Tomorrow we go to set up in the Jonesborough Visitors Center for this weekend’s Storytelling Festival! We are part of a group exhibit, TACA (Tennessee Association of Craft Artists). If you want to see us in person, we will be working the booth on Saturday afternoon.

Michael’s cutting boards make GREAT gifts! So keep us in mind for your holiday shopping. If you aren’t local/regional, go to http://ripperarts.etsy.com to shop online. If you can’t make it to the Storytelling Festival this weekend, visit us in our gallery, Ripper Arts Studio & Gallery on 128 E. Market St., Kingsport anytime Tuesday through Saturday 10am-4pm.

For more information about the Storytelling Festival, go to http://www.storytellingcenter.net/

Treasury by Mandizzle

Now that our opening has come and gone, I am getting back in to the “Etsy” swing of things. While getting online and doing my usual routine this morning, I found we were listed as an alternate in one Treasury and featured in another. A special thanks to Mandizzle of Etsy for this treasury curation.

Makes me want to curate. But, unfortunately, instead of an Etsy Treasury, I must “curate” some ads for October magazines, A! Magazine for the Arts, Voice Magazine for Women, and Fun Things to Do in the Mountains… Not to mention preparing for the Arts Crawl which is next week.

Clayton and Scott aka Ghosts in the Woods

Our opening reception was last night. It was amazingly stressful, yet exhilarating! All but two of our artists were there. Kris Brownlee resides in Vancouver and Penny Prada was sick. I was running around with my heels kicked off when people started to arrive. Clayton from Ghosts in the Woods arrived first to set up. He and his room/band mate played for us. They were fantastic! You can listen to them on MySpace Music www.myspace.com/ghostsinthewoods. James Lang, one of glass artists arrived with new pieces, and I put him to work right away, hanging his ornaments in the window. Cindy Saadeh and Laura Bowman arrived soon after, and they helped me finish getting the tables/food set up. After that, I put my heels back on and the rest is a blur.

Jeff, Glynetta and Tony

I’d like to give special thanks to Cindy for her encouragement, patience, guidance, friendship, and help. I know you were jet lagged returning from France… We’d like to thank Clayton and Scott of Ghosts in the Woods, you definitely deserved more than our tip and a box of wine, lol. We must have some of your CDs to put in the gallery and to play during business hours. I’d like to thank Simply Elegant Catering (Lori and Deana) the food was YUMMY! Lots of compliments were given, especially the Key Lime cream puffs. All of the artists who came out, James Lang, Cindy Saadeh, Laura Bowman, Jeffrey Stoner, Glynetta Shepherd, and Elise Ramsey (all the way from Asheville!) with hubby and kids in tow.

James Lang, Cindy Saadeh and Laura Bowman's work

And to all of our friends, customers, fellow Kingsport business owners and all who came out and supported us. Your actions will not be forgotten. Flowers from Style… Extra balloons from Rainbow Floral… the list could go on and on.

Gallery Owners Talina and Michael

And since I (Talina) am writing this, last but not least, I want to thank my AMAZING husband. I love you and cherish every day we spend together living our art!

Repurposed Barn Wood

This is an extremely rustic table made with repurposed barn wood (thanks, Derrek). Michael provided manual labor, tearing the building down. He then cut, assembled, and only LIGHTLY sanded the wood. It is in no way plum or level, but fairly square. The boards are aged and warped, as you can see in the pictures. The table top is a barn door. A partial hinge is still attached. The wood is broken and paint chipped. The only finishing was a clear coat applied.

See the original hinge?

Michael made it as a gallery display, but of course it is for sale! How cool it will look with handmade wooden candlesticks, cheeseboard and knife, and a place setting of Michael’s pottery. Maybe in time, after all, he is only ONE man. Right now, he is recycling a mirror from a large dresser that Kingsport Stained Glass cut into three smaller mirrors for us. Michael is making ambrosia maple frames for them. The are TO SELL in the gallery, as well as provide a place for people to try on and see our HANDMADE jewelry (by Glynetta Shepherd, Elise Ramsey, and Penny Prada).

If you haven’t been by, please come see us at Ripper Arts Studio & Gallery!

We have made the transition from Cindy Saadeh Fine Art Gallery to Ripper Arts Studio and Gallery. Our brick and mortar (B&M) gallery is located at 128 E. Market St., Kingsport, TN 37660. We officially took over the gallery as of September 1st, adding four new artist’s work, as well as new pieces from Jeffrey Stoner.

Outside Looking In

New Artist Kris G. Brownlee

New Artist Glynetta Shepherd

Glass Ornaments by Elise Ramsey