More salutes to guerilla artists

Back in January, Beans posted about guerilla art. Art that mysteriously appears in public. For free. For us to enjoy, crack up over, marvel at, wonder about. One of the coolest things about guerilla work is wondering who the heck did it. Random acts of kindness and beauty (and humor) abound -- with no one taking credit for them.

Back in that January post, we blogged about the gaggle of birdhouses that grace telephone poles and trees on San Geronimo Valley Road in Woodacre, California.  Log cabin-style birdhouses.  Apartment-looking birdhouses.  Even an Airstream trailer birdhouse.

Check it out here.

In the seven months that have passed since that posting, not a single week's gone by that this post wasn't one of the top-visited.  (Yes, we keep track of our stats.)

In other words . . . and if you find this post . . . people care about you and your work, oh guerilla birdhouse artist!!!  And thank you again for keeping us charmed, entertained . . . and wondering who you are.

Moreover, we're here to report there've been more developments.

Last month, Beans blog friend (and terrific landscape artist!) Barbara Lawrence sent us this photo of the guerilla art street sign . . . that only lasted a very short while . . . so short that though we live only a mile away, we missed it.  But it's safe here on this blog, for posterity.

The guerilla birdhouse artist is still building and adding to the collection, too. This is one of the most recent additions -- a kind of sunny birdhouse skyscraper.

Guerilla Birdhouse Artist, we salute you! Your devotion to your craft, your whimsical mindset, your dedication in making these pieces and mounting them out on San Geronimo Valley Road . . . wow!  If this is just your hobby, you must really kick some butt in all the rest of life. Good work! Keep it up! We appreciate you!

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And now, for our next guerilla artist.  Of a different sort.  The mysterious, the mad genius behind @Laundry_Chat on Twitter.

For those of you not familiar with Twitter (and WHY AREN'T YOU?  IT IS SO FUN!!! Read about it here!) . . . .

It's a place on the internet where you create a name/internet address for yourself (most often called your "handle") from which you send what are essentially text-messages out into the Twitter stream of billions of other ongoing similar texts that everyone else on Twitter is sending.  

The "tweets" (texts) you see on your own screen are the ones from the "handles" (of  "tweeps," your Twitter peeps) that you've chosen to "follow." It is a fast and furious world where tweets fly over your screen at lightening speed, about anything you want to follow -- your favorite sports team, celebrity, politician, neighbor down the street who happens to be on Twitter, too.

You also create an "avatar" for yourself -- an image folks will see next to your tweets.  

This spring, some incredibly funny, creative, smart-assed person created @Laundry_Chat . . . with a mission to be, according to the account's bio, "sort of like a support group of those who do laundry."  

Here is the cool avatar that person created for his/her identity.

@Laundry_Chat started tweeting about where, when, and how people were doing laundry.  The most mundane of chores.  

And guess what?  

Within weeks, folks from all over the planet flocked to follow.  As of this writing, @Laundry_Chat has over 1,600 followers.  

@Laundry_Chat may begin a day by tweeting, "Good Sunday morning, everyone!  How is the laundry situation today?"  And folks will tweet right back.  @Laundry_chat will also find other folks'  tweets about their laundry situations (as in, "Just killed a freaking big scorpion in my laundry room") to begin tweeting back and forth with them. 

Tweeting discussions have been had about styles of washers and dryers.  The merits of clothes lines.  Whether it is necessary to separate into cold and hot loads.  What kinds of soaps work best.  About laundromats across the country, and the amenities they offer.

In other words, lots of good clean fun. 

Best of all, in Beans' opinion, is that the person behind @Laundry_Chat remains a complete mystery.  

The location on the account's bio simply reads "Laundry Rooms - World-Wide."  And, at first, people tweeted @Laundry_Chat questions about where and who he/she was.  But @Laundry_Chat suavely dodged those questions.  Today, it remains a mystery.

When I get together with my Twitter friends -- all of whom follow @Laundry_Chat -- the "Who is it?!?!?" question invariably pops up.   And people bandy-about some ideas.  But there's apparently no way to know.  And maybe, we don't really want to.  There's quite a charge, charm, and draw in a mystery.  

@Laundry_Chat, we salute you!  Your own style of guerilla art . . . developing this persona and taking the time to keep up what turns out to be such a hoot for so many . . . is a blessing in this world where too often, every single thing we do during the day is supposed to make sense and be absolutely spelled-out.  Thank you, thank you, for your time, humor, creativity, and for keeping it mysterious.

