Thanks to everyone who steadily came out to Waveland this past weekend. We had people who braved the drizzle and chill on Saturday and a great turnout for the most perfect fall fair weather possible on Sunday. Special thanks to Teresa of @workerbeesewingco for choosing this red leather backpack and the raving review that she gave to everyone in ear shot that day. She wanted a bag to hold her laptop, mouse pad, refillable planner, and a few other items. This backpack surprised me in being able to fit everything she was hoping for inside of it perfectly. It can also be converted to a crossbody. Here are her words: “I’m so excited about this red backpack from Reimagined by Luna. Melissa Oesch, a leather artist, uses reclaimed leather to make beautiful, durable, and functional bags. I purchased the red backpack and was amazed at how much it holds, how beautiful it is, and how wearing it corrected my posture. If you are looking for a special gift idea, check her out.”

The Waveland Art Fair has officially begun! It’s only slightly drizzly and should clear up completely before too long. This overcast sky makes the leather colors sing. I’m here with over 50 artists, and we are open Saturday and Sunday 10-5pm. I’m in booth 19 along the brick pathway.

This weekend is the Waveland Art Fair in Lexington, Ky. I’m so grateful that we have so many opportunities for artists here in Lexington. This is a small, but high quality collection of artists who tend to be from here and the surrounding area. It’s a $5 ticket to see the event that you can purchase at the gate. We will be open Saturday and Sunday 10-5pm. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about it. This is one of those solid local events that has been going on for awhile, but people are still learning about. One of the perks is that it is a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy the art and have space to engage some of the artists. I’ll have these handbound journals/sketchbooks with handmade paper available. This paper is great for writing, drawing, watercolor and other mixed media. It’s also acid-free so it’s safe for photographs. Because these are heirloom quality, people often choose these for wedding guestbooks, retirement parties, scrapbooks, special trips, and more. September 6-7 Waveland Art Fair Lexington, KY

What a beautiful weekend on every level! From clear skies to many genuine exchanges to time with friends and more, it was a wonderful weekend. I really enjoyed being in Bloomington and connecting with everyone. Thank you to all that came by and big thanks to the staff, board, and volunteers who took such good care of us throughout the weekend. The first photo is of a lady who purchased her teal backpack last year and stopped by to tell me how much she loves it. This was only my second year at this show, but so many people made a point of stopping in who I had met last year. These ongoing relationships and connections are one of the reasons I love in-person art shows. These small gestures mean a lot. Thank you! Next up: September 6-7 Waveland Art Fair Lexington, KY September 27-28 Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art Madison, IN October 3-5 St. James Court Art Show Fourth St. Section Louisville, KY October 11-13 Tennessee Craft Fall Fair  Nashville, TN October 18-19 KY Guild Fall Art Market Berea, KY

We have one more day at the @4thstreetfest in Bloomington. It was so good to see so many familiar faces yesterday, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of you today. We are open today (Sunday) 10-5. I’m in booth 61 near Taste of India. Come join us!

Happy colors! And happy @4thstreetfest weekend! I’m in Bloomington, IN Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 10-5 with about 120 artists. I’m in booth 61 near Taste of India. I’m looking forward to being back this year!

Here are some late summer/early fall colors. This batch of leather bags will be heading with me to the @4thstreetfest this weekend in Bloomington, IN. In KY, they are calling this cooler weather a false fall. Whatever it is, it’s going to be perfect weather for an art show this weekend!

There is so much that happens behind the scenes when you run a small business, especially one where you are also making each piece. This is a quick documentation of the process, the product, and the meditative quality that working steadily with your hands brings. It doesn’t show the hours spent building a website, marketing, sales tax, working with stores/galleries, shipping and everything that goes into applying, setting up, and selling at art shows. I’m grateful to everyone who supports this kind of labor intensive work that is filled with intention and care. Handmade pieces connect us to each other, but also back to ourselves and part of what makes us human. A big thank you to @ericachambersphotographyky for creating this video and capturing a few of those moments.

Every once in awhile, I have people reach out to me about repairs for their bags that I’ve made, especially with their heavily used bags. This bag was purchased over 4 yrs ago and needed part of the closure replaced. I definitely offer these kinds of services on my bags. It’s always interesting to see how the leather has worn over time. This one has such a great patina and some of the color has become more distressed (she could always add conditioner to make the color rich again, but some people prefer this look). The lady who sent it said: “I absolutely love this bag and I get so many compliments on it.”

