Festivals, Markets, and More---Tis the season for shows!!!

April is upon us... the weather is changing, the leaves are coming back on the trees, and the looming presence of festival and market season is here.

Starting the first weekend of May, I will be making my way to Nashville to participate in my first TACA arts show. It is a huge honor to get into this show, and I can't wait to show off my wares in a new city.

And then after that, you know what time it is.... Market Square Farmer's Market!!!!! Every Saturday from 9am-2pm,  I will be down with all of the other amazingly talented artists and vendors in downtown Knoxville showing off my newest creations.

There are more shows to come and new and exciting classes as well. April 13th at Rococo Boutique, join me in creating your own salvage jewelry, mixed with some great food and you can even bring your own wine.

Don't forget, if you are planning your wedding, and would like a custom made brooch bouquet....get your orders in today. I have already made two bouquets already this wedding season, and am taking orders for spring and summer bouquets now. 

I hope you all enjoy the warmer weather, the sun on your face, and the smell of flowers in the air. 

Bridal Bouquet Pics from 2012

Here is a sampling of some of the bouquets that I made this past year for a number of special brides. 

Surprise bouquet for a Knoxville Bride.

Created with heirloom family pieces.

This special bouquet actually broke into 5 mini bouquets- one for the bride, and one for each of the bridesmaids. Hidden in one of the bridesmaids bouquets was a ring to signify catching the bouquet. 

Not actually for a bride. This was a custom order brooch floral arrangement that went into an amazing vase in someone's home.

Gold and ivory small bouquet

These bouquets went to a Seattle bride and her sister. The bride made all of the silk flowers to adorn the bouquets and picked amazing brooches for her Cinderella themed wedding.

If you are interested in a brooch bouquet for your wedding, please contact me at lilysjb@hotmail.com or give me a call at (865) 684-7466. 

It takes at least 2 weeks to make the bouquets, and orders are already being placed for this year. 

I can custom make it to any color combination or theme. 

Bouquets range from $150 to $500 depending on what you are looking for.

Winter is a busy time---with great opportunities!

February is here and 2013 has started on a busy note. Brooch bouquet orders are coming in left and right, new jewelry is being made for the many new shops and galleries that are carrying my stuff, more classes are scheduled than ever before, and I am creating a jewelry line for Marc Nelson Denim here in Knoxville.

If you would like to get in on the fun, here is a list of upcoming events:

February 22-23: Banner Elk, NC Retreat with Salvage Jewelry Workshop

March 9: Class at Rococo Boutique... TBA

March 16: Salvage Jewelry Workshop at Arifactia

March 16: Private Jewelry Workshop

March 23: Private Jewelry Workshop

And keep your eyes peeled for new and awesome leather gear and accessories for local Knoxville, American made clothing company- Marc Nelson Denim.

Check out the website at: http://www.marcnelsondenim.com/ 

Don't forget, the Market Square Farmer's Market will start back up the first weekend in May.

You won't want to miss it!

Artist Alley Revamp Project- COMPLETE!!!

A few months ago now, I had the opportunity to be a part of an amazing group of artists that got to create murals all along an alley in Downtown Knoxville- behind Market Square. The project was called the Artist Alley Revamp Project and a dedicated few went out and sectioned off parts of the alley to make plenty of canvas space for those that wanted to participate. And here is the progress of my painting... all done with 3 paint pens and that was it.

The beginning stages... I didn't have a drawing to work off of. Just my imagination.

Many late nights and dark nights were involved. Thank goodness for the lights from the two restaurants that my painting was behind.... others didn't have such a luxury!

Finally come together with patterns and lines.

Here is my final works.... I think I like it!! 

If you get the opportunity to run downtown, take a stroll through the alley, there are so many great artists that did amazing murals. 

Here is a link if you would like to see us at work and to see the other amazing works of art:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jgustin/sets/72157631918099745/

Holidays are the time to support Local!!!

The holidays are upon us...Thanksgiving is just days away and Christmas right around the corner. This is a great time.... if you never have, to support your local artists and small businesses. It helps the local community in so many ways ( if you need reasons, check out this website: http://sustainableconnections.org/thinklocal/why)

Just for me, I have the privilege of being a part of some awesome shows and markets coming in around Knoxville and I hope you all make it out around this wonderful town to check out all the wonderful holiday festivities!!!

