Crock Potting

Customers often ask me “how long did it take you to make that?” I never really have a good answer after all these years of art making and I still get flustered when I’m asked that question. My first response is to give them only the hands-on, production finish time which is usually the shortest amount of time it took to work on a piece. That isn’t the best answer to give because most of the time the customer is equating production time to price. In their minds, if I don’t take long enough to make a piece then the work shouldn’t cost as much. In addition, I’ve always been a fast worker, also not good for when customers are looking to justify a price! I’ve been thinking about how I spend my time and the actual time I put into my art. This stems from my winter work style vs. my summer work style and feeling guilty when I don’t have a lot of “hands-on” welding or structural work time clocked. I tend not to “count” all of the hours that I should including exploring production options,

meeting with the clients, necessary work errands for supplies or creative drifting looking for that inspirational spark that helps me rock the day. Most important I rarely consider the time I “crock pot” an idea. I’m quite the multi-tasker and due to the various mediums I like to work in, a 9 to 5 schedule is out of the question and keeping track of actual time I have into a piece is difficult and all the while I’m crock potting. Working on various pieces means works are usually in various stages of production. I have clean days when I meet with clients, finish painting, sewing, designing and wearing comfy clothes, dirty hot days when sparks are flying and the steel is being thrown around and I’m fully geared up. Evening’s I enjoy doing beadwork embellishments for my steel sculptures or finish work on the art quilts. My crock pot is pretty full right now. The Quilted Raven has a new art quilt challenge out (Iditarod Quilt Challenge, Mush On -12" x 10" deadline is Feb. 25th)

and I’m working on several new pattern designs that I’ve been totally inspired to create. There are some new fabric designs that I’ve been asked to design and with these freezin’-azz cold temperatures I’ve been liking all the computer and fiber work in the warm studio. In the evenings I finally finished the strands of beads for a table full of seal sculptures that are awaiting embellishments. I’ve been thinking about all of these projects and it is satisfying when a piece pops to the top to do the hands-on, art making part. What’s floated to the top of the crock pot is working on my sculpture for Katie Sevigny’s Gallery First Friday Artful Instrument show next week. I was able to pick up a couple of trumpets this week (thank you John!) to use in my sculpture and thankfully, the temps are decent to plasma cut and weld in the shop, though I still have no idea how long it will take me to make the piece!

Security Console High-Level Report

I passed the test, or so said the Security Console High-Level Report on my computer. The Data Security test that was mandatory for me to be PCI Compliant –which is Payment Card Industry Compliant. Before the holiday I started

receiving e-mails regarding “Important Notice” and “Immediate Action Required” from First Data Security Metrics. At the same time I was bombarded with e-mails (even through my junk mail filter set on high) from Credit Card processing companies offering me lower merchant fees, direct processing, huge discounts and unbelievably great service for my merchant account business. I had disregarded the e-mails from First Data thinking it was some scam –even though they mentioned my bank by name, it still seemed so hyped up. As it turns out First Data and the need to become

“PCI Compliant” is legit and if I waited any longer I “could” face “the monthly Non-Receipt of PCI Validation Fee.” Also if I failed to become PCI Compliant the threat stated “Security breaches have affected merchants of all sizes. If you are compromised, the Association fines can range up to $500,000 per Association(!)"

These fines are in addition to other liabilities you may face in connection with the security breach.” Holy crap this is serious stuff –all because I accept credit cards 6 months out of the year. Thankfully, I called the merchant services department at my bank and confirmed that I needed to take a simple test from First Data Security Metrics, be informed of how to professionally and safely treat customer credit card numbers and be reminded not to sell those numbers over the internet or use a customers credit card for my personal shopping. My latest terminal/hardware was just purchased last summer so that was already PCI Compliant (my old one was not) thankfully it was deemed “compliant” because it set me back a cool $350. All of this credit card, merchant service talk had me thinking it was probably time to review what I was actually paying for my merchant services account. Ever since I read about Tracey considering taking credit cards it has had me thinking about how much I’ve actually been paying. I’ve put off researching my fees, transaction costs and percent of my sales for taking credit cards, since knowing what the cost of doing business can be depressing and puts that right up there with shopping for a used car and going to the dentist. I also need to look into purchasing a wireless terminal to accept credit cards at shows that have neither a phone line or power. That cool little gizmo will run me from $490 -$595 depending on the model, but will save me on “credit card present” and “swipe” fees and would guarantee me no rejected credit card numbers. What I do now at shows is run a customer’s credit card through the old “knuckle buster” then input the data back at the Studio and upload the batch for payment. This is not only archaic but time consuming for

both the customer and myself. My current terminal can “store and forward” after the card is swiped but it needs power and the Market has no power –hence the ol’ knuckle buster. I also found out I’m paying what I think are reasonable fees. I currently pay 2.53% of each transaction, 21¢ per item and a $8.50 Statement Fee each month. My merchant account is set up directly through my bank and it was satisfying to be able to talk to a real person over the phone who was not only just across town but was able to answer my questions, offer me options without taking me through 300 electronic prompts on my telephone keypad!

