Debbie Overton Designs

Believe in Yourself

A while back I mentioned a project started by Enzie at World Market Portraits "Give Creativity Wings to Fly".  Little did I know I would be the first to follow Enzie's sketch in the little book for its journey around the world.  Needless to say I was excited to be a part of the project and scared to death to think I would be doing the first entry after seeing Enzie's sketch.  A few days after I received my email letting me know the book was on its way to Georgia I began to panic....what was I thinking....what I am going to do....You know all those voices in your head talking to you trying to convince you that you were way over your head.  The day arrived and KC opened the envelope, pulled out the little black Moleskine sketchbook I had sent Enzie as a thank you and party favor for participating in my birthday celebration.  The look on her face and the sound of her voice almost did me in.....The sketch was breathtaking and it was only a rough draft!  I could not wait until we were home and I could hold that little black book in my hands and study the details.  Those voices came back and I will admit I was intimidated.  I played in my own sketchbook for several days....nothing was working for me.  Finally I just put the book aside and went on to other projects in the wing.  After a few days I decided I had to do something....even my kids were saying, Mom just do your thing and it will be fine.  So around 12:30 one night I pulled the book out along with a few supplies and just started doing what I would have done in my own journal. 

My sketchbook entry "Believe in Yourself" was me....it was what I do everyday.  I scanned the page in, packaged it up and rushed to the post office the next morning before I had time to second guess myself.  A few days later it was posted on Enzie's blog for the world to see....no turning back now!  The book is now on its way to Nova Scotia to a portrait artist.  There are some great artists signed up to join this project and you too can join by visiting World Market Portraits for all the details. 

Have you heard the news yet?  No way....you have got to be kidding....everyone is talking about it...how did you miss it?

The MMCA Marketplace is now taking applications!

There are a few features still under construction but the application and seller's agreement are fully functional at this time.  Please visit the Marketplace and see if you think this is something you would like to be a part of....would would love to have you and invite you to apply for consideration of membership. 

Thank you for all the emails and comments encouraging me along the way! 

Creatively,

Dreams Unfolding......

For months I have eluded to a new business venture I have been working on and many of you reading this have been searching for clues within the posts here.....some of you were given some of the details several weeks ago and it didn't take long for word to spread.  Some of you found the new badge posted on my blog a few days ago and have spent countless minutes visiting the new sites.....and I thank you for your interest.

I am proud and excited to share with you....the MMCA Marketplace and Blog!

Even though it is official, the marketplace is not open yet, but it is getting very close.  The blog is up and things will be posted there as we progress.  You can learn more about the marketplace by visiting the blog.

This is not something that just came about a few months ago.....over 5 years ago I did research, bought the domain, started building the site....but as with anything there are things you don't think of....as things began to unfold I realized the timing was not right....there were legal and accounting issues I needed to investigate further.  I spent the next several months meeting with our attorney and accountant while I continued to work on the website....then life decided to throw us a few loops and I made the decision my dream of a marketplace would have to wait....the timing was not right.  There is a time and place for everything....sometimes just not on our own schedules.

Back in 2005 when I started MMCA I envisioned more than just a place for a group of artists to meet and share....I could see in time my dream of an online marketplace for artists and crafters just might work.  Without saying anything to anyone and that even included Steve, I pulled out all the research I had done years ago and began doing some more homework.  After putting my plan to paper, I decided it was time to run my idea by Steve not sure of what he would say.  He was thrilled and suggested I call our attorney and accountant and move forward.  The initial visits went well....they both sent me home with a list of things to do. 

Life still continued and I had an idea in the works that I couldn't share just yet.  After countless hours....well the accountant and attorney knew how many hours I was spending with them...funny how they don't miss a thing, I was finally ready to share just a wee bit of info with the MMCA group and mentions of a new venture here and there.  Never giving way to what I was actually working on.

If was no secret to the group that I envisioned bigger things for us and on April 16th, I made the announcement of taking MMCA to the next level with the marketplace and blog.  I was immediately greeted with support and questions which I did answer within our private forum.   I kept them updated as much as possible with the details....and on June 4^th; I posted the links to both sites. 

For the past months, I have spent more time with the accountant and attorney taking care of all the legal issues.  The past few days have been spent tweaking the application and Seller's Agreement hand in hand with the attorney. Information on how you too can be a part of the MMCA Marketplace will be posted to the website and blog soon.

Some of the questions that have come up....

Is this for members of MMCA only?  No not at all......all artists and crafters are welcome to apply for a shop within the marketplace.   Like any other gallery, shop or brick & mortar there will be an application process that has to be fulfilled prior to acceptance into the Marketplace. 

