Interview with a Designer

Daphne Bradley, a very talented designer, tells us about herself, her work and how she ended up designing an entire guest room around some of my paintings.

Karen : Where are you from?

Daphne: Born and raised here in Southern Chester County. My children happen to be fourth generation Avon Grove students. I love it here.

Karen: What inspired you to become a designer?

Daphne: I have to say that I have always had a crafty/ creative side. I can remember when I was little I would always move things in my bedroom and around the house, loved to pick flowers and arrange them in glasses. I would make things out of just about anything you could think of. But really what shaped me into becoming a designer was growing up with a father that was always building or painting. He built our family home while I was growing up. He wasn’t shy with letting us help. Hammer, nails, paint brush….I learned to use them all and haven’t put them down since.

Karen: How long have you been a designer?

Daphne: I graduated college in 1991. I’d love to say that I have been designing since then, however family life soon began and I stayed home to raise my children. In 1994 I began a craft business and did that for several years. I just need that creative outlet. In 1999 I shifted gears a little and started working part time in an antique shop. Few years later I found myself managing a furniture store until it closed in 2007. Early 2008 I was encouraged by many of my loved ones to start my own design business. I love design, color, and people and just find it fun. So this started Design By Daphne.

Karen: How long have you had your own business?

Daphne: I have been in business now for just over 4 years.

Karen: What types of rooms do you specialize in?

Daphne: I really do not limit myself to any one room. I love them all. I tend to find inspiration from my clients and my creativity flows.

Karen: Who is your typical client?

Daphne: Most of my clients are middle class. I have designed for all ages. I find most of my clients are stuck with out inspiration or don’t know where to get started, and that is when they call upon me. I am able to dig out their ideas put them all together, along with a few of my own; to create the space they have been dreaming of.

I also have a few Commercial clients; of course their needs are much different and a bit more demanding. All the same I love what I do and design happens.

Karen: Price range?

Daphne: My consultation fees vary, depending on what your over all needs are.

Karen: What geographic area do you serve?

Daphne: Southern Chester county and Northern Delaware (Newark, Wilmington, Bear, Middletown, New Castle, )

Karen: You designed a room around some of my paintings, which ones? How did that idea come about?

Daphne: It all started a few years ago when my sister and I were at the Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square. We found you and your art work displayed in the art hall. My sister fell in love with the Raining Broccoli (Eat Your Broccoli) with cows print. Bought it and planned to hang it right away in her kitchen. A few years went by; the print never got framed and just sat upright on the ledge. She wound up moving, and the cows got packed away. I helped her paint her new home, unpack, etc. Well during this time, she and I ventured out to another local craft fair, and we ran into you again, finding two more paintings that she just couldn’t live without. My sister asked me how she could work these into her new home as the new place really didn’t have any wall space in the kitchen. So the designer in me went to work. Coming up with the idea to display them in the Guest room, so that everyone who comes to stay would get to enjoy them and feel happy. Your paintings are so fun and full of life. That’s how the room came about. Fun colors that make you smile, whimsical mix match furnishings and endless imagination. And Yes, for Adults. Why should the kids be the only ones to enjoy fun colors?

Karen: What are the elements in my paintings that you pulled out to base your design on?

Daphne: I designed the room mostly from the fun colors in the paintings. I choose a fun stripe pattern for the walls in vibrant colors. It all happened from inspiration on the whimsical fun of your art.

Karen: Most of my collectors are adults who buy my paintings for themselves, yet very often, when I am at outdoor shows, I hear people remark how great they would be for kids rooms, which they are, but here people can see how they can be incorporated into a sophisticated, yet colorful and fun adult room.

Karen: What other items, colors, framing options etc.. might you incorporate with them in another room (kitchen for example) to create a cohesive display?

Daphne: To answer this, I would like to see them in some old carved frames of all shapes and sizes that were sprayed in a few bright fun colors (or one to keep it simple). Gallery them together on a wall near a writing desk, or behind a living room sofa. How fun?

