hurrah I'm planning a facebook sale.  I'm clearing out the remaining prints, cards and some affirmation packs.  If you're interested in getting yourself some {tinniegirl} goodies on sale visit my facebook page next Tuesday at 8pm.

I'll also be at Made n' Thornbury's twilight market next Friday {do you know that the first market I ever did was Made n' Thornbury and now it looks set to be my last?  I shouldn't say I'll never do another market.  I might do some markets and pop-ups in the future.  I just won't be selling the kinds of things I do now}

For those of you who own {tinniegirl} prints it seems like they just became limited edition.  Sideways smile!

Have a lovely weekend peeps.

{nice day for it}

Well ole Melbourne town has gone and put on some spectacularly crappy weather today.  Just in time for the opening night of Luna 1878, the new winter night market at the Queen Victoria Market.

I'm excited to be part of the market this year.  As well as having prints and cards for sale I'll also be bringing along my easel and doing some painting on site.  I'll be so interested to see what effect, if any, having an audience has on the work.

According to the forecast this crazy wind is supposed to die down this afternoon.  I hope so.  It doesn't exactly inspire one to get off the couch and head out into the city.  Us Melbournians are a tough breed though so I'm sure there'll be some brave souls out and about.

And to help tempt you along there'll be mulled wine, music and all sorts of delicious food.  I'm planning on having American style BBQ ribs for my dinner!

If you're feeling brave head on out to M Shed at Queen Victoria Market this evening from 5.30 - 10pm, or any Wednesday for the next 4 weeks.  Be sure to stop and say Hi if you do pop in.  And here's wishing for some unseasonably warm Spring weather over the next few weeks.

{lost}

In The Wildnerness

Collage and acrylics on canvas

11 x 14 inch

*My latest commission in development

Lately I've been feeling pretty unmotivated and uninspired.  Everything feels a bit forced and somehow not quite right.

So I'm taking a little break to recalibrate my soul.  I'll be back in a couple of weeks.

*****

I've decided to push the start date back on 'come paint with me'.  Class now starts on Tuesday 24th July, so you've got plenty of time to sign up for the few remaining spots.  I've also added an extra payment option.  You can put a $50 deposit down on the class to secure your spot and then I'll contact you directly to make a payment plan for the balance. Head on over to the page to sign up.  I promise you, it's going to be something pretty special.

*****

I'll be at The Square in Bendigo this coming Saturday {16th June} with prints, cards and teeny tiny originals for sale.  If you're in the hood pop by and say Hi.  If you head over to The Square's Facebook page you can put yourself in the running to win a $50 voucher to spend at the market.

{whatyaupto}

The weekend is fast approaching, which makes me happy.

I'll be one of the stallholders at Made n' Thornbury tomorrow.  If you're in the hood pop down and say Hi. 

If you're keen on any of the teeny tiny originals I listed in the shop this week you'll be able to check them out at the market tomorrow.  If you can't make the market and there's one you've got your eye on you might want to snap it up before it goes to market, and maybe heads off to a new home.

Have a lovely weekend peeps.  Hope to see some of you in the flesh at MnT.

{busy, busy, busy}

I truly don't know how I ever found time to work.  Well I do, but I also know why I decided to leave my full time job.  There simply wasn't time for creative dreams.  I've got a week chock full of creative goodness this week, and you'd be welcome to join me for any of it.

Wednesday I'll be here at home for my annual open studio.  Join me for bubbles, good food, great company and some Christmas shopping.  All the details are here.

Friday I'll be popping over to Gleaners Inc for the opening of the "Flight of the Ducks" exhibition.  I've got a couple of pieces in the show and I'm looking forward to seeing all the other ducky goodness.

On Sunday I'm having a stall at the Bend and Snap twilight market at 1000 Pound Bend, 361 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne.  It runs from 3 - 8pm.  I'll have finkigirl jewellery and prints and cards {including some lovely new designs} for sale.

See what I mean?  Absolutely no time for a full time job in there.  And it feels so deliciously freeing not to have to try and fit one in.

Have a fabulous week peeps!  Hope to see you somewhere in my travels.

{lockets}

I finally managed to pop the lockets in the shop.  I am still absolutely smitten with these particular creations and hope you will be too.  They're in seriously limited supply until next year so if you're keen grab one while you can.

