My latest Diva

Greetings All,
This is my latest diva "Fallon" who was created by commission and she's named after a wonderful young woman that I met on-line and who came out while we were at the Chicago Jazz Festival and spent the afternoon with us. We enjoy her company so very much that I had to name a diva after her. The garments that she's wearing were created by the owner fabric because wanted her to matched her bedroom.


The fabric came from "Global Mamas" that was created in Ghana and I supplied the lining fabric and shoe soles. Global Mamas is a nonprofit organization helping small women-led enterprises in Africa. Do check out their website. So here's to you Fallon.

Artisans 21 Grand Re-opening

Greetings All,

Artisans 21 had their Grand Re-opening this past weekend and the Darling Divas/Friends were in attendance and had a great time. I was their all day Saturday met some wonderful people and some old acquaintances. I look forward to have a long run with the gallery and thank them for allowing me to be a member. The Divas/Friends had an awesome time and we will keep you posted.

Chicago Jazz Fest - Part II

Greetings All,

Well the "Darling Divas/Friends" survived another weekend of vending and Ms. Pumpkin (right) found a new home on the east-coast in DC. She will be missed, but much loved in her new space/place. All the other divas were oohed and awed over and welcome with open arms. They met people from all over the planet, England, Ireland, Spain, China, South America, and Canada to name a few.

We had a great time hanging out with my first born, Kemba (below left) and she's a diva too. The music was just awesome, the weather could not have been better and I would love to do it again.

Chicago Jazz Festival Art Fair

Greetings All,

The Darling Divas/Friends are getting ready for another road trip. This time they are off to a 3-day event at the Chicago Jazz Festival Art Fair. This is a 1st for us and we hope/pray not the last. We will be in downtown Grant Park at the north rose garden between Jackson Blvd and the wonderful Buckingham Fountain, Sept 4th, 5th, and 6th from 11am until 9:30 each day. So if you are in town come on downtown and stop by and say hello.

The artists/artisans that are participating are: Nnamdi African Origins, Wire Art Jewelry, Avril's Designs, Pretty Afrika Designs, Samsara Boutique, B&N Designs, Out of Africa, Ernani Silva, Cheryl Toles, Peter Hurley Studio, Sam Thread Art, Chester Allen, Patrick Crouch, Chris C. Crystals and More, Gallery Guichard, Third Generation Jewelers, Paul S. Benjamin, Kerream Jones, JJB Silver & More, Bayo Studio, Window to Imagination, Kit Enterprises LLC, and Semmerling & Schaefer Masks Studios.

The music line-up is just awesome and some of my favorites are: Muhal Richard Abrams, Dee Alexander, Fareed Haque, Esperanza Spalding, Nicole Mitchell Black Earth Strings, Von Freeman, and the Archie Shepp Quartet just to name a few. So come on down the Divas/Friends /I will be waiting to see you.

Seaway Bank Art Fair-Road Trip part II

Greetings All,

The Darling Divas/Friends had a great time at the 26th Annual Seaway Bank Art Fair this past weekend. The met lots of new friends (left) and put on a great show. We also won second place in the fiber/doll category.

First place winner was Juliette Hurtz with her adorable little queens and her wonderful home decor (right). Juliette I have know for years and she's been a wealth of knowledge on how to be a vendor and I have learned a great deal from her.

The lovely little darlings (below) were presented by Charlie of "Pretty Things" and are creations of a doll maker named Judy Roy of "Child Images". I normally are not drawn to baby dolls, but I love the look of these cuties. Our next outing will be the Chicago Jazz Fest September 4th, 5th, and 6th and I will post more later in the month.

Seaway Bank26th Annual Cmmunity Art Fair-Road Trip

Greetings All,
Well this weekend I will be out vending with the Divas/Friends at the Seaway Bank's Art Fair. This is a small community event that I love doing it because of the people and I always learn something new or meet someone new. I also it's not costly and I get the chance to expose others to what I do.

I started doing the event many years ago when my children were small and stopped of years and within the last 5 years I started back and remember why I did it in the first place. It's all about community. I don't live in this community, but there is such a feeling of community and I usully have a geat time.

Also this is the Air/Water show this weekend and the jets will be flying high and far even to the point that we can see some of them from 87th street. I completed several "Divas" for this event. I have parts of dolls that I have started so that when new events come up I can add to my inventory without a lot of stress. Below you will find Eunice (left), Corinth (center), and Magdalena. So if you are on the southside of Chicago this weekend stop by and say hello.

Artisans 21 Gallery

I just got back from Artisans 21 Gallery dropping off Rob and Empress and some of my small wall hangings to add to my inventory. Also I needed to do some paperwork. So now it's official that I am a member of the gallery. I'm so excited because I'm in such great company. Dorri Ellis, Joy Rosner, Candy Shweder, Janice Tedesco, Paul Jeselskis, Lynne Terr, Marianne Hammett, Jewell Pates, Lois Stone, Rob Borja, Barbara O"Connor, Harry Meyer, Anita Garrison, Pat Rosenzweig, Susan Windsor, Penny Nichols, Terry Boykin, Judith Guajardo, Jim and Chris Freeburn, Mary Ellen Sisulak, Anne Amas, Frazzled Tiles, and Donna Joy Wolfe.

Before I left I found earrings for two of my divas. Empress (left) and Pumpkin (right) and I love the way they enhance their features.

Empress (below) found a new friend with Dorri and I hope a new home soon. I know you ask how can I part with them. Well I want them to have lives of their own and not to stay with me forever. It's just like with my children I want them to grow and have lives away home.

I am amazed that the last past two months I met Jewell and Terry at different events for the first time and Anita I have known for years, but not at Artisan. Now we are all at Artisans. Life never ceases to amaze me and I thank God. This is going to be a good journey.