December's Holiday Gathering

Cathie shows Reg how to get started....

Our December get together happened in Cathie Hamilton's studio at NGB Studios down on Cataraqui St.  Thanks to Cathie and the others we had lots of Christmas treats: shortbread cookies, fruit, hot apple cider and tangerines!


We talked about  'Square' update that you can now process American Express credit cards online.

Of course we chatted about our shows over the holiday sales season and about the smaller shows that have cropped up.

...and away he goes!

There are a lot more small in house/studio 'open house' selling weekends, I did one with Tamara of Latimer Soaps and Corinna of Nikita sauces (find her in the market in season) and Yolanda of Yolanda's Glass Jewelry. We had a lovely weekend though not a lot of traffic...the idea worked well and our set up was good. We had munchies and hot apple cider and, though we all made sales, it's always nicer to do more.

We need to do more promo....learning!

Anyway, after the official part of our morning Cathie had set up for any of us who would like to try encaustic to give it a whirl! Reg and Carolyn (me) were enthusiastic and sat down to learn about the wax, and a fairly simple technique with a small iron and other hot tools to melt and work with the wax.

Carolyn's work.

I was intrigued by the way you move the different colours of wax around to create things such as the sky. Maybe I'll go back one day to experiment with patterns.

Here is what I worked on....really fun!















Cathie is offering more workshops in the New Year...here are the particulars...

With 2014 fast approaching it seems like only yesterday we were all panicked about Y2K scuppering all our computers and online stuff! Now we're panicking about global warming and the crazy weather...at least all the shovelling and breaking up of ice keep us fairly fit...it's becoming a regualar thing.

Our first get together of the New Year and I'll host it at my house:

January 7th 2014  11am

Carolyn Barnett

14 Richard Street (in Portsmouth Village)

613-545-5986

August's Artists Round Table...

....trying to have real 'Summery' get togethers we met on my deck in Portsmouth Village (we got comfier chairs now) and be surrounded  by sun & flowers (well...we tried).

Not only did we have a nice group - what is is with the photographers in our midst...we always have about three?! Anyway, Reg kindly brought too many cookies, Cathie brought cookies  and I had made Ikea ginger cookies so we had a bit of a cookie swap at the end of the get together.

Ilana McGrath joined us.

 We had a guest of honour (sort of) - Ilana McGrath daughter of Joan McGrath of 29 years of Fanfayr fame. She had called me to say in turning our her late mother's cupboards there was lots of wool and a collection of knitting and knitting needles. I told her I would see that what I couldn't use would be passed on to a good home. I have already taken some pieces to Value Village so someone who hasn't quite the funds can still knit that warm sweater.  Ilana talked to us about her Mum, Fanfayr and joined us for most of an hour.
We had our usual  catch up, introducing each other to Ilana and talking about our get togethers and how we catch each other up on new shows, review shows we've just done, discuss the ins and outs of the business side of being and artist. I think I was about to do the Sheepdog trials.





One of us arrived on her new wheels!!!! Annette rode up on a brand spanking new e-bike in zingy purple. I got all excited because for a number of years when I was in my twenties I rode around on a Honda 70 motorcycle and loved it.











 I really wanted to see what the ebike is all about.
It seems great for a town like Kingston to get around and do your shopping, get to work etc. They are easy to park and have lovely luggage compartments......of course I had to have a 'go'!

Isn't this great art? I thought it looked like a serpent's head.

Helmeted and ready to go....

Since the meeting the Sheepdog Trials have happened and I did about the same as usual, it was good for me. I moved my felted vests, a sweater and gleaned one or two more for my latest workshop.

On my way up our street!

That's one thing about shows, if you are teaching, looking for participants for workshops a good group of people can be reached, seeing your work and taking an interest in trying it for themselves...even as a one time thing and taking it no further. I have known people taking workshops, not pursuing it but still supporting artisans with their purchases as they have a better understanding of what goes into the creation.

Now we start to talk about the Fall events we have booked, shows, exhibitions, workshops. New work for these and for the holiday gift giving in a few months.

