Lady Bug Circus

What Women Create magazine

Pick up your own copy at Barnes & Noble or order online from many different sources.

The Price You Pay

I don't think most people have a clue what it takes to make a piece of art. I really don't. Particularly if you work with tin. Painters can mix the color they want while tin artists need to "find" the color that is lithographed on the tin already. Hours are spent combing thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets and EBay. Hours! And being a tin artist is a commitment of time and space. You need a lot of it to create engaging  works which also means you need to have the space to store it. A painter's palette and paints can be carried around in a tidy wooden box that is the size of a briefcase. I know because I used to paint. Then I discovered tin and whoa Nelly there was no turning back, even I didn't know what was before me.

Now let's also take into account the years it has taken to become proficient at making the tin art which has been a circuitous route. 16 years of trial and error and innovation in tin. I've taken innumerable work shops and classes in drawing, textile dying, paper mache, mosaic, rug hooking, painting, assemblage, book arts , jewelry and beading and each has contributed to the ability to successfully work with color, patterns and layout. A lifetime of art making!

There's also the costs associated with my practice. Materials - tins and rare vintage broken tin toys, cabinet grade plywood and hardware, shipping materials and cost of shipping, advertising, studio space, insurance, utilities, parking, gas AND photography! It adds up fast. 

So when you see the price tag think about what went into creating that unique one of a kind piece of tin art. It’s so much more than what you see.

 

 

I'm in What Women Create magazine!

When I recovered from almost dying 10 or 12 years ago, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish. One of which was to have my tin work shown in a national magazine. Over the years I submitted to many magazines including People Magazine. You've got to imagine that magazine editors are bombarded with submissions.
What Women Create and Where Women Create are two beautiful magazines that will delight  your eyes and inspire your creativity. The artists and craftswomen in What Women Create show their work and share how they do it.

I wasn't aware of the magazines until my friend (the artist in the studio across the hall), Patan, brought in a stack. I was wowed and instantly wanted to be in one.

I found a phone number online and called it. A man answered " Hello". I thought I misdialed, "Hello? I think I've made a mistake". Man says "What are you looking for?" Which was unusual because most people just say ok and hang up. "I'm looking for a magazine ", I said tentatively. So then he says " Which one?". He was so nice. " What Women Create". Then he says " That's my magazine " or something like that. Then we have a chat for a bit and he suggests I send images to the editor and if I don't hear back within 10 days to send them again. So impressive. Who does that?