Debbie Overton Designs

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!

Free to Fly

I received one of the nicest emails this afternoon from Enzie at World Market Portraits.  She received a small package from me yesterday and is using the inspiration from one of my notecards "Free to Fly" to start a wonderful project....."GIVE CREATIVITY WINGS TO FLY".  Click on the link above to read all about it and while you are there take a few extra minutes to view her gorgeous paintings.  I look forward to each morning finding a blog feed from World Market Portraits....It is such a wonderful way to start the day.

KC and I hit a few antique shops and flea markets a few days ago....she is okay with the antique shops, but those really old dusty flea markets like the trading post pics I share with you a while back....she does not care for.  As we were wondering through one Monday she could not get out of there fast enough....so I will have to return without her as it was filled with hidden treasures.  I was able to grab a few things before she bolted when she thought she felt something run across her foot....told her not to wear flip flops!!!  But what do I know!!!

Here is one of the postcards I picked up recently...I love the gorgeous flowers, but the back is what I fell in love with.......

August 3, 1913

Dear Wife............From your husband.  I smile everytime I read it.....if I were to receive a card today from Steve written to Dear Wife and signed From your husband.....I would probably ask which husband!!!!  Because mine would have signed his name!!!!

I want to finish up a few things tonight so I can pack up some pieces to deliver to the shop at Goodyear Cottage Art Gallery on Jekyll Island Friday and then some things need to be delivered to The Painted Cat Studio and Gallery in the next few days....Michelle is being very patient and waiting on me!

If you have not visited Enzie at World Market Portraits I hope you will hop on over.  Thanks Enzie for such a heartfelt email and the compliments you shared in your blog post.

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!