The CFA International Cat Show, Part 2

The CFA International Cat Show was a blast! I had a wonderful time meeting new customers and listening to their stories from cat land. It was old home week seeing customers, Paula, Kay and Helen, to name a few, from the Cotton States Cat Club Show.

My hand illustrated angel cat t-shirts were quite a success. I'd like to introduce you to a few of my customers who are enjoying them too:


Here's Dean! Dean noticed my t-shirts and asked me to fix him up with one. He said he needed a new t-shirt to play poker in and show off to the guys. After the fitting, he liked the shirt so much, he decided to keep it on.

Hey, to anyone out there in cat land, if you know Dean, (he and his wife exhibited at the show), please forward this story to him and forward his email address to me. He wrote it down, however, I cannot read his handwriting (Oh, no!). I definitely want him to see his picture and am dying to hear what his poker playing buddies thought of his angel cat t-shirt.


Meet Carol! She sits on the Board of Directors of Purebred Cat Breed Rescue. PCBR is a non-profit 501(c)3 volunteer operation with foster homes throughout the state of North Carolina. Click here to read their mission statement.


Say "hello" to my new friend, Robyn! (crowd says: "Helllll-lo Robyn!")

Robyn purchased her angel cat t-shirt from me on Saturday and modeled it on Sunday. I corralled her into my booth to take this happy picture of her. She has the whitest pearly whites, doesn't she? (*big smile*) Pretty hair too!


Finally, I'd like to introduce you to Bob and Marilyn. They are the owners of Sound Associates Music, Ltd. located in Lawrenceville, GA.

Do you see that bag Marilyn is holding? Inside of it, is the t-shirt off of my back. Literally! I'm not kidding! Marilyn liked the angel cat t-shirt I was wearing so I offered it to her. (*POOF*) Marilyn's wish was granted!

Dean, Carol, Robyn, Bob and Marilyn: Thanks for being such good sports. Please feel free to download your picture from this blog post for your scrapbook.

OMG! Where has time gone? Wasn't this a fun post? I will bring my camera to all future events in hopes of capturing everyone who has adopted my art into their lives.

Here's to all of my customers celebrating their love of pets: Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for supporting my artistic endeavors. I totally enjoy making you smile.


PS: To my good friend, Melissa : Happy Birthday, Girl! We met through your volunteer efforts with the West Suburban Humane Society during my art show at the Chicagoland Family Pet Expo. You are truly a dear friend. (*HUGS*--*squeeze*, *squeeze*) Love your new red "do" in this picture.

8 Irresistible Principles of Fun

In need of inspiration to start your day? Click on the image below. It's awesome!

Artist: Sarrah S. Steiner

Steve and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary with our friends, Rich and Sarrah, at Bone Garden Cantina. We had a wonderful time together while eating authentic Mexican food.


Bone Garden Cantina is decorated in the Day of the Dead theme. The website and my pictures do not do it justice. Plus the only way you’ll be able to taste their delicious food (and when I say delicious, I mean DELICIOUS!) is by visiting. When you visit, ask for Joey as your waiter. He delivers excellent service.

Here are the triptych art canvases on the wall above our table. (Click on photos to view details.)

Here is the start of the art above the bar. Had to get a close-up picture of the pooch (for Lucy--ha!)

More of the art mural above the bar.


My friend, Sarrah, is an up and coming artist I met through NCAL's Art on the Lawn Festival. I remember seeing the signs on her booth, Fat Girl Art, from afar and thinking, I have to get my butt over to meet that girl. Her booth name sounded so fun.
I strolled down to meet Sarrah and have a look-see at her art. I was instantly drawn to the pink in her hair, her vivacious personality and the vibrant colors of her art. Fun! Fun! Fun! Check out Sarrah's art blog entitled Sashibala's Creative Meanderings for yourself and you’ll understand what I mean.

Thanks for celebrating with us Sarrah and Rich. Our day was extra special with your laughter.

Happy Anniversary, Steve. You are the love of my life!

