Some days ago, I posted a note in the Political section of the Forum (http://www.silkfair.com/forum/thread/270, and it may have seemed a bit "off the wall" for those who do not know my background.
For each person there is an instrument that speaks to the soul within. For me, it is the oud. Traditionally a pear-shaped, acoustical, stringed instrument, with 5 courses of double strings and a single bass string, it is commonly considered the grandfather of the English Lute.
It is both melodic and percussive. When required, an oudist can be a "one man band" and still give a full, complete musical expression. It's bass notes can stir your guts and run up through the courses as it lifts your soul.
Besides it being my favorite instrument to listen to, and among my favorites to dance to, and knowing many oudists, I have actually played it a little. The first time I held one and strummed it, my heart soared. Literally. I felt as the heroine in some dime romance novel is supposed to feel when she recognizes her true love. Unfortunately my attempts to learn to play were consistently frustrated by a lack of time and a pressing of other priorities, but it remains my 'true love' in the world of instruments.
Perhaps knowing my close personal tie to the oud can help you understand my outrage and great sadness to know that such things are going on in this world as described in this article in the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/world/middleeast/01oud.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=Iraq%20music&st=nyt&scp=1
Flowersbyfarha
The Oud
May 11, 2008
Photos
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Say It with a Card!
May 03, 2008
Photos
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With the advent of e-mail, instant messaging, bloggin, cell phones and text messaging--even e-cards and e-vites, is letter writing a lost art?
It would seem so. All these forms of communicating allow us to reach out and virtually touch someone with more immediacy. They have seduced us with instant gratification.
Yet, by their very immediacy and form, they are here one moment and gone the next. Hardly a format to hold in your hand, savor the moment and hold it next to your heart, put it on the window sill or your desk to be opened and read again and again.
Aaaaaaaaah, but cards! When you say it with a card--and a blank note card with flowers-- you can keep the message short and sweet yet convey it with the impact of "a thousand words."
I've just listed my 5x7 blank notecards and business-card-size enclosure cards which feature my ribbon flowers.
I swear these flowers have a mind of their own. Some wanted to pose for "studio portraits" while others were more adventurous and wanted to go "on location" for their photos. The result is an interesting mix of photo images.
The one shown in the photo here is called "Last Rose of Summer" because it was the last rose I made last summer, and I photographed it on the last day of summer. I use a framed and matted enlarged photo in my booth at art shows. It is fun to see people as they come by the booth and admire it--then double-take when they realize it is not a "real" flower. The testimony to my work is that although the roses in your garden may wilt with the end of summer, but the flowers in my "garden" will stay fresh.
They're high quality, 4-color printed, and the feedback I've gotten from my customers so far has been very positive.
Word of warning: You might need to buy two. It seems some folks like them so well, they don't want to send them out but want to frame them instead!
There's always some holiday or special occasion around the corner--or a moment where you just feel the urge to tell someone that you care for them. So forget txt msgs and send a card!
To see all the cards, please visit my shop http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com
PNC 701-5 Silk Satin Roses http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com/2302
PNC 702-5 Peek-A-Boo Pixie http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com/2309
PNC 703-5 Last Rose of Summer
(see photo -- also available as photo print by custom order) http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com/2308
Mix or Match 5x7 blank inside note cards http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com/2310
Mix or Match Enclosure Cards (7 images including the 3 above) http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com/2312
It would seem so. All these forms of communicating allow us to reach out and virtually touch someone with more immediacy. They have seduced us with instant gratification.
Yet, by their very immediacy and form, they are here one moment and gone the next. Hardly a format to hold in your hand, savor the moment and hold it next to your heart, put it on the window sill or your desk to be opened and read again and again.
Aaaaaaaaah, but cards! When you say it with a card--and a blank note card with flowers-- you can keep the message short and sweet yet convey it with the impact of "a thousand words."
I've just listed my 5x7 blank notecards and business-card-size enclosure cards which feature my ribbon flowers.
I swear these flowers have a mind of their own. Some wanted to pose for "studio portraits" while others were more adventurous and wanted to go "on location" for their photos. The result is an interesting mix of photo images.