More discussions at the September 3rd A.R.T..... We'll let you know where we are going to meet....any offers? If you have an interesting studio and feel like having a small group out for coffee and cookies....let us know.

April's A.R.T & Business

Well, we had our meeting at Tina Roeder's and there were seven of us all with news about things we have just done or are involved in now. It was a busy meeting with lots explored and great rhubarb cake made by Tina.

Joanne Hoftyzer is looking for two or three other artists to exhibit with her in Amherstview...give her a call or drop her an email:  613-384-5508  jhoftyzer@cogeco.ca.

Nicole Coture-Lord announced the photography exhibition at the Central branch of the Public Library in the Wilson Room, the Kingston Photographic Club....go take a look, I went to the opening evening, which is always a great time to go as you meet the photographers and get to ask questions. A wonderful exhibition.

Cathy Hamilton talked about her work being on exhibition at the Wolfe Island Bakery for June & July, also at the Vaga Gallery in Gananoque which is open from May to October.

Reg Aitken who is a photographer, talked about wanting to get back to his painting, with oils, acrylics, something which was a surprise to us that he painted! Also he wants to add stones to the walking sticks he makes....as we are all getting on a bit we might want a well made, smart cane in the future!

Annette told us about some of the groups she has come to Reg's Ceramics, groups of folk with disabilities and also teens. Something popped into my mind and I suggested she might approach real estate agents to come and have a fun afternoon or evening making gifts for their clients. Many years ago when I closed on a house in the Beach in Toronto my agent came and gave me a beautiful dried flower wreath which she had purchased from another Beach artisan....who I came to know. I still have it. One of Reg's vases hand painted by an agent would make a memorable gift to a home purchaser....I thought so anyway.

Tina said not much had been happening business wise but now things are picking up and she's getting busy....perhaps wedding season helps in her line.

My booth in aisle I.

I had just come back from the One of a Kind show in Toronto where I had been for five long days over Easter.  As I hadn't done 2012 this was a fresh feeling for me and I enjoyed it and learned some new things I wanted to share.

Card Readers.

We often have conversations about taking credit cards in our studios and at shows and the different companies and ways. I have used Visa for thirty years, MC for about 15 and Am Ex for about 12 (I make one Am Ex sale per year but at least I don't miss it!)

We have discussed point of sale devices that you rent, PayPal, Moneris and other ways.  I found a new way at the show that I saw many artists using especially the woman next to me where I learned lots and got to pick her brain....she was great.

I have used PAYD since I enrolled last year for the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition but now I have Square...I enrolled on my laptop late one night and sent my husband out the next day to pick up a card reader at Best Buy. I made one sale, the company verified my account and the money is in my account.

You use these on your smart phones or iPad.

Pros & Cons:
PAYD has a sales limit of $2000 per month but up that to $1500 for shows. Square hasn't a ceiling.
PAYD is 2.75% whether you swipe or key in the credit card. Square is 2.75% for swiped but over 3% for keyed in. Square adds in tax (you set that up.


Those are the main things but Square has a wonderful app that if you are using it on your iPad (or even your smart phone) you can inventory your stock!

Anyway, when I was setting up I felt old as all about me were young things (30somethings) but I learned from them, shared with them and found out that my other neighbour recognized my name as she had been on the OAC jury for one of my grant applications!!!!! She told me she didn't understand the reasoning behind some of the awards and denials! (I think she thought I should have had one).

Fun & Inspiration with March's ART Speaker.

Deborah Windsor

Our March Artists Round Table group was a runaway success and really interesting. We had Deborah Windsor as our guest speaker and we also had a good bunch attending.

Cathie & I sit near the cookies!

Deb and I are on the Board of Directors for the Kingston Arts Council together and while doing one of our charity Bingo shifts together we got chatting about being an artist and making a living....maybe someone had just won $150 or something. Deborah was full of ideas for me to pursue in different directions with my work. I said I had wanted to write a book about my 30 years in my branch of textiles....she suggested I go for a writer's grant....now how long would it have taken me to think of that? I would have only thought of OAC craft project or development grants. 

