Fall Open Studio

Well hello again. So I never really got things going on my new blog location. I can't seem to figure things out . . . I'm not feeling too tech savvy these days. And besides, blogger has just been so easy to manage. So I guess I will not be leaving any time soon and thus, I will try to update this blog like I used to. I really kind of just gave up after I mentioned that I'd be moving. And besides, it wasn't too easy to update from my phone! What's up with that?

So anyhoo . . . I'm hosting my annual Fall Open Studio on October 20th and 21st. If you are local, I hope you will stop by. Lots of new paintings . . . I'll be posting them here in the weeks to come.

Getting Engaged? . . . Paper Heart No. 1

"Paper Heart No. 1"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on paper)

Click here to purchase.

So I've been going through some of my older paintings and thinking of different ways to market them. Besides this one going into a little girl's room, or as a Valentine's gift (all great ideas), I thought that it could also be a lovely gift for someone who is getting engaged. Can you just picture it? It's Christmas -- and the recipient might be expecting an engagement ring but first opens this instead, which of course under normal circumstances would be a perfectly lovely gift. 

(thought bubble: Thank you honey, but where's my ring?) 

Doh!  Another gift.  Oh boy . . . out comes the little gift-wrapped box.  Hmmmm . . . a little paper heart like the one in the painting.  (thought bubble:  Oh wow . . . now that's really disappointing.)

Oh, but wait . . . no worries . . . there's another gift . . . (cue the little box, the violins, the kneeling) . . . "Will You Marry Me?"  

Why of course!  (Oh joy!  Crisis averted.)  :)

framed

This painting comes matted and framed under plexiglas, as shown above, and is ready to hang (commemorating your special event).  And included is a paper heart like the one in the painting. (Unfortunately I think the original heart is long gone, but I made a new one just like it.)

And don't forget . . . if you are around Central Massachusetts, please come by my Open Studio on Dec. 2nd or 3rd.  Karen Healey of "The Dappled Ewe" will be here with me. She dyes wool, hooks rugs and makes decorative hangings.  Her work is just beautiful. You can read more about her here. 

It's also "White Christmas" that weekend in the center of West Brookfield with lots of shops to visit and food to eat, not to mention my friend, June of  "June's Bakeshop" is just up the road.  She has a charming shop full of beautiful cookies, cakes, cupcakes and other treats.  

Holiday Open Studio

Come join me on December 2nd and 3rd at my studio and start your Christmas shopping!  There will be a door prize . . . Christmas cards, original paintings and other gifty items. My friend, Karen Healey  of The Dappled Ewe will be here too with her amazingly beautiful hooked rugs, patterns, and wool. And just up the road is June's Bakeshop, an absolutely charming shop full of fancy holiday cookies, cakes and other tasty confections. 

Also that weekend the town will be abuzz for its White Christmas celebration and is sure to get you in the Holiday Spirit!  HO! HO! HO!

Success! Thanks to you.

"Merry Christmas" and help yourself to some hot and chocolatey cocoa!

This past weekend I held my first ever Holiday Open Studio and thanks to many supportive friends, family and collectors I had a very successful weekend and plan on making this an annual event.  

I am truly blessed and very thankful for all who came out to shop and say "hello." Here are some photos from the weekend.  Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to photograph any shoppers as I was too busy  . . . but that's a good thing!

Come on in.  It may be a little nippy outside
but it's nice and cozy in the studio.

What?  Little People original paintings are on sale?
Better check out my DPW site, Christmas is coming, ya' know.

Coloring books, original paintings, calendars, cards and belt buckles.

The original paintings and their notecards.
"Christmas in June" is still available.

"Christmas in June" - 6" x 6" - (original watercolor on paper)
$85
Click here to purchase.

Wait ... what ... pillows?  Yup!
My original Blueberries and Pointsettia designs
in a removable & washable linen/cotton canvas blend
12" ... $35   &   16" ... $40

I am updating my online shop: "Gifts by Kara K. Bigda" so be sure to stop by and check out my new items -- pillows, buckles and framed prints, such as this one:

"Morning Sun" - 12" x 16" (outer dimensions)
UV Protected Fine Art Giclee - framed and ready to hang
$100
Click here to view in my shop.

Oh . . . you're on your way out.  Thank you for visiting.
Be sure to warm up by the fire . . . 

