Fired up!

Today, April 10th, 2012, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Linda Caillouet, wrote an incredible article about my art and how I try to inspire others to find their creative niche with garage sale finds.
 Garage Sale Queen rules supreme bu recycling junk into art  

It's not even Noon and over 100 folks have hit my website! Then my thoughts went to this blog and how I have neglected it! So today, I make a promise to write and share more often. Folks are really interested in this ole' Red Neck Martha Stewart's ideas! Mark this blog and come back often for fun and crazy ideas. I have recently gotten an Iphone so I can now post more pics! Whoopie! I have been so busy making art, that I haven't written....and I adore writing! And if you have something you want to ask or share...let me know! I love pics from others.

Like the precious lady I met recently, that decorated her garden with a Wizard of Oz theme. She made her yellow brick road with hot wheels tracks! And the ruby slippers from an ole' pair of red high heels mosaiced with red jewels!

And today's project is an old cookie jar being embellished with Irish china covered in clover and Scrabble letters that say "Lucky Dog." That's right .... a doggie treat jar that will look absolutely lovely in your kitchen!

Presentation in Nevada County - April 2

I'm coming to Nevada County this Saturday, April 2! Come see me!!!


Plant Sale Huge Selection Vendors COME EARLY AND SHOP Spring ….A Time to Till Third Annual Gardening Seminar and Plant Sale April 2, 2011
Central Baptist Church, 605 East 2
Sponsored By
Nevada County Master Gardeners nd Street South, Prescott, AR 8:00 Registration….Refreshments „n‟ Shop
8:45 Welcome
9:00 The Kitchen Garden/Edible Landscaping…..Martha Feland Martha is a Master Gardener from Lonoke County who has combined her love for flowers and cooking into a unique blend of gardening. Her love of cooking with herbs stands out as her specialty. It will be a treat to take a new look at gardening from her perspective. 10:00 Break „n‟ Shop
10:15 Jealousy in the Garden is a Virtue…..Chris Olsen Chris is the garden specialist seen on Today’s THV television program, landscape designer and owner of Botanica Gardens in Little Rock. His theme is "be bold, loud and creative in the garden." He will show you how to use his design principles and elements to create the retreat you want and deserve! 11:15 Break ‟n‟ Shop
11:30 The Art of Recycling…. Kandy Jones Kandy likes to refer to herself as the "Garage Sale Queen." She takes on the task of how to add found objects to enhance the garden. Your creative senses will be awakened with new ideas on mosaics, water features, stone patios and the art of Hypertufa. 12:30 Lunch offered by the Tri Service Club
Master Gardener plant sale; Gardening demonstrations; Vendor shopping DOOR PRIZES Seminar Cost: $15.00
Lunch: Chicken Salad Sandwich, chips, fruit, cookie and drink: $8.00 Proceeds from the seminar are used by the Nevada County Master Gardeners to fund community projects within Nevada County. Additional information contact: Jan Huett at 870-887-5148 or email moo_moo_nita @ yahoo.com or Nevada Extension Office 870-887-2818 _________________________________________________________________________________ Please tear here and return by March 25
Name____________________________________________ Number of Tickets_____X $15=_______
Address__________________________________________ Lunch Tickets _____ X $8 =______
E-mail___________________________________ Total _______
Phone Number______________ Make checks payable to "Nevada County Master Gardeners" Mail to…Jan Huett, 820 Hwy 299 E.,Emmet, AR 71835 The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its program to all eligible persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, mental or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.


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Spring has Sprung



 a colorful French bucket



Oh My Goodness! (or as the young whipper-snappers say...) OMG! The Arkansas Flower and Garden Show was a smashing success. I sold lots of fun mosaics, Meno Mamas, and Hypertufa. Even better, I passed out over 500 current class schedules. It always feels good, when folks come by my booth with the soul intention of getting class info. Of course, I think EVERYONE that is a gardener should learn Hypertufa. It's such an economical and semi-easy way to dress up your garden.

And I sold a bunch of my ebooks.... "Hypertufa, Basics & Beyond." With over 30 projects detailed in this downloadable little treasure trove of garden art how-tos, the folks at my Saturday presentation on the Garden Stage scarfed the info up. You can find my book at http://www.garagesalequeen.biz/hypertufabook.html

My heart swelled many times as folks told me how much they missed my segments on Channel 7. Perhaps the producers will bring me back, someday! 4 am is way too early for this ole' queen, but I did love sharing fun projects from recycled materials and I'd be willin' to do it, again, at least every now and then. (hint! hint!  Daybreak)

My class info for the 2011 season is on my website. If you're interested in playin' in the mud (hypertufa, that is) click on over and check it out. Maybe there is a class that you can work into your busy schedule. Students love it and I love sharing!


http://www.garagesalequeen.biz/classes.html 

 