How will the applications be processed?  I have recruited directors of the local arts associations and owners of some of the local Brick & Mortar shops to assist me in making this decision.  The way I see it who better to seek the advice of than the people that do this on a daily basis.

Are there any benefits of being a member?  Marketplace members will have their own shop to showcase their artwork and be part of a national ad campaign in at least one well known publication to name just a few.

Where can I find the application?  The application, fees, benefits and guidelines will all be posted to the website soon.  If you are interested the best thing to do at this time is to keep a watch on the marketplace blog as updates will be posted there.

Can I share about the marketplace with my art friends that might be interested?  Yes, please give them our website or blog address.

I know there are a lot more questions and I promise in time all of them will be answered....everything you need to know will be on the website soon and updates will be posted to the blog.  I already have a list of artists and crafters interested and I would love to have you join them.   Many of the MMCA members have already put the badge on their website….thanks girls!

As my dreams of owning my own online marketplace unfold....remember dreams do come true!

Playing a Little Catch Up

My friend Sue at Artful Adventures asked to see some close ups of some of my new pieces on exhibit at Monkey Love....Here are two and I will share more later on.  The reception Friday night went well.  Two hours of chatting it up with old and new friends...laughter, music, wine, coffee, great food and lots of talk about my art.  What more could I have asked for?  Even Steve enjoyed this reception....although he would never admit some of the ones in the past have bored him to death....he had fun Friday night.  Thanks Britt for a great evening!

Someone recently emailed me asking for advice and in my reply to Ellen's email I included a few links to some of the resources I have used here on the Internet.  Of course you know I mentioned Alyson at Artbiz and the author of I'd rather be in the studio and I also told her about Luann Udell's blog....a wealth of business information.  I must give credit where it is due...Deb Trotter recommended both Alyson and Luann to me several years ago and I have referred to them many times.  Thanks Deb! 

Saturday and Sunday were spent working on the new business venture website and updating the MMCA website and forum.  Finally around 2:30am last night I called it a night, but couldn't sleep due to thinking of things I wanted to get done today....I watched the clock until Steve's alarm went off at 6.  Just as soon as he was out the door I jumped up, showered, dressed and started my day.   So far today has been very productive...follow up emails and phone calls are all made from my to do list and now I am ready to move on to finishing up a few pieces of art.

Creatively,

Wine & Cheese anyone?

Only a few more hours and then we are off to the Wine & Cheese Reception in my honor at Monkey Love Dessert Bar & Gallery!  The rain gods have descended upon southeast Georgia....the rain, thunder and lightening make you want to curl up with a blanket and take a nap.....but there will be time for that later.  Thanks for the many emails I have received today wishing me a great reception....wish all my friends could be there.  Between 7 & 9 tonight, grab a glass and share in the party wherever you are.  The camera, business cards, guest book are all ready to go....now I need to get ready!

This and That and What and Where

The past few days have just flown by....I have been working on my new business venture website and waiting on the last of the legal paperwork from the State of Georgia to arrive.  Why is it when you wanted it yesterday it seems to take forever to get here....I could have drove to and from by now....but I am patiently waiting....although I make a running dash to the mail box each time I see the mailman go by.  I shared some of the new plans with the MMCA girls and I know some of them are just as anxious as I am and evidently some of the info they were given has been shared among their friends as my visitors searching my blog have tripled since I made the announcement to the group.  It is amazing how fast some news can travel.  I can assure you once I have ALL the legals in place and the time is right I will make an announcement here on my blog.  So by all means keep checking back.

Playing with my new toy Adobe Dreamweaver has proven to be a great investment and a learning curve too.  Some things are so much easier with this design program while others have been a little challenging since I know what I want it to do I just don't know how to get to it.  I am still not sure why I decided to tackle this during a new venture...yes I do know...Steve gave it to me as a surprise because I have been wanting it for so long.  I have another surprise coming within the next few days....For Mother's Day he ordered me a new laptop....the one I have is great, but only allowed me to do certain things and according to him it will have everything I could possibly need or want to run my businesses, update my websites and more no matter where I am.  Now I will be sitting on the front porch waiting on UPS!

KC and I were out shopping a few days ago and she wanted to go by Monkey Love for a piece of Strawberry Cake and I had my camera with me so she took a few photos.  Here is just one of the exhibit walls...will share more later.

Every time we go in there is always a few really cute guys sitting around drinking their coffee and on their laptops....Even though she loves the desserts I think it is the customers she is more interested in as she always can carry on a conversation with someone while there.  I am surprised she has not begged Britt to work there this summer for free!

If you are in the area this coming Friday evening, May 16th...please drop by Monkey Love and visit with us during the Wine & Cheese Reception in my honor from 7-9 pm. 

