I probably won’t be posting images for a little while. I’ve been busy.
1. I’ve been toying with the idea of merging my blog and website over here on WordPress so it’s all in one place. Right now, I’m hosting my website on iPage. I’m quite proud of the custom designed site I wrote myself (PHP with a mySQL database and custom administrator interface) but it would be nicer if it was integrated with the blog and I didn’t have to go two different places to admin it. So, the toying has gotten rather serious. I already have all the important pages from my website duplicated as private pages here on WordPress. When I get some breathing room, I’ll switch them to public and move the domain over here. But I want to wait until after the Art Fair in case there are problems so I can concentrate on getting it moved over quickly with minimum problems.
2. The art fair. Yes, I decided to do it. I have all my matting and framing supplies down in my studio. I have all the prints, some pins, and I’m trying to get a T-shirt printed.
I’d like to take a moment to say something nice about EPG Imaging at 79th and Marty in Overland Park, KS. They printed my 20 images (all around 8X10 or so) for 3-something each. Good job, EPG. It was exactly what I was looking for. More than a copy shop but not a big printing factory. Perfect for artist prints.
I ordered my mats online from Documounts. They have these kits with a standard cut mat, mounting board, and plastic sleeve that are exactly what is needed for an art fair. I haven’t mounted the prints yet, but I don’t anticipate any problems. With shipping I think it came out $2.25 or $2.50 for each sleeve/mat/backer set. Something like that. The kits come in packs of 25 sets.
Also, Hobby Lobby has the plastic sleeves cheaper than Coldsnows, in case anyone’s interested. Hobby Lobby charges $6 for cutting a custom mat and the cheapest frames they have are $9. At least for the sizes I was looking for.
I sent in my dues to the Olathe Visual Artists Association, so I guess I’m now officially a member of that. Or I will be once the treasurer gets the mail tomorrow. That group is my in with the fair, otherwise I’d be too late to get a space.
So, the art fair is the Downtown Olathe Art Festival on the 9th and 10th. So, if you’re in the area come on down.
3. Promo Postcards. Yes, it’s that time again. Time to pester the publishing industry with my promo postcards. That’s always tedious, but it’ll be something to do during the art fair if things are slow.
4. I need to figure out which of my pieces to submit to Paul Zelinsky for the professional critique I signed up for. I’m thinking either the Tortoise and the Hare or Let’s Make Magic. I have to send that by the 15th.
5. Speaking of Let’s Make Magic: I’m still waiting to hear back on whether that got picked for the local SCBWI conference. I figured I’d been passed over since I hadn’t heard back, but when I contacted them they said they hadn’t decided yet. So, there’s still hope for that.
6. Tomorrow I’m sending my Tortoise and Hare hidden picture piece to Highlights High Five. I’m not entirely sure I have the correct contact info, but if not, I should get it returned to sender and then I’ll know.
7. I’m not really happy with my Zazzle store. I need to recategorize things and purge my poorer quality products.
8. On a personal note, last week I completely spaced and forgot to take my daughter to her guitar lessons. So, hoping not to forget that again this week.
9. I should probably fold the laundry.