Marin Arts Council Photography Show & Contest

Yay!  It's Opening Day of the Marin Arts Council's Photography Show and Contest! 

Located at 906 4th St. in downtown San Rafael, CA, the show runs through September 9.  Gallery's open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.  Free Meet The Artists Reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 12, as part of the downtown Second Fridays Art Walk.

Bean Up The Nose Art is mixed media collage-based.  And there has been absolutely no photography training in here.  But taking pictures is FUN!!!  And -- what the heck?  If you're the kind of person who sticks a bean up her nose as a little kid just to see what happens . . . why not enter a photography show and contest?   

So we picked out three (the limit) and got them into their little 8 x 10 frames.

And took them down to the gallery on the drop-off date.  

And became totally intimidated by the size and beauty of all the submissions by real, live, professional grown-up photographers . . . .

Well.  

We're still going for it.  

Bean Up The Nose Art creations are greeting-card-sized . . . . and so are our photos.  And they're always all about the color . . . and so are the photos.

This is "Rose and Iris," appropriately named for combining a photo of a rose, and a photo of an iris, through the magic of Kaleider, which wonderful Heidi Rand taught in class this summer.  (Word to the wise:  TAKE HEIDI'S CLASSES!)

This is "Ribbons."  Duh.

And this is "Pencils."  Which I love.  Which I hope you will vote for, if you go to the show from now til September 9.  (But if other folks' work strikes your fancy, do not feel guilty.  Vote for them in gleeful joy!!!)  

Gratitude for a most excellent day

Here's the report on yesterday's "Under the Sun Flea Market" at Beach House Style in Fairfax, CA.  

In a word:  FABULOUSNESS.

In more words, we'll tell you why:

1.  Meeting cool vendors . . . .

. . . . including terrific husband-and-wife team Jeremy and Erin who find and refurbish cool old stuff for your house.  Contact them at schoolbusvintage@gmail.com to find out where they'll be selling next!

2.  Seeing your friends . . . .

. . . . who so kindly stop on by and support you.  Like Jerold and his wife Rosie.  Like Linda.  Like Gail and Kenn.  Like Susan and Edwin.   Thank you so much!!!

3.  Selling your own art to an artist whose work you love . . . .

. . . . like Jane Kiskaddon, from whom I bought a magical painting of the Fairfax Theatre's neon sign years ago at the Fairfax Festival . . . and whom I met in person yesterday when she bought birthday cards from me.   Small world, and lucky me!

4.  Adding more members to the Birthday Club . . . .

. . . . in which Bean Up The Nose Art sends you a real live actual card in the real live actual mail during your birthday month.  Need to join?!?!?!?  Click here!

5.  Selling a lot of stuff . . . .

. . . . in what turned out to be Bean Up The Nose Art's most successful outdoor sales event yet.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

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Got fairs of your own coming up?  

Want us to blow your horn for you?  

Send us an e-mail:  tamara@beanupthenoseart.com

WE LOVE TO PROMOTE ARTISTS!!!  And have we got a lot of social media venues for doing it!  Let us know what you're up to, and we'll spread the word around :)

Brick & Mortar Friends: Pennyweight

We give a big old Bean Up The Nose Art "HOWDY!!!" here to a terrific new brick & mortar friend:

You'll find Pennyweight at 1337 Main St. in beautiful St. Helena, California.  Going strong since 2004, it offers everything that the lovely, fancy, cool sign outside the door says.

And more.  

Because this is a lush, luxe store.  Boy oh boy, is it.  For instance . . .when we visited last week, it was filled with very cool customers SPEAKING ITALIAN.  That's pretty darned fancy :) 

Just take a look at the place.  Chandeliers.  Lots of them.  

And jewelry.  Lots of it, from all different sources.  Including Cartier.

And other lovelies.

Pennyweight is run by the same folks who also own Palladium and Patina in St. Helena.  The spot was an old office supply store, and the new owners opened Pennyweight in response to the community's request for a high-end gift store in town.  

With an "eye for and appreciation of beauty," (as terrific buyer Laura explains), the owners rose to the task.  Bringing in the chandelier atmosphere.  And searching high and low for old jewelry cases . . . which they found in the Midwest, had shipped out, and refurbished. Gorgeousness.  

And filled with gorgeous things.

