Don't Forget Your Holiday Cards!

Gift giving just isn't the same without a card to tell the recipient just how special they are to you. Don't forget to pick up your Kathy Davis Cards wherever American Greeting's cards are sold.

My Name on Selvedge!!!!!!

This was a very exciting week at Kathy Davis, we received our first strike-off's from FreeSpirit Fabric. I can't begin to tell you how fun it was to see my art made into fabric. Wow! I can't wait to share the collection with you this spring.  Have a great weekend.

A Dose of Inspiration

Party Time!

Friday night was the night for the Kathy Davis team to gather together and celebrate the season and all of our accomplishments from this past year and what a year it was! It was a grand night of sharing, bonding, appreciation and gratitude. We had a great time together and are incredibly excited about the year to come. Happy Holidays!

Beads n' Things!

One of our favorite Philly Craft Show exhibitors is Betsy Youngquist. Her mixed media beadwork is exquisite. Inspired by mythology, dreams and fantasy, her beaded creatures get a mixed reaction from the crowd, but hardly anyone can pass by her booth without stopping in to appreciate her craft.

We love her embellished crosses, and this year our favorite piece was a stunning but sweet mermaid. Her fantasy creatures with old doll heads evoke feelings that disturb some but intrigue others.

Betsy says she haunts ebay where she collects interesting dolls and objects for her treasure chest of materials. What a fascinating creative process she employs!

 

Some Zazzle for your Holiday Cards!

My new postage stamp release for the holiday season is now available on the Zazzle website. The "Seek Peace" message seems especially appropriate for our times. The hand-painted green leaves with red berries design is from my Winter Garden collection. 

If you're like me, you love receiving cards from friends and family - some of whom you hear from just this one time a year. Buy your cards now (look for mine where American Greetings cards are sold), or better yet, make your own! (that is how I got started in this industry)  Don't forget to allow enough time to jot a special note or perhaps write a (short) family newsletter. Photos add an extra treat.

And if the spirit moves you, give your cards a special touch with a decorative envelope, too! Choose my latest stamp or one of the others on my zazzle page... Enjoy the task of staying in touch with those you care about. Turn what could feel like a chore into a creative opportunity and a quiet time to connect with others by sending a little piece of YOU!

Happy Thanksgiving

My wishes to you for a happy and safe Thanksgiving with family and friends.

A Former Student

Another favorite stop for me at the Philadelphia Craft Show is the booth of jewelry design duo ford/forlano...both because their work is outstanding, AND because David Forlano, half of the duo, was a former high school art student of mine! It is always a treat to catch up with the duo and to see
their latest creations.

Dave always had tons of talent. His quiet, unassuming manner did not masquerade his intensity and focus. We had a wonderful Portfolio class of students at Hatboro-Horsham High School back in 1981-82, and everyone always looked up to Dave. In his senior year, he took an Independent Study class with me, and he chose to focus on painting. His oil paintings were SO large (about 6 x 8 ') that he couldn't get them into school (or probably out of his bedroom). So I would travel to his home to hold our critiques!

David (and a few of my other talented crew) ended up attending Tyler School of Art. This is where Dave met Steven Ford, (his now creative and business partner). They joined forces in 1988 and started a jewelry company, first called CityZen Cane, operating out of their Old City studio. Every year their reputation and business grew more, and today they are two of the most respected jewelry designers in the world. Their polymer clay and metal jewelry is distinctive, organic and sophisticated.

In recent years Dave relocated to Santa Fe. He and Steve still partner with their work in a very unique collaborative way.

To learn more, see the video Dave produced.

Ford Forlano's Pillow Collar Necklace is a 2009 acquisition of The Philadelphia Museum of Art in memory of Anne d'Harnancourt.

I really can't claim any rights to Dave's success, but still, I can't help but feel so very proud.

It is a wonderful thing to be able to work with talented people and watch them grow and evolve. I did it way back when as a teacher, and am fortunate to be still doing that today with my gifted design team!

Philly Craft Show

On November 14th we attended the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show at the Philadelphia Convention Center. Each year this juried exhibit offers the very finest in crafts for sale just in time for the holidays. I was a little worried about last year's light attendance, but this year was thrilled to see full aisles and a healthy amount of purchasing activity in spite of the economy!

