This banjo print is the first in a Folk Instrument series that I have planned.  It's called "Froggy Went A-Courtin'," and I really love the energy of this piece. For this block I'm offering several color options.  There is the black and copper--an edition of 10, and I've also made a solid dark green edition of 30, and a blue edition of 20.  As always, the total number of imprints sold from this hand carved block will be under 100, ensuring that every piece is special. :)

There is something about this set of mid century botanicals that always keeps me coming back. You can buy them as single prints, or choose from the sets I have curated on my website. I usually make the accent colors in these prints soft jewel tones, but lately I'm liking the dusky grey toned accents as well. 

Last month I told you about the family of red shouldered Hawks living in my neighborhood and shared a picture of them as little grey fuzzballs.  Well, those little fuzzballs have officially grown up into angsty hawk teenagers, and we've loved getting to see them practice flying, stomping around in their moody juvenile feathers, and calling loudly to their mamma to bring them more snakes. I've already carved one block inspired by these hawks (which you'll see later in this newsletter) and I'm looking forward to more in the future. 

Festival for the Eno- July 3rd-4th.  I am so excited to be juried into this festival, particularly because I'm a frequent user of some of the 7,400 acres of park that this organization has helped to preserve. Click here for info about this event.

 

Eno River Farmers Market- July 17th from 8am-noon. I attended this market a few weeks ago, and was blown away by the warm welcome I received.  I hope to attend once every 1-2 months, and am planning my next visit for July 17th. Visit their website for directions and vendor information. 
 

Patchwork Market- August 8th from noon-5pm. Patchwork market is back!  This is my first time participating in this beloved Durham maker's market. See their website for information about this event.  

See this beautiful blue glass object?  It's not a paperweight-- it's a 2 lb printmaking baren called a "print frog."  It's handmade by a wonderful couple in Texas and it was a treat to myself this spring.  I pull all my prints by hand, which means I don't own a printmaking press.  After I ink up a block, I lay the paper flat down on top of it, and rub the back of the paper until I get a clean imprint.  You have to press down pretty hard to get a nice ink transfer, and I was getting some repetitive shoulder pain from this process.  The heavy weight of the print frog lets me get a strong imprint without injuring myself, and I'm pulling the cleanest, prettiest prints of my career with it!  In the picture below, I'm using it to test print a carving I just finished of a Juvenille Hawk. 

 

Can't make it to the festival for the Eno?  You can still support their conservation efforts by bidding on items in their silent auction and raffle. This year I'm donating the big heron print pictured above because I'm feeling extra grateful for our wild spaces after spending a year+ with small kids in quarantine :) Check on their website in early July for more details. 

 

 

That's why I want my all of you to use the code SUMMERISHERE on my website for 10% off all block prints through June 30th. I couldn't do this without you, and I'm so grateful for y'all.