Jane contributes.

It was a lovely meeting also because as we now hold them at various members homes or studios we were at Jane Thelwell's and got to enjoy looking at her collection of a)cups for the coffee she brewed and b) her art.

We also were joined by a new member from Bath, Janice Teare who owns and runs the Academy Gallery in Bath. Welcome, Janice.

We always go around introducing ourselves and telling of anything we have happening by way of shows, exhibitions etc. Deb's method was to go around our number and have us talk about anything we had done with our art/craft/discipline that made us money and was a great experience and fun. 

A good group.

She then pointed out how we should endeavour to do that again or enlarge upon it or work in a different way in the future. I had told her about the theatre costume work I had done, especially while I was living in Toronto. It was good work and well paid. With her suggestions I've started by putting a Theater Costume page on my web site! (why didn't I think of that!!!)

It was good to feed off each other which is what we try to do each month, sharing our ideas and events.  Finding out what each of us is doing that we might also participate in or shoot for.

Tina & Chips...rapt.

 Speaking of things to do, Lindsey Fair asked me to tell everyone about the new Fort Henry plans involving a market that will last all Summer in the Upper Fort. A place they want to showcase artisans, a place for visitors to shop without having to pay to get into the fort...they will have to pay to get into the lower fort. Anyway here's the link for more info......Fort Henry Market

I'm not sure who we will have next month or where we will have it. I'll work on that but welcome input as I'm preparing for and participating in the One of a Kind show from March 27 - 31st.

FYI... Kingston Arts & Letters Club recent events...  

http://kingartsletters.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/new-happenings-at-the-al-club/

March ART Speaker

Do come to  Jane Thelwell's place - 2 Bay St, Apt 306.  to listen to and talk with Deborah Windsor (my colleague on the board of the Kingston Arts Council).

We were doing a Bingo (OLG) shift and chatting about getting further with my work and career...couldn't think of what to explore next and she came up with a list of ideas for me.

Deborah Windsor

This is her pic from the KAC and it's not good....she smiles much more!

Deborah Windsor is a cultural industry executive with over twenty years experience in all facets of Not For Profit Management.  Deborah is a seasoned CEO with proven ability to identify opportunities, deliver on strategic objectives, energize teams, and improve financial performance. Deborah was educated at Saint Mary’s University and Dalhousie University in Halifax and has held senior management positions with The Writers’ Union of Canada, The Canadian Television Fund, CAW Community Development Group and Université Sainte-Anne Société de Logement. Deborah, a skilled communicator experienced in marketing, stake holder engagement and media and government relations, has utilized her skills to create festivals in Canada and India. She is a team builder driven by her commitment to community involvement. Deborah lives in Kingston, Ontario with her partner author Ray Argyle.

March 5th 10:30am Jane Thelwell's place

2 Bay St #306

phone:613.583.6398

jane.thelwell@sympatico.ca 

    

carolyn@barnett-knits.com

February's Really Fun ART

What do we do at an Artists Round Table meeting you ask. After this post you are going to be scratching your heads even more and wondering if some of us should be allowed out!

We had

Cathie Hamilton as Mermaid with Annie & Reg

On Tuesday we met at Puppet Annie's studio in the Upper Canada Academy of Performing Arts...a huge room overlooking Brock street and full of giant puppets, shapes, fabrics, sparkly things........

Annie brought out this mermaid of papier machè and Reg volunteered to model it....he had to stand on a chair...it's huge! Then Cathie climbed onto the chair.

Both Reg and Cathie are the two members who attended who have mobility difficulties but it was those two who climbed up behind this 'costume'!!! Annie are you working miracles with your fun?

Liza with a C!?

Well, then there was the hat and the phrase: 'Wilkomen, Bienvenue, Welcome'  jumped into my head. Yeah, that's me doing the Liza Minelli impression!!

