I hope you all had beautiful weekends. Here in Portland, Maine, it was all about local crafts, local food, and great local shops. The highlight for me was attending the Picnic Holiday Sale. Click here for links to many of the amazing craftspeople and artisans who were selling their wares. Most of them have online shops where you can buy their glorious work.
I also wanted to share a little of my own publishing and photography news with you. Have been meaning to for ages, but as Mr. Magpie will tell you, I stink at self-promotion.
A piece I wrote on Polish Gypsy poet Papusza was published online in The Gypsy Chronicles. If you head over to read it, you'll learn a bit about this fascinating woman. She was very much the center of my academic research and work for an important period in my life, and I'm thrilled to be able to share some of her story on such a fantastic site. Thank you, Alison Mackie, for publishing this essay.
And finally, I just wanted to let you know that one of my photographs, "Peonies," is available for purchase at Fine Art America. Prints start at $22.00, but you can purchase a greeting card for $4.95, a pack of 10 cards for $2.45/card, or a pack of 25 cards for $1.75/card. I'm thinking it might make a nice holiday gift for peony lovers. :)
Thanks for reading along with me, and for offering such wonderful comments, here and via email and face-to-face. I love this online community of ours, especially when it spills over into our snail mailboxes and our everyday lives. Blogging has changed a great deal since many of us started back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, but as we redefine ourselves and our blogs in relation to the onslaught of social media, I'm finding that the true blue friends I've made along the way are just that--friends--and this makes me happier than I can possibly say.
Hi Gigi,
ReplyDeletethats a clever promotion for your artwork. The Peonies print is fabulous and I think it is important, that people can find the link. Thank you for sharing this interesting story about the Gypsy poet and about the possibility to buy your wonderful photography print. Wish you a lot of success.
Best greetings,
Johanna
Thanks very much, Johanna! I can't take the credit for the clever promotion, though. I sell my photos through Getty Images, and they decided to sell that image through Fine Art America. I'm lucky that they are much better at promotion than I am! :)
DeleteI so hope people will visit The Gypsy Chronicles. They are doing important work in Gypsy studies.
Thank you Gigi for allowing us to publish your essay. Its an important piece of writing. Also it brings luck to the site: Today we published an interview with Dr. Ian Hancock! So, one more time with feeling: Thanks again Gigi Thibodeau! :) Alison m
ReplyDeleteYou're the best, Alison. I am so excited about the interview with Dr. Hancock. Congratulations! This is fantastic news! xo
DeleteCongratulations on both the published piece and the beautiful photograph. I agree that friends can be made in the blogging community. I have a few from a writer's site that I "met" back in 2005 and we are still friends to this day, without meeting in person. It is hard to explain to those who don't participate. Most can't understand why I even blog if I don't get paid a huge sum for doing so.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue! There is a great satisfaction to be found in blogging that is more valuable than money. While I do use it to promote my work, I would love it no matter what.
DeleteGigi,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the essay and what a good idea to sell your photography also.
I have to agree, that blogging is a wonderful thing and THANK YOU for being a part of the community!
Liz
Thanks, Liz! I'm so glad we found each other. xo
DeleteOh that's wonderful Gigi...so happy for you...and the photography as well, fantastic. I always loved a shot you took called 'Winter Welcome', it would make a gorgeous card too.
ReplyDeletexoxo Debra
Thank you so much, Debra! Actually, it's funny that you mention it because that shot is on a card! "Winter Welcome" was licensed two years ago by Susan O'Hanlon Cards in Great Britain.
DeleteWarm hugs,
Gigi
Hi there!
ReplyDeleteMy husband grew up in San Francisco; but when he was in 8th grade his mother married a "chap" from Portland Maine.......Cape Elizabeth!
He was a student at Choate (Connecticut) however, spent some summers in Cape Elizabeth!!! His mother's best friend there in those days was Bette Davis!
VERY INTERESTING
Interesting, indeed! I had read that Bette Davis and several other Golden Age actresses summered in the Cape Elizabeth area. How incredibly wonderful that your husband's mother's best friend happened to be Miss Davis! And how lucky for your husband that he got to spend his summers in such a beautiful place.
DeleteSpeaking of Bette Davis, have you ever seen her last picture, The Whales of August? It was filmed out on Cliff Island here in Casco Bay, and it's a gorgeous film! When they were making it, co-star Vincent Price would often eat lunch in Portland at a popular restaurant called The Dry Dock. My sister was a waitress there then, and she waited on him. I was in high school at the time, and I thought that was just about the coolest thing ever! :)
CONGRATULATIONS on your writing and photography milestones, Gigi--well done! So HAPPY for you! Oh, yes, blogging had changed so much, and especially now that social media takes over to the extent that blogging sometimes seems a hybrid of social media. I feel like a dinosaur with my old-school approach to blogging. While my overall readership has dwindled, it's the true friends that stay and share that make the journey all the sweeter. Here's to friendship in all its forms! :o) Wishing you & yours days merry & bright and much JOY in 2013! ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteThank you so, so much, Tracy. You are one of those blogging friends whose friendship I treasure. Happy Holidays, my friend! xoxo
DeleteCan't wait to read your article, sounds fascinating.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with future projects. Peonies are so beautiful too.
Thanks, Marilyn! Papusza is fascinating, indeed. xo
DeleteWow, that's alot of artists that took part in that sale ... bet it was so much fun! Lovely print and now I'm off to read about your gypsy lady ~ thanks for sharing so much good stuff!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, you are so right! There were tons of people there selling, and many, many more buying. What a wonderful way to celebrate the season. xo
DeleteCongrats to you, Gigi! I am off to read about your gypsy poet - I know it will be wonderful! And I adore your gorgeous photos - like DJ said your Winter Welcome is also one of my faves. I have the flower market photo you sent me sitting right on my desk at home and it always makes me smile. Enjoy the season, sweet friend! xxoo
ReplyDeleteOh, that warms my heart, Cathi! You are just the best. xo
DeleteSo happy that good things are happening:) I consider you one of my blogging friends for sure:) If Getty photos knew better they would have many more of your photos available!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Gail! They are selling a bunch of them, so I can't complain, but hopefully an even wider selection in 2013. Fingers crossed.
DeleteI'm so glad we've met in the blogging world. You always inspire me with your beautiful photographs, my friend. xoxo
Congratulations Gigi! I love that picture and have become a big fan of peonies which I never see here in the tropics.
ReplyDeleteYou know I love those peonies. Congratulations! I've been missing my blog-hopping habit and I wanted to stop by and say, "Hello, friend. Merry Christmas."
ReplyDelete