Summer has flown by

8/16/26

So, this summer has flown by and the school year is almost here. I wonder how many people are like me and feel like just yesterday it was June!

It’s been a busy summer for me. Unfortunately, not a lot of art has occurred but I do have a few new pieces on my website. There have been a few changes for me over the summer including changing my non-art job twice since the end of April. Unlike some artists, I’m not able to do art full-time and help support my family. I had to go back to work full-time in the late spring and I’ve had a difficult time finding time to be in my studio this summer between full-time work hours and family time.

I was lucky enough to do a relatively spontaneous vending day on July 25th in front of Art of the Woman Gallery in Emmaus, PA. I met some wonderful people and was able to show off some of my larger pieces that the gallery can’t showcase. I did some live painting that day as well.

As the fall is about to start I’m thinking about the holidays already. If you’re thinking about gifts for the holiday season, commissioned art is a perfect, unique gift for that special someone in your life (or yourself). I am currently open for commissions for the holidays but please note that spaces are limited. I will make an announcement when I need to close commissions. Please see my commissions page for more information regarding the process of commissioning art from me.

Live painting on July 25th in Emmaus, PA.

Brought some larger pieces.

Art of the Woman Gallery in Emmaus, PA

Creating a website

In March 2025, I officially started my small business. That means it has now been a full year since I received my small business paperwork from the state—something I never imagined I would need to think about. (That’s a story for another day.)

For about the past year—honestly, even longer—I’ve been thinking about creating a website. But I hesitated. For some reason, launching a website felt like it would make everything real. I’m not entirely sure why I felt that way; I haven’t fully unpacked that yet myself.

Do I want to have a small business where I sell my art and fiber crafts? Yes.
Did I follow the rules (as best as I understand them) in my state to make it legitimate? Also yes.

And yet, it still took me a full year to metaphorically pull the trigger and start thinking of this small business as an actualbusiness in my own mind.

I’m not a technically minded person. I know—it might be shocking that someone who is artistic and craftsy isn’t also a math and science nerd. Recently, a former high school classmate reminded me that I was always creative, even if my creativity didn’t always show up as visual art back then. Her memory of me is a little different from my own, which I find interesting.

Even now, I’m nervous about having a website and putting myself out there more than I already do on social media. But I also know it’s a necessary step if I want my small business to grow.

I’m sure I’ll make mistakes along the way. But I’ll learn from them.

More than anything, I’m excited for this new chapter in my life, and I’m looking forward to meeting new people along the way.

March 8, 2026: SnowBlast 2026

Today I am exhausted in the best way. Yesterday (Saturday, March 7, 2026) I did in-person vending of my visual art—and knit dishcloths/paint rags—for the first time.

I’m so glad I took the leap and applied to vend at SnowBlast 2026 at Juxtahub! The Emmaus Arts Commission volunteers were wonderful, as were the employees at Juxtahub. The organizer, Lindsey, was especially great. After I was accepted, I emailed her to say that this was my first vending experience, and she kindly placed me at a table next to a new—but already wonderful—friend: Cindy (Cindy Karchner Photography and owner of Art of the Woman Fine Art Gallery and Gift Shop).

Cindy has vended at many places over the years and had her whole setup ready quickly and efficiently. I had my husband helping me (I begged for his help!), and it took us quite a bit longer. Still, I met so many wonderful people, and it was incredibly meaningful to hear people in person tell me that they liked my art.

I was especially surprised that so many people commented positively on my experimental piece, “Have Yourself a Mixed Media Holiday,” which incorporates paper collage, acrylic paint, charcoal, wool crochet glued to the canvas, and other mixed media elements.

I sold some original art in the form of greeting cards, postcards, ACEOs (Art Cards, Editions and Originals), and bookmarks—and even one of my dishcloths/paint rags! I also had a community canvas on display where people could add their own drawings using acrylic markers I provided (the EAC recommended having something for children since the event was geared toward families). Many kids—and adults—added their own drawings or graffiti to the canvas. It’s technically a cradled panel, but tah-mA-tOE / tah-MAH-tOE.

All in all, it was a great day, and I learned a lot about vending in person. I’m sure I’ll try it again because it was so much fun.

Thank you to the Emmaus Arts Commission and Juxtahub for putting on such a wonderful event. And thank you to the new collectors who bought pieces from my table—or simply stopped by to see my paintings and say hello.