Upcoming Events:

November 30-Dec 2: Handmade Holiday Trunk Show (at the Old Marble Slab Creamery on Market Square)
December 1: Holiday Market (Noon-7pm) Market Square
December 3: The Coolest Christmas Trunk Show- Barley's Taproom (7-9pm)
December 7: December First Friday- Drum/Hoop/Dance Circle at Broadway Academy of Performing Arts (7:30pm)
December 6-9: Handmade Holiday Trunk Show
December 8: Holiday Market (Noon-7pm) Market Square
December 13-16: Handmade Holiday Trunk Show
December 15: Holiday Market (Noon-7pm) Market Square
December 22: Holiday Market ( Noon-7pm) Market Square

Plus there is still time to get your custom and special orders in before the holidays.

New items that you will see on display for the holidays:
Floral Hair Clips made from Recycled wall paper samples
Terrarium Ornaments
Clock Hand earrings
Watch Part earrings of different sizes, shapes and colors
And then there will be tons of watch band bracelets, salvaged necklaces and rings, funky earrings, brooch bouquets and more.

Support your local artist, businesses, and talent this Christmas!!!!

Come and Find me...AGAIN!

Here are just a few more events, workshops, and markets where you can find me this month.

October 7: Ijams Plant Sale (9am-3pm)

October 10: Silkscreening Workshop 101- Open to everyone.
Learn how to create simple and fun designs to transform your old totes, shirts, skirts, posters,  etc. into new and fun pieces. Class starts at 6pm at Ijams Nature Center. Cost is $10. To reserve a spot, give me a call at (865) 684-7466.

October 13: Market Square Farmer's Market (9am-2pm)

October 13: Your Southern Grace Showroom Grand Opening- These ladies have an amazing clothing and accessory line that everyone should come out and see. The new showroom will be at 207 Center Park DR. Suite 2120, Knoxville, TN 37922. I will be out there showcasing my jewelry as well. Come and show your support of local businesses.

October 14: Private Workshop- Planters created from old Light Fixtures

October 19: Zombie Movie Marathon at Ijams Nature Center (6pm-11:30pm) I won't actually have my jewelry here, but this is an event that I have put together... dress as a zombie and watch fun films and listen to great music. Check out the event page at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/347287788696824/?fref=ts

October 20: Market Square Farmer's Market (9am-2pm)

October 23: Salvage Jewelry Workshop- Open to everyone
Transform your broken necklaces, your single earrings, your grandmother's old stash of trinkets into gorgeous one of a kind creations. From 6pm-8pm, learn techniques on how to cluster, deconstruct, repurpose, and transform your old pieces into new. You bring a few old parts and I will have the rest. Cost is $10 per person. Must RSVP- (865) 684-7466

October 27: Market Square Farmer's Market (9am-2pm)

Plus look for First Friday events coming up in November and December at Mast General and Barley's Taproom!!!

Come and Find me!!!

I am going to be here and there for the next few weeks. Different shows, fun classes and workshops, so if you are interested, here they are!

Saturday, Sept. 15: Market Square Farmer's Market (9am-2pm)
Monday, Sept 17: Filming for a fun tutorial on how to make terrariums out of old light fixtures
Wednesday, Sept. 19: TRPA Conference- Eco Make and Take Workshop
Thursday, Sept. 20: Salvage Jewelry Workshop- transform your old into new!
                               at the Appalachian Art Center (6-9pm)
Saturday, Sept. 22: Market Square Farmer's Market (9am-2pm)
Thursday, Sept. 27: Repurpose it all: Eco Make and Take Workshop at the Town of Farragut Town Hall              
                               (6:30-8:30pm)
Saturday, Sept. 29: Market Square Farmer's Market (9am-2pm)
Saturday, Oct. 6: Market Square Farmer's Market (9am-2pm)
Sunday, Oct. 7: Ijams Fall Plant Sale (9am-3pm)


More will be added as they come up, but I hope to see you all out an about in Knoxville.

AND---to all of my loyal jewelry fans, I now have loyalty punch cards!!!! For every $100 you spend, you will get $10 off on anything on your next purchase... maybe get a free pair of earrings, some free hairpins, half off a watch band bracelet....so many options.

Thank you for enjoying my salvage creations!!!