Event: The CFA International Cat Show

I had a ball meeting new customers, vendors and kitties at the Cotton States Cat Club 70th Annual CFA Championship and Household Pet Show a few weeks ago at the Gwinnett Center. Thank you all for supporting my artistic endeavors.

For everyone who placed special t-shirt orders: As of today, they have all been shipped. Hope you are pleased with them as much as I was in creating them. (Click on the images to enlarge view.)


I heard an interesting story while at the show. A lady asked me if I had cats. I told her I was unable to have them due to the litter box odor with my MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) and asthma. She indicated her cats were potty trained. Of course, I laughed and told her she was fooling me.

I’ve never heard of a cat that uses the toilet and flushes it. Okay, I have but only in Hollywood in the movies, “Meet the Parents” and “Meet the Fockers”. Jinx, the cat, uses and flushes the toilet.

The lady told me her cats use the toilet and then flush it by pulling on the string attached to the lever. Speaking of pulling, I saw a fabulous greeting card the other day that read:

The Real Story Behind the Big Bang Theory.....

Pull My Finger!

(*giggle*)(*giggle*) How funny is that?

Soooooooooo, can anybody out there in cat land tell me if this is really true about cats using a toilet and flushing it? Leave me your post in the comments section at the end of this entry for all to read. I’m dying to know if this is true or if this lady was pulling my finger. Oops, I mean leg--ha!

Stories like these that keep me coming back for more. I have secured booth space to sell my art and listen to your interesting stories at:

The CFA International Cat Show
(CFA = Cat Fancier's Association)
(This show is the equivalent to Westminster for dogs.)
November 21-23, 2008

Located at
Georgia International Convention Center
(near Hartsfield International Airport)
2000 Convention Center Concourse
College Park, GA 30337
770.997.3566

Open to the public
Friday, November 21, 2008, 12noon-6:30pm
Saturday, November 22, 2008, 9am-6pm
Sunday, November 23, 2008, 8am-5pm

Admission
Adults--$8.00 each
Seniors (62+) & Children (6-12)--$6.00 each
(copy and print coupon for $1 off adult admission to the show)

My booth number is
202

Over 900 cats will be featured at this show in “Catlanta”. I hope to see you there and look forward to hearing more fun cat stories!

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My Art Studio Renovation, Part 2

We are almost finished with my art studio renovation. This past week, Brandon, my electrician, installed a ceiling fan, wired lights, added new switches and moved outlets. Here he is hard at work installing the ceiling fan.



Brandon is very friendly and has an excellent work ethic. His company, C&M Electric, Inc., is located in Dallas, GA.

Only a few more items and my studio will be finished--yippee!!! Stay tuned for another update soon.

Event: The Shoppes at Powers Ferry Fall Festival

I'd like to thank everyone for their patronage this past weekend during the 5th Annual Art on the Lawn Festival. I enjoyed meeting you and commiserating over the joy our pets bring us.

My next art show celebrates the grand opening of Dunkin' Donuts. We call them "Dough Butts". Homer Simpson calls them "Dooooonuts". What do you call them? Tell me under "comments" at the end of this post.

My art will be available for purchase during The Shoppes of Powers Ferry Fall Festival this upcoming Saturday, October, 25, 2008, from Noon to 7pm at:

The Shoppes of Powers Ferry
2022 Powers Ferry Road
Atlanta, GA 30339

A pet costume contest starts the party at 12:30pm. Dress up your baby in a costume to compete for prizes in originality, most scary and of course, cutest. Here is my baby-dog, Lucy, in her costume from last year. Isn't she sweet?


The afternoon will feature something for everyone including a fine arts show, live music from 4-6pm and discounts/specials from The Shoppes at Powers Ferry. The stores in the center include:

Dunkin Donuts (Dough Butts!)
Smoothie King
Doc Green’s
Moe’s Southwest Grill (Welcome to Moe's)
The Vineyard Wine Market (good libations)
Myschka Salon
The Star Boutique (trendy clothes)
Bonehead’s Grilled Fish
Rooster’s Barber Shop (massages too)
Beltone Hearing Centers
Carriage Cleaners

I'll be displaying my pet art in booths 9 and 10. I'm looking forward to seeing your baby in costume. (Halloween is my favorite holiday.)

