Dot's Dream House

On the left: my rug and painting, the right: watercolors by Lisa Manning

 Last night was fun at Nido Art Studio.  We had the opening of Dot's Dream House.  I posted lots of pictures, and I have even more posted on our FB page.  Feel free to ignore two thirds of them or scroll through them quickly.  Here is our statement:
 

Dot’s Dream House 

 “I don’t eat off anything else. It makes washing dishes a pleasure. It makes preparing food a pleasure. Your relationship with an object somehow transmutes all those other things.”

Michael Stevenson commenting on the ceramics of South African artist, Hylton Nel.

Our world is filled with objects with which we interact constantly.  What if these pieces no matter how humble were well crafted, truly beautiful, and inspiring?  What if they made our homes cozy, joyful, unburdened, and fun?  Could we feel free to be ourselves, then? The Dots dare to dream . . .

Row House Print on Tote Bags

My Stash Baskets

Row House Print on Tea Towels

Rag Rug

Table display featuring various vessels

Stash Basket and Vases

Hanging Pot by Lisa Manning

Add caption

Rag Rug and small collage paintings

I sold the painting on the left.  I finished the night before the show--literally last thing made.  

 

Succulents in Joanna Goss' April pot and in a bunny pot by Lisa Manning

Groovy Bar

Cozy Corner of random pillows and rag rug

Joanna Goss

Lisa Manning

Lisa Manning

Joanna Goss--recipe cards

Lisa Manning--ceramic wall vases and shrines

Summer Market at Nido + new merchandise

Nido, Dot to Dot, and Pinwheel Anna Tent

This past weekend was the Nido Summer Market.  We set up our tents in the parking lot and lawn to enjoy the strong breeze and sunshine.  I have lots of photos posted.  Some pictures are of new items from Dot To Dot collective and others depict a couple new things from Pinwheel Anna.  Shortly I should have them added to Etsy!  My camera's battery was gone at the Hop Juice Festival, but these pictures give you the general idea.  Lots of big picture ideas are kicking around in my head.  I'll share them when I have a clearer understanding. 

Catnip Beer Bottles, a feline treat

My Old Man's favorite, Old Style (also pictured un-favorite,  PBR)

Aurora/beer coasters

Vintage Coasters

Promotional Post Cards

Cuckoo pillow, Farmer's Market Tote, Bird Ornament

Lisa's Love Dish

Rag Tag Rugs

old Heart Ornaments , but I like the photo

Quilt--acting as a sail

T-shirts for sale!

Soft sculpture beer bottles and a Nido tank

Nido Tie-dye socks, shoelaces, Pinwheel Anna Garlands, cards

 It was "World Wide Knit in Public Day" yesterday.  Nido had a spot for knitters and crocheters to relax and work.  I love the colors!

Yarn Bombing Nido's tree.  The robin's nest is empty now!

other vendors and the Henna table

Dot To Dot at Nido Art Studio

 Well the Dots (Lisa Manning, Joanna Goss, and Anna Lentz) had a day of working together at Nido Art Studio in preparation for Saturday's show: Hop Juice Festival in Aurora.  Our wheels were slow to grind, but eventually we hammered out some solid work.   (I'm too tired to be mixing metaphors)

 Here is a look at what we're are cooking up:

Cuckoo Clock Drawing for Embrodery

 I'm working on an embroidered pillow of a vintage German cuckoo clock.  I was inspired by the German wood carving tradition and simultaneously looking for a vehicle for my embroidery.  Splash in some form meets function and hello pillow! 

I haven't decided if I am mixing in color or sticking with black.  Time may resolve this problem. 

Deciding which colors to use

 We're developing three variations on coaster sets.  We have an Aurora/Illinois pride pack that includes the following three designs (seen below).  We're planning on printing these onto up-cycled t-shirts and sewing them onto felt.  Joanna is creating artwork for four, cheeky Wayne's World inspired coasters which will also be printed.  Finally we began sewing coasters made from vintage fabrics.  Of this last bunch, we hope to have a wide variety that would allow the customer to mix and match and customize their own pack.

Last but not least we made some mockups of toys for our feline friends.  (The toys have a really clever name which I can't recall.) Anyway, they will be felted versions of six varieties of bottled beer and the interior will be laced with catnip.

If you are near the beer make sure you make a trip to see us on Saturday.  I'll have more info on Facebook!

Coaster Design

Coaster Design

Coaster Design

Vintage fabric coaster

Cat toy prototype