I need to get back to work on a few pieces to be delivered to another Studio/Gallery....Michelle called me a few weeks ago and I promised just as soon as I got the Monkey Love exhibit art finished I would have some things for The Painted Cat Studio and Gallery and I would really like to get some things to her this week but that can't happen with me on the computer.

So I am off to create, watch for the mailman and the UPS truck....hope you have a wonderful day!

Happy Mother's Day

My friend  Sue at Artful Adventures posted some gorgeous necklaces on her blog again yesterday as well as some pictures her husband had taken.....then she challenged us to go outside and find some beauty in something that you've never paid close attention to before and share with our blog friends....so Sue here you go....a few photos of some of the flowers I have had since we moved in and a few from yesterday's plantings....I have always thought they were pretty...but when you really zoom in on the blooms the details are stunning.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's and mom's to be.  When I think of Mother's Day I always think of flowers....growing up my daddy always bought my mom a gorgeous fresh orchid corsage as well as sweetheart roses for my sister and I to wear to church on Mother's Day....and to this day my mom still receives one.  Now that us girls have grown and gone in different directions we don't get our sweetheart roses from daddy, but we get flowers from our own children.   

Right now I am enjoying my morning....overcast, windy and you can hear thunder in the distance....Steve got called into work due to a little storm that passed through last night...I hope he's not too long as his big breakfast sure would be good about now.....We may have to have it for dinner which is always a favorite here. 

I received a call from one of the shops over on Jekyll Island and she needed more journals, so after delivering her order we headed to the beach for a few hours.  Then Steve and I went flower shopping and came home with a truck bed full of flowers....wish I had thought to snap a picture before we unloaded all of them....but after spending time on the beach and then meandering through rows and rows of flowers in 92 degrees taking a picture was the last thing on my mind.

Seth and KC are still sleeping....I think I wore them out yesterday afternoon....we dug up plants, planted the new ones, replanted some of the old ones and at dusk we were all tired, dirty and thinking....why didn't we just call Lee our wonderful landscaper and let him come by one afternoon and do all this!  The kids were even willing to pitch in their share of the cost after about an hour in the 90+ temps.   In the end it was worth it and I know once all the blooms start opening I know it will be worth it to me.

I have tried to finish this post for the past 30 minutes....remember above I mentioned overcast, windy and distant thunder....well that changed to hard rain and high winds and I have lost power twice for a few minute's each time....I just hope the hail they are calling for misses us......guess I better go check the weather since we have been under a tornado watch most of the morning.

I hope each of you have a wonderful day planned....I am off to enjoy mine.

Are you staying in the Loop?

It is no secret I think "I'd rather be in the studio" by Alyson Stanfield is a must have book.  Several weeks ago as I was jumping around from page to page, excuse to excuse, action to action I came across her paragraph on Feedblitz....I got excited because I already had a Feedblitz subscription form on my blog....yeah!

I can already see some of you going what is Feedblitz!  Feedblitz is a free service that will deliver updates from your favorite blogs in one email to your inbox. 

To quote Alyson "If you were creating your ideal newspaper, you'd get to select the content from your favorite writers about the subjects most dear to you, determine the order in which it is laid out (to some extent), and when you read it.  A blog feed is very similar.  You get to choose what you want to read and when you want to read it."

I love it....even though I still have times when I don't leave comments to others...I still am in the loop with their happenings without jumping from one blog to another to find it has not been updated in weeks.

There are lots of ways to receive RSS (Rich Site Summary) feeds, my choice just happens to be Feedblitz.  So if you are like me and would really like to know when your favorite blog has been updated sign up for their updates and you won't forget about some of your favorite blogs.

Signing up for a blogs updates with a feed is not the same as signing up for their newsletter.  I have both on my blog.  If you want to know when I make a new post to my blog then you can sign up with Feedblitz for email updates (left column) and you can also sign up for my occasional newsletter (right column) that I send out every 1-2 months with images and snippets of news and updates to what's going on with Debbie Overton Designs.

Sign up is easy and quick.

Excellent Start

Nancy of Sugar Lump Studios sent me this gorgeous handmade birthday card.  The quote "A sister is one that reaches for your hand and touches your heart" is actually how I have felt over the past several weeks as I have been receiving emails, cards, phone calls and little surprises in the mail all wishing me a wonderful fun filled birthday.....And it was just that. 

Sunrise at the beach...brunch...more beach time...balloons...more beach time...shrimp...cake...sunset at the beach...and a day filled with phone calls from friends and family.

Steve surprised me with another glass fishing float....a gorgeous aqua to go with the white one he gave me for our anniversary a few months ago.....together they remind me of the white sandy beach and blue/green clear water of the ocean......a favorite place for me.  As I opened the package a fragrance as fresh and clean as if I was walking on the beach arose....it was Seashore Eau de Parfum, Body Lotion and Shower Gel.