Dooooonuts! Dooooonuts! Dooooonuts! I'm in a trance like Homer over Dunkin' Dooooonuts!!!

Project: Glass Fusing, Funky Faces--"Mole"

Currently, I am studying glass under the direction of award-winning glass artist, Teresa Barns. I've always been attracted to the sparkling properties of glass. I enjoy the way light reflects from it creating ever-changing attributes.

Here is my first project entitled "Mole". (Click on image for a close-up view.)

I created this piece using a tack fuse verses a full fuse process. Tack fusing gently melts the glass in place allowing the 3-D texture of the glass to remain in tact.

"Mole" is part of my new series entitled Funky Faces, which means you'll be seeing more of these eclectic abstract caricatures as I create them. Two more Funky Faces are ready for firing this week. Yee-ha! (Cross your fingers they come out okay. Glass can be finicky in the kiln.)

"Mole" is available for purchase on my website. And what perfect timing with Halloween just around the corner. Boo!

Event: Art on the Lawn Art Festival, Kennesaw, GA

Mark these important dates and times on your calendar:

October 18th and 19th, 2008
10am - 4pm

You are cordially invited to attend the above subject art festival presented by the North Cobb Arts League and The Art Station at Big Shanty. Here's another important piece of info you'll want to write down:

Booth #25

Yes, that's where I will be located with all my art (or "stuff" as hubby calls it!)

There will be to plenty of things for you and your family to do including art activities, food, music and of course, shopping for art. Specifically, my art located at:

Booth #25

The Etowah Jazz Society from Cartersville, GA will be performing from 1-4 pm on Sunday. The 2008 NCAL Juried Art Exhibition will be on display in The Art Station building during the festival too.

So, here's a recap of information for this fun and entertaining event:

What: 5th Annual Art on the Lawn Festival
When: Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19, 2008
Time: 10 am to 4 pm (both days)
Location: The Art Station at Big Shanty
Address: 2050 Kennesaw Due West Road, Kennesaw, GA 30152 (map)
Phone: 770-514-5930
Website: www.ncart.org/tas
Booth: Here's a hint: Oh, to be 25 again (in my dreams!)


Please visit me and mention you read this blurb on my blog. Remember too, Saturday, October 18, (the opening day of the festival) is Sweetest Day. Surprise your loved one with a unique piece of original art by supporting a local artist.

My Art Studio Renovation

Here I am with my trusted friend, Lucy, painting my studio. Yes, I said STUDIO--yippee!!! I've been without one for three long years, since our move from Chicago.

Check out the muddy taupe paint color on the wall that came with our home. I'm delighted it's gone--yippee!!!

I spent last weekend in and out of the studio and attic placing 15 @ 50 watt halogen light fixtures. You can see some of them in the top of the picture with brown paper bags over them for protection during my painting party. Nothing worse for an artist than not having enough light. My studio is going to glow--yippee!!!

This weekend while I was painting, Steve built several pieces of furniture and cut the baseboard for built-in placement. He's such a great guy. I could not have done this without him. (Love you Mr. Calvey!!!)

This upcoming week, I'll be painting window trim and baseboard along with grouting tile in the bay window, Lucy's favorite spot for "Catching 'rays". Then comes the fun part--organizing my studio and creating art once again--yippee!!!

North Cobb Arts League

The Georgia Arts Exchange emailed me an art listing update. Contained within was a blurb regarding the North Cobb Arts League (NCAL).