. . . and don't forget to sign our guestbook
and grab a cookie or two!

Thanks for visiting!  Hope you are enjoying the season.

The Countdown Begins!

"Wandering Pointsettas" on a package

Two new Christmas designs are up for sale on my Spoonflower store site -- they make great holiday gift wrap, so check them out.  The prints are also available as fabric.

"Christmas Wreaths Stripe"

I'm busy cleaning and decorating for my first Holiday Open Studio next weekend.  Let the countdown begin!

A Productive Week

It's been a pretty productive week in the studio, although maybe not for blogging.  Oops.  My Open Studio (Dec. 3rd and 4th) postcards have been labeled and are ready for the mail as well as other prep work for that weekend.  I've also begun some new paintings while finishing a couple others, however one of those paintings is a secret so you're going to have to sit tight until I can share it with you.  

work in progress
12" x 12"
watercolor on cradled aquabord

Have a great weekend!  I'm headed out to dinner with some dear old friends!

Save The Date

I know, I know . . .  it's not even Halloween yet.  I just wanted to let you know that I will be hosting an Open Studio on December 3rd and 4th.  I'm working on getting some new items together.  I will have lots of holiday card sets and already have some available in my online store.  Packages include 10 cards and envelopes & each design has its own inside sentiment.  Most packages feature one design, however I do have a few assorted packs.  The packages are $20.  

Now, back to work.  Have a great day.

"Perched" and a Great Weekend

"Perched"
8" x 8"
watercolor on 7/8" cradled aquabord
$150

Click here to purchase.

I had my annual Open Studio this past weekend as part of the Backroads Studio Tour.  It's always a terrific event and this year was no exception. I pretty much had non-stop visitors on both days. I really enjoy seeing familiar faces as well as meeting lots of new people and collectors.  It's always a treat.  Many thanks to all who came out I am extremely grateful for your support and encouragement.  

Over the next week or two I'll be updating my site and online store with new items.  I have lots of notecards, Christmas cards, prints and calendars available.

I have so many new Little People playthings, I'm excited to work on some new paintings.  I sold a framed original this weekend.  Many thanks to my new collector!

Here's a view outside my studio door.  It was a little chilly so we had the fire going.  It made for a cozy and inviting little seating area ...  the cookies helped too.  :)

The tent helped block out some of the drizzly rain and protect the refreshments, although it proved to be a pretty dry weekend all in all.

A view looking up to the barn where my husband had his trains running.

My morning glories went crazy this year.  And luckily we haven't had a frost yet.

A little bird bath my neighbor made me a few years ago.  I'm not sure if the birds do more bathing in it than Delilah does drinking from it.

One last photo of dear friends and family.  It was such a great weekend!

Thanks for coming by.  Have a great day!

Backroads 2015

Beautiful Dahlias brought to me by one of my many visitors on Saturday.
I also have some pamphlets listing my upcoming classes at Workshop13 in Ware.

It's been a great weekend so far for the Backroads Studio Tour.  I had a great Saturday . . . a mingling of new and familiar faces, even though it was a rather chilly and raw day here in Central Mass.  Thank you to everyone who came out.  

The sun is shining this Sunday morning and it's looking like a beautiful day for a ride.  The foliage is lovely and there's lots to see at the many studios along the Tour.  Hope to see you out and about today.  

Some new square notecards.

In addition to original paintings, prints and notecards,
we have all sorts of neat little "gifty" items . . . and the wrapping too!

Thank you for stopping by the blog!

Studio Shots

Aaaahhhh . . . back to normal.  After my Open Studio it's always nice to get things back to a very clean normal.  It won't look like this for long, but I thought I'd share some art studio photos.  Have a lovely day!

Thank You, Vistaprint!

desktop calendars and lined notebook

I just had a great experience with Vistaprint's customer service -- they were very helpful and accommodating on an order I had just placed (some more new merchandise for my Open Studio and online store I'm creating).  I told them I would pass along via my blog, my pleasure with their quality and service.  I use a few different online printing sources for different items and I'm definitely going to use Vistaprint more in the future.  I'm very excited!

In addition I wanted to share images of my new Vistaprint desktop calendar and a lined notebook I ordered.  I'm working out my pricing and will have these items up soon for sale.  I'll be sure to let you know.  I'm very pleased . . . I hope you like them too.

cover close-up

Thanks for popping by.