Getting ready for tour.

As my boyfriend was getting ready for a 2 week long stint on the road, I tried to help out with little marketing details so that he could be a driving/walking billboard as he traveled the east coast. First detail: vehicle lettering. (And here's a tip to all you small business owners: letter your car! It's quite possibly the best way to stand out and get attention for the least amount of advertising dollars!) Jim is a graphic designer as well, so he had a clean and quirky design all set for his t-shirts and stickers. I just added it to the car (his new Mini Cooper!) with two colors of vinyl. TA-DA!Then I got to thinking about the dates Jim was leaving...and I thought maybe I could go too. So I did! I drove down to the Carolinas with Jim and flew back a week later while he traveled on. Best road trip buddy ever.Yessssssssss! For more info about Jim's tour, you can check him out at http://www.jimtyrrell.net/ or view his live streams of music at http://www.thejimtour.com/

Open House recap

Business has been good at the shop and it's nice to see so many people shopping locally this holiday season. We celebrated last week with an Open House shindig- lots of fun, delicious food and great energy! Jim Tyrrell rocked the stage with a fantastic blend of music while people shopped and socialized. Hannah Banana loved the cake I decorated!

Anna was a naughty girl...

This is my lil' shop helper, all dressed up in her party dress. :o) She made the BEST raffle ticket master!

Happy Holidays, everyone! :o)

OPEN STUDIO WEEKEND!

OMG...I am SO excited. (I "OMG-ed"...THAT'S how excited I am!) The Studio, a FANTASTICAL, magical, creative place in Laconia (right on Union Ave., above 'Too Good To Be Threw') is opening their doors for a super duper Open House all weekend and I am going!

Melissa McCarthy is the magic behind this operation and I am so excited to have gotten to know her. She's shaking things up in Laconia...changing minds and lives and inspiring and you should come check it out! My good friend Jim Tyrrell (who you may remember from the hoppin' Holiday Open House at my shoppe!) is going to be the featured musician on Saturday from 3:00 & on. Come rock out and get your art on! Pass along the invite to ANYONE you think would love to be a part of it all and swing by from noon to six EITHER Saturday OR Sunday!

OMG.

SAVE THE DATE.

Thursday, December 3rd will be the 2nd Annual Holiday Open House at Veggie Art Girl & Taylor Made Graphics! There's gonna be everything from free raffles to live music (with JimTyrrell) to a local author Ray Carbone signing copies of his new book to hot appetizers....dancing, sales, free gift wrapping and more! Mark your calendars and be sure to shop local this holiday season! :o)

Happy 40th!

Don't you hate it when people make a big deal out of your birthday and Photoshop your head on some stupid picture, broadcasting your birthday all over the internets? Yeah, me too. Oh...whoops.

Well, in celebration of your day of birth Jim Tyrrell, I give you a fine selection of Toothpaste for Dinner, Married to the Sea and Natalie Dee birthday themed comics. Enjoy!

(This one has nothing to do with birthdays. It's just funny.)

Happy birthday, Jim!

The Beacon Pub

These are kind of oldies, but goodies: few more pics from Jim's shows (these are from the Beacon Pub in Swannanoa, NC). This was a fun show and at a great place--it's a brand new bar that is family owned and operated, where they make you feel right at home (wellllll...home but with bigger TV's and a larger drink selection). They host this Drinkin' with Lincoln extravaganza one night a week--$5.00 to get in the door and penny drafts! Check them out at for fun events and live music!Cheyenne taking stage with her drumming skills...woot!

And then the urge to get on stage kicks in, and I join in...

JAY MAN! Read all about Jay Burnham Boraodcasts! (He's kind of a big deal): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090203&content_id=504634&vkey=news_t573&fext=.jsp&sid=t573 Weeee! It's my super cool roommate, Chey!

Thanks everyone for coming out!

