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!

Monkey See Monkey Do

Mixed Media Collage 10 x 20 Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This piece is on exhibit at Monkey Love.  I have had the images for several years and when I found out I would be exhibiting at Monkey Love I just couldn't resist!

Several years ago I offered Ephemera Paper Packages on my website, but when I did my re-do I didn't add them back.  Instead I redid the packages and added them to my Etsy shop I had had for over a year and was not using.  I decided to go back to what worked before and have added a couple packages to the ole Etsy shop and will add more later.  After I get the new venture up and going I may add the shopping cart back to my website and do away with Etsy.

Mine and KC's afternoon at the beach was cut short when she received a call from Steve...he was heading out of town for a few days and wanted to know if I wanted to go...I told him I just didn't have time...way too many things around here to get done...but KC volunteered to go...she thought it would be a mini vacation for her....sleep in, Jacuzzi, pool....and the executive suite at the hotel!

So here it is almost 2am and Seth and I are still up....he can stay up all night if he wants!  I need to finish up a commission I have been working on for several weeks and then get started on a few others and I need sleep in order to function tomorrow or I should say later this morning considering it is already very early morning!

Creatively,

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,

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!