They'll also be making their debut, along with all the other {finkigirl} range, and my prints, cards and affirmation packs, at the Made n' Thornbury twilight market, 99 Leinster Grove Thornbury, this coming Friday.  More details here.

I'm really excited to be getting back to focusing on my creative work.  It's been a long drought this year and it feels so good to be coming full circle back to where my heart is.

I've also got my annual open studio coming up in a couple of weeks.  More details coming on that one.

Have a great day peeps!

{another appearance from the studio assistant}

Aren't I lucky that when I'm really busy getting ready for markets and exhibitions and a million other things the studio assistant can always sense it?   These are the times when he sacrifices his usual routine of curling up on the bed all day to lend a hand.  Aw, bless him!

I'm off to the Buninyong Maker's Market tomorrow and looking forward to it.  Buninyong is such a lovely spot.  Every time I'm there I think "hmmn, I wouldn't mind living around these parts one day".

Today I'm off to check out the Art @ Burnley Harbour Exhibition with an artsy-fartsy mate that I haven't seen for ages.  French crepes and art exhibitions.  Sounds fancy as, right?  I've got 6 pieces in the show.  It's on from 8am - 8pm today and from 8am - 6pm Saturday and Sunday at the McConchie Reserve, Mary Street, Richmond.

Then next week it's the open studio here at my place, which I'm so looking forward to.  I'm planning on cooking and baking up a storm, and I've already been painting my heart out.  Don't forget to email me if you want to come along and need the address.

Have a great weekend peeps. As Leonie always says "Love to You and Yours"!

{tonight in brisbane, and other days in other places}

This evening in Brisbane my painting 'Amongst It' will go on show in the 2010 Belle Arti - Chapman and Bailey Art Award with work from artists all over the country.  I feel so lucky and so honoured to be gifted with the skills and the passion to paint.  It has filled my life to the brim.

I wish I could be in Brisbane tonight to see it hanging on the wall.  I'm sure it will be keeping amazing company.  If you're in Brisbane and feeling like an outing the opening is from 6 - 8pm at Metro Arts Galleries, Level 2, 109 Edward St, Brisbane.  The exhibition runs until December 3rd.

I've got a few group exhibitions coming up in the next couple of months, and a few markets in the next couple of weeks.  I'll be at the Daylesford Maker's Market with lots of lovely familiar faces this coming Saturday,  and the Buninyong Maker's Market the following week.  Sometime this week I'll add a page to my blog with details of the exhibitions and markets coming up in case you want to come along to any of them.

I've also got a very special end of year open studio event planned but I'll tell you about that tomorrow.

{another one of those days...}

... the magical ones, where everything feels like it's unfolding in the best possible kind of way.

It was a fantastic day at the Buninyong Maker's Market on Saturday.  I'm absolutely delighted by the response I'm getting to my artwork, and so excited to be putting my work (read: heart & soul) out there.

There's been so many steps along this journey where I've taken a deep breath and thought to myself "I've arrived".  Saturday was another one, and it sure felt good.

{good chores}

Like CurlyPops, today is all about market preparations at the House of Tinniegirl.  

Cutting & sewing, printing & packaging, planning and organising.

I'm sneaking in a little bread baking and an outing to the Northern Craft Bonanza as well.

I wonder what 'chores' others are up to today?   What are you up to?

{to market, to market, again}

It's been a long time between markets for me.  I'm so excited to be getting back out there.  Spring feel likes the perfect time to relaunch my creative business.

If you're looking for a lovely outing on Saturday, why not come and visit the very first Buninyong Maker's Market.

Buninyong Town Hall

Midland Highway A300, 

Buninyong

I'll be selling fine art prints, along with handmade affirmation packs and greeting cards.  I'll also be sharing a stall with the ever fabulous CurlyPops, who has some exciting new products to launch as well.

Go on.  Come visit us.  You know you want too.  I've got a feeling it's going to be a perfect weekend.

*********************************************

If you can't make the market, stay tuned, I've got new prints and other goodies coming to the shop really soon.

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While we're talking about things coming soon, do you realise that BLOGTOBERFEST is just around the corner?  If you haven't joined the fun before, read all about it on the BLOGTOBERFEST page and start gearing up for a great month.