The Rocket Club

Jim came to town last week to play a couple of shows and experience Asheville first hand. To say that we had a great time would be and understatement and a half, but...we had a great time. There is so much to share and I have a gazillion pictures from his visit, but I think these were my favorite from the week.

Jim was scheduled to open for Pete and J, a musical duo from Brooklyn, NY at the Rocket Club down the street. We're still not sure why they didn't show; whether it was the rumored transmission problems or just lousy booking on someone's part, it just didn't matter. Jim had to adjust from an opening set to a full night of playing, and he did just that. As a bonus, my roommate Greg took center stage with an opening act of his stand-up, and got the crowd laughing with some pre-music jokes. My new Asheville friends came over to enjoy a spread of appetizers and wine that I whipped up that afternoon and great energy was flowing through the air as we walked the few short blocks to the Rocket Club. Jim's show was spectacular, he kept the crowd dancing and laughing all night. People took turns drumming on stage with him (he had just gotten a new set of congas here in town on Craigslist), and even I took a stab at them. (Not going to lie, I have since then signed up for a drumming lesson...it inspired me!) What fun that night was! Thanks y'all for coming out!

"Closed due to cherries." Hmmm. Well, that's Asheville for ya!

"Hey police officer! You look like a fabulous photographer! Would you mind snapping a picture of all of us? Thanks!"

Thank you.

Despite the weather being absolutely awful, our Open House had quite a turnout! I'd like to thank all those who weathered the storm and made the trek in support of our new business venture (some people traveled over 2 hours in the snow and ice!) One person commented that the weather was perfect, because those who were there would always remember the event (and had a better shot at raffle prizes!), and I think that is the truth! (...though a nice, clear night would have been okay too...) Still, Diane and I had fun welcoming everyone to our new shop, and are thankful for all of the support we have received from friends and the community. A special thank you to Moe and Alex of the Common Man family who generously donated cakes, a gift certificate and a lovely flower arrangement and have made Diane and I feel more than welcome in the neighborhood, Jim for his fabulous music, TJ, Josh, Chainsaw, Tina Cleana, Tanya & Tara for their last-minute painting skills and Longhaul Farm for the goodies. (I know I am forgetting someone, but nothing has gone unappreciated). Again, thank you all for coming and I look forward to doing it again this summer for round two!

Live music w/ Jim Tyrrell!

Cakes compliments of the Common Man Bakery. :)

Come to our OPEN HOUSE this Thursday Night!

Most of you know that I am teaming up with my friend Diane on a business adventure on Squam Lake. When I return from my NC travels in the Spring of ’09, I will be opening a seasonal gallery in a shared space at the corners of Rte 175 & 3 in Holderness, called Veggie Art Girl: an earth-friendly boutique. Diane is going to have a fun shop filled with old-fashioned presses, offering all sorts of nifty services from graphic design to boat lettering to silk screening. I will have my shop in the space beside Diane, and we are going to rock Squam Lake this summer!

Why all the buzz NOW when I am not opening ‘til spring? Before I leave, I wanted to make sure everything was in order. So as you know we have been ripping carpet, painting, building and remodeling the space (ahem...any help is gladly welcomed if you love to paint or build!) We’ve been working hard and now we want to CELEBRATE!

So come on down this Thursday and check it out! We’re opening the doors from 6-8 p.m. for munchies, live music with Jim Tyrrell and fabulous raffles. We’re at the corners of Rte. 175 and Rte. 3 in Holderness…you can call 968-3192 for more info/directions.

Or are you an artist looking for a space to display your wares? If your work is earth-friendly (salvaged goods, water-based paints, recycled materials, etc.), then come on down Thursday night to talk to me! I’d love to showcase your work this summer on Squam!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Everyone...go here!

My friend Jim's band, The Brain Police, is making their debut at Ernie's Club Hong Kong this upcoming Thursday and it's going to rock! So come on down, order a scorpion bowl the size of your head, grab some crab rangoons and support your local musicians!