I took this shot across the studio...in the foreground is a dragon with a purple dragon head by the door. I picked it up and realized it would take one person to hold the head alone. There are heads, hands, faces, hair, puppets...... Annie had just had a group of children in for a day so there was beautifully colourful disarray.

Yeah, Reg & Annie again.

We did settle down to talk about the 2013 Artist Educator Foundations Course for Artists which I would really like to take but I'm booked those weekends. Too short notice for this and we need to know more. Jane Thelwell might be taking it though ..... you'd have to ask Jane if that's what she is doing....if so I'm jealous! Next year perhaps.

As we have several photographers who meet with us Nicole brought us some information on copyright and licensing of photography. Here is a site to check out...
http://www.cipo.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/Home?OpenDocument

A costume maker's dream.

We are having Deborah Windsor speak with us next month about grants, making your dreams work for you and moving forward as artisans. As a fellow Kingston Arts Council board member I've had some great conversations with her and really want to listen to her more and pick her brain.You will have the opportunity on March 5th at Jane Thelwell's place (details will go out closer to time on the Artists Round Table Google Group email).

If the shoe fits...Cinderella!

I had a question about HST so we discussed the how's and wherefores of the taxes to which we have been subject over the past few decades and Jane suggested that as the cost of living goes up so should the GST/HST limit. It's been $30,000 since it came in in the eighties. Before that we only had to collect/remit 7%.  I've decided to drag someone in from the tax offices of the government to clear things up, inform us and answer questions...I'll try for our April or May meeting.

See you March 5th.

2013 January's Artists Round Table

On January 8th we met at Tina Roeder's house for our Artists Round Table meeting and we had a very fun and animated gathering...though there were only 4 of us...Tina, Annette, Annie (who I always call Puppet Annie) and me.

I was early so Tina and I sat and discussed shipping our work and the ins and outs of sending knits and precious metals around the world and having our goods arrive. No one at any post office will steal socks but Tina has had jewellery go out into the ether, never to be seen again.

We had last January's meeting at Tina's house and each time we get to look at her work and find out a little about her techniques.

Our February meeting will be at Puppet Annie's place on Brock Street.

Our March meeting (haven't decided where) will involve speaker Deborah Windsor who will speak to us about moving forwards, making our dreams work and about grants. She is a great brain to pick so do come out for Deb.

I'll post to the Artists Round Table email list more information.

Happy New Year.

Kingston Arts Council 'Year In Review' Party!!!!

Saturday night. December 1st, is going to be a great night to head down to the Kingston Yacht Club for the 'Year In Review' bash.

The even starts at 7pm, it's at 1 Maitland Street and contacts are  613-546-2787 or programs@artskingston.ca

Tickets are $10

The 2012 Year In Review will include the announcement of the recipient of the Nan Yeomans Grant for Artistic Development, which aims to help promising young artists and/or artisans in furthering their education and professional artistic growth.

This Year's Programming includes: Performing Artists: PS I Love You, The Sleuth Bears, Sadiqua de Meijer, and Cantabile Choir Video Installations by Kurtis Chen, Mathieu Rioux, The Artists of Kingston Project; Speakers: Matt Rogalsky and Christine Dewancker Exhibits by artists Mike Bayne and Maggie Sutherland The event will be an excellent opportunity to network with other artists and arts organizations, while sharing stories from the past year in the Kingston arts community. Hope to see you there!

     

Once again....

• Date: December 01, 2012
• Time: 7:00PM
• Location: Kingston Yacht Club
• Address: 1 Maitland Street
• Contact: 613 546 2787  programs@artskingston.ca

See you there!

October ART - Farewell Denise...

Denise, Cathie, Tina, Nicole, Joanne, Anne, Carolyn.

At our October 9th Artists Round Table (bumped because I was still on the Trans Canada Highway on Oct 2nd) we bid farewell to Denise Love of www.lovetheworldphotography.com as she packs up and leaves Kingston for London Ontario. We will miss her, I don't think she missed an ART meeting, and so will Modern Fuel Gallery where she worked for the past year.