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Karen: What is your best decorating advice?

Daphne: Don’t be afraid ! Buy art that you love, hang it at eye level so you can enjoy it pull colors and inspiration from that art. Your home is your canvas and doesn’t have to look like it came from a magazine. Enjoy it!

For more information about Daphne and her work, here is where you can find her:

Design By Daphne, LLC

302-354-4158 or 484-897-0030

www.designbydaphne.com

www.facebook.com/DesignByDaphne

Home Parties, Salon Nights and A Show and Tell

With me, it's pretty much any old excuse will do for a party. I just love making delicious bites to wow my guests, pulling out the wine glasses and even breaking down and cleaning my kitchen floor. (My husband appreciates this aspect of preparation too.) Back in March, I decided to throw a pottery party and invited my other artsy and not so artsy friends to attend.

I really wanted to share all the new things that I was learning by taking up pottery. This was interesting for my friends too (they told me) as several of them had attended my salon evenings in the past where I spoke about my paintings, but this was a whole new trip. I feel so blessed that my friends are even that interested in me and what I do that they want to come and hear about what motivates me and inspires my work be it my pottery or painting.

It was a very fun night. In addition to getting to share my work, I enjoyed seeing my very diverse friends interact with and befriend one another. Yes, several were fellow artists like Chad Everett, Stacey Peterson

, Mary Coleman and Cindy Wool and Nina Watts. There was also a nurse, a fitness expert, a doctor, an animal researcher, a musician and a stay at home mom. Interesting how the arts brings people together.

People kept picking up pieces and declaring them their favorites. There was almost a tug of war over a piece that someone had set aside for themselves and someone else wanted. That kind of made me feel good :0)

I spent some time talking about different techniques that I used. One of my favorites being using wax to paint designs on a piece and creating what becomes a wax resist. I talked about raku vs. gas kiln high firing vs. low fire. Even though I've been at it a year now, there is so much I don't know. I talked about the process as much as I could and fortunately, some others had dabbled in ceramics as well and were able to fill in the blanks for me.

It was a really great time. A fun way to market your art if that is your goal, but also to find out exactly what it is you are up to as you answer questions from others about your work. I find that when I do these parties I learn much about myself as sometimes, in the telling to others, I find intentions that I didn't know were there at the time.

Last summer, my husband and I, who is a musician (bass blayer for the band Knowlton Point) held what we dubbed a musicians barbecue. We invited a bunch of musicians to cook food on the grill then everyone took turns jamming with one another on our pergola until we got the call from the neighbors! Another great evening.

I think my next party is going to be kind of an artists show and tell combined with the musicians barbecue. In a nod to what was dubbed "The Big Share" in an artist coaching group called Artists Conference Network that I had the honor and pleasure to be a part of years ago I will have my artists friends come over early and share a piece of work before the music begins. Should be even more fun!

