If you've been around a while, you know winter is not my jam for keeping up appearances. If you've just discovered me in the last 6 months, the holidays always seem to exhaust me so I always take a break from pretty much all art related "work" for a few months to rest and recoup.
In the past I've always said I take a break from art in general but truthfully that's never been the case. I'm always creating and thinking about new things but it's within those months that I allow myself to do it behind closed doors. I always try to ask this same question year after year, Is my work accomplishing what I want it to?
My main goal with Ashtronomical Art is to destigmatize witchcraft and educate the masses that it is not something to frown upon but rather embrace. Something I made note to start doing more of is posting informational videos for you all to start learning from what I do and possibly take something away for your own craft.
During this (what seems like a) lull, I've also been whispering back and forth with Liz on Midsommar details! Our vendor list is almost finalized, day of details are being squared away, and our brains are running wild with ideas that we cannot wait to share with you all. What we can say is please save the date for Saturday June 22nd from 12pm to 5pm back at the beautiful Duende at Silo City! We really hope you'll join us for our summer market installment.
If you've been keeping up on social media recently, you've surely seen that classes are making a comeback! My first one for the year is a printmaking class! It will be held at Timeless Babez on Friday March 8th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. We will be making some rubber stamps to create some bookmarks and cotton patches for our denim jackets! I'm a sucker for multi-purpose so I'll also be bringing along some other ideas you can use your 2in cotton squares for after the class if you don't want to make a patch! One thing I should note is all of my printmaking classes are and will continue to be the same in terms of what techniques are taught and the type of stamps (1inx2in) you create. The things I'll change depending on location is the final product we will be creating.
I have a whole slew of classes for the month of March and I'm working on getting more for April as well! Suncatcher classes will be coming back soon once Buffalo starts to see a little more sun, LOL. I still have some planning to do but I'm hopeful to offer some jewelry classes this year too! My very first one is my infamous Pot Leaf pendant and it will be held at The Roaring 420s Lounge's new location at 333 Franklin St. on Saturday March 9th from 8:00pm to 10:00pm! It's very similar to the suncatchers and is also the most entry level of my styles making it accessible to anyone wanting to give a go at wire wrapping!
Lastly, but most certainly not least, my first in-person OUTDOOR market will be the Solar Eclipse! The Elmwood Village Association is partnering with The Richardson Complex to bring you a day of solar magic! On Monday April 8th from 12:00pm to 5:00pm food, drink, and artisan vendors will gather on the campus bringing you an array of celestial goodies to celebrate this magical event. The event is free to attend and there will be plenty of activities.
So, now that you know a little bit of what I've been working on behind closed doors off I go to get some work done for all these said events!
-Ashley