tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82807912271527447582024-02-19T03:34:38.374-08:00PaintertainmentGretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.comBlogger707125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-91412595084052472352020-03-31T11:29:00.000-07:002020-03-31T11:29:02.971-07:00NEW Step-it-Up Bling Stencils Now Shipping!Less gigs and more time in my studio means I've had a chance to work on NEW designs for the <a href="http://www.glitterglamper.com/" target="_blank">Glitter Glamper</a>, and creating some <a href="https://paintertainment.com/stencils-2/#stepitup" target="_blank">custom stencils</a> to go along with my new fairy wing and tutu bling. After sharing my new designs, I have had requests for <a href="https://paintertainment.com/stencils-2/#stepitup" target="_blank">my custom stencils</a>, and this week was able to get them to a point where <a href="https://paintertainment.com/stencils-2/#stepitup" target="_blank">I can now offer them to YOU as well, in the shop</a>! I'm super excited to announce that we now have our brand new ballerina and fairy bling stencils <a href="https://paintertainment.com/stencils-2/#stepitup" target="_blank">ready to ship</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCAbAthoY0w4jgLErbgjIkIhxzBTfiHDhI2tuJJ_R2c7g_PNFMi52l90Ff8uRspFQARGKnFlC4AcFZIfwtsttx8L1Kk-iJBV4dFfA4SVwJbDCw0SiMUwBcOys31ExWNnu75uE2AcARtk/s1600/Bagged+stencils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCAbAthoY0w4jgLErbgjIkIhxzBTfiHDhI2tuJJ_R2c7g_PNFMi52l90Ff8uRspFQARGKnFlC4AcFZIfwtsttx8L1Kk-iJBV4dFfA4SVwJbDCw0SiMUwBcOys31ExWNnu75uE2AcARtk/s400/Bagged+stencils.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Essentially <a href="https://paintertainment.com/stencils-2/#stepitup" target="_blank">these stencils</a> are designed with spaces intentionally left blank, allowing you to insert your own painted tutus (one strokes make them fast and gorgeous!), or stick on your own tutu bling clusters! They are designed to be complemented with one stroke swooshes, swirls, teardrops, and of course <a href="https://paintertainment.com/bling/" target="_blank">festival glitter</a>!! This is something I've been personally creating for the <a href="http://www.glitterglamper.com/" target="_blank">2020 Glitter Glamper booth at the MN State Fair</a> but I wanted to share the idea with my fellow artists who create bling! They are super cute, made with pieces of lace and trim. I may sell these down the road, but for now they are only available at the <a href="http://www.glitterglamper.com/" target="_blank">Glitter Glamper</a> booth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8iZyQXPGtT98zsA8lVfChyYM2YtBriuzxVhhmNwoK2BcFHY590ZRWxI_jpjCNnq5tsz6rglqvXd2RoYcZcoGUBXlY2PmDxCO_aCU1J76EE1GTU-UWcriNSo54tIesHipH1I06gFZGlA/s1600/Tutu+bling+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8iZyQXPGtT98zsA8lVfChyYM2YtBriuzxVhhmNwoK2BcFHY590ZRWxI_jpjCNnq5tsz6rglqvXd2RoYcZcoGUBXlY2PmDxCO_aCU1J76EE1GTU-UWcriNSo54tIesHipH1I06gFZGlA/s400/Tutu+bling+WM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing out different types and lengths of trim and lace to make tutu bling for the Glitter Glamper booth at the MN State Fair</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9XsIpG3UrSmr8I75TcGfbolJ1ftTBQ5QuzfUL9SSgc3oIfAoaGsA8SJQhCjGE0SbsmWBQhOD4nngONvAPShPPqfIatDRGuYlMxHI2XUqAv93QH6yNE_z5fV8R9XIEDeR3GJ0NHg3s9E/s1600/Fairy+Wings+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9XsIpG3UrSmr8I75TcGfbolJ1ftTBQ5QuzfUL9SSgc3oIfAoaGsA8SJQhCjGE0SbsmWBQhOD4nngONvAPShPPqfIatDRGuYlMxHI2XUqAv93QH6yNE_z5fV8R9XIEDeR3GJ0NHg3s9E/s400/Fairy+Wings+WM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hand made fairy wing bling, which will be available at the Glitter Glamper booth at the MN State fair this summer!</td></tr>
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Now you could theoretically use both a set of wings and a 3D tutu bling on one of these fairy designs! I'm going to offer either a fairy with 3D wings & a painted tutu, or a Ballerina with a 3D tutu to separate my offerings and have one 3D piece per design. Here's how I do the painted tutus.....<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLp6KQdLFcMXZ_kHPXTbohv4AfZIn9gj-Mgu74TIoa_deNLg8zd1TGI5rR2DW9Fwic3vVoMIE2P_8jxL5rsh8WAS8Eh0U0ubBYRUZdvNwMdtBgHrSn93ONe-YyJue-dBH1fQ5QWFpUsyA/s1600/Stencil+brush+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLp6KQdLFcMXZ_kHPXTbohv4AfZIn9gj-Mgu74TIoa_deNLg8zd1TGI5rR2DW9Fwic3vVoMIE2P_8jxL5rsh8WAS8Eh0U0ubBYRUZdvNwMdtBgHrSn93ONe-YyJue-dBH1fQ5QWFpUsyA/s400/Stencil+brush+wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting the fairy body with a Paintertainment <a href="https://paintertainment.com/product/short-kabuki-stencil-brush/" target="_blank">Short Kabuki Stencil Brush</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://paintertainment.com/product/short-kabuki-stencil-brush/" target="_blank">These short kabuki brushes</a> are AWESOME for stencils! Once I tried them the first time, that's all I use now.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3sEzL4LHvNq3YX0lDiYmKS1cQca4U5I_jPStLBOrESJ9GjtpPD7pWzCsBWAvXhZBbm2QwhECe2FDWy4L_eKKgBCYdFpmM7qlddCT7QPmmnN5ou2Gz_eaMjre9oY7tp-iQHuBemMbvGc/s1600/Painting+tutu+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3sEzL4LHvNq3YX0lDiYmKS1cQca4U5I_jPStLBOrESJ9GjtpPD7pWzCsBWAvXhZBbm2QwhECe2FDWy4L_eKKgBCYdFpmM7qlddCT7QPmmnN5ou2Gz_eaMjre9oY7tp-iQHuBemMbvGc/s400/Painting+tutu+WM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add a tutu with a one stroke cake and a <a href="https://paintertainment.com/product/loew-cornell-flat-shaders/" target="_blank">1/2" flat brush</a>!</td></tr>
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Here are the stencils I have available now in the shop!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Tutu Fairy Pair Stencil</span><br />
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<a href="https://paintertainment.com/product/step-it-up-fairy-pair-bling-stencil/" target="_blank">This stencil</a> gives you a lot of bang for your buck, with <a href="https://paintertainment.com/product/step-it-up-fairy-pair-bling-stencil/" target="_blank">two fairies on one stencil.</a> Spaces were intentionally left blank, allowing you to<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmT6rN5JwBRwoxT_WA4xQCVsJ67czAKK2WcyrNO0MQM7ecIYrWEdZGLjvAwHc4JR4kuae7sEnAnEJSwcatMo0MFZ9rbAaRlY67g-jKkDWqtuauBES_3WzRa4OHRz5yhhpapXVo6OsLio/s1600/Bling+Stencils4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmT6rN5JwBRwoxT_WA4xQCVsJ67czAKK2WcyrNO0MQM7ecIYrWEdZGLjvAwHc4JR4kuae7sEnAnEJSwcatMo0MFZ9rbAaRlY67g-jKkDWqtuauBES_3WzRa4OHRz5yhhpapXVo6OsLio/s400/Bling+Stencils4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://paintertainment.com/product/step-it-up-fairy-pair-bling-stencil/" target="_blank">Tutu Fairy Pair</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6q34F1qHz5FyOLXLF3F72He6PQ7itg5_ZDlY3nufRXVSRz2RtKzFExr75jf8aFzyqS5BOZchsfIYf3wsNmldCch2HJDx8ptc2ym4EKo-SBNwLITa9SqXhfNSFHoxO_GwsQSduxJUdFJ8/s400/Forehead+Fairy+1+WM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paint on a tutu with one strokes! Here I've attache my hand made fairy wing bling.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6q34F1qHz5FyOLXLF3F72He6PQ7itg5_ZDlY3nufRXVSRz2RtKzFExr75jf8aFzyqS5BOZchsfIYf3wsNmldCch2HJDx8ptc2ym4EKo-SBNwLITa9SqXhfNSFHoxO_GwsQSduxJUdFJ8/s1600/Forehead+Fairy+1+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6q34F1qHz5FyOLXLF3F72He6PQ7itg5_ZDlY3nufRXVSRz2RtKzFExr75jf8aFzyqS5BOZchsfIYf3wsNmldCch2HJDx8ptc2ym4EKo-SBNwLITa9SqXhfNSFHoxO_GwsQSduxJUdFJ8/s1600/Forehead+Fairy+1+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiJMCGA-_e4-17q95Q6rsINtMUVHCCRkMwoasIKXOoZtDv7TsX5E9zPq9_9ktRssnxpl1Aq1EVINTRP43_V4UMhkSuoiNQCnYYtoe9MNHJhiQOwSP-RmtqwZ1nBCDVL-CRUCvH5d91rM/s1600/eye+Fairy+1+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiJMCGA-_e4-17q95Q6rsINtMUVHCCRkMwoasIKXOoZtDv7TsX5E9zPq9_9ktRssnxpl1Aq1EVINTRP43_V4UMhkSuoiNQCnYYtoe9MNHJhiQOwSP-RmtqwZ1nBCDVL-CRUCvH5d91rM/s400/eye+Fairy+1+WM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These work great on the cheek or forehead!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Ballerina 1 Stencil</span><br />
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<a href="https://paintertainment.com/product/step-it-up-ballerina-1-stencil/" target="_blank">This stencil </a>is sized just right for the side of the face, and can be reversed as needed to flow around the eye!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjR9XjCyIgkhtFosuo2tIM4tlUrJyvR_D7Dlv8uVQ17IJxgJLJUfSd4SNplkp0zY2e0Iq1HKWeog5NDMZP9W2GUPCn_Nt8mTxuqiQgpAAaErEllGqCcJClVMVtbt4h1fiEkGDHSkfmO9w/s1600/Bling+Stencils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjR9XjCyIgkhtFosuo2tIM4tlUrJyvR_D7Dlv8uVQ17IJxgJLJUfSd4SNplkp0zY2e0Iq1HKWeog5NDMZP9W2GUPCn_Nt8mTxuqiQgpAAaErEllGqCcJClVMVtbt4h1fiEkGDHSkfmO9w/s400/Bling+Stencils.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://paintertainment.com/product/step-it-up-ballerina-1-stencil/" target="_blank">Ballerina 1 stencil</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnCzPDggQtNatXczGferlWEeRqTz0DBNSWIa99t0wqFbtT6o1s_BUBUAEiH-XChcwM72RVnTDsmGS_nf2Un7O_DIhVdk3-9CjQDUsuB7Mz04u7ZhvS3_aBdUoLetTTW5Xv5df3Gy3zSg/s1600/Eye+tutu+1+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnCzPDggQtNatXczGferlWEeRqTz0DBNSWIa99t0wqFbtT6o1s_BUBUAEiH-XChcwM72RVnTDsmGS_nf2Un7O_DIhVdk3-9CjQDUsuB7Mz04u7ZhvS3_aBdUoLetTTW5Xv5df3Gy3zSg/s400/Eye+tutu+1+WM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Ballerina 2 Stencil</span><br />
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<a href="https://paintertainment.com/product/step-it-up-ballerina-2-stencil/" target="_blank">This stencil</a> is also sized just right for the side of the face, and can be reversed as needed to flow around either eye!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDxW_oSBgdgB98lZ4cgRWHi29ACfc5hz-me-H0w_CJkM4DYrGX5JxotHOMDug6PRcQa5CE-1aeQMUCAGD2IrT7Ns4XX-dxnE3OquGY-x19CGS4TjI0ylvZcnR0_fnyMXXPPTjyen_hGM/s1600/Bling+Stencils2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDxW_oSBgdgB98lZ4cgRWHi29ACfc5hz-me-H0w_CJkM4DYrGX5JxotHOMDug6PRcQa5CE-1aeQMUCAGD2IrT7Ns4XX-dxnE3OquGY-x19CGS4TjI0ylvZcnR0_fnyMXXPPTjyen_hGM/s400/Bling+Stencils2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://paintertainment.com/product/step-it-up-ballerina-2-stencil/" target="_blank">Ballerina 2 Stencil</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN0j9z6oq4lA-xkDlBy8ndo6lAZQacm9GhZzEWayV0fv5ytrqav1w3FYFLSWQlueC5QbfFM9gFfkb2dyxU2gkqNTN0o-CNk7tO7zc6hKidDJAILPginMCmy90nt8pkKlpWIzRcDSsM00/s1600/Eye+tutu+2+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN0j9z6oq4lA-xkDlBy8ndo6lAZQacm9GhZzEWayV0fv5ytrqav1w3FYFLSWQlueC5QbfFM9gFfkb2dyxU2gkqNTN0o-CNk7tO7zc6hKidDJAILPginMCmy90nt8pkKlpWIzRcDSsM00/s400/Eye+tutu+2+WM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Ballerina Torso Pair Stencil</span></div>
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<a href="https://paintertainment.com/product/step-it-up-ballerina-torsos/" target="_blank">This stencil includes TWO torsos</a> on one stencil! They are sized a little larger than the full body ballerinas, and are perfect to go on the forehead or cheek! Add your tutu either with a one stroke or a 3D tutu cluster!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsOmdCOQ_ilMF5FomyDJcvP6T4rcRRRj4n6QEvgU5DjT1qr4976igpadGpuPKVpo_HicPiHI-dE6YyZvvjLLqXAdkLFP3dYEsG7oQv4o8MnMBgwBQ-b5_MPHsFIpyBS3G6jOiq_ihzio/s1600/Bling+Stencils3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsOmdCOQ_ilMF5FomyDJcvP6T4rcRRRj4n6QEvgU5DjT1qr4976igpadGpuPKVpo_HicPiHI-dE6YyZvvjLLqXAdkLFP3dYEsG7oQv4o8MnMBgwBQ-b5_MPHsFIpyBS3G6jOiq_ihzio/s400/Bling+Stencils3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://paintertainment.com/product/step-it-up-ballerina-torsos/" target="_blank">Ballerina Torso Pair</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ac1XZ1RaPF0lK-w9UVSbrK8GATxbYBuv_06xnvpLVuJALbU1-VkB3wlVPyl-AuIm9rEUdRNdTYxFDW97Q3Ju785BocEapLw0nAr0687JwF8XhkMShxA4lnwB9MmJnj1U2cVsdH1dpvM/s1600/Forehead+tutu+1+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ac1XZ1RaPF0lK-w9UVSbrK8GATxbYBuv_06xnvpLVuJALbU1-VkB3wlVPyl-AuIm9rEUdRNdTYxFDW97Q3Ju785BocEapLw0nAr0687JwF8XhkMShxA4lnwB9MmJnj1U2cVsdH1dpvM/s400/Forehead+tutu+1+WM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These look just as good with painted tutus! Be sure to add lots of <a href="https://paintertainment.com/bling/" target="_blank">GLITTER</a>!</td></tr>
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Please feel free to comment or ask questions here, and if you order these, we'd LOVE to see what you do with them! <a href="https://business.facebook.com/paintertainmentdotcom" target="_blank">Follow us on Facebook</a>, post your designs and tag us @paintertainmentdotcom!<br />
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Thanks so much for stopping by, and happy painting!<br />
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Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-18352040696024960802019-12-10T06:20:00.000-08:002019-12-10T06:20:29.620-08:00How to Paint Rudolph the Red-Nosed ReindeerHey everyone! We're just two weeks away from Christmas eve!! I don't know about you but I'm swimming in Christmas events and loving painting all the fun holiday themed designs!! I've been getting such a great response for my quick Christmas painting videos, I thought I'd put together a video of one of my favorite Christmas cheek designs...Rudolph!<br />
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I like to have fun with this one...with the nose you can do red paint with red glitter. In the video I use <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#LiquidBling" target="_blank">red Liquid Bling</a>! You can also use a <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#Gems" target="_blank">red gemstone</a>! Sometimes when I'm not totally slammed with a huge line, I will even use a <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#eyes" target="_blank">google eye</a> attached with <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#adhesives" target="_blank">Pros-Aide</a>, which makes it extra fun. Now if you live in the Midwest like I do, where it's -2 degrees as I type this, be sure to protect your Pros-Aide! If it freezes, it does NOT come back to life and becomes useless! I keep my Pros-Aide bottles in my purse this time of year so they always come with me!<br />
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You can watch the video here, or check it out with the others <a href="https://youtu.be/-Vu4KWjYY9I" target="_blank">on my YouTube channel, here</a>! Thanks for stopping by, and happy holiday painting!<br />
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Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-6054028461513208012019-12-05T14:23:00.000-08:002019-12-05T14:23:53.953-08:00Holiday Elements: Paint Realistic Pine Branches!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Pine tree branches are a great element to learn for your holiday themed designs! I use them often and they are not as hard as they look. (This step by step can also be found in my HUGE full-color book, <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBooks.html#realism" target="_blank">"Realism for Face & Body Artists!"</a>) Here is a video where I demonstrate how to create these branches in just 1 minute, ending with a few inspirational designs that utilize them! Watch it below or <a href="https://youtu.be/2o8LmjbUNHE" target="_blank">click HERE to go to our YouTube channel!</a> Thanks for stopping by, and happy painting!<br />
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Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-38080021118242511032019-12-04T14:53:00.000-08:002019-12-05T14:14:15.832-08:00Holiday Elements: Learn 4 Snowflakes in 90 seconds!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since yesterday's candycane video was such a hit, I thought I'd do another one today on snowflakes!<br />
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Sometimes you can't find your snowflake stencil, and sometimes they get caught on things and bend or break...but don't fear! Snowflakes can be really quick to paint with the right tools and techniques. I could paint snowflakes for hours and come up with dozens of different ones, but here is a video with just 4 quick renditions. I paint snowflakes a lot for holiday parties, but they really have become more popular year-round with the release of Frozen, and now Frozen II! I'm just showing you some really simple elements here, but you can really punch these up with some outlines, color variations, painting them in clusters, adding swirls & teardrops, festival glitter, you name it! Have fun with them and make them your own!<br />
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Watch the video below, or <a href="https://youtu.be/r5N9wz3iEgU" target="_blank">check it out with others on my YouTube channel</a>!<br />
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Thanks for stopping by, and happy painting!Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-24297709533682846532019-12-03T12:13:00.001-08:002019-12-05T14:14:06.241-08:00Holiday Elements: Paint a perfect Candycane in under 2 Minutes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's December and Christmas gigs are in full swing!<br />
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To help you all out with your holiday parties this year, I thought I would put together a quick little video of my candycane design! This candycane can stand alone as cheek or arm art, but you can also embellish it however you wish, with swirls, teardrops, stars, dots, stencil patterns, pine branches, ribbons, gems, festival glitter, you name it...and turn it into a full face design!<br />
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Here you go, and happy painting!!<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNc4BmgwUnUpp9aL-Y2uVgA/" target="_blank">(Click here to visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel!)</a><br />
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Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-29544716476719174342019-11-14T07:32:00.001-08:002019-12-19T11:50:56.347-08:00Christmas Face Paint Design Collection!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's that time of year again when our schedules fill up with Christmas events!! So, I thought this would be a fitting time to put together another holiday themed roundup of design ideas! I'm pretty sure I've painted more designs for Christmas than any other holiday over the years, so I have a LOT of them, but here are some favorites! Scroll down for examples of full face designs, eye designs, cheek art, arm paintings, and more! I hope you find some fun inspiration here, <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/Store_Christmas.html" target="_blank">pick up some supplies in our Christmas shop</a>, and have a wonderful holiday painting season!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A design with some Christmas BLING! (<a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/Hire_BlingBar.html" target="_blank">Learn about adding our Bling Bar offerings to your holiday parties here!</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6QZHFn_7yiimWihtH1nWyRetUZ2aCPT6mX1YRcPl4CX_VienM9_O2aPzs042j3pm8eCgjB_SRJaVHzvquL7GMKTtZH0nbGxyesUF7zqdNeDy6UJONEGXo9vgrkSfSEuGBpBmQah3x14/s1600/Sweater+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="864" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6QZHFn_7yiimWihtH1nWyRetUZ2aCPT6mX1YRcPl4CX_VienM9_O2aPzs042j3pm8eCgjB_SRJaVHzvquL7GMKTtZH0nbGxyesUF7zqdNeDy6UJONEGXo9vgrkSfSEuGBpBmQah3x14/s400/Sweater+WM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 2017 Christmas Card art...my son Sam!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlkalfQ4Ehkevh973uB_vK9KrGyOuYAG9f4AgxQpeJyrqZ8a5n6s4EZLR6TwnhKN_bYbz7DkOdrLLzbwxokvlv9sz9n9vDiydXOUPfbZliZhkVslUucUNyIVW4a5TDd-_B_YAXMwcWho/s1600/Sam+Sweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlkalfQ4Ehkevh973uB_vK9KrGyOuYAG9f4AgxQpeJyrqZ8a5n6s4EZLR6TwnhKN_bYbz7DkOdrLLzbwxokvlv9sz9n9vDiydXOUPfbZliZhkVslUucUNyIVW4a5TDd-_B_YAXMwcWho/s400/Sam+Sweater.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018 Christmas Card art!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiV5uRBnr6pbgnf-nCiSOffsfG6NFdNvzx0QO2nsucDJX2Uk5fsAYMmeCm1pqw8uItpDIv7WW5JKferjywepxmC50tgUhCpXr5__NJw7eDBvwBUb00hk8feDLvQRlRtnFqY6Nxo2pWiw/s1600/Sam+Suit+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiV5uRBnr6pbgnf-nCiSOffsfG6NFdNvzx0QO2nsucDJX2Uk5fsAYMmeCm1pqw8uItpDIv7WW5JKferjywepxmC50tgUhCpXr5__NJw7eDBvwBUb00hk8feDLvQRlRtnFqY6Nxo2pWiw/s400/Sam+Suit+WM.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2019 Christmas Card Art! Sam is now a series, haha!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2hppe2GWvbzea5GrJQpMCu4dZ_Pxvlj81E8Bs0xuKgayL5I22tCC5PVluyZnFhDppERxmiQDyxNdTwOoOU5hLRoM1GlKWSebL07tA3yPNU-6rf8GCTlBfEgiHXegS7UgMRv3Zioa5OQ/s1600/grinch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2hppe2GWvbzea5GrJQpMCu4dZ_Pxvlj81E8Bs0xuKgayL5I22tCC5PVluyZnFhDppERxmiQDyxNdTwOoOU5hLRoM1GlKWSebL07tA3yPNU-6rf8GCTlBfEgiHXegS7UgMRv3Zioa5OQ/s400/grinch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmxzIaIAvHjouQQuHvP1tdp3-T-9zTU5kzDIFJIK4VM1pm9V4ohl2XsYYDjVxAq_tQT7aCyYbYy2SEeuxpXJjrQtdbZ8GhCGh06bADdszx0qB94ocaahqsN07U-s3YmuPY7uBc2_c1xs/s1600/Hermie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmxzIaIAvHjouQQuHvP1tdp3-T-9zTU5kzDIFJIK4VM1pm9V4ohl2XsYYDjVxAq_tQT7aCyYbYy2SEeuxpXJjrQtdbZ8GhCGh06bADdszx0qB94ocaahqsN07U-s3YmuPY7uBc2_c1xs/s400/Hermie.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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...I painted Hermie the Elf on each of my boys, the years they had no front teeth, haha!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSciL8plRGVjd43kOj1iiblovCtJDYMSZ36di6p0NQZ4pnS3212d1mJ7wtwS1Ud2JO_ibQzcseouutEbVkJxk4bmyIc018TF6AQW8cMGYlPGCMZJjhco-kq4LuBqfZ8JRCcusvKgS4ro/s1600/12241580_10153751823772558_5376132621548327484_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSciL8plRGVjd43kOj1iiblovCtJDYMSZ36di6p0NQZ4pnS3212d1mJ7wtwS1Ud2JO_ibQzcseouutEbVkJxk4bmyIc018TF6AQW8cMGYlPGCMZJjhco-kq4LuBqfZ8JRCcusvKgS4ro/s400/12241580_10153751823772558_5376132621548327484_n.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8fLhPv-zyWQ0M6FZ7iBEJikeTyAcpS2qNs3su7dElM5Gu0FsG18BA-4y6j9DtfaOqJ2nEYRJ68G15bNhXY7yLnWqLArROTotckqkAGBUkWawIpVDjvpE10OLhLZIXCWCwGDU1i6t7GE/s1600/holly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="324" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8fLhPv-zyWQ0M6FZ7iBEJikeTyAcpS2qNs3su7dElM5Gu0FsG18BA-4y6j9DtfaOqJ2nEYRJ68G15bNhXY7yLnWqLArROTotckqkAGBUkWawIpVDjvpE10OLhLZIXCWCwGDU1i6t7GE/s400/holly.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CWHLSaP09yFRzK53Qc9cZmpBPsMbgmJLfRpf0Wx0Bc2ev44bVDLkmp1mcL2ZiGW5T7__HHa8u2iEtQI2MCGf3TPHOKZdul0q8kKXQ5GijBX2S0lWMpY90Ns6nD5_wnMdKGaHDvi-BZ4/s1600/joy+stencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="583" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CWHLSaP09yFRzK53Qc9cZmpBPsMbgmJLfRpf0Wx0Bc2ev44bVDLkmp1mcL2ZiGW5T7__HHa8u2iEtQI2MCGf3TPHOKZdul0q8kKXQ5GijBX2S0lWMpY90Ns6nD5_wnMdKGaHDvi-BZ4/s400/joy+stencil.jpg" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was done using a <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreStencils.html#sets" target="_blank">BAM Christmas stencil, you can find in the shop, here</a>!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh30Hl_Uxa6kDRTFGUciW1kNJnBtcJTrjxWvVQ-bfglzl3D5vxm-gMj8HqCugbL4z7QnmygKyMYEZisSNA1_TOYi6LqhI77OuTWNVpvpY7J7yNHdEmOhrZIggIVEtv9LD_c6MNsyg7jSw/s1600/ornaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1368" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh30Hl_Uxa6kDRTFGUciW1kNJnBtcJTrjxWvVQ-bfglzl3D5vxm-gMj8HqCugbL4z7QnmygKyMYEZisSNA1_TOYi6LqhI77OuTWNVpvpY7J7yNHdEmOhrZIggIVEtv9LD_c6MNsyg7jSw/s400/ornaments.jpg" width="341" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9zhByZ5zMK2TJCv18bc3xNBYQSIqICEBn4zVs21O2nPjaw1x1-2TbQyep56PgoplmqI8SSaYHVtvRcU552PNlwbQQAQDZbTQozpbcaJJm6gz7_3-yluKpbQFdAavb1LTAqgLJ7BPLMo/s1600/pine+cones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9zhByZ5zMK2TJCv18bc3xNBYQSIqICEBn4zVs21O2nPjaw1x1-2TbQyep56PgoplmqI8SSaYHVtvRcU552PNlwbQQAQDZbTQozpbcaJJm6gz7_3-yluKpbQFdAavb1LTAqgLJ7BPLMo/s400/pine+cones.jpg" width="345" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqIw-b94fDvgCciTK4sySilwQFBCafX4A3HlzQp2FTPVwYNDl5AiXw7WfacixJt9hzxSM6ib2QrTmwgBMpJovcio6VAVF5Js0tvkBx7wR1d9hQGWiaHLDlZBySRfH1rG82jiMIeFO8o0/s1600/polar+bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqIw-b94fDvgCciTK4sySilwQFBCafX4A3HlzQp2FTPVwYNDl5AiXw7WfacixJt9hzxSM6ib2QrTmwgBMpJovcio6VAVF5Js0tvkBx7wR1d9hQGWiaHLDlZBySRfH1rG82jiMIeFO8o0/s400/polar+bear.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here are a few Christmas themed designs that I did when I had challenged myself to post a painting every day for a year, that corresponded to that particular "national day" of whatever!</div>
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Below are a few "sketches" of ideas I have done on my practice sheets! (<a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBooks.html#paintertemplates" target="_blank">You can find these "PainterTemplates" on my site, here</a>)</div>
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I'm certain I have more designs out there and will definitely do more, so be sure to check back for additions! Thanks so much for stopping by, and happy painting!!<br />
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<br />Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-53840190871215332332019-09-27T10:08:00.001-07:002019-09-27T10:11:23.218-07:00Going Glamping at the Minnesota State Fair!<style type="text/css">
