A little while back I took one of my regular visits over to Amy Inspire Co.'s blog and saw some home photos that were in league with The Wonka Chocolate factory, the good parts of Oz, Alice's Wonderland, Never Neverland, and Amelie's little world. Instantly, I saved the photos to my "Favorite Things" folder. The photos were of Amy's friend's home in Italy. I've seen pics from my friends' visits to Italy and they were always images of stone walls and espresso bars. And I watched the winter Olympics and saw nothing like this...is this what goes on behind closed doors in Italy???
Well, two days later I get an email from a gal named Rosanna asking me about shipping costs to Italy. I don't have to tell you guys how small this world is...and I know how small it is too...but still, I was floored to find that the person who created this wonderland that I fell in love with was now contacting me about my stuff!Very cool. Aaron was in the city that day and I kept sending him emails with giant letters and exclamation points. His buddies could see my huge fonts over his shoulder and asked "who the heck is sending you those big pink emails?"
So, long story short. We hit it off with Rosanna and have been doing stuff for her since, including some really fun custom collage works of her adorable daughter and those mini dollhouse pieces I blogged a little while back. Above are the latest pics sent from Rosanna's wonderland. Look up "Supporter of the Arts" in the dictionary and find her picture. She's got stuff by Ashley Carter - Goldbug Studio , Laurie Duncan of Happyas a Lark Designs , Missy Balance's Mohair Circus, Nicole Ellison of Raggedy Old Annies,the great Lisa Kaus , the masterful Dee Foust...the list goes on. She's also pals with the incredible Nicol Sayre and Jen O' Connor of Earth Angels Bears, Dolls & Folk Art (as seen in the photo above). In Fact, look in your March 2007 issue of Country Living magazine and there's a pic of Rosanna on the very top right corner of page 100, well her necklace and fab outfit anyway(her face was cropped). She traveled from Italy to attend Jen O' Connor's Spring Fling, which is a whole other story that you can read about in CL. But in brief summation: Jen O' Connor is a goddess in the world of independent artists...her yearly events showcase the best and brightest in all of folkart, not to mention her dazzling online gallery earthangelstoys.com!! We love Jen!
Gosh, I just looked back at the past few paragraphs and Rosanna's ears must be ringing. Well, I've got a reason for bringing all this up. It's a good thingto turn the tables every once in a while and switch the focus from the artist to the collector. There is a wide and wonderful spectrum of collectors out there. Ranging from the obsessed, 'fill-every-open-surface-with-wonder' types (myself included in there) to the 'gotta- have-it-even-if-I-just-get-one-to-put-in-my-cube-at-work' types. To us makers of the stuff it's both these types and everyone in between that make our world go 'round. I mean, that's the whole point of letting this stuff leave my apartment via this blog. When we finally get around to building a website a key focal point on the site will be a page featuring home photos from collectors. We love those so much and will put out a call soon for pics of how you live with your art.
Well, it's warm in Jersey, super warm. If it's like this tomorrow morning we're hitting the trails at the park. It's been so long and I can't wait to get back in the woods. I could go on and on about walking in the woods...it's like vitamin C, Prozac, Richard Simmons (haha), and creative rocket fuel all rolled into a granola bar!
Oh man, I got something in the mail I can't wait to show you guys. soon.
Enjoy your day!! xoxo Jenny
p.s. Don't forget to leave a comment on our Easter Art Squared give-away post!!
be sure to include an email address!!
good luck!!
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