Vendor of the Week: Megan Ellis

“Courage is the difference between talent and art”

                                                                                             - Louise Nevelson, sculptor

Megan Ellis Art Glass Beads

 "I make glass beads. I make beads because I have always wanted to work with glass as a sculptural medium."

Megan Ellis is an artist. Her medium is molten glass. Megan says, "There’s a lot to love about working with molten glass. It's mesmerizing, only a little dangerous. I make glass beads because the end result is a tangible and enduring piece of art."  She received her fine arts degree at Watkins College (a small art school in Nashville,) but it wasn't until she moved to California that her studies turned to glass making. The catalyst was a 2-day lamp working seminar offered by Chrissy Nixon at the Doiron Gallery, and in the course of the seminar, Ellis discovered the medium to fuel her passions.

"Beautiful, elegant, and simply wonderful."

"Glass is a perfect medium for the organic, rhythmic shapes which have always informed my art.  It allows me to express depth, color and reflectivity in ways that other media can't," Ellis states. She adds that there's the added pleasure of seeing other artists incorporate her work into theirs. "My talent," Ellis explains,  "is an inheritance from my father; my courage is something I only believe in because here I am- making art, not because I feel particularly courageous!"
 

"Glass is the perfect medium for organic, rhythmic shapes," say Ellis

"Midtown Bazaar is an important part of my development as an artist. It was here that I first brought my glass work into the light of day, both literally and figuratively! (The Bazaar) has been the perfect place for me to learn the practical things about presenting my work...and to be in a diverse little community of people who, like me, make stuff." 

Her various clients describe Megan Ellis' art glass as "lyrical, well made, a delight to use in designs." Words get bandied about like "beautiful," "elegant," "dramatic," and, "simply wonderful." Glass, Ellis explains, "is a wonderful medium for me because there is an immediacy and solidity of creation that I don't get with clay or fusing or works on paper and canvas."

Enjoy the warmth and marvel of art glass this Saturday at the Midtown Bazaar.

See the marvel of art glass for yourself this Saturday from 10 am-4 pm at the Midtown Bazaar, where featured artist and vendor of the week, Megan Ellis, will be displaying her beautifully elegant, one-of-a-kind, handmade art beads at her booth to the right of the entry of the Midtown Bazaar.                                                                 

Visit her shop on Etsy! Click here. 

Roller Skates for Sale

Of course they look nothing like these. 

Any one interested in buying used roller skates, contact us!

$50.00 for adult sizes

$20.00 for child sizes

Email: vendor@midtownbazaar.com

Vendor of the Week: Dottie Brand Accessories

Dottie Brand Accessories is the creation of Anndrija Long. Originally a jewelry line, Dottie Brand has expanded into a full line of accessories with a focus on hand-painted vinyl. Now in its sixth year of business, Anndrija is still expanding Dottie Brand, creating a large range of items, and the ways you can buy them.   

 Anndrija works with Eric "Eggie" Foust, a professional pin-stripe painter and local Sacramento artist. They collaborate and create a one-of-a-kind handpainted items that add color and fun to your accessories without busting your pocketbook.The look is retro, fun and unique.

If variety is the spice of life, Anndrija puts on the heat with over 15 colors of vinyl, 50 retro lining fabrics, 44 colors of paint to make Dottie Brand Accessories a veritable spice cabinet of handbags, coin purses, wallets and clutches. If that's not enough, you can always make a custom order. 

Check out her website for more examples of her work: dottiebrand.weebly.com Fan Dottie Brand on Facebook and get first dibs on the newest creations here. And Etsy lovers can shop Dottie Brand over at her Etsy shop. Dottie Brand on Etsy.

Dottie Brand Accessories is also available this Saturday at the Midtown Bazaar.

New Year, New YUM: Gram's Cookies Cookie Recipe

What better way to start off the new year than with a little cookie goodness? 

Gram, of Gram's Cookies shares one of her favorite cookie recipes with us, so YOU can start your new year off right: with a YUM!

For those of us who can't find the time to bake, I'm glad we can find Gram's Cookies every Saturday at the Midtown Bazaar. She'll be sure to have loads of deliriously delicious fresh baked treats, including classic chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, white-chocolate macadamia, to her almost-famous specialty cookies, like MY favorite: Toffee Crunch. Be sure to stop by this Saturday, and pick up your favorites for YOUR favorites!

Got Gram? Gram's Cookies are made with quality ingredients and made with love.

 

Recipe:

 

Shortbread cookies were my grandmother's favorite. I particularly like the macadamia nuts but you can also substitute your favorite nut(s).  There is a rich but delicate flavor to this cookie.  Hope you enjoy it!

Macadamia Shortbread Cookies:

 

2 cups butter (softened at room temperature)

1 cup + 3 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups all purpose flour

1 cup cake flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups finely chopped macadamia nuts

1/3 cup raw sugar

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

 

In a large mixer bowl, cream butter, sugar, vanilla and salt until light and fluffy (2 to 3 minutes).  Add the flour and cake flour (a little at a time-since it will incorporate better) and beat until smooth.  Add chopped macadamia nuts and raw sugar in a small bowl.  Make one inch dough balls and roll in macadamia nut/sugar mixture.  Place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet, and slightly flatten each dough ball.  Bake for about 15 minutes.  Cool on rack. Makes about 48 cookies.   

 

Baking Tip: 

 

When are butter and sugar creamed together properly? 

 

These two ingredients change right before your eyes if you watch the 2 to 3 minute process.  The sugar-butter mixture will be chunky at first. Then it turns sandy or gritty.  The two will look like the mixer is flattening them against the sides of the bowl.  But, after 2 to 3 minutes you can observe that the butter will have lightened from pale yellow to an off white. With the aid of the sugar crystals and the air that you have beaten in, the butter and sugar are properly creamed.

 

Gram's Cookies with be at the Midtown Bazaar this Saturday, January 8th, from 10 am-4 pm when the Bazaar is back and open for business. See you there!