"Between a Rock and a Hard Heart"



And the Arkansas Arts Center Museum School Spring Classes are now up on their website. I am teaching an in-depth Mosaic class on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30, starting March 30th. Perfect for beginners and when I get through with ya (6 week course) you'll be able to do even the most complicated pieces and have several works of art of your own. http://www.arkarts.com/pdfs/springschedule2011.pdf

Had several folks ask me about doing a presentation for their clubs or associations. I DO love to present "The Art of Recycling." My first for this year will be the Nevada County Master Gardeners Seminar on April 2. If you'd like me to speak to your group, drop me a line! http://www.garagesalequeen.biz/presentations.html

I've had to update my Etsy store because quite a few of the listed items sold at the garden show, but if you're in the buying mode you can check out what's available at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/garagesalequeen .  I'm working on some new art, so check back often.

And thanks to all the visitors to my website since the garden show. The numbers are skyrocketing.

This week I am mosaicing a long-over-due wedding present for my precious neighbors, the Crows. What am I making? Why two crows with the moon as their backdrop to hang in their backyard garden. The moon is old dishes and the crows will be mosaiced with tiny black/brown river rock. I will post pics later this week. 

Till next post, enjoy this spring weather..........and take a class! Promise! It'll be fun and your garden will love you for it!!

Queen Kandy

I'm BACK!!!!!

Well, it's been way too long since I have posted. Life just got in the dadgum way, But with Spring right around the corner, new beginnings have begun. I promise to post more often 'cause I have a lot to share.

I broke my wrist (would you believe working in our community garden last Easter?) so last summer was a tad tough on this artist. Lots of therapy and little art, but came fall and my artistic life improved....ALOT. I am back teaching at the Arkansas Arts Center and had a wonderful show at last year's Art Center Museum School Sale. I will be there every year, from now on....barring no broken bones.

This week I am gearing up for the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show. (Feb 25 through Feb 27 at the Statehouse Convention Center) I will be doing a presentation on Saturday  at 2 pm, "Trash + Treasure + Hypertufa=Cheap Garden Art" .... it's for the Birds! Get it? Cheap!!! Cheep!!!

The first person that says they read this on my blog will win my ebook, "Hypertufa, Basics and Beyond." Just tell me about it at the show!

I have my 2011 class schedule up and posted on my website. http://www.garagesalequeen.biz/ Classes always fill up quick, after the Garden Show, so get enrolled ASAP. I only have 3 backyard classes scheduled for the spring to fall season as there are several private classes being arranged. If you and group of folks would like a private class just contact me and / or check out the info on my website. I love a roadtrip so we CAN do mosaic or hypertufa classes in YOUR backyard.

Anyway, I am excited to be back and plan on many helpful blogs this year.

Hope to see lots of folks this weekend.

DIY Bowling Ball - Mirror Gazing Ball

Bowling Ball………$1.00…………Garage Sale

Stand……………$2.00…………..Estate Sale

Broken mirror……………………FREE

Your backyard looking like a disco in the afternoon sun……….PRICELESS!

Never spend a small fortune on gazing balls again. And this one is not likely to break because a squirrel jumps on it.

Ok, here ya go.

Supplies:
Bowling ball
Foam or a bowl to hold ball while working
Silicone ll sealant
SANDED Grout
Broken mirror
Buckets (one for grout mix and one for clean water)
Sponge
old towels
Rubber gloves

Place the bowling ball in a bowl, or what I do, is set it on a piece of waffled foam padding. This is to stabilize it so you can glue the mirror on it. I also fill the finger holes with liquid nails or silicone glue to even out the surface.

Break or cut the mirror pieces to be a tad smaller than 1 inch square. Smaller pieces are easier to glue on and will lay flatter on the round surface. I use an old towel. Wrap the mirror, and then whack it. The towel keeps the mirror from shattering all over the place.

Glass cutters work great on thin mirror but on really thick mirror you gonna have to break it with a hammer. (I got over the 7 years bad luck stuff a long time ago.)

Using clear silicone II sealant, start gluing the mirror to the ball. I do it like working a jig saw puzzle, trying to keep a minimum of a ¼ inch space between the pieces. Cover the entire ball, except where it is resting on the bowl or support. Let it dry for several hours (overnight works best). Then carefully rotate the ball to finish gluing the mirror. Let the glue dry for a day or two. This is dependent on weather. Temperature is a factor in the glue drying well.

