BlueFrogArts

Fiber Day at the Frog a Success!

 

What fun!

Vikki Morain, weaver, and spinner-wannabe, invited area spinners, weavers, knitters and curious observers to participate in the first Spin-In at The Blue Frog.  Apparently, people were more than ready to break away from cabin fever in Lamoni.  More than twenty visitors stopped into the Blue Frog to spin, learn to spin, have experienced spinners urge antique wheels into working order, knit, share patterns, chat with other fiber enthusiasts and generally just have a good day together.  Lamoni residents came to be supportive and feed their wondfully curious minds.  Great to have you all there!

Spinners Anna Knapp (Lamoni), Linda Graves (Osceola), Mary Parks (Pleasantville) and Sue Olson Jamison, MO) shared their expertise and were enthusiastic and patient teachers.  Thank you so much!

If you missed out, don't worry.  The consensus was that there should be a repeat performance so watch this space for another invitation in 6 weeks or so. 

Come Spin a Yarn at the Blue Frog

Really, no tall tale here.

 

 

There will be spinners and spinning wheels at The Blue Frog on Thursday, January 14 from 11:00 am-3:00pm.  Come watch a demonstration of spinning by area spinners.  You can even give it a try if you'd like to.  This is not a formal class but just an opportunity to watch and talk with people who have mastered an ancient/modern skill.

  Don't let work hours keep you away.  Even if you can come only during your lunch break, feel free to pack a lunch or bring take-out from one of our local restaurants and come to The Blue Frog.  Consider it a brown-bag lunch opportunity to learn about another art form.  

There will also be knitters and weavers, so if you have a project you are working on and would like some company while you knit, you are welcome to join the fun for a few minutes or a few hours.

Home Tweet Home in Lamoni Decorated Birdhouse Festival and Auction

 When:  Sunday, August 2    2:00

Where:  Blue Frog Arts, 119 E Main, Lamoni Iowa

Come for the fun the food, the festivities!   Bid on birdhouses created by area residents from 6 to 60-plus.  Some are functional, some purely fanciful.   Who knows...maybe you'll go home with your very favorite and make some bird home tweet home in Lamoni.

Although these are much more stunning in real life, here are a few creations for our feathered friends for you to enjoy :

 

 

Hope to see you there!

Wine & Women

Blue Frog fiber artist, 
Prisiclla Eppinger 
and Painter, Helen Caples 
are pictured at the Wine 
and Women event held at 
the Summerset Winery in 
Indianola on Saturday, 
April 5, 2008.  

Helen Kaples, Vikki Morain, 
Myrna Morris, Priscilla 
Eppinger and Donna Trudell 
set up two tables with 

artwork representing many, if not all, of our Blue Frog Artists.  
There was a luncheon and style show (Cold Water Creek) and an 
opportunity to browse, shop and network with other businesses 
in the area.  

Our water color artists contributed works that were cut into 
beautiful bookmarks with the Blue Frog logo and contact information 
on the back.  These were put in the goody bags each guest received.  

We were proud to represent the Blue Frog Arts artists to over 125 
women who attended the $40 a plate event.  Great public relations 
for the Blue Frog and for Lamoni!

   

Business Skills for Artists

The Blue Frog Artists Co-op wants to spread the word about events that help artists become more successful. 

Business Skills for Artists Workshops

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Corning Center for the Fine Arts is proud to sponsor  The Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists (sessions 4, 6, 7 & 8) workshops by Springboard for the Arts, April 4th and 5th 2008.

Details:

Session 4. Marketing for Artists

This session is devoted to identifying the right audience for your artistic output, positioning yourself (including how you price your work) and then developing marketing strategies and a marketing plan geared for that audience. Understanding the rules of the game of self-promotion will help you.

Session 6. Recordkeeping and Financial Management

How does your actual income compare with your desired income? If working with numbers drives you crazy, we have clear, simple methods for setting up your financial books. Learn how Budgets and Cash Flow Statements help you plan for profit (it isn’t just whatever is left at the end.) Making accurate projections about what to expect allows you to plan for it and to prosper.

Session 7. Simple Business Plans

A business plan will help you grow your artistic business, a.k.a. your career. This session explains how to prepare a simple business plan, in arts friendly language. People primarily think about writing a business plan when they are seeking money, but a business plan is an essential planning tool for any small business (even if you’re “just a painter!”)

