Support in the Studio.

There are so many components to running a small business from home, and I am the first to say that I have not done this alone. I need to pay tribute to so many of you who have helped me and supported me this far!

My husband for believing in me and being patient with me when I choose to say up all night on a project. And for just being the most incredible husband on the planet.

My parents for supporting my ideas and always paying special interest. (sorry Dad, Carol and John...I coulnd't find a quick picture of you!!!)

My wonderful cousin Liz who has been my new "hired help" the past two months and can do just about anything!

My sisters in law Robyn and Megan for being my on-the-spot babysitter when I find my self in a mini-crisis and Ann for being an AMAZING financial advisor!

My dear new-found-friend Kelly for all her incredible advice and wisdom

My online friend Jaime for her support and advice about the details of running an art business

And to all of you who have offered up words of encouragement and support along the way!

This list could go on and on. I am just so grateful for all the help I have received! I could definately not do this on my own!

And that brings me to my next item of discussion:

PRICING MY ART

I am raising my prices starting in March. This has been a really hard decision for me, since I aime at making my art work affordable for all. I really "poo-poo" all the children's art work that is incredibly overpriced and seems to sell to the "elite" few who can afford hundreds of dollars in art for their children. But I also feel, that under priced art work isn't in any one's interest either. With needing more hired help these past couple months, and with the value of the materials that I use in the art making process, I am raising my prices just a bit to compensate. The challenge comes with placing a value on my work, and I have struggled over this one. But I feel that now is the time and I hope that you can support me on this one.

I mention this to you, because I want to give you a chance to buy before the weekend is out and my prices go up $5 per print. My prices will remain the same until Sunday March 2nd.

Once again, thank you to all of you who continue to offer so much support and encouragement! I just am a very lucky gal!

Save the Date.

In my previous life (BC: Before Children) I was an actress/singer/dancer. I know, it is sometimes hard for me to believe that I spent my evenings doing shows and rehearsals! I guess a lot of you don't know that I graduated with a BFA in musical theater. I taught voice lessons at BYU for 2 years, and still teach at home. I don't really miss it...other than my experience I had playing the lead role in this musical for three years. I actually haven't really done much on the stage since Addie was born...although we do have rounds of broadways performances every night on our couch with favorites such as "SHY" and "TOMORROW" and "STRONGEST SUIT".

The reason for bringing this up on my very mommy/artist blog is to mention to all you UTAH citizens out there that my husband and I will be performing in a benefit concert this Friday night at Lone peak High school.

Here is the excerpt from the the newspaper:

The Shari Warner Benefit Concert: A Lullaby of Broadway
Description: Friday, February 29th, 7:30-9:00 PM, Lone Peak High School, Highland, Utah. Shari Warner is a compassionate, kind, generous mother of eight children who is losing the battle with pancreatic cancer. Steve Wallace, Soni and Jodie Barrus, and 16 of Utah's top performers have put together a broadway revue-style benefit concert in her honor. The show includes songs from "Wicked," "42nd Street," "I Do, I Do," "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "Les Miserables," and other favorite musicals. There is no charge for admission, and the night is sure to be an up-beat, unforgettable one full of family-friendly fun!
Time:		07:30 PM
Date:		Feb 29
Location:		Lone Peak High School auditorium
Category:		Family Entertainment
Address:		10189 N 4800 W 84003 Highland

I tell you this, because I have seen what good it can do to bring the community together and support a family such as this. I don't know them personally, but I have met her children, and they are remarkable. Her youngest child is 12.

If you have any inclination to see an AMAZING review of all your favorite broadway songs, please come. It will be a wonderful night.

Other performers include Natalie and Jared Haddock, Skye and Ben Cummings, Jillette Dayton, Jennifer Latimer, Gerry Graves, Michelle and Ross Boothe, to name a few.

See you there!

Tagged.

Ok...I think I have been tagged about a jillion billion times (wow! That is a lot!) by my cousins, and so now I am giving in to the blog-peer pressure.

But before I do: Note the picture above. Mica, Me and Hannah (we are the oldest girl cousins of 50 on my dad's side). And between us three gals, we have 6 kids!!!! And, even better...we still fit on one bed like we used to at sleep overs when we would talk about the day we would be Mommies. Oh how time flies.

Speaking of which:

What I was doing 10 years ago......FEB of '98: Falling in love with Kenneth. 10 years ago was my freshman year at BYU, and Kenneth and I had all the same classes together (except for one). Let's see... In feb I think that Kenneth and I were choreographing a musical production at a local private school together.