And, happily for Bean Up The Nose Art, Pennyweight carries an elegantly-displayed selection of greeting cards . . . which includes ours.  Which we are happy to report are selling very well in this oh-so-luscious spot.  And so are our luggage tags.  So cool!  So grateful!  

Thank you, Pennyweight, for carrying our products, and for providing them such a special place to be seen.  Hoping that everyone up in Wine Country will stop in and take a look at your lovely store.  YOU RULE!!!

Branching out

I believe in the power of coaches to help us reach new heights in life.   (You can read about mine here.)  

To get my creativity in gear, I have had the great good fortune to work with Eric Maisel -- a one-man dynamo of mega-creativity, who practices what he preaches.  Always teaching, leading, coaching, writing . . . and always starting something new.   

This time, the "something new" is a brand new website, including a "World Salon."  Where he invites folks to contribute.  Including me!  

The World Salon includes a "Ten Tips Library"  -- on an amazing range of creativity questions -- from artists and writers all over the world.   Check them out!  

Three of them are contributed by yours truly:  

1.  For jumpstarting your creativity

2.  For beginning to market your art

3.  For managing time.  

You can download them!  Awesome!

And they are your preview to . . . drumroll . . . a book that I will be publishing on Kindle this fall . . . with 100 tips for beginning to market your art!!! YAY!!!  

With the help of folks at the Bay Area Bloggers Society, I've been learning the world of e-publishing, and cannot wait to get everything together and get this material up on Kindle.  Folks responses to the "Tips" posts on the blog have been wonderful, and it seemed like fertile ground to go for it, and pass along information I've learned in the two and a half years that I've been marketing Bean Up The Nose Art goodies.  

We'll keep you posted on the e-book :) For now, check out Eric Maisel's fabulous World Salon, and take advantage of all the free tips from all the artists who are playing there.

Flea Market This Week, and "Hello, Knockabout Crafting!"

If you're in the Fairfax, CA neck-0f-the-woods this Sunday, COME ON DOWN to another of Beach House Style's Sunday "Under The Sun" flea markets.  Funky cool furniture, clothing, jewelry . . . a little bit of everything.  Find it at 779 Center Blvd., from 9 to 5.  Yeehaw!  

Bean Up The Nose Art will be there selling goodies, including new cards and luggage tags.   We're looking forward to seeing you . . .  and . . . we'll have chocolate :) 

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And now . . . 

Beans is proud and happy to feature our interview with artist Suskia Hyde.

Suskia is a college science student.  She is a kickass employee at Avatar Community Business Center [which we love :)], and an amazing artist.  She sews, makes jewelry, refurbishes and repurposes cool objects.  And writes about doing this (including tutorials and downloads!) on her blog: 

Suski was kind enough to take time out of her busy, busy, busy schedule to answer a few questions for us and you . . . .

How do you like to describe the things you make?

I generally don't like to define my work because it evolves so often.  I really like the term Industrial Chic . . . . But as soon as I say that I'll go home and make something pretty and delicate that looks nothing like what's in my head.  But overall, I tend to create things that look worn down, well-loved, funkified and off the beaten track.  But, like I said, that could all change in an instant.

(Retooled cabinet.  Photo from Suskia's blog.)

What's your favorite part of making art?

Making art is wonderful in that I get completely lost in it and for that brief time, nothing else matters.  I don't stress over money or homework or anything else in my pile of problems.  And, I love taking crazy ideas and seeing them come together into something beautiful.

(Business card envelopes.  Photo from Suskia's blog.)

Where do you find ideas for your work?

I get my ideas from a few places.  The first being my muse Caroline, who has encouraged me and taught me so much.  She is my boyfriend's mom and my great friend, who is always creating masterpieces and I look to her for inspiration.  She has taught me much of what I know now about jewelry, sewing, and crafting in general.  I would not be where I am without her.  

I am also an avid connoisseur of internet blogs.  I can spend hours online getting ideas from people all over the world.

And the best ideas I get are the images that flash before my eyes, of creations my brain has developed all on its own.  These are the most magical projects because they are totally unique and out of this world.  It is astonishing how the brain works.

What advice would you give people starting out making art?

I say to them the same thing that I try and say to myself every day.

Try not to get frustrated.  Even if you don't know what you are doing and the project looks really bad, just keep going.  Don't get upset if it doesn't come out the way you imagined because most of the time it doesn't anyway.  Learning comes from every mistake.  Don't get discouraged, just keep working at it.

