You meet the most amazing people at art and craft shows. Last Saturday I set up my booth of garden whimsies at the Tampa Garden Club's Plant Fest. I spent the day with some very talented artists who so graciously took time to share their success tips with me. I'll introduce you to them below. The beginning of spring has been a busy time for me with three craft shows over the past six weeks. For the first time I actually find myself out of inventory. This is a good problem to have I am told. Whether that's true or not it did give me an excuse to shop!!! Not that I ever actually need an excuse for that activity. I spent several hours this week visiting my favorite thrift stores to find just the right "treasures" for my new designs. What fun I had!! I came home with so many unique and fun pieces that my mind is going in a million directions coming up with designs. I must stay focused . . . ha ha.    Here are just a few of the new friends I met at the show on Saturday. The first isJennifer Manning of Jen's Rag Bags. You've got to check out this very talented artist who creates the most gorgeous bags of all shapes and sizes. Rags they are most certainly not!!!  Where you can find Jen:  I had the pleasure of having a booth next to this wonderful artist, Mel Robinson. Mel's paintings grab you and bring you in for a closer view. Since this was a plant fest, Mel brought a collection of floral paintings that were simply breathtaking. I wish my photography was better because believe me this photo does not do justice to Mel's work. Mel doesn't have a website, but you can contact her at 813-855-0615 if you'd like more information on her work.  I'm fascinated at "one stroke" painting. The artists always make it look so easy. I don't think I could turn out anything worth looking at even with 100 strokes!!! These two ladies can do this and more with their handpainted glass, art and crafts for the home and garden.  If you'd like to know where you can get your very own handpainted items, contact Christina at 954-290-2284 and Becky Hawkes at 813-598-2650. Becky's email is becky.hawkesart@gmail.com  And last, but certainly not least, is my new friend Leah King with Orange Blossom Eggs from King Farm. In her spare time Leah raises chickens, along with other animals, on their family farm. Leah sells her fresh organic eggs and they are delicious!!! I had to sample a few for myself of course. If you'd like to get the freshest organic eggs contact Leah at lrking@aol.com Thanks for sharing time with me friends. Until next time do the things that make you happy. "The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us." ---Ashley Montagu, anthropologist |
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