As you can see from the photo of my dining room there was much in the way of munchies and we just talked about Denise's move, work, galleries and what we were doing this Fall and Christmas season.

There is no art fair at the fort this holiday season as, sadly, Lindsey Fair has moved on to greater things and the Fort got onto the bandwagon and the stretch over three weekends kinda wrecked the one weekend blast we had previously enjoyed.

I personally am trying to make the move from shows to shops with my felted work though they still want my knits...which look awful on a hanger for longer than one day whereas the felted can hang forever and not lose their shape!

There is a small show and sale this weekend at the Frontenac Arch Biosphere at 19 Reynolds Rd at the 1000 Islands Parkway. I will be there with a group of other artists:

Blaise DeLong, Margot Miller, Carolyn Barnett, Ron Tidrow, Jane Thellwel, 

Diana Earle, John le Blancq,  Arlene Massey & Otis Tamasauskas.

October 27 & 28th 2012

10am - 4pm

Our next ART is, again at my house, November 6th 10:30am

Photographing Your Work....

......workshop!

Photographing my buttons.

 The next meeting is an exciting one: 

From the 

Modern Fuel Gallery

Denise Love has been able to get the New Media Workspace coordinator, Matt Kyba, to present on our workshop morning 11am Aug 7th at the Modern Fuel Gallery. 

A $5 donation per person for his time is recommended. 

He will also advertise it as a workshop to encourage new folks to come 

and 

maybe join artist roundtable so it could be reciprocal. 

See you there....I know I could use some tips!

A.R.T June Announcements

At yesterday’s gathering of the Artists Round Table, (6 in attendance around my dining room table) we talked about projects for the coming meetings. We can meet at my place as it was successful last Summer and may make one of our homes/studios our meeting places in future, taking turns as anyone who wants to host offers. 

We discussed submitting images for shows/grant/award applications and how they are being done more and more online (Zapplication in the US was the first I used years ago). It was thought a workshop on the process might bring some of us out of the dark ages and update us on the right way to photograph our work for such submissions and for our own web use and archives.

From the Modern Fuel Gallery:

Denise has been able to get the New Media Workspace coordinator, Matt Kyba, to present on our workshop morning 11am Aug 7th at the Modern Fuels Gallery.

A $5 donation per person for his time is recommended.

He will also advertise it as a workshop to encourage new folks to come and maybe join artist roundtable so it could be reciprocal. 

From Cathie Hamilton:

Encaustic Workshop Saturday June 16, 11am-4pm, $70.00

Studio 1 at NGB, 12 Cataraqui St. Kingston, K7K 1Z7

Come on in and explore, share ideas and have some fun.

Materials supplied. 

Please contact cathie@kingston.net to confirm.

Art Show in Amherstview

ART SHOW & SALE AT 

We are excited to announce that we are now featuring a display of art in the gallery room beside the main café.  Artists will be displaying their work on a rotational basis. Until June 30, Nicole Couture-Lord, photographer and Barbara Simard, Fabric Artist, will be our guest artists.  Barbara enjoys creating fabric art scenes of natural settings and floral scenes.  Nicole is a photographer who specializes in photographing natural scenes and flowers, amongst other subjects.

During the month of July, Brian Little, photographer and Jeff Gill, Fabric Artist will be displaying their art.  Brian is a photo artist living on Amherst Island who enjoys a variety of photographic settings including landscapes, fine art and wild life.  Jeff likes being with nature and creates fabric art scenes from photos he has taken of nature and wildlife.

While visiting the gallery, you can also enjoy your favorite coffee, tea and espresso drinks. The café offers comfortable seating, complimentary daily newspapers and free internet access.  

The Café/Gallery is open from 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays and from 8 am to 7 pm on weekends.

Town Coffee Plus Inc. Loyalist Plaza, Amherstview 

(adjacent to the Beer Sore) 

(613) 389-5668   info@towncoffeeplus.com

Tomorrow!

Artists Round Table

June 5th 2012 10:30am

Carolyn's place 

Theme: Show and Tell......bring some of your work.