What's your next artistic goal?

My fantasy is to have a shop one day.  I imagine a warehouse with a space where I could work on my art and have my future art friends rent out space to work as well.  And then in the front, the store would be full of all the things I love to create.  Refurbished furniture, jewelry, found antiques, paintings, collages, blankets, craft kits, felt crafts, screen-printed clothes and maybe even a few cupcakes.  I want a place where artists can hang out and talk about art, eat some cake and sell their stuff.  It's a pretty far-fetched goal but a girl's gotta dream, right?

Here's to you, Suskia!  We firmly believe that anyone whose dreams include cupcakes deserves to have them come true.  ASAP!!!!  

Thanks for your time, and thanks for playing :) 

How To: sell at fairs (Part II)

Howdy!  

Here are the next five of Bean Up The Nose Art's "10 Tips for Selling At Fairs."  

(Scroll on down to the next post after you're done to see the first five.  And don't forget to come visit Bean Up The Nose Art out at the Far West Fest in Pt. Reyes, CA tomorrow!)  

* * * * *

6.  Give "Take-Aways"

People who enjoy your art like being able to remember it -- so they can think about buying later, look you up on-line, follow your blog.  Prepare "take-aways" to make this easy for them.  For example, make a flyer with your images, contact information, and a list of upcoming events.  Have copies on hand.  Postcards of your images work well, too.  So do your business cards.

7.  Keep track of what sells.

As you make sales, keep a list.  You need this information to adjust your inventory numbers, to record as income, and to provide you hard evidence of what sells.  You might think you will remember what went and what didn't.  But chances are, after a long day of set-up, interfacing with customers, and take-down, we usually don't.  So, keep the list as you go.

8.  Talk to everyone who visits.

It matters that people look at your art.  It's kind and interesting and provides you great feedback.  Let people know you appreciate it, and ask them about their own arts and other likes.  Be interested in their answers.  Build relationships.  You never know where you are going to meet your new best friend, business partner, source for materials, sales lead.  You never know what information you are going to learn that is going to help you.  Or what kind of fun you're going to end up having.

9.  Talk to the other artists.

Chat up your fellow sellers -- to make friends and allies, and to gain information (for instance, about other shows, which vendors they like to use for supplies, leads into brick & mortars . . . .) Share your own information.  There is no reason to play things close to the vest.  There is more than enough goodness to go around.  And who knows what ways you'll find to collaborate.  

10.  Build your mailing list.

Each time you're out with your art, you have the opportunity to add people to your mailing list:  regular mail; e-mail; Constant Contact list . . . whichever, or all, that you prefer to work with.  Have a way for people to join your mailing list -- anything from a pad of paper, to something more cool -- and invite them to do so when they're at your booth at the fair.

Good luck to you!  We'd love to hear from you -- about your frustrations and triumphs, your favorite fairs to attend, anything!!!  And hoping to see you at a fair soon!!!

How To: sell at fairs (Part I)

It's fair season!!!  Like for instance, we'll be out at the Far West Fest this Saturday, selling our wares . . . . and the following Sunday, July 24, we'll be at Beach House Style in Fairfax, CA, for another one of their terrific Under The Sun flea markets.

In honor of fair season, here are the first five of ten tips for starting to sell your wares at fairs.

1.  Stage your own.

This is the easiest and least expensive way to start.  Advertise and have an art sale just like you would a garage sale.  Post signs in the area, on Craig's List, your social media spots, and anywhere else you'd be telling people about a garage sale.  Clear your studio space of things you don't use any more.  Then bill your event as an "Art and Supply Garage Sale," and get even more people to attend.

2.  Make it attractive.

Your set-up is your own little itinerant brick & mortar store.  Make it attractive.  Easiest and most universal:  tables covered with solid-colored tops, topped with your wares displayed on varying levels of props consistent with your wares' aesthetic (for instance, shabby chic wooden shelving; antique objets d'arte; modern plastic boxes).

3.  Provide a range of pricing.

Yes, some people will be willing to pay several hundreds of dollars for items they find at fairs.  But many more won't, or can't.  If your product is at the high end of the fair pricing spectrum, consider turning your images into other, less-expensive products that you can offer as well.  Even if your product is already inexpensive, it helps to provide a range of items at different prices.

