Going to Paris in the Fall!

I'm so excited, this will be my first trip to Europe and I have dreamed about it for some time. I'm staying a whole week and plan to visit all the sights. I'm even planning a day trip to Bruge which may be even more exciting then Paris.

I'd love to hear your suggestions for things to do or even some tips for keeping occupied on long flights. I constructed this vintage paper Eiffel Tower to keep my focus on the prize this Fall. This paper toy is available for free and can be downloaded here.

Goals for 2011 - Licensing

At the end of every year I finish up my business paper work and write down goals for the next year. My goal for this year is to wear my jammies to work. What I mean by this is that I'd like to work full time from home, creating art all day. In fact I was so inspired to do so that I bought some cozy fleece pjs, a robe and some fuzzy slippers. I thought if I at least wore the work-at-home uniform it would help my dreams come true. Funny thing is, they make me feel like some lazy old goat instead of a confident independent artist making a living selling my artwork from home. I'm not yet convinced wearing elastic waist pajamas all day inspires motivation and energy.

Anyways, last year was a so-so year. Half the craft shows were very challenging and unprofitable. I started to write down goals for my shop after the new year. I began with small goals - getting items into my Etsy shop that I've been putting off. That didn't seem to be enough, I had to think bigger. I've been wanting to get into licensing for some time now and this is the year to do it. I want to take Fantastic Toys to the next level.

I've always loved the idea of my toys being sold in stores around the nation. In the past I've done wholesale orders where I'm the sole manufacturer - making each item by hand can be so draining. I love to design and create and would prefer to have someone else manufacture the items, which leads me to licensing. I didn't know much about licensing so I began researching and found some great blogs online as well as some books specifically for licensing artwork. So I'm getting my ducks in a row, learning as much as I can about licensing and supporting my self with my art, jammies or not.

My 2011 Licensing Goals

• Continue researching licensing

• Revise Fantastic Toys website, include the following:

- Licensing page

- Portfolio page

- Freelance info

- Press kit

• Research IP lawyer

• Write licensing proposal

• Research licensing agent

• Score my first licensing deal!

Finding good information on licensing can be tricky. If you're interested in licensing here are three invaluable blogs written by artists that will jump start your journey.

Joan Beiriger Blog on Art Licensing

Kate Harper's Blog

Maria Brophy

Below are some books I've recently purchased with lots of business info.

Graphic Artist's Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines

Licensing Art 101, Publishing and Licensing Your Artwork for Profit

Yay! I Cracked the Top Ten!

According to Craft Count statistics I finally placed in the TOP TEN TOY SELLERS on Etsy. Lets face it I may never be at the top for handmade but its pretty exciting being at the top in my category. Thanks to all the wonderful buyers who have placed Fantastic Toys in the top ten! 

Heres a snapshot of the top 15. Check your stats for your category here.

Summer School at MCAD!!

Can't wait to start my class next week at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. I've lived blocks from MCAD for many years and have always thought about taking classes there. While at the Art-a-Whirl a couple of weeks ago I picked up a booklet from MCAD with continuing studies in art education. I found the perfect class for me to bring my business to the next level.

Licensing for Artists is something I've been researching for a while now and can only find so much information from text and online. It will be nice to take a class with someone who has had some real world experience and get some good feedback from professionals in the business. The class will cover so many things I've had questions about in the last year including a licensing portfolio, brand identity and royalties. I hope to continue taking classes a la carte to free myself from the mundane routine of life. :) A class in mold making and screen printing is next on my list.

May Day Parade

In the mood for giant paper mache floats, hare krishna, patchouli, and mini donuts ... check out the annual May Day Parade! Held by In The Heart of the Beast don't miss next years festival on the first Sunday of May.

Giant Elephant made with Butter

Dr. Suess Horn

Age of Aquarius

Day of the Dead Skellies.

Giant Talking Tiger Head

Scary Misfit Skeletons

Nothing beats a shanty float with a couch and an oil drum pulled behind it.

Toys From My Collection

These are some of the toys I've picked up through the years. Some are vintage, some are new and some are made by me and other artists. I've always been attracted to old toys. I believe thats the reason I started making toys because good antique toys are difficult to find and rather expensive.This particular collection surround me at my computer desk and hutch.

My grandmothers doll, Steiff kitten, Steiff hare hand puppet and miniature White Rabbit doll made by me.

Clown Moody Doll, Steiff duckie, mechanical dancing clown handcrafted by me and Pinnochio miniature doll also made by me.

A mixture of old and new kitschy items I couldn't live without. Some of the toys are picked up on my travels and some are made by toy artists. My favorite happens to be the vintage Charlie Brown in the top left corner. I had seen that doll in a book of mine and wished to have it and year or two later I found in a shop that sold old toys. A Tracy Mcman push puppet and Erica Daley spool dollie are some the artist toys I've purchased.

The Cutest Little Toy Shop In America!

I recently had the pleasure of designing the outside sign for this charming toy store in Plymouth, Michigan. The Dollhouse and Toy Cottage is an old fashioned toy store that been in business for over 35 years. If I ever had my own shop it would look a lot like this. I just love the pink facade and sloping roof with scallop trim. It matches my brand perfectly. I only wished I lived closer so I could spend hours looking at all the collectible toys inside. Don't you want to visit? Its almost worth a road trip!