5 Things on my "To-Do" list:
JUST 5?????
1. Dishes
2. Update my Business finances
3. Finish my "march" print
4. Practice music for a benefit concert coming up in a week.
5. clean my office.

3 bad habits I have:
1. Putting off housework
2. Late library books
3. I always put off making phone calls
(do you see the procrastination theme here?)

Day of choice? Fridays

Places I've lived: (in order)
Utah
Orange county, CA
Wellesley, MA
North Potomac, MD
Orem, UT

***I am adding: Places I wish to live:

Provence, FRANCE
Wales
Tuscany
I want to retire in a cape style cottage in New England.

Marriage date: Dec 16, 2000

Favorite indulgence: Sleep. reading magazines. hot baths. hmmmmmm:)

Phobias/fears? I have nightmares about being on stage and not knowing my part. So, does that mean I fear not being prepared?

Reason to smile: Blue sky, ocean, my kids' laugh, my husband's hugs, travel, fresh flowers, when I am in a cycle class, my family being together, good food on the table, going on a spontaneous adventure, art museums, and just the joy of being alive.

Season of choice: I actually love every season. Change is always a good thing.

Vegetable: asparagus, artichokes and sugar snap peas.

Oranges or Apples? crisp braeburns...unless we are in CA, and then oranges for sure.

# of brothers/sisters: 1 sister, three brothers.

Ok! It's your turn Becca, Mica, Sasha and Cait! Ya, ya. You can take a month or so like I did.

It's a good hairday.

Ok. Here they are folks. Now, I hope that you can find what you are looking for! I get so many requests to change the hair color on my prints, and I have had to say no in the past. But, it looks like now there are some choices for you, so I hope you can find just the right one!

Little boys are made of...

Well, Here we have it. My first official 'boy' set. This has been a longer project than expected, with 2 color variations, 3 prints, and 4 hair colors. Whew!! We'll see if I do that again!

These are a tribute to little boys who love to be outside. Well, wait. That's every boy!!!

These will be available in the shop later this afternoon. This is the stormy blue color, and there is also a green version with green tree and orange shirt. Stay tuned!

But now I am off to put something together for my husband for Valentines day! (Shhhhh...don't tell him:)

Hugs and Kisses,

Sarah

That's what little boys are made of.

Little boys. I just love little boys. Here are two prints that will soon be three. Can you guess what the third one will be?

I love nursery rhymes. I loved them as a kid, but even more so now. I see how they have helped Addie and Ian with their vocabulary. I just love hearing Addie walk around the house saying

"Little boy blue, come blow your horn..."
"Sing a song of sixpence..."
"Lucy Locket lost her pocket..."
"Polly put the kettle on..."

Most of these rhymes have a tune, or if I didn't know one I made one up. Nursery rhymes as well as Dr. Suess have really helped my children to learn new words. I love it!

So, I will be offering TEXT in these images. But as always, it is an option. But I really do hope that the text is kept. I just love to see little ones learn new rhymes!

And also...DUN DUN DUN...I will be offering 4 hair colors and other background colors with these prints. I get so many requests to change the hair color, etc. that this time, I am just going to make it an option at purchase. Black, brown, red and blonde. This way, every little boy can see himself in the pictures. The third will most likely be out tomorrow...but my "boys" have been waiting so long for their grand entrance, and just couldn't wait any longer! Enjoy!

ONE MORE DAY.

Don't forget...BUY TWO GET ONE FREE ends tonight at Midnight (MST).
Have fun in the SHOP!

Shhh....button up. It's a secret!

Well, I will tell you what ISN'T a secret:

RAINYLAKECHICK who said "I love the "This Much" the best!" is the winner of my very first giveaway! Congratulations!

But here is the secret:

I am INCREDIBLY happy that so many of you left such great comments! As an artist, a new business owner and a new blogger, it is just really great to see such a great response from all of you! Thanks! I really take to heart the comments that you leave, and I just love getting meet new people (in the blogging sense) along the way. Thanks!

As a THANK YOU GIFT for all your wonderful comments, I am offering a BUY 2 GET 1 FREE to all my blog friends. Yes, that is YOU. I am NOT going to post this on my ETSY page. Just here. This is a little experiment. So, play along!

Here are the rules:

From NOW until Tuesday Feb 5th at Midnight MST (mountain standard time) when you purchase TWO items, you can receive the THIRD item (of equal or lesser value) for free. Please DO NOT purchase your free print. Only MENTION it in the "message to seller" box at the time of purchase. The shipping price will be the same as if you had purchased two.

Good luck, have fun, and see you at my SHOP!