This watercolor sketchbook was spotted at the Woodland Art Fair! Madison of @mona.earthpaints makes all of these beautiful eco-friendly watercolors and was using her watercolor sketchbook as a demonstration. This paper is handmade in India, archival, and 200 GSM. It is white with a slightly textured surface (cold press). It works well for wet mediums as well as writing, drawing or even as a scrapbook for photos. I create the books in multiples sizes and styles. If you are interested in the watercolors themselves, you can find them at @mona.earthpaints

Wow, Lexington!! Thank you for showing up the way you did this past weekend. It was full and wonderful and filled with many good connecting moments. I am very grateful for all the support from this community and am glad to be a part of it. You are one of the reasons I stayed in Kentucky. Lexington is so supportive of small businesses, locally owned, and handmade goods. I am reflecting and appreciating many of you this morning. A big thank you to the @lexingtonartleague staff and volunteers and @lexkyparks! And thank you to all the artists and the goodwill that many of them bring. It really does feel like extended family. There were multiple times where I was reminded of how much good there is in people. Thank you for sharing your best selves. It was such a non-stop this weekend that I didn’t get many pictures, but this is of one of those sweet moments. This is a wedding guestbook that I made about 10 years ago. They made the effort to bring this by to show me how they’ve used it and what it’s become. The inside pages are filled wedding photos, sign-ins from guests at their wedding, wedding notecards and other memorabilia. It was so beautiful to see it and all the love that it represents.

Last day at the Woodland Art Fair! We are open today (Sunday) from 10-5pm. It’s pretty amazing to see how Lexington shows up for this one. There is food, drinks, so much incredible art, and music throughout the day. I’m in booth 174 near the pool and facing the skatepark.

We’re ready for you!! I’m at the Woodland Art Fair in Lexington, KY with so many amazing and inspiring artists. It’s Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 10-5. I’m in booth 174 and am excited to be here!

It’s almost here! The Woodland Art Fair is this weekend!! There will be art, food, drinks, and entertainment. I’ll be joining over 180 other artists, and we make everything you see in our booths. From ceramics to wood crafted items, prints to paintings, baskets to brooms, there is bound to be something to inspire you. Join us Saturday 10-6pm and Sunday 10-5pm. I’ll be in booth 174, which is my usual area near the pool and facing the skatepark. See you soon, Lexington! August 16-17 Woodland Art Fair Lexington, KY Booth 174

It’s been a wild week over here as I’ve been trying to get ready for the Woodland Art Fair this weekend. Among other things, my trusty, old Juki had to go into the repair shop. I’ll have it back soon enough thanks to @continentalsewky. But for now, I am so very grateful to Teresa of @workerbeesewingco for loaning me one of her sewing machines to get me through the week. One way or another, I will be ready for the weekend!

The Woodland Art Fair is just over a week away! I’m finishing up a few custom orders that will be ready for pick up there, including this large leather notebook cover. I will have an array of leather journals, sketchbooks, and bags as well as the journal that inspired this piece. August 16-17 Woodland Art Fair Lexington, KY Booth 174 @lexingtonartleague

What a beautiful weekend! Thank you to everyone who came out to the @shakervillageky Craft Fair! It is such a peaceful setting, and I’m glad to have spent it with so many good people. Thank you for coming by and for being supportive of handmade work and small businesses. We really appreciate it!! photo courtesy of Pamela Cveticanin- thank you!

@shakervillageky Craft Fair has begun! I’m out here with other great artists in this beautiful, historical setting. We are open Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 10-4. I’m in booth #54 near the vegetable garden.

This weekend is the @shakervillageky Craft Fair! This is such a beautiful, peaceful setting. I’m looking forward to spending the weekend in this relaxing and uplifting environment. The craft fair will be open on Saturday 10-5pm and Sunday 10-4pm.

The studio is full of colors and piles in process. I’m cutting and sewing and folding and binding and doing everything I can to get ready for another round of shows. There are a couple great local ones coming up. If you are in the area and enjoy art, join us at Shaker Village this weekend and the Woodland Art Fair in just a couple of weeks. Upcoming shows: August 2-3 Shaker Village Art Show Harrodsburg, KY August 16-17 Woodland Art Fair Lexington, KY August 30-31 4th Street Art Festival of the Arts and Crafts Bloomington, IN September 6-7 Waveland Art Fair Lexington, KY September 27-28 Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art Madison, IN October 3-5 St. James Court Art Show Fourth St. Section Louisville, KY October 11-13 Tennessee Craft Fall Fair  Nashville, TN October 18-19 KY Guild Fall Art Market Berea, KY