Had a great time wandering the aisles with our friends, the Guinn's. Carol and I discovered some wonderful new jewelry designers and reconnected with other established friends in the industry. Here I am with our buddy Thomas Mann in front of his booth.

After the show we checked out the highly recommended Pub and Kitchen near Rittenhouse Square where we savored their yummy fare!

Pub and Kitchen
1946 Lombard St
Philadelphia, PA 19146-1411
(215) 545-0350

I signed with FreeSpirit!!!!

I am very excited to announce my new licensing partnership with Westminster Fiber's FreeSpirit brand! It has been a dream of mine to design fabric and I am so grateful for this new opportunity. The Journeys collection will be based on my Awakenings line of art which is very near and dear to my heart. I look forward to sharing it with you this spring!!!!

Check out the press release below.

Kathy Davis Studios Signs with

Westminster Fibers Lifestyle Fabrics

New Fabric Collections to Launch 2010

Ambler, Pa. – Nov. 18, 2009 – Kathy Davis Studios, Inc., one of the nation’s leading design companies of greeting card, gift and lifestyle products, announced today a new licensing partnership with Westminster Fibers Lifestyle Fabrics, a leading wholesale supplier of high quality textiles.

Beginning in 2010, more than 30 designs from Davis’ new Awakenings collection, a body of work influenced by Asian and Scandinavian design and abstract expressionism, will be available under Westminster Fibers’ famed FreeSpirit brand worldwide.  With patterns defined by bold, diverse colors and icons such as floral elements, leaves and dragonflies, the new fabrics lend themselves to traditional quilts, apparel and other lifestyle projects.

According to Kathy Davis Studios Vice President, Melissa Schulz, the partnership marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for the design company, elevating the Kathy Davis brand as it enters a new and thriving industry.

“We’re delighted to partner with Westminster Fibers Lifestyle Fabrics.  Not only is the company a proven industry leader, but a true innovator in the textile industry aligning with some of the world’s most talented designers,” Schulz said.

“I am very pleased and excited Kathy Davis has joined our dynamic team of artists,” said Westminster Fibers’General Manager, Joyce Robertson.  Kathy brings unique talents and creativity to our eclectic fabric design mix, and we are very fortunate to have her join our trend-setting group of gifted designers."

About Westminster Fibers Lifestyle Fabrics

Westminster Fibers Lifestyle Fabrics is one of the leading converters of high quality 100% cotton, flannel, fleece, poplin, canvas, home decorating, and quilting fabrics and well-known in the textile industry for their creative and unique fabric designs under their Rowan and FreeSpirit brands.  Talented trend-setting artists include Kaffe Fassett, Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, and Tina Givens to name a few.  Westminster supplies independent retail stores with some of the finest fabrics in the market to inspire sewing creativity and speaks to a new generation of sewing enthusiasts. For more information please visit www.westminsterfabrics.com, www.freespiritfabrics.com

A New Friend

One of the highlights for me at Friday night's book signing at Chamealeon in Ambler, PA, was in making the acquaintance of Janet Heller. Janet, who lives in Horsham, (just a stone's throw from our Studio) used to be a customer at my old store at the Montgomery Mall! She came in clutching a framed print she had purchased there many moons ago! My fear was that she wanted to return that print for some reason, but, instead, she said that she loved that piece so much that she would be willing to buy many more of them to give as gifts!

Unfortunately we no longer carry that print, but she happily purchased a book while we got better acquainted. It was a delight to meet new friends like Janet, and see old friends as well on Friday evening.

 

Rosa, Chamealeon's owner was the hostess with the most-ess. Her First Friday event even boasted a wine and cheese bar featuring Chadds Ford wines. While guests sipped their chardonnay, they browsed the assortment of hostess gifts, holiday décor, accessories and adorable baby gifts. It was a nice way to kick off some holiday shopping. If you were unable to make the event, stop by someday to find that perfect little something for anyone on your gift list. Chamaeleon will be carrying my Scatter Joy book throughout the holiday season.