Your Gift to the World

Your Gift To The World by Helen Gordon

You have a dream, an urging to express yourself. Hold on to it for the dream is God's idea eager to be expressed through you. It is God's choice through you the idea should be fulfilled. God gave you the idea with a restlessness to live it and with the tools, passion, and joy to see it through full manifestation. Through this idea, the grace of God is experienced within all who come in contact with it. Sure, you have a dream. We all have a dream, a strong desire of some kind, something that provides deep satisfaction. If you feel this does not apply to you, let's find your dream. If you know what it is, let's enhance it. Now this is not a dream of fantasy. It is a physical activity of sorts in our human experience, which takes place while fully awake. The idea may be in the form of a song, a painting, a sculpture, a garment, a poem, a literary work, an oratory, a community service, a recipe, a garden, or many forms but it is the idea of God that ultimately comes forth in all Its splendor. Perhaps right now we have chosen to deny the dream's existence as if it were our own little secret. Thus, believe we control when, if ever, it will be exposed to the world. Doing so gives a false sense of control. The dream cannot be controlled or contained within us since it does not belong to us. Remaining closed to the dream does not give us control of it nor can we imprison its divineness. Our human being is an incubator for the dream and desires to come through us effortlessly. An idea of God eventually emerges from its incubator for it has a purpose in this human experience. Fulfillment of that purpose unfolds regardless of our conscious participation. We have the opportunity to be the main conduit for the dream to unfold. Simply shoving it deep into our subconscious is an act of denial where insecure thoughts grasp the illusion it knows nothing of the dream. This is a form of fear. We fear clarity of the dream for our knowing dissolves the lies we have created or accepted about ourselves which prevent us from pursuing this desire. Fear, our worst enemy, tries to convince us of the seeming limitations or impossibilities of reaching our dream's goal. Although we fear failure, God cannot fail Itself. Sometimes those insecure thoughts question our worthiness, playing on the self-created shortcomings we have invited into our lives. Questioning our worthiness says we need somehow to make a change. If there were a need to change something to establish our worthiness, that particular dream would not be so urgent to express through us. Questioning our worthiness also says God did not know what He was doing when He chose us for our role in the dream. He must have made a wrong choice. This is absurd and we no longer allow our fears to imply such an insult to ourselves or to God! If necessary, a challenge of human preparation, such as formal training, to strengthen our faith in ourselves, may be in order. Training can help release thoughts of limitations. Releasing the limitations haunting our little self frees the power of our higher Self. Progressively, our faith in ourselves strengthens. God's faith in our ability to fulfill our calling, i.e., our role in the dream, is stronger than ours, unshakable and certain of our success. Regardless of the appearance and seeming influence of the dream, we will be guided and inspired righteously. Others' dreams may appear more significant than ours so we feel there is some queue for us to wait in before pursuing our dream. All dreams are equal in the eyes of God. God's idea is not in waiting; it continuously unfolds. Faith is weakened when concerned with how impossible the dream may seem. There is no impossible dream. God did not create a dream or idea He cannot fulfill. God has no need to fantasize. This dream was deliberately given through us knowing it can be expressed and manifested best with our particular skill. We are perfect for our role. Steps toward perfecting this skill progress easily. This skill unfolds happily in the form of a "natural gift." However, a natural gift is merely a complete inner instruction manual on how to live this dream to its fullest. We have ready access to this inner manual at any instant because it is as much a part of us as the flesh on our body. Inquiries of this inner manual can be made at will. It is ever present to support us in every way. This is Its purpose. But it's too much fun? Desires are meant to be enjoyed; otherwise, they are a chore! Chores are far more difficult to start. God knows that making the dream desirable is an advantage for all. Go forward with the dream with sincere humility. Humility creates that space in the mind for greatness to express through us. As we fully accept this role of grandeur, God has more grand and glorious things awaiting us. Acceptance of our abilities in this role allows us to put truth in visible action. From this action, there is divine reaction, the natural unfoldment of abundant blessings. We discover a special joy as we develop the dream. We cannot help but feel good when engaged in fulfilling the dream because we are fulfilling our calling, God's idea. There is no need to focus on who validates our dream's worth. We are magnificently and wonderfully made for what God has purposed; our existence is not a mistake. Our role is valuable. Our activities inspire many who in some form or time have the opportunity to witness the joy of our work. Within each one's inspiration is a revelation. Perhaps it is the revelation of our own divine dream. One dream reveals another, inspires another, prepares for another, unites with another, and is shared with another to expand this idea of God. This idea was established well before our first breath. We had nothing to do with its inception. It must be made manifest here on earth. Reaching the goal of the dream is not the end. It is the beginning of a new one, usually apparent well before the goal is reached. Eventually it is revealed how that goal was merely a stepping-stone for the expansion of the dream. Commitment to the dream allows us to live in a state of grace for we become aware of the Truth about who we are and our reason for being. Grace becomes obvious to us. The purpose of our dream becomes clear. Our commitment becomes stronger. Life is joyful. Commit to the dream but not for the sake of personal recognition or monetary gain. Commit for the glorification of God, for in our commitment, there is obedience. For this reason, we are rewarded beyond our imagination. This is the Law.

