Tuesday, September 25, 2007

The one with the Custom Order and other things


I was asked to create a couple of cakes out of paper boxes. Hmmm...yep, it took about three seconds to decide that that sounded like a great time! My poor neglected(and not half finished) tea set sits on the corner of my table waiting to be completed, but the cakes were calling, and what's a girl to do?

I love doing custom orders, because it's certain that you are creating something that someone else really wants. It brings a certain joy to creating that...well, a different kind of joy I guess. There's joy in creating anything, or most of us wouldn't put the time, effort, and love into our work.

I know of many artists out there, online and in real life that are such perfectionists. We just can't leave a piece alone, they day after something is completed, I know that I will critique it with my beady little eye, and just have to add one more thing...and that thing leads to another, and maybe just one more touch here... If we really charged by the hour for the work that we put into our pieces, most of them would be astronomical. I think many of us are famous for undercharging as well. But when you are doing something that you love, it just doesn't seem like work. I love my art, love creating so deeply, that I would pay someone else to just let me work for hours and hours.

Anyway, here are some photos, my custom cakes, and a couple of pieces for my upcoming show. If anyone out in Blogland is going to be in the Chicago area DECEMBER 8th and 9th, come to Bucktown's Holiday Art and Craft Faire, its guaranteed to please everyone, and there are some really terrific artists exhibiting.







20 comments:

Sadie Lou said...

The cutest box-cakes I've ever seen! (I've never seen any before).
Thanks for visiting me today!
~S

Anonymous said...

It sure is fun to look at pictures on your blog knowing how much you enjoy doing your artistic creations! I know I won't be able to go to the showing, so don't stop showing pictures here! Beautiful creations!

Lori said...

Colleen!!! Ha!!! We were sharing a muse this week!!! Love your cakes!!!

Flea Market Queen said...

Colleen...I love your cakes!
They are delightful...
Priscilla

Becky Bunn said...

Wow your cakes are wonderful. Very nice

Holly West said...

Thanks for visiting my blog, Colleen! I thought I'd pay you a visit in return. Regarding custom work, I always feel so much more pressure when I create something for a specific person. I'm trying to get past that fear though...

Nice to meet you!

The Polka Dot Pixie said...

Ooooooooooooooooh!!! They turned out beautifully! Well done Colleen!! :-)

Simply Me Art said...

Wow,,, those are so Beautiful. You did an Amazing job as you always do on your Art...

Michelle Legler said...

I like, I like!

Monica said...

Such lovely cakes!
You do great work!!!

Mary Timme said...

I know what you mean. I spent over an hour doing beads for a necklace and that is just getting them ready for putting them the necklace and not really what I call beading. That money will never get to the price tag! Sigh! But we love doing it!

Kathrine said...

this is so inspiring me! Thank you, what lovely work!

Kingswood Food and Craft Market said...

Well at least you've stopped smooching the poor mailman (lady) hee hee
Loving the cake boxes big time. You creative little duckie.
What a pity i cant just 'pop' on over to Chicago and see you at the Art and Craft Fair....we could have eaten cuppies and giggled all day long about how sweet Anthony the blue Wiggle is **grin**

Luv Ya
Shann xo

Jodi Ohl said...

Oh your creations are wonderful :) Love all the details you put into each and everyone of them. I am waayyy to far to stop by your show but I'd be there in a heartbeat if I was closer!

Oh--and I nominated you on my blog for a the "Nice Matters" award. I'm not sure if you have received it before or not, but you definitely deserve to be recognized for your "sweet" personality!!

lucy

Monica said...

Hi Colleen
I tagged you over at my blog with 7 random things cant wait to read them!

Anonymous said...

Hello from Toronto,

I love your paper box cakes! Lovely.

Gabriela

jessielavon@yahoo.com said...

love the work sweetie,My grandmother taugh me how to make paints using mud,berries ect as a younin,so I mix the red Alabama mud or post hole mud with my paints,gives it a different texture,I have a painting on my blog,We have gotton some good rain,garden was canned befor hospital and Aunt Bea is getting settled in.All is well just the nausea is bad, I can get Nauzene over the counter and its GREAT,doesnt make me sleepy so I can visit with children and can get some art done.The portrait of the lady with brown back ground is the mud art.Whats going on in your neck of the woods?Fall is on the way here,cool mornings,sunny afternoons and tryes to rain in the late afternoon,I always tell folks when y'all are here in Alabama just wait a spell an the weather will change.tell me what your up to.xxoo

Cheryl Ensom said...

These are ADORABLE! Love them!

Anonymous said...

Love them!!!

Natasha Burns said...

Love the boxes Colleen!!!