Group Post Just for Fun!

Rather a damp but happy group of my Felting Workshop.

As we sit at the March ART we are reviewing the email and contact list of the Artists Round Table as Barb says she is not getting the emails and posts.

I am wrestling with Google Groups, and we all know that Google has made a bunch of changes, to find out just how it works.

Cathie Hamilton is listed on the email list when I do a search but does not appear on the list pairs of eyes on it!!!! (Barb's, Nicole's and mine).

If anyone has any insight or finds they also are not receiving the emails (hmmm you won't get this will you?!) let me know as I don't want anyone to miss anything.

Also, I will post anything that you send me as to workshops, events, gallery openings and such, so do send them to me at   carolyn@barnett-knits.com.

Kingston City Hall by Nicole Couture-Lord

Barb has been working on art exhibitions at the Wolf Island Baker/Cafe at 311 Queen St in Kingston. Currently Nicole Couture-Lord is on show there until March 15th.

Starting March 15th will be Jeff Gill at the Bakery for six weeks....

Check it out and have a snack.

The time has come...

I could feel this coming last spring and throughout the summer, but after 4 years I am going to have to officially 'retire' from coordinating the Artist Roundtable Group. I'm balancing a lot of hats right now and although this is one of the smallest, easiest ones I just can't do it justice. So, I will leave it with the group to solve where to go from here. Hopefully the solution is to keep it going, maybe someone else will even step up to the plate to send the email reminders, update the blog, coordinate the schedule and guide the discussions. If you are that someone - let me know and I can show you the ropes. I still hope to attend from time to time, not as a facilitator, just as a fellow artist.

Summertime Roundtable Meetings

This summer we are doing something different.

July 6th
We are going to visit Annette and Rej's studio and learn about their wholesale / retail / teaching business model. Meet at their place for 11 as usual on Tuesday, July 6th. To find out directions, address, etc visit http://www.rejsceramics.com/contact.shtml.

August 3rd
This is a lunch and learn event. Again we are out of the boardroom and into the studio. This time it's Betty Jane Ware's Goddess Blends soap studio, but instead of talking about business models we are going to have demos from 3 of our artists - Betty Jane on soap making, Carolyn Barnett on her knitting machine and Tina Roeder on etching metal. Bring something to share for lunch and your bathing suit for a swim in the afternoon.

We had back to our regular meetings in September.

Artist Roundtable Group Meeting

Teaching Your Art
Tuesday, June 1
11-12pm
**not at KEDCO this month, at my studio instead
NGB Studios, 12 Cataraqui St Studio 1
I'll supply the coffee and tea. You bring the cookies.

(The Artist Roundtable Group meets the first Tuesday of every month. Meetings are free and open to all artists)

For those at the last meeting, we were trying to set up a meeting about the HST. Details haven't been confirmed yet.

Artist Roundtable Group Meeting

Merchandising & Booth Ideas
Tuesday, May 3
11-12pm
KEDCO (Innovation Park)
Bring your own coffee / tea this time
Feel free to bring pictures of your booth / set up for peer feedback.

(The Artist Roundtable Group meets the first Tuesday of every month. Meetings are free and open to all artists)

Artist Roundtable Group Meeting

Tuesday, April 6
11-12pm
KEDCO (Innovation Place)
Bring your own coffee / tea
Topic: ECommerce

(The Artist Roundtable Group meets the first Tuesday of every month. Meetings are free and open to all artists)

Artist Roundtable Group Meeting

Tuesday, March 2
11-12pm
KEDCO (Innovation Place)
Bring your own coffee / tea this time
Topic: Galleries vs Gift Shops

(The Artist Roundtable Group meets the first Tuesday of every month. Meetings are free and open to all artists)

Artist Roundtable Group Meeting

Tuesday, Feb 2
11-12
KEDCO, Innovation Place

Peer discussion on Photographing your Art - bring along some photos for the group to provide helpful feedback and suggestions. Bring your camera too, maybe someone in the group can make suggestions on how to use it.