Projects on the Shelf- My Coloring Book

Seems there just aren't ever enough hours in the day. I spend most days now at the pottery studio since I have gotten totally hooked. The good news is that I have been selling so many paintings lately, that its time for me to refresh my inventory. don't know if more cow paintings will be in the offing, I have painted more than 100 and I think I may need a new muse. I would like to get back to painting more personal images and maybe some more serious subject matter. In the meantime, I have left another project on the back burner for more than a year. That is a coloring book that I started featuring several of my existing paintings which I turned into black and white line drawings with the aide of photoshop. For all intents and purposes it may be finished. I have about 10 images done which is plenty for a coloring book but I have as yet to determine a printing method to keep the cost low. Any suggestions are always welcome as well as an motivational thoughts to help me get this one done....:0)

Birthday Giveaway!!!

It's my Birthday, It's my Birthday! All cards and gifts can be left on the back porch... Hahahahahah. Actually, to celebrate my birthday this month I am giving a gift to each of you with a chance to win one of 5 signed copies of "Millicent and the Faraway Moon" Here's how it works:

Anytime between when you get my newsletter and 12 noon next Friday (Feb.17, the day I came into the world)

"Like" my page RisingStarArt on Facebook and leave the comment "wonderfully made"

For two extra chances to win: Follow this blog and leave a comment explaining what it means to be "wonderfully made"

For yet another chance: Follow me on twitter (Cowgirl1959) and leave the hashtag #wonderfully made.

Thats 4 chances to win if you do them all! Or you can always just do one or two. Its up to you!

I will then take all the names and put them into a cereal bowl and have my husband pick 5 winners and post them to my Blog, FB page and Twitter account by 3 or 4 pm on Friday.

Children's Book 35% off for International Book Giving Day

February 14 is not only Valentines Day but International Book Giving Day. The mission of International Book Giving Day is to get new, used, or borrowed books in the hands of as many kids as possible. Click on the link to be taken to a blog post with more information and ideas for giving books to kids at home and abroad.

In an effort to support this project, I will be discounting "Millicent and the Faraway Moon" by 35% ! in my etsy shop on Feb. 14 only. Use the code "giveabook" at the checkout for your discount. I will sign it and if you want it sent to someone other than yourself make a note on your order. Even if you don't have kids, think about one for your church library, a doctors office, daycare center etc. Leave it anonymously! Committing a random act of kindness leaves you with the warm fuzzies inside! Even if you don't get one of my books I hope you will participate by giving another new or used book :0)We need to keep our kids reading!

My Pottery Now on Etsy!

I was timid about selling pottery online due to concerns about shipping, but who am I to deprive others of the fruits of my new found passion? If you look on the blog archives, you will see what a solid progression I have made as a clay artist over the last year and wow-how that flew by! I started with little bowls and now have made 12" Raku vases, stoneware casseroles, mugs and all sorts of nice things which has now given me more confidence about offering it to the public. My new etsy shop is RisingStarPottery1 and I have populated it with the 13 items that I have left from my holiday sales. There is plenty more to come including pieces that I didn't have time to finish before the studio closed for the winter break. When it reopens next week, I plan to get right to work creating gift items for Valentine's day and spring items maybe like hanging pots and wind chimes. I am still a painter and maintaining my other etsy shop as well where I sell my original painintgs, prints, my kids book, notecards, anything related to my painting. That shop name is "grampa1" though beginning tomorrow it will be changed to "RisingStarArt". Look at me, going for consistency! Go figure :0) You'll know its me when you get there! Well, hope you'll have a look at my new pottery shop and show me some love by either purchasing, liking it on FB or tweeting or pinning or doing whatever on which ever social network you're on! Thanks as always for your support of my creative life!