The one shown in the photo here is called "Last Rose of Summer" because it was the last rose I made last summer, and I photographed it on the last day of summer. I use a framed and matted enlarged photo in my booth at art shows. It is fun to see people as they come by the booth and admire it--then double-take when they realize it is not a "real" flower. The testimony to my work is that although the roses in your garden may wilt with the end of summer, but the flowers in my "garden" will stay fresh.
They're high quality, 4-color printed, and the feedback I've gotten from my customers so far has been very positive.
Word of warning: You might need to buy two. It seems some folks like them so well, they don't want to send them out but want to frame them instead!
There's always some holiday or special occasion around the corner--or a moment where you just feel the urge to tell someone that you care for them. So forget txt msgs and send a card!
To see all the cards, please visit my shop http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com
PNC 701-5 Silk Satin Roses http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com/2302
PNC 702-5 Peek-A-Boo Pixie http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com/2309
PNC 703-5 Last Rose of Summer
(see photo -- also available as photo print by custom order) http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com/2308
Mix or Match 5x7 blank inside note cards http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com/2310
Mix or Match Enclosure Cards (7 images including the 3 above) http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com/2312
Bauman Farms Greenhouse Gallery Pt 2
May 01, 2008
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As promised--more photos and review of the Bauman Farms (first annual) Greenhouse Gallery art show.
Bauman Farms is a multi-generational family run farming operation in Oregon's Willamette Valley. The family and staff are well organized, helpful and cheerful. It was a delight to work with them leading up to the show and throughout the weekend.
They did a great job organizing the event and with generating publicity--including two television programs promotions that carried through the weekend with PSA.
The greenhouse was gorgeous with all the plants and garden art and fixtures. The booths flowed in and out of the overall design like mini-gardens of art galleries. The emphasis of metal work, water fountains and other garden art was well balanced with upcycled art, stained glass, mosaics, 2-D (photography, oil painting, papers, cards, etc), pottery, a bit of jewelry, and my flowers.
In the past, when I've asked about shows in the city this show also drew from, I'd been told people there tend to wait until they've seen you at a couple shows before they'll buy. I found this pattern reflected in my sales-- locals admired my work but were more prone to taking my card, whereas the folks coming down from my area were more apt to admire AND buy even if they'd never seen my work before. So, foundation laid for future shows in the area.
Being out in the country, a drive from major metro areas (and price of gas again on the rise), a first time event and a first for this type of event in the area plus a free-way exit closure the first day were all factors that affected attendance compared to more established shows closer to more populated areas. However, turnout seemed to follow typical patterns seen at most shows--slower, more retirees on Friday; busy on Saturday, slower again on Sunday.
And, as usual during any show's slow moments, the artists networked. I got some great ideas for redesigning my display from one artist. Another artist got some gridwall layout ideas from my booth that she can use to make her booth more approachable.
The response by the community--both local and far-flung-- was very positive. The setting was beautiful.. the artwork varied and high-quality. The hosts were friendly and gracious and offered a fabulous BBQ kabobs, mimosas, wine and kettle-korn for snacks in the Greenhouse Gallery. Additionally there was the added bonus of their store across the driveway with country gifts, jams, honey, fresh produce, ice cream, and fresh from the oven bakery goods. Well worth the drive!
All in all a good show to participate in and looking forward to next year!
Since there is room for only one photo on this page, the Fire-Breathing Dragon created by Mark and Tamara Fountain of Oregon. This dragon was breathing fire all weekend and greeted us as we entered from the parking lot. Additional photos posted in forum thread
http://www.silkfair.com/forum/thread/205
Bauman Farms is a multi-generational family run farming operation in Oregon's Willamette Valley. The family and staff are well organized, helpful and cheerful. It was a delight to work with them leading up to the show and throughout the weekend.
They did a great job organizing the event and with generating publicity--including two television programs promotions that carried through the weekend with PSA.
