Seeing Stars at ZNE

I am sort of ho-hum impressed by 'famous' people (read: celebrities), but show me a published artist or author, and I go ga-ga. So the ZNE book signings at Convenzione 2008 http://znecon.com were quite a thrill. I purchased the book Crowns and Tiaras so I could have Pam Garrison http://pamelagarrison.typepad.com sign it for me, which she did, top right, with Lisa Kaus http://www.lisakaus.com, top left, who was also signing her feature in Lynne Perella's new book, along with JoAnnA Pierroti or 'Mossy' of Moss Hill Studios http://www.mosshillblogs.com. Although I didn't take my hardcover copy of that because I was flying, I was lucky enough to get to know Lisa a little bit and have her sign her "Birdy" canvas I bought. She's just as sweet as she looks, and so is Pam. I also got my 1000 Artists' Journals signed by editor Dawn DeVries Sokol and Pretty Little Things, signed by author Sally Jean Alexander.

Sweetness, or maybe cuteness is the proper term, certainly is evident in the second photo, with the Traveling Princess of Scrapbook Royalty, Elena Etcheverry, http://www.elena.travelingprincess.com, left, and the inimitable Miss Vicky Breslin http://www.cut-it-up.com, right. Elena is just so cute one could eat her up, what with her adorable outfits, tiaras and equally adorable aprons. I kept waiting for Elena and Diva Danielle of Diva Craft Lounge http://www.divacraftlounge.com to get into a tiara tussle, but apparently there is plenty of fabulousness to go around. Everyone really likes each other. Miss Vicky, a scrapping veteran, still retains her excitement about crafting and is so generous and nurturing of all artists in her midst.

And finally, just a teeny tiny bit of fame for moi. In the bottom photo you can see my framed mixed media collage "Let Them Eat Crow" being shown in the Worthington Gallery West in Pleasanton, CA, where it will be part of a month-long ZNE mixed media installation, which opened Aug. 22, 2008. So, I'm "gallery hung!" Off to update the resume!

More Marie, Anyone?

Just in case it's not enough that I have a gorgeous new blog banner from Kris Hurst http://krislhurst.blogspot.com/ in my favorite shades of Marie Antoinette, I also have a multi-book review of Marie A biographies that premiered here http://vintageindie.typepad.com/vintage_indie/2008/07/summer-reads--.html Friday on Vintage Indie http://www.vintageindie.typepad.com/. I decided I might as well write reviews of all the biographies I have just finished in my research for an article for Mary Ann McKeating's http://firstborn.wordpress.com/ new zine coming out this fall. My article for that explores why Marie Antoinette serves as a muse for so many artists. Not me, of course. No. Not me.

Hmmm....maybe that's why I just completed two more Marie Antoinette paper mache art dolls. I had enough supplies left over from my other blue toile version (Marie is credited with starting the whole toile fabric craze), and I had been wanting to make one with the famous icons of a ship or cake, which she was said to have worn in her hair as one of many elaborate poufs or hats she had created. Angela Hoffman http://geminiangelsart.blogspot.com/ came to the rescue with not only a ship but also a cake. A little spray paint, and voila! They were Marie-ready. Meanwhile, Sherry Smyth, http://espritdart.blogspot.com/another Shabby Sister design team member http://www.shabbycottagestudio.com/ came to the rescue during Etsy's Trading Tuesdays with another paper mache bust. We swapped for a pair of my glass tulip bead earrings from my etsy shop http://www.hpsgsmith.etsy.com/, and everyone is happy! Now, which one to send to Mary Ann for our Marie swap??

Mary Ann's sister Jo http://labouroflovex3.blogspot.com/ is now hosting a Marie-themed itty bitty book page swap, so of course I am up for that. And, of course I will need some cool Marie stamps from Catherine Moore of Character Constructions http://www.characterconstructions.com/. So do you!

The paper-covered box with the vintage china doll head is for china-doll-head-box swap with Mica of Garboodles Soup http://garboodles.blogspot.com/ who makes the sweetest paper mache boxes, pinkeeps, figurines and also sock monkeys. I can't wait to see what she has made for me!

Don't forget to dial your internet to blogtalk radio Wednesday to hear my interview on Diva Craft Lounge http://www.divacraftlounge.com/. I'm very excited to chat with 'The Diva'!