4.  Experiment with other fairs.

The benefits of selling at bigger fairs are clear:  more people banding together provide more advertising, traffic, customers -- which means more potential sales and helpful connections.  Look on-line for bazaars, fairs, and farmers' markets in your area that seem like a good fit.  Local art organizations provide good leads, too.  Plan ahead:  many fairs have entry deadlines long before the event, and application requirements may take time.

5.  Bring your kit.

Along with your products and fetching display system, make sure to bring a supply kit.  It should include 1) enough small bills to make change; 2) bags/tissue/wrapping system for purchases; 3) handy tools like scissors, tape, push pins; 4) pads of paper and pens to write down notes, inspirations, contact info; 5) food and drink, in case you aren't able to step away from your booth for breaks; 6) breath mints :) 

Remember, selling at fairs provides excellent opportunities even beyond the chance to sell your goodies.  Fairs allow you to gather lots of information, to practice your marketing, and to make contacts with all sorts of interesting, helpful folk.  Have at it, and have fun!  

Next blog post:  five more tips!  

Previewing new goodies at the Far West Fest

Hey there!  You're getting a preview of four new luggage tags and three new greeting cards BEFORE THEY'RE EVEN POSTED ON THE SITE!!!

Zowie!

If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area this coming Saturday, July 16, why not consider mosey-ing on out to lovely Point Reyes Station, where you'll find the Far West Fest.  Which will include a vendor booth full of Bean Up The Nose Art goodies . . . including these new ones . . . .

We'll start with the luggage tags.

First, we go elegant.

Then, we go cat.

And more cat.

Because people really, really, really love cats.  (And boy, do they.  They go like hot cakes.)

We're also giving you the skinny on three brand new greeting cards.  

Birthday.

Celebration of all occasions.

And . . . because you do . . . .

Hoping to see y'all out at the Far West Fest this Saturday!!!!  Come out and enjoy three stages worth of bands all day and into the evening.  Fabulous food.  Cool arts and crafts.  All to support local charity.  Yay!  

Great Northwest Brick & Mortar Friends

Or, "What We Did On Our June 'Vacation', Part III"

Before going to art camp in Idaho, we got to spend four days up in the awesomeness of Whidbey Island and its environs . . . which involves the awesomeness of ferry-riding.

On and around the island, we spent a whirlwind four days visiting friends -- and visiting some of our earliest and kindest brick & mortar vendors.   They've all been highlighted individually here on Beans, and you can click on their names to see those more detailed accounts of why we love them so.  And right now, bless them all for their reorders and consistent generosity!!!

1.  The Star Store

This fabulous grocery/clothing/houseware/cool set of stores in Langley, Washington is your one-stop shopping experience for just about everything wonderful you'll need in life.  And look at our cards in this spindle :)  Thanks to Tamar and her great staff, always.  

2.  Joyworks
Located in historic (and totally cute) Snohomish, Washington, Joyworks has been bringing the joy for over 30 years.  Amy and Janna have taken over their mother's awesome vision of housewares, gifts and clothing.  Thank you, thank you for including Bean Up The Nose Art's goodies in your happy dance of great things.

3.  Aqua Gifts

Cindy runs this great shop on the waterfront of historic downtown Coupeville, and keeps it chockfull of wondrous finds ever-changing with the seasons.  It's a feast for the eyes just to walk in the door.  And we were delighted to find our greeting cards at the place of honor next to the register this summer :) 

4.  MJC Copy Center

 
Ah!  What a treat to walk back into this great little place where such big things happen!  Love always to Katrina for doing such a terrific job producing Bean Up The Nose Art goodies when we were running in small enough batches for us to fit in with all of the other good work she does for everyone mid-island.  And for always carrying our goodies.  And thanks to Cameron for being an excellent up-and-coming shop girl :) 

5.  Rhody Too Gallery

Located right next to the yummy and notable Rhododendron Cafe in Bow, Washington, the Rhody Too Gallery is stocked with all sorts of cool things from local artists.  Because we spend as much time as possible on Whidbey, we get to be local, too :) Thanks always to Carol for carrying our greeting cards, for being such a great person to visit, and for making the best meal a marketing gal could ask for.

We hope everyone up in that neck of the woods will give these businesses the business!  THEY ROCK!!!

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This just in!  Bean Up The Nose Art will be selling its wares at the Far West Fest this Saturday, July 16, out in picturesque, funky, fabulous Point Reyes Station, California.  Come on out to see some cool music and to say "Howdy!"