The greenhouse was gorgeous with all the plants and garden art and fixtures. The booths flowed in and out of the overall design like mini-gardens of art galleries. The emphasis of metal work, water fountains and other garden art was well balanced with upcycled art, stained glass, mosaics, 2-D (photography, oil painting, papers, cards, etc), pottery, a bit of jewelry, and my flowers.
In the past, when I've asked about shows in the city this show also drew from, I'd been told people there tend to wait until they've seen you at a couple shows before they'll buy. I found this pattern reflected in my sales-- locals admired my work but were more prone to taking my card, whereas the folks coming down from my area were more apt to admire AND buy even if they'd never seen my work before. So, foundation laid for future shows in the area.
Being out in the country, a drive from major metro areas (and price of gas again on the rise), a first time event and a first for this type of event in the area plus a free-way exit closure the first day were all factors that affected attendance compared to more established shows closer to more populated areas. However, turnout seemed to follow typical patterns seen at most shows--slower, more retirees on Friday; busy on Saturday, slower again on Sunday.
And, as usual during any show's slow moments, the artists networked. I got some great ideas for redesigning my display from one artist. Another artist got some gridwall layout ideas from my booth that she can use to make her booth more approachable.
The response by the community--both local and far-flung-- was very positive. The setting was beautiful.. the artwork varied and high-quality. The hosts were friendly and gracious and offered a fabulous BBQ kabobs, mimosas, wine and kettle-korn for snacks in the Greenhouse Gallery. Additionally there was the added bonus of their store across the driveway with country gifts, jams, honey, fresh produce, ice cream, and fresh from the oven bakery goods. Well worth the drive!
All in all a good show to participate in and looking forward to next year!
Since there is room for only one photo on this page, the Fire-Breathing Dragon created by Mark and Tamara Fountain of Oregon. This dragon was breathing fire all weekend and greeted us as we entered from the parking lot. Additional photos posted in forum thread
http://www.silkfair.com/forum/thread/205
Bauman Farms Greenhouse Gallery Pt 1
Apr 26, 2008
Photos
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This weekend I'm vending in a very different setting for me-- in a greenhouse! Bauman Farms outside Gervais, Oregon is hosting their first (hopefully annual) Greenhouse Gallery sale to celebrate the grand opening of their new 120' x 48' greenhouse and to raise some funds for the Oregon Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The greenhouse is stunning with polycarbonate sides and roof and some sort of sun-filtering shade thing at the ceiling that lets in light but keeps out those nasty UV rays. It is so new, the roof had been up only a week (and weather tested), and the doors have yet to be installed--so it's kind of an indoor/outdoor show!
Bauman Farms have won 3 "Best of Show" booth awards at Home and Garden shows. When you walk into this show, you can see why. Down either side of the greenhouse are the artists' booths, marked by large, tall plant stands filled with huge tubs of purple and pink petunias with lush green leaves. Down the center aisle are beautifully display garden art, plant stands, and wrought iron arches with gorgeous displays of plants-- all of which is for sale so the display constantly evolves.
Photo is an early morning shot of my booth. Since it is open aired, it's a bit chilly in the morning. Fortunately there is electricity so I'm fairly cozy all bundled up with a little space heater on my feet.
And, if this wasn't enough to tempt you, across the way is their bakery, produce store, gift shop and original garden shop! (Their marionberry-filled pie crusts are heavenly!)
Gotta hit the road! More later!
The greenhouse is stunning with polycarbonate sides and roof and some sort of sun-filtering shade thing at the ceiling that lets in light but keeps out those nasty UV rays. It is so new, the roof had been up only a week (and weather tested), and the doors have yet to be installed--so it's kind of an indoor/outdoor show!
Bauman Farms have won 3 "Best of Show" booth awards at Home and Garden shows. When you walk into this show, you can see why. Down either side of the greenhouse are the artists' booths, marked by large, tall plant stands filled with huge tubs of purple and pink petunias with lush green leaves. Down the center aisle are beautifully display garden art, plant stands, and wrought iron arches with gorgeous displays of plants-- all of which is for sale so the display constantly evolves.
