Posts Tagged “coloradoartstudio”

Etsy Mud Team Flyer

(click on image to enlarge)
It’s been busy since my in-laws came into town last Wednesday and I haven’t done too much in the studio. I’m starting to get that nagging feeling like I have to go into the studio to make art NOW. I am enjoying visiting with them and we’ve been doing some much needed projects around the house, such as fixing the leaky spot in the basement, pouring concrete for a new walk, making a new flower bed, installing an arbor…you know little things. My father in law has never been one to sit around the house, and consequently, he really puts the fire under our behinds.

Having my in-laws in town has also enabled me to do a few things that I might not normally get to do. On Saturday evening, my husband and I went to the Widespread Panic concert at Red Rocks. I should probably preface this discussion by saying that I normally avoid all large concerts because I get so very miserable with the throngs of people. I pay gobs of money to see a band, that I can’t hear, can’t see and literally claustrophobia sets in and I want to curl up into the fetal position. The last concert I went to was Dave Matthews Band at the Pepsi Center and I left early even though I LOVE DMB. I much prefer going to City Park Jazz Concerts. However, I make a few exceptions for small venues and out door type venues such as Red Rocks in Morrison, CO. So, a few months ago, my husband who is a huge Panic fan, asked if he should buy a ticket for me. I said yes, and as fate would have it, my inlaws are in town and could babysit for us.

I have to admit, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I have been feeling a little discouraged after the Summer Art Market, and even applied for a job the other day. Though I remember having this feeling after last year’s SAM as well. It’s exhausting and just the thought of having a 401k, profit sharing, a steady paycheck, health insurance sounded mighty tempting. Flash back to Saturday evening, and I had an outerbody creative inspirational experience. It was like having an artist’s date without trying. The music was excellent, the crowd amiable and there was so much eye candy and people watching, that what can I say? I was thinking about my art and am motivated to give my art career a concerted effort.

It requires some short term goals on my part. What are they?

  1. Write Artist Statement
  2. Organize and cull photos from recent work - edit as needed
  3. Research galleries that I want to contact
  4. Write letter of intent for gallery contacts
  5. Make packet/book to send out to galleries in the US
  6. Continue to make work
  7. Wait for responses to come back

I know that nothing is going to happen unless I make it happen and I need to be proactive - period- end of story! I hope to have my artist’s statment written in rough draft by tomorrow evening.

Meanwhile, as a member of the Etsy Mud Team, we’re having a sale today through Friday, the 29th. 10% off everything in my store and other EMT members. My Etsy Shop.

Have a good week everyone,

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Map

If you happen to be in town and are looking for something to do this coming weekend, June 9th and 10th, pop on by the Summer Art Market and say hello. This is where you will find me and my ceramic work this weekend. I’m sharing a booth with 2 other talented ceramic artists, Mary Cay, an instructor at the ASLD, and Kathleen Laurie, a member of the Colorado Potter’s Guild. Our booth number is 114 - look for the banner that reads “Slightly Off Center”.

If you happen to stop by, expect your photograph to be taken with me, so that I can post about it here on my blog!

cynthia'a business cards

New business cards

I’ve been busy, busy, busy getting ready for the show - both making lots of work, listing items for Etsy and all the administrative work that goes along with the job of being an artist. Luckily, I remembered that I needed new business cards and I was able to design them and send the file to Overnight Prints, just in the knick of time. They were delivered yesterday. Nothing like some good last minute cramming. By the way, Overnight Prints is not overnight; but then again, I didn’t pay for overnight shipping either. They were fast; I received my order in about 6 days. They also do free glossy coating if that’s something you desire.
Porcelain Sand Dollar Pendant by Cynthia Guajardo
New porcelain sand dollar pendant - currently in my Etsy Shop

I’ve been hard at work making some new jewelry designs out of clay. After SAM, I’m going to experiment with adding Precious Metal Clay to my ceramic pendants. It requires more concentration which frankly I just don’t have right now. Plus, I have to do some research to see how I fire PMC with ceramic pieces. I just love this sand dollar pendant. I have 2 more in the kiln right now and I already know that I am going to keep one for myself.

About 11 people voted in my poll if you include my first one and then my re-formatted one. An overwhelming majority of people think that I should offer the pendants separately with chains on the side in my shop. I’m thinking that I might be able to get around the no jewelry sales at SAM if I sell just the pendants, so, I am going to bring them with me, albeit with no chains or cords. They will simply be ceramic beads. Oh, and I have a lot right now! Thank you to everyone who emailed me your 2¢ on the topic and for your votes.

You will most likely not hear from me again until Monday morning,

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Cynthia Guajardo

Mini kiln opening

Cynthia Guajardo
Celadon and Aqua Libre glazed ceramic pendants, earrings, buttons and pins

Cynthia Guajardo
Bone dry porcelain ware ready to be bisque fired

I fired both of my kilns yesterday and need to re-load then again today! I could hardly wait to open up the glaze kiln because I had tested a new glaze and texture on some of my pieces. I used a celadon and an aqua libre glaze that’s very runny and so this was a test for me to see how thickly I can apply it without worrying about whether or not the glaze would run all over the kiln shelves. What did I learn?? I can apply the glaze on thickly without worry. Aqua libre is a gorgeous aqua blue crackly glaze that reminds me a bit of the the color of the ocean in the Carribean or something.

Sales have been a little slow on Etsy for the past week and I wonder if I should change my strategy a little bit. I need to gauge other people’s opinions on whether or not I should try a different way to sell ceramic jewelry online. I have 3 different cords/chains in the works; black satin cord with sterling findings, sleek stainless steel cable and crocheted silver wire chain. Obviously each costs me different amounts of money and time to make. So I was thinking, I could sell the pendants and chains separately and if someone just wants the pendant, they could purchase the ceramic piece alone at a lower cost than the whole necklace. If they want a chain or cord to go along with it, they could purchase it separately. Anyway, let me know what you think - I would really appreciate it!


To get around selling jewelry at the Summer Art Market this coming weekend, I am going to be offering free shipping again on all the jewelry in my Etsy Shop on June 9th and 10th.. I’ve also crafted some buttons and magnets that I can sell at the market so that I have some items in an affordable price range.

Thanks again everyone,

Note: My apologies, I had to reconfigure the poll vote counter because it was acting up….

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