A couple weeks ago I intercepted a FedEx package addressed to KC.  Steve thought since she was coming home within a few days I would just put the package in her room and when he got home that night he was going to ask about it....well KC called and I told her a pkg had been delivered....of course she said open it.....much to my surprise was something I had been wanting for several years....Adobe Dreamweaver.....now why was she getting Dreamweaver?  She didn't know and I didn't know so I called Steve.....I could hear the surprise and disappointment as I told him what had happened.  He couldn't believe I opened it...it was addressed to KC....I explained she called....didn't know anything about it and asked me to open it.  I told him I had put it back in the box and would tape it shut if that would make him feel better.....no you have already opened it.....go ahead and install it and start playing if you want too.  Well I didn't have time to be playing as I was still working on the last minute details for the gallery exhibit.  He should have clued KC in and I would not have opened it!  However I am glad I did....I installed it and started playing.

It is taking some getting use too especially since I have been using Frontpage all these years....I am building my new business site with it...some things have already been easier to do while others are taking a bit of reading and playing and redoing....but I am getting there.

Do any of you use Dreamweaver?  I would love to hear your experience with it....the good and even the bad.  For years I have heard great things but just couldn't justify buying something else when what I had was working.  I am so thankful Steve supports all my art dreams....because now I have something else to expand and grow with.

Now with a line from one of the cards I received.....

Think of yourself as experienced and smart....and just getting off to an excellent start!

It All Begins At Home

HOME ~ Is where it all begins.....and for me since my last post it is where I have basically been with the exception of a few art store runs to pick up things I thought I might run out of in the middle of the night....a few more canvases....even though Dick Blick has delivered 3 times in the past month....more of my favorite Golden acrylics such as Green Gold, Turquois (Phthalo) and Transparent Pyrrole Orange.....and then there was the run for more Golden Soft Gel in Semi-Gloss when I couldn't find the one I ordered.  Found it last night as I was checking to see which pieces needed wire hangers added....it along with the empty jar were under a canvas lifting it up so the edges didn't touch anything!!!!  Two days until I deliver to Monkey Love for the Solo Exhibit which starts Thursday, May 1st....I keep repeating....I can do this!!!!  Most of the pieces are ready, a few need to be wired, those that needed a final coat of varnish got it first thing this morning, a couple pieces needed 3D items glued in place and that was done yesterday....Today I have 2 pieces I really want to finish to add to the grouping but promised myself if they are ready okay....it not no big deal.  Then there is the detailed inventory list and photos and scans of everything.

Here's another snippet of one that I finished last week....It All Begins At Home.....a 10"x20"x1.25" gallery wrapped mixed media collage.  As I worked on this piece I kept a running list each time I added a layer....and after 23 layers of gesso, mediums, papers, acrylics, and more it was signed and then sealed with one more layer....yes 24 layers in all! 

Speaking of Home.....Our baby that just turned 19 a couple weeks ago comes home this coming Friday for the summer....although it will be a short one for her....She was selected as the Sports Editor for the year book staff and SRS (Shorter Relations Society) a public relations representative for the College for this next year....both which require 3-4 day workshops in June and July and then early move in for Fall so the SRS members will be ready for Freshmen Orientation Week.  She's ready to come home and we are ready for her.  She also just found out she got into one of the new apartments on campus....no more dorm life for her....and she is beyond happy!

My break is almost over and I have all day to myself so I want to make the most of it.  Enjoy your week and I will be back with more snippets as time permits.

Almost forgot....Some Party Favors went out last week and more will go out this week most likely on Wednesday after I make my art delivery.  Remember it's not too late to leave a comment on one of my post and have a chance to have your name drawn for a party favor.

There went the timer.....back to creating.

ABC's of the Heart

Busy Busy Week.....and I like it like that!  Completed 3 new pieces for the upcoming exhibit.....if things go well today through the weekend should have atleast 3 more ready to hang.....four are in the works.....some are gessoed, some have collage, some have paints added......but they all have something in common....the canvases are much larger than I usually work on.....challenging and fun at the same time.

Creating has not been the only thing on my to do list this week thus far.....you may remember a few posts back I mentioned I was working on a new business venture.....that signature.....you know the one that was questioned......it is being used on legal papers this week in pulling some of the details together....phone calls with my advisor's....you know the ones that keep you legal (attorney).....the IRS happy(accountant).....and those that offer their guidance and wisdom (friends, family and other entrepreneurs).  All I can say is it is getting closer and closer to a reality and until everything is in place I am running on pure adrenaline!

I leave you with a peek of one of the collages I just finished.  The sun is coming through my windows in all its glory this morning and I am off to accomplish more for the upcoming events.  Thanks for visiting!