Hie thee to Paste

I have posted before about Paste, the new art and craft supply store in Soulard.

I was able to preview it a bit when I brought some of my photos there for sale a couple of months ago. (I can't believe it's been that long already.) But the summer was packed and I hadn't gotten back there to shop until a couple of weeks ago.

Love this place! Beads and ribbon and yarn and stamps and beads and photographs and beads and I am a sucker for beads, especially.

Much as I was super excited when City Art Supply opened up in my neighborhood -- an art supply store in the city! -- I am also excited that Paste has made a home in the city.

It's been a while since there's been a great spot for craft supplies in the city of St. Louis. Plus, it's nice when the folks who open these stores have a love for and knowledge about what they are selling, and even cooler when they are supportive of local artists, both of which are true about both Paste and City Art Supply.

So: go check these folks out! Spend money with them so we can keep them in business and keep them in the city! And while you're at Paste, you'll see some of my photos for sale (no pressure, I swear!)

St. Louis Through the Lens

Aren't my nieces cute? When my little sister (their aunt) got married two years ago, we -- the wedding party -- traveled around town to various spots to take photos. The wedding photographer did a phenomenal job. I got a few photos off to the side when we weren't "on". Like this one.

This photo was accepted as a finalist (yay!) into this year's Irv Schankman Memorial Photography Contest, St. Louis Through the Lens.

The exhibition is intended to promote work by regional photographers and features the city of St. Louis as its subject. The jurors for the competition are Ellen Curlee, Olivia Lahs-Gonzales, and Bob Little.

In addition to the juried exhibition there will be a selected exhibition of work by Irv Schankman. Irv Schankman (1924-2004) was a professional photographer and the founder of Allied Photocolor and Imaging Center. His love of documenting St. Louis began as soon as he picked up his first camera in the 6th grade. In his junior year of high school he made his way through police lines to shoot an emblazoned gasoline storage facility. These photographs, which appeared in St. Louis’s Star Times as dramatic silhouettes, marked the beginning of his professional career.

The exhibit runs September 10-December 5, 2009 at Gallery 210 on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The opening reception and announcement of awards is this Thursday, September 10 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Come!

Buy REALLY local

The other night my awesome neighbor Maggie brought me a sample of these delicious chocolate cherry tomatoes from her family's garden. So.good. I had to place an order for more today as I ate up my sample real quick-like.

I like to buy local produce in season when I can, but I am not always so good at getting out to the farmers' markets and don't love going to the grocery store, so I don't manage to do this as much as I should in the summer.

So, yay yay yay for local being grown-across-the-street local. Right here in Gravois Park!

I am not quite up-to-date on photos from my recent activities, but these were so lovely and delicious I had to sing their praises right away.

If you want to buy your very own amazing tomatoes, visit the Cade family's web site to learn more.

South Carolina, down Charleston way

Off to Charleston, SC for a few days to visit with family and celebrate my mom's birthday. Charleston is full of treats for the eyes, so I expect to overtax my hard drive with new photos when I get back.

Any orders placed in my Etsy shop while I'm gone will get free shipping. Dig it!

Sedalia-bound

Heading to Sedalia, Missouri this weekend to drop off this photo for the Missouri 50 Exhibition at the Missouri State Fair. I'm really honored to have had my work accepted into this for a second time; I've enjoyed visiting the exhibit each year and seeing all the artwork from across the state.

The fair runs August 13-23, 2009. You should go! There's a lot to do and see there.

Plus? Sedalia is home of the Guber Burger. Do.not.miss.it.

Little pink houses

The Bigass Indie Art and Craft Show is over and I've got everything back in my house but boy is it a mess. Need to sort through all the odds and ends and get everything back in its place.

In anticipation of the show I made a bunch of prints of photos I'd never printed before. I'll be listing some of those in my Etsy shop in the coming weeks.

This one, Viola, just went up tonight. The listing is here.

It's a photo on my grandparents' farm in Kansas. The house in the front was the house when I was little. At some point they acquired the house behind it and painted it pink to match the main house. It's named The Little House and it was a studio for my grandparents -- Grandma painted, Grandpa was a photographer.

Years later they added another house (not pictured) to the bunch, and painted it pink, too. It's known as The Shop -- my uncle has various fix-it projects in there, as well as antiques that he sells.

Indie craft show this weekend

I took this photo during my Chain-of-Rocks-Bridge-in-the-Rain mis/adventures a couple of months ago. And I developed the film. And yes, I am going to think developing film is the coolest thing I've done for, like, ever.

The photo will be making its debut at the Big Ass Indie Art & Craft Show this weekend at Mad Art Gallery. I just printed it for the first time the other night and it turned out just how I wanted it to and generally that doesn't happen for me on the first try (especially with film!) so I am especially pleased.

The show should be fun. There was one right before Christmas last year that was just great. The way everything was displayed, the things everybody made. Friday evening will have entertainment to go along with the shopping. Says Mad Art:

Friday night will be full of bad ass entertainment. We are very proud to present Gem Sweater Maven Leslie Hall who will be performing with crafting superstars The Ly's. Lolla VanElla, Clownvis Presley, and Michelle Mynx will also be performing. Admission is free. Cash bar available. This event is not to be missed. Get there early! Space is limited

Hours:

Friday, July 31 -- 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 1 -- 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 2 -- 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Be there or risk having a tiny ass!