While researching the organization, I was invited to meet members on Saturday, August 23rd during the Melodies of the Meadow concert series featuring the Army Ground Forces Jazz Guardians. NCAL was providing food service for the musicians being held at The Art Station - Big Shanty in Kennesaw, GA.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the employees of The Art Station and members of NCAL while helping with buffet prep. I learned about art classes being offered through Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, NCAL events and viewed the current gallery exhibit at The Art Station. (Visits are free and open to the public, Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm.)

Upon evaluation, I joined NCAL and am excited to participate in upcoming classes and events. Yippee!

Boy Scouts of America Interview

Recently, my neighbor, Adam, who is a Boy Scout, interviewed me to learn about my small business, Good Girl Designs. He asked numerous in depth questions about my company including my business plan, product development, marketing, selling, etc.

Adam interviewed me, with Lucy there in the picture getting a butt rub--ha!, for over an hour. Afterwards, I gave him of a tour of my studio and stockroom showing him my art supplies, original art, reproduction items (prints, cards, magnets, list pads), packaging, displays and more.

Adam, here's to earning your merit badge for Entreprenuership on the road to your Eagle Scout. Hip-hip-hooray!

Bathroom Renovation--Laying Tile

I learned how to lay and grout tile a few months ago. Here are a few pictures of my newly tiled bathroom sink area.

I purchased various white ceramic tiles from Home Depot and Lowe's and created my design on a paper template. (The red tiles are broken china pieces.) I hand cut the tile to fit where necessary and glued them in place with mastik. I mixed and slathered on the grout and wiped it smooth (what seemed like a million times, mind you!). I painted on sealer and caulked a few days later.

Fortunately for me, I sealed the tile including the existing floor. When I pulled off the blue painters tape, three sections of paint came off along the perimeter of my newly tiled area. Time to patch and paint. I brought in a can of paint for touch-ups. Can you guess what happened? Yes, you are correct, the can of paint spilled all over. Ugh!

I did a "Steve" and screamed the "F" word from the top of my lungs. My electrician came running asking if everything was okay. I showed him the spill and promptly said "Well, I'll see if that tile sealer I painted on the night before works." It did. Yippee!!!

While wiping up the paint, suddenly a "light bulb" moment occurred. I grabbed the roller and started using up the paint from the floor. Why waste paint, right? Lesson learned: Always seal your grout, makes for easy clean-up.

The following week, it was time to decorate. The two small red framed prints (1st pic) are from Utah artist, Jamie Johnson and the larger one (2nd pic) from StoryPeople artist, Brian Andreas. (Earlier this year I watched HGTV's Green Home Show building Brian's new eco-friendly "green" home in Santa Barbara, CA.) While hanging Brian's print, the hammer slipped. Ugh, again! It fell on my new tile job. Fortunately, there weren't any cracked tiles. Only a small piece of grout chipped out. I love lightweight tack hammers!

Looking back, I've come full circle with my tile laying. Best of all, I have a really cool looking bathroom that satisfies my creative muse within.

Project Runway Challenge

Fashion Designer, Jonelle, recently sent me this photo of her latest fashion creation for Oxy-Jen. Jonelle created the outfit seen here of her home state football team. Go Buckeyes!

I think this should be a challenge for the designers on my favorite television show, Project Runway, as seen on Bravo TV. I've watched every episode from the start. (Jay is my all-time favorite designer. Laura is my 2nd favorite designer.)

Hey Heidi and Tim! I think it would be a very unique and interesting challenge to have the designers create a weeks worth of oxygen tank outfits for people like Jonelle. I know it would lift her spirits to have designer oxygen tank clothes--ha! I can Jonelles's laughter now as she reads this. As they say on the show, "It's sew time....."

Meet My Fashion Designer Friend, Jonelle

This is my good friend, Jonelle, with her good friend, Oxy-Jen. Jonelle lives on oxygen 24/7. She uses her artistic talents to create new outfits for her baby, Oxy-Jen, whom she pushes along in a stroller.

Check back soon for new fashion designs by Jonelle!

Calvert Uses Art to Show Appreciation for Animals

By Mary Prickett, Paulding Neighbor Staff Writer

Artist Susan Calvert rarely has to look very far for inspiration. It usually follows her closely, on four legs.