The photos are of my latest little art quilt “Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?” The inspiration came from some Wizard of Oz scrap fabric in the clearance bin that was $1 for as much fabric as you could stuff in a small ziplock! I LOVED the Wicked Witch graphic -Cool huh? *Don't worry all of my loyal metal heads out there -I'm back welding today now that the temps have warmed up.

Dog Eat Dog Kinda Day

It’s a good thing our Giant Schnauzer, Nimbus has a soft mouth more like a retriever than that of a K-9 Police Dog that Giant Schnauzers are usually known for. Because before I knew it Nimbus had half a Boston Terrier in his mouth! My felted Boston that is. Today was the Needle Felted Dog Class with artists K.C. Wilson and Elise Strauss. What fun! Growing up we had a Boston named "Bomo"

and I thought it would be funnier (easier!) to felt a little Boston rather than a large breed dog.

All materials were provided and proceeds were to benefit the Alyeska Canine Trainers with the class being held at their Anchorage facility. Elise had warned the class that pets really LOVE the wool used

in the needle-felting sculptures and she was right! As soon as I came home Nimbus followed me everywhere sticking his nose in my bag and couldn’t get enough of my little dog-in-process. When I went to finally let him have a smell and see what was in the bag, WAUMPHH!! In his mouth it went! I was able to slowly back the Boston out with no real damage. It was really pretty funny and such a surprise causing both Gus and I to laugh so hard that Nimbus retreated to his doggie bed to pout in shame. I posted about the felted goats I fell in love with last year and even have some beautiful wool that my friend Margie sent me. Now I have the needles and some felting basics to felt some critters. Not sure you’ll ever see my animals for sale because I think I’d have to charge thousands of dollars due to just how long my little dog (which isn’t even finished) is taking me. There are several exceptional Needle Felting Artists on ETSY

that Elise gave us info on including Kay’s K9s, Motley Mutton, Morning Glory Workshop and Gfelted Designs by Gerry (here is a link to her Blog). If you do get the felting bug, some of the best and innovative supplies are offered by Dream Felt right here in Alaska! Thanks again to K.C. and Elise who both were very patient and even provided band aids and wrap for poked fingers. Here are some additional links for supplies and instructions: New England Felting Supply, Kay Petal Felt Alive, Felting Forum and Brigette Krag Hansen -the woman who is know for starting it all.

Below are some of the samples Elise and K.C. had on display at class.

There’s a Fine Line Between Underworking and Overworking a Piece

My friend Ann asked me what I was going to do with the fabric pieces that I used the squishy fish on. Hmmm. I wasn’t sure as I didn’t have a good feeling about them yet. I realize they were more experiments in process using various pigments and stamps but after I was “finished” with them, I wasn’t really finished with them. A couple of years ago I won a carved Speedball Speedy-Carve stamp making kit and finally made time to carve a couple of fun stamps to try on

the green batik fabric. I’d already had the fish printed on the fabric and some freehand do-dads but the fabric still seemed a bit “flat” to me and uninspiring to use in a project. After stamping and doing some more washes using the Daler Roney FW Inks, within a couple of strokes I had completely overworked the green batik fabric (pictured below) and now I think it looks too muddy and even confusing. I thought a lot about the fine balance of layering without overworking and think it’s a real art.

I usually over work rather than underwork –though when it comes to process I’m probably too impatient to really overwork any piece of art! I used another one of the screened orange fish on the teal batik fabric and added a yellow border (after consulting my color wheel) and some appliqué sea elements for a small art quilt. That also seemed "unfinished." As I slowed down and tried to be more thoughtful about the overall piece it felt like it was heading in the direction I was looking for by using some iron on transfers. I found the digital images in one of my mega clip art books of vintage illustrations and really love that look. I also was able to reuse a welded steel piece

that used to hold one of my clay fish (that was accidently broke in the Gallery) to hang the small,

16” wide x 12” tall quilt. This exercise had me thinking a lot this week about process, gut instincts, an artul eye and the art of knowing when to say when. It also reminded me that I need to open up a bit, have more fun in my art making and a make a LOT more mistakes!