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Minnesota State Fair one of the largest state fairs in the country, a very close second only to Texas in attendance size. This year was no exception, with an all time attendance record set at 2,126,551. Half of the 12 days of the 2019 state fair set new daily attendance records. It has long been known as an impenetrable fair for local face painters who have tried for decades to get a booth space. After years of my fellow artists urging me to get into the fair so they could work in my booth, I had tried applying several years ago to no avail. The fair simply had no interested in adding any more face painters besides the one booth already located near the kiddie rides. However, one night last summer as I was drifting off to sleep on a family camping trip the idea came to me to combine several things I love into a new concept: Camping, bling, and retro 1950’s style. The “Glitter Glamper!” <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/GlitterGlamper_Home.html" target="_blank">The Glitter Glamper</a> would bring all forms of body glitter, focusing on bling rather than face painting, and be marketed at a wider age range to include teenagers and adults. I resisted the urge to wake my husband up and tell him my exciting idea and saved it ‘till morning, and instead proceeded to scroll through vintage camper listings on Facebook marketplace into the wee hours of the night.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Conveying the Concept</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My extended family ends every summer with a big camping trip on Labor Day weekend, so I decided to take advantage of this captive audience of my kids and their cousins to capture photos of some of my ideas over Labor Day 2018. My nieces modeled my first ever unicorn horn, monster horns and mermaid designs, and a week or so later my husband let me glitter his beard for a photo shoot! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I bought the url <a href="http://glitterglamper.com/">GlitterGlamper.com</a> and created a quick website and Facebook pages so I’d have at least some online presence. I designed and printed one business card to put with my application. I worked hard to put together a colorful, glittery proposal as soon as my boys went back to school, complete with a photoshopped rendering of my booth design concept, and sent it off to the fair. Finally my brain was able to relax...my idea was out there, on paper, and now OUT of my hands. If it was meant to be, it would return to me in the form of a state fair licensing agreement. And if not, well, at least I had given it my best shot!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My glittery application</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br />Knowing that it can take many years before hearing back from the fair, I had no expectations of hearing back any time soon.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>While my Photoshopped rendering included a retro camper, lighting, awnings, and a vintage barber chair, I was not ready to take on the expense of building and storing these things with no idea if or when I would ever be able to use them at the fair.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>And then the phone rang...</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Summer turned to fall, fall to winter, and then one day in the middle of May 2019 I received a call.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The folks at the MN state fair had been following up with their regular vendors, and finding that there were a few who were not returning.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A few spots had suddenly opened up in their new “West End Marketplace,” and they thought my concept would be <i>“perfect for that hipster crowd”</i> that frequents the West End. Would I like a spot? Um...YEAH! Where do I sign and please take my money!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My space at the fair...the West End Marketplace "cages!" These are a really cool hybrid between an indoor and outdoor space. The fair provides this nice structure with lighting and electricity, and each vendor can close and lock up their own booth at night.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The woman on the phone was super nice and really loved my vintage camper look and feel, although the space wouldn’t be able to accommodate an actual camper. <i>(This is still my goal and I do plan to have an actual “Glamper” soon!)</i> I assured her that with my background in retail display design, I would achieve the retro camping feel in whatever space they give me. She said <i>“oh I just love your antique barber chair, that will look great in your booth! And your flower planters can go here and there...”</i> In my head I’m thinking <i>“oh, you mean the non-existant chair and planters that I digitally rendered? I guess it’s time to start shopping for a vintage barber chair!”</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you subscribe to <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters.html" target="_blank">my free online e-newsletters,</a> you’ve read about <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters/2018_November_enewsletter.pdf" target="_blank">my tendency to bite off more than I can chew</a>, and then proceed to teach myself to chew faster, haha! This was certainly another one of those cases! Heck, the glitter beard she saw and loved in my application was literally the only one I had done...<i>ever!</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEtxqTx4ralP0WKNjfkFjOFMb9eUnTYUrvdMX6mIcESisCRTjW-tMj4Ggl13ZxWprlubhHArpXWsV-hkzpC-UVpHlP7W1hXMFf1KkY8uEw-fT0ujamv0qtwRRhtfXZUnb9eOzvIt4_L4/s1600/rendering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="597" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEtxqTx4ralP0WKNjfkFjOFMb9eUnTYUrvdMX6mIcESisCRTjW-tMj4Ggl13ZxWprlubhHArpXWsV-hkzpC-UVpHlP7W1hXMFf1KkY8uEw-fT0ujamv0qtwRRhtfXZUnb9eOzvIt4_L4/s400/rendering.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photoshop rendering that I included with my application</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Ready ... Set ... <i>GO!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Naturally, my head began flooding with amazing ideas, crippling fears, immense excitement and an endless list of what-if’s. How on earth would I pull this off? My boys were going to be done with school and home with me 24/7 in just a couple weeks. June and July were already jam packed with leading VBS crafts, family camping trips and a 16 day road trip, and the first day to start setting up at the state fair overlapped with my busy county fair week in early August. This was about to be a huge. <i>HUGE.</i> Undertaking.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> What am I going to DO? Well, there's nothing to do except GET STARTED! </span>I immediately dove into sketching ideas and scouring Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for the things I needed. I drove to the fair to take measurements of my 10’ x 20’ “cage” for design purposes. I set to work designing banners, sewing custom awnings, creating original graphics and signage, defining all of my offerings and their prices (many of which I had never "technically" actually done before), and finding just the right furniture and decor for the booth.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UWl_gOP9DM1FIZICrLqM-XxzW138UJdPkRsnqz5v2eF5Wqa4IiFL-gZhtbdjJyhcwiGf14AWVqBXqq50uat_nLJaHlUnmi3wOtCP_PzFm3s6mNf-kaGeDM8I3XikdyJNxCetZJdHPfU/s1600/floor+mats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UWl_gOP9DM1FIZICrLqM-XxzW138UJdPkRsnqz5v2eF5Wqa4IiFL-gZhtbdjJyhcwiGf14AWVqBXqq50uat_nLJaHlUnmi3wOtCP_PzFm3s6mNf-kaGeDM8I3XikdyJNxCetZJdHPfU/s400/floor+mats.jpg" width="363" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My boys helping me haul foam floor tiles down 3 stories in an apartment building we drove 45 minutes to get to!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage steel cabinets I rescued from a curbside for free, cleaned up and painted! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lit sign! I designed a banner first, then made a wood base for it that hinged in the middle for easier transport. I mounted all the letters, then delivered it to my brother who got them all wired up for me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIPpvz_avF4poAubTQ9azh18z-gYzo0GMg87SyHpftQ_Zi44W_yJi4-nLAQ16yqHkVRJlNvtS83ZjzayiD30GP_AmwXMyNqPoeVDJe8jdj8y6qHtyMmvIm1YqrqNRE7PxHJ6XdlPXYN4/s1600/secretary+desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIPpvz_avF4poAubTQ9azh18z-gYzo0GMg87SyHpftQ_Zi44W_yJi4-nLAQ16yqHkVRJlNvtS83ZjzayiD30GP_AmwXMyNqPoeVDJe8jdj8y6qHtyMmvIm1YqrqNRE7PxHJ6XdlPXYN4/s400/secretary+desk.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad helping to repair an antique secretary desk I had purchased at a local shop. Here it is partially painted. This would function as a decoration and storage when not in use, then fold down when we had enough artists, to function as an artist station. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW84w1KVsdSntNP7mS3CiIRNti93Eq9nLwYKDMEm_1brpO7pI55UB1k7JLZRS3gDYHwu8YpYd_EKfLVzmMemaq5ewHNjKVuyF9vXwCDxfYYUsu-UylYsn5rli1xAyqpYPrEZU2O2RNW0/s400/Sam+counting.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam helping me sort gems by color</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW84w1KVsdSntNP7mS3CiIRNti93Eq9nLwYKDMEm_1brpO7pI55UB1k7JLZRS3gDYHwu8YpYd_EKfLVzmMemaq5ewHNjKVuyF9vXwCDxfYYUsu-UylYsn5rli1xAyqpYPrEZU2O2RNW0/s1600/Sam+counting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLTmoKm9onqUggZAooV7SsY7JVLKtkchsskF6yyXX5OySUJs2zESOi8E2xVgSdYwSjRmvI0drNgTIMhgWX5Trsl4OlhTqPKnTfWJQuGuVane2wN2XIXAxuH_ecwIpKFWxg41EiopoBaM/s1600/register.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLTmoKm9onqUggZAooV7SsY7JVLKtkchsskF6yyXX5OySUJs2zESOi8E2xVgSdYwSjRmvI0drNgTIMhgWX5Trsl4OlhTqPKnTfWJQuGuVane2wN2XIXAxuH_ecwIpKFWxg41EiopoBaM/s400/register.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the fixtures I covered in shelf paper. This is the checkout counter and register cashwrap. They sat in my living room for a couple months!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsboB4Jozqdn_4Lh58a3P4nAzM4ESsAzpo43MrLBo2su5xmWZC2eDJQxwVLPaVxGl7YEFZhIu775ot-160Q9caVeAW0tAJ8w4oFxbV5OPNoY0iDhGpZ1-e8t9iGMft9O8RQkiI-Y5-ElY/s1600/fabric+store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsboB4Jozqdn_4Lh58a3P4nAzM4ESsAzpo43MrLBo2su5xmWZC2eDJQxwVLPaVxGl7YEFZhIu775ot-160Q9caVeAW0tAJ8w4oFxbV5OPNoY0iDhGpZ1-e8t9iGMft9O8RQkiI-Y5-ElY/s400/fabric+store.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating the fabric warehouse in search of the perfect fabric to make my awnings</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Figuring out how to recruit, organize and compensate other artists was new and stressful territory for me. (The county fair booth I had done for over 20 years has really only been run by myself, with my mom taking one partial day.) But the one thing I knew for sure was that there was no way I could run a booth 12 hours a day for 12 days completely on my own. I sent out a call for interested artists, thinking maybe I’d get a handful if I were lucky. After all, I was as transparent as possible in my communications, letting them know that this first year I have no idea how much they’d make, if it would be worth their while or their cost of entrance tickets and parking, if weather would be gorgeous or unbearable, etc. To my wonderful surprise, I ended up with 13 of my fantastic, highly qualified painty friends who were eager to take on the uncertainty and join me in this adventure! Oh how very blessed I am to live in this area with such an incredibly talented and giving community of artists!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Then there was the bling itself...how on earth would I know how much to make? Having never done this before, I simply made as much bling as humanly possible over the next couple months. I hauled all of my supplies on our road trip in giant Rubbermaid bins, creating bling clusters and unicorn horns at campground picnic tables across the US and Canada. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEtSug-KXeYMNs-FN-Yc5KzHuMYXqTH3Qp2L5wZnYQLo1XmU5O7Zxi8t9ei6IUBB2_CnpMP34Ca7Y0y5EW8Zm4_GrpZS7JImBrO96vrmL5VfickxLYuFDE27TkxYetI2PDCLT-R9FKec/s1600/camping+horns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEtSug-KXeYMNs-FN-Yc5KzHuMYXqTH3Qp2L5wZnYQLo1XmU5O7Zxi8t9ei6IUBB2_CnpMP34Ca7Y0y5EW8Zm4_GrpZS7JImBrO96vrmL5VfickxLYuFDE27TkxYetI2PDCLT-R9FKec/s400/camping+horns.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making horns at a campground picnic table</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had some fun with it, posting my ever changing "bling count" on social media. I spent countless hours on the road on my laptop, working through artists’ paperwork, contracts, and figuring out the giant puzzle of a schedule with 13 different preferences and no clue how many people I would need on any given day or hour.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScBXdNAKAB7eVLPvjPL4qw9-nF3HrYtYFRA0cyAW-iaxnDxsc87PM3nLX6mJkbmbEatSjZLfXuHz8p0WOu64NuzDDGV6BiYumSz_iIT39XcuMCijI2n6cly8og9UE1kwG-YIGHW0Du8U/s1600/2545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScBXdNAKAB7eVLPvjPL4qw9-nF3HrYtYFRA0cyAW-iaxnDxsc87PM3nLX6mJkbmbEatSjZLfXuHz8p0WOu64NuzDDGV6BiYumSz_iIT39XcuMCijI2n6cly8og9UE1kwG-YIGHW0Du8U/s320/2545.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The seemingly rare moments I was actually home were spent building and painting a giant Paul Bunyan and Babe photo board, wire brushing and re-painting vintage steel cabinets I had picked up on a curbside, turning our old bbq grill into a glowing, gem-filled decorative prop, coating our rusty old lanterns with glitter and lighting them up with colorful lights, visiting the used retail fixture store in search of the perfect horn display, and running around town picking up Craigslist finds and scouring garage sales and thrift stores. Honestly, God’s fingerprints were ALL over this entire process as everything seemed to just fall right into place! (I could write a whole blog just on that!) A lot of things just CAME to me...by “things” I mean stuff I bought, and by “came to me I mean” I mean they were delivered by the Amazon fairy. I probably could have built a three story playhouse out of the Amazon boxes I acquired! But really, just the right items turned up just when I needed them at sales and thrift stores!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuccOU2ocEShWUNN4CgAITIi9r2P_oNWAnWU8rrZKEMC-Fj_KkFSUJZqyV2G-8vrEiuBS2dGtGJ0btCqd4iPOcwxDWtDqZ23cqaCMGx_x4nTTIqDMDHk9RxHnpDsTrpxEQmHDRzj7eYgc/s1600/paul+in+process.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="1600" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuccOU2ocEShWUNN4CgAITIi9r2P_oNWAnWU8rrZKEMC-Fj_KkFSUJZqyV2G-8vrEiuBS2dGtGJ0btCqd4iPOcwxDWtDqZ23cqaCMGx_x4nTTIqDMDHk9RxHnpDsTrpxEQmHDRzj7eYgc/s400/paul+in+process.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul and Babe in process! Yes I drove to the hardware store and loaded up a sheet of plywood, brought it home, drew it out and cut it out myself! My dad built me a base for it so people would have a step stool and it wouldn't blow over!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMZoTUkG8aXBF_6-hDNc2CbsdtQIUZ4klxTDxWbZaMyC3CAfPhUljC5k_lBNNwPdXGaPfo7h_jur2JjFcmxCD_X6e4s2zBtqhXvUOfU0xjdSx1ZGV1Xy-liZ-Y8-fNjwp_RVhYvZx_oo/s1600/paul+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMZoTUkG8aXBF_6-hDNc2CbsdtQIUZ4klxTDxWbZaMyC3CAfPhUljC5k_lBNNwPdXGaPfo7h_jur2JjFcmxCD_X6e4s2zBtqhXvUOfU0xjdSx1ZGV1Xy-liZ-Y8-fNjwp_RVhYvZx_oo/s400/paul+finished.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Wayde trying out the photo board! Notice the cobalt blue glitter beard on Paul...it quickly went from blue to purple to pink during the fair from the sun!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I was on a mission and my background in retail display design had given me enough experience to know that I did NOT have much time. This fact did force me to eat, sleep and breathe Glitter Glamper all summer, but it also thankfully kept me distracted from the reality that this was a HUGE undertaking: I simply could not afford to waste any time on worrying. Every time the enormity of the situation started to sink in, I dove into the next task, crossed one thing off my to-do list and then added three more.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm1q_JxZTKM4dXlcstigXUxv3vFGjXH3TvhMaUbFxUKM-WaVj6mqvOPpJb5zDnwjOWz75xgIKoL3ZPab5o9lcmQxWU7incBIuRjUmktZtd3KnbJL3mDus5KElyokpEZjQE7Ws8BjyT1M/s1600/design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm1q_JxZTKM4dXlcstigXUxv3vFGjXH3TvhMaUbFxUKM-WaVj6mqvOPpJb5zDnwjOWz75xgIKoL3ZPab5o9lcmQxWU7incBIuRjUmktZtd3KnbJL3mDus5KElyokpEZjQE7Ws8BjyT1M/s400/design.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the many things I collected, made, found, refurbished, etc over the course of the weeks before the fair</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The summer months slipped away in a flash among fair prep and family trips, and before I knew it August was here. My county fair which I had always previously considered my craziest week of the fair, seemed this year to be more like the calm before the storm. Five 12-hour days at the fair to simply paint, something I’d barely found time to do all summer, left me both energized and exhausted at the same time. I was ready to start setting up at the state fair, but had to push through the county fair as it’s entire profits would go towards chipping away at my state fair booth expenses!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>No Time To Rest</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">On the last day of the county fair my husband, boys and I tore down my booth, unloaded the truck, and re-loaded the truck for the state fair. The next morning my boys and I took the first trip to the state fair. We laid down foam tiles (to save our feet on the concrete), a layer of astroturf (grass for our “glampsite!”), and hung banners. The next day a dear friend with a trailer helped us haul all the big, heavy stuff, including the elusive antique zillion-pound barber chair I had searched and stressed over and finally found just in time. Each day I drove to and from the fair to build and arrange my booth, as the radio personalities announced how many days left until the opening of the Great Minnesota Get-Together, sending shivers of terror and anticipation through my spine. It was going to happen, and I was going to be there, whether I was fully prepared for it or not!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ruIqDY1i0sK5VQhSYh-Zr1AewjwY35pG0zgWkX8dkraab7WVP0RocUoKeR05HrJk1rtEPDRRPjB585gW8w0AE3T534H0FmtCQUZwu_vOENqkDdSRVDOty4HNXJcud4qYu3MbD2QTzh0/s1600/chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1350" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ruIqDY1i0sK5VQhSYh-Zr1AewjwY35pG0zgWkX8dkraab7WVP0RocUoKeR05HrJk1rtEPDRRPjB585gW8w0AE3T534H0FmtCQUZwu_vOENqkDdSRVDOty4HNXJcud4qYu3MbD2QTzh0/s400/chair.jpg" width="336" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally...the PERFECT barber chair!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Needless to say, I didn’t get a ton of sleep in the month of August. I didn’t take the best of care of myself, and while I didn’t have time to worry, my body decided to stress on it’s own. I lost 5 pounds but thankfully stayed healthy throughout the month. (don't be jealous, I immediately gained it back when the fair ended and all I wanted to do was eat and sleep, hahaha!) I shudder to think of what a simple cold virus could have done to me that month!</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>And Then There Were Artists!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Three days before the fair started I held an on-site meeting for my 13 wonderful artist friends who had graciously agreed to give up part of their busy, profitable summer month to take a chance with me on the fair. It was an emotional day, as it all became more real...I handed out sparkly hats with the <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/GlitterGlamper_Home.html" target="_blank">Glitter Glamper</a> logo and name tags, went over processes and the booth and answered lots of questions. All of my sweet painty friends were absolutely amazing! Not only did they all hike out to the fair for a meeting, but they even surprised me with sweet gifts, a cake, and sang to me! All I could think was that I didn’t want to let these amazing people down!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXAXszv_LH_OzxZ5WAdHdAJf3s1_myHKr4RX9y8Klh87yIzFbd2Pp7VPDorkWUByqaO0xEZC-q6n49xjN0H3GgKle8cmRlj3XeEVlPSGtUj5MqGs2OHyYuo5c7u1FruYusWpaiIFfGtM/s1600/Team+Glamper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1259" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXAXszv_LH_OzxZ5WAdHdAJf3s1_myHKr4RX9y8Klh87yIzFbd2Pp7VPDorkWUByqaO0xEZC-q6n49xjN0H3GgKle8cmRlj3XeEVlPSGtUj5MqGs2OHyYuo5c7u1FruYusWpaiIFfGtM/s400/Team+Glamper.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "Glampettes!" There's NO way I could have done this without them!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Naturally, with 13 artists and a handful of family members come dozens and dozens of ideas for ways to change or improve things. Everyone was very excited to see how the booth was coming along and had great ideas, and I was able to implement many of them in the couple days I had left before the fair started, though had to table some for next year as I just simply had run out of time!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JkLJnMsKkTPwU7uMSmNW5QW7L4JOL_-tPDWIQTBfxsrXgPOhpImtP2dilMkHADxKUy6CIofmzGvcrgsthQR9i6fVB4waGjrWyA_ME8uWyzmvCDrGYtBao8myXsqoTTuk93YThfZq15M/s1600/Meeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JkLJnMsKkTPwU7uMSmNW5QW7L4JOL_-tPDWIQTBfxsrXgPOhpImtP2dilMkHADxKUy6CIofmzGvcrgsthQR9i6fVB4waGjrWyA_ME8uWyzmvCDrGYtBao8myXsqoTTuk93YThfZq15M/s400/Meeting.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few pics from our meeting day! My son Sam also filmed me opening up the booth so I could make an instructional video for the artists.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I would later learn that my husband had told my family wanting to help, to not suggest anything new or any changes to me...simply do what I ask...because I tend to take every suggestion as an item on my to-do list. This is true, and my desire to make my booth the most comfortable, fun and functional space possible for all of my artists, I left the meeting totally overwhelmed with new suggestions that I wanted to implement but simply couldn’t physically address them all. I had to force myself to prioritize and let a lot of things go. On top of that, my cash register drawer was not working, internet was not working, and I only had a couple more days to figure it all out. Aaah! Oh, and did I mention my vehicle which had never had issues in the decade I've driven it, suddenly decided to NOT start on random occasions for no clear reason? Yup, I ended up stranded at the fair during setup a couple times, and we still to this day have no idea what is wrong or when it will act up again and leave me stranded. Thankfully my best friend (who’s husband also hauled all my stuff with his trailer) loaned me her van for the entire fair and then some, and took my boys for multiple day-long play dates so I could get work done.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The one thing I really, really wanted to do but just ran out of time for was hosting jams for all of the artists to practice what we were offering and develop some amount of consistency. Once again my wonderful friends stepped up, without me even asking, and hosted their own jams! Jodi hosted a jam, fed everyone pizza, printed out my “Glamping Guide” for everyone and even roped in a real beard to practice glittering on. Tricia hosted an ALL DAY open house style jam at her house, turning over her entire living room to glitter and made countless videos of her experimentations with various glitter products, tools and methods to share. Tiffany hosted a jam immediately following our on-site meeting to squeeze in some more practice before go time! They really picked up my slack and I’m eternally grateful! Jamming is one thing I will definitely make a lot more time for in 2020! In the huge list of things I had to "let go," jamming was on the TOP of the list as far as importance to the whole operation, and will be the first item to move up to my DO list next year.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHEfLtHCS-gKWU0JfCcMj76EJZ6z2NP_C35jAKcC1AAtt_-OWUOjIAxE9PrPhGaji-tO524KvypbueSIjpJhG3EsO6s23j2h9LcYhtbRoo9xNTnazm2RGfiv4jg1XugHie79lC92E3eY/s1600/Collages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHEfLtHCS-gKWU0JfCcMj76EJZ6z2NP_C35jAKcC1AAtt_-OWUOjIAxE9PrPhGaji-tO524KvypbueSIjpJhG3EsO6s23j2h9LcYhtbRoo9xNTnazm2RGfiv4jg1XugHie79lC92E3eY/s400/Collages.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really tried to capture pictures of every "shift" throughout the fair. Here are a few of our "Shift Pics!"</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>It Takes a Village!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I am really terrible at asking for or accepting help, and this state fair adventure really forced me to rely on friends and family! My engineer brother figured out how to wire up my lit sign so that I could plug it in instead of turning on individual battery powered letters. My husband let me basically take over the entire garage for the summer and overload the house with glitter and furniture. (As of this post it's still too full to park in as we try to figure out where & how to store everything!) He even dropped me off and picked me up for the first few days of the fair and some of the last, and worked as my booth "babe" for two full days, sporting a colorful glitter “wannabeard!” <i>(If you don’t have an actual beard to be glittered, we can give you a “wannabeard!”)</i> My in-laws took our boys for the first 5 days so we could focus on the fair. My dad hung my beast of a sign above the booth and fixed countless little issues in the booth, and my mom made sure my artists and I had an assortment of yummy snacks and fruit for the fair, and worked the register one day as well! My boys were such good sports about finding glitter on all of their stuff, and happily helped me sort gems, trim laminated pieces, count glitter tattoo stencils and run a zillion errands. My niece worked as my booth babe for the first few days, which was her first job ever at 13! The amazing Lori Hurley made sure that I took a break to eat, and one day even brought in fresh salad ingredients so I would get something healthy! I definitely couldn’t have pulled it off without everyone’s help! But I have to say it was really cool to finally let my family catch a glimpse of my painty friends and how AWESOME they all are.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeZHXCWITyaYG6ONIf3XDD4MHChDUXmP7GY-w3k0IPKIju3kaAkehV0WZuTV-I-unB9KEMi04j_qp4kyT0bhEmk9Yghvd1Uqf3LctgbbOL8tRSJ9ym6Mxh5bdk5gnHKL1C5kn9PYumko/s1600/me+and+wayde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeZHXCWITyaYG6ONIf3XDD4MHChDUXmP7GY-w3k0IPKIju3kaAkehV0WZuTV-I-unB9KEMi04j_qp4kyT0bhEmk9Yghvd1Uqf3LctgbbOL8tRSJ9ym6Mxh5bdk5gnHKL1C5kn9PYumko/s400/me+and+wayde.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband Wayde and one of the several "Wannabeards" he wore while working in the Glamper!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Learning As We Go</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My artists are really a class act and were so absolutely vital to the success of the first year! They were so open and crazy flexible, knowing that I had no clue how many of them I’d need on any given day, yet willing to set aside their time for me, just in case. I went in thinking the night crowd would be bigger with concerts nearby, but it turned out to be opposite: we were busiest before lunch. I had people “on call” in case we got busier than expected, and people on the schedule as “maybe’s” unless we were slow or it was rainy. They were true friends, sticking it out as we all learned as we went...(hopefully) not taking it personal if I had to cut them. I had to cut shifts, move people around, and rearrange things almost daily. By the end of the fair of course we had learned a lot, and next year I feel like I can arrange the schedule better to maximize everyone’s earning potential.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXCTcN1vHcwd-ag1W41xXU6uTuLNbZTDAsAjXcBwiv6H3KkB0h_g8wZHSSoWuDGXcGgEWDTl-3eY7YKVxqheuhwlGZ93CESRBjSsgkUI4B2JFbVwMSGKvBf5waZoLq62eaErP5jz2uz8/s1600/booth+inside+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXCTcN1vHcwd-ag1W41xXU6uTuLNbZTDAsAjXcBwiv6H3KkB0h_g8wZHSSoWuDGXcGgEWDTl-3eY7YKVxqheuhwlGZ93CESRBjSsgkUI4B2JFbVwMSGKvBf5waZoLq62eaErP5jz2uz8/s400/booth+inside+collage.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few photos of the booth in action</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Learning to Let Go</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The first thing I did after receiving the call in May from the fair was contact everyone I knew who had worked at the fair, or other fairs, for advice. I got a lot of great advice, including the suggestion to take a couple days off to get my kids ready for school. Thanks to my spectacular team, I was able to take two days off in a row in the middle of the fair to get my boys to their respective school open houses, and pack for our big family Labor Day camping trip that now overlapped the fair. (yeah, I know...crazy...) This involved some of my artists arriving early to set up, staying late to tear down, and running my important paperwork on daily income totals to the fair office for me before the deadline every day. They were simply amazing. I knew the booth was in excellent hands, but handing over your baby to anyone is hard!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">On day 5 of the fair I was there sitting in my fancy barber chair, my feet throbbing and so happy to be there but so unbelievably exhausted. I told my mom who was being my “booth babe” that day, <i>“I feel like I’ve just given birth, and it’s all I can do to just lie here and watch other people interact with it!”</i> I wished I had more energy to take it all in, but just getting to this point had wiped me out! My fellow artists certainly carried me! And for those two days off, though MUCH needed and refreshing, I felt like I had just handed my 5 day old baby off to a babysitter already!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Wait..WHAT?!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My first “day off” at home I had just missed a call from one of these awesome artists, Tricia. It was hard to hear her voicemail over the noise <i>(we are located right by an amphitheater)</i>, but what I made out was, <i>“Call us as SOON as you get this! We are DYING over here!”</i> Oh. My. Goodness. Which of my worst fears had happened? Did the Square terminal crap out on me? Is the register drawer stuck? Did Paul Bunyan blow over and crush a small child? Were there so many people they couldn’t handle the crowd? Had we run out of unicorn horns? Oh my goodness, why did I ever think I could miss a day at the booth?!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">With my heart pumping I called Tricia back immediately and to my complete surprise was informed that members of the fair board had just stopped by to present us with an award, for “Best of the Fair” of 2019! <i>WHAT?!</i> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqN_DDyrRi2UNPds8pzrMMgIXSlBHQPjdJ78AmE3lY4ED2gHs_5MvxGAZzCgVvOpoN-QmIrtGPuQvSgic8167CIt_mD50Ca1Y20GexM3AG_DFNcQw5msV3yOibES_8OUJ25gEqrOKzHpQ/s1600/Award+letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="620" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqN_DDyrRi2UNPds8pzrMMgIXSlBHQPjdJ78AmE3lY4ED2gHs_5MvxGAZzCgVvOpoN-QmIrtGPuQvSgic8167CIt_mD50Ca1Y20GexM3AG_DFNcQw5msV3yOibES_8OUJ25gEqrOKzHpQ/s400/Award+letter.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Turns out they were "dying" of excitement, haha! I was to appear a couple days later at one of their stages to accept the award with any other members of my staff. Tricia, Stella, Naomi and Jelly were all there that day, as were my husband and two boys, since it was the morning I had taken off to actually visit the fair with them. We were the only brand new booth to receive the award, which is given to only 12 out of 1,200 vendors. What an honor!