Photo is an early morning shot of my booth. Since it is open aired, it's a bit chilly in the morning. Fortunately there is electricity so I'm fairly cozy all bundled up with a little space heater on my feet.
And, if this wasn't enough to tempt you, across the way is their bakery, produce store, gift shop and original garden shop! (Their marionberry-filled pie crusts are heavenly!)
Gotta hit the road! More later!
Dance of the Crock Pot
Apr 23, 2008
The creative process is a curious thing. For some folks it seems pretty straightforward: get an idea, find the materials, do it. Other times, it might be find materials, think about what you can do with it, play with it.
For me? Sometimes it's what I call the Crock Pot Method. You see something here, you hear something there, you throw it all into the pot and 6-8 hours (or days, weeks, months or even years) later, <bing!> it's done. Simply cooked itself up.
So, when someone asks, "How long did it take to make this?" I am always tempted to say, "All my life" because everything that I have done or that has happened to me or around me becomes part of my "Crock Pot." My experience as a dancer, and my work creating costumes for my dance is a part of me. I may not be thinking about any particular aspect of it when I'm making a flower, but when I look back, I can see the correlation.
Though I am aware of this about myself and my process, I was a bit surprised one day when someone came up to my booth at a show, studied my display for a few minutes and then said, "You must be a dancer!"
"My gosh! Does it show?"
Well, of course it does.
Let me illustrate how this can happen: I saw how nicely two flowers that I happened to be listing coordinated, and thought, those would look nice together. Then, I ran across of a photo of me performing Tunisian dance at a local community college's ESL Celebration. Tunisian music is polyrhythmic, and the dance is vigorous and accentuated-- all of which makes the costume billow, flow and ripple.
Now, I made these flowers at separate times without a thought of one for the other --or of Tunisian dance or this particular costume. Yet see how nicely they all fit together. How the flower petals swirl. How the stamens "snap!"
I like to put that sense of rhythm and flow into my flowers. Perhaps they'll make you feel like dancing, too!
To see these and other flowers, please visit my shop at http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com
[I have posted an enlarged view of this photo the special, private Silk Fair blog gallery which you can access only through this blog or my shop forum.
http://www.flowersbyfarha.com/galleries/SilkFair/SilkFair.html
Links back to this blog or my Silk Fair shop are provided with each image description.]
For me? Sometimes it's what I call the Crock Pot Method. You see something here, you hear something there, you throw it all into the pot and 6-8 hours (or days, weeks, months or even years) later, <bing!> it's done. Simply cooked itself up.
So, when someone asks, "How long did it take to make this?" I am always tempted to say, "All my life" because everything that I have done or that has happened to me or around me becomes part of my "Crock Pot." My experience as a dancer, and my work creating costumes for my dance is a part of me. I may not be thinking about any particular aspect of it when I'm making a flower, but when I look back, I can see the correlation.
Though I am aware of this about myself and my process, I was a bit surprised one day when someone came up to my booth at a show, studied my display for a few minutes and then said, "You must be a dancer!"
"My gosh! Does it show?"
Well, of course it does.
Let me illustrate how this can happen: I saw how nicely two flowers that I happened to be listing coordinated, and thought, those would look nice together. Then, I ran across of a photo of me performing Tunisian dance at a local community college's ESL Celebration. Tunisian music is polyrhythmic, and the dance is vigorous and accentuated-- all of which makes the costume billow, flow and ripple.
Now, I made these flowers at separate times without a thought of one for the other --or of Tunisian dance or this particular costume. Yet see how nicely they all fit together. How the flower petals swirl. How the stamens "snap!"
I like to put that sense of rhythm and flow into my flowers. Perhaps they'll make you feel like dancing, too!
To see these and other flowers, please visit my shop at http://flowersbyfarha.silkfair.com
[I have posted an enlarged view of this photo the special, private Silk Fair blog gallery which you can access only through this blog or my shop forum.
http://www.flowersbyfarha.com/galleries/SilkFair/SilkFair.html
Links back to this blog or my Silk Fair shop are provided with each image description.]
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