Now it’s time to grout. I like the black (formal name is “charcoal”) color. BE SURE it is SANDED grout. And wear good rubber gloves. Messy stuff and it’ll dry your hands out. Put about 3 cups of the grout in an old bowl or bucket and add just enough water to get a peanut butter consistency. This is tricky so add your water a little at a time. If it seems too runny add a little more powdered grout. Once you get the thick but workable consistency, let the mixed grout sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then start smearing it on the ball, pushing it in the cracks. Have a bucket of clean water and a coarse sponge on hand, ready to go. Once you have covered the entire ball, then start wiping grout from the mirror. Each swipe requires a clean, well-rung-out sponge…so rinse often. When you have removed most of the grout from the mirrored pieces, let it sit for an hour or two. The grout will partially dry and you can buff the mirror with a clean rag or old towel.

And there ya go…. You have your very own disco gazing ball. Mirror is great because it reflects the colors of your garden and changes with the sunlight.

I did another ball, using broken pieces of souvenirs from the Clinton Museum store. Here it is. They sold it to a private collector. I called it the “Blues Ball”. Can ya see the saxophone on it?

You can use marbles (the ones with a flat side) or broken china. The possibilities are endless. Have fun and show off those balls!

Today I'm suffering from PES! If you don't know what that is...it's "Post Event Syndrome." A common occurrence after a major show. (a sign of age??? surely not!...I say with a grin) And the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show was a HUGE success. Beautiful weather and folks with spring fever gave way to a heck of a crowd at the show. I sold 20 art pieces (when ya see something dissappear from my Etsy Store it's cause it sold elsewhere) and handed out over 300 class schedules and registration forms. Reservations for classes were on my voice mail before the show was even over. So if you want to take a class, make your reservations as soon as you can to ensure the date(s) you want.









Class info is available on my website....

http://www.garagesalequeen.biz/

My wonderful Hubs is about halfway through with my studio in our backyard. We've used an old glass top from a patio table for a skylight. All 9 of our windows are recycled from a house in the neighborhood. We continue to pick up odds and ends from the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store just a few miles from our home. Old set pieces, from the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theater are being added for indoor work surfaces and storage. Hubs found a really cool old craftsman door from a salvage place that he's going to convert to a dutch door. Yep. It's really going to happen! I'm gonna have my own art studio...someday. Of course, it's been a tad tight (can we say it's the economy, stupid?) but we are optimistic that this summer will be a successful one. Especially after such incredible response at this weekend's Garden Show!

With that being said, perhaps you'd like to help?

Perhaps you need a wonderful present that is Arkansas / American made?



www.garagesalequeen.biz/commissions.html


Perhaps you'd like to expand your own creative horizons? Did I mention my classes are forming?

www.garagesalequeen.biz/classes.html


Perhaps you have a fun group that needs a little humorous motivation?

www.garagesalequeen.biz/presentations.html


Perhaps you can't make it to North Little Rock for a class and you are ready to get outside and create some fun garden art?



www.garagesalequeen.biz/hypertufabook.html






Spring is almost here! Help yourself and it helps Hubs build my studio. It's a win-win-win!



(We will now return to regular programming..... the Queen has finished today's commercial!)



You see...that's a sure sign of PES...I can't shut up!



I also want to say a HUGE thanks to MaGo, Corrie, and of course, Hubs! I couldn't do these huge shows without 'em!

I gotta go now 'cause I have to unpack crates from the show and clean up my little in-home gallery. Some ladies are coming by this afternoon to purchase a few items they didn't want to carry around at the Garden Show!



We'll talk soon, y'all!



Kandy, the Garage Sale Queen





Coming this week..... Your first, in a long series, of DIY garden projects.....


Gazing ball using a bowling ball and found objects! Your backyard will look like a disco before you know it!

Arkansas Flower and Garden Show Feb. 26 to 28

I can't believe spring is almost here and the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show is the absolutely best place to warm up that Spring Fever.

I've been at the Garden Show for the last 7 years and, needless to say, I love it.

That is also the reason I haven't been posting on this blog. I've been doing art! Lots of fun stuff that I'll be showing this weekend. Like this one called.......

"I'm ready for my closeup"

Yep, finally... I've done some flamingo art to sell. Many folks have asked for it, now it's here.

Check out this watering can, also with wonderful little pink flamingos.... 4 of them, to be exact!

And a really funky mirror.

Come by and see me at the Statehouse Convention Center, in Downtown Little Rock, this coming Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If you say you saw this blog, I'll give you a 10% discount.

I have also finalized my class schedule for this spring and summer. You can find it on my website.

http://www.garagesalequeen.biz/

I'll be teaching Hypertufa and Mosaics several times (and locations) this year, so find the class that is right for you.

Look for other surprises, coming this spring. I have so many ideas, I busting at the seams and having a hard time sleeping. The fact that I'm a tad chubby has nothing to do with it!

The first of March, I will start showing a "do it yourself" garden project every week, right here on this blog.....just in time for spring! And I'll be hitting the Garage Sales so I'll have lots of fun things to share.

Hope to see y'all at the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show....

Kandy, the "Garage Sale Queen"