When Ms. Calvert was diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, she said she also found a purpose for her art.

This disease, which left her allergic to most chemicals and synthetic products, affects her neurologically. But, she said she is not allergic to dogs.

When she was diagnosed and could no longer work, Ms. Calvert said she began spending more time with her Labrador Retriever, Lucy. Ms. Calvert said she began painting Lucy and when she ran across a flier for the humane society's Doggie Dash, she felt she and her loyal companion could make a difference.

"I thought my dog has given me a life and it was time I gave something back for all animals," she said.

After speaking with the society, Ms. Calvert set up a booth and displayed her artwork. But, she said, that was just the beginning.

"I wanted to put up my own Web site and sell it on eBay," she said. "I wanted to give a percentage of what I sold to the Paulding Humane Society, because the euthanasia numbers are high here and there is so much over populating and fighting. I thought this was the way I could finally give something back."

After months of preparation, Ms. Calvert said she has finally launched the site and has posted numerous paintings online.

"I have 40 matted photo prints on sale on eBay right now and they are being sold for $24.99 through a program called Mission Fish," she said. "Whenever one is sold the donation is $5, or 20 percent, whichever is higher, and I have sold two so far, but I don't make any money on this."

The Web site, www.SusanCalvert.com, also has a store, she said.

Now that everything is up and running, Ms. Calvert said she is glad to be able to help.

"This was the right thing for me to do and it felt great to sell my first two paintings," she said. "Lucy gave me a life and I know many people who couldn't live without their pets. We need to save more animals, spay and neuter and adopt, because they are beautiful souls and they give us so much."

Wanted - Domestic Fairy Godmother

Oh my goodness, where does time go? This past week was so busy. Hubby was working from home and Lucy (dog) tore the ligament in her knee. I am continuing to build my website and work on my new line of greeting cards entitled "Good Girls".

I created 6 funky paintings of women last year and thought they would make a fun line of cards. I brainstormed this past week for the inside copy. I was waking up at 2 and 3 am searching for a writing instrument and pad of paper in the dark next to my bed. Hubby was upset because my jostling was waking him even though the light wasn't on.

I didn't want to lose my ideas. You know how it is when something is on your mind: Quick, write it down! I grabbed the pen and notepad and wrote. To my surprise, my writing was actually legible during daylight hours--yippee!!!

I'm a bit tired from the late night hours. It seems my best creative genius comes in the wee hours of the morning. Perhaps, I am part owl?

As usual, I am behind on my projects: taxes, gardening (phlox, crocus, daffodils and pansies are presently blooming here) and the ever loving, housework--ugh!

My very favorite card and verse in my new line of greeting cards is: "Wanted - Domestic Fairy Godmother" (see image above). Suits me to a tee! I'd love to have my housework magically done for me. I'd have more time to create art, garden, and play with Lucy--much more important and interesting in my book than mundane housework. Perhaps subliminally, that is why I chose the image from this card last year as the cover picture for my website?!

Fortunately for me, I have a great imagination. I just close my eyes and POOF, my house is clean. HA--only in my dreams! Remember, dreaming is good for the soul! :)

How about you? Blog me back your favorite card from my new line of "Good Girls" greeting cards seen here: http://www.susancalvert.com/greetingcards.html.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone! Yes, I know. January is almost over.....


I have been very busy working on two projects this month:


1. Updating my website with help from my friend and coach, Jean, owner of Haley Corker's. Visit her website, www.winecorker.org, for some really cool bottle corks she invented. Sure to be a hit at every party!


2. Fundraising for the animals at Paulding Humane Society with my prints on eBay. Please visit www.eBay.com and search for my name, "Susan Calvert", to see my charity auctions.


Please review my website, www.SusanCalvert.com, when you have the opportunity and let me know what you think of it. Remember this: Cats and dogs are earth's angels!


Image: Togetherness, copyright Susan Calvert