Teaching At Chestnut Creek School of the Arts

Recently I've become involved in our local art school, The Chestnut Creek School of the Art in Galax, VA.  In fact I'm up for a spot of their Board of Directors in July.  I taught a basic fabric bookmaking class at the school in April which was very successful.  In response to several people who want to take the class but couldn't, I've scheduled a repeat of the class for Sat., June 8.  We'll be making a quilted fabric book cover with free motion canvas leaves, abstract flower, a stamped twill tape accent and buttons.  We had such a great time in the class I can't wait to teach new students.  This is the new class sample I created in the April class.  I've added clay/ceramic charms top the spine that my friend, Sara, graciously gave me.  Since then I've learned to make buttons and charms over at Old Town Pottery (an extension of CCSA), they should be fired and glazed to use in the class. 

If you live in the area and are interested go here for more information and to register.

Website or Blog? That is the question.

Buffering, buffering, buffering.  Now I think I remember one of the reasons I haven't posted since November of last year.  I have been trying to upload photos of some new journals, but blogger keeps buffering and it's pretty frustrating.
The other main reason for no posts is that I've been thinking that a website would be more beneficial for showcasing and selling my work.  However, I don't find any of the platforms user-friendly enough for me to spend the amount of time required to create a good site.  I can't afford expensive site designs nor can I justify spending hundreds of dollars for a person to design a site for me.  So as my website falters for lack of effort on my part, my blog has suffered as well.
Part of the issue for me is that as my business grows I'm unsure of the direction in which I want it to continue to grow.  Thus some of the hesitation on creating a website.
If I can get the photo uploader to cooperate here I may just continue to blog and revamp this site rather than reinventing the so-called wheel on a website.
On the positive side of things my reputation as an artist and therefore my business has been growing here in VA.  I'm really pleased with my progress and I'm enjoying being busy.  In the past few months I have gotten more involved in Chestnut Creek School of the Arts here in downtown Galax and feel this is an incredibly comfortable fit for me!  I just wrapped up an 8 week program teaching young students from the local elementary school the process of bookmaking and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I have volunteered to coordinate the summer program and have been invited to be a member of the board of directors.  New shop owners are asking for my work and it has been selling well in the local galleries.  Whew!  It's been an extremely busy and successful year.
And it's STILL buffering.... argh......... so I will try on a subsequent post to show photos of my work.

I would really appreciate any input, insight, encouragement  that you can offer.  Thanks in advance!

Penney