Chamaeleon Accessories Boutique
12 Cavalier Drive (located near the Act II playhouse at 56 Butler Pike and adjacent to the municipal parking lot) Ambler, Pa 19002
215-325-1462

Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts

My hearts beats strongly for modern art and culture and the importance it has on our society. The Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts mission is to "foster innovative artistic expression and the creative process by encouraging and supporting cultural organizations that in turn, directly or indirectly, support artists and their work. The Foundation values the contribution these organizations make to artists and audiences and to society as a whole by supporting, exhibiting and interpreting a broad spectrum of contemporary artistic practice." I can't stress the importance of organizations like this to help cultivate a new generation of creative people.

A Modern Twist

I love when I find designs that are a new spin on a traditional product. Modern Twist did just that with their new Doileez collection. These are not your granny’s doillies! They are a new modern stylish version of the classic. These eco-friendly, reusable silicone shapes are available in a variety of patterns and colors and are not only functional but beautiful to look at.

 

 

I love their placemats too!

A Dose of Inspiration

More E-Cards!

I am happy to now have e-cards available on Blue Mountain.com. We have some new Thanksgiving cards in the mix and our elves are busy tinkering on some Christmas designs, too!

Please let me know your favorite e-cards when you have a moment.
We continue to have additional cards in development, so if there’s something particular you would like to see, I’m all ears for your feedback!

Scatter some joy today to someone who’s in your thoughts. (Try my “just because” e-card! It’s one of my most popular designs)

A Dose of Inspiration

Gifts and Dec Magazine

The October edition of Gifts and Decorative Accessories features new gift ideas that spread positive thinking. Happy to see this as an emerging trend, and equally happy to find my Scatter Joy book as a featured selection! (And what fun to share space with "Uppy" the newest Ugly Doll!)

Please Join Me in Ambler

On Friday night, November 6th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm you will find me at Chamaeleon, a new gift and accessories shop in the lively town of Ambler, PA.


I will be signing copies of my Scatter Joy book and giving away a box of free holiday cards to the first 10 people who purchase the book. You can enter a drawing to win my embroidered quilt that features the quote, "How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it".

I'd love to see you there, and Chamaeleon's owner Rosa Zeibari will warmly welcome you to her shop that features great hostess gifts, adorable baby items and unique accessories.

After the signing, you may want to catch a flick at my favorite movie spot, the revitalized Ambler Theater or grab a divine dinner at Dettera Restaurant and Wine Bar, just a half a block away! I'm so excited to see Ambler's renaissance in full swing, and happy to be a part of the action on November's First Friday. It's a perfect time to get a jump on your holiday shopping! Hope to see you!

Chamaeleon Accessories Boutique
12 Cavalier Drive (located near the Act II playhouse at 56 Butler Pike and adjacent to the municipal parking lot) Ambler, Pa 19002
215-325-1462

Re-Invention Convention Tips!

I was happily surprised to see one of my quotes from the Re-Invention Convention on More magazine's website.

Don't you just love Jean Chatsky's words of wisdom?

What a Lucky Boss I am!

When your company is like family (well, I DO have my brother on staff...) it is a joy coming into work. My crew at KDS is a very special group. They are extremely talented, amazingly thoughtful, and very, very good looking!!! ;)

While I was galavanting around Tuscany, doing yoga, drinking wine, and getting inspired, they were hard at work creating a greeting card extraordinaire for me for Boss's Day, which was October 16th.

Upon my return to the hectic pace of meetings and our daily Studio workload, I was interrupted with a very nice surprise! Along with a gorgeous flower arrangement and gift certificate, our dear Melissa L. presented me with the card she created, and had everyone at KDS sign. The theme this year, fittingly, was "graffiti", based on the fact that I couldn't get enough of the graffiti I saw during my trip to Spain!


There are fun surprises scrawled into every nook and cranny of the artwork. Even the birds are spreading the "scatter joy" message!

I have an incredible collection of handmade cards from my KDS family, and this new one certainly adds some FUN to the mix! Someday I will post a chronology of all of them... One more thing for the "to do" list...

Thank you, thank you, thank you to my thoughtful (and very good looking) staff!