Favorite Artist ~ Myko Bocek

Feast your eyes upon Myko Bocek sweet pom-pom critters. When I first saw Myko's adorable treasures I must of let out a couple of squeals because they are soooo CUTE. Her meticulous sculpted pom pom animals have a vintage charm that makes them highly collectible. In fact she sells out right after she lists her cuties. Check out her blog, shes currently having a giveaway for a Valentines Day mouse.

Sugar Sugar Candy Boutique

If you looking for a place in the Twin Cities to fill your sweet tooth Sugar Sugar is it! This old timey sugar shack is a sophisticated candy shop with all sorts of sweet treats. Some of my favorites are the artisan confections from around the world. The shop also carries old favorites and some of the best chocolate I've tasted. The owner is just as sweet and shes crafty too! Catch them on facebook for their latest candy arrival. I'm looking forward to the Easter candy this Spring!

Favorite Artist ~ Lucky Nielsen

I thought I'd start the new year gushing about some of my favorite artists. I love it when I find a new artist that makes me jump up and down with excitement. Lucky Nielsen's exquisite needle felted sculptures are truly works of art. She likes all the things I like... little deer, mushroom houses, ric rac trim and gnomes. Whats not to love about her work! Check out the details of the mushroom house and gnome girl. Shes fairly new to the crafty scene so make sure to check out her Flickr for her other needle felted treasures. Best thing yet she lives in my hometown which means I get to buy some of her creations in person. Consider me a future collector of her work! I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! Visit this crafty gal's etsy shop here.

Disneys Back!

I'm so happy Disney 2-D animation is alive and well! A few years ago when Disney announced they would not make any more 2-D animation for theatrical release I was so saddened. I grew up with the art of Disney and it has inspired me artistically more than anything else. As much as I like computer generated animation nothing compares to the artistry of hand drawn animation.

I've been anticipating the opening of The Princess and the Frog since I first heard about it. This movie has all the bells and whistles of any classic Disney movie. The animation is beautifully rendered and some of the musical sequences are a toe tapping blast. The characters are a hoot and should be well remembered with the cast of current Disney favorites. I'm glad to see Disney is back to its traditional roots.

Serendipity in NYC

My friend Laurie left to go to art school in New York City right after she graduated from high school. I always thought it was so brave to pack up your things and travel to the big city like that. We sort of kept in contact over the years and then I hadn't heard from her in over ten years. She recently found me on facebook and we caught up with each others lives. I went to NYC last week and was thinking how nice it would be to get a tour from someone who really knew New York. I thought of Laurie- the only person I knew in New York but didn't know how to get a hold of her besides facebook.

The fifth day of my visit I was determined to find the carousel in Central Park. I decided not to ride and just watch and take photos. I noticed this woman standing in front of me who looked vaguely familiar. She was wearing a funny knit hat and had a distinct profile. She was also taking photos. I looked again.. could it be?? It can't be! Twenty plus years older but yes I think it is! How in a city of millions and a million things to do could I possibly run into Laurie? I asked the woman, "Are you Laurie?" Yes it was! What are the odds of being at the same place at the same time in the busiest city in the world. It was meant to be.

Thankfully she had the next day off and gladly gave me a tour tailored made for me. Since we had similar interests she knew of all the places I might enjoy. We met in the meat packing district at New Yorks latest hot spot, the High Line. We went off to West Village and visited all the cute shops in the area. She showed me all the markets and places where I could possibly sell my toys. We had lunch at a little pizzeria and we visited the Christmas floor at Macy's. We walked up to the garment district where I found some of the best trim shops in the world. We sat in Times Square and pondered about tickets to a show. Finally night fell and we took a subway to the Brooklyn Bridge where we walked and looked at the big city that filled the sky with its bright lights. All in all it was the best day from my visit to New York and I will keep it with me always.The following photos are some of the highlights from my week in NYC.

View from the Empire State Building

Detail of Chagall at MOMA

Times Square

Little Lady of Liberty

Carousel at Bryant Park

Chrysler at dusk

Puppets at the Natural History Museum

Van Gogh at the Met

Detail of Monet

South end of Central Park

Sanrio crying bunny water fountain on Park Ave

Fiber Installation at The Modern

Sidewalk drawing in Greenwich Village

MY FAVS
View from the Empire State Building
Chagall at MOMA
Tour of the city with Laurie
Carousel at Bryant Park

MOST DISAPPOINTING
Noise, traffic, tourists
Wicked- hated it!
Guggenheim

Ann Wood and Dean Lucker

Last weekend I had the pleasure of visiting Dean Lucker and Ann Woods private studio during a St. Paul open studio tour. I have been an admirer for a couple of years now and it was a thrill to view their new work of mechanical sculptures, pictures and dexterity games. Both artists use a complimentary soft color palette and visit themes of nature and whimsy. Their work is truly a marriage of art. I'm hoping they start a new collection of work and have it available on Etsy. I'm sure the Etsy crowd will love their work as much as the fine art world!

www.woodlucker.com