Session 8. Funding Your Work

This session’s topic is generating income. We’ll discuss the value of multiple income streams. We’ll cover research and application preparation techniques for grants, fellowships, scholarships, and residency programs available to individual artists, We’ll also talk about finding and maintaining partners in the community as a strategy for expanding your audience and appeal to potential funders.

When:

Friday, April 4, 2008; 4.10:00 am – noon, 6. 2:00 - 4:00 pm and Saturday, April 5, 2008; 7. 10:00 am – noon, 8. 2:00 - 4:00 pm 

Where:

Turner Room, Midwest Opportunities Bldg, 724 Davis Ave., Corning, IA

Presenter:

Chris Osgood, Director of Artist Services with Springboard for the Arts

Fees:

$50 ($45 members) per session or $170 for all four ($160 members)

 For more information and registration forms visit the Corning Center for the Fine Arts website.

Rebecca Abarr selected for prestigious Iowa Octagon Show

Rebecca Abarr, our resident basket-weaver extraordinaire, has had a work of art selected for display in the prestigious Octagon Center for the Arts 40th Annual National Clay, Fiber, Paper, Glass, Metal, Wood Show in Ames, Iowa.   

The exhibit will be on display until April and features 79 works of art created by 59 artists from 11 states.  The opening reception is Friday, January 25th from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

Did someone say, "Road Trip?"

Abarr's selected work is called "Triad" and is made of sweet and reed grasses.  The unexpected texture of the artful pyramid whispers of the ancients and reminds us that there are no limits to the creative artist.

Although Rebecca has a strong national and regional reputation as a basket weaver, she may be best known locally for her high quality classes and baskets offered at the Blue Frog.  She resides in Redding, Iowa with her husband and two youngest sons.

For more information on her classes and works, she can be found working at the Blue Frog on Thursdays from 10am-5pm.  Stop by and congratulate her!

Hop Back in Time at the Blue Frog! Sept. 1 Civil War Days

Voted one of Iowa's top tourist attractions, Lamoni's Civil War Days August 31-Sept 2, is packed full of activities for a multitude of interests.

Once again, the Blue Frog artists are thrilled to participate!  We will be hosting an Open House, Saturday, September 1, from 7-9pm.  We will be open during our regular business hours that day as well from 10am to 5pm.

Thanks to award winning professional artist, Beth Knotts, Civil war participants can sign up to have their image drawn while they wait!  Sign up at the Blue Frog for 30 minute time sessions throughout the day from 10am-9pm Sept. 1.

During the open house from 7-9pm, Su Knotts will demonstrate wheel and spindle yarn spinning, Vikki Morain will demonstrate weaving on a small 5 harness table loom, Myrna Morris will be at her easel sketching the artists working, and Rebecca Abarr will demonstrate basket weaving from various locally harvested materials.

Come enjoy the magic of watching art happen right in front of you!  Take a break and have a cool glass of ice water and visit with the Blue Frog artists!  We'd love to see you.

Blue Frog Owner Inspired in Peru

Deb Skinner, pictured January 2007, atop Waynupicchu Mountain with an aerial view of Machu Picchu in lower left corner. Click on the image so you can see the ruins of Machu Picchu better:)

Our frequent customers may have noticed I haven't been working in the Blue Frog on Saturdays lately.  I took a trip with the Graceland University SIFE team and went to the Sacred Valley of Peru.

I was phenomenally impacted by the experience - the beautiful people, the ancient ruins, and the fine artisans that filled the local markets.  Inspired is an understatement.

If Machu Picchu, Peru, or friendly artists interest you, stop by the gallery and look through my photo album! 

Happy Birthday Blue Frog Arts!

Yes, can you believe it?  One year has flown by- yet it feels like we've always been a part of Lamoni.  Swing, by if you're in town - make it a road trip if you're not - you won't be disappointed.

We've adjusted our December hours to help out the working folks:  Noon to 7pm Tuesday through Saturday.

Our One Year Anniversary Party will feature specially priced items, free gift wrap, fun people, and refreshments!  Hope to see you there this Saturday, December 23, Noon to 7pm!