Squishy Fishy's

One of the most interesting catalogs I receive is from a company called Acorn Naturalists. I don’t remember how I first came across it years ago but I’ve since shared it with many people including artists, teachers and parents. It’s really unique and full of all things “for the trail and classroom.” Last year I ordered some Fish Replicas with the intention of using them in my clay work –which I never got around to doing. Then I decided to make fish prints, and ordered their Gyotaku kit, which gave me some more fish replicas and inks but I never did put together my “fish printing-BBQ-margarita-artist-party” this summer because it was so rainy.

Finally, this week I used the collection, my tub of screen printing supplies, the Gyotaku kit AND the fish replicas for some fabric work! I tried using the Speedball Inks first, then acrylic paints, Daler Roney FW inks and finally some very cool Jacquard Screen printing Inks. I’d like to blame this latest burst of inspiration on Judy but I had been thinking

of those squishy rubber replicas and how cool they’d look printed on an art quilt. Judy always has the most vivid images of not only her incredible work but the art supplies she uses! I CANNOT R-E-S-I-S-T ART SUPPLIES. Judy mentioned using the Daler Roney FW Inks and I found that my local (and favorite) art supply store, Blaines, had them in stock! So guess what, while Gus was at Tae Kwon Do, Mama went shopping. I’m still experimenting and not sure if I’ll make some smaller art quilts

or what, but it was fun to finally play with those rubber fish and get my hands and fabric all inky!

Viva L'Artista!

Katie Sevigny, myself and Marieke Heatwole sampling Marieke's Mojito's!

Look what happens when you give a bunch of artists a theme of Viva L'Artista and a place to party! Last night we held our second annual Art Coffee Soiree at Katie Sevigny's Gallery. The crazy

good time probably had to do with sticking "Private Party" signs on Katie's front doors, or the venue, maybe even the good food or the huge thirst quenching area (bar!), the live music OR even the

Chinese Gift Exchange?! Each artist could bring a friend, spouse or partner and was asked to bring a Latin, Cuban or Hispanic-style, dish and beverage to share as well as a handmade, wrapped gift to exchange. We had a wonderful mix of artists who shared their various mediums, met new friends and talked art and music all night long. Even the partners of the artists seemed to have a good time and I overheard spouses swapping stories of how "it's tough being married to an artist isn't it?!" "Art Coffee" started a couple of years ago between Mary H., Marieke, both Linda's and myself as a way to get us all out of the studio and get together and share our art experiences. Depending on the time of year, we'd share everything from tax issues, to gallery groans or cheers, upcoming shows, or yak about the lack-o-inspiration that has plagued us all. When I'd send out the e-mail announcing the next Art Coffee, I'd ask that everyone forward the e-mail to other artists who might want to join our little gatherings. And look how it's grown -Viva L'Artista!

The Season of Giving Has Just Begun

Artists Steph Kesey and Erin Pollock cast faces of 52 Mt. View community members as part of a sculpture of glowing lamps in this permanent 1% for Art outdoor sculpture.

A stack of donation requests are collecting on my desk. This week alone, I’ve received five new requests for auction donations of my art for fundraising events. One of the largest auctions that I support is the annual KAKM Public Television Art Showcase Auction. A large pair of steel seals were delivered to the station last week. Two other good causes that have metal sculptures coming are the Duct Tape Ball, and the Fire & Ice Gala, major events whose auction funds will benefit many worthy local programs. I understand the necessity of donating in a tough economic climate and try to be supportive as I can, especially for organizations and causes close to my heart. That’s usually ANYTHING that benefits kids, women, families, the hungry, education, animals or the arts. However, it chaps my butt when uninformed volunteers try to goad me into donating my art, or “anything I have lying around” to an event

because I will “be able to write it off.” First, Daddy-O and I max out on our charitable giving every year without fail –NOT including my art donations. Second, artists donating their works to non-profits receive a deduction ONLY for the cost of materials used to create the work, period. NOT the fair market value of the art, ever. Americans for the Arts has been working for some time now on a proposal to allow artists to claim a deduction

for the full value of certain donated works. However, under current law, artists may still deduct ONLY the cost of materials. H.R. 1126 was to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 “to provide that a deduction equal to fair market value shall be allowed for charitable contributions of literary, musical, artistic, or scholarly compositions created by the donor.” Unfortunately, this bill never became law. On Feb 23, 2009 H.R. 1126 (you can track additional information on this bill here.) was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. This bill was proposed in a previous session of Congress. Sessions of Congress last two years, and at the end of each session all proposed bills and resolutions that haven't passed are cleared from the books.