I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it…Less than two weeks now until the 2010 SAMA (Society of American Mosaic Artists) Conference in Chicago!  SAMA is an organization for mosaic artists and fans, from those just beginning to discover mosaics to those that are seasoned professionals.  Of course, I’m kind of the “just beginning” end, so, this is my first conference!  I’m looking forward to meeting lots of other mosaicists (yeah; it’s kinda a word!), learning lots of new things, ‘networking’, and checking out the VENDOR marketplace!  Thank God, I’m flying SW, where they don’t charge for bags, b/c I’m bringing a whole empty one for lots of new GOODIES!!!

The photo above (titled, “The Unknown”) is a piece I’ve submitted for the Art Salon/Auction at the show; we’ll see how it does!  I’ll also be volunteering on the ‘Mosaic Marathon’, where we all contribute to the making of a huge mosaic installation to donate to a local domestic violence shelter.  It will be so fun to actually be designing & breaking & gluing some sh*t down w/other mosaicists!  I think the conference will provide some great inspiration, skills, and information to both inspire my work and add to my class content for my students.  I don’t know if I’ll be able to go every year, but I’m at least glad to be able to go now, at this more ‘beginning’ time as a mosaicist!  For anyone out there who’s familiar w/ SAMA and wants information and/or reports on the conference and its activities, I’ll be doing some posting (hopefully during, but definitely after) and can answer any questions you might have.  If you’re not familiar w/ SAMA and you’re looking for some information on mosaics, supplies, classes, artists, designers, etc., see their website  for all kinds of resources!

Found out some good info. this week I wanted to pass on…

1) This year, Hobby Lobby will only run their 40% off coupons in local papers or via their email lists every OTHER week. So; if you don’t want to pay full price for something not on sale, get it on the week with the coupon. This week (Jan. 25-30) is a NO coupon week, so next week there should be a coupon again.

2) I’ve found that many people don’t know that you can sign up for emails from Hobby Lobby and they email you the ad and the coupon every week (coupon every other week currently). Then, you can print out as many of the coupons as you want and use once each day of the week if you want (or, if you’re in major metro area like me, with several Hobby Lobby’s, you can use one coupon per visit per store).

3) I found out this week that there is a 40% off one regular price item for Hobby Lobby that prints out on the backs of TCF bank receipts. If you can use any ATM with your bank or are a TCF customer, you can get the coupon!

4) You can also sign up to receive emails from Michaels and supposedly they send you coupons even on the week that they don’t have a coupon in their Sunday paper ad. However; I’ve had real problems getting regular emails from them and I have no idea why. They show that I’m signed up and everything, yet, no coupons. When I have time or care to deal with it, I guess I will. In the meantime, if anyone knows the “trick” to getting them, please let me know!

5) ALSO found out this week (thanks, Kayla!) that Michaels is now accepting Hobby Lobby coupons. So; see #2 above, and go crazy at Michaels too! Sweet!

6) Sometimes I forget how much cool craft, art, and jewelry stuff that Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts has, but I do receive their weekly emails, which inclue awesome coupons; always at least 40-50% off! They pretty much always have a coupon going if you’re getting the emails, and, again, print as many as you want, and just use ‘em on different visits!

7) One more thing re; Michaels coupons; I’ve discovered that they will accept both the coupon from the weekly ad AND one of the coupons that they give you from the register receipt in one transaction, so that’s cool!

You can use coupons on books and magazines at Hobby Lobby and Jo-Ann’s, but not at Michaels.

Any other deals or suggestions you might have for arts, crafts, and jewelry deals, please post ‘em here or email me!

Just went to an event last night for the ‘Denver Handmade Alliance’ (http://denverhandmade.org/blog/), a group of local crafters working together to support and promote their art businesses. The group started out as an etsy local team (and still is!), but also includes those crafters not on etsy. Crystal and Brett from Vital started the group after wanting to make some local connections with other etsians (Vital can be found on etsy at http://vital.etsy.com and http://vitalhome.etsy.com ). Vital is now so successful that Crystal and Brett work their business full time via etsy and craft fairs and also have a local gift shop, Tomte.craft (http://www.tomtecraft.com/). You can visit their Denver store on the West side of Commons Park, right by the downtown side of the (white) Highlands walking bridge that goes over I-25; 1644 Platte Street; 303.717.0371.

Denver Handmade Alliance has a terrific blog, a great group of involved crafters, and many opportunities for getting involved to support a local organization that can support each other! I’m looking forward to joining with other crafters to find affordable and worthwhile craft fair opportunites, promote each other’s art and teaching ventures, and spread the word about all the great handmade “stuff” people can find in Denver! You can also find DHA, Vital Industries, and Tomte fan pages on Facebook and TomteCraft and VitalIndustries on Twitter!