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yn0Yyv0ScEg3OdwjsfgyP60h-A195lh68ZTV4FHcUMbmwnoruQcmQAZm1F0ddSTvC0cn-TGNGsT_lrHFIwdW9MnNPLjk8vhtsjEmGnmwWRoPcJ43De381DTFV6s1K4v7D9k_bpExpbA/s1600/award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="532" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yn0Yyv0ScEg3OdwjsfgyP60h-A195lh68ZTV4FHcUMbmwnoruQcmQAZm1F0ddSTvC0cn-TGNGsT_lrHFIwdW9MnNPLjk8vhtsjEmGnmwWRoPcJ43De381DTFV6s1K4v7D9k_bpExpbA/s400/award.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Live TV? No Pressure!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Even with my thrifty ways, I spent a LOT of money on the booth. I knew that this was the one and only year that I would be the NEW thing at the fair that the media would be interested in covering, so it had to be amazing no matter what.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> Money was no object. Well, okay, I limited myself to my credit card limit!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Boy am I glad I went all out, because the media requests came flooding in before the fair started! I had lined up several news station appearances during the 12 days of the fair, with the first being just two hours into the first day! Two local news personalities from KARE 11 came to our booth the first day for a short interview, and got glitter tattoos. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2sW4xUNIR_KzE0kBZn15T9NGcptqPZBviXOmGPqrZFQFRfw_K8vfNrxj2wh3wJD4aqmyjFRQxn7WnWBC4Uv2WFPkE8iU45X1R-9oadSIl6T6ufmcEo_1NcpRFWCiGd4-sCwc5iVgkE8/s1600/news+in+booth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2sW4xUNIR_KzE0kBZn15T9NGcptqPZBviXOmGPqrZFQFRfw_K8vfNrxj2wh3wJD4aqmyjFRQxn7WnWBC4Uv2WFPkE8iU45X1R-9oadSIl6T6ufmcEo_1NcpRFWCiGd4-sCwc5iVgkE8/s400/news+in+booth.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being filmed for KARE 11</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It was a really fun time and their camera man stuck around for quite a while afterwards capturing more footage. Later we’d learn that they wanted me to come to their studio at the fair, where they’d <a href="https://www.kare11.com/article/entertainment/events/minnesota-state-fair/glitter-glamper-brings-sparkle-to-the-minnesota-state-fair/89-dd2c0e5a-a3e3-49a4-8250-2e05abc599a7?fbclid=IwAR2w3rqB-m4hGV5-fw3iooPhsf97PxDWa_gX6M-X6WxxGFO9blB7coXHjyo" target="_blank">play the recorded footage and have me do a live demo on camera</a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlY6Pr5YKcvUlhVjyFhDiLidxu1gxA6eLQvpBlJfhxnMqCsGGN_1cXdfb3EA4p9VtUdZGhel0Eg0W-nv3D8v2woZFOPQQ566rzl74ONiC86YPfAoNNAY_pkGCNdWylwg1_3hS0blBtKLU/s1600/Kare+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlY6Pr5YKcvUlhVjyFhDiLidxu1gxA6eLQvpBlJfhxnMqCsGGN_1cXdfb3EA4p9VtUdZGhel0Eg0W-nv3D8v2woZFOPQQ566rzl74ONiC86YPfAoNNAY_pkGCNdWylwg1_3hS0blBtKLU/s400/Kare+11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with my boys and one lucky girl from the audience, live on KARE 11</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.kare11.com/article/entertainment/events/minnesota-state-fair/glitter-glamper-brings-sparkle-to-the-minnesota-state-fair/89-dd2c0e5a-a3e3-49a4-8250-2e05abc599a7?fbclid=IwAR2w3rqB-m4hGV5-fw3iooPhsf97PxDWa_gX6M-X6WxxGFO9blB7coXHjyo" target="_blank">This live demo</a> also happened to be the same day my family was visiting the fair with me, so they not only sat through the award ceremony but also the live newscast, but they loved it. My boys were so excited to spend the entire day at the fair which they had never done, and both of them got to be on the news, modeling our monster horns and glitter tattoos. Our wonderful friends <i>(with the trailer, the van, the play dates...) </i>were also there that day in the audience. Tricia accompanied me to the station and unbeknownst to her, got roped into doing a glitter beard live on camera! She rolled with it being the amazing person she is, and somehow not only found me a girl with her hair pulled back and ready for a unicorn horn, but snagged herself a guy with a long, white beard from the audience in a ZZ Top t-shirt willing to let her glitter him up!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnfJRqbK7Otg7ENzM8ZKAzIkIWs1VBK522fAqG7oJEOTXzkQkuqDsAdCfzg2L2ZoQSok0zuQGUnbKwbm7g0ocL5tuOZSczzXvSKR3PfWWeMnurOPATOMPU_9IIZM4oOSNQU4C3KXaP7A/s1600/Tricia+orange+beard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnfJRqbK7Otg7ENzM8ZKAzIkIWs1VBK522fAqG7oJEOTXzkQkuqDsAdCfzg2L2ZoQSok0zuQGUnbKwbm7g0ocL5tuOZSczzXvSKR3PfWWeMnurOPATOMPU_9IIZM4oOSNQU4C3KXaP7A/s400/Tricia+orange+beard.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tricia and her epic orange beard, done live for KARE 11! I'd later learn that Reggie, our beard model in this photo, loved it so much he didn't shower for a couple days!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Besides our visit from <a href="https://www.kare11.com/article/entertainment/events/minnesota-state-fair/glitter-glamper-brings-sparkle-to-the-minnesota-state-fair/89-dd2c0e5a-a3e3-49a4-8250-2e05abc599a7?fbclid=IwAR2w3rqB-m4hGV5-fw3iooPhsf97PxDWa_gX6M-X6WxxGFO9blB7coXHjyo" target="_blank">KARE 11 and live demo on their stage</a>, I also went live on <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/GlitterGlamper_Press.html" target="_blank">KSTP channel 5’s newscast as well as their “Twin Cities Live” show</a>, demonstrating mermaid tails, unicorns and the like. Tricia was so sweet to accompany me to a couple of these, leaving her chance to make money on the booth behind to help me haul stuff and keep my mind off of my nervousness. She even had her mom and kids one day, ready to go as models! Many of my other artists found themselves on camera from the booth coverage, and were surprised one day when a personality from FOX 9 just showed up and filmed them. I never did get to see that one since nobody saw it coming!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The final <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/GlitterGlamper_Press.html" target="_blank">live TV appearance</a> of the fair I had to go it alone as we were short handed, but was relieved to have been given specific instructions this time for what they wanted. They were going to have me paint ears and affix a unicorn horn on one adult woman. Great, I thought...I’ll bring a few other pieces of bling just to show what we have, and will bring just what I need for one unicorn: a split cake or two, black, white, a couple brushes and glitter. Finally, I knew exactly what to expect and didn’t have to try to pack up everything to make anything, just in case. Well, it turned out when I arrived for this last appearance, and just before going on camera they decided instead that they wanted me to paint one of the news personalities’ kids because his family happened to be there. Okay, so there was a little girl instead of a grown woman...no biggie! <i>“Oh, but he actually has three kids, and we don’t want the others to feel left out. So can you do all three instead? And by the way, one of them is a boy so just do something more boy-ish.”</i> I proceeded to panic inside...I had this opportunity to also showcase our awesome monster faces, and I had a pair of horns but no scale stencils, no blues or greens, and no glitters to match. And I had another horn or a mermaid tail I could use on girl #2, but no fun mermaid pattern stencils, and no blues. I told them that I had so many cool boy things and other things I could demonstrate but just didn’t bring anything with for them, and their reply was, <i>“well if you can just be flexible and do something boy-ish that would be great!”</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My inner perfectionist was freaking out, looking down at my pink and purple split cakes and unicorn horns, knowing I could do so much better with the right tools. However, in the end it all worked out. I had just enough time to quickly complete a unicorn, and partially complete the other so that I could finish it live on camera. For the little boy I was able to hand paint some colorful scales by picking a few of the more primary colors out of my TAG Pansy split cake with a round brush, and adding colorful festival glitter on top for a rainbow monster. In my mind it was not the ideal monster design, but this little boy totally pulled if off, roaring enthusiastically for the camera! And hearing the audience “ooh” and “aah” as I attached the final unicorn horn and spread on a layer of festival glitter was icing on the cake. The moral of the story: just wing it. It’ll work out. This ended up being a really great news spot and they even let everyone know that we do parties as well!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7EOaXB74vQtP0uWrmUqE80UqrfRKK8K2zzYG1alunW7QFssEE0FLq5dBYul6ibTSU7Kdr1Kb3yTuOdar-1-GDvmKyxy1t-7ki5Thq06dcYnobbjJtnZTamZOobo8FVMstZU7mgNv5Fg/s1600/TCL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="754" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7EOaXB74vQtP0uWrmUqE80UqrfRKK8K2zzYG1alunW7QFssEE0FLq5dBYul6ibTSU7Kdr1Kb3yTuOdar-1-GDvmKyxy1t-7ki5Thq06dcYnobbjJtnZTamZOobo8FVMstZU7mgNv5Fg/s400/TCL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Twin Cities Live</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaKregr6Q5VJB-idSJgQ2xxLhuhXyPCBTVHG4pNs0Ai2pnPi99Z_FkXD_T_ks0xj97TUdNTSEVu5aPqwj5OaAn790yk7oT0aUM_ljxQOVOC7-qvGMyrlUu9-sOlDYft45oWxHMezH5n4/s1600/TCL+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaKregr6Q5VJB-idSJgQ2xxLhuhXyPCBTVHG4pNs0Ai2pnPi99Z_FkXD_T_ks0xj97TUdNTSEVu5aPqwj5OaAn790yk7oT0aUM_ljxQOVOC7-qvGMyrlUu9-sOlDYft45oWxHMezH5n4/s320/TCL+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with the Twin Cities Live's anchors and family after the segment was done!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I won’t lie, it was super stressful having to pack up my gear and leave the booth, hoping I remembered everything, not having planned on extra artists to fill my place...not to mention just hoping I didn’t pass out or throw up on camera, haha! The nerves tore me up and I was never able to eat until I finished with the TV stuff, but just like when I arrive at a gig, as soon as the paints come out, the nerves melt away. I survived...I wasn’t super eloquent and am definitely not made for TV, but every TV appearance brought a new rush of people who saw us on TV and had to come check us out!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Glamper Offerings</b></span></div>
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Here are a few photo collages of just a handful of the fairgoers we adorned with glitter this year!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV1rWxb10xOug_jBpceJljnKwJPpe26cjmNPlDre2KsDHcXN7oC6TRXn1CI-inQt-mFtQHTeGvKecPf71nzfaAcccRtJBHeNZFcFJnhWROi-OeBdRcnRQtCjCoku_Ev9hK5RFkawCGZU/s1600/beards2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV1rWxb10xOug_jBpceJljnKwJPpe26cjmNPlDre2KsDHcXN7oC6TRXn1CI-inQt-mFtQHTeGvKecPf71nzfaAcccRtJBHeNZFcFJnhWROi-OeBdRcnRQtCjCoku_Ev9hK5RFkawCGZU/s400/beards2.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_BCm_wQyhsnQozsuZZPVSYe6WL1WjqLl-c9ObyLZS0rB5dQ7OHc9k33lHONmJW5QCuxkpy0R-obGrZwISVpn1-8yNfiutjW-PzEMgUywrev9VBn-2oJnfehw7wrnVPfM7soRDjPvh2o/s1600/beards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_BCm_wQyhsnQozsuZZPVSYe6WL1WjqLl-c9ObyLZS0rB5dQ7OHc9k33lHONmJW5QCuxkpy0R-obGrZwISVpn1-8yNfiutjW-PzEMgUywrev9VBn-2oJnfehw7wrnVPfM7soRDjPvh2o/s400/beards.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2Fsm4ZjCfiNM2Wn59VwlUmPMTaRtAXeraHrB_QLW27u121z-ttQtj02ds61gNCH9riIN0-yKhIXbskHC7zqUpTFM5YnMWThIsi0bjpnKOZE5lTm-U4cjLn5muu1GdVL99j7yFku0ccU/s1600/Bling+Cluster+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2Fsm4ZjCfiNM2Wn59VwlUmPMTaRtAXeraHrB_QLW27u121z-ttQtj02ds61gNCH9riIN0-yKhIXbskHC7zqUpTFM5YnMWThIsi0bjpnKOZE5lTm-U4cjLn5muu1GdVL99j7yFku0ccU/s400/Bling+Cluster+Collage.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a display book full of bling clusters that our guests could choose from! Bling clusters themselves ranged from basic to premium, all had glitter of course, and could come with or without a little painted embellishments.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eiEjj7GGYgPTkhLdSWXX5T86iW2cgfqWHJZO4imfMvTt3m8jB93wymzaiGBeDWsM-lNK2Z1fOi_E8MGqB1BiG02aq_JwZrjyDUHOryP5J-aX4OO3GyMVma6cxthyKmateRbBjjLxcQk/s1600/Festival+FAces+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eiEjj7GGYgPTkhLdSWXX5T86iW2cgfqWHJZO4imfMvTt3m8jB93wymzaiGBeDWsM-lNK2Z1fOi_E8MGqB1BiG02aq_JwZrjyDUHOryP5J-aX4OO3GyMVma6cxthyKmateRbBjjLxcQk/s400/Festival+FAces+collage.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our festival faces included unicorns, mermaids and monsters! I'm excited to expand on these a little more in 2020!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jj2lILzQ654sBDe0vnd2numgfQYWM0ct4A1RbWBrSeJt7y7lMX9cTcUIe29gNebN97hmouViA6RBx_U2r9Gz2IGqacsZKeyUmyh87aiVUzFOLjnTXONWQ0mComRKI5NryRlJkxZxt-s/s1600/Festival+Glitter+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jj2lILzQ654sBDe0vnd2numgfQYWM0ct4A1RbWBrSeJt7y7lMX9cTcUIe29gNebN97hmouViA6RBx_U2r9Gz2IGqacsZKeyUmyh87aiVUzFOLjnTXONWQ0mComRKI5NryRlJkxZxt-s/s400/Festival+Glitter+Collage.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Festival glitter was our most popular item at the fair!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Qc1_RSvxuEtsbfRlBOtkLlyx-LK7FQrIshyphenhyphenjxDP9o-NuAo2Jn8XT4oSsXkhjNqnC3qSQjLEECDAQRlVcpHH_j6CjLzjjDOa_iOywgZbfjsnLYVsHjALWyM4HFuqgNlzCfhuNDFBnSzo/s1600/Glitter+Freckle+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Qc1_RSvxuEtsbfRlBOtkLlyx-LK7FQrIshyphenhyphenjxDP9o-NuAo2Jn8XT4oSsXkhjNqnC3qSQjLEECDAQRlVcpHH_j6CjLzjjDOa_iOywgZbfjsnLYVsHjALWyM4HFuqgNlzCfhuNDFBnSzo/s400/Glitter+Freckle+Collage.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glitter freckles were popular and fun! Guests could choose to add star or heart patterns within their glitter freckles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZIUjWldVNNZwSTXqbOxdpW4gZX9zeDehYS0HkiwaqVzeH9FElpVVqU_hyphenhyphenJyZyAdjWa4G3PtAJD4R-nL88l1ElQj7uRN4ovp-OwXPsT4x1mnR7q8lVoExC7Obh16C51rujC2MwBlfqeA/s1600/Glitter+tattoo+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZIUjWldVNNZwSTXqbOxdpW4gZX9zeDehYS0HkiwaqVzeH9FElpVVqU_hyphenhyphenJyZyAdjWa4G3PtAJD4R-nL88l1ElQj7uRN4ovp-OwXPsT4x1mnR7q8lVoExC7Obh16C51rujC2MwBlfqeA/s400/Glitter+tattoo+collage.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glitter tattoos were a hit, and a great option for those rainy days because they are waterproof!</td></tr>
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I have SO many photos...I may add more in the future! But in the meantime you can check out our Facebook and Instagram pages to see more!<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>So How Rich Are You?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Tell any Minnesotan that you’ve landed a booth in the state fair and the first thing they’ll say will be something in reference to Sweet Martha’s and how rich you are about to become! For non-Minnesotans, Sweet Martha’s is a wildly successful vendor that sells fresh baked chocolate chip cookies to the tune of about 1 million cookies per day. They are the fair’s top grossing food vendor, with over $4.73 million dollars in gross revenue last year among their three locations...almost $3.4 million more than the next highest grossing vendor on the list. So, naturally, everyone in the state fair leaves filthy rich, right? Well, not quite.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had no grand expectations for profit this first year, and may have been the only one with realistic expectations. Maybe it’s because I’ve been running county fair booths for over two decades, or maybe it’s because I was the only one watching my business credit card balance climb daily! But making money, while always something a business owner aims for, wasn’t really my main goal this year. My goal since trying to get into the fair was simply that...to get in...to prove to myself that I could conquer the impenetrable fair, land a space, design the heck out of it, create something that the fair had never seen before, become a new tradition for fairgoers, and finally provide a place in our own state fair for our own local, professional artists to showcase their rock star talent. Not only did I achieve all of these goals, but I did it in record time and got an incredibly exclusive award in the process! I’d say the first year was a raging success just by those standards!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Financially, I maybe broke even this year at best (still tallying up expenses)...though still have more expenses to come as I figure out how to store all my stuff until next year. However, in talking to the many friendly vendors around me, I learned that it typically takes 3 years to become profitable at the fair. The booth itself did very well, and I feel that if I can just restrain myself from making TOO many big, expensive improvements for next year, I may make <i>some</i> profit in 2020. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The buzz was just incredible around the Twin Cities about our booth! Each day we seemed to draw more customers, even if the fair’s attendance had not necessarily increased from the day before. The word was getting out fast, and we soon were getting repeat customers already during the fair week. The media spots definitely drew in more people who wouldn’t have found us otherwise, and really helped to educate the community about what we actually offer. Countless fairgoers commented that next year they are coming right to our booth first thing, and many people said that this was just what the fair needed. The wonderful comments and encouragement from visitors to our booth were such great fuel to keep up our energy and excitement, and keep me looking forward to next year! Adult women were regularly commenting on how special they felt, how much fun it was to get blinged up, and how they were going to come back with their friends. We did over 50 glitter beards during the fair, and many of the men came back at the end of the day just to tell us how much fun they had all day with people stopping them for photos, and all the attention they received! The Glamper is out there, the word is spreading like glitter, and I am confident that our local following will grow more every year!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Want more?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">This post got loooong, but if you want to know more, including my list of tips and advice for running a booth at your own state fair or similar event, <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/WetPaint_Subscribe.html" target="_blank">you can find the full article in the Fall 2019 issue of Wet Paint Magazine</a>! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwZgBRgyPDRrNL2U5QVDjTAUL1Iv6VydJtgiCMzbWn2VXaeOyUzAH6LFUCZXlXxfm_kKPsh0QglGf3dEeoBXRY7bI9OYDso_-mKD_kcn0rmwJPwTXrCQqTjMZKYS-f6UlWQreNulvDR4/s1600/WetPaint_Teaser_Glamping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="436" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwZgBRgyPDRrNL2U5QVDjTAUL1Iv6VydJtgiCMzbWn2VXaeOyUzAH6LFUCZXlXxfm_kKPsh0QglGf3dEeoBXRY7bI9OYDso_-mKD_kcn0rmwJPwTXrCQqTjMZKYS-f6UlWQreNulvDR4/s400/WetPaint_Teaser_Glamping.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-45057421638701778342019-07-08T12:03:00.001-07:002019-07-08T12:03:33.621-07:00"Where have you Been?!" My Recent AdventureI think some of my followers have been wondering this lately...Where have I been?! In May I had signed up for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/inspirationtopaintbyabby/" target="_blank">Inspiration to Paint group on Facebook</a>, thinking I'd have a month to participate before my boys got out of school and the summer rush hit me full on! Then a couple weeks into the month I got a call from the Minnesota State Fair.<br />
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I had applied a couple years ago for face painting, but despite having literally millions of attendees each summer, they are dead set against having any more than the one single booth by the kid rides. So last fall I submitted a new proposal for a new concept that came to me one night while lying in my camper bed one weekend: <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/GlitterGlamper_Home.html" target="_blank">The Glitter Glamper! </a>The concept was a cool, retro, vintage camper, gutted and turned into a glitter body art studio on wheels. Unicorn horns, gem cluster, festival glitter and even glitter beards were on the menu, with just a touch of paint to go along with them. I bought the URL, opened various social media accounts, created a Photoshopped rendering of the concept, bound it together in a glittery, diamond studded presentation booklet explaining the idea and shipped it off to the fair board for consideration, expecting to hear back someday, if I was lucky!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRngCMfj9T6fztAfgZ3rKTk9i7PexA6xSV7jCW9zslKkRqnYhR743SkEtjNAKNEPmsHPhOMSZv5usF8TTZaBZtzau1WeZatbo4zcbr62DgJZWCMV6MSA2mE0MgIImcZROjj57iaY3qY0/s1600/application.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRngCMfj9T6fztAfgZ3rKTk9i7PexA6xSV7jCW9zslKkRqnYhR743SkEtjNAKNEPmsHPhOMSZv5usF8TTZaBZtzau1WeZatbo4zcbr62DgJZWCMV6MSA2mE0MgIImcZROjj57iaY3qY0/s400/application.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My State Fair "Glamplication"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQjjVs2cEFOwLlhQBxtgGOnvJvuzbXJIWeBI_MpbVucIs-Rr-wNcNRDdSoTEiDZId9rp-l8c3rPpkTvFNgWg9n8U8MDTHRENoogMd2Gij0-6LBvLauFsdgicxD0UPHFmqv8NUlxHpCFA/s1600/concept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="597" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQjjVs2cEFOwLlhQBxtgGOnvJvuzbXJIWeBI_MpbVucIs-Rr-wNcNRDdSoTEiDZId9rp-l8c3rPpkTvFNgWg9n8U8MDTHRENoogMd2Gij0-6LBvLauFsdgicxD0UPHFmqv8NUlxHpCFA/s400/concept.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My original concept rendering</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-xTMcr8ahNt6rmC7tKhVQGK5Kuae3JpznB43QH2mzEptlw61yWtYlodF2Tpp4yCkmJsX9m8jND5AvMosalxthlfvBDGNdARisJCcY55z3bP_-cICVyuWF571KO6E3fqvmwi3pFNcvOw/s1600/Adam+Beard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-xTMcr8ahNt6rmC7tKhVQGK5Kuae3JpznB43QH2mzEptlw61yWtYlodF2Tpp4yCkmJsX9m8jND5AvMosalxthlfvBDGNdARisJCcY55z3bP_-cICVyuWF571KO6E3fqvmwi3pFNcvOw/s320/Adam+Beard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">glitter beard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwO97R2eoYJbzhBV9Wp5unishxYmnFcAnDG11YVNA6k6j1B9cE3e1iMSPLaFNLC0Tjvp9F9NDA3rLa37aHqEGm1AGuxMZmb0yG33ns9kkoF-z0zCFicdJ3V5RZjwOkM9iKnyIpQGB1sU/s1600/horn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwO97R2eoYJbzhBV9Wp5unishxYmnFcAnDG11YVNA6k6j1B9cE3e1iMSPLaFNLC0Tjvp9F9NDA3rLa37aHqEGm1AGuxMZmb0yG33ns9kkoF-z0zCFicdJ3V5RZjwOkM9iKnyIpQGB1sU/s320/horn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unicorn horn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKRUr7IVDPaXdxFIV2dTNleXdICTO9M7oSHbxAgYiwPbxcCkw5PQdNsnM5Pu5AefUq2LME3A51sG1O6Y2bLzeI_D4SeCco4b7LD8Luv8PfGAGdJGrp13yAwlms5J9_JIikR0ijOgzPOs/s1600/decolletage+shelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKRUr7IVDPaXdxFIV2dTNleXdICTO9M7oSHbxAgYiwPbxcCkw5PQdNsnM5Pu5AefUq2LME3A51sG1O6Y2bLzeI_D4SeCco4b7LD8Luv8PfGAGdJGrp13yAwlms5J9_JIikR0ijOgzPOs/s320/decolletage+shelly.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bling cluster and decolletage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I believe that normally folks find out in the dead of winter whether they've been selected to be a licensee for the following summer. Much to my surprise, I got the call in May as the fair began calling around their regular vendors to confirm, and found out that a few were not coming back, and I was offered a 20' x 10' corner stall! They were genuinely excited about the concept, and felt it would be perfect for the type of crowd that visits their newly remodeled "West End Marketplace!"<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzd-rvf8OtdPeqfNpWVts6plToY0Hc5cLVhmmPxAJfCA6YKwDe022gvnejzkv6OSFO6PsBdyXP9ShneMAKi2qdcbewexu3DbxojwqrPMJuBr5isVez4vmu9noyGII1GrOpRr6H5je7fwk/s1600/State+fair+announcement2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzd-rvf8OtdPeqfNpWVts6plToY0Hc5cLVhmmPxAJfCA6YKwDe022gvnejzkv6OSFO6PsBdyXP9ShneMAKi2qdcbewexu3DbxojwqrPMJuBr5isVez4vmu9noyGII1GrOpRr6H5je7fwk/s400/State+fair+announcement2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our location in the West End Marketplace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, realizing that the fair was only 3 months away and at least half of that was already packed with summer family fun, camping trips, leading crafts at my church's VBS and my other county fair, I literally dove right into design and production mode without looking back. I bowed out of the Inspiration to Paint group for the month (sorry guys!), ordered zillions and zillions of gems, and began my hunt, scouring the Twin Cities Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist adds for the pieces I needed for my booth.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojg0BlWq-QhtNcgLk-6hniFt55PcW9QpbkHZBATP5t7P2uSuhNVmIF4PrnvZwdXoozzds_qy6yLKVIgxZ0VfWN8OKC9Ufxhd6GBDiPSiKeYun6vCE6E5QrHH7q8aa3KPj_HVBv_4EBDw/s1600/IMG_8344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojg0BlWq-QhtNcgLk-6hniFt55PcW9QpbkHZBATP5t7P2uSuhNVmIF4PrnvZwdXoozzds_qy6yLKVIgxZ0VfWN8OKC9Ufxhd6GBDiPSiKeYun6vCE6E5QrHH7q8aa3KPj_HVBv_4EBDw/s400/IMG_8344.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glamper Location for 2019! This front corner, and the stall next to it! (20'x10')</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While my original concept was for a physical "glamper," the space I'll be given for the fair won't accommodate a camper. It's basically like an outdoor stall space but is nicer because it's a solid structure with lighting, electric, and doors that lock. The folks at the fair really liked my whole "glamper" branding, look & feel though, so my goal is to still achieve that without an actual camper. With my degree in Industrial Design and background as a retail display designer, this whole thing is definitely in my wheelhouse, so I've been loving the whole design process, albeit a fast & furious one!<br />
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I've been having a ton of fun but spending every last minute and dime prepping for the fair, so this is what has kept me SO busy lately! I can't wait to unveil the new "Glamper" setup this August! In the meantime, here are a few photos of my progress so far!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR_f0O8Asqk2vNHeCiYGn3M-OlCpRsuXUD8pcoZYwlp9kdNEHgL9alhbCLsTc4fM_IfMlanxb8-xxIQOp0iDsqa7-O8yYiazaJC345g9eU1Y8Ozjle4LNOfKlokSynPtBrC_THnVzZBU/s1600/photo+board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR_f0O8Asqk2vNHeCiYGn3M-OlCpRsuXUD8pcoZYwlp9kdNEHgL9alhbCLsTc4fM_IfMlanxb8-xxIQOp0iDsqa7-O8yYiazaJC345g9eU1Y8Ozjle4LNOfKlokSynPtBrC_THnVzZBU/s400/photo+board.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's a fair booth without a photo op board?! Paul has a glitter beard and Babe has glittery horns!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWzJGlTcHTJLY3hqYIsQ9gsl673c-mpkXBvXPVdFPdA6kOYKJTs6Vkz1FANrUiL_Z-iMew0MLQ0qJzZUxD_e2iwUfar7PbDOk7Z5of4A4oMi7q7GF8nJkDkvPDlGH-ZA0MidOKEbVVjk/s1600/3F490BC0-DAD4-48E2-9B69-A67A6F8E167A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWzJGlTcHTJLY3hqYIsQ9gsl673c-mpkXBvXPVdFPdA6kOYKJTs6Vkz1FANrUiL_Z-iMew0MLQ0qJzZUxD_e2iwUfar7PbDOk7Z5of4A4oMi7q7GF8nJkDkvPDlGH-ZA0MidOKEbVVjk/s400/3F490BC0-DAD4-48E2-9B69-A67A6F8E167A.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on my overhead sign with light up letters...my electrically and mechanically inclined brother is working on wiring these up to a plug instead of 9 individual battery boxes and switches!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZBNtmnR6OHHhcY-qreY-gDc1pDW2uyRyJJ3y5vbh-XqsnL7s4zaxcNdJJuKo8lNTE5SZ34zYLgyi26hGRRStgaASH3PlEN-yxdSCNKKch_c8016NGUGY5NDKYLy80x_nyzLZVwSN-dU/s1600/47CD4B4C-D24E-471F-98D6-3C4A500C625A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZBNtmnR6OHHhcY-qreY-gDc1pDW2uyRyJJ3y5vbh-XqsnL7s4zaxcNdJJuKo8lNTE5SZ34zYLgyi26hGRRStgaASH3PlEN-yxdSCNKKch_c8016NGUGY5NDKYLy80x_nyzLZVwSN-dU/s400/47CD4B4C-D24E-471F-98D6-3C4A500C625A.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bling making in progress...gummy bear bling!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_W5QAedp2_U54btr2Fms7CQbQSGtYE4_VzIetz-AkBO5ukJ0irQg1eVT1zgRQ7LfhRzID2jmKxWHnI_l5Pkky_SrJzrztRYLsT5zSNn9SXDqvcU8ljTwShn42SdLghV5BNerJdzmy-U/s1600/582E6848-1789-4928-B1A4-8DD0809AE032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_W5QAedp2_U54btr2Fms7CQbQSGtYE4_VzIetz-AkBO5ukJ0irQg1eVT1zgRQ7LfhRzID2jmKxWHnI_l5Pkky_SrJzrztRYLsT5zSNn9SXDqvcU8ljTwShn42SdLghV5BNerJdzmy-U/s400/582E6848-1789-4928-B1A4-8DD0809AE032.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My boys are great at sorting gems for me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiRepQy4F-hsn0XOGxlfaqkKaulRHz6fKJyuNkKvxV15uEDkYLuWw7O9X3-y_vT37zLdy0luFdF8xKaiXDr6LCanmpBrSexeo4D2vgNYIxhM2JOBZX01mC2iQGdkB8X2_a0A5hzqMxTI/s1600/86139272-620C-4CBB-8D31-47742CAF3B17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiRepQy4F-hsn0XOGxlfaqkKaulRHz6fKJyuNkKvxV15uEDkYLuWw7O9X3-y_vT37zLdy0luFdF8xKaiXDr6LCanmpBrSexeo4D2vgNYIxhM2JOBZX01mC2iQGdkB8X2_a0A5hzqMxTI/s400/86139272-620C-4CBB-8D31-47742CAF3B17.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My youngest posing by the 12 foot banner that will hang in the back of the booth...the booth will essentially be like the campsite that the Glamper is in, rather than being inside a camper itself. Be prepared for grass, trees and wildlife! :-D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigz7fiZLt0Khw5rRaCCQhlos5dbZ6aXPPxbSA74pvvE3U4xV5g2y38l_h8bQITANIs1YF12HrjZXv0BPr4z_BW9hz1eM_skAHoyQM95kcFiVQ-LcCQcE2rpKmFI9F_qHa5faBr0FEaE0/s1600/BCB1F367-BE7E-433C-8F8B-71613068589B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigz7fiZLt0Khw5rRaCCQhlos5dbZ6aXPPxbSA74pvvE3U4xV5g2y38l_h8bQITANIs1YF12HrjZXv0BPr4z_BW9hz1eM_skAHoyQM95kcFiVQ-LcCQcE2rpKmFI9F_qHa5faBr0FEaE0/s400/BCB1F367-BE7E-433C-8F8B-71613068589B.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's a "glampsite" without some Vintage lanterns?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVChcypSm62J1vRDq5xoOtGsVPG0hTHk_W1VBS8d_4NNLE7hsHYBHUZfXcjr5FCWMS23eWeRduHIWKuAfbX7d6bziO4eJj5_bYO1hYyiAOiFLEaX2h8QbJUYYADmGB6dV8lsgIFqpUjGc/s1600/E973644C-2AD4-47D1-AA53-1E0FD402D64B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVChcypSm62J1vRDq5xoOtGsVPG0hTHk_W1VBS8d_4NNLE7hsHYBHUZfXcjr5FCWMS23eWeRduHIWKuAfbX7d6bziO4eJj5_bYO1hYyiAOiFLEaX2h8QbJUYYADmGB6dV8lsgIFqpUjGc/s400/E973644C-2AD4-47D1-AA53-1E0FD402D64B.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staying cool in style</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-jf3PT_vpA_RXTysQjUV8cULJCMvdQGKEglZVLfPNCMcOKKnbcQRQaK1hC5sUTQJez-a4PvpN3TjlSyZSWHOv3zfee5iQzwnD62fLSdxvPvc96aqdVa8v_PRN1HtkAtB11tWYPTBQ4s/s1600/F253D349-226C-4F8F-8030-52637BA68E92.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-jf3PT_vpA_RXTysQjUV8cULJCMvdQGKEglZVLfPNCMcOKKnbcQRQaK1hC5sUTQJez-a4PvpN3TjlSyZSWHOv3zfee5iQzwnD62fLSdxvPvc96aqdVa8v_PRN1HtkAtB11tWYPTBQ4s/s400/F253D349-226C-4F8F-8030-52637BA68E92.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I've been making bling so much that I even have been sculpting unicorn horns while actually camping myself!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhON-A0Qe0gYv6gVnSPM-PxeJptzLRVrsht-a_USwvwRqjVUBF-hM-n-9daIK6EWljRTDoGsG4SMcHNrql-j2W7aBuARmtgzj0fP2di5od4g6ND9IQn5kzzDrG9Vxi7nYxsZ1KiCV0AQ/s1600/FBFD69EC-EC36-4D99-BE90-B54950947D51.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhON-A0Qe0gYv6gVnSPM-PxeJptzLRVrsht-a_USwvwRqjVUBF-hM-n-9daIK6EWljRTDoGsG4SMcHNrql-j2W7aBuARmtgzj0fP2di5od4g6ND9IQn5kzzDrG9Vxi7nYxsZ1KiCV0AQ/s400/FBFD69EC-EC36-4D99-BE90-B54950947D51.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My table on any given day this summer...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF95bpWGWzokoDBtpeMregoIp_pCk5o1tl6FY5SJU_Ydzho-DsxQhaCHvtXlnXy3rieoO8n7PC_DFfh-XDKTt86xvjLQruprrjrGcf-tb2xhWli_lao6iZegODj5s_3CT-MWPyQzUJzqc/s1600/FF85D989-F6E8-4B5E-8B0A-0969CD949527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF95bpWGWzokoDBtpeMregoIp_pCk5o1tl6FY5SJU_Ydzho-DsxQhaCHvtXlnXy3rieoO8n7PC_DFfh-XDKTt86xvjLQruprrjrGcf-tb2xhWli_lao6iZegODj5s_3CT-MWPyQzUJzqc/s400/FF85D989-F6E8-4B5E-8B0A-0969CD949527.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet antique barber chair for the booth! It weighs a TON! Thanks to my husband and good friend for helping get this thing OUT of the truck and into the garage! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYi6bLxZykBMybxdf2wbIuJ1tQx7gpihqx8RoIW6dVl0sg1MDwUty392KJieKFAn1q7xoLnWkXt2IX2plAqbhjm-ylwhrZDJBC_yCeoYCg66C59HmLaasqdBq69r0xTG6CoKyL8jeqxBo/s400/IMG_9228.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't go glamping without a bbq grill! This one has color changing lights inside, underneath clear gems!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6Qi3I2BNu4yUReQZbPEQajZ51RVS3f54NDt7OB0hkC7wkmwyAACU3lZTmKWTL-SrotLyn7VmJY5Os51aBEVEUJkGLhkTVW9rJ5g3mKoOjka4gTzLVzM5gdzDTxYuh_duSvT7E73MYhw/s1600/81602D3D-C615-46B4-80D8-370C420949D7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6Qi3I2BNu4yUReQZbPEQajZ51RVS3f54NDt7OB0hkC7wkmwyAACU3lZTmKWTL-SrotLyn7VmJY5Os51aBEVEUJkGLhkTVW9rJ5g3mKoOjka4gTzLVzM5gdzDTxYuh_duSvT7E73MYhw/s400/81602D3D-C615-46B4-80D8-370C420949D7.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course I'll be providing some sparkly new branded aprons and hats for my fellow artists!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu14tGKn1vi2Pq75aefZy_29Yj92RQuMOSfgMrK_sECUexO66gLJCNjc45-QyPcNjAD854LbA2dD96g0E5Wsd5yW2DblUf7Jqx5dvjkFFpHZ79SPgPbiXb1Ckdf9WHx0cuEo9w5zWDO-w/s1600/B09F77D8-E208-4C53-B8C2-1ECE485ECD37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu14tGKn1vi2Pq75aefZy_29Yj92RQuMOSfgMrK_sECUexO66gLJCNjc45-QyPcNjAD854LbA2dD96g0E5Wsd5yW2DblUf7Jqx5dvjkFFpHZ79SPgPbiXb1Ckdf9WHx0cuEo9w5zWDO-w/s400/B09F77D8-E208-4C53-B8C2-1ECE485ECD37.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lanterns are a must for camping. Glittered lanterns are a must for GLAMPING!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgaJCWeKqBDzFAa5lLZ69W1zaxj_F4Nsj3SqB9a-byEI_HM8hiID1uUxLFrcOb5O_jnyyDLf9BPPlpRd0VVb4DoZKPKCtSwL3Mzs_fsvfok4G1rdU10iCXBBs2ydaU2-CGpka1_XuUCA/s1600/IMG_9008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgaJCWeKqBDzFAa5lLZ69W1zaxj_F4Nsj3SqB9a-byEI_HM8hiID1uUxLFrcOb5O_jnyyDLf9BPPlpRd0VVb4DoZKPKCtSwL3Mzs_fsvfok4G1rdU10iCXBBs2ydaU2-CGpka1_XuUCA/s400/IMG_9008.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antique secretary desk as I purchased it...a bit broken. My carpenter dad fixed the fold-down desk for me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2JVVkH8yIa3h2KOxSsgUtexFsRbtCM10OqMLDqckV3u0jGKz30zJTS9qLcKrtf0ovo8qPLTo7XpmCS0Upz1RQiMmuRfMDtRApIqoVogdxFYS3fKduSA6oE2r_tngaTq-ev7BXJrtNNI/s1600/IMG_9092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2JVVkH8yIa3h2KOxSsgUtexFsRbtCM10OqMLDqckV3u0jGKz30zJTS9qLcKrtf0ovo8qPLTo7XpmCS0Upz1RQiMmuRfMDtRApIqoVogdxFYS3fKduSA6oE2r_tngaTq-ev7BXJrtNNI/s400/IMG_9092.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hutch after a facelift, before re-attaching the desk part! This will make a great work station that can close up and be out of the way when we have less artists!</td></tr>
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My boys have been such great sports this summer as Mom spends so many hours out in the garage painting and building things, and driving all around the Twin Cities to pick up Craigslist finds for the booth!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Wj3CdYmRHp7vHGrAfWpkHqU5R-WSQxQ0M53Zp0b-8d61CxZGRvpJs7I3Zkis05r4CJhKFWCPdzHEEkuAGdpb_fWutL3kuH2EeJy7ogoV0oojCcJRI_r2yeKNSyOyVtpLkyPE_avBgv0/s1600/floor+mats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Wj3CdYmRHp7vHGrAfWpkHqU5R-WSQxQ0M53Zp0b-8d61CxZGRvpJs7I3Zkis05r4CJhKFWCPdzHEEkuAGdpb_fWutL3kuH2EeJy7ogoV0oojCcJRI_r2yeKNSyOyVtpLkyPE_avBgv0/s400/floor+mats.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 11 and 9 year old helping haul foam floor mats down 3 floors of an apartment building in Prior Lake last month! This was a long drive added to a long day while also leading crafts at my church's VBS, but my feet and my artists' feet will thank us for having these puppies tucked under the astroturf! 12 hours on concrete is hard on the feet!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tCShl5gBSPYlolXxPRMcxXqb3urSV6UbTbVuvjkO9gksqYgGQrHI4-D63krTKL03qcWZPIXqZt3uwLOhX2hC_MRPhf9bVYMqfd_c_wU0w3P5IbcAjwA1SyeZTDO8ryGCgU7h9SDaZ_U/s1600/IMG_0401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tCShl5gBSPYlolXxPRMcxXqb3urSV6UbTbVuvjkO9gksqYgGQrHI4-D63krTKL03qcWZPIXqZt3uwLOhX2hC_MRPhf9bVYMqfd_c_wU0w3P5IbcAjwA1SyeZTDO8ryGCgU7h9SDaZ_U/s400/IMG_0401.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We drove to Maple Grove to pick up these trees! My boys had to ride with them tickling their ears, but they got lunch at Jimmy John's out of the deal! Can't have a "glampsite" without some trees!!</td></tr>
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When I saw this posting for FREE vintage, steel, 1950's cabinets on a curb just 5 minutes from my house, I had to swing by and check them out. My youngest Toby is totally my enabler, haha! He'll say, "Oh Mom, you HAVE to go to that garage sale if it says 'vintage/retro' in it!" Well when I got back in the car after inspecting these cabinets he said "Oh mom, I can tell you really want these. We can help you load them...I can fold the seat down!"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5ahrl7_iZZus8-MFb3KlGPHhd5zRZpdHpJ5PfoqlimrfPCBohqpFWfSoysIsu9itrDMtMHznAJcjZqxG7BoQIIHlGB-Bdq5ao4xE3_phMdiUORTRzSCB55Qm1t3-KDShXYK1ZH2uNmc/s1600/IMG_9722.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="740" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5ahrl7_iZZus8-MFb3KlGPHhd5zRZpdHpJ5PfoqlimrfPCBohqpFWfSoysIsu9itrDMtMHznAJcjZqxG7BoQIIHlGB-Bdq5ao4xE3_phMdiUORTRzSCB55Qm1t3-KDShXYK1ZH2uNmc/s320/IMG_9722.PNG" width="147" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">free cabinets on the curb</td></tr>
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It took me 3 or 4 trips I think to get all of these home, since I had two kids in the Jeep! But these were definitely dropped on the curb near me by God himself because they were just minutes from home and light enough for me to load! And did I mention...FREE?!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gZ2WtyYSdKYVnZC2Nz4gw4IGvFNi-e44G9cmV0hckYLlYpkexUhYDRN1PawtwD2KEPzbmVOISKOfxCLFyzl48LePhzMeEM2MqR6hEMksRy-X01O1TVVHXVZ8rYpcIz9PIHss3ejopYs/s1600/64580473_660534714462451_4681966191789473792_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="959" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gZ2WtyYSdKYVnZC2Nz4gw4IGvFNi-e44G9cmV0hckYLlYpkexUhYDRN1PawtwD2KEPzbmVOISKOfxCLFyzl48LePhzMeEM2MqR6hEMksRy-X01O1TVVHXVZ8rYpcIz9PIHss3ejopYs/s320/64580473_660534714462451_4681966191789473792_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
These needed a lot of love but were still totally functional. The lazy susan in our kitchen squeaks horribly, and my boys thought this one was SO nice because it is quiet, haha! It required a lot of scrubbing and cleaning. I'm sure there was dirt, oil and rust on these dating way back before I was born. I spent several days with a wire brush, steel wool and spray paint and got them looking gorgeous...some of these will serve as work stations in the booth while others will serve as storage space in the "back room."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UHzyJMdaPNKMt4Q1QckwdQ_d3GsxdObC41LYiNZkTr4gYKbOQOA_5ia379MbFTPt2hULtAqRTGm47B6WzVkQNNr19ucJ7QavrSZvXU7P7tm8J88uXzMy-cjOWv79QnFbO9CcaC6Biow/s1600/64849567_660534737795782_5459456891291697152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="959" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UHzyJMdaPNKMt4Q1QckwdQ_d3GsxdObC41LYiNZkTr4gYKbOQOA_5ia379MbFTPt2hULtAqRTGm47B6WzVkQNNr19ucJ7QavrSZvXU7P7tm8J88uXzMy-cjOWv79QnFbO9CcaC6Biow/s320/64849567_660534737795782_5459456891291697152_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooooh...you had me at RED and CHROME!</td></tr>
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Let's just say that my basement, garage, and part of the living room has been taken over by pieces of the Glamper!! HUGE HUGE thanks to my wonderfully supportive husband for allowing me to basically take over his garage this summer! Okay, if one more person asks me where I'm going to store all this stuff, I just might scream...but right now I don't have time to think that far ahead. (which if you know me is crazy unlike me, I'm a MAJOR planner-ahead-er!) After the fair we will see if this stuff pays for itself, and if so, I'll search out storage options! Until then, I'll stay way outside of my comfort zone and build now, plan later! Haha!<br />
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This has been a massive undertaking so far in a short amount of time. I eat, sleep and breathe Glamper but have had such an outpouring of support from family and friends, it's been very humbling! I had dozens of artists step up wanting to help run the booth. Friends and family offering to watch our boys, help set up and tear down, help find random things I need for the booth, and offer to help in any way. My husband has helped lift crazy things and let me invade the garage and house. My dad has helped me repair and modify my furniture finds. My brother is working on lighting up my sign as we speak. My boys have not only run all over town with me gathering stuff and running errands, but help with many aspects of the booth, down to sorting gems and letting me paint glitter beards on them. My mom convinced her sweet neighbors (one of whom has a huge beard) to let me bling them out for photos. I even have fellow artists offering to donate their time to help me make bling clusters. What an awesome tribe we have here in the Twin Cities!! I SO hope and pray that this whole adventure turns out to be a worthwhile effort for all involved...or if nothing else, is FUN in the process!! The one thing I know is that we will all sparkle and shine in the process! I can't wait to see how it all turns out...hope to see you at the fair!<br />
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Want to keep up with the Glamper's adventures this summer? Follow us on social media! We're sure to be posting lots of fun photos throughout the fair! :-DGretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-57236247788100142802019-04-29T06:10:00.001-07:002019-04-29T06:10:16.368-07:00My Top 5 Favorite Brushes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJaqZ3JtmubH63z9xSMB-RXKGl8qQ3IzlEqMp9j_UBp4qfBwAD87PPaFcTSMPqgaQyTdGdwBNb0OI0Hdu7rJYaHwEYUMwdj2cnikFLA81QJAFCWCXersz_1GhcTJ9zFpmPFM1bGiBrKo/s1600/top+5+brushes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="720" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJaqZ3JtmubH63z9xSMB-RXKGl8qQ3IzlEqMp9j_UBp4qfBwAD87PPaFcTSMPqgaQyTdGdwBNb0OI0Hdu7rJYaHwEYUMwdj2cnikFLA81QJAFCWCXersz_1GhcTJ9zFpmPFM1bGiBrKo/s320/top+5+brushes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What's your favorite brush? It's a question that of course comes with as many answers as there are artists...it's a super personal preference. However, I thought I'd share my own personal preference with you today! Here are 5 of my current favorite brushes...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLXkSzvua0Dx9k5TIB5oNkC94O-Np9BuWsQQwPBXJORjarWTgL7-0g1rvv4QBgiNsMFVIydxXPeN65SZbIkUpxiMG98Xiy7kdtztJI22ubmxlV1Ni2VWTU2vIG_AoRUTbaSjfGOhzX_8/s1600/Shop_Brushes_LCNo2Round.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="350" height="33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLXkSzvua0Dx9k5TIB5oNkC94O-Np9BuWsQQwPBXJORjarWTgL7-0g1rvv4QBgiNsMFVIydxXPeN65SZbIkUpxiMG98Xiy7kdtztJI22ubmxlV1Ni2VWTU2vIG_AoRUTbaSjfGOhzX_8/s320/Shop_Brushes_LCNo2Round.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBrushesSponges.html#no2"><b>Loew-Cornell Round brushes</b></a> are what I use for most of my painting. Take good care of your tips and you can do main color areas AND linework with ONE brush. I love the 7000 series brushes...they have been replaced with the new 7000C series, which are the same bristles but now a wood handle instead of acrylic. I loved the acrylic because it doesn't expand and contract when wet, loosening the ferrule over time...but the bristles are really the most important thing. So I now use the 7000C series. A #0-#1 for outlining, and a #4-#5 is my main workhorse!! When I started out face painting I assumed sable bristles were the best, because they are real animal hair, and were the most expensive. However, with experience I learned that synthetic fibers work better for face painting...they hold up to the rigors of our work and they hold their shape the best!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_R14VvhvvF185tHXMmIh8dI1J_sKJ160iX8IJLvwnWRZxkboXpCGE073btfQEpncFtuu6TBUTA9LOGb3He8gEZNXZctIf_R1XoSz47PmZqCL-ZuIYRzVQW7KTcvkYw52DcU_z-je4O8/s1600/Shop_Brush_TagNo12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="62" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_R14VvhvvF185tHXMmIh8dI1J_sKJ160iX8IJLvwnWRZxkboXpCGE073btfQEpncFtuu6TBUTA9LOGb3He8gEZNXZctIf_R1XoSz47PmZqCL-ZuIYRzVQW7KTcvkYw52DcU_z-je4O8/s1600/Shop_Brush_TagNo12.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBrushesSponges.html#Flat6">TAG's #12 3/4" Flat Brush</a></b> is my all time fave for one strokes! The 3/4" width is designed to fit perfectly in <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StorePaints.html#RainbowCakes">one stroke cakes</a>, and their length holds just the right amount of paint, and gives me enough room to flex and really load up the brush well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcesr0CkitPbnZwxE61BLxQ3cAohpuPRHdKygtmgVaybSY3AA_55ntALRufO8p7KrvBFwfugxYLkei5hZYBE2EvETfOGR1vD9AoBrKsQxDHx-8d5zfFFupEZBj4cQI_cizN6AVQhvBWg/s1600/Shop_Brushes_RakeFan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="91" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcesr0CkitPbnZwxE61BLxQ3cAohpuPRHdKygtmgVaybSY3AA_55ntALRufO8p7KrvBFwfugxYLkei5hZYBE2EvETfOGR1vD9AoBrKsQxDHx-8d5zfFFupEZBj4cQI_cizN6AVQhvBWg/s1600/Shop_Brushes_RakeFan.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBrushesSponges.html#rake">Loew-Cornell Rake Fan brush</a></b> is great for applying <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#festival">festival glitter</a> and <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#pixie">pixie paint</a>, and I love it for painting textures like fur! (as seen in <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBooks.html#realism">my Realism book</a>) Unfortunately Loew-Cornell has discontinued this brush too, since being bought out by Newell corp, so I am on the hunt for a good replacement. I like this one because the bristles are really stiff and spread out, and the stiffness enables me to use it for stippling effects too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd3JsxFVHyTqyFYW89RC_PD2YGKoskpu-vkrICDdWMi8MVnrW-rw71tqHdDou1Hqpv8aMpR4bs-YUR3anlyPS8C96fTlEOJEAjD6V_gZifntDRdEZrEh36XAd1zQIyoTVkUA_5HUkqE8/s1600/Shop_Brushes_Cameleon_Blending1short.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="76" data-original-width="350" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd3JsxFVHyTqyFYW89RC_PD2YGKoskpu-vkrICDdWMi8MVnrW-rw71tqHdDou1Hqpv8aMpR4bs-YUR3anlyPS8C96fTlEOJEAjD6V_gZifntDRdEZrEh36XAd1zQIyoTVkUA_5HUkqE8/s320/Shop_Brushes_Cameleon_Blending1short.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBrushesSponges.html#blend"><b>Cameleon Blending Brush</b></a> I use ALL the time when I'm doing anything realistic...specifically the small one. When I first got it I thought, "woah this thing is way too small!" But it's NOT! It's perfect for those realistic drop shadows that I paint under jewelry designs, masks, etc. when I really need good control, but a fluffy, poofy brush. (You'll see me using this in <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBooks.html#jewelry">my Jewelry book</a>) The larger one is great for blending too, and I use more in my larger body paintings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYf4TW9E72SaDIKwJAUyG4VW0u14epZNBPqrJinNNQlp82PHp2hZK-C4PrNDsqhjwpNZMROqYf2F7-IFKj3Mv_kGjzEAlu-mA8yfwKhspVd5xYfLEUEwtcB088cZcU7IsSKzInaW8VPU/s1600/Shop_Brush_CameleonLgPetal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="49" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYf4TW9E72SaDIKwJAUyG4VW0u14epZNBPqrJinNNQlp82PHp2hZK-C4PrNDsqhjwpNZMROqYf2F7-IFKj3Mv_kGjzEAlu-mA8yfwKhspVd5xYfLEUEwtcB088cZcU7IsSKzInaW8VPU/s1600/Shop_Brush_CameleonLgPetal.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBrushesSponges.html#cameleonpetal">Cameleon Petal Brush</a></b> is awesome for those double dip flower petals!! I also use it to create any triangular or short teardrop shapes, water drops flying off of a shark, etc.<br />
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These are just a few of my faves...there are probably 5-10 others that I use often too, but these are probably my favorites to date. What are your favorite brushes? I may do another post with some of my others down the road! Thanks for stopping by, and happy painting! :-)Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-76606015648740595902019-04-09T12:49:00.000-07:002019-04-09T12:49:10.520-07:00Paintings, Bling Bar and New Products Abound!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been a busy April already and it's only the 9th! I haven't posted in a little while so this is kindof a hodge-podge of randomness, but here's what I've been up to with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WetPaintMag/" target="_blank">Wet Paint Magazine</a>, a painting contest, launching my new Bling Bar and some new products in the shop!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Wet Paint Magazine</i></b></span></div>
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The next issue of <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/WetPaint_Main.html" target="_blank">Wet Paint Magazine will be out early next month</a>, so I'm working hard to wrap that up! Be sure to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WetPaintMag/" target="_blank">like and follow Wet Paint on Facebook</a> to be alerted when the issue goes live...it's going to be a GREAT issue!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Contest Entries</i></b></span></div>
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I've also been having a blast participating in a daily painting contest for the St Louis Face & Body Art Convention...they give us 10 days worth of themes at a time and we have to post a pic in an album on their Facebook page. In the end they'll do a drawing from those who posted every day, for free admission. Not certain if I'll keep it up as I'm not certain that I can close up shop for a week to attend, but in the meantime I am enjoying the challenges! Here are a few entries...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oUmOBXWjFK7XRY_Kkg7P2kEme5Qym7fVgTbONCiKAwVWHCmBcMtTdLgzjsqo94Hgo354e-UuZMpVh2cVvtZToZPAMPknbWnkdEP2Pq31uCuxETLy6OSIXsSxpXhB_dLNyg53Ztt2yvg/s1600/New+Beginnings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oUmOBXWjFK7XRY_Kkg7P2kEme5Qym7fVgTbONCiKAwVWHCmBcMtTdLgzjsqo94Hgo354e-UuZMpVh2cVvtZToZPAMPknbWnkdEP2Pq31uCuxETLy6OSIXsSxpXhB_dLNyg53Ztt2yvg/s400/New+Beginnings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">theme: "New beginnings"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikp3g9nFOxp4HXxoq9iJIVlDdfLRjnQ9xvs7bGFXHdlLMmHbD7qm_yBhvAuPeB83ujej-oAAVcFactUv4tR8S9orExW6ZrNVnV_tzU8YPW2moUc7NuGMcM0sb5MoCjohkOWj0wtL7xVQ/s1600/Stars+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikp3g9nFOxp4HXxoq9iJIVlDdfLRjnQ9xvs7bGFXHdlLMmHbD7qm_yBhvAuPeB83ujej-oAAVcFactUv4tR8S9orExW6ZrNVnV_tzU8YPW2moUc7NuGMcM0sb5MoCjohkOWj0wtL7xVQ/s400/Stars+WM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theme: Stars</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUIMlw8s8F2ukKiaiz5iAhTHGS9i7BJBakP5xTHV1gq7ScrsD-Nt4B0zYmF537KliaJHnZ4AxCfGGw6UFQUhLc5emwGZEP4eWd8gSgSqWviBg3CgO4epLAJCf4WTgVQlS3xvVdmpD2xc/s1600/Batman+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUIMlw8s8F2ukKiaiz5iAhTHGS9i7BJBakP5xTHV1gq7ScrsD-Nt4B0zYmF537KliaJHnZ4AxCfGGw6UFQUhLc5emwGZEP4eWd8gSgSqWviBg3CgO4epLAJCf4WTgVQlS3xvVdmpD2xc/s400/Batman+WM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theme: Batman</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjStAOFxjkJhM4rxUtOYNUJ8FdSeglo7dB7riy_TmCMQJPmo50HZhGBIzyQzRIOivavJI6xrzkOYHO8hHadEX5_J_kay1qSi7bTGYY0gFLBWC_CuxZA5DWAalyFtdFSvcYpJWcpaxFYr0/s1600/Jeep+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="617" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjStAOFxjkJhM4rxUtOYNUJ8FdSeglo7dB7riy_TmCMQJPmo50HZhGBIzyQzRIOivavJI6xrzkOYHO8hHadEX5_J_kay1qSi7bTGYY0gFLBWC_CuxZA5DWAalyFtdFSvcYpJWcpaxFYr0/s400/Jeep+wm.jpg" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theme: Transportation</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCFZtXVFDUr1HgIg8_yVDeS4CuvIGr1V3LDjzk_Cr_GR1OQGHGc-SMa5ktbdwWCqIEZfum8avIaq-mY802Dbp50k4jV2sTpwu1KHtyJdoPrHZrWXrhPq_oofJoEcz6aznfjiEdsPZWZI/s1600/St+Louis+Entry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCFZtXVFDUr1HgIg8_yVDeS4CuvIGr1V3LDjzk_Cr_GR1OQGHGc-SMa5ktbdwWCqIEZfum8avIaq-mY802Dbp50k4jV2sTpwu1KHtyJdoPrHZrWXrhPq_oofJoEcz6aznfjiEdsPZWZI/s400/St+Louis+Entry.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theme: St Louis</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Bling Bar Launch</i></b></span><br />
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Last week was my first event using my full, <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/Hire_BlingBar.html" target="_blank">new Bling Bar service</a>! My painty friend Tina Carroll did glitter tattoos alongside me, while ran the bling bar, applying festival glitter, bling clusters and "narwhal horns" (it was an underwater theme) to the girls! It was a HUGE hit with a non-stop steady line...I <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/Hire_BlingBar.html" target="_blank">blinged out</a> about 85 girls in 3 hours!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0tn2yU7QLFdd_1duDQGzg3_asXIfYyD1c4I_2lsOvZVn8tcgBukVR8Dr_YNNKf6cCsyLXO5rP9n7zABu5rqdWQANne9NdJRKFMN07OQC-de_DlXqfeKPuaSYtFX4dLNi6Bup8iAyiY0/s1600/IMG_5881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0tn2yU7QLFdd_1duDQGzg3_asXIfYyD1c4I_2lsOvZVn8tcgBukVR8Dr_YNNKf6cCsyLXO5rP9n7zABu5rqdWQANne9NdJRKFMN07OQC-de_DlXqfeKPuaSYtFX4dLNi6Bup8iAyiY0/s400/IMG_5881.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujGv0rwEKcsVW2Dd6mD0rnKRWo_B4xOlRwqkCAbal-PMpTGjApOFkRWpERMC3nmFhyphenhyphen1kTLMjIaJXIa9gUj6g8ovPoIRHQCMHEJLZAuJT_eyzRaJxpDO65EpH8kCaACIaQJcoaVDKEq6c/s1600/IMG_5884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujGv0rwEKcsVW2Dd6mD0rnKRWo_B4xOlRwqkCAbal-PMpTGjApOFkRWpERMC3nmFhyphenhyphen1kTLMjIaJXIa9gUj6g8ovPoIRHQCMHEJLZAuJT_eyzRaJxpDO65EpH8kCaACIaQJcoaVDKEq6c/s400/IMG_5884.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I spend SO many hours making this "bling book" display! I wanted something that allowed the kids to flip through and choose their design without having to touch them all in the process, yet remove the one they want to hand to me on their turn. Every piece of bling is on it's own display card, tucked into a clear pocket. So, the kids simply slip their card out and hand it to me when it's their turn, I remove the bling and keep the card. It also enables me to get a very accurate count of how many I've done, with the stack of cards at the end of the event! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyp98sJortIeSRnFSJfBcGU__G1yUML4ErmYqRhOg4e_j3wonvpgAiqaM_SA59s-rJxXU4PtkZ3TQn9zG8uDMrRAx6N2uSm9Co9H0bHkrl0H90IWZ94m4lvhvucr0PwuqkwBVDJk9KRi0/s1600/IMG_5885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="924" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyp98sJortIeSRnFSJfBcGU__G1yUML4ErmYqRhOg4e_j3wonvpgAiqaM_SA59s-rJxXU4PtkZ3TQn9zG8uDMrRAx6N2uSm9Co9H0bHkrl0H90IWZ94m4lvhvucr0PwuqkwBVDJk9KRi0/s400/IMG_5885.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNNFRgHCF7AD8t4SCsjO6Me1KTtXqMPzfmbsbPrDwQ6ijjtyVEoUtgYelQWRDYGKvqgFZjm56Ot-HRfVDVGXitL766xo5Qq5aEH9tqEWiID0Sj-t5gzWy8L2KrWvlrdOSvGrRymKqMe4/s1600/IMG_5886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNNFRgHCF7AD8t4SCsjO6Me1KTtXqMPzfmbsbPrDwQ6ijjtyVEoUtgYelQWRDYGKvqgFZjm56Ot-HRfVDVGXitL766xo5Qq5aEH9tqEWiID0Sj-t5gzWy8L2KrWvlrdOSvGrRymKqMe4/s400/IMG_5886.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many sparkly choices!!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKOSnGl0-vSaq_zuLRWk5Vdrj3Kk-1bGyZ51J0QYlgj3UPaDzASGcm16vDFBOPiSv1jYHqyR5JZWT0u7at10Qh35zpgMpO8ZGmZwSA0m-q_sAVgplBTITgHSZ457WPaxy_812Xf7VkD0/s1600/setup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKOSnGl0-vSaq_zuLRWk5Vdrj3Kk-1bGyZ51J0QYlgj3UPaDzASGcm16vDFBOPiSv1jYHqyR5JZWT0u7at10Qh35zpgMpO8ZGmZwSA0m-q_sAVgplBTITgHSZ457WPaxy_812Xf7VkD0/s400/setup.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>New Product Additions</i></b></span><br />
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I've recently added a few new goodies to the shop as well! Here they are with some links...<br />
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For your bling cluster making endeavors, we now have a <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#scribbles" target="_blank">huge 20-pack of dimensional fabric paints</a>!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn-darice.netdna-ssl.com/Content/Images/ProductImages/Lg/Main/DC26515.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20-pk Scribbles Fabric paints, <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#scribbles" target="_blank">$29.99</a></td></tr>
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We've been carrying Foamies brand air dry clay for a while now, for making unicorn and monster horn bling. However, we've just added some <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#modelmagic" target="_blank">Crayola Model Magic</a> clay to our assortment as well! It's more expensive per ounce than Foamies, but this gives you a chance to purchase a bunch of colors to play with before deciding to purchase larger amounts. This pack comes with six 1/2 ounce packs in secondary colors. It includes 1 each of purple, orange, brown and green, and two packs of white.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4tq5rCJvwQi7DbxKUMx0tF37w-KZziGuSUqSGr7gIdaG0kQhYcbUbynZjxJOZ-IIodC1v4RABzSAJqfe5bEWgwvtRefvoljc1Nkcc_-iiq8fURiFuEQxNZU7mQtbbRo7frNONCpKb8U/s1600/Shop_Bling_ModelMagic_BS23-2404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4tq5rCJvwQi7DbxKUMx0tF37w-KZziGuSUqSGr7gIdaG0kQhYcbUbynZjxJOZ-IIodC1v4RABzSAJqfe5bEWgwvtRefvoljc1Nkcc_-iiq8fURiFuEQxNZU7mQtbbRo7frNONCpKb8U/s320/Shop_Bling_ModelMagic_BS23-2404.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#modelmagic" target="_blank">6-pack Model Magic $7.99</a></td></tr>
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If you're a balloon artist, you'll be happy to hear <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBalloons.html#hifloat" target="_blank">we now carry Hi-Float</a>! <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBalloons.html#hifloat" target="_blank">Hi-float</a> can make your helium balloons last up to 25 times longer! We have Hi-Float in a 16 ounce bottle, and it comes with a pump and instructions.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="HI-FLOAT ULTRA PINT W/PUMP* (BOX)" src="http://www.rainbowordering.com/images/inv/HFUPT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBalloons.html#hifloat" target="_blank">Hi-Float, pint with pump $19.00</a></td></tr>
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Also in the balloon section, we've added to our assortment of nozzle-up <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBalloons.html#nozzleup" target="_blank">Betallatex brand balloons</a>, both metallic gold and silver!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pcIlw7qiSC_I3yoNXxqi6d_iiU-S7hDbnOh6PzdgKqwsgDAi566cZ0s3t2La41Kh9nofATECE31Mrt2QNZjO4vp7pOKUCDRNYQiZgFMraPeOut6s_-m1DFwe0nyD8Rm142bXpl6ErGk/s1600/Shop_Balloons_260BNozzleUp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="1007" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pcIlw7qiSC_I3yoNXxqi6d_iiU-S7hDbnOh6PzdgKqwsgDAi566cZ0s3t2La41Kh9nofATECE31Mrt2QNZjO4vp7pOKUCDRNYQiZgFMraPeOut6s_-m1DFwe0nyD8Rm142bXpl6ErGk/s400/Shop_Balloons_260BNozzleUp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/Store.html" target="_blank">Check out the shop today,</a> and be sure to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/paintertainmentdotcom/" target="_blank">follow us on Facebook </a>to keep up to date on our new product additions, and other important announcements! Happy painting!<br />
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Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-14723430070844297962019-03-26T13:39:00.007-07:002019-03-26T13:43:00.799-07:00How to Make Unicorn Horns for Face Painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd72-4Rsg7cKGcZD-T8h1YoWk1Ar1a2uUlow3xpc9OnMoi0XCewXjmPzea8RedmJgYx9L77jWyyGEkI9mqRkCJkvhqijJIc0WNOVbEEUMI7Y-ckA8ZrHrFQt8w5L-rK5mPAjM-L28aMQQ/s1600/Learn_Horns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd72-4Rsg7cKGcZD-T8h1YoWk1Ar1a2uUlow3xpc9OnMoi0XCewXjmPzea8RedmJgYx9L77jWyyGEkI9mqRkCJkvhqijJIc0WNOVbEEUMI7Y-ckA8ZrHrFQt8w5L-rK5mPAjM-L28aMQQ/s400/Learn_Horns.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Three-dimensional unicorn horns are a fun way to really up your game!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreI7TZy6hP4FTmp80-0Na2Zo6hZyHpleowkgjZ-nxD72Z40wbkvOYYF_pDBDxfUUbKUZtnfK9NcFkr3j1QCaOpNApeT0M0jgrVd4nv0MEzvJLSkKBxESFzFrniz0nyshnjqwBJDopCo4/s1600/horns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreI7TZy6hP4FTmp80-0Na2Zo6hZyHpleowkgjZ-nxD72Z40wbkvOYYF_pDBDxfUUbKUZtnfK9NcFkr3j1QCaOpNApeT0M0jgrVd4nv0MEzvJLSkKBxESFzFrniz0nyshnjqwBJDopCo4/s400/horns.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horns made of <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#blingclusters" target="_blank">air dry clay,</a> set in gem clusters made of g<a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#blingclusters" target="_blank">litter fabric paint and acrylic rhinestones</a></td></tr>
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We've just put together a video to show you how to create your own! <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#blingclusters" target="_blank">Find all the supplies you need to make horns AND gem clusters right here in our shop</a>! Watch the video below, or <a href="https://youtu.be/4nLpQfSY5dE" target="_blank">via our YouTube channel</a>. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on our next one!<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4nLpQfSY5dE" width="300"></iframe>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Here are a few pro tips for applying unicorn horns that are listed in the video:</i></b></span><br />
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- For the best results, <b>clean the skin first with alcohol</b>. (especially in sweaty environments or oily skin)<br />
- While the original Pros-Aide is great for glitter tattoos that we want to last for days, <b>we recommend the <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#adhesives" target="_blank">new Pros-Aide II</a> for horns and gems</b>. It adheres just as well, but breaks down more easily when cleaning, which makes it easier for parents to remove the residue when the horn is taken off!<br />
- Apply your <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#adhesives" target="_blank">Pros-Aide II</a> to <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#adhesives" target="_blank">both the gem cluster AND the skin</a>. Allow it to dry, becoming clear and tacky to the touch, before attaching the horn to the skin.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by, and happy painting!<br />
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<br />Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-55390680072105262682019-03-21T11:03:00.002-07:002019-03-21T11:03:33.569-07:00How To Make Confetti Cakes!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIxz1vXth-rBHM0LmIb1-rAxTQzJKbFuyVG2m47qlD_RbP35avk62yrbMwNSF97ObAQomN76pBCg5qvByWxTkbHRTNuLVb5HHQC3dCG5fvEaD4t1Aij4XdwVC0rrVVghNFW9ic2_gsa4/s1600/how+to+make+confetti+cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="1600" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIxz1vXth-rBHM0LmIb1-rAxTQzJKbFuyVG2m47qlD_RbP35avk62yrbMwNSF97ObAQomN76pBCg5qvByWxTkbHRTNuLVb5HHQC3dCG5fvEaD4t1Aij4XdwVC0rrVVghNFW9ic2_gsa4/s400/how+to+make+confetti+cakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Do you have some dried up, old, or seldom used paint lying around and just taking up space? Don't toss it out! Turn it into a fun, new confetti cake! Or, do like I did below, and make a whole palette of them! I turned an empty Tag palette into an assortment of confetti cakes, including bright colors, a neon cake, blues, greens, pastels and metallics!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXqYGqueeowi_oeHLE8lZZwHm1WyFDJEewxHkcQis5Mpl0GKX2h0MgrSDR7Kdct9WWnQBx77Ai-LZyVzAFjSfAXWXeg5S_rTUQxYntswbsvKlRu2rD2kSfpV77GKeiaP7RfUYpKydGr0/s1600/Confetti+palette+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXqYGqueeowi_oeHLE8lZZwHm1WyFDJEewxHkcQis5Mpl0GKX2h0MgrSDR7Kdct9WWnQBx77Ai-LZyVzAFjSfAXWXeg5S_rTUQxYntswbsvKlRu2rD2kSfpV77GKeiaP7RfUYpKydGr0/s400/Confetti+palette+wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Confetti cakes are great for adding fun textures and color combinations to your designs. Here is a video of how to create your own! Scroll down for some examples of what you can do with them!</div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lGZqNa2Q8aA" width="560"></iframe>
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Here are just a few ideas of things you can use confetti cakes for. But, the possibilities really are endless...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1menkKsEJgWVyEH0ZdbcsCEHFR1jbJ6vKEzwKNOUudm2pfN6Vicve2-xXN1wNDqB21QW-lsgKhEJ3s1xK00kcbI3Nfz3I-CUuiur2dckAGRnhaYuGTYVfUtWHDE7v9XDpxrlZ7KRwoEA/s1600/eggs+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1502" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1menkKsEJgWVyEH0ZdbcsCEHFR1jbJ6vKEzwKNOUudm2pfN6Vicve2-xXN1wNDqB21QW-lsgKhEJ3s1xK00kcbI3Nfz3I-CUuiur2dckAGRnhaYuGTYVfUtWHDE7v9XDpxrlZ7KRwoEA/s400/eggs+wm.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pastel cake works great for Easter eggs! Just load a round sponge and pinch the top half to create an egg shape!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1186" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdJu-jbvPbGulxsWCjXVNgfz_57NQVd8DxlWrjWFtd4pL_NbgKoqg1shfvhHuQrfl6Kg1MXpf5_7KefR3loyzvG0vneGOTlIxWFBkypi483k7YsPQ2fLOP0lU9S_p5v18jjdk_yetvww/s400/gem+wm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="296" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really any color combination of confetti cake can make a cool looking gemstone. Want to learn more about painting realistic looking jewelry?<a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBooks.html#jewelry" target="_blank"> Check out my book, "Jewelry for Face & Body Artists!"</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdJu-jbvPbGulxsWCjXVNgfz_57NQVd8DxlWrjWFtd4pL_NbgKoqg1shfvhHuQrfl6Kg1MXpf5_7KefR3loyzvG0vneGOTlIxWFBkypi483k7YsPQ2fLOP0lU9S_p5v18jjdk_yetvww/s1600/gem+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdJu-jbvPbGulxsWCjXVNgfz_57NQVd8DxlWrjWFtd4pL_NbgKoqg1shfvhHuQrfl6Kg1MXpf5_7KefR3loyzvG0vneGOTlIxWFBkypi483k7YsPQ2fLOP0lU9S_p5v18jjdk_yetvww/s1600/gem+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAbfrd3UguUq8v_1YlD9Na2xbaSgJlA6e94huBZlfHEwEBqbPwNdTUAoe4NyO_dhU9ANBqR1r-I-Omo9WOpF4xwx_-L0nUjRs33YXkoRJz4k6ryM_Vfx79Adkajr0koJtdjOh-culxBA/s1600/lollipop+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="893" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAbfrd3UguUq8v_1YlD9Na2xbaSgJlA6e94huBZlfHEwEBqbPwNdTUAoe4NyO_dhU9ANBqR1r-I-Omo9WOpF4xwx_-L0nUjRs33YXkoRJz4k6ryM_Vfx79Adkajr0koJtdjOh-culxBA/s400/lollipop+wm.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lollipops are a fun design that you can use confetti cakes for! Make it even more festive with some <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#pixie" target="_blank">chunky glitter gel!</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAN2ZkfGd0ZJngm2caYZIkj-K68oxKxH41WobQS7eiUPW__p9aeTXHdoZLeGRfDkI4Q7L0nKke-i3zTjKmp02q4BhXRwSRAPbcosUKazmhvcozAO7wIE0aA3NZyDpwDZNo6gg-JVA5Xag/s1600/snake+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="837" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAN2ZkfGd0ZJngm2caYZIkj-K68oxKxH41WobQS7eiUPW__p9aeTXHdoZLeGRfDkI4Q7L0nKke-i3zTjKmp02q4BhXRwSRAPbcosUKazmhvcozAO7wIE0aA3NZyDpwDZNo6gg-JVA5Xag/s400/snake+wm.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A confetti cake made up of different greens works great for creating a scaly texture for your snakes, dragons, dinosaurs and Ninja turtles!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34BismGbQ-WU2DHaMPFPZ5rTK_IiXAMzjB2Oeqr0z4gYteHAqYNa7K2Uzde04BGKaJ9dfs30XNyKQ3m2ujTyR2UDOz2t2juxMI_zUbfH4dMMW9HQxn2MX025vRzjlhlWx0etAvcEhDdQ/s1600/turtle+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34BismGbQ-WU2DHaMPFPZ5rTK_IiXAMzjB2Oeqr0z4gYteHAqYNa7K2Uzde04BGKaJ9dfs30XNyKQ3m2ujTyR2UDOz2t2juxMI_zUbfH4dMMW9HQxn2MX025vRzjlhlWx0etAvcEhDdQ/s400/turtle+wm.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another example with the green cake...a turtle shell!</td></tr>
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Want to learn more? Be sure to <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/Learn.html" target="_blank">check out our "learn" page </a>which is constantly growing with free tutorials, step-by-steps and articles! Be sure to follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/paintertainmentdotcom/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNc4BmgwUnUpp9aL-Y2uVgA" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, and sign up for our <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters.html" target="_blank">FREE monthly e-newsletters</a>, which always include a step-by-step AND a coupon code for the shop! </div>
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Thanks for stopping by, and happy painting!</div>
Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-88749630540828065442019-03-19T13:16:00.001-07:002019-03-19T13:19:15.908-07:00How to Revive Your Old Brushes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5OEzs7fWwaGqo4q9xhhxqzPSl43bW4Sq6NeFi-mVCvDUKaTr5eZtuaDfaySXnt8wI5P94TXDroDvqnAIIkKsHylLiIZg3MqDhDsDVDAeGzs_2JGG8ku8BbHHMTkyxBqQpICPB-K8ses/s1600/before+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1021" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5OEzs7fWwaGqo4q9xhhxqzPSl43bW4Sq6NeFi-mVCvDUKaTr5eZtuaDfaySXnt8wI5P94TXDroDvqnAIIkKsHylLiIZg3MqDhDsDVDAeGzs_2JGG8ku8BbHHMTkyxBqQpICPB-K8ses/s400/before+after.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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When artists tell me that they are having trouble achieving good linework, more often than not I find that the culprit is the brush. Many new face painters start out with cheap brushes from their local craft store...which is fine to start with, but everyone quickly learns that <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBrushesSponges.html" target="_blank">good, quality brushes</a> are worth every penny! However, even the most careful professional artist who treat their brushes with utmost care will find that they eventually come to a point where they become split, splayed out and even twisted.<br />
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If this has happened to you, don't throw them away just yet! While no brush lasts forever, there are ways to revive those splayed old bristles and make them useable for a while longer. Here's a video showing two ways that I have found online and have had success with so far!<br />
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Tried these methods and they are still split and splayed? You can always donate them to an artistic kid, and then <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreBrushesSponges.html" target="_blank">pop on over to Paintertainment.com to get yourself a brand new set</a>! Also be sure to <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2014/06/how-to-clean-your-brushes.html" target="_blank">check out our other post on how to clean and care for your brushes</a>!<br />
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Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-41271063668818514902019-03-15T11:59:00.001-07:002019-03-17T12:17:45.581-07:00St. Patricks Day Face Painting Ideas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDA-67p4v3lHXJDMhoTlaOJDE2VyCOhd5x-sWyAAe7-L3nDRdQVDn2HAzJDBU2ZC-WNZZRAQfVIaGCtKhyfUAPjJqyT_Qc0CdBHivtHWdzkMZIxBBarUuH5zjfJ8zVqfe7-c8fua1xhw/s1600/StPatricks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1600" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDA-67p4v3lHXJDMhoTlaOJDE2VyCOhd5x-sWyAAe7-L3nDRdQVDn2HAzJDBU2ZC-WNZZRAQfVIaGCtKhyfUAPjJqyT_Qc0CdBHivtHWdzkMZIxBBarUuH5zjfJ8zVqfe7-c8fua1xhw/s400/StPatricks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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St Patrick's day is just around the corner! Here are a few fun designs to inspire you! I do plan to add to this collection over the years, so be sure to check back every St Patrick's day! Like what you see? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/paintertainmentdotcom/" target="_blank">Make sure to like and follow us on Facebook to see all my latest designs as I post them!</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RuVVV1g2r6yGLyVuAMXjAkI2Z-A7fBAGdL1yayUCW-xWgdWJSJ0hxnVFdRECzq8FXGuJEr9NKvr_D9UDxnC0bR6TWZz0Fmb7OZn0Wu1LyFULwAI5Kq0xRZ7QV7DhWbl2bDrD306Wv00/s1600/Leprechan+Feet+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RuVVV1g2r6yGLyVuAMXjAkI2Z-A7fBAGdL1yayUCW-xWgdWJSJ0hxnVFdRECzq8FXGuJEr9NKvr_D9UDxnC0bR6TWZz0Fmb7OZn0Wu1LyFULwAI5Kq0xRZ7QV7DhWbl2bDrD306Wv00/s640/Leprechan+Feet+WM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here's a fun leprechaun feet design! Ever worried that by adding more you'll get too busy or go too overboard? Here's a tip: take photos of your designs as you go along. That way if you think you've gone a tad overboard, you can "rewind" back to a previous state! It's like a real life undo button! I took a photo above, and then below you can see how I went crazy with the bling!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArazLpmJeQt-9uhMyOQxRfa9BHY2ZAdiAoSSBtbaHJe_Ku-pSV2i9ed3H84PxX-K-92qR9wpLMZmG90fVXcYk38YApZ9FF6T2TE5gxHdx2sLnfiyMd1Cv767OFOLIEw1h5NK9RR-nUmg/s1600/Leprechan+Mask+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="432" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArazLpmJeQt-9uhMyOQxRfa9BHY2ZAdiAoSSBtbaHJe_Ku-pSV2i9ed3H84PxX-K-92qR9wpLMZmG90fVXcYk38YApZ9FF6T2TE5gxHdx2sLnfiyMd1Cv767OFOLIEw1h5NK9RR-nUmg/s640/Leprechan+Mask+WM.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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This one above uses <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#glitterglaze" target="_blank">Glitter Glaze</a> for the drippy mask base, and it is then outlined (gold) and dotted (colored "gems") with <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#LiquidBling" target="_blank">Liquid Bling</a>! Up in the rainbow and surrounding the leprechaun I have used some <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#festival" target="_blank">Rainbow Pride Festival Glitter</a> and <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#pixie" target="_blank">Lucky Stars Pixie Paint</a>! The little gold buckles on his shoes are also created with gold liquid bling!<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7t8hK98H7ymMm4d2j8PJRE8fPnDmHm3D-cdwRxfrgidCpHwBG6AK4Vsmf6fLXTlHYXsIC1omMdjjrR7n5AfUSOlDi56vGUE-VXna9DOw1RI902kMfAQ6ZvmcyPa44F-pQfs7buW5VDxY/s1600/Gold+Rainbow+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7t8hK98H7ymMm4d2j8PJRE8fPnDmHm3D-cdwRxfrgidCpHwBG6AK4Vsmf6fLXTlHYXsIC1omMdjjrR7n5AfUSOlDi56vGUE-VXna9DOw1RI902kMfAQ6ZvmcyPa44F-pQfs7buW5VDxY/s400/Gold+Rainbow+WM.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This design above is super quick and simple, yet still impressive as it incorporates split cakes (I'm using <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StorePaints.html#funstroke" target="_blank">Global summer crush</a> here) and also chunky glitter! The glitter I used here for the gold pouring out of the pot is <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#pixie" target="_blank">gold Pixie Paint "Lucky Stars"</a> , and the rainbow I added some <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#festival" target="_blank">Rainbow Pride Festival Glitter</a>!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPU2jVaylMiXSBnJDwx38_ymOQN50oUe8TBOfmIrfo0vGgnPx5SUpbHb3axZ4JMidSzeTagw_xdRtp16dI4Tiu6bC9iujweVcNpFNKwYnOjj1139bfsgBUuSmVS1yyFt0T9WkeaFlTdNI/s1600/2019+March+E-newsletter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPU2jVaylMiXSBnJDwx38_ymOQN50oUe8TBOfmIrfo0vGgnPx5SUpbHb3axZ4JMidSzeTagw_xdRtp16dI4Tiu6bC9iujweVcNpFNKwYnOjj1139bfsgBUuSmVS1yyFt0T9WkeaFlTdNI/s1600/2019+March+E-newsletter.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign up for our FREE Monthly e-newsletters for articles, step-by-steps, and COUPON CODES!</td></tr>
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...you can find a step by step of the above design in our March 2019 e-newsletter! Not a subscriber? <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters.html" target="_blank">Download past issues and find out how to subscribe here!</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2Elt5fUWp8r-DBNd8yMQToPx_JC_9VjnCTbT6hzWNlDq4x16A46jb_2z6Kny5eeT5VLfv8qevCWZOJG2Tsr9TAf4DFktqiwQdIWdjheORhlNrqEgj_kPCopss_pZ9mFBkrWma9WWxsM/s1600/Smiley+Shamrock+WM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2Elt5fUWp8r-DBNd8yMQToPx_JC_9VjnCTbT6hzWNlDq4x16A46jb_2z6Kny5eeT5VLfv8qevCWZOJG2Tsr9TAf4DFktqiwQdIWdjheORhlNrqEgj_kPCopss_pZ9mFBkrWma9WWxsM/s400/Smiley+Shamrock+WM.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This smiley shamrock design above would be a great place to stick on some 3-dimensional <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#eyes" target="_blank">googly eyes</a>! I like to use the <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#adhesives" target="_blank">new Pros-Aide II</a> which still sticks just as good as the original, but is easier to remove when it's time to wash off. <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#adhesives" target="_blank">The original</a> is great for glitter tattoos, but you don't necessarily want this stuff to stick for weeks on your forehead, haha! Here I've used <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StorePaints.html#funstroke" target="_blank">Global's "Leanne's Lollipop"</a> for my rainbow, and then added some more <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#festival" target="_blank">"Rainbow Pride" Festival Glitter</a> sprinkling down underneath!<br />
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Below is a more unique take on the pot-o-gold design, with an angle of the rainbow that you don't normally see. This one enables you to put more focus on the pot of gold itself. Try blinging out the gold with some <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#Gems" target="_blank">gemstones</a> or gold <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreGlitterRhinestones.html#LiquidBling" target="_blank">liquid bling</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTiDtGvHmzMme12sebAFQnC1IFpHEamJsLiz8fQnhBCTYrAhqPeKBkxc1ry6C-goq6sJPOahDwdFOnvSdY9lZaEyNsv7eKZ4LRp08NQDpNtjj3Nn_SJ9WTzJV_pi8C3zlF9bItxNJB4I/s1600/st+patty+on+black.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTiDtGvHmzMme12sebAFQnC1IFpHEamJsLiz8fQnhBCTYrAhqPeKBkxc1ry6C-goq6sJPOahDwdFOnvSdY9lZaEyNsv7eKZ4LRp08NQDpNtjj3Nn_SJ9WTzJV_pi8C3zlF9bItxNJB4I/s400/st+patty+on+black.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Here's a little step by step with a list of tools I used!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIIdga9f6ST71Gi-F7ZfpHN-U8uZersED5ZyMEGHkBwqMmRFS2A6zPmnFsGGHLz1kCqtRzmW9HotGcvh7tUE1JqQKq2kONaMs94PFV1tysYcQHBxA7TNptY7kletFWbwoBuliT2ttn7o/s1600/StPatricksHowTo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIIdga9f6ST71Gi-F7ZfpHN-U8uZersED5ZyMEGHkBwqMmRFS2A6zPmnFsGGHLz1kCqtRzmW9HotGcvh7tUE1JqQKq2kONaMs94PFV1tysYcQHBxA7TNptY7kletFWbwoBuliT2ttn7o/s400/StPatricksHowTo.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGHPP9E9xuIgC03cSXyN4o4jrcky6aIZGLGA6DD3EtkBsuWNUn0_OGNPe1MdOCpXXc9xOLomsxDbkbkbeeR3kKRNykPLyjgqi1Qi9m5fy06Z6_x9fvlgZm5_eJKcLqHQ-C8ol-S_NLuk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-03-15+at+2.01.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGHPP9E9xuIgC03cSXyN4o4jrcky6aIZGLGA6DD3EtkBsuWNUn0_OGNPe1MdOCpXXc9xOLomsxDbkbkbeeR3kKRNykPLyjgqi1Qi9m5fy06Z6_x9fvlgZm5_eJKcLqHQ-C8ol-S_NLuk/s320/Screen+Shot+2019-03-15+at+2.01.45+PM.png" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick, fun design that looks great with some <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StorePaints.html#Metallic" target="_blank">metallic gold makeup</a> and <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StorePaints.html#RainbowCakes" target="_blank">rainbow cakes</a>!</td></tr>
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I always love cheek art, because it's so versatile. You can put it on little hands and arms for kids who are nervous about getting painted on their face, yet you can turn it into a forehead or eye design by expanding it with stencil pattern backgrounds, chunky glitter and more! Here are a few little illustrations to start from that you can make big or small!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6NcnsVOfxoffmI0l3_Z1P8ZbMTutp4xGVrnTSXCeOIG8IS4MWjfiaK4K-PeQrNF2hFS0Flww-9T8U3hCzK2fD2fizsxX1QfMLgbFmlNtFEj30x1jo0sl8F1F42j9iCnDQp69wVkzNZ0/s1600/horseshoe+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6NcnsVOfxoffmI0l3_Z1P8ZbMTutp4xGVrnTSXCeOIG8IS4MWjfiaK4K-PeQrNF2hFS0Flww-9T8U3hCzK2fD2fizsxX1QfMLgbFmlNtFEj30x1jo0sl8F1F42j9iCnDQp69wVkzNZ0/s320/horseshoe+wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8VXMF67ZJO0mRb1f-m1WtSh7b3kNQ6oZ5OpbN0GYaXwoj0FEVxmAwsiDT_-jBXK5cmrReqTYnO1zIvjRyVuNjX8VpPaO9URkpaT5fwnYMPx2Ink5XrmQPslIX9BfGEaU5N6xkYVffrw/s1600/leprechaun+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8VXMF67ZJO0mRb1f-m1WtSh7b3kNQ6oZ5OpbN0GYaXwoj0FEVxmAwsiDT_-jBXK5cmrReqTYnO1zIvjRyVuNjX8VpPaO9URkpaT5fwnYMPx2Ink5XrmQPslIX9BfGEaU5N6xkYVffrw/s320/leprechaun+wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLx34yCdkX69KD2MN8wj2wWysYfCr5oufLUbCost3saurgby3oA6viHJSvYvfbzt2FTBW8JlTZeEwnMhRSpuB9s7ngPLumWitGUbWvopoJyhf3jyt5PaWUmUV7pTygAo8ZKftLQLngm3Q/s1600/owl+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLx34yCdkX69KD2MN8wj2wWysYfCr5oufLUbCost3saurgby3oA6viHJSvYvfbzt2FTBW8JlTZeEwnMhRSpuB9s7ngPLumWitGUbWvopoJyhf3jyt5PaWUmUV7pTygAo8ZKftLQLngm3Q/s320/owl+wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkbFjzlxRC4k2esLF5wDHnUxLI2thadokOUi02KGX8c2649-78HQ9d8hBTrUj_eI3A9QCrYLahyTdXwv5XU4TjGHKFiclq-tzPY7MeZ33yEcgSWCaUeIRFQLccj1AJI5IO1GCSJ2-JDI/s1600/beer+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkbFjzlxRC4k2esLF5wDHnUxLI2thadokOUi02KGX8c2649-78HQ9d8hBTrUj_eI3A9QCrYLahyTdXwv5XU4TjGHKFiclq-tzPY7MeZ33yEcgSWCaUeIRFQLccj1AJI5IO1GCSJ2-JDI/s320/beer+wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqOkS3laXSoqFHyBhggt-dwK1BsCDerutGv0JTwzE2d23A-V0g89mNMgSHtJPJJtvAeuvT34_AB_2_vKPJkTbzYJjGnXIgtxhIQvvmAvNIuBg1wCf4a0EGJKnqhEpROpksNwMrVDmiEU/s1600/rainbow+shamrock+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqOkS3laXSoqFHyBhggt-dwK1BsCDerutGv0JTwzE2d23A-V0g89mNMgSHtJPJJtvAeuvT34_AB_2_vKPJkTbzYJjGnXIgtxhIQvvmAvNIuBg1wCf4a0EGJKnqhEpROpksNwMrVDmiEU/s320/rainbow+shamrock+wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are a few larger designs I did myself just for fun....</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVU7RiwrZSlAcHM60EClJ_k2apfll5C2jOJ8qIgZXeOoi10lqUF32woZSeZopFmWW8r2NCt6zRCx31Ai4-wxh-xEwcXqYUtukUOVQuJP1Rwmt5pRAHrQbUPOudrhet8QgC7Xd4X17uEo/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="432" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVU7RiwrZSlAcHM60EClJ_k2apfll5C2jOJ8qIgZXeOoi10lqUF32woZSeZopFmWW8r2NCt6zRCx31Ai4-wxh-xEwcXqYUtukUOVQuJP1Rwmt5pRAHrQbUPOudrhet8QgC7Xd4X17uEo/s400/5.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one I did for a St Patrick's day contest/challenge online!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstEOJ7oPOoUHz6l3LRxs9sgF2FD1WIfQbgfb7LOeYJEwAb2ZbTA5BJsKIyTIeqKDMFoImiHD4E_FkfRzLcQ0eEsplrxEM7ykwjQlBFetPtCs0rUTKnSuehFBBeTTVQFBIrta0UvG7v8E/s1600/closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstEOJ7oPOoUHz6l3LRxs9sgF2FD1WIfQbgfb7LOeYJEwAb2ZbTA5BJsKIyTIeqKDMFoImiHD4E_FkfRzLcQ0eEsplrxEM7ykwjQlBFetPtCs0rUTKnSuehFBBeTTVQFBIrta0UvG7v8E/s400/closeup.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A St. Patrick's themed dragon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8Cw0-PlXMZ3DLyhcaJYKkXuo3sfC3J5Y1EdsGMPjpeoSVifTkyEnVFr68S0ib-M8Lht3__gg4BNn8pNVkJgvLIawA4wyaTv2XJ_lGW9AWWJ8njdTU2rfYsJD8B561luRf33sSHZXqOE/s1600/LuckyWM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1452" data-original-width="1600" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8Cw0-PlXMZ3DLyhcaJYKkXuo3sfC3J5Y1EdsGMPjpeoSVifTkyEnVFr68S0ib-M8Lht3__gg4BNn8pNVkJgvLIawA4wyaTv2XJ_lGW9AWWJ8njdTU2rfYsJD8B561luRf33sSHZXqOE/s400/LuckyWM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one I painted for "National Cereal Day!" Look back into my blog history throughout the year 2017 and you can see every one of my daily posts, corresponding to that day's "national day of whatever!"</td></tr>
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I hope you all have a super fun St. Patrick's Day! Happy painting!Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-24076094149376759172019-03-14T05:46:00.002-07:002019-03-14T05:46:19.624-07:00So you want to BE an Agent...<i style="color: #741b47; text-align: center;">I am working to copy some of our past e-newsletter articles over to the blog to make them even easier for people to find! This particular article <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters/2017_May_enewsletter.pdf">can be found in the May 2017 issue</a>. Not a subscriber? You can learn how to subscribe and download past issues <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters.html">by clicking HERE</a>!</i><br />
<i style="color: #741b47; text-align: center;"><br /></i><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>So You Want to BE An Agent...</b></span></span><i style="color: #741b47; text-align: center;"><style type="text/css">
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<span style="text-align: center;">F</span><span style="text-align: center;">or my third installment on the subject of agents, this time we’ll briefly discuss some pro’s and con’s of acting as an agent, as well as some of the things you may have to consider that you don’t as an individual artist. (if you haven't read my previous articles, check out "<a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2019/03/finding-good-agent.html">Finding a good agent</a>" and "<a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2019/03/keeping-good-agent.html">Keeping a good agent</a>")</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Working as an agent is certainly not for the faint of heart.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s one of those jobs that looks so much greener from the other side of the fence, but once you jump over, you may likely find your foot land in a hidden pile of dog poo! Haha! For this reason, it is important to do your research and carefully weigh the pros, cons, and responsibilities involved with being an agent. (And when I say an agent, I mean <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2019/03/finding-good-agent.html">the “good” kind I defined earlier</a>)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Here are some things to consider!</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">The Pro’s</span></b></span></div>
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<b>Your capacity increases</b></div>
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Hiring out other artists does increase the number of gigs you are able to cover.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Though keep in mind that this brings with it many other cons associated with juggling multiple artists)</div>
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<b>You can make more money</b></div>
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In the end, you can end up with a larger dollar amount in your pocket at the end of the year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Whether it is enough to be worth all the extra hours you’re not paid hourly for to manage multiple artists though, is highly arguable!</div>
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<b>You can have more family time</b></div>
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I do enjoy the ability to send other artists to gigs when I have a family event to attend instead! However, this does come with the constant possibility of someone not showing up or something going wrong, potentially requiring me to still drop what I’m doing to fix it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">The Con’s</span></b></div>
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<b>Less Painty More Desky</b></div>
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You will spend a LOT more time on the less fun part of the job than you will painting as an agent.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This includes writing, sending, and chasing down artist contracts. (yes, you MUST have written contracts for your artists!)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Writing, sending and chasing down payments from vendors.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Fielding any and all emails and phone calls from clients, calming frantic clients, and smoothing over disasters.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Getting recaps from all artists, thanking the clients, paying the artists, paying the artists again when they lose a check or move without telling you, getting reviews and ratings from clients, and following up with clients the next year in hopes of getting the gig again.</div>
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Then there’s just the business side that isn’t directly related to events...advertising, marketing, maintaining websites and social media accounts, responding to requests for quotes, etc etc.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you don’t get enjoyment out of the administrative side of your job, agenting is definitely NOT for you!</div>
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<b>Meet Uncle Sam</b></div>
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As an agent you are required to provide a 1099-MISC form to every independent contractor whom you pay $600 or more during any given calendar year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This can be quite an undertaking, especially if you haven’t already collected social security numbers when originally hiring artists.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Bookkeeping in general becomes much more complicated and time consuming when acting as an agent, and more important.</div>
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<b>Handing Over Your Reputation</b></div>
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It is hard to express how difficult it is to hand over my baby to another artist. It is no reflection of their talent or capabilities of course, but more about the decades of blood, sweat and tears I have poured into making my business what it is today.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The thought of one person having the power to hurt my business’ reputation is sortof terrifying for a new agent! Heck, it's terrifying for a seasoned agent!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is where you need to ensure that you are able to manage the expectations of both clients and artists, and handle sticky situations with grace.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Other Considerations</span></b></div>
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<b>Cash Flow</b></div>
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Suddenly cash flow becomes incredibly important when you are responsible for paying artists.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you’ll remember from <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2019/03/finding-good-agent.html">our first agent article</a>, a good agent doesn’t make you wait until they get paid before you get paid.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Making your artists wait to be paid more than a couple weeks for work they’ve already done is really unacceptable.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As an agent it is imperative that you either require payment up front from your clients, or manage your money in such a way that you are always able to pay your artists promptly when they perform for you.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Ticking off your artists will only hurt you and your business in the end, so this is important!</div>
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Many artists who have had bad experiences with agents claim that agents are just getting rich off of their work.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Let me tell you, this is oh SO not the case.</div>
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For the sake of easy math, let’s say as an agent you charge $100 per hour, and pay your artist $80 per hour for a 1 hour birthday party.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>For that 1 hour party you are spending a conservative estimate of 2-4 hours on this gig, which makes you a whopping $5-$10 per hour.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The wide range is affected by things out of your control....how difficult a client is, how difficult an artist is, etc.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Some clients you have to go back and fourth several times to get it booked. Some artists you have to send and re send contracts to get them signed. Some paychecks you have to re-write as an artist moved and didn’t give you their new address. The list of variables goes on and on.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Then you have to subtract the money you spend to GET those gigs that you give to other artists...your website costs, advertising, gig site bidding fees, or whatever you use to bring in business.</div>
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You will be spending a lot more time on paperwork and people management than you will on painting as an agent, and with no set hourly rate like your artists receive. Though as long as you get enjoyment out of these aspects of business and can find a good balance, it can be worth your while!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My suggestion is to start small, yet do it right from the beginning.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Don’t cut corners on bookkeeping or contracts.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s much easier to get the process down early on when you have 1 or 2 artists you frequently hire, rather than dozens!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Starting small will enable you to see if being an agent is for you before it consumes your business.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In a future issue of <a href="http://www.wetpaintmagazine.com/" target="_blank">Wet Paint Magazine</a>, I plan on doing a more in depth article on being an agent. I’d love to hear your experiences on the topic! Feel free to email me at Gretchen@Paintertainment.com if you’d like to share any insights or stories!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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</span>Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-77712376217649945172019-03-14T05:39:00.003-07:002019-03-14T05:39:36.461-07:00KEEPING A Good Agent<i style="color: #741b47; text-align: center;">I am working to copy some of our past e-newsletter articles over to the blog to make them even easier for people to find! This particular article <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters/2017_April_enewsletter.pdf">can be found in the April 2017 issue</a>. Not a subscriber? You can learn how to subscribe and download past issues <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters.html">by clicking HERE</a>!</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Keeping a Good Agent</b></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">L</span><span style="text-align: center;">ast time we discussed <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2019/03/finding-good-agent.html">how to FIND a good agent.</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you didn’t read that article, take a look back and learn what to look for in a good agent...while a bad agent can bring you tons of stress, a good one is worth their weight in gold!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Now that you’ve hopefully found a good agent, here are some tips to keep your relationship great.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Communication</span></b></span></div>
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An agent can’t book you if they can’t get ahold of you.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The best way to ensure that you don’t miss out on a gig is to find out your agent’s preferred method of communication, and respond in that way, or at least in the way they contacted you.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If they email, send an email back.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If they call, call them back.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I personally am terrible at keeping up with phone calls, but am quicker with texts and emails! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<b>Check In</b></div>
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Check in with your agent as soon as possible after you finish a gig.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s NOT because they don’t trust you or want to babysit you. It’s really important for the agent to know what happened from your perspective asap, so that they can properly address any issues when they discuss how the event went with the client.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This enables them to have YOUR back if a client calls with a complaint.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>For example, if the client claims you were too slow, it helps to have photographic evidence that twice as many kids came as they originally told you.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A good agent stands up for his or her contractors while smoothing over any issues, and in order to do this, you need to keep in close communication to work as a team. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Likewise, agents would like to know if the client was especially pleasant, helpful, tipped you well, or did anything else that went above and beyond so they can properly thank them, and hopefully book YOU for the same event next year if you enjoyed it!</div>
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Sending photos with your check in is a huge plus, and for many agents, a requirement! It helps your agent to better understand the environment you were working in, and plan their discussions with the client for next year’s event, should any changes need to be made to make things run more smoothly.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I also request that artists who work for me send photos of several of their paintings, so I can thank the client with a photo collage of the beautiful work that was done!<br />
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<b>Stay Top of Mind</b></div>
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I know this may make we agents sound spacey, but sometimes agents don't hire you just because they don't think of you or haven't seen you in a while! It has nothing to do with your talent...they just deal with so many artists and so many events, that they tend to call those artists who are top of mind first. You can stay towards the top of your agent's mind by sending an occasional email letting them know what you've been up to. Maybe you've learned a new skill, gotten better or faster at a particular design, added some cool new products to your kit, send a picture of something you've painted recently or let them know some upcoming weekends you have open. Don't bombard them with spam, of course, but keeping communication consistent or just showing up at local jams, conventions, workshops or other events where the agent is can help keep you top of mind!</div>
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Perhaps one of the worst things you can do to damage your relationship with your agent is to arrive late. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Whether you’re stuck in traffic, got bad directions, were given the wrong address, or had the time wrong on your calendar, we have ALL been there, myself included! While it can be totally mortifying for both the artist and the agent, no matter who’s fault it is, it immediately damages the reputation of the agent’s company.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Do whatever it takes to arrive on time, and plan to be early!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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When you are stuck in one of those situations where you’re running late, it is of utmost importance that you contact the agent the moment that you know you will be late. (not after the fact)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This gives them the opportunity to call up the client and prepare them, making life easier for you and preventing a possible client meltdown when you arrive. Agents take care of this uncomfortable stuff so you don’t have to...help them get the info they need so you can just have fun painting!</div>
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Backing out of a gig after you’ve signed a contract is right up there with arriving late, especially if it’s at the eleventh hour.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>While you may be taking a to-do off your calendar, the agent is now taking on a huge list of stressful to-do’s to replace you.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Again, I’ve both done this myself, and had this done to me.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We’ve all been there and know it’s sometimes truely unavoidable. But no matter how good your reasons are, be as gracious, understanding, and accommodating as possible, and try very hard not to ever let it happen twice!</div>
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You would think this would go without saying, but unfortunately it has to be said.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If your agent hasn’t given you some sort of dress code, just ask them.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They may request a certain style to fit their brand, the client’s preferences, or simply request a level of modesty. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Represent the Agent</span></b></div>
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<b>Distribute the Agent’s Collateral</b></div>
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Once you accept a gig that was booked through an agent, you are expected to act as a representative of their business, not your own.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This means you distribute their business cards (unless they say otherwise), and only display their company<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>name. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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When you are the one who has put in the time and expense of advertising, earning regular clients, and maintaining that relationship, then you are free to sell yourself.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Always ask your agent what their policy is when asked for a card, though this should be in their contract already. Many agents allow and even prefer you to write your name on their cards in case the client wants to request you specifically for a future gig! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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If you’re an artist who argues, “well I’m the one doing all the work and making THEM look good!” then you likely have not played the role of an agent yet!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As an artist who also experiences first hand the sheer volume of unpleasant grunt work involved in being an agent, I have a special appreciation for this and jump at the chance to work for and represent other agents at a fraction of my own hourly rate! Regardless of your feelings on whether an agent is worth their “cut” or not, the bottom line is, you are a independent contractor.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This means you are completely free to work on your own, and if you are unhappy with your agent’s policies or the rate that they are paying you, simply stop taking gigs from them. That’s the joy of being your own boss!</div>
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While I could go on and on, these are just a few tips on how to keep your relationship with your agent running smoothly.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The biggest tip though is to simply have open and honest communication with your agent about their own particular policies so everyone is clear about what their roles are!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As I mentioned, this is a series of articles on agents...next time I’ll touch on the subject of becoming an agent yourself! Until then, happy painting!</div>
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</span>Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-64767813271707444592019-03-14T05:33:00.000-07:002019-03-14T05:33:51.960-07:00FINDING a Good Agent<i style="color: #741b47; text-align: center;">I am working to copy some of our past e-newsletter articles over to the blog to make them even easier for people to find! This particular article <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters/2017_March_enewsletter.pdf">can be found in the March 2017 issue</a>. Not a subscriber? You can learn how to subscribe and download past issues <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters.html">by clicking HERE</a>!</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>FINDING A Good Agent</b></span><br />
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<i>H</i><i>ave you been struggling to find enough gigs to keep yourself as busy painting as you want to be?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Do you dread the business side of face painting, wish you could skip all the paperwork and chasing down payments from clients, and just PAINT? Perhaps then you might consider working for an agent.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Finding a great agent to work with can be very good for filling your calendar.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sadly, there are a lot of bad agents out there, and artists need to remember that as independent contractors we have the freedom to work for whomever we want, and should be interviewing potential agents just as they interview us. Here are a few tips to help you find the right agent for you.</i></div>
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<b><i>Where To Find Agents</i></b></div>
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Before you can start working for agents, you of course need to find them.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>You can start with a simple Google Search or find out who’s offering face painting services on Thumbtack, Gigmasters, Gigsalad, and similar sites.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Some areas have Facebook pages for local artists to connect with agents and share gigs.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The best way is to simply connect with other local painters who are willing to share who they work for and what it’s like. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<b><i>Define your Wholesale Rate</i></b></div>
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When you work for an agent, you need to be willing to work for a lower hourly rate than you would on your own.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(and you certainly should be charging more for yourself than you get from an agent!!)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A good agent invests a TON of time and money into their business to land their gigs, as well as doing all of the “grunt work” most artists hate...booking contracts, dealing with client complaints, coordinating multiple artists, cutting paychecks, advertising...the list goes on and on.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I don’t know about you, but for me, NOT having to do all of this and just show up & paint is totally worth a reduced rate.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Find out the going rate in your area that agents pay, and decide what you are willing to work for.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Or, how much NOT having to do all that grunt work is worth to you. The rate you’re paid will vary among agents and among gigs, based on many factors, so having a general range or minimum in mind is best.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>You may be willing to work for less if it’s in your own town, for example, or if it’s an all day event.<span class="s1"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">What to Look For</span></b></div>
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Before you start setting aside precious weekend time slots for agents, make sure they are reputable.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Here are a few things to look for....</div>
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<b><i>Prompt Payment</i></b></div>
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A good agent will make sure you’re paid in a reasonable amount of time, not make you wait until the client pays THEM before paying you.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s the agent’s job to control their own business cash flow issues, not project them onto you.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you’re having to spend time chasing down payment from an agent, there is really no advantage to working for them in the first place...you can do that yourself with your own clients and make more for doing that extra work! On the flip side, a good agent who pays quickly and takes care of all the billing is SO worth working for a reduced hourly rate!</div>
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<b><i>Written Contracts</i></b></div>
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A good agent will back things up in writing.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Contracts are incredibly important, not only for protecting the clients and the agent, but for yourself. Your contract should not only include all event details, but the amount you will be paid, how you will be paid, and the date you can expect to be paid by.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<b><i>Solid Business Practices</i></b></div>
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If your agent is a legitimate business, and they have paid you $600 or more for any given calendar year, they are required to send you a 1099-MISC form by the end of January for the previous year’s wages for your taxes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As an independent contractor you are required to pay your own taxes, and this is all part of running a good business.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Likewise, you are required to provide them with your address and social security number in order to fill out these forms.</div>
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<b><i>Expectations</i></b></div>
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Make sure to have a discussion about an agent’s expectations of you.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Are you <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2019/03/giving-out-agents-card-when-clients.html">only allowed to hand out the agent’s business cards</a>? What is acceptable attire to wear to gigs?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>How should you handle questions about their rates or your availability? How early are you expected to arrive to a gig? What should you do if you are running late?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>How should you handle client complaints?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What if the client wants you to stay later? Are there limitations as to what products you can use or what age you can paint?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Are you expected to provide your own design menu or adhere to theirs? All agents should have something to say about these topics, and making sure you are both on the same page is critical to your business relationship.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<b><i>Word on the Street</i></b></div>
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An employer calls up references to get the opinions of those you’ve worked for, so why not do the same with them? Talk to other artists who have worked for an agent.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is a great way to learn whether you will fit into an agent’s business practices and expectations. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Make sure to get multiple opinions to be fair.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As we all know, not everybody may give glowing reviews, but don’t judge an agent based on one bad review. We’ve all had relationships gone bad, so take opinions with a grain of salt, remember there are two sides to every story, and give them the benefit of the doubt...just as you hope they do with you.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<b><i>More to Come</i></b></div>
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My hopes is that this article will help you to get started in your search for an agent, and hopefully lead to an awesome relationship with them!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is the first of a series of articles I've written on agents.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Check out our next post for more on what you can do to KEEP your good agent relationship, and what to think about if you are considering becoming an agent yourself!</div>
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Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-934313493832521922019-03-13T14:16:00.000-07:002019-03-13T14:16:00.047-07:002019 Personal Challenge: Patterns!This year I've been working on some fun pattern studies...something I've been wanting to challenge myself with for a while now! I bought a huge book of textile patterns on Amazon, and have been Google searching various patterns to try out. It's been a great exercise in repetition, and choosing the right tools for the job to keep things efficient and consistent, especially the more geometric patterns. I've learned a lot already, personally... Here are a few I've done so far!<br />
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<br />Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-59364558462505691322019-03-13T12:47:00.000-07:002019-03-13T12:47:05.144-07:00Giving out an AGENTS' Card When Clients Love YOUR Work<style type="text/css">
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><i>I am working to copy some of our past e-newsletter articles over to the blog to make them even easier for people to find! This particular article <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters/2017_October_enewsletter.pdf">can be found in the October 2017 issue</a>. Not a subscriber? You can learn how to subscribe and download past issues <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters.html">by clicking HERE</a>!</i></span></div>
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<i>I</i><i>f you’ve ever worked for an agent, chances are you’ve been instructed to only give out the agent’s cards to guests who inquire about your services at the event.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But why? Let’s take a closer look at this situation, from both sides of the brush.</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Don’t bite the hand that feeds you!</span></b></div>
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Having worked extensively as both an agent and contractor for decades, I feel qualified to chime in on the subject. First, let me just say, that if you find it unfair to be asked to only give out an agent’s cards while working for them, you have not spent much time acting as an agent yourself. I don’t mean bringing along one friend and passing through payment to them to help you out...I mean spending all of your time selling, booking, filling, managing, billing, contract wrangling, and paycheck processing for large gigs that utilize multiple artists which may or may not even include yourself as a painter.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Just trust me on this one, a few gigs like this and you will develop an immense appreciation for agents and the grunt work they endure to enable you to just show up, paint, and get paid! I for one LOVE it when I have the opportunity to get paid a little less than my own going rate to work for an agent and let them handle all the stuff that is NOT fun!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">But it was <i>MY</i> talent that made them ask for a card!</span></b></div>
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This is an understandable argument at first glance...yes, when I create a masterpiece on a child’s face and that masterpiece prompts the parent to ask for my card for their upcoming birthday party, I feel that I should be able to get the credit for my work and reap the benefits of that potential future gig.</div>
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Yes, my talent may have made them ask for the card, but I wouldn’t even have been there if not for my agent’s talent that landed the gig in the first place. Don’t forget this! While my talent may play a big part, it is not the only thing that has prompted them to ask for my card. It is the fact that I was there in the right place at the right time, which was all orchestrated behind the scenes without any involvement, time or expense from me. (Thank God...that part is way more boring and draining than the painting!)</div>
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I sell face paint online and out of my basement. Say I were to go get a job at a local costume shop, and every time someone came in and showed interest in face paint, I would give them my own card and say “call me instead, I can get you the same quality product for cheaper!” After all, it was my salesmanship that got them to ask about paint, right? I would be fired! <i>Immediately!</i> Using someone else’s storefront, marketing, blood sweat and tears to market my own business, while even being paid by them to do so, is completely unethical. It takes an immense amount of trust for an agent to invite you to represent their baby, their business, that they’ve poured their life into for years. Take this as the honor it is, and you’ll be given gigs for years to come.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">But I want <i>credit</i> for my work!</span></b></div>
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Some artists feel that they are somehow stripped of their “credit” for the work they are performing when asked to give out the agent’s cards. I have never seen an agent personally claim that one of their artist’s work was their own on Facebook or anywhere else. When you work for an agency, you are a part of a team. Nobody else is claiming that they are the creator of your paintings...that is illegal.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As an artist you own the rights to the painting you created...not the rights to the gig you are working or future gigs as the client.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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I personally have cards specially made for my contractors. On the front it says “Ask for me by name!” and has a blank line for each artist to write their own name on it. This way if a future client calls, they can specifically request that artist, and that artist still gets future gigs. As your agent if they are okay with you putting your name on their cards...chances are they will be totally fine with it, and grateful that you’re asking!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The credit you get for doing a good job? It’s your paycheck!</div>
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<span class="s1" style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b>But they are making <i>money</i> off of <i>ME!</i></b></span></div>
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First of all, the amount of money an agent is charging the client on top of what they are paying you is completely irrelevant.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If they are offering you an hourly wage that you are happy with, great! Take the gig! If they are not, then don’t! I have a personal goal to never take a gig that I will later resent getting.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I want to show up to each and every gig happy, thankful and grateful for the work. This attitude really shows with the client, whether you are grateful or not, and can have a huge affect on whether they call you back next year!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Second, if you’ve worked as an agent you know that for every 1 hour gig, it can take multiple hours of back-and-fourth drudgery with the client, and that’s with a client who isn’t particularly difficult to deal with.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And let’s not forget the amount of time and money they put into advertising in order to get these gigs in the first place. They may even be sub-sub contracting, or owe someone else a finder’s fee on top of it. Personally, I think the ability to let someone else deal with billing and office work while I just paint is priceless!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>When you take a gig through an agent, you have no idea what work and expense they have gone through to get it, or will go through to follow it through and maintain the relationship so you can work it again next year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So rather than worrying about whether they are getting paid too much for an amount of work you are unaware of, focus on what you can control: whether you take a gig for a certain rate, and your attitude about that gig.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If the fact that an agent is making sure they too are getting paid for their time upsets you, please, please just don’t take the gig!</div>
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I admit, when I started out I was a little resentful of agents who would make money when I was the one painting.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But after just a few gigs taking on the agent role, my perspective changed completely and I developed a huge amount of respect for the work agents do. If you have an agent who doesn’t treat you well, don’t work for them anymore. But if you have an agent who pays you well & has your back, hold onto that! Respect their policies, and you’ll be reaping the benefits of their grunt work for years to come!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-17273781396185457532019-01-24T11:00:00.000-08:002019-01-24T11:01:24.803-08:00CONTEST TIME!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRCKnQ-0thbbThYCdMVPHYjeBl7RyafNT1WfwRViSEfxNSHWM7M6AtEF9smCsp8Emk05Dp2hyJmKVu0cKXFVJA6bpQcLDoS5Ux6vJIiR3Pxg-FF6WbqS-m8klBeN9a1UdXOcOgWB9vuE/s1600/small+contest+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1178" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRCKnQ-0thbbThYCdMVPHYjeBl7RyafNT1WfwRViSEfxNSHWM7M6AtEF9smCsp8Emk05Dp2hyJmKVu0cKXFVJA6bpQcLDoS5Ux6vJIiR3Pxg-FF6WbqS-m8klBeN9a1UdXOcOgWB9vuE/s320/small+contest+ad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We at <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/Store.html">Paintertainment</a> and <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/WetPaint_Main.html">Wet Paint Magazine</a> are holding a contest this February! Unlike most face and body art contests, this one does NOT involve any painting at all! Rather, we are looking for your clever and creative ways to re-use and repurpose your empty paint containers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNql-NLOVsd6Hu71TWF2o3PChEQSK45ZLpBhV23RkyVpV60RSBlAnMYuVF6frYNm1n3WneJaGoVP3UhdixzH4B-cPK-_ooiiYjgXvBFAU5gm0v90nmT-TiG20L_1s63BrIFgt7K22gMU/s1600/Contest+Flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1565" data-original-width="1271" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNql-NLOVsd6Hu71TWF2o3PChEQSK45ZLpBhV23RkyVpV60RSBlAnMYuVF6frYNm1n3WneJaGoVP3UhdixzH4B-cPK-_ooiiYjgXvBFAU5gm0v90nmT-TiG20L_1s63BrIFgt7K22gMU/s400/Contest+Flyer.jpg" width="322" /></a></div>
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We've all got them lying around...containers that once held paint that we either used up or have re-potted into a new kit. Rather than tossing them in the trash or recycle bin, why not use our creative minds to come up with other fun ways to re-use them?<br />
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<a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/Store.html">Paintertainment</a> is sponsoring hundreds of dollars worth of prizes for the top three winners of this contest! The first two places will also get to choose which issue of <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/WetPaint_Main.html">Wet Paint Magazine</a> they'd like included in their prize pack. Every winner gets a copy of Gretchen Fleener's book "<a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/Store.html">Realism for Face & Body Artists,"</a> and an awesome assortment of paints, brushes, stencils and other goodies! Who knows...we may throw in even more surprises before we ship these!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpbwAbOetSY_FsaZayCc-xXwvmyFZUCWzJz9nVZ_b_HT3_zAiJ5iLbV7sSms3vkppUe7ru-tfSvtJ0uW4UKqqA8fAFw0dT0bkZ1RGOLmXsAL7RwPah1t_oJOqHFt2cAIRrNwDLmvgjbs/s1600/WetPaint_Contest_RecycleContainer_1stprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpbwAbOetSY_FsaZayCc-xXwvmyFZUCWzJz9nVZ_b_HT3_zAiJ5iLbV7sSms3vkppUe7ru-tfSvtJ0uW4UKqqA8fAFw0dT0bkZ1RGOLmXsAL7RwPah1t_oJOqHFt2cAIRrNwDLmvgjbs/s320/WetPaint_Contest_RecycleContainer_1stprize.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsgMDuq39BoNX3iPHK5glOu-C-eXjhxKJp_lkbtPCN6S9ve-9YINjjCnkZaIjacL60-JyLbWc8o8NXmzkpfin5sHUxOtwAHR-wJbWyD25uQkYDbTZdrqN3W9oB9kkU-9_D4hCW_TJGFE/s1600/WetPaint_Contest_RecycleContainer_2ndprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsgMDuq39BoNX3iPHK5glOu-C-eXjhxKJp_lkbtPCN6S9ve-9YINjjCnkZaIjacL60-JyLbWc8o8NXmzkpfin5sHUxOtwAHR-wJbWyD25uQkYDbTZdrqN3W9oB9kkU-9_D4hCW_TJGFE/s320/WetPaint_Contest_RecycleContainer_2ndprize.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U8sEfMG779bWI1GRbrV3F86K1WUg9dsnT9o8YfrlbeAGfcESXNQZCyshOggf_SK-OlvmzcwqR8Eq41QbovNM9asID84-NmuxAosOyv9cWi7yQZ7He2uegV6u6Fao1oOQRUS0igijBOk/s1600/WetPaint_Contest_RecycleContainer_3rdprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U8sEfMG779bWI1GRbrV3F86K1WUg9dsnT9o8YfrlbeAGfcESXNQZCyshOggf_SK-OlvmzcwqR8Eq41QbovNM9asID84-NmuxAosOyv9cWi7yQZ7He2uegV6u6Fao1oOQRUS0igijBOk/s320/WetPaint_Contest_RecycleContainer_3rdprize.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">RULES:</span></b><br />
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There is no purchase required to compete or win. This is a global competition, open to everyone! Artists are welcome to enter more than one idea. By entering this contest you agree to allow Paintertainment, LLC and Wet Paint Magazine to use and share your submitted photos in contest online and in print, in advertising, announcements, and in a feature article in an upcoming issue of Wet Paint Magazine announcing the winners and ideas! Contest begins on February 1, 2019. <b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Contest ends on February 28, 2019, at 12:59 PM CDT.</span></i></b> Winners will be announced on or before the release of the summer issue of <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/WetPaint_Main.html">Wet Paint Magazine </a>May 1st, 2019.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">HOW TO ENTER:</span></b><br />
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❶<b>Like and follow Paintertainment</b> on both Facebook & Instagram (@Paintertainmentdotcom),<br />
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❷<b>Like and follow Wet Paint Magazine</b> on Facebook (@WetPaintMag) and Instagram (@WetPaintMagazine), so that we can find and tag participants when needed.<br />
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❸<b>Submit</b> your good, clear photos of the finished product and at least 4 photos of the steps of how you made it via email to Gretchen@Paintertainment.com with the words “Wet Paint Recycling Contest” in the subject line, no later than February 28, 2019 (11:59 pm CDT). Make sure to include your name, country, Facebook/Instagram tags, and a brief description of your idea. We want to share your creations in the next issue of Wet Paint, so good, clear photos are a must!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Questions?</span></b> Email Gretchen[at]Paintertainment[dot]com! Good luck and have FUN!<br />
<br />Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-74246807194221167432019-01-02T18:49:00.001-08:002019-01-02T18:49:24.454-08:00New Year and New Creative Challenges!It's a new year, and with new years come new challenges!! This month I've decided to participate again in the super fun Facebook group "Inspiration to Paint!" Every day they give you a theme to paint. Paintings have to be done the day-of, no painting ahead.<br />
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January 1st's theme was to paint something inspired by the late, great Jocelyn Casdorph! Such a tragic loss for our face painting community. She is as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside, so I painted a little portrait!<br />
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Today's theme was to choose a word for your "intent" for 2019; not necessarily a resolution. The word I chose is "Growth!" This year I hope to grow in my skills, business, relationships, faith, and creativity!<br />
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And in keeping with the growth theme, besides this month of participation in ITP, I have decided to start a personal exploration in patterns. Here are my first two paintings...houndstooth and paisley! Stay tuned for more pattern inspired designs in the coming weeks and months!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Houndstooth...boy, did this one make my brain hurt!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fun with Paisley!</td></tr>
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Happy new year, and happy painting!<br />
<br />Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-86157604135784871972019-01-02T05:56:00.002-08:002019-01-02T05:56:29.178-08:00Jamvention 2018!This year marked the 10th edition of <a href="http://jamvention.eu/">Jamvention</a> in Wortel, Belgium! I was so honored to be among the teachers this year and it was amazing, yet again. The Jamvention is put on by <a href="http://www.facepaintinprogress.eu/">Face Paint in Progress, also known as "FIP.</a>"<br />
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Even the first year I attended <a href="http://jamvention.eu/">Jamvention</a> my husband and I were welcomed into Willy and Jacklyn's home like family. The convention officially starts on Friday night. Despite the huge mountain of work they have do on the <a href="http://jamvention.eu/">Jamvention </a>itself, on Thursday night Jacklyn cooked an amazing dinner for the artists who had arrived in town.<br />
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On Friday we were treated to breakfast, and a wonderful walk over 3 miles in the woods with Jacklyn and her dogs! It felt great to get out and walk after the long travel day before.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">out for a walk</td></tr>
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Everyone was very patient with my obsession with photographing mushrooms, haha! I love all the different colors and textures of mushrooms and probably have taken hundreds of photos of them on walks over the years!<br />
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Friday afternoon we loaded up the vehicles with gear and artists and headed over to the <a href="http://jamvention.eu/">Jamvention</a> location to set up! It is SUCH a cool location for an intimate jam and convention. (For a more in depth description of the venue and my first time teaching at Jamvention, <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/WetPaint_Subscribe.html">check out the first ever issue of Wet Paint Magazine!</a>)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone pitching in to decorate and set everything up!</td></tr>
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We aren't able to get into the space until 5 pm, as it is used as a camp for kids during the week. So, we have 2 hours to get it all ready before attendees start to arrive. Everybody pitches in to help set up and decorate the rooms! There is such an awesome sense of community and ownership among the FIP team, which contagious and spreads to all of the visiting instructors. I love how everyone jumps in to help!<br />
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The opening night festivities are so fun and full of energy. People gather from literally all over the world, and greet each other with hugs like old friends. I've said it once and will say it again this year...the food is AMAZING!! Friday night we are treated to a paper cone of awesome Belgian fries with delicious sauces, dished up right in the kitchen.<br />
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On the opening night everyone is welcomed, and the instructors are introduced. Did I mention how amazing the food is? We also enjoyed their fun tradition of incredible cakes on opening night! One of the cakes had edible fondant photos of every instructor, so I even got to eat my own picture!</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Opening night was awesome as usual...a great chance to kick back, enjoy a treat and beverage, and get to know the instructors and attendees!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband Wayde and I manning our table in the vendor room</td></tr>
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There is always a jam on Friday night, and this year it was a blacklight jam! I didn't get a chance to participate in this year's jam as I was busy selling books and stencils in the vendor room, and the black light room filled up pretty full. But, it was fun to pop in and see what everyone was working on!<br />
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Saturday was amazing! I taught both jewelry and henna. My jewelry class was probably a bit too full for everyone to be able to fully enjoy as people were bringing more chairs into the room to squeeze in...that and me painting too small made it a little bit of a challenge, but the next time around it went much more smoothly! ;-) My apologies to my jewelry guinea pigs!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first jewelry class on Saturday</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tessa was my beautiful model!</td></tr>
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Tessa was a wonderful model! In my Sunday class I painted a giant gem on the back which was much easier for everyone to see. But my fabulous students made some pretty amazing gems on themselves in this class regardless!! This painting is obviously really exaggerated, but we did a gem, pearls and some other smaller gems in settings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgitTZrDIf7nZO5JczX5P0m4gATXDuDTp-jGxDPtqOwuj6QOAjx3wafgctQe2du1LVp0hrmSXpgE0SjtbS-cbflU3T9yjbad1KMftPz0J6vrIO0rwMDfczaTW2JCPvBP1w9fnyTlO2f_Q/s1600/IMG_1072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgitTZrDIf7nZO5JczX5P0m4gATXDuDTp-jGxDPtqOwuj6QOAjx3wafgctQe2du1LVp0hrmSXpgE0SjtbS-cbflU3T9yjbad1KMftPz0J6vrIO0rwMDfczaTW2JCPvBP1w9fnyTlO2f_Q/s400/IMG_1072.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting a closer look</td></tr>
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I also taught a henna class for beginners! It was a fun time...we talked about the origins of henna, what it's made of, how to make it, warnings against black henna, etc, and then had lots of time to practice drills and designs!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xrnALHHig9ViV7gZVofPL9MYJ_baEqxtRCDCkVzXGsKZQWDGJAjNTZiP4PmnKFVFNsDtTnbZ4KGg-NYYDFxuMfThD5veHp3dv_H9qHaCGJ1onwqUFsl7sJ_sYanaiCetVC-IuFSTc38/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xrnALHHig9ViV7gZVofPL9MYJ_baEqxtRCDCkVzXGsKZQWDGJAjNTZiP4PmnKFVFNsDtTnbZ4KGg-NYYDFxuMfThD5veHp3dv_H9qHaCGJ1onwqUFsl7sJ_sYanaiCetVC-IuFSTc38/s400/IMG_1211.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday's henna class</td></tr>
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Last time I was at Jamvention I taught every session, but this year I had some breaks and was able to attend other classes which was really fun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9gsLvO0KcOAwek1gh5cBRwnWsk3oz_Ild-OdoNpymfA3EJeFUdimEgWaTwIyW0Q9_-uR6xrC5XxgMTqWI-xGDcjYceOIeydirPm4qysh_Bz_9TlHfl2uhKM5N1VZKrHC1NKMu5mOprU/s1600/IMG_1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9gsLvO0KcOAwek1gh5cBRwnWsk3oz_Ild-OdoNpymfA3EJeFUdimEgWaTwIyW0Q9_-uR6xrC5XxgMTqWI-xGDcjYceOIeydirPm4qysh_Bz_9TlHfl2uhKM5N1VZKrHC1NKMu5mOprU/s400/IMG_1047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_ZXVBryVc7n6oihyqpujRmanSA7hJWudmo96ch4R08wlq9BCJqLC7oYuqF00xienArlqPVT3ziDXiMONBRrqYw5tJvHrJVfl-fNisKXvP1uxiPeFyIqonyX_bf_kX55mZBHnDwXj6ko/s1600/IMG_1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_ZXVBryVc7n6oihyqpujRmanSA7hJWudmo96ch4R08wlq9BCJqLC7oYuqF00xienArlqPVT3ziDXiMONBRrqYw5tJvHrJVfl-fNisKXvP1uxiPeFyIqonyX_bf_kX55mZBHnDwXj6ko/s400/IMG_1076.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belinda Wurmitzer's one stroke flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZO1DKRL1h28Ezzaa991EJiX6IQI6bS8KXmOaMSKB6aAlUpeQtQauOrTYnkell-qdJw_rpZLwx8Z4hfVX_wgmYpmr-kjFvIBxTE8pPsxVNqKwKWvqIB4VXgSpxqyJjKl7iA5IeXkTCBbM/s1600/IMG_1361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZO1DKRL1h28Ezzaa991EJiX6IQI6bS8KXmOaMSKB6aAlUpeQtQauOrTYnkell-qdJw_rpZLwx8Z4hfVX_wgmYpmr-kjFvIBxTE8pPsxVNqKwKWvqIB4VXgSpxqyJjKl7iA5IeXkTCBbM/s320/IMG_1361.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I attended Paula Southern's calligraphy course on Sunday, too!</td></tr>
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Saturday night's festivities were AMAZING. For the big 10th anniversary FIP really went all out. Attendees were asked to dress in FIP's colors, blue and gold, and all of the team members who run the event were dressed in their formal best and they applauded everyone as they entered the room for dinner! We had yet another incredible meal, and even some drinks with edible glitter!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJe3iiLMqSn6f-m0UXF9MhMXoPyEpdnT0QeOJQiGA5pc92kkHc-21yMQzkaHhpXKnQ3xA2QEjEvo_QdXBrw9HwhPtjeOkexq1nPRiMU-lc4sJpZhucUVywydV9Sjjr856CZw_7NMDL3A/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJe3iiLMqSn6f-m0UXF9MhMXoPyEpdnT0QeOJQiGA5pc92kkHc-21yMQzkaHhpXKnQ3xA2QEjEvo_QdXBrw9HwhPtjeOkexq1nPRiMU-lc4sJpZhucUVywydV9Sjjr856CZw_7NMDL3A/s400/IMG_1210.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">drinks with edible glitter!</td></tr>
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There was another fun 10th anniversary surprise, as we were all treated to an incredible fire dance show! Just spectacular...I need to dig up a video to share but here are a couple pictures:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOr0bKUGNmudFQ1FJiaM93HHhtGwQkE9N2b8Xj1FwjugigMDZar3cjuXMiyema7GAaf653lpoFgkYGEpydzovIatiPKbD5D6whIMfFYaHAofuGMbYJNLmSvlYChwA1cz8UUv_DOSOBzk/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOr0bKUGNmudFQ1FJiaM93HHhtGwQkE9N2b8Xj1FwjugigMDZar3cjuXMiyema7GAaf653lpoFgkYGEpydzovIatiPKbD5D6whIMfFYaHAofuGMbYJNLmSvlYChwA1cz8UUv_DOSOBzk/s400/IMG_1213.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7h8bvIEhKrToqlYAno3mGymUiri9WD1rE8YsCN_x6KGPFnVGf3L_d5C69Z3nxoFQ9KSo774DvY_7TRQXq47g3IqPTTtIzO0wHJNMRJgcYSxXg__OKrA920unrY5jFY2vwo2nCFyCJgs/s1600/10771249504_IMG_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7h8bvIEhKrToqlYAno3mGymUiri9WD1rE8YsCN_x6KGPFnVGf3L_d5C69Z3nxoFQ9KSo774DvY_7TRQXq47g3IqPTTtIzO0wHJNMRJgcYSxXg__OKrA920unrY5jFY2vwo2nCFyCJgs/s400/10771249504_IMG_0098.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Saturday always ends with a paint jam! I had sketched this queen bee design a couple days before and was hoping to bring it to life.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0utW_cPyOGQ2LV7pCWH3K0up7dcMLmAeCDkhVdQzvrNxvhpaUn96dzvJNUwHz5STX2CifQChyphenhyphenpzk1pBQrWjo8bhmXAExcTk0xxlwtF_mY5l5JBNHbgOui31iD_0B8vFgOft-PSm06_UU/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0utW_cPyOGQ2LV7pCWH3K0up7dcMLmAeCDkhVdQzvrNxvhpaUn96dzvJNUwHz5STX2CifQChyphenhyphenpzk1pBQrWjo8bhmXAExcTk0xxlwtF_mY5l5JBNHbgOui31iD_0B8vFgOft-PSm06_UU/s400/IMG_0965.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my sketch</td></tr>
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I was really lucky to have the chance to paint Marcel Verbeek...he and his wife Daisy are both body paint models and do an amazing job!! Other than my 11 year old son, and the pregnant bellies I've painted, the only time I've body painted on models has been this time, and 2016 at the Jamvention. They provide models for everyone who needs them which is amazing!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrI5ewOBDY4R5TVu1d_SUwVwO0p23HLaHbsjRY38CTTTs2U8ITZZCqeIQ622_iy64NKMalW2CnENNQCX_QdYLQ-jKJRzSfGHnF2WaF228PoGA-UAAq1zj41jBK7-LwUQ_VkMjUw6vTME/s1600/IMG_3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrI5ewOBDY4R5TVu1d_SUwVwO0p23HLaHbsjRY38CTTTs2U8ITZZCqeIQ622_iy64NKMalW2CnENNQCX_QdYLQ-jKJRzSfGHnF2WaF228PoGA-UAAq1zj41jBK7-LwUQ_VkMjUw6vTME/s400/IMG_3515.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting on Marcel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc0XNeeawV_-658pi0x_6HRHtC9J5VJdxPfdfRCnrRS8v6c5JXf7lhpWalC6UHXVWEQO8QsbkRvSvola-bM_CMgmcgCrFRXZMbjrUQsnHgXr_Dnc36HUHsDVDANJqm3IeEl7XC642QEY/s1600/IMG_3514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc0XNeeawV_-658pi0x_6HRHtC9J5VJdxPfdfRCnrRS8v6c5JXf7lhpWalC6UHXVWEQO8QsbkRvSvola-bM_CMgmcgCrFRXZMbjrUQsnHgXr_Dnc36HUHsDVDANJqm3IeEl7XC642QEY/s400/IMG_3514.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sTB0Mm-HIdiJ6Fi382fWupR0sDd4cOsa4ziAohRo_ih5Uu8HZX9SIf4hGjEduAYpyxDzRCVfwUHcDlS0Te0VwcMsjhXQ7JmQ5V36BcsaYhQHvcmfYFHuj6X-fR6MVsYJH3f3q5tUTX8/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1095" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sTB0Mm-HIdiJ6Fi382fWupR0sDd4cOsa4ziAohRo_ih5Uu8HZX9SIf4hGjEduAYpyxDzRCVfwUHcDlS0Te0VwcMsjhXQ7JmQ5V36BcsaYhQHvcmfYFHuj6X-fR6MVsYJH3f3q5tUTX8/s400/IMG_1214.JPG" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finished product!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0mbt_m3dOmYdnhyphenhyphenvon0d6sfJ4KjYFuClx-4m6zIQtltbCYtzCxo9tsww0x0ME9sw4CKCu1h_llCxqAHyfmMfXy7aklFomlEpXSJQfJalHVr1BAA0x3WZ3HTT1SIaP0ltFGFOQtQKK00/s1600/IMG_3621-bewerkt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0mbt_m3dOmYdnhyphenhyphenvon0d6sfJ4KjYFuClx-4m6zIQtltbCYtzCxo9tsww0x0ME9sw4CKCu1h_llCxqAHyfmMfXy7aklFomlEpXSJQfJalHVr1BAA0x3WZ3HTT1SIaP0ltFGFOQtQKK00/s400/IMG_3621-bewerkt.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Wim Roelsma of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArtishootFotografie" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Artishoot Fotografie</a></td></tr>
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Wim Roelsma of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArtishootFotografie">Artishoot Fotografie</a> was there this year taking amazing pictures!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-C8V8IcBjWz-vCJUdng-QsWSdplv5_QcIvzWyPJc7M6XPIPNi-SGpH2iOvRVM51-l3VL7buoQZyrCWZ7-LQiV_-QWe6fhDmlUWeT9orEn17LC0JNh-v4tqdQjOTbFqMYll14Dj1JwNpw/s1600/IMG_3627-bewerkt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-C8V8IcBjWz-vCJUdng-QsWSdplv5_QcIvzWyPJc7M6XPIPNi-SGpH2iOvRVM51-l3VL7buoQZyrCWZ7-LQiV_-QWe6fhDmlUWeT9orEn17LC0JNh-v4tqdQjOTbFqMYll14Dj1JwNpw/s400/IMG_3627-bewerkt.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Wim Roelsma of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArtishootFotografie" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Artishoot Fotografie</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTK0PwN2WyztNujDiNh7zV7mZI5_x3NaYsvKVf-689h3cevvoiS7Y_PWkhQ24r7FYdNxvGQKRFDWPGUheqBhJ2APYwaCCSedlJY6Lc3O9Z2kR0VnjNEIcrfjfna5OgTcOZCvXCf2VEps/s1600/IMG_3630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="1600" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTK0PwN2WyztNujDiNh7zV7mZI5_x3NaYsvKVf-689h3cevvoiS7Y_PWkhQ24r7FYdNxvGQKRFDWPGUheqBhJ2APYwaCCSedlJY6Lc3O9Z2kR0VnjNEIcrfjfna5OgTcOZCvXCf2VEps/s400/IMG_3630.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Wim Roelsma of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArtishootFotografie" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Artishoot Fotografie</a></td></tr>
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I would have kept painting if it wasn't getting so late by then, haha! I still had to wind my brain down, sleep, and teach another day!<br />
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Sunday morning they always take a group photo of everyone in attendance!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNUTIKzJNtVZYG6uHnl_nwJG4qbLfxNutOsGF1fOfLnTZqs0vU8CXHTROY6NZXj_bqUvrAPYZ_PTsxTua_fmgOJBx5pw9Gk7opxDtcdTuX61aVZXgEv7Rg4k7FF4xNUzeqHxeGNZJqU8/s1600/Group.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNUTIKzJNtVZYG6uHnl_nwJG4qbLfxNutOsGF1fOfLnTZqs0vU8CXHTROY6NZXj_bqUvrAPYZ_PTsxTua_fmgOJBx5pw9Gk7opxDtcdTuX61aVZXgEv7Rg4k7FF4xNUzeqHxeGNZJqU8/s400/Group.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Wim Roelsma of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArtishootFotografie" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Artishoot Fotografie</a></td></tr>
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I love walking around the grounds in the morning at the Jamvention...it's such a gorgeous and peaceful setting! I have dozens and dozens of animal photos but I'll spare you all of them, haha!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCMvpKtcnYkH8q2vLxqdlHu_F0tbMiJv6chYK8aNENstHBfG4D8c5y7puxl2f4BBUfDSFjPCYx9shxEg4MvJDiagtDaysfSxxkRbGQHktIco81FzjVn7Zs3pURhOWIz1eX5qpIYM_AXk/s1600/IMG_1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="1419" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCMvpKtcnYkH8q2vLxqdlHu_F0tbMiJv6chYK8aNENstHBfG4D8c5y7puxl2f4BBUfDSFjPCYx9shxEg4MvJDiagtDaysfSxxkRbGQHktIco81FzjVn7Zs3pURhOWIz1eX5qpIYM_AXk/s320/IMG_1423.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many gorgeous views here!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAG_kedzktsD3luZ4Q5ZAzuOQB8QZ7AaiHOo33UEK8K6Dmjs58xS8PlNSe2TH6zZzd-EMSkY-2lmI6EtFOZZPan1k6ovS-bklU9xzXmcd9qTUU3stMnhaP8aNpU-UIfchG72Kw3RRz6NE/s1600/IMG_1384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="1378" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAG_kedzktsD3luZ4Q5ZAzuOQB8QZ7AaiHOo33UEK8K6Dmjs58xS8PlNSe2TH6zZzd-EMSkY-2lmI6EtFOZZPan1k6ovS-bklU9xzXmcd9qTUU3stMnhaP8aNpU-UIfchG72Kw3RRz6NE/s320/IMG_1384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacocks...so cool!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgumExCtyOaKgIt04KzkRPzUEKaqhQjW2q19FUTvWtxaN61h3MmzP11agjoR1g8VKyl4k-a3AQ4xyLqsyCZ11dtgqkcGBJt-gegWUTqeJ83jmw__ZZHYKejD5EFoFG9pgBeS0vLk3qdI/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="1533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgumExCtyOaKgIt04KzkRPzUEKaqhQjW2q19FUTvWtxaN61h3MmzP11agjoR1g8VKyl4k-a3AQ4xyLqsyCZ11dtgqkcGBJt-gegWUTqeJ83jmw__ZZHYKejD5EFoFG9pgBeS0vLk3qdI/s320/IMG_1424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamvention location</td></tr>
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<br />Sunday I again taught both Jewelry and Henna...another great time with wonderful students!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpH2nfk687gCfnEeDpkmgrOXNNThBuqm_OMAKuikrpljiMwwN3cZGQiLyWz_lLXXOaMXEHNyK2ez5pKc3FINJ-xwtbUwu8oQ7GwtdeT-S7SU6HMAmY30n3Adj6t0fKtqkv_-O9mDof6Y/s1600/IMG_1425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpH2nfk687gCfnEeDpkmgrOXNNThBuqm_OMAKuikrpljiMwwN3cZGQiLyWz_lLXXOaMXEHNyK2ez5pKc3FINJ-xwtbUwu8oQ7GwtdeT-S7SU6HMAmY30n3Adj6t0fKtqkv_-O9mDof6Y/s320/IMG_1425.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teaching Jewelry on Sunday</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cRH_QZhd8Ll1igWiPjuOv5Qezm3bEgRibtBu-trnzsHWjxReoT8dfHHOqLx-61E_3i8d3d1A3xlIojscOiCuu0O5KN8F0kdv1tqOhoVxc1ipSpzMKk8fCA9Jo4TYLYj70MaWrGaVk-w/s1600/IMG_1362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cRH_QZhd8Ll1igWiPjuOv5Qezm3bEgRibtBu-trnzsHWjxReoT8dfHHOqLx-61E_3i8d3d1A3xlIojscOiCuu0O5KN8F0kdv1tqOhoVxc1ipSpzMKk8fCA9Jo4TYLYj70MaWrGaVk-w/s400/IMG_1362.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday's jewelry class was much smaller and we were able to cover more things...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSzPJdV32hlu2l0SahReIxaGZZWAl_69wW1wG9qwwBadCKPLAKFp2lP4Z-reoQZJ2pFSkuiWfPOWHajXpSQURMSN65aWAdWt90V_Obj-a7dGHCxNvw1wlyaGBvw_KvIszM4zHN1802EM/s1600/IMG_1394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSzPJdV32hlu2l0SahReIxaGZZWAl_69wW1wG9qwwBadCKPLAKFp2lP4Z-reoQZJ2pFSkuiWfPOWHajXpSQURMSN65aWAdWt90V_Obj-a7dGHCxNvw1wlyaGBvw_KvIszM4zHN1802EM/s320/IMG_1394.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note to self... larger jewel made a huge difference! We also talked about pearls, chains, making tiny diamonds and quick beads.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX9IGsitqmlMTYyEiZpVFuh3728_K6WaA08pCS0RdR9juv41GWxyorXAbc0nZkqdCAv6ImbQL6nC_xBvu2SNca6lJYCVuGXgnVx34yYueJM8R9q5Y_oom2G3hp1C_-lw0gukbRQi0NuM/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX9IGsitqmlMTYyEiZpVFuh3728_K6WaA08pCS0RdR9juv41GWxyorXAbc0nZkqdCAv6ImbQL6nC_xBvu2SNca6lJYCVuGXgnVx34yYueJM8R9q5Y_oom2G3hp1C_-lw0gukbRQi0NuM/s400/IMG_1374.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Some of my wonderful jewelry students and their gem paintings!<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVChRMvspF7-56kBnv2ACR344EZImSWV6sN3hB0fJ9XjBsXvf6oDuCDZED9GcT-pqhAHpbj8D27lLpEo20Gm3Rnc5uac9L09bR3Be3g5Jx05QPe6v_kEXehyTDRa-lZ5IKBisr3rjIchA/s1600/IMG_1224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVChRMvspF7-56kBnv2ACR344EZImSWV6sN3hB0fJ9XjBsXvf6oDuCDZED9GcT-pqhAHpbj8D27lLpEo20Gm3Rnc5uac9L09bR3Be3g5Jx05QPe6v_kEXehyTDRa-lZ5IKBisr3rjIchA/s400/IMG_1224.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE Belinda Wurmitzer attended my henna class too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh906cNN6v24bGgQ9ux5FhVdBfe0s1jMoE1rVIFmQzh5Cq6kbo0Z1bHzSYNFmxL9b9ozh0d61NBJBw2G_0UKwIkWtCgRoW6oYTEO7fl86MYBq7l0czYS4qqP2O0Y50KGVm_pf68r3FpC3c/s1600/IMG_1225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh906cNN6v24bGgQ9ux5FhVdBfe0s1jMoE1rVIFmQzh5Cq6kbo0Z1bHzSYNFmxL9b9ozh0d61NBJBw2G_0UKwIkWtCgRoW6oYTEO7fl86MYBq7l0czYS4qqP2O0Y50KGVm_pf68r3FpC3c/s400/IMG_1225.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henna students starting out with markers and some drills</td></tr>
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I really can't thank Willy and Jacklyn and their dedicated team enough for all the hard work they do behind the scenes to make this event such a huge success! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0YVE36Tgaw8RshOp6YeQ6CUQ1LL4DG01XB9_Zke4GgDVXgHF0TR0OTKblSxFzKncbmUR0FMWwbWrknE90_93znFXDvahXc7uZ7j1vNEzp4g8-emRJgm98kiEU0Q6wMQAHhrWXUFLW5g/s1600/IMG_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0YVE36Tgaw8RshOp6YeQ6CUQ1LL4DG01XB9_Zke4GgDVXgHF0TR0OTKblSxFzKncbmUR0FMWwbWrknE90_93znFXDvahXc7uZ7j1vNEzp4g8-emRJgm98kiEU0Q6wMQAHhrWXUFLW5g/s400/IMG_1422.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers!</td></tr>
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<br />Some of my favorite moments of the Jamvention were here in Willy & Jacklyn's home...the conversations with people from all over the world were just fascinating and sometimes so hilarious my face hurt from laughing! What an honor to rub shoulders with so much talent!! I got to meet Andrea Benocci and the beautiful Elena...amazing body painter Raphaelle Fieldhouse and her super talented balloon artist husband Gary, incredible artist and calligrapher Paula Southern...and I laughed so hard with Belinda Wurmitzer... Jacklyn has this amazing ability to hand pick instructors from around the globe who just seem to click together right off the bat. Everyone I've met there has been so immensely talented, yet so humble and down to earth, it truly feels like one big, wonderful family. </div>
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I can't even explain how wonderful and energizing it is to be able to hang out with fellow artists who are passionate about the things you are passionate about. I guess this is why attending workshops and conventions is so important for artists like us. We don't get to hang out with dozens of like minds every day, as if we were working on a team in a corporate office...as artists, and for many of us as sole proprietors of our businesses, it can get lonely. I am thankful for conventions like this, social media, and my local monthly jam sessions, for their ability to fill us up with fresh, creative energy and inspiration! :-)</div>
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The Jamvention always runs right around our anniversary, so my husband and I had a wonderful time staying longer in Brugge and spending a day in Ghent to celebrate our 19th! I'll pretty much teach anywhere in the world if I can turn it into a trip with my hubby or family! ;-) </div>
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THANK YOU Jacklyn and Willy, and your entire talented FIP team for all of your hard work and dedication, and congratulations on 10 years!!</div>
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Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-28043184176548365842019-01-01T07:36:00.000-08:002019-01-01T09:41:32.723-08:002018 Year in Review!Every year at this time I look back at my business and reflect on what has happened, record some of my business' growth and milestones, and think about the year ahead! Here's what happened in 2018!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa2mbYoteOKgRJGxzFcq1s-RHwphaM6R4kTWmI6ejCjy1L4TCKB21k6-exIAcTO61I2EWlqBz3x-vFll2zpcFHE29MyWi0NBReeG4_cDv9kfPfs9w4g-dBfkBB4FxyCLMQBerUFuZzK8/s1600/Year+of+paintings+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="1041" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa2mbYoteOKgRJGxzFcq1s-RHwphaM6R4kTWmI6ejCjy1L4TCKB21k6-exIAcTO61I2EWlqBz3x-vFll2zpcFHE29MyWi0NBReeG4_cDv9kfPfs9w4g-dBfkBB4FxyCLMQBerUFuZzK8/s400/Year+of+paintings+2018.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">January</span></b> is usually when I start big projects, having completed the busy Christmas season and having some time before the spring/summer rush. I spent much of January and <span style="color: #e06666;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">February</span></b> </span>really diving head first into <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/02/im-on-jewelry-kick.html">painting realistic Jewelry</a>. I also added a ton of <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/02/more-bling-now-shipping.html">new bling</a> to the shop! February 1st also marked the release of the <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/02/wet-paint-magazines-spring-issue-is-now.html">spring issue of Wet Paint Magazine</a>!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">March</span></b> is when <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/03/now-shipping-jewelry-for-face-body.html">I completed my new book "Jewelry for Face & Body Artists,"</a> and began shipping copies all over the world!<br />
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In<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> July</span></b> I got to do a really fun <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/06/nemo-themed-belly-painting.html">"Finding Nemo" themed belly painting!</a> I LOVE painting bellies, though don't do nearly as many as I'd like to! So, every one is really special and I always document them <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/06/nemo-themed-belly-painting.html">on my blog</a>!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">August </span></b>is always a busy month with face painting gigs, but it now also starts off with the release of the<a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-fall-issue-of-wet-paint-magazine-is.html"> fall issue of Wet Paint Magazine</a>! Every magazine is a true labor of love. August is also the month when I work at a county fair, and this year was my 21st year in a row working county fairs...the last 6 have been at <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/08/carver-county-fair-2018-recap.html">Carver County in Waconia, MN!</a> It wasn't my most profitable year, but a good and fun one nonetheless!<br />
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In <b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">October</span></b> I held one of my <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/10/realistic-eyes-workshop-in-minnesota.html">Realistic Eyes workshops here in MN</a>! It was a really great chance to share the class I taught in 2016 in Belgium with some local artists, just in time for our Halloween gigs! I also had the immense honor of traveling back to Belgium to teach at the 10th anniversary edition of the<a href="http://www.jamvention.eu/"> Jamvention!</a> It was such a great time that I'm STILL working on the blog post recap of that...I'll be sharing that very soon so stay tuned!<br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><b>November</b></span> 1st marked the release of the <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/11/winter-issue-of-wet-paint-magazine-now.html">winter issue of Wet Paint Magazine</a>, and the end of my first full year of circulation! While Wet Paint is a huge amount of work for me, it feeds so many of my passions...face and body art, writing, graphic design, photography, and sharing inspiration and instruction! I'm excited to see where Wet Paint goes in 2019! I also realized a long time dream in November with the release of my new stencils, <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/11/introducing-new-step-it-up-stencils.html">Step it Up Stencils</a>! I spent nearly an entire year fussing with a Silhouette machine, only to find that it simply does not have the cutting force needed to make stencils with the thickness and quality I desired. So, I bit the bullet and invested a huge amount of money in a Silver Bullet machine, made 100 stencils to donate to the Jamvention's swag bags, and <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/11/introducing-new-step-it-up-stencils.html">released them to the public</a> in November!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">December</span></b> is always jam packed with Christmas gigs, and 2018 did not disappoint! I also was able to convince my sweet 10 year old to let me <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/12/2018-ugly-christmas-sweater.html">paint another ugly Christmas sweater on him</a> for my Christmas cards. He did an awesome job, and we even won 2nd place in Paintopia's annual ugly Christmas sweater competition! To top off the year, just before 2019 began I received a copy of Lake Minnetonka Magazine in the mail which <a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/12/fun-family-photo-shoot-turns-magazine.html">featured my business</a>, with several full color spreads including wonderful photos of my boys! We had a great time going downtown Minneapolis the month before for a professional photo shoot, and needless to say, they were pretty excited to see themselves in print! Now if only I could convince them that Mom's magazine is just as cool...haha!<br />
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Over the past year I've hosted jams I believe every month except July and August, but this year we also did a couple "Gem Jams!" These were super fun and have gotten me really into making gem clusters.<br />
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I also spent countless hours putting together proposals and sending in applications for two concepts for booths at the Minnesota State Fair! Word on the street is that there is no way for any face painters to get into the fair as there is one small booth in the kids' ride area that somehow has exclusivity. Of course being that the MN state fair drew over 2 million visitors in 2018, there is plenty of business there, and a huge untapped market for teens and adults, but time will tell whether more MN artists will get an opportunity to showcase their talents at their own fair!<br />
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I'm constantly adding new products to <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/Store.html">the shop</a>, but this year I took on a couple new vendors/brands: Art Factory and Superstar paints! Stay tuned for more new items to fill <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/Store.html">our shelves</a> in the coming months!<br />
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What a great year it was!!<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Here are some of the articles I published on my blog this year:</span></i></b><br />
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<a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-value-of-sketch.html">The Value of a Sketch</a><br />
<a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/06/4th-of-july-design-inspiration.html">4th of July Inspiration</a><br />
<a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/09/whats-so-special-about-paintertainment.html">What's so special about Paintertainment?</a><br />
<a href="http://paintertainment.blogspot.com/2018/09/approaching-events-that-use-craft.html">Approaching Events that use Craft Paints on Skin</a><br />
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I also of course published a LOT of great articles in my monthly e-newsletters...<a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters.html">download those here</a>!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>What's to come in 2019?</i></b></span><br />
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In February I am super excited to be speaking again at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/748884905478405/">Minnesota Family Artists and Entertainers Business Conference in St Paul,</a> put on by the one and only Lori Hurley! Those of us who live in the Twin Cities are SO fortunate to enjoy a wonderful and supportive community of artists, and this conference is like an awesome convention concentrate...short talks with just the good stuff from so many amazing local talents to help grow our businesses! The topics are literally tailored to what the attendees want to hear about, so there is no wasted time or money in attending.<br />
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I really have a head full of ideas for more <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/StoreStencils.html#stepitup">Step it Up Stencils</a>, so my hope is to develop, cut and release more designs this year!<br />
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I'll of course continue putting out <a href="http://www.wetpaintmagazine.com/">Wet Paint Magazine</a> as long as I have an audience that enjoys them! (And maybe regardless, as I enjoy them so much myself!)<br />
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Over the past year I've gotten more and more requests for <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/Events.html">workshops</a>, so I'd like to get a couple more of those on the calendar. I haven't yet taught my Realism workshop in MN so may do that, and would love to teach my jewelry workshop from Belgium more around the US as well!<br />
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I have another technique based book that I started a while back but put on hold to create my Jewelry book, so I might re-visit that one, but will see how the year goes!<br />
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I always want to do more writing, but also want to do more YouTube videos this year!<br />
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I'd also love to just paint more...while I like the freedom of not HAVING to paint every single day, I do miss the creative outlet I had when I did a 365 day painting challenge in 2017. So, I've signed up to participate again in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/inspirationtopaintbyabby/">Inspiration to Paint Facebook group</a> for the month of January! I won't do it every month just because I can only be stretched so thin, and want to keep it fun and not become a chore, but am looking forward to a fun month of painting and sharing!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>In my dreams...</i></b></span><br />
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I always have a few lofty goals, though not entirely unattainable...in 2019 I'd really love to teach at and/or attend at least one convention in the US. The Jamvention has spoiled me a bit, as they cover ALL expenses of all their instructors, and even if they didn't, flying there and attending their convention is cheaper than any in the US, but there are so many artists I really would love to meet, and would also love to enter a body painting competition...someday!! Way down the road I'd love to try painting on a cruise ship...I'm already a vetted and approved artist who can go at any time, but since they've changed the rules on bringing kids with you, I may not be able to until my kids are adults, unless I go it alone or leave them home with grandparents. Sigh...that one will have to remain lofty for a while!<br />
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I hope you all get a chance to look at your past year as well, and make some plans, hopes and dreams for the new year too! <a href="http://www.paintertainment.com/enewsletters/2017_January_enewsletter.pdf">It doesn't matter if you reach them all</a>...the important thing is to have goals to work towards. Happy new year, and happy painting!!<br />
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-Gretchen<br />
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<br />Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-23488860918056838642018-12-30T20:21:00.003-08:002018-12-30T20:21:26.960-08:00Fun Family Photo Shoot Turns Magazine Feature!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaxfyDfsp69ehSMmRkoyAC8t5K0JFNYiyBNCGfJITAXse88TCVqNLkV0TM08z5i6e-bOTTiCTzhY-l1B9gErSmxnbRS8LMmmDqgQluDLCK9lBlP1CJjMnaDcjMPrGF95BugUSgmAaygQ/s1600/toby+trimmed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1435" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaxfyDfsp69ehSMmRkoyAC8t5K0JFNYiyBNCGfJITAXse88TCVqNLkV0TM08z5i6e-bOTTiCTzhY-l1B9gErSmxnbRS8LMmmDqgQluDLCK9lBlP1CJjMnaDcjMPrGF95BugUSgmAaygQ/s400/toby+trimmed.jpg" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toby proudly holding up his spread</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Last month I took my boys out of school a little bit early to take a trip to downtown Minneapolis for a magazine photo shoot! I'm so honored to have my business featured in this month's issue of <a href="https://lakeminnetonkamag.com/">Lake Minnetonka Magazine</a>! They wrote a really nice article and put together such a fun and beautiful layout!<br />
<br />Here are a few pics I took at the photo shoot back in November. I painted both boys in the studio before their shoot, and then painted some jewelry on myself while they were taking pics of the boys...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoiG0BvldhVy6LR2IeSgOjO3ZDb5-HlakaoRUPJTv5MZ-GrHfnrKdsdWY4_qrLQ7k1sqBRHc10KSPdyKAxIQfL-DtQdn3HRT-TaW2Zba0uiPT7l80FFYiUfvGTnvwRhgEgB3QmJ7U3Vc/s1600/IMG_3028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoiG0BvldhVy6LR2IeSgOjO3ZDb5-HlakaoRUPJTv5MZ-GrHfnrKdsdWY4_qrLQ7k1sqBRHc10KSPdyKAxIQfL-DtQdn3HRT-TaW2Zba0uiPT7l80FFYiUfvGTnvwRhgEgB3QmJ7U3Vc/s400/IMG_3028.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam getting painted</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EGZwd7qDOB2qgX4aqMPJ4pcU4b2Gp8z8dgCzdd6fKRuU9GLShRD6Yiujk-AQQ9cizncklC0hmEfCfqWwYXSopyU7JIMo11HyO9aPwl4CH0mQLhDgQeiRs-6EYSgu3edPQ6vrijhe5lU/s1600/IMG_3031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1158" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EGZwd7qDOB2qgX4aqMPJ4pcU4b2Gp8z8dgCzdd6fKRuU9GLShRD6Yiujk-AQQ9cizncklC0hmEfCfqWwYXSopyU7JIMo11HyO9aPwl4CH0mQLhDgQeiRs-6EYSgu3edPQ6vrijhe5lU/s400/IMG_3031.JPG" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toby getting his photo taken</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFPWQi63ok-QZApTvOD_eyygPWYHlvneO3ZomBFh6-rdfNWeb6bGTHD2VLP_cRJYtWbW27HT5xFevUpvx4R6ViSTaXRcnNWtWA46CnAASh9sX2948Pb2ULodTkWF5AbC0S0Dp2738Emw/s1600/IMG_3035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1218" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFPWQi63ok-QZApTvOD_eyygPWYHlvneO3ZomBFh6-rdfNWeb6bGTHD2VLP_cRJYtWbW27HT5xFevUpvx4R6ViSTaXRcnNWtWA46CnAASh9sX2948Pb2ULodTkWF5AbC0S0Dp2738Emw/s400/IMG_3035.JPG" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam's turn for photos</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_R0ilCVubvU2y1CPuMC7odKUq4P1QwCZgd4W1s4PFe3IhtdhgP475pTGbsZ2sn3KpaG_c9O7teOEC6_7uE0lWL8TnTJK5jfsvYif8VKEFmrhn4HVIcEU_dAj_W_7FMuiGI_LmaDNb5c/s1600/IMG_3045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1600" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_R0ilCVubvU2y1CPuMC7odKUq4P1QwCZgd4W1s4PFe3IhtdhgP475pTGbsZ2sn3KpaG_c9O7teOEC6_7uE0lWL8TnTJK5jfsvYif8VKEFmrhn4HVIcEU_dAj_W_7FMuiGI_LmaDNb5c/s400/IMG_3045.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie after we got home</td></tr>
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Here's a peek at the article...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiLqE84jRO5vb1zU0u6scztyx9IyWBYRJOR0qw_jIm4CiNSo7xwM2VpzpO30m_PG9Vu07Hfbx02BjfYIIY4YKM3W4S3TY9c0FUGIbG5qt_N2-aTTmuksOAQfIv8K1YXKPR0ds-z1qA60/s1600/spread+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiLqE84jRO5vb1zU0u6scztyx9IyWBYRJOR0qw_jIm4CiNSo7xwM2VpzpO30m_PG9Vu07Hfbx02BjfYIIY4YKM3W4S3TY9c0FUGIbG5qt_N2-aTTmuksOAQfIv8K1YXKPR0ds-z1qA60/s400/spread+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Such a fun layout...I had a blast taking my boys on an adventure downtown and they suddenly weren't too sick of being painted when the promise of being in <a href="https://lakeminnetonkamag.com/">a widely distributed local magazine</a> was a part of the deal, haha! Now if only I could convince them that <a href="http://www.wetpaintmagazine.com/">mom's magazine</a> was just as cool...<br />
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Thanks so much, <a href="https://lakeminnetonkamag.com/">Lake Minnetonka Magazine</a>!! :-D<br />
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<br />Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280791227152744758.post-76471318401798097632018-12-17T11:44:00.001-08:002018-12-17T11:44:32.934-08:002018 Ugly Christmas Sweater<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9K-j_SSjlttq-EWxFaK_7sRokPqwRxU8ldM3-tMixb1k0ij_JfPBUAYqzZpQceUnArFLONAW_BD8Ol3efk7uepQ8d3cM5h-kmqtIw7MnqgL6gZZXSvSmKpY3Soz8AKZ3-swEOhZhep0U/s1600/Card+Front+Art+WM+for+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9K-j_SSjlttq-EWxFaK_7sRokPqwRxU8ldM3-tMixb1k0ij_JfPBUAYqzZpQceUnArFLONAW_BD8Ol3efk7uepQ8d3cM5h-kmqtIw7MnqgL6gZZXSvSmKpY3Soz8AKZ3-swEOhZhep0U/s640/Card+Front+Art+WM+for+web.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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I had the joy of painting my awesome 10 year old again this year with another ugly Christmas sweater for my business Christmas cards! He's such a good sport! This sweater was SO realistic that it really itched him, haha! I think it had something to do with our dry Minnesota winter air as it doesn't usually itch him, but he did an amazing job sitting still for an hour for this one!<br />
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Things get a little crazy around our house this time of year, prepping for Christmas, this guy's birthday which is the day after, and all the holiday parties I paint at! However, this year is even more nutty as we just got an 8 week old great dane puppy right around Thanksgiving! So, please bear with me as I plan my work day around naps and potty breaks, haha! I hope to get some more painting in here once we get past the holidays, AND more blog posting! So stay tuned for a recap of the Jamvention and more step by steps to come! Until then, have a wonderful holiday!